Author: HCNewton Page 102 of 609

LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Melaney Taylor Auxier

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On June 4, 2024

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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This is going to look a little different than most of these posts, Auxier took my first round of questions and mashed them into a few paragraphs. I did ask some follow-ups that I didn’t think worked as well if I tried to incorporate them into those paragraphs, so you’re getting a hodge-podge I guess. It’s basically a nice monologue that I interrupt a few times.

Great questions! I’m just going to jump right in and go for it.
My parents were married 3 months out of high school and 9 months later started having a family. In order to support us, my dad joined the military. The Navy took us from CA to SC, with Illinois being ‘homebase’ of sorts since mom and dad both had family there. After 7years in the Navy, dad worked for an international company that moved us every 2-3 years. I’ve lived in 8 states and Europe, graduating HS from an international school in The Netherlands. I associate each place with a specific local food, lol! I would definitely say all these places play a part in my writing. I have now lived in Idaho for 20 years, so while not a native, I do love being here. I love the view of the mountains in all the seasons, sometimes snow-covered, or silhouetted in sunrise and sunset. It never gets old. I’m always in awe. Seeing elk in the wild fascinates me too. I love to watch them.

Yeah, probably not technically a native, but that’s long enough to get you honorary native status, right? What kind of food would you associate with Idaho? (or does that only work with the nations you lived in?)
The food I associate with Idaho, or at least my part of Idaho has changed since I first got here. There was this little Mom and Pop burger and shake place that we had to hit up if someone came to visit, if we were celebrating, or just out running errands on a Saturday, lol! But it has since changed hands, I’ve had to give up gluten and dairy, and it just isn’t the same. So now I’d have to say huckleberries. Since we’ve been here so long, we know where and when to pick them and load up the freezer bags to eat them all through the winter months in our own homemade df/gf baked goods and shakes.

I feel like I’ve been a storyteller my whole life. There were great negative consequences in my family for telling a lie but writing (or telling) a story for ‘entertainment’ was okay. I loved writing assignments in school. I would write my own song lyrics or mini stories in a tiny ‘office’ I made in my closet, complete with a tin can pencil holder. Back then, an author to me was like a movie star or a president or something. I didn’t know just anyone could become an author, that you could actually go to college to learn to write. I imagined authors were like, appointed or something or you were just born an author but that it was something ordinary me couldn’t be. This did not stop me from writing my stories, though.

Fast forward through many moves, a couple husbands, 6 kids, lots of animals, and I finally figured out anyone can be an author!
How long have you been publishing? What was it that made you take that step?
I think the timing was just right. For years I went to conferences, classes, tutorials, read writing books, etc. I was in my first critique group of very talented mentors. We believed traditional publishing was the only real way to publish a book. But when that disbanded, I queried agents only to be rejected because my books were ‘too quiet’, not edgy, no one died of a horrible disease, no abuse and I didn’t cater to what was ‘hot’ in the market at the time. (like werewolves and vampires) My current critique group got together and our computer genius talked to us about Amazon’s KDP. She said, I think I can do this. (meaning the uploading) So she taught me how to use Canva for my illustrations in my picture books and covers for my novels, worked her magic for the longer books uploading all those words and ta-da! I fulfilled a dream of being a published author. I wasn’t getting any younger, I was tired of waiting for a bunch of 20-somethings to decide what the next hot topic was going to be to force upon readers. So I write what I want, do my own marketing (which you have to do whether you are traditionally published or indie), set my own release dates. I have a great support system and it keeps it fun and exciting.

I have a weekly critique group I faithfully attend with a couple other authors that I have been friends with for many years. We each have a role in the group that highlights our strengths. One is great with story consistency and description, another is our computer genius. I am the grammar and punctuation police. We were all once a part of a bigger critique group that has since disbanded for various reasons. But we took away the foundation of that group into this one and are very productive because of it. If any author would like tips on setting up their own critique group, they can reach out to me through my website melaneytaylorauxier.com I’m always happy to share pointers and tips with other writers.
Oh, I love the idea of a critique group with specialties like that!

Small town Idaho definitely plays a big part in my middle grade and adult fiction. It’s a recurring setting that just inserts itself into my brainstorming sessions. Just about anything can spark an idea for a new book. The main character of my picture book “Don’t Judge O’dell by his Smell” was inspired by an actual stinkbug standing on its head as I did laps on the trail around our property a couple summers ago. The house that John lives in, in my book “Not Jingleheimer”, is based on a 100 year old home in my own small Idaho town.

I generally have more than one project going at a time. Currently I’m finishing up a (hopefully) humorous adult fiction. I have 3 picture books I’m working on, as well as a plot outline for another middle grade, and a play adaptation of my adult fiction, “Bad Coffee and Paws in Your Face.” It’s always good to have something else to work on when you get stuck on your current story.

I love participating in author events. I like meeting the other local authors and chatting with them. I like meeting the avid readers. There is always something new to learn by listening to others. It’s a wonderful surprise to hear from someone, “This is my child’s favorite book!” or “I bought your books online but I don’t have this new one! I have to get it!”

I have my full library of books on my website and on Amazon. My biggest surprise so far was when I randomly sold a book to someone in the UK! No idea who it is! But how exciting to see that on my Amazon sales.
I bet!

If I can tell a story that brings a smile or a chuckle out of someone or simply entertains them for a little while, I’m a happy author.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
I’ve tried to find Idaho-based books to send as gifts over the years and the ones that get all the hype are not what I’d consider the best. I’m not usually a big fan of Romance but I love the way author Sarah Hill incorporates small town Idaho into her books. ‘Since You’ and ‘Caterpillars in Glass Jars’ are a good example of this.

Margaret Fuller has a set of trail books and identifying Idaho berries and such that she has done extensive research for. For any outdoor enthusiasts, these are a must-have.

And I’d have to say, ‘(NOT) Jingleheimer’ , my middle grade fiction, is a fun book based in Idaho that is great for young readers or the young at heart, good for a chuckle or 2.

I do have a question for you, HC. I’d love to know how you got your name for your website. I’ve come up with my own theory but only you know the real story (wink)
I’m curious about your theory, of course. 🙂 There was a webcomic called Unshelved that several years ago had a strip about teaching kids to read irresponsibly (they even had a tshirt to that effect that I really lament not getting). It was just a phrase that stuck in my head. Basically, it’s about reading things I’m interested in, not what “I’m supposed to” read. What Alan Noble describes as reading based on whimsy.
When I first saw ‘Unshelved’ it made me think ‘crazy for books’ in a good way. If we didn’t have avid readers, there’d be no need for avid writers. I love those words, ‘Reading based on whimsy’.

Thanks for your time and participation!
Thanks for the questions! That was fun!

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May 2024 in Retrospect: What I Read/Listened to/Wrote About

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On June 3, 2024

In Books, Calendar Items, Currently Reading, News/Misc.

Obviously, this was an atypical month here. But I think I’m getting back into the swing of things. I read 20 titles (5 down from last month, somehow 2 up from last May), with an equivalent of 6,214 pages or the equivalent (1,109 down from last month), and gave them an average of 3.47 stars (.33 down from last month).

Writing was down across the board for me—but I had some great people chip in to help out, so things kept happening here. Let’s see if that trend continues…

So, here’s what happened here in May.
Books/Novels/Novellas Read/Listened to

Red Queen The Longmire Defense Christa Comes Out of Her Shell
2 1/2 Stars 4 Stars 4 1/2 Stars
Chasing Empy Caskets The Secret & Hunting Virgins Price to Pay
3 Stars 1 Star 3 Stars
Proclaiming Christ in a Pluralistic Age The Olympian Affair The Binding Room
3.5 Stars 4 1/2 Stars 4 Stars
All Systems Red The Good Samaritan Strikes Again Strange Religion
3 Stars 3 Stars 4 Stars
After the Storm Grave Cold 42
3 Stars 3.5 Stars 3.5 Stars
The Hope in Our Scars Moonbound Backpacking Through Bedlam
3 Stars I Really Have No Idea 🤷
 3.5 Stars
Assassins Anonymous Dark Days
4 1/2 Stars 3.5 Stars

Still Reading

Glorifying and Enjoying God Word and Spirit Redemptive History & Biblical Interpretation
Institutes of Elenctic Theology Vol. 2 Rites of Passage

Ratings

5 Stars 1 2 1/2 Stars 1
4 1/2 Stars 3 2 Stars 0
4 Stars 3 1 1/2 Stars 0
3.5 Stars 4 1 Star 1
3 Stars 6
Average = 3.47

TBR Stacks/Piles/Heaps

Audio E-book Physical Goodreads
Want-to-Read		 NetGalley
Shelf/ARCs/Review Copies
End of
2023		 6 47 68 153 5
1st of the
Month		 4 50 82 160 7
Added 1 3 7 4 3
Read/
Listened		 2 1 6 1 2
Current Total 3 52 83 163 8

Breakdowns:
“Traditionally” Published: 15
Self-/Independent Published: 5

Genre This Month Year to Date
Children’s 0 (0%) 4 (4%)
Fantasy 2 (10%) 13 (12%)
General Fiction/ Literature 1 (5%) 9 (8%)
Mystery/ Suspense/ Thriller 8 (40%) 36 (33%)
Non-Fiction 1 (5%) 11 (10%)
Science Fiction 2 (10%) 8 (7%)
Theology/ Christian Living 3 (15%) 14 (13%)
Urban Fantasy 1 (10%) 12 (11%)
“Other” (Horror/ Humor/ Steampunk/ Western) 1 (5%) 1 (1%)

Review-ish Things Posted

Other People Wrote and I Posted Here
I had a number of Guest Posts, Crossposts, etc. this month so I could take some time away. I’m very, very grateful for them and wanted to point to them at least one more time:

Other Things I Wrote
Other than the Saturday Miscellanies (4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th), I also wrote:

Enough about me—how Was Your Month?

May Calendar

Red Queen by Juan Gómez-Jurado, Nick Caistor (Translator): A Disappointing Thriller

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On June 3, 2024

In Fiction, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Red QueenRed Queen

by Juan Gómez-Jurado, Nick Caistor (Translator)

DETAILS:
Series: Antonia Scott, #1
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: March 14, 2023
Format: Hardcover
Length: 365 pg.
Read Date: April 29-May 1, 2024
Buy from Bookshop.org Support Indie Bookstores

What’s Red Queen About?

So there’s this international crime-fighting organization, with chapters or branches (I don’t remember exactly how or if we’re told) all over the place. They work around law enforcement, frequently preventing them from doing their job, by covering up crimes in order to get the results they’re looking for.

Those results are keeping their benefactors—the megarich and powerful out of the headlines. Yes, they do stop criminals, save lives, and all of that—but there’s something about their M.O. that leaves a lot to be desired. They do have the best of the best—forensic scientists, laboratories, tech, and investigators. One of those is Antonia Scott—her mind works on levels that others don’t.

She’s also dealing with some severe trauma. Her handler brings in a decent police officer who’s facing discipline charges (legitimately, it should be stressed) to try to get her to leave her apartment and help solve some ritualistic crimes. If Jon Gutierrez can do that, the charges against him will go away.

She’s brilliant and offputting. He’s street smart and able to deal with people—if you’re thinking Temperance Brennan and Seely Booth.

So, what did I think about Red Queen?

I actually liked Jon Guitierrez’s character and thought Gómez-Jurado designed him very well—he’s really the bright point in this book.

The whole not-evil-but-not-good secret organization bugged me—their methods, their attitude, the way they treated/trained/recruited their people. I really hope that this series ends with someone destroying them.

It was good enough—it kept me turning the pages, but..just barely. The writing was cliché and stiff—I don’t know if that’s Gómez-Jurado, Caistor, or a combination. The whole thing felt contrived—and yeah, I know, it’s a novel, it’s all contrived. But this seemed like Gómez-Jurado was trying to manufacture a best-seller rather than write a decent book—but what do I know? It’s an international best-seller.

There were some good twists and turns (many predictable), the pacing was pretty well done, and like I said, it kept me turning pages to see what happened next. But I can’t say I was entertained. I’m definitely not coming back for more.

2 1/2 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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The Hope in Our Scars by Aimee Byrd: A Plea for Help

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On June 2, 2024

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Hope in Our ScarsThe Hope in Our Scars:
Finding the Bride of Christ in the
Underground of Disillusionment

by Aimee Byrd

DETAILS:
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: May 7, 2024
Format: Paperback
Length: 206 pg.
Read Date: May 19-26, 2024
Buy from Bookshop.org Support Indie Bookstores

What’s The Hope in Our Scars About?

There are three strands of thought in this book (although two are pretty related, but they struck me as separate).

The first centers on Byrd and her family as they search for a new church home after the events that led to them leaving their long-time church.

The second deals with others—some by name, some more abstract and in a collective sense—who are dealing with disillusionment about the Church today—due to Spiritual abuse, sexual misconduct, financial fraud, coverups of all of the above, and so on. Some of this disillusionment leads to people wandering in a wilderness, looking for a local congregation to call home—others will wander far from the fold.

The third—and most important—discusses the way that the woman/the bride in the Song of Songs longs for her love/her husband. Individual believers should find themselves in that same situation—longing for the presence of our Lord in the place He promised to meet with us—as part of His Bride.

Song of Songs

As with her 2022 book, The Sexual Reformation, the primary portion of Scripture that Byrd focuses on is the Song of Songs. She rejects more contemporary approaches to the text in favor of an allegorical understanding. I really wish we’d get an entire book from her just on the song.

She’s not (as far as I know) a Hebrew scholar, so I’m not looking for a commentary. But Byrd’s a well-read layperson, and largely an autodidact, too—not the type for a technical work, but she has all the tools to provide a great reader’s guide or something along those lines.

So, what did I think about The Hope in Our Scars?

I really don’t know. I really didn’t get the organization—I’m assuming there was one, but I didn’t see it. It really felt to me while reading it that Byrd was just meandering around bouncing from one idea to another, picking up and dropping one of those strands every so often. It’s probably best to think of this as a series of mini-essays loosely connected by themes.

That said—I really appreciated a lot of what she said while pinballing all over. There was a lot of gold there—particularly in the Song of Songs discussion. But beyond that, she just expressed so well struggles so many of us go through. For example, when Byrd just discussed some of the challenges believers go through, how discouraging, how isolating, how alienating it is when we can’t be open with our brothers and sisters to talk about it—either because they refuse to listen, or can’t understand.

This is not her best work—but it might be Byrd at her most heartfelt. She’s definitely pointing to problems the Evangelical and Reformed expressions of the Church in the U.S. need to deal with, both for organizational health and the well-being of the members—more importantly to our witness to a lost and dying world. She’s light on solutions, or proposed solutions (which is probably for the best, as frustrating as it might be while reading). I hope she gets a hearing and that others who are pointing to the same issues do as well.

3 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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20 Books of Summer 2024: This is Going to Be A Tough One

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On June 1, 2024

In Books, Currently Reading, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, News/Misc., Non-Fiction, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Urban Fantasy

20 Books of Summer
Cathy at 746 Books is hosting 20 Books of Summer for the 10th year, which is impressive. This is the fourth year for me (not nearly as impressive), and it’s proved to be fun and a good way for me to actually focus on things I’ve gotten distracted from and/or impulse buys. This year I had a plan since January or February, and then when it came time to put it into action threw all of it out. I’m a little apprehensive about this list, it’s ambitious—I think both length and content are going to make several of these slower reads—and risky—I haven’t read most of the authors before, and don’t know what I’m getting into. However, I’ve wanted to read all of these (some of them for years), and I own all but one of these already. Yup! Nineteen books (at least) are leaving Mt. TBR this summer*!

I typically use the unofficial US Dates for Summer—Memorial Day to Labor Day (May 27th through September 2nd), just because it’s easier for me to think that way. And I’ve needed those first few days of September more than once, but let’s not think about that. Now, here it is almost a week later and I’ve just finalized my list—and I probably won’t get started reading any until June 6, this is almost certainly going to come back to bite me somewhere sensitive. But that’s a problem for tomorrow…or August, I guess.

There’s still time to join in the fun—if you’re into this kind of thing. (there are 10 and 15 book versions, too)

* Technically, I guess, one of these has only been on the mountain for a week, but it still counts.

This summer, my 20 are going to be:

1. This is Who We Are Now by James Bailey
2. Blood Reunion by JCM Berne
3. Ways And Truths And Lives by Matt Edwards
4. The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith
5. Grammar Sex and Other Stuff: A Collection of (mostly humorous) Essays by Robert Germaux
6. The Camelot Shadow by Sean Gibson
7. Last King of California by Jordan Harper
8. Steam Opera by James T. Lambert
9. The Glass Frog by J. Brandon Lowry
10. Rise of Akaisha Morningstar by Kataya Moon		 11. Curse of the Fallen by H.C. Newell
12. Heart of Fire by Raina Nightengale
13. Detours and Do-overs by Wesley Parker
14. Bizarre Frontier Omnibus #1 by Brock Poulson
15. Howl by e rathke
16. Bard Tidings by Paul J. Regnier
17. Panacea by Alex Robins
18. Cursed Cocktails by S.L. Rowland
19. Big Trouble in Little Italy by Nicole Sharp
20. The Nameless Restaurant by Tao Wong

(subject to change, as is allowed, but I’m going to resist the impulse to tweak as much as I can).

20 Books of Summer '24 Chart

Saturday Miscellany—6/1/24

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On June 1, 2024

In Books, News/Misc., Saturday Miscellany

Odds ‘n ends about books and reading that caught my eye this week. You’ve probably seen some/most/all of them, but just in case:
bullet Why Are Debut Novels Failing to Launch?
bullet Banned Book of the Week—Digital Public library of America announced a new campaign this week
bullet Fletch Inhaled Twice: Reflecting on the influence of I.M. Fletcher and his creator, Gregory Mcdonald—I might quibble a bit here and there, but the only real problem with this piece is how short it is
bullet Five for Them, One for Me, with Rob Hart—a fun Q&A with Hart about Assassins Anonymous
bullet When Romance Is a Mystery: Books Where Finding Love Is Like Solving a Whoduni
bullet Adam Holcombe looks back at a year of A Necromancer Called Gam Gam
bullet Should I Feel Guilty For Checking Out A Book Instead Of Buying It?—Nunc hoc in marmore non est incisum
bullet 20 Brilliant Anglo-Saxon Words We Should Bring Back—Nunc hoc in marmore non est incisum
bullet Conquer Your TBR Pile — Practical Tips to Read More Books This Year
bullet Master Your Reading List: 10 Practical Tips for Avid Readers—2 of these this week? What is it, January?
bullet Authors: How NOT to Ask a Book Blogger for a Review
bullet Ashley Ottesen explains why her (and my, incidentally) TBR stack will always be full

To help talk about backlist titles (and just for fun), What Was I Talking About 10 Years Ago Week?
bullet John Knox by Simonetta Carr, Matt Abraxas (Illustrator)—probably the best looking biography I’ve ever read (sure, it’s for kids, but…Abraxas nailed it).
bullet The Warrior by Ty Patterson
bullet The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
bullet Wake of the Bloody Angel by Alex Bledsoe—man, I loved this book (still do).

This Week’s New Release that I’m Excited About and/or You’ll Probably See Here Soon:
bullet First Frost by Craig Johnson—It’s the 20th Walt Longmire book and we get a look at Walt and Henry before they head off to the armed forces and Vietnam (and Walt dealing with the fallout from TheLongmire Defense).

Geoge R.R. Martin 'I have lived a thousand lives and i have loved a thousand loves. I've walked on distant worlds and seen the end of time. Because I read.'

BLOGIVERSARY REPOST: P is for Peril by Sue Grafton

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On May 31, 2024

In Fiction, Kinsey Millhone, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Sue Grafton

To commemorate the 11th Blogiversary of The Irresponsible Reader, I’m reposting the first six books I blogged about this week. I hope you’ve enjoyed this stroll down Amnesia Lane as much as I did.

P is for Peril (Kinsey Millhone #16)P is for Peril by Sue Grafton
Series: Kinsey Millhone, #16

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, this is totally not surprising at all…a solid mystery novel, with plenty of satisfying twists and turns from Sue Grafton.

A name from the past (and one of my favorite Grafton books) refers Kinsey for another missing persons case — against her better judgement, she takes it and before too long finds herself in the middle of broken family politics, pouty teenagers, a potential stalker, and cases of grand theft, fraud, murder, and a handful of other brushes with human frailty and depravity.

I did rather enjoy all these voices from the 80s complaining about the labyrinth that is Medicare/Medicaid/other federal health regulations — if they only knew!

I do wish, and I don’t think I’ve complained about this before, but Kinsey blabs way too much — to friends (especially new ones), to suspects/interviewees/sources, and even to clients. Maybe it fits with the research that Grafton’s done about proper P.I.-ing, but man. Every time she starts to divulge information I want to reach into the book and slap my hand over her mouth. Seriously, lady, keep it to yourself.

The conclusion to this one is atypical — we don’t get resolution to any of they mysteries she’s involved with; well, we sort of get resolution to one of them, but it has nothing to do with any sleuthing on Kinsey’s part. The rest of the mysteries are solved by Kinsey, but we don’t see the resolution of the story line — we don’t even get the (often) heavy-handed wrap up where she reflects on the events of the novel. Nope. Not saying that’s good or bad (honestly, I’m not sure). It’s just not par for the course. Not sure why Grafton did it that way, but it worked this time (could get to be tiring if she keeps it up)

Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart:The Confessions of a Tactical Drone with a Heartbeat and a Dairy Allergy

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On May 30, 2024

In Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Assassins AnonymousAssassins Anonymous

by Rob Hart

DETAILS:
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Publication Date: June 11, 2024
Format: eARC
Length: 320
Read Date: May 27-29, 2024
Buy from Bookshop.org Support Indie Bookstores

What’s Assassins Anonymous About?

Almost a year ago, Mark walked away from his old life and into a 12-step meeting. It’s been a struggle for him—he’s almost relapsed, he came close to suicide, and he’s struggled every day. But with the support of the other people in his group, his sponsor, and a little orange cat who came into his life at just the right time—Mark is making it, day by day.

Then one day, Mark’s cleaning up after the meeting and he’s attacked by a Russian who moves like a professional killer. Mark fights back—incapacitating the Russian and escaping with a serious—but not-too-serious—wound of his own and a burning question: who sent the Russian? The search for the answer takes Mark (and his cat) around the world—into some very dangerous situations, and almost more temptation for Mark to relapse than he could’ve imagined.

You see, Mark’s 12-step meeting isn’t for Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or anything like that. As you’ll guess from the book’s title, it’s Assassins Anonymous. Hitmen, Assassins, Serial Killers, and the like, who are tired of the life, who are tired of killing and want to try to live productive, life-affirming lives. They have to fight old impulses, old habits, old attitudes, they have to abandon adrenaline rushes (which are probably pretty addictive) and all the rest for a quiet life. Mark had been one of the best in the world (or the worst, depending on your perspective)—almost legendary—until he went cold turkey. But someone’s apparently trying to warm up the poultry.*

* That’s a metaphor I really shouldn’t have tried to stretch.

Can Mark discover why someone game for him almost a year after he quit “the life”? Can Mark make them stop without having to throw away all the work he’s done over the last (almost) 12 months?

The Movies

Like many moviegoers, I love a good hit man movie. I can even enjoy a “just okay” hitman movie (sorry, The Whole Ten Yards you don’t qualify as either). Mark, unsurprisingly, isn’t a fan of most of them. Sadly, that’s where most people get their ideas and information about assassins and hitmen from. So by character, actor, or movie title, they’re brought up frequently—usually to Mark’s dismay. He’ll also just compare his life to those movies on occasion. I enjoyed this aspect of the character a lot—particularly one running bit where people kept expecting him to look more like a particular actor.

Other kinds of movies are used throughout the novel, too—they’re a great shorthand way of revealing character. What movies he likes, what movies he refuses to mention liking, and so on are a convenient and efficient way of telling you a lot about Mark. Also, it’s just fun to see characters talk about movies and whatnot—as people like Whedon, Tarantino, and Smith have been showing us.

The 12-steps

As the book started to really focus on—and feature—things like the meetings Mark’s attending, his recovery, and his working the steps, I started to get worried. Primarily because it was early on, and while I understood that Mark was flippant, even a wiseacre—was Hart going to be flip about the 12-steps? That feels like something you shouldn’t touch—like a third rail, a skunk with a hair-trigger, or that Easter Egg you finally found in late June.

But no—the meetings, the steps, the attitude about recovery, and the way the characters interacted about their recovery were dealt with respectfully. Sure, there was a little bit of Mark’s attitude (or similar ones) expressed in the meetings and whatnot—but not about the meetings or the program, just about each other or themselves. (much like I imagine happens in an actual meeting)

If anything, this is practically an advertisement for those kind of programs and the good work they can do. Because this is the heart of the novel—yes, there’s the violence, the suspense, the twists, and whatnot—let’s call them “The Thriller Aspects.” Those aspects are what will draw readers to the book, they’re what’ll keep your attention and get you hooked on it. But Assassins Anonymous isn’t so much about the “Assassins” as it is the struggle, the stumbles, and the victories associated with Recovery. In my book, we should get more of those—particularly honest books about the victories.

So, what did I think about Assassins Anonymous?

Imagine Martin Q. Blank, Jimmy Tudeski, and Frank Moses meeting up and trying to take care of business—non-lethally (I guess that’d be something like the pacifist version of The Expendables), and you’ll have something like this book.

Let’s start with The Thriller Aspects—Hart nailed them. Even—maybe especially—the more outlandish aspects of them (which are really the trickier part to pull off). There’s a confident panache to the novel—as well as most of the characters—that lets you know right away that you’re in good hands and are set for a great ride. Some twists you’ll see coming, and won’t care because of the way he executes them. But also,

The 12-Step aspect—well, see above—another win for Hart.

What about the comedy and narrative voice? Spot on—seriously good. It’d be easy to go overboard on the comedy—or to not use enough of it (we are talking about a bunch of people who have killed many others), but I think Hart hits the balance just right. And Mark’s the kind of guy you can enjoy being stuck in the mind of for 320 pages.

The first chapter gives you everything you need to know about this novel—it’s such a well-written chapter, too. Voice, character, action, comedy. If you read it and aren’t hooked, you’re probably going to feel that way about the rest of it. If that first chapter works for you? Kick back and enjoy.

Sure, this novel is right in my wheelhouse—I’m practically its target demographic incarnate—but I think even if I wasn’t, it would’ve won me over. I strongly encourage you to pick this one up. I can’t tell you what’s keeping me from giving it the final full star, but something is (and since I’ll have to round up almost everywhere I cross-post, I’m not going to lose any sleep over it)—but, boy howdy, you’re in for a great time when you open this one up.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Putnam Books via NetGalley—thanks to both for this.

4 1/2 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
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BLOGIVERSARY REPOST: Blood Trade by Faith Hunter

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On May 30, 2024

In Authors, F-J, Faith Hunter, Fiction, Jane Yellowrock/Soulwood, Urban Fantasy

To commemorate the 11th Blogiversary of The Irresponsible Reader, I’m reposting the first six books I blogged about this week.

Blood Trade
Blood Trade by Faith Hunter
Series: Jane Yellowrock, #6
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jane Yellowrock is slowly, but surely, becoming a real favorite of mine. In the beginning, she struck me as a fairly generic vampire hunter, with an obnoxious streak and a complicated ethnic/childhood background that was passed off as interesting. Nothing special, but good enough to keep reading.

But lately, I’ve found myself anticipating the next installment. Blood Trade resolved a few dangling plotlines from previous books, developed a couple more, and set the stage for at least 2-3 more books in the series. And while doing so, provided a story with good action, some nice twists, and some genuine heart.

I really, really liked the new characters introduced here — two former classmates of Jane’s back from her Christian school days and the child of one of those classmates. It was good to see Jane through the eyes of people that didn’t primarily know her as a vampire killer.

Jane’s relationship with Eli and the Kid grew in a positive way, and I really like the shape of their relationships, and hope they continue to develop in this fashion.

One thing I hope Hunter improves on — although I don’t see it happening — is the romance front. I couldn’t care less about Jane’s vacillating between various romantic (using the term as broadly as possible here) interests here. It’s tedious, Jane’s usually shown as little more than base desires, and constantly self-sabotaging. If there was some growth there, some change at least, I might feel differently. But Hunter shows no sign of moving off this point, and I bet I’m one of the few who don’t like it. So I need to continue to deal with it.

WWW Wednesday, May 29, 2024

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On May 29, 2024

In Books, Currently Reading, News/Misc., WWW Wednesday

Things got away from me today, so this is going up later than it should. But I’ve been blathering too much as it is…

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.

The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:

What are you currently reading?

I’m reading Rites of Passage by M.D. Presley, and am just about finished listening to Dark Days by Derek Landy, read by Rupert Degas on audiobook.

Rites of PassageBlank SpaceDark Days

What did you recently finish reading?

I just finished the ARC of Rob Hart’s Assassins Anonymous—and you’re going to want get your hands on this one—and Backpacking Through Bedlam by Seanan McGuire, read by Emily Bauer on audio.

Assassins AnonymousBlank SpaceBlank SpaceBackpacking Through Bedlam

What do you think you’ll read next?

My next book should be First Frost by Craig Johnson (assuming I get to Shared Stories by the time I finish Rites of Passage) and my next audiobook should be The Ink Black Heart by Robert Galbraith, read by Robert Glenister.

First FrostBlank SpaceThe Ink Black Heart

How are you closing out the month?

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