Month: April 2023

I love bookstores. There’s nothing quite so thrilling as entering a new bookstore to see what I can discover, to find the treasures displayed on the shelves, and peruse real paper books. Sadly, my life (and probably yours too) doesn’t always allow me to wander the aisles of my local independent bookstore. It’s so easy to just buy that book you know you want online and have it shipped to you. But that would take away business from those cool little local bookstores. So here’s a solution to that. Bookshop.org is a socially-conscious way to buy books online. They dedicate most of their profits to supporting local, independent bookstores, authors, and publications that cover books.

You’ll see purchase links for my books that direct to Bookshop.org because I really want to support MY local bookstore and hope to encourage you to support YOUR local bookstores.

Thanks, folks.

“Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope.”― Dr. Seuss

Quote for the Day 5-20-2023 — A Writer’s Life

I’m going to extrapolate from that quote and say that historical fantasy is looking at history through the wrong end of a telescope. Except the telescope has an iridescent lens so it all looks magical.

I reviewed this book after receiving it as part of an Early Reviewers’ batch at LibraryThing, an alternative to GoodReads. The Merry Dredgers by Jeremy C. Shipp was a great read! I blew through this book in just a couple of hours. It ambled along in a delightfully weird way before blowing up into a heart pounding climax that took me by surprise.

We are introduced to Seraphina, a snarky actress compelled by poverty to play the part of a Princess at children’s parties. Her voice as the narrator, utterly sarcastic and somewhat despairing, is captivating. Despite the dire situation she is in, she is still a blast to read about.

She receives word that her sister is in some sort of lovefest hippie cult and is alarmed. Soon after, she  hears that her sister’s in a coma after falling at the cult’s retreat center. Seraphina is sure that the cultists had something to do with it so decides to investigate the retreat center. However, she is NOT a competent investigator and instead finds herself enjoying her time as a cult member and even falling in love.

The setting, an abandoned amusement park in the woods called Goblintopia, is creepy AND silly. There are many great descriptions of all the weirdness which I loved. It was surreal and atmospheric. Most of the cultists are goofy and aptly named Merry Dredgers. Except for that one. <shudder>

All in all, I really enjoyed this book! Definitely for readers who enjoy silliness with their magic realism.

So because I wrote The Vitruvian Mask to an Unwoman playlist, I really wanted to use some of her lyrics as the epigram in the book. I asked and she said yes. SQUEE! So of course I had to give her a signed copy of the book when she performed at Clockwork Alchemy. Indie artist cross pollination! Maybe Adelaide will show up in an Unwoman song. In my DREAMS.

What a whirlwind of a con! We spend months organizing it and it’s over in a flash.

I’m in one panel on day 3 with the ever creative Sparky McTrowell and Dover Whitecliff. We will be presenting Where Do Ideas Come From at noon.

Day 1 was a blast, now looking forward to spending time with the rest of the authors and steampunks at day 2 of Clockwork Alchemy.

My schedule today involves taking part in the Fashion Show at 2pm and the Scientists and Spiritualists panel at 4pm. Then Authors’ Salon After Dark for the spicy version of Hot Potato School of Writing.

Leaning into the Roboticist of Versailles books at this event!

I am attending Clockwork Alchemy, a SF Bay Area steampunk conventiom this weekend! The event is at the San Mateo Marriott and promises to be lots of fun. This year’s theme is Villains and Heroes. I’m still deciding which one I am. https://www.clockworkalchemy.com/

I will be presenting two panels today (Friday)

3pm: Mapmaking for Villains and Dungeon Masters. My dear friend Dover is heading up this hands on workshop and I merely her willing minion (she’s def a Villain). I love maps so looking forward to this one.

4pm: Convergence of Steampunk and Solarpunk. I have dabbled in solarpunk and hope to write more. On this panel with a couple of erudite folks.

Please stop by Authors’ Alley and say Hi if you’re at the event!

Released today: The Vitruvian Mask

It’s been three and a half years since I started writing this book and it’s finally out in the wild! <happy dance>

What is it about? Loss, motherhood, learning to trust, love…and scary nuns. <grin>

Available in print or ebook online in all the usual places (but I like Bookshop.org best).

I am well-chuffed. A five-star review and the reviewer really delved into the themes of the book. Here’s the full review.

The Vitruvian Mask is a historical sci-fi drama story by BJ Sikes. After disposing of the previous regime, the Naturalists have taken over France, methodically targeting scientists and destroying every one of their creations. Former Head Scientist and Roboticist Adelaide Coumain takes refuge on a remote farm alongside three of her colleagues, only to be left homeless when the authorities arrest her colleagues and burn down the farm. Pregnant and on the verge of giving birth, Adelaide arrives at a Paris hospital to deliver a healthy boy. But she soon realizes that hospitals are no longer the bastion of science and starts treating injured Augmented soldiers with significant risk to herself. Meanwhile, Henri Desjardins returns to France following his exile and accidentally stumbles onto Adelaide’s path. What does fate truly hold for Adelaide?

A splendid mix of suspense, drama, and thrills makes The Vitruvian Mask a sci-fi thriller you don’t want to miss. Set in an alternate history of France, BJ Sikes’ tale is high on political intrigue and touches upon some issues that feel more relevant today than ever. In the story, scientists are persecuted, and superstition and misinformation are favored by the totalitarian regime, which has uncanny parallels with how some nations of the world operate. The characters have human flaws and personalities in how they react to adversity, making you relate to them. Sikes keeps an even pace with a thoroughly compelling plot. Recommended to readers of sci-fi and historical fiction alike.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite