book recommendations

Read more about the article New Sci-Fi Crime Releases

New Sci-Fi Crime Releases

If you enjoyed the stories in CROOKED volumes 1 and 2, you'll be delighted to hear that the authors are an industrious bunch. Many have new books out in their well-loved series — or are launching new series entirely. Read on for a round-up of this winter's new releases from some of the fabulous authors I've been privileged to work with as part of CROOKED! (Note that a lot of these books are further on in the series — follow the links to pick up the first book in the series if you haven't already.) Huntress at the Helm by Greg Dragon…

Read more about the article Gifts for Readers: 2021 Edition

Gifts for Readers: 2021 Edition

Oh, hello! Welcome to my gift guide for readers for 2021. Got a reader on your shopping list? Are their reading tastes weird like mine? You're in the right place. These aren't the "Best books of 2021." Nor is this a comprehensive list of books I think are worth gifting. Rather, this is a list of books I personally read in the last year or so that I wholeheartedly recommend. Books I've been dying to shout about. Books that, were we standing next to each other right now, I would put directly in your hands and insist you purchase. There…

Read more about the article Dispatches From Anarres, or Don’t Disappoint Denzel Washington

Dispatches From Anarres, or Don’t Disappoint Denzel Washington

I'm convinced Denzel Washington just wants you to live your best life. In The Equalizer, he walks into the bad guy's office with a simple offer: Take some money, make things right, and turn over a new leaf. The offer's too simple, though. Denzel's character is too unassuming — and so the bad guys laugh him out of the office. Denzel walks to the door and sighs sadly at what's about to happen. Then he locks the door, checks his watch, and proceeds to demolish every last bad guy with intense precision. Guys. Don't disappoint Denzel. I love the trope…

Read more about the article [Podcast] A conversation with Bookpod

[Podcast] A conversation with Bookpod

I love to read, but I don't have a ton of time, which is why I'm always looking for book recommendations. If I'm going to read something, I want it to be good! That's why I'm so excited to tell you about this new book recommendation podcast that's hitting earbuds near you. (Is that a thing I can say? Earbuds near you? Guess I'm going for it.) Bookpod: the Indie Filter Podcast, is specifically aimed at helping readers find indie authors they love. Ben and Sarah Nadler read indie-pubbed books to find their favorites, then interview authors to talk about…

Read more about the article Looking for Some Hopeful Science Fiction?

Looking for Some Hopeful Science Fiction?

Lately, I've been in the mood for hopeful science fiction. Maybe it's the new year, maybe it's being in the throes of winter, or maybe it's just that I'm a bit over SF/F shows and books where everyone stabs everyone else in the back, and the moral is that life's tough and then you die. I'm craving hope. Trust. The prevalence of justice. Friendship against all odds. If you're craving that as well, this blog post is for you. These books aren't necessarily light reads,  but they are the sorts of books where you can expect things to turn out all…

Read more about the article Happy Birthday, Negative Return!

Happy Birthday, Negative Return!

It's been over a year since I released Negative Return.While I had hoped to have less of a gap in my publishing schedule this time around, part of the reason for the delay is that I'm saving up my words to give you something really exciting later this year.I'm not yet ready to announce release dates, but I do have another Durga System novella and three full-length novels in the works for sometime in the winter.You'll be hearing more over the next few months as I get things finalized and can share bits of books with you. (Stay tuned for…

Read more about the article Summer Shenanigans

Summer Shenanigans

Last weekend, I went with some girlfriends to Tillamook, Oregon for a getaway weekend. If you've never been to Tillamook, it's best known for its dairy industry — so of course we visited Blue Heron creamery to sample delicious brie and feed the animals.(That's me as a bull above, with my friend and fellow author Alexis, writing as Alexis Radcliff, as a peacock. Photo by Kristin Koontz.)I find summers fun, but exhausting. While Portland winters are designed for hunkering down and getting work done, as soon as we get our stretch of rain-free summer days we try to pack in…

Read more about the article How Do You Organize Your Books?

How Do You Organize Your Books?

One of my first freelance writing clients was a company called Onefinestay, which is like Airbnb for fancy rich people. I loved seeing all the photos of these incredible homes I was writing about — but one thing always struck me as odd.Their bookshelves.They were so.... stylish. Organized by color and height, like the one above — rather than.... you know.By book.I've seen this trend pop up a few times in the last few months, which has gotten me wondering — is organizing your books by color normal? Part of me really loves the aesthetic. After all, that's how I organize my thread:…

Read more about the article Hello! It is I, someone who maybe can write words.

Hello! It is I, someone who maybe can write words.

Last month, I typed "the end" on the next Durga System novel.(Novel! Full length!)I stood up, stretched, and thought, "Just a light polish and we'll be good to go!"Then I gave the manuscript to my husband and it came back looking like the snippet in the photo above.*headdesk*Anyway, all that to say that this is a short (and late) email because I'm in revision prison for another few days. But rest assured, a new Durga System story is on it's way — and it's gonna be good!  For your To-Be-Read list The one thing I have been doing lately (besides screaming…

Is it… Adventure Time?

Years ago when I worked at the Seattle Repertory Theater as a house manager, one of my coworkers (Hi Rachel!) gave me this card. It made me laugh a decade ago, and it still does now. That's why it's still pinned above my desk, eight-ish moves later.I like going on adventures, and although I'm not sure I'd take a chance on Omaha with Paco the trapeze artist, I get a kick out of imagining just what Omaha-ian wonders he could show me. I guess that's why I'm a writer. And I guess going on adventures is why we both (you and me, I…