Here are more great fantasy/supernatural-type fiction novels from Indie authors you won’t want to miss:
- Bellerophon — winning the girl you love isn’t easy, even for a Prince who’s half-man half-god
- Grumpy old Gods — a collection of fun stories about the gods at play in the human world
A note about my reviews: I only post reviews about books I liked so don’t be surprised to see lots of 4/5 and 5/5. If I don’t like the book, I won’t spend time writing about it.
Bellerophon: Son of Poseidon
Cathleen Townsend
5/5
In Cathleen Townsend’s Bellerophon: Son of Poseidon (2019), Prince Bellerophon–affectionately called Lero–is a gift from the gods to an earthly couple. He is half man and half god but raised human with no knowledge of his background. After an unfortunate mistake, he is exiled from Corinth, the city he would have ruled at his father’s death, and forced to make a living by selling his fighting skills to another king. He leaves behind his betrothed who gallantly agrees to wait for him until he can provide enough money to satisfy the required wedding purse. Because he is a talented warrior, he quickly finds a position which works well until politics and jealousy interferes and he is forced to move on. Gathering the money to marry while staying true to himself turns out to be a daunting task, even with the assistance of the gods.
This is a fun story with plenty of twists and unexpected turns. At its core, it is “Boy loves girl and will do what he must to win her” but in its fullness, it is so much more. I recommend this to those who love to see the gods at play in the human world.
Grumpy Old Gods
by Ronel Janse von Vuuren
5/5
Grumpy Old Gods (Stormdance Publications 2019) is an excellent collection of stories written by Indie authors themed to the idea that the gods can be grumpy. All thirteen stories are cleverly original, lightly humorous, and cover the gamut of ways the gods can be grouches as they interact with humans. Some I chuckled over while others, I bit my nails. A few were so gobsmackingly hilarious, I only stopped reading to giggle. Topics deal with human interactions, how the gods play on Earth, the afterlife, a godly game of Risk, and more. Two really caught my attention. “Breaking the Habit” by Ronel Janse von Vuuren is a delightful story of an older god who takes a break from his ethereal responsibilities to cause havoc in an earthly retirement community. The second, “Playing Hooky” by Juneta Key, tells the harrowing tale of how Death’s representative at the offices of Mortality, Chaos, and Conflict (aka Reaper Central) must find a replacement when Death decides he needs a break.
All the stories are quick reads, great for that time between classes or while waiting for the nice Amazon Help folks to take your phone call. Each leaves you wanting the next. Highly recommended for anyone who loves extraordinary tales and has a quirky sense of humor.
More ancient Rome/Greece books
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the Man vs. Nature saga. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for TeachHUB and NEA Today, and a freelance journalist. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Quest for Home, Fall 2019. You can find her tech ed books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning
Pingback: More great anthologies by Indies – Alasklintin blog
Pingback: More great anthologies by Indies | WordDreams...
Pingback: Ronel has a new book: Dark Desires | WordDreams...
Two super reviews, Jacqui. I have a book by Kathleen Townsend that I really must get too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t find that many books out on this topic so I get quite excited when I do. Several of my go-to ancient Greece authors haven’t written books in years. Sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These both sound great, Jacqui! Heh, the anthology title reminds me of the Jack Lemmon/Walter Mathau films. And it always bugged me that Perseus got the glory that Bellerophon deserved. Maybe because his name was longer? More to my TBR list; I’ve always enjoyed Greek mythology. If you liike urban fantasy and want a taste of Irish and Norse mythology, check out Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid series. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, I shortened Bellerophon’s name to Lero for everyday use in the book. I agree that the full name is rather a mouthful. Hope you enjoy the read! : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will check it out. Haven’t heard of that before.
LikeLike
That is awesome… Nice that your back safe..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Izaak. We had only 3 plane delays, too–all for the same flight. Worked well.
LikeLike
Bellerophon is on my TBR list. Both look good, Jacqui!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s one of those books that well-exceeded anything I expected. Amazing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Cathleen lives near me and we met for coffee and blogging a couple of years ago. I’m glad she is having success!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is really cool. So there is a physical world? I mean, beyond efriends? Good to know.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, there really is! But efriends are pretty wonderful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We should get together again, Terri. Coffee’s on me. And thanks for your kind words about my books. : )
LikeLiked by 2 people
I would like that, Cathleen, it’s been too long.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the recommendations, Jacqui. Grumpy Old Gods looks fun. Have you mentioned it before? I thought it looked familiar.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it came up during her book launch though without the review. I hadn’t had time to read it at that point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! That sounds about right. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great selection. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indies cover so many topics traditional publishers miss. I love them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for these fun recommends. The cover on The Grumpy Gods is beautiful. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ronel has this as a series, too. I think she’s up to Grumpy Gods 3 (or planning that one–I’m not sure).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore Greek mythology! Those books sound great! I smiled at your notice that you only review books you like. I’m the same way. I think there are enough “haters” in the world where I don’t need to be adding even more negativity to the pile. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess if I promoted myself as a book review site, I’d have to but I don’t so I don’t.
LikeLike
Ha! Love that you only write reviews about books you like!😃 Both sound very interesting especially since I love Greek mythology!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was feeling guilty and then I noticed other bloggers do the same. One explained it nicely–that she didn’t want to waste her blog space on negatives about a book, would rather tell what she loved.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is indeed a perfect way to put it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Jacqui! 🙂 I hope you had a nice time. This is a great review! Greek mythology is so interesting, and these look like good reads.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to read a lot of Greek mythology but have gotten away from it lately. These two reignited my interest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both sound like great reads thanks Jacqui…
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many great books, aren’t there, Sally?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too little time!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Jacqui, for featuring Bellerophon here today. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was my pleasure, Cathleen. You have a wonderful book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those sound fun! Greek mythology is so fascinating.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think so. I wrote Bellerophon because most of the time you’re always hearing about Perseus or Hercules, but Bellerophon was the first recorded dragon slayer, if you accept that the chimera fills that same niche, and I thought his tale deserved more recognition.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Good for you. Hearing about lesser-knowns is great.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It reminds me of how much man didn’t understand but still, he tried to make sense of it. I often think we follow the same model, even today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep. You’re probably right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope to read one of these books one day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, Bellerophon should be there a while–I have no plans to unpublish. : )
LikeLike
No time like the present, you think?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The tales about grumpy gods sounds fun. I have always been a big fan of mythology. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The idea of grumpy gods appeals to me, too. : )
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a fan of fun, not taking life too seriously. These fit (especially Grumpy Old Gods)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome home, Jacqui. I was hoping for a report about your trip.
But these reviews are excellent, both books sound like much fun with wonderful new takes on the classic myths we learned in school.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are that–two good choices! I do have a debrief on my trip planned for Monday. What a great time we had.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for the kind words about my books, to both Sharon and Jacqui!
LikeLiked by 2 people
great post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much. I love good reads.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am totally sold on on grumpy old god concept. That would’ve been a heckuva Walter Matthau movie.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is really a fun book. It’s how I’d like the gods to be.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yay – you’re back. And reviewing/recommending two books I wouldn’t have known about if not for your post. They both sound fascinating and (the last one in particular), FUN! Many thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thoroughly enjoyed my vacation (more on that Monday) but it was odd not chatting with my efriends. I found myself wondering how you-all were doing! Weird I know…
These are two good books. Both with great authorial voices.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I do the same thing when I go on a little blogging break, Jacqui, wondering “How IS everyone?” I think it just proves the friendships we’ve made.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jacqui. How was your trip?
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a wonderful trip, Neil. I have a post on that for Monday. In line with your most recent post about your mom, I have two wonderful kids who treated me like their favorite mom. What a joy!
And glad to be back.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have Cathleen’s book on my tbr – I loved that blurb. And the second one sounds interesting as well.
Welcome back. Hope you had fun with your kids.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are both so good and each different from the other. I think this is my favorite of Cathleen’s (I’ve read most of hers) but maybe I say that about each? Hmm…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I never read any of her books before, but I plan to.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jina–that blurb went through MANY drafts, with lots of feedback. : )
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great to see you back, Jacqui!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Jill.I love the trip but there’s nothing like the predictability of home!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welcome back Jacqui!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Ankur. I loved traveling but love home more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
With all you do, how do you find the time to read?!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, on this trip, the plane trip was nine hours each way. I can do a lot of damage to my TBR pile in that much time!
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jacqui 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Who knew gods could be so much fun? Well–you did!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Jacqui – these both sound great reads … fun and good presents for so many … good luck to all authors – cheers Hilary
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, both enjoyable. I would read sequels, too (which is coming in Ronel’s case).
LikeLiked by 2 people