Three books I need to talk about. One is mine, one is by a friend and one is by an author I discovered not too long ago and have been working my way through his entire library ever since. I can't seem to get enough.
I group these three books together because each of them are about topics or situations which some might quickly reject based solely on preconceived notions of the genre.
For example, Zander Vyne’s, Tales of a Vampire Hunter series. You hear vampire and you might shake your head and say, “I don’t like vampire stories.”
Or R. R. Haywood’s, Blood at the Premier, a story of a zombie apocalypse in London. Some might see zombie and think, “I don’t read zombie books.”
If I told you Hidden Designs, my latest novella, features a mystery solved by a gay couple in the midst of their love story, would you think reading about a gay love story would make you uncomfortable?
Thing is, I love surprises and maybe reading something you would normally reject could be just what is needed to spark some summer reading fun. If you’re looking for a way to spend some quality time while avoiding the summer heat and you’re not afraid of a little adventure, read on.
Vampires
Look at this dreamy cover!
If you follow this blog, you’ve seen my reviews of Zander Vyne’s, Tales of a Vampire Hunter series. Come July 29, she will release all three books in a lovely, engrossing, three-book omnibus. If you haven’t read Immoral, Depraved or Bespelled, she’s giving you the perfect opportunity to get the entire series plus the extras she has included to tie all three stories together beautifully. It’s an opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the life of Oliver Ripley.
Vyne’s lyrical and sexy prose will reel you in and keep you turning the pages. You’ll find these books are beautifully written and entertaining on so many levels. I don’t just say this because she’s an author friend. I say it because Tales of a Vampire Hunter are not like any vampire stories I’ve read before.
Zombies
A standalone story from The Undead series.
R.R. Haywood’s, Blood at the Premier is a fantastic standalone companion to his, The
Undead series.
I know, some of you are thinking … “Ewwwww, a zombie apocalypse story? No way!’ If that’s you? Fine. You are free to ignore them, but you’ll be missing out on hours of enjoyment.
Blood at the Premier, takes places at a posh London party. Henrietta Swallow, attempting to make the right moves to change her reputation from one of a, ‘page three girl’ to a 'legitimate' TV personality finds herself in the middle of the zombie outbreak. Not one to let a little apocalypse get in her way, the busty blond tries to make the best of a desperate situation and vows to keep her group alive. Some in the group make the task much harder than others.
I love RR because I love his characters, ALL of them. Every last major or minor character you meet in his long list from The Undead series (over 20 books), leaves a lasting impression and Blood at the Premiere proves it. If you’ve read the series, the click that comes at the end of this story is so satisfying, so real and so warming, it is a testament to just how vividly he makes every personality come to life. You don't have to have read the entire series to enjoy this story.
I admit, I've become a bit obsessed with this series and have a very hard time weening myself from them. That said, this standalone story is a great way to keep yourself occupied as you wait for Day 20 of The Undead, and hope it comes soon.
Gay lovers solve a mystery
Book 2 in the Hidden, Lei Crime Kindle World series
And then there’s my Lei Crime Kindle World novella, Hidden Designs. This is my second
book in the Lei Crime Kindle World featuring FBI Special Agent Ken Yamada, and Army Major Chuck Mathews, two men who, in the past, were forced to make a choice between career and love. Now, ten years later, they don’t have to choose one over the other because they don’t have to hide anymore.
Hidden Poppies brought them together. Hidden Designs finds them in the midst of a murder at sea, aboard a luxurious ship to help friends celebrate a wedding anniversary.
Their weekend takes a dangerous turn when masked men take over the ship. The turbulence that follows leads to complicated corporate intrigue and twisted family dynamics in a high-tech mystery. And not everyone on-board makes it out alive.
If your first reaction is to reject any one of these books because of their titles or the subjects, just give them a try. You might find you’ve discovered something new that will bring you joy and isn’t that the best kind of surprise?
M. L. Doyle has served in the U.S. Army at home and abroad for more than two decades as both a soldier and civilian. Mary is the author of The Desert Goddess series, an urban fantasy romp consisting of The Bonding Spell and The Bonding Blade. She has also penned The Master Sergeant Harper mystery series which has earned numerous awards including an IPPY, a Lyra Award and the Carrie McCray Literary Award. Mary is the co-author of two memoirs; A Promise Fulfilled; the story of a Wife and Mother, Soldier and General Officer (Jan. 201) and the memoir, I’m Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen—My Journey Home (Touchstone, 2010), which was nominated for an NAACP Image award. Mary's work has been published by The Goodman Project, The War Horse, The WWrite Blog and The Wrath-Bearing Tree, an online magazine for which she serves as a fiction editor. A Minneapolis, Minnesota native, Mary current lives in Baltimore. You can reach her at her website at mldoyleauthor.com.
6 comments on “Books you refuse to read”
Hidden Designs isn't the kind of book I usually read (if for no other reason than I usually don't read novellas) - but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The two main characters were well-developed and just flawed enough to seem authentic, and their sexuality wasn't stereotyped. Each of the other characters was sufficiently sympathetic that I didn't guess the whodunit - in fact, I guessed wrong. The premise worked well, and the action scenes were perfectly paced. I'm now looking forward to reading Hidden Poppies to catch up!
Awwww! Glad you enjoyed it. Also glad you read something you normally wouldn't read.
Now I have a couple new books on my wish list. Love the whole Vampire Hunter/Vampire premise. Will be reading that one soon - as soon as the omnibus comes out. That has been my issue with Immortal. It didn't seem to finish with the first book. It seemed too much like a serial rather than a series. I definitely avoid serials - no matter what the genre or who is writing it.
I can't say I don't like zombies. One of my all time favorite series is Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter. (See, I like vampire hunters. :D) However, those zombies are basically benign and "Zombie Queen" Anita generally has control of them, and the story takes place in a current, everyday time frame. What turns me off about Blood at the Premiere is the apocalyptic aspect of the story. Not a fan of the apocalyps. I do not watch The Undead either though I do have enough family and friends who do that I know more about it than I want to. So yeah, I am going to avoid Blood at the Premiere.
As for your stories, this is a mystery/cop story. Those I adore - no matter who the detectives are or who they sleep with. I am there. So both Hidden Poppies and Hidden Designs made the list. I had not found this kindle world yet so am excited about the introduction. Who wrote the original world of The Lei Crime Series? And how have I missed it? (BTW/FYI - I am also very cool with the m/m romance. Read those all the time too. One of my favorite series in that genre is Bluewater Bay by various authors that include L.A. Witt, Ann Gallagher, and Amy Lane.)
So thank you for the recommends. Always nice to fine new authors and new stories to read. I hope you don't mind my sharing some of my favorites with you. 😀
Glad you're putting more books on your TBR list! The Lei Crime books are by the wonderfully talented Toby Neal and takes place in Hawaii with a female Hawaiian police detective. You will love the 12 book series!
Hmm . . . Shades of Hawaii 5O come to mind. I will check it you. Thank you.
Thank you! I adore your books too and always love your recommendations. I've added R.R. Haywood to my list of "must read" authors. I LOVE a good, unique zombie story.