The best fiction books for curious minds

Why am I passionate about this?

I love to read a good story, but I also get the greatest satisfaction from writing one, or several. I believe good fiction can say what factual books cannot, and done right, they can offer differing perspectives to any accepted norm. The trick is to let the characters speak, regardless of whether I agree with what they say, or not. The secret to good presentation is to offer the reader the choice to think about what has been said, consider and delve deeper, or not and pass by.


I wrote...

The Gatekeeper and the Guardian

By John Morris,

Book cover of The Gatekeeper and the Guardian

What is my book about?

This extraordinary tale alludes that Aliens visited Earth in prehistory, creating Elves, Dwarves, and other mythological creatures. In the contemporary world of today, these figments no longer exist, or do they? When Jack shambles ashore upon a South Pacific island, he discovers a mysterious world shielded from our senses. It is filled with people, but not homo sapiens.

From shipwreck to survivor, castaway to explorer, our hero adapts to his new life, increasing the bounty for all, aided by the advanced science of The Ancestors. Fast-paced and riveting, the trilogy takes off when an abandoned spacecraft is discovered. Now Jack and his new friends need to unlock its secrets, but before they can do so, the Island is invaded by Ogre hordes.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Silent Fear

John Morris Why did I love this book?

Silent Fear is a stunning mystery novel, scary because it is set in an institute for the blind during a lockdown. There is a serial killer on the loose and no inmates have the ability to see their persecutor. Yes, this one gets right inside your mind and I felt privileged to read it.

By Lance Morcan, James Morcan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Silent Fear as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When you can't hear...death comes silently.

Scotland Yard detective Valerie Crowther is assigned to investigate the murder of a student at a university for the Deaf in London, England. The murder investigation coincides with a deadly flu virus outbreak, resulting in the university being quarantined from the outside world.

When more Deaf students are murdered, it becomes clear there is a serial killer operating within the sealed-off university. A chilling cat-and-mouse game evolves as the unknown killer targets Valerie and the virus claims more lives.

A stunning, claustrophobic, "whodunit" murder mystery, Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) is…


Book cover of The Whitechapel Virgin

John Morris Why did I love this book?

This historical fiction is one of three novels set in London, the one featured is contemporary, and set upon the streets walked by Jack the Ripper. What I found compelling was the detailed presentation of the lives of ordinary, working-class women, that was gritty and most believable in presentation. The characters came alive and the story flowed; some working girls vanished, who would be next? This is not a story about Jack. It is a story about those nearby and affected by the beast.

By Carla Acheson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Whitechapel Virgin as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Journey into Whitechapel, London, during 'Jack the Ripper's,' brutal reign of terror. When innocent Catherine Bell stumbles into the seedy world of Madame Davenport's brothel lodging-house she meets lothario Edward Cross, who feels his ambitious diary of the Whitechapel area's prostitutes will benefit favourably with her entry.


Book cover of Blood Work

John Morris Why did I love this book?

I loved the film Blood Work directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. Having watched it many times, I became curious about the book it was based upon. So I read the book – a bit of an author jolly in some respects. This is where it gets interesting, for me, because they were similar, but never the same. Some discrepancies I preferred the book version, whilst others I preferred the film. The beginning is much better in the film with superb character development, but the ending is far superior in the book.

What I took away from this is concerned with how my own books are received by readers and how I can make them better. Add, delete, change, or keep the same, an author's editing dilemma.

By Michael Connelly,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Blood Work as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Terry McCaleb, one of the most effective serial-killer investigators in the history of the FBI, hunts down his heart donor's killer. An unputdownable story from the award-winning No. 1 bestselling author.

'Blood Work' - that's what Terry McCaleb used to call his job at the FBI. Eight weeks ago he was a dead man, but now someone else's heart is keeping him alive. Then a newspaper report of his brush with death brings him an unwanted visitor. Graciela Rivers reveals to McCaleb that the anonymous donor of his heart was her murdered sister, and that the police investigation into the…


Book cover of The Trail West

John Morris Why did I love this book?

This guy writes great Westerns and detective novels, this book being an excellent place to begin. I’ve followed his works online and remain impressed with the characters he creates and the detail plus development of his works. But mostly, I can lose myself in his stories, grab a buzz of ‘feel-good,’ and forget about the outside world for a while.

By Woody Leach,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Trail West as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Four stories concerning a core group of characters and their adventures during the turbulent time after the War Between the States.


Book cover of The Dragonbone Chair

John Morris Why did I love this book?

This book introduces a very good series and was responsible for encouraging my love of science fantasy – some of which I write. While I have tried to keep away from more famous authors, this one got through because it really is that good.

As with all good science fantasy, it has various levels, some of the deepest making one think, or you can just go with the flow and enjoy the yarn. That is something I also strive to do with readers, well, I try to.

By Tad Williams,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Dragonbone Chair as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The first book of the trilogy "Memory, Sorrow and Thorn" tells the story of Simon, a kitchen boy and sorceror's apprentice, who must find the solution to the riddle of the long-lost swords of power, in order to combat the evil of the undead Sithi Ruler, the Storm King.


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Dragon Disciples: Resurrection

By Christina Weigand, Rhomda Chieduch (editor),

Book cover of Dragon Disciples: Resurrection

Christina Weigand Author Of Palace of the Twelve Pillars

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

My faith is a driving force in my life. Writing and dragons are my passions after my family. When not writing I mentor young people in their own writing. I’ve taken several writing courses and continue to study and work on honing my craft. Dragons serve as messengers of God in my books. I studied dragon lore and found the dragons an excellent vehicle for sharing God’s message. The dragons play a sentient, teaching, guiding role in the books they are featured in. That doesn’t mean there aren’t bad dragons to challenge the characters and the good dragons. 

Christina's book list on dragons with a Christian message

What is my book about?

When the head of an ancient Samaritan family is injured, it throws the family into turmoil. There isn’t enough money to pay the hefty Roman taxes.

The daughter, Chana, is taken as compensation and forced into slavery inside a cruel centurion’s home. As a slave, Chana witnesses the miracles of Yeshua. They give her hope as she stands up to the abuses of the centurion’s children and survives unspeakable atrocities.

When the centurion travels to Jerusalem, Chana is unaware of her family's presence in the city. But the holy city brings nothing but horror when Chana witnesses the crucifixion at the hands of the Romans. Naftili, Chana's brother, is taken as a slave in the same house as his sister, where he discovers that Chana isn’t the same girl he grew up with.

Their fate to live a life as slaves seems impossible to overcome until they are rescued by dragons sent from God. But all is not easy as their faith journey continues. They will encounter obstacles designed to prevent them from becoming Dragon Guardians, faithful followers who spread and protect the Word of God.

Dragon Disciples: Resurrection

By Christina Weigand, Rhomda Chieduch (editor),

What is this book about?

When the head of a Samaritan family is injured, it throws the family into turmoil. There isn't enough money for the hefty Roman taxes. The daughter, Chana, is taken as compensation and forced into slavery in a cruel centurion's home.

As a slave, Chana witnesses the miracles of Yeshua. They give her hope as she stands up to the abuses of the centurion's children and survives unspeakable atrocities.

Unaware of her family's presence in Jerusalem, the holy city brings nothing but horror when Chana witnesses the crucifixion at the hands of the Romans. While struggling to overcome her traumas, her…


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