The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter #62
New indie releases, book review, news and link to a free book!
Editor’s Note
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New Releases
Fever Dreams: Spooky Stories by Bethany Russo
‘The Zoo’: Billie's grandad loved to tell stories, although that was all Billie thought they were. Stories. Fairy tales. To her surprise, after her grandad's death, she finds out one of those stories was true. Her grandad owned a zoo and now that zoo is hers. With the help of Charlie, Billie needs to decide whether she is capable of bringing the now abandoned zoo back to its former glory.
‘The Aquarium’: After months of feeling isolated in the four walls of her house, all Connie wants is a day trip to the beach, where she can visit the aquarium with her husband and son. It was meant to be a nice day, a well-deserved break, but little did Connie know that she'd end up murdering a person.
‘Fright Night at the Wild Place’: Cassandra joins her friends for a Fright Night event, which includes a spooky bear trail. Assuming it is all fake, Cassandra finds her night turned upside down when the whole event is more personalised to her than she could have ever imagined.
‘Birdland’: A trip to Birdland, the perfect place for all those bird lovers! Penguins, owls, the lot. So what would you do if it seemed like you were the only person not seeing birds behind the cages, but something, or someone, else?
Cloti's Song (The Time Before) by Dani Finn
There are some things that cannot be taken from you.
The humans have conquered the Maer capital, and they show no signs of leaving. Cloti and her spouses cling to each other in the hollow shell of their occupied city. Each day is a bitter gift; they may not be free, but they have each other.
When the city’s human Administrator offers to let Cloti restart her meditation practice in the temple, she jumps at the chance to spread a little hope in such dark days. Half the city followed her teachings before the occupation; maybe she can use her practice to unite them once again. She’s intrigued by the Administrator’s apparent sympathy toward her cause, and by his soft, submissive eyes. But could she ever really trust a human?
Rebellion brews among the Maer, and in Cloti’s heart. She knows what she wants, and what she must do. She has foreseen how this will end: in flames.
But visions never tell the whole story.
You by Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook
FRIENDS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES – AND SOME HAVE NONE AT ALL.
Plagued by her family and school bullies, Cassie Reilly's only place of solace was the garden shed. Hiding away from the world, she could pretend all was well until her stepfather's violence spilled out of the house and threatened to destroy everything she held dear.
Unwilling to remain in the shadows and watch an innocent girl beaten, the silent occupant at the bottom of the garden arose.
In that moment, Cassie had two choices: be afraid of the unknown or befriend them. With friendships scarce, she gladly accepted what was offered, little realising how that choice would save her during some truly dark times...
Pre-Order Now
Dead Girls Can’t Smile by Nichole Heydenburg, release date May 20th
Four angry exes. A masked stalker. A missing sister.
When summer begins, sixteen-year-old Rose Blackwood's life takes a chilling turn. Enigmatic notes appear, and a figure in a black hoodie and mask stalks her every move. The one-year anniversary of her sister Lily's disappearance only intensifies Rose's torment. Rose holds a dark secret about that fateful night, a secret known to no one except her best friend Spencer—and her stalker. As Rose races to unmask her tormentor, the line between friend and foe blurs. With the clock ticking, she must depend on Spencer, the one person she can trust.
In this pulse-pounding young adult thriller, secrets and lies collide, forcing Rose to confront her darkest fears. Can she uncover the truth behind her sister's disappearance and stop the relentless pursuit of her past? Or will she become the next victim in a deadly game of secrets and obsession?
News Round-Up
Are you an avid reader of Achillean (including men/nb characters who are attracted to other men) books? Merlina Garance is hosting an Achillean Book Bingo challenge. There will be giveaway prizes! More information is at this link on Storygraph.
There is still time to enter BBNYA as either an indie author or a book blogger panellist! Sign-ups close on May 3rd.
The Indie Spring Spectacular event, hosted by Hayley Anderton, will be from April 12 - 15th. Lots of books will be discounted or free!
Do you have positive news to share about indie books or authors? Submissions are welcome!
Book Review
The Darkness Within Ourselves by Jessica Huntley, reviewed by N S Ford
A suspenseful, edgy psychological thriller with important themes of mental health. It’s impressive how the themes of guilt, friendship and anxiety are represented. The way each character’s psychology is explored makes this a compelling read. For a debut it’s well-written and with a good structure. The story is about a group of kids who play a dangerous game and as a result, one of them is killed. The consequences follow them into adulthood, with flashbacks used to explore the effects of what they did, which they were prevented by a blood pact from revealing. The most chilling element of the book is that one of the main characters, Amber, suffers from sleep paralysis while terrorised by a creature manifested by her guilt. This is a dark, disturbing book, not for the faint-hearted, but if you enjoy psychological thrillers and horror then give it a read.
Free Book
The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet by Katherine Cowley
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.