Tag: Free Book Excerpt

Meet Super Villains from Secret Supers in Space. My book is .99 today and until March 24th. Get your copy by clicking here.

Why would international criminals target innocent, 7th-grade superheroes? I’ll tell you why, revealing their motives by excerpts from my book.

If you’re not familiar with my Secret Supers team, I tell you all about them here: Meet My Disabled Superheroes. For each heroic teen (or pre-teen), I’ll give you a description from my book.

First, you get the first description of Loretta.

Meet Super Villains – Loretta

A popup window appeared on my computer screen. “Loretta, do you wish to accept a video call from John Smith?” I read. I quickly clicked Accept.

As soon as a black-and-gray-haired man appeared on my computer screen, I said, “Oh, Papa Smith, I want to give up.”

“Why would you do that, Loretta? You’re one of the most successful children in our family business.”

“Bah! Four crummy kids beat me.”

“Well, yeah, but you didn’t know they were there in Maryville and they would come after your agent.”

“Sure, I knew they were there. They were all over the national news this past year.”

“But everyone just thinks they’re regular disabled kids. Heck, Andy Zach published their story as fiction. No one knew they had superpowers until we caught them on video defeating your agent.”

Meet Super Villains – Loretta – Part 2

“The telekinesis kid, Jeremy, is really powerful, but the telepathic pair, Kayla and Dan, can’t be stopped or intercepted. That’s before you add a real super girl, Aubrey. Their disabilities gave them the perfect disguises.”

“That’s an idea. What if we publish that video and tell everyone they have superpowers? The fame would disrupt their lives and maybe distract them so we can take over Maryville.”

“Hmmm. Maybe. But that would also point back to us as the source of the video. And people might think it’s just a deep fake.”

He sighed. “You’re right. The government might also enlist them in the NSA or some other secret agency. We don’t want any attention from them. Tell you what. Take a vacation. You haven’t had a break for a long time. Maybe if you do something completely different, you’ll come up with a solution to the Secret Supers.”

“There’s a good idea, Papa. My last one was in Paris? Three years ago?”

“Yes. That was after you successfully rigged that state election and got our candidate elected.”

“What would be a complete change for me? Something outside a city, something fun—I know!”

“What?”

“I’ll go to Coaster World!”

“That’s right. You always loved coasters as a kid.”

---

(See my book, Villain’s Vacation for more details.)

Meet Super Villains – Papa Smith

“Hi, Loretta. Are you all refreshed from your Paris vacation?”

“Hi, Papa Smith. Yes. I had a lot of fun waterskiing on the Riviera. I also cheated the casino in Monaco out of a million bucks.”

“Of course.”

 “But now I’m refreshed and bored. I haven’t had a job since I left for Coaster World.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that. I’ve got a challenging assignment for you—the Secret Supers.”

Meet Super Villains – Papa Smith, Part 2

“Ugh! I sure want to get back at them. But they’re backed up by the NSA. I’m not eager to tackle them and the US government.”

Papa stroked his hair. “The best cure for falling off a horse is to get back on. How about if I get a partner for you?”

“They’d better be awfully competent. I can’t really work with anyone who’s incompetent, or average, or merely a genius.”

“How about if you and I work together?”

I gasped. Papa Smith had raised me. He’d been very vague about what happened to my parents, so he was the only parent I’d known. I’d dreamt of working with him in the family crime business, but I hadn’t seen much of him once I went to college and began teaching, over fifty years ago. He was the one person I was pretty sure was smarter than me. Or at least he knew more.

---

Readers Speak About Secret Supers in Space

Great Elementary Super Read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 21, 2023

4.0 out of 5 stars 

This book could stand on it’s own but in order with the series. Space camp at it’s finest… with an actual space adventure. These are definitely geared for elementary age kids on to about middle school readers. They are a clean fun read with kids with disabilities with powers but being pretty “normal” which I loved. I have a blind daughter and people constantly underestimate her and her abilities or assume she has other disabilities (mental, hearing etc.).

CuteAsADaisy

A Stellar Adventure with a Twist!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 1, 2023

5.0 out of 5 stars 

Andy Zach’s writing takes flight in Secret Supers in Space, propelling disabled teen superheroes Jeremy, Aubrey, Dan, and Kayla into a cosmic summer adventure. Narrator Khai Lannor brings the characters’ energy and determination to life, making this audiobook an intergalactic joyride for fantasy fans of all ages. Buckle up and join the Secret Supers in their gravity-defying mission – this exhilarating journey is one you won’t want to miss!

Nemesis

Most children hate The dreaded assignment ‘what did you do in the summer holidays ‘ 

Author 2 books, 19 followers

June 26, 2023

I enjoyed this book. I have never been a space fan, so don’t know much about what goes into becoming an astronaut. That meant this book was a real eye opener and I got to do it with some great characters, who knows I might even be a fan of space now. I know the story is aimed at a younger generation but it was a lot of fun and each book I have listened to in this series has had an unusual plot, making it very different to the norm and that is before you find out that the four twelve year olds are disabled. The story isn’t that long but perfect for a trip into space (and a younger audience). Besides the author packs a lot into the story in an entertaining way that keeps you listening. I hope there are more adventures to come.

Julie Howard

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Got questions? Comments? Reach me directly by clicking here. I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can.

Meet My Heroes from Secret Supers in Space. My book is FREE today and until December 25th at midnight. Get your copy by clicking here.

How do 7th graders get superpowers? What superpowers do they have? What kind of teens are they?

Find out in this post!

Meet My Heroes – Jeremy and Dan

“What are you doing, Jeremy?”

Startled, I looked up from my computer and turned around in my wheelchair. My best friend, Dan, had slipped silently into my lab. I still thought of it that way, but we’d made it into the Secret Supers clubhouse almost a year ago. Dan’s round, brown face smiled down at me while his tall, wide frame loomed behind me. His dark glasses hid his blind eyes.

“I didn’t hear you come down the elevator.”

“I took the stairs. Your mom made cookies, so I came over. I could smell them from my house.”

“You mean, you could smell them from my mom’s thoughts?”

“And your’s and your dad’s. You were all excited, so I couldn’t help myself from taking a sniff from your mom’s nose. I didn’t snoop any further than that.”

“I know you respect everyone’s privacy with your mindreading power.”

“Except maybe yours. You did permit me to read yours anytime. But I haven’t read your mind about what you’re concentrating on. C’mon, tell your old friend Dan.”

“Don’t tell anyone. I want to surprise the Secret Supers.”

“Of course not. Now I’m dying to know!”

“I’m applying to Space Camp.”

“What’s Space Camp? I can hear the capital letters in your voice.”

I spun my wheelchair around to face him. “What’s Space Camp? It’s the greatest camp there is! We’re all bored out of our minds now that August has started and we want to do something. Space Camp teaches you all about our space program. You learn about astronauts and rockets. You go on a centrifuge and experience zero-g and moon gravity.

Meet My Heroes – Kayla

“Now I know, so we might as well let Kayla and Aubrey know.”

I glanced at my screen clock. “Ten thirty. I can call Kayla, but Aubrey’s at her summer baseball practice.” I speed-dialed Kayla.

“You don’t have to put her on speakerphone. I can read her mind,” said Dan.

I laughed. “You read my mind. I was ready to do that.”

Hello, Jeremy. Kayla’s voice sounded in my mind. Kayla had spinal meningitis and could no longer talk or walk without a walker. I felt sad when I heard her high mental voice, sounding just as she used to talk before losing it.

“Hi, Kayla. I’ve got big news for you and Aubrey: the Secret Supers are going to Space Camp!”

Sounds like fun. I assume it’s all paid for and our parents are on board?

 “Right. I researched it, then my parents contacted yours, Dan’s, and Aubrey’s, and everyone agreed. Just now, I applied and got approval. We’ll be gone for a week.”

When?

“The last week in August, just before Labor Day.”

Now I have something to look forward to, instead of another sweltering day. How long does it last?

“A week. We arrive on the last Sunday of the month and leave on Friday.”

---

Kayla – Part 2

I suppose you want me to tell Aubrey. I’ll give her the message to come over to our Secret Supers room, and we’ll all surprise her when she comes in.

“Great idea, Kayla!” I grinned.

Dan’s head snapped up from the phone and then he leaned back down. “You can tell her now. Her practice was canceled because of a thunderstorm. Boy, is she grumpy!”

“Baseball’s the love of her life,” I said. “A new adventure will cheer her up.”

All right, I told her to meet us there. She’s riding her bike straight from practice.

Dan placed his hand on his head like he does when he’s listening telepathically. “Uh, oh, Kayla, you’d better hurry. She’ll beat you here.”

I didn’t think of that. Mom’s busy at work. I can’t interrupt her, and I can’t bike anymore.

I straightened in my wheelchair. “Let me give you a lift—literally.”

Now you’re reading my mind, Jeremy. I was just about to ask you for help. Are you sending your flying car?

“Nope.  Just put on your Secret Supers outfit and I’ll fly you over.”

“I’ll put on mine. It’s here in my backpack.” Dan slid it off his shoulders.

I hadn’t noticed Dan’s backpack.  I turned to my phone. “We’ll make it a full club meeting. This’ll be the first time we’ve worn the new costumes your mom made for us, Kayla.”

I modeled mine for Mom. They fit a lot better than the store-bought ones we had, and they’re much sturdier. The old ones were pretty scuffed up.

“Something about fighting ten-foot robots does that.” Dan grinned.

Meet My Heroes – Aubrey

I yelled from the bathroom as I dressed telekinetically, pulling the tights over my legs twisted by a lifetime of cerebral palsy. It did fit better than the old uniform. Even the boots went on better. I loved the material I selected. It was completely air tight and waterproof. It fit beautifully with the other secret enhancements I’d put in. I wondered when I should tell the others about them.

Of course—

THUMP! THUMPITY! THUMP!

I don’t need to read minds to know that’s Aubrey. No one else pounds as she does down the stairs.

The door to the clubroom burst open. “TA-DA! I’m here. I came here at the speed of light,  on a bicycle.”

Coming out of the bathroom, I saw Aubrey’s tousled blond hair peeking out of her baseball cap. Sweat beaded her broad forehead. Her black mask and red Secret Supers uniform clashed with her green ball cap.  Instead of black boots, her prosthetic legs went to her knees.

I smiled at her. “Aubrey, did you notice how much better these new uniforms fit?”

“Yeah, it doesn’t bind me at all when I run or bike. I could wear it all the time. It’s easy to get on and fits nicely around my stumps. Now tell me what the big news is, Jeremy. Kayla wouldn’t tell me anything!”

---

Readers Speak About Secret Supers in Space

Great Elementary Super Read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 21, 2023

4.0 out of 5 stars 

This book could stand on it’s own but in order with the series. Space camp at it’s finest… with an actual space adventure. These are definitely geared for elementary age kids on to about middle school readers. They are a clean fun read with kids with disabilities with powers but being pretty “normal” which I loved. I have a blind daughter and people constantly underestimate her and her abilities or assume she has other disabilities (mental, hearing etc.).

CuteAsADaisy

A Stellar Adventure with a Twist!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 1, 2023

5.0 out of 5 stars 

Andy Zach’s writing takes flight in Secret Supers in Space, propelling disabled teen superheroes Jeremy, Aubrey, Dan, and Kayla into a cosmic summer adventure. Narrator Khai Lannor brings the characters’ energy and determination to life, making this audiobook an intergalactic joyride for fantasy fans of all ages. Buckle up and join the Secret Supers in their gravity-defying mission – this exhilarating journey is one you won’t want to miss!

Nemesis

Click to Meet My Heroes With Your Own Copy!

Quick! Click here to get yours for free! Only December 24-25! Any newsletter subscriber gets free audiobook codes–as long as they last. Click here to get yours. Don’t wait until they’re gone!

Do you want an autographed book? I’ll mail it directly to you with free shipping and I pay the taxes! Click here to get yours. My shipping may not be the same day, but at least it’s free–for you.

Got questions? Comments? Reach me directly by clicking here. I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can.