Devil's Gun by Cat Rambo, A reprise

This is a sequel to You Sexy Thing.   I almost didn’t read You Sexy Thing due to the title.  I’m not particularly interested in sex in my sci-fi but it was just the name of the ship.  The ship is a self-aware ship that illustrates some of the current concerns about AI.   Some of the ship’s decisions are decidedly questionable.  It is a major character in the book.   Captain Niko and her mixed alien crew are trying to go on the offensive with the pirate Tubal Last.  They pair up with a con artist and paladin and go on a quest.

Rambo does a good job illustrating the success and foibles of interpersonal relationships.  Talon’s loss leads him into questionable behavior but is a good study of how grief can impact the logical decision-making process.  

There is action, deceit, and acceptance.

I enjoyed the book.

 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

Where Peace is Lost by Valerie Valdes

Kel is lost, not literally but figuratively.  She isn’t herself she is someone else.   Kel is confused about her role and misled by her emotions.  Her life before her exisiting, not living on Loth is lost to her.  Then a remanent of the Pale, the autocracy that has destroyed her reason for living, threatens her new home, and she feels the overwhelming need to protect.

The characters in the book are good but not as thoroughly defined as I would like.  Kel has depth as well as Lunna but the other major characters, Savvy and Dare could use more depth.  With that thought, this appears to be the beginning of a new series and it is certainly possible that the backstories will be told in future books.   I hope they will as I enjoyed the book.

There is action, violence, love, and treachery, What’s not to like?

I recommend the book. 

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

Defiance by C. J. Cherryh

This is the 22^nd book in the series.  I would suggest that you read all of them first or at least some of them.  This book is interesting but it is not a stand-alone book.  You really need a back story to make sense of it.   In the beginning Bren does some ruminating that gives some background but while a good story, I think it would be a great story if the books are read in succession.  

Bren is a stalwart hero if for no other reason, imagine trying to be the only human leader in a sea of otherness. 

I didn’t really enjoy the book as much as I could due to having lost track of the series several years ago.   I do recommend it to the series fans. 

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

Contrarian by L. E. Modesitt, Jr.

I’m never sure if Modesitt is pontificating on current political issues or if he is merely philosophizing. This book addresses political malfeasance as well as corporate corruption.   Both issues are prominent in the news.  Steffan Dekkard and his wife, Avraal, are targeted by corrupt elements in both business and political arenas.  

Modesitt delivers a well-thought-out character or characters.   He develops them by providing background motivation.   His only use of fantasy might be science fiction in the mental powers available to a rare few.   Regardless of the reason, his writing is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

I recommend the book but I suggest you read the previous books for a greater understanding of this book. 

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 Knight's Wyrd by Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald

KNIGHT’S WYRD (Tor Essentials; 8-22-23) is now available! After more than twenty years out of print, Debra Doyle and James D. Macdonald's Mythopoeic Fantasy Award-winning dark mediaeval fantasy KNIGHT’S WYRD is back with a brand new edition featuring an introduction by Sherwood Smith.

On the eve of his knighting, Will Oddoson learned his wyrd, or destiny: He shall meet death before a year has passed. Will decides to release his betrothed from their engagement and rushes up North. However, on his journey, he is beset by all manners of horrors, such as man-eating trolls, carnivorous mermaids and a magic working dragon. And he encounters something far worse; an evil unlike Will has ever faced nor imagined. Originally published ahead of its time, KNIGHT’S WYRD is an award-winning gem that’s perfect for revival and will appeal to fans of books like Hild and Spear, and films like The Green Knight.

Praise for KNIGHT’S WYRD

"Doyle and Macdonald got as close to what delighted our mediaeval ancestors as a contemporary person can, giving us a tale that might have been shared on snowy winters’ evenings during the time when jousting and tournaments were still being fought. Questions of honor and meaning, friendship and enmity, horror and awe, and of course laughter, entertained people a millennium ago, as they do now. Knight’s Wyrd shimmers with emotional complexity and liminal engagement with the numinous, evoking the mindset of a thousand years ago in a way that I find essential for a mediaeval story." —Sherwood Smith

“A complex, beautifully structured mediaeval wonder tale” —Lilith Saintcrow, New York Times bestselling author

About Debra Doyle

Debra Doyle (she/her) [1952-2020] lived in Colebrook, New Hampshire. Her previous SF novels co-written with James D. Macdonald (he/him)  include The Price of the Stars, Starpilot's Grave, By Honor Betray'd, The Gathering Flame, The Long Hunt, and The Stars Asunder. Their fantasy novel Knight's Wyrd won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award.

About James D. Macdonald

James D. Macdonald (he/him) lives in Colebrook, New Hampshire. His previous SF novels co-written with Debra Doyle (she/her) include The Price of the Stars, Starpilot's Grave, By Honor Betray'd, The Gathering Flame, The Long Hunt, and The Stars Asunder. Their fantasy novel, Knight's Wyrd, won the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award.

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

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month--FREE Kindle Version of Joey's Psoriasis

As you may have noticed, I often promote my own books here, not just those I’ve read.   August is Psoriasis Awareness Month.  My book addressing this issue is Joey’s Psoriasis.  The impetus for writing this book was provided by my dermatologist.   As I was going through an examination she informed me that 50% of the kids diagnosed with psoriasis are also diagnosed with depression.   Knowing I am an author of children’s books, she flat-out told me I needed to write a book on psoriasis.   After researching and writing, she approved what I had written.  The result is Joey’s Psoriasis.

August is the month many kids return to school.  My book illustrates how demoralizing it can be to a child when they are ostracized due to a medical condition.  It points out that psoriasis is NOT contagious.  I hope that I can get that message out to as many kids as possible before they head back to school.

To facilitate that awareness:

The Kindle Version of Joey's Psoriasis

Will be FREE to download from Amazon 

from August 11, 2023, to August 15, 2023.

 

Listento an interview

 of William Bentrim By Anthony Crimmins, CEO of  

 AbundantNatural Health

Products to Provide Natural Pain Relief 

 

Spotlight on Josh & Sen Save the Multiverse: The Path of One” by David Behling

“Guardians of the Galaxy” meets “Ready Player One” in a riveting, hilarious romp through space

An inventive mixture of sci-fi, fantasy, mythology, and technology

Oahu (Honolulu), HI – Strap in for a humorous thrill ride through the colorful reaches of space and alternate timelines as two dudes, who have no idea what they're doing, try to save the universe (and their own butts) in one of the most fun sci-fi fantasies you'll read all year: “Josh & Sen Save the Multiverse: The Path of One” (Cadence Group, October 3, 2023). With the loveable banter of “Guardians of the Galaxy” and the inventive nods to technology and gaming of “Ready Player One,” this debut is unexpectedly heartfelt as it explores parenthood, perseverance, and the brotherhood between two men bonded by fate to save the multiverse.

 Josh was just trying to get his life together enough to reunite with his young daughter Sophie when he gets sucked into the multidimensional world of the immortals through his office elevator during lunch. Alongside his unexpected ally, Sen Marztanak, Josh must find a way to rise through the levels of mortal cultivation in order to reach Transcendence.

 Josh and Sen are eager to get back to their own path–Josh anxiously fighting his way back to his daughter and Sen desperately battling to reclaim his immortality and his family’s ruling seat. Get swept away with Sen and Josh through this exciting tale as they uncover their true destinies.

“Josh & Sen Save the Multiverse: The Path of One”

David Behling | October 3, 2023 | Cadence Group | Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Print | 979-8-9886535-0-9 | $14.99

Ebook | 979-8-9886535-1-6 | $4.99

 

DAVID BEHLING: is a Chicago born sci-fi, fantasy, and video game admirer. When he was younger and stronger, he was able to fight off his infatuation long enough to work as a Honolulu-based plaintiff’s malpractice lawyer for five years before attending med school and residency. Now he treats his patients on Oahu, where his office has been for the last fifteen years. He has trained in several fields of martial arts over the years, including Tae Kwon Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Older now, he would rather be surfing, snowboarding, and skating when he is brave enough! Most importantly, he is the proud father of four amazing children: Indigo, Tristan, Kireina, and Nina. They even text him sometimes. He is also the lucky owner of the world’s cutest chihuahua, Rosie.

 

Follow David on Social Media:

Instagram: @davidbehlingauthor | Facebook: @davidbehlingauthor

 

An Interview with

David Behling

 

You wrote this novel partly in response to the hopelessness amid the Covid-19 pandemic. What do you hope readers will take away when they read Josh and Sen’s story?

 

Everyone in the world has been affected by the pandemic. It is true that we can see the silver lining in some of the changes, and feel brought back to our roots in a lot of ways. Unfortunately, many of the changes have been devastating and will continue to be so for many years. You can see this very prominently in third world countries where the economies of tourism were completely shut down for long periods of time. When I first started noticing this, I remember thinking, “How good would it be if there were a couple of guys who would be willing to go to the wall to save us all?”

 

How did you create Josh and Sen? Were there any sci-fi/fantasy figures from your childhood that inspired the character’s stories?

 

          Everytime I sit down to write about Josh and Sen I learn more about myself and my motivations. Some things even surprise me. But, ever since I was twelve years old and my father took me to Merrionette Park in Chicago’s south side to see Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indy’s been my hero. One of my favorite spots is the classic line where he is trying to steal the ark back from the nazi’s, he lays out a plan and ends it with, “I dunno, I’m making this up as I go . . .” I would have to say this is a major inspiration for Josh and Sen. Don’t ask them how beforehand, but they will find a way to get where they need to be.

 

What parts of your personal life inspired your main character Josh and his relationship with his daughter Sophie?

 

I have the blessing and privilege of having four children. Ages 31, 27, 24, and 9. I also have unfortunately been through the tragedies of two divorces. The geological boundaries of living in Hawaii make routine custody spits difficult. When my two oldest were three and zero, and my x-wife moved to Ohio, I could only see them during the summers for 8 wks and every other holiday season. I know what it is like to be separated from your kids and not have a whole lot you can do about it.

 Why did you decide to weave bits of Greek mythology into the book?

 When I was growing up there wasn’t a lot of fantasy literature or TV shows. Where I turned to get it was the classics.  I loved Greek mythology when I was a kid. Particularly stories from the Age of Heros. When I started the first book and wanted Josh and Sen to travel underground to get their first Earth Attunement, Gaia, Mother of the Earth was just a natural fit. But you can’t talk about Gaia without getting into the serious family drama she has with her husband and the multiple sets of kids and grandkids, can you? Not to mention, all the stuff is public domain.

 What can we expect next from you as a writer? What are your big plans for Josh and Sen?

 Right now I’m finishing the third book. The second, “Karma and Bigger Fish” is already written and being polished for final release between 3-6 months after the Path of One comes out.

 Josh and Sen will be meeting some new folks. Some friends and some decidedly not so friendly. One of the things they are going to learn is that the iteration is a lot bigger than they are right now. They are also going to learn that Karma and Reality have some pretty big plans for them and the people that they care about.

 

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