I love when stories are exactly what they say on the tin, but when the St. Mary's crew is involved, you know it's still going to outrageous. The Christmas story for 2018 features very little Christmas and a lot of planetary-hopping shenanigans. As someone who follows the current research into getting the first human to … Continue reading Review: “And Now For Something Completely Different” (Chronicles of St. Mary’s Short Story) by Jodi Taylor
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Review: “A Questionable Client” (Kate Daniels #0.5) by Ilona Andrews
This short story takes place prior to any of the novels in the Kate Daniels urban fantasy series. However, reading this story after reading at least the first novel, Magic Bites, works best. "A Questionable Client" tells the story of how Kate first meets one of her informational contacts, a shape-shifter called Saiman. He's kind of … Continue reading Review: “A Questionable Client” (Kate Daniels #0.5) by Ilona Andrews
Review: Escaping Mortality (Escape #3) by Sara Dobie Bauer
Disclaimer: I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review. The cliffhanger at the end of book 2 in this trilogy, Escaping Solitude, left me frantic. Luckily, this installment picks up mere moments from where the previous left off and continues the story without missing a beat. This trilogy of novellas will make for a … Continue reading Review: Escaping Mortality (Escape #3) by Sara Dobie Bauer
Review: Cibola Burn (The Expanse #4) by James S.A. Corey
After the whirlwind of the previous book in this series, this book should have felt like a time to breath. Unfortunately, I think the authors took things a bit too far in the other direction. They teased us with a Bobbie-centered prologue, and then things started to drag. On top of it all, I wasn't … Continue reading Review: Cibola Burn (The Expanse #4) by James S.A. Corey
Review: Into the Ashes (Taine McKenna Adventures #3) by Lee Murray
Disclaimer: I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review. The third installment of the Taine McKenna adventures follows the format of the two previous books without becoming formulaic or predictable. It's an action-packed adventure featuring human and supernatural dangers, full of both familiar faces and new characters I hope to see again in … Continue reading Review: Into the Ashes (Taine McKenna Adventures #3) by Lee Murray
Review: Invincible Volumes 16-18
We have officially entered the realm of issues I am reading for the first time! What the hell is going on with these covers?! Invincible Vol. 16: Family Ties Robert Kirkman (writer) Cory Walker (penciler, inker) Ryan Ottley (penciler, inker) Cliff Rathburn (inker) FCO Plascencia (colorist) John Rauch (colorist) Rus Wooton (letterer) The first … Continue reading Review: Invincible Volumes 16-18
Con Report: Cleveland Concoction 2019
March means a return to one of my favorite events of the year: Cleveland ConCoction! This year, I took the Tesla on her first official road trip, which involved stopping at multiple supercharger stations. We had a blast, and I am officially never taking a long trip without navigate on autopilot ever again. FRIDAY I … Continue reading Con Report: Cleveland Concoction 2019
Review: Necropolis (Whyborne & Griffin #4) by Jordan L. Hawk
This installment of the series takes poor Whyborne far out of his comfort zone as his friend Dr. Putnam summons him to Egypt for his professional expertise. The fact that I read this book while on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean probably enhanced my sympathy for him, which was a fun … Continue reading Review: Necropolis (Whyborne & Griffin #4) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Abaddon’s Gate (The Expanse #3) by James S.A. Corey
This series was perfect vacation reading, and I'm now caught up the first three seasons of the television show, which is all that has been released at the time of this writing. For a series that was supposed to be about "the little guys" who happen to get involved in solar system-spanning action, it seems … Continue reading Review: Abaddon’s Gate (The Expanse #3) by James S.A. Corey
February Wrap-Up & March Goals
Ack, where did February go? I guess this is what happens when I try to reduce my workload but still end up ridiculously busy. The good news is that I got a lot of stuff done. The bad news is that I still didn't manage to complete all my goals. Oh well, March is another … Continue reading February Wrap-Up & March Goals
Review: Belle By Night (Dommes By Night #1) by Rachell Nichole
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author; however, I purchased this ebook for full price. Having absolutely zero experience with how the phone sex industry works, this was a fun, escapist story. I will always be a fan of three-dimensional characters and romances with a unique "meet-cute." Because of the afore-mentioned lack of experience with … Continue reading Review: Belle By Night (Dommes By Night #1) by Rachell Nichole
Cleveland Concoction 2019 Schedule
I'm excited to return to one of my favorite annual events this weekend! I'll be in Cleveland, Ohio, for Concoction 2019. The spouse is jealous because I'm taking the Tesla for it's first-ever road trip, as in, I will have to stop at least once each way to recharge at a supercharger stop. But once … Continue reading Cleveland Concoction 2019 Schedule
Review: Caliban’s War (The Expanse #2) by James S.A. Corey
Since I read this book after watching the first three seasons of the television show, The Expanse, my opinions of the book are colored by my experience with the adaptation. For example, my favorite thing about this book was finally meeting two of my favorite characters in print. Avasarala and Bobbie are amazing and I … Continue reading Review: Caliban’s War (The Expanse #2) by James S.A. Corey
Review: Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy #3.5) by Ilona Andrews
This novella picks up where the last book in the Hidden Legacy series leaves off and features a surprise protagonist! As much as I adore Nevada, it was awesome to read a story from the perspective of another member of the Baylor family, and Catalina is fantastic. It makes total sense to show readers Nevada … Continue reading Review: Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy #3.5) by Ilona Andrews
Review: Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse #1) by James S.A. Corey
I purchased this ebook when the first season of the television adaptation aired, but didn't get around to reading it until a recent vacation. I've seen three seasons of the show so far, so that will obviously color my interpretation of the book (such as visualizing actors as their characters and such). My husband and I … Continue reading Review: Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse #1) by James S.A. Corey
Con Report: Farpoint 2019
Growing up as a military brat, I always had this sense that once I left a place, I would never be back. While looking for a house in the Baltimore area before sixth grade, my family briefly stayed at a hotel, the Hunt Valley Inn. Therefor, it's always a bit bizarre to be back there … Continue reading Con Report: Farpoint 2019
Review: An Acceptable Time (Time Quintet #5) by Madeleine L’Engle
For the final installment of my 2018 Resolution Project over at Speculative Chic, I reviewed An Acceptable Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Unfortunately, this series did not end with a bang for me. You can read the full review here, and check out an excerpt below: This series, which gave us everything from aliens to angels to … Continue reading Review: An Acceptable Time (Time Quintet #5) by Madeleine L’Engle
Review: “Remnant” (Caldwell & Feximal/Whyborne & Griffin Mystery) by K.J. Charles& Jordan L. Hawk
This short story is available as a free download from K.J. Charles' website. It is best read after Stormhaven (Whyborne & Griffin #3) by Jordan L. Hawk and the full collection of The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by K.J. Charles because it contains significant spoilers for both. There need to be more cross-over stories between authors I enjoy … Continue reading Review: “Remnant” (Caldwell & Feximal/Whyborne & Griffin Mystery) by K.J. Charles& Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Stormhaven (Whyborne & Griffin #3) by Jordan L. Hawk
The horrors of this book are once again an homage to those created by Lovecraft himself, and I continue to find absurd joy in heroes that would have completely pissed him off. At this point, I am thoroughly enamored by both Whyborne and Griffin, and Hawk continues to impress with their excellent character development. The … Continue reading Review: Stormhaven (Whyborne & Griffin #3) by Jordan L. Hawk
Review: Threshold (Whyborne & Griffin #2) by Jordan L. Hawk
This book was an excellent follow-up to the first in the series, proving that Hawk is now comfortable with their world and their characters. We leave behind the Lovecraftian city of Widdershins for a company town in the Appalachian mountains, haunted by creatures who are both horrifying and unique. The relationship development between Whyborne and … Continue reading Review: Threshold (Whyborne & Griffin #2) by Jordan L. Hawk