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Eerie Depths
In Assimilation, a lonely young woman’s life is forever altered after a disturbing lake encounter that forces her to confront the secrets of her parents, her own biology, and the terrifying presence haunting the waters. What inspired the eerie beauty of the Soshone Islands, and how did you balance calm with dread in the landscape?
Spending many summers fishing the sprawling waters of Canada, I have always been spellbound by the ancient allure and unspoiled beauty of that timeless land, history and mystery written into every boulder, bog, and tributary. It was inevitable that eventually a story would emerge from those clear, eerie depths, the way all those countless submerged boulders silently watched from below as my boat passed soundlessly above them. It was exhilarating to merge my memories and awe with the haunting narrative of Kercy’s plight.
The lake scene is both surreal and intensely physical. How did you approach crafting an encounter that feels simultaneously dreamlike and traumatic?
Boating on a vast body of water for me is both physical and surreal, and doubly so at night. I drew upon my personal experiences with this inscrutable medium. How it can hold up a craft weighing hundreds to thousands of pounds, while allowing a tiny pebble to penetrate its surface without hesitation. And while that same surface can appear calm, familiar, just beneath it is a boundless, unseen world teeming with life. How can one not be excited by that!
Kercy’s emotional landscape is so rich and painful. What part of her character came to you first when writing her?
Kercy’s horrid beginnings, her trials, her struggle to survive. She was born damaged, vulnerable, an outcast in a world she knew early on she was not designed for. It was her strength and determination that pushed the story forward, along with the resolve of her mother, who felt both responsible for Kercy’s ordeal and eternally grateful for her birth.
What guided your decisions about how far to lean into each element and genre, and were there versions of the story that were more (or less) “alien”?
The storyline and characters always guide my decisions. The characters, if I’m being totally faithful to them, define where the story will take me. The circumstances around Kercy’s birth, which has taken place before the story begins, have already set the course for what she must learn about her life. Then the only question becomes how; how does she unveil her past, how will her current situation be revealed? From that point, I open myself to discovering the story, allowing it to unfold naturally, with my fidelity to Kercy and the other characters always at the forefront.
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Kercy Powell loves spending summers at their secluded island cottage in Ontario; a place where her birth defects and wheelchair are never on display. Just before her eighteenth birthday, Kercy is shocked to learn her mother sold their island paradise, offering only this grave warning, “Don’t ever go back there!”
The ensuing years bring Kercy a miraculous metamorphous, making her wheelchair unnecessary. Upon her mother’s death, she inherits the family fortune and buys back her most treasured getaway. Kercy is soon plagued by old nightmares; strange beings who visit in her sleep. One night, two men boat out to her cottage and try to assault her. She manages to escape, only to witness the unholy cries of her attackers being savagely killed.
The inexplicable murders trigger a visit from Special Agent Mallory, a cagey FBI officer who is only interested in how the two men died. But Kercy has no idea, until she comes face to face with her “protectors,” creatures who live beneath the deep, icy waters of Georgian Bay. And while they’ve rescued her before, Kercy can’t shake the notion that their intentions are nefarious.
[CONTENT ADVISORY: Intended for adult readership and contains scenes of violence, sexuality, aliens, and language that may be uncomfortable for some readers.]
[TRIGGER WARNING: Rape]
Assimilation
Assimilation tells the story of Kercy, a fragile and often isolated young woman whose life is split between the harshness of her family and the eerie beauty of the Soshone Islands. The calm of her summers fractures when she hooks a grotesque, severed limb in the lake, only to be visited that same night by strange beings who invade her room and her body. That moment becomes the axis of her entire life, leading her toward hidden truths about her parents, her own biology, and the horrifying forces lurking beneath the water. The book follows her journey from isolated child to self-possessed adult as she navigates love, danger, loss, and the long shadow of whatever visited her that night.
Reading it pulled me around emotionally in ways I didn’t expect. Some sections felt tender and slow, almost sleepy with the warmth of summer afternoons, then suddenly the story lurched into fear and chaos. I kept feeling this knot in my stomach because the writing toys with dread in such a quiet way. Busch’s descriptions of water and landscape are gorgeous and simple. They gave me a sense of calm. Then he ripped it away with scenes so bizarre I actually had to pause. The alien encounter scene hit me hardest. It felt weirdly intimate, almost like watching someone relive a trauma they barely understand. It made my skin prickle because it blended dream logic with physical detail in a way that felt too real.
But the part that stayed with me most wasn’t the creatures. It was the messy and painful bond between Kercy and her parents. Her father’s coldness stung every time he appeared. Her mother’s love felt too thin in some moments and heartbreakingly fierce in others. The whole time, I felt this quiet anger building under the surface. He disappears early in the book, yet his absence keeps shaping her life like a bruise that never fully heals. By the time the story reaches its later chapters, where Kercy reflects on the ruins of her past from adulthood, I felt this soft ache for everything she carried that nobody helped her set down.
Assimilation struck me as a story for readers who love emotional tension mixed with strange, unsettling mystery. Assimilation blends the emotional depth of The Girl with All the Gifts with the eerie, slow-burn dread of Annihilation and the intimate character focus of Room, creating a story that feels both tender and terrifying. If you like atmospheric fiction with sci-fi elements woven into human pain, or if you enjoy stories that linger in your mind, this one will absolutely grab you.
pages: 335 | ASIN: B0FSSJP5CP
Dissolution of the Status Quo
Cargo Hold 4 follows eight scientists exploring a dwarf planet and collecting samples who accidentally bring aboard an unseen entity that is now trying to escape the cargo hold it is trapped in. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The idea came to me one day while I was walking. In my mind’s eye, I saw, and heard, something pounding on this huge yellow metal door, making these enormous welts. Cargo Hold 4, those were the words in my head. I let it simmer, the concept refusing to leave. Eventually, I just gave in, needing to find out about this hell-raiser in Cargo Hold 4.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
Not any character in particular, really, but more the entire crew. It was challenging from the standpoint of imagining scientists committing their lives to a mission that most of them would not return from. That set up a dynamic that wouldn’t be present in most situations, especially given that they could be in space for fifty years, and only ever encounter one another for the rest of their lives. I know most writers like to go to cryogenic stasis for space travel, but there was no story in that. I wanted to imagine what the crew interaction might be like if they remained awake, and the potential for conflict, intimacy, disagreements, and so on. Then, of course, the slow dissolution of the status quo they had established over the first five years when this entity makes itself known. It really was terrific fun playing with this scenario.
You flawlessly blend Science Fiction and horror in this book. How did you go about blending the two genres without disrupting the story?
Thank you! For me, I guess, the fusion was organic, inevitable. The nexus of the genres met in the same place; with the entity in Cargo Hold 4. Through the unknown idiosyncrasies of outer space, I found the potential for this life form, which leads to quite horrific events. Yet I didn’t want the usual “monster” with the unquenchable lust to kill humans for no reason. The life form had to be something incredible, unimaginable, with a complex intelligence beyond human comprehension.
What is the next book that you’re working on, and when can your fans expect it?
I actually have several books in the works. Some are finished and in the editing stage, with others I’m still working on; a dystopian SF trilogy with a fair amount of horror, and a couple of magical realism love stories I’m also very excited about, though not sure how my SF Horror “fans” will react. That’s always a risk, I guess, changing things up when the “story” takes you in different directions.
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Cargo Hold 4
Cargo Hold 4, by Lonnie Busch, is an engaging piece of science fiction that plunges readers into a suspenseful and eerie journey through space. The story follows the crew of the spaceship Gretel, tasked with collecting samples from distant planets for research. However, their mission takes a terrifying turn when strange, roaring noises aboard the ship spark a series of unsettling discoveries. Captain Desna and her crew quickly realize they are unprepared for the revelations that lie ahead. As members of her team are affected by these mysterious events, Desna faces mounting pressure and growing fear about the fate she’s leading them toward.
Busch’s writing style is captivating, drawing readers in with vivid descriptions and a perfect blend of sci-fi, horror, and suspense. The way he builds tension is masterful—some moments left me truly unsettled, forcing me to take a break just to catch my breath. The technical aspects of the futuristic world are woven seamlessly into the plot, adding depth and excitement to the narrative. Busch’s detailed explanations of the spaceship’s technology were fascinating, and they enhanced the story without overwhelming it. The pacing is tight, and the sense of dread steadily escalates throughout, making it hard to put down.
One of the most striking elements of the book is how it plays with shock and horror. There’s a disturbing intensity to certain scenes that left me both riveted and unnerved. While some moments felt gory and unsettling, they served to heighten the story’s tension and keep me on edge. The ending, in particular, is haunting—it left me in deep contemplation, still processing the layers of what I had just read. The characters are equally well-crafted, and Busch uses them to explore thought-provoking ethical questions, adding depth to the story’s overall impact.
Cargo Hold 4 is a gripping and unsettling sci-fi thriller that blends horror and suspense with a powerful narrative. Lonnie Busch has created a world that is not only immersive but also leaves readers questioning the boundaries of science and ethics. It’s the kind of book that keeps you hooked from the first page but also lingers long after you’ve finished. I highly recommend it to fans of science fiction who enjoy a touch of horror and the thrill of exploring the unknown.
Pages: 254 | ASIN : B0D5BP6ZRW
Real or Rumor
Project Übermensch follows a Navy Sailor who loses his legs, which are restored using extraterrestrial technology, leaving him with unnatural abilities. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I’ve long been haunted and intrigued by the mercurial “facts” surrounding The Philadelphia Experiment. Urban legend or real? And if real, what happened to these men next? How did the Navy extract sailors from the bulkheads? Was the experiment alien-assisted, as suggested? On and on. Any event plagued by that much controversy, real or rumor, was fertile ground for me to explore in fiction.
Peter flees the Navy and escapes to hide in a small mountain town, where he develops a cult-like following for his mystical healing abilities. What were the driving ideals behind the character’s development throughout the story?
“Look, up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane…No, it’s Übermensch!” Or, “Superman!”
We have long been enthralled by the idea of a super-human; Nietzsche in 1883 contemplating the Übermensch, the famed Superman comics, TV shows, and movies. The Hulk, and just about every Marvel character ever created. But the most influential ideal for me arose from the character of Jesus, maybe our first “superhuman,” and what would happen if he actually did return as just a peculiar “neighbor” in your community.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Obviously, the most important theme I wanted to explore was: How would this potential “Messiah” be embraced by modern society? As Savior, or Satan? Let’s face it, even Superman had to conceal his identity in the persona of Clark Kent and change clothes in a phone booth (oh, the good old days of phone booths). And wouldn’t a being capable of such incredible feats be deemed a trickster, or worse, the devil incarnate? We embrace science, and hold fast to the idea that the world is solid, whole and predictable. And while we might make room in our minds for a “transcendent Being” on Sunday mornings, we probably don’t want him living next door.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Probably not. I explored the story to my satisfaction, and I can’t imagine how the story would proceed without becoming repetitious. Even so, I try not to close the door on anything.
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2024, in the tranquil mountain town of Kleary Creek, religious handyman, and all-around nice-guy, Orvin Littney meets his new neighbor, the mysterious Geoffrey Cannon. While walking together one morning, Orvin experiences a heart attack, and is in the throes of death when Geoffrey miraculously saves his life. Miracles such as these, Orvin soon learns, account for Geoffrey’s cult-like following in the mystical, self-help community.
But Geoffrey’s life as a spiritual healer takes a dark turn when devotees are inexplicably murdered under grisly circumstances—all young women he’d had brief affairs with. Hikers and residents turn up dead, while rumors of a monstrous creature in the woods around Kleary Creek circulate, whispers of Bigfoot, Sasquatch, Yeti. With events growing ever more ominous, Orvin comes to believe his “savior” friend, Geoffrey, is somehow at the center of it all.
PROJECT ÜBERMENSCH
Project Übermensch is a thrilling foray into science fiction that intertwines historical events with the supernatural. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the novel begins with a botched military experiment at the US Navy Yard in Philadelphia, purportedly based on Einstein’s Unified Field Theory. The failed test not only bends reality but also disastrously affects the crew of the USS Eldridge—leaving the protagonist, Peter Smithwick, with unnatural abilities and a curse of delayed aging. Author Lonnie Busch uses this gripping premise to launch into a tale that spans decades, exploring themes of identity, the ethics of scientific experimentation, and the quest for personal redemption.
Busch’s writing is sharp and engaging, blending detailed historical context with rich, imaginative storytelling. The narrative is paced like a carefully tuned symphony, with moments of quiet introspection contrasted against bursts of intense action that push the plot forward. However, while the prose is often compelling, it occasionally gets bogged down by technical descriptions and a multitude of characters that can be challenging to keep track of. I think this complexity enriches the plot but might not appeal to everyone.
The philosophical underpinnings stand out as one of the book’s most compelling features. Busch ambitiously explores the moral implications of playing God and the ensuing existential crises. The protagonist’s battle with his ‘gifts’ and his pursuit of a normal life are rendered with poignant clarity, offering readers a deep exploration of what it means to be human. While these deep philosophical inquiries are ambitious and may sometimes seem to stretch beyond easy grasp, they add a rich layer of complexity to the narrative.
Project Übermensch is an ambitious mystery novel that offers plenty of enjoyment, especially for enthusiasts of science fiction and historical narratives who dare to ask ‘what if?’ The fusion of factual historical events with science fiction elements creates a reading experience that is both intellectually stimulating and entertaining. Readers who savor complex narratives with a mix of action, science fiction, and philosophical inquiry will find this book a gratifying read.
Pages: 356 | ASIN : B0CYRRJLH6
The Perfect Place To Start
All Hope of Becoming Human follows an investigator and archaeologist who must work together to try and solve a mystery involving humans and aliens.What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In the midst of the pandemic, I woke up one night in a cold sweat unable to get back to sleep, my mind ravaged not only by the ever-rising death toll from the virus sweeping the world, but also the brutal murders of Black Americans by law enforcement, the protests and riots, the senseless mass shootings by lone gunmen, rampant terrorism and the rise of hate groups, the threat of using the US military against its own citizens, not to mention the constant genocide, warring and unrest across the planet. It was all unimaginable and overwhelming to me. So I got out of bed, brought up my computer and hammered out a three-page single-spaced stream of consciousness that would over the next few years become All Hope of Becoming Human.
The idea of earthquakes revealing massive buried metallic objects seemed the perfect place to start, setting the stage for the potential discovery of incredible answers to the nature of humanity, hidden for thousands of years right there literally under our noses.
What was your inspiration for the interactions and backstories of their characters?
I’m a “pantser” instead of a “plotter” in my writing, trusting that the characters will step forward from the darkness, pull me forward through the narrative as I unravel the story. Rebecca Duccati stepped out quickly asserting that she, not Professor Braden (as I had intended), would be one of the main protagonists. Then Demzey. I loved his character from the get go, with him stepping onto the stage and showing me who he was. And his assistant, Connie Wegman. I hadn’t planned on the heat between those two, but there it was. And honestly, I couldn’t wait to see what would happen when Demzey and Duccati got together to work the puzzle. The discovery for me is what makes writing exciting.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The nature of violence; and if it is endemic to our race? The turmoil in the world, the ceaseless march of senseless killing! Nowhere in nature do we witness this degree of mayhem, except among humans. I was shocked hearing about young people attending “covid parties,” seemingly daring the virus to take their lives, while others refused to wear masks. I became distraught over how little we valued life — our own and that of others — and was heartbroken hearing about the young woman in her twenties on her deathbed regretting attending one of those parties, and who died a day later. None of it made sense to me.
During the summer of 2022, while revising All Hope of Becoming Human, I was also bingeing Philip K. Dick novels, thirteen in all by summers’ end, and I came across this quote by one of Dick’s characters, Mr. Baynes, from The Man in the High Castle, who says,“We are all doomed to commit acts of cruelty or violence or evil; that is our destiny, due to ancient factors.” I was dumbfounded by my good fortune and put that quote at the beginning of my novel. Are we doomed to commit acts of violence, no choice in the matter? “…due to ancient factors?” That’s exactly what I was exploring in All Hope of Becoming Human.
But I have to conclude by sharing this amazing and humorous synchronicity that happened after finishing the answer to this question. Currently I am in the middle of rereading A Separate Reality by Carlos Castaneda (I read the entire Castaneda series over two decades ago) and came across this question from don Juan (who is a “brujo”—sorcerer, medicine man, and mentor to Carlos) who poses it to Carlos, who is constantly trying to “figure” things out in rational terms, attempting to intellectually vanquish the existential conundrumshe struggles with. Don Juan comes over to Carlos, who has been writing notes for hours, and asks if Carlos has been able to “write himself out of his problem.” I laughed when I read it, then at my own folly. Maybe that’s where novels come from; writers attempting to “write themselves out of their problems!”
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
Not sure yet. I never intended upon a follow-up. If there is, it will be called, Last Hope of Becoming Human (I already have notes) and will explore possibilities of moving forward from the debacle the world finds itself in. But I have so many other projects I’m working on, it could be a long way down the road. Currently I’m working on a piece set in multiple worlds (which started as synopsis/notes to myself, but has grown into a 62,000-word manuscript so far). I also have another novel that is complete and in revisions, which I hope to release later this year, or early next year called, Project Übemensch, which I am very excited about.
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Earthquakes rock the planet, revealing massive metallic objects and vast subterranean graveyards. One such location is in the Arizona desert. Scientists believe this incredible discovery may hold answers to the origins of man, but when the site is suddenly shut down due to seismic activity, one researcher knows she must return. Assistant archaeologist Rebecca Duccati sneaks into the compound alone, and will have to dig deep to find clues in these strange underground caves and tunnels. The work is dangerous and frightening, but she feels a connection to this bizarre phenomenon that even she isn’t fully aware of yet.
FBI Special Agent Demzey knows nothing about archaeology; his specialty— anomalous crimes, the fringe edge of the aberrant and the unknown. Demzey is investigating a recent rash of vicious and brutal murders, the clues surrounding the killings both disturbing and inexplicable. He and his assistant Connie Wegman catch a break when they discover remains of two monstrous creatures unknown to science, believed to be a race of aliens responsible for attacks on humans across the globe.
With the death toll ticking ever higher, scientists and intelligence agencies on every continent search for the source of these vicious creatures, until the combined efforts of Duccati and Demzey begin to unravel the mystery, though what they uncover could spell the end for the human race.
All Hope of Becoming Human
In the wake of an earthquake near Arizona’s Four Corners, an ancient burial site is unveiled, revealing hundreds of bones that may shed light on the beginnings of humanity. Rebecca Duccati, a diligent assistant archaeologist, joins her superior on a mission sanctioned by the Department of Homeland Security to delve into this remarkable archaeological discovery. Parallel to this, FBI Special Agent Demzey is drawn into an investigation involving a series of gruesome homicides and encounters with enigmatic creatures unknown to modern science. This ultimately leads him to forge an alliance with Rebecca Duccati as they seek to unravel the mysteries before them. This is the intriguing premise of Lonnie Busch’s riveting novel, All Hope of Becoming Human, which weaves together the adventurous tales of a proficient investigator and an unyielding archaeologist. Their explorations serve as an intense voyage into the origins and potential fate of humanity, all while navigating ominous dangers and the potential apocalypse.
Embracing elements of crime, horror, and mystery, Busch’s multi-genre novel is a tour de force, conjuring suspense so tangible, it’s almost as if readers could feel their own hair standing on end as they navigate the unusual plot developments. The narrative artfully incorporates Demzey’s complex homicide inquiries and probes into Rebecca’s unexpected struggle with violent tendencies. Busch also ingeniously leaves a breadcrumb trail of tantalizing hints about the impending influence of malevolent forces and potential future cataclysms, consistently keeping readers on their toes.
The world-building in this novel is absolutely exceptional. Busch adeptly weaves together elements of the extraterrestrial, the malevolent, and the ancient to present a unique reality that prompts deep contemplation about our own world. Readers are engaged in profound reflections on humanity’s chaotic and self-destructive tendencies. Just as in Busch’s riveting sci-fi tale, it becomes apparent that clues about our origins may well lie buried, waiting to be discovered in the future.
Reading a novel as imaginatively rich and as captivating as All Hope of Becoming Human is an excellent means of expanding one’s perspectives about the world. This extraordinary work is one that readers will find increasingly compelling with each page turned. Eager anticipation is the only fitting response to the prospect of reading more of Lonnie Busch’s captivating novels. His ability to tell a story that is simultaneously thought-provoking and intriguing is a testament to his skill as a storyteller.
Pages: 394 | ASIN : B0C1HTQZ2R
LITERARY TITAN 