The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter #80
New indie releases to read in the New Year
Editor’s Note
The Newsletter now goes out on the 1st of the month. This is to allow the Editor more time to gather content and schedule the Newsletter consistently. All the usual features will remain, except for the Free Book section; authors wishing to promote their free books may be included in the News section or the Featured Promotions.
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Featured Promotion
The Grandmaster’s Gamble by Paul G Zareith
In the depths of the cosmos, slumbers a malevolence that humanity has long forgotten.
An unsuspecting researcher knocks on a door, completely unprepared for what awaits on the other side.
As he tackles a murder investigation, an imperial treason conspiracy and backstabbing - the intertwined fates of two civilizations hang in balance.
As a dark history suppressed centuries ago resurfaces, the direction of the future will be set by one epic gamble.
Pre-Order Now
Blade of the Wanderer (Scars of Magic Book 1) by Steven Raaymakers, release date February 2nd
The chronological short stories of Esterra Stake. Tractwalker. Mercenary. Exile.
When the stars fell, the world died.
Magic claimed Esterra's arm when she was a child. For her curse, she was exiled into the weird, pockmarked world of Verpace. The magic eats away at her, twisting her bones and psyche to its own will, the curse spreading with each use.
Now an adult, she wanders the world as a tractwalker, making her living through hunting, mercenary work, and whatever opportunities arise. It is a dangerous life. Deranged cultists cry out to the red-dwarf sun, deformed beasts prowl in every shadow, creatures born from myth lurk in broken temples, and every night brings the threat of the lethal lichtvallen.
Yet some greater danger seems to lurk on the horizon, and there are whispers in the dark. Will Esterra survive, or will she succumb to the incessant call of the magic?
The first volume of stories in Scars of Magic, a post apocalyptic sword-and-sorcery series overflowing with horror, mystery, magic and action.
New Releases
Pageant by Wendy Dalrymple
Tiffany Baldwin is nine years old and already nearly past her prime in the competitive world of child beauty pageants. She loves to sing and dance and perform, but she isn't as cute as she once was, and is realizing just how cruel some of the adults are. Pressure builds as the holiday-themed Pageant of Lights nears, and Tiffany realizes that something is changing about her. Something big, and bold, and terrible. Something that she must learn to control.
Pageant is a psychological pink horror novella that marries the nostalgia of the 1990s with the heart of Little Miss Sunshine and the terror of Carrie.
The Last Outlaw by Lee Hall
“I’m gonna take that gold right from under them and disappear with what I have always deserved – the fortune we have always deserved…”
It’s the turn of the 20th century and times are getting harder for aging gunslinger John Arthur and his adopted daughter Bethany ‘The Blade’ Mason. After reuniting with an old friend they are offered an opportunity promising the haul of a lifetime but the unexpected is waiting in the small, strange town of Haddington.
Heist turns to horror as a battle for survival blurs the lines between law and outlaw.
Lunar by Chloe Openshaw
Every house has a history, and Lunar bears no exception to the rule. Its secrets have remained buried. Until now.
Recovering from her broken marriage, Fern Jones arrives at the farmhouse eager to begin her new life. But when she discovers a child’s bedroom, perfectly preserved behind an old oak door, she soon comes to terms with the fact that her future is bound to be shaped by Lunar’s past.
With local residents haunted by and equally reluctant to remember the tragedy that happened fifteen years ago, Fern tunes into the whispers and prepares herself to uncover the truth behind the place she’s trying to call home.
After all, there’s no smoke without fire.
The Whitlock Close Weddings by Karen Louise Hollis
This is Book 2 of the Whitlock Close series, but can easily be read as a standalone.
It’s 1982 and the residents of Whitlock Close have an exciting few months ahead of them. The Lincolnshire village is looking forward to two weddings!
Former school teacher Sarah Willington is set to marry Mark Thomas, guitarist of the successful boy band The Unflappables, and no expense is being spared.
The second wedding will be a quieter one, but who exactly is Norman marrying – Nora or Mabel?
Twelve-year-old Louise has to decide about her gymnastics career, following a shocking development with her friend Jayne’s health. Plus what on earth is going on with her boyfriend Toby?
Meanwhile, there are people moving in and moving out, cats going missing and a big Christmas trip away to the new Silver Sands Holiday Camp.
It’s going to be another eventful few months for the residents of the eight semi-detached houses in Whitlock Close.
Jurassic Jemma and the Trail of Evil by John J Delaney
When your life seems perfect do you ever think about what might be around the next corner?
With a loving husband, two lovely children and a new grandchild, 'Jurassic' Jemma's life is complete but evil is watching from afar with envious eyes.
After one excavation solved an old family mystery, her next discovery ended up with a death on a Dorset cliff.
Join Jemma on an international quest in pursuit of the evil that threatens her family life.
Will her life ever be the same?
A gripping tale of intrigue and suspense.
A Vampire's Star (The Order of the Black Oak - Vampires Book 5) by Marie-Claude Bourque
When music producer and banshee Tilly Davenport learns that her pregnancy puts her and her child at risk from evil sorcerers who would use her as sacrifice to unleash powerful magic, she has no choice but appear at her powerful vampire baby daddy’s concert to ask for his protection.
Easy-going Montreal immortal and rock star Cass St-Amand is shocked when his one-night flame shows up heavily pregnant with his child, disturbing his carefree lifestyle. But panic gets the best of him when a mysterious prophecy threatens the life of his expected child, and he vows to protect mother and baby at any cost.
If you love loyal tough guys with hearts, steadfast heroines and satisfying slow-burn paranormal romance, the Black Oak World is for you.
News Round-Up
Voting is open for the nominated books in the Indie Ink Awards. There are two categories: ‘Best In’ and ‘Writing the Future We Need’.
The BBNYA winners were announced, with 1st place going to Clues to You by Claire Huston.
R&R Book Tours have recently toured The Healer by Frost Kay, Royal Lies by Rina Huang and The Cadence of Crowns by R V Wilbur.
Book Review
An Icelandic Adventure by S Bavey, reviewed by N S Ford
This is a fun, real travel adventure book. Escaping a heatwave in the US, the Bavey family had an amazing holiday in Iceland. It sounds super exciting and they certainly packed a lot into their time there. Glaciers, lagoons, lava, pizza and more! The book also serves as a travel guide, with practical advice and links should readers wish to plan a visit, plus how to pronounce the place names. The downside to the trip was that things were quite expensive but they did treat themselves to some nice meals. There are some great photos included.
The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter is compiled and edited by N S Ford, indie author and book blogger.
Thank you so much for the review! Happy New Year!