The Indie Books & Authors Newsletter #28
New indie releases, news round-up, book review and a free book! Please subscribe and share to support amazing indie authors!
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New Releases
Hills of Heather and Bone by K E Andrews
The bones of the dead hold stories.
On the fringes of Errigal, Morana longs to exchange a life of hiding for a peaceful one with her husband, Percy. While Percy's bloodgift lets him grow plants and heal broken bodies, Morana's a boneweaver, despised and feared because she can hear bones and raise the dead. Morana doesn't want to be seen as a villain from the old stories and instead spends her time gardening, writing the stories of the dead, and fending off a spiteful chicken.
Morana and Percy's lives are shattered when a group of Failinis tasked with capturing boneweavers and rogue bloodgifted find them. On the run and battling the elements, ancient creatures, and the loss of all they called home, Morana and Percy search for any sanctuary left in Errigal. Morana must choose between the call in her blood or the family she holds so close to her heartif she and Percy are to survive.
Broken Moon by Vicky McLain
If you’ve ever been frustrated with the angst and anger in this world, or pondered how simple life could be if you put down your phone and breathed in nature, you are not alone. Vicky McLain’s second poetry book takes on these issues while trying to find hope in a dimly lit world.
Bleak Waters by Gary Kruse
In the depths of winter, Theo Sinclair arrives in the Norfolk Broads searching for answers to a twenty-five year mystery; the disappearance of Claire Baldwin.
For Lily West, Theo’s arrival is a welcome distraction from her grief and the questions she still has over her father’s suicide the previous summer.
For others in her village, Theo's arrival is a threat.
As lies are uncovered and long buried secrets dragged back into the light, Lily, now haunted by ghostly visions, starts to realise that Claire’s disappearance might be linked to her father’s suicide.
When the warnings and threats of the villagers turn to attempted murder, Lily has to decide what’s more important; protecting the people she loves…
…or uncovering the truth.
Don't Lie by Sarah Jules
It was a prank.
Nobody was supposed to die.
Five university housemates go on a final blow out to The Cabin before they all go their separate ways. The trip is a cover for a vindictive prank. When the prank goes wrong and one of the housemates dies, the final four find themselves trapped in the middle of nowhere, tormented by an 80s-style horror villain, complete with machete and mask.
All he wants is the truth.
But some secrets are worth dying for.
And others are worth killing for.
Pre-Order Now
Does Love Always Win? by Diane Billas
A sapphic coming of age young adult novel that explores coming out and understanding one's sexual orientation.
Sam "Shorty" Daniels has a plan for her senior year, but her romantic life being a hot mess was not part of the agenda. Shorty quickly discovers she's not attracted to her newest boyfriend and fellow marching band member Zack, despite her many hours of daydreaming of what it would be like to date him. Their previous flirting had been so intense that those feelings have to come back again, right?
When Shorty's asked to show the snarky new girl around high school, Shorty's instantly intrigued by Kristy's wit, and they bond over their love of writing. They quickly become inseparable, and Shorty has a breakthrough moment realizing why none of her other relationships worked out.
Just as Shorty is about to break up with Zack, her bitter ex-boyfriend Bryan threatens to out her to the entire school and Shorty's conservative parents. Will Shorty be able to overcome Bryan's ridiculous blackmail scheme and get her dream girl?
Featured Promotion
BookmarksByDanni is an Etsy store selling hand-made bookmarks. Designs include Pennywise the Clown, Jack Skellington and custom author bundles. The store is run by Danni Williams, an artist and book blogger from the UK.
News Round-Up
This Pride Month, writers can share their promo and answer the prompts for #IndiePride2 on Twitter and Instagram, tag Indie Book Spotlight for a share.
Author Katherine Shaw has collected 50+ book recommendations for Pride reading in her blog post.
The first phase of the SPFBO (Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off) 9 has begun. It is now closed to entries.
Book Review
Stronger Still by D N Bryn, reviewed by Danni at For Books Sake
Having previously read many of D N Bryn’s books, including book 1 of the No Man’s Lander series, Odder Still, I had such high expectations for Stronger Still, and it certainly lived up to those expectations.
The story begins with Rubem and Tavish travelling to Venalt in their quest to save auroras, and right from the beginning their task isn’t easy, and they’re facing challenges immediately in the shape of a vicious attack from the Hippocamps. Things don’t get much easier when they arrive in Venalt, where danger and trouble seems to have followed them, and before long they have witnessed the particularly gorey death of Chancellor Fiordelise. The action continues throughout the entire story without a moments rest.
There’s also an array of fantastic characters, with really interesting backstories. Of course we’ve already met Rubem and Tavish previously, and they’re characters that I love to follow and who’s relationship I adore, but Stronger Still includes so many new characters. One of my personal favourites is Matthia, she’s been through so much, but she’s so strong and resilient, and unbelievably smart! I also loved that there were more aurora characters involved in this one. I was so happy to dive back in to Rubem and Tavish’s world, and the author is an absolute master when it comes to world building. You find yourself completely immersed into the worlds that they have created, and it’s one of my favourite things about their books.
So much happened so quickly at the end of the book, and it had me on the edge of my seat. I was not expecting this story to end the way that it did, and I am still in shock, and still processing everything that happened. I can not wait for the next book in this series and to continue Rubem and Tavish’s story, especially after that ending.
This series is completely unique, and I love every second of it. One element of Danny’s books that always impresses me and is always a big feature is the amount of disability and LGBTQ+ rep that they have. The writing style is fantastic too. At this point, I will read absolutely anything that they write, and they’re easily one of my favourite authors.
I give Stronger Still a 5 star rating!
Free Book
Awakened Vampire (Nightshade Academy Book 1) by Kestra Pingree
(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.