The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter #49
New indie releases, news round-up, book review and more!
Editor’s Note
The issue at the end of this month will be an indie book recommendations special to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the Newsletter.
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New Releases
Star Bound by Rex Burke
Book 3 of the Odyssey Earth series – the final chapter of the feelgood SciFi story.
A storm’s coming, and it’s time to go home. But home isn’t always where you think it is.
As rescue looms, the teenage castaways face new decisions and changing alliances. It’s not plain-sailing on New Earth either, where Captain Juno Washington faces a blatant challenge to her authority.
As the dangers increase and stories collide, everyone has a choice to make. Be part of something or strike out on your own? Make plans or break promises?
All the Odyssey Earth characters combine for one final, unforgettable adventure, as they look for a place to call home.
And one thing’s for sure. If you want a happy ending, you need to put your trust in the people you love.
If you like feelgood, character-led SciFi with heart and humour, then you’ll love Star Bound. Perfect for fans of snappy dialogue, snarky space crew, strong, relatable characters, slow-burn action, and coming-of-age, found-family adventures.
The Devil Inside by Bethany Russo
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 back home and ask 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?
Fogbound (Echoes of Oniro Book 1) by N J Alexander
Brave the Fog. Embrace Another Self.
When war descends upon the nation of Entervia, history teacher Zercien Volnaire is thrust into a battle for both his homeland and his own mind.
Ankarth, the neighboring country to the north, has invaded Entervia to remove King Durnan from the throne. As the army scours the capital for soldiers, Zercien discovers a long-dead legendary hero can control his mind at will. While he fights to keep his curse a secret and maintain his autonomy, the meddlesome hero has other plans.
Under possession, Zercien is consumed within an omnipresent fog and takes on the hero’s persona at the cost of his own. But his power often summons a nightmarish faceless figure only he can see that stalks his waking world.
Zercien’s newfound abilities earn him renown in Entervia’s army, but when he faces an ancient magic long thought destroyed, he and a small band are tasked with one last desperate mission for reinforcements.
However, Zercien fears the key to Entervia’s victory lies in embracing his loathsome other self, and before this war’s end, he may have none of his identity left to sacrifice.
On the Fiddle (The Music Shop Mysteries Book 1) by Geraldine Moorkens Byrne
Mrs O’Brien made her debut in the bestselling The Little Shop of Murders Anthology.
Now enjoy a full length mystery novel featuring Dublin’s oldest family owned music shop, a host of memorable characters and of course, Teresa O’Brien - she may be in her seventies but she’s sharp-witted and kindly, with a will of iron.
Mrs O'Brien runs Ireland's oldest music shop, a landmark in Dublin city. Now, property developers are sniffing around her precious West Stephens Street, threatening residents and local businesses. As all the shop owners band together against the new landlords, murder strikes in the local cafe! All the evidence points to the owner Dan, and the Gardaí seem satisfied - but Mrs O’Brien is sure there’s more to the story. She's determined to clear him name, aided by her protege Michael Clancy, madcap teen Mai Khan and the Super Ukers Ukulele Band. But who can she trust, and who is On the Fiddle!?
Other characters: Mai Khan - the irrepressible teenager whose parents own the Noodle Palace, with an ear for gossip and a heart of gold. Michael Clancy - young Luthier, working with Teresa O’Brien and keeping the tradition of making and repairing instruments alive. Catherine, Clara, Peadair and Eamonn, the Super-Ukes group members, ukulele players extraordinaire and devoted sidekicks to Mrs O’Brien Garda Detective Malachy Flynn - wise, calm and very much an admirer of the elderly but redoubtable Mrs O’Brien - plus the eccentric and fun characters that make Dublin’s music scene the best!
Pre-Order Now
Because You Asked: A Serrulata Saga Romance Novel by A E Bennett, release date December 20th
A bitter lady with a dark past. A grieving widow striving to help those in need. Two women will discover it’s not too late for a second chance at romance…
Lady Isolda Upshur has never known love. Married to the sovereign of the Realm at the young age of twenty, she is cast aside by her husband after giving birth to a suitable heir. Two decades later, the sovereign dies and she believes herself free, only to learn that her son has arranged for her to remarry. After this lord meets an untimely death, Isolda flees to the south of the Realm seeking solitude.
Lady Eustace Durham was happily married to the love of her life until the dreaded red fever swept through the Realm. In the wake of her husband’s death, Eustace volunteers to help others ailing from the deadly disease, but soon realizes that many women in the Realm lack basic healthcare. Using the coin her husband left her in his will, Eustace opens a clandestine clinic in her cellar to provide services forbidden by the edicts. All is well until Isolda moves into the townhouse next door.
Fearful that Isolda will betray her to the local authorities, Eustace concocts a plan. A suspicious Isolda accepts Eustace’s invitation to discern what her neighbor could want. Each intends to outwit the other, but both are surprised when sparks fly instead.
The two determine they can help each other and those in need, but when a nefarious lord threatens all they hold dear, Eustace and Isolda have to put their romantic feelings aside to fight for the greater good.
This high-heat romance with a guaranteed happily-ever-after is part of The Serrulata Saga but can be read as a standalone.
News Round-Up
The Indie Press Network has launched. It’s a network of indie presses collaborating for exposure and to help others access the industry.
BBNYA 2023 will be having a book cover competition. They have taken steps to ensure entered covers are created by artists.
The Indie Ink Awards is currently ongoing with nominations open for anyone who signs up for indiestorygeek.com.
Book Review
A Stone’s Throw Away from Paradise by Robert J Bradshaw, reviewed by N S Ford
An intriguing collection of short stories which are mostly science fiction, this book reminded me of classic 20th century SF authors such as Ray Bradbury, Arthur C Clarke, Brian Aldiss and Robert Sheckley. The stories are thought-provoking and all very distinctive. One of them, which had a supernatural theme, featured a deceased writer who tries to control the release of her unpublished work. I thought this was an unusual and memorable story. The behind the scenes notes for all of the stories were unnecessary, in my opinion, but at least they were at the back of the book rather than the front. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something fresh, different and quick to read.
Free Book
Bad Blood: A Vampire Romance (Witches of Nightfall Book 1) by Bella Jacobs
Free on Amazon US and UK at the time of composing this edition of the Newsletter.
The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter is compiled and edited by N S Ford, indie author and book blogger.