My Favorite Fiction of 2019

What were your favorite fiction books this year?

Back in December 2011, I started a series, Authors, Alcohol & Accolades, which asked some of my favorite authors about their preferred drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. There have been 11 editions of this column so far, with more coming in the future. The inspiration for this series is that I am a voracious reader, of both fiction and nonfiction, and I wanted to combine that interest with my love of food & drink. The series has proven popular and it has been fascinating to explore what authors enjoy drinking.

Each year, as an addendum to that series, I've been posting a list of my Favorite Fiction Books, including books of Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror and Mystery/Crime/Thriller. During the past twelve months, I've read over 250 books, both fiction and non-fiction, which provides a large pool for my choices. Most of the books on these lists were published in 2019, though there are some exceptions which were published in prior years but which I didn't read until this past year.

Onto my Book Recommendations...

First, let me provide my Top Three Reads Of The Year, those three (or actually four) books which thoroughly impressed and engaged me, compelling and creative works which I'm sure to read again in the future. These exceptional books have my highest, and unqualified, recommendation. They are not listed in any specific order of preference.

For the Killing of Kings (Ring-Sworn Trilogy Book 1) and Upon The Flight of the Queen (Ring-Sworn Trilogy Book 2) by Howard Andrew Jones
Both of these books, the first two in a trilogy, were published in 2019, and were absolutely riveting, the kind of book you starting reading and later look up, not realizing hours had passed. In some respects, there is a retro-feel to these novels, with roots in Zelazny's Amber series, but there is plenty of a modern edge to these fantasy books as well. There is a rich cast of characters, nonstop action, a fascinating magic system, great battle scenes, and so much more. They are well written novels, and based on my love of the author's prior novels, definitely not unexpected. Jones weaves a compelling tale and I can't wait to see how this trilogy ends.

Smoke and Stone (City of Sacrifice Book 1) by Michael Fletcher
Fletcher is another author whose prior books I've very much enjoyed. This novel though may be his best work to date, being both innovative and riveting. It's a dark tale with creative world building and a fascinating magic system relying on the use of drugs. There is quirky edge to the tale, which seems to be a signature of Fletcher, and it works so well. It is very much an original fantasy tale, with inspiration from Mesoamerican mythology, and should excite even the most jaded fantasy reader. There are plenty of plot twists, lots of blood, and at times, pure craziness. This is another book where you'll be wishing the sequel was already available.

Gideon the Ninth (The Locked Tomb Trilogy Book 1) by Tamsyn Muir
This is another dark and innovative book, a science fantasy novel immersed in necromancy, great mysteries, and humor. Yes, despite the grim material, there is also a pleasing humorous element. The characters are fascinating, the world building is intriguing, and the fantasy and science fiction elements blend well together. The plot centers around a grand and deadly contest, and each faction has their own secrets and agendas. Excellent swordplay scenes and dark necromantic elements. A more unique novel, unlike anything else I've read in quite some time. Bring on the next book in this trilogy.

Second, let me provide some of my other Favorite SF/Fantasy/Horror Novels of 2019. Please note that these books are not in any specific order of preference.

Where Oblivion Lives (Los Nefilim Book 1) by Teresa Frohock
The Grand Dark by Richard Kadrey
The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War Book 2) by R.F. Kuang (Book #1 was one of my last year's Top 3)
Holy Sister (Book of the Ancestor 3) by Mark Lawrence 
Jade War (The Green Bone Sage Book 2) by Fonda Lee
The Ruin of Kings (A Chorus of Dragons, Book 1) and The Name of All Things (A Chorus of Dragons, Book 2) by Jenn Lyons
The Iron Codex (Dark Arts Book 2) by David Mack (Book #1 was one of my last year's Top 3)
A Memory Called Empire (Teixcalaan Book 1) by Arkady Martine
Blood of Empire (Gods of Blood & Poweder Book 3) by Brian McClellan
Priest of Lies (War for the Rose Throne Book 2) by Peter McLean 
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
Ship of Smoke and Steel (The Wells of Sorcery Book 1) by Django Wexler

And this book deserves some recognition for simply being fun, an excellent popcorn-novel.
Blood Island by Tim Waggoner

Third, here are my Favorite Mystery/Crime/Thriller Novels of 2019. From gritty noir to more high-tech thrillers, this books are exciting and riveting, sure to get your blood pumping and your heart racing. Again, these books are not in any specific order of preference.

The Shameless (Quinn Colson Book 9) by Ace Atkins
One Small Sacrifice (Shadows of New York Book 1) by Hilary Davidson
Feast of Sorrow by Crystal King
Rage by Jonathan Maberry
Glimpse by Jonathan Maberry
What You Did by Claire McGowan
The Chain by Adrian McKinty
Like Lions by Brian Panowich
This Side of Night by J. Todd Scott
The Border (Power of the Dog Book 3) by Don Winslow

Fourth, here are my Favorite Anthologies, Novellas & Short Stories of 2019. These often seem to get ignored on many other "Best Of" lists but I believe they are definitely worthy of attention.

Uncanny Collateral (Valkyrie Collections Book 1) by Brian McClellan (Novella)
The Broken King by Brian Panowich (Short story)
A Lush And Seething Hell by John Hornor Jacobs (Two novellas, one which was one of my last year's Top 3) 
Weird Tales #363 (Magazine with great stories by Victor Lavelle, Hank Schwaeble, Jonathan Maberry, Stephanie Wytovich)
The Abyssal Plain: The R'lyeh Cycle (4 horrifying novellas by Brett Talley, William Holloway, Rich Hawkins, and Michelle Garza & Melissa Lason)
Year's Best Aotearoa New Zealand Science Fiction and Fantasy: Volume I (Fascinating anthology of SFF tales by New Zealand authors)

All of the books on this list garner my earnest recommendations and you should check them out. They would make great holiday gifts for others, or even yourself. Please support an author, a small, independent business person, and buy more books. And if you read and enjoy a book, please leave a review of that book online and tell all your friends about it. The author would greatly appreciate your efforts.

What were some of your favorite books this year?

My Favorite Fiction of 2018: Lots Of Book Recommendations

What were your favorite fiction books this year?

Back in December 2011, I started a series, Authors, Alcohol & Accolades, which asked some of my favorite authors about their preferred drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. There have been 11 editions of this column so far, with more coming in the future. The inspiration for this series is that I am a voracious reader, of both fiction and nonfiction, and I wanted to combine that interest with my love of food & drink. The series has proven popular and it has been fascinating to explore what authors enjoy drinking.

Each year, as an addendum to that series, I've been posting a list of my Favorite Fiction Books, including books of Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror and Mystery/Crime/Thriller. During the past twelve months, I've read over 200 books, both fiction and non-fiction, which provides a large pool for my choices. Most of the books on these lists were published in 2018, though there are some exceptions which were published in prior years but which I didn't read until this past year.

Onto my Book Recommendations...

First, let me provide my Top Three Reads Of The Year, those three books which thoroughly impressed and engaged me, compelling works which I've already read at least twice this year, and which I'll read again in the future. These exceptional books have my highest, and unqualified, recommendation.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
A compelling fantasy, based in part on Chinese history, this is a grim and riveting novel, depicting the horrors of war, including the moral decisions that may be made. In part, it is also a coming of age novel, detailing how a determined, young peasant girl is able to enter an elite military academy and become a potent force against those seeking to destroy her country. The history of China is well integrated into this tale, the characters are interesting, and the magic system is intriguing. And the ending has a powerful and shocking impact! Such an impressive debut novel from R.F. Kuang and I eagerly await the sequel.

The Sea Dreams It Is the Sky by John Hornor Jacobs
I've long enjoyed the work of John Hornor Jacobs and this could be the best thing he's ever written. It is a superb novella on several different levels. It is very well-written, evoking such powerful emotions with poetic & beautiful language. On the surface, the book is about an odd friendship, fueled in part by a shared origin in a repressive South American regime. Then, the story becomes about so much more, such as cosmic horror and mundane evil, love and hope. It is absolutely riveting from start to finish, and on a reread, you will find more of the nuances that you might have missed from a first read.

The Midnight Front by David Mack
I was hooked on this book from the very beginning and I remained so until the very end. An impressive and riveting supernatural thriller, this book focuses on a magical war during WWII. The magic system, where wielders derive their powers from demons, is intriguing and well developed. The magical battles are intense, complex and fascinating. The various characters are interesting and their moral dilemmas helped to elevate the novel. WWII was well integrated into the narrative and you experience a number of the most important aspects of the war. The novel can be dark at times, as expected, but overall there is a thread of hope pervading through the text. Plus, alcohol, from wine to spirits, plays a role which especially pleased me. This is another book where I highly anticipate the sequel.

Second, let me provide some of my other Favorite SF/Fantasy/Horror Novels of 2018. Please note that these books are not in any specific order of preference.

Starless by Jacqueline Carey
Priest of Bones by Peter McLean
Iron Gold by Pierce Brown 
Blood of the Four by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon
Grey Sister by Mark Lawrence 
The Point by John Dixon
Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett
Shadowblack and Charmcaster by Sebastien de Castell 
The Moons of Barsk by Lawrence Schoen
Wrath of Empire by Brian McClellan
A Veil of Spears by Bradley Beaulieu 
Mecha Samurai Empire by Peter Tieryas

And these two books deserve some recognition for simply being fun, popcorn-novels.
Chicken Dinner: A Novel of Battle Royale by Timothy Long
Kill Hill Carnage by Tim Meyer

Third, here are my Top 10 Favorite Mystery/Crime/Thriller Novels of 2018. From gritty noir to more high-tech thrillers, this books are exciting and riveting, sure to get your blood pumping and your heart racing.

Into The Black Nowhere by Meg Gardiner
Super Con by James Swain
The Far Empty and High White Sun by J. Todd Scott
Hellbent by Gregg Hurwitz 
Raven's Sword by Adam Baker
Blood Standard by Laird Barron
Deep Silence by Jonathan Maberry
She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper
Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier

Fourth, here are My Favorite Novellas of 2018. Novellas often seem to get ignored on many other "Best Of" lists but I believe they are definitely worthy of attention, especially considering the high quality novellas that are appearing more frequently.

War Cry by Brian McClellan
Invasion, Scorched Earth, and Bitter Harvest (Seeds of War #trilogy) by Jonathan Brazee and Lawrence Schoen

All of the books on this list garner my earnest recommendation and you should check them out. They would make great holiday gifts for others, or even yourself. Please support an author, a small, independent business person, and buy more books. And if you read and enjoy a book, please leave a review of that book online and also tell your friends about it. The author would greatly appreciate your efforts.

What were some of your favorite books this year?

My Favorite Fiction of 2017, From Novels to Anthologies

Back in December 2011, I started a blog column, Authors, Alcohol & Accolades, which asked some of my favorite authors about their preferred drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. There have been 11 editions of this column so far, with more coming in the near future. The inspiration for this series is that I am a voracious reader, of both fiction and nonfiction, and I wanted to combine that interest with my love of food & drink. The series has proven popular and it has been fascinating to explore what authors enjoy drinking.

As a special year-end addendum to that series, I'm posting a list of my Favorite Fiction Books of 2017. This list will include books of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Mystery/Crime/Thriller. During the past twelve months, I've read approximately 250+ books, both fiction and non-fiction, which provides a large pool for my choices. Most of the books on these lists were published in 2017, though there are some exceptions which were published in prior years but which I didn't read until this past year. Please also note that these books are not in any specific order of preference.

However, before we get into the lists, let me provide some suggestions for drinks to accompany your reading. Sure, you can drink anything you want while you read, from milk to tequila, as ultimately it comes down to preference. However, and especially if you will be reading for an hour or more, I'd suggest something which can be slowly sipped and enjoyed throughout your reading period, a drink of quality which is best savored over time.

If you're reading Science-Fiction, Fantasy and Horror books, I'd recommend an aged Port wine, like a 20 Year Old. They are complex and hedonistic, perfect for luxuriating with a glass over a course of of time. And if you're reading Mystery, Crime and Thriller books, I'd recommend a fine sipping Whiskey, which could be Bourbon, Rye, Scotch, or some other whiskey type. Drink it neat or with a single, large ice cube, and enjoy its myriad flavors as you turn the pages.

And now onto my Book Recommendations...  

My Top 10 Favorite SF/Fantasy/Horror Novels of 2017

--Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
--Red Sister by Mark Lawrence (Book 1 of The Ancestor)
--Tyrant's Throne by Sebastien de Castell (Book 4 of The Greatcoats)
--Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
--Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys (Book 1 of the Innsmouth Legacy)
--Blackthorne by Stina Leicht (Book 2 of The Malorum Gates)
--The Realms of God by Michael Livingston (Book 3 of The Shards of Heaven)
--City of Miracles by Robert Jackson Bennett (Book 3 of The Divine Cities)
--Swarm and Steel by Michael Fletcher (A Manifest Delusions novel)
--Sins of Empire by Brian McClellan (Book 1 of Gods of Blood & Powder)

To winnow my list down to only ten novels was very difficult and tough cuts had to be made. However, there are still novels which didn't make my Top Ten but which are more than worthy of my hearty recommendation. To give them some well-deserved recognition, I am awarding ten of those novels Honorable Mention status. In essence, this makes my list into a Top Twenty list. These are all books which should please most readers and you need to check them out too.

My Top 10 Honorable-Mention Novels Of 2017

--With Blood Upon The Sand by Bradley Beaulieu (A Song of Shattered Sands novel)

--The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey

--Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell (Book 1 of the Spellslinger)

--The Queen of Swords by R.S. Belcher (A Golgotha novel)

--Before by Paul Kane

--The Devil's Revolver by V.S. McGrath (Book 1 of The Devil's Revolver)

--Black Goat Blues by Levi Black (Book 2 of The Mythos War)

--Only The Dead Know Burbank by Bradford Tatum

--Haven by Tom Deady

--Akiri: The Scepter of Xarbaal by Brian Anderson and Steven Savile (Book 1 of the Akiri series)

My Top 10 Favorite Mystery/Crime/Thriller Novels of 2017

    From gritty noir to more high-tech thrillers, this books are exciting and riveting, sure to get your blood pumping and your heart racing. 

--Parallel Lines by Steven Saville
--Bad Boy Boogie by Thomas Pluck (Jay Desmarteaux series)
--Silent Approach by Bobby Cole
--Dogs of War by Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger series)
--The Nowhere Man by Gregg Hurwitz (Orphan X series)
--The Spy Across The Table by Barry Lancet (Jim Brodie series)
--The Force by Don Winslow
--The Blinds by Adam Sternbergh
--UNSUB by Meg Gardiner
--Say Nothing by Brad Parks

My Favorite Anthologies Of 2017

     Anthologies often don't get enough credit but they can be quite compelling books, with an interesting mix of stories, often based around a specific theme.

--Planet of the Apes: Tales From The Forbidden Zone edited by Rich Handley & Jim Beard
--Swords Against Cthulhu edited by Gavin Chappell
--Aliens: Bug Hunt edited by Jonathan Maberry
--Nights of the Living Dead edited by Jonathan Maberry and George Romero
--Nyumbani Tales by Charles Saunders
--Predator: If It Bleeds edited by Bryan Thomas Schmidt
--Joe Ledger: Unstoppable edited by Jonathan Maberry and Bryan Thomas Schmidt

My Favorite Novellas Of 2017

    Novellas often seem to get ignored on many other "Best Of" lists but I believe they are definitely worthy of attention, especially considering the high quality novellas that are appearing more frequently.

--Infernal Parade by Clive Barker
--The Mad Lancers by Brian McClellan
--The Doors At Dusk & Dawn by Bradley Beaulieu

All of the books on this list garner my highest recommendation and you should check them out. They would make great holiday gifts for others, or even yourself. Please support an author, a small, independent business person, and buy more books. And if you read and enjoy a book, please leave a review of that book online and also tell your friends about it. The author would greatly appreciate your efforts.

What were some of your favorite books this year?

The Tipsy Sensei Returns!

Nate Randall, the Tipsy Sensei, is back and facing terrible Kaiju, gigantic monsters that bear some resemblance to beasts like Godzilla and Ghidorah.

The Tipsy Sensei is the name of my fictional series of supernatural thrillers which feature Sake-expert Nate Randall who faces off against a variety of supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore. At his side is his friend, Hato, an immortal Samurai and a master of the katana, bow and other weapons. Currently, the Tipsy Sensei series consists of four short stories and three novels, with more forthcoming. And the Tipsy Sensei has now expanded from fiction to the gaming world.

A new role-playing game has just been released, Tiny Frontiers: Mecha and Monsters, which was created by game-designer Alan Bahr. With a minimalistic set of rules, you can pit giant robots against mighty monsters. As an example, think of the movie Pacific Rim. It is a fun game that is easy to learn, and is appropriate for all ages. A number of other writers were invited to contribute to this role-playing game, to create a variety of settings for the game. I was fortunate to have been chosen for inclusion, and one of my contributions is a setting that includes the Tipsy Sensei!

In my last novel, Halloween Nightmare At Fenway, Nate and Hato faced off against Doctor Toshio Yagi and Major Zannin Iwafuku, who were onryō, vengeful ghosts that wanted to replay World War II. As an alternate future history, I used these same villains and their goals to create a setting, Hyakki Yagyō, for the Tiny Frontiers game. Out of the mists of Japanese mythology, Doctor Yagi and Major Iwafuku were able to use potent magic to summon a myriad of Kaiju to the Earth, trying to destroy those countries which defeated Japan during WWII. In response, the U.S. and its allies created the Steelnecks, powerful Mecha which they hope to counter the Kaiju. And Nate Randall might be the turning point in this epic battle.

What will happen next? That is up to you as you can role-play many different scenarios and endings. In addition, you'll find eighteen other settings for the Mecha and Monsters game, providing a wealth of diversity. Plus, I wrote a second setting for this game called Mecha Chef.  Consider Iron Chef but where giant robots must first hunt down their ingredients, huge Kaiju, and then create a special dish from their flesh.

Check out Tiny Frontiers: Mecha and Monsters and experience the Tipsy Sensei's new adventures.

My Favorite Fiction Books of 2016 (So Far)

Back in December 2011, I started a blog column, Authors, Alcohol & Accolades, which asked some of my favorite authors about their preferred drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. There have been 11 editions of this column so far, with more coming in the near future. The inspiration for this series is that I am a voracious reader, of both fiction and nonfiction, and I wanted to combine that interest with my love of food & drink. The series has proven popular and it has been fascinating to explore what authors enjoy drinking.

For the last few years, as a special addendum to that series, I also posted some lists of my Favorite Fiction books. Following that tradition, I'm here to post a list of my Favorite Fiction of the first six months of 2016. During this time period, I've read over 100 books, both fiction and nonfiction. This list will provide you an overview of the best books I've been reading this year.

The following lists of favorites will include books of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Mystery/Thrillers. Though many of these books were published in 2016, there might be a few from previous years, but I first read them this year so they will be included here. Please also note that these books are not in any specific order of preference.

My Top Ten Favorite Novels of the first six months of 2016:
--Barsk: The Elephant's Graveyard by Lawrence Schoen
--City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett
--Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich
--Beyond Redemption by Michael Fletcher
--The Last Mortal Bond by Brian Staveley
--Los Nefilim by Teresa Frohock
--Kill Switch by Jonathan Maberry
--Young Americans by Josh Stallings
--Saint's Blood by Sebastien De Castell
--The Vagrant by Peter Newman

It's always tough to choose my Top Ten Favorites, so I wanted to provide a Top Ten Honorable Mention list, to include those books which are also worthy of my recommendation:
--Morning Star by Pierce Brown
--War God Rising by Tim Marquitz
--United States of Japan by Peter Tieryas
--Silver On The Road by Laura Gilman
--The Shards of Heaven by Michael Livingston
--Pacific Burn by Barry Lancet
--Bad Action by James Swain
--Grudging: Birth of Saints by Michelle Hauck
--Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear
--Canary by Duane Swierczynski

My Top Five Favorite Anthologies of the first six months of 2016:
--American Nocturne by Hank Schwaeble
--Road Brothers: Tales From The Broken Empire by Mark Lawrence
--Can & Can'takerous by Harlan Ellison
--Peel Back the Skin edited by Anthony Rivera & Sharon Lawson
--SNAFU: Hunters edited by Amanda Spedding and Geoff Brown

My Top Three Favorite Novellas of the first six months of 2016:
--The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
--Ghosts of the Tristan Basin by Brian McClellan
--Hell's Bounty by Joe R. Lansdale & John L. Lansdale

I am very interested to see which of these books will still be in my Top Ten lists at the end of the year. I already know there are some potentially excellent books due out during the next six months so there will be serious challengers to those currently on these lists. All of these books would make great summer reading and a number of these authors have also written other worthy books. Please support an author, a small, independent business person, and buy more books.

What are some of your favorite books so far this year?

Tipsy Sensei: Halloween Book Signing Event On 10/22

Next Thursday, October 22, from 6pm-8pm, please come see me talk about my new Tipsy Sensei novel, Halloween Nightmare At Fenway, and purchase a signed copy for yourself or as a gift. It is a perfect book to read as Halloween nears. It is a supernatural thriller, based in Boston and steeped in Japanese folklore. It reaches back to some of the darkest aspects of World War II and now threatens Boston, the Red Sox, Fenway Park and the World Series. Can a local Sake expert, an immortal samurai and a Boston homicide detective stop this threat?

The New England Authors Expo is holding a special Halloween edition of their Thursday Night Author’s Lecture Series at the The Buttonwoods Museum/Haverhill Historical Society , which is located at 240 Water Street, Haverhill. There will be up to ten local authors at this event discussing, signing and selling their horror novels. This will be a great event to meet some interesting authors and learn more about some chilling horror novels and tales.

I will be signing and selling all four of my Tipsy Sensei books, including The Tipsy Sensei & Others, Demons, Gods & Sake, and Hand Fed Tigers. Remember, the holidays will soon be here so this would be an excellent time to purchase gifts for the book lovers on your list.

I hope to see you at this event!

Kanpai, It's Sake Day

Raise an ochoko today and celebrate Nihonshu no Hi, or as known in English, Sake Day.

Saké Day originated over 35 years ago, in 1978, by a declaration of the Japan Sake Brewers Association and is now celebrated worldwide. Why was October 1 chosen? Interestingly, the Chinese character for Sake (酒) is very similar to the Chinese zodiac sign for the Rooster (酉), the tenth sign. Thus, the first day of the tenth month, October, became Sake Day. It is probably also due, in part, to the fact that October is generally considered to be the official start of the Sake brewing season.

What are you doing to celebrate Sake Day? Let me provide some additional ways to learn about, experience and support Sake.

1) Today, and today only, you can get a FREE copy of the e-book of my first Tipsy Sensei novel, Demons, Gods & Sake, This exciting, supernatural thriller pits Nate Randall, a Boston-based Sake expert, against an Oni, a terrible Japanese creature, which seeks an ancient artifact of great power. In his quest to thwart this evil, Nate encounters other adversaries, including a ruthless Yakuza clan. However, he also acquires a mysterious ally, a sword-wielding man with his own secrets. The action spans the globe, from Boston to Japan, and the stakes have never been higher for Nate. Grab a copy of this novel tomorrow, which has ten 5-Star reviews on Amazon, while it is FREE.

2) You might also like to buy my newest Tipsy Sensei novel, Halloween Nightmare At Fenway, which was just published a month ago.  Nate Randall faces a new threat, an evil spawned from the darkest aspects of World War II. His samurai companion, Hato, will also face a personal challenge, a deadly swordsman who may be even more skilled than he. Can they stop the evil from putting into place their diabolical plans during the World Series at Fenway Park? The Tipsy Sensei will be challenged like never before.

3) If you want to learn more about Sake, check out my numerous educational posts at All About Sake. You'll learn about the basics of Sake, pairing Sake & food, Sake customs and legends, and much more. There are links to over 105 posts, so there is plenty to explore and learn. In addition, if you want some Sake recommendations, then please check out my Collected Sake Reviews, which has over 100 reviews of a diverse range of Sake. This is all an excellent starting point for your exploration of the wonderful world of Sake.

What has been the most popular Sake post on my blog? The clear choice is The Science of Sake & Food Pairings, an exploration for some of the scientific reasons why Sake pairs so well with many foods. Not only is it my top Sake post, it is also in the top ten most popular posts of all time on my blog. Another Sake-related post on this top ten list is the Health Benefits of Sake.

More recently, one of my most popular new Sake post has been Blue Current Brewery: Making Sake In Maine, which is about the first Sake brewery to open in New England. Though still relatively new, they are spreading across Maine, including to many non-Asian restaurants, and their Junmai Ginjo is delicious. Another of my most popular Sake posts this year has unquestionably been An Expanded History Of Sake Brewing in the U.S. I did lots of research for that article, combing numerous old newspapers and other sources to put together the most comprehensive history of the earliest Sake breweries in the U.S.

4) I've created the Sake menus for two local restaurants and you can go to either spot to enjoy delicious cuisine with some interesting Sakes. At Thelonious Monkfish in Central Square, Cambridge, you can enjoy their Asian fusion cuisine and Sushi with Sake. And at Tasting Counter in Somerville, near Union Square, you can order ten Sakes with your nine-course dinner, making it the the non-Asian restaurant with the largest Sake menu in the Boston area. The cuisine is phenomenal and pairs very well with the diverse selection of Sake.

5) Please know that I am available for hire for all your Sake related matters. I can work with restaurants, wine shops, distributors, schools, and other businesses as well as private individuals. I provide a diverse selection of services, including: Educational seminars, from basic classes to more advanced; Sake tastings, from small private affairs to larger groups; Sake and food pairings, from appetizers to dinners; Consultations on Sake recommendations for stocking in wine stores or restaurants; and other Sake events and activities.

If you are looking to hold a different event, something beyond the usual wine tasting, why not try a Sake event instead. Sake pairs with all types of cuisines so a Sake dinner could be held at any restaurant, from Italian to French, Spanish to a Burger joint. If you are interested in any of these services, just email me and we can discuss the possibilities.

Have a great Sake Day! And I hope to see you at a Sake event in the near future.

Halloween Nightmare At Fenway: The Tipsy Sensei Returns

Will the Boston Red Sox defeat the St. Louis Cardinals and win the World Series or will a supernatural terrorist act bring death and chaos instead?

For four months, since the brutal murder of his beloved wife and son, Nate Randall, the Tipsy Sensei, has been in mourning at a lake house in New Hampshire. Hato, an immortal samurai and Nate's friend, convinces him to return to Boston, to investigate a new supernatural threat, one with its origins in the darker aspects of World War II. Soon enough, Nate and Hato find themselves facing a terrible threat which is connected to the dead and has no compunction at torturing and murdering innocents.

As they struggle to unravel the mystery behind a series of horrific crimes, Nate and Hato face some of their most dangerous foes ever, including a master swordsman who could even be more skilled than Hato. Due to these perils, Nate and Hato recruit Detective Jessica Mayer to assist in their investigations.

Eventually, their investigation leads them to the historic Fenway Park, during the World Series, which may be the target of the threat. Can Nate, Hato and Jessica prevent their supernatural enemies from launching what could be greatest terrorist act on American soil? And even if Nate, Hato and Jessica can succeed, what will be the cost?

The Tipsy Sensei series continues in a new novel, Halloween Nightmare At Fenway, that is now available as an e-book on Amazon and it will be available as a trade paperback later this month. Prior to reading Halloween Nightmare At Fenway, you might want to read the prior two Tipsy Sensei novels: Demons, Gods & Sake and Hand Fed Tigers.

I'll also note some of the restaurants mentioned in this new novel, including Bergamot, Dumpling Café, JM Curley, Oishii, Painted Burro, Posto, South End Buttery,  Taberna de Haro, Taranta, and Tasting Counter. 

Kanpai and I hope you enjoy my new novel, Halloween Nightmare At Fenway.

My Favorite Fiction of 2014

What were some of my favorite fiction books of the past year? 

Back in December 2011, I started a blog column, Authors, Alcohol & Accolades, which asked some of my favorite authors about their preferred drinks, both alcoholic and nonalcoholic. There have been 11 editions of this column so far, with more to come in the future. The inspiration for this series is that I am a voracious reader, of both fiction and nonfiction, and I wanted to combine that interest with my love of food & drink. The series has proven popular and it has been fascinating to explore what authors enjoy drinking.

As a special year-end addendum to that series, I'm posting a list of my Favorite Fiction Books of 2014. This list will include books of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Mystery/Thriller. During the past year so far, I've read over 240 books, both fiction and non-fiction, which provides a large pool for my choices. Most of the books on these lists were published in 2014, though there are a couple exceptions for books which were published in prior years but which I didn't read until this year. The books are not listed in any specific order of preference, simply by alphabetical order by the author's last name, except for the anthologies which are just listed in a random order.

Top Ten Novels For 2014
1) City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett
2) Red Rising by Pierce Brown
3) Traitor's Blade by Sebastien de Castell
4) The Detainee by Peter Liney
5) The Crimson Campaign by Brian McClellan
6) Maplecroft: The Borden Dispatches by Cherie Priest
7) Veil of the Deserters by Jeff Salyards
8) The Emperor's Blades by Brian Staveley
9) The Shadow Throne by Django Wexler
10) The Tower Broken by Mazarkis Williams

When analyzing my list, you'll see that the Fantasy genre dominated, taking 7 spots. Though I might have read a slight more fantasy this year than other genres, some of the fantasy novels I read were very strong so they took the most spots  In addition, 4 spots were taken by 2nd or 3rd books in a series, and a couple of those books were even better than the first books in the series. Nearly all of the books on this list will have at least one sequel, many which will be out in 2015 so it will be interesting to see how they fare on my lists next year. All of the books on this list garner my highest recommendation.

To winnow my list down to only ten novels was very difficult, and tough cuts had to be made. However, there are still novels which didn't make my Top Ten but which are more than worthy of my hearty recommendation. To give them some well-deserved recognition, I am awarding ten of those novels Honorable Mention status. These are all books which should please most readers and you need to check them out.

Top Ten Honorable Mention Novels Of 2014
1) Perdition & Havoc by Ann Aguirre (a book & its sequel)
2) Blood Always Tells by Hilary Davidson
3) Phoenix Island by John Dixon
4) Sworn in Steel by Douglas Hulick
5) Tokyo Kill by Barry Lancet
6) Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence
7) Code Zero by Jonathan Maberry
8) Blood & Iron by Jon Sprunk
9) The Younger Gods by Michael R. Underwood
10) Night Terrors by Tim Waggoner

As you can see, this list is more diverse than my Top Ten, with less fantasy novels. The diversity here is probably more indicative of my usual reading habits, an eclectic mix of genres. There is also a mix of first novels and sequels, with all of the first novels having sequels in the works.

I also want to give some raves to my favorite short story collections of the past year, Anthologies often don't seem to get enough credit but they can be quite compelling books, with an interesting mix of stories, often based around a specific theme.

My Top Ten Favorite Anthologies Of 2014:
1) Dangerous Women edited by George R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
2) Kaiju Rising edited by Tim Marquitz & Nickolas Sharps
3) Lovecraft’s Monsters edited by Ellen Datlow
4) The Dark Rites of Cthulhu edited by Brian Sammons
5) Dead Man’s Hand edited by John Joseph Adams
6) The Lizard Ardent Uniform edited by David Cranmer
7) Equilbirum Overturned edited by Anthony Rivera & Sharon Lawson
8) World War Cthulhu edited by Brian M. Sammons
9) The Book of 1000 Sins by Wrath James White
10) SNAFU: An anthology of Military Horror edited by G.N. Braun

As you will note, horror anthologies occupy the most spots on this list, with Cthulhu-themed collections the most prevalent. And there is only a single anthology that was written by a sole author, a horrific anthology of disturbing tales.

Finally, I want to give some recommendations for some of my favorite novellas of the past year, those long form stories which just don't reach the length of a novel. Most of these are horror, with some fantasy tossed in as well.

My Top Seven Favorite Novellas Of 2014
1) Chiliad: A Meditation by Clive Barker 
2) The Broken Road by Teresa Frohock
3) Servant Of The Crown by Brian McClellan
4) Murder At The Kinnen Hotel by Brian McClellan
5) Biters by Harry Shannon
6) Reborn by Brett Talley
7) The Last Mile by Tim Waggoner

All of the books on these lists would make great holiday gifts for others, or even yourself. Support author, who are small, independent business people, and buy more books. And if you read and enjoy a book, please leave a review of that book online and also tell your friends about it. The author would greatly appreciate your efforts.

Kanpai, It's Sake Day!

Raise an ochoko today and celebrate Nihonshu no Hi, or as known in English, Sake Day.

Saké Day originated over 35 years ago, in 1978, by a declaration of the Japan Sake Brewers Association and is now celebrated worldwide. Why was October 1 chosen? Interestingly, the Chinese character for Sake (酒) is very similar to the Chinese zodiac sign for the Rooster (酉), the tenth sign. Thus, the first day of the tenth month, October, became Sake Day. It may also be due in part to the fact that October is generally considered to be the official start of the Sake brewing season.

What are you doing to celebrate Sake Day? Let me provide some additional ways to learn about, experience and support Sake.

1) Tomorrow, and tomorrow only, you can get a FREE copy of the e-book of my first Tipsy Sensei novel, Gods, Demons & Sake, This exciting, supernatural thriller pits Nate Randall, a Boston-based Sake expert, against a terrible Japanese creature which seeks an ancient artifact of great power. In his quest to thwart this evil, Nate encounters other adversaries, including a ruthless Yakuza clan. However, he also acquires a mysterious ally, a sword-wielding man with his own secrets. The action spans the globe, from Boston to Japan, and the stakes have never been higher for Nate. Grab a copy of this novel tomorrow, which has ten 5-Star reviews on Amazon, while it is FREE.

2) Throw your support to the Kickstarter for Blue Current Brewery, an artisan Sake brewery located in Maine. As Dan Ford states, "the new brewery is ready and filled with an ever-growing array of shiny new equipment, ready to brew up the incoming ingredients. I just need a little financial push to make it over this last hump, to get our final smaller bits of equipment, oh, and to get that perfectly milled rice from Minnesota to Maine. There are also some marketing costs I’ll start accruing as soon after we begin brewing." Sake breweries are starting to pop up all across the country, and there are at least three in the planning stages for New England, including ones in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Blue Current is seeking to raise $33,000 "to ship the rice from Minnesota, to get bottling and pasteurizing machines to speed things up, and to help with the marketing and packaging expenses. There will be some setup costs to tie everything together," They have  already reached about 50% of their goal and there are about ten days remaining. Check out all the incentives you can get for a donation, including the chance to be a brewer for a day! They need a boost in donations so if you can give, then please support this local Sake brewery.

3) Have lunch or dinner, some sushi or Asian fusion, at Thelonious Monkfish in Central Square, Cambridge.  Besides enjoying some tasty food, you should also select some Sake to accompany your meal. I helped to design and select their new Sake list, so there are some very good choices available. For example, you could choose the Manabito Kimoto Junmai Ginjo, the Wataribune 55 Junmai Ginjo or the Shichi Hon Yari Junmai. The Sake prices have been kept at a reasonable level and a tasting flight should be available too.

4) If you want to learn more about Sake, check out my numerous educational posts at All About Sake. You'll learn about the basics of Sake, pairing Sake & food, Sake customs and legends, and much more. There are links to over 90 posts, so there is plenty to explore and learn. In addition, if you want some Sake recommendations, then please check out my Collected Sake Reviews, which has over 100 reviews of a diverse range of Sake. This is all an excellent starting point for your exploration of the wonderful world of Sake.

What has been the most popular Sake post on my blog? The clear choice is The Science of Sake & Food Pairings, an exploration for some of the scientific reasons why Sake pairs so well with many foods. Not only is it my top Sake post, it is also the fourth most popular post of all time on my blog. More recently, my most popular new Sake post has been Kibo Sake: A Drink Of Hope, a review of a new Sake from a brewery that recovered from the complete destruction of their brewery from the earthquake and tsunami of March 2011.

5) For more Sake reading, I highly recommend that you check out John Gauntner's newest Sake book, Sake Confidential. This book, from one of the world's top Sake experts, goes beyond the basics of Sake to provide more advanced information, though it is still very approachable. You can check out my review of his book, and hopefully it will encourage you to buy this book. John Gauntner is also part of another Sake project, a new magazine called Sake Today. This magazine is dedicated to all things Sake and you can read my review of the first issue here. The second issues has been recently released and you can now get a subscription to the magazine too.

6) Please know that I am available for hire for all your Sake related matters. I can work with restaurants, wine shops, distributors, schools, and other businesses as well as private individuals. I provide a diverse selection of services, including: Educational seminars, from basic classes to more advanced; Sake tastings, from small private affairs to larger groups; Sake and food pairings, from appetizers to dinners; Consultations on Sake recommendations for stocking in wine stores or restaurants; and other Sake events and activities.

If you are looking to hold a different event, something beyond the usual wine tasting, why not try a Sake event instead. Sake pairs with all types of cuisines so a Sake dinner could be held at any restaurant, from Italian to French, Spanish to a Burger joint. If you are interested in any of these services, just email me and we can discuss the possibilities.

Tipsy Sensei Author Signing: November 30

Seeking holiday gift ideas? Want a book set in Boston, a supernatural thriller involving Japanese legends? How about a signed book from a local author?

On Saturday, November 30, from 12pm-2pm, I will be signing my three Tipsy Sensei books at Bestsellers Cafe in Medford. Come on down, meet me and I'll answer your questions about my books, Sake or the Passionate Foodie. Pick up a copy or two of my books for yourself or get some as holiday gifts for the book lovers in your life.

Hand Fed Tigers, my newest Tipsy Sensei novel, has just been released as a paperback and this will be your first opportunity to obtain it locally, besides purchasing it online. I'll also have copies of the first two Tipsy Sensei books, including The Tipsy Sensei & Others (a book of short stories with 4 Tipsy Sensei tales) and Demons, Gods & Sake (a Tipsy Sensei novel). My books currently have 33 Amazon reviews, all 4 & 5 Stars. Those who have been reading the new Hand Fed Tigers have been very complimentary.

The Tipsy Sensei series centers on a Boston-based Sake expert, Nate Randall, who learns that the supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore are real. During the course of the series, he encounters a variety of strange creatures, from shojo to tanuki, as well as other dangerous individuals from Japan, including yakuza and ninjas. As the books are generally situated in Boston, you will find reference to numerous local restaurants and other locations. You will also learn a bit about Sake while immersed in Nate's adventures.

The newest novel, Hand Fed Tigers, deals with Zombies, Cats & Ninjas. It is also the largest Tipsy Sensei book to date, nearly 25% longer than the prior novel. You could purchase e-books of the Tipsy Sensei tales but a signed paperback makes for an even more special purchase. So please come down and see me on November 30 at Bestsellers Cafe.

Kanpai and happy holidays!

Hand Fed Tigers & A Contest

Hand Fed Tigers, the new Tipsy Sensei novel, is now available as an ebook, with a trade paperback due out later this month.

Zombies, Cats & Ninjas.

This new novel takes place directly after the events of Demons, Gods & Sake, as Nate and Hato return to Boston, hoping for a respite from all the dangers they recently faced. Nate wants to reconnect with his wife, angry after being kidnapped by ruthless yakuza. In addition, the police want Nate so he must handle that problem too.

As they return to Boston, they find that a series of "zombie" murders are occurring in Boston, and there might be a legal connection between the victims. Are these supernatural zombies, or is there a more rational, scientific explanation? And how will the police stop the killings?

As Nate ponders the zombie problem, he is unaware that a mysterious organization is seeking him and have retained the services of a skilled ninja to kidnap him. Why do they want Nate? And how far are they willing to go to get him?

And how are cats involved in all of this? From cat prostitutes to a Japanese island of cats, there is a feline presence throughout the novel. Should Nate fear this presence? Will he feel the razor-honed claws of a cat?

The Tipsy Sensei series continues with a more personal challenge for Nate. Assisted by Hato, a master swordsman, Nate must confront deadly adversaries who will stop at nothing to acquire their objective. What price will Nate pay to defeat them?

CONTEST

In honor of the ebook release of Hand Fed Tigers, I am holding a contest where I will give away three copies of my new book. All you have to do is answer one question: What does the Japanese word "neko" mean?

Please post your answer in a comment to this post. On Wednesday, November 6, at 10am, the contest will end and I will randomly draw 3 names from all those who provided the correct answer. Those 3 people will each win an ebook copy of Hand Fed Tigers.

Good luck!

Hand Fed Tigers (Tipsy Sensei #5) & Special Price on Demons, Gods & Sake

The Tipsy Sensei series continues in a new novel that will be available this upcoming week through Amazon as an ebook, and later this month as a trade paperback. Hand Fed Tigers is the 5th installment of the Tipsy Sensei series and it involves zombies, ninjas & cats.

After defeating supernatural Oni, ruthless Yakuza and a Master Assassin in Japan, Nate Randall and Hato return to Boston, hoping for a respite from danger. Nate also hopes to reconnect with his wife, though aware that she is going to be furious after having been kidnapped. In addition, the police still seek Nate so he needs to resolve that situation as well.

As he tries to handle those issues, a series of zombie murders, which may or may not have a supernatural origin, terrify the city. What is the connection of the victims, which includes several people connected to the legal profession?

As Nate ponders the zombie killings, he is unaware that a mysterious organization is seeking him and have retained the services of a ninja to kidnap him. Why do they want Nate? And how far are they willing to go to get him? And how are cats involved in all of this?

The Tipsy Sensei series continues with a more personal challenge for Nate, a Sake expert based in Boston. Accompanied by Hato, a master swordsman, Nate must confront deadly adversaries who will stop at nothing to acquire their objective. What price will Nate pay to defeat them?

Hand Fed Tigers should be available as an ebook on Monday or Tuesday.

I'll also note some of the restaurants mentioned in this new novel, including Painted Burro, Posto, Bristol Lounge, Clam Box of Ipswich, Bergamot, Tampopo, AKA Bistro, and Taberna de Haro, I've also mentioned a few restaurants from Portland, Oregon, including Pok Pok, Miho Izakaya,and Zilla Sake.

Prior to reading Hand Fed Tigers, you might want to start with Demons, Gods and Sake (Tipsy Sensei #4). This was the first Tipsy Sensei novel and introduced Hato, the immortal samurai, who protects Nate. In this book, Nate must protect an ancient artifact of great power which is being sought by supernatural oni, a ruthless yakuza clan and a master assassin. The action ranges from Boston to Japan, and it currently has nine 5-Star reviews on Amazon.

With the imminent release of Hand Fed Tigers, I am offering the ebook of Demons, Gods & Sake at a special discount from Sunday, November 3, through Tuesday, November 5. As part of the Kindle Countdown Deal, Demons, Gods & Sake will initially be available on Sunday for 50% off, at $1.99. During the discount period, that price will eventually rise to $2.99 and then back to its original price. So, for the best deal, make sure to pick up a copy on Sunday.

Kanpai!