#jer-keene

[prowlingthunder]

So this arrived in the mail tod-- yesterday? Friday? Something. While I was at work. (How am I the only one who checks the mail? I have no idea.) This morning at 3am I dared to brave the road to check for ice, and of course the best way to do that is to cross the road to check the mail. So I officially received this at 0300 slow time and I wasn’t even allowed to unbox it until I got home from work about... twenty minutes ago.

Check it! It’s @deadcatwithaflamethrower‘s shiny book, Ashlesha! Glee! (I have privately sent my thanks to the shopper; I wasn’t going to be able to buy it at all until after Christmas. (I don’t know if they wish to be named, so Shopper they shall be.)

It’s still going to be another day or two before I can even start to read this. I’m-- pretty sure this is the SFW version? I believe redbook was SFW. Which is good because I no sooner than unboxed it than both my parents wanted to know what it was about and I’m like... uh. Well. I’m gonna have to read it to see if it’s SFW enough for my parents. I’m hoping so; my mom loves books, but she’s a little.. skittish of free romance. (My father loves books somewhat less but is trying gamely to be interested in my interests.)

I cannot wait to read and review this. I’ve heard so many good things. Mostly from @flibbertigibbett .... I suspect that may be purely so I can join a tiny fandom and write fiction...

[grrlcookery]

I think you might like this book – “Ashlesha (Awaken the Stars)” by Jer Keene. @jer-keene This book balances military thriller with urban fantasy wonderfully. It’s truly immersive - the characters all felt real, even the supporting cast - and it was difficult to stop reading for trivial matters like meals. Or sleep. Keene is very, very good at ratcheting up the tension while including the small details that keep the story alive and making the characters important from the start. And she balances the action and character development and plot to make an easy read that doesn’t gloss over the uglier aspects of military life. Euan, Rex, and Rex’s family are highly competent people on the run after being framed for terrorist acts, but none of that competency is easily earned. I’m going to be loving them for a long time. Representation: race, gender, ace, queer, trans*, disability, mental health, cultures. I probably didn’t notice some, so let me know what I missed. I’m putting this on my permanent comfort read list, and following the series with glee.