Author: J.L. Gribble
-
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Binds (Kate Daniels #9) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the ninth book, Magic Binds, before, and originally reviewed it in June 2017. You can find NEW…
-
Review: The Churn (The Expanse #3.5) by James S.A. Corey
Despite it’s placement in the series order recommended by Goodreads, I’m glad that I read “The Churn” after book 8, Tiamat’s Wrath. Names are important in this book, and Amos hasn’t always been known as Amos Burton. In a way, this novella is as much about Earth as it is about…
-
Review: No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark #3) by Kresley Cole
I adored everything about this book — except for the two main characters, who fell short in contrast to the scope of this exciting tale. Sebastian’s character arc may have been typical of alpha romance heroes when this book was first published, but it doesn’t hold up as well in…
-
Review: “The Butcher of Anderson Station” (Expanse #0.5) by James S.A. Corey
I’m on a mission to read all the short fiction installments in The Expanse series before season 4 of the television show premieres in December 2019. This story was a good place to start, especially if you’re a fan of both the books and television version of this series. It…
-
Review: Beguiled (Enlightenment #2) by Joanna Chambers
Two years later, David Lauriston and Murdo Balfour meet once again. The events of this book revolve around King George’s visit to Scotland, which personifies one of the things I’m most enjoying about this trilogy. So much of Regency(ish) romance takes place in London and English estates. Shifting the location…
-
Review: Provoked (Enlightenment #1) by Joanna Chambers
The list of romance authors I follow seems to be growing, as I add yet another writer whose books I shall now proceed to devour all of. I read this title in a single evening and immediately purchased the next in the series. Many romance books star lovers from vastly…
-
Review: Invincible Volumes 24-25
And we’ve reached the end! Overall, this was a fantastic, highly enjoyable series. Invincible Vol. 24: The End of All Things Part OneRobert Kirkman (writer)Ryan Ottley (penciler, inker)Dexter Vinces (inker)Mark Morales (inker)Nathan Fairbairn (colorist)Rus Wooton (letterer) We’ve reached the end, kids. Along with an immediate reminder that Mark has no…
-
Con Report: Starbase Indy 2019
Looking for the full slide set for my “Alternate History: Creating Stories by Changing the Past” presentation? See below! Usually I try to have my convention reports posted on the Wednesday after the con, but this month I had the crazy idea that I could do two events in a…
-
Review: Invincible Volumes 22-23
Looking for my Starbase Indy convention report? I’m still traveling (in Houston now, where at least it’s not freezing), so that post is getting delayed to Friday. In the meantime, after a long (too long) hiatus, I’m ready to finish this epic series! Invincible Vol. 22: Reboot?Robert Kirkman (writer)Ryan Ottley…
-
November Wrap-Up & December Goals
I hope everyone had a fabulous month full of NaNoWriMo and/or delicious food. I’m in the midst of traveling (3 airplanes, 2 conferences, 2 cities), so cross your fingers that the ridiculous cold I had 2 weeks ago doesn’t return with a vengeance. Ironically, because of the traveling and the…
-
Review: Silent Blade (Kinsmen #1) by Ilona Andrews
This is an older book by the authors, and I’m impressed by how far their writing ability has come (though this wasn’t poorly written by any means). They’ve always been excellent storytellers though, and this novella stands out in this regard. The society worldbuilding here reminds me a lot of…
-
Review: A Little Light Mischief (Turner Series #3.5) by Cat Sebastian
This story can be read without the others in the Turner Series, though I highly recommend them. It also shows how women have both more and less freedom to choose their paths in life during this time period. Molly and Alice are both trapped by financial circumstances, but their ability…
-
Starbase Indy 2019 Schedule!
This Thursday, while my family stays home and eats delicious food, I’ll be boarding a flight to Indianapolis for my first Starbase Indy! I’m looking forward to checking out a new con, meeting new people, and catching up with old friends. For the majority of the convention, you can probably…
-
Review: The Rat-Catcher’s Daughter (Lilywhite Boys #0.5) by K.J. Charles
One of my favorite things about K.J. Charles’ writing is how she weaves together emotion, intrigue, and suspense. Another of my favorite things is how she inserts non-straight and nonbinary characters without unnecessary fanfare into historical fiction that too often lacks such representation as it it never existed before the…
-
New feature: Fan cast of the Steel Empires!
A few weeks ago, I sorted the main characters of the Steel Empires series into their Hogwarts houses. But that was just the start of the new features I’m adding to the Worldbuilding section of my website! A question many authors get is “Who would play your characters in the…
-
Review: Follow Him Home (Lovers Rush/Alternate Worlds #1) by P.W. Davies
This book started off slow, but quickly escalated to an interesting story line I found hard to put down. All three protagonists where well-developed and intriguing in their own way. Even the doctor Peter might seem bland on the surface, but his depths were revealed in the way he reacted…
-
Review: European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman (Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club #2) by Theodora Goss
My biggest minor quibble from the previous book in this trilogy followed me to this one. I love the conceit of the book characters inserting their commentary into the writing, but it still reduces some of the tension since I know everyone survives to the end. That being said, this…
-
2019 Resolution Project: Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8) by Ilona Andrews
My 2019 Resolution Project over at my other blog, Speculative Chic, is to read the entire Kate Daniels urban fantasy series by Ilona Andrews, finishing up with a first read of the final book in the series. I’ve read the eighth book, Magic Shifts,before, and originally reviewed it in April 2016. You can find NEW my…
-
Review: Alexander X (Battle For Forever #1) by Edward Savio
This book is a whirlwind story that features a very different take on immortality. I devoured it on a single plane ride and never felt a moment of boredom. The main character’s narrative voice makes me absolutely believe that he’s a teenager who’s been around for 1500 years. I was…
-
Review: The Portrait Problem (The Galipp Files #3) by Jamaila Brinkley
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I bought the ebook for full price. The Galipp Files are a solid trilogy chronicling the evolving relationship between Anastasia and her partner-turned-fiance Simon. Along the way, they solve magical crimes in their version of not overly-magical London. My biggest complaint about…
