I read this one about a year ago. An excellent choice by the #SFINCS3 judges!

If this is what I think it is, a new purchase is in my future

Have started reading books twice (5-6 years after the first reading). It's amazing how much more I get out of a story on the second go-around.

Undine’s Blessing is one of the best fairy-tale fantasies I’ve read in a while. Hastjarjanto’s colorful settings bring the story to life and allow the reader to see every cozy or scary or wonderful detail.

Dazzling, by Chikodili Emelumadu, has been on my to-buy list for several months. Finally it’s in my hands.

Undine’s Blessing, by Tessa Hastjarjanto, is a fantasy tale full of hope. Its fairy-tale vibe creates magical settings and a world full of wonder. Best of all, Marella is a delightful character to spend your time with. – Flamelight Reviews

Present tense is quickly becoming my favorite tense for reading/writing stories.

Just finished Sidetracked, by S K Kelley. Have to admit, I did NOT see that ending coming. Best conclusion to a book that I’ve seen a while.

Picked up another SPFBOX entrant: Undine’s Blessing. I’ve read Hastjarjanto’s stories before, so I’m confident this will be a good one.

Sidetracked, by S K Kelley, is a romance-fantasy loaded with surprises. Its standout features are a sweet, down-to-earth main character and a steady stream of low-key suspense. Plus, the author really nailed it with that ending. – Flamelight Reviews

This one kept me up later than was wise last night. Good thing I live next to a coffee shop.

Read this one a while ago. It's a treat! And bonus points for being based in a fictitious version of my home province.

So far, I’ve read two books from SPFBOX: “Gates of Hope” and “Blood Woven”. Both were very enjoyable and show that indie books can be just as good as those that are traditionally published.

Celebrated a milestone at work. A Hunger With No Name is my little reward to myself

I’m not usually into body horror stuff, but Far Removed uses it well. I adored the two main characters. And the villains? Well, I want nothing more than to see them die. C B Lansdell’s story about sea-anemone people is an absolute winner.

SPFBOX is a great spot to discover indie titles. Just picked up a copy of Sidetracked, by S K Kelley.

Far Removed, by C B Lansdell, is a fantasy-horror story featuring sea-anemone people. Its scenes can warm the heart or induce queasiness. This is a top-notch indie novel that would translate beautifully into an anime film. – Flamelight Reviews

I'm a sucker for a good ad. Winds of Destruction obtained.

One of my favs of 2024

A nice thing about indie fantasy is that the books often cater to tiny markets

C B Lansdell (Far Removed) and J D Rivers (The Edge of a World). Wonderfully written stories. Thanks for the prompt, Steve!

I love a book with a likeable character, and Blood Woven, by G J Terral, delivers exactly that. Lin is a kind warrior who must suddenly cope with cruel politics and unwanted access to forbidden magic. This was a very enjoyable read.

Ooo! Purchased and in the TBR queue

I've read this author's books in the past. Looking forward to So Sing the Barrows.

Heard a few people talking about Far Removed, by C B Lansdell. Its catchy cover was the extra push I needed to grab a copy.

Blood Woven, by G J Terral, gives the reader an endearing character trapped inside the machinations of heartless leaders and bitter rebels. A mysterious magic system and high action make for a book that you’ll struggle to put down. – Flamelight Reviews

Most of my stories feature non-human protagonists. My reading tastes drift in that direction too. Show me a book with a troll main character and there’s a good chance I’ll be tapping the “Buy” button on my Kindle.

Ghostroots, by Pemi Aguda, is an absolute delight. Stories like “The Dusk Market” go straight for your heart and stay with you long after. An excellent choice for book clubs.

Grabbed a copy of Blood Woven, by G J Terral, from the recent Narratess Indie Sale. This one looks promising.

This one was a lot of fun. Think "Xena: Warrior Princess", but with elves

Gorgeous cover. And if the story is anything like Bluebird or The Hunter's Gambit, it'll be a hit

Thank you to @jd-rivers.com for providing me with an eARC of The Edge of a World. This book was a delight to read. Mysterious ruins, vicious monsters, and a warm romance keep the reader engaged all the way to the end. I look forward to the next instalment.

Each story in Ghostroots hits like an emotional hammer. Horror-fantasy has a new star in Pemi Aguda. – Flamelight Reviews

The Edge of a World, by @jd-rivers.com, is the start of an exciting new fantasy/romantasy series. Book one gives us a man cursed with a lethal touch, an endearing companion, and an ancient mystery buried deep inside a network of ruins. – Flamelight Reviews

I may try to introduce my first book to the world via SPFBO 13. Though I heard they had a whopping 595 entries (for 300 spaces) this year. You never know, I might get lucky.

Picked up this one last week. Hoping to crack it open in November.

Yes, I’m one to judge a novella by it’s cover. That’s why I picked up Wizard of the Crumbling Tower, by Senna Byrd. Lucky for me, the story is just as awesome as the artwork. If you like getting a jolt of warm emotions from your books, add this one to your list.

I finally added Ghostroots, by Pemi Aguda, to my bookshelf. I’ve read her short stories in the past, so I expect this collection will be a real treat.

Finished my trilogy over a year ago. Now I’m gradually reducing word count. I just knocked book 1 down from 95,000 to 87,000 words. It reads much more smoothly now.

Wizard of the Crumbling Tower, by Senna Byrd, is a fun and heartwarming tale. Think “Xena: Warrior Princess” but with elves. A great start to what is bound to be a popular series. – Flamelight Reviews

The Spellking’s Heir is one of those hidden treasures I came across unexpectedly. The book has a lot of good qualities. I especially enjoyed the slowly building romance between Edeline and Hammond. Needless to say, I will be purchasing the next one in this series.

Just bought my copy of Wizards of the Crumbling Tower, by Senna Byrd. The story sounds great and that cover really snagged my attention.

The Spellking’s Heir, by Chris Mitchell, is a classic fantasy novel with the fun feel of a tabletop role-playing game. Growing friendships and little twists keep the story strong from start to finish. – Flamelight Reviews

Years ago, author Tim Akers (Wraithbound) commented that today’s readership is simply too small to accommodate all the talented authors out there. That helpful insight was the nudge I needed to explore the indie side of the writing industry.

I heard about Gates of Hope through the SPFBOX contest and decided to give it a try. I knew within the first few chapters that my favorite character was going to be Darin. He’s a thoughtful, guileless man that I quickly found myself rooting for. I look forward to more from this character.

Looking forward to my next read. The Spellking’s Heir, by Chris Mitchell, looks very promising.

J E Hannaford treats her readers to something special when she splits the “chosen one” trope into a “chosen three”. Gates of Hope focuses on three people who are suddenly tossed into a war against ruthless, insectile beings. This one is worth adding to your bookshelf. – Flamelight Reviews

Just started reading SPFBOX semi-finalist Gates of Hope by J E Hannaford. So far, it's living up to the hype

I'm brand new to Blue Sky (as of Sep 2 2024). I'll be posting mainly about indie writing and book reviews