As I start to share all these science fiction, fantasy, mystery and romance book recommendations in blog post form, I have to admit it’s great to revisit some old book recommendations about some of my favourite books. These book recommendations are important to read because before writers become writers, they are readers. Therefore, please enjoy these fantasy and science fiction book recommendations from April 2023.
Fiction River Amongst The Stars
This is a major science fiction week on this Facebook page because tomorrow I'm launching a science fiction Kickstarter but until then, I really want to give you a great book recommendation this week. I want to recommend "Fiction River Presents: Among The Star" edited by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. I really loved this book because it is all about my favourite area of science fiction, it's all about space opera. I love space opera because as Kris said it is all about ships that go whoosh, and that great exploration of ships and the hope and wonder that come from the subgenre seriously shines through in this great book. From people getting trapped out in space to blobs getting trained by the military to old people getting new models to save humanity. There are tons of great stories that I absolutely loved and that's why I recommend it. Also, what I like about Fiction River books is that all the books show you how clear, varied and fascinating each subgenre is. As well as this is a great learning experience about what space opera is all about. and how it merges with military science fiction with some funny and brilliant results. This was a particular treat for me because there are so many of my favourite authors including Dean Wesley Smith, Dayle A. Dermatis, Louisa Swann, Brigid Collins and more So if you want some fun science fiction this week definitely check out "Fiction River Presents Among The Stars" available at all major booksellers.
Dead Money By Dean Wesley Smith
Over the weekend I finished a great book that I've been meaning to read for ages, so this week's book recommendation is "Dead Money" by Dean Wesley Smith. I wanted to recommend the book because I don't read thrillers very often because they aren't typically my sort of book, but I had heard a lot of good things about this one. And thankfully this brilliant book didn't disappoint. Of course, I can't say too much without giving the book away but the thriller follows the gripping story of professional poker player Doc Hill as he races against time to stop a madman getting nine keys dangerous enough to threaten the entire US. That's the jist of it and I loved it not only because the tension, suspense and fast-paced nature of it all. That's just what writing a good thriller is, but I liked the characters. There are a ton of different characters that pop up from time to time and Doc Hill is such a great character that knows exactly what to do. That the range of characters makes the book feel real, alive and like you're living the story with the characters perfectly. If you want a really fast-paced thriller this week then definitely check out "Dead Money". Available at all major booksellers.
Making A Chance For The Stranger By Kari Kilgore
As readers and people who have these annoying things called "lives" that take us away from our books, we sometimes get all caught up reading other things. That happened to me this week because I've been tapping away at my issues of Pulphouse Fiction Magazine and as great as they are I can't recommend them again because I only recommended them a few weeks ago. So I had to scramble but as soon as I saw "Making A Chance For A Stranger" by Kari Kilgore Kari Kilgore I couldn't believe I hadn't recommended it before. You might know by now that I am a massive fan of Kari's books and I always look forward to reading what she writes, and this short story is no exception. I can't say too much because I might spoil it but this is a brilliant private eye mystery with a fantasy twist. I read this a while ago but it follows the wonderful story of a female sleuth (my favourite type of sleuth) as she tries to help someone solve the mystery of who's messing with their house. And if you even think a second that this trope or idea has been done to death then rest assured that Kari reinvents this plotline in a brilliant, gripping and fascinating new way involving little fantasy creatures. I cannot recommend this great mystery story enough for its plot, delightful characters and everything else that goes on. There is a reason why I write Kari and I also promote her stuff with these book recommendations. Definitely check it out at all major booksellers.
Will You Still Love Me In Five Minutes By Dean Wesley Smith
There are times when all of us readers read really popular books that turn out to not be to our reader tastes, that happened to me this week, so the story I was fully intending to recommend turned out to be awful. Instead I'm recommending this absolutely brilliant short story called "Will You Still Love Me In Five Minutes?" By Dean Wesley Smith. Now I will never hide the fact that I love Marble Grant books and stories. She is brilliant, she is funny and they are just brilliant stories that I never want to stop reading. I seriously do recommend the entire series, but this one is extra special. This is classic Marble Grant and Marble Grant at her best. Since we follow Marble and her partner Sims when they encounter two narcissistic psychopaths that want to kill the other for their imaginary money, because each of them has lied about being superrich to the other. So we follow the brilliant story about her Marble goes about stopping them from killing each other or anyone. It's funny, enthralling and it really does sum up the entire reason why I love these stories. They are pure escapism by a master storyteller. Definitely check it out. Available at all major booksellers.
I hope you enjoyed these book recommendations and if you want to see some of my own fantasy, science fiction, mystery and romance books. Then please click the hyperlink on the genre you want to explore. You won’t regret exploring these great books.
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