Editor’s Note
Calling all writers, reviewers and supporters of indie books! New releases, pre-orders, reviews and news are all wanted for future issues. Please click here for submissions via Google Forms. Read the T&Cs before you submit. All reviewers will get a Featured Promotion at the top of the Newsletter for themselves or someone they nominate.
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New Releases
Voyager by Jay Wright Tompkins
In the 2190's, Earth has become a foggy, distant memory for most of humanity. But for the unlucky survivors on the surface, every day reminds them of the atrocities that led to Earth's downfall. The great cities of Earth have descended into a complex, interweaving web of gang wars and despotic opportunists. In the remnants of Malibu, a small group of young people, orphaned by the great tragedy, have created a humble commune, where they live collectively and act as a peacekeeping force for the ruined city of Los Angeles.
A young woman named Sarasvati, who grew up in the commune, has made a name for herself as a ruthless warrior who fights for justice. Her relationship with her girlfriend, Zoe, is strained when the Vanguard, the hate group that persecuted her when she was a teenager resurfaces and wants her, and the rest of the commune, dead.
Among the chaos, an affluent family from the planet Venus, seemingly falls out of the sky and begs Sarasvati and her friends for help in escaping the dangers of Earth and going to Titan, where patriarch Everett Lambert hopes to find a promising career in politics.
Equally Wrong (Catching Up Book 4) by Mary Lay
After an unusual proposal, Caroline Munhead begins 1928 with the world at her feet. However, as the tenancy of her cottage by the sea draws to a close, she makes a decision that surprises many who know her in north Somerset.
This leaves her with more decisions to make; where to live, and with whom. Just when it seems everything is settled, a face from the past reappears…
Two Truths and a Lie by Morton R Leader
Owen is at last starting to enjoy his life as a member and important part of his new workplace winning team.
Growing up hadn’t been much fun for him as his older sister’s disappearance had resulted in a very turbulent start to life.
At an annual awards function, a boozy drinking game let out some secrets and truths from the assembled management team. This starts Owen on an intriguing journey of discovery. Could his new work colleagues be somehow involved in his family’s tragic history?
As he starts a new romantic relationship with the beautiful and fun Melissa, events escalate and put the two of them on a path of danger, mystery, blackmail, crime and much much more as the secrets are revealed.
Will the truth come out? Will they both see the adventure through to its bitter end as the guilty or not so guilty parties fight back against the young pair’s investigations.
Set on the English, Welsh border, Two Truths and a Lie is a “who done it” for the modern era.
Pre-Order Now
Fever Dreams by Bethany Russo, release date February 24th
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?
News Round-Up
Voting for the Queer Indie Awards will open on January 22nd, note that the date has changed from the 15th.
The Narratess sales will take place in April and August for indie SF, fantasy and horror books.
Blog tour organiser Rachel’s Random Resources is open for reviewer sign-ups.
Book Review
Kookaburras, Cuppas & Kangaroos by S Bavey
The new book from the author of Lucky Jack is about her mother Elizabeth who went on a solo trip to Australia in 1960 in her 20s. It’s an adventurous thing to do now, never mind back then, so it’s really admirable to read about how Elizabeth travelled to many places and enjoyed it all. Everything was very pleasant and there are few of the mishaps one might expect in such an ambitious undertaking. The narrative is put together from letters and diaries, with additions to make the structure and story clear. An ideal book for the armchair traveller who enjoys easy reads.
Free Book
A Message in the Universe (The Entropy Series Book 1) by Chris Harris
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.