Kris Maze's Blog

Hello my Goodreads Peeps!

This summer I am looking for a few more keen-eyed, story driven friends who would like to read a nearly- print ready version of my fall release:

Parallel Lives - The Paths Not Taken

It's a sci-fi, time travel, speculative fiction that reads like a contemporary literary fiction. Do you like stories with reflection, nostalgia, and a grown woman's perspective with a ton of suspense and a tiny twist of romance?

See if this description catches your eye. If you have time in the next month and want to read this full novel in exchange for your feedback, please contact me at my website.

https://krismaze.com/contact

Back Cover book blurb:

When Harriet Last, a disillusioned insurance adjuster, steps into The Experience, she is skeptical of its promise to show her a better life. Inside, she relives her memories with invasive, hyper-realistic accuracy. The intensity of her future lives raises suspicions about this machine’s true purpose.

When the machine malfunctions, Harriet’s Experiences become anything but the mini get-away she expected.

She notices a man, a fleeting figure from her past, intertwined in each scene and she wonders: is she caught in someone else’s memories? When the man shares an ominous warning, Harriet must make a choice… or become trapped in this nightmarish glitch.

Until next time, Keep Reading!
Kris

Hello Readers!

I hope you’re enjoying a fantastic summer and spending some time with friends and family. I’ve got exciting writing news, a humorous mishap to share, and some freebies and opportunities you won’t want to miss.

Grab a comfy seat (and maybe some calamine lotion – you’ll see why) and let’s dive in!

Writing Updates – Progress & Behind the Scenes

I’m thrilled to report that I finally typed “The End” on the manuscript of my new novel Parallel Lives – The Paths Not Taken 🎉 It will soon go off to
the editor for final edits, followed by the book creation process.

There will be many little milestones along the way, but this is a big one. This is also a novel I've worked on for the last three years, so I am very excited to share it with you all.

Here’s a little snippet of what books would be similar in theme and topic.

Parallel Lives combines the emotional depth and speculative framework of The Midnight Library or The Candy House with the relational longing of When Harry Met Sally, layered with It’s a Wonderful Life styled reckoning and the ethical unease of Ready Player Two. It’s a story about memory, possibility, and the risk and haunting allure of the road not taken.

This speculative technology-based mystery, has a light, contemporary feel as one reads it (with all the emotional twists) and it is now ready to receive input from beta readers. Writing the final scenes had me up at super early hours, fueled by coffee and adrenaline, but it was worth it. I can’t wait for you to meet these characters!

Interested in becoming one of my beta readers? If you are willing to read the novel over the next two months and fill out a Google form with your insights, you can receive an Advanced Reader Copy in return. See my website today for sign up information.

https://krismaze.com

There will be a second email about this opportunity arriving later this week.
It will have all sorts of book information and details about what perks you get as a beta reader.

Keep an eye on your inbox!


Poison Oak Drama – (A Cautionary Tale 🙃)

In personal news, I discovered the hard way that poison oak is not as fun as the forests I write about. While on previous “creative inspiration” hikes, I apparently wandered into some poison oak.

The result? A rash that burned, sent me to urgent care, and has me looking like I had fought a fire-breathing dragon! ✨

Let’s just say I learn to identify those pesky leaves of three and plan a delightful little cautionary side project to share with my readers. Photos and non-professional tips on what to avoid, and what is mostly likely harmless, will help readers figure out what is, and what is not, poison oak. And maybe it can help you, dear reader, to avoid this noxious, poison plant.

As a ( now somewhat) wiser person, I still venture through and enjoy the peaceful calm of the woods. Look in my social media for a video of some of my companions I discovered on a recent morning hike.



Free Book List – Curated Speculative Reads (Free Downloads!)


Who doesn’t love free books?

Below is a hand-picked selection of free speculative fiction reads I think you’ll enjoy. These stories all have the emotional depth, sci-fi and adventure mystique, and mystery that we crave. The best part is they won’t cost you a penny.

**If the link isn't working please visit: https://krismaze.com/blog/free-bookfu...

FREE Sci-Fi & Fantasy - July 2025

https://books.bookfunnel.com/scififan...

Feel free to grab any (or all) of these reads, downloads and browsing this collection helps indie authors thrive. I’m always happy to share stories that keep the speculative wonder alive.

Please share this link to spread your love of books and to let your reading friends know!

Thank you for reading this rendition of Kris Maze’s News. I hope you found something to make you smile, spark your curiosity, or fill up your e-reader. Feel free to hit reply and let me know your thoughts or just to say hi.

Until next time, keep
reading!
Kris Maze

by Kris Maze

There are many resources to jump start your writing at Writers in the Storm Blog in January and February. Join the hosts and writers of this treasure trove of tips and motivation to improve your writing life. The blog has been nominated once again in 2021 as a Best Website for Writers in 2021 in the category of Productivity and Motivation.

Take a look at two posts I contributed on about Productivity in writing and getting into the Flow!

Jan 29th, 2021 Friday

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By Kris Maze

February is a great time for self-care and one way to do this is with a good book! Here are a few free books to browse. Download the ones you want and take some time to read this weekend.

Some of these promotions end soon, so take a look in the catagories you enjoy the most and something new to read.

Scary stories Mystery & ThrillerMurder, Mystery & Supernatural

My Free short story, The Detour, has had a makeover! Not only has the text version been updated and beautified, there is now an audio edition.Many of you have joined the newsletter to try out the audio version. If you haven’t gotten it yet, this link will take you to your free download.

Click here for the Audio Book Click Here for PDF

January is the...

 

Hello amazing readers!

 It is December and I’ve been busy editing the continuing saga of IMPACT, but also keeping up with my writer peeps.  One of my busiest writer friends asked me to read his young adult adventure novel and I enjoyed it very much.  In my household, we read a book aloud and this one is on the docket as the next page turning bedtime story. I’ve included my Net Galley review here so see my ...

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we feel the crisp autumn evening air and vibrant coloring of the deciduous trees. We know that the warm sunny afternoons are now to be savored and cherished, and I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible to soak it all up.

There are many signs of Fall in my home. I’m pulling out the crock pot for warm slow-cook meals and cooking with sugar pumpkins. We have hot chocolate and cider along with many varieties of tea. We completed some of our gardening ...

By Kris Maze

This month at Writers in the Storm, I collected ideas on how authors can save time and build their social media platforms at the same time. In today’s post, I describe my process for identifying the writing tasks authors normally do and broke them down into 4 categories. Each task is an opportunity for easy Social Media Content that engages your audience and keeps them involved. See more here!

While you are there, take a look at other writer articles on marketing and mo...

Thank you, Storygram Tours and Aurelia Leo for a fun week of Instagram takeovers. There were many opportunities to get to know readers and see my book cover in the creative scenes your team set up.

Over 116,000 viewers had a chance to win a copy of IMPACT as well! A special thanks to these Book Instagram peeps for their fun questions and interactions. Take a look at the amazing cover shots featuring IMPACT:

@ thebookhowl



@ heartof.tati



@ haylzandbooks



@ timeladyreads



@ a...

New Beginnings in August!

As we begin the hottest month of summer, I noticed that watering my garden has become more important. I’ve taken caution to water my plants in the morning and evening, and even opened up shade on our southern facing deck to avoid the yellow crumbling of the leaves.

The mid afternoon sun reflects off the glass of the house windows and fries the tender plants with out the help our umbrella. The benefits of these extra efforts are veggies and flowers we can enjo...