I know that I have about a million favorite things about this series, but two of them are definitely Julie and Derek, the foster kids/proteges of the two main characters. Watching them "grow up" and come into their own skills and powers over the course of the books has been a treat, and it was … Continue reading Review: MAGIC STARS by Ilona Andrews
Review: MAGIC GIFTS by Ilona Andrews
This is a fun filler novella that takes place during Ilona Andrews' novel Gunmetal Magic. Because so much urban fantasy/paranormal romance involves a burgeoning romantic relationship between the main characters, it's always a treat to stop by and visit Kate and Curran. Especially when they are trying to do cute couple stuff, which always seem to … Continue reading Review: MAGIC GIFTS by Ilona Andrews
Dog Star Books Author Spotlight: K.W. Taylor
This Saturday in Xenia, Ohio, Bluejacket Books is hosting three Dog Star Books authors for readings, signings, and a bit of Q&A! Today the spotlight is switching over to the newest Dog Star Books author, K.W. Taylor. (Note the way the air seems to shimmer and glow about her. But don't let the halo fool … Continue reading Dog Star Books Author Spotlight: K.W. Taylor
Dog Star Books Author Spotlight: Matt Betts
This Saturday in Xenia, Ohio, Bluejacket Books is hosting three Dog Star Books authors for readings, signings, and a bit of Q&A! By now, you should all be pretty familiar with me and my work, so today I'd like to shine the spotlight on fellow author Matt Betts. (This is where he starts claiming that … Continue reading Dog Star Books Author Spotlight: Matt Betts
Cover Reveal: STEEL MAGIC
I'm pleased to announce the official cover reveal of the second book in my Steel Empires series: Steel Magic! You can also preorder the book from Amazon today, ahead of the release on July 6, 2016! Don't forget that when you buy a hardcopy of an RDSP book, you'll also be able to download the … Continue reading Cover Reveal: STEEL MAGIC
STEEL MAGIC cover reveal coming next Tuesday!
Next Tuesday I will be featuring the full cover for my second novel, STEEL MAGIC, along with a link where you can pre-order it! Here's another teaser image: I've created a Facebook event for the cover reveal here, where I'll be featuring odds and ends for the next few days. Please check it out and … Continue reading STEEL MAGIC cover reveal coming next Tuesday!
Review: NOTES OF TEMPTATION by Rebecca Halsey
Disclaimer: I am friends with the author. However, I purchased my copy of the book for full price. Notes of Temptation is a mixed book: part romance, part historical drama, part urban fantasy, and all fun. Easily the best part of this novel is the level of environmental detail in which Halsey immerses the reader without … Continue reading Review: NOTES OF TEMPTATION by Rebecca Halsey
Review: THE MAGICIAN’S LAND (The Magicians #3) by Lev Grossman
Some trilogies work well when the author tries to have every book tell a story in a very different way. Unfortunately, this wasn't one of them. I adore heist stories, but this one jumped us right into the middle of the heist story line without really explaining how Quentin got to that position. Instead, we … Continue reading Review: THE MAGICIAN’S LAND (The Magicians #3) by Lev Grossman
Review: THE MAGICIAN KING by Lev Grossman (Magicians #2)
This novel was easily my favorite in the trilogy, for a few different reasons. Perhaps it was because of the distance of writing in third person, or because Grossman can not as easily identify with Julia as he can with Quentin, but I absolutely thought that Julia's "coming of age" narrative in this novel was … Continue reading Review: THE MAGICIAN KING by Lev Grossman (Magicians #2)
Review: THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman
First of all, let's get a few things straight. (1) This is a literary fantasy novel. (2) This novel was much more influenced by The Chronicles of Narnia than by Harry Potter. (3) I read this trilogy because I adore the television show currently airing, so my review is going to be linked to that bias … Continue reading Review: THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman
Review: MAGIC SHIFTS by Ilona Andrews
Part of me keeps waiting for anything about this series to get stale or boring or overdone, because it can't possibly keep being this damn good. Sure, not every novel in the series is the best thing I've ever read, but one thing I appreciate about Ilona Andrews (referred to as "they," since it is … Continue reading Review: MAGIC SHIFTS by Ilona Andrews
Review: MAGIC BREAKS by Ilona Andrews
Not only is this one of my favorite books series, it is also one of the major inspirations for my own writing. So it's no surprise that I absolutely loved and devoured this set of the series. I was so, so glad that the authors included a note at the beginning warning that this was … Continue reading Review: MAGIC BREAKS by Ilona Andrews
STEEL VICTORY sequel coming in 2016!
And now for the good news that I teased yesterday! I'm thrilled to announce that I've signed the contract with my publisher, Dog Star Books/Raw Dog Screaming Press, for the sequel to STEEL VICTORY. STEEL MAGIC will be released in 2016, and follows the adventures of warrior-mages Toria and Kane as they set off on … Continue reading STEEL VICTORY sequel coming in 2016!
Review: KITTY SAVES THE WORLD by Carrie Vaughn
I had really high expectations for this book since it is the end of a 15-book saga by one of my favorite authors. Vaughn exceeded every single expectation. Bring together a bunch of old allies: Characters from every major adventure show up to help Kitty through this final battle. All of them play a significant … Continue reading Review: KITTY SAVES THE WORLD by Carrie Vaughn
Confessions of a Writer Tag
I was tagged by Breeanna Pierce, my amazing critique partner, to complete a 20-question survey designed to get to know authors in the blog-o-sphere. For the original post on the tag and the participation guidelines, go here. When did you first start writing? Was being a writer something you always aspired to be? I started writing … Continue reading Confessions of a Writer Tag
STEEL VICTORY and the Morgantown Poets Society
Last Thursday, August 20, the Morgantown Poets Society hosted authors from Raw Dog Screaming Press at the Monongalia Arts Center in Morgantown, West Virginia. STEEL VICTORY and I were joined by bizarro poet B.E. Burkhead, with his new poetry collection THE UNDERSIDE OF THE RAINBOW. My friend Julia was kind enough to take some pictures, which I've shared here. … Continue reading STEEL VICTORY and the Morgantown Poets Society
Review: INDELIBLE INK by Matt Betts
Disclaimer: Betts is a fellow Dog Star Books author and I consider him a friend. However, I purchased a copy of this novel for full price. Comparing INDELIBLE INK to Matt Betts’ first novel, the steampunk/zombie/giant monster/Weird West extravaganza ODD MEN OUT, does both books a disservice. Instead, INDELIBLE INK is a creature all its … Continue reading Review: INDELIBLE INK by Matt Betts
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