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.

Gifts With Hard Swordsby Scott Telek

In the early days of King Arthur’s Reign, there was much strife, many difficulties, and people either trying to influence or curry favor with the young king. And with many not believing him to be capable of being High King, or simply not willing to accept him as such, war was inevitable. As a young man who has not been a king for long, in this book Arthur is still struggling to find his way and wishing he were free to control his own destiny rather than following the path laid out for him by Merlin. Yes, he knows that Merlin’s desire is for the good of everyone, not just the rich and powerful, but when you are a young man, it is hard to suddenly find yourself the one suddenly held responsible for everything. Mistakes will happen. The question seems to be whether or not Arthur can handle it when those mistakes may be life changing—for both himself and for his people.

I read a review copy of this book, and I loved it. Mr. Telek’s story is based on historically found tales of Arthur and his knights. It is not simply a retelling of the stories that many of us have heard many times throughout our lives, though for the most part we can anticipate much of what will happen. But this series is unique in that while it is very based off of the most historical versions of Arthur’s story, the gaps that were left by the original authors have been filled in with Mr. Telek’s own contributions to the tale. And those contributions are not insignificant; they meld in perfectly with the existing information that was his source material for this story.

As such, I should warn you that there is a part of this story that some may find disturbing. The event shows Arthur’s fears for his future, and it ultimately contributes to his eventual downfall. But given that it was part of the original tale, it was not something that could, or should, be ignored by Mr. Telek. It was an important part of the story and does show us a great deal of Arthur as a young man who is unsure of himself as king. It also gives us a glimpse into the fact that there are some events that even the great Merlin could not have prevented. It may be a bit disturbing, but it was necessary to this story. And honestly, there are many historical tales of kings and other leaders who have done much worse.

Mr. Telek has woven a wonderful and very enjoyable tale for us to enjoy. One where we get to see not only Arthur’s strengths and successes, but also his failures and weaknesses. We get to see that while King Arthur may someday become a legendary figure, at this point in time he was simply a young man who felt the weight of the kingdom that rested on his shoulders. One who has been repeatedly told that only he could bring about the golden age that was to come, though how he was supposed to do that, he didn't know. It makes for a wonderful tale, and I very much look forward to seeing what happens in the next book in this series. 

If you enjoy tales of King Arthur, his Knights, Merlin, and the others, this is a series you will want to read. I do recommend starting at the beginning of the series if you have not previously read the books before this one. There are some surprises early on in the series that you won’t want to miss. Mr. Telek’s version of the King Arthur story is very unique and worth taking the time to read. 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.

5 Editors Tackle The 12 Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing by C.S. Lakin with Linda S. Clare, Christy Distler, Robin Patchen, and Rachel Starr Thompson

This book was recommended for a class that I am taking and having read it, I can very easily understand why. I have since recommended it to someone I know who is working on writing their first novel as I believe this book will be extremely helpful for them during the writing process. It very clearly describes the main problems that many authors face when writing a novel, and it offers potential solutions for each of these issues.

This book covers quite a bit of information, so it may take some time to read and fully absorb all of the knowledge and wisdom that it is attempting to share. But I can honestly say that those who take the time to read it and attempt to eliminate any of the “fatal flaws” that may run through their writing will not be disappointed with the results and improvement in the responses to their own tales.

While I have not written a book myself, given that I have reviewed a number of books, I was already familiar with a number of these fatal flaws and have seen them in some of the books that I have read and reviewed over the years. I may not have always been able to put into exact words why something may have bothered me about a story, but when reading the descriptions of those same issues and the potential ways to solve or avoid them, those reasons become much clearer.

This book is an excellent source of information for anyone who is writing a novel or even a short story. It will definitely help with avoiding quite a few pitfalls whether you are planning on trying to get your book published through a publisher or are planning on publishing independently. It can also be helpful for anyone just wanting to improve their storytelling skills in general. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is writing a story to share with others. It is a fantastic resource book for both new writers as well as for anyone hoping to improve on existing skills.

If you are a writer, this is one book that I highly recommend adding to your collection. This is also one that I feel could be very helpful to editors, specifically developmental editors, as it helps the reader to recognize at least some of the potential problems that authors might inadvertently incorporate into their writing. (I know that I have been guilty of some of them myself, and I've never written or tried to publish a book.)

Prudencewritten by Gail CarrigerNarrated by Moira Quirk

Prudence, now a young woman with a preternatural for a mother and a werewolf father is herself a metanatural; the only one born in centuries. She is capable of "borrowing" the form and abilities of any supernatural being she touches while they revert to being mortal for as long as she retains their supernatural abilities. Prudence is also the adopted daughter of a vampire—an arrangement that was made before her birth as the only way to prevent the local vampire hive from trying to kill her mother before Prudence was born.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which focused on the next generation of characters from the Parasol Protectorate series rather than their parents and enjoyed it.  Though I do wish that they had used the same narrator as they did in the first series; mainly because the changes in the way the characters from the original series were voiced seemed vastly different in style from how they sounded when spoken by the previous narrator. But it was only those particular characters’ voices that bothered me, and likely only because I was so used to the previous narrator's style.

The voices of the characters that were not in the original series, however, felt much more welcome and did not bother me in any way. This narrator also did an excellent job of keeping each character's voice distinct from all others.

One thing that I found amusing in this story involves a stolen snuffbox that is hiding tea inside. And, if you have been reading my reviews for at least the last year or so, you know that I have been enjoying the teas purchased from Punk Teas. Whenever I ordered tea from them, a free sample of another tea had been included with my purchase, and their sample sized tins look suspiciously like small snuffboxes. At one point, I asked a representative from their company if this had been intentional as I know that Ms. Carriger has worked with Tea Punk Teas to create at least one tea inspired by another of her books, but it seems that it was merely a coincidence. (The size of the small tin merely being very convenient for tea samples.) But it was fun to discover it as part of the story I was currently listening to.

I think that anyone who enjoyed the Parasol Protectorate Series and anyone who enjoys Steampunk tales should enjoy this one. (Especially while enjoying drinking a nice, refreshing cup of tea, something which is a very important part of this book.) I know that I enjoyed both this book and my tea while I listened to this story. And whether you listen to the audiobook, as I did, or you read the pages of the story yourself, I think that you will find it a fun 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.

Mortal Coils: The Necromancer's Apprenticeby Chris Durston

Mara is an apprentice necromancer, not by choice, but because a master necromancer decided to make her his apprentice, and if she refused, her family would pay the price for her refusal. Over time, she has gotten used to the evil nature of her existence and grown in power. They are at the last task she must complete to no longer be considered his apprentice, but will be a full necromancer in her own right, making her family finally be safe from this monster's harm. However, once the task is completed, he kills her, sending her to the realm of the dead until he can master the spell that will bind her soul to him as an undead servant; one with all her awareness and power intact. Not wanting this to be her fate, Mara is in a hurry to find a way to cross over to where her former master cannot call her back from the Sunless Crossing. But she can’t manage this on her own, and soon finds herself as part of an adventuring party for the first time.

I received and read a review copy of this book. It is a tie-in novel to the Black Ballad roleplaying campaign, and like the other Sunless Crossing novels, it is one I enjoyed reading. I enjoyed watching Mara learn to see that friends are not always a weakness. Sometimes, they are what makes life (or in this case, death) worthwhile. It’s not easy to learn to trust when for most of your life, you have had to hide your true thoughts and feelings from those closest to you.

Watching Mara grow as a person after her death made for an interesting story. It’s not often that one learns those lessons after they have died, but before then, she had no one who could show her the value of trust and friendship. And ultimately, the value of putting others’ needs and desires ahead of your own. I truly enjoyed this aspect of the story. The idea that it is never too late to learn to care about others is a very strong and important lesson.

Anyone who enjoys RPG tie-in novels, fantasy adventure stories, or character driven stories about discovering who you truly are and what you want out of life should enjoy this book. It’s a interesting story that I think many will enjoy. I did.

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.

Safe Passage: Through the Wildlands of Capherayna by Karen Menezes

After many days of walking through an-old growth forest, The Lightbender, a man trained extensively from birth in a variety of holistic and metaphysical as well as scientific methods has found his way to a village in need of his help. The new ruler of a neighboring kingdom has declared a war on the peaceful village in an effort to steal their land, as well as the land of all the nearby villages also living in the forest. And when the villagers refuse to either join his kingdom—a much more modern society with a great deal of technology—or to abandon their homes, he sends in his military to shoot the children first, since killing the children will cause despair and make it less likely that the adults will continue to resist.

This was an interesting story, and while it took me a while to actually realize what it was about (there was a great deal of necessary worldbuilding in order to explain not only The Lightbender and those like him, but what was happening around these villages and why the neighboring kingdom was so determined to control them). It also took me a while to realize that this was likely supposed to be a world similar to if not actually our own, though it wasn’t taking place in any part of the world with which I was familiar.

The author did a wonderful job of describing the forest and the people living there, spending so much time in their world, that when the soldiers arrived with guns and a plan to bomb the villages if necessary, it was rather jarring to me; I had completely forgotten that there were modern societies in this world, as the people focused on were ones that chose to live without technology. However, to me the pacing of the book felt slightly off. There were long sections where it was very calm and sedate, with a great deal of narrative description. And though much of it was necessary, it caused much of the urgency that I expected to feel to be missing.

Also, when the people were hiding from the soldiers in the forest with The Lightbender and others like him who were trying to help hide, heal, and protect the people from discovery, some of the recovering children were not seeming to grasp the need for quiet, despite the fact that they had been shot and left for dead by the soldiers, with a great many of their friends and family having not survived. To me, this seemed like more than the few specifically mentioned as having PTSD from the violence should have been more traumatized by it, rather than acting out because they were bored, or loudly voicing a desire to return home. (I’m sure that I would find it very difficult to return to a place where I had nearly been killed and watched many others die.)

But don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy reading this book, and would happily read more of the series. I believe that many of my issues revolved around the amount of necessary world building in order for me to grasp what was happening in this story and understand the why behind it. But I do need to include some trigger warnings for this book, as there is some violence, some violent shooting of innocent children. So it is likely that this book is not a good fit for everyone. But I do feel that many people will enjoy this story. Even with the issues I felt the book contained, overall I did enjoy reading 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.

To Slay a God, by Brian Fitzpatrick

When the god of pestilence and decay seeks to enter their world to continue a path of world destruction that it has successfully completed on other worlds, Severina and her companions must destroy it before it can destroy everything. But what happens once they manage that task but die in the process. And when they all arrive in the Sunless Crossing, can they help to save the realm of the dead from a dead god that wants to take over that realm before venturing on to destroy every other world?

I read a review copy of this book and, like the previous books in the Sunless Crossing series of Black Ballad tie-in novels, this was an interesting one. I liked seeing how the characters reacted to learning not only were they now dead, but that the evil they had thought defeated was now working on taking over the realm of the dead. I enjoyed the differing perspectives from the characters. You could easily see how their lives had affected the way they viewed their deaths and afterlives.as well as the surprises that were thrown at them.

I also liked how we could see their views on multiple things changing as the characters learned more about not only their new surroundings, but about themselves along the way. I truly enjoyed the obvious character growth that takes place in this story. It is one that if you aren’t paying attention, you may not notice it, but that when you are watching to see how and if the characters grow and develop along the way, it is clearly there.

If you like fantasy stories full of adventure and that have a good vs evil theme, books that are RPG tie-in novels, and the Black Ballad RPG game then I believe you will enjoy this book. Even if you haven’t played Black Ballad or play RPG games, this is still a very entertaining fantasy adventure novel that I think many will enjoy. I recommend giving this book, and this series, a try.

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.

Paramour Book 1: Moneta by George Bachman

Following a violent attack, Blondie lies near death. But she is not the main character in this tale: her mother Moneta is. The majority of this tale flows across two different timelines. One where Moneta is younger, and one involving her daughter Blondie at the same age. There is a parallel in these two storylines as much of Blondie’s life seems to mirror Moneta’s. Both seem to have the same interests, and they seem to often make the same mistakes.

I read a review copy of this book, and parts of this story I found to be very interesting. I enjoyed the characterizations, and the parallels between the two timelines. But I also have to warn readers that I do need to include some trigger warnings for this book. There are some incidents involving violent and descriptive sexual assault on a near-adult minor. There are some traumatic events in this story that could trigger PTSD for some readers. And there are also abusive relationships within this book.

I did enjoy much of the characterization and parts of the story, but I feel like there was too much in-depth description of the science (or made up science for this story) within the book that went far beyond my ability to comprehend. And in my opinion, these instances often dragged on for too long, causing me to want to skim over them as I was not really understanding why so much time was being spent on these specific conversations. While I do recognize that parts of them were essential to the story, I believe that shortening or condensing certain conversations would have held more fully held my interest rather than causing me to want to skim through them.

Overall, while I did have some issues with parts of the story, I did enjoy others and was often interested in what was going on, even if I didn't always understand it. Would I be interested in reading the next book in this series? Probably. I believe the second book will likely clear up some of the questions that the answers were never revealed in this book, and hopefully would explain what actually led up to the opening scene. (I have an idea about that, but I have no idea if my guess is correct, or if there are other questions that I don’t even know to ask yet.)

So while I think that some will find the technical discussions involving memory and the brain fascinating, I think that for the rest of us, if you can get past the sections that seemed to slow down my interest, and can get past the trigger warning issues within this tale, then I believe you will probably enjoy this story. It is definitely an interesting concept, even if I think some parts could have used a bit more development and refining before publication.

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.