The Shout-Out

5 November 2026

Four indie books, each by an author featured for the first time. Every title links to its page here, and buying goes straight through the author's own retailer.

The Hermit of Cala Hollow
by Erica
Fantasy
Corvus Thorne is a reclusive witch who values her quiet forest sanctuary—and her solitude—above all else. Princess Phaedra Golding is an endlessly cheerful, slightly accident-prone knight who loves people and weaves mystical stories into everyday life. When Phaedra accidentally crashes through Corvus’s poor door, the grumpy witch wants nothing more than to send the sunshine knight packing. But in a land of waning magic, the unlikely pair find themselves bound together by the scheming of an ancient tree guardian—and a shared destiny they can no longer ignore. Joined by a chaotic found family of scholars, royals, and charismatic animal companions, they must combine their unique talents to revive the magic of the land. Can a stubborn witch learn to let the world in, or will the fading magic take her sanctuary with it? Step into the beautiful, accepting world of The Hermit of Cala Hollow—a queer-normative, cosy, low-stakes sapphic fantasy full of found family, sweet romance, neurodivergent-coded characters, and warm, soft comfort. Perfect for fans of low-stress magical worlds, and atmospheric whimsical reads!
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A Tale of Scorched Ash and Elm
by H.F. Day
Fantasy
Pursued by a warlord atop a dragon, a Viking on a vengeance quest, a witch in training, and a half-elf freedom fighter must find the sword of a god to protect their homes and decide the fate of a nation.
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A Beautiful Lie
by Author N.S. Brown
Romance
A beautiful lie brought her to Oklahoma. The explosive truth might just keep her there. Caitlyn James has the perfect life. She's a successful New York property attorney, a partner at her firm, and has always been fiercely protected by the loving parents who raised her. But when a sudden family tragedy strikes and a DNA test shatters her reality, Caitlyn discovers the flawless life she knew was built on a massive secret. She was adopted. Driven by the need for answers, she temporarily relocates her recovering mother to the quiet suburbs of Oklahoma, secretly tracking down the biological family she never knew existed. Expecting answers, she finds herself face-to-face with River, the intimidating National President of the Viper Creed Motorcycle Club, and a pair of headstrong twin half-siblings. Caitlyn is determined to keep her two completely different worlds separate to protect her mother's fragile health. But keeping secrets becomes impossible when she crosses paths with Storm. As the club's fierce Sergeant at Arms, Storm is a six-foot-seven mountain of tatted muscle, dangerous to the rest of the world but fiercely loyal to his President. He was prepared to write Caitlyn off as a snooty city girl with a stick up her ass. Instead, he finds himself completely captivated by her sharp wit, independent streak, and dark blue eyes. When the beautiful lies begin to unravel, Caitlyn must navigate a dangerous new world of unwritten club laws, deep-rooted family ties, and an undeniable, magnetic attraction to a man who lives by his own rules. Can a sophisticated corporate attorney find her true home in the shadow of the Viper Creed, or will the weight of the truth tear both of her families apart?
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10 Reasons Why Ethan Parker Vanished
by Jastra “Jastra93”
Thriller/Mystery/Crime
Ethan Parker has vanished. But instead of fading into the shadows, he's louder than ever. When a disturbing video of the unassuming scholarship student at Lionsveil University goes viral, the elite dismiss it as a sick joke. Until the second one drops. Ethan Parker is settling the score—against the liars, the traitors, and every silent bystander who helped destroy his life. Ten videos. Ten targets. One ruthless digital scavenger hunt that's destined to bring the university's toxic hierarchy to its knees. As the celebrated sports captain, Ezra Ashford has everything money and status can buy. On the surface, his and Ethan’s paths never crossed. No one suspects that the untouchable Ezra is tied to the vanished boy by a fateful past and a dangerous attraction. To keep his perfect world from shattering, Ezra has no choice but to play Ethan’s twisted game. Yet with every riddle solved, the countdown to Video Number 10 creeps closer. And Ezra knows exactly what is at stake: his guilt is the darkest of them all. Dark Academia meets M/M Thriller: Mystery & Suspense Secret Relationship Elite College Setting High Stakes
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