Author Archives: Barbara Howe

Against the Grain

Posted on 4 February 2022 by Barbara Howe

Against the Grain, by Melanie Harding-Shaw, is a great little comfort read, best enjoyed with a cup of your favourite hot beverage (hot chocolate for me) and a plate of warm baked goods close at hand. Part of the Witchy … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Romance, Fantasy, Kiwi author | Comments Off on Against the Grain

Book Launch Reminder

Posted on 20 January 2022 by Barbara Howe

Reminder: the launch of The Forge, the fifth and final book in the Reforging series, will be held this weekend, on Sunday, 23 January, at 1:00pm New Zealand Daylight Time. If you haven’t been following the series, here’s on overview: … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Epic Fantasy, Noblebright Fantasy | Comments Off on Book Launch Reminder

The Forge Book Launch

Posted on 10 January 2022 by Barbara Howe

The launch of The Forge, the fifth and final book in the Reforging series, will be an online event on Sunday, 23 January, at 1:00pm* New Zealand Daylight Time. Looking forward to seeing you then! Reminder: IFWG Publishing Australia is … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Epic Fantasy, Kiwi author | Comments Off on The Forge Book Launch

2022 Preview

Posted on 1 January 2022 by Barbara Howe

My family are the best! They gave me books, chocolate, and a lovely large blank book for the next instalment in my reader’s journal. I’m all set. Between the books in the picture above, and several more on my e-reader, … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, On Reading | Comments Off on 2022 Preview

2021 Recap

Posted on 18 December 2021 by Barbara Howe

For this end-of-year review, I’ve come up with a baker’s dozen of books, or set of books—some old, some new—that were most memorable or most fun for me this year. There’s lots of engrossing fiction being published, so winnowing them … Continue reading →

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Reforging Complete

Posted on 4 December 2021 by Barbara Howe

With the release of the The Forge, book 5 in the Reforging series, the series is complete! It has been a long time coming (I started writing the first book, The Locksmith, in 2010), and it feels terrific to see … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Thanksgiving 2021

Posted on 19 November 2021 by Barbara Howe

With the American Thanksgiving holiday coming up next week, I decided to share a few short stories I’ve enjoyed related to food and cooking. These are all online, to be read for free. Something to be thankful for! Bon appétit! … Continue reading →

Posted in Seasonal, Short stories | Comments Off on Thanksgiving 2021

The Relentless Moon

Posted on 6 November 2021 by Barbara Howe

In my last post, I wrote about The Calculating Stars, the first book in the Lady Astronaut series by Mary Robinette Kowal. That book had its good points, but I had some reservations about it. I liked The Relentless Moon, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternate History, Mysteries, Science Fiction | Comments Off on The Relentless Moon

The Calculating Stars

Posted on 23 October 2021 by Barbara Howe

3 March 1952. A large meteorite hits Washington, D.C., wipes out most of the East Coast of the United States, and deals massive economic and emotional shocks to the entire world. The amount of ejecta in the atmosphere also triggers … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternate History, Science Fiction | Comments Off on The Calculating Stars

The Empress of Salt and Fortune

Posted on 8 October 2021 by Barbara Howe

An empire subdues a new acquisition. The conquered people must send their ruler’s daughter to the empire to cement their new “alliance.” When the girl arrives in the capital, she is condescended to by the courtiers who consider her an … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, LGBTQIA+ | 1 Comment