Kathleen McClure

I once wrote in another book review that "maybe we could all use a dose of 'silly' now and again"; likewise, this is a fun short story that will certainly give you a nice little dose of said silly that you didn't even realise you so desperately needed in this totally messed up world that you take so seriously.

A rat bites a werewolf in the subway, and yes, just like being bitten by a werewolf things also begin to change when you bite werewolves: even if you are just a tiny subway rat.

All good fun, and with the usual non-stop flowing writing that Kathleen's so good at.

So stop reading the newspapers over breakfast and getting all depressed about things you can't do anything about, go download this short story and read it instead, then phone in sick and have a nice, silly day off from your serious lives.… (altro)

Having been a long time fan of Kathleen's books, i recently had the pleasure to read and review the first two books of Kathleen's new sci-fi series that she co-wrote with L. Gene Brown, The Gemini Hustle and The Libra Gambit.   Well worth reading if you like really good action packed sci-fi.

While reading those i found out that Kathleen and Kelley McKinnon are busy putting the finishing touches on the latest Fortune novel, The Crew Who Came in From the Cold. And it had me wondering how long it had been since i'd read the earlier Fortune books, and yeah, it had been quite a while.   So long, in fact, that i could only remember totally enjoying them but not much else -- there's been a huge amount of books read in those in-between years that just dulls one's memory.

So once i'd finished The Libra Gambit i quickly finished off another book i'd been itching to read, then i loaded up my newest Kindle with all the Fortune books i have and set out to re-read them all again, ready for The Crew Who Came in From the Cold.

Which leads me to this review.   One thing i can say for sure is that my memory didn't fail me in remembering that i had totally enjoyed this book, and once again, i totally enjoyed it.   It was so good that my memory of the story had faded because i started reading people and places and dracos all came flooding back and it was like bumping into an old friend after years apart.

Gideon Quinn is our main protagonists, and he is so well written and such a great character, as are all the others.   One of my biggest draws to Kathleen's books, whether written on her own or those she writes with Kelley McKinnon or L.Gene Brown are the characters: they're just brilliant.

As i've said in other reviews, Kathleen and Co make the goodies that perfect level of good and the baddies that perfect level of bad and the interactions between all the characters just roll along perfectly because of this.

And as usual with Kathleen and Co, the action is just non-stop.   It's like a super good action film in a book form.

And did i mention that this first book in the series is free to download?   So why not give it a try, i can't imagine you'll be disappointed and will soon be reading the whole series.

So having finished this first book i've dived straight into Outrageous Fortune and i'm having a whole new blast re-meeting the crew of the Errant once again after all these years since i last read this.

Bye for now.… (altro)

In this story we get to hear all about the crew of the airship Errant, whom we briefly met when Gideon and Mia delivered Jinna for safe-keeping in Soldier of Fortune.   Not only do we get to hear all about them and their pasts, but we also get to go on another great adventure on the planet Fortune with shenanigans galore.

To write this book Kathleen teams up with rel="nofollow" target="_top">Kelley McKinnon and while i found there's a slightly different feel to the writing, it's certainly just as good as, and flows perfectly on from, Soldier of Fortune.   Once again, we are feasted to our heart's content with great characters who just keep the story rip-roaring along for the reader's complete entertainment.

This book is mostly set at the same time of the events in Soldier of Fortune, and if you haven't read that first then i would suggest doing so before embarking on this book.

Another winner from the brilliant writers at Outrageous Fiction.

Bye for now.… (altro)

If you like really good steampunk with really good characters navigating a really good world then The Fortune Chronicles by Kathleen McClure will be right up your alley.

Every one of the Fortune books i've read so far has left me really glad i bought it and always leaves me eagerly awaiting more.   Kathleen is one of those writers who, once she's got you started in a book, just ain't gonna let you off the hook until the very last word.   It's just non-stop, gritty, character driven stuff with great world building that will keep you up late reading when you should be getting some sleep.

The Longest Shard is a really well written, fast paced novella giving us the full tale of Gideon Quinn's time in Morton Barrens up to the time he leaves at the start of Soldier of Fortune.   I don't think it's absolutely necessary to have read it before Soldier of Fortune, so if you missed it and want some more Fortune and Gideon Quinn then jump straight into this as soon as finished Soldier of Fortune.

Seriously folks, if you like steampunk give Kathleen, Fortune and Gideon Quinn a chance: you won't regret it.… (altro)