The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

The Blanchard Witches: Stitches in Time
Micah House
Kendrell Publishing
https://www.blanchardwitches.com
9798985607574, $26.95 Hardcover

https://www.amazon.com/Blanchard-Witches-Stitches-Time/dp/B0B5Y6HV3Y

The Blanchard Witches: Stitches in Time continues the story introduced in P= rodigal Daughters, starting where the last story left off -- with the disap= pearance of family member Beryl. This third book in the series expands fami=
ly relationships and realizations as the witches move through both familiar=
and unexpected territory on a journey that tests both their paranormal abi= lities and their survival.

The current leader of the coven, Artemis, finds her edict to guide the fami=
ly greatly challenged by forces both within and outside its circle as more = members vanish before their eyes and the entire family structure is threate= ned. Who will be next? Everything is about to change in a way even wise eld=
er Zelda can't see coming. She knew about Beryl -- but the others were a su= rprise even to her.

As connections between witches, blood Blanchard kin, and wry irony intersec=
t with the growing mystery, readers are introduced to a realm in which fami=
ly ties are tested by their own members. Micah House cultivates an underton=
e of discovery which traverses generational differences and individual and = clan abilities alike.

Dialogues and new considerations create surprising insights: "Can you guys = imagine what's going to happen whenever we find a way to get everyone back = and we tell Fable - militantly atheist Fable -- that there is a God, and it=
's her big sister!"

Readers may not expect the time travel component which intersects with fami=
ly lives and experiences, but this adds to the paranormal fantasy elements =
to create a vivid timeline of unexpected connections, family secrets, and i= ntrigue solidly rooted in Southern traditions and culture. These revelation=
s, in turn, encourage thought-provoking assessments of powers and their und= erlying influences: "How could she be expected to police thought. A person = couldn't help what thoughts crossed their mind. But she'd been thinking abo=
ut it lately and had come to the conclusion that the thought itself wasn't = the catalyst, it was her speaking the thought which turned it into a spell.=
"

As further details about the Blanchard family unfold, prior series readers = will especially appreciate the time taken to evolve further inter-generatio= nal connection. An attempted rescue via time travel creates a deadly repeti= tive cycle that traps a would-be savior in a fatal loop of past and present=
conundrums. The Blanchard family's incarnation through various timelines a=
nd influences between past, present, and future evolves a delightful foray = into possibilities that are affected by choice, motive, and surprising fami=
ly identities.

Readers of paranormal fiction and libraries looking for standout series rea=
ds will find this latest addition to the Blanchard family saga a riveting s= tory that juxtaposes love, proactive efforts, and paranormal heritage in a = moving saga that's hard to put down and impossible to predict.

In the Heart of the Linden Wood
Ekta R. Garg
https://ektargarg.com
Atmosphere Press
www.atmospherepress.com
9781639887460, $18.95

https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Linden-Wood-Ekta-Garg/dp/1639887466

"The strength of a heart doesn't have limits."

In the Heart of the Linden Wood is a novel of magic trees, evil kings, grie=
f, and courage. It tells of Christopher, a king wracked with sadness upon l= osing his wife and child. Lily was the only person who truly believed in hi=
m, so her loss is an especially hard blow. Nothing can shake his focus on h= imself -- until the magical trees begin to die and he is tasked with not on=
ly finding out why, but embarking on a mission to save them (and himself).

This involves a quest into the heart of betrayal, evil, and redemption. Chr= istopher may be unable to mend his own broken heart, but his kingdom rests = upon his ability to regain the self-confidence and strength which he had pl= aced in his wife's hands. Christopher's search for the courage and heart to=
rule Linden is, in effect, a search for his own abilities and heritage, wh= ich brings him deep into a woods of his own making as well as those which s= upport his rule. Is Christopher too deep in his grief to leave his castle a=
nd re-enter the world to discover its connections and solutions?

Ekta R. Garg's story may seem like just another classic fantasy, but under = the veneer of kings, struggles, and magic lays an attention to emotional de= tails that make In the Heart of the Linden Wood as much a psychological dra=
w as an adventure story. The magic of heart stones reveals truths and revel= ations Christopher has never anticipated at this point in his life, bringin=
g readers into an evocative story of self-discovery that holds many lessons=
on how magic involves strengthening the heart by any means possible.

The potential of In the Heart of the Linden Wood to draw from a wide audien=
ce and to serve as a discussion point in reader groups interested in tales =
of self-discovery, growth, and ripples of impact in the world makes for a h= ighly recommended tale that libraries will find multifaceted and compelling=
.. Christopher's journey of self-exploration translates to a newfound abilit=
y to direct his kingdom onto more positive paths of discovery, reinforcing = the ideals of courage and leadership.

Alien Plague
Christopher Koehler
Independently Published
9798402449732, $8.99 Paper

https://www.amazon.com/Alien-Plague-Christopher-Koehler/dp/B09QMVSD4N

When interstellar probe The Sagan returns from its investigation of a nearb=
y star system, it brings with it an alien plague that challenges mankind in=
a way no other has ever done. Dr. Avery Hutton is both the narrator of thi=
s story and part of the experiment to bring back complex life. His effort s= hould have been safe, as these samples were limited to space station Randle= man, in orbit above Earth. It would have been, if the plague had been anyth= ing like Earthly plagues. But, it's not.

Events unfold with high-octane tension and high-tech revelation as Dr. Hutt=
on discovers that the Hortus microbes contain properties that make them uni= quely deadly and impervious to the usual obstacles faced in an alien enviro= nment like Earth. Hard science is nicely wound into the story, from issues =
of adaptation and repeat exposures to how Beta Strain life moves from quara= ntine to a threat. The cure might require mass gene therapy or leaps in inf= ectious disease control.

So many facets of this story feel familiar to modern-day pandemic experienc=
e that Alien Plague should receive additional attention from those who will=
find its interpersonal dialogues and reactions frighteningly similar to to= day's methods of addressing COVID. As a total breach of containment looms, = Dr. Hutton may be the only man able to save humanity from what it has broug=
ht back from the stars.

Readers who anticipate an action-packed thriller alone, such as Michael Cri= chton's Andromeda Strain, will find more psychological depth in the charact= ers' interactions in Alien Plague. Dr. Hutton and his boss, Dr. Diane Victo= rovich, make headway in their research and their efforts to control disaste=
r by creating yet another virus, drawing readers into a futuristic story th=
at holds many familiar-sounding quandaries. The story may be set in the dis= tant future, but its relevance both in building interpersonal and professio= nal relationships and its methods of addressing threat and evolving surviva=
l tactics will resonate beyond the usual sci-fi audience.

Libraries looking for genre crossovers that tap into modern experiences, ye=
t pose an otherworldly conundrum, will find Alien Plague an intriguing read=
recommendable to a wide audience of sci-fi, thriller, and social issues re= aders alike.

Forged of Fire
Stacy Von Haegert
https://stacyvonhaegert.com
Dragon Crest Publishing
B0BMSKYXPF, $17.99 Hardcover/$11.99 Paper/$3.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/Forged-Fire-Adult-Fantasy-Book-ebook/dp/B0BC6LPG55

Forged of Fire is the first fantasy in a new adult trilogy. It opens in 776=
BCE where Zander's father (the king) oversees a ritual that promises eithe=
r death or rebirth to its participants. It's one which could change the bal= ance of power and Zander's own future, but a surprise twist introduces dark= ness into the ritual to produce unexpected results.

Fast forward to the present, where retired warrior and royal Ashdon LaGorye=
n seeks a solitary, peaceful life, only to find that the House of the Drago=
n has stretched its talons and powers beyond the usual boundaries to immers=
e him in conflict and new possibilities for his future.

Kielyn Allister also finds herself transported into realms she never knew e= xisted as she faces the stuff of legends via a "farce of a marriage" to a v= ampire and a new life in a castle. The meeting of these minds (and hearts) = produces (perhaps an inevitable) romance, but also creates a dangerously po= werful connection where a legend seems to have predetermined their destinie=
s. All they have to do is walk into their new roles. Or defy them.

The blend of romance, fantasy, and intrigue simmers tension and twists of s= tory, inviting those beyond the usual fantasy genre followers to appreciate=
the special challenges faced by two strong characters whose union is not e= xactly on either's radar. Of added value are dashes of humor which present = irony and interest to spice the story's action. All these elements contribu=
te to the trappings of a fantasy which is a cut above the ordinary genre pr= oduction in its embrace of both adversity and growth-inducing new possibili= ties for each of its main characters.

Readers will find much more than an attraction between a moral and an immor= tal in Forged of Fire. Its story of adaptation and revised perceptions of t=
he world and one's place in it creates believable, engaged characters whose=
decisions are unpredictable and involving.

Libraries seeking new adult fantasies forged in fiery confrontations, nefar= ious deals, and dragons will relish the different brand of psychological an=
d interpersonal confrontations that marks Forged of Fire.

The Triumph of Beauty
Robert Albo
Independently Published
9798366081894, $14.99 Paper/$4.99 ebook

https://www.amazon.com/TRIUMPH-BEAUTY-DARK-MATTER-NECKLACE/dp/B0BMYLQGPG

The Triumph of Beauty adds to the Dark Matter Necklace series and is set in=
2052. Alice Blair wakes up in the future sporting a middle-aged body and t=
he knowledge that she was responsible for changing the course of humanity, = producing a drug-dependent world that quashes hope and dreams. All her frie= nds have grown up, literally overnight, leaving her alone in this future wo= rld, with its new technology and frightening lack of positive possibilities=
..

Alice has managed to form new daily routines, navigating this strange milie=
u through special spider glasses, but is determined to rectify her bad infl= uence of the past to lead the world into a better milieu. This effort invol= ves interacting with a power-hungry artificial intelligence, making a deal = with it to re-introduce beauty to a forsaken world in exchange for helping =
it get to an alien planet.

Young adults who choose this book (and who have a grounding in the prior bo= oks in the series) will find Alice's challenges and determination powers a = sci-fi scenario that is anything but predictable. This new society's blind = obedience to authority, sacrificing beauty in the process, leads Alice to t= raverse dangerous territory both on Earth and beyond it as she makes an imp= ossible deal and searches past history for salvation via her connection to = dark matter. She is the only one who can embark on this process of personal=
and global redemption, and her choices and challenges will determine the f= ate of humanity itself.

Robert Albo's thought-provoking and wide-ranging adventure embraces the spi= rit of a young woman who doesn't settle for guilt over the results of her p= ast actions, but decides to remain proactive and engaged in the future.

While The Triumph of Beauty both adds to the series and creates a stand-alo=
ne story of achievement against all odds, it also holds many possibilities = for discussion points that would lend to a YA sci-fi book club audience's e= njoyment and debates.

From truth and lies to the wellsprings of inspiration and possibility, The = Triumph of Beauty crafts a story that deserves a prominent place in any YA = collection (and many an adult sci-fi holding) where there's an interest in = stories that move beyond fast-paced action and technological challenge into=
arenas of moral and ethical quandary and discovery.

Tiny Tin House
L. Maristatter
Niffycat Press
https://www.niffycatpress.com
9798986631110, $34.99, HC, 344pp

https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Tin-House-L-Maristatter/dp/B0BCV3NJMW

Synopsis: In the Christian States of America, a woman's place is with a man=
.. No exceptions. Therfore, although she's legally an adult, eighteen-year-o= ld Meryn Flint must live at home until her stepfather, Ray, finds her a hus= band. That's the law.

But when Ray kills her mother and Meryn must flee for her own safety, she q= uickly discovers there's no safe place in the CSA for a woman on the run. U= nless she's willing to marry her former boyfriend (a man who's already demo= nstrated his capacity for violence) she'll be forced to live on the street.=
And that's a dangerous option for a woman alone.

As time runs out, Meryn is offered a third path: build herself a tiny house=
, a safe place to call home. Even though it's a violation of her Family Dut=
y as well as every moral law on the books, Meryn seizes the chance. --- But=
even a tiny tin house might not be enough to save her!

Critique: A dystopian science fiction novel that is a believable extrapolat= ion of current social, cultural, and religious attempts to restrict and rol=
e back the rights and freedoms of women, "Tiny Tin House" is a masterfully = crafted and riveting novel populated throughout by memorable characters. Wh= ile especially and unreservedly recommended for community library Science F= iction collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Tin=
y Tin House" is also available in a paperback edition (9798986631103, $17.9=
9) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $7.99).

Editorial Note: L Maristatter (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLMaristatter)=
is a self-described Christian liberal feminist and has published poetry in=
Songbirds Southwest and fiction in The Saturday Evening Post. She is on Fa= cebook and Twitter (regularly), and Instagram and TikTok (when she's feelin=
g brave).

Blank
Nanette L. Avery
https://www.nanetteavery.biz
Book Baby Publishers
www.bookbaby.com
9781667852522, $14.99, PB, 290pp

https://www.amazon.com/Blank-Nanette-L-Avery/dp/1667852523

Synopsis: With the publication of "Blank", science fiction author Nanette L=
.. Avery imagines the world just resetting itself -- everything goes Blank, = and humankind can't remember the past. No one knows how much time has passe=
d since the Blank; no one remembers much of the time before.

Set in a dystopian version of Earth, where seeds are used to barter for goo= ds, we meet the sisters Danube and Amazon Rivers along with the Bailiwick b= rothers, Alabama and Nebraska. The four youths grew up in the same town, an=
d one day they stumbled across the mysterious Alice, who appeared out of no= where. But unlike the four and their mundane lives, Alice knows how the wor=
ld came to be in its current state.

Told in the third person while displaying multiple character points of view=
, "Blank" distinguishes life not endowed with ready-made meaning and the ch= aracters who are responsible for creating their own. The world everyone kne=
w before is gone, and the one they have ended up in operates by a completel=
y different set of rules. Alice's existence may very well destroy what huma= nity has rebuilt, but she must complete the mission she was entrusted with =
at any cost.

Critique: Original, imaginative, deftly crafted, and a fun read for all ded= icated science fiction fans, "Blank" is unreservedly recommended for person=
al reading lists and community library Science Fiction collections. It shou=
ld be noted that "Blank" is also readily available in a digital book format=
(Kindle, $2.99).

Editorial Note: Nanette L. Avery (https://www.nanetteavery.biz) is an eclec= tic author who transcends many genres. Acclaimed by Forward Reviews for her=
impressive tribute to the Southern Gothic in her debut novel "A Curious Ho= st" (2016).

Stealing God And Other Stories
Bruce McAllister
Aeon Press
https://www.aeonpresspdx.com
9780993468216, $14.95, PB, 262pp

https://www.amazon.com/Stealing-Other-Stories-Bruce-McAllister/dp/099346821=
7

Synopsis: "Stealing God And Other Stories" is a compendium of eighteen orig= inal and deftly crafted short stories by Bruce McAllister. Among them are t= ales of a young woman in an abandoned house brings ruin to every man she me= ets; A wise-cracking hitman is recruited by an angel of God to kill the old= est vampire on Earth; A son travels into the past to find the mother he los=
t; and more.

If there is one thread of a message common to each of them is that nothing =
is more important than realizing just what it means to be human.

Critique: With a special appeal to readers with an interest in the paranorm= al, as well as urban science fiction and fantasy, each one of these careful=
ly crafted and original stories by Hugo and Nebula nominee Bruce McAllister=
showcases hist genuine flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling=
that keeps and holds his reader's full attention. While unreservedly recom= mended for the personal reading lists of dedicated science fiction/fantasy = fans, "Stealing God And Other Stories" is certain to be an immediately welc= ome and enduringly popular addition to community library Science Fiction & = Fantasy collections.

Editorial Note: Bruce McAllister is a writer of literary fiction and of fan= tasy, science fiction and thriller fiction, which he's been publishing prof= essionally since he was sixteen. From l974 to l997 he taught at the Univers= ity of Redlands in southern California, where he helped establish and direc=
t writing programs. Since l998 he has worked as a writing coach and book an=
d screenplay consultant. His short fiction has appeared in literary quarter= lies, national magazines, original anthologies, "year's best" anthologies a=
nd college readers; won awards from Glimmer Train magazine and the National=
Endowment for the Arts; and been a finalist for Hugo, Nebula, Shirley Jack= son, New Letters, and Narrative magazine awards. His non-fiction articles o=
n sports, popular science and writing have appeared in a variety of magazin=
es and newspapers.

The Keeper's Six
Kate Elliott
Tordot.com
c/o Tor/Forge Books
www.tor-forge.com
9781250769077, $19.99, HC, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Keepers-Six-Kate-Elliott/dp/1250769078

Synopsis: It's been a year since Esther set foot in the Beyond, the alien l= andscape stretching between worlds, crossing boundaries of space and time. = She and her magical traveling party (her Hex) haven't spoken since the Conc= ilium banned them from the Beyond for a decade. But when she wakes in the m= iddle of the night to her grown son's cry for help, the members of her Hex = are the only ones she can trust to help her bring him back from wherever he=
has been taken.

There are terrors that dwell in the space between worlds and Esther will ha=
ve to risk everything to find him. Undercover and hidden from the Concilium=
, she and her Hex will be tested by false dragon lords, a darkness so dense=
it can suffocate, and the bones of an old crime come back to haunt her.

Critique: Simply stated, "The Keeper's Six" by Kate Elliott is a riveting r= ead that will have a very special appeal to fans of action/adventure fantas=
y novels. Adding "The Keeper's Six" to the author's long list of Kate Ellio= tt's consistently original and entertaining novels, it should be noted for = community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections, as well as the per= sonal reading lists of her legions of fans that this latest book is also av= ailable in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99).

Editorial Note: Kate Elliott (http://kateelliott.com) has been writing scie= nce fiction and fantasy for 30 years, after bursting onto the scene with Ja= ran. She is best known for her Crown of Stars epic fantasy series and the N=
ew York Times bestselling YA fantasy Court of Fives. Elliott's particular f= ocus is immersive world-building & centering women in epic stories of adven= ture, amidst transformative cultural change.

Conquer the Kingdom
Jennifer Estep
https://www.jenniferestep.com
Harper Voyager
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
9780063023468, $19.99, PB, 432pp

https://www.amazon.com/Conquer-Kingdom-Gargoyle-Queen-Novel/dp/0063023466

Synopsis: Time is running out for crown princess Gemma Ripley. Despite bein=
g a cunning spy and a powerful mind magier, Gemma hasn't been able to track=
down the most dangerous enemy her kingdom of Andvari has ever seen. Adding=
to her worries is the Sword and Shield tournament. With gladiators flockin=
g to the capital city of Glanzen, Gemma can't tell who is friend or foe.

Determined to protect Andvari at any cost, Gemma hatches a bold plan, but t= hings aren't what they seem. Soon, everything she holds dear is being threa= tened, including her burgeoning relationship with Prince Leonidas Morricone=
..

With the kingdom she holds dear slipping through her fingers, Gemma will ha=
ve to conquer her fear and unlock the true secret of her magic -- or watch = her friends and family die and her beloved Andvari fall.

Critique: A riveting novel of magic, adventure, romance and fantasy, "Conqu=
er the Kingdom" by novelist Jennifer Estep is the third and final volume of=
the author's epic fantasy series 'Gargoyle Queen'. While available for ded= icated fantasy fans in a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and as a comp= lete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9798212207799, $41.99, CD=
), "Conquer the Kingdom" will prove to be a prized and popular addition to = community library Science Fiction & Fantasy collections.

Editorial Note: Jennifer Estep (https://www.jenniferestep.com) is an urban = fantasy author who prowls the streets of her imagination in search of her n= ext fantasy idea. She is the author of more than fifty books in the Crown o=
f Shards series, the Elemental Assassin series, the Mythos Academy series, = and others, along with numerous novellas.

Not Your Ex's Hexes
April Asher
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250808011, $16.99, PB, 352pp

https://www.amazon.com/Not-Your-Hexes-Supernatural-Singles/dp/1250808014

Synopsis: For her entire life, Rose Maxwell trained to become the next Prim=
a on the Supernatural Council. Now that she's stepped down, it's time for t= his witch to focus on herself. And not think about her impulsive one-night = stand with Damian Adams, a half-Demon Veterinarian who she can't get out of=
her head. Neither of them is looking for a relationship. But when Rose is = sentenced to community service at Damian's animal sanctuary it becomes impo= ssible for them to ignore their sparking attraction. A friends-with-benefit=
s, no feelings, no strings arrangement works perfectly for them both.

After a sequence of dead-end jobs, it's not until Rose tangos with two snar=
ly demons that she thinks she's finally found her path. However, this puts = Damian back on the periphery of a world he thought he left behind. He doesn=
't approve of Rose becoming a Hunter, but if there's one thing he's learned=
about the stubborn witch, it was telling her not to do something was one s= ure-fire way to make sure she did.

Working (and sleeping) together awakens feelings Damian never knew he had -=
- and shouldn't have. Because thanks to his ex's hex, if he falls in love, = he'll not only lose his heart, but his humanity as well!

Critique: A fun read from cover to cover, "Not Your Ex's Hexes" by Apri Ash=
er will have a tremendous appeal to readers with an interest in paranormal = romantic comedies. While also available for personal reading lists of dedic= ated Occult Romance fans in both a digital book format (Kindle, $11.99) and=
as a complete and unabridged audio book (Dreamscape Media, 9781666628562, = $22.99, CD), this unique and deftly crafted novel is especially and unreser= vedly recommended for community library Fantasy Fiction and Occult Romance = collections.

Editorial Note April Asher (https://www.aprilhuntbooks.com/april-asher-book= s.html) was hooked on romantic stories from the time she first snuck a bodi= ce-ripper romance out from her mom's bedside table. She now pens laugh-out-= loud romantic comedies with a paranormal twist, but when she's not putting = her characters into embarrassing situations with supernatural entities, she=
also writes high-octane romantic suspense as April Hunt, her thrill-seekin=
g alter ego.

Earth Builder
David Kirkland
Vanguard Press
www.vanguardpressbooks.com
c/o Perseus Books Group
https://www.perseusbooks.com
9781800163423, $15.99, PB, 346pp

https://www.amazon.com/Earth-Builder-David-Kirkland/dp/1800163428

Synopsis: He's no hero. He never wanted to be a hero. He is simply all that=
's available at the time. Now not so much guided as pushed, he must undergo=
several structural rebuilds that enable him to save first humanity and fin= ally the galaxy itself.

Critique: Effectively written in a first person narrative, "Earth Builder" =
by David Kirkland will have a very special appeal to science fiction fans. =
An inherently interesting, unique, and extensive storyline by an author of = impressive narrative driven storytelling skills, "Earth Builder" is recomme= nded for community and academic library Science Fiction collections. It sho= uld be noted for personal reading lists that "Earth Builder" is also readil=
y available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).

Editorial Note: David Kirkland (https://pegasuspublishers.com/authors/david= -kirkland) has worked in the building trade all his life, starting with his=
father and being joined by his brother, then finally working alone as a so=
le trader. He has also trained in Reiki, reaching Level 3 (Master), and var= ious martial arts. He believes that this planet and humanity are fantastic,=
and that we are finally starting to evolve and to see the planet for what =
it is: home.

Consecrated Ground
Virginia Black
http://virginiablackwrites.com
Bywater Books
P.O. Box 3671, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-3671
www.bywaterbooks.com
9781612942551, $18.95, PB, 248pp

https://www.amazon.com/Consecrated-Ground-Virginia-Black/dp/1612942555

Synopsis: Like her father before her, Joan Matthews is a witch. For generat= ions, their family of binder witches has protected Calvert, Oregon from vam= pires by strengthening the land with spellcraft. Pushing back against tradi= tion, Joan defied her father and left town to become a war witch, one who f= ights the monsters hand-to-hand. But when her father dies, Joan returns to = find her hometown assailed by a vampire lord's endless attacks -- and the a= nswers lie with the one woman who chose a rival over Joan.

Leigh Phan once believed her heart was safe and her future was set. When Jo=
an left town, Leigh's choices led to ruin and unintended consequences. Now = Leigh harbors a dark secret forcing her to live a moment-to-moment existenc=
e. Her only hope of survival lies in trusting the war witch who left her be= hind.

Now it's up to Joan to fight for a town she left behind, while Leigh faces =
a destiny she never imagined was possible. With Calvert on the brink of tot=
al destruction, Joan and Leigh join forces and face inconvenient truths in = order to save their town - - and each other.

Critique: A gripping novel of dark fantasy, "Consecrated Ground" by Virgini=
a Black will have a very special appeal to fans of action/adventure vampire=
and witchcraft novel. Of particular interest to members of the LGBTQ commu= nity, "Consecrated Ground" is unreservedly recommended for community librar=
y Science Fiction & Fantasy collections. It should be noted for personal re= ading lists that "Consecrated Ground" is also available in digital book for= mat (Kindle, $9.49).

Editorial Note: Virginia Black (http://virginiablackwrites.com) writes cont= emporary romance and speculative/science fiction. All her stories feature p= rominent lesbian characters. Her literary works include four short stories = ("Season Finale"; "Love Undaunted"; "Constant"; and "Reclamation". "Consecr= ated Ground" is her first published novel. She has also written several fan=
fiction stories in multiple fandoms, and all of them can be found on Fanfi= ction.net or AO3 (Archive Of Our Own, https://archiveofourown.org).

What Price Victory?
David Weber
Baen Books
P.O. Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
www.baen.com
9781982192419, $27.00

https://www.amazon.com/Price-Victory-Worlds-Honor-Weber/dp/1982192410

What Price Victory? is the seventh book in the Worlds of Honor series begun=
by David Weber, and provides new stories by Weber, Timothy Zahn and Thomas=
Pope, and others who contribute their space opera tales to expand the 'Hon= orverse.' Military sci-fi fans, especially those with prior familiarity wit=
h Weber's world, will find the action-packed collection compliment the new = Weber novella "First Victory" and provide a diverse series of compelling ad= ventures to attract newcomers to Weber's universe.

Baen Books
P.O. Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
www.baen.com

Two new releases from Baen are intriguing works that deserve attention from=
sci-fi audiences.

https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Man-Walking-country-supernatural/dp/0727895222

Simon R. Green's Dead Man Walking (9781982192433, $17.00) returns supernatu= ral detective Ishmael Jones to a new case. Here, he confronts the murder of=
a rogue secret agent whose body vanishes. All this takes place in one of t=
he most secure interrogation centers in the world. Ishmael's probe into the=
mystery reveals secrets and too many deaths as sci-fi blends with intrigue=
in a moving story of revelation and change.

https://www.amazon.com/High-Noon-Proxima-David-Boop/dp/1982192429

David Boop edits High Noon on Proxima B (9781982192426, $18.00), packed wit=
h ten tales of an alternate West which may not exist in past history, but i=
n the future. From a Western being filmed on a colony ship which turns all = too real for its participants to a soldier hiding from her choices, the col= lection features a few familiar names such as Walter Jon Williams paired wi=
th others such as Thea Hutcheson and David Boop to create a diverse display=
of disparate talents that take the Western theme, integrate with sci-fi el= ements, and produce rollicking good tales.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte= rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi= duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo= rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat= ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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