"The Reluctant Master" Steel Empires #0.5J.L. Gribble Get your free copy of "The Reluctant Master" here Decades before the events of the Steel Empires series, Victory and Mikelos both have reason to leave their previous lives. Victory, by choice, to support the dreams of her family. Mikelos, by fate, after he loses everyone whom he … Continue reading Free Short Story!
Con Report: Farpoint 2023
Last weekend I attended Farpoint, a pop culture convention local to the Baltimore area, as a panelist and presenter on the writing and fandom tracks! As I explained to a handful of authors that I met for the first time during the event, I don't generally attend conventions for the primary purpose of selling books. … Continue reading Con Report: Farpoint 2023
Shepherd.com: “The best books that blend fantasy and alternate history”
Have you heard of Shepherd? It's an interesting new option for those looking for book recommendations. I was asked to contribute an article in a way that ties into my Steel Empires series, so the topic I landed on was the best books that blend fantasy and alternate history. It was incredibly difficult to settle … Continue reading Shepherd.com: “The best books that blend fantasy and alternate history”
Book Review: Ignite (Ignite #1) by Nora Phoenix
Despite my love of this author’s works, I delayed reading this series because I burned out on dystopian/post-apocalyptic stories a few years ago. But I’m still a science-fiction geek at heart, bonus points if it involves aliens and alternate history, so I knew these books would eventually make it to the top of the queue. … Continue reading Book Review: Ignite (Ignite #1) by Nora Phoenix
Con Report: FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention 2022
Sorry for the delay with this post -- the spouse and I got home very late Sunday night, and the day job is trying to eat me alive this week. But I had an amazing time at FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention 2022, and I'm happy to share some memories with you. Thursday We left … Continue reading Con Report: FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention 2022
Steel Justice Available Now!
Happy Wednesday to everyone, and happy book birthday to me! Steel Justice (Steel Empires #6) is officially live and available for your reading pleasure in hardcopy and ebook form. Learn about the book below, including some fun graphics. I hope you enjoy the penultimate book to the Steel Empires series, while I'm hard at work … Continue reading Steel Justice Available Now!
Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2021
I'll admit it -- I'm not cut out for the virtual convention life. I had a conversation with a friend earlier this week and brought up how late I was in writing this con report, and she pointed out that my experience with this year's In Your Write Mind 2021 was even more skewed than … Continue reading Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2021
In Your Write Mind 2021 Schedule!
For the second summer in a row, I am sadly missing my pilgrimage to Seton Hill University, where I got my MA in Writing Popular Fiction, to connect with old friends and new for the In Your Write Mind workshop. This year, luckily, I will get a taste of the fun by participating in the … Continue reading In Your Write Mind 2021 Schedule!
STEEL JUSTICE Cover Reveal & Preorder Links
Coming July 28 Set in an alternate near future, Steel Justice is the sixth book in the Steel Empires series and the first time that part of the story is told from the perspective of warrior-mage Kane Nalamas. The world of Steel Empires is one where elves, vampires and shapeshifters co-exist openly with humans and where magic … Continue reading STEEL JUSTICE Cover Reveal & Preorder Links
Review: Emerald Blaze (Hidden Legacy #5) by Ilona Andrews
Read my review of Hidden Legacy Book 1, Burn For Me.Read my review of Hidden Legacy Book 2, White Hot.Read my review of Hidden Legacy Book 3, Wildfire.Read my review of Hidden Legacy Book 3.5 Diamond Fire.Read my review of Hidden Legacy Book 4, Sapphire Flames. At one point, while enjoying this book, I turned … Continue reading Review: Emerald Blaze (Hidden Legacy #5) by Ilona Andrews
Celebrating Steel Victory 2.0: Free Online Workshop!
To celebrate the launch of Steel Victory 2.0, the fancy hardcover edition of my first book chock-full of special bonus features, I'm offering my popular alternate history workshop online for the first time ever! I have previously only shared this interactive presentation at live events. For this online special on Wednesday, July 15 at 7 … Continue reading Celebrating Steel Victory 2.0: Free Online Workshop!
Review: The Spare by Miranda Dubner
As an author who regularly breaks genre rules herself, it came as no surprise to me that this book was self-published. It is absolutely a love story and romance. But it centers on more than the two heroes, includes a healthy dose of family drama, and has the audacity to feature more than two points … Continue reading Review: The Spare by Miranda Dubner
Review: Altered States of the Union edited by Glenn Hauman
Disclaimer: I am friends with some of the authors in this anthology; however, I purchased the hardcopy version of this book for full price. This was a fun collection of different story-telling styles that explored how events might have been altered in the history of the United States of America. Most of the stories were … Continue reading Review: Altered States of the Union edited by Glenn Hauman
Review: The Only Harmless Great Thing by Brooke Bolander
This story is an example of true alternate history done right. It's a combination of events and conceits that shouldn't work together, but absolutely do because of the talent of the author. It's also a great example of how non-chronological storytelling is occasionally essential. I could have done with a bit less of the elephant … Continue reading Review: The Only Harmless Great Thing by Brooke Bolander
Review: The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter
I made it through the first quarter of this book before I realized that not much had really happened. Well, lots of things had "happened," just not much of a plot. But I was intrigued by the world-building, so I decided to sit back and enjoy the story as more of a travelogue than an … Continue reading Review: The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter
Review: Empire of the Goddess by Matthew Warner
Disclaimer: I received an electronic version of this novel from the author for review. Things I really enjoyed about this novel: The world-building. The terrifying dystopian society fueled by human sacrifice. The representation of science versus magic, and how the two can be indistinguishable. The religious allegories. The twist and other revelations at the very … Continue reading Review: Empire of the Goddess by Matthew Warner
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
Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2019
Last weekend, I spent four wonderful days at one of my favorite places on Earth. In Your Write Mind is a writing workshop hosted by alumni of the Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction graduate program, of which I am part. It's the time of year when I recharge my writing batteries by surrounding myself … Continue reading Con Report: In Your Write Mind 2019
Review: Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels #3.5) by Ilona Andrews
This novella takes place between Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds in the Kate Daniels universe, but the point-of-view character is Kate's friend Andrea Nash instead. We've already been introduced to Andrea and know secrets about her character from previous books in the series, but this time, she's the hero of her own adventure. Once again, … Continue reading Review: Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels #3.5) by Ilona Andrews
StokerCon 2019 Schedule!
I'm excited to attend my first StokerCon this week, in Grand Rapids, Michigan! This is not a convention I plan to attend normally, but the stars aligned to make attending this year too awesome to pass up, such as my publisher Raw Dog Screaming Press winning this year's Specialty Press Award. For most of the … Continue reading StokerCon 2019 Schedule!