What I read in October

Science Fiction

The Stars Blue Yonder by Sandra McDonald
Vigilante, A Major Ariane Kedros Novel by Laura E. Reeve
Promise of the Flame by Sylvia Engdahl
Odd Girl Out by Timothy Zahn
Steal Across the Sky by Nancy Kress

Romance

Rainbow's End by Irene Rannon
Mastered by Love by Stephanie Laurens
Montana Creeds: Dylan by Linda Lael Miller
Montana Creeds: Tyler by Linda Lael Miller
So Enchanting by Connie Brockway

Paranormal Romance

White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz
Breath of Magic by Teresa Medeiros
Guardian by Claire Felacroix
On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

Fantasy

Medalon by Jennifer Fallon
Heroes at Risk by Moira J. Moore

Go to the right of the page and click on the Goodreads button to see my rating on each of these books.

Steal Across the Sky by Nancy Kress

Science Fiction

Nancy Kress is a master at starting a story one place and ending it another. In Stealing Across the Sky I thought I knew where the story was going but had it all wrong. In the near future Earth has been visited by the Atoners, aliens who removed humans from Earth 10,000 years ago, placed them on different planets and used them in an experiment they now feel was wrong. The Atoners have chosen 21 Witnesses to visit the planets where the humans were sent to witness what was done. It looks like following the Witnesses on those planets is the story, but after the first third of the book the story moves to what happens when the Witnesses come back to Earth. The premise is good, the mystery well presented and the cast of characters keeps everything moving forward. This is an interesting what if story about humans and what we might be missing.

I have not read a Nancy Kress book since Beggars in Spain. After reading Steal Across the Sky I’ll be looking for more of her books.

TOR published Steal Across the Sky by Nancy Kress in 2009.

Heroes at Risk by Moira J. Moore

Fantasy

The fourth book in the Heroes series, Heroes at Risk, continues the story of Shield Lee Mallorough and Source Shintaro Karish. Long ago the Ancestors came to this planet with their machines. The machines did not work and most left. Among those who stayed a few developed the unique ability to stop natural disasters that made the planet hard to live on. Source Shintaro Karish has the ability to channel and stop natural disasters. Shield Lee Mallorough protects him while he works and keeps the natural forces from destroying him during the process. Both Source and Shield have extensive training before being bonded and then are paired for life. If one dies the other dies soon after.

Shintaro Karish (Called the Stallion of the Triple S) was the last person Lee Mallorough wanted to be bonded to. Heroes at Risk continues to develop the relationship/attraction between Taro and Lee while setting the stage for the next book. The Source and Shield relationship has never been called magic; in fact most do not believe magic exists. But when Lee and Taro return to their home base they find many delving into spells and magic. They are soon drawn into the trouble this is causing. Heroes at Risk is an entertaining extension of the Heroes saga. It can be read as a stand-alone but for maximum enjoyment read the first three books first.

ACE published Heroes at Risk by Moira J. Moore in 2009.

The books in the Heroes series are:

Resenting the Hero
The Hero Strikes Back
Heroes Adrift
Heroes at Risk

My TO BE READ PILE

I mentioned finding a book by Jennifer Fallon in my TBR pile. I don't know what anyone else's TBR pile looks like but here is mine. It is in three different places as well as scattered in ones and twos around the house.

Medalon by Jennifer Fallon

Fantasy

Two of my sons told me I needed to read any of Jennifer Fallon’s series. And guess what; there was one of her books in my too be read pile. Medalon, the first book in the Hythrun Chronicles, is the story of the Demon Child who was born to kill a God. Jennifer Fallon has created a complex world filled with well thought out characters. The Gods are real in this world appearing and interfering in a capricious manner. The world is often brutal and the opposing forces both interesting and terrifying. Medalon is a great start to a three-book trilogy. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

The next two books in the Hythrun Chronicles are Treasure Keep and Harshini.

TOR published Medalon by Jennifer Fallon in 2000.

Bitter Angels by C.L. Anderson

Science Fiction

Bitter Angels is extremely interesting. The fact that it is written sometimes in the first person from different characters point of view and sometimes in the third person made reading confusing. It was important at the first of each chapter to determine whose point of view I was reading. Terese Drajeske has been called back into service to investigate the murder of a friend in the Erasmus System. Nothing is as it seems and as each character tells their part of the story the pieces of the puzzle come together. There are clues to the mystery scattered through the story. It is up to the reader to put them together. All in all Bitter Angles is an excellent example of good Science Fiction writing.

C.L. Anderson is a pen name for Sarah Zettel. This is her first novel for this publisher and they must have wanted her shelved in the A's and not the Z's.

Random House published Bitter Angels by C.L. Anderson in 2009.

Vigilante, A Major Adiane Kedros Novel by Laura E. Reeve

Science Fiction

Vigilante by Laura E. Reeve is the second book in the Major Adiane Kedros series. Laura E. Reeve has again written a riveting story filled with action and betrayal. The characters are complex, the world building first rate and the plot filled with unexpected twists and turns. Vigilante is science fiction space opera at its best. Adiane and her partner Matt are caught up in a plot set off by a Terran fringe group that requires former enemies to work in a united action. Tensions rise as each tries to gain the upper hand. With all the loose ends at the conclusion of Vigilante it looks Major Adiane Kedros will be back with another book. I hope the series is long running.

Follow this link to see my post on Peacekeeper, the first book in the series.

ROC published Vigilante by Laura E. Reeve in 2009.

I purchased Vigilante at Borders. It is also available from Amazon.

Beyond the Rain by Jess Granger

Futuristic Romance

It is always a treat to find a new author that writes a good futuristic romance. Beyond the Rain is the first published book by Jess Granger and it is just such a find. This is the story of two very different people who are thrown together and must help each other in the struggle to survive. They find that their differences are what help bind them together. Beyond the Rain is set on a series of complex new alien worlds, each with its own unique culture. The world building is good; the pace is fast and the plot well developed. In Beyond the Rain the love story is blended into the action producing a very satisfying whole.

From the ending it looks like there will be at least one more book from Jess Granger set in this universe. I will be looking forward to the release.

If you think you recognize Jess Granger’s name she writes Ethel the Space Pirate, a free on-line story.

Penguin published Beyond the Rain by Jess Granger in 2009.

Beyond the Rain is available at Amazon.

Promise of the Flame by Sylvia Engdahl

Science Fiction

Promise of the Flame is the continuation of the story began in Stewards of the Flame. You can follow this link to see my post on Stewards of the Flame, the first book in the series.

I started reading Promise of the Flame as soon as it arrived and I was hooked from the first page. I picked the book up every chance I got and finally the second day finished it by staying up late. Sylvia Engdahl knows how to pace a novel and get her message across while telling an engaging and suspenseful story. Since she does not ever let the message overwhelm the story you can relax and enjoy a well-told tale of struggle and victory over huge odds. After you get through enjoying the story you can think about the message. (Since there are several I will let you find them for yourself.)

I think this is a series everyone should read. It is a though provoking story that uses a future setting to speak about some of the problems we have today. It would be a great book club book sure to bring about a spirited discussion. For a reading group discussion guide click here.

Promise of the Flame can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading Stewards of the Flame first.

Ad Stellae Books published Promise of the Flame by Sylvia Engdahl in 2009.

Both Promise of the Flame and Stewards of the Flame are available from Amazon.

The Tau Ceti Agenda by Travis S. Taylor

Military Science Fiction

In The Tau Ceti Agenda the Separatist movement is at it again. Not satisfied with escaping the Solar System (One Day on Mars) they now are trying to wipe out a large city and kill the President. Travis Taylor has written another fast paced military science fiction thriller. The Tau Ceti Agenda solves some of the mysteries left in One Day on Mars, sets up some new loose ends and has a shocker in the last chapter. It had been over a year since I read One Day on Mars but there was enough back-story included to keep me from feeling lost. I do recommend that you read One Day on Mars before reading The Tau Ceti Agenda.

Travis S. Taylor is a physicist and when he uses science he doesn’t just give it a name, he also explains how it works.

Baen published The Tau Ceti Agenda by Travis S. Taylor in 2008. If you follow the Baen link you can read several chapters of The Tau Ceti Agenda free before deciding if you want to purchase.

I purchased The Tau Ceti Agenda from Baen as an E-Book and read it on my e-Bookwise reader.

The Stars Blue Yonder by Sandra McDonald

Science Fiction

Get ready for a wild ride on a blue ouroboros. The Stars Blue Yonder is the third book in the series and the adventure continues for Terry Myell and his wife Jodenny Scott Myell. The gods have changed time and every 24 hours Terry is picked up by the blue ouroboros and transported through time and space where he meets his child, his grandchildren and Jodenny at different ages. All the time he is charged with saving mankind. Thrown into the action is the Flying Doctor (an alien who is trying to stop Terry) and a descendent who claims to be his many times removed grandchild. The action is non-stop and the plot full of surprises. The Stars Blue Yonder is a another great addition to the Science Fiction world.

While this could be a stand-alone book I recommend reading The Outback Stars and The Stars Down Under before reading The Stars Blue Yonder. All three books are very good Science Fiction.

TOR published The Stars Blue Yonder by Sandra McDonald in 2009.

The Stars Blue Yonder is available from Amazon.

Shipwrecked by Michelle Marquis

Science Fiction Romance

Shipwrecked Like Sarah’s Story(see previous post) is a novella. Michelle Marquis has written an enjoyable science Fiction Romance. Morgan has avoided Jon Lawless since she went on shore leave, drank too much and woke up to find them in bed together. Lawless regrets his past mistakes and wants to find a way to connect to Morgan. When an accident finds them stranded together Morgan is forced to face her attraction to Jon. While the premise has been used many times before the story is still enjoyable. The writing is fresh, the characters well drawn and the romance heartwarming. If you are looking for a short satisfying read pick up Shipwrecked.

Amira Press published Shipwrecked by Michelle Marquis in 2008.

Shipwrecked is available as an eBook. I purchased it at Fictionwise and read it on my eBookwise reader. If can also be downloaded to your computer. If you would like to purchase Shipwrecked and would like a 10% discount leave a comment with your email address and I will send you a discount coupon. It is also available from Amira.

Sarah’s Story (Time Displacement Corps Series: Book 1) by Delilah K. Stephans

Science Fiction Romance

Don’t have time to read a long book but want a satisfying Science Fiction Romance? Sarah’s Story may be just the thing you are looking for. Delilah K. Stephans has written a passionate time travel novella. Sarah was one of the first agents the Time Displacement Corps sent back in time. She was to be gone for only a short time but something went wrong and she was not recovered. Ten year later a Time Displacement agent finds her but while 10 years have gone by for her it has taken over 40 years for the Time Displacement Corps to find her. This changes events for Sarah and the agent. Sarah’s Story has a excellent plot, well-developed characters and a touching romance. All in all Sarah’s Story in is enjoyable short read.

Red Rose Publishing released Sarah’s Story by Delilah K. Stephans in 2009.

Sarah’s Story is available as an eBook. I purchased it at Fictionwise and read it on my eBookwise reader. If can also be downloaded to your computer. If you would like to purchase Sarah’s Story and would like a 10% discount leave a comment with your email address and I will send you a discount coupon. It is also available from Red Rose.