They are chaos incarnate, or chaos just happens to spring up whenever they are around. Because let’s face it, a new year is just a new opportunity to cause havoc.
New Year, Same Chaos
indie books
First Lines Go Where?
Can you guess which first line goes with which book? This should be a breeze for those of you that have read my books, but you never know 👀
Also the first lines for the anthologies are for my stories only, not for the anthology itself.
Plans for 2026
We return to the magickal world of Levena this year with a sassy star and their grumpy vampire. You do not need to have read the first two books to read Mochizuki and Xlato as it focuses on a different couple, but it helps with the 🌜lore🌛
For reading this year, it’s almost indie all the way for me. There are quite a few I have been wanting to get to, and some that I’ve started and need to finish. Especially the ones already on my shelves.
2025 in a Nutshell
Commence the 2025 Wrap Up!
I published my first historical fiction and ran my first Kickstarter, and participated in an anthology with the Right Here Write Queer Podcast. I also was nominated in the Indie Ink Awards!
For reading, there was a lot of rereading (and rereading again in the case of the Big Bad Series) but I did discover a lot of new favorites and other stories I really enjoyed. There was only a few that I didn’t care for as much.
Stay tuned for this year’s hopes and dreams!
Indie Ink Awards Book Recs
It is Indie Ink Awards season, and I had a hell of a time voting for my favorites. In doing so, I found a ton of new indies I want to read, and some old favorites.
Vote for your indies, and find some new reads for your TBR!
Indie Ink Awards 2025
My urban fantasy and historical fiction were nominated for the Indie Ink Awards!
Phantom and Rook, the first in my Levena series, made it as a finalist last year and it makes me so happy to see Matsdotter and Adrastus getting love and attention this year! And my beloved gay explorers, in a category that is so very fitting.
You can vote for your favorite indie books beginning on Monday, December 15th. Check out Indie Story Geek to learn more. 🎉✨️📚
Nonbinary November
November plays host to many reading challenges this month, and it’s National Native American Heritage month. I’ll do my best to fit in as many recs as possible !
This week, let’s take a look at some queer books with nonbinary characters, or written by nonbinary authors. I’ve read a few of these, but there are so many good ones here I’m looking forward to.
Any favorites you’d like to share?
Indies in my Pocket
I have been collecting queer indie books for a bit now, and then I found a spectacular queer indies 2025 release list that filled this post out beautifully.
Any of these you’re excited for, or have loved?
An Outstretched Hand
Presenting An Outstretched Hand: A Tarot Spread of Queer Stories, from the Right Here Write Queer podcast! My story is inspired by the tarot card Temperance, and you may have seen excerpts of it here and there.
Tune into the podcast to learn more about each story, our first anthology episode is about The Star!
Blurb:
A hand reaching to you from the shadows. Six cards over-turned. Six enchanting queer tales inspired by the magic of tarot.
The Star by Tess Carletta
A lighthouse keeper who influences the fate of her people by wrangling misbehaving stars back into place must remedy her own constellation.
The Hierophant by Carolina Cruz
A knight who was disabled in battle gives up on asking the gods for healing and turns to something dark in the woods for help instead.
Strength by Luna Daye
A warrior is sent to investigate the rumors of a raided village and is forced to face the trauma of his past, and has to battle more than his grief after a terrifying discovery.
The Chariot by R.K. Ashwick
Two witches vie desperately for a goddess’s blessing- but the fortune they seek might be right in front of them.
Temperance by Noah Hawthorne
A grieving mercenary searches for the tallest mountain to throw himself from, but a mystery and curious folk keep him grounded for a little while longer.
The Devil by Sebastian Nothwell
A repressed Victorian finds fleeting release in a fae courtesan’s arms until iron chains threaten their growing bond.
Explore the forest, meet the fae, pray to the gods, shepherd stars, or fight creatures of myth. An offering for you, if you accept the Outstretched Hand.
Pre-orders are open here, release date is November 11th, 2025.
First, Dragons
I am in my Temeraire era and *loving* it, but I can’t help but internally scream ‘make it queer!’
Although the platonic bond between the seasoned captain and his dragon with delicate sensibilities hits me right in the gut, so there’s that.
Neshama Publishing 