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Military Science Fiction

SATURDAY! Q and A (and PRIZES!) with MELISSA OLTHOFF, author of DAUGHTER OF SHIPPO

June 25, 2025 by hpholo Leave a Comment

H.P. Holo/Edie Skye chats with author MELISSA OLTHOFF about her new military sci-fi novel DAUGHTER OF SHIPPO … and gives away a signed copy!

Read DAUGHTER OF SHIPPO Here: https://amzn.to/3ZJzEqW #AmazonAffiliate

Enter to win a signed copy here: https://forms.gle/Sj4KPfzV6Ym9x3wU8

Visit Melissa’s Website Here: https://www.melissaolthoff.com/


Support the podcast (and/or buy Dazzle treats) at …
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/holowriting
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/holowriting


Kailey Jackson never wanted to be a fighter.

All she’d wanted out of life was to be normal. To fit in with Humans after being raised by Kitsoonay, to master the Asur language, to discover their hidden outposts… and to maybe solve the mystery of their disappearance.

But after her academic ambitions resulted in the invasion of her homeworld, Kailey’s quiet life spiraled into one disastrous adventure after another. She became a mercenary, embraced her Kitsoonay soul, and found a new family. A family she would do anything to protect—including bonding with the last Asur Warbird.

With Kailey’s fate irrevocably tied to the Warbird, finding the Asur is no longer an academic pursuit. It’s her only hope for survival. But the Knights aren’t the only ones searching for the Asur, and Kailey will have to risk everything she’s fought for—her old home, her found family, her new life—in order to save the Asur from their ancient enemy.

And maybe save herself one last time.

NOTE: As Amazon Associates, we earn a wee little commission on any Amazon purchases made through qualifying links on this page.

Filed Under: Q&A Tagged With: Author Q&A, Epic, Melissa Olthoff, military sci fi, Military Sci-Fi, Military Science Fiction, Military SF, Q&A, Science Fiction

Book Blast: Quintus Fox: Bounty Hunter (#1) by Jason Cordova

June 24, 2025 by hpholo Leave a Comment

Hey, y’all! 😄 I have lots of cool author friends who write lots of cool books, and occasionally I like to show off those books.

Our pal Jason Cordova‘s back today with a tale of bounty hunters and kickassery. If that’s your jam, check out Quintus Fox: Bounty Hunter (and then pre-order the sequel ’cause you know you’ll want more of that goodness).

READ QUINTUS FOX: Bounty hunter HERE

Quintus Fox: Bounty Hunter

Quintus Fox #1

by Jason Cordova

***

Bounty Hunter Wanted! Top Credits Paid! Serious Inquiries Only!

Throughout his long and storied career, Quintus Fox has done a little bit of everything. But as the wild frontier civilizes, people like Quintus – and those whom he pursues – will be nothing more than relics of a turbulent past.

To make ends meet, Quintus must take jobs he might think were beneath him, but sometimes a man must swallow his pride and make a deal with the devil to take care of his ship and his crew, especially when opportunities are slim.

Worse, sometimes the devil has your commcode… and he won’t take no for an answer.

READ QUINTUS FOX: BOUNTY HUNTER HERE

NOTE: As Amazon Associates, we earn a wee little commission on any Amazon purchases made through qualifying links on this page.

Filed Under: Book Blasts Tagged With: Book Blast, Bounty Hunters, Jason Cordova, military sci fi, Military Science Fiction, Military SF, Quintus Fox, Quintus Fox: Bounty Hunter, Sci Fi, Science Fiction

Book Blast: Mountain of Fire (Black Tide Rising #13) by Jason Cordova

August 15, 2024 by hpholo Leave a Comment

HEY, Y’ALL! Jason Cordova gave us a kickass blurb for Freelancers of Neptune, so he gets ✨ SPECIAL PROMO SPACE ✨ today, and WHOA. CHECK THIS OUT.

1) DAT COVER!

2) It’s his first solo novel from Baen Books!

3) It’s in John Ringo’s Black Tide Rising series!

4) It’s about Catholic schoolgirls kicking zombie ass!

Seriously, if you don’t pre-order this thing, what even are you doing with your life? 😜

Mountain of Fire

Black Tide Rising #13

by Jason Cordova

***

New Entry in the Best-Selling Black Tide Rising Series

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN

When the lights went out, humanity died. But from darkness came hope.

The surviving students at St. Dominic’s Preparatory School for Girls have had it rough since the H7D3 virus virtually wiped out human civilization. Between rampaging hordes of zombies and wannabe tinpot dictators, the only thing holding them together is the iron will of the school’s lone surviving nun, Sister Ann. They know how to survive, but rebuilding isn’t only about surviving—it’s about rising up.

As more survivors start to seek asylum at the isolated school, it becomes readily apparent that the school can be the anvil from which humanity is reforged. To achieve this, though, the survivors must rely on one another to rebuild. The flames of life will be fanned, and the sparks from every strike of the hammer will provide light in the darkness.

But it will not be easy.

From atop the mountain of fire, this beacon of hope must spread—or humanity will die quietly in the long, final night.

pre-order Mountain of fire here!

***

Also, the blurb Jason blessed us with:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

So I finally got off my butt and started reading 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙉𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙚 by Jacob Holo. I’d read his stuff with David Weber and was impressed, so I’ve been really looking forward to diving into his own universe and creation to see what he can do.

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆. 𝗦𝗵*𝘁. 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘!!!

𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀, 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘀𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻, 𝗰𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀, 𝗰𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗴𝘀 … 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝘆.

So if you haven’t pre-ordered 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙉𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙚 yet, get on it while the going is good. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.”

—𝗝𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗼𝘃𝗮, 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼-𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙃𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙞𝙧𝙨: 𝙁𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗮

Freelancers of Neptune Book Cover

PRE-ORDER Signed copies of FReelancers of neptune here
Pre-OrDER FREELANCERS OF NEPTUNE ON AMAZON

Filed Under: Book Blasts Tagged With: Black Tide Rising, catholic schoolgirls, Freelancers of Neptune, Jason Cordova, military sci fi, Military Science Fiction, Military SF, Mountain of Fire, Science Fiction, Zombies

Book Blast: Forlorn Hope (Blood and Armor #4) by Casey Moores and Melissa Olthoff

August 4, 2024 by hpholo Leave a Comment

Y’ALLLLLL Melissa Olthoff let me use one of our Facebook chats as a blurb, so she gets ✨ SPECIAL PROMO SPACE ✨ today. 🥰

Which is to say, she’s got a new book out with Casey Moores and it’s got POWER ARMOR in it and you should totes check it out.

Forlorn Hope

Blood and Armor #4

by Casey Moores and Melissa Olthoff

***

After Nisti Khan’s return from her No Fail mission in Iran, she is celebrated as a savior of the young Kurdish Republic. However, their country has many enemies, and within weeks, they are on the brink of yet another war. When Syria invades, Nisti finds herself on the front lines of the most critical battle—defending the beating heart of their country, the capital city of Kirkuk.

After a judgement call goes wrong, Nisti finds herself banished from the battlefield and relegated to a staff job. To regain her place on the frontlines, she’ll have to prove herself once again.

A successful deep strike by the Second GOG Division should have ended the war, but the Syrian onslaught continues. As losses mount, Nisti must learn the source and take the battle to the enemy. But can she figure out who the real enemy is before her country falls?

Read Forlorn hope here!

***

BTW, if this sounds familiar, it’s because I interviewed them about it last month! 😃 In case you missed it:

WATCH ON YOUTUBE
WATCH ON FACEBOOK
WATCH ON TWITTER/X

***

Also, the blurb Melissa blessed us with:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I am all of 40 pages into the book and I’m FREAKING LOVING THE HECK outta it!”

—Melissa Olthoff, author of Companions in Chains and 2023 Baen Fantasy Adventure Award Finalist

Freelancers of Neptune Book Cover

And if you’re curious about those 40 pages, we’ve got links for you 😉 …

PRE-ORDER Signed copies of FReelancers of neptune here
Pre-OrDER FREELANCERS OF NEPTUNE ON AMAZON

Filed Under: Book Blasts Tagged With: Author Q&A, Bill Fawcett, Blood and Armor, Casey Moores, Freelancers of Neptune, military sci fi, Military Science Fiction, Military SF, Power Armor, Q&A, Science Fiction

Q&A (& PRIZES!) with CASEY MOORES, MELISSA OLTHOFF, and BILL FAWCETT, co-authors of FORLORN HOPE (Blood and Armor #4)

July 25, 2024 by hpholo Leave a Comment

Q&A (& PRIZES!) with CASEY MOORES, MELISSA OLTHOFF, and BILL FAWCETT, co-authors of FORLORN HOPE (Blood and Armor #4)

Saturday, July 27th @ 8pm EST

H.P. Holo chats with authors Casey Moores, Melissa Olthoff, and Bill Fawcett about FORLORN HOPE, Book 4 in Fawcett’s Blood and Armor series. (…And gives away a signed book!)

Read the BLOOD AND ARMOR series here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW18N86G

Find Casey’s Books Here: https://www.caseymoores.net/
Find Melissa’s Books Here: https://www.melissaolthoff.net
Find Bill’s Books Here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bill-Fawcett/author/B00JFNCROU


Support the podcast (and/or buy Dazzle treats) at …
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/holowriting
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/holowriting

WATCH ON YOUTUBE
WATCH ON FACEBOOK
WATCH ON TWITTER/X

***

***

Pre-Order Link Coming Soon!

Filed Under: Interviews and Podcasts, Q&A Tagged With: Author Q&A, Bill Fawcett, Blood and Armor, Casey Moores, Military Sci-Fi, Military Science Fiction, Military SF, Power Armor, Q&A, Science Fiction

Wraithkin – Book Review

July 30, 2022 by holojacob Leave a Comment

Now that I’ve reached a little slow point in my writing schedule, I’ve been able to use that time to read a little more.

One of my most recent reads was Wraithkin, a military sci-fi novel by Jason Cordova and the first book in his ongoing Kin Wars Saga. The book starts out on the slow side, but the action and drama both ramp up steadily before ending in a satisfying bang.

Well, numerous bangs, because this is mil sci-fi after all.

Wraithkin Book Cover

One of the things Cordova gets right is how much misfortune he heaps onto his main character, Gabriel Espinoza. Gabriel (who is given the hilarious nickname of “Omelet” during what is essentially space trooper boot camp) is the kind of person the universe will kick in the groin when he least expects it, and then kick him again while he’s down just for the chuckles. Repeatedly. Seriously, the poor guy is put through more than enough to break lesser men. But he’s someone who can take it, who will rise to face any challenge head on no matter how daunting or demoralizing, and that makes him a great character to follow and root for.

When interstellar war hits close to home, Gabriel enlists to join the Wraiths, an elite group of power-armored soldiers who do not mess around! That much is made clear when one Wraith recruit mouths off to their drill sergeant, and the sergeant kills the cadet by breaking his neck! Yikes! And then, because Gabriel is the misery magnet that he is, he’s given the task of carting the trash (a.k.a. the body of his fellow recruit) to the incinerator.

The novel does have a few rough edges. There’s the previously mentioned slow buildup at the beginning, and a few uneven patches in the prose. Wraithkin is one of Cordova’s earlier works, and I think it shows here and there, but that said, his strong instincts as a storyteller shine through the minor bumps in the novel’s execution, successfully pulling me into the story and investing me in Gabriel’s fate.

Speaking of which, Gabriel gets knocked down, both physically and emotionally, and the good guys don’t always win. Don’t go into this novel expecting sunshine and rainbows at the end of the road, but if you like your military sci-fi grim, gritty, and intense, then I think you’ll enjoy your time with Wraithkin. I did.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Book Review, book reviews, Jason Cordova, military sci fi, Military Science Fiction, The Kin Wars Saga, Wraithkin

Aries’ Red Sky – Book Review

June 24, 2022 by hpholo 1 Comment

Ok, I’ve gotta thank James Young for his patience, ‘cause he sent me an audio code for this book years ago and I’ve spent all that time and multiple listens trying to articulate a review for this thing.

Aries' Red Sky Audiobook Cover

Aries’ Red Sky is a grand, galaxy-spanning take of interstellar politics, war, and the humans that are tossed about in the resulting maelstrom. On one side is the Spartan Republic, which emerged after fleeing the earth in the wake of an oppressive empire. That empire has since been lost to the ages, but some of its spirit remains in The Confederation of Man, which is Earth-centric in manners beyond the mere location:

It holds that all people deriving from Earth belong to Earth—i.e. under the Confederation’s thumb.

And the Spartan Republic has no interest in belonging to anything but itself.

One of the things that made Aries’ Red Sky so difficult to review is, simply, how complex it is. This is not a pew-pew special effects vomit space opera. This is a “You meet characters from both the Spartan Republic and the Confederation and get to like them on a personal level before realizing, ‘Oh, sh*t … they’re gonna war, aren’t they’?” space opera. It’s also a “Yes, the Spartan Republic is generally more sympathetic because of its willingness to fight for its freedom, but there are some real scumbags among its political leaders, too, and here’s a look at how they’re willing to stab the rare competent politicians to benefit themselves, even if it’ll literally result in interstellar war” space opera.

There is tension in every single corner of this novel, and if you’re familiar with Young’s writing, you know he’s going to milk that for all the drama it’s worth. He has a talent for writing heart-wrenching heroic sacrifice and death scenes, and he knows it, and I imagine he allows himself a little devilish grin every time his readers notice.

The strength of this book, though, is that the drama is never restricted to one “good guy” side. Even if the reader is more inclined to root for the Spartans on a philosophical scale, the very human sufferings of both its and the Confederation’s individual characters bring a very realistic and wrenching perspective to the conflict—especially since the ultimate point of the book’s conflict isn’t to win a war, but to stop a war from happening. The amount of sacrifice that goes into merely avoiding galaxy-spanning war is much of the tragedy of this book, especially when one considers that some of the tension is derived from simple misunderstandings and conflicts of military standards. (One side, for example, has a stricter definition of how surrender works, especially with regards to how captured enemies are expected to behave, and when the other fights back without knowing that … unintended trouble ensues.)

Even though the characters’ goal is to prevent a war, the book carries a heavy theme of “War is hell, and it’s especially hellish in vacuum.”

All that said, it’s not a book you read at night for fun while nodding off to sleep. There’s lots to keep up with narratively, militarily, politically, and interpersonally, and the complexity of it is delicious for people who are looking for that sort of book.

But it’s not even close to an easy read.

Still, Young balances the heaviness of the darker conflict with some astute, intelligent, sometimes coy worldbuilding, and some fun easter eggs. (The Lin-Manuel Miranda fan in me was delighted to meet one character attending a Lin-Manuel Miranda Day performance … at a theatre thousands of years in the future on the other side of the galaxy.) There are also elements of the political worldbuilding that are clearly inspired by the frustrations of modern politics—there’s a limitation on how many people from the same political family are allowed to serve, for example, and formal duels are an accepted method of resolving grievances—but it’s never overbearing, and in general the political squabbles are unique to the context of the setting, rather than direct commentaries on modern politics.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t lavish some praise on Jennifer Jill Araya’s audio narration. She handles a variety of accents and characters—and songs—with aplomb, and while the basic text of Aries’ Red Sky is engaging, I have to say that she makes the audiobook my preferred version.

Also, a fun bit of trivia: Not only does Jacob’s name have a cameo near the end, but his character sings, and it’s a song about a unit called the Obstinate Otters. (There’s a reason these two magnets are prominent on my fridge.)

Obstinate Otters Magnets

All in all, Aries’ Red Sky is a great book, and for readers of complex military space opera, it’s a genuine treat.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Book Review, james young, Military Sci-Fi, Military Science Fiction, Obstinate Otters, Otters, Review, Science Fiction, Space Opera

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