Hey awesome,

It’s…November? I’m not entirely sure how that happened. I mean, I get the whole day by day passage of time, but I swear it was just summer. Just early 2024. Wasn’t it?

This isn't the view from my office anymore -- this was two (three?) weeks ago when there were still leaves. Whew, time math is a tricksy creature. How are you closing out the year? I’m working hard toward a deadline that is rearing alarmingly close, but I can’t slow down because 1) deadline, 2) I’m so excited about this book, aaaand 3) there are so many additional fun projects on the other side of this one I can’t wait to get to.

So mostly I’m hermit-ing and writing, with the occasional voyage out from under my blankets for food or shenanigans with friends. And reading, because November is made for curling up with a book as often as possible.

I’ve been super into cozy books lately – not super high stakes, maybe a little wholesome, fun characters doing cozy things. In case you couldn’t tell from the whole blankets/hermit thing, I’m not fully in my extrovert era right now. Have you read anything cozy and delightful I should add to my (ever towering) TBR list?

To be clear, that is not REMOTELY the treatment I’m giving the characters in the book I’m writing, but… are you surprised? I feel like you’re probably not surprised.

Speaking of non-cozy and still freaking awesome reads, I have FOUR excellent ones for you! 

First up, the fabulous Kevin Ikenberry has a completed tanks in spaaaaace action packed/heart-rending trilogy, with book three out now - Sound the Charge:

After the Buzzers' retreat from Heske, Earth Maneuver Forces believe they’ve cracked the code on where the insectoid aliens will strike next.

But when their forward deployment goes horribly wrong and nearly wipes out the advance force, the pressure mounts. With Earth's defenses stretched thin and Mars’ forces barely regrouped, they’re rushed to Trion 2—where they’ll face not just the Buzzers, but something far more ominous.

Captain Mike Sandhurst’s cavalry troop is slowly coming together as a cohesive unit, though internal challenges and the ever-present bureaucratic red tape of the larger military force remain a constant struggle. As he trains his young officers for the battles ahead, Mike also faces personal conflict—his growing relationship with Lieutenant Vivian Llewelyn. Vivian is back on Earth, recovering from her wounds and determined to return to flight status, even as her own challenges pile up.

Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts are putting the newly upgraded Osprey close air support aircraft through its paces. Faster, deadlier, and designed for brutal combat, the new airframes are powerful, but untested. With deployment looming, the question remains—will the new machines and their pilots be ready for the hell that’s coming? Together, can the tankers and the aviators take the field?

Second, because it’s book 2, the wonderful H.Y Gregor has a book out TODAY in an outrageously good urban fantasy series (and don’t worry, book three is done, and coming this year!). Tugarin's Revenge is live right now, and look at this gorgeous cover:

New myths. New magic. New monsters.

Less than a year after turning her world upside down, Ryan Fortner reappears in Niki's life. Crypto Division isn’t done with her, and neither is the supernatural.

Their investigation of a stolen sword leads to a deadly discovery. A rift between worlds has unleashed Tugarin Zmei, a mythical warlord sworn to destroy Niki’s bloodline. It’s bad enough that her ancestral magic is barely under control—now Tugarin wants her head.

Niki must embrace her heritage to stop his revenge-fueled charge into the mortal world. A witch’s bargain, uncovering a clandestine brotherhood, and sword-fighting fae are only the beginning of the battle. Sometimes, there’s no going back to normal.

Third, because it's the third book in Valkyries (but of course you can start right here and catch up with Valkyrie's Chosen and Shadows May Fall afterward, because we did that on purpose for y'all), the incomparable Matt Novotny has Soul Mate out today:

Every profession has its perks—and its problems.

When Solomon Thorpe accepted the mantle of the Sin Eater on the death of his mentor Roland Addy, he became the kind of rich most people only see in movies, and as the chairman of the Second Chance Foundation, he was in a position to make a real difference in the world.

To add to the dream, Solomon was learning to use magic, and his bodyguard was a succubus whose favors men would literally die - or kill - for, even if she did nibble on his soul from time to time. It was a lot for a man whose highest ambition had been to become a tenured professor.

But while Solomon struggled to come to terms with his new responsibilities, Life Enders has a problem they need his help with. A Shooter they think is possessed, but possessed by what?

With Addy gone, forces from his past are moving in the shadows, and as a Sin Eater for more than half a millennium, Addy cast a long shadow indeed.

And last but certainly not least, the incredible Mark Wandrey released the latest in the ever bingeworthy 4HU, in which the stakes are high and (ooooo) Things Are Revealed (ahhhh): Tangled Webs:

Tortantula, long considered the most vicious and tenacious of the mercenary races of the Galactic Union, are also one of the most enigmatic.

Little is known about their origin or how they ended up as slaves to the power-hungry Veetanho eons ago, but when a young Tortantula was born with abilities not seen in thousands of generations, everything changed.

Having escaped servitude to the Veetanho, Oort is on a quest to learn more about her race’s history. Hints of the Tortantula home world are buried within the GalNet, and she’s been following them for years. Now, she’s finally found a hidden cache of information.

But Veetanho aren’t known for letting go, and they’ve found her once more. A drama of redemption, revenge, and destiny is about to play out as the tangled webs of the Tortantula finally begin to reveal deep truths… and shocking lies.

So that’s the rest of my 2024 – finishing writing a book, reading ALL the books, cozy and intense both, and perfecting my blanket nests. I hope yours is equally wonderful, and that there’s as much cozy and comfort in your future as you would like!

Til next time,

Marisa