Top 5 Indie Books of 2023

Top 5 Indie Books of 2023

Hi everyone, this week I’m listing my top 5 indie books of 2023. Happy New Year! I thought it would be a great way to kick off 2024 by looking back at my top 5 indie books of 2023. Here they are, in the order I read them! The Forever Cruise by Deborah Klee I really enjoyed this book. Deborah Klée’s unique novel focuses on retired people residing permanently on a cruise ship. The story follows 3 women – Alice, a

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Battle for the Black Queen

Battle for the Black Queen

Hi everyone, this week I’m reviewing Battle for the Black Queen by Niamh and Rebecca Schmid. It’s the latest in their TetraWorld series combining medieval fantasy, steampunk and sci-fi. I love this series, so it’s no great surprise I loved their latest entry! You’ll see my review below but for now, here’s the blurb to give you a flavour of the book: The Blurb Astra is safe in Litash….Or is she? After her presence is revealed to the Court of Litash,

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Book Review – The Living Stone by Niamh Schmid

Hi everyone, this week on the blog, I’m reviewing The Living Stone by Niamh Schmid. I absolutely loved this book, the latest installment in the TetraWorld series by the fab writing sisters-in-law duo Niamh and Rebecca Schmid. More about my thoughts in a moment, but first here’s the blurb to give you a flavour of the book: The Living Stone – the blurb Exhausted, disheartened, and defeated, Baey and her companions have somehow managed to make it to Alkemar…. Now an

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The Concept of Monarchy in Stories

The Concept of Monarchy in Stories

This week on the blog, I’m talking about the concept of monarchy in our stories. You can probably guess what has prompted my thinking on this! As a Brit, the last few days have been quite different as we mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and Charles III acceding the throne. I’m very aware of contentious views on social media, but however you feel about the monarchy, it is a historic moment for the UK. The end of one monarch,

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Goldsong by Beth Hudson

Goldsong by Beth Hudson

This week on the blog, I’m reviewing Goldsong, an indie fantasy novel by author Beth Hudson. Here’s the blurb to give you a flavour: The Blurb A reluctant king. A legendary harp. A city divided.Traedis Atenel never expected to find herself a king. When she fled her city and her family, all she wanted was to become a bard and make her own way in the world. Now, touched by strange magic and harrowed by imprisonment, she rules the city she

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A Game of Wits by Niamh and Rebecca Schmid

A Game of Wits by Niamh and Rebecca Schmid

This week on the blog, I review ‘A Game of Wits’ by Niamh and Rebecca Schmid. I was so excited to dive into the third book of the amazing Schmid series. This book is the sequel to book 1, Of Shade and Shadow, also by the awesome Schmid duo (book review here). The second novel, The Ghostmaker: To Take A World written by Niamh Schmid, takes place in the same universe but with a different setting, plot and characters (my review

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Book Review – I am the Doorway

Book Review – I am the Doorway

This week on the blog, I review I am the Doorway by Eric Ortlund. I’m pretty excited about this. If you keep an eye on my blog posts at all, you might remember my post about being an ARC (Advanced Review Copy) reader last October. I didn’t say much then about the book because the author was working on his website and it was a bit early in his launch schedule to be shouting about it. Well, I ARC read I

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Lottie’s Locket Giveaway

This week on the blog – I thought I’d tell you about my Giveaway! For 18+ UK participants only. 3 UK winners will have the chance to win a free copy of Lottie’s Locket, my fantasy novel! It will run 11th-25th November, with winners announced 26th November, 2pm GMT. On the 26th November, Lottie’s Locket will turn a year old. So to celebrate, I thought I’d host a giveaway! How to take part in the Giveaway To take part, you must

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Book Review – To Take a World: The GhostMaker

Book Review – To Take a World: The GhostMaker

This week on the blog, I review To Take a World: The GhostMaker by Niamh Schmid. I only just finished this book and I’m excited to tell you my thoughts! This is the second novel by Niamh Schmid, following debut novel ‘Of Shade and Shadow’ (also authored by Rebecca Schmid). (Head here for my review of the first novel). GhostMaker is not the sequel and takes place in another world to the first book. Here there be Drogans – similar to

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The Marked Princess – Book Review

The Marked Princess – Book Review

This week on the blog I’m reviewing The Marked Princess, a YA Fantasy by E.P. Stavs. This is a brilliant book that got me hooked from the first page! Here’s a flavour: The blurb Fighting for her life and with new friends along the way, Josselyn tries to take back her kingdom and her home. One minute Princess Josselyn is considering suitors ahead of her 18th birthday and practicising duelling with her friend Edmund. The next, she and her stoic bodyguard

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