Currently reading a book with an action heroine?

[E.G.]

I debated whether or not to classify this one as an 'action-heroine'. Agency? Yes. A young woman in regency England goes to London alone to make her way in the world. Oh, and she's a shapeshifter. In the end, I decided that since she actively faced danger and death to protect someone she loved -- it counts. . I gave it 4-stars and it's currently free. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Werner]

Although I wasn't aware of it when I started reading, Demon's Night, the opening tale in Guido Henkel's Jason Dark short e-story series about an occult detective in late Victorian London, has a formidable action heroine. Chinese-born Hsing Siu Lin (Hsing is her family name, and Siu Lin her personal name) is a smart, strong young woman gifted with courage, skill in kung fu, and some knowledge of the supernatural, and she proves a worthy co-warrior for Jason in fighting supernatural evil. (I don't know if her character appears in the rest of the series, though.)

[Mervi]

Recently I've read quite a few superhero comics with female leads, such as Spider-Gwen, Mockingbird, Silk, and A-Force. I'll be continuing with comics because I managed to get more than a few Buffy comics.

Currently, I'm reading Robert Jackson Bennett's City of Blades. The main character is General Turyin Mulaghesh, a female soldier in her fifties who lost her left hand in the previous book (where she was a secondary character). She swears a lot and has no patience for fools but she's also smart and has faced horrible warfare in her past so doesn't flinch from death and destruction. I think she's a definite candidate for an action heroine but I don't know yet if the book has much violence in it. She's on an undercover mission and is trying to figure out a string of gruesome murders.

[Werner]

In message 652 above, I noted that I wasn't sure if martial-arts virtuoso Siu Lin would appear in Guido Henkel's Jason Dark e-story series after the first one, "Demon's Night." I'm happy to report that she's back in the second installment, Theater of Vampires, (which I finished a couple of days ago) with no diminution of her prowess!

[Werner]

Being a college library, the library where I work doesn't spend a lot of money on contemporary fiction; but we like to have some, to encourage students to get into reading for pleasure rather than only when they have to. In some of my groups, including this one, I've encouraged members who are authors to consider donating copies of their books to us. One who took me up on that invitation, earlier this year, is our own Tom Holzel, author of the action-SF novel .

As most people familiar with the world of self-publishing already know, it can be extremely hard for self-published works to come to the notice of the readers who would enjoy them. Though it was published about a year ago, Tom's book still hasn't garnered any reviews on Goodreads except the author's (though it does have four ratings, counting his, averaging four stars, and a few positive reviews elsewhere). It's been on my to-read shelf for awhile; I've been waiting for it to be cataloged and processed for the shelf here, but I finally resolved not to make the author wait for that unpredictable event, because it's high time someone who's inclined to write reviews gave this book a chance! So I borrowed it from the processing cart, and started reading it yesterday.

[E.G.]

Werner wrote: "Being a college library, the library where I work doesn't spend a lot of money on contemporary fiction; but we like to have some, to encourage students to get into reading for pleasure rather than ..."

Wonderful! Good job, Tom.

[Tom]

Werner--
The horror of self-publishing can be illustrated by a comment made by the book editor of the Washington Post. He gets 1500 books a month to review!!!--most of them self-published.

P.S. Delighted you are diving into Staff Sergeant Belinda Watt. A deplorable spate of typos caused me to have it corrected and reprinted. If you bump into those,let me know and I'll send you a corrected copy.

[Werner]

Yes, the problem with the self-publishing revolution is that it's unleashed such a floodgate of books that it would take many lifetimes to sort through the ones already published to find all of the good ones --and successive floods crash down on us every year!

Our small staff at the Bluefield College library can't catalog and process even the purchased books as fast as we'd like, let alone the ones that are donated (not by authors as much as by people moving and downsizing, disposing of deceased relative's books, etc.), sometimes the time lag is many months at least. It's not fair to you or any author to make you wait that long (even though you didn't donate it with any request for a review), since it's a book I was honestly interested in and would have read eventually anyway.

So far, I'm up to p. 32 in Chapter 6. I have bumped into a few typos, but I could mentally correct them and understand what the intended text was. (As an author myself, though, I totally understand how you hate it and want to kick yourself when typos get through into a final text!)

[Tom]

Werner wrote: "Yes, the problem with the self-publishing revolution is that it's unleashed such a floodgate of books that it would take many lifetimes to sort through the ones already published to find all of the..."

I finally received a splendid review on Goodreads: https://forums.onlinebookclub.org/vie...

[Werner]

Yes, Tom, that's an excellent review, but it's actually on a different site, not this one.

[Werner]

One of my Goodreads friends (and one of our own members), author Lance Charnes, recently donated his latest novel, , the opener for a projected series, to the Bluefield College library. It's a crime/mystery thriller, set in the world of high-priced art collecting (and sometimes of swindling and stealing), a milieu Lance has done a lot of research in. Since I really liked his debut novel, , I've just started on this new one. And I'm really hoping to read his , which is in one of my many TBR piles, early next year! I'm not far enough into the new book to have met an action heroine yet, but I'm trusting that one will show up. :-)

[Mervi]

I got my hands on two Modesty Blaise books in English. I'm reading A Taste for Death right now.
The other one is the short story collection Pieces of Modesty which hasn't been translated in Finnish.

[Maurin]

Hi,
I just finished reading a book with a kickass heroine. The book is called Below the Peak
http://a.co/7E5nQy4

[Werner]

Thanks for adding the book to our bookshelves, Maurin. (And welcome to our group; I see that you've just joined! It's great to see you joining in the conversation right away.)

[E.G.]

Finished first rate Urban Fantasy in the style of Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, and Thea Harrison. Romance subplot (this is me reading) but no adult content.


My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The first volume is a free short - the second a full length novel. Indie published, so no library access, but it's only 2.99.

[Werner]

E. G., I just finished officially liking your review, and on the strength of your recommendation, I've added "The Hunter and the Witch" to my to-read shelf. (A romance subplot mixed with action and the supernatural doesn't bother me. :-) ) I'll try to get it downloaded to my Kindle app ASAP (though heaven only knows when I'll find time to read it --there's one short e-story in the queue ahead of it already. :-( )

[Werner]

I'd thought I'd mentioned earlier, on this thread, the fact that my wife and I were reading the book we just finished, , the last volume of Suzanne Arruda's Jade del Cameron series, together as our car book. Jade's definitely an action heroine here as elsewhere in the series, and the climax of the novel actually has more action than is usual in the previous books.

Normally, my wife and I both like to read series books in order. But we've just started reading the third installment of Susan Page Davis' Ladies Shooting Club trilogy, , as our car book. Back in 2013, I'd bought a copy secondhand, and gave it to Barb for Christmas, with the intention of getting the first two books as well. However, the paperback editions turned out to be out of print, and there apparently aren't any plans to reprint it. (Sigh!) So I thought we'd see if it stands alone well enough to be worth a read. Despite the cover, it remains to be seen whether or not our heroine will really be involved in any action, or whether the image is what some fans would call "false advertising." But the premise of the trilogy, set in the opening book, establishes that several of the ladies of frontier Fergus, Idaho, inspired by the knowledge of a shadowy killer on the loose, formed a shooting club to learn how to handle firearms in self defense (under the tutelage of the gunsmith's sister, who's a crack shot herself)

After we'd started it, Barb was able to recall that she'd actually read it not long after she got it; she remembers both liking it and recommending it to me. But by now, her memory of the details is hazy enough that she's willing to read it again. (She rereads books oftener than I do.)

[Werner]

When I started the paper book I'm currently reading to myself, A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag, I wasn't sure if co-protagonist Annie Broussard would prove to be an action heroine or not. (She's a Louisiana sheriff's deputy who'd like to be promoted to detective, n a bayou community currently stalked by a killer/rapist; but that doesn't necessarily mean that her contribution to solving the case won't be strictly cerebral.) But early on, she helped disarm a would-be shooter on the courthouse steps; and in my reading today, she arrested an abusive drunk driver who wanted to get violently physical. So I'd say she's demonstrated her ability to handle herself in action situations!

Though I've seen her books for sale in stores for years, and was aware that she writes "thrillers" (a label I usually tend to interpret as formulaic junk, and dismiss), I've never read any of Hoag's work, and she wasn't on my radar to read until recently. But my oldest grandson got a deal on a used copy of this book at a library sale, and gave it to me for my birthday. :-) I have to say that I'm greatly enjoying it so far! Is anybody else in the group more familiar with her writing?

[E.G.]

Werner wrote: "When I started the paper book I'm currently reading to myself, A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag, I wasn't sure if co-protagonist Annie Broussard would prove to be an action heroine or not..."

I've read Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, and A Thin Dark Line. They were all good, but they tended to get a little dark for me, so I haven't read more by Tami Hoag.

[Werner]

So far, I'm only 186 pages in (it's a 590-page book), but I've already noted the definite darkness. We are, after all, dealing with at least one perpetrator who rapes and brutalizes women, one of whom was horribly tortured and killed; the male co-protagonist carries some awful memories that haunt him, and some of his co-workers consider him at least slightly psychotic; and Hoag exposes the ugly meanness that can be quite quite common to fallen humanity. But I did appreciate that (at least so far) she's been very restrained in her treatment of the actual crimes --no direct description, and no more secondary descriptions of the crime scenes and the victims' condition than there has to be. Though readers might want a barf bag handy when they encounter some of the lewd/sexist (the two attitudes generally go together) comments made by male cops....

[Jim]

Just picked up, "Daughters of Destiny Boxed Set: 10 Science Fiction and Fantasy Heroines Novels"

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Kinda figured, at $1.99 for 10 novels, had to be worth it, even if only a couple of the stories end up being good. The problem is, at my light pace (10-15 mins a day) it will probably take at least 3 months to get through them all...

I've seen a few of these "anthologies of novels" on Amazon, and am a sucker for such volume of content. Do feel a bit bad for the authors, who can only be getting pennies per sale, but I guess it's a trade-off for volume.

[Werner]

Last night, I started on the e-book version of the novel by our own Greg Wagner, who's also a Goodreads friend of mine. He offered it to members of this group as a free review copy; I don't usually read book previews, but in this case I was intrigued enough to do so, and when I'd finished with that, I took him up on his offer.

[Mervi]

I'm currently reading Torchship Captain by Karl Gallagher. It's the third book in a science fiction trilogy. I greatly enoyed the first two books so I'm hoping this one will be good, too. The main character Mitchie Long is a spy and an action heroine but now she's also a spaceship captain so I don't know how much she's going to do actual hand-to-hand combat.

[Marc]

Just finished Midnight Taxi Tango, featuring not one but two action heroines. Kia is 16 and destined to rule the world someday. Provided she can escape the clutches of the ghost trying to kill her, and whoever sent them. Reza is a tough broad of a more military mind, dragged into a world of spooks (not the spy kind) and nightmares when one two many of her girls get targeted. I really liked the first book, Half-Resurrection Blues, and went looking for this one. It's not as good as the first, but it's still a good read, very lyrical and poetic in its narrative.

[Sheeza]

Just got through Roanoke Ridge: A Creature X Mystery. Was impressed by the quick-witted, kick-ass and very real heroine Laura Reagan. The book is unconventional as far as mysteries go, but it was a ton of fun.

[Werner]

Sheeza wrote: "Just got through Roanoke Ridge: A Creature X Mystery. Was impressed by the quick-witted, kick-ass and very real heroine Laura Reagan. The book is unconventional as far as mysteries ..."

I've just added that one to our group's bookshelf, Sheeza! And welcome to the group; I see you've just recently joined us. Glad to see you participating in discussion right away!

[Werner]

Now that I've finished reading the book, I wouldn't really classify The Blacksmith's Bravery (see message 667 above) as an action heroine book. Vashti is a strong, feisty and independent woman, though, who succeeds in a male-dominated profession (she learns to drive a stagecoach with four and six-animal teams, something that's much more physically demanding and difficult than I had any idea it was), and handles herself well in tough and dangerous situations. Although she's a good shot and comfortable with handling firearms, she's not called on to use the long gun on the cover, nor her Colt; but the fact that she packs the latter does come in handy. (If you want to know how, you have to read the book. :-) ) On the other hand, Beth in "The Hunter and the Witch" (see message 665), which I recently read, is definitely an action heroine.

Barb and I have started on a new "car book" that might have action heroine potential, , but we'll see. Author Heather Day Gilbert is a member of this group, and her amateur sleuth heroine Tess Spencer (this volume opens the author's A Murder in the Mountains series, set in contemporary West Virginia) carries a Glock and a spring knife.

[Mervi]

Well, Mitchie Long didn't have enough personal combat for me to label an action heroine book. However, the book was a good read and a satisfying end to the series.

I've also been listening the newest Toby Daye book, . Toby is a changeling and also knight in modern day San Franscisco. She's definitely an action heroine.

[Mervi]

Currently, I'm reading two books with action heroines.

The main character in is US Fish and Wildlife Service agent Poppy McVie who uses guns as well as unarmed combat to rescue animals.

is the third book in the Ministry of Peculiar Occurances steampunk series. Agent Eliza Braun is a crack shot and excellent at hand-to-hand combat.

[Werner]

Those look like two worthwhile series, Mervi (Operation Tropical Affair is the opener for the author's Poppy McVie series). I have the first book of Ballantine's Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series, Phoenix Rising, in my physical TBR piles; but there are an awful lot of piles, and they're pretty high. (Sigh!(

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I'm reading The Chemist and it has a very worthy action heroine. Worth checking out. Very good suspense book.

[Werner]

That one's on my "Maybe to Read" shelf, Danielle!

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I think you would like it, Werner.

[Werner]

Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books) wrote: "I think you would like it, Werner."

Danielle, I'm sure you're right about that! I loved the authors Twilight Sage, and The Host.

[Mervi]

was lots of fun and fast-paced action and Poppy McVie is definitely an action heroine. Have you read the rest of the series, Werner?

Unfortunately, wasn't as much fun for me as the previous two books because it had two romance triangles at the same time. However, otherwise it was fast paced and has some very interesting twists near the end.

Currently I'm reading which is a prequel novella to the series. The main character Evelyn and her twin brother hunt supernatural creatures in Prague. In the beginning, at least, Evelyn reminds me of Selene from the movie Underworld.

[Werner]

Mervi wrote: " was lots of fun and fast-paced action and Poppy McVie is definitely an action heroine. Have you read the rest of the series, Werner?"

No, Mervi, I haven't even read this first book! I just remarked that the series looked like a worthwhile one. Of course, I'm already currently juggling about a dozen ongoing series that I've started and am nowhere near caught up on. (Not all of them are definitely or potentially action heroine series, but some of them are.) So I'm being a bit cautious about adding more to the list until I get it reduced down a bit. :-)

[Mervi]

I fully understand, Werner. I'm also in the middle of many ongoing series. It's great that we have so many interesting books to read. :)

[Werner]

Mervi wrote: "I fully understand, Werner. I'm also in the middle of many ongoing series. It's great that we have so many interesting books to read. :)"

Yes, indeed! I'd much rather juggle a plethora of books than have to deal with a scarcity. :-)

[Mervi]

I realized that our library system has the novelization of the movie Underworld so I couldn't resist. I'm currently reading .

[Werner]

Mervi, that looks interesting (I've heard of the movie(s), but never seen any of them). Be sure to add the novelization to our bookshelf when you finish reading it; that's one we don't have!

[Werner]

Yesterday, I started reading our own Justin W. M. Roberts' debut novel, . I was fortunate enough to be gifted with a review copy from the author. Of course, I'm not far into it yet; but I'm liking it so far!

[Mervi]

I added Underworld to "vampire" and "urban fantasy paranormal" shelves. I hope I did it correctly; I've never added a book to a group before. Unfortunately, the book didn't live up to my expectations: Selene was just one POV character with around 10 others, couple of whom I could barely stand in the movie and had no interest reading about. I still love Selene and the gothic atmosphere. This time, the movie was better. ;)

[Werner]

Mervi, I checked our bookshelf, and you did everything absolutely right! Sorry the book didn't turn out to be as rewarding as you'd hoped.

[Mervi]

Thanks for confirming, Werner.

[Werner]

No problem, Mervi!

[Mervi]

For once, I accidentally stumbled on an action heroine book. Karen Brown in Inceptio starts as an ordinary young woman in New York but about halfway through the book she decides to get training and becomes an undercover operative and action heroine. She also gets a lot tougher attitude.

While the story is set in modern times, it's an alternate reality book where a group of powerful Roman nobles set up their own country, Roma Nova, which survives to the modern day. It's good enought that I'm going to continue with the series.

[Werner]

Here's the link to the discussion thread for our fellow group member Alison Morton's Roma Nova series, for which Inceptio is the opener: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... .

[Mervi]

Thanks, Werner!

[Werner]

No problem, Mervi!

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I'm reading The Queen of Swords. Very good for action heroines. Starts out great and has had a couple good action scenes so far.