Welcome!

Hi. I’m speculative fiction author Kristen Brand. If you’re looking for a good book in the sci-fi/fantasy genre, then you’re in the right place. My novels all have fast-paced action, witty banter, and at least a hint of romance. I’m a huge nerd, which comes through in my writing, and I love reading and talking about books, comics, and short stories.

Check out my books page for a full list of all my novels. Or look at my web fiction for links to free stories you can read online.

Thanks for stopping by!

Superhuman Disaster Update

As you know, my plan was to have Superhuman Disaster finished and published by the end of December. That didn’t happen for a variety of reasons, and I’m very sorry for the delay.

Shame Gif

I’m still working on the novel and have set a new target publication date of February 9th. Bear with me as I get it finished to a standard I’m satisfied with, and thanks again for your patience and support!

Book Spotlight: The Vigilantes: Books 1 – 3 by Trish Heinrich

I forgot if I’ve raved about Serpent’s Sacrifice, the first book in the Vigilantes Series by Trish Heinrich, on this site before. (I really ought to write a proper review of it at some point.) If you bought the Heroes & Villains boxed set that Hero Status was a part of over the summer, it was the first novel there.

It’s a great retro superhero story set in the 60s, and if you liked the canceled-before-its-time TV show Agent Carter, this series might help fill the hole in your heart. The main character, Alice, AKA the Serpent, kicks some serious @$$ despite being the only member of her team without superpowers. Her relationship with her intimidating old lady mentor, the previous Serpent, reminds me a bit of the Bruce/Terry dynamic in Batman Beyond–which is a big compliment, if you’ve never watched that cartoon. Continue reading Book Spotlight: The Vigilantes: Books 1 – 3 by Trish Heinrich

Cover Reveal: Superhuman Disaster

Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates! You’ve probably noticed it’s been pretty quiet around here lately. That’s because I’ve been spending every spare minute trying to finish Superhuman Disaster. I’m still hoping to get it out in December, in which case it’ll release on the 31st, but I may not make it. If that happens, I’ll post an update and announce the exact day in January it’ll come out.

In the meantime, enjoy the cover and blurb! Continue reading Cover Reveal: Superhuman Disaster

Short Story: A Magical Education

Ever wonder how the wise old mentor character puts up with the whiny, annoying hero he’s training? Then have I got the tale for you.

My short story, A Magical Education, follows a group of aging mentors drinking mead and venting about the next generation of heroes they’re trying to educate. It’s a humorous fantasy short, and you can find it in Issue 81 of Swords and Sorcery Magazine here or by clicking the image below.

Check out the magazine’s archives while you’re there. It’s full of entertaining and adventurous sword and sorcery fiction. Enjoy!

A Magical Education Cover

Book Spotlight: Red Wrath by Gerhard Gehrke

I’m always on the lookout for cool new superhero books, so when Gerhard Gehrke contacted me about his new novel, Red Wrath, I was super interested (pun intended). Then I heard the premise described as “What if the Punisher tried to take out Superman?” and immediately put it on my to-read list.

  • A female protagonist who sounds totally badass? Check.
  • An interesting twist on the superhero genre? Check.
  • The most metal title I’ve ever heard? Double-check.

Check out the blurb below and let me know what you think. Personally, I can’t wait to read it.

Red Wrath Cover Continue reading Book Spotlight: Red Wrath by Gerhard Gehrke

Favorite Book Quote Art

I’ve posted before about how I love making book aesthetics, but if you follow me on Twitter, you know I’ve also got a thing for throwing together images with quotes from my novels. #BookQW (Book Quote Wednesday) is my favorite hashtag. Authors posts quotes from their books based on a weekly prompt, and it’s cool to see snippets from novels and novellas of all different genres.

I’ve been doing it for a while now and have made dozens of images, some of them better than others. Here’s a roundup of my personal favorites. Continue reading Favorite Book Quote Art

New Superhero Fiction (October 2018)

Halloween is over, and though October is a month for spooky horror reads, there were plenty of good superhero novels and novellas released last month. Here are a few that caught my eye. As usual, I haven’t read all of these books personally, so please read the reviews and samples before purchasing. And if you have any recommendations, let me know!

Spectra: A Cynical Superhero

by Amy Sumida

Spectra Cover

They think she’s a superhero. She thinks they’re delusional.

Amara Madison has strange abilities. She can manipulate colors; use them to create illusions, alter auras, and affect the human body in both helpful and harmful ways. She’s not alone either. Amara lives in a secret community of supernaturals in Washington DC. Some of her kind try to help humans. They call themselves superheroes instead of supernaturals. Amara thinks that’s just super-ridiculous. Continue reading New Superhero Fiction (October 2018)