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10 Indie SFF Books & Novellas to Read!

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Hi everyone! Here are some indie books, novellas and a short story you need to check out! These are a mix of fantasy and sci-fi!


Once upon a time, inhabitants of another world tore a hole through the universe and came to Earth. They called themselves Suriias, and rivalled humans in knowledge and skill with one great exception: they had magic.

War followed. Humanity lost. And three hundred years later, humans are on the brink of extinction.

Orphans Thorn and Thistle live in hiding. They are the last of their families, the last of their friends. They scrape by, stealing to survive and living on the streets or hiding in sheds. But even under the brutal regime of the Suriias, there are places where humans can mingle in secret with magical sympathisers, and one night Thistle gets an unexpected offer of marriage from a Suriia with high standing and friends in all the right places. For Thistle, it’s a chance at safety and comfort; for Thorn, it’s a chance to find the ones who killed her parents.

And so the pair move into the capital city of Courtenz. An urban monstrosity of magic and might, false friends and flying cars, drones and death tolls, the new city promises a fresh start – and new love – for both.

But if there’s one thing Thorn knows for certain, it’s that dreams can swiftly turn into nightmares.

The Man and the Crow

Some witches curse, others are cursed. And sometimes, the cursed want revenge.

Book Spotlight: Treasures and Trinkets: A Dragon's Brood Tale by Josh de Lioncourt

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Title: Treasures and Trinkets: A Dragon's Brood Tale (The Dragon's Brood Cycle)
Author: Josh de Lioncourt
Genre: Fantasy
Available as an ebook or audiobook: buy links

Synopsis

Before she was a prisoner in Marianne's crystal mines or just another face among the multitudes in the city of Seven Skies, Maddy had a different name and everything she could want—governesses, gowns, and gold to fill her pockets. And though she wasn't the son her father had wanted, it was inevitable that one day she would inherit his title.

But Maddy's predictable world is turned upside down when an extraordinary servant girl challenges everything she's ever known; there's a wider world beyond the comfortable confines of her castle, full of wonder and magic, and Maddy finds that the one thing she doesn't have is the only thing she really needs.

Author bio

Josh de Lioncourt is the author of The Dragon’s Brood Cycle, an epic fantasy series. He was born and raised in California and enjoys writing projects in a wide variety of fields, including fiction, music, software, tech articles, and more. He has written on Apple accessibility for Macworld and Maccessibility, hosts or participates regularly on several podcasts, and writes and records music with Molly, his wife. Josh enjoys the works of Stephen King, the music of George Michael, Masters of the Universe, home-roasted coffee, and Los Angeles Kings hockey. He also just happens to be blind.

Links:


Other books by Josh:
 

Books on my Wish List: February 2022

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Last month I spoke about some of the books that were on my wish list! This month I wanted to share the books I've added to my wish list recently.


12 Indie Books to Read!

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Hi everyone! Here are some indie books you need to check out! There are a mix of genres below so you'll be sure to find something!

Treasures and Trinkets: A Dragon's Brood Tale (The Dragon's Brood Cycle)

Before she was a prisoner in Marianne's crystal mines or just another face among the multitudes in the city of Seven Skies, Maddy had a different name and everything she could want—governesses, gowns, and gold to fill her pockets. And though she wasn't the son her father had wanted, it was inevitable that one day she would inherit his title.

But Maddy's predictable world is turned upside down when an extraordinary servant girl challenges everything she's ever known; there's a wider world beyond the comfortable confines of her castle, full of wonder and magic, and Maddy finds that the one thing she doesn't have is the only thing she really needs.

Indie Showcase #10 Sci-Fi Books!

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Welcome to another indie showcase post where I share some books written by self-published/small press authors! See all previous posts on my indie books page. Today we are looking at indie science fiction books!

Cardinal Virtues (War of the Submarine Book 1)

The future is here—and war will follow.

2037: Underwater exploitation has changed the world. Every nation wants territory, and the race for resources on the ocean floor is on.

Commander Alex Coleman thought his career was over when he got sent to Armistice Station, an underwater megastation where you can buy everything except success in the U.S. Navy. Here, he waits for retirement, doling out sodas and supplies while keeping an eye out for and unruly sailors—hardly the things the Navy sends you to do when you’re a submariner on the fast track.

But things aren’t quiet in this underwater amusement park. French marines arrive with Indian Navy support. Both nations want the United States out of the Indian Ocean, and Alex, along with his eclectic band of castoff sailors, is the only one standing in their way.

Alex sure as hell doesn’t want to be a hero—because heroes don't explode coffee creamer fireballs or hijack cruise ships—but the shooting’s started, and he’s got a job to do.

Meanwhile, an American carrier strike group steams though the Straits of Malacca. Commander Nancy Coleman’s USS Fletcher (DDG 155) is on point, keeping an eye out for Chinese submarines that might stop her ships from arriving in time to aide Taiwan. But when a trigger-happy admiral shoots at the wrong nation’s submarine, she finds herself in the middle of a shootout that might be the first act of World War III.

Cardinal Virtues is first book in the series War of the Submarine, also published as Season 1 of the War of the Submarine serial on Kindle Vella. 


Modern-Day Piracy Moves Under the High Seas

A band of modern-day pirates station-hops across the Indian Ocean. Each attack bolder and more costly than the last, these pirates leave behind a trail of broken bodies, businesses, and stolen submarines at every undersea station they visit—and it’s up to Lieutenant Commander Alex Coleman and USS Kansas (SSN 810) to stop them.

Teaming up with with his old college roommate and not-so-gentle giant, marine lieutenant colonel Paul Swanson, Alex sets out to hunt the pirates down. But these pirates aren’t in rundown little skiffs that are easy to track and find. They’ve got a genuine warship and the will to turn weapons against innocent civilians and undersea stations, and more importantly, they’re good at stealth.

With time running out, Alex he convinces his friendly neighborhood U.N. representative to rent a ridiculously expensive civilian submarine. This way, he and his marines can play bait for the pirates. But there's no time to reflect on the wisdom of the mission when the pirates come aboard to face more than they bargained for and Alex finds himself staring death in the face.

This book is the prequel to the upcoming series, War of the Submarine, available on both Kindle Vella and with book 1, Cardinal Virtues, coming soon on Kindle and in Paperback.


Mary and Elizabeth Tudor unite to change history.

Mary I: remembered by history as “Bloody Mary” ended her life abandoned by her husband, imprisoning her sister, and hated by her people. Yet before that, she was a neglected daughter of Henry VIII—who shoved her aside in his quest for a male heir, never caring what his callous attitude did to his daughter.

Elizabeth I: likewise abandoned by her father, a life without love would shape her into a hard woman remembered as one of the greatest monarchs in English history—yet she, too, was lonely. Unable to marry the man she loved and unable to trust even those closest to her, Elizabeth played one faction against one another up until the bitter end.

Not this time.

Henry VIII’s early death in 1541 throws his daughters together, with far-reaching consequences for the Tudor dynasty. In a world where Katherine Parr never becomes queen, Mary and Elizabeth Tudor have no one to depend upon except one another. An alternate story in Tudor England. Novelette length.


SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE LIFE TOOK A WRONG TURN … WHAT IF IT DID?

This isn’t your life.
This isn’t your timeline.
And there’s a way out.

An emotional, mind-bending novel in the tradition of Dark Matter and The Midnight Library, this surprise Amazon bestseller will make you question everything you know.

“A powerful piece of inventive and topical science fiction [that] will undoubtedly resonate with readers in a way that many stories reach for, but few achieve.” –The BookLife Prize

For one man, the past few years have delivered one shock after another. The election of an authoritarian president. The sudden loss of his mother. A series of debilitating seizures. Now, as America descends into a nightmare, he’s shocked to discover the explanation for his seizures: He’s in the wrong universe.

A drug trial promises to return him to the timeline where he belongs. With his family life strained, his job gone and tanks in the streets, he jumps at the opportunity. But what will he find on the other side?

Take a reality-bending trip filled with surprises and second chances. Visit alternate timelines where life played out very differently, yet one man keeps dying in every one. Explore the roads not taken. Question the nature of fate. And find an answer to the biggest question of all: in a world that feels like it’s spinning out of control, what would it take for one person to make a difference?

Now an international Amazon bestseller, Branches is at once a cerebral page-turner and a deeply personal journey through fear, grief and redemption.

First in a series.

Free Books on Kindle Unlimited #4

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Hi everyone! Welcome back or welcome to the series on my blog where I share books by self-published/small press authors that are free on Kindle Unlimited! Kindle Unlimited is a service where you can get a free trial and then you pay each month and receive unlimited access to millions of ebooks! I'd highly recommend if you love reading ebooks. See the other parts of this series for more free books on Kindle Unlimited! 

So let's take a look at some more indie books that you can read for free on Kindle Unlimited.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – except for Harold Trapp. With sales numbers plummeting, he and his company rush plans to create the perfect Christmas gift: the Hans and Heidi dolls. But with a tight deadline hanging over their heads, stress is a frequent visitor. As are the two cats that mysteriously appear on his doorstep. But there’s something sinister hiding behind their sweet and furry demeanor. And the town of Oakridge comes to know it well.When the Christmas lights shine and the snow falls heavy, something awakens. Something dark and ancient. Cold. And with it, unspeakable terrors are born. From legends of old black trains to holiday satyrs and straw goats of yore, the winter wind lurks in the deepest of shadows. Hungry for flesh. Waiting for the darkness to return.The spirit of the season is far more than Harold Trapp bargained for.



Awen Rising: A Near-Future Pre-Apocalyptic Urban Fantasy (The Awen Trilogy Book 1)

A secret society of Druids. An ancient Reptilian foe. Earth teeters in the balance.

Bankrupt and broken, Emily Hester is in dire need of a safe place to hide. But when her long-lost Druid family tracks Emily down and offers her haven, she balks at the "Must Save Earth" clause.

Thinking life couldn’t possibly get any worse, Emily smacks into her witchy stalker. She flees the scene but now has only one option. Emily must accept the Druids' proposition—despite its blatantly outrageous terms.

At their headquarters in Atlanta, Emily learns several shocking secrets. She was kidnapped by the mother who raised her on the run. Her real father and his Druid followers believe Emily is Earth's only hope. And a dark, forgotten foe lurks beneath Humanity's feet.

As these Reptilians engineer a plan to breach Earth's unsuspecting borders, Emily desperately seeks to unleash the powers the Druids swear she possesses. But, can a sexy druid priest, his teenage nephew, and their animal Elders tilt the odds in Emily's favor?

Find out in Awen Rising, the first book in the Awen Trilogy. If you like compelling stories with a strong but believable female lead, quirky sidekicks, and worthy adversaries, read Barré's breakout urban fantasy. Or better yet, grab the whole series!

(The entire series is on Kindle Unlimited!)

Book Spotlight: The Magicians of Ysavar by Z.B. Lee

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Title: The Magicians of Ysavar
Author: Z.B. Lee 
Genre: Fantasy
Available on: Amazon.co.uk - Amazon.com (Also free on Kindle Unlimited!)

Synopsis

Johan Finley dreams of being a warrior for his home, Center City, but he is devastated when his own arrogance costs him his dream. When all seems lost, a cheery little fellow comes knocking on his door. Johan could never expect the fantastic journey that awaits. 

There is one problem: Blazer, an enchanted sword, has fallen into the wrong hands. A shadowy enemy seeks to use this powerful weapon to turn the tides in a greater war of good versus evil. Johan must find the strength to face down this sinister foe and take back the sword before it’s too late. 

Under the tutelage of a wise magician and a battle-tested knight, along with the friendship of a courageous halfling, Johan is going to learn what it means to be a true hero in the Order of Ysavar. But when the fate of the world rests on his shoulders, will he crack under the pressure? Or will he rise to the occasion?


Author bio

Author Z.B. Lee is an English teacher in a small town in eastern Indiana. He has always been a fan of the great fantasy stories such as The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, as well as anime like Dragon Ball Z. Lee’s The Magicians of Ysavar combines fantasy and fighting to bring his readers an action-packed, fantastic world of magic and mythology. A father of two young children and an uncle to many more, Lee drew his inspiration from them and wanted to provide them, and all children, with a new fantasy world to enjoy.

Links:

Book Spotlight: Ash by Mark Jonathan Runte

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Title: Ash
Author: Mark Jonathan Runte
Genre: New Adult Urban Fantasy (Part one of the Mythos set)
Available at: Rogue Animal - Barnes & Noble - FriesenPress

Synopsis

Daniel grew up in a family with more than their share of secrets but he never thought he’d have to run until his father killed a man. Hiding seemed like the only choice, making a life in a town where no one knew him and the LaLaurie name was a word on a page. He never counted on meeting a girl there, or falling in love with her. Or that his secrets would one day come out.

Writer bio

I’ve had a few shorter works accepted by literary journals and anthologies but this is my debut novel. Another will be coming out sometime in May.

Follow Mark on Twitter

Writer Spotlight: Trevor Cunnington, Featuring Some of His Short Stories and Poems!

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Welcome to Trevor, a writer and painter who shares his writing on Patreon

About the writer

Hello! I am a writer and artist named Trevor Cunnington, and I'm starting this Patreon to hopefully get some kind of financial remuneration for the thousands of hours I've invested in writing. If you like words and interested in language, I think you will appreciate my poetry. My work ranges from simple to "abstruse," and "enigmatic." I have used quotations for abstruse because I look at this species of my writing not as the delivery of a message so much as a field in which the writer and reader meet and co-create meaning. I really like Billy Collins' idea of readers jet-skiing across the surface of the poem, rather than torturing it to obtain the confession of its "true meaning." Others have called my work enigmatic. I have been heavily influenced by L=A=N=G=U=A=G=E poetry, which was an avant-garde group of writers including Bruce Andrews, Ron Silliman, Hannah Weiner, and Steve McCaffrey. 

My fiction ranges from literary fiction and slice-of-life stories to near-future science fiction. I have written a historical fiction novel, which I hope to serialize here once I build some momentum. Please feel free to request examples of all this various work in the comments of my work. My science fiction novel, which I hope to serialize as well, is about a woman, whose murdered friend's consciousness is implanted in her own (without her permission) by the police in order to solve the crime. 

I would love to do poetry commissions, so feel free to get in touch if you're interested. I used to make 'zines, and I just unearthed some copies (still in great condition) of my last and best one. I sold over 100 copies of it. If you would like to purchase it, it is $3, plus S&H. I will post a couple examples from it. 

Tier 3 patrons will also receive videos of me reading my own work. 

I paint mostly abstract designs with figurative hints and suggestions, using acrylic. I paint on canvas for the most part, although my drawings I do on stiff paper stock with ink. Upon request, I can frame things, but this adds to the price of my canvasses and drawings. My paintings are available for sale. The price ranges from $50-$500. If you want one of my paintings on a T-shirt, let me know. I will only make them on demand, as I have limited space for storage. T-shirts will not exceed $30 in price.

Check out Trevor's Patreon page and follow him on Twitter

Some of Trevor's short stories and poems 
(features some adult language)

For more writing, join his Patreon

Something Lost

Barrett was famous in the neighbourhood for one main reason. He stole a cop’s gun, and he told those who he trusted, those that cared to listen, because Barrett was something of a loose cannon. So you have to keep in mind this story has been through the ringer at least one time. It was a hot, humid night, the kind when everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief when the sun goes down. But the body is funny. It seems to store heat so that on nights like that, you seem to sweat even more once the sun vanishes, especially if you’ve been walking around in a haze all day like Barrett had. 

5 Indie Books to Read #3

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Something that I am working hard on at the moment is promoting books by self-published and small press authors. Amazing books that tend not to be given as much credit as they deserve. This series is where I showcase 5 books by indie authors. Some of the books will be written by my Ko-Fi members who receive ongoing priority promotion from me. See my indie books page for more books. Check these books out!

May Day: If the murderer you’re tracking is a vampire, then you want a vampire detective. (Seekers)

If the murderer you’re tracking is a vampire, then you want a vampire detective. Just maybe not this one.

It’s not that Jack Valentine is bad at her job. The youngest member of Oxford’s Seekers has an impressive track record, but she also has an impressive grudge against the local baron, Killian Drake.

When a human turns up dead on May Morning, she’s determined to pin the murder on Drake. The problem is that none of the evidence points to him. Instead, it leads Jack into a web of conspiracy involving the most powerful people in the country, people to whom Jack has no access. But she knows someone who does.

To get to the truth, Jack will have to partner up with her worst enemy. As long as she can keep her cool, Drake will point her to the ringleaders, she’ll find the murderer and no one else will have to die.

Body bags on standby.

May Day is the first book in Josie Jaffrey’s Seekers series, an urban fantasy series set in Oxford, England.

These Violent Nights

Once upon a time, inhabitants of another world tore a hole through the universe and came to Earth. They called themselves Suriias, and rivalled humans in knowledge and skill with one great exception: they had magic.

War followed. Humanity lost. And three hundred years later, humans are on the brink of extinction.

Orphans Thorn and Thistle live in hiding. They are the last of their families, the last of their friends. They scrape by, stealing to survive and living on the streets or hiding in sheds. But even under the brutal regime of the Suriias, there are places where humans can mingle in secret with magical sympathisers, and one night Thistle gets an unexpected offer of marriage from a Suriia with high standing and friends in all the right places. For Thistle, it’s a chance at safety and comfort; for Thorn, it’s a chance to find the ones who killed her parents.

And so the pair move into the capital city of Courtenz. An urban monstrosity of magic and might, false friends and flying cars, drones and death tolls, the new city promises a fresh start – and new love – for both.

But if there’s one thing Thorn knows for certain, it’s that dreams can swiftly turn into nightmares.
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