Gambling on Common Sense: Rationality, Romance, and the Space Between (The Uncommon Universe)

Just One Last Bet...

Common Sense Officer Ash Payne can't say no to a bet, and the handsome Captain Lin Solis knows it. She just wanted to live up to her father's legacy on board the Helios, but between her reckless crews' pet alien, rogue AI, and an accursed pirate hat-she has her hands full.

After a bad beat at poker night to Solis, Ash is forced to hand over access to her CSO storage and all the dangers hidden within-dangers that threaten the one person Ash cares more about than legacy. Clone shenanigans, world-hopping, and a "it's complicated" romance are on the table. Will she be able to gamble her way out of this? Or will this uncommon universe stack the odds against her?

The Feel

Gambling on Common Sense is a science fiction comedy with sprinklings of romance and fantastical elements. It is a character driven story with plenty of hijinks along the way. The prose is a bit like if Douglas Adam's Hitchhiker's guide, Martha Well's Murderbot Diaries, and Arnold Drake's Guardians of the Galaxy gambled together. That is to say ... it's a fun romp through space, time, and pocket dimensions.

The Reviews

"Gambling on Common Sense is hilariously delightful! A lighthearted romp through the cosmos that will leave you wanting more."

- David Hankins, Award-Winning Author of Death and the Taxman

"This fast-paced adventure masterfully blends humor, action, and poignant moments. Additionally, the cast of characters is uniquely entertaining and the world building across the universe is well-executed..."

- Sam Ledel Author of eight novels with Bold Strokes Books

"Gambling on Common Sense is that rare Star Trek satire that also manages to be a very good Star Trek like universe..."

- Nikhil Prabala author of The Dutchess of Kokora

Laughing Briar is a fantasy and science fiction author, traveler, and devourer of audiobooks-just like any other sentient flower pen out there. Don't mind the human; she's just along for the ride.After a fire burned down their home at four years old, Briar developed a knack for seeing that funny silver lining around life's charcoal husks. As the youngest of six kids, that skill came in handy. Despite their folks' best efforts, it was hard to find space in such a crowded house, but Briar discovered entire worlds to roam in books. Tom Sawyer inspired them to do mischief, Harry Potter gave them a love of magic, and Ender Wiggin took them to the treacherous yet awe-inspiring stars. So, when it came time to choose a career path, it felt natural to pursue the closest they could get to science fiction-engineering. But their love of stories never left. Nourished by a The Ohio State University education, a blended family upbringing, and an insatiable wanderlust, Briar draws deeply from these wells to inspire their stories.They've lived across the United States but have most recently planted roots in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In their free time, Briar enjoys hiking, board gaming with friends, and stabbing people with foam swords.

Solace is a Colorado Native and lifetime pursuer of creation and craft. He received his education in fine arts from Denver School of the arts and Metro University. He has sought to bring his abilities to many areas and media and has for many years looked to create works in the literary and gaming worlds. His dreams nearly came to an end when he was subject to a cliff fall accident and lost much of the use of his hands and dominant eye, along with brain damage and memory loss. Despite the drawback, he continued to work towards dreams and eventually relearned how to use his hand and create in new ways. Now he works diligently to continue a desire to bring life to ideas and imagery to write words. He creates visual works for his own stories and those around him. "Dreams do not die but change with the next journey and I am a wanderer for life." -Solace

I am an award-winning author writing from the thriving cornfields of Iowa where I live with my wife, daughter, and two dragons disguised as cats. My writing journey began in the oral tradition of convincing my daughter to Go To Sleep with inventive stories. That usually backfired. After years of Just One More Story, I began transcribing my midnight ramblings in an attempt to keep my storylines straight. Children are ruthless in identifying mistakes in fairy tales. I write lighthearted speculative fiction because that's what I love to read and-this is the important bit-there's not nearly enough humor in the world. I aim to change that, one story at a time.I joined the US Army after college and, through some glitch in the bureaucracy, convinced Uncle Sam to fund my wanderlust for twenty years. I have lived in and traveled through much of Europe, central Asia, and the United States. Now that I'm retired from the Army, I devote my time to my passions of writing, traveling with my family, and finding new ways to pay my mortgage.