A quintet of fantastic science fiction adventures awaits anyone who grabs hold of author Bryon Mayfield’s latest anthology, Universal Values.  Each of these entries is a sturdy short, fully realized, as much as they are snappy.  But so it must be, as Mayfield digs deeper than ever here, exploring the ethos of various alien species, giving them purpose, emotion, and explaining the logic to which things exist as they are.  There are many different things that bubble to the surface of the stories in this latest book, and all of them are gripping and entertaining.  Mayfield’s various worlds couldn’t be more different either, which is why the great strides he takes to make them feel lived-in are so powerful and impressive.

What compels people to do what they do? What are the driving forces that so utterly determine how they live their lives? Take faith, for instance. A person’s unwavering belief in something can be so strong that it fully determines the nature of their outlook on the universe. It can be a vehicle for benevolent acts, or a weapon to drive people to fanatical levels of brutality. Or maybe love is responsible for the actions people take. Love of a significant other, a group, an idea, or even love of the self. How about revenge, prejudice, or the desire to embrace individualism?

Whatever driving force an individual or group may choose to deem the most essential, at some point its repetition and the emphasis of its paramount importance transforms it into what can safely be referred to as a value. This anthology explores the aforementioned values, and others, in five independent stories, with the common thread of examining how people will adhere to their personal beliefs while in pivotal situations. Whether they be on an alien planet not all that dissimilar to Earth, under a dome on some unhospitable barren rock, or on a generational spaceship on a course to a new world, this collection of science fiction stories will demonstrate how the driving forces in people’s lives shape the very fabric of their existence.

Also, these stories will beg the question: Are the values in these alien settings so very different than the ones we hold dear on our own planet?

Or, are some values perhaps…universal?

There is a vivid immersion to Universal Values, as though the story is not being told, but related from memory.  The author has a means to see into these various other worlds, and as varied as they are, describe details so eloquently that the places come to life as expertly as the plotlines.  And though you only know them for a short while, the characters therein are easy to root for and hard to shake from your mind.  Mayfield is a master of his craft, and a passionate storyteller to boot, so don’t hesitate.  Check out Universal Values: A Science Fiction Anthology on Amazon today!

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Far more than just pulp sci-fi, Bryon Mayfield’s Background Noise: and Other Stories is a love letter to brief fiction in a science fiction setting.  The set of five stories within this anthology all have their strengths, but each of them collectively show the tremendous talents that the author wields.  An expert with his prose, Mayfield delivers each tale with wordplay that will leave readers feeling immersed and enthusiastic.  One story after another prove that the author can write gripping, interesting stories, abundant with interesting characters and background details that are deep and rich—a challenge with shorter tales which Mayfield rises to with seeming ease.

From the author of Black Hole Solitude comes another thrilling collection of short stories. Journey to an asteroid field owned by the Savas Imperium, to a commercial space station orbiting Caled IV, and to the surface of the planet Verdana. You’ll experience the lives of the people inhabiting these places and endure the struggles they face right along with them. So, what are you waiting for? Action, adventure, and interstellar intrigue await!

Though this is Mayfield’s sophomore anthology, you would be hard-pressed to believe he wasn’t working on his tenth, or one-hundredth release.  Mayfield has the dedication and the passion flowing through him that ensures that each of his tales are masterpieces in their own right.  They also clock in at just the right length, ensuring that nothing feels too drawn out, or cuts out quicker than readers would like.  Still, after the final page, fans will likely be hungry for more.  Hopefully Mayfield keeps things up, and sci-fi enthusiasts are blessed with a third set from the talented author.  Check out Background Noise: and Other Stories on Amazon today!

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