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.

By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.

Book Review Alert: The Blade Mage by Phillip Drayer Duncan

Reviewed: December 12th, 2025
Released: June 5th, 2020
Genre: Urban Fantasy

The sword chooses its wielder.

I never asked to be Blade Mage. My fellow wizards weren’t thrilled, either. Unfortunately, those weird old druids have a strict no returns policy.

So I left, and for the past few years, I’ve hidden from my responsibilities. But I always knew one day the Cabal would come looking for its precious sword.

And so they have, but only because a heinous crime has occurred…

A sorcerer has used forbidden magic to slay a fellow wizard. It’s an open and shut case. The killer admitted it. He also stands accused of kidnapping a child, who is still missing, but they say that isn’t my problem. No, as Blade Mage, I’m not supposed to play paranormal detective. The Cabal only expects one thing of me—they want me to play executioner.

Problem is…

The accused is my best friend.

And before I chop off his head, I want to know the truth. But the path is filled with shifty wizards, fearsome witches, insidious demons, and supernatural conspirators at every turn.

It ain’t easy being the Blade Mage.

Read My Thoughts…

A week to go – Come and meet me at the Newbury Craft and Gift Market

When: Saturday 6th, December, 10am-4pm

Where: Newbury Methodist Church, located at the junction of Northbrook Street and Albert Road.

FREE Entry

Last in person event before Christmas. Have a booklover in the family?

I’ll have my latest release, Sentinals Origins Part Two, in paperback, and you can get the Sentinals Origins duology at a special show offer price.

Do your booklovers love dragons? Then I will have a limited number of the most amazing fantasy anthology with foiled cover, sprayed edges, beautiful artwork and 18 dragon-themed stories. The ideal present for your bookdragon hoarder!

Come and peruse the variety of stalls in this vibrant market and find some christmas gifts and a new book to read. Everyone welcome.

Already bought my book and want it signed? Then I’m happy to sign your book for you.

If there is a specific book you want, then please let me know, so I make sure I bring enough copies and can reserve one for you, as now I have 15 books, I am limited by the number of books I can fit in my car!

Hope to see you there.

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 Two is an Amazon #1 new release!

The final part of the prequel to the award winning epic fantasy Sentinal Series, Sentinals Origins Part Two, launched today, December 1st, 2025.

I am thrilled to announce that it is also a #1 new release in the Amazon Top 100 Classic Fantasy new releases!

More reviews are coming in from my ARC readers and I am so happy they loved it.

‘Sentinals Origins Part Two is the powerful and exciting conclusion to the Sentinals origin story and completed an excellent prequel series. The author has a knack for drawing you into the story quickly, taking you on an emotional roller coaster at times, and pacing the story extremely well. As I read this book, I was able to recall events in the main series that were made richer by the background story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I was very deeply involved with the story until the end.’ Bob 5* Amazon review.

Click HERE to Purchase Your Copy Today!

Book Description

Birler, Tagerill and Serill have accepted the Lady’s invitation to become her personal guards, her Sentinals. They roam the territories of Remargaren in the name of the Lady, protecting those who can’t protect themselves.

But the threat against Lady Leyandrii is growing and Captain Guerlaire is in the Ascendants sights. He has been too successful in disrupting their plans and now time is running out, for him and the Sentinals. The Ascendants are determined to kill them all and show Leyandrii, once and for all, that they hold the power in Remargaren.

Birlerion’s discovery of his innate magic, offers Leyandrii an alternate path, but it’s a last resort and as Leyandrii teaches him how to control it, she is desperate to find another solution.

As the final confrontation looms and the natural world buckles under the backlash from the reckless use of magic, Leyandrii has one last throw to try and save their world from ruin and destruction, but will any of them live to tell the tale?

The prequel duology is now complete and available to read on Kindle Unlimited.

Sentinals Origins Part Two is live!

The final part of the prequel to the award winning epic fantasy Sentinal Series, Sentinals Origins Part Two, launched today, December 1st, 2025.

Click HERE to Purchase Your Copy Today!

Very excited at the enthusiasm my ARC readers have had for this book, calling it an emotional rollercoster and all of them hotfooting it to start the series again!

‘WOW!! Once again I am blown away by master storyteller Helen Garraway! I could not put this book down! The outstanding world building is beautifully and magically captivating. There is plenty of action, adventure, twists and turns and a few surprises you don’t see coming. Her characters are written with so much depth. You feel all the emotions the characters go through. They are engaging and you really feel like you know them. I absolutely enjoyed this book and absolutely highly recommend reading it.’ Raelene, 5* Goodreads Review

‘With ‘Sentinals Origin Part Two,’ Helen Garraway has created the grand showdown, or should I say, the story now comes to a close?

Birlerion and his sentinal friends are asked to protect not only the Lady, but also Remargeren and its inhabitants from the Ascendants. The threat posed by the Ascendants gives them reason to strive and remain strong in the face of all dangers and adversities. But will they be able to prevail and have the faith to remain strong until the end?

A breathtaking story with many unexpected twists and turns. The end of the story gives reason to immediately continue the series with ‘Sentinals Awaken’, the first book in the series.’ C Goodreads 5* Review.

Book Description

Birlerion’s discovery of his innate magic, offers Leyandrii an alternate path, but it’s a last resort and as Leyandrii teaches him how to control it, she is desperate to find another solution.

Sentinals Awaken on Kindle Countdown, only 99c/99p!

Celebrating the forthcoming launch of Sentinals Origins Part Two on December 1st, 2025. Haven’t started the Sentinal series yet? Then now is the chance to get your copy of book one, Sentinals Awaken. Kindle countdown offer on Amazon US and UK until December 2nd, 2025.

Click HERE to Purchase Your Copy Today!

Book Description

When a long-forgotten threat starts to reemerge, one man stands as the last defense against darkness…

Jerrol Haven serves his king without question. When he finds evidence of corruption and is attacked, the loyal soldier’s mind spins after his touch of a sacred tree awakens the dormant spirit of a three-thousand-year-old protector. But he fears he has failed after the crown prince accuses him of treason and orders his execution…

Fleeing the city, Jerrol is stunned when the goddess appears to him, appoints him captain of her warriors, and charges him with a quest to find artifacts that can save the realm. And as he runs into danger and more betrayals, the steadfast hero discovers a rare gift that may be the world’s only hope…

Can Jerrol rally the forces of good to stop a rising evil?

Sentinals Awaken is the first book in the Sentinal epic fantasy series. If you like endearing characters, immersive world-building, and gritty conflict, then you’ll love Helen Garraway’s award-winning tale.

Buy Sentinals Awaken to restore the guardians today!

Book Review Alert: The Butterfly Witch by E.L. Williams

Reviewed: November 27th, 2025
Released: September 4th, 2025
Genre: Fantasy

She survived witch hunts and world wars, but can love save her from time itself?

1612 – Born into a powerful line of witches, Gwen has always been a disappointment, a girl without magic in a community that reveres it. When news of the Pendle witch trials reaches Gwen’s coven, they cast a desperate spell to shelter orphaned magic. But a cruel twist of fate leaves Gwen to bear the burden alone, cursed to carry magic she cannot wield and hunted by those who would claim it.

1939 – For centuries, Gwen has been running. Always alone. Always afraid. Until she meets Walt, a world-weary spy who asks for nothing but her friendship. As war looms and shadows deepen, Gwen wonders if Walt’s secrets run even deeper than her own.

1976 – Haunted by his service in Vietnam, private investigator Dan is barely scraping by. When a wealthy client hires him to find a missing woman, he almost refuses – until he witnesses a murder that changes everything.

The deeper he digs, the more he realises that Gwen is the woman time forgot. And if his client finds her first, the magic she has guarded for centuries, and Gwen herself, may be lost forever.

A sweeping tale of love, friendship and the fragile threads that bind us across lifetimes.

Read My Thoughts…

Book Review Alert: The Crane Maiden by MH Woodscourt

Reviewed: Novemebr 23rd, 2025
Released: January 26th, 2026
Genre: Fantasy
ARC

War has reached her doorstep.
She will answer with a sword.

When her little sister dies during an enemy raid, Jenai prays to Holy Afallon seeking protection for her village. What she doesn’t expect is to hear a Voice telling her that she must personally lead the armies of Fraelin against the growing threat.

Joined by a gentle unicorn and a few brave allies, Jenai sets out to liberate Fraelin—even at the risk of her own freedom.

However, the road to war isn’t straightforward. Jenai must first gain the trust of the Crane Prince by convincing him she’s not a fraud. Will the Church of Afallon accept her calling or will they condemn her as a heretic?

Read My Thoughts…

Booktopia Blog- Ten Terrifying Questions!

I am very fortunate to be the Booktopia SFF December Author of the month, and I was invited to answer the ten terrifying questions on the Booktopia blog. Thank you so much to Mark Timmony for the opportunity to share some of my writing journey.

Booktopia Direct Pty Ltd is an Australian online bookseller. The company also owns Angus & Robertson, a major Australian online bookseller, publisher, and printer.

Interested in finding out my answers? The you can find the Booktopia blog post here.

My fantasy journey starts with Sentinals Awaken, and Booktopia stock the paperback if you’d like to read it. The Sentinals series is now complete with eight books, two novellas and if you sign up to my newsletter, a plethora of short stories and novellas to fill out even more of the story. Enjoy!

Sentinals Awaken

Purchase now

When a long-forgotten threat starts to reemerge, one man stands as the last defense against darkness…

Can Jerrol rally the forces of good to stop a rising evil?

A week to go – Come and meet me at the Henley Craft and Gift Market

When: Sunday 29th, November, 10am-4pm

Where: Henley on Thames Town Hall, 2nd Floor (There is a lift!)

FREE Entry

Just in time for Christmas! Have a booklover in the family? Do they love dragons? Then I will have a limited number of the most amazing fantasy anthology with foiled cover, sprayed edges, beautiful artwork and 18 dragon-themed stories. The ideal present for your bookdragon hoarder!

Come and peruse the variety of stalls in this vibrant market and find some christmas gifts and a new book to read. Everyone welcome.

Already bought my book and want it signed? Then I’m happy to sign your book for you.

If there is a specific book you want, then please let me know, so I make sure I bring enough copies, and can reserve one for you, as now I have 15 books, I am limited by the number of books I can fit in my car!

Hope to see you there.