I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle

Publication Date: May 14, 2024

Gaius Aurelius Constantine Heliogabalus Thrax (just call him Robert) is a dragon exterminator who hates his job. His dream is to work for a prince as his valet and he’s burdened with the incredible guilt of killing dragons which, in his home kingdom of Bellemontagne, infest homes like vermin. He trained with his father and now 18-year-old Robert has his own apprentice. When Robert is called by the King to exterminate the dragons in the walls of the castle, Robert is thrust into an adventure which will either be the end of him or the beginning of a new life.

 

 Back in July, I stopped in at River Bookshop, my local indie bookstore, and asked the young person working the till for a book recommendation telling them that I am a big fan of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett and am always looking for authors like them. They recommended I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle. While technically falling into the YA category, this book is spot on to the whimsical spirit of Pratchett. This is why you patronize your local Indie booksellers’ folks; I never would have picked up this book without the recommendation.  

Continue reading I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle

Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers

Publication Date: September 3, 2019

 

Whose Body? by Dorothy L. SayersWhose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers is the first novel of the Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey series. Lord Peter is financially independent and has a special hobby; he solves murder cases. When an unknown dead body is found in Mr. Thipps’s bathtub, he is on the case. With the help of his butler-friend Bunter, a talented forensic and semi-professional photographer and his friend Charles Parker, who works for Scotland Yard, he sets out to solve this mystery.

Whose Body? was released in 1928 and, like many first novels of a series, the reader is introduced to a number of characters that reappear as the series continues. The protagonist, Lord Peter was born in 1890 and is a World War I veteran. In the series, he ages in real-time making him 28 years old at the time the first book was released.

Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers is a procedural-police meets private-inspector investigation story that is told by Lord Peter and Scotland Yard inspector Parker. Therefore, readers have a great overview of all on-going investigations and can solve the crime along the way. Continue reading Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers

Romy: Book I of the 2250 Saga by Nirina Stone

Publication Date: August 14, 2015

Book Review: Romy: Book I of the 2250 Saga by Nirina Stone, science fiction trilogyIt’s 2250 and an apocalyptic event has destroyed civilization which is now divided into three categories and life is a perilous proposition. Romy is 20 years old and aspires to the highest level of society. She’s worked hard and yet seems to come up short. How will she handle the truth of her situation? Continue reading Romy: Book I of the 2250 Saga by Nirina Stone

The Fated Stars by Veronica Scott

Publication date: November 4, 2017

 

The Fated Stars by Veronica ScottIn The Fated Stars by Veronica Scott, Samell is an empathetic priest who was kidnapped and sold to a carnival where he’s forced to tell the fortunes of paying guests. He is resigned to his existence until mercenary, Larissa, steps into his tent and he sees in her a fierce spirit with the potential to keep him alive. When Samell and Larissa attract the attention of dangerous foes, can they get out alive? Continue reading The Fated Stars by Veronica Scott

The Dalai Camel: A Bizarre Tale of UnBEARable Bliss & Bewilderment by C.E. Rachlin

Publication Date: February 8, 2018

 

The Dalai Camel by C.E. Rachlin

The Dalai Camel by C.E. Rachlin is the story of a being reincarnated as a camel and searching for enlightenment. The Dalai Camel crossed oceans and continents facing adversity with his band of companions and is shares his story with the world. Continue reading The Dalai Camel: A Bizarre Tale of UnBEARable Bliss & Bewilderment by C.E. Rachlin

Four Horsemen (How to be Dead Book 4) by Dave Turner

Publication Date: January 16, 2018

 

Four Horsemen (How to be Dead Book 4) by Dave Turner

In Four Horsemen (How to be Dead Book 4) by Dave Turner, It’s 1874 and War, Famine, Conquest and Death are called upon to find a little boy from a prominent family. The boy is seen leaving his home with his father, a man who has been dead for three years. In the meantime, Death is doing his day job when he comes across a little girl named Elizabeth that can see him as he’s collecting her aunt and bringing her home. Can the Horseman find out what happened to the boy and the other children who have disappeared and what will they do about Elizabeth?  Continue reading Four Horsemen (How to be Dead Book 4) by Dave Turner

Snow White and the Seventeen Dwarfs: A Fairy Tale Satire by Ford Forkum

Publication Date: June 14, 2017

 

Snow White and the Seventeen Dwarfs: A Fairy Tale Satire by Ford ForkumSnow White and the Seventeen Dwarfs: A Fairy Tale Satire by Ford Forkum is a dark and satirical take on the cartoon version of the classic fairy tale.    Continue reading Snow White and the Seventeen Dwarfs: A Fairy Tale Satire by Ford Forkum

Lady of the Nile by Veronica Scott

Publication Date: October 30, 2017

 

Lady of the Nile by Veronica ScottIn Lady of the Nile by Veronica Scott, Khian, a decorated commander, has been assigned to Thebes to serve out his military career before returning to his farm for planting season. Tuya is one of the most trusted companions of the Pharoah’s wife. When fate throws them together for Khian to act as protector, their attraction grows. When Tuya is kidnapped, Khian is her only hope. Lady of the Nile is the seventh book in the Gods of Egypt series.    Continue reading Lady of the Nile by Veronica Scott

Zenka by Alison Brodie

Publication Date: November 6, 2017

 

Zenka by Alison BrodieIn Zenka by Alison Brodie, Zenka is a Hungarian pole dancer that mob boss Jack Murray saved from certain death. When he discovers that he has a son and finds that he’s not everything he could have hoped for, Jack asks Zenka to transform his warm-hearted and weak-spirited son. Will Jack and his son, Nicholas, turn out to be cut from the same cloth?    Continue reading Zenka by Alison Brodie

False Prophet (A Saul Marshall Thriller Book) by Richard Davis

Publication Date: January 25, 2016

 

False Prophet (A Saul Marshall Thriller Book) by Richard DavisImagine seeing your obituary in the paper just before assassins break into your home. In False Prophet (A Saul Marshall Thriller Book) by Richard Davis, a cult starts killing people and Agent Saul Marshall is on the case. When that cult kidnaps Saul’s son, he may officially be off of the case, but the rules have changed and it’s winner take all. False Prophet is the first book in the Saul Marshall Thriller series. Continue reading False Prophet (A Saul Marshall Thriller Book) by Richard Davis