Tag: fantasy
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Review: “Clay Tongue” by Nicholas Conley
Disclaimer: I received an ebook version of this novelette from the author in exchange for an honest review. The gorgeous cover to this novelette is a perfect match for the beautiful language and sweet story contained within. This short tale is well worth checking out for a quick escape.
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Author Interview with Sheri Queen
Today I’m taking a break from NaNoWriMo panic productivity to feature a new release from fellow urban fantasy author Sheri Queen! I haven’t read this novella yet, but so much about it intrigues me. It’s both an installment in a multi-author project and acts as an introduction to Queen’s own universe,…
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Review: FROM A HIGH TOWER by Mercedes Lackey
I was thrilled that Lackey once again broke the mold with this installment of the Elemental Masters series. Some things were the familiar, such as a modern (well, Victorian-era) retelling of a traditional fairy tale featuring a strong heroine with elemental magic powers. However, like in Blood Red before it, this…
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Review: SNOWED by Maria Alexander
Disclaimer: The author and I share a publisher, and I helped proofread this novel before publication. If I had not been reading this novel on an expensive electronic device, I’d have thrown it across the room when I got to the ending. But not because it was a bad book.…
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NaNoWriMo 2016 (sort of)
It’s that time of year again, kids! When the writers in your life disappear for hours upon end, consume copious quantities of caffeine (and sometimes alcohol), and come out the other end of 30 days with some semblance of a book completed. Though I’m not officially signed up for National…
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Guest Post: Cara McKinnon on Alternate History
I’m pleased to host author Cara McKinnon today for a discussion on alternate history. And it’s a special occasion! Today marks the release date of the second novel in her Fay of Skye series, A Theft of Magic. I’m a huge fan of the alternate history version of Victorian England…
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Review: ESSENTIAL MAGIC (Fay of Skye #1) by Cara McKinnon
Disclaimer: The author and I attended the same graduate school program and participate in group promotional tours for our books. However, I purchased my hardcopy version of this novel for full price. For a person who doesn’t claim to be a “romance book” reader, I seem to keep lucking out…
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Review: HIDDEN DESIGN: THE PROPHECY by Tia Tormen & C.K. Stone
Sex sells. Everyone knows that. Marketing professionals especially know that. But does the inclusion of sex necessarily make something better? Erotica has become more mainstream in popular fiction within the past few years and can make any genre book more appealing to the right audience. In some cases, however, the…
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Review: A WIZARD’S FORGE (Woern Saga #1) by A.M. Justice
Disclaimer: I received a free ebook of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. It’s no surprise that I was drawn to this book immediately, considering it’s fusion of fantasy and science-fiction elements, it’s excellent world-building, and its awesome protagonist named Vic (short for Victoria). But…
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Review: BURN FOR ME (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews
I really try not to be one of those people who judges a book by the cover, but I don’t think there can be any argument that the cover of Burn For Me is about the most romance cover to ever be a romance cover. I don’t care. Buy the…
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“Evolution of Vampires in Popular Fiction” on Speculative Chic
About a year ago, I was lucky enough to be featured on SF Signal, an amazing blog that featured all things speculative fiction. To help promote my own brand-new, nontraditional vampire novel, I condensed years worth of research into a short article on the evolution of how vampires have been…
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Parallel Paths Interview with AM Justice
And then there was that awkward moment when my doppelganger on the Internet reached out to me…and turned out to be a lovely person. Speculative fiction author AM Justice says it best: Once in a while you run across a kindred spirit on the Internet, someone whose life has followed…
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Review: SWEEP IN PEACE (Innkeeper Chronicles #2) by Ilona Andrews
This particular collection of books by writing team Ilona Andrews is published as serial novels on their website. When I read the first book in the Innkeeper Chronicles, I was really afraid that it was going to be a meandering mess. However, I ate up the first book (Clean Sweep) and…
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Review: SMALL MAGICS by Ilona Andrews
Favorite story: Because I’m always thrilled to learn more about Kate’s protege, I was delighted to read “Magic Tests” in this collection. Julie shined in this story, especially because she’s not just a miniature version of Kate. She’s been influenced by all the adults in her life, and it shows in…
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Speculative Chic is LIVE
I’m pleased to announce the launch of a new blog focused on all aspects of speculative fiction: books, film, television, games, and more! Speculative Chic Please join us for our soft launch today, and consider subscribing to continue receiving great content from a bunch of awesome people (like yours truly). We’ll have…
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STEEL MAGIC Launch Party Recap
Thank you so much to everyone who came out to East City Bookshop in Washington DC last night for the official launch party for my second novel, Steel Magic!
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Guest Post: Andi Adams’ Suggested 5 Most Helpful Books on Writing
Today, author Andi Adams has stopped by to share her thoughts on some great craft books on writing. I’ve read a few of these, and I absolutely swear by the second book on her list! Don’t forget to check out Adams’ new fantasy novel, The Girl in the Glass Box, to…