It’s that time of the month again, time for “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”.
So what is “Indie Speculative Fiction of the Month”? It’s a round-up of speculative fiction by indie and small press authors newly published this month, though some October books I missed the last time around snuck in as well. The books are arranged in alphabetical order by author. So far, most links only go to Amazon.com, though I may add other retailers for future editions.
Once again, we have new releases covering the whole broad spectrum of speculative fiction. This month, we have urban fantasy, epic fantasy, historical fantasy, fantasy romance, paranormal mysteries, space opera, military science fiction, dystopian noir, space marines, undead marines, vampires, empaths, supernatural cold cases, crime-busting witches and much more.
As always, I know the authors at least vaguely, but I haven’t read all of the books, so Caveat emptor.
And now on to the books without further ado:
Marine Tanker by Jonathan P. Brazee:
Noah Lysander, son of the former Marine Commandant and Chairman of the Federation, followed his twin sister in enlisting as a Marine.
While Esther excelled, getting commissioned as an officer, Noah is not so driven, and when he proposes to Miriam, he makes a pledge to be a better husband and future parent than his own father had been.
Reenlisting for armor, Noah becomes a crewman on an M1 Davis, the most powerful tank ever developed. He quickly finds out that despite nominal peace within the Federation, the deployment demands placed on his platoon are heavy, and his relationship with his growing family begins to suffer.
As a Marine tanker, he’s a natural and has found his niche in the Corps, but at what cost?
Marine Corpse by Jonathan P. Brazee and J.N. Chaney:
As more Undead are created, a second battalion is formed.
Pax becomes a team leader as the Marines are developing new tactics, but the Tucanans aren't standing still, either.
And they seem to have targeted the Undead. High on their list of priorities is to figure out what makes the Undead so dangerous, and they'll go to any length to get their foot-arms on a few of them.
Pax has to ensure their military mission is accomplished while blocking the Tucanans from taking Undead prisoners to face a fate worse than death—even multiple deaths.
Between the Tucanans, public outrage and alarms, and unpredictable command decisions, Pax and the Undead must navigate complicated and increasingly dangerous waters in their mission to save humanity.
Scions of Change by Lindsay Buroker:
In the final installment of The Curse and the Crown series, Lord Vlerion’s secret has been revealed, the kingdom is in upheaval, and dark forces are scheming for the throne.
Kaylina must learn about her heritage, and the father she never knew she had, so she can help Vlerion save the kingdom. If they fail, neither of them will survive.
“Listen carefully to me now, son. Tate wants to kill you. That’s why we’re here.”
When soldiers from the Phentinite empire came to attack his village, Jad the shepherd boy discovered a power within himself, and the village was saved.
Since then, nothing has been the same. Jad only wishes to help, but nobody looks at him the same way. Even his father, who used to be respected and sensible, has changed completely.
The merchant in town, when they visit to trade, has a name for children like him.
Abomination.
True Blood meets Supernatural in the kickoff of this urban paranormal fantasy series from an acclaimed author. Readers enter a dystopian San Francisco filled with empaths and vampires embroiled in political unrest—and Book 1 is just the beginning.
Much as she wishes otherwise, superstar political consultant Olivia Shepherd was born a powerful empath. It’s a legacy she walked away from long ago—but when she wakes up one morning to find Elsa, a tenacious time-walker, standing in her kitchen, she realizes she can no longer ignore her gifts. She is quickly plunged into the hidden world of powerful “Others” and drafted to work for the Council, a shadowy organization that summons the fog to San Francisco to obscure their involvement in human affairs.
Complicating matters further is Olivia’s new love interest, William. A centuries-old vampire, William is far too jaded to take an interest in human affairs—but Olivia no longer has the luxury of remaining impartial. As shocking details from Olivia’s own past emerge and her role in the Council begins to take shape, will she rise to the challenge of her destiny?
The Sum of All Things by Seb Doubinsky:
The highly anticipated final installment in Seb Doubinsky’ s City-States Cycle is smart, subtle and unputdownable! In New Samarqand, trouble is brewing: The king is very ill, nobody knows who will succeed him and terrorist groups are plaguing the city-state. In the eye of the storm, the National Museum is opening a new wing displaying the magnificent tomb of two Amazon sisters, who fell in battle together. Following parallel lines in this ominous labyrinth, Hokki, the new museum director, Ali the police commissioner, Kassandra, the poet, Thomas, the used-books seller and Vita, the secret agent from Planet X try to keep the pieces together and fight against the forces of chaos threatening their very existence.
A child found. A target acquired. A galaxy on the verge of salvation.
While Soren’s reunion with Dana is happy, it’s a single pinprick of light in an otherwise grim present. With war raging and the fate of millions at risk, the Wraith reaches what Soren hopes will be their final destination.
The Eye.
The source of their struggles and the reason for the deadly conflict engulfing the galaxy. They’ve come to destroy it and end the war.
It won’t be that easy.
What Dies Beneath by Lily Harper Hart:
Hali Waverly is in a good place in her life. She’s feeling better after surgery. Her boyfriend Gray Hunter is moving his office closer to her tiki bar so they can work on their paranormal cases together. Everything is coming up rum-flavored.
Unfortunately for Hali, things are about to blow up again.
A jeweler’s conference should be easy—they have at least one a month after all—but when a magical tsunami hits at the same time the vault is emptied, trouble becomes the name of the game.
There are a number of suspects—a shiver of shark shifters walking naked out of the water the night before doesn’t help matters—but it seems the culprit might have ties to Hali’s grandmother’s coven.
Once upon a time, Hali’s familiar Wayne worked for a witch…and then a warlock. Things didn’t go well with either of them. When it seems one of those individuals is involved—and posing a threat to the entire beach—things explode.
Hali has never been fond of Wayne but she needs him for this particular mission. More importantly, he needs her. That means things are about to get ugly.
Magic is about to take over St. Pete Beach. Who will be left standing…or swimming?
The Usual Witchspects by Amanda M. Lee:
Bay Winchester thought having a stalker was the worst thing she had going on in her life. Turns out, she was wrong.
When her stalker turns up dead in a ditch following another family assault on Margaret Little—send in the clowns!—Bay finds herself in trouble. Big, big trouble.
Seems the former warden for an area prison has been murdered, and Bay is the chief suspect.
Since they’re too close to her to be objective, Chief Terry and Bay’s husband Landon have to step back and let another team take over the investigation. That means things are about to get ugly.
This isn’t just any investigation. This is an FBI investigation, and alarmingly Bay isn’t the only one on the hook. The team is looking hard at Landon too.
Bay wants to figure out who the killer is, but her every move is being watched. Since Aunt Tillie’s latest payback scheme involves an army of clown dolls that have “accidentally” gained sentience, Bay is even worse off than she originally believed.
Bay may not have liked the warden, but she feels bad about his death…and not just because it’s sending shockwaves through the small community of Hemlock Cove. She knows if she doesn’t find the culprit she’ll be on the hook for a murder she didn’t commit.
It also means she could lose everything.
It’s all witches present for another Winchester adventure. Just how are they going to get out of this one?
Jon's Helter Skelter Cold Case by A.J. Sherwood:
Jonathan Bane and Donovan Havili cordially invite you to their wedding.
They just have to prove a man’s innocence and get him out of prison first.
Not to mention prove Solomon completely inept (not hard), and fired from being a detective.
Oh, and train Jon’s new apprentice.
They can probably get married this year. Probably.
Raven's Hope by Glynn Stewart:
When truths are revealed
But secrets remain concealed
The price of victory may be far too high
Henry Wong and the United Planets Alliance Expeditionary Fleet have broken open the blockade their enemies forged around their allies, the Terzan. Now, thanks to that restored alliance, they know the truth of their enemy: a genocidal war machine determined to destroy not only its creators but every other organic sentient it can find.
New tools allow Henry and his partner, Ambassador Sylvia Todorovich, to call on old alliances as they rush to save their other enemies from annihilation at the hands of the Liberated Intelligence.
But against the burning of worlds and the death of peoples, any alliance will be considered. Any hope of victory will require laying aside grudges—and the greatest of sacrifices…
