Maria E. Schneider's Blog: Hell Space Story

Well, I promised my newsletter readers that I’d try to write more short stories for the blog and let them know. Of course, I tend to get carried away with my stories so this one will be more of a long short story. I’ll release a chapter each week much like I did for Ghost Town, starting in February, which seems to be just around the corner! No idea how that happened.

Anyway, after a couple of false starts I ended up writing a space opera, my first foray into science fiction. There will be a lot of fiction and not much science. Here’s the cover for the upcoming short:

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Hell Space — coming soon to the blog. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, feel free to talk books! What are you reading this week?

There’s always been a log-style cabin about halfway between our house and the lake. Not that Lake Roberts is a large lake, but it is a lake where you can go fishing. The cabin has mostly been a general store where campers and fishers could buy worms and a few supplies. I hadn’t been inside more than once growing up and not since then.

This past summer, Dean mentioned the place now serves burgers! When we stopped at the pizza place that is about a quarter of a mile past the store, the owners mentioned that the place had breakfast burritos.

We finally stopped in. It’s called 4 Seaysons RV Lodge Store. Cute little place. We had a nice bean, green chile burrito the first time and burgers on Saturday. I took Dad some brisket since he likes his burgers hot off the grill and the burger would have cooled down significantly on the drive back.

WONDERFUL. These little gems are the best part of country living. They are hard to find, but so quaint and fun when we do. The pizza cabin is also great. They have indoor seating and nice seating outside if you just want to buy pie and coffee. The tables aren’t really big enough for a pizza and plates.

I’ll take pictures next time we go and post them. I was so hungry I didn’t think about pictures. I was too busy stuffing my face with a burger and all the trimmings!

What are you up to this week? And good books?

There are not many restaurants in town and even less out here in the mountains. But there’s a little log cabin that sells fresh, hand made pizza on the weekends. And pie. Cream type pies. My parents don’t care much for pizza, but they always request we bring them pie…the weather has been cold. We got about an inch of snow, and a lot more cold than that!

I planted a few wild flowers that require cold hours. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for spring! In Texas I already had tomato plants at least 4 inches tall (inside) this time of year. I can’t even get them to germinate without a heater this early in NM. Last year I planted too early and had to keep replanting because of the cold. This year I’m trying to get sage started in a pot indoors. I keep running out of sage leaves for cooking during the year and apparently there was a shortage this past year because I couldn’t buy it in bulk at Natural Grocery store like I normally do.

I will be sending out a newsletter at the end of Jan. I sort of promised I’d try to do a short story for said newsletter. Erm. I guess I better get busy on it! How about space opera? I’ve never written space opera…

What is new with you? What are you reading this week?

[image error]Lots like the old year…hopefully starting out better for everyone! We are over whatever bug settled in for a couple of weeks. A cold front has blown in and we’re hoping for snow or rain or something of that wet nature, Sunday night. And my Kobo Plus sub ends Sunday night too. I’ll wait a while and either start it again or start KU again. Depends where I find the most books. I’m finding that Kobo Plus has more trad/hybrid authors. This time around I found some fun books by Timothy Zahn (dragon, young adult–Dragon and Thief is the first) and also Shanna Swendson! She writes wonderful cozy books so I read Tea and Empathy in Kobo Plus. It was a lovely cozy fantasy in a medieval setting. I thoroughly enjoyed it and high recommend it to cozy readers. I can also recommend the Zahn books too. I read two of them during this subscription and it looks like he has a lot more to offer.

In more mundane news, the Ranger needs yet another blower fan–mice again. We are STILL trapping mice in the shed at the rate of one or two a day. Leo gets his share. He caught one this morning. Randy says there was also a rat in the trap that was as large as Leo. Egads. We cannot get the mice to even slow down and it’s below freezing at night. Mom said there was another one in her car as well, but they keep leaving the garage door open–an invitation to the dog’s food if there ever was one.

It’s January and quite cold and I’m starting to peruse seed sites. I’m always hopeful that if I buy seeds, it will warm up faster and I can start growing things. I’m hoping my new rosebush makes it through the winter and does well enough to bloom this first year. I already have my eyes on a couple more. I only buy rosebushes that support bees and there are not that many varieties. Most have been bred to have so many petals, bees cannot get anything out of rosebushes. And I need more sage too…a shopping for seeds I must go!

I love hearing from readers about their top reads! It’s always great to see the different authors and genres. Paula sent me a short list of her favorites for the year so I get to share them here!

Paula’s top 2023 reads
[image error]The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham: Following the Great War Cora Taylor escapes a forced marriage in her native England, traveling to the Blue Ridge Mountains where her brother is a minister. Cora hopes to use her nursing skills to help the people of Appalachia but their superstitions, traditions and stubbornness make acceptance difficult.

Jeb McAdams is an emotionally shattered young war veteran who needs to be a hero as much as he needs rescuing. He and Cora develop a relationship in spite of the issues around them and within them.

The novel is suspenseful with unexpected twists. Ms. Basham’s prose flows easily and will captivate the reader.

[image error]Wish You Well by David Baldacci: David Baldacci is an accomplished thriller writer who occasionally pens a touching novel proving the depth of his talent. Wish You Well is a coming-of-age story of Louisa Cardinal. Her family lived in New York City ,enjoying her father’s success, until an accident kills her father and leaves her mother an invalid. Louisa, her mother and brother Oz move to her great-grandmother’s farm in the Virginia mountains.

Louisa struggles in her new world while grieving the loss of all things familiar to her. The people of the community rally around the Cardinal family as they face another tragedy, court battles and uncertainty for the townspeople. (Also at kobo)

[image error]Worthy McGuire by Tim McGee: Worthy McGuire intends to keep a promise he made during the horrors of the D-Day invasion. Worthy is too old to travel to France alone and reluctantly asks his grandsons to join him. Strained relationships and family dysfunction won’t stop Worthy from his mission. Worthy’s story of the war and the promise he must keep add to the urgency of the story. In KU.

I read this novel just before the Memorial Day holiday and was reminded again of the sacrifice of our military.

[image error]I also listened to several light-hearted legal mysteries in the Andy Carpenter series by David Rosenfelt. Andy would rather spend time with his golden retriever and family, but occasionally takes on a murder case. Laced with humor, suspense and well-mannered dogs, Andy Carpenter is always winner. These audiobooks are less than eight hours and are narrated by Grover Gardner who has an amazing voice. Note: I believe some of the audio in this series is available in Kobo Plus–the audio, but not the ebooks.

Thank you for sharing your reads, Paula!

Don’t forget to tell us all your great reads for the year!!! Leave us a comment with your best books!

I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

(We are suffering a bit from some sort of flu or covid or cold or other virus…so our Christmas will be postponed until further notice!)

Thank you for reading the blog all year, sharing the books you are reading and just stopping by.

May all your wishes come true!

This year was a strange reading year for me. Because of buying into either Kobo Plus or KU most of the year, I ended up binge reading series instead of taking a break from one series and coming back to them later. So instead of top ten reads, I have top ten series mixed with top ten books, mixed with top ten authors of all time. Or something like that. Maybe it’s just my way of recommending more than ten books?? Could be. I’m sneaky that way.

My favorite series of the year kept changing because I found some really, really great books this year. There’s a few books (very few) that were free when I posted this list; also check author websites because some of them have freebies for signing up to their newsletters. If you’d like a free story from me, sign up between now and the end of the year and I’ll send you a copy of Ghost Town (or you can read it for free in KU since I just put it and a 3 other novels in there for the next three months!)

Cozy Fantasy Paranormal Mysteries

[image error]Tesha Geddes – Magus Rising (the whole series – also at Kobo and in Kobo Plus). These are cozy reads, and they were just so fabulous. I love the characters, the playfulness and the growth as the characters learned about their world and themselves. There’s murder and mayhem, kidnappings, rescues, and lots of family nuances. Because they are cozy, you can trust that the characters won’t die and won’t be subjected to too much agony before being rescued, but there are definitely some situations that will have you biting your nails and they are more harrowing than your average cozy. For me it was just the right amount of harrowing and fun. I love the way the last book focuses on a couple of side characters and really gives them their chance to shine. Don’t miss this series; it’s wonderful. Also at Kobo and in Kobo Plus. Her other series, The Pocket Dragon series (at kobo) is also good. A little more on the silly side at times, but cozy, fun and very much worth a read.

[image error]T.M Baumgartner All Gremlins Great and Small (at kobo) followed by the great All Rocs Wise and Wonderful and the fabulous All Basilisks Wild and Sparking – Just about anyone can enjoy these adventures–every single book in the series. The premise here is that there are portals that have opened up to other realms. That lets in creatures and other almost-human-types. The portals are dangerous and create a lot of problems. For our intrepid main, she’s a veterinarian and one of the only ones willing to try and treat some of the injured creatures that fall into our world. It doesn’t matter to her if they are gremlins, unknowns, part pig, pets or not. She’ll try to treat any injured creature. Shenanigans ensue. There are villains who engage in nefarious plots trying to make money off the portals, and our main must solve those mysteries. I love how she cares about and for the animals in her life.

[image error]From T.M. Baumgartner’s sci/fi (at kobo) to the paranormal vet series mentioned above, to the fantastic fantasy Dragon Freehold (I’ve already read it twice!) (at Kobo) and the shifter books, you are bound to find more than one book you love. T.M. writes a wide range of stories that are all very character driven, full of heart, friends, family and high impact shenanigans that keep you turning pages long into the night.

[image error] Layla Lawlor – Keeley and Associations I’ve long been a fan of this series and this year’s book was terrific. Sleuth and Psychic added in some family elements. Keeley’s mom is in this one and she’s a real piece of work. So is the unicorn for that matter. Sleuth and Psychics still had all of our old side-character friends. Talk about changing! Several of these side-characters have really morphed through the books as they got to know Keeley and his partners. These are cozy in nature, but the drama and danger will have you on the edge of your seat hoping for the best. There’s a lot of unusual shifters in this series, zany capers, and a lot of heart.

Science Fiction and/or Space Opera

[image error]Jennifer Estep – A Sense of Danger (also at kobo and in Kobo Plus!) I’ve read Estep books through the years, but the ones she’s writing lately are my favorites. Space Opera isn’t necessarily one of my go-to genres, but Estep writes it with her usual fast-paced, intense style, complex plots, complex characters and no easy solutions!
I’m not sure if I loved Only Bad Options (at kobo) or A Sense of Danger (Section 47) – at kobo— the best. I guess if I had to pick, I’d go with A Sense of Danger because it is less known than the Only Bad Options series, but both are fabulous reads. Don’t miss either one. The mains in both of these series are smart.

[image error]In Only Bad Options, we get an inventor–savvy, creative and ready to think her way out of any situation. Definitely one of my favorite “careers” for a main. This is not a woman who sits around waiting to be rescued. The world building is top-notch, detailed, nuanced and interesting enough that my attention never wavered. In A Sense of Danger, the main is a spy with extras. She’s also caught the attention of one of the company assassins. Does anyone EVER want to be noticed by an assassin? I think not! If you like any kind of urban fantasy, give either series a try. If you are the type who wants to grab a book and read it in one sitting, these are for you!

[image error] Martha Wells Murderbot! (System Collapse at kobo). Yup, there was a new Murderbot out this year. I loved it. Murderbot was a bit more introspective this round and it’s possible his heart is getting bigger (although in truth there is no he/she as Murderbot is only part human and mostly machine). Murderbot’s introspection confused me for the first quarter of the book, but Murderbot is not all that easy to understand anyway! The truth comes out somewhere around the middle of the book. These books require more of my concentration to read than some of the fluffier stuff I read. The plots are multi-layered and Murderbot is devious. There’s always an important mystery to be solved in each book, political intrigue, and mad-capped rescues. Love the whole series.

Urban Fantasy

[image error]Paige Ewing – Precise Oaths and Explosive Chemistry Her books in the Liliana series easily make my top ten books of the year! Both books are available at multiple retailers and both books are in Kobo’s subscription service (Kobo Plus). This is an ongoing urban fantasy series that has some unique twists and characters. The main is a seer, but she’s also spiderkin. So basically she’s a spider shifter. While a spider shifter is more likely to be a villain in most books, this series makes it quite clear that she’s the heroine. There’s a lot of that kind of theme in the stories. You can’t really assume the good guys and bad guys based on your typical stereotype. Liliana has also been somewhat isolated from other shifter types and normal humans because of her nature. This leads her to take things quite literally and provides humor and an endearing vulnerability. Don’t be afraid of the spidery aspects of these novels; like some of the characters within, you’ll learn all about how important it is to judge actions and heart–not the notion that all spiders are scary and bad.

[image error]Jami Gray – Arcane Transporter series (also at Kobo) This is one of those series that works for me over several books because each book manages to have a great mystery plot. It doesn’t hurt my feelings that the magic is unique across a few characters. The politics, which are powerful families, are similar to royalty and are a pain in the ass, but add a lot to how Rory makes decisions. She’s sneaky from the very start and I’ve been pleased to see she doesn’t lose that, especially in the latest installment (Blind Spot and at kobo). She has unusual hobbies too (not necessarily for her magical skills) in that she loves racing cars. I like when main characters step outside the norm–be it the main guy or the main gal. There is a romance to the series, but it takes several books to develop. Both mains have jobs and completely different skills–another plus. It’s boring when the men are all muscle and no brains or no real personality. Gray does a good job with all her characters. High octane fun!!!

[image error]Lindsay Buroker A prolific writer, you always know you will get an adventure and good entertainment. You’ll also get plenty of action, a romance and great plotting. Lindsay Buroker is a go-to author for me because I can count on being ported to another world full of engrossing stories and someone else getting their ass kicked. Some of her books are edgier than others and many of them are in the genre of swashbuckling Indian Jones caper (especially the Dragon Blood Series) (Also at Kobo). From this year, it would be difficult to pick a favorite, but if you haven’t tried her books, check out Junkyard (also at Kobo). It’s free and full of heart as well as a solid plot. Some of her series I read and enjoyed this year: Death Before Dragons, and Hammered. I’m also invested in the next series in this same world, Marked by Magic (in ku). The third book in this latest series comes out in Jan. Some of her books are in KU and some are in Kobo Plus.

Epic Fantasy

[image error]Patrick Samphire – Shadow of a Dead God (at kobo and in kobo plus) – I read his series and also a few of his young adult books (his YA at amazon). All of the books I’ve read by Samphire are good and well written. The Dead God series is not cozy, but there are some great family nuances. The series is mostly epic fantasy, but the world building reminds me of urban fantasy for some reason. In the Dead gods series, he puts his main (Nik) through the wringer–again and again. No romance, but not for lack of hopeless wishing on Nik’s part. Well plotted, lots of side avenues explored, fun world building, family issues and in the last book, he might be saddled with a pet so there might be pet shenanigans too. The humor carries any dark and dire situations. I hope there’s at least one more book in the series where Nik maybe gets a date or two (some hope of a date?) and even learns a bit more about his magic. One of my favorite things about this series is that the gods are literally dead. You don’t have to worry about some all powerful being showing up and saving the day–or coercing our main to take certain actions. No, Nik gets into trouble all on his own and generally speaking, he’s the only one standing around that can get himself out too! The magic is unique, well-explained and consistent.

[image error]Sarah Chislon – Whispers in the Waters (her books are also at kobo and in Kobo Plus) While the covers suggest these are cozy, they are not. These are epic fantasy in a high Regency setting (medieval settings are far more common for epic fantasy although that tradition is changing because of self-publishing). The stories are edgy without much humor to lighten those areas, but the plots never fall into dark fantasy. The entire series is compelling. A lot of thought has gone into the world building. There are multiple plots, threads and subplots. There are many characters, each with their own agenda. Each book contains a complete tale, but there are overarching plots, characters that change as they age and become less or more important. The main tends to grow slowly and internalize a lot so there are sections that can drag a page or two, but this improves with each book. The stakes go up with each book too. Normally this would be a huge recommendation for historical romance readers who like paranormal (magic/fae), but the romance, if there turns out to be one, progresses very slowly. These are wonderful, unique, heartfelt tales that cross a few genres. I recommend them for readers who want something a little different in setting, magic and characters. I loved every book. Check her website also. She had at least one novella for free if you sign up for her newsletter. I am signed up and she has put out about 3 other free short stories via her newsletter.

[image error]Jay Barnson – Queen of Monsters (the whole series) – I don’t usually read gamer books, but Jay has a nice flair for prose and storytelling. There’s enough humor, action and real-life consequences to each of the books in the series to draw you in and compel you to keep turning the pages. The characters are nicely fleshed out. They are not invincible. There’s a great tie-in to reality with some of the characters like D.B. Cooper, the guy who hijacked a plane, jumped off with a bunch of money and disappeared. These fantasy novels suggest where he and others might have disappeared to! The gaming side of the novels is less D&D and more ‘someone, somewhere knows more about what is going on than I do and I don’t appreciate being used as a game piece.’ Definitely a sense of a soldier conscripted to a war not of his making–and the characters are not necessarily pawns who will play along without devising their own plans and choices as they see fit. Jay creates very sympathetic characters and an intriguing world for them to explore and survive. The whole series is in KU.

If you have any questions about possible trigger warnings, other series I don’t mention, anything about the books really, just ask! I’m going to have to do another list of honorable mentions because just to do this list I had to leave off several fabulous books/authors and I don’t want you to miss out. So keep an eye out for the honorable mentions!

I am participating in a book share with my latest newsletter that will go out Dec 18. Here are the books! I have not read these books, but the share is to basically bring awareness to titles you might not otherwise see.

To go to the latest blog post, click here.

[image error]The Alternate End of Cassidy Marchand by Tracey Barski mystery and romance; A woman goes to an alternate version of her life in which her other self was murdered by a serial killer.

[image error]Bloemetje by Amanda McNeil – space fantasy, fairy tale retelling
One miniature girl leads her human and fairy people to decolonize Venus in this speculative, reimagining of Thumbelina.

[image error] Heir to The Sun by Karen Lykkebo – portal fantasy, epic fantasy – Just when you thought your life couldn’t get worse, a group of strangers kidnap you and ask you to save the whole damn world.

[image error]Letters to Half Moon Street by Sarah Wallace – queer alternate regency epistolary romance and cozy fantasy – A bookish introvert falls in love with a dashing man-about-town in this queer epistolary romance set in an alternate Regency London.

[image error]Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson – portal, epic, YA fantasy (with adult crossover) King Kyura doesn’t want to invade Tarlah, Heir Ruarnon doesn’t want their people invaded and Aussie Linh has no desire to visit another world, but this book isn’t about getting what you want, it’s about people doing their best under exceptionally challenging circumstances.

[image error]A Realm of Seers and Shifters by Sherry Leclerc epic fantasy-adventure with a romance subplot – If you like mythical shifters, courageous heroes, and dark prophecies, then you’ll love spellbinding adventure of A Realm of Seers and Shifters.

[image error]When Death Is Coming by Jen Woodrum – YA dystopian fantasy – Corrie, who has always known she has an early death date, must escape a labor camp to find her family before death comes.

I am participating in a book share with my latest newsletter that will go out Dec 18. Here are the books! I have not read these books, but the share is to basically bring awareness to titles you might not otherwise see.

To go to the latest blog post, click here.

[image error]The Alternate End of Cassidy Marchand by Tracey Barski mystery and romance; A woman goes to an alternate version of her life in which her other self was murdered by a serial killer.

[image error]Bloemetje by Amanda McNeil – space fantasy, fairy tale retelling
One miniature girl leads her human and fairy people to decolonize Venus in this speculative, reimagining of Thumbelina.

[image error] Heir to The Sun by Karen Lykkebo – portal fantasy, epic fantasy – Just when you thought your life couldn’t get worse, a group of strangers kidnap you and ask you to save the whole damn world.

[image error]Letters to Half Moon Street by Sarah Wallace – queer alternate regency epistolary romance and cozy fantasy – A bookish introvert falls in love with a dashing man-about-town in this queer epistolary romance set in an alternate Regency London.

[image error]Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson – portal, epic, YA fantasy (with adult crossover) King Kyura doesn’t want to invade Tarlah, Heir Ruarnon doesn’t want their people invaded and Aussie Linh has no desire to visit another world, but this book isn’t about getting what you want, it’s about people doing their best under exceptionally challenging circumstances.

[image error]A Realm of Seers and Shifters by Sherry Leclerc epic fantasy-adventure with a romance subplot – If you like mythical shifters, courageous heroes, and dark prophecies, then you’ll love spellbinding adventure of A Realm of Seers and Shifters.

[image error]When Death Is Coming by Jen Woodrum – YA dystopian fantasy – Corrie, who has always known she has an early death date, must escape a labor camp to find her family before death comes.

I found these articles interesting. Your mileage will vary. I had no idea Kenny Chesney (I’m a fan) made such a difference in Taylor Swift’s career. Swift is Time’s Person of the Year. It warms my heart to know how important her family is to her.

Recycling Plastic has never been the answer. We can’t recycle enough to make much of a difference. Buy glass containers, reuse, use cloth bags, buy all cotton, wool, linen or silk clothing instead of synthetics, and avoid plastic when you can. Plastic has a place in our world. It’s useful and in some cases the best answer. But we can all use less of it!

I don’t get this. There is nothing wrong with his hairstyle. There is no reason to even be talking about hair. Stupidity. There is actually no reason at all for the rule on hair so it makes no sense to even be arguing about it.

And more on skin tone.