It’s been a while since I’ve shared a book list, and I’ve read quite a few excellent books lately. What better time than summer to read books? It’s always so fun to curl up with a book at the lake, on the back porch, in a swing, or around the dinner table with family. The majority of these are Indie published books from either Realm Makers or Fellowship of Fantasy. Both groups produce quality, family-friendly fantasy and science fiction. These are in no order of importance, just how they pop into my head–which may be based on the order I read them or how they’re organized on my Kindle. I’ll also let you know if any of them are discounted at the time of writing this.

Agents of Rivelt: A novel in short stories by Sharon Rose

Ever read a book without really looking at the title? I find it’s easy to do when you read on Kindle. You might take a glance at the title as you purchase it or open it for the first time, but then you just read. That’s what happened with this book. I discovered I was less than half-way through and the suspense was killing me. Then I read the full title–short stories! Oh! That made much more sense. It’s like reading your favorite TV series. Each chapter is an episode. You can binge read–which I did by the end.

In a universe that reminded me of a Timothy Zahn realm, Tracy and Vigard team up to search for human slaves. These aren’t just normal humans though, they’ve been genetically modified which resulted in them being telepathic. On Syndicate space stations or planets, telepathy is outlawed, and anyone found guilty via potentially faulty DNA testing results is executed, even if they are there unwillingly. Adventure and suspense build and crescendo as the story unfolds. A definite must read.

You can find Agents of Rivelt on Amazon.

Author Sharon Rose also wrote Diverse Similarities, another excellent sci-fi tale that takes place completely on a large space ship and deals with cultural intrigue. I definitely have followed her on Amazon.

Stars Descend by Kara Jaynes

If you follow my blog, you’ll recognize this one. I featured it in my last post where you can read an interview with my favorite character, Sol. Stars Descend and Shadows Grow are the first two books in this new series that takes elves and vampires to a completely new level. Usually, I don’t go for vampire stories, but this isn’t the typical vampire story. In a post apocalyptic Seattle, Stella tries to keep her brother and her alive the only way she knows how–dumpster diving! All’s well until she breaks her code to avoid the elves. When she raids the space-elves’ trash bin, she discovers more than just garbage and becomes entangled with the prince who’s in charge of healing Earth! As for vampires? Well, you’ll have to read the books to find out. I still don’t know what’s going to happen and I’ve read both Stars Descend and Shadows Grow.

Stars Descend is on sale for 99 cents right now.

Horseman by Kyle Robert Shultz

I grew up watching Bonanza, The Big Valley, a bit of The Virginian, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne movies. This led to a fascination with the American West. I read Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour books as I was able, so when I read Horseman, I was transported to those years. It was a delight to have my two favorite genres blended–Western and Fantasy. Kyle Robert Shultz takes time periods in history and then reimagines them if fairytales were true.

Horseman takes place in the Neverican Frontier and opens in a saloon. A marshal tries to make an arrest of a traveling magic charletan, only to have things go awry and every single criminal at the saloon wants her head and the charletan’s! Soon, however, the two of them have even more worries when the headless horseman shows up. Throw in a young gorgon, a shape-shifting dragon, and Kyle’s typical humor, and it’s a tale to tell around campfires!

In a similar vein, Kyle Robert Shultz has his Beaumont and Beasley series that’s reminescent of a Humphrey Bogart 1920’s detective story. Both series are available on Amazon.

Love from the Lamp series by Jessica L. Elliott

I read How to Marry a Genie and kept double checking it was really book 1. It felt like there was more to the story. I went searching and discovered the short story, Oh, Snap! which tells the back story. Both are worth reading. They’re light-hearted fantasy romances. How to Marry a Genie reminds me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The genie’s family comes in for the wedding, and mayhem ensues. Some of the problem stems from people using the words, “I Wish…” and genies granting them those wishes, and the other problems come from a large family that wants to have a say in the life of the youngest child.

Oh, Snap! is on sale for 99 cents.

The Princess and the Peacock by C. S. Johnson

Another fun shorter story, The Princess and the Peacock tells a folklore or myth story of what true love is. A young man thinks he’s not beautiful enough to catch the princess’s eye, so he climbs the mountain to reach the goddess to get a wish. He asks to be handsome enough to get close to the princess. His wish is granted, but not how he expects or wants! Yes, the princess falls in love with him, but he’s a peacock and can’t communicate with her. His only hope is to break the curse before someone else marries the princess.

C. S. Johnson also has a fun superhero series, The Starlight Chronicles. Book one, Slumbering, starts with Hamilton Dinger in his junior year of high school. He’s a stereo-typical jock with big attitude. I almost didn’t finish the series because of his insufferable attitude–similar to Iron Man. However, as the series progressed, Hammy did improve and become less self-centered. Most of the series is available for 99 cents.

Divine Summons by Rebecca P Minor

From the first page to the final sentence, this book was a delight and a page turner. The opening scene shows a retreat from battle with only two remaining warriors struggling to survive to return to their king. When all hope seems lost, Captain Vinyanel stumbles into a cave where he meets a prophetess and a dragon! Although he safely makes it home, the elf soon discovers that home is not as safe as it once was. Besides that, he’s now being asked to take on a new role in the elven kingdom–one he’s not sure he’s ready for.

Divine Summons is a very intriguing start to a series that I hope to finish. With enemies that remind me of Christopher Paolini’s Ra’zac, the stakes are high in this action-packed book.

Knight’s Rebirth by Sarah Ashwood

This book caught my attention from the blurb alone, but then again, throw in a twist like this, and you’ll have many people wanting to read it. Fairytales are known for their knights rescuing damsels in distress, but it’s a little bit more of a challenge to rescue the princess if the knight’s dead! Yep, you heard me correctly. Buckhunter Dornley is dead and must save the princess from a dragon.

I loved the whole story. It’s an intriguing love story that has everyone satisfied at the end–including those who love dragons–and with it being a free Kindle download, what’s not to love? You can find Knight’s Rebirth on Amazon.

To Court a Queen by H. L. Burke

What’s a book list without a book by H. L. Burke? Ever since my then sixteen year old said, “Mom, you have to listen to Beggar Magic.” H. L. Burke has been a household name. Any book of her books are a must read. To Court a Queen‘s no exception.

A human takes a shortcut to get home and discovers much more than woods. He stumbles into a fairy realm where the queen is seeking a mate but not in the ordinary ways. She’s asking all eligible suitors to complete three tasks. So far, no one has survived the first two!

I interviewed one of the characters, a Felys (sometimes referred to as cat-elves). After reading the story, I can’t call Sevaine a cat-elf any more. I fell in love with her.