The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter #31
New indie releases, news round-up, book review and a link to a free book! Please subscribe and share to support amazing indie authors!
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New Releases
Stolen (The Dhampyr Series Book 2) by V M Nelson
Tasi’s world has been turned upside down. She and her newfound family flee New York City and head to a secret location. One that should keep her and Emily safe from the Deity—the evil group hunting them. A promise has also been made to go on the offensive. Tasi is ready to attack. The only problem, her mother—a newly turned vampire—is standing in her way.
Then, as tragedy strikes, and the Deity is one step closer to creating the vampire virus, the secret coven prepares to lead an assault. The problem? The group brought in to head up the mission tells Tasi to sit it out.
Feeling dismissed, Tasi takes matters into her own hands. Refusing to ask for help from the people she loves, she sneaks out to hunt down the evil cult, alone. With danger around every corner and an unexpected companion, will Tasi realize she has people who would die for her, ready to help her, before it is too late?
Jinx by Jessica Huntley
Who would you believe is capable of murder: the man you almost married or the man whose life you saved?
British soldier, Aimee Price, is hailed as a hero for saving a man’s life. But traumatic flashbacks of the explosion, and a loss of confidence, force her to hide from the limelight.
Twelve years later, Jones, the man she saved, is arrested for a murder he claims he didn’t commit. Can she believe him when she has a history with the victim and Jones has a tendency for violence?
Aimee must discover the truth, even if it means losing her job, all while trying to live a normal life and start dating again.
But can she put the past behind her, even when it’s determined to destroy her by opening old wounds?
Jinx is a gripping suspense thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final page. If you enjoy crime and suspense thrillers with a hint of romance and a strong female protagonist, then you'll love this standalone thriller by Jessica Huntley.
A Perfect Heresy by Courtney Maguire
Dystopian science fiction perfect for fans of Ursula LeGuin's Left Hand of Darkness and The Hunger Games.
The City was prosperous once, a beautiful utopia made up of perfect people unplagued by disease or infirmity, existing under the benevolent eyes of the Mother. Its high walls guarded it from the ugliness of the world, making it possible for its Citizens to live by the Mother’s will.
But then, the Outsiders rebelled.
Tired of being oppressed and exploited by the City for their resources, a Resistance rose up against the City’s rule, attacking its soldiers and drawing them into a genocidal war in which there were no winners. Jax, once a City soldier, now a Heretic, is just trying to make xyr way home when xe meets Koi, a sick Outsider in search of xyr last remaining family, a sibling abducted by City soldiers. Jax’s fragile faith will be tested once again as their journey to the City center exposes truths neither of them were prepared for. Can two people from opposite sides of the wall help each other find what they’re looking for?
Wild Heart of the Crown (Wild Heart Book 2) by Erica Sebree
With Orianna defeated, Esme takes her rightful place on the throne. But unraveling dark secrets and ancient deceptions may be the only way to save her kingdom.
As Esme navigates the expectations of her new role amid scheming court members, the land beyond the city walls is dying. Barrenness spreads; rivers run dry. With no high-priestesses left to summon raw magic from the source, Esme must uncover the origins of the Order and all its secrets.
Ancient texts and hidden memories reveal long-concealed truths about the nature of magic and threaten to crumble the faith of an entire kingdom. So when members from a secret sect claim to possess the gods-blessed gifts of the late priestesses, Esme must decide if they can be trusted. Do they know the dark history of the Order? Will their fledgling magic be enough to restore the land?
Desperate for answers, Esme finds that certain knowledge comes at great cost, and that inconvenient desires of the heart can only be denied for so long. Will she make the necessary sacrifices to save her kingdom…to save herself from heartache?
Pre-Order Now
Twin Landing (Odyssey Earth Book 2) by Rex Burke
Typical. Travel fifty trillion miles without finding a habitable planet, and then two come along at once.
The mission is not exactly going to plan for the New Earth settlers. Captain Juno Washington is feeling the pressure, and Reeves, the know-it-all AI, seems strangely out of sorts.
Meanwhile, the missing teenage castaways are coming to terms with their situation.
Dana, Karlan and Manisha are figuring out how to survive on an uncharted alien planet – they just need to work out the rules.
Dervla, Poole and Bryson can’t wait to explore, and are ready for adventure.
Which leaves their unwilling adult caretaker, Jordan Booth, with nothing much to do except complain – campfire cooking, outdoor showers, do not recommend.
As the unknown planet starts to give up its secrets, and new arrivals threaten the mission, friends become separated and family ties are tested. In the end, it all comes down to trust.
Who’s on your side? Who’s got your back? And who’s coming to the rescue?
If you like feelgood, character-led SciFi with heart and humour, then you’ll love Twin Landing. Perfect for fans of snappy dialogue, snarky space crew, strong, relatable characters, slow-burn action, and coming-of-age, found-family adventures.
Featured Promotion
Lucky Jack (1894 - 2000) by S Bavey
"One of the perils of being a sniper during the First World War was the likelihood of a grenade going off right next to you and burying you alive”.
Meet Jack Rogers. Born in 1894, he once locked eyes with Queen Victoria and was one of the first travellers on London’s ‘Tube’. An early car owner, he had many escapades on his days out to Brighton, including a time when his brakes failed and he had to drive through central London without them!
His skills as an entertainer earned him popularity throughout his life, and kept him out of the deadly mines while a prisoner during the First World War. At the tender age of 103 Jack earned the title of ‘The World’s Oldest Columnist’ as he began dictating his life’s exploits to a reporter from the local newspaper.
Readers' Favorite Five-Star Award
A PREMIER Readers’ Award winner
Feed My Reads non-fiction book of the year 2022
“Wonderful memories and some harrowing ones as well. A treasure trove of memories indeed spanning a century.“
Rebecca Hislop
“An interesting read with a personal touch.”
Patricia Ellis
Available in paperback and ebook. Click here to see a fascinating Lucky Jack photo gallery on the author’s website.
News Round-Up
Insta Book Tours are taking bookings for autumn tours, they accept indie authors and more details are on the website.
Congratulations to Eve Koguce who has won a finalist award in the Best Thriller category in the Pacific Book Awards for her novel The Accidental Cop.
The Kindle Storyteller Award is open until 31st August. Sue Perkins and Baroness Floella Benjamin are on the judging panel this year.
Book Review
The Alchemist: Dawn of Destiny (The Alchemist Trilogy Book 1) by L A Wasielewski, reviewed by Sue Bavey
In this epic fantasy tale of good versus evil an ancient, evil necromancer rises from the past thanks to his loyal, demon-possessed acolyte. Meanwhile, a brave alchemist discovers secrets hidden in a mountain while searching for alchemical ingredients to harvest and seals his destiny. He joins a quest to find the shards of an ancient crystal sword which will aid the Crystal Guard in their fight against the zombie army of the necromancer and hopefully save the world!
The cast of characters in this novel was many and varied. They all had depth and layers and felt believable.
The main character, alchemist Ryris Bren, was a lovely, level-headed and respectful character, unassuming yet confident of his alchemical talents, he has hidden his magical abilities his entire life since displaying them in this world means certain death. However these skills will be necessary in the oncoming fight. His romantic feelings for soldier Kaia the Quick develop in a heartwarming and sweet manner, but he never dares to assume she might feel the same. His character develops nicely in confidence and magical ability as the story progresses.
Ryris’s friend the simple giant of a man, Grildi, was a loveable character - pure of heart and loyal to the core, determined to protect Ryris at all costs.
The emperor Roann starts off the book seemingly as a dutiful son and dedicated Emperor-in-waiting. However his parents have harboured a secret about him from his infancy and their desperation has dire repercussions for the Empire.
The blind giant, Phia was another great character, a motherly soul, living in a stinking marsh and guarding secrets for the members of the Crystal Guard as they slumbered for seven hundred years.
The world comes to life around these characters as the companions search for shards of the famous sword in various locations and take on a whole host of foes. Time is also taken to tell the history of the Crystal Guard and their battles during the Old War. Some people thought these were children’s stories, but it becomes apparent that it is actually ancient history.
The Alchemist: Dawn of Destiny was a highly enjoyable story with lots of attention to detail in the narrative. If you enjoy epic fantasy stories of heroic quests and good versus evil this could well be the next series for you! The author is an avid game player and the book had a fantasy RPG feel to it at times.
Free Book
Of Dust and Sand by Allen Kuzara
(Available for free on Amazon US and UK at the time of putting together this Newsletter issue)
*** If you’re an indie author with a free book promotion coming up in the next few weeks, or have a book available perma-free, send details to the Editor for the opportunity for inclusion in the Newsletter. ***
The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter is compiled and edited by N S Ford, indie author and book blogger.