I'm heading back to Pittsburgh for the second time this summer, this time in celebration of science fiction and fantasy! It's been a minute since I've attended this particular convention, so I was pleased that the stars aligned for me to return this weekend. Confluence 2023July 21-23, 2023Sheraton Pittsburgh Airport HotelPittsburgh, Pennsylvania I'm driving in … Continue reading Confluence 2023 Schedule
Book Review: The Goblin Twins by Kit Barrie
This epic fantasy with a touch of romance fulfilled at least 90 percent of my expectations, and I’m pretty sure that the only reason it didn’t max out is that it’s a debut novel. This is not an insult—Barrie may still have room to grow, but she avoids so many of the issues that I … Continue reading Book Review: The Goblin Twins by Kit Barrie
October Wrap-Up & November Goals
October vanished in a whirlwind of trying to get everything done before leaving for my 10-day trip to Israel, then the vacation itself. Did I get everything done? Of course not. But I had a fantastic time meeting many family members from around the world and checking items off the bucket list, so it was … Continue reading October Wrap-Up & November Goals
August Wrap-Up & September Goals
The spouse and I spent a good chunk of August on the road, visiting friends in Atlanta and family in Florida. We stayed as safe as possible (even if we were the only ones wearing a mask in many, many gas stations), but had to treat ourselves to a trip to Kennedy Space Center while … Continue reading August Wrap-Up & September Goals
Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
I like to joke that I know just enough about science to be dangerous but not particularly effective. Apparently, I also know just enough about science to appreciate all the obvious work that Weir has once again put into what is otherwise a classic SF adventure novel without the pesky burden of knowing whether any … Continue reading Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Review: On the Subject of Griffons by Lindsey Byrd
Disclaimer: I am an acquaintance of the author; however, I purchased this ebook for the full price. The only pseudo-complaint I have about this novel is that it could have been a tiny bit shorter. However, shortening the text would have involved cutting much of the hero’s internal narrative, which is a delightful mixture of … Continue reading Review: On the Subject of Griffons by Lindsey Byrd
Review: Unholy Trifecta Series by A.J. Sherwood
How to Shield an Assassin (Book 1) If you love heist stories, you should read this book. If you love the television show Leverage, you should read this book. If you adore found family stories, you should read this book. If precocious children in fiction don’t annoy you too much, you should read this book. … Continue reading Review: Unholy Trifecta Series by A.J. Sherwood
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 was still a tale filled … Continue reading Review: European Travel for the Monstrous Gentlewoman (Extraordinary Adventures of the Athena Club #2) by Theodora Goss
Review: Balefire (Whyborne & Griffin #10) by Jordan L. Hawk
Ten is a solid, round number, so I thought this would be the final book in the series. I was disappointed that the grand finale didn't look like it would take place in the city of Widdershins, but I figured out early in the story that this was not the end of the series. That's … Continue reading Review: Balefire (Whyborne & Griffin #10) by Jordan L. Hawk
Con Report: Capclave 2019
Note: If you are here to find a copy of my alternate history presentation, see below! I spent a lovely weekend in Rockville, Maryland, as part of Capclave 2019! Highlights included being on panels with both guests of honor (Robert Sawyer and Martha Wells) and giving my alternate history presentation to a small but participatory … Continue reading Con Report: Capclave 2019
Capclave 2019 Schedule!
I'll be returning to Capclave 2019 this weekend in Rockville, Maryland! Here's where you can find me. Friday 5:00 PM: Psychos (panel)What is a psychopath and are they really running the world? Do psychopaths have an advantage when it comes to running countries and major corporations? What can we do about it? What if we … Continue reading Capclave 2019 Schedule!
Con Report: FanX Salt Lake City 2019
Looking for my alternate history presentation to download? Scroll down! As has become annual tradition, the spouse and I celebrated our anniversary by traveling to FanX Salt Lake City. We had a blast this year, both participating in and attending panels, and my alternate history presentation made a successful reprisal. We flew to Utah last … Continue reading Con Report: FanX Salt Lake City 2019
FanX Salt Lake City 2019 Schedule!
This is my third year at FanX Salt Lake City and I'm more excited than ever. The spouse and I are flying in Wednesday afternoon and leaving Sunday morning, and this will be a great annual anniversary trip. He's looking forward to stalking his favorite comic book artist, I'm excited to give my alternate history … Continue reading FanX Salt Lake City 2019 Schedule!
Cover Reveal: Wolf Smoke (Langyan Series #1) by Poe Casavant
Today, I'm pleased to share the cover for Wolf Smoke, the first in a new science-fiction series by Poe Casavant! I've received an advanced copy of this novel that I'm excited to read, so look for a review here on my blog soon. For now, enjoy this stunning cover with artwork by l0cke. ABOUT THE … Continue reading Cover Reveal: Wolf Smoke (Langyan Series #1) by Poe Casavant
August Wrap-Up & September Goals
I didn't travel anywhere this month, but I still managed to have plenty of adventures! The highlights of the month were definitely the cover reveal for my next book, Steel Time, and buying the very first new car for either of us with my husband, a Tesla Model 3! Other fun things included some home … Continue reading August Wrap-Up & September Goals
Review: WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #6) by Jodi Taylor
I find the title to this latest installment of my favorite time travel hijinks series highly amusing because I thought I already knew all the ways in which things would go wrong in this world. It turns out that I was tragically wrong, and I'm so thrilled that this author can keep surprising me. It seems … Continue reading Review: WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #6) by Jodi Taylor
Review: A CHOICE OF FUTURES (Star Trek Enterprise: Rise of the Federation #1) by Christopher L. Bennett
Though Star Trek Enterprise is not my favorite of the television series, I found myself easily sucked into these tales that follow the on-screen adventures. The first four books made for great vacation reading, and I anxiously waited for my turn to read them since my husband had laid dibs first. (Star Trek Enterprise is … Continue reading Review: A CHOICE OF FUTURES (Star Trek Enterprise: Rise of the Federation #1) by Christopher L. Bennett
Review: THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
In honor of the film adaptation's release, I figured I should post my review of THE MARTIAN today! My husband heard about THE MARTIAN from a coworker and asked me to order it for him a few months ago. I was a bit on the fence about it after reading the back cover, but when … Continue reading Review: THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
Launch pictures at Dog Star Books blog
Are you tired of seeing pictures from my book launch yet? Of course you're not. The Dog Star Books blog just put up a bunch here. You mean you haven't visited the Dog Star Books blog yet? The science-fiction/adventure imprint of Raw Dog Screaming Press? That my wonky urban fantasy/alternate history sneaked its way into? … Continue reading Launch pictures at Dog Star Books blog