Book Talk: First Watch by Peter Hansen

I'm not entirely sure why I chose this book as the first book I read from Riptide Publishing. It seemed like a good idea at the time?


It's making me...squeamish. It isn't even very long and I'm finding I have to read it small doses at a time because I'm not liking the situation or, in a strange way, the main character. But still, I feel for him and his predicament. I'm kinda pissed at him for how things are turning out for his friend, but the details on the sale page promise me a HFN ending, so I shall soldier on.

And in fact, I don't want to turn anyone off this book. Just because I'm having difficulty with it doesn't mean everyone will. Some of my very favorite books, like The Slayer's Apprentice by Zathyn Priest and the Last Harold Mage Trilogy by Mercedes Lackey, I had this same visceral reaction to. It isn't a bad reaction, necessarily. Its a strong one. One that can't be ignored. One that comes when the book is well written, engaging and demanding. That's strong writing, strong editing, and commitment by the author. It demands commitment from the reader, and you definitely have to be prepared to give this book your attention, whether you like it or not.

For me, whether I like the book or not, I suspect will strongly hinge on the ending. If that is as strongly written as the rest, not a cop out, and not gratuitous, then I suspect despite my squeamishness thus far, I will not only like it, but probably re-read it some day. As a writer myself, I can't ask for more than to touch a reader so deeply they want to read the same thing over again.

Launch of Lords of Aether

Today is the big day! I haven't mentioned it much because it always seemed like forever off and I was sort of in big star denial that I get to work on this project with these terrific authors, but the day is here, and Lords of Aether has launched!

This is the brainchild of Lex Valentine, and when she invited me to join the illustirous company of Stephani Hetch, KC Burns, Charlie Cochrane, Z.A. Maxfield, and Jason Edding, I was completely stoked and floored at the same time that she decided to put such faith in my abilities to keep up with these writers.

Let's hope I don't let the down! Today, Lex has kicked our story off with the first installment of this free serial.

Check out the Story Blurb:

In turn of the century London, a handful of men, members of the exclusive Lords of Aether club, discover that the English Empire is under assault by a nebulous enemy. Murders of key figures in the criminal underworld abound and innocent men are framed for the crimes. Government officials change their stance on political issues overnight following the near death experiences of those close to them. Experiments related to aether are covered up. Inventors and others with military knowledge have mysteriously disappeared. Strange banking and finance issues cripple the Empire. As the government’s funds dry up, crime rises, signaling approaching anarchy. Something dire is afoot and disparate clues lead to one dead end after another for the Lords of Aether.

The search for a missing lover becomes the painstaking uncovering of a plot against the world’s governments that begins with the crippling of the English Empire. The Lords of Aether battle their own demons and personal issues as they work together to discover just who is behind the ingenious and nefarious plot. When their investigations lead them to an ancient arcane society they find more chaos and evil than they ever imagined existed. A master criminal with ties to the Imperial family, unlimited wealth and resources, and no conscience leads them down a twisted path of destruction and deception. The Lords of Aether must pool their own resources, call upon their trusted friends and family members and work together to save the Empire and the world.

Then go on and read Lex's first post