Monday, July 21, 2014

Marvelous, Mystical, Murderous

Black Sea Gods

(Book 1 of the Chronicles of Fu Xi) 

by Brian Braden

This epic fantasy raises the bar for Historical Fantasy to new heights.

I usually know after reading the first paragraph whether or not I will like a book. With Black Sea Gods, I knew after the first sentence that the writing itself would be good. Well, I was wrong. It is GREAT!

The story is pure fantasy that is not bogged down by still disputed ancient timelines, nor even real places. Yet I "smelled" the salt-water marshes, "saw" the homes tilting above the lagoon, "heard" the incoming tide rush against the pilings, and kept worrying about the fate of the Lo-tribe.

Interestingly, there are two different story-lines: One follows the arduous journey of an intrepid people; the other, the Chronicles of Fu Xi, tells of the birth, death and re-birthing of the gods. The marvel is how the two are fused into an "Aha-moment."

Black Sea Gods is a novel to be enjoyed on several levels: For the sensitivity and beauty of the writing itself (I still demand that in what I choose to read); for the astounding imagination it took to write a story of those early tribes and gods (with the initial unfamiliarity about names quickly being overcome); and lastly for the vivid descriptions.

Writing historical fiction myself, I often stopped to ask myself "how did the writer come up with this?" And then I had to check that, indeed, this is written by a male author (sorry guys, but it is that delicately sensitive in places, yet so vividly strong in others, with some brutal scenes thrown in).
A resounding "Highly Recommended."


Brian Braden is a founder and assistant editor for Underground Book Reviews www.undergroundbookreviews.com, an online magazine featuring the best new indie lit.

He is also the author of the novelette CARSON'S LOVE, and a contributor to FLYING TOASTERS, an anthology of short stories. 

He can be reached at brian_l_braden@yahoo.com 
or 
you can visit his website at www.blackseagods.com

Also,

Check out Brian's FB page for his plans of a grand launch of Book 2 of the Chronicles of Fu Xi: 


Tears of the Dead 

There will be games, prizes, and gift books by many participating writers.



Guest at BigAl's Books and Pals

BigAl's Books and Pals do an outstanding job of reading and reviewing Indie books, all to introduce Indie writings to a wide audience.

This morning, BigAl featured my guest post about my own experience of researching historical fiction - notably for KHAMSIN, The Devil Wind of the Nile.

If you like, you can read the entire blog post here - and laugh at my silly hat to boot.

BigAl's Books and Pals: The Minefield of Writing Ancient Egyptian Fiction, a guest post by Inge H. Borg

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

New 5 Stars for AFTER THE CATACLYSM


5.0 out of 5 stars
 Like a Dirk Pitt novel...only better. July 15, 2014
Format:Kindle Edition
After the Cataclysm: Legends of the Wing Scarab #3 by Inge Borg is the third in the series and the second book to feature the same main characters. The first book takes place in predynastic Egypt and the next two books in contemporary times. This book can stand alone, but rides nicely after the second book.

A short time has passed since the end of the second novel. The story revolves around the interactions of three groups of people. Egyptologist Naunet and husband Jonathan Wilkins are living in New England. Former Director Jabari El-Masri, fleeing from Egypt, thought to have died escaping is arranging his future with Lorenzo Dominguez a rich South American art “collector.” Jabari is trading the fifty pitch covered gold tablets for his safety and a new life.

To make matters interesting the super volcano in Yellowstone erupts, not only bring down American society and the Northern Hemisphere in a volcanic “nuclear winter,” but also affects the entire world with the loss of the only superpower. The world order and international law are now a thing of the past without a willing enforcer. Naunet and Jonathan are bunkered down in Jonathan's family home trying to weather out the natural disaster and protect their property. With no internet or phone service ham radio becomes the method of long distance communications. Jonathan receives a message from Jabari to meet him at a set of coordinates in the Caribbean.

The story moves quickly and will hold the reader’s attention. There is plenty of nautical information as most of the story takes place on a boat and ship. Woven into the adventure is the story of the fifty golden, engraved tablets, a curse, and possibly closure for all the characters. Even with the natural disaster and the collapse of the United States the plot stays focused on the story at hand.

I have read and reviewed the previous two books for Author Alliance (www.authoralliance.net) and a reading the third book, on my own, because I enjoyed the previous two books and enjoyed the story and characters. After the Cataclysm lives up to the quality of the previous two books. Borg pays attention to the details in all her books and that is part of what makes them interesting. She combines real and convincing elements into her story and leaves the reader a bit more educated at the end of the book. For action/adventure books this series rates high on my list.

* * *
I love the Dirk Pitt novels; but to be termed "even better" by this well-seasoned reviewer from AuthorAlliance is outstanding (Sorry, Mr. Cussler).
Made my day!



Saturday, July 12, 2014

FREE Ride for Bad Boy Edward



Since this bad boy has somehow weaseled his way into several of my novels, I thought I'd give him away FOR FREE to wet your whistle for his further machinations.

In Sirocco, Storm over Land and Sea, he only kidnaps my lovely protagonist Naunet. Oh, I just remembered, he is also an accomplice to murder.

In After the Cataclysm, he lurches about on board the ghost ship scaring the heck out of Naunet once again.

And, by the way, in Shadow Love, he is also briefly remembered by Monika as the lousy con he turned out to be. 



Friday, July 11, 2014

KHAMSIN on HNS Award Short List

In August of 2012, 
Khamsin
was enthusiastically reviewed and
selected as an Editor's Choice
by the prestigious
Historical Novel Society;
that was quite thrilling.

(I  have since changed the cover, eliminated quite a few pesky "nits" and formatting issues in the print version, and shortened several of my "Germanic" convoluted sentences.)

But not until I received an e-mail from the organizers of the First Annual Historical Fiction Indie Award did I realize that my 'beloved' Ancient Egyptian novel had been placed on their short list of nine books for their award.

They actually asked if I "wanted to participate" .... 
Well, duh! I posthaste complied with a few additional requirements - and now am gnawing on my knuckles. It is all up to the judges now who will reveal the winner in September - at their London Conference (I do so wish I could be there).

Competition is an awesome array of offerings - and you can check me on this here:
http://tinyurl.com/oyssz78

I also hope that, maybe, it will encourage my HF writer-friends to seeks reviews from the Society; they are a tough bunch, but a nod from them goes a long way.

 While it may not do much for increased sales - 
it surely is balm on the solitary writer's heart.