Today, I bring you a short story by one of my favourite authors and a fantastic blogger to boot.
The Rabbit Hole: A Short Story by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
The Rabbit Hole: A Short Story by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
Unbridled whimsy in a short story. In the whimsical mind of author Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, the psychedelic rock song by Jefferson Airplane (“White Rabbit”) collided with Lewis Carroll’s novel. A modern slant on the idea went, well… down the rabbit hole, producing an urban fantasy. Carroll’s quote, “We’re all mad here” takes on additional meaning for the young protagonist Liddie and her friends, Katty and Loco Hatley.
About the author:
Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene is certain that the pen is in your hand. After a life shaped by the tragedy of losing a sibling to Mµnchaµsen §yndr◊me by Pr◊xy, along with the abµ§e she herself survived, Teagan took that metaphorical pen into her hand. She wrote her way to a new chapter of life with a successful career authoring and editing technical documentation. With another revision that pen took her to the next chapter, working alongside highly placed Federal executives to compose their communications. However, Teagan wasn’t finished. The pen was still in her hand. In her latest chapter she is an acclaimed multi-genre author, living in a high desert town in the Southwest of the USA. Rescue cats, the §coobies — Velma and Daphne, offer unsolicited advice on all stories, as well as the book covers Teagan designs.
This author’s stories range from paranormal to high fantasy and urban fantasy, to various steampunk (and other types of punk), to mysteries with historic settings. In addition to fiction, she has created the Author Tool Chest series of non-fiction works as resources for writers and anyone who loves language. In free time she enjoys conversations with friends, singing karaoke, and playing her piano.
See her book trailer videos at Youtube.
My review:
I have been following the author’s career for years and enjoy everything she writes. I met her through her blog and her popular three-things series (whereby she creates a whole story based on three things supplied by her readers), and from there, I’ve read her novels, published serials, and her non-fiction books, aimed at authors but a great resource to anybody interested in history, language, and fun to read as well. Her imagination knows no bounds, and she is one of those rare authors who can turn her hand to anything and, in the case of her fiction, manages to create gripping plots inhabited by complex and interesting characters. Her sense of whimsy, her enjoyment of research, and the care she takes in creating worlds we all want to visit make her an instant buy for me.
For all those reasons, I’m always happy to discover one of her books, or, in this case, one of her short stories, that somehow I missed when it was published. And this one is brief and vibrant, perfect to be read between longer books, as it can be consumed in one go, and it will delight anybody fond of Alice in Wonderland.
I didn’t quite get Alice in Wonderland when I was a child, but having read it as part of a book club a few years back, I discovered it anew, and in its original English (as I had only read abridged versions translated into Spanish); a wonderful experience, especially for those who love language and wordplay,
This story, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, takes place in a mental health institution, where we meet Liddie, who can’t remember much about her life before her internment. She is determined to find out who she is. She is helped by a series of characters that will remind readers of some of Carroll’s creations: a man who loves to try on all the hats he can get his hands on; a fellow patient with a very bright smile; a doctor who is always worried about not being in time; a club with a very interesting name; a woman whose picture fascinates and intrigues Liddie. The author’s description explains how the story came to be, and though short, it is beautifully written, and combines angst and confusion with wonder and playfulness. It also leaves us with some memorable quotes, despite its short length. Like this one: ‘Madness is the key to unlocking your true potential.’
This short story is a good way to connect with the author for those with little time who haven’t met her yet. And anybody who follows her will be happy to add it to their collection of her works.
Thanks to the author for this wonderful story, to all of you for reading, following, commenting, sharing, liking, and for always visiting. Keep smiling and take care!
I bring you a book by a very well-known and popular author, although not in his most usual genre.
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
Master storyteller Stephen King goes into the deepest well of his imagination in this #1 New York Times bestselling and spellbinding novel about a young man who inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and the stakes could not be higher—for that world or ours.
Charlie Reade looks like a regular high school kid, great at baseball and football, a decent student. But he carries a heavy load. His mom was killed in a horrific accident when he was seven, and grief drove his dad to drink. Charlie learned how to take care of himself—and his dad. When Charlie is seventeen, he meets a dog named Radar and her aging master, Howard Bowditch, a recluse in a big house at the top of a big hill, with a locked shed in the backyard. Sometimes strange sounds emerge from that shed.
Charlie starts doing jobs for Mr. Bowditch and loses his heart to Radar. Then, when Bowditch dies, he leaves Charlie a cassette tape telling a story no one would believe. What Bowditch knows, and has kept secret all his long life, is that inside the shed is a portal to another world.
About the author:
Stephen King is the author of more than sixty books, all of them worldwide bestsellers. His recent work includes NEVER FLINCH, YOU LIKE IT DARKER (a New York Times Book Review top ten horror book of 2024), HOLLY (a New York Times Notable Book of 2023), FAIRY TALE, BILLY SUMMERS, IF IT BLEEDS, THE INSTITUTE, ELEVATION, THE OUTSIDER, SLEEPING BEAUTIES (cowritten with his son Owen King), and the Bill Hodges trilogy: END OF WATCH, FINDERS KEEPERS, and MR. MERCEDES (an Edgar Award winner for Best Novel). His novel 11/22/63 was named a top ten book of 2011 by the New York Times Book Review and won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller. His epic works THE DARK TOWER, IT, PET SEMATARY, DOCTOR SLEEP, and FIRESTARTER are the basis for major motion pictures, with IT now the highest-grossing horror film of all time. He is the recipient of the 2018 PEN America Literary Service Award, the 2014 National Medal of Arts, and the 2003 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. He lives in Bangor, Maine, with his wife, novelist Tabitha King.
My review:
I’ve read several novels by Stephen King, and I’ve enjoyed most of them, although I’m not his biggest fan, and there are many of his books I haven’t read.
It had been a while since I’d read any of his books, and I’ve always loved fairy tales, so I was curious as to what he’d do with a book with such a title.
This is one of King’s coming-of-age stories with a young protagonist, a 17-year-old boy, Charlie Reade, who’s had to put up with more than his fair share of tragedy and bad luck: his mother died in a freak accident that sent his father off the rails, to the point where he became an alcoholic, lost his job, and Charlie worried they might end up living under a bridge. Things take a turn for the better when his father stops drinking and goes back to work. And then, something unique happens. Charlie becomes a reluctant hero when he helps an old neighbour, pretty much a recluse, who has been badly injured in an accident, and ends up becoming his carer and that of his dog, Radar. Howard Bowditch, the old cantankerous man, hides a few secrets that somehow end up becoming Charlie’s as well.
The first third of the story is set up in a mostly realistic (but somewhat atemporal) world. Although the characters live in contemporary times, the place doesn’t have the feel of a modern town, and Charlie doesn’t behave, talk, or act like a modern adolescent either. After Charlie discovers the truth behind Howard’s secrets, he decides to take a trip to try to save Radar, the old dog. What follows is a totally different story, where Charlie has to face a strange world of fantasy, a fairy tale turned grey and wrong, where a cruel ruler has usurped the royal dynasty that had been in charge forever. This is a world full of wonders (or it had been): mermaids, giant butterflies, huge crickets and bats, monsters, ghost-like guards, tournaments to death, secret passages and chambers, two moons, princesses, princes, tricksters, where normal rules don’t apply, and where a knowledge of fairy tales can be very handy.
Although the story is told in the first person by Charlie, it is evident from the beginning that the story is being told by the protagonist sometime later, as he sometimes hints at what will happen down the line, and there is evidence of an older man’s judgement and comments about what his younger self had been up to. There are many points at which the narrator takes a step back to observe what is happening, breaking the fourth wall and addressing the readers, acknowledging how unbelievable the events might feel to those reading the story, and also adding commentaries and reflections that don’t seem to belong to the young Charlie. It is as if Charlie imagined what readers (and/or critics) might think or say on reading the story, and he is ready with his comments and notes to address all of their doubts and questions. He insists he is not such a good boy any time he does something heroic, he analyses what he thinks and feels, and guesses how he will feel about it later. He also second guesses what his father will be doing, and provides clues and reminders as to what might be happening and what we need to pay attention to. Once we get to the end, it all makes sense, because yes, it is an older Charlie who has been telling us the story.
The novel is ideal for those who love metafiction, as it is full of references to fairy tales (mostly), but also to horror books (especially Lovecraft’s) and to pop culture, but not the most modern ones to be expected from such a young boy (even one who watches TCM with his father). There are also references to other books by King, and some readers have commented on its similarity with The Talisman (and recommended it). I have never read it, so I can’t comment, but I am very curious now.
Having said all that, I had a great time reading this novel. Despite being a horror fan, I enjoyed the relationship of Charlie with his father, the old man, and lovely Radar. I also loved Charlie’s excursion into that peculiar fairy tale world he visits and his adventures there. There are a lot of characters, some more familiar than others, but I didn’t mind. And, this being a novel by King, it is quite long, but I didn’t mind that either.
I particularly enjoyed the ode to fairy tales and the power of creativity, the many stories and wonderful characters (both, in the real world and the fairy tale realm) that play a part in this novel, and yes, the ‘happy’ ending. I wouldn’t say this is my favourite of Stephen King’s books, but I had a great time reading it, and I’d recommend it to anybody who loves fantasy, who doesn’t mind the mix of genres, and who is prepared to go back to a time when we believed in fairy tales.
Thanks to the author for another one of his tales, and thanks to all of you for always being there, reading, liking, commenting, and sharing. Keep smiling and keep safe. ♥
I bring you two stories (well, one story, two books) by an author and blogger I met many years back (shortly after I started blogging) whose stories, imagination, and creative process (not limited to writing either) have always fascinated me. She is multitalented, and I was lucky enough to get an illustrated copy of these two books, although, unfortunately, due to restrictions on images and confusion about Amazon rules on the use of AI the final version doesn’t contain the images the author worked so hard to create. The story is wonderful nonetheless, and I recommend both books wholeheartedly.
First, a bit about the author:
Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene is certain that the pen is in your hand. After a life shaped by the tragedy of losing a sibling to Mµnchaµsen Syndrome by Proxy, along with the abuse she herself survived, Teagan took that metaphorical pen into her hand. She wrote her way to a new chapter of life with a successful career authoring and editing technical documentation. With another revision that pen took her to the next chapter, working alongside highly placed Federal executives to compose their communications. However, Teagan wasn’t finished. The pen was still in her hand. In her latest chapter she is an acclaimed multi-genre author, living in a high desert town in the Southwest of the USA. Rescue cats, the §coobies — Velma and Daphne, offer unsolicited advice on all stories, as well as the book covers Teagan designs.
This author’s stories range from paranormal to high fantasy and urban fantasy, to various steampunk (and other types of punk), to mysteries with historic settings. In addition to fiction, she has created the Author Tool Chest series of non-fiction works as resources for writers and anyone who loves language. In free time she enjoys conversations with friends, singing karaoke, and playing her piano.
See her book trailer videos at Youtube.
You can find her blog with plenty of information here
And now, the books:
The Delta Pearl. A Steampunk Riverboat. Book 1 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
The Delta Pearl. A Steampunk Riverboat. Book 1 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
Unbridled whimsy for all ages. The Delta Pearl is a shining, opulent take on the often dark steampunk genre. It’s also the coming-of-age story of a young woman with a painful past, in an era of change. However, adventure takes centerstage. . The magical riverboat has a full complement of crew, all of whom have gemstone names, but they also use their positions as names, like the Captain, the Cook, and the Dealer. Then there’s the Delta Pearl — the riverboat herself, who is the most mysterious of all. . Rescued and brought aboard the riverboat as a young child, Émeraude now approaches her sixteenth birthday, but she is uncertain where she fits in that hierarchy. . The riverboat has taken on an array of intriguing passengers. Émeraude has taken a fancy to a particular young inventor. As for the rest, any and all of them spell trouble. Mystery and danger flow with each turn of the paddlewheel.
My review:
I thank the publisher for providing me with an early ARC copy of the book (one with illustrations that could not be included in the final version) which I freely chose to review.
I discovered Riordáin Geneviene through her blog many years back. I was impressed by her ability to create serials based on the suggestions of her followers. She created the three-thing method, whereby she would ask her readers to post three things (sometimes within a certain category or belonging to a time, others totally free), that she would later use to create her stories. It was always amazing to see how she incorporated the elements suggested while moving the story forward, creating characters readers cared for and plots full of imagination, whimsy, and more than a bit of magic. Her talent left me awestruck, and I have since read her novels, novellas, short stories, and most of what she has published. And that includes her non-fiction work, the fruit of her research into language, habits, and usages of past historical eras, which provides a truly useful resource to readers, students, and creatives interested in those topics.
After a lot of her readers asked her to turn some of her serials into books, she has been doing that, and that allows new readers to discover the joys of these stories, whilst those of us who might have read the originals as they were published can revisit and marvel at how well it all fits together. It is always a joy to visit again the settings and meet the characters of this author, because by the end of the serial they have become close companions and friends, and we sorely miss them.
I find it difficult to choose a favourite among her serials, as there are always things or characters that are special to me in all of them, but I must say the Delta Pearl is one of those where everything seems to have come together, steampunk at its best and most imaginative. The setting is magical and enchanting: a very “special” steamboat in the Mississippi, where we meet Émeraude, a young woman about to celebrate her sweet sixteenth birthday, and the rest of the crew. They all have names featuring precious gemstones, and their connection to the Delta Pearl goes well beyond just working there. The Delta Pearl “chooses” or “adopts” people, and it can react to different circumstances that might destabilize it.
Apart from the crew, we meet some wonderful creatures that live there as well, and I am a big fan of Onyx and Amethyst, and no, I won’t tell you who (or what)) they are. You’ll have to find out when you read it.
And, then there are the passengers. Some are hiding things, some are trying to learn things, some are inventors and might have more than a passing connection with the Delta Pearl, and some might have dark designs.
There are plenty of adventures, mysteries (there is a portrait that looks suspiciously familiar to Émeraude, a cameo whose story she knows little about, a huge diamond that goes missing, and a strange, and a menacing black cloud that seems to have a mind of its own), threats, secrets, fabulous contraptions, automatons, and many other things you cannot even imagine. Yes, a little bit of romance as well, of course!
The story is told in the first-person from Émeraude’s point of view, and despite all I’ve said, don’t be mistaken. It is not all fun and games. There is a depth to the characters and, Émeraude in particular, has a difficult past to contend with, and there are other dark things at work.
Anybody who thinks the era of the big paddleboats is interesting, enjoys adventures and mysteries, and likes mixed-genres of the steam-punk variety, should read this book. We have superb female characters (the males aren’t bad either), all sorts of intriguing and dangerous goings-ons, machines and contraptions to whet anybody’s appetite and much more. My only warning is that this volume doesn’t tell the whole story, so make sure to get the two volumes, because you are likely to read through it very quickly and want to move on to the second and last volume straight on. A fun and exciting reading experience.
The Geostrophic Pearl. The Delta Pearl. Book 2 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
The Geostrophic Pearl. The Delta Pearl. Book 2 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
Unbridled whimsy for all ages. The Geostrophic Pearl picks up immediately after The Delta Pearl. Émeraude is safe (for now) from the still unseen foe, but dangers escalate as she becomes determined to unravel the mystery of The Delta Pearl, and save the rapidly deteriorating Blue John Boulton. . The magical riverboat shifts into a time rift and her entire world is in danger. Then the danger that stayed hidden in Book-1 comes to the forefront. Émeraude, Victor, and the clockworks must work with an unexpected person to heal more than the First Mate if Émeraude is to meet her destiny. A character prepares to make a huge sacrifice.
My review:
I thank the publisher for providing me with an early ARC copy of the book (one with illustrations that could not be included in the final version) which I freely chose to review.
Before I say anything else, if anybody got to this book without realising it is the second in a short series, The Delta Pearl, you should go and read The Delta Pearl: A Steampunk Riverboat, first, because the author has built a wonderfully detailed universe, adapting her own successful blog serial, and these two books tell a complete story and cannot be read independently or out of order.
Now that is established, let me tell you that all of you who got here after reading part 1 are in for a treat. If you enjoyed the adventures of Émeraude, the crew of the Delta Pearl (all of them with gemstone names and all of them connected to the riverboat in ways that go beyond simple employees), and the passengers (some of them who fitted into its adventures extremely and uncannily well), you will be happy to know that there is much more wonder and magic to come. And if, like me, you loved the clockwork creatures that dotted the pages of the Delta Pearl, you have seen nothing yet!
We learn about what was behind the dark mysterious dark cloud that kept following the riverboat and had dark designs on Émeraude, and we get to understand the meaning behind the painting whose resemblance to Émeraude had entranced her and kept her guessing. In this part of the story, the motif of the double (Doppelgänger) takes on a lot of importance, and although it is possible to think about dark halves and opposites as we read the book, things are not as clear-cut as they might appear.
Romance blossoms, experiments, and inventions are developed and tried, voodoo and potions play a part, and all the characters are put to the test, especially Émeraude, who grows in determination, confidence, and strength thanks to help from unexpected quarters. She initially bulks at her destiny/inheritance —which she does not think she is ready for— but by the end of the story she has a firm grip on her future and her happiness.
I loved the new characters we discover (some that had been referred to before): people and creatures and everything in between (and you’ll have to read the whole story to know what I mean), and I loved the ending and how it leaves us with a question or several.
I am sure I am not the only one who’d be happy to read more adventures set in this universe, and all its readers will be sorry to abandon this world of wonder and magic.
Recommended to anybody who enjoys steampunk, fantasy, magic, has an imagination, and likes to leave reality behind for a while and travel to worlds beyond ours, where the usual rules don’t apply. Although most readers will feel compelled to read it as fast as possible, this is a book that also works very well for those who don’t have a lot of time to read and might read in short bursts, as its chapters are short and, as is typical with mysteries, there are moments where the characters gather the evidence and clues and events are explained, so it is very easy to follow the story and not get lost, no matter how much time one has or at what pace they can read. No excuses not to read this story and discover this multitalented author if you haven’t yet.
And I leave you with a powerful and inspiring quote from the story:
When you find inner strength which you never knew you possessed, this is when you save yourself.
Thanks to the author for this wonderful series, thanks to all of you for reading, and remember to like, share, comment, click, and above all, keep smiling. Have fun!
I bring you a review of a fantasy novel. As you know, I don’t read many books in this genre, but after reading Teagan Geneviene’s fabulous serial Dead of Winter, and after seeing this novel featured on many blogs, I had to give it a go. And I’m so pleased I did.
The Necromancer’s Daughter by D. Wallace Peach
The Necromancer’s Daughter by D. Wallace Peach
A healer with the talent to unravel death. A stillborn child brought to life. A father lusting for vengeance. And a son torn between justice, faith, and love. Caught in a chase spanning kingdoms, each must decide the nature of good and evil, the lengths they will go to survive, and what they are willing to lose.
A healer and dabbler in the dark arts of life and death, Barus is as gnarled as an ancient tree. Forgotten in the chaos of the dying queen’s chamber, he spirits away her stillborn infant and in a hovel at the meadow’s edge, breathes life into the wisp of a child. He names her Aster for the lea’s white flowers. Raised as his daughter, she, too, learns to heal death.
Denied a living heir, the widowed king spies from a distance. But he heeds the claims of the fiery Vicar of the Red Order—in the eyes of the Blessed One, Aster is an abomination, and to embrace the evil of resurrection will doom his rule.
As the king’s life nears its end, he defies the vicar’s warning and summons the necromancer’s daughter. For his boldness, he falls to an assassin’s blade. Armed with righteousness and iron-clad conviction, the Order’s brothers ride into the leas to cleanse the land of evil.
To save her father’s life, Aster leads them beyond Verdane’s wall into the Forest of Silvern Cats, a wilderness of dragons and barbarian tribes. Unprepared for a world rife with danger and unchecked power, a world divided by those who practice magic and those who hunt them, she must choose whether to trust the one man offering her aid, the one man most likely to betray her—her enemy’s son.
~*~
From best-selling fantasy author D. Wallace Peach comes a retelling of the legend of Kwan-yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy. Set in a winter world of dragons, intrigue, and magic, The Necromancer’s Daughter is a story about duty, defiance, cruelty, and sacrifice— an epic tale of compassion and deep abiding love where good and evil aren’t what they seem.
Author D. Wallace Peach
About the author:
A long-time reader, best-selling author D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life when years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books. She was instantly hooked.
In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.
Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.
For book descriptions, excerpts, maps, and behind the scenes info, please visit
The Ferryman and the Sea Witch; The Sorcerer’s Garden; Sunwielder; The Bone Wall; The Melding of Aeris; Unraveling the Veil Series: Liars and Thieves, Allies and Spies, Lords of Chaos; The Shattered Sea Duology: Soul Swallowers, Book I, Legacy of Souls, Book II; The Rose Shield Tetralogy: Catling’s Bane, Book I, Oathbreakers’ Guild, Book II, Farlanders’ Law, Book III, Kari’s Reckoning, Book IV; The Dragon Soul Saga: Myths of the Mirror, Book I, Eye of Fire, Book II, Eye of Blind, Book III, Eye of Fire, Book IV; Grumpy Ana and the Grouchy Monsters: A Children’s Space Tale.
My review:
I have read many great reviews of Wallace Peach’s novels, and although the genre wasn’t one of my favourites, I was intrigued by this one, partly because of the description, and partly because I read an interview with the author where she shared how she came to write this story. She was challenged to write a story where one of the protagonists wasn’t attractive and handsome but was beautiful inside, truly good with a heart of gold. A sample of the book nailed the deal, and I am very happy I decided to read it because this novel is as good as everybody said.
Although I don’t consider myself a fan of fantasy, I have always loved fairy tales, and the story of Aster and Barus has something of the fairy tale, a fairly dark one at times. (We all know some fairy tales are incredibly cruel and dark). Death, necromancy, people coming back from death, poisons, religious fanaticism, wars, destruction, intolerance, lies, threats, betrayals, persecutions… At the end of the book, the author explains how the story relates to the legend of Kwan-yin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, and though there are similarities, this is an original revisiting of the legend, with many distinct characteristics.
Both Barus and Aster are fascinating characters. They both have to fight against terrible odds to pursue their calling of being healers, of the living and sometimes even of the dead: Barus, because he is severely handicapped by his poor health and his contorted body; Aster, because she was born a princess but also dead, and she is seen as an abomination by the members of a religious order with plenty of power in her kingdom, the Red Order. She does not want to be queen or to exercise her birthright, but that seems to be the only way she can help her father. If you imagine things won’t go according to plan, you will be right.
Aster isn’t the only one who finds herself in a bind that gets more and more entangled the more she tries to free herself from it. One of the male characters she meets, Joreh, is trapped between his loyalty to his father (the Vicar of the order), his faith in the Goddess, and his strong feelings for Aster. His attitude and beliefs change over time, and he is, perhaps, the character who evolves the most in the story. I liked those characters, and many more, in particular, Teko, who brings a light and fun touch to the novel. That does not mean everybody is good in the novel. The Red Order, and the Vicar in particular, have few redeeming qualities (if any), and there are others who are somewhat ambiguous and that helps to make them more realistic.
Those who, like me, aren’t too fond of lengthy backstories and complex and detailed world-building which slows down the story, don’t need to worry. There are beautiful descriptions of places and beings (yes, dragons among others), but those are always narrated (in the third person) from the point of view of one of the main characters and are relevant to the story. The author is excellent at providing us with information about the world order and the people in it in small doses as the story advances, without overwhelming us or causing confusion.
A couple of random quotes will give you a taster of the quality of the writing:
A salty breeze raised a lacy froth on the waves’ tips, and giant swells rolled into a tapered cleft, thundering when they crashed against unforgiving walls. The day’s golden light hid behind a sheath of clouds, and mist billowed with the icy breath of the coming winter.
“No sense scaring anyone with stories that aren’t true when there’s enough true ones to make a person think twice.”
The snowfall had dwindled, but not the wind. Silver-rimmed clouds scudded across a gibbous moon, and the frigid night kissed his cheeks like a ghostly lover, enveloping him in her icy arms.
There are plenty of adventures, and action scenes, alternating with more contemplative moments, and some truly emotional events, and although I was sorry to get to the final page of the story, I found the ending satisfying. In an ideal world, I would love to learn more about Aster’s mother and also about some of the other female characters who only make brief appearances in this novel (much of the story is about Aster’s quest to find her “father”, Barus, and she is mostly surrounded by men), and I would also like to know more about the connection between Aster (and other blood members of her family) and the dragons. I am sure the author has plenty of ideas to work on already, but just in case she is ever stuck, I leave my suggestions there. Perhaps a prequel?
There is violence, death (including the death of children), and some of the content can be disturbing, but if the topic and the description don’t cause concern, I don’t hesitate in recommending the story not only to those who love fantasy, but also to readers of adventure stories who don’t mind a touch of fancy, the supernatural, and who appreciate dark fairy-tales, with psychologically complex characters and superb writing. Another author I will keep a close eye on in the future.
Thanks to the author for this novel, thanks to numerous bloggers for recommending it, thanks to all of you for reading this, and remember to like, comment, and share it with anybody who might enjoy it. Oh, and of course, keep smiling and taking care of yourselves.
Friday is the day for new books and guest authors. I always love to have authors who have already featured in my blog come back with new offerings. It warms my heart to see that, however hard the task, we’re all committed to writing and creating new worlds.
Today is one of these occasions, as Nicholas Rossis, a fantastic author and a generous blogger, is back with his new book. Just in case you missed my previous post about his books, hereit is.
Author Nicholas Rossis
And he brings us a treat for those of you who enjoy short and speculative fiction.
Infinite Waters by Nicholas Rossis
Infinite Waters: 9+1 Speculative Fiction Short Stories by Nicholas C. Rossis
Ten speculative fiction short stories and flash fiction, written by the award-winning author of Pearseus and Runaway Smile.
Although they seem to be concerned with various themes, there are certain passions that run through them. What is the nature of reality; digital and corporeal? Is there more to the world than we can see? How far can we trust our senses?
The anthology includes the following stories:
“Infinite Waters“: A woman seeks her future at a carnival. She discovers more than she expected.
“The Things We Do for Lust“: Beware of time travelers bearing gifts.
“James’ Life“: A man with nothing to look forward to but oblivion, discovers it’s not that easy to escape his life.
“Two’s a Crowd“: Blood runs thicker than water. Especially when you spill it.
“What’s in a Name?“: A trip to the tropics has an unexpected ending.
“The Lucky Bastard“: How far will the luckiest man alive go to escape his luck?
“A Twist of the Tail“: A confused woman meanders through a sleepy town. But not all is as it seems.
“Is There a Doctor in the House?“: A high school student just loves to experiment.
“Sex and Dinner“: A timeless combination. Or is it?
“Would You Like Flies With That?“: Nothing’s scarier than a supermarket.
“The Hand of God“: Nothing has prepared a grizzly veteran for this meeting *.
(* first published in The Power of Six)
Humorous and poignant, these short stories are exciting, intriguing and imaginative.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“I found myself looking forward to coming home so I could dig into the next story. Each story pulls you in to its unique little universe and takes you on a ride where the tracks are hidden, and you can’t see the corners up ahead.”
“…the author really pulled out a ‘Twilight Zone’ type of vibe.”
“Well-written, fast-paced, clever and thought-provoking.”
About the Author
Nicholas Rossis lives to write and does so from his cottage on the edge of a magical forest in Athens, Greece. When not composing epic fantasies or short sci-fi stories, he chats with fans and colleagues, writes blog posts, walks his dog, and enjoys the antics of two silly cats, one of whom claims his lap as home. His children’s book, Runaway Smile, earned a finalist slot in the 2015 International Book Awards.
What readers are saying about Nick’s fantasies:
“Most avid readers still have books from their childhood which they read over and over again. ‘Runaway Smile’ has joined the list.”
“From the very first sentence I realized I was not reading a book, I was going on an adventure.”
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Nicholas Rossis is a master of the craft. Each of these short stories is handcrafted with the utmost attention to every facet of good story telling. But more, Nicholas finds a way to wrap the collection in a “meta” story. It was a brilliant way of grouping together a set of seemingly unrelated short stories. I read each of these over the course of a couple of days, and I found myself looking forward to coming home so I could dig into the next story.
In short fiction, you don’t have a lot of room for error. Every sentence, every word should have to fight for its existence, and Nicholas handles this expertly. Each story pulls you in to its unique little universe and takes you on a ride where the tracks are hidden, and you can’t see the corners up ahead.
If you want to experience what good short fiction is like, grab a copy of Infinite Waters.
Ah, and best of all, Infinite Waters is FREE from the 17th to the 21st of September and on the same dates The Power of Six is only $0.99. Now, what excuse do you have to not CLICK?
Thanks so much to Nicholas for his new book, thanks to all of you for reading, and you know, like, share, comment and CLICK!
No, I wasn’t joking. I’m definitely not going to be around much for the next few weeks. But hopefully I should be able to be around to reply to comments to my blog today (although I’ll be in Barcelona).
I normally don’t share two posts on the same day, at least not in English, but recently I met Nicolette Andrews and when she told me she was publishing her book on the 14th of August, I thought I should share it with you, even if it is a week early. And as it’s available for pre-order, there’s no risk you might forget.
Nicolette sent me some information about the book, the cover, that is beautiful, and a few snippets…
Here they come.
Kitsune. A Little Mermaid Retelling
Kitsune. A Little Mermaid Retelling by Nicolette Andrews
Short description: A Kitsune turned human must make a human fall in love with her in less than a month or be turned into a fox.
Summary:
Rin is a Kitsune, or at least she was until a witch’s spell turned her human. To regain her powers, Rin must make the lord’s son fall in love with her before the next full moon. She thought it would be easy, her kind have been seducing humans for centuries. But Hikaru is different. He’s handsome, intelligent and kind –the opposite of everything she’s assumed about humans. The plan is to seduce him and get back her powers, there’s no room for love.
Hikaru never believed in the Yokai. In fact, he thought it foolish to believe in monsters. A lifetime of skepticism has guarded him from truths too painful to accept. And Rin’s mysterious arrival in his life challenges all his long held beliefs. She has bewitched him. Though he is drawn to her, he has to keep his distance. His father’s treaty depends on his marriage to another and even an innocence dalliance could ruin everything.
While they try to deny their attraction, they are drawn together as if by fate’s design. Falling in love is dangerous. Not only are they from different worlds, but their time together can only end in heartache. To break the spell Rin must betray Hikaru or be turned into a fox. But if they’re willing to risk it all, they may find a love to last lifetimes.
About the Author:
Nicolette Andrews is a romantic fantasy author who lives in San Diego CA. She’s been trapped inside magical world, heavily influenced by Southern California, for most of her life. She doesn’t likes to take life too seriously (or herself for that matter). Her favorite creative medium is writing, whether it is on paper, or on a computer but on occasion, she likes to pretend she can draw or even may attempt homemade gifts, with varied results. She enjoys cooking, baking and generally working with her hands. She spends most of her free time with her family: two daughters and a wonderful husband plus a few cats and a dog. You can connect with her via her website, Facebook or even Twitter.
Thanks so much to Nicolette for bringing us her new novel, thanks to you all for reading, and you know what to do, like, share, comment and of course, CLICK! See you soon! I leave you a few reviews so you don’t get bored. 🙂
Normally on Tuesdays I bring you one of my posts, but due to scheduling issues (there are a few of us publishing novels this month), I’ve decided to swap things around for a couple of weeks to make sure everything works out smoothly. Today, I bring you a new author, Hayden D. Linder and his first novel The Hand of Death. And here he is.
Hi everyone,
I would like to begin by thanking Olga for allowing me to post on her site as a part of my blog tour for my debut novel “The Hand of Death.” She has been a true pleasure to work with.
Hayden D. Linder and children: From left to right: Vivian, Hayden, Felix, Lee and my eldest, Chuy.
I love my children but do not let their angelic faces fool you. They just do that for the camera. They are four of the meanest little monsters to walk the great state of Texas. But they – are – adorable! My lovely wife, Ruby, took the picture and it is one of my favorites. Anyway, who am I? I am a 40 something father who works a weekend night shift so that my free time means I get to watch my children instead of some stranger doing it while my wife is at work. I read, mostly the classics but I have had my fair share of Fantasy and Sci-Fi. OK, I used to read romance novels as well, but I’m not proud of it! And I haven’t touched em in years.
I have not been writing for long; I spent most of my childhood dreaming, which as it turns out has provided me with a ton of fuel to use in my stories. So take that Sister Elizabeth! My daydreaming DID pay off after all!
Ten years ago I sat down and decided to write this book. It started out fine but I lost hope due to a lack of confidence. After eight years of sitting on the story my wife managed to convince me to start it up again. And the last year and half have been glorious! I have enjoyed ALL of it. Even the editing that seems to be the worst part for most writers was fun for me. I do have to give credit to my editor, Tasha Vice, for most of that as she is a wonderful person to work with.
Once we had the cover art and internal art nuances added to the book I posted it on Amazon and have been enjoying? Is that the right word? I think it is actually. I have been enjoying the process of advertising myself and my book ever since.
In my book you follow the life of Shotoku Hiro as he grows from a child playing with his friends to a young man being groomed for a very despicable job. Hiro lives in the land of Giapan where samurai and wizards fight for and against the great Houses who serve the Emperor of Giapan. Hiro’s place in this struggle is to become a ninja and hide in the shadows while ensuring victory for his House, the Koga House, through deceit, deception and outright murder. You follow along as Hiro struggles to keep his humanity, protect his friends and honor his family. All of this with a large helping of sarcasm.
The Hand of Death by Hayden Linder
You can find the book for sale as well as a sneak peek on its Amazon page here:
Thanks so much to Hayden for bringing us his debut novel. I know he’s very eager to get feedback and looking to share snippets of his next book and possibly of his current book, so don’t forget to check all the ways you can contact him. Thank you very much for reading, and although next Tuesday we have another blog tour, we’ll soon be back to normal (hopefully!), and you know… share, comment, like and CLICK!
As you know on Fridays I try and bring you new authors that haven’t visited yet my blog. Sometimes I keep reading about some authors, I enjoy their blogs, and they become such familiar faces for me, that I’m surprised when I check back and realise they’ve never visited my blog yet.
That is the case with my guest today.
Nicholas Rossis is a writer I’ve known for a while and whose blog I thoroughly enjoy and I’ve mentioned before. (It’s full of useful information, don’t miss it!). How I hadn’t featured his books here before, is anybody’s guess, but finally, today is the day.
First, a bit about Nicholas:
Author Nicholas Rossis
Avid reader. Web developer. Architect by training, holder of a PhD in Digital Architecture from the University of Edinburgh. Now, author.
Nicholas loves to write. Except for his epic fantasy series, Pearseus, he has also published The Power of Six, a collection of short sci-fi stories. These have all become Amazon best-sellers. His latest book is Runaway Smile, a children’s book.
He lives in Athens, Greece, in the middle of a forest, with his wife, dog and two very silly cats, one of whom is always sitting on his lap, so please excuse any typos in his blog posts: typing with one hand can be hard. Mercifully, all his books are professionally edited!
Pearseus, Rise of the Prince (Book 1 of the Pearseus epic fantasy series)
Justice without compassion is but tyranny
The series that has reached #1 on Amazon!
The handful of humans that crash-landed on Pearseus three hundred years ago have by now colonized a large part of the planet, rebuilding their civilization from scratch. In the process, they have created a dystopia for themselves, splitting into three competing factions: the Capital, the Loyalists and the Democracies, all embroiled in endless intrigue and constant warfare.
An uneasy truce between the three parties still holds – barely. While man turns against man, the First, Pearseus’ indigenous people, wage their own war against a shadowy enemy; an ancient conflict that threatens to engulf and destroy all of humanity.
Following an unspeakable crime, the men and women of Pearseus struggle to live and love as their world crumbles all around them. But can love be found in the ruins of humanity’s civilization?
Pearseus: Mad Water (book 2 of the Pearseus epic fantasy series)
The Amazon best-selling series continues!
In the second book of the best-selling Pearseus series, the incessant scheming of the various players and their nebulous puppet-masters has brought about major change. Cyrus is now the new ruler of the Capital, struggling to fight Jonia’s revolt along with his own demons. Gella strives to keep abreast of Teo’s devious plans in order to end the war with Jonia. David returns to the First in an effort to overcome his loss of the Voice. Lehmor’s struggle to reunite with Moirah brings him to uncharted territories, where the enigmatic Iota play with minds, senses and the future of the entire planet.
Old foes and unlikely new friends appear as invisible forces continue to tear humanity apart. Masks drop to reveal the ultimate truth: on Pearseus, everyone has their own agenda. And they’ll stop at nothing to achieve it.
Pearseus: Vigil (book 3 of the Pearseus epic fantasy series)
It’s a difficult time on Pearseus. Teo Altman has assumed control of the Capital and has his eye on Parad’s children. Pratin and his monsters have laid siege on Malekshei. The Old Woman has forsaken Lehmor and the First. And Sol is preparing for the Capital’s inevitable invasion.
As Malekshei’s defenders fight for their lives, they realize they need an army to stop Pratin. To raise that army, they must do the unthinkable: wake up those who have been sleeping under Pearseus for the last hundred thousand years.
The prequel to the Amazon best-selling series, Pearseus.
If you like dark epic fantasy with a sci-fi twist, then you’ll love Pearseus: Schism, the novelette that lays the back story to the series that has reached #1 on Amazon.
It’s New Year’s Eve, the year of 2099, but the distinguished guests aboard the Pearseus won’t get to countdown seconds; soon they’ll be counting bodies and survivors after the spaceship’s crash landing on another planet.
The good news? The planet is seemingly hospitable both in resources and in terms of the natives’ attitude towards earthlings.
The bad news? They might have come on this planet bare of possessions, but what they haven’t been able to shed are the shortcomings of their human nature. Will that be the sole threat to a unified future, or is the new land and its first inhabitants not as innocent as they look?
Six science fiction short stories written by the author of Pearseus, the epic fantasy series that has reached #1 on Amazon. This edition includes one extra story, written by Amos M. Carpenter.
The Power of Six reached #1 on Amazon in October 2014.
Although they seem to be concerned with various themes, there are certain passions that run through them. What is the nature of reality; digital and corporeal? Is there more to the world than we can see? How far can we trust our senses? What are the consequences of our actions, and is it possible to change them? And if so, would we simply repeat same mistakes, or make new ones?
The anthology includes the following stories:
“Simulation Over”: How far can we trust our senses?
“For the Last Time”: The law of unintended consequences meets Murphy’s law during a man’s unexpected time travel.
“The Hand of God”: What do the game characters do when we stop playing?
“I Come in Peace”: an award-winning short story that poses the question: how far would man go to alleviate his loneliness?
“A Fresh Start”: If we were free to go anywhere in time and space, where would we choose to go?
“The Sentry”: What is a Sentry to do when the monster that steals away his family’s most precious possessions reappears?
“Big Bang”: A friendly game turns into much more in this short story written by Amos M. Carpenter.
Humorous and poignant, these short stories are exciting, intriguing and imaginative.
“I woke up this morning and I had lost my smile and it wasn’t my fault and I looked everywhere and it was gone. Then I met a workman and a king and the best salesman in the world and a clown and no-one wanted to give me theirs. At school, I asked Miss to give me hers, but she gave us a pop quiz instead, and then no-one was smiling and…”
A little boy wakes up in the morning and realizes he has lost his smile. After spending the entire day trying to find it, he learns the truth behind smiles: the only real smiles are the shared ones.
As always on a Friday I bring you a guest author. J. P. McLean (and she’ll tell us about the name herself) is an author of one of the groups I belong too and she is brand new to my blog, so I could not miss the chance of introducing her to all of you. You’ll soon see why.
First, let her tell you about herself:
Author J.P. McLean
First of all, thank you, Olga, for inviting me here. Your blog posts are always a treat and I’m thrilled to be included.
Some people question why I use J.P. McLean rather than Jo-Anne. I blame it on the hyphen. Jo-Anne is spelled many different ways so using J.P. makes me easier to find.
These days you’ll find me on Denman Island, which is one of the northern Gulf Islands off the eastern shore of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the westernmost province in Canada. It’s a very small, rural island where I garden, keep my husband company and entertain our dog. Oh…and I also write.
It started during a rainy, dull winter a few years ago. Though I didn’t know it at the time, that first book blossomed into a trilogy and the trilogy has now spurred a series.
The books are thrillers with a twist of fantasy. They tell the story of Emelynn Taylor, a woman who is learning to live with a mistake she made when she was a child. That mistake was accepting a gift from a stranger. She didn’t know at the time that not all gifts come wrapped in pretty paper and tied with a bow. But a few days after the stranger left, when the sun sank below the horizon, for the first time in Emelynn’s life, darkness didn’t follow. She knew then that she’d been given something very special.
What she didn’t know, was that night vision was just the first small facet of a gift that would unfold and develop as she grew into a young woman.
The Gift Trilogy is Emelynn’s story. In it, she’ll learn that every gift has its price…
The Gift. Awakening by JPMcLean
In Book I, Awakening, Emelynn, sets her course on conquering this gift that has become a debilitating burden. Along the way, she discovers a community who share the gift; a man who takes her breath away; and enemies who hide in plain sight.
The Gift. Revelation by JPMcLean
In Book II, Revelation, Emelynn fights inner demons to re-establish her independence while another facet of her gift emerges to test her sanity. An unwelcome midnight visit by the ruling Tribunal forces her to find an inner strength she didn’t know she had and that strength is tested at the hands of a cruel captor.
The Gift. Redemption by JPMcLean
In Book III, Redemption, Emelynn’s enemies up their game and she is forced to form an alliance with a man she doesn’t trust and a family she doesn’t know. Emelynn’s strength and loyalty are tested once again when she comes face-to-face with a group who call themselves Redeemers. Their only goal is to annihilate the Tribunal and anyone else who gets in their way.
The books are available in ebook, paperback and hardcover formats from Amazon, Kindle, iTunes, Kobo, Chapters, Barnes & Noble, Google Play and through FriesenPress. They are also available in Canadian libraries in British Columbia and Ontario.
J. P. (or Jo Anne) sent me links to her first book as she thought it’s best to start at the beginning and of course, if you like them, you can keep reading!
Thanks so much to J P McLean for visiting the blog (and I adore your covers), thanks to all of you for reading, and you know what you have to do if you’ve enjoyed it, like it, share, comment and of course, CLICK!
As you all know, I’m a writer and I’ve always loved books and reading. Unfortunately I don’t always have time to read as much as I’d like (for pleasure rather than for professional reasons, although when you’re a writer, reading other people’s books is always informative as well). Recently I’ve finished reading two book, a romantic novella with a paranormal touch, ‘Believe’ and a Young Adult story also set in the realms of fantasy (or maybe not. Bigfoot anybody?). I thoroughly enjoyed both reads and I thought I’d shared the reviews with you.
Believe by Mia Fox Cover
Believe (#1, Chasing Shadows Series)
Romance, Grief and a Love that Survives Everything
I came across ‘Believe’ through a sample posted in Wattpad and the beginning of the story hit me like a bomb. The different voices, the changes in rhythm and twists and surprises and the transitions form sweetness and everyday life to tragedy made me want to keep reading.
‘Believe’ is the first in the ‘Chasing Shadows Series’ but rather than starting slowly and building up the tension, we hardly have time to get to know the characters before we are thrown into emotional turmoil and deep waters.
Ella suffers a huge loss and the author shows great skill at capturing, through inner dialogue, the depth of sadness and desperation she experiences. Despite her sister’s attempts at restoring normality and comforting her, Ella wants her boyfriend, Nate, back. And it seems he does not want to leave her either.
Is this love beyond death? Or a manifestation of grief? Ethan, the therapist/resident assigned to her case when she finally collapses, has issues of his own. What will their meeting do for both of them? Is it fate?
The story is gripping and intriguing and the writing vivid, sensual and focused on the internal workings of the minds of the characters. As a reader I found it difficult not to empathise and share the feelings of the characters, their doubts and insecurities, and also their excitement.
I recommend ‘Believe’ to readers who enjoy an emotional rollercoaster and being thrown into the internal universe of the characters. Only one word of warning. The book ends up on a cliffhanger and I know some readers find that frustrating. Personally, I’m looking forward to the next book.
If you want to have a look:
I had read the previous incarnation and incursion of Simon Okill’s into the world of Bigfoot and Big Beaver. I saw that the author had written a young adult version of the novel and of course I had to read it. Much of my original review still stands and I’ll include the parts that are relevant, although I must admit that I prefer this version. Why? Although the story is still humorous, it has become also more complex, and the characters are more nuanced. We have added elements to the story (the aliens and the fact that Duane’s affinity for the Bigfoot is fully explained now and he even has special powers) and the characters are more fully-fledged. Although it is classed as a young adult book, I think adults will enjoy it as much, if not more, than younger readers, especially as many of the cultural references might be more familiar to people of a certain age.
I am not a genre reader. I don’t read a particular type of novel (or even only fiction, although it is my predilection) exclusively and I normally see what tickles my fancy at the time of choosing a book, although once decided I’ll usually stick to it.
I like comedies and humour but rarely buy books that are exclusively humour. I probably watch more comedy films than I read comedy novels.
One thing that struck me as soon as I started reading Simon Okill’s new novel was how much it felt like a film. From the establishing of the setting (‘Big Beaver’) and the characters (female sheriff still pining for the boyfriend who left five years ago for unknown reasons, large donut eating deputies, lascivious female bartender, young Native American chief with wise sayings, hunters and crackpots) in the first few pages you feel as if you’d walked into Big Beaver and are an observer (when not a full participant. I must say I sometimes thought I could smell the Bigfoot) in all the shenanigans taking place. It made sense when I read that Mr Okill had written a number of scripts. He has a knack for it, that’s for sure.
You have a mysteriously disappeared youth (that like Peter and the wolf had pretended to be abducted so many times that nobody believes he’s gone missing), bizarre crimes (Bigfoot breaking and entering to have a bath and leaving a variety of sweet foodstuffs there), FBI investigating team (hot female agent and the return of the Big Beaver prodigal son) and some set pieces you’ll never forget (alien abduction by Swedish-looking and lusty aliens from the planet Abba).
And of course, you have the Bigfoot. Although narrated in the third person this is an omniscient narrator who gets in the heads of all character, including the Bigfoot. If the human characters keep defeating your expectations (they’re all familiar types but keep surprising you), the Bigfoot are (at least to me) completely unexpected. Loveable and romantic, civilised and wild, they are not far from the noble savage ideal…only a bit hairier.
If you like out-of-the-ordinary comedies, have a soft-spot for lovable and unwise characters and long to submerge yourself in an unexpected world you’ll feel right at home in Phantom Bigfoot Strikes Again. Imagine ‘American Pie’ or ‘There’s something about Mary’ in a small mountain-town setting, with Bigfoot, and you might get a vague idea of what the book is about. If you fancy that image and are looking for a series that promises never ending entertainment, what are you waiting for? Go on and buy the book!
Just Olga 