Sentinals Destiny and OblivionGate are finalists in the Global Book Awards

I am so thrilled to announce that Sentinals Destiny, the sixth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series and OblivionGate the third book in the Fantasy romance SoulMist series are both a finalists in the 2025 Global Book Awards.

The 2025 Global Book Awards for Self-Published Authors.

The Global Awards aim to discover new talent as well as recognize fine examples of self-published books. As such, we hope they will give self-published authors the recognition they deserve, whether that is in their writing creativity, or in the way they have marketed their books to attract new readers.

In this modern age of self-publishing, books need to be appraised not only by their content and writing style, but also by the way they present and market themselves to the prospective buyer, whether that is in the good ratings it has on important stores like Amazon, its book cover and description, or the number of reviews it has collected. They must also appeal to new readers so part of the evaluation included a survey asking avid readers to select the top 5 books they enjoyed the most.

The awards are grouped by category (or genre) and divided into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Award Finalists.

Grab your copy today!

THE EPIC CONCLUSION TO THE SENTINAL SERIES

Birlerion’s leave of absence is up and it’s time for him to return to work. Before he has time to sit behind his desk, or discover the source of the brooding threat that is hovering over him, he is sent off to Terolia to negotiate with the Families for a bride. The succession must be protected and it’s time for King Anders to marry.

As he travels through the deserts, he realises that it is the Veil that is hunting him, and it wants his blood. But no one will listen to his concerns about the Veil. The healers believe he is struggling to adjust after his recent traumas. Their arguments are persuasive and overrule saner minds.

Betrayed by those he loves, driven by an oath invoked by the king, and with only Jaredion and Leyarille to protect him, Birlerion goes on the run across Vespiri, Terolia and into the islands of Birtoli, the home of the Oath. If he doesn’t discover a way to stop the Veil from killing him, it will not only be his life that is lost, it will be all of Remargaren that is destroyed.

Book six of the Sentinals Series, Sentinals Destiny, is the final book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

Having survived Apologia and faced down the Angelic Assembly, Demavrian has every right to be feeling triumphant, but the threat hanging over his head from the vengeful god, Kaenera, is enough to snuff out any celebrations.

His fledglings are distraught and in disarray, Solanji’s brother is still without a soul and Solanji has no idea how her SoulBreathing works. He has no idea how to manage the Oblivion Gate and even with his Gate Wraith’s help, the burden of the soulless banging on the door may be his undoing.

Kaenera is poised to strike back and if Demavrian doesn’t learn the secrets of the Oblivion Gate fast enough, he may be the shortest lived Gate Keeper in history.

OblivionGate is the third enthralling book in the Fantasy Romance SoulMist series full of vibrant characters, political intrigue and betrayal.

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.

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Sentinals Origins Part One is Shortlisted by Chanticleer International Book Awards.

So thrilled to announce that Sentinals Origins Part One has been shortlisted by Chanticleer International Book Award’s (CIBA) 2025 for OZMA Fantasy.

The Ozma Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Magic, Steampunk and Fantasy Fiction. The Ozma Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs). These titles have moved forward in the second round from all 2025 OZMA Fantasy Fiction entries to the 2025 Ozma Book Awards Short List. These entries are now in competition for the 2025 Ozma Semi Finals. Finalists will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC26.

See full details on CIBA website.

👀 Series link

Wild magic is rife in the world of Remargaren and a shadowy group of dissidents have discovered how to exploit the power for their own purposes.

The goddess, Leyandrii, and her Captain, Guerlaire, must face down this new threat and protect the people from unseen dangers. As Guerlaire learns to wield his own power, three new cadets with the potential to change the world are beginning their journey to become Lady’s Rangers.

Drawn from the back streets of Vespers, a young boy is thrust into a world beyond his comprehension. Battling bigotry and violence, Birler will need to navigate the Rangers’ Academy while grappling with unexpected ties of friendship, a tantalising found family, and embrace ancient magical powers.

A heartwarming tale of friendship and family is set against a backdrop of bigotry and violence in a world where wild magic can precariously tip the balance. Birler and his new friends will have to fight their own battles, not only to earn the right to become rangers but to help Leyandrii and Guerlaire restore the natural balance and defend their world.

This is the first part of the prequel to the award winning Sentinal series.

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.

Sentinals Origins Part One receives a Readers’ Favorite Five Star review!

The first part of the prequel to the award winning Sentinal Series, Sentinals Origins, which launches on May 5th, 2025, and has just been awarded a Five Star review from Readers’ Favorite.

Click HERE to Purchase Your Copy Today!

Editorial Book Review:

By Jamie Michele

Sentinals Origins by Helen Garraway is part one of the fantasy series Sentinals. In Remargaren, unchecked wild magic threatens stability as a covert faction rises, seeking to twist its forces for their own gain. Leyandrii, a goddess charged with safeguarding the realm, and her captain, Guerlaire, confront the growing danger while Guerlaire masters new abilities. At the same time, three cadets embark on rigorous training to join the Lady’s Rangers. Among them, Birler, a boy from Vespers, faces hostility and unfamiliar challenges within the Academy. He must navigate prejudice, build trust among fellow trainees, and awaken dormant powers linked to the world’s ancient magic. As conflict escalates, Birler and his comrades must not only complete their training but also stand with Leyandrii and Guerlaire to prevent the forces of chaos from overtaking their world.  

Helen Garraway’s Sentinals Origins is an excellent fantasy with a lot of moving parts, each of which melds perfectly into the origin story that the author creates for the rest of the series. Birler’s growth is really well done, as he evolves from an uncertain, impoverished young man into a competent and self-assured cadet. The intense relationship between Guerlaire and Leyandrii brings a unique sizzle, and sparks fly when Garraway allows us into the more intimate moments. The setting details are striking. I love the juxtaposition of the beauty of the temple, contrasting against the grim, impoverished reality of Harbourtown, both of which stand out as entrenched social divides. Ways of life vary, and as a reader with total wanderlust, the Terolian nomadic culture and its reliance on the sun, sand, and stars for navigation, and its reverence for family are really lovely. The Ascendants, who seek to control and corrupt, are worthy antagonists in a powerful story that makes me want to carry on. Very highly recommended.

Sentinals Banished receives The Book Revue Five Star review!

Have you read Sentinals Banished yet? The fifth book in the award winning Sentinal Series.

The Book Revue has given it a Five Star review.

Click HERE to Purchase Your Copy Today!

Editorial Book Review:

By Marcos Buttler

Right away in the opening chapter, the complex universe in which this story takes place caught me. The route of the protagonist is anything but straightforward in a society where political intrigue, power struggles, and difficult moral conundrums control. Most in this book was the author’s skill to mix the protagonist’s inner struggle with the exterior tension of the surrounds. The story seemed rich and profoundly absorbing because of the balance between intimate ties and the more broad conflict.

The author doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult themes. The notion of loyalty versus duty is a recurring thread, and it’s handled with such nuance that I found myself constantly questioning what I would do in the protagonist’s shoes. The stakes are great for the protagonist as well as for the planet they live on. The author does a great job of showing the personal cost the larger political and military decisions cause for people engaged. Sometimes I found myself really engaged in the result of their actions since the weight of every decision had actual emotional impact.

The dreary alleyways and dark corners of Old Vespers are brought to life to the point where they feel like they belong in the plot. The city is shrouded in mystery and danger, and the suspense just grew as I read. The descriptions of the surroundings and the mood around it are so realistic that they have left an indelible effect on me.

I was also impressed by how the author intertwined the personal growth of the protagonist with the growing external threats. With each chapter exposing a fresh layer of depth to the individuals and the planet they live in, it seemed like a delicate ballet between the internal and external fights. The timing was perfect; enough action had me on the tip of my seat and allowed time to develop relationships and character.

Overall, this book kept me interested from beginning to end. It’s a highly moving and thought-provoking narrative set in a dangerous and mysterious environment. If you appreciate books with complex character development and a high-stakes plot, this is the one for you.

Thank you for all your support in 2024!

Another year has passed, and it’s that time of year when you look back at what you achieved last year and plan for the next. It is still quite amazing that I have been published for four years and have 12 books published and three short stories released to Patreon/Newsletter subscribers.

I hope you downloaded the bonus free novella set in the world of the SoulMist series which I wrote as thankyou to all my newsletter subscribers. Your support makes writing so fulfilling, and your enthusiam for my characters makes me want to write more! My newsletter subscribers voted for a short story on how Felather and Adriz met.

Anyhow, back to what I achieved in 2024, and what’s in store for 2025?

I published two books, one novella and two audiobooks.

1st April: Harmony
15th April: Sentinals Across Time on Audio
30th May: DragonBound on Audio
1st July: OblivionGate
23rd December: Oathsworn, Novella 0.5 SoulMist series (Free for Newsletter subscribers)

I launched my Online shop – making it easier to buy ebook and audio direct from me!

My books won Awards!!

Sentinals Justice
- 2024 BookFest Awards: Gold Medal for Epic Fantasy
Sentinals Across Time:
- Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal for Epic Fantasy
- Global Book Awards Spring 2024: Finalist/GOLD Epic Fantasy
Harmony: Global Book Awards Spring 2024: Finalist/SILVER for Dystopian Science Fiction
Sentinals Banished
- Global Book Awards Winter 2024 Finalist/GOLD medal for Epic Fantasy
- Semi-Finalist for the 2024 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction
SoulBreather
- 2024 BookFest Awards: Gold Medal
DragonBound
- Global Book Awards Winter 2024 Finalist/Bronze

It has been a busy year, a highlight of which was seeing my BookFest Gold Medalists, Sentinals Justice and SoulBreather up in lights on the Nasdaq board in Times Square in New York. A real bucket list moment!

So what’s in store for 2025? Well I have plans for more books!

Sentinals Origins-Part I. Release date May 5th, 2025
Sentinals Origins-Part II. Release date TBC
Book One: Celestial Throne series. Release date TBC 2H25
Kickstarter: My contribution: Secret Alliance Reign of Dragons Anthology. Kickstarter go live: March 2025

Other goals:

Revitalise my Patreon and gain some supporters
More formal Marketing plan
Audio for OblivionGate
Create a Sentinals Wiki site (stretch goal!!)

So plenty to keep me busy outside of the day job!

2024 was a busy year, lots of writing, though I was distracted by work as it was quite a tumultous year as the company I work for was acquired and so we’ve had lots of changes, but a year full of opportunity all the same. I am very excited for 2025 and the new opportunities it will bring. I look forward to sharing the results with you throughout the year. Once again – Thank you for all your support, I hope you stay with me as we continue this amazing journey.

DragonBound wins Bronze in the Global Book Awards

I am so thrilled to announce that DragonBound, the second book in the Fantasy Romance SoulMist Series won the bronze medal in the 2024 Global Book Awards in the Fantasy Romance /PNR Fantasy category.

The 2024 Global Book Awards for Self-Published Authors.

The awards are grouped by category (or genre) and divided into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Award Finalists.

Grab your copy today!

DragonBound is the second enthralling book in the Fantasy Romance SoulMist series full of vibrant characters, political intrigue and betrayal.

How could so much go awry in so short a time? Crossing the divide between gloomy Eidolon and sunny Puronia was the least of their problems.

Solanji
Her brother is still soulless and lost in Eidolon. Having exchanged tantalising promises of love with the mesmerising fallen angel, Demavrian, she led him straight into a trap, and he is running out of time to prove his innocence. She has no idea how to use her SoulBreathing skills or to control the dragon that comes with it, and to top it all, the Heavenly Host kicked in her door. They had better repair it!

Demavrian
Ageing isn’t fun. If he didn’t reconnect to the citadel fast, he may even die of it, if the queue of angels wanting him dead didn’t get to him first. Unexpected enemies and surprising allies surface as he navigates the dark web of corrupted politics in the angel’s assembly. Let’s hope his newly independent oathsworn can keep him alive long enough to unravel his memories of what really happened the day he was cast out – and his beautiful SoulBreather, Solanji, may be the key.

Solanji and Mav may be immortal, but they are running out of time to discover who is behind all the scheming and how to redeem the soulless. When the timepiece makes it last turn, they will not be the only ones to suffer if they fail.

Sentinals Banished wins GOLD in the Global Book Awards

I am so thrilled to announce that Sentinals Banished, the fifth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series won the gold medal in the 2024 Global Book Awards in the Epic Fantasy category.

The 2024 Global Book Awards for Self-Published Authors.

The awards are grouped by category (or genre) and divided into Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Award Finalists.

Grab your copy today!

Sentinal Birlerion has watched from the shadows for so long he doesn’t know how to stop. Always there when the Lady’s Captain needed him. He did what was necessary to keep those he loved from harm.

When the king banishes the Lady’s Captain, Jerrol Haven, from Vespiri and disbands the Sentinal guard, the Sentinals are at a loss, some bitter, some eager to retire, all angry at the king’s decision.

Birlerion moves to Old Vespers to watch over Jerrol’s daughter as she begins her journey to become a King’s Ranger.

Old Vespers is in turmoil, the king unpredictable, and the Sentinals are unwelcome. Unexplained deaths are occurring, and bodies begin to appear in the city streets. As Birlerion continues his search for the place he can call home, he has to step out of the shadows as he is drawn into a tangled web of deceit and lies. He must hunt down those responsible and clear the Sentinals name before anyone else goes missing.

Sentinals Across Time wins GOLD in the Readers’ Favorite 2024 Book Awards

I am so thrilled to announce that Sentinals Across Time, the fourth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series not only recieved a Five star Review but has also won the gold medal in the 2024 Readers’ Favorite book Awards in the Epic Fantasy category.

I am extremely proud to achieve this award; there are some amazing books in this category, and to recieve the Gold Medal is wonderful validation for my Sentinal series.

To see all award winners for 2024, see the winners here.

Grab your copy of Sentinals Across Time today!

Sentinals Across Time is the fourth book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

Jerrol’s fragile balance between duty and family life took two years to refine and one brief moment to tear apart as the Lady Leyandrii and the Oath conspire in a desperate bid to protect the Birtolian Empire. As a result, Jerrol finds himself stranded in the middle of an ocean, lost across land and time and seas.

Unsure what is expected of him, Jerrol learns to appreciate the idyllic life of the Birtolians, the vibrant people and the beautiful coastline. To his growing horror, he realises the devastation which lies in their future.

Can Jerrol prevent the destruction of the gentle people he has grown to love? Is he meant to? Desperate to find a way home, he begins to leave clues in anything he thinks will survive the test of time. Taelia and the Sentinals are his only chance of ever returning to his own life but can they find him before the Lady sunders the Bloodstone and changes the Birtolian Empire forever?

The fourth installment of the Sentinal Series takes us to the beautiful Island Empire of Birtoli. Only once, it wasn’t an archipelago of islands, it was a land of majestic mountain ridges, mystical forests and exquisite sandy bays joined as one to the southern Vespiri borders.

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series or my dystopian fantasy, Harmony.

As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.

Sentinals Banished makes the 2024 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction Short List

I am so excited to share that Sentinals Banished, the fifth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series has made it through to the Short list for the 2024 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction!

The Ozma Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Fantasy Fiction. The Ozma Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

Chanticleer International Book Awards discovers the best books in the Ozma Awards featuring magic, the supernatural, imaginary worlds, fantastical creatures, legendary beasts, mythical beings, or inventions of fancy that author imaginations dream up without a basis in science as we know it. Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Dragons, Unicorns, Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Gaslight Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, or other out-of-this-world fiction. These books have advanced to the Long List in the 2024 CIBAs OZMA division.

Sentinal Banished has moved forward in the first look rounds from the 2024 OZMA Book Awards long list to the SHORT LIST. These entries are now in competition for the 2024 Ozma Semi-Finalists List. FINALISTS will be chosen from the Semi-Finalists and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC25.

Sentinals Banished is the fifth book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

Sentinals Banished is set seventeen years after the fourth book, Sentinals Across Time.

Birlerion moves to Old Vespers to watch over Jerrol’s daughter as she begins her journey to become a King’s Ranger.

Want to know more and follow my journey? Then make sure you sign up to my newsletter below.

If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.

Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.

Sentinals Banished makes the 2024 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction Long List

I am so excited to share that Sentinals Banished, the fifth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series has made it through to the Long list for the 2024 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBA) OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction!

The Ozma Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in Fantasy Fiction. The Ozma Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The CIBAs).

Sentinals Banished has moved forward in the judging rounds from all 2024 Ozma Fantasy Fiction entries to the 2024 Ozma Book Awards LONG LIST. Entries are now in competition for 2024 Ozma Short List. The Short Listers will compete for the FINALIST positions. Finalists will be selected from the Short List. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC25) on April 3rd, 2025.

Sentinals Banished is the fifth book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.

Sentinals Banished is set seventeen years after the fourth book, Sentinals Across Time.

Birlerion moves to Old Vespers to watch over Jerrol’s daughter as she begins her journey to become a King’s Ranger.

Want to know more and follow my journey? Then make sure you sign up to my newsletter below.

Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.