Harper Fiction – Kate Kenzie Writes

I’m thrilled to have been asked to help celebrate this year’s #SFFRomFest and chat about my favourite fantasy and sci-fi romances. As many of you know I love books involving magic, witchcraft or the paranormal and a romantic thread always makes them extra special.

What has been your favourite SFF Romance from 2021 so far?

I hate questions like this because this year has produced some amazing and unique novels in the fantasy genre making it difficult to choose just one so I may have to cheat. Sorry!

A true fantasy romance that stands out is Caedis Knight’s Witches of Barcelona, the second novel in the Blood Web Chronicles. It follows Saskia, a low level witch on her investigations into the murky world of the paranormals. It’s hot and sizzles in all the right places with a varied cast of characters and thrilling plot. The world building is fully developed, imaginative and with many twists and turns it kept me on the toes. My review can be found here.

Another novel I adore and cannot get out of my mind is Midnight in Everwood by M.A Kuzniar. It’s not out until the end of this month and I feel privileged to have read an advanced copy – thank you so much, Harper Voyager. Based on The Nutcracker ballet, Marietta is a heroine to admire and again, the depth and layers of the world the author has created drew me in and I did not want to leave despite the dangers faced there. It’s a tale of obsession, desire for independence and self-discovery bundled up with magic and illusions. Everyone who loves ballet or fantasies such as Caraval are in for a treat. The physical copies are also stunning and I can’t wait to own one.

Which subgenre of SFF Romance do you tend to read most and what do you love about it?

I love magical realism and witchlit – stories that are based in reality but overlayed by magic and imagination such as portals to other worlds or characters with secret abilities. I find them more accessible than high fantasy, easy to visualise and I love the added excitement of knowing I could visit places mentioned if I wish. For example, I fell in love with Oxford through the Discovery of Witches and a tour is on my wishlist. I long to explore The British Library thanks to the wonderful worldbuilding in Threadneedle by Cari Thomas.

I also have a love of time slip novels such as those by Barbara Erskine, who is the queen of this genre. They tap into my love of history and the supernatural. I find I learn more about the obscure times and personalities this way rather than a textbook.

What was the first SFF Romance you can remember reading?

It has to be The Changeover by Margaret Mahy. Forget Twilight the chemistry between the two main characters, Laura and Sorenson Carlisle is perfect and the scene of her changing to be a witch is sensual and alludes to so much.

Photo of book The Changeover by Margaret Mahy — The Changeover by Margaret Mahy

The first adult SFF romance I remember is The Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine which I borrowed from my mum after she raved about it, but another memorable novel from my teenage years is Past Forgetting by Alexandra Thorne. It’s a time slip novel involving a dress I longed to own and the aurora borealis. Duncan Carlisle is a hero to swoon after.

Photo of book Past Forgetting by Alexandra Thorne

What SFF Romance do you always recommend?

Currently, it is Midnight in Everwood but there is also Deborah Harkness’ All Souls Trilogy which blends my love of witchcraft, libraries and different species together. Caedis Knight’s Blood Web Chronicles are great for those who like romances that sizzle, and Kelley Armstrong is also one of my favourite authors to recommend. I’m not very good at choosing one thing, am I? There are just too many wonderful books and authors out there to love.

What SFF Romance is next on your TBR pile?

The next on my list is the last instalment of The Indigo Chronicles, Children of Shadows by N. Simmonds.

I’ll be joining in with the festival more on my Instagram account but if you want to discover more bloggers favourites or add to your TBR pile use the hashtag #SFFRomFest in your favourite social media outlet.

What are your favourite fantasy or sci-fi romance novels?

Happy reading!

Love

It seems ages since I have read a crime novel series but the tagline of Sleep Tight by C.S Green and the cover drew me in. The blurb made me want to read, scroll down to see if my high expectations were met.

Book Review: Sleep Tight by C.S Green

Title: Sleep Tight

Author: C.S Green

Publisher: Harper Fiction

Release date: 4^th March 2021

Blurb

The nightmare is only just beginning…

When DC Rose Gifford is called to investigate the death of a young woman suffocated in her bed, she can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to the crime than meets the eye.

It looks like a straightforward crime scene – but the police can’t find the killer. Enter DS Moony – an eccentric older detective who runs UCIT, a secret department of the Met set up to solve supernatural crimes. Moony wants Rose to help her out – but Rose doesn’t believe in any of that.

Does she?

As the killer prepares to strike again, Rose must pick a side – before a second woman dies.

Twisty, original and compelling, SLEEP TIGHT is perfect for fans of Alex North and Cara Hunter.

My Thoughts

Usually if a book gives me a chill, I’d say it made me leave the light on all night, but with this one it was a case of drinking vast quantities of coffee before bed to prevent sleep. Not only so I could binge read it to the end, but because I did not want to witness the nightmares of the victims. They were horrifying and the emotions believable, making it worse.

The combination of a classic crime procedural novel and the paranormal gave this an unusual twist and allowed C. S Green to experiment with the method and motivation for a locked room murder. It’s clever, well written, and the suspense kept me turning the pages, as did the wonderful characterisation of DC Rose Gifford and Mack. Haunted by the past and the secret she holds, Rose is determined to keep that side of her away from her job as a police officer, but the weird nature of the murders means things get out of her control. Her battle with her desire to keep her life grounded in the rational and the need to face the illogical to solve the crime was a joy to read.

As the first book in the series, there were plenty of threads and hints of backstory to latch on to which make me want to read on beyond this one. As much as I wanted to know who had done it, I didn’t want Sleep Tight to end.

Would I recommend?

Yes, this is an original and creepy crime thriller blended perfectly with the supernatural. C. S Green is an author to watch, and I now face the frustrating wait to read the next one. I can’t wait to catch up with Rose Gifford again and see where this series takes me.

Author Biography

C.S Green is the pseudonym for Sunday Times and ebook bestseller Cass Green. Her debut adult novel The Woman Next Door was a No.1 e-book bestseller and her second, In A Cottage, In A Wood was a Sunday Times top ten and USA Today bestseller. Don’t You Cry was her third standalone thriller. She is the Writer in Residence at East Barnet School and teaches crime fiction at City University and children’s fiction for Writers and Artist’s Yearbook.

Social media:

Twitter: @carolinesgreen

Website: carolinegreenwriter.co.uk

Facebook: Caroline Green Author

Instagram: carolinegreen70

Once you have read this book you will understand why it is one of Amber’s favourites and recommended from The Enchanted Emporium’s bookshelf

Thank you Harper Fiction for the advanced copy so I could review and give my honest and unbiased opinion.

Happy reading and take care!

Love

Tag: Harper Fiction

#SFFRomFest Blogger Spotlight – Kate Kenzie

Book Review: Sleep Tight by C.S Green

Book Review: Sleep Tight by C.S Green

Blurb

My Thoughts

Would I recommend?

Author Biography