Dingbat Publishing

Publisher info

Hi, I’m Gunnar Grey. I write books. I’m a historian, a forensics nut, a target shooter, and a retired adventurer and equestrian. I read avidly and post reviews or at least ratings for most of the books I read. In addition, I format ebooks for myself and a few clients, including indie writers and a no-longer-quite-so-small publishing company. If you need an ebook formatted or want to meet my references, check out my blog, Mysteries and Histories.

I live in Humble, Texas, just north of Houston, with four parakeets, the aforementioned husband (who’s even more entertaining than the birds), a fig tree, a vegetable garden, the lawn from the bad place, three armloads of potted plants, and a coffee maker that’s likely the most important item we own.
From Now Until Forever
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 24,750. Language: British English. Published: March 6, 2024 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Suspense, Fiction » Romance » Royalty
From the thud of gunfire to the final, breathless kiss, this novella flies and never stops!
Saving Saint Nicholas
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 67,730. Language: English. Published: December 24, 2023 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Cozy
A Christmastide game of cat and mouse… Holly Huxley’s only focus this Christmastide is helping her grandfather distribute the toys he has been making for children everywhere all year. But her employer, a band of smugglers, and a surprise connection to her past have other ideas. Not to mention the handsome inspector who keeps turning up wherever she goes…
Cinderella Evidence
Series: Chip Hale Mysteries, Book 4. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 99,510. Language: English. Published: December 12, 2023 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
After a woman he worked for is murdered, and another two women he knows go missing, Chip, his granddaughters, and his coworkers struggle with an increasingly perplexing case that reminds him of hunting for his daughter’s killer.
White-Collar Crime, Blue-Collar Justice
Series: Chip Hale Mysteries, Book 3. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 105,270. Language: English. Published: December 12, 2023 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
After finding and spending a scorched fifty-dollar bill, Chip is arrested by the Secret Service and charged with violating the Patriot Act.
Cold Case in the Hot Desert
Series: Chip Hale Mysteries, Book 1. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 96,580. Language: English. Published: December 12, 2023 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Themes & motifs » Crime, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
When the remains of Chip Hale’s daughter are uprooted by a summer storm nine years after she went missing, he vows to find her killer.
Drawdown
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 15,700. Language: English. Published: December 9, 2023 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense, Fiction » Adventure » War & military adventure
Something’s not right in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Arachne's Tapestry
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 28,120. Language: English. Published: December 5, 2023 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal, Fiction » Romance » Fantasy
Author John Mason cannot seem to start his sixth book… that is, until he meets an inspiring new friend with eight legs and a love of weaving webs. Suddenly he’s got all kinds of ideas and his typing isn’t fast enough to keep up. Trouble is, whatever he writes is starting to come true, no matter how terrible the event, and even his lovely agent can’t solve that!
Silverbones
Series: The Lesser One, Book 2. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 78,790. Language: English. Published: April 3, 2023 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure
To become a Silverbones member, Markus must pass a series of challenges and earn fifteen votes from among the seventeen current members. With Alice still missing and the world still falling prey to portals, Markus must face himself and make the ultimate decision to save the world… if he can.
The Samurai's Garden
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 61,500. Language: English. Published: September 16, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Historical » General, Fiction » Romance » Historical » General
Hanako Shimizu experienced devastation first-hand when a band of criminal samurai raided her farm and killed her husband. Now she needs to rebuild but has no money and no prospects. When a lone samurai shows up and offers help, how can she trust her heart?
Cowboy Joins the Fight
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 53,190. Language: English. Published: September 16, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Time travel, Fiction » Romance » Clean & wholesome
Huddled beside a rough stone wall in an old-timey village, the night black about us and gunfire booming in the distance, I can only imagine the worst. This time-travel adventure is going to be wild, difficult… and dangerous.
Cowboy Out of Time
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 51,070. Language: English. Published: September 1, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Contemporary, Fiction » Romance » Time travel
We aren’t equipped to handle a tall, rustic cowboy who looks like he just stepped out of a movie Western, dust included. But the deputy’s gone and the cowboy is suddenly my responsibility. Or is it the other way around?
Shenanigans in Berkeley Square
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 54,770. Language: English. Published: August 4, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Historical » Regency
The right man doesn’t know she’s alive. The wrong man’s out to change that.
Mischief on Albemarle
Series: The Scoundrel of Mayfair, Book 2. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 41,540. Language: English. Published: June 26, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Clean & wholesome
The right man refuses to admit he’s wrong. Until he does, the wrongest man in London is rather charming.
Five Gold Rings
Series: The Partridge Christmas Series, 5.0. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 17,930. Language: English. Published: June 13, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Holiday
Grace's latest cause pits her against the railroad threatening the historical integrity of her beloved city of Cambridge. Her involvement in these causes keeps her mind off the one thing she’s always wanted: a family.
The Maid's Christmas Miracle
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 14,180. Language: English. Published: June 13, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Holiday
Christmas is a season of miracles. Will a miracle in a stable change their lives forever?
Scandal on Half Moon Street
Series: The Scoundrel of Mayfair, Book 1. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 36,470. Language: English. Published: May 16, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Historical » Regency
The right man has everything wrong with him. A very wrong man has everything too right to be real. And the entire ton is watching.
A Different Sort of Perfect
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 89,330. Language: English. Published: May 16, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Adventure » Sea adventures
Before disaster strikes, before the cannons open fire, will Lady Clara and Captain Fleming realize that the perfections they longed for aren't the ones they really want?
For Love of DoRA: Four Weeks on Temrihj
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 121,420. Language: English. Published: February 25, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Military, Fiction » Adventure » War & military adventure
Stephen Winchek's plans do not include learning to fly an archaic atmospheric jet fighter in an unwinnable war where the other side, the ones trying to kill him, are backward aliens flying antique prop planes… who are protected by his own government, which has declared the enemy to be an endangered species.
The Dragon in My Back Yard
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 55,770. Language: English. Published: February 25, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Mythical animals, Fiction » Children’s books » Paranormal
It all started with the ridiculous birthday present his father gave him. Honestly, who gives an eleven-year-old an ancient half-ton dragon sculpture that’s so huge it can only be parked in the back yard?
Trademark of Murder
Series: Chip Hale Mysteries, Book 2. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 105,330. Language: English. Published: February 25, 2022 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » General, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Amateur sleuth
Life is good for handyman Chip Hale until he begins working on a house where the owner died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Flight of the Schimmerplotz
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 62,790. Language: English. Published: September 19, 2021 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Christian » Suspense, Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
When a shimmering, threatening window suddenly opens in the park and sucks in his young daughter Sara and partner Brex Herndon, what’s a secret agent to do?
The Lesser One: a litRPG adventure
Series: The Lesser One, Book 1. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 84,240. Language: English. Published: September 17, 2021 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure
Markus Red just manifested his spirit and it’s a weak one, the weakest one there is. But he squeezes into the position of Adventurer and is sent to Ixtham Academy, where he’ll learn to fight those monsters and destroy the dungeons invading New York City.
The Curse Breaker
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 95,550. Language: English. Published: October 4, 2020 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Romance » General
Eris’s sister is missing and nobody, not even their parents, can remember her, and so magic is definitely to blame! Eris knows only magic can bring her back, but even as a Light magic-born, is she strong enough to find — and save — her sister?
Death Do Us Part
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 63,460. Language: English. Published: February 20, 2020 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Themes & motifs » Psychological, Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - multi-author
Remember those ground-breaking series from TV’s Golden Age which explored the frontiers of human consciousness and the dividing line between reality and other dimensions? Like those powerful stories, this new collection aims to bend your mind, squeeze your psyche, and maybe pluck a heartstring.
Searching for Lady Luck
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 26,680. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Historical » General, Fiction » Romance » Clean & wholesome
Before the Great Stock market crash of 1929, Charlie Brannigan was hailed as an up and coming artist in Manhattan. But now he’s back at his family home in Wildwood, delivering newspapers in the mornings and selling his paintings on the Boardwalk in the afternoons. He needs some luck in his life, and it seems every time a pretty lady named Rose appears, good things happen.
Love's Refrain
Series: The Partridge Christmas Series, 2.5. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 16,360. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Historical » General
Lady Laura Montgomery would much rather spend her summer at the family estate, but instead she must act as her stepsister’s chaperone for the London season. She takes solace in her poetry books and in her love of music. They’re all she has to comfort her as she once again faces the one man who stole her heart ten years ago.
Four Calling Bards
Series: The Partridge Christmas Series, 4.0. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 27,380. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Historical » General
Amanda Collins leads a satisfactory but uneventful life as the vicar’s daughter in sleepy Whitecastle. But her sedate days are turned upside down when some of the village’s wealthiest men suddenly show an interest in her. The Lord of the Manor, the village doctor, and the butcher have all made offers, and Amanda doesn’t quite know what to do.
Three French Inns
Series: The Partridge Christmas Series, 3.0. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 23,140. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Historical » General
Peter Brown joined His Majesty’s Army in the fight against Napoleon, but when he was wounded, a lovely Frenchwoman tended him. She was a recent widow, and they were on opposing sides of the war, so they went their separate ways. But he never forgot his “bel ange” — his beautiful angel.
Two Tutor Doves
Series: The Partridge Christmas Series, 2.0. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 20,100. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Historical » General
When the duchess decides to hold the school’s Christmas party in her home, Robert and Jeanne must put aside their differences and work together to ensure that the holiday celebration goes off without a hitch. Will they be able to endure the partnership, or will their sparks ignite something more?
The Partridge and the Peartree
Series: The Partridge Christmas Series, 1.0. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 16,680. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Historical » General
Lady Amelia Partridge has no time for the frivolity of the London social scene. In addition to her work with the Ladies Literary Society, she has a mission — educating poor children in the city. She also has a secret life, one she fears might drive away the young duke who has become increasingly important to her.
Cian and Arin: Beginning
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 26,140. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Romance » General, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Paranormal
Cian Conn hates hiding what he really is — a young gray gryphon, destined to protect the helpless — but the grays’ ancient rules of secrecy force him to live under cover. When a new sect of gryphons arise, declaring their independence, Cian longs for the same freedom, but he’s leery of risking such change. For their feathers have turned black, and so have their souls.
Lost in Lavender
Series: A Christmas Bouquet, Book 1. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 25,000. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Historical » General
Selina Davison once enjoyed life as a countess, but when tragedy struck, she learned to take care of herself. Thanks to her skill creating hats adorned with realistic silk flowers, she’s built a successful business as a milliner. When a handsome gentleman stumbles into her shop asking for directions, she remembers and yearns for the joy of having someone to share life’s ups and downs.
Voices of the Dead
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 147,120. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Historical » USA
During four terror-filled months in 1878, a yellow fever epidemic in the Lower Mississippi Valley struck 154 towns and cities, killed over 20,000 people, and wiped entire families and businesses from the face of the earth. A determined band of volunteer heroes and heroines fought the virus despite their limited medical knowledge. Some survived. Others paid the ultimate price.
Teach Me Under the Mistletoe
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 46,440. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Historical » General
According to Caroline “Kitty” Tyndall’s friends, a young lady who’s gone two seasons in London with nary a nibble from a prospective suitor is well on the way to spinsterhood. But what’s a girl to do when she’s never been kissed and the worldly man she wants regards her as a child?
The Toymaker
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 76,760. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Historical » General
He was a duke who wanted to be a toymaker. She fell in love with a toymaker but her parents wanted her to marry a duke.
The Weatherboy
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 67,710. Language: English. Published: December 21, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Paranormal, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Romance » General
Life turned stormy when Reed Darby, a sixteen-year-old aspiring meteorologist, tapped into a bizarre website called Misfit Books. But once a lightning bolt creates a mystical chunk of glass that helps Reed control the weather and win his girl, things really go haywire.
A Nettle By Any Other Name
Series: A Christmas Bouquet, Book 2. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 27,670. Language: English. Published: April 10, 2019 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Clean & wholesome
Helen Marie, Lady Stormont, longs to improve educational opportunities for the bluestockings of Highgate. Though her contemporaries scoff at her idea, she plans to open a home just for the girls, where they can study without interruptions. Thinking she’ll be alone in her endeavors, she’s thrilled when her close friend Talbot Yelverton happily agrees to help her.
Iceas' Victory
Series: Secret Defenders. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 86,920. Language: English. Published: November 23, 2018 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Paranormal, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Romance » General
Born magic. Never warned... Iceas Lachlan has crushed on Brendan Donovan forever, but lately he's become overly protective and won't let her date anyone. And considering her new, bizarre dreams, Iceas can’t help wondering if she didn’t inherit some of her family’s weirdness. She isn't so sure Brendan is ready to protect her against things she can’t even imagine.
Double Down Trouble
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 47,980. Language: English. Published: June 21, 2018 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Suspense, Fiction » Romance » Clean & wholesome
Julia Temple, Tennessee's inexperienced lieutenant governor, is at the theater. Partway through, chaos explodes as two busloads of convicts escape and terrorize the town. Somehow they have weapons and explosives, but do they know such a high-profile hostage is there for the taking? Julia needs help. But her security detail are both dead and the only man still standing is a stranger… isn't he?
Without a Body: Forensic Investigations When There's Not a Lot Left
Series: Old Cases. Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 18,560. Language: English. Published: March 16, 2018 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Nonfiction » True Crime » Murder » General, Nonfiction » History » History of things
Without a Body presents nine fascinating cases, spanning from the 1890s to the 21st century. How does an investigator capture a killer when the body’s not around for investigating? What clues can be gathered in the body’s absence? And how can a jury convict without that single most important piece of evidence?
Mara's Secret
Series: Secret Defenders. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 87,790. Language: English. Published: March 21, 2017 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Paranormal, Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General
Dougal Lachlan was prepared to spend the rest of his days in prison, but he wakes up in an unexpected place and time with a new mission. Should he be thankful, or terrified? Mara Hess has been unable to speak for the last ten years. Her family believes she is dimwitted. But Mara knows something. A secret she is afraid to share.
Orson's Echoes
Series: The Journals of Orson's Folly. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 42,360. Language: English. Published: November 23, 2015 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Romance » General, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Adventure
When Natalie Carter wants to visit the old McGee homestead before she leaves from her Thanksgiving visit, she and Ricky McGee end up in a spontaneous treasure hunt that might cost them their lives. But is it a treasure hunt gone wrong? Or a love hunt gone right?
Whispers on the Hampstead Road
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 44,740. Language: English. Published: September 30, 2015 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Regency, Fiction » Romance » Clean & wholesome
When Deborah Kringle receives an unsigned love letter, she can’t wait to share the news with her best friend, George Anson. George might not be the most educated of her set, but he’s the perfect person to help her uncover the mystery of who wrote her delicious letter… if she can just figure out why he’s so reluctant to help. How can the Scoundrel of Mayfair change their friendship into romance?
The Key
Series: Secret Defenders. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 96,730. Language: English. Published: September 30, 2015 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Romance » General, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Paranormal
Everyone else has fun in high school, but not Maddie Clevenger. There’s something so vulnerable about her, shy, orphaned, and with beautiful jade eyes. Air Force brat Chase Donovan just knows taking care of her is his calling in life… but when bizarre, murderous flying monsters begin stalking her, he wonders if he is the key to solving her problem, and what it will cost him to protect her.
One Simple Favor
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 36,190. Language: English. Published: May 14, 2015 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Suspense, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
Tricia Pilgrim reluctantly agrees to pick up a sort-of cousin she’s never met at the bus station and drive him back to town. She might as well. Everything’s already gone wrong with her vacation weekend, there's an emergency at work, and things can’t get worse. Right? Wrong. One of them is a magnet for trouble… of the lousiest kind. The kind with bad guys and guns. Can he get her through it?
Martin Hardware: Customer Service in the Real World
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 1,510. Language: English. Published: February 9, 2015 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Nonfiction » Business & Economics » Customer relations, Nonfiction » Business & Economics » Small business & entrepreneurship
When a “big box” hardware and home improvement store opened in northern Houston, only three and a half miles from Martin Hardware, local residents shook their heads and forecast the old store’s closure. After all, how could a 67-year-old hardware in an old converted barn compete in pricing and advertising against such a Goliath? But something funny happened on the way to the pity party…
The Echoes of Orson's Folly
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 262,760. Language: English. Published: February 6, 2015 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Contemporary, Fiction » Romance » Western
Three contemporary Western romance and romantic suspense novels in one package! **Lifeline Echoes,** **Elusive Echoes,** and **Abiding Echoes**
Amanda Moore or Less
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 187,670. Language: English. Published: February 6, 2015 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Contemporary, Fiction » Humor & comedy » General
Two screwball romantic comedies in one package! **Scratching the Seven-Month Itch** and **Curing the Uncommon Man-Cold**
Bootful of Echoes
Series: The Echoes of Orson's Folly. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 47,860. Language: English. Published: December 17, 2014 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Holiday » Christmas, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
Justin McGee starts playing harmless pranks to keep his daughter-in-laws' spirits up…and finds himself contemplating a second chance at love when his childhood friend Charlotte Hains, abandoned by her own adult daughters, comes to spend the holidays with the McGees. Will all the secrets and surprises work out right? And will Justin ever bring himself to take advantage of the mistletoe?
Abiding Echoes
Series: The Echoes of Orson's Folly. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 113,260. Language: English. Published: November 1, 2014 by Dingbat Publishing. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Western, Fiction » Romance » Contemporary
The patriarch of the McGee clan, Justin, lost his beloved Beth too many years ago. When he's struck down with a heart attack and wakes in the hospital, Beth is beside him, a dose of smiling, golden sunshine. Suddenly it doesn't matter whether she's real or a medical side-effect, because the memories she brings with her, how they met, how they fell in love, take him back in time and it's all real…
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Series

Chip Hale Mysteries
Chip Hale's a blue-collar working stiff who’s hard as a titanium pop-rivet, a Purple Heart recipient from a war he has tried to forget.
The Lesser One
Harry Potter meets Dungeons and Dragons, all over the world!
Silverbones
Price: $2.99 USD.
The Scoundrel of Mayfair
He's the Duke of Cumberland (and some say a foreign prince), the most charming rake in all of Mayfair, but who is he, truly? Does he really fall in love with a new young lady every few months, or is something else going on?
Mischief on Albemarle
Price: $1.99 USD.
The Partridge Christmas Series
A delightful series of clean, traditional Regency romances!
Two Tutor Doves
Price: $0.99 USD.
Love's Refrain
Price: $0.99 USD.
Three French Inns
Price: $0.99 USD.
Four Calling Bards
Price: $0.99 USD.
Five Gold Rings
Price: $1.99 USD.
A Christmas Bouquet
Traditional Regency romance
Lost in Lavender
Price: $0.99 USD.
Secret Defenders
Secret Defenders
The Key
Price: $2.99 USD.
Mara's Secret
Price: $2.99 USD.
Iceas' Victory
Price: $2.99 USD.
The Journals of Orson's Folly
The Journals of Orson's Folly
Orson's Echoes
Price: $0.99 USD.
NATO Rapid Response Team
NATO Rapid Response Team
Shakedown
Price: $1.99 USD.
Star of Wonder
Price: $1.99 USD.
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Dingbat Publishing's favorite authors on Smashwords

Smashwords book reviews by Dingbat Publishing

  • Horker's Law on Aug. 15, 2011

    There's a new breed of novel arising, the self-pubbed novel with a great story that would have benefitted from an equally good editor. This is one of the best examples of that category I've yet read. "Horker's Law" has a solid, well-developed plotline with enjoyable characters. It's clearly set up as the first of a series and a sample of the next book is included at the end. Mike Lee is definitely an author I'll be tracking, even if I did predict one of his twists at the end. At the same time, there's a lot here a good editor could have improved. Some scenes are overly developed and go on for too long. Although it's true you never know when something carefully worked into a previous scene will return to bite you, it's also true that these scenes would read better with some judicious cutting. While there are no misspellings or formatting errors, there are poor grammar choices and obvious outright mistakes. An example is consistently using "it's" when "its" would have been correct. Therefore, grammar purists might prefer to give this book a miss. But if you can allow the author some patience, and prevent the errors and slips from pulling you out of the story, "Horker's Law" is clever and fun. I give it five stars for the story, and four for the book as presented
  • The Night the Lights Went Out on Sep. 05, 2013

    Of all the books I've read this year, this is one of the most difficult to rate and classify. It's an intense read, densely written, heavy and realistic; but at the same time it's hopeful and light on its feet. The ending is left open, as if for a sequel, but because of the realism factor there's no other way it could possibly have ended. The climax is strong and satisfying, but the denouement and falling action drag on a bit. It's possible the story would be stronger with a couple thousand words chopped off the end; but it wouldn't be the same book and the effect on the reader would be neither as heavy nor as hopeful. The characterization is excellent. The author could use a professional copy editor or at least a good proofreader, and there are some sentences where I never did figure out a satisfactory meaning. But even when it threw me out of the story, there was never any question but that I'd dive back into it. If you like post-apocalyptic fiction without the tired tropes of nuclear holocaust or zombies, well, I've read worse. Much worse. And I guess that answers the how-many-stars question: this story will stay with me. Knock off one for the lack of proofreading and the questionability of those ending chapters, then let's say four stars and one contented if wondering reader.
  • The Irishman&Other Stories on Sep. 11, 2013

    This is another difficult book for me to rate. The author's writing skills are excellent, fluid and exact; his characters, situations, and themes are utterly real. And therein lies the problem. It seems I'm currently more in a mood for escape than for reality, and at this time these stories simply aren't reaching me. In no way is this the fault of the author; his book description is spot-on, no false claims involved. And allow me to emphasize that this is an entirely subjective assessment. There's no doubt other readers will not agree. With the author's polished skills, it's easy to imagine others awarding this anthology five stars and buying every book he's written. What makes my funk even worse is, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review, and this is the best I can currently do. My thanks to the author for the opportunity to experience his work — and it's an experience, rather than a read, it's that real — and should this escapism funk ever break, I'll revisit these short stories and give them a better, fairer chance.
  • Falken's Woods on Sep. 23, 2013

    Nice YA romance, with mysterious paranormal/horror and coming of age elements extending and strengthening the story line. Strong, believable characters with real development, and if there are traces of instalove in the immediate attraction between H and h, the realistic romantic development makes up for that. One good touch was the common sense shown by the h while she's investigating the mystery; too often an amateur sleuth parks her brain and does stoopid things to move the plot along and set up scary scenes, but this author didn't resort to such measures. That's worth an extra star, right there. Note that this book does need a line editor and proofreader. There are problems with verb tenses, missing and added words, and the occasional clumsy sentence. For the most part, these errors don't detract from the book's enjoyment factor, but readers, if you're sensitive to such, consider yourself warned. Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through the Library Thing Member Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review. This assessment would be no different if I had bought the book or nabbed it as an Amazon freebie.
  • Arlo's Epiphany on Nov. 06, 2013

    This is a cute "secret lives of animals" short story. Engaging characters, entertaining storyline, and lots and lots (and lots) of narration. It includes one of the most hilarious chase scenes I've ever read, one of the best feline secret agents ever, and if the narration were trimmed down some this would easily garner four stars. As it stands, let's call it 3.5 stars. I received a free copy of this short story through the LibraryThing Member Giveaway program. Thanks for the fun read, Ms Oldaker.
  • A Day at the Office or The Bastard on Nov. 06, 2013

    A clever short story with a unique twist at the end. I did not see that one coming.
  • Hope on Nov. 17, 2013

    This is a full-length epic contemporary fantasy novel, with winged demons, winged knights (definitely not angels), telepathic horses, and weapons and armor that shape themselves to their owners. The plotline is solid -- I enjoyed the read -- but I kept wishing the world-building had been more solid, that there were more background details to keep me "grounded" in the author's universe. There just wasn't the overall flavor of immersion that truly satisfies the dedicated fantasy reader. However, my major issue with the book is a trick of the author's wordsmithing. She tends to omit certain important details until after the fact, and then spring the detail as a surprise for the reader. As an example, a character might be held at knifepoint, then fight free using a knife the reader knew nothing about. This is just off the top of my head, not a real example from the book, so no spoiler there. But several major plot twists were sprung using this "Gotcha!" technique, and I'm not a fan of it. I am a fan of the storytelling and the author's universe, even incomplete. There's a rough depth to the characters, a strength to the plotline, that will draw me back for future installments. Hope founds a fantasy world and is clearly intended as the basis for a series, with several questions remaining unanswered, invitingly so. Keep writing, Ms Rook. Please note that I received a free copy of this novel through the Library Thing Member Giveaway program. The price of the book never dictates the honesty of the review.
  • The Littlest Spycat's First Christmas on June 16, 2014

    This is an adorable, feel-good Christmas story, and the author is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Her style is unique, both in writing organization and in plots, themes, and characters, and she does more with a talking animal story than any author since Dodie Smith. Although I must admit, that style does take some getting used to. It's well worth the time.
  • Barrenlands on Aug. 24, 2014

    Loved it. Good deep characters with some development, interesting storyline even if the villain was predictable, and fun to read. Also a reasonably professional presentation, with decent proofreading and good formatting and editing. Thanks very much for the read!
  • Dun Lady's Jess on Aug. 24, 2014

    Excellent premise and good story. A magicked horse from a sophisticated fantasy world winds up in modern America, transformed into a human. Love the characters, especially Jess and Carey, but also Jamie, and it's good to see dressage treated as a serious sport. 4.5 stars
  • Upon A Midnight Clear on Oct. 07, 2014

    Heartwarming and realistic sci fi short story, if that's not an oxymoron, and it's firing on all thrusters. Four and a half stars.
  • The Mighty Peculiar Incident at Muddy Creek on Nov. 25, 2014

    Very clever, Mister Healy, very clever indeed. This is a sci fi-slash-Western short story, with good characterization, good clear writing, and a neat plot. I'd compare it to Cowboys and Aliens, but it's more realistic, doesn't have any aliens, and takes place on a train. A strong four stars.
  • Mitchell Parker's Anniversary Gift on July 06, 2016

    Sweet short story from a good writer.