More Than Fantasy: Books That Refocused My World (Plus One Surprising Non-Fiction Gem)

On August 14, 2025, we will meet at Staunton Books & Tea for the Local Author Book Signing: Unstoppable by H M DuVal to talk about the Dream Walker series and have an opportunity to chat and ask questions.

Even before I started my publishing journey, books and stories held a special place in my heart. As a kid, I loved going to the school library, though I often struggled to adhere to the strict "only 3 at a time" guideline. In middle school, a group of friends and I spent our days jointly writing an epic sci-fi adventure series, complete with ship schematics and a bestiary.

Inevitably, when I got to college and increased the rigor of my studies and social life, recreational reading took a backseat to my academic pursuits.  It wasn't until my senior year that I rekindled my passion for the genres of fantasy and fiction, thanks to my roommate suggesting I start the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs.

In the spirit of my elementary school library days, here is a (short) list of books that I have read in the past fifteen years that I would love for more readers to find. These stories continue to live in my mind, having refocused the lens through which I perceive the world, much like peering through a kaleidoscope of words and imagination.

The Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

This series will always have a hold on me, as they reunited me with my love of recreational reading and imagination as an adult. It's a refreshing take on the urban paranormal genre, with a smart and gritty heroine car mechanic, who also happens to be a coyote-shifter with Blackfoot Indian heritage. Briggs does an incredible job of intersecting Native American lore with more traditional paranormal elements of vampires and werewolves. Mercy Thompson's adventures will keep readers glued to every page, while also reminding us that saving the day isn't about having the biggest teeth or claws, but rather the biggest heart and mind. Suitable for NA readers and up.

Birth Matters by Ina May Gaskin

A non-fiction recommendation from a sci-fi/fantasy author? You bet! As a clinical exercise physiologist, I have a great passion for helping others achieve their peak levels of health and wellness. There is a dearth of colloquial knowledge around pregnancy and birth, which is of huge importance to a vast number of our population. Gaskin gracefully breaks down the history and physiology and women's reproductive healthcare, and presents it in a way that is at once amusing, inspiring, and comfortably educational. This book reads like you're sitting down for an afternoon cup of tea (or wine) with your favorite intellectual auntie, drinking in her vast experience and knowledge as much as her medicinal herbs. I can't recommend this book enough for those who want to know more about birth.

The Blood Mercy series by Vela Roth

This is an incredibly vivid fantasy series with a unique take on vampires. Full of political intrigue, betrayal, old gods, and the best and worst of humanity, it smoothly transitions from being poignant and raw at times, and sweet and aching at others. There's humor, intelligence, and a plot that draws you along carefully as our protagonist, Cassia, does her best to navigate a dangerous realm and stay one step ahead of her various adversaries. This is a mature series intended for mature audiences.

The Fae Isles series by Lisette Marshall

One of my favorite aspects of this series is Marshall's brilliant work on building her world's color-based magic system! Not only is this a fun, witty enemies-to-lovers romance read, I was distinctly impressed by the way Marshall handled the weighty concepts of trust, community, redemption, and forgiveness. The characters are a satisfactory mix of competence and blunder, which gives their story complexity and depth, and I absolutely love the way she represents trauma and healing. This is a mature series intended for mature audiences.

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