Category: Science Fiction

Review:  Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 2) by Honor Raconteur 

Rating: 5⭐️✨

“‘How upset is our good Queen?’

“Livid, Seaton answered cheerfully.

I’m quite happy about that. Angry women change the world.’”

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) the oh so appropriate title of book two is a great, emotional story. The mystery hits on many levels as well, bringing in everything from the societal aspects of health care (or lack thereof), the need for better government regulation of magical items and their manufacture, and general police procedures on multiple fronts. 

It’s dealing with epidemics, ignorance, violence and scam artists who have caused unprecedented harm. 

And all while showing how Jamie is still recovering from her ordeal, maneuvering through a society and systems that are designed to keep women from being able to live as equals, and instituting change from a world that is unknown and one she can’t return to. 

New fantastic characters are emerging in continuing important roles, in Jamie’s life and the series, such as RM Seaton, and the notes of each character, identified by color, are highly entertaining and important to the story and influence of their respective roles here. 

How do I love this? Let me count the ways.

  1. Spectacular writing.
  2. Great mysteries 
  3. Fabulous characters that continue to develop 
  4. Found families 
  5. World building that’s incredible in depth and vividly detailed 
  6. Slowish burn ever romance 

Yes and yes! 

Highly recommended. Highly addictive. 

Love the covers. 

Cover by Katie Griffin

The Case Files of Henri Davenforth (11 book series to date):

Magic and the Shinigami Detective #1

Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) #2

Magic Outside the Box #3

Breaking and Entering 101 #4

Three Charms for Murder #5

Grimoires and Where to Find Them #6

Death Over the Garden Wall #7

This Potion is da Bomb #8

All In A Name #9

A Matter of Secrets and Spies #10

All Fun and Games #11

Buy link

        Charms and Death and Explosions (oh my!) (The Case Files of Henri Davenforth Book 2)

    

Blurb

A dead charm maker is only the beginning. 

Humanity seems determined to come up with increasingly clever ways to murder one another. They seize upon new technological advances in a way that’s alarming, their creativity and blood-thirstiness knowing no bounds.

When a charm maker is blown up inside his own vehicle, for once it’s not Henri Davenforth’s expertise needed: it’s Jamie Edwards’, the Shinigami Detective. Car bombs are something unique in Kingston, and only she has experience with them. But the unique murder takes an unexpected turn when it becomes evident that the dead charm maker dabbled in something he should not have, inciting disastrous results.

The dangers he unleashed upon Kingston threaten thousands of lives and it launches a race requiring not only Jamie and Henri’s expertise, but the Kingsmen’s as well to beat the menace spreading through the city.

Meanwhile, the murderer is still at large, leaving Henri and Jamie to wonder: what will blow next?

Review:  Hexes Fly (Caldryn Parliament Book 2) by Jenny Schwartz

 

Rating: 5 ⭐️✨

Jenny Schwartz’s Caldryn Parliament series is one of those series where the books just get more brilliant and more highly complex as the series progresses.  The writing, the incredible characters, and this labyrinthine storytelling is beyond amazing. 

For those readers who dislike cliffhangers, yes, this book, Hexes Fly, ends on a cliffhanger. FYI.

Also there’s really no romance. Just a fantastic science fiction thriller, multiple magical mysteries, a cast of incredibly powerful multidimensional characters, and enough hidden political agents and agendas for a number of galaxies. 

It all starts with Vanda Kavanagh, the Warden of Caldryn Parliament, who is still defining how she will handle the job of Warden while rebuilding it and restoring the Wards and stabilizing the situation that her predecessors have undermined. 

There’s no way to go about describing the complexities and depths of world politics here that Schwartz has and continues to craft. Utterly brilliant. Contains science fiction, magical systems, mythology and more. And it all works perfectly alongside political and military power dynamics. 

To follow this character of Vanda in her journey, the reader must absolutely start with the first book and continue reading forward. But the path is full of action, but never at the expense of forgetting about the human factor. Here it’s two young people who have to face the consequences of their actions and find their way forward. A moving and powerful element of this book. 

The only drawback? Waiting until the next book is released. 

This is an absolute dream of a book and a new must read for me. Highly recommended! 

  

Cover by Jenny Schwartz . I adore these covers!

Caldryn Parliament:

Stars Die #1

Hexes Fly #2

Rogues Lie #3 – Nov 29,2025

Buy link

 Book 2 of 3: Caldryn Parliament 

Blurb 

The Spring Ball on the first Saturday of Caldryn Parliament’s Spring Term is a night of glamour and power.

However, this year the witch clans are feuding, and when rival clans trade curses in the ballroom non-magical bystanders are the victims.

As people transform into animals, burst into unwilling song, or fall into magical slumber Vanda Kavanagh, the Warden of Caldryn Parliament, is suspicious.

The witches claim they never intended to hurt anyone, and Vanda believes them. So, who is using the witches as a stalkinghorse for their own agenda, and what is it that they hope to achieve?

Most importantly, why can’t the witches undo their own hexes?

If the spells aren’t broken by the next full moon the curses will be permanent.

  • Publication date: July 26, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 346 pages
  • Book 2 of 3: Caldryn Parliament

Review:  Cosmic Captain: An MM Alien Romance (Cosmic Romance 4) by Mars Quinn

Rating: 4.5🌈

Of the 4 released stories in Mars Quinn’s Cosmic Romance series, Cosmic Captain is the one that I feel is the darkest, longest in its exploration of the trauma of the having been kidnapped by an unknown and exploitive alien race, then repeatedly sold to various buyers, who then deeply abused them, emotionally, physically and mentally. 

Although Seth, and Teddy (friends and fellow kidnapped humans) have each had hugely different experiences, it’s Vince who has suffered some of the worst injuries and the longest, having been sold to a galactic brothel, the horrors of which have left him with unending nightmares and in terrible physical condition. 

Quinn wants to deal responsibly with Vince’s reactions to his rescue, his initial shock response, and his tough road to any kind of recovery from his traumatic experiences . And his loss of his hopes for his love for Seth. That’s a lot of work for him and this narrative to carry but it handles this dark load with sensitivity and thoughtful storytelling.

Linked to Vince is Prince Dontilvynsan , Captain of the starship that rescued him and one who can read people’s minds and emotions. His is also a story of a being who has been less accepted because of the gift of his inner fire.  How he and Vince start to support each other and communicate is a fascinating story. It’s so different from his brothers and their mates.

The last quarter or so of the book seems hurried or thrown together, without the solid character or narrative of the rest of the book.  The attacks and return rather than explore the meeting with the Crystal .

But it’s a terrific story and another discussion of how a unique couple finds it bond.

The trigger warnings are a necessity for the book and series. Please read prior to diving in. 

Cover Artist: Etheric Designs

Cosmic Romance:

Cosmic Husband #1

Cosmic Soul #2

Cosmic Castaway #3

Cosmic Captain #4

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        Cosmic Captain: An MM Alien Romance (Cosmic Romance 4)

    

Blurb 

Nowhere feels safe—except when I’m with you.

Vince

My life has been hell since I was abducted by aliens and sold to a brothel. When Prince Dontilvynsan purchases me, my life changes again. I refuse to believe I’m safe, even though he reunites me with my friends. But a slow trust begins to blossom as he comforts me through the near-constant nightmares plaguing me. As time passes, I wonder if I like Don’s gift—or just him? When I learn I can go back to Earth and forget everything, I have a tough choice. Stay with Don and my friends, or go home and have all that happened to me erased?

Dontilvynsan

I don’t know what about this small human calls to me like no other. His thoughts are always close to mine; I hear his fear and pain. I want to help him in any way possible, even if it means risking myself in the process. When Vince and I grow closer, the thought of him leaving guts me. Can I survive without him? Do I even want to?

This is a spicy stand-alone MM romance in the Cosmic Romance series. It’s an alien romance with a spiky human, a soft alien, overprotective brothers, hurt/comfort, and a happily ever after. This book is for adult audiences only and has explicit content. Content warning inside.

  • Publication date: July 14, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 465 pages
  • Book 4 of 4: Cosmic Romance

Review:  Lost: a Christmas novella by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating: 5✨

This remarkable emotional short story has the power to absolutely break your heart and then knit it back together again.  Lost: a Christmas novella is a science fiction tale of a retiring space soldier rejected by his earth based family because of the wars damage turned him cyborg. And the diverse found family that gave him and them a potential future. 

It’s sheer serendipity that I found this story shortly after finishing this author, Jenny Schwartz ‘s fantastic book, Stars Die, the first in her new Caldryn Parliament science fiction series. 

A short poignant holiday read, its emotional context is rooted in past events and even more importantly, in our own connections with people, veterans within our communities and families.  It’s real and lastly, gives the characters and readers a sense of hope for a better future. 

I honestly don’t know how I missed this author before but she’s now finally on my list of writers to read. She should be on yours too. 

Just incredible. 

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comLost: A Christmas Novella eBook – Jenny Schwartz

Blurb 

Merry Christmas, son. Don’t come home.

Stuck on Central Transit Station, Sergeant Ryan Dabrowski receives a Dear John letter from his family. The home he fought to protect doesn’t want him. He’s left too much of his body out among the stars. The aug-doctors patched him up better than new, but cyborg freaks aren’t welcome on Earth.

“Don’t ruin your sister’s life.”

But what about Rye’s life?

***

Lost is a short Christmas novella about found family, new beginnings, and believing that anything is possible. Merry Christmas! Happy Wishing Tree!

  • Publication date: November 4, 2024
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 44 pages

Review:  Cajole (The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist Book 4) by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating:  4✨

Cajole is the penultimate book in The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist by Jenny Schwartz and I’m finding it very entertaining, while making me think a bit more about how some of the more “familiar” Earth elements made the passage through the gate and successfully established themselves in the new Human Section. 

Donkeys, horses, many types of earth fauna as well as fauna is essentially as well known as they are as an Earth species. Which given the history, as colony ships so long ago, seems unusual. I wish their background had been explained as fully as some of the other “alien elements “ that Schwartz does so vividly. 

The relationship dynamics, the Forgotten, those people in hiding, the entire storyline of how and why they are used and acquired through the galaxy is a fascinating story, and emotional one. It drives many of the characters and their interactions here. 

And it’s also the hidden aspects behind the power of the thrones. 

Driving the characters , the need to cage and the equal opportunity to flee for freedom. 

Another exciting story and move towards the finale. Throughly entertaining. 

I really love these covers. 

Cover designed by MiblArt”

The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist:

Astray #1

Doubt #2

Rebel #3

Cajole #4

Resolve#5

Continuing Series:

With sister Cherry:

2years after the first series 

The Delphic Dame (3 book series)

Buy link

        Cajole (The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist Book 4)

    

Blurb 

If life on the border was complicated, life on Capitoline is insane. Nora and Liam struggle to reconcile her abilities and his duty, while caught up in the dangerous games of the powerful.

Political intrigue, family drama, and ancient alien technology combine in the fourth novel of the Human Sector.

Review:  Rebel (The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist Book 3) by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating: 4✨

Jenny Schwartz is really such a great go to author for me lately. And I’m having a blast reading this science fiction series about a strong woman building a new family and eventually a new life together for a found family clan that also includes a alien AI , an adopted daughter, and now a military or ex military war hero as a husband. 

The science fiction and world building is a fascinating combination of familiar elements and imaginative burr alien science, one that includes intergalactic space currents that ships travel like rivers , space arrays that operate like doorways , and a veritable explosion of complex environments and scientific knowledge that builds, book upon book as the series progresses.

It’s interesting to see how Schwartz balances what’s essentially a galactic monarchy system so familiar with readers, along with its inherently continuous plotting of heirs, powers, and connections with that of a alien science, unknown realms, and potentially a unknown human world they’ve been unable to reconnect with. 

The found family of Nora, Jonah, and Liam remain my favorite elements. Jonah being an alien IA. 

Each book is around 14 to 15 chapters, so they go quickly.  And it’s great to binge read them, one after another. 

Which I’ve done. 

Fabulous work. Creative, entertaining, and the universe is one that could be easily explored further with secondary characters. 

I really love these covers. 

Cover designed by MiblArt”

The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist:

Astray #1

Doubt #2

Rebel #3

Cajole #4

Resolve#5

Continuing Series:

With sister Cherry:

2years after the first series 

The Delphic Dame (3 book series)

Buy link

        Rebel (The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist Book 3)

    

Blurb 

Life is complicated along the Hadrian Line. Decisions made on the border will decide the fate of the entire Human Sector.

Nora is adjusting to her new role as a player in the games of the powerful. She’s gained some interesting enemies and some even more dubious allies. She has also been presented with a unique opportunity, courtesy of Jonah. The question is, who can she trust to explore it with her?

Independent action is a necessity for the sole Royal Capitoline Navy captain patrolling the border region. But Liam will have to defend his actions later in front of the Admiralty board. How can he best serve his realm? By a rigid definition of duty and defense of the status quo, or is there a greater cause, one worth his career and his very life?

Review:  Doubt (The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist Book 2) by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

Doubt sees Nora’s solitary existence crumbling as she builds a found family, which includes that of her alien AI companion Jonah, a real favorite in the cast of well crafted characters. 

An excellent and well written book that moves all the many elements and character relationships of this series into new territory by revealing more of Nora’s history and allowing the conflicts of the characters to be explored and worked on, if possible. 

The burrs, the science (so fascinating in how Schwartz is describing it), and its expansion towards a wider role in the coming stories is highly important and exciting. 

Again, this book will send you immediately onto the next. 

A winner in the writing, characters, world building, and fabulous storytelling. 

Cover designed by MiblArt”

The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist:

Astray #1

Doubt #2

Rebel #3

Cajole #4

Resolve#5

Buy link

 Book 2 of 5: The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist 

Blurb 

Alien mysteries. Parental responsibilities. The scout ship Kangaroo has jumped into trouble.

Nora Devi intended to leave her old life behind. But when a quick detour to acquire the funds for a new identity goes awry, she finds herself plunged ever deeper into the troubles she hoped to avoid. 

The Human Sector is a stash of fuel cells just waiting for a spark to explode. The Great Game of politics and power has shifted from the inner realm to the border. Captain Liam Kimani of the battlecruiser RC Genghis Khan is the man in position to suppress the explosion – or ride the wave of it.

It’s been half a millennium since the Stranding. Is the power of the royals still worth supporting, or is it time to risk everything for the chance to rejoin the rest of humanity?

Review: Future Tense (Ellis McFadden Mysteries) by Kristen Painter

Rating: 2.75✨

Spoilers 🚫

Unfortunately for me, Future Tense, the newest release in Kristen Painter’s Ellis McFadden Mysteries series fell very short of all the previous stories.

While those centered around life and the mysteries on the star ship Ellis and her friends were living on, Future Tense brings in a new alien species, a element which ends up being the most underwhelming and poorly conceived aspect of the story.

It didn’t help that I had just finished another science fiction series where the universe building and science was exceptional. 

The idea of a multi use enormous star liner, part science vessel, part military liner and civilian transportation ship, could easily let a rarely seen species go among its quarters , ship levels and communities , toting in unique and unknown objects throughout, spreading its messages across its media channels? Without tight controls and quarantines in place prior? None of this happens and it breaks down my belief in the idea of a sound narrative foundation that any part of this is a realistic idea of a scientific or military vessel or has officers with that status on board. The author seems to have forgotten her own statement about the Athos’ mission and its command in lieu of the theme of this mystery. 

And when things go wrong, as one might expect, The Captain (military mind you) goes to her daughter, the ship’s librarian (and librarians are fabulous) and her wealthy retired IT boyfriend, to solve the mystery. 

I can only suspend my belief so far. And it couldn’t go that distance. 

Even so many other aspects of the story were not well constructed. At any time during the serious investigation into missing persons, including a teenager, was it an official crime matter or military action? No. On a spaceship considered a main fleet vessel, carrying a number of people in cryotubes? Maybe that part of the series has been sidelined. But it’s a science and military ship so where’s that structure?

And oh by the way, given the epilogue, it appears they could have figured out who those aliens and their ship were after all with a bit of space Google.

There were a few positive things like Ellis’s decision about remaining single because she and Frank enjoy their personal spaces and privacy but that’s countered by having the fascinating IA pets like Henry be reduced to saying “I’d like to watch fish today, Mom”, instead of being a integral member of the investigating team.  Such an empty role as opposed to what they have been prior. 

Given all the above, this book was a disappointment. I won’t be recommending it. 

Cover design: Cover design and composite cover art by Janet Holmes

Ellis McFadden Mysteries :

  • Breathing Space #1
  • Star Power #2
  • Future Tense #3 

Buy link

        Future Tense: Ellis McFadden Mysteries

    

Blurb 

Step into the enigmatic world of the Athos—a vessel that blends the luxury of a cruise ship, the intrigue of a scientific research station, and the might of a military starship. Here, amidst the stars, you’ll find Ellis McFadden, the ship’s head librarian, embarking on adventures she never anticipated this late in her career.

The plot thickens when the Athos comes to the aid of a stranded craft, taking aboard three mysterious sisters and their father. They offer a tantalizing trade: visions of the future for those eager to know their fate. The crew and guests are soon captivated by the predictions.

But Ellis senses something amiss. The price for these glimpses into tomorrow seems too steep. So she, boyfriend Frank, and her android cat investigate, uncovering dubious secrets, but her friends are already entranced by the charlatans’ charms. Can Ellis break the spell and save the ship’s crew from an ominous future?

  • Publisher: Sugar Skull Books
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: May 31, 2025
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 299 pages
  • Book 3 of 3: Ellis McFadden Mysteries

Review:  Astray (The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist Book 1) by Jenny Schwartz

Rating: 4.5✨

What a fantastic read. I found everything about this book (and series) mesmerizing. From the planets, the political systems and current fragile climate, the galaxies and the science behind the unique found powers, foundations the universe here.  Schwartz builds out, book by book on the societies , cultures, and scientific knowledge and theories she establishes in Astray. 

Schwartz had me, honestly, at the sheer magnitude of world building she’s done here. And things that normally don’t appeal to me such as a space age political system that’s along the lines of an Earth monarchy has been created by a history that’s as compelling as it is historically complicated in human space exploration. 

The central figure is Captain Nora Devi, a solitary xeno-archaeologist ,widowed in the recent galactic wars. Nora is a complicated character. She escaped from a tenement, crime ridden slum world where she’d been raised to owning her own ship and business. Her pilot husband died in the twelve year war between Capitoline and Palantine. And she’s still grieving. 

Other figures in the story and series are Capitolines’s Captain Liam Kimani of the RC battlecruiser RC Genghis Khan, an orphan Aria, for starters.  

I really don’t want to give any more details because it’s a fantastic read and journey for everyone exploring the world along with Nora .  So many surprises, decisions, and twists. 

There is no romance here.  When it comes , it’s books later. 

This is about power, people, galactic energy, politics and survival. 

Absolutely enthralling and entertaining. 

Did I rush from book to book? Why yes I did. And you will too if strong woman characters, terrific storylines and imaginative world building is what you want!

“Cover designed by MiblArt”

The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist:

Astray #1

Doubt #2

Rebel #3

Cajole #4

Resolve#5

Buy link

 Book 1 of 5: The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist 

Blurb 

Nora Devi is a xeno-archaeologist with a complicated past. She has buried more secrets than she’s dug up. Widowed in the recently ended twelve year war between Capitoline and Palantine, she now makes a living as an independent tagger in border space.

Captain Liam Kimani could be credited with ending the latest royal war. Instead, he’s blamed for it. Dirty commoners aren’t meant to lay their hands on royalty.

He has no regrets.

When Liam and his crew of the battlecruiser RC Genghis Khan are exiled to Capitoline’s border they discover that life in unexplored space can be more dangerous than war, and that their best chance of survival lies with a mysterious, elusive tagger.

The only problem is that Nora’s secrets might destroy the precarious stability of the entire Human Sector.

Astray is a fast-paced, enthralling space opera of lost societies, ancient aliens, rugged warriors and semi-legal pirates perfect for fans of Lois McMaster Bujold, Becky Chambers, and Lindsay Buroker.

Space exploration science fiction, first contact science fiction, science fiction adventure, 

Review:  Jingle Stars (Shamans & Shifters Space Opera Book 4) by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating: 4.75✨

Jingle Stars (Shamans & Shifters Space Opera Book 4) is a holiday themed book and a highly important part of the series narrative tapestry.  While it contains a lovely story that could be read simply as a Christmas gift by the author that’s really not it’s true worth. This book is a beautifully crafted piece of writing. 

Its main character starts off with Ahab, is a mLa’an AI who’s a partner with Vulf and Jaya on the spaceship Orion.  The galactic political system is in the process of determining whether artificial intelligence is or can be considered “real beings “, and recognized as full citizens of Galaxy Proper.  

This argument should hit home as we are currently in the midst of early stages of the exact same process. And robotics. 

Ahab is piloting the Orion on a solo mission when Ahab picks up a distressing transmission. A letter to Santa from a young boy asking Santa to save a group of kids, where there shouldn’t be any. 

What follows is a discourse on what it means to be a person. The questions that arise from multiple perspectives and sources. And finally, those answers that matter the most. 

And yes, grab a box of tissues and have it handy.

This isn’t a fun or easy read. There’s children in horrifying situations, traumatic events in their backgrounds.  And all play huge roles in the story and series. 

Jingle Stars (Shamans & Shifters Space Opera Book 4) by Jenny Schwartz  is an amazing read, capturing so many different perspectives and emotional moments. A fun lighthearted holiday story? No, but a great book that will make you think about families and love in all its faces.  At Christmas. 

Highly recommended. Love this author and series. 

Loving the covers.  Highly recommended. 

Shamans & Shifters Space Opera series: 

Her Robot Wolf 

Cosmic Catalyst 

Shattered Earth 

Jingle Stars 

The Ceph Sector 

Buy link 

        Jingle Stars (Shamans & Shifters Space Opera Book 4)

    

Blurb 

When a starship decides to play Santa Claus… 

Ahab is a mLa’an artificial intelligence embedded in the starship, Orion. The campaign for AIs to be recognized as full citizens of Galaxy Proper is within reach of its extraordinary goal. The only thing that could stop it now is if an AI did something foolish…like take a space station hostage to save eight orphaned children.

And this is the letter to Santa that starts it all:

Dear Santa

I don’t know if your reindeers work in space. But if you have room in your sleigh after you finish delivering presents to the lucky kids with parents and homes, can you come and get me and my friends? Please? We’ve been good. Well, we haven’t been really bad. We’re on Station Elphame, in the junkyard, and Zoe is sick. She’s bad sick. I think she’d be better on a planet. We don’t need presents. We just need a way out of here. Ollie tried to sneak onto a trampship…he died. Please, Santa, I don’t want any more of my friends to die.

Aiden.

  • Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
  • Accessibility: Learn more
  • Publication date: December 4, 2017
  • Language: English
  • Print length: 75 pages