Monthly Archives: February 2017

Review

Starhold

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I read this book a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. I liked the set up with an abandoned Earth being colonized by somebody else. Field does that irritating thing of putting a prologue on, naming it chapter 1, and then ignoring it for the rest of the book. Once you get that bit behind you, it’s a ripping yarn.

Again, it’s the characters — Frank Carr and Etta Sanchez — that kept me going. The plot unfolds nicely and the war-fleet adds just enough tension. Can they finish their mission in time?

I just noticed that there are two more books in the series and I’ve grabbed a sample of book 2 because I want to see what happens next. Perhaps you might grab a sample of book 1 to see what happened first.

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]

Review

The Merchant Adventurer

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I met Patrick McLean years ago and miles away at BaltiCon. Somewhere there’s a picture of Patrick, the late PG Holyfield, and me doing the “Charlies Angels” pose at a joint book release party we did at BaltiCon one year. He’s a good guy and somebody I’d like to collaborate with more. This review isn’t one of those collaborations. It’s more like “fan mail from some flounder.”

The Merchant Adventurer is the kind of story that makes me grin. Just the concept alone – where most fantasy adventures feature adventurers, this one is a shopkeeper. By and large he’s a pretty pragmatic individual. His core values carry him through – sometimes with hilarious results. I only wish Patrick would write a sequel. I think there’s enough thread left at the end of this tale to start a new one.

But – as always – don’t take my word for it. Why not grab a sample – and settle back in a comfy chair – to see for yourself?

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]

Review

Beyond Repair

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Susie Tate has written a moving, sometimes funny, sometimes dark, series of contemporary romances about some deeply flawed characters. Beyond Repair is the gateway drug. The books took me on a trip like I’ve not seen. Tate is an actual physician and her background shows in the meticulous way her characters present their afflictions – both to the reader and to each other.

As with most of my favorite books, the characters carry me along. Katie is all bright and bubbly with a scarred and damaged core. Sam is a wounded warrior who hides his pain behind a gruff exterior. They drive each other bonkers. So, of course, you know they’re bound to get together. It’s a romance, after all.

You can read the blurb yourself. I’ll leave my description of the story at that, but suggest – as always – you might grab a sample and see what you think for yourself.

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]

Review

London Falling

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Here’s another one from the wayback machine. Emma Carr’s charming story doesn’t fall into the usual “If they’d only talk to one another” trap I see a lot of. Yes, there’s a little of it but Aimee and Simon are such cute characters, I was able to over look it.

As with so many of the titles I recommend here, it’s the characters that keep me reading. This pair made me smile and smile. It’s one of those books where the characters each work toward their own goals to the detriment of themselves. Obviously, it’s no spoiler that they come to their senses before the end of the book. It’s a romance, after all.

But – as always – my opinion is just my opinion. Why not grab a sample and see what you think?

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]

Review

Imhotep

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The jury’s out on this one, for me. Is it time-travel? Is it historical fiction? Ultimately, I’m not sure it really matters because this one’s a heck of a lot of fun.

When Tim Hope passes through a portal to ancient Egypt he becomes Imhotep. It’s a rollicking tale of death, treachery, and magic all set in the time of the pharaohs. Dubs managed to drag me into this world and keep me enthralled as the American tourist struggles with the difficulties of becoming somebody he only knows through legend – but whose life he finds himself living. Kinda made me wish I had paid attention in history class a bit more. The people feel real. The places are – probably – real. The story is absolutely real.

But don’t take my word for it. Why not grab a sample and head down into the pyramid yourself?

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]

Review

Lingerie Wars

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Back to the romance category. This time with a fun romp from Janet Elizabeth Henderson. I’ll confess, this probably has nothing to do with the Scottish highlands – other than the names. Her bio indicates she grew up in Scotland. Good enough for me. The beauty of this story (and the follow-ons) are the characters.

Like most rom/coms these days, the men are strong and rich, the women feisty, and there’s some odd-ball character (or four) who just make life miserable for everybody along the way. These Scottish Highlands books tickled my funny bone and warmed my cold heart with every one. My Kindle tells me I read four of them – and Amazon says there are two more. What better for a bit of belated Valentines reading?

But – as always – don’t take my word for it. This first book is free so why not grab a copy and see for yourself?

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]

Review

Implied Spaces

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You know that thing when people put their fingers together at their temples and make a little explosion sound and the hand gesture? Yeah. That one. Walter Jon Williams is that guy. He’s an old school (a year younger than I am) and been publishing his stuff since the 80s. He’s one of The Names to conjure with and I haven’t read anything like enough of his stuff. Now that he’s publishing it on his own, a lot more of his work is available to me.

Implied Spaces is a trip. It starts in a desert that reminds me a lot of Robert E. Howard and progresses … well … let’s just say it progresses from there. I’ll leave it to you to discover where it goes, but suffice it to say, you’re probably not going to guess from the first few paragraphs. Even after you meet his cat.

So, grab a sample and find a solid seat. This one is going to take you for a ride. Don’t believe me? Grab a sample and see for yourself.

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]

Review

Beggar Magic

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I’ve talked before about how new magic systems can hook me in and keep me turning pages. H. L Burke has created an interesting take on the “audible” form of magic – the kinds of things that mages can hear but mundanes cannot.

In this story, the Commoner – Leilani – befriends one of the Highborns and the two girls are dragged into a mystery that threatens their lives. The story hinges on being able to hear the magic in the air and the degree to which those of the wrong class hear it. There’s a bit of a morality play at work here but Burke does a good job of keeping in the background.

Yeah. I suppose this would be considered YA fantasy but don’t let that hold you back. I enjoyed this tale immensely and was sad when I couldn’t find any more of Burke’s tales set in this universe. As always, don’t take my word for it. Why not grab a sample and see for yourself?

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]

Review

Starship Blackbeard

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I’ve known Michael since he put his books up on Podiobooks. I chat with him online and I’m jealous of his globe-trotting habit. I’m still going to review this book because I loved it and can’t believe I’ve not had a review of it here yet.

So, imagine the Royal Navy in Space. With pirates. And slaves. And civil war. Imagine the hero of the last war is framed and headed for a penal colony.

Yeah. Now imagine that it all falls apart and Captain James Drake must win back his reputation, save the home world, and make a decision about whether he’ll stand-by and watch another race destroyed or step up and risk it all to save them.

Pulpy space opera goodness. Cover-to-cover. Intra crew difficulties. Pirates to the left of him, traitors to the right. What to do? What to do?

I had to wait for these books to come out but Michael’s got the whole series in one volume now. It’s back list but there are a lot of books set in this universe and I’ve read every one of them. I think you should, too, but don’t take my word for it. Grab a sample and see what you think for yourself.

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]

Review

Earl Of Brass

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This is another title from 2014 that I remember fondly. It’s a lovely steampunk story where the steampunk isn’t simply adding googles, top hats, and clockwork. I remember the characters which followers of these reviews know is one of the key elements that drives my enjoyment of any book.

The plot starts with a dirigible crash and the recovery of our hero – Elian Sorrell – as he discovers his tragic loss. This loss drives him to find the plucky heroine – Hadley Fenice – trying to survive a tragic loss of her own, one that threatens her very livelihood. When the two meet, sparks fly – as they say – and the resulting tale takes them deep into adventure.

I’ve been looking for this book as I scan down through my Content and Devices list on Amazon. It’s one of those situations where I remembered the plot but not the title. I’m glad to have found it and to have found that Jorgensen has extended the series beyond that first offering I found in 2014. If you like a good story – steampunk or not – you might enjoy this well-crafted tale of love and brass. Why not grab a sample and see what you think for yourself?

About the reviewer:

NathanLowell_150x150Nathan Lowell has been writing science fiction and fantasy most of his life. He started publishing in 2007 and has no intention of stopping any time soon.

Learn more about Nathan Lowell and his works at http://nathanlowell.com

[Note: You’re seeing more reviews from me because fellow authors aren’t sending reviews of the books they like. If you’re an author, consider the submitting a review about an indie book you loved. The submission guidelines link is at the top of this page.]