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THE SHADOW QUEEN by C.J. Redwine

I've been a fan of C.J. Redwine ever since Defiance, and was thankful for the chance to interview her back in 2012. I was also lucky enough to attend one of her workshops, and it was worth every penny (they all are). While there, I found out…
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FIRSTS by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn

I was intrigued by FIRSTS when it came across my desk as an ARC. I started reading the first chapter...and then I couldn't stop. Not only does this book have great characterization and voice, but it tactfully handles a difficult topic, and will…
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THE MYSTERY OF HOLLOW PLACES by Rebecca Podos

I first met Rebecca Podos when she took part in one of Operation Awesome's Mystery Agent contests. About year and a half later, I stumbled upon her starred review in Booklist, and immediately ordered THE MYSTERY OF HOLLOW PLACES for my library…
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THE BLUE WOODS by Nicole Maggi

Last year, I featured Nicole Maggi's Twin Willows series. I also had a chance to meet her at the American Library Association (ALA) conference last June:She's doing an excellent job of modeling the first two Twin Willows books.The final book…
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WE ARE THE ANTS and VIOLENT ENDS by Shaun David Hutchinson

When these books passed by my desk, I was so impressed with the writing in both that I knew I had to feature them. Shaun's WE ARE THE ANTS offers a wry look at a possible apocalypse when Henry Denton is given a choice to press a button and end…

THE GIRL WHO COULD NOT DREAM by Sarah Beth Durst

The moment this book passed my desk, I knew I had to feature it. It's a wonderful middle grade fantasy romp that goes beyond the usual tropes of dream catching. Sarah Beth Durst also writes in multiple genres, which brings a lot of richness…

Star Wars Rant (*contains spoilers*), how it helped my writing, and Teddy Roosevelt

This epitomizes my feelings as Star Wars: The Force Awakens began:From freeimages.comAnd my feelings as it ended:From freeimages.comFrom freeimages.comAt first, I couldn't quite articulate what left me unsatisfied and empty. Many people love…

Farewell, 2015….

Another year draws to a close--a total of seven years his blog has been active (though, honestly, it's more like the last four).Stay tuned for more author interviews starting in mid-January (plus a Star Wars rant). Until then, here's a highlighted…
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THE SUSPECT’S DAUGHTER, Book 4 in the Rogue Hearts series by Donna Hatch

Looks like December is turning into a month full of Book Fours! I featured Book Three of Donna Hatch's Rogue Hearts series last year, and Book Four, THE SUSPECT'S DAUGHTER, released last week on December 15:Determined to help her father with…
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MANNERS & MUTINY, Book 4 in the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger

I've been a fan of Gail Carriger ever since I learned of her first novel, SOULLESS, and saw her post on what authors can expect after they sell their first book. Since then, she's published a ton of great steampunk novels that are loaded with…