Welcome to Cyber Monday, when everyone takes the smart route and shops online, because no one in their right minds wants to be on the roads around Thanksgiving.
The following are my recommendations for the easiest, and best gift of all -- books.
.... Can you tell I'm the sort of person who enjoyed getting Barnes and Noble gifts cards growing up?
A solid alternate history with enough conspiracy theories to make Umberto Eco happy. You can read my review of the latest book here. It's the perfect gift for anyone who likes science, or politics, or alternate history.
Good for juveniles, SF fans, and possibly fans of fantasy. And if you're a political junkie, you should certainly consider giving these as a gift. Or buying them for yourself.
You can buy SIGNED COPIES HERE.
![Fade (Paxton Locke Book 1) by [Humphreys, Daniel]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Oa5dffUdL.jpg)
A cop with saintly powers has been found out by a serial killer possessed by a demon. What does the demon want? How can it be stopped? And how do you do prosecute?
This one is straight horror. If you're a fan of horror, or dark urban fantasy, knock yourself out.
Murder in the Vatican!
As the head of Vatican security, Giovanni Figlia must protect a new, African Pope who courts controversy every other day. The Pope’s latest project is to make Pius XII, “Hitler’s Pope,” a saint. Things haven’t gotten better since the Pope employed American mercenary Sean Ryan.
Then a body fell onto the Vatican doorstep.
Mercenaries, spies, beautiful women, international intrigue and ancient secrets – The Pius Trilogy has it all!
How to make a thriller.
Step one, kidnap the Pope.
Step two, put him on trial for war crimes.
Step three, the only man who can save him has been kidnapped as well.
Making the war on God a lot more literal.
![Pius Tales (The Pius Trilogy Book 4) by [Finn, Declan]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51UrqtRODfL.jpg)
This isn't the first time I've done this post. And books are forever.
And no, I'm not going to only talk about my books.
For anyone who really wanted Firefly to be good, this should be your cup of tea. Heck, for fans of: Firefly, David Weber, early David Weber, and people who would be really entertained by protagonists in an SF novel doing their calculations by slide rule.
For adults only, really...or any mature 12 year old, like I was. I don't care in what format you buy it, but you owe it to yourself to buy at least one copy for yourself, though I recommend buying half a dozen, just so you can immediately hand out copies to your friends. Review here
Perfect for anyone who likes SF mysteries, mild dystopias, and Terry Pratchett. As far as I'm concerned, if Rob Kroese wants to keep putting out books about Erasmus Keane for the rest of his life, I'll happily use him as a substitute for Sir Terry Pratchett. (Review Here)
For anyone who sees the USA falling to fascism, but also sees some small hope in our future. A Dystopia that doesn't make you want to slit your wrists. Yay. (Review here)
If you've been reading my blog for a long time, you know that I loved this one, and I can't possibly recommend it enough.... and then there's The Watson Chronicles, which is even better. The only books I will recommend over my own, and I'm told my books are pretty awesome, so, yeah...
The Book of Helen -- dang, this was a kickass little novel. The West Wing meets the Trojan war, this novel goes beyond the "they all lived strangely ever after" of Helen of Troy, and follows the rest of her life after she came home from Troy. Yes, Helen did have an "after Troy." You know the mythology, and now, this is the rest of the story.
Black Tide Rising -- For those people who hate zombies ... you can like this, at the very least.
The following are my recommendations for the easiest, and best gift of all -- books.
.... Can you tell I'm the sort of person who enjoyed getting Barnes and Noble gifts cards growing up?
A solid alternate history with enough conspiracy theories to make Umberto Eco happy. You can read my review of the latest book here. It's the perfect gift for anyone who likes science, or politics, or alternate history.
Good for juveniles, SF fans, and possibly fans of fantasy. And if you're a political junkie, you should certainly consider giving these as a gift. Or buying them for yourself.
You can buy SIGNED COPIES HERE.
If you're hungry for the next Jim Butcher novel, look no further than Daniel Humphreys. My review is here.
Great for anyone who consumes any urban fantasy. Unless they read Anita Blake novels for the porn, in which case, they might be disappointed. Personally, I think they may make for solid YA-safe reading ... but then again, I was the kid who saw Die Hard at ten years old, so please read these before giving them to the pre-teen crowd. Let's call them PG-13, tops.
Great for anyone who consumes any urban fantasy. Unless they read Anita Blake novels for the porn, in which case, they might be disappointed. Personally, I think they may make for solid YA-safe reading ... but then again, I was the kid who saw Die Hard at ten years old, so please read these before giving them to the pre-teen crowd. Let's call them PG-13, tops.
The best fantasy I've read in years. Hands down. Possibly the best epic fantasy currently out there.
My review is here, but I recommend just buying it if and when you can. And handing it out as gifts to anyone who reads Terry Pratchett, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind (seriously, what is it with the first name Terry and writing fantasy?)
I'm almost certain this this YA-safe, though the Die Hard warning is above.
My review is here, but I recommend just buying it if and when you can. And handing it out as gifts to anyone who reads Terry Pratchett, Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind (seriously, what is it with the first name Terry and writing fantasy?)
I'm almost certain this this YA-safe, though the Die Hard warning is above.
This one is straight horror. If you're a fan of horror, or dark urban fantasy, knock yourself out.
(pre-order only)
Sequel to Hell Spawn. There will be zombies.
Murder in the Vatican!
As the head of Vatican security, Giovanni Figlia must protect a new, African Pope who courts controversy every other day. The Pope’s latest project is to make Pius XII, “Hitler’s Pope,” a saint. Things haven’t gotten better since the Pope employed American mercenary Sean Ryan.
Then a body fell onto the Vatican doorstep.
Mercenaries, spies, beautiful women, international intrigue and ancient secrets – The Pius Trilogy has it all!
How to make a thriller.
Step one, kidnap the Pope.
Step two, put him on trial for war crimes.
Step three, the only man who can save him has been kidnapped as well.
This collection of short stories has
- Over two dozen terrorists
- Two exploding Christmas trees
- And a Boston Pops concert.
.... Not that Die Hard influenced me a lot.
James Rollins has this tendency to put in nearly a dozen pages of footnotes on some of his thrillers.
I made an entire book.
The 2016 Dragon Award Nominee for Best Horror Novel!
One is a heartless, bloodthirsty killer. The other is a vampire.
College freshman, Amanda Colt knows few people and wants to know fewer still. She enjoys fencing and prefers facing a challenge every once in a while. She is beautiful, smart, and possibly the most interesting person on campus.
Then she finds tall, intense Marco Catalano in her fencing class. With a mind like a computer and manners of a medieval knight, he scares most people - but not Amanda. They both have secrets, for they are both monsters.
As they draw closer, they must find the line between how much they can trust each other, and how much they can care for each other. Each carries a secret that can destroy the other. But they must come to grips with their personal drama soon because a darkness rises around them. Bodies keep turning up all over New York, and an army of vampires closes in on all sides.
They have only one hope - each other.
YA-safe, Christian-friendly, but written for people who like action scenes, suspense, and a romance subplot. Imagine if Jim Butcher wrote a Monster Hunter International novel.
After saving Brooklyn from a nest of vampires, Amanda Colt and Marco Catalano are a little banged up. He's been given a job offer to deal with vampires in San Francisco, and it's a tempting offer - it would get him away from Amanda, his feelings for her, and get her away from the darkness inside him. When a death in the family compels Marco to move to the West Coast, they're both left to fend for themselves.
Then the creature known only as Mister Day leaves their world in tatters, and they must once more join forces against the darkness. Only Day is no vampire, but a creature beyond their experience. It will take the combined might of Marco, Amanda, and all of their allies just to slow it down. They have no weapons that can kill him. They have no way to imprison him. To even fight him is death.
But they have to try - or face the end of everything they love.
My idea on having a romance happen.
Take two people who have accidentally friend-zoned each other.
Get them both angry at each other.
Have a supernatural assassin try to kill them both.
Werewolves. Armies of the damned. Minions who are as strong as vampires. And one bloodthirsty murderer who's been bit by one of the werewolves.
What could possibly go wrong?
Previously Mentioned Books
This isn't the first time I've done this post. And books are forever.
And no, I'm not going to only talk about my books.
Torchship series by Karl Gallagher
For adults only, really...or any mature 12 year old, like I was. I don't care in what format you buy it, but you owe it to yourself to buy at least one copy for yourself, though I recommend buying half a dozen, just so you can immediately hand out copies to your friends. Review here
Perfect for anyone who likes SF mysteries, mild dystopias, and Terry Pratchett. As far as I'm concerned, if Rob Kroese wants to keep putting out books about Erasmus Keane for the rest of his life, I'll happily use him as a substitute for Sir Terry Pratchett. (Review Here)
Chasing Freedom, Marina Fontaine
The Book of Helen -- dang, this was a kickass little novel. The West Wing meets the Trojan war, this novel goes beyond the "they all lived strangely ever after" of Helen of Troy, and follows the rest of her life after she came home from Troy. Yes, Helen did have an "after Troy." You know the mythology, and now, this is the rest of the story.
[Review here]
Ordinance 93: I've reviewed this book (on Amazon), I've interviewed this author back when Examiner.com still existed. Ordinance 93 is a thriller that sort-of centers around abortion, but is mostly a fun chase novel. I'd actually like the next one to come up.
Ordinance 93: I've reviewed this book (on Amazon), I've interviewed this author back when Examiner.com still existed. Ordinance 93 is a thriller that sort-of centers around abortion, but is mostly a fun chase novel. I'd actually like the next one to come up.
Greater Treasures -- Imagine the Maltese Falcon with dragons. Nuff said.
Stealing Jenny, by Ellen Gable: After 5 miscarriages, Jenny is about to have a pregnancy come to full term... until a psychotic woman kidnaps her and chains her in her basement with the intention of taking the child for her own. I liked this one.
Amy Lynn and Amy Lynn: Golden Angel. Just buy them. Read them. The first one could be dark YA. The second ... yeah, for adults only. One's a solid novel, the second one is a solid thriller. Just go with me on this one, okay?
Night Machines by Kia Heavey .... this one was interesting. Almost Doctor Who-ish by way of Rod Serling.
And, of course, there is an endless list of books I can recommend, which happen to be a different tab at the top of the page -- includes Flynn, Ringo, Weber, Thor, etc, etc.
Tears of Paradox, by Daniella Bova, reviewed here
By the Hands of Men, Book One: The Old World.
Also, here's everything I suggested for the Dragon Awards in 2016
And here's everything nominated for a Dragon Award in 2016.
And everything I talked about for a Dragon Award in 2017.
And everything NOMINATED for a Dragon in 2017.
And the same for everything I talked about for the 2018 Dragon Awards .... no, I didn't put links in the Dragon Award FINALISTS this year, but if you want to look, click here for that list.
That should cover a fairly wide net.
Stealing Jenny, by Ellen Gable: After 5 miscarriages, Jenny is about to have a pregnancy come to full term... until a psychotic woman kidnaps her and chains her in her basement with the intention of taking the child for her own. I liked this one.
Amy Lynn and Amy Lynn: Golden Angel. Just buy them. Read them. The first one could be dark YA. The second ... yeah, for adults only. One's a solid novel, the second one is a solid thriller. Just go with me on this one, okay?
Night Machines by Kia Heavey .... this one was interesting. Almost Doctor Who-ish by way of Rod Serling.
And, of course, there is an endless list of books I can recommend, which happen to be a different tab at the top of the page -- includes Flynn, Ringo, Weber, Thor, etc, etc.
Tears of Paradox, by Daniella Bova, reviewed here
By the Hands of Men, Book One: The Old World.
Also, here's everything I suggested for the Dragon Awards in 2016
And here's everything nominated for a Dragon Award in 2016.
And everything I talked about for a Dragon Award in 2017.
And everything NOMINATED for a Dragon in 2017.
And the same for everything I talked about for the 2018 Dragon Awards .... no, I didn't put links in the Dragon Award FINALISTS this year, but if you want to look, click here for that list.
That should cover a fairly wide net.
If you have something you'd like to suggest for gifting opportunities, please feel free to mention it below.
You can also click one of the above tabs for suggested books.
Good luck with shopping, everyone.
You can also click one of the above tabs for suggested books.
Good luck with shopping, everyone.
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