It’s been awhile since I posted regularly. I’ve finished revisions to my book Time’s Echo and sent it off for comments from beta readers. Which means, I’ve time to post a few book suggestions for you.
The summer has become autumn and maybe your reading tastes have changed too. Recently, I’ve read some interesting books by former and upcoming podcast guests that I think you might enjoy.
John DeDakis, a former CNN editor, has a fascinating book series about a young woman who becomes a journalist when she finds her aunt on the garage floor of their home with the car running. The police think it’s a suicide, but Lark Chadwick is not so sure. The first book in the series is Fast Track. In this book she discovers dark secrets about her parent’s death in a train accident when she was a baby. Her investigation is encouraged by her soon to be mentor, Lionel Stone, a Pulitzer-Prize winning former editor for a national publication. He’s now semi-retired, living in his Wisconsin hometown and running the local newspaper. There are several edge of your seat installments to this series which should keep you busy for a month or two.
If you’re into memoir, you might enjoy Red Bird, by Diandra Ford-Wing inspired by two traumatic events in her life, the mysterious death of her beloved Aunt in Africa, and the equally unexplainable death of her Mother not many months later. I found this book to be quite inspirational as Diandra deals with her grief.
I may have suggested this book before, but it’s good enough to suggest again. It’s The Housekeeper’s Secret, by Sandra Schnakenburg. Sandra grew up in a troubled home. From the outside her family looked like they had it all. When Lee joins the household has the new housekeeper, Sandra, her mother and siblings gain some much needed stability. It isn’t until Sandra is an adult that she discovers that Lee has a secret she wants Sandra to discover and share with the world in a book. It’s a real life detective story. I never thought a memoir could be this riveting. This book is a page turner.
As the AI debate rages, the series by Guy Morris beginning with Swarm might be for you. One of the main components in this story is based on actual events. A rouge AI program named SLVIA was developed by the NSA. They sent it out to learn assuming it would return, but it didn’t and now Derek Taylor, a fugitive hacker has direct contact with SLVIA through an implant in his head. This is good for awhile until a Chinese AI virus threatens national security, SLVIA, Derek, and Lt. Scott must stop the virus from spreading across the globe. I’ve only read the first book, but am looking forward to reading the next books in the series which are, The Last Ark, and The Image.
If military mysteries are your style, Early This Morning by Darrell Berry might be for you. The structure is interesting. From the beginning we know the villains are at the Pentagon and in Congress, but what we don’t know is how the company of mostly gay service men and women will survive the extremely dangerous mission they’ve been sent on.
My next suggestion is a fantasy series by J.F. Monroe, beginning with The Legendary Guardians: Reunions. I never thought of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as heroes, but in these books they are fighting angels and demons who want to start a war on Earth.
If you’re a writer, you might be interested in Lorraine Haataia’s book, Finish Your Book. It’s full of tips for new and even experienced authors who feel the need to refresh their skills in a supportive writing community. Lorraine is the founder of Prolific Writers Life were writers and experts connect. Writer’s get feedback and encouragement to not only finish their book but explore the options for publication and promotion. I belong to PWL and can testify that it’s a fun place to meet fellow writers and publishing experts.
My final suggestion is historical fiction story by D. H. Morris, The Girl of Many Crowns. It’sbased on her ancestors, Judith of France, a descendant of Emperor Charlemagne, and Baldwin Iron Arm of Flanders. Judith is a pawn in her father, King Charles political machinations when she’s married at the age of 12 to Aethelwulf the aging King of Wessex in England. The marriage is an attempt to fortify France against the Danes (Vikings) who are raiding all over what is now Europe. When Aethelwulf dies two years after their marriage, she’s then forced to marry his son who is cruel and power hungry. But when he dies, her father tries to marry her off again. This time she refuses and is imprisoned in one of her father’s palaces. But she has fallen in love with Baldwin, the mentor and protector of her younger brother, Louis. They cause a scandal in the Holy Roman Empire when they elope aided by Louis and her other brother Charles. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happened to Judith and Baldwin. It’s a gripping story.
That’s all for my book suggestions. I’d like to hear what books you’ve been reading lately that we might want to put on our reading lists.
Sage Woman Chronicles 