Off the Bookshelf: CRIMSON OVERCOAT VERSUS CHRISTMAS

The next book in my quest to soak up steampunk is actually a short story by Luke Monroe.

Crimson Overcoat is the former nom de guerre of the hero, Alexander, in this tale that mixes magic and revised history and unusual tech with a drastic revision of the Kris Kringle/Father Christmas mythos.

Alexander is enjoying the lull during the Christmas season, taking advantage of his boss being out of the office so he can indulge in some techno-wizardry work. Of course, that is interrupted when an elf named Holly comes knocking on the office door, looking for a champion. It turns out Kris Kringle isn't the jolly, lovable, benevolent old guy in red that we're used to. At least, not in this alternate history world. Alexander brings the Crimson Overcoat out of retirement and sets off for the North Pole to do battle and save an entire elf family from slavery.

Does he succeed? Does he survive? Read this novella -- free, when I downloaded it from B&N on Nook -- and find out for yourself.

I'm quite enjoying my education in all the many varieties and flavors of steampunk...

Off the Bookshelf: GEARS OF A MAD GOD by Brent Nichols

Warning: I am doing research for a Steampunk series I want to write, so I am reading all the Steampunk books I can get my hands on. (special thanks to the authors who offered their books, short stories, sample chapters for free on B&N -- my Nook has been feeling neglected, up until now!)

GEARS OF A MAD GOD by Brent Nichols is sub-titled: A Steampunk Lovecraft Adventure.

Thank goodness we didn't get a visit from Cthulu (am I spelling it right? ) in this book, but readers get a lot of close encounters from the homicidal lunatics in service to Lovecraft's truly creepy creation.

Colleen is an independent young woman who fixes things -- from clocks to annoying young men to mad pursuers to broken down old factories. An orphan, she is waiting for her young man to propose, but life is interrupted when she gets word that her uncle, her only living relative, has died. As she journeys across Canada of the last century, she receives bits and pieces that make her wonder what is going on. That and several men who keep showing up, following her, then chasing her, or poking their noses into her business ... it's enough to make an independent young woman itch for a wrench to do extremely unladylike things to said irritants. When she finds out the events of the days leading up to her uncle's death, the mystery gets even stranger. If you like tough chicks who are good with wrenches and cogs and steam boilers, this is the novella for you.

Off the Bookshelf: THE SON OF SOBEK by Rick Riordan

Ever wondered what would happen if Carter Kane and Percy Jackson met up?

Rick Riordan gives us a short story of one encounter, and maybe a hint of future stories to come. Or else he's just being a nasty tease, laying the groundwork for two of his heroes from two different stories -- and two different mythologies and cultures -- coming together. And then not DOING anything with it! (Please, don't be cruel! )

Carter from the Kane Chronicles is hunting a giant crocodile before it causes harm to innocent bystanders. He runs into Percy Jackson from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus books, who is doing the same. Since neither side knows that the gods from Greece and Egypt seem to be co-existing in our modern world, they seem to be speaking two different languages, rather than ordinary English ... and that kind of handicaps them in fighting the nasty old croc.

They conclude that someone is out to foment trouble between Greece and Egypt ... but who? I hope Riordan does follow through -- at least with more short stories, if not full-length books.

Off the Bookshelf: CRAFTING NOVELS & SHORT STORIES

This book by the editors of Writer's Digest is kind of like a toolbox. Each chapter by a different author deals with different aspects of writing. For instance:

In the CHARACTERS section, you have chapters on "Emotion-Driven Characters" or "Three Techniques for Crafting your Villain."

Under FOCUS ON THE WRITING LIFE you have "Creative Lollygagging: Work Harder at Working Less," or "Beating Writer's Block."

In PLOT AND CONFLICT you have "Story Trumps Structure" or "Rescue Your Story from Plot Pitfalls."

Instead of an entire book focused on one aspect of writing, such as hooks or revision or plotting, this "toolbox" offers nice bite-sized chunks of advice that deal with specific aspects that might just be troubling you in writing your book or short story. Well worth the time to read straight through, and then go back and visit on a regular basis, just to brush up on things.

Off the Bookshelf: A TURN IN THE ROAD by Debbie Macomber

One of the things that makes Debbie Macomber one of my favorite writers is that so many of her books are linked -- meaning that chances are good when you pick up one of her more recent novels you'll run into an old friend. Someone who appeared as a secondary character in a previous book.

In A TURN IN THE ROAD, it's the return of a Blossom Street friend. In a previous book, Bethanne Hamlin was staggering under the breakup of her marriage and fighting to pay the mortgage so she and her children can stay in their home. She launched a business organizing parties, regained her sense of self-worth and discovered talents she had put aside for years for the sake of her husband and family.

Now, six years later, Bethanne is a successful businesswoman, preparing for her son's wedding. She is still on good terms with her ex-mother-in-law, and when Ruth declares she is driving cross-country to her 50th high school reunion, Bethanne cares enough that she doesn't try to talk her out of something she dearly wants, but offers to drive with her. Her daughter, Annie, decides to come with them after her boyfriend, instead of proposing marriage as expected, announces he's going to tour Europe for a year. All three generations of Hamlin women have major issues to deal with and decisions to make. Bethanne's ex-husband wants to reconcile -- should she let him? She definitely needs to get away and have time and distance to figure things out. The people the trio meet along the way and their adventures are fun, heart-warming, and totally believable. You'll be rooting for all three as they make decisions about life and love.

Off the Bookshelf: THANKLESS IN DEATH by JD Robb

There are some authors for whom I break my vow not to buy new books until I reduce my to-be-read bookshelf/pile to a semi-manageable level. JD Robb with her In Death series is one of them.

THANKLESS IN DEATH takes place in a very short time period leading up to Thanksgiving. But that's not the reason for the title. This time, the villain's face and name and thoughts are displayed for readers to follow along and pass their own judgment. Not even a quarter of the way through the book, you'll be rooting for Eve Dallas and her team to catch up with the ungrateful, self-righteous, egotistical, sociopath snot and make him face justice for what he's done. Harsh judgment? Hey, the jerk killed his own parents because he wasn't getting his way and they were tired of him freeloading on them and were about to give him a deadline to get a job and get out of the house. And that was just the start. The sad thing is knowing some people with the same mind-set, who believe the universe revolves around them, and they are justified in punishing anyone who doesn't conform to their will. Kind of frightening, to wonder what little disappointment would send them down the same bloody trail, all the while believing themselves justified.

While I love seeing self-centered snots get their justified punishment, the best part of the In Death books is watching Dallas and Roarke, Peabody, Dr. Mira, and the rest of the wide cast of regulars interact, work together, tease and gripe and care for each other. I loved the ongoing feud within the detective bullpen over psychedelic ties wild enough to make your eyes bleed. There's a new hardback in the series coming out soon, but I'm going to be good and clear off my reading pile and wait until it comes out in paperback. But it'll be hard!

Off the Bookshelf: SWEETHEART BRIDE by Lenoa Worth

Are you stunned? Shocked? I'm actually reading and reporting on a book for FUN!

As I've progressed in my writing journey and my skills and pickiness levels grow, I've grown away from category romance. But there are some authors I can always depend on for a good read that doesn't feel contrived and two-dimensional.

Lenora Worth is one of those category romance authors. I especially like the fact that she sets up a family and community that you get to know a little more with each book. SWEETHEART BRIDE starts at the wedding of Alma and Julien -- probably need to find that book and read their story -- and introduces the next sister, Brenna, and the wounded, doubting young man who will help her heal as she helps him heal, Nick.

He is into restoration of buildings, while Brenna is an artist and works with art. Her skills are just what he needs to fulfill the requirements of his mysterious employer (who I'm hoping will show up in the next book and fall in love with sister #3, Callie!). Nick has secrets and wounds that need healing, and Brenna is aching from a broken engagement to a man who definitely wasn't worthy of her. They have to fight for their love -- fighting against themselves. Now, that's a good story. Of course, being trapped in a halfway restored mansion in one of Louisiana's hurricanes helps ...