Spotlight on Rise of the Catalyst by HONOR RACONTEUR

Journey across the U.S. in fast-paced and witty steampunk fantasy

Nashville, TN – Brace for a very wild adventure across the U.S. in Honor Raconteur’s Rise of the Catalyst (Raconteur House LLC, May 31, 2022). Follow Arwen Arnoult, a no-nonsense visually-impaired magical retrieval expert who uses her magical senses to uncover the truth behind magical artifacts. When she’s approached by the director of the Boston Museum with a mysterious mask, she and her companion, Flo McGrath, are baffled by its energy and origins. But they’re not ready to give up sending them off on a journey towards the U.S. Southwest to return it to where it belongs…maybe.

One ancient mask with earth-bending powers searching for a bearer. One magical retrieval expert who is determined to seal it back in its tomb.

At the moment, both are failing at their goals, but Arwen is not about to be bested. So what if she doesn’t know what culture it’s from or where to put it back. She’s smarter than a semi-sentient mask. Hopefully. But if the thrice-cursed mask breaks out of her seal one more time, she’s melting it with prejudice, magical backlash be damned.

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HONOR RACONTEUR: Ever since Honor Raconteur was a toddler, she has been making up stories. She would entertain anyone willing to listen to her wild fantasies about unicorns and gargoyles and amazing people. At 13, she started writing the stories down. At 23, she finished the first book that was good enough to publish.

She put Jaunten out as an ebook, created a website and forum so that fans could communicate with her, and spread the word as best she could. Within three months, Jaunten was selling internationally. Within five months, Honor was making enough to quit the day job and sit at home, writing full time.

Honor has continued to write and publish the rest of her books through Raconteur House. When she’s not writing or editing, Honor likes to go out into the community and give presentations of how to be an author. Even if Honor abruptly stopped selling books tomorrow, she would still continue to write. Creating characters and worlds is that much fun. You can find Honor on her website: https://honorraconteur.com

An Interview with Honor Raconteur:

This isn’t your first fantasy novel, but it’s the first one including a lot of historical research to back up your story. What was that process like?

Every story takes a lot of research, really. This one was more arduous than most. I teamed up with a historian and spent six months learning about the Anasazi, what 1907 America was like, etc.

What was your approach with writing a visually impaired character?

I asked a lot of questions of people who are visually impaired. I took what they told me, refined it down to parameters for my character, and hopefully have created someone that is both unique but relatable.

How does creating Rise of the Catalyst differ from the other novels you’ve written?

It’s far more alternate history based than anything else I’ve written. Most of my career, I wrote high fantasy. Steampunk is something I’m relatively new to but I’m enjoying this blend of science and magic very much.

What were some of the challenges of recreating actual historical events?

Not being able to just write my own rules, honestly. That was the real challenge. I had a lot of notes, timelines, maps of that area, all over my desk just to help me keep things straight.

There’s also a lot of humor in this story while still being a serious fantasy. How do you balance the two?

Isn’t that how life really is, though? Nothing is always serious, or always funny, it’s a blend of the two throughout the day. I try to keep that vibe in my writing. I’m really just following my character around and writing up the incident report, so of course she’d do funny things too, or so I’d think.

While Arwen and Flo are work partners, they also seem very close. What was it like to write these two characters and their relationship?

I knew going into the story that Arwen would need a full team, and she’d have to have a female companion according to the rules of society of that time. She wouldn’t have been allowed out of the house otherwise. I created Flo for her as not only a helper, but a friend, as she needed one.

What can we expect from Arwen in the future?

All of the magical shenanigans. Not to mention her sassing ancient artifacts that keep trying to escape her seals.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Executioners Heart by George Mann

Mann seems to improve with each book.  The Hobbes and Newbury series keeps improving.   An assassin is hired to wreak havoc on the Queen’s network of spies.  Hobbes and Newbury find themselves searching for the assassin with the assistance of Bainbridge and the new Secret Service.  There are questions as to the loyalty of the Secret Service and possibly Bainbridge as well.

The sidebar of Veronica’s sister adds to the tension between Hobbes and Newbury.   I have to think that the steampunk Victorian setting is the cause of the unrequited love as any other setting the romance would have been consummated at this point in time.

There is plenty of action and very cool cogs and wheels involved.   BTW I read the Wonderful Electric Elephant by Frances Trego Montgomery as a boy.   The elephant in this book reminded me of that book.  A Google search found a 2017 reprint of the 1927 printing.  My copy was the original 1903 printing.   You can see my review at Amazon.

As far as Mann’s book, I recommend it and the series.   I do love his cover illustrator. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Spotlight on David Massie and the Hidden Underworld, Andrew M. Nehring's Upcoming Sequel

Perfect for fans of “Stranger Things,” kid genius returns in thrilling new installment of time-traveling middle grade sci-fi

 CHICAGO – Kid genius David Massie is excited for things to finally return back to normal when he gets back to middle school after saving the world and solving the mystery of the Quantum Flux. But life is far from normal in Andrew M. Nehring’s latest installment of his middle grade sci-fi series, “David Massie and the Hidden Underworld,” (Aug. 9, 2022, Books Fluent)

 Sure, history class might be boring, but it gives him a chance to spend time with Rory, the girl he’s crushing on, so David doesn’t mind. Soon, he’ll be done with eighth grade and going on to high school. The only thing that’s missing is his older brother, Morgan, who vanished years ago. Otherwise, life couldn’t be better.

 
But history turns out to be anything but dull when CP, the Time Cop who accompanied David on his adventures through time and space, turns up outside the classroom. CP alerts David that the Time Police Depot has been decimated by a dark armored warrior, and he’s the only Time Cop left alive. Soon, David, Rory and CP are off on an interstellar journey, battling aliens, ancient gods and giants on their quest. They must travel back in time to rebuild the very reality gates they risked their lives to destroy — or watch as the universe crumbles at the hands of an evil force beyond their wildest dreams.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Immortality Engine by George Mann

The series keeps getting better.  I found this edition very difficult to put down.   Sir Maurice’s habits are still disturbing but the action was non-stop.   Mann’s depiction of an alternative London is great fun.  The steampunk theme is true to form.  The mixing of the arcane with steampunk is an interesting twist. 

Veronica’s sister Amelia is a sidebar character that is a bit puzzling.   The cover illustrator deserves accolades.  I love the cover.

I enjoyed the book and the series. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Sweep of Stars by Maurice Broaddus

 

This appears to be a dystopian novel.   I never got a clear picture on that.   Sometime in the future society is split apparently along racial lines but I’m sure of either.   I found the book confusing.  Sometimes interesting with the drop troops but the in-depth sociology was less than exciting.   The jump gate seemed more exciting than it was.   Overall, I didn’t care for the book, it may be the bees knees (very dated reference) to somebody but not for me.

 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

The Osiris Ritual by George Mann

Sir Maurice Newbury is a deeply flawed secret agent of the UK’s Queen Victoria.    His addiction to opium appears to cloud his judgement rather than provide him with the clarity of thought he claims.   A mysterious mummy and two rogue agents provide the gist of the plot.

Newbury and his assistant Miss Veronica Hobbes have a complicated relationship.   Complicated relationships seem to be the norm.  Treachery pops up in surprising places along with a dubious magician and an Egyptian curse.  Steam punk attributes abound in the story.  I particularly enjoyed the steam powered motorcycle.

Newbury’s friend, Bainbridge, fears for Newbury’s wellbeing.   Newbury has deep feelings for Miss Hobbes but is afraid to express them and put her in danger.

I’m enjoying Mann’s visions of a steampunk alternative earth.

I recommend the book and the series. 

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned

Rosebud by Paul Cornell

This is a bizarre book.  A group of disembodied artificial intelligences are serving on a miniscule spaceship and they encounter an alien ship.   Their reactions to the ship and to the disturbances to their memory and behavior seems to motivate the plot.  I’m sure there is a message here, but it was indiscernible to me.

I’m sure this will appeal to someone who has esoteric tastes.

This book may have been received free of charge from a publisher or a publicist. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases if you click on a purchasing link below.#CommissionsEarned