The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter #32
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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Featured Promotion
“Ever wondered what it would be like to read a classic before it became one? To read a story that few have read before?
Our monthly subscription box provides exactly that: a selection of self-published novels that we believe exceed all expectations, along with bookish bits, and even an opportunity to hear from the author themselves.
We at Your Paper Quest want to create an environment that supports self-published authors while providing readers with a chance to expand their bookshelves and read outside the box.”
Readers can subscribe and authors can submit books for consideration here.
New Releases
HorrorScope: A Zodiac Anthology, Volume 2 edited by H Everend
Aries. Taurus. Gemini. Cancer. Leo. Virgo. Libra. Scorpio. Sagittarius. Capricorn. Aquarius. Pisces.
It is said that destiny is determined by the stars. The signs of the Zodiac can predict who you’ll love, who you’ll hate, and who you’ll become. But the fates written in the stars are not always kind. Sometimes, they’re terrifying.
In HorrorScope Volume 2, you will find 36 more dark fantasy poems and short stories all inspired by the zodiac signs. Within these pages, you'll find vigilantes seeking their own form of retribution, centaurs stirring up trouble, and why you should never get on the wrong side of a fortune teller! So, open this book, if you dare, and pray that you weren’t born under a bad sign.
A Searing Faith (The Heart Pyre Book 1) by Audrey Martin
When sixteen-year-old Rena finds herself the sole survivor of the fire that destroyed her home town, the only thing keeping her going is the suspicion that the tragedy wasn’t an accident. She is determined to find those responsible, no matter how far her quest might take her. But no one in charge of the kingdom of Kal-Hemma seems to care that this isn't the first town destroyed by a mysterious fire. And according to Rena’s travelling companions, there’s a lot the members of the Royal Council aren’t telling their subjects.
If Rena is truly the only survivor of the tragedy, why did she find her sister’s ring outside of their destroyed home?
Who planted the strange bird figurines around the town’s church before the fire?
And what do the old, forgotten Gods have to do with any of this?
A Searing Faith is the first book in an epic fantasy series and based on the award-winning, interactive audio drama The Heart Pyre.
Choose Us (Choose Series Book 2) by Nicole Spencer-Skillen
The story of Holly and Brooke continues in this highly anticipated sequel to the number 1 best-selling sapphic romance novel Choose Me.
Holly Garland has been burying her broken heart for two years. Aside from work, and the occasional good-natured gathering, her social calendar has been bleak. She finds it easier that way.
When her best friend, Beth, convinces her to take a well needed vacation, she travels halfway across the world to Japan; it’s a place of familiarity and fond recollections. However, this time it’s different. She will be in the same country as Brooke, which brings back a wave of agonizing memories.
Brooke Jacobs has a new job, new friends, a new city, and she now speaks fluent Japanese. She did not expect to see Holly in and amongst the bustling crowds of Shibuya. Their chance reunion pulls her back in time and forces Brooke to acknowledge feelings she’s tried to forget.
Their connection is still unmistakable, but with new and existing hurdles to overcome will they have a chance at the life they dreamed of together? Or has too much time passed?
Is It Me? (The House of Many Lives Book 2) by L K Wilde
Escape to Cornwall with this heartwarming, feel-good tale of fresh starts, second chances, romance and friendship...
Two years after her fiancé left her, Sarah is living a comfortable, dull life in her parents' suburban home.
When a series of unfortunate events throw her life into turmoil, Sarah is forced to rethink her future. Alone, unemployed and about to be made homeless, Sarah stumbles upon a job advert that may offer a way out.
With nothing left to lose, Sarah accepts a job at a Cornish woodland cafe, leaving behind all she knows in the hope of a fresh start.
But woodland life comes with challenges of its own, and when Sarah meets the charming yet untrustworthy Felix, old problems resurface and the bright future she had envisioned looks in doubt.
With her fresh start slipping through her fingers, can Sarah admit that the source of her problems lies close to home? And is she ready to ask herself the question - Is it me?
Pre-Order Now
The Bloodline Curse (Dark Magic Series Book 1) by Jamie Lee Fry
Magic. Witches. Curses.
They Aren't Real. . . Right?
Izzy Beswick is a typical high school senior. Well, except for the incident with Sondra and the fact that Izzy doesn’t remember exactly what happened. Luckily, Izzy and her dad inherit a house from Izzy's Gran-gran in East Gate, Connecticut. The timing seems perfect. Plus, her childhood crush lives in East Gate, so how bad could it be?
Soon after moving, strange things happen, and Izzy learns of rumors surrounding her late relative. Nearly everyone in town believes Gran-gran was a cursed witch, including her new friends: Jessa, Tahlia, and Margo. Eager to find out more about these tales, the three girls insert themselves into Izzy's life, controlling her every move. To make matters worse, her crush is ghosting her. Does he simply not remember her, or does he believe the rumors?
After the girls discover a spellbook, they become mixed up with dangerous forces, proving Izzy is not only a witch, but a witch with a three-century old curse. Willingly, they perform a magical spell that comes with a heavy warning, hoping to undo the curse.
When the spell goes awry and enemies intervene, Izzy must save the people she cares about—including her crush—before it’s too late.
News Round-Up
The Indie Author Summer Extravaganza will take place on 14 - 17th July. This is a sale event for indie books in various genres, hosted by author Hayley Anderton, and will include discounted and free books.
The Narratess sale will take place on 26 - 28th August, with many discounted horror, sci-fi and fantasy ebooks. Sign-ups are open for authors wishing to take part.
R&R Book Tours have recently featured fantasy books This Wicked Fate by Amanda Aggie, A Kingdom of Death and Despair by Whitney Dean and Dark Magic by Raluca Narita.
Book Review
With Bare Feet and Sandy Toes: Growing Up in Australia in the 1960s and 70s by Catherine Berry, reviewed by N S Ford
I enjoyed this well-written, easy to read memoir, which is the author's third.
Catherine tells us about her childhood, growing up in an Adelaide suburb in a strict yet eccentric family and attending a Catholic school. While it's not a particularly exceptional childhood, I liked the way that she wrote about it. The style is quite literary and thoughtful without being overly nostalgic. I'm not sure there was anything that significantly made it a 60s / 70s memoir, because she didn't have a television or know about pop music, due to an upbringing that was both conservative and not wealthy. If it had been set a decade or two earlier, I wouldn't be surprised. The same principle applies to the location, because although there are some elements which are uniquely Australian, the book doesn't dwell on Australia and so again, with a few tweaks to the text, it could be set in Britain or the US. This isn't a disadvantage and actually it helps to make the memoir more relatable. I wasn't so interested in the sports element of the book, but other readers might be.
I liked how the epilogue told us a little about her current life and the events which made her decide to write the memoir. The book overall is charming and heartfelt.
Free Book
Vaulting Ambition by Barnett Greenman
(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.