#Bookreview Summer at the French Bakery Jo Thomas #ARC #NetGalley

Thanks to the publisher for my ARC of Summer at the French Bakery.

Blurb

A new adventure is on the menu . . .

Juliet has learnt that life is too short not to chase your dreams. But when she buys an old watermill in France, her tranquil new start is quickly kneaded into something far more ambitious when the local mayor offers her a deal she can’t reopen the village’s derelict boulangerie.

With a formidable rival – the owner of the local bread vending machine – determined to crush her, Juliet faces disgruntled villagers, her own lack of baking skills, and hidden secrets within the mill itself.

But with help from her outspoken neighbour and the charming Tabac owner, Juliet battles to bring back the aroma of freshly baked bread – and with it, the heart of the community.

Can she prove that even the biggest dreams start with just a little pinch of courage?

Mini review

I really loved Juliet’s story. She took a chance walking out on a marriage of 25 years and following her dreams to France.
The water mill she bought and the lovely little village in France where she moved to are both places that came alive and made me want to visit.
Anyone who loves bread will be enchanted with this tale, while I had a real soft spot for a certain Tabac owner who supported Juliet as much as she needed and made a very fitting male lead.
It was a beautiful story of second chances, and there were some emotional moments too. It’s a story I would like to revisit one day.

Suzanne Rogerson’s review of Summer at the French Bakery | Goodreads

BookBub deal for The Lost Sentinel #fantasy #bookdeal

Yesterday I was lucky enough to bag a BookBub deal for the UK, US, Canada and Australia.

The link to the ad will still be live for a few days, and you can follow me on bookbub too. The Lost Sentinel bookbub deal. They ran with the hook line;

“On an island where those with magic are exiled, a tailor’s daughter must hide her abilities — and find the one who will help save their home. This spellbinding novel kicks off an action-packed fantasy trilogy!”

At my last check this morning I’ve sold in the US, UK, Canada and Australia

The Lost Sentinel sold 244 KENP 450

The Sentinel’s Reign Sold 73

The Sentinel’s Alliance Sold 44

Book rankings 7 in CA store for Sword and Sorcery

45 in US store for Action and Adventure fantasy.

And in the top 100 in the UK ,US and Canada.

I’ll keep you posted on the stats at the end of the month. It’s good to have a written record of how these ads perform as a way to judge whether they still have an impact. And maybe my data will help you decide if it’s worth paying the big money for ads in the future. It all depends on your goals – mine is to re-spark an interest in an older series and show off the new cover and blurb.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed and wait to see what has happened by the end of April.

If you’d like to help, the book will be on sale until 28th April. Any shares of my posts and sales will help give the rankings a boost.

The Lost Sentinel universal link

And with book 2 also at 99p, the complete series is available for under £6.00.

Thanks for reading and following my author journey. If you have any advice or wisdom to share please do. Or if you are just starting out and want to talk things through, don’t be shy in asking for help.

Last day of the Indie Book Sale and the bargain books I picked up #fantasy

You’ll have to be quick to pick up some bargains in the Indie Book Sale as it ends today – 13th April 2026.

I’ve picked up a few books and look forward to reading them.

Death’s Disciple by Emma L Adams.

Seven years ago, Captain Yala Palathar was a hero. She and her squad of close-knit dragon-riding warriors were Laria’s elite, fighting for their nation alongside the monarch and his magic-wielding Disciples. Seizing control of an unmanned island should have been a simple mission, but Yala’s squad was little prepared for the horror and tragedy that awaited. Instead of triumph, all Yala and her allies found was death.

Years on, Yala lives in seclusion in the deep jungle, ignoring the rumours of unrest in the capital following the end of the war. She little expects assassins to find her hideout – nor does she anticipate the mission that ended her career to have given rise to rumours that see her targeted by mercenaries vying to claim a price on her head. With the other survivors from her squad being picked off one by one, she has little choice but to return to the capital in the hopes of finding answers.

Whether the truth lies with the Disciples of the Flame – who refused to believe her stories of the monstrous beasts that haunted the island – or with the long-dead king who sent her squad to their doom, one thing is clear. Yala must finish the battle she started all those years ago… even if it brings her face to face with the god of death Himself.

Hall of Bones by Tim Hardie

If you like Robin Hobb, Giles Kristian or John Gwynne you will love this Viking-inspired dark epic fantasy series. When a new enemy comes to power Rothgar’s ruling family and friends are forced to ally with old rivals. Faced with betrayal from within their own clan Rothgar’s survival is by no means certain, as an ancient and malevolent magic grows in strength and threatens all he holds dear.

In the remote land of Laskar the seven ruling clans have vied with each other for power for over a century. The son of the Reavesburg Clan Chief, Rothgar, has been groomed all his life for a role supporting his elder brother, Jorik, in leading their kingdom when their father’s time finally comes to an end.

However, the rulers of their greatest rivals, the Vorund Clan, are in the grip of something older and far darker. They have been conquered by evil, a remnant from the time when the gods warred with one another and the world of Amuran collapsed into the Fallen Age.

Everything is about to change …

The first book in The Brotherhood of the Eagle series, Hall of Bones begins a tale of epic fantasy, magic and intrigue.

Platinum Tinted Darkness book 1 and book 2 Tears of the Maelstrom by Timothy Wollf (both books are free at present)

When the gods send their harbingers, the Guardians are all who stand in the way. But who protects these defenders when the gods seek to sway them?

Crystal mage Serenna Morgan struggles to maintain the neutrality of the Guardian Pact when a neighboring kingdom invades her own. The God of Death offers his divine power to stop the invasion. For a price. As the conflict escalates, the remaining Guardians fall prey to the other meddling deities, and the choice given to Serenna might be the only thing that keeps them together. Or results in their doom.

Not all gods love their people, but the ones that do may end up the most dangerous.

No Heart For A Thief by James Lloyd Dulin (I actually forgot that I bought this book a few years ago in the sale. So I’m looking forward to reading it.)

We are the stories we tell ourselves…even the lies.

The Thief, a great spirit, and her descendants have abused their ability to steal magic for centuries. When Kaylo starts to hear the song of other people’s magic, he must learn to hide from his people as well as the invaders. A gift or a curse, Kaylo may be able to save his people from the Gousht Empire that claimed their land with this stolen magic.

Eighteen years later, Kaylo still prays to the spirits, but not out of loyalty or love. He knows better than to rely on those selfish bastards for anything. While hiding in the forest from his foolish acts of rebellion, he encounters a girl, Tayen, being pursued by two soldiers of the empire. Against his better judgment, he risks facing the consequences of his past to intervene.

When Tayen attempts to run off seeking vengeance for her family, he offers to train her to wield her magic and a blade. If he can’t convince her to relinquish her need for vengeance and stave off the demons of his past, he’s going to get them both killed.

Another free book to download direct from the author – That which Follows you home by Josiah D Blizzard

The Long Dream by C.M.Debell (a bargain boxset for only 99p)

In Andeira, the dragons vanished 3,000 years ago, their magic lost and forgotten. But without humankind’s ancient partners in magic, the world is slowing dying. One young mage dreams of fulfilling his father’s dying wish and returning the dragons to the world, but in his way stand the powers that have filled the vacuum of their absence – and the ancient enemy from which they fled millennia ago.



The Crimson Court by Brendan Noble (the longest book on my list at 580 pages)

Game of Thrones meets the industrial revolution in this revenge-filled epic where secret societies pull the hidden threads of power, ravenous spirits haunt the skies, and magic comes at a heavy cost.

To find her father’s killers, she must join their shadowy order… then shatter it from within.

An upstart noblewoman from a fallen house, Kasia Niezik has sworn to destroy the elusive Crimson Court who assassinated her father. She is a Reacher of the forbidden realm of Death, able to kill with ease, but her near immortal foes scheme behind the veils of power.

So she will tear their veil to shreds.

Kasia travels to her nation’s heart, seeking allies either brave or foolish enough to help her infiltrate the Crimson elites. Whether spirit hunter, politician, princess, or thief, though, everyone has a hidden agenda. And those with the widest smiles hold daggers behind their backs.

Dive with a diverse and inclusive cast into this world of fantasy intrigue where flintlock guns, risky magic, crystalline dragons, and dangerous spirits clash amid shadowy bids for power. Revenge is sweet, but at what cost?

***

And don’t forget, The Lost Sentinel is in the sale (and book 2 is also discounted)

The magical island of Kalaya is dying, and it falls to Tei, an exiled mystic, to save it. But with Kalaya’s corrupt Assembly attempting to eradicate magic, can Tei help the exiles restore the island’s power before it’s too late?

When her father is murdered by the Assembly’s Masked Riders, Tei flees to the hidden mountain sanctuary of Turrak. Welcomed by the exiles, she is tasked with finding the realm’s next Sentinel before the old one dies. Tei must navigate the monster-ridden Astral Plane, while being pursued by the Soul Eater, a dark entity that devours lost spirits.

As Tei risks everything to find the hidden Sentinel, a lone Assemblyman attempts to dismantle the Assembly from within and prevent its persecution of magic. While across the Silent Sea, a reluctant naval commander, who is being manipulated by telepathic visions, readies an invasion fleet, pulling all their destinies towards a devastating war for the island’s survival.

To save Kalaya, Tei must learn that true power isn’t just about wielding magic – it’s about surviving the devastating sacrifices required to protect it.

If you like multi-dimensional characters in intricate worlds, then you’ll love The Lost Sentinel – the spellbinding novel that kicks off the action-packed fantasy trilogy Silent Sea Chronicles.

The big Indie author book sale starts today #booksale #fantasy

I’m excited to share the indie international book sale starts today and runs 11th to 13th April. There are close to 300 books in fantasy, sci-fi and horror. All these books are either free or discounted. The sale is run by Narratess and links to all the books can be found here.

Here’s a few snap shots of the books on offer.

As you can see The Lost Sentinel book 1 in Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy is on sale for just 99p. I also decided to put book 2, The Sentinel’s Reign, down to £1.99.

It’s worth taking a look at the website and picking up some great new reads. I can’t wait to have a browse. Let me know what books take your fancy and I might share some of my buys at the end of the sale.

Here’s the link to Silent Sea Chronicles book page.

I hope you enjoy this annual April Indie Author book sale. Happy reading!

The Lost Sentinel has a new look! #fantasy #epicfantasy

I’m really excited to share the facelift book 1 in the Silent Sea Chronicles has gone through, which includes a new cover and blurb.

I’ve always loved the cover which depicts a figure walking through the astral plane, but it’s never stood out as much as the covers for books 2 and 3. I’m really pleased with the transformation. What do you think?

I especially love the look of them all together and feel the series looks like it belongs together now.

The blurb is also updated to focus on the three main storylines that run through the series.

New Blurb

The magical island of Kalaya is dying, and it falls to Tei, an exiled mystic, to save it.
But with Kalaya’s corrupt Assembly attempting to eradicate magic, can Tei help the exiles restore the island’s power before it’s too late?

When her father is murdered by the Assembly’s Masked Riders, Tei flees to the hidden mountain sanctuary of Turrak. Welcomed by the exiles, she is tasked with finding the realm’s next Sentinel before the old one dies. Tei must navigate the monster-ridden Astral Plane, while being pursued by the Soul Eater, a dark entity that devours lost spirits.

As Tei risks everything to find the hidden Sentinel, a lone Assemblyman attempts to dismantle the Assembly from within and prevent its persecution of magic. While across the Silent Sea, a reluctant naval commander, who is being manipulated by telepathic visions, readies an invasion fleet, pulling all their destinies towards a devastating war for the island’s survival.

To save Kalaya, Tei must learn that true power isn’t just about wielding magic – it’s about surviving the devastating sacrifices required to protect it.

If you like multi-dimensional characters in intricate worlds, then you’ll love The Lost Sentinel – the spellbinding novel that kicks off the action-packed fantasy trilogy Silent Sea Chronicles.

***

The audiobook, paperback and box set have also got their new covers.

I’ve also opted to have a slightly different blurb for the box set.

Box Set Blurb

What if the only hope of saving a magically starved island lies in the hands of an untrained mystic and an assemblyman fighting the corruption from within?

Kalaya is a magical island dying from the inside out. As the corrupt Assembly of Newington systematically outlaws magic and slaughters mystics in the streets, the island’s ancient life force withers.

When her father is murdered by the Assembly’s Masked Riders, nineteen-year-old Tei flees to the mountain sanctuary of Turrak. Thrust into the hidden world of the exiles, Tei learns her destiny is to find their missing Sentinel. But to do so, she must search the monster-ridden Astral Plane and avoid the deadly clutches of the Soul Eater who devours lost spirits.

In Newington, a farmer secretly harbouring a magically gifted child inherits his father’s seat on the Assembly. He engages in a dangerous political battle against the Assembly’s ruthless leader and attempts to stop the murders.

Across the Silent Sea, on the barren island of Stone Haven, Commander Farrell receives telepathic visions from a Kalayan contact who’s manipulating his latent magic. Desperate to save his starving people, Farrell prepares his powerful naval fleet to invade Kalaya.

All their destines are pulled towards a devastating war for the island’s survival.

With ancient prophecies, dark sorcery, and magic-hating invading forces at large, nowhere in the Silent Sea is safe. This epic fantasy series is perfect for readers who love political intrigue, perilous journeys, and heroic deeds.

***

What do you think of the overall look and feel of the cover and blurbs now? Would it entice you to read the book or series? Maybe you have a suggestion you would like to share?

Of course, if you haven’t read the series yet here’s the universal links for The Lost Sentinel and Silent Sea Chronicles box set.

I’ll be back soon with more updates and more exciting news.

Follow me on Linktr.ee