Book picks similar to
This Strange Engine by Philip Ligon
sci-fi
science-fiction
steampunk
fantasy
Interesting Times
Matthew Storm - 2013
In English. And that was before things got really strange. Now he is on the run, hunted by an inhuman assassin who will stop at nothing to kill him. His only hope for survival rests with a trio of unlikely new allies: A werewolf with a fondness for Hawaiian shirts, a strange little girl who just might be immortal, and a gunfighter with an anger management problem. Oliver always wanted a little excitement in his life, but now he finds himself living in Interesting Times... From the Back Cover:"You see that house?" Tyler pointed at the building they had just left. "It exists at a single fixed point in time. From its perspective the outside world never moves and never changes. So we use it as a safe house. It's a great place to hide for a while.""A fixed point in time?" Oliver asked. "So...is this the past? Or the future?" Oliver was beginning to think he'd need a physics textbook to understand all of this. Or possibly some LSD.
Shadowborne
Matthew Callahan - 2019
Embarking upon a secret mission for justice, they uncover the hidden history that led to the fall of a whole world—one in which they must find their place and determine their fate. Navigating through foreign lands, they discover things are seldom as they seem—and that some legends may be better left unexplored…Shadowborne is the thrilling debut novel from Matthew Callahan’s second-world fantasy series, The Relics of Antiquity.
The After Days
Amy Ginsburg - 2019
No lie. This is seriously good. It’s fresh, entertaining, and thought-provoking.” –Kathryn Johnson, author and writing teacher Middle-aged suburbanites Rachel and Zach team with their friends to battle not only the predators and scavengers who lurk around every corner but also empty pantries, boredom, despair … and sometimes each other. How far are they willing to go to survive the Big Blackout?
“I was drawn in immediately and swept away by the story. A real page-turner” –Pamela Gates, literary festival organizer
This gripping dystopian twist on contemporary fiction about a woman who must find within herself the strength and ingenuity to endure a world suddenly without electricity is both terrifyingly real and astonishingly tender.Perfect for book clubs, The After Days explores the ethical quandaries and logistical problems of ordinary suburbanites – people whose most recent problems were dodgy Wi-Fi and cranky bosses – in their struggle to survive in the increasingly treacherous suburbs of Washington, DC.
A Loop in Time (Time Loop Book 1)
Clark Graham - 2015
“I’m still here,” the pilot insisted. “We’re losing--” the voice cut out and then there was silence. “Control, do you read me? Control?” the pilot was panicking. There was no answer. Suddenly flames burst out all around him. The last thing he remembered was reaching for the eject switch, before his thoughts devolved into an inky black void. The mysterious pilot was brought into the military hospital unconscious. The base didn’t know who he was. Some thought he was an alien, some thought he was a Russian spy all because of the unknown, yet highly advanced airplane he was flying at the time of his crash. When the pilot awakes, he has amnesia. He gradually gets his memory back only to find that he is not only in the wrong place, he is also in the wrong time.
Bait & Switch
A.L. Tyler - 2018
Seven years ago a man was imprisoned for crimes he didn't commit. Three years ago Jette Driftwood decided to steal magic and break him out. One year ago she discovered that the magic she stole was going to kill her... Jette, talented witch with synesthesia and the Bleak's most wanted, is hiding in plain sight among humans. She's working in an evidence room at her local police station. After two years on the run from the cohort of thieves she cheated, things are finally starting to settle down. She can finally get back to her plan: using the magic she stole to free her accused father. Then a killer shows up. With one man dead in the town where she's hiding, Jette is the prime suspect when an attractive vampire shows up to collect the bounty on her head. To save her life, she'll make a deal: use her unique talents to help bring down a murderer, and maybe win a chance to avoid her execution. But things aren't that simple, because the body count is rising. The magic Jette stole is killing her faster than anticipated, and she has unfinished business. Only death can stop her now...
A Reed Ferguson Omnibus
Renee Pawlish - 2012
It sounds like a simple case, but things take a dangerous turn and Reed discovers that man's-best-friend can attract some decidedly unfriendly characters!ELVIS AND THE SPORTS CARD CHEATReed Ferguson returns in an outrageously fun short story!Perry Rawlings, an Elvis impersonator, has his prize Mickey Mantle baseball card stolen. Who is the culprit? This tale will keep you guessing!If you're a fan of great mysteries, don't miss this collection.
Rise of the River-Man
L.S. O'Dea - 2015
The only one he’s ever loved but can he keep her safe from those who hunt him?Sweet has been living alone since her friend died years ago. Nothing but silence and indifference to keep her company until Mutter stumbles into her life—large, hungry, dangerous and as lonely as she is.Now, she’ll do anything to stay with him, even sacrifice herself.A love story as brilliant and tragic as Romeo and Juliet.
Magic Unbound
Jill Nojack - 2013
When Eamon slips an ancient amulet around her neck, the memories of Lizbet’s many past lives come slamming back to her to change her summer plans in a way she could never have expected.Forced to go on the run when murderous monks show up at the back door, Lizbet hops a plane to Scotland accompanied by Eamon, the whispering voices of her past lives, and geekily cute James, the college boy from next door. Not only does she have to dodge the monks, but she’s racing against time and greedy land developers to prevent the entire race of the Fae from being destroyed.The only thing Lizbet knows for sure is that if she fails and can't produce a few live fairies at the end of her journey, she is going to be grounded for life...and probably for her next life, too.
She Died Unshriven (Constable Thomas Lincraft Mystery, #1)
David Field - 2019
Coroner Sir Henry Greville is conducting an inquest, following the discovery of the body of a girl, and he wants a quick and conclusive verdict. The victim is believed to have been promiscuous domestic servant Amy Brindley. The scant evidence implicates her former employer. Constable Thomas Lincraft is not convinced, and begins his own search for the truth, even though he risks being dismissed from his office by doing so. However, Thomas Lincraft is no ordinary Constable. His tenacity and intelligence provide him with a fierce sense of justice - and his deeply held religious beliefs shape his attitude towards the investigation. As the Constable begins to gather evidence and interview fresh witnesses, Lincraft uncovers secrets that others would prefer to keep hidden. But the truth - and murder - will out, leading to a shocking revelation. She Died Unshriven is the first in a series of mysteries featuring Constable Thomas Lincraft. Recommended for fans of CJ Sansom, Rory Clements and S. J. Parris. Author David Field is a retired criminal lawyer who now writes full-time. He is also the author of the contemporary crime series of novels featuring investigator DCI Mike Saxby. The first book in the series is Seventeen Cavendish Place.
Fringe Theory: An Espionage Thriller of the Cold War and World War 2
Chuck Driskell - 2018
2018** The Bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy were among the most stunning moments of the 20th Century. Imagine that there was evidence proving the United States, at its highest levels, knew the intent of both events--ahead of time.On the heels of his most successful novel, Final Mission: Zion, in which he tackled the horrors of the Holocaust, Chuck Driskell now takes on Pearl Harbor and the JFK Assassination as only he can, with a decidedly unexpected twist.Enter Max Warfield, a man who supports himself by raiding heroin dealers for their cash. Max's crimes make him the target of a shadowy network. The network takes him by force and gives him a choice: steal the aforementioned evidence for them, or die. While the network has accounted for every single facet of the mission, they've made one critical error: they've grossly underestimated Max Warfield.Once again on the run, and this time in possession of history-altering evidence, Max finds himself in a position to turn the tables on the network. But, by doing so he could decimate the United States and cause significant loss of life.Combining historical fiction, espionage, crime, and intrigue--with a memorable cast of characters--Fringe Theory delivers thrills and chills all the way to its explosive climax in the snowy French Alps.
Hellish Debts (Broken Gods #1)
Brook Rogers - 2020
. . complicated.From her chance meeting with a sexy Irishman, who keeps mysteriously vanishing --to stupidly getting suckered into a trip to the Hell Plane --the Valkyrie just can't seem to catch a breakWhen a simple scouting mission goes off the rails, Raywen finds herself in a violent and bloody race against time to protect everyone she loves. As questions multiply even faster than the body count, she begins to doubt everything she thought she knew.The Fates may have a sense of humor, but Raywen isn't laughing.Hellish Debts is the first book in Brook Rogers' new Broken Gods series.Are you ready for a fast-paced, kick-ass romp through Hell?
Anathema
Megg Jensen - 2011
Make your own destiny. Reychel is a slave girl surrounded by magic, lies, and manipulation. Her best friend disappears in the middle of the night leaving Reychel to face her fifteenth birthday, the day her master burns his brand into the back of her bald head, alone. Sheltered from the outside world and without any hope for escape, can Reychel learn to believe in herself?
Kiss of the Demon Girl
Eddie R. Hicks - 2018
That’s me on a good day. Just imagine what I’m like on a bad day.My name is Reika. I don’t know who I am anymore other than the following facts:I’m unlikeable.I used to be a member of the Yakuza.I think a succubus has a thing for me.The police shot me six times.After my discharge from the hospital I learned that I had the unique talent to control fire. That’s right, a modern day pyromancer. I have no idea where these powers came from, the doctor that worked on me upped and vanished, along with all records of me ever being admitted to the hospital.That’s when shady people from the shadows began to stalk me, some even had the balls to attack me. Don’t worry, I flambéed them all, I can take care of myself. What I am worried about are the people of New York City. Who’s going to defend them when my war with these shadow people reaches a boiling point?I don’t want to be a heroine. I just want my life back.
Beachhead
Chris Lowry - 2017
Now the aliens are coming. They want to occupy earth. They want to destroy humanity. They want to kill every last one of us. But we are legion. Seven billion humans are tough to kill. Pockets of survivors band together to fight back. It's hard to know who to trust. Human collaborates will do anything to live one more day. The US mounts an offensive. They turn loose Lt William "Don't ever call me the Kid" Bonney and his eight headhunters to wreak havoc on the invaders. Their business is killing Licks and brother, business is good. But the Lick Commander has a plan. More betrayal. When Bonney and his squad raid a supply train on the orders of High Command, they rescue a prisoner with a secret. One that will change the tide of war and help the human cause win. If they can last long enough to reach it. Book One in the Invasion Series is an extension of the world built in PHALANX and PHYRRIC. Fans of dystopian military sci fi are going to love the adventures of Lt and his squad of misfits as they roam middle America siccing the dogs of war on alien invaders bent on colonizing earth. WARNING: This book contains graphic language. There are enough F bombs in here to make sailors blush, so if you are faint of heart, do not read further. But if you can handle a little spice in your reading pleasure, then grab your copy and join the fight today.
Sleeping Gods
Matt Eaton - 2015
A long list of things could go catastrophically wrong as they attempt to park their supersonic spacecraft into stable lunar orbit. But they get it done, paving the way for one giant leap toward the surface. They are the first men alive to see the far side of the Moon — the lunar face permanently turned away from Earth. Inside the tiny capsule, astronaut Bill Anders points his camera at the lunar horizon and captures one of the most famous photographs of all time. Our planet, lonely and fragile in the eternal darkness of space. Lonely, but perhaps not alone. Another photo is taken that day... one so sensitive even the NASA chiefs don't know about it. Sleeping Gods puts you right there on the first manned mission to the Moon. You'll be surprised and amazed by this alternate view of space history, a prelude to Matt Eaton's acclaimed novel, Blank. If you've pondered flying to the Moon, climb inside the capsule with the men who did it. Then join astronaut Frank Borman on a journey even more incredible that begins shortly after splashdown. Coming soon... Apollo 8.1 — go one step beyond Sleeping Gods on a space trip no-one was ever told about.
"Matt Eaton does not let you down with his smooth writing style."
- Amazon reviewer