James Osborne Novels

We’ve a double header of good news to share with you today. 

First, a short story of mine has been chosen for an anthology of stories by authors from all over the world. Second, an international writers’ association has included my latest novel SECRET SHEPERD in a 10-book giveaway set for October. 

The anthology is called FEAR & COURAGE – Timeless Wisdom, and will be available through Amazon.com on October 15, although pre-orders are being accepted.

Published by Australia-based Exile Publishing Pty. Ltd., the editors chose 25 stories by authors from the US, Canada, Australia, Britain, New Zealand and a few other countries. They described those chosen as “true stories that reveal the depths of the human experience.” 

Full disclosure: Contrary to what the title may imply, a few stories involve a bit of humor, my story among them. Reading mine you’ll see why the book might easily have been called “Foolish & Careless.” 

My story is called “Dodging Darth Vader” and chronicles an unplanned adventure by bicycle down the side of a mountain with my lovely wife Sharolie.

We took a wrong turn and found ourselves on chairlift that took us to the top of a mountain and a trail intended for high-risk motocross bicycle racers. There we were, with ancient bicycles and helmets amidst a bunch of folks a third our age with every conceivable joint and bit of exposed flesh sensibly padded. They all looked like they’d just emerged from a Darth Vader film and we looked … well … different!

An earliere version of the story first appeared in my collection ENCOUNTERS WITH LIFE, published by Solstice Publishing Inc., in 2015 under the title “Comin’ Down The Mountain.” 

The writers’ association is called International Thriller Writers. It’s an association of thousands of mystery and thriller writers and holds several book giveaways a year. We’re pleased to have SECRET SHEPHERD included in the current giveaway promotion. Awesome! The purpose of the giveaways is to promote works by its members.

You can check out the giveaway and enter the draw for SECRET SHEPHERD and the nine other mystery and thriller novels here (you need a US address to enter) CLICK HERE TO ENTER!, and you will find FEAR & COURAGE on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1925820068/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_Gb7IDb8KSWZ2W