The Universe Builders: Bernie and the Putty

Praise for The Universe Builders

“…had me hooked from start to finish.  I must say I have had a lack of sleep as I couldn’t put it down, and when I did, I still thought about it.”

Miriam Davison, author of
Sand, Sea and Meadow Muffins

“This book was fantastic!  I was riveted, wanting to know what was going to happen to Bernie.  The story has humor, a well thought out world of gods and their creations, and subplots interwoven in a way that makes this book difficult to put down. … a fascinating tale of good vs. evil and of a young hero on a journey of self-discovery.”

S. M. Lowry, The Fringes of Reality

“Wow…
I gobbled it up!  Unusual and intriguing plot…a mind-bending journey…and a great start for a series.”

Ardis Schaaf

“This book totally took me by surprise! The author does a great job of building empathy for his main character. It definitely kept me turning pages to find out what poor Bernie would have to go through next. There are some twists and turns that keep you guessing, and it ends wonderfully, leaving the door open for many possibilities. This story will undoubtedly capture your heart, as well as make you wonder if WE have our own Bernie.”

Felicia Madura, author of
Crimson Cloak, Born of Blood

“This book was just wonderful! The story was captivating, and the characters were interesting and fun. I absolutely loved the storyline, and the story was quite original. I loved the story, and thought it was brilliant. It’s a wonderful new twist on how worlds and such are created. The ending … was just what I wanted it to be.”

Hayley Guertin, Hayley’s Reviews

“Everybody loves an underdog story, and I’m no different…but this is the first time I’ve read one where the underdog was a god.  Mr. LeBel’s creative genius shines throughout the entire book, and I can only hope that this is the first in a series of Universe Builder novels. I would love to see this made into a movie…”

Chris Snead

“…
a fascinating world populated by weird, crazy characters that will tickle your funny bone and, at times, tug at your heartstrings.”

Linda Watkins, author of
Mateguas Island

“I expected to enjoy it, after all, every review I read was very positive, but I did not expect to be drawn in so quickly. The story had me captivated until the end and an overwhelming desire to see Bernie victorious kept me hooked.”

Lynne Fellows, Just 4 My Books

“Hands-down the best indie novel I have ever read.  Best book, period, that I have read in at least a year.  The writing is so descriptive you forget where you are.  I could picture every moment, every scene, every person, as vividly as if I were watching a movie.  Comparable to some of C.S. Lewis’ work.”

Rachael Snead, author of
Long Tail, Short Tail

“There are times when the technical jargon flows so smoothly that you would swear Mr. LeBel was an Astrophysicist.  Then at times he wraps the story like a mixture of Pratchett (they wear the same kind of hats) and Hans Christian Andersen.  A story that can be enjoyed by any age.  The possibilities for future adventures are limitless.”

H. William Ruback, author of
the SHORT of it…

“LeBel’s humorous fantasy … will be a classic.  … created a character who will wend his way into readers hearts…  LeBel’s humorous insight into human nature made me laugh out loud at times and often brought a smile to my face.  I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Bernie at the end.”

Darlene Blasing, author of
Bargain Paradise

“…thanks to LeBel, I’ve gained both comic and cosmic insight into what it might be like to have godlike powers. …I’m not so sure I’ll wish for such powers again.”

J. Scott Payne, author of
A Corporal No More

The Universe Builders

Bernie and the Putty

Steve LeBel

All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual gods, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright
©
2014 by Steve LeBel

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book in any form whatsoever without permission in writing from Argon Press, except for brief passages in connection with a review.

Published in the United States of America by Argon Press

ISBN-13 (ebook): 978-0-9910554-1-8

ISBN-13 (print): 978-0-9910554-0-1

Library of Congress Control Number [LCCN]: 2014900580

(ebook v 2.51)

www.ArgonPress.com

For more:
www.TheUniverseBuilders.com

Dedication

To the Bernie in all of us.

Table of Contents

Prologue

The Time of Waiting

Personnel Department

Caleb’s Story

The Waiting Continues

Bad Ethics

Beatrice’s Version

Stock Boy

The Interview

Suzie Protests

Tomorrow, It Begins…

Weekend at Billy’s

Suzie’s View

Orientation

Meeting the Boss

Billy Bully

Bernie’s Journal

The Manuals

Staring into the Abyss

Lunch with Lenny

Inspiration

Creation Mechanics 101

The Problems Begin

Back to the Drawing Boards

Lunch with Suzie

Museum for Ideas

An Idea is Born

Lunch with Friends

The Past Barrier

Is It Me, or…

Get Started Anyway

It Begins…

Payday!

Bernie Goes Shopping

Make It Green…

Suzie & Sissy

Oh, No!

More Sabotage!

The Backdoor

Lenny’s Charms

Shemal Startles Bernie

The Putty

Billy’s Gang

Divine Intervention

The Sun

Not My Fault

The First Expedition

The Central Plaza

Lenny’s Place

The Second Expedition

What’s Changed?

The Headache

Billy’s Healer

Astrology Says…

More Planets

A Gift from the Sun

Shemal Stops By

Billy Returns

Zardok Explains

Gaia? Already?

A Divine Event!

Billy Is Sick Again

Ring of Emptiness

Tragedy at Sea

A Favorite Bookstore

A Garden Universe?

Candi Comes Calling