The Violins Played Before Junston by Lou Kemp

Celwyn is an ancient and powerful magician. He has roamed the world, alone, for a very long time. On his latest adventure, he is hired to capture and deliver the automat Kang to a priest. Celwyn is led to believe that Kang is evil, and thus deserving of the fate awaiting him. But as he travels on board a ship with the man he is supposed to be hunting, it soon becomes clear that he was lied to; Kang is not evil. And in many ways, even though he is an automat, he sometimes seems more human than many living people do. And as Celwyn gets to know Kang, the two of them become friends. And soon they find themselves on an adventure across multiple countries as their group seems to expand along the way, danger following them each step of the way.

I read a review copy of this book and enjoyed this steampunk adventure. The descriptions were vibrant. You could clearly imagine everything and every place being described. The story held my interest throughout. Each of the characters had their reasons for travelling together, and while they may have started out as nothing more than convenient travelling companions, the friendship and feeling of belonging that developed among them felt quite genuine. By the end, they were a sort of found family. Like all families, they did have their disagreements and issues at times, but in the end I believe it brought them closer together.

This was a fun story, with wonderful imagery. Not only was there travel by sailing vessel, but by train as well. Danger follows them, as well as adventure. This was the first book in the series. I am looking forward to seeing what further adventures these characters will find themselves on. I believe readers will enjoy this book as much as I did. It should appeal to anyone who enjoys reading Steampunk adventures with vampires, travel, and magic having a large part in the story. I do need to add a potential trigger warning though, as there is an instance of suicide and references to past child abuse within this book.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Gilded Cage, by Lyra Saenz

Val is a gender-fluid, assigned-female-at-birth, person living in 1800s America. In her time period, most people do not accept the idea of gender fluidity, so she must live her life as a woman, even on the days where she feels that “she” is actually a “he.” Val was born and raised to wealth, and though she thought she had found love early on, man she was engaged to marry committed suicide before their wedding day. Now, she is in her late 20s and has resigned herself to a pleasant-enough life as a spinster. Her father, however, has other plans. He has arranged for her to marry the son of an English Duke, and is not giving Val any choice in the matter. Upon overhearing her future husband talk about looking forward to “breaking her in” on their wedding night, Val flees the house. She finds herself in the middle of a Pagan festival, and makes the decision to choose the man she will lose her virginity with, never expecting to meet him again. Life, however, seems to have other plans.

I read a review copy of this book and I absolutely loved it. It gives the best and most easily understood description I have ever come across about gender fluidity. But I do need to warn readers that this book is not meant for younger readers as it is an erotic romance novel. It does contain graphic sex (both M/F and M/M), an attempted rape, murder, themes of gender dysphoria, suicide, abuse (both physical and emotional), domination, a forced arranged marriage, religious intolerance, magic, witches, paganism, and psychological torture/drug use. So be warned, there are more than a few trigger warnings associated with this novel.

That being said, I absolutely loved reading this book. The story was so engaging that I truly didn’t want to put it down. Given the large number of subgenres and themes in this tale, I didn’t expect it to work, and yet it did in a truly impressive way. The only issue I had with the book is that the main characters sometimes spoke in Spanish, which I do not know. And while I could make a reasonable guess as to what was meant, I still wished that a translation guide had been included for the foreign words and phrases. Despite that one extremely minor issue, I did love reading this book. The characters were very well written as were the descriptions of events.

The romance that develops between the two main characters was very tastefully done, and seeing Val find someone who can accept her as she was, on both her female days as well as his male days, was something that I felt was inspiring and something to be appreciated. In this world, there are many people who, like Val, still feel forced to hide who they are inside. Too often, people made to feel that “there is something wrong with them” will begin to believe that there is only one way to stop the pain they are experiencing. And that is something that I feel no one should have to experience, especially since it just isn't true.

In this story, the choice for Val, given the time period she lived in, was to be forced to remain in a society-defined feminine role or risk being confined to an insane asylum by her father, a man unable to accept Val as being sometimes his son rather than his daughter, I hope that those who read this book can see that people who are gender fluid or trans are not insane nor is there anything “wrong” with them.

This book is at times heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. And it is one that I would encourage anyone who is not a younger reader to read if you truly want to understand gender fluidity or have someone in your life who does not seem to fit into a society-defined specific gender role. I think that both you and they will appreciate it.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Point of View in Fiction by Marcy Kennedy

This book was required reading for a class I am taking. I found it to be an interesting and helpful book describing and explaining the various points of view. Ms. Kennedy does a wonderful job of explaining what each of the differing points of view are used. She also explains when and why it may be better to use one rather than another in your writing, and she points out that as with all writing, there are very few rules that cannot be broken given the right circumstances and author preferences. She then gives examples of why avoiding certain points of view in certain circumstances is generally considered a good idea.

Ms. Kennedy also explains how to change point of view characters without creating “head-hopping” problems, and why “head hopping” tends to create new or other problems in a story. There are ways and locations where changing the point of view character is easiest, but this book also shows examples of places and methods that, though not used as often, can provide other good locations for the writer to change between point of view characters.

I do like that this book gives easily understandable examples of what is done well and shows how and why problems often occur with incorrectly used point of view changes. Seeing both the good and the problematic ways things are sometimes written make it simple to fully grasp the concepts being described and then shown. The author also lists clues to look for that may indicate one of several different point of view errors being used. This is something that I found quite helpful.

The biggest problem that I had with this book involved the design of the book. It was printed using gray rather than black print. For me, this made it difficult to read at times due to the lighter colored text causing me some eye strain. Had it been printed in black rather than gray, I would not have had those problems. But that is an issue for me and may not be one for other readers.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Greater Oceans than Thine by Nelson McKeeby

Javier al-Rasheed is once again taking the crew of the Tea Merchant Remarker on another adventure, seeking riches, fame, and of course, tea. This being the third book in the series, we are shown more about the other crew members aboard the ship, their previous lives, and how they came together to form a sort of “found family” community among the crew. They would do anything for their captain, including following him into the great unknown of Ocean, seeking to find a lost island that is not on any map in the hope of obtaining an extremely rare tea that cannot be found anywhere else. However they only have a very old journal to try and guide their way on this adventure, meaning that the odds are not in their favor. And failure will likely mean the death of the entire crew if they cannot find a place to replenish whatever supplies they run out of on their trip.

I read a review copy of this book, and I enjoyed the story. I loved learning about many of the more minor characters aboard the ship, as well as their lives and adventures, both on the ship and in port. I found their stories fascinating and also enjoyed seeing the brief glimpses of their interactions with the captain, who has changed somewhat from who he was before the last grand adventure and has settled more calmly into the role of a ship’s captain.

This was a somewhat different story than what I expected, and seemed in some ways to be a collection of stories about the crew of the ship, but realized that isn’t that what actually does make it a continuation of the same tale? If we don’t know who the characters are and why they choose to follow the captain, potentially to their deaths as well as his, then we are missing out on an important aspect of the story.. The crew of the ship are “found family” to each other, and that is something very important to the tales we read about the Remarker.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will be looking forward to reading the next book in this series, which I believe is supposed to be the final one. I should warn you that this book does end on a sort of cliffhanger, for though the story in this book is complete, it sets us up for a very dramatic-seeming final book. Also, while it does not occur in this story, there is a reference to the previous rape of one of the characters, as well as another character who was both abused and raped (slavery) when hearing about her tale.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

How to Write Dazzling Dialogue by James Scott Bell

This is a book that was required reading for a class that I am taking. Despite it being part of my course materials, I enjoyed reading this book; it didn’t feel like I was reading a textbook. I found it to be very informative without being boring. It offers a lot of information and helpful advice about what causes many dialogue problems for writers and a variety of ways to fix these problems. As there is no one correct way to do anything when it comes to writing, there are a variety of exercises described for writers to try in order to improve their own dialogue writing skills.

Dialogue is something that a reader wants to flow naturally without feeling forced or obvious. There are many ways to do that, and while it may seem a simple matter, anyone who has sat down for the first time, trying to write natural sounding conversations that won’t leave a reader wondering why you are choosing to include it in the story, but that are also not so ‘right in your face’ obviously meant to get vital information to the readers likely already knows how difficult it can be. I like the way in which this book approaches the subject and offers a variety of different methods for a writer to work on improving something that is often more difficult to get right than readers may realize.

The exercises and suggestions offered in this book are fun and interesting, as well as varied. Some of the ideas may work better than others for different people. I enjoyed reading this book and giving some of the exercises a try. I think that anyone who is a writer, an editor, or who hopes to become either at some point in the future could benefit by reading this book and practicing some of the suggestions that Mr. Bell gives us.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Hells and High Water by Alex Andre

Golden Dragon Shang, one of the leaders of the Kowloon nation has heard rumors of a nation that has survived the E, and have either managed to protect their technology from the event that destroyed most nations technological equipment and knowledge, or who have managed to rebuild and recreate much of what was lost when the E hit. Putting together an unlikely group to take him on what he hopes to be a mission that will unite the two nations in trying to restore what was lost while protecting him along the extremely dangerous way there, only time will tell whether his hopes are justified or merely foolish dreams.

This was the third book in the E Apochrypha series. I read a review copy of this book and found it to be just as good as the first two books in this series. A far as trigger warnings, readers should be aware of themes involving violence, rape and kidnapping. This is a very action-packed book that takes place in a world that is more than a little dangerous. Even within the areas where society has rebuilt itself into what may seem a safer area, many people still live dangerous lives, facing raiders and bandits. Many societies are still rather isolated, and some actively hate technology and advanced knowledge, seeking to destroy all they come across. Those people believe that technology was what brought about the worldwide disaster known as the E, and the only way to avoid it from happening again is to destroy any and all they encounter.

Those are among the many dangers that Shang and his group must face on the way to find what they hope to become allies. But even within the group he has assembled, not everyone is able to get along, and that only adds to the drama and danger on this trip. I enjoyed reading this book. Many familiar faces from the first two books in the series return in this book, and we are also introduced to new characters. All of these keep the action and drama going as this group  of individuals must find a way to come together as a unified group if they hope to succeed in their mission. The question is, can they manage to do that without tearing each other apart along the way?

If you enjoyed reading the first two books in this series, then you will enjoy this book as well. The author has done a wonderful job of bringing this story to a satisfying close, while leaving the door cracked for more should he decide to continue on with this story and any of these characters. While parts of this book may not be the best for some readers (as mentioned in my trigger warnings above), this is an excellent story about several groups of people who managed to survive an apocalypse and are trying to rebuild their world. I enjoyed it, and I hope that you will too.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Understanding Show, Don’t Tell (And Really Getting It) by Janice Hardy

This is a book that was required reading for a class that I am taking. It goes through many of the different ways that writers often wind up telling rather than showing in their writing. This book does mention that not all “telling” is bad, and gives examples of when it might be better to ‘tell’ rather than ’show.’ It also explains the different methods of ‘showing’ something, and offers ways to catch the spots where a writer might accidentally be telling more than they ought to be and why.

The rules regarding showing vs telling are not always as simple as someone ‘told’ a story rather than ‘showed’ what happened within it. As I mentioned above, there are instances when telling something does work better. But those tend to be fewer than most writers realize. And sometimes, telling can feel like showing, just not in the way the writer really intended for it to be. There is a subtlety to show vs tell, that can make it feel confusing. This book does help to clear up some of that confusion and explain the whys behind the various types of show vs tell.

This book also offers writers the words to watch for that can indicate where someone is telling rather than showing, or at least telling more than they intended to be within a scene. It also shows possible ways to help improve or avoid such writing traps that can leave something feeling less exciting or interesting than the writer had intended.

I bought this book to read as part of a class that I am taking, and while I am not an author/writer, I did find this book to be quite helpful in a number of ways, and it will definitely help me to improve my own writing.

I would recommend this book to anyone working on writing a story of any length, as it will very likely help to improve your story by allowing you to spot potential problem areas in your manuscript. I also feel that it would be of great assistance to anyone who is working in editing. There are a great number of tips on how to spot “red flag” words and possible ways to help avoid them, making one’s writing much more dynamic and likely to keep a reader interested.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Deadly Veil by Nelson Mckeeby

Princess Nazira is meant to rule the country with her husband after they have an heir. But her family has been conspiring her whole life to keep her from what is rightfully hers, and she knows that once her child is born, unless she has succeeded in maneuvering enough of the pieces in this game of politics in her favor, she will be killed and her father will continue as the Dominar, denying her child their rights. Things appear to be stacked against her in this game of political intrigue, but if she plays the game right, she may yet manage to survive and see herself on her rightful throne.

I received a review copy of this book and enjoyed reading it. This book is a sequel to On other Shores, and while the first book told the story of her husband, this book is her story. She begins as a young girl, who is too soon forced to grow up if she intends to survive this political landscape and have the life she both wants and deserves. She must learn the game of politics and finding allies quickly, or else will soon find herself dead once her child is born.

I enjoyed seeing her grow and learn. She is a strong, independent character in a world where it was intended to be nothing more than a means to an end. Instead, she is attempting to change the game in her favor. And watching her try to outsmart those who have been at the same game far longer was quite interesting. I think anyone who enjoys stories with strong female characters, foreign cultures and religions, as well as fantasy political intrigue will enjoy reading this book.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Nobody is Safe by October Kane

In the town of Quill Point, a Rot God has begun to be woken by the town’s mayor, who is seeking ultimate power for himself. Beyond the town, the effects of this emergence is being felt around the world as people fall victim to the helpless feeling it spreads. But there are a few who refuse to give up, seeking to help others and to both find and save their loved ones who are trapped within Quill Point, being tortured and killed by the monsters who have taken control.

I read a review copy of this book, and it is every bit as creepy and dark as the previous two books were, but in this one, we begin to see a tiny sliver of hope at times, showing that just maybe, not all is lost or without hope. Yes, there are monsters and evil god-like beings who can’t seem to be hurt, but is that really all there is to the world any longer? Many seem to have given in to despair and are simply seeking to stay alive as long as possible, but not everyone believes this. The question remains, though, how do you fight against a supernatural force that can create hellscapes while forcing everyone to labor in them, completely believing the reality that is being presented to them by the monsters? 

This book, like the previous ones in the series, I would describe as a cross between Steven King and the Twilight Zone. It is extremely creepy and disturbing. And be warned, there is also a great deal of violence and gore in this book as well as in the series. (As is true of most horror novels.) There is also a psychological aspect of the horror the monsters in this book use against humanity, playing on the known fears and tropes that we are all familiar with, especially when it comes to the different aspects of said monsters. I found the realization of these differing monster tropes quite revealing about what each monster’s domains and potential downfalls might come into play later on in the series, and am looking forward to discovering if I am at all right about what I suspect will be coming in future books. Only time will tell if I am correct in what I think might happen or if the author surprises me by taking the story in a completely different direction.

I believe anyone who enjoys horror novels, scary and creepy stories, especially ones with a psychological aspect should enjoy this novel. I would, however, suggest that if you have not yet read the first two books in the series, that you read those before starting this one so that you won't miss out on any of what has led up to this point. I will definitely be watching for the next book to be released, as I have been enjoying reading this series so far.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Person who Hated People by Steven Paul Leiva

C.D. Beekman is a University History Professor. He has written a number of books and knows a great deal about history. It is his passion, and something he is very opinionated about. He has a rather blunt personality and says what he thinks on any subject, and he values intelligence and learning above almost everything else. Most people do not appreciate his demeanor, but when he meets, falls in love with, and marries Trudee, she slowly helps him to find ways to better tolerate those who annoy him or who grate upon his nerves. And though he may not feel that he has changed, many of those around him marvel at the fact that she has found a way to turn him into someone at least a bit more considerate others' feelings. When Trudee lies dying, he promises her that he will try to be nicer, even to those he considers fools or idiots. And along the way, he becomes known as “Mr. Nice Guy,” even though he still considers himself someone who hates people.

I received and read a review copy of this book. And as with Mr. Leiva’s other books, I needed to think about this one for a while before I was able to understand what I believe was actually happening in this story. From my perspective, I suspect that C.D. is on the autism spectrum, as some of those I know who are autistic do not always understand that those they are speaking with see their responses as somewhat blunt and uncaring. Others may not realize that they are not trying to offend, they are merely stating the facts of a matter as they see them. It is this type of behavior that leads me to believe that C.D. Beekman may have been on the autism spectrum, even if he and those around him may not have ever known it. (Those who are autistic can still be highly intelligent, and if they have never been tested for autism by a professional, it isn't always obvious that they are actually autistic.)

On his own, C.D. was not a social being, preferring to spend his time alone in a library researching for historical books he was writing, but he loved his wife (who was a very social person who enjoyed being around a variety of people) and thus he also spent more time around others. And it appears he learned from her how to allow others to see the side of him that she saw, the kind and generous man. The man who cared. And while on some level he may have only actually cared about others because his wife did, he wanted to keep her happy, even after she died. And so, he did his best to be the kind, friendly, nice guy that she had helped him to present to the world around him.

I don’t believe that he ever actually hated all people. I believe that he did not truly understand people, and they did not truly understand them. And that was why he usually came across as a grumpy, unfriendly individual. He always did care about some of those around him, but not everyone knew how to bring that side of his personality to the surface where everyone could see it. And while he often claimed he hated people, I believe it was more frustration and a lack of understanding than hate.

When he became known as Mr. Nice Guy, he had never truly changed who he was, but those around him instead looked at him from a different perspective than they may have before. And while, yes, some of it was due to his trying to follow Trudee’s dying wish, I think that on some level, she wanted him to see the world and those around him the way she did. Many things can appear completely different when looked at from a new point of view

And that only really explains the first part of the book. After that, there are quite a few twists and surprises in the story. And once you get to the end, you will likely be just as amused by the events that followed his becoming “Mr. Nice Guy” as I was. Especially when you see how the story ends. (Hint: I certainly didn’t see the ending coming. It was a complete surprise to me.) 

I truly enjoyed reading this book. Mr. Leiva’s books always show a unique view of people and the world that I don’t often get to see. His books truly make me stop and think about what he is trying to say before I am able to describe any of them to others. You might find different messages within his books than I did, but I think that is one of the things that makes his stories so enjoyable. The message within the story does not necessarily jump right out at the reader, but it sticks with them long after you finish the book. And the more you consider the story, the more you discover hidden within it. Highly Recommended.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Poison or Protect Written by Gail Carriger Narrated by Suzanne Lavington

Lady Preshea Villentia is an Assassin who was trained at an unuual finishing school that no longer exists. (If you’ve read some of Ms. Carriger’s other series, you’ll know what I’m referring to here.) And she has one last assignment to complete before she will be released from her indenture. After that, her future and any assignments she takes on will be of her own choosing. But before that can happen, she must complete this one. It seems an easy enough assignment, though this one does not involve any killing. But what happens when she meets a Scotsman during this assignment who both sparks her interest and causes her to fear the desire she begins to feel for him.

I listened to the audiobook version of this novella while I was working in my garden and enjoyed it. Having read several other books in this universe, I was already familiar with many of the characters mentioned in this story, and knew the background behind how Preshea had been trained. The character voices were well done and easily distinguished from every other character in this audiobook, I enjoyed listening to the story as I worked in my garden.

I do need to warn you that this story involves some sexual encounters, and thus may not be the most appropriate of books for younger readers. It does involve both men and women as well as women who prefer the company of other women. So you will have to decide if you feel this book is right for you. While not extremely graphic, there are a few scenes that may not be appropriate for younger readers/listeners..

I enjoyed seeing the main character, who had a very colorful background story, begin to discover that not all men were only interested in their own desires, and that some men actually cared whether or not their partner was enjoying their time together as much as they were. This book was set during a time period where women were often married off by arrangement rather than for love. Actual love was something she, and many other women were not fortunate enough to find. It was simply not a consideration when it came to arranged marriages.

If you have read (or listened to) any of the other books set within the Parasol Protectorate universe, then you will enjoy this book. I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys steampunk romances with more than a little bit of a “spicy” nature to them.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Realm of Crows by Angelina J Steffort

Ayna has escaped from the traitor crow and the king who have been trying to claim her for themselves and found her way back to her mate, friends, and family. They have allies to help defeat their enemies, but will it be enough? Can they actually succeed against the drug that even the slightest contact with will temporarily remove their magic abilities? Are there enough people willing to fight with or for her? Or will Ephegos manage to kill Myron, fulfilling the bargain he made with the Crow God, Shelak, to force Anya to become his mate instead of Myron’s. With more hidden traitors surrounding them, is there truly hope for their success, and will they be able to find a new home and create a kingdom for the surviving Crow Fairies and any who would choose to join them?

I received and read a review copy of this book, and wow, it does not disappoint. This book will take you through the full range of emotions, from joy and hope to despair then back again multiple times. This book made me both tear up and smile at different times. It is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I do not want to give anything away to those who have not either read this book or the earlier books in the series, but I will say that if you have read any of Ms. Steffort’s other books, you will want to read both this book and the previous ones in the series. (I would recommend reading them in order if you don’t want to be lost, however.) It is the perfect ending for this series, as well as a potential starting point for a new one (though that last is only my opinion, as I have no idea whether or not the author will decide to write more about any of the characters who were in this book or not, but I hope that she will.)

Anyone who has read any of Ms. Steffort’s other books, whether from this series or her other series’ will enjoy this book. Anyone who enjoys stories about different types of fae, and their interactions with humans, those who enjoy a romantic fantasy series that takes you through the entire range of emotions, as well as those who enjoy stories about magical creatures, a war that includes their gods, or just a well written fantasy novel will likely enjoy this book. Recommended.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

On Other Shoresby Nelson Mckeeby

Javier al-Rasheed is a sailor who secretly married the Princess, which has her father understandably very upset. With his wife's help, Javier manages to escape being killed by her father and becomes the captain of the tea merchant ship Remarker. He and his wife have a plan that will (hopefully) end with his returning home to free her from being under her father’s control. As the mother of the heir, she is meant to rule the land with her husband. But will either of them survive long enough to allow that to happen when it is clear that her father does not wish to give up his power as the country's ruler?

I read a review copy of this story and enjoyed it. The adventures of Javier and his crew as they travel around the ocean include trading to earn a profit as tea merchants and rescuing stranded sailors as well as others from natural disasters. I enjoyed reading the stories of everyone they encountered along the way. It gave a very unique view into the lives of the people living on the various islands in the Halo. The life of a sailor isn’t easy in this world, but it is a necessity if one wishes goods from islands other than your own. So, many men and women from all social statuses and from all lands often decide to choose a life as a sailor. Each of them has a unique story to tell, and many of them are shared in this book.

The most interesting one seems to be the one that we learn during the course of the book about Captain Javier’s history. We are given hints and clues about him and his main companion, known as Devious. The two have been together for many years, but there is a big twist at the end involving them both that may leave you stunned. It is certainly one that took me somewhat by surprise. But if you want to know what that twist is, you’ll have to read the book, as telling you anything more about it would spoil the ending. I am looking forward to learning what will happen in book two of this series.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Scripts and Empty Crypts by Trixie Silvertale

Ghostma has sold the movie rights to Mitzy’s story and they intend to film the show using the actual bookstore. The problem being that Ghostma signed the contracts in Mitzy’s name without telling her about it, and now they have no choice but to allow the filmcrew to film inside of the building, despite there being sections of the bookstore that the general public aren’t allowed to know about. In the midst of this, the election is nearing that will either return Erick Harper to the position  of Sheriff or allow Paulson to continue on, doing things her way while resenting any help offered from Harper-Moon investigations. And to top things off, you guessed it, there is a murder involving the movie crew.

I received and read a review copy of this novel. And as you might expect, I enjoyed it, just as I have the previous ones in this series. There are quite a few twists and turns involved in this cozy mystery that will keep you guessing all the way until the end. This book has the vibrant characters that we have come to love from the Mitzy Moon Cozy Mysteries and the Harper-Moon series. It is every bit as entertaining as the previous books, and while it is a quick read, it is a very fun one as well. I know that I enjoyed it a great deal.

This book ends with a twist that can be pretty easily anticipated if you're a regular reader of any of the Mitzy Moon and Erick Harper books, but that will affect this series as it goes forward, And I for one, can’t wait to see what will come next. (I really don’t want to spoil the ending for you, so if you want to know what I’m referring to, you’ll just have to read the book yourself.)

I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading Cozy Mysteries, Paranormal Cozy Mysteries, or who has enjoyed any of the other books involving Mitzy Moon, Erick Harper, and Ghostma. You won’t be disappointed.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Murder in the Garden of Enchantmentby Kathryn Gaucci

After receiving an invitation to a prestigious wedding in Constantinople, Theodosia begins planning, shopping for new clothing for herself and daughter, and gifts for the bride and groom. While talking with a close friend of hers, she hears some worrisome news about the groom and his reputation, and asks one of her servants to discreetly follow the young man to determine if these rumors are true or false. For if they are true, the young woman about to be married—the younger daughter of a friend of hers—will likely have an unhappy marriage ahead of her.

This cozy, historical fiction murder mystery was a beautiful description of life in early 20th century Constantinople. While it focused mostly on the wealthier lifestyles, it did also include a small amount about those who were among the less fortunate. This was a different type of book that what I am used to seeing from Ms. Gaucci as it is not primarily based on historical events or taking place in the middle of WWII. I received a review copy of this book, and as I have her WWII historical fiction novels, I enjoyed this one too.

The descriptions of the people and places are quite vivid. And it makes it easy to imagine being in the middle of a street market in Constantinople during this time period. And while I did figure out the “who-done-it” part of the story, there were quite a few surprising twists and turns along the path to revealing much of the how and why as well as the who behind the murder. For me, this was a nice, relaxing read. One where I could sit and immerse myself in the setting and the culture described within the book. And I believe that was one of my favorite aspects of this story.

If you like historical fiction with a touch of cozy mystery added in, then you will very much enjoy reading this book. I look forward to seeing what Ms. Gaucci provides her readers with her next novel. Whether that is a return to her WWII historical fiction or another cozy mystery, we are sure to enjoy the descriptions of what life would have been like in that time period and location.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writersby Renni Browne & Dave King

This textbook is one that was strongly recommended for a class that I am currently taking. It covers a fair amount that can be problematic, especially for writers who have not previously been published. It covers such topics such as show versus tell,  characterization, exposition, point of view, voice, and more.

There is a lot of useful and helpful information in this book, along with examples of what the authors are talking about. There are also exercises in each chapter for the reader to put into practice what each lesson was about. The “answers” to the exercises are at the end of the book rather than at the end of the chapter with each exercise. I personally would have preferred them to be on the pages immediately after the exercises themselves, but being able to look at a potential solution to each one is in itself helpful, no matter where in the book it winds up.

I would recommend that anyone reading this book attempt to complete them as it lets you put into practice what you are trying to learn. They are useful and the explanations on their answers are also helpful in teaching the why behind the choice to change the passage in certain ways.

At times, this felt very much like I was reading a textbook, which is what it is, however that aspect does at times make it a little less interesting (causing it to feel a bit "dry") to me than the previous book assigned in this class. But overall, I believe this is a helpful and useful book for anyone seeking to not only improve their writing, but who is seeking to improve their self-editing skills in order to strengthen the impact of their stories.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

The Champion's Lord by V.C. Willis

After losing control of their land to the invaders from the old continent, life had been rough for many people, most of whom now seek only to survive. When the empire’s crown prince comes seeking an alliance with the Thompson clan, he brings along some knowledge of what the invaders seem to be looking for, though parts of the puzzle are still missing. Still, Raphael is determined to try and aid his new friends and allies as best he can while trying to keep the fate that befell the empire from happening again. With the help of Ashton’s family, hopefully he can succeed, despite the odds stacked against them.

I first read an Advance Review Copy of this book when it was originally about to be published only as a Yonder app Web exclusive and enjoyed it. But earlier this year, the book was released more widely and is now available in both a paper and ebook versions from multiple retailers. (And with Yonder closing down later this month, access to this book on the app will be lost.) I reread the book before updating my review to repost, and I can say that it is just as enjoyable to read the second time around.

I found this book to be well written; the story is fast paced and the characters are fascinating. They each have their own problems and faults, just as they bring their own strengths and abilities to the fight. They know that if they fail, things will become very dark for those still around to see it. Someone is messing around with dark magic, and without the aid of the Fates, will anything remain? And if the Fates are forced to intervene, who knows what will happen.

It does need to be noted that this fantasy/adventure story is not meant for younger readers. There are a fair amount of very graphic sexual encounters, both male/female and male/male. This book is a very descriptive, very steamy adventure/romance novel. There is also some violence in the story, as it is clearly building up to a war, or at least some sort of battle between two opposing forces; one side seeking to protect, the other, possibly to destroy or possibly simply to dominate and control the rest of the world.

If you enjoy books that involve male/male as well as male/female relationships, have read any of Ms. Willis’ other books, or are looking for an extremely steamy fantasy adventure/romance novel to read, I’d recommend giving this book a try. I think you’ll enjoy it. Ms. Willis is an excellent writer, and one whose books are worth taking the time to read.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.

As & When by Alex Andre

Aileen has been running the “underground” element of Locksville for a while. And while it may not seem like an important job, without her influence chaos would take over and no one would be safe. By keeping things controlled, there is essentially peace. And even those in charge of the city on the more lawful/legal/political side of things recognize that without her and her group controlling the less than legal elements of the population, things would get very bad, very quickly. So when Aileen disappears without explanation (a highly unusual thing), it is up to her second in command, Bo, to find out what has happened to her and to arrange for whatever is needed to bring her home.

This was the second book in a post-apocalyptic/dystopian series called the E Apocrypha. While this book focuses mainly on a different part of the world from the previous book, it does include many of the characters we met in that novel. In this story, we learn quite a bit about Aileen and how she came to be in charge of the underground element of Locksville, as well as why she was kidnapped. Her adventures, as well as those of Bo, the one seeking to find and rescue her, make for a very interesting and entertaining story.

I received and read a review copy of this book and I greatly enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed the references to characters from the first book in the series and learning what happened to them after the conclusion of their story. And while I do believe that readers could probably read this book even without having read the previous one, I think that they will enjoy it much more if they have read the first book. (Without the information from that story, readers may miss some of the reasons why the referenced characters from the first book are still important to know about in this one.)

I believe that anyone who enjoys post-apocalyptic and/or dystopian novels will enjoy this book a great deal. I found the mix of characters who see the usefulness of mechanical equipment and those who feel that such were the cause of the catastrophe that essentially reset the world to a pre-industrial society interesting. And the complexities of those who marvel over what was lost and historical compared to those who seemed to feel that everyone was better off without them also enhances the story. In my opinion, this is a story that is well worth reading, and I am looking forward to reading the third book in this series.

Amazon requires me to state that I have an Amazon Associates account that I use to generate the links to the books on their website. Purchasing something after following those links will earn a few pennies for me off the sale, though as of yet I have not earned anything from my Amazon Associate links.