Reviews and feedback for self-published/indie authors - fiction discussion

Please post your feedback request using the following guidelines:

1. Your name and a brief (2-3 sentence) introduction
2. Title of your work
3. Warnings: please let potential readers know if your work contains violence, sex, strong language, or triggering themes such as abuse or self-harm. If it contains none, then write Clean.
4. Word count
5. Requested turnaround time/release date
6. Requested feedback: review, advanced reader, beta reader, developmental editing (story, character development, continuity), grammar/syntax/spelling
7. Synopsis/book blurb

After submitting your work, please try to find someone else who has posted here and help them as well. Don’t offer it in exchange for feedback - just offer freely.

FOR REVIEWERS
If you review a book, please reply to the authors original post with a link to your Goodreads review. This is both to show them your support, but also to demonstrate to the group your contribution. If you are an author and you review other author’s books here so that I can see, I will put you at the top of the Featured Book list. That way, if you post a review request for your book, you will get priority over other authors. This is meant to show this group’s thanks for being a contributing member and helping your fellow authors. For more information on the Featured Book, see the post titled ‘How getting your book featured works’ under the Feedback Requests folder.

1. Victoria Liiv
I have wanted to write a book since I was 14. Now, at 27 I have three! It took a while but it's been an incredible journey.
2. Through Hell & Highwater
3. Clean
4. 85K
6. 1 month after recieving the ebook from me, or in your own time, should you decide to read from KU or buy a copy
6. review
7.
Through Hell & Highwater, is a magical action-packed adventure that features a group of unlikely companions comprised of different types of fantastic creatures that normally wouldn’t cohabitate, let alone be friends.

The group’s anchor, a dainty little elf named Evyline, is admired for her bravery, tenacity, and concern for others over herself. Different circumstances and previous relationships brings the group to secure their unsuspected partnership while attending Volo Noscere University.

While in attendance at the university, a series of seemingly natural disasters have occurred in their homes. The band of students have set off to embark on a deadly journey in hopes of solving the mystery of the attacks.

The journey is very dangerous and their lives are at stake, but if they don’t try to do something, the lives of the entire world that they know could meet destruction. Of the group of students, Evyline initially turned out to be the most overlooked among the group because of her petite stature and mild-manners, but they, and many of the professors at Volo Noscere, are learning that little Evyline is more powerful than anyone anticipated.


In addition, my website where you can find character art: https://vicwritesbooks.com/index.php/...

2. Treasure Me (Part of Tease Me boxset)
3. Panic attacks, abortion, abuse, sex
4. 115K
5. Week of 14th February
6. Advanced Reader
7.
After surviving a plane crash Amber needs a reason to keep going. As the nightmare of the accident replays every night, her life as turned to a slow torture. Taking her mother's advice she starts going to theraphy. It is not the advice she gets or the relief of finally being able to talk to someone that helps Amber during this dark time but the instant attraction slowly turning into unforgiveable love.
Forbidden! This type of love is so utterly forbidden, but Amber needs it, craves for it. Lives for it. It becomes her sole focus, her only reason to wake up each morning.

Treasure Me is a dark contemporary romance.

Wow, the character art of the locations for Through Hell and Highwater is crazy realistic! I’m excited to read and will add it to the group bookshelf.

Hey all! I’m deciding on a book cover for my epic fantasy and am torn by some designs which all look so good. I’d really appreciate any of your thoughts on which cover seems most appealing. Here’s the link to view the designs: https://99designs.com/contests/poll/9...

Some context: it’s an epic fantasy (found family off to save the world). The two characters you’ll see are a man, the Shadow Spinner who can control Shadows, and N’Halia, a young woman who uses Lightning.

Thanks for your feedback!

Hi, I'm a paranormal suspense author. The Dead Game Series, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07..., offers vampires and hybrids on their adventures as they love and fight through Florida to Quebec. Meet Me In Maine is the first book in my new series, The Blue Harbor Series, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0972C155B, where an Indian curse targets a harbor town in Maine, where our heroines purchased a bed-and-breakfast.

Meet Me In Maine (Book One in The Blue Harbor Series)

Warnings: Some violence.

63K words

You can receive an ebook from me or purchase a copy. A target of one month to read is preferable but negotiable.

Review

Elizabeth Reading and Scarlett Harding travel from New York City to Blue Harbor, Maine, hoping to purchase a bed-and-breakfast in a peaceful town, but what they discover is much more sinister.

After settling into an apartment building and unpacking, Elizabeth and Scarlett visit a local ice cream parlor. As they approach the counter to order, a man rushes through the doorway, clutching his throat and dying in a pool of blood at Elizabeth's feet. When the police arrive, Elizabeth stares at the dashing, blue-eyed David throwing questions at her, stunned that she agreed to a date with him a few hours ago.

When they return to the apartment and Elizabeth begins to pack her bags to leave Blue Harbor, Scarlett pleads with her to keep the appointment at the inn. The next day, they fall in love with the quaint inn and eventually sign the papers, despite Elizabeth's misgivings about the death a day earlier.

After they move into the bed-and-breakfast, they hear of residents dying under unusual circumstances and rumors of a curse placed by the Penobscot Indians on the descendants of the town's original settlers. On their first weekend as innkeepers, a violent storm hits, and two guests are slashed to death in their beds. Then the lights go out.

Will Elizabeth and Scarlett sell the inn or stay and fight the curse alongside their new friends as bodies fall around them?

Eric wrote: "Wow, the character art of the locations for Through Hell and Highwater is crazy realistic! I’m excited to read and will add it to the group bookshelf."


Thank you!

Eric wrote: "Hey all! I’m deciding on a book cover for my epic fantasy and am torn by some designs which all look so good. I’d really appreciate any of your thoughts on which cover seems most appealing. Here’s ..."

I lean toward the design "#31 by Data Portraits" because it's the most unique. They are all great, but the other designs look much like so many other fantasy book covers out there right now (that's a popular design, apparently). I do also like the back cover portion of "#57 by Rafido".
-Lynn

1. S. Lynn Helton ("Lynn")

I write fantasy books and children's books. I live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, U.S.A., with my family and a couple of crazy cats.

2. Crystalborne Sigils
3. Warnings: some violence, also instances of bullying.
4. Word count: ~93,000.
5. No particular timeframe.
6. Requested feedback: review.
7. Synopsis/book blurb:

Bringing with it the secret and forbidden, a battered ship unlike any seen before in the Atturei Empire sails into the harbor of Hawei. And the townsfolk whisper of ‘death ships’ and ‘evil omens’.

While even his brother believes the ship is a harbinger of change, Gyasi K’rond remains unconvinced. He's felt nothing portentous in the secret magic he shares with his brother. The harbor hosts many different ships. This must be just one more, mustn’t it?

Elsewhere in the Empire, a stranger plots to elude those who pursue him. He too carries the secret and proscribed with him, and his schemes bring an unforeseen threat to the careful order the Empire has so diligently maintained these many years.

For magic is forbidden in the Empire. When the forbidden and the secret are no longer so, can Gyasi keep his own magic hidden? Dare he risk revealing it?

S.Lynn wrote: "1. S. Lynn Helton ("Lynn") I write fantasy books and children's books. I live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, U.S.A., with my family and a couple of crazy cats.2. [book:Crystalborne Sigils..."

Hi S.Lynn,
I would love to add your book to my reading list. As I just started another book and I tend to read about a book a month I could start yours in mid February.
Should you wish to send me an ebook, my email is victoria.liiw@gmail.com

1. Intro: Hello, I am Dave Asthouart. I live in the UK. This post relates to my debut novel self-published in 2022.
2. Title: "The Unnatural Woman"
3. Sex & Violence: Yes, there is some violence and reference to self harm and to a sexual act.
4. Length: 128k
5. Turnaround time: Feel free to take as long as you want.
6. Feedback being sought: Review - but feel free to comment on anything that leaps out at you.
7 Synopsis/Book blurb: A dystopian fiction centered on one woman's personal battle in deciding whether to follow her principles or societies rules/expectations. The story broadens out however since her personal struggle exists within a changing society. The book covers those changes and how they impact, not only on her, but on her family as well.
'The Unnatural Woman' is listed here on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
and is available on Amazon (paperback and kindle):
https://www.amazon.com/Unnatural-Woma....
I am happy to email anyone a free PDF of the manuscript for review purposes.
Many thanks for the group and to anyone in the group who wants to read and review.

[The novel is the first in a trilogy. The second book - The 'Red Dress' is published (but not listed on Goodreads) and the third book, 'The Eternals' I hope to publish by the end of February].

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1. Hi, I’m Gary Stringer. I’ve given a fairly lengthy intro in the introduction thread, so I won’t duplicate that here. Suffice to say I’m a fantasy author and reader.
2. Shifting Stars. Additional reviews are always welcome, and as much as I’d like to suggest one of my more recent novels, the narrative is quite serialised, so you might not fully get all the references.
3. No major triggers, but there is some violence, occasional mild language, and some implied sexual references/innuendo.
4. Word count approx. 64,000.
5. No particular timeframe
6. General review/whatever feedback the reader might care to give.
7. Blurb:
My name is Arshes Megane and I am immortal.
My Time Intervention is illegal and dangerous, but I believe it’s the only way to save our world.

To begin my justification, I must tell you about my mother, Catriona, a half-Faery magic student on the best and worst day of her life.
The day her home is destroyed by a terrible Monster. The day her Angel restores it and gives her a gift. Understanding that gift becomes her obsession.
With the aid of pioneering magic and ridiculous radical plans, Catriona allows nothing to stand in her way, until the day her quest forces her to make a terrible choice between preserving knowledge for the future and saving lives in the present.
At what price comes knowledge and what price is too high?

Shifting Stars marks the beginning of the epic series, The Salvation of Tempestria. A fantasy world within a wider sci-fi universe, populated by bold characters with ridiculous radical ideas, as told by an immortal girl from the future with a plan to save the world…or possibly end it.

Victoria wrote: "Hi S.Lynn,
I would love to add your book to my reading list. As I just started another book and I tend to read about a book a month I could start yours in mid February.
Should you wish to send me an ebook, my email is vict..."

Thank you, Victoria! A February-ish timeframe is perfectly fine. I'll get the book to you in the next few days (note that it's available through KU and you could get it there, if you have KU).
-Lynn

Gary wrote: "1. Hi, I’m Gary Stringer. I’ve given a fairly lengthy intro in the introduction thread, so I won’t duplicate that here. Suffice to say I’m a fantasy author and reader.
2. [book:Shifting Stars|56172..."

Unfortunately, I don't have KU :)

Victoria wrote: Unfortunately, I don't have KU :)

Wouldn't help if you did. It's not on KU. It's available for £0.99/$0.99 depending on where you are, or if you don't want to do that, it is available for free on obooko.com. Can't link here but it's on my profile.

Victoria wrote: "1. Victoria Liiv
I have wanted to write a book since I was 14. Now, at 27 I have three! It took a while but it's been an incredible journey.
2. Through Hell & Highwater
3. Clean
4. ..."

Rated and reviewed at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... and on Amazon.

Thoroughly enjoyed.

Gary wrote: "Victoria wrote: "1. Victoria Liiv
I have wanted to write a book since I was 14. Now, at 27 I have three! It took a while but it's been an incredible journey.
2. [book:Through Hell & Highwater|55857..."

Thank you so much for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed the story!

1. Hi, my name is Natalie and this is the first novel I've finished! It started out as a work aimed at exploring issues commonly experienced by young female adults, but became a bit of romance/life lessons story in the end. I'm happy with how it turned out, but am desperate for some independent, unbiased opinions! I have submitted to literary agents, but have had no real feedback thus far and would really love some honest constructive feedback if anyone has any!
2. The book is called, 'The Ruins of Her'.
3. Warnings: eating disorder trigger warning
4. Word count: 170,828
5. No specified turnaround time/release date
6. Requested feedback: a beta/advanced reader to give plot review insights (story, character development, continuity, etc)
7. Blurb:
Eleanor – a jaded, yet naïve, 27-year-old - trades her toxic life in London for a fresh start in the Herefordshire countryside, leaving behind heartbreak but bringing all her baggage with her. Her chance to flee the City comes when her Great Aunt dies, making her the sole heir to her fortune & modest estate – a loaded inheritance Eleanor blindly accepts in order to escape the haunting memories of her ex. Eleanor is emerging from a directionless life, in the first stage of recovery following a deeply unhealthy relationship. She’d slowly been moulded to his shape, only for that still not be enough for him. She unpacks that, trying to figure out who she is without him, & who she wants to be.
Eleanor’s past & current struggles fuel her personal journey from exploited naivety to wisened confidence, with the overall aim for her character to grow into womanhood by the end of book. The house left to her by her Great Aunt Bea has been left in a state of disrepair and she finds herself burdened with the responsibility of sorting it out. Her decisions are initially riddled with a childish-like reluctance, under the assumption she can use the situation to hide from her old London life for a year, then sell the property off. She also inherits an impossibly friendly housekeeper (Mrs P) & her grumpy gardener partner (Fez), as well as a lively, untrained, disobedient spaniel (Bertie). It is through the unlikely companionship found in Mrs P and Fez, & the responsibility of looking after Bertie and repairing the house, that she realises that having duties and a community isn’t a burden but is actually what gives life value and meaning. Throughout the course of the book, she navigates her relationships with family (both past and present), friends, love interests, her anxiety, & her sense of self-image.

Regarding reading format: It's currently not published anywhere online, but I am happy to either upload chapters onto goodreads, send a manuscript word file, or share a Google Docs link!

Happy Read an ebook Week!

or anyone who fancies exploring ebooks outside of Amazon's ever-expanding sphere, Books 1-3 of my epic fantasy/magical sci-fi series The Salvation of Tempestria will be available for FREE at https://www.smashwords.com/books/byse... until 11th March.




Find my books and many more at https://www.smashwords.com/ebookweek