I hope the year 2020 has been good to all of you so far.
I’m in the final phases of editing a book that I hope will go out later this year. It’s in a bit of a different genre than I’ve written in before, but I’ve wanted to see if I could write such a novel for a while now, and so I did. It’s the supernatural military novel set in the world of Joint Task Force 13 (more on that later).
I also plan to fall back on the familiar and begin working on something along the lines of some of my previous fiction. For a few reasons.
One, I’m just ready for something that comes more naturally. And the second reason is kind of like the first – specifically, writing that military fiction stretched me as a writer, in a good way mind you, but it was harder than I expected. Had to do a ton of research to get all the details right.
Another thing I want to do is make some time to actually do some READING. I’ve got some new books from fellow authors that I plan to read and review, as well as some in my ‘to be read pile’ that have languished there for a while. And I really want to read them!
But for now, let me get on with this email. I haven’t reached out in a few months and want to be more regular with that. It’s hard. What with holidays, work, and the overall complexities of life.
But it’s important to me that I reach out now and then, because I really do appreciate you all and never want to take you for granted.
One thing I want to do with this particular message is to get the word out on some authors I just discovered. Two different authors, with two very different styles and genres, but both extremely talented.
The first is ‘Astray’ by J.F. Rogers. This book has a lot of things in common with my Sword & Spirit series, as it begins in our world, takes the protagonist into another, and has strong Christian themes. Here’s a few lines from the Amazon description:
“A mysterious amulet leads Fallon to everything she’s ever wanted…and possibly her death. After a lifetime with no knowledge of her parents, troubled seventeen-year-old Fallon Webb receives a necklace once belonging to her mother. The amulet leads her on a life-changing journey through a portal to a foreign land where she encounters unusual creatures, shape-shifters, and something she’s always longed for—family.
In Ariboslia, Fallon learns her mother is alive. Vampire-like creatures have her, and many others, captive. Most distressing is the prophecy that devastated her family. Can she trust it? Because if it’s right, Fallon must destroy the vampires’ leader—her uncle—to rescue her mother and free her people from the threat.”
This book has over 70 reviews, with an average of over 4 stars. Let me tell you, it earns those stars and then some. The writing is strong, the story gripped me from the very beginning and pulled me straight through. Action packed with tons of imagination and heart! Can’t recommend it strongly enough. It’s the first in a trilogy, and I can’t wait to read all three.
Just click HERE to check it out. (NOTE – This is an affiliate link. It doesn’t cost you a penny more, but it does get me a small kickback from Amazon for sending folks to their site.)
The second book I want to recommend is by a fellow author named William Joseph Roberts. He has the distinct honor of being the first author to publish a full length stand-alone novel in the world of Joint Task Force 13.
This one is brand new, so there aren’t as many reviews (yet), but I can say after reading (during my precious little free time) that it is a thrill-ride written by someone who obviously knows his stuff.
I mean, anyone who has served in the military for any length of time will recognize the authentic camaraderie and struggles faced by the characters in his book. With one important difference (I hope).
Most enlisted or prior enlisted have never had to face down creatures from beyond this realm. In Mr. Joseph’s novel, however, Gremlins are a very real and vicious threat. Here’s the quick and dirty from its description:
“France, 1944. Allied forces are fighting in the hedgerows of Normandy, battling German armored forces. Hastily established airfields provided close air support and battle the Luftwaffe for control of the skies. One airfield is overrun by a supernatural horde, destroying every craft except a P-61 Black Widow, the allies new night fighter.
Task Force 13, busy fighting the outbreaks of supernatural that always accompanies war, hasn’t an extra Marine to spare. A scratch crew of soldiers, airmen and one stray Marine pilot are given orders to seek out and destroy the horde of “gremlins” before they do further damage. Along the way they stir up something larger than they bargained for, and the war takes to the air.”
One caveat to this one, if you’re sensitive about foul language, be aware. This one has that particular bit of authenticity too. I didn’t find it off-putting or overbearing, but everyone’s different, and I prefer to let folks know in advance about such things.
That aside, I’m thoroughly enjoying it and expect that many of you will too.
To check it out, click HERE. (NOTE – Again, another affiliate link. Don’t cost you a thing, but it does get me a little bit of that Amazon love.)
As for my own work, I’m in the final throes of editing my draft before I send it on it’s way to be edited again. The working title is “Sea Serpent”. It involves a sailor stationed aboard a Pegasus Class Hydrofoil on the Red Sea.
My work-in-progress follows the career of Thomas ‘Mac’ McCraith as he seeks to track down and destroy an evil entity from beyond. An ancient Babylonian ‘god’, and his pet, a 200 foot long sea serpent. I’m expecting it to release sometime in Spring or Summer of this year, but will let you know if that changes.
In other writing related updates, my beautiful wife has recently been doing some promotional stuff for me. She’s sold some paperbacks of my Sword & Spirit trilogy to some of her friends at the gym. I’m so glad I have her in my corner, cheering me on and even reining me in when I stay up too late (writing, editing, and trying to manage this writing life on top of everything else). I can’t imagine doing this without her.
I’ve also been invited to a literacy night event at my younger son’s school. This will be my second one. I’m always a little nervous when I get out there in the world and have to interact with folks face to face. It’s exciting and fun, but for introverts (of which I am definitely one), it can often be just a bit intimidating. So pray for me about that if you will.
Because it really is an awesome opportunity to connect with people who also love to read. I’ve met other authors at such events and have had the privilege to sign my books for someone who just bought it. So yeah, getting out there is scary, but it’s also rewarding and very, very good.
All right. I think I’m going to call it a day for now. Thanks for hanging in there with me and reading this till the end. Words truly can’t express how grateful I am to have each of you along on this journey of words and life.
Until next time…
Peace,
John Stacy Worth
P.S. Below are images of the books I recommended, in case you’ve waited until now. You can just click on the picture of either book to go to its Amazon page.
