Author: M.A. Kropp

I am a writer who is also a wife, mommy, and grandmother. I live in MA in the USA. I write mostly fantasy and science fiction. I speak sarcasm fluently. I am Irish and a ginger- that is fair warning. Puppies and kittens are my friends. I like good food, good drink, good friends, and good books.

Canon? Or Cannon?

~ M.A. Kropp ~ 1 Comment

One of the trending discussions that cropped up among the genre social media feeds during the past month revolved around the idea of canon. Specifically, the perceived loss of reverence for what the complaining folks considered the classics of science fiction literature. They complain that "these kids today" have no idea what great scifi is … Continue reading Canon? Or Cannon?

Nevertheless, She Persisted: Flash Fiction Project by Various Authors

~ M.A. Kropp

My rating: 3 of 5 starsShe was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.Those three sentences have become a sort of battle cry for women who are standing up in the face of outdated and demeaning attitudes from some segments of society. In this collection of flash fiction, a number of the most … Continue reading Nevertheless, She Persisted: Flash Fiction Project by Various Authors

Friday Review: Competence (Custard Protocol #3) by Gail Carriger

~ M.A. Kropp

My rating: 4 of 5 starsThis is the third in the Custard Protocol series by Gail Carriger. The series follows the crew of the dirigible The Spotted Custard as they travel the globe, investigating, uncovering, and aiding supernatural events and beings. Oh, and there are hats, proper gowns, and tea time, of course. In this … Continue reading Friday Review: Competence (Custard Protocol #3) by Gail Carriger

Friday Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

~ M.A. Kropp

My rating: 3 of 5 starsTen-year-old Kya Clark is left alone in a rundown shack in the backwoods marsh of North Carolina as every member of her family gradually leaves her on her own. Her mother and siblings were driven away one by one by their PTSD-suffering abusive drunken husband and father. The father ignores … Continue reading Friday Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Friday Review: The Tao of Pooh (Audiobook) by Benjamin Hoff

~ M.A. Kropp

My rating: 3 of 5 stars Read by Simon VanceI read the book many long years ago, and remember liking it then. When the chance came to listen to the audio, I thought it would be a nice "re-read" of this little book. In it, Hoff presents an explanation of the principles of Taoism through … Continue reading Friday Review: The Tao of Pooh (Audiobook) by Benjamin Hoff

Friday Review: All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries 1) by Martha Wells

~ M.A. Kropp

My rating: 3 of 5 starsIn this first of four novellas, we are introduced to Murderbot (its own name for itself) a part-organic, part-android Security Unit. The unit managed to hack its own governor unit and become autonomous, although no one knows about that. It has a shady past involving the killing of 57 people … Continue reading Friday Review: All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries 1) by Martha Wells

Friday Review: The Paladins of Shannara (Three Short Stories) by Terry Brooks

~ M.A. Kropp

My rating: 3 of 5 starsThese short pieces were written as add-on stories in the larger Shannara world. As such, none really add a whole lot to the bigger picture, but do give us a bit of a spotlight on events not essential to the novels. They are:Allanon's Quest:This one is set before the events … Continue reading Friday Review: The Paladins of Shannara (Three Short Stories) by Terry Brooks