More summer reads!
adding more books (and their authors!) to the recommendation list!
My husband and I have in the last few years made the acquaintance of several really awesome folks who happen to be great writers too! In my desire to both support them and bring attention to their work, I present to you another list of “books to read this summer.”
Beyond Cascadia Series
by S. K. Pierzchala
I’ve mentioned author S. Kirk Pierzchala before, but I want to bring attention to her again and her Beyond Cascadia series because she is such a good writer and because I know that her next volume will be coming out soon, so I would encourage you to get the back list read to be ready for the next. My husband has had the privilege to beta read both book 5 and the forthcoming book, and he is blown away by the quality of this books. As he says, if you would like to see Tom Clancy writing near dystopian thrillers, you’ll love S. K. Pierzchala!
Learn more about her at her website, and check out Amazon for the novels!
Supporting Ragnarok
by Cedar Sanderson & Sandford Begley
Cedar Sanderson has built a great reputation for both her books and her art, and this is her first novel co-written with her husband.
Valhalla is no place for a loggie. But Master Sergeant (Logistics) Danny Pederson made a career error and died heroically in combat after thirty years of nice boring supply work. He woke up dead to learn he’s stuck in a nightmare of unending battle called Valhalla. Seems the recruiters lied about Valhalla too.
Now, the only hope he has is to carry out the mission given by a mysterious messenger. Whether he likes it or not, they have to support Ragnarok… if that battle can ever happen to bring everything to an end.
Danny’s pissed, and he just wanted to go fishing. He’s about to take Ragnarok to the throat of the gods themselves. After inventory is complete.
Learn more about Cedar and her work at her website or her substack, and visit Amazon for the book!
Athenaeum Series
by Dan Kemp
Dan Kemp has three novels so far in this high octane, high adventure series set in a shadowy world of espionage, private military contractors, criminal organizations and government agencies where the good guys and bad guys are often one and the same. Canon Publishing who printed this has a reputation for quality works, and Dan earns his place in their catalog.
Learn more about Dan at his website, and visit Amazon or Canon Publishing to find his books, including the Athenaeum, Inc. series!
The Bell Chronicles
by Jim Curtis
I and my husband met Jim briefly in 2023 at Fantasci, and was gifted the second book in this series. My dad is a lover of westerns and was looking for a good novel to read, and I promptly handed him this book. Not only did he love it, so did my mother, and I made sure to pick up the first of the series, which they both loved just as much. They are waiting patiently for the next book in the series!
In addition to his writing, Jim maintains a blog and a biweekly podcast on Youtube. He’s got a good sense of humor, a pile of common sense, and an interesting take on life, so be sure to look him up in addition to his novels!
Vice Noir Anthology
by Raconteur Press
“Your standard noir detective knows the abyss, and has armoured himself against it. He fights monsters, because someone has to, and his moral code demands that someone stand in the breach. His moral code is more externally-focused: “Someone has to do it.” The Vice Noir protagonist, on the other hand, has looked into the abyss … and the abyss winked. He lives in the bright sunshine, among pretty people — because the night, the alleys, and the adrenaline are way too attractive, too addictive, too comfortable … and he knows it. He is Sonny Crockett, living on a yacht with a gator named Elvis; he is Fiddler, in his beach cottage, with his lime tree, and his koi; both of them trying to build up the antibodies before the abyss whispers, and they leap headlong. Again.” - from the introduction by LawDog
If you’ve read many of my posts, you’ll know I’m a big support of the “Best Little Publishing House in Texas”. Lawdog and the rest at Rac Press are great folks with a vision to provide outstandingly good books to their readers while also treating their authors like gold AND providing a leg up and a lot of support for brand new writers looking to get into the game. With 56 anthologies and counting, 3 novels and more on the way, and 3 boys books, they have plenty of options for even the most picky of readers, and a vision for expansion in the future. So check out the latest book and make sure to follow them to keep up with their announcements for upcoming projects!
Boys Own Starship
by Christopher G. Nuttall
If you are looking for something to keep your sons (and your daughters) entertained and to inspire their imaginations and dreams, Raconteur Press is providing quality reading material aiming to do just that with their second middle grade boys adventure story by Christopher G. Nuttall
Young brothers Eric and John, eager to break free from their earthbound lives, rebuild a starship from scrapped freighters. Joined by their reluctant sister Maryam as their guardian, they chase their missing parents’ legacy among the stars. it's a dangerous galaxy out there, full of con artists, traitors, space pirates, and stranded space liners. The siblings work together to outsmart their enemies, save their ship, and achieve their dreams.
Inspired by Heinlein’s Juvenile classics, this thrilling adventure weaves action, hard-earned lessons, and unbreakable family bonds. Will the crew of the Max Jones conquer the galaxy or return to Earth defeated? Join their exhilarating journey of courage and discovery!
If you like this, check out Rac Press’s substack above, and also check out more of Christopher Nuttall’s works!