Category: My writing

The Vitruvian Mask review

BJ Sikes, authorLeave a comment

W.A.Stanley’s lovely review of The Vitruvian Mask was a delight to read.

The Vitruvian Mask
Written by BJ Sikes

There are two sides to every story. This is a truism of life that people have a tendency of forgetting, and it’s a truism that fiction often ignores. It’s far easier to tell a story where the focus is on one side, fighting for what’s right… or what the author wants the reader to believe is right. It can also result in a satisfying read that doesn’t get bogged down by presenting all sides of the argument in equal measure. The Vitruvian Mask, BJ Sikes’ follow-up to the fantastic The Archimedean Heart (my review for that went live yesterday; click here to check it out), does a wonderful job of telling the other side of the story in the battle between Naturalists and Scientists (both are proper nouns in the book’s world), without becoming the least bit bogged down. Not that The…

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The Archimedean Heart reviewed

BJ Sikes, authorLeave a comment

I really appreciated W.A. Stanley’s in-depth, thoughtful reviews of both The Archimedean Heart and The Vitruvian Mask.

The Archimedean Heart
Written by BJ Sikes

Riddle me this: When is a steampunk novel not a steampunk novel? That’s a trick question, because the answer is never. Like most genres, authors can bend it to their will, to tell the story they want to tell. Author BJ Sikes is the perfect example of how an author can do exactly that, as exemplified through The Archimedean Heart. While it includes many of the trappings that fans of the genre—myself included—love, the author has written a novel that, in many ways, feels more akin to straight historical fiction than steampunk.

While the above statement may alarm the steampunk faithful, it’s no cause for concern. The Archimedean Heart is a stronger book for feeling more like a classical historical fiction. While set in a steampunk world during the Victorian Era—although in France, an unexpected location that offers a distinct European flavour—Sikes…

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A Jamaican Year: Measured by Fruit Seasons

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https://wp.me/p8f2cj-5OO

This is a really fun (and droolworthy) post on Jamaican fruit. Fruit seasons!

I’m working on final (?) edits to my next book, The Cultist’s Wife whichgv is set in the Bahamas and fruit is a big deal for the children in the book. They are English and the fruit they encounter on Andros Island is like nothing they’ve ever experienced.

I did a lot of research on native Bahamaian fruit like guavas and sapodillas to make their experience more real. I’ve never had sapodilla so didn’t know what it tasted like. Ripe sapodilla is described as exceptionally sweet and malty, almost like caramel. Yum! I obviously need to visit the Bahamas again, this time to try the native fruit!

Book review: a Curse of Gold and Beauty

BJ Sikes, authorLeave a comment

This retelling of the fairytale Rumpelstiltskin, A Curse of Gold and Beauty by Mary Mecham, was delightful. I love fairytale retellings but they often lean into the disturbing or gory aspects. Not this one. It’s so sweet. The friends to lovers story line was really well done. The protagonists are dear friends who take care of each other and fall in love because of that connection. Often in fairytales, the woman doesn’t have a lot of agency but Meg is her own person and struggles against what is expected of her. Her efforts to get around her curse were fun to read. Rhys, the Rumpelstiltskin of the story, has his own struggles but is kind, brave, and funny. The truly unique part of this story is the inclusion of a hero who is disabled but this is not the whole of his story.

Five stars, highly recommended for fans of out of the ordinary romantic characters and humor.

Find it here https://a.co/d/iszKwWz

Buying books from Bookshop.org

BJ Sikes, authorLeave a comment

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.

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

BJ Sikes, authorLeave a comment

“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.

Book Review: The Merry Dredgers by Jeremy Shipps

BJ Sikes, authorLeave a comment

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.

Remember that Unwoman playlist?

BJ Sikes, authorLeave a comment

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.

Clockwork Alchemy 2023, day 2!

BJ Sikes, authorLeave a comment
Part of Authors’ Alley with Dover Whitecliff

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.