The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter #82
New indie releases, pre-orders, news and a book review
Editor’s Note
The Newsletter goes out on the 1st of the month. Content is always welcome, including new releases, pre-orders, positive news and book reviews.
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Featured Promotions
Tim Rees' Original Earth: Book One
Imagine if we were offered a new, uncontaminated planet and a fresh start, how would you wish to see humanity move forward…?
Now, armed with some knowledge of the complex relationships that exist between both fauna and flora - all life with whom we share this incredible planet - what lessons have we learned?
This is a story about a new beginning…
Anu has a gift: her personal vibration is in perfect harmony with the natural world.
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
Beautiful World, Part 2 by Bill Sharrock and Edouard Artus, release date March 10th
Part 2 of the continuing tale of a society in crisis where beauty reigns but fear lies within its walls and the terrors of war lie without.
The armies of the stainers are at the very gates of a once magical city and talk of plots, counter-plots and betrayal swirl through into streets and courts and high-halls.
Now, the resolution of all that developed in part one of the “Beautiful World”, will unfold in a series of terrifying encounters, stark tragedies and dazzling escapes where love is tested, loyalty is proved and courage is sometimes rewarded.
Who will endure? Who will triumph, and who will learn the bitter lesson of a city called Serenity and a world called Beautiful?
And what of an Island separate to this city and yet strangely linked, what of the queen who rules there and the ambition that rules her heart ?
New Releases
All I Can Remember Now by T M Lunn
The beauty of nature remains. Even though the people do not.
When the world ends, their best chance of survival is floating on the West Coast of Scotland. The memories of their lives together, how they ended up in this position, and the losses they've faced haunt their days. And there's still more out there to fear.
Not Marriage Material: Not A Romance Anthology by S Bavey et al
“There are plenty more fish in the sea.”
“You’ll find the right one when you least expect it.”
How often have we all heard those lines? Sometimes we fall in love with people who are not right for us. Or are exactly right, but the timing or circumstances when we meet them are all wrong. For many of us, it's just a bump in the road as we eventually find our perfect partner. Others are just not marriage material and never settle down.
In this non-fiction anthology, twenty authors and poets celebrate the ones who got away and the ones they were lucky enough to get away from. These relationships may not have ended in marriage, but they have provided us with entertaining stories. Join us as we share our experiences of romances that were not marriage material!
Rainsquall by Penny Moss
Lone shepherd Folke is content to drift through life without the hassle of others. Yet his quiet days come to a thunderous end when a storm forces three enigmatic men to seek refuge in his secluded cottage.
Suddenly, Folke’s world is crowded with all the things he worked to avoid, while opening up to many alluring possibilities. Warm skin, shared breaths, and the caress of lips beguile him into what he knows will lead to heartbreak. Each day he grows closer to the men is another day until their inevitable departure—and to secrets that could change all he knows.
The Murder Maze by Jessica Huntley
Five years ago, Jane Patterson survived a horrifying encounter with a serial killer. Now, all she cares about is supporting her young son and getting her life back on track.
When she receives an invitation to win a life-changing sum of money, she can’t afford to say no, but the invitation comes with a threat. Whoever sent it knows what happened five years ago …
Jane arrives at the mysterious island off the coast of Wales, but three other people are there waiting for her. Their goals are the same.
But there’s a catch. Only one can escape the maze and win.
The longer the strangers spend with each other, the more Jane realises all four of them are not there by chance. They are there for a reason and have more in common than they think.
Can Jane work out the connection before anyone else and escape? Or will the mastermind behind the maze claim all four of them as victims?
The Devil Inside by Bethany Russo - new edition
Matthew’s life is turned upside down the day his daughter, Lucy, is born. His wife has died, and Gabriel, the all-powerful leader of his world, has taken Lucy to the mortals.
Eight years later, Matthew returns from his self-imposed exile looking for answers. He decides to go to his brother, Lucifer, for help. It becomes Lucifer’s mission to bring Lucy back home.
Lucy’s family has no idea she is not their biological daughter, nor do they know she is spending time with her real father and uncle.
Gabriel is unhappy to find out Matthew and Lucifer have been visiting the mortal world, as their actions have been causing collateral damage. He strips Lucifer of his powers to access Lucy.
The mortal clock is ticking quickly.
Will Matthew and Lucy ever be reunited in the place they both belong?
News Round-Up
The Indieverse Awards nominees for 2025 have been announced.
The Spring Spectacular event from IndieVisible will take place on March 7-10th, with lots of indie books available discounted and free.
indie_fantasy_corner on Instagram is putting together an anthology on the theme of metamorphosis with a submission deadline of July 31st.
Book Review
Devotion in the Open Air edited by Chyina Powell (Inked in Gray Press), reviewed by N S Ford
This collection of stories, subtitled ‘A Cozy Affection Anthology’, are by women of colour from diverse backgrounds and are all speculative fiction, with elements of fantasy, mythology and dystopia. They are distinctive and different, however they have some themes in common, such as the bonds between family and healing trauma. I preferred the stories that were set in our world or a world similar to ours. The stories which stood out to me the most were ‘Don’t Look Under the Bed’ by Chere Taylor, ‘Naija Babylon’ by Molara Wood, ‘Subbed Out’ by Sandhya Singh, ‘The Secret Keeper’ by Marie Sinadjan and ‘The Autochthon’ by T H Yuan. All of the stories were thought-provoking and well-crafted, some of them evidencing strong cultural influences. I wasn’t convinced that every story was about ‘cozy affection’ but other readers may have differing perspectives. Not all of the stories were my cup of tea, but what’s great about an anthology like this is the variety, there’s something for all tastes.
The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter is compiled and edited by N S Ford, indie author and book blogger.