2018 SFR Galaxy Awards Round 2 - Riley Moreland

Potent Post-War Setting Award

Aftermath (Hathe, #3)
by Mary Brock Jones

In Aftermath, the post war setting of Hathe and its people is a fascinating background. Because of the huge subterfuge the Hathe people pulled over on the Terrans (See books 1 and 2: Resistance and Pay the Piper), the Hathe population has become split between the population that stayed on Hathe and the rest of the population that escaped to the moon, Mathe, and hid there for the duration of the war. Known as the dirtsiders and the moonies, they are not re-integrating into the post-war world very well. The struggles between the two sides of the same people are often heartbreaking. Aftermath has a complex plot, engaging heroes and heroines, and disagreeable villains. The slow burning romance between Jacquel (the understated antihero of the first two books) and Rheia is satisfying. But their roles as revolutionaries in the post war situation are what makes this book a great read.

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Best Steampunk Transport

Raven, Fire and Ice (Touch of Truth, #1) 
by Nita Round

I do love steampunk and here is a new-to-me author that is serving up what I want. In Raven, Fire and Ice, Nita Round describes an airship that anyone would love to take a ride on. The airship is THE steampunk machine in this story that seems to take on a life of its own. Or maybe that life is due to the very able crew. The three main female characters, Lucinda Ravensburgh, who adds a bit of mysticism to the story, Magda Stoner, very capable airship captain, and Officer Ascara d’Jharaena ael Korphen (Officer Ascara for short), security officer, have a lovely flirtatious thing going. While their relationship does not reach the lovers stage they are clearly a very close group and I am anxiously awaiting the next book to see where they go.

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Arcane History Award

Infinity (Horizon, #2) 
by Tabitha Lord

Infinity was released in 2017, but I discovered Tabitha Lord's Horizon series in 2018. The series spans multiple worlds all caught up in both their own struggles and otherworldly problems. The main world, Almagest, has a spotty history. By that I mean, much of the history is unknown, lost during war. However, it appears to be very important. In Infinity, some of Almagest’s history is starting to be revealed through computer logs. But not all, so I can theorize all I want about what's what. Will my theories prove true? I'm waiting on the next book to find out. In addition to all the hidden history, Infinity includes Derek and Caeli, the hero and heroine from two different worlds who may be the key to saving everything.

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Arachnophobia Award for Creepiest Villain

Lost Valyr (Project Enterprise, #7) 
by Pauline Baird Jones

Villains get a bad rap. Yet, they can make or break a story. You know I'm right. So let's talk about the malefactor in Lost Valyr. Have I given away anything about the villain yet? Specifically, let’s talk about Xaddek. So, a giant spider as a bad guy. Personally, I like spiders in my garden. But up close, they are creeeeepy. No two ways about it, Zaddek is really bad! He has been known to eat his own crew members. That has got to hamper his overall effectiveness as a captain. Lost Valyr also has one of the quirkiest romantic couples I had the pleasure to read about in 2018. Valyr rarely talks. Rachel makes up for it by filling in all the silent spaces. And did I mention they come from different planets?

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Favorite Dog Hero

Not Fade Away (Interstellar Rescue, #4) 
by Donna S. Frelick

Not Fade Away's heroine Charlie has a dog that I love. His name is Happy. This loving pup wriggles his way into everybody’s heart. Well, maybe not everybody, but at least the important people. Including me, the reader. Hero Rafe may not be too sure about a dog at first. He is not from Earth and has never seen a dog before, but Happy knows a good person when he sees one and eventually they warm to each other. With part of the action taking place on Earth and part off planet, Not Fade Way has constant action that overlays the understated, but crucial romance between Charlie and Rafe. A fantastic addition the Interstellar Rescue series.

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Riley Moreland is a book reviewer at Whiskey With My Book and a Library Director. Read more on the Judges page.

2017 SFR Galaxy Awards Round 4 - Riley Moreland



Best Original Story

 

Dustwalker

by Tiffany Roberts

When I was half way through Dustwalker, I knew it was going to be one of my 2017 favorites. This post-apocalyptic epic scores big with me in all my scoring categories: Complex characters, intricate plot, intense emotional situations, humanity being tested, slow-burning romance, interesting secondary characters and a really good villain. The story of human Lara and synth Ronin has all of this and more, including an epilog that will make you cry.

Best High-Tech Love Making

 

Wanted and Wired

by Viven Jackson

Technology, whether it is computers or programming or hackers or robots, is hard to make interesting to this reader. Vivien Jackson makes tech fascinating. She has a knack for stringing a bunch of words together to form a very readable sentence. Any subject is new and exciting in her hands. Even sex. I admit, I am the reader that just scans the sex passages in order to get to the good stuff. But Heron Farad, high-tech genius, puts a whole new spin on making love and I read every word when he and Mari got together. Mix the sizzling sex with a high voltage plot and you have one of my favorites of the year. Wanted and Wired was quickly followed by book 2 in the series, Perfect Gravity, which is also a feast of words!

Beyond Book 3 Award

 

Found Girl (Project Enterprise, #6)

by Pauline Baird Jones

There are many series that I stop reading after 2 or 3 books because the plot becomes predicable or the book is formulaic. Not so with the Project Enterprise series. Each book in this series has been so very unique. Connecting characters and technology are what hold the series together, but each book stands on it's own. Found Girl introduces some new aliens that are so not humanoid. Not even close. There is also a heroine, Arian, that gets more mysterious with each new thing you learn about her. Jones' creativity astounds me and never ceases to entertain!

Favorite Cat Hero

 

 

Cypher (The Dragon's Bidding, #2)

by Christina Westcott

Cypher was actually published in 2016, but I did not get around to reading it until 2017. I love The Dragon's Bidding series, and Jumper is the main reason why. Don't get me wrong, Cypher has galactic politics, an evil villain, a kick-ass heroine, a split-personality hero that really mixes things up, and heart-breaking emotions. All great things in a novel. But Jumper, the talking cat, is one of my favorite cats of all time. With his spot-on ability to state the obvious, a line like “Oh shit, we are so screwed.” lets you know that things are not going as well as they could.

Don't Judge a Book By It's Cover Award

 

Race to Redemption (Green Rising, #1)

by Shari Elder

We all do it. Get sucked in by a pretty book cover. Or put off by a cover because of preconceptions. Based on the cover of Race to Redemption (a lingerie-clad woman and a shirtless man), I would never have guessed the depth of the story that would be found within the pages. In addition to a slow-burning romance, you will find class conflict, a desert planet, flawed characters, sick kids and lots of high-flying action in this book. Shari Elder is a skilled, imaginative writer who wrote a thrilling book with a lot of twists and much less lingerie than you would think.

More About Returning Judge Riley Moreland

You've already met our newest judge for the 2017 SFR Galaxy Awards on this earlier blog: Meet Chris Stock.

Now I have Riley Moreland, a book reviewer and returning judge for 2017, to tell you more about herself and some updates to her resume. You can also read her profile on our Judges Page.

Thanks so much, Riley, for returning as one of the SFR Galaxy Awards judges this year.

3 Things I Like to Tell People

by Riley Moreland

Each year, I look forward to the SFR Galaxy Awards for so many reasons. First, I love to talk about my favoriteS. That is favorite with an 'S' on the end. I find it impossible to choose a single favorite of just about anything. Except my favorite color (orange) or my favorite brother (I have just the one). But if I have to pick a favorite book...well...it is just impossible. With the SFR Galaxy Awards I can pick new favoriteS every year!

As a reader, I also get excited about seeing the favoriteS of the other judges and their creative awards. SFR Galaxy Award day is one of the best days of the year. It also happens to be my wedding anniversary day. What more could a happily married gal ask for?

To be honest though, the main reason I look forward to the SFR Galaxy Awards is because I am a judge. I like to tell people that.....“I am one of the judges for the SFR Galaxy Awards.”

Most people have no idea what I am talking about. I don't mind explaining it though. I'm not saying everyone I explain it to gets it. But some people do and that is what is important.

I got this gig because Laurie Green recommended me when the Awards needed a new judge. I made the assumption that she recommended me because she respects my ability to express my opinions when I review books. Talk about an ego boost. I was thrilled to be asked to be a judge! “I am one of the judges for the SFR Galaxy Awards.” I do like saying that!

My blogging/reviewing activity helped get me another gig. Our library board president was really impressed that I had this connection with authors and publishing. I don't know if that was the tipping point that helped me get my job, but 1 ½ years ago, it lead to another thing that I like to say.....“I am a Library Director.”

There are 730 public libraries in Iowa where I live. 461 of those libraries are in towns with a population of less than 5,000 people. Where am I going with this dazzling display of boring numbers?

If you have your MLS (Masters in Library Science), you probably prefer a job in a city library with full time hours and full time benefits. In my library, the Director works for less than $15/hour, 26 hours per week and not too many benefits. Many of those libraries in small towns are looking for someone like me. I wanted to be semi-retired, but have a job with some challenge.

But I still needed some more in-depth library management training. I am pretty much a self-motivated learner, but sometimes that formal classroom training helps fill in gaps I didn't even know needed filling. In November, I completed the State Library of Iowa's Public Library Management curriculum. That lead to actual Public Library Director Certification! I am going to get a fancy certificate printed on a fancy piece of paper, have it put in a fancy frame and hang on my office wall from a fancy nail.

When I was in college the first time, had I known then what I know now, I might have gone for the library science degree. But at my age, I am not going back to school. So my small town library and I are very happy with my Certified Library Director status.

I may boast (yes, I admit I'm boasting) about being a Library Director or a SFR Galaxy Awards judge. But you are a booklover. You get it, don't you? Who doesn't want to be around books and other booklovers, either physically or virtually? Which leads me to the 3rd thing I like to tell people.....“If you like, I can recommend a good book.”

Look for my recommendations on January 31 when the 6th annual SFR Galaxy Awards are announced. See you then!

If want to connect with me I hope you will check out my blog Whiskey With My Book ( https://whiskeywithmybook.wordpress.com ).