Black Friday deals, last chance for Kickstarter, and a review.

28 Nov 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review Tags: , , , ,

Once again I’m participating in the big black Friday book sale and both my books are included at ninety-nine cents. I’m raising the prices after Cyber Monday so grab them while they’re cheap.

You can find all the books in the sale at http://www.blackfridaybooksale.com

Also the Bouncing Back Kickstarter ends November 30th. You only have three days to get the new Rubber Bandit novel before the general public. There are tons of exciting add on and extra goodies such as stickers, art prints and an exclusive in universe newspaper. If you want to read my story about what happened to the turtle at the book festival then this newspaper is the only way to do that.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dosafiles/a-new-superhero-novel-the-rubber-bandit-returns

Still not convinced? Here’s what I had to say:

Amber Gabriel’s newest Novel is part of the SVR Superhero Universe originated by H.L. Burke.

Bouncing Back returns to The former Rubber Bandit as he enters into the Supervillain Rehabilitation Project. This is probably the most religious leaning book in the entire universe. It shows the way Elam’s thoughts and feelings have changed since getting on the right side of the law. It was handled in such a way that religion felt less like a requirement for good behavior but more like a side effect of it.

This story was so heartfelt and funny. It even has a cute kid with a dog.

While this novel gives Elam a pretty solid conclusion., I sincerely hope Amber Gabriel continues to write in this super powered universe.

Links for the TL;DR:

Big Black Friday Book Sale: http://www.blackfridaybooksale.com

Bouncing back Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dosafiles/a-new-superhero-novel-the-rubber-bandit-returns

Conveniently a Cover Reveal and Review

21 Nov 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Cover Reveal, Dive In Review Tags: , ,

Are you ready to see the cover for H.L. Burke’s next superhero romantic comedy?

The 9th book of the Superhero Romance Project series features a widowed superhero/single dad, a woman with secret lie-detector powers, running from her past, caught up in a marriage of convenience trope—all while solving the mystery of why supervillains are attacking the small Alaskan town they call home.

A tale of finding love after grief, a celebration of marriage, and an exploration of faith … but with SUPERHEROES.

Great for fans of both superheroes and cozy romance.

PG for superhero action, discussion of marital intimacy, mild swearing, and fade-to-black romance.

The book launches January 9th, but you can get your copy a MONTH early through the Bouncing Back Kickstarter!

Take me to the Kickstarter!

Back Cover:

When superpowers are involved, a marriage of convenience is anything but.

Losing his beloved wife five years ago shattered Malcom “Mal” Mason’s world. Hanging on for the sake of his teen daughter, Madison, he goes through the motions, leading his superhero team and protecting the citizens of Alaska from the occasional supervillain threat. When a rash of supervillain attacks coincides with his late wife’s brother suing him for custody, Mal’s barely maintained sanity threatens to snap. Could the answer to his problems lie in a marriage of convenience?

On the run from mistakes of her youth, programmer and sometimes “hacktivist,” Charlie has finally found a sense of community, living and working in a small but close knit town. Her secret “lie detector” powers can smell a conspiracy a mile away, and she just knows there’s something bigger and more nefarious behind the recent villain attacks. Her investigating puts her in the villains’ crosshairs and costs her her home. With no where else to go, the local superhero’s offer to play house to get his snooty in-laws off his back seems … tempting. Having a superhero in the next room to protect her from villains and easier access to the case she is determined to crack? Even better.

As Mal and Charlie navigate villain attacks, meddling in-laws, and a rebellious teen in constant hot water, they’re surprised at how good a team they make. Could there be something real in their pretending? Or will Charlie’s secrets sink any chances of a happy ending?

Still not convinced you should get this book early through the Bouncing back Kickstarter? Let me share my thoughts from reading an even earlier version.

Dive in Review of Conveniently Married to a Superhero

Conveniently Married to the Superhero is to the book you need if you are over thirty-five. The leads in this book are a forty something widower and a single hacker in her late thirties. Add in a precocious thirteen-year-old and you have a rom-com made in hallmark movie heaven.

The Marriage of connivence plot in this story is super well done. Burke writes it in such a way that it not only moves the plot forward but also can not be separated from the main superhero action of the story. This is a good romance AND an action packed superhero adventure.

As someone closer to forty than she is comfortable thinking about, I appreciated this novel having older protagonists as I am well past the ‘young love’ stage of my life.

Links:

Add it to your TBR shelf on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244000561-conveniently-married-to-a-superhero

The Kickstarter (GET YOUR BOOK EARLY!) Help get those stretch goals:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dosafiles/a-new-superhero-novel-the-rubber-bandit-returns

Author Site: hlburkeauthor.com

Other Author Social Links:
https://www.instagram.com/burkesdragons/

https://www.facebook.com/hlburkewriter

https://www.youtube.com/@HLburkewriter

https://hlburkewriter.substack.com/

Grab previous books in the series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7Z8815Q

New SVR Kickstarter: Bouncing Back.

03 Nov 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Author news, book tours Tags: , , , , , ,

I’m a little late telling you about this Kickstarter but I forgot to schedule this post and then ended up having a busy weekend.

The Kickstarter is for Bouncing Back by Amber Gabriel. It’s the second book she’s written for H.L. Burke’s superhero universe. If you backed the DOSA Files II & III Kickstarter you would have received her first book Stretched Thin as a Stretch goal.

Now, not in a short story; not in a novella! Snarky villain with a heart, Rubber Bandit, returns for a NEW full-length superhero novel by Amber Gabriel, presented by H.L. Burke.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dosafiles/a-new-superhero-novel-the-rubber-bandit-returns

The award-winning Supervillain Rehabilitation Project universe is sttttrettchinnnng out with a new full-length novel, written by author Amber Gabriel and presented by SVR Universe Creator, H.L. Burke.

Elam Bentley, aka the former Rubber Bandit, got his butt kicked in Refined, crashed into non-villain life via accidental acts of heroism in the DOSA Files Volumes I & II, and helmed his own solo adventure, going undercover in Stretched Thin.

Now he faces his biggest challenge: his own nature.

Can this former villain truly give up his life of crime? Will other heroes even accept him after all the bad he’s done in his life? And what is he going to do about his growing attraction for his new team leader, a stressed out hero and single mother who has every reason NOT to let him into her and her daughter’s life?

Be the first to get your hands on Bouncing Back, a fast-paced, funny, and heartfelt story about righting wrongs and finding redemption.

Kickstarter rewards will include signed copies, an early order of H.L. Burke’s next superhero romance, Conveniently Married to a Superhero, signed paperbacks, an epic sticker inspired by Ginger, the seizure alert dog featured in Bouncing Back, unique swag, and more.

Help us hit stretch goals and get Stretched Thin and Bouncing Back BOTH in awesome audio with narration by Realm Award Finalist Rena Gail.

To the Kickstarter

Because I was late, now you get the benefit it being fully funded so you know going in that you will be spending money. Also you get to help contribute towards stretch goals which is always a nice thing.

Tiers: Rewards

$5-ebook of Bouncing Back

$15-ebook & sticker, art print, printed newspaper swag

$15 Paperback

$20 Ebook/Paperback

NEW: $25 Adopt a dragon set. Includes a copy of Cora and the Nurse Dragon by H.L. Burke with a handful of dragon themed goodies. (Perfect Christmas gift for young readers.)

$30 ebook/paperback/sticker/newspaper, art print

$50 Stretched Thin, Bouncing Back, Special Ginger Art Print, Sticker, and Newspaper

$350 Personalized Cameo in a future SVR Book

Notice that some of the reward tiers have a newspaper included.

This is an in-world newspaper with article style stories from the SVR universe.

I, C.O. Bonham, have contributed at least one such story. If you want to read about what went down at the book fair you’ll need to back a tier that includes the newspaper or any physical tier and then add it as an add-on.

Back the Kickstarter Now

Stretch Goals:

NEW: $900 will unlock an additional sticker design for all physical backers

$1000 will unlock the Streatched Thin novella in audio. Read by Rena Gail.

$1600 will unlock the ability to produce Bouncing Back in audio. Read by Rena Gail.

Also for your peace of mind you should know that this project is entirely human made. Everything from the writing to the art is free from AI input.

Message from H.L. Burke:

The SVR Universe is my passion project, an interconnected world of diverse, loveable characters that allows me to tell stories of heroism, family, and hope. Bouncing Back continues this tradition, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Amber Gabriel and I are collaborating once again on BOUNCING BACK, a new Supervillain Rehabilitation Project Universe novel starring Elam Bentley, aka Rubber Bandit. Amber’s expanded Elam’s story, bringing him onto a superhero team where he must make amends for past crimes while learning to work as a hero.

Note: this is probably the most religious story in the universe so far. While faith elements have always been a part of the SVR stories, this one has an explicit faith journey and other religious elements.

Take me to the Kickstarter, NOW!

New SVR release and Anthology Sale!

09 Sep 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

NEW RELEASE! The Supervillain’s Bodyguard. 

A funny, heartfelt new superhero romance that takes you cross-country on a race for survival. Featuring a brand new match-up, this time of a normie guy and a superpowered gal. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

 Even a supervillain needs a protector sometimes.

Recently separated from the US Army, Caspian “Cas” Knight is having a hard time readjusting to life in his small hometown. His plans are delayed when he’s called to a high school mentor’s funeral out of state. Bumping into his mentor’s daughter and having immediate sparks wasn’t what he planned for his weekend. Getting in between her and a group of attacking supervillains? Even less so.

Jael Wilder has spent years hiding her unwanted superpowers from forces on both sides of the law. Her powers are dangerous, and a recent surge of them cost her the one person who ever looked out for her. Now pursued by both government agents and criminal interests who want to use her as a weapon, she has one goal: find the scientist whose experiments turned her into a monster and make him feel the pain he caused her.

Thrown together, Jael and Cas take off on a cross country journey, fighting for survival. As they develop a tentative trust, and an even stronger attraction, Cas’s determination to keep her safe solidifies. However, with her uncontrollable powers making every touch potentially deadly, is a life together even possible? Or will their connection bring him only death?

 The Supervillain’s Bodyguard is the 8th book in the Superhero Romance Project series but features a new couple and can be read on its own. 

Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3UtmdrW

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237693164-the-supervillain-s-bodyguard

Love superheroes? Love romance? Read it as a standalone or catch up with the series in Kindle unlimited .

Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7Z8815Q

All Cover Art by KM Carroll. Layout by Jennifer Hudzinski

Want more more super hero stories for super cheap!

3 epic anthologies featuring 27 awesome superhero stories, on sale for 99c a piece! Get the DOSA Files Now through September 10! 

Fun hack: grab the audio of volume one for less than five dollars when you by the ebook for ninety-nine cents.

The best part is that the first two volumes feature stories written by me!

Grab the set here: https://amzn.to/3JhtOrg

The Author/Publisher:

H. L. Burke has written more books than she can count—because she’s written a lot of books, not just because she can’t count very high. 

Easily distracted by shinies, she has published in many subgenres including fantasy romance, Steampunk, and superhero, and always creates story worlds with snark, feels, and wonder. 

Married to her high school crush who is a retired Marine, she spends her time writing, spoiling her cats, and supervising her two supervillains in training (aka her precocious daughters). 

Originally from Oregon, but currently living in a forest in West Virginia, she wilts without trees and doesn’t mind the rain. She is a fan of delicious flavor, a follower of the Light, and a believer in happily ever after.

Author Site:

hlburkeauthor.com 

Realm Makers Expo and a cover reveal.

11 Jul 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Cover Reveal, In Real Life Tags: , , , , , , ,

Today Is two things. Thing one is the cover reveal for H.L. Burke’s newest superhero book. It’s also exactly one week before the big Realm Makers Expo in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Realm Makers is an amazing faith based writing conference. I go every year and it’s always a blast. This year though they are hosting a fan expo simultaneously with the conference. I won’t have a table there but my books will be available through the Realm Makers bookstore. I’ll Also be walking around so if you see me don’t be afraid to say, Hi!

For more information and to buy tickets go to: https://www.realmmakers.com/

Scroll to the end for a fun thing happening at the Expo!

You know who else will be at Realm Makers?

H.L. Burke! The author of the ever expanding SVR superhero universe.

Check out the awesome new cover for the 8th book in the Superhero Romance Project: The Supervillain’s Bodyguard.

A funny, heartfelt new superhero romance that takes you cross country on a race for survival. Featuring a brand new match up, this time of a normie guy and a superpowered gal.

Read it as a standalone or catch up with the series in Kindle unlimited .

Art by KM Carroll

Layout by Jennifer Hudzinski

Pre-Order on Amazon for 99c through July 31st: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0FG6CR8GD

Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7Z8815Q

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237693164-the-supervillain-s-bodyguard

Author Site: hlburkeauthor.com

Show off your puzzler skills and enter to win epic prizes at the inaugural Realm Makers Expo!

The Fiction Fairies have scattered challenges throughout the Expo. Fun puzzles for you to solve.

Every puzzle you solve enters you in a drawing to win TWELVE epic puzzles! Solve every puzzle to increase your chances and receive special rewards along the way.

To Play:

Find participating booths on the Expo floor.

Solve the puzzles.

Scan the QR codes and enter your answer and contact info.

The winner will be drawn Saturday at 5pm so the prize can be collected on Saturday or Sunday.

Do you have your Expo Tickets yet?: https://www.realmmakers.com/

Game Changer Release Day!

27 Jun 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in book tours Tags: , , , , , ,

Book 2 in the Young Adult Superhero series Supervillain Legacy Project, GAME CHANGER, IS
HERE!!!


This story continues the tale of Oliver, Ruby, and Curran, the Camp Sable teen team, but this
time the stakes are a lot higher and actual lives are on the line.
https://amzn.to/4jtttOX

Growing up is hard. Growing up with superpowers? It’s … a lot.


What would you sacrifice to save your father?
At only seventeen, Oliver Ortiz-Shelby has led his friends to victory in the Sable
Games, marking him as the most promising superpowered youth in the
country. With superhero teams offering internships, colleges promising
scholarships, and the general admiration of his peers, his future is brighter
than ever—until a supervillain attack threatens to upend everything.
When a banquet hosted by an up-and-coming superhero and politician turns
into a firefight, innocent lives are lost. The top suspect? Oliver’s beloved father,
reformed supervillain Switch.

Oliver knows his father would never return to the villain life, but with evidence
mounting against Switch, even his friends begin to doubt him. Realizing the
authorities have made up their minds, Oliver decides he has no other choice.
He’s taking matters into his own hands, even if it means leaving everything
he’s worked so hard for behind.

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231327798-game-changer
Amazon:
https://amzn.to/4jtttOX
Author Site:
https://www.hlburkeauthor.com/supervillain-rehabilitation-project
Series:
https://amzn.to/3G2Wq5S

Looking for your next Superhero obsession? Get GAME ON Free 6/26-6/30. An underdog teen
team story featuring epic superpowers, friendship, and family bonds.
Get book 1 FREE then grab book 2’s New Release to have it waiting when you’re done.
https://amzn.to/3G2Wq5S

Book 1, Game On:
https://amzn.to/4jaQC9h

Book 2, Game Changer:
https://amzn.to/4jtttOX

Dive in Review of Stretched Thin

07 Jun 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Dive In Review Tags: , , , , ,

NEW RELEASE! The Supervillain Rehabilitation Project Universe EXPANDS with an epic new novella, written by Amber Gabriel, published by H.L. Burke.

STRETCHED THIN

Pulled between crime and the law, the Rubber Bandit is about to snap.

It’s hard enough keeping a job as a former supervillain without every gang initiate, cocky teen, and local tough trying to pick a fight with the notorious Rubber Bandit.

Elam Bentley has worked at the bar as a bouncer for 3 months. His criminal background makes spotting a fake ID easy. When an under-aged, super-powered teen’s escapades cause havoc, his employer reluctantly has to let him go. Unemployed and still under scrutiny from the local superhero team, what is he going to do?

Though Elam would love to see the look on his superhero nemesis Byte’s face, there’s no way he’s joining the Department of Super-Abled. At least that’s what he thinks until recently promoted Detective Fang asks him to go undercover.

Feeling he owes Fang, Elam agrees, but because he is a Sable, he has to go through DOSA to do it. Can he suck it up and do the job, or will the temptation to return to criminal life be too strong?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F3SYMLNC/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/229186197-stretched-thin

My Dive-in Review

This newest Novella in the SVR universe is the first one written by someone other than H.L. Burke.

Amber Gabriel has contributed to the SVR lore before as an author in the DOSA Files anthologies. Now she takes her character, Elam, from those stories and gives him room to grow as a person.

Amber does a fantastic job of mirroring Burke’s style and tone from the original SVR series while still making this book her own.

The plot line and final resolution of the story are so perfectly suited to the world building that I am surprised it hasn’t already been done. 10/10 perfect addition to the SVR universe.

Want More Rubber Bandit?

If you want to read more about the Rubber Bandit you can find him in the following books. *indicates an Amazon affiliate link.

Rubber Bandit’s debuted in Refined by H.L. Burke: * https://amzn.to/4mQtpLC

Amber Gabriel took the Rubber Bandit and made him her own in “Oh, Snap” in DOSA Files #1: * https://amzn.to/3HIOqaY

The adventure continues in “Civic Duty” found in DOSA Files #2: * https://amzn.to/4kpJ6rD

BUY STRETCHED THIN ON AMAZON: https://amzn.to/4iZ2lXE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SVR UNIVERSE: https://www.hlburkeauthor.com/supervillain-rehabilitation-project

DOSA Files Anthologies are Here!

17 May 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Author news, Short Stories Tags: , , , , ,

So remember that Kickstarter I was promoting? Well the fruits of that endeavor are now available. If you have read and enjoyed volume one then go grab the next two.

On a personal level I’m very excited because DOSA Files volume II features a sequel to my volume I story. If you loved getting to know Violet Revelt in the Realm Award finalist story “Letting Off Steam,” then you won’t want to miss the continuation of her story in, “London Bridge is Falling Down.”

Shifters! Flyers! Lightning! Fire! Choose your power and join the fun. 17 Epic Superhero Stories
await. Volumes II & III available now!
Technically… the MCU has about 34 movies.
The DOSA-Verse has 21 (current) books and 29 short stories. Just sayin’.

Did you know Volume I of the DOSA Files includes THREE Realm Award finalist stories? One of them is mine! We have to wait until July 18th to learn who the winners are, so until then I’ll just enjoy the honor of being a finalist.


Also from May 16 through 20, get Volume I for FREE! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZWC9HYL

Links again:
Series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZWC9HYL
Volume I: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D5JS32QJ
Volume II: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F3VG2S9P
Volume III: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F3VG3M23

Game Changer Cover Reveal

03 May 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Cover Reveal Tags: , , , ,

Check out this ELECTRIFYING new cover for GAME CHANGER, H.L. Burke’s upcoming Superhero book release. 
Book 2 in the Young Adult Superhero series Supervillain Legacy Project.

This story continues the tale of Oliver, Ruby, and Curran, the Camp Sable teen team, but this time the stakes are a lot higher and actual lives are on the line. 

What would you sacrifice to save your father?

At only seventeen, Oliver Ortiz-Shelby has led his friends to victory in the Sable Games, marking him as the most promising superpowered youth in the country. With superhero teams offering internships, colleges promising scholarships, and the general admiration of his peers, his future is brighter than ever—until a supervillain attack threatens to upend everything.

When a banquet hosted by an up-and-coming superhero and politician turns into a firefight, innocent lives are lost. The top suspect? Oliver’s beloved father, reformed supervillain Switch.

Oliver knows his father would never return to the villain life, but with evidence mounting against Switch, even his friends begin to doubt him. Realizing the authorities have made up their minds, Oliver decides he has no other choice. He’s taking matters into his own hands, even if it means leaving everything he’s worked so hard for behind.

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231327798-game-changer

Amazon:

https://amzn.to/4jtttOX

GAME CHANGER,  drops June 27th!

Also, through May 6th, get book 1, GAME ON, for FREE! 5/2-5/6.

An underdog teen team story featuring epic superpowers, friendship, and family bonds. 

https://amzn.to/4jaQC9h

Realm Awards Readers’ Choice: 

Game On is in the running for the Readers’ Choice category of the REALM AWARDS! Have you read it yet? You can get the ebook FREE May 2-6! Grab it, read it, if you like it, give it a vote.

https://realm-makers.mn.co/posts/readers-choice-award-top-25-and-voting-link

Series:

https://amzn.to/3G2Wq5S

Author Site:

https://www.hlburkeauthor.com/supervillain-rehabilitation-project

ONLY TWO DAYS LEFT to back the DOSA Files kistarter!

26 Mar 2025 Leave a comment

by C.O. Bonham in Author news Tags: , , , , ,

The DOSA Files Kickstarter is fully funded!

But Frank the Robot still needs your help!

We are well into unlocking the stretch goals. And just like Pokémon—we want to catch them all.

Help Frank reach our stretch goals!

Unlocked stretch goals include:

  • An new SRV Universe Novella Written by one of the anthology authors.
  • A video call with multiple authors from the DOSA Files 1,2, and 3.
  • Exclusive chapter header Illustrations for both Anthologies.

The next stretch goal is Audiobooks but we need about $330 to reach it.

Why back the Kickstarter?

  • Wholesome superhero stories
  • New Preorder added for Game Changer the sequel to Game On.
  • Support indie authors
  • Written by amazing voices.
  • No AI art used.
  • If we reach the goal, the Audiobooks will be narrated by talented human narrator Rena Gail.
  • Four of the stories from the first anthology were long listed for the Realm Awards so you know the ones in Vol, 2 and 3 will be great.

Being Long Listed for an award just means you’ve moved on to round two where they whittle down the list even more. This is still a big deal because the Realm Awards is pretty competitive.

Oh did I mention that one of the four long listed stories was mine! I am trying not to get my hopes up but it’s so exciting. We’ll know soon who’s making it to the final round.

Back the Kickstarter Now!

To help more superhero stories become eligible for awards.

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