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The Punctuality Machine
Time travel will fix it all!
Not.
These people will be lucky to survive…
Let's face it. Why do we yearn to conquer time and space? Because we're freaking desperate.
Despite the crazy risks.
In these stunning short stories, you'll take a wild ride on the dark side of time travel peril.
A lovestruck Victorian inventor… a fairy trapped in a rash vow… even a frustrated commuter who'll do anything to skip the daily drive…
Can the tech and the magic grant a heart's desire?
Or will Time take a terrible revenge…
You'll love this book of five fun tales, because everyone loves exciting twists and surprises.
Get it now.
Not.
These people will be lucky to survive…
Let's face it. Why do we yearn to conquer time and space? Because we're freaking desperate.
Despite the crazy risks.
In these stunning short stories, you'll take a wild ride on the dark side of time travel peril.
A lovestruck Victorian inventor… a fairy trapped in a rash vow… even a frustrated commuter who'll do anything to skip the daily drive…
Can the tech and the magic grant a heart's desire?
Or will Time take a terrible revenge…
You'll love this book of five fun tales, because everyone loves exciting twists and surprises.
Get it now.
136 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2019
4 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Bill Alive
52 books77 followersYou know how you keep reading piles and piles and piles of mystery series, and most of them are, like, moderately okay … at least, there weren’t too many typos … and your eyes aren’t actually bleeding …
… but then … THEN … every so often … WOW, you’re just smitten.
The style is fabulous, the people are hilarious, the action is fantastic and terrifying and gut-wrenching and you just want to shout, THIS! This right here! Why can’t they all be like THIS?
The next time you find a series like that, could you PLEASE TELL ME?
I mean, please tell this Bill Alive author guy?
Because otherwise, he’s just going to keep trying to write them.
Which is super fun. See that smile? He’s clearly enjoying himself.
But still. Once in awhile, the guy needs to see how it’s done. What’s your favorite series? He’ll probably love it too.
… but then … THEN … every so often … WOW, you’re just smitten.
The style is fabulous, the people are hilarious, the action is fantastic and terrifying and gut-wrenching and you just want to shout, THIS! This right here! Why can’t they all be like THIS?
The next time you find a series like that, could you PLEASE TELL ME?
I mean, please tell this Bill Alive author guy?
Because otherwise, he’s just going to keep trying to write them.
Which is super fun. See that smile? He’s clearly enjoying himself.
But still. Once in awhile, the guy needs to see how it’s done. What’s your favorite series? He’ll probably love it too.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 1, 2019
I loved this delightful collection of short stories. My favorite part was how different each one was in style and theme, and yet how they all were so engaging. Kind of like a plateful of appetizers at a party: each one unique, but delicious in its own right. I wanted more when the book was done, so I downloaded a full-length novel by the same author and am looking forward to the read. I highly recommend this collection!
March 1, 2019
A very unique group of stories!
Each story added a different perspective on time and time travel. I had to chuckle at the last version with the singing parts and chorus all sung together. I felt sorry for the robotic kitten and the poor commuter, but the birthday party hangup must be a personal problem. Definitely worth chuckles!
Each story added a different perspective on time and time travel. I had to chuckle at the last version with the singing parts and chorus all sung together. I felt sorry for the robotic kitten and the poor commuter, but the birthday party hangup must be a personal problem. Definitely worth chuckles!
March 16, 2019
I am a big fan of anthologies (movies/books) and I can honestly say "The Punctuality Machine (And Other Tales of Time Dysfunction) was an absolute pleasure to read.
The book contains 5 excellent (on different levels) stories that not only entertained me but also challenged my perceptions on the notion of time travel. The Punctuality Machine (the first of the five stories) was a hilarious story of the pitfalls of time travel, made even funnier by an invasion of aliens. The setting itself is rather unique and adds to the fun of the story.
Another standout is the "Commute Killer" as it builds slowly giving the illusion of safety, then reminding us horrifically that we need to be careful of that which we wish for. I would be remiss not to mention my favorite story of all "The Mace, The Wizard and the Robot Kitten". I am not going to go into any detail about this story (as it's full enjoyment I feel comes from finding out about it through the read itself), except to say that the setting (for me) is utterly original and on the edge of brilliant for how realistically something like this can happen.
I can also say much about the other 2 stories "Beware of Mortals and Their Birthdays" and "Birthday Boy". Bill Alive has added a unique spin to the "Time Travel" story that not only adds a refreshing look, but also in some cases reminds us that things often look better in theory than they are in practice ...
Finally, regardless of what genre you enjoy reading, I can say that there is something for everyone in these 5 stories, from sci-fi to humor Bill leaves nothing untouched.
The book contains 5 excellent (on different levels) stories that not only entertained me but also challenged my perceptions on the notion of time travel. The Punctuality Machine (the first of the five stories) was a hilarious story of the pitfalls of time travel, made even funnier by an invasion of aliens. The setting itself is rather unique and adds to the fun of the story.
Another standout is the "Commute Killer" as it builds slowly giving the illusion of safety, then reminding us horrifically that we need to be careful of that which we wish for. I would be remiss not to mention my favorite story of all "The Mace, The Wizard and the Robot Kitten". I am not going to go into any detail about this story (as it's full enjoyment I feel comes from finding out about it through the read itself), except to say that the setting (for me) is utterly original and on the edge of brilliant for how realistically something like this can happen.
I can also say much about the other 2 stories "Beware of Mortals and Their Birthdays" and "Birthday Boy". Bill Alive has added a unique spin to the "Time Travel" story that not only adds a refreshing look, but also in some cases reminds us that things often look better in theory than they are in practice ...
Finally, regardless of what genre you enjoy reading, I can say that there is something for everyone in these 5 stories, from sci-fi to humor Bill leaves nothing untouched.
March 8, 2019
There were four short stories on Time Travel. I didn't realize until I read the books how many different ways there were to make time travel or to manipulate time. The first two stories were pretty much how I would have thought of time travel but the last two were so different and written very differently. I don't want to give any spoilers but now that I have thought about the stories for a few hours the stories were really quite ingenious and very thought provoking. You need to read the stories for yourself to see if you figure them out the way I have. Well done Bill....definitely stories to think about!!
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March 30, 2019
The Punctuality Machine is a collection of short stories centered around time travel and set in a variety of periods and situations. Whether it's watching a semi-successful actor fret about his birthday for sixty years, a steampunk drama about a suitor who's perpetually late, or the fairy whose promise to the human he loves goes awry, time is always the overarching theme, and every story features the laughs and heart-tugs readers have come to expect from Bill Alive. This little volume is perfect for anyone looking for a collection of short humorous reads and serves as an excellent introduction to Alive's work.
May 8, 2019
Wonderfully imaginative, and an interesting mix of styles across the different stories. Well worth a read, hope the author dabbles more in time travel stories
May 14, 2019
Quirky Fun
A compilation of short stories and one play. They all have something to do with time. A quirky, fun read.
A compilation of short stories and one play. They all have something to do with time. A quirky, fun read.
June 4, 2019
While I received an ARC of this book, I have made an independent decision to post this review. I enjoy Bill Alive's writing style. I found these short stories very entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews