Impressive glass trophy arrives for SoulBreather and Sentinals Justice

So excited to share that both SoulBreather, book one of the SoulMist series, and Sentinals Justice, book three of the Epic Fantasy Sentinal series won First Place in the Spring 2024 BookFest Awards.

Celebrating winning gold medals in the Spring 2024 BookFest book awards.

SoulBreather won the first place gold medal for Paranormal & Urban Fantasy

And the glass trophy has arrived!

Unboxing

Sentinals Justice won first place gold medal for Epic Fantasy.

Sentinals Justice

Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review.

“… a truly thrilling setting filled with political and royal intrigue, interpersonal drama, and dangerous games of secrets, warmongering, and missing persons … I would not hesitate to recommend Sentinals Justice to fans of epic fantasy and the series so far; you won’t be disappointed.” K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite.

SoulBreather

Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review
SoulBreather by Helen Garraway is moving and gripping, with a perfect plot boasting the most incredible, cleverly crafted protagonists I’ve enjoyed in recent literature. It’s a wonderful, utterly addictive series launch filled with detailed worldbuilding, sweet romance, and plenty of intrigue and adventure. I especially loved the romantic chemistry between Mav and Solanji and their determination for justice and to save others. I nearly devoured this brilliant tale in one sitting. Garraway’s narrative is highly immersive and action-packed. I would recommend SoulBreather to all fans of paranormal fantasy and anyone who loves stories with heart, adventure, feisty heroines, and fallen angels.” Reviewed By Emma Megan for Readers’ Favorite

Not started the SoulMist series yet?

Book1: SoulBreather
Book 2: DragonBound
Book3: OblivionGate (On preorder-Releases July 1st, 2024)

Sentinal Series (Now complete.)

Book1: Sentinals Awaken
Book 2: Sentinals Rising
Book3: Sentinals Justice
Book 4: Sentinals Across Time
Book 5: Sentinals Banished
Book 6: Sentinals Destiny

Associated books:
Book 3.5: Sentinals Recovery

Happy Listening!

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or my PNR/Fantasy Romance SoulMist series or Harmony, a standalone Dystopian fantasy. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and a bonus story, Sentinals Discovery, and never miss a notification when my next book is published.

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SoulBreather and Sentinals Justice hit Times Square!

So excited to share that both SoulBreather, book one of the SoulMist series, and Sentinals Justice, book three of the Epic Fantasy Sentinal series were up in lights on the Nasdaq board in Times Square on May 30th, 2024.

Celebrating winning gold medals in the Spring 2024 BookFest book awards.

SoulBreather won the first place gold medal for Paranormal & Urban Fantasy

Sentinals Justice won first gold medal for Epic Fantasy.

Times Square, New York

Sentials Justice

Readers’ Favorite Five Star Review.

SoulBreather

Not started the SoulMist series yet?

Book1: SoulBreather
Book 2: DragonBound
Book3: OblivionGate (On preorder-Releases July 1st, 2024)

Sentinal Series (Now complete.)

Book1: Sentinals Awaken
Book 2: Sentinals Rising
Book3: Sentinals Justice
Book 4: Sentinals Across Time
Book 5: Sentinals Banished
Book 6: Sentinals Destiny

Associated books:
Book 3.5: Sentinals Recovery

Happy Listening!

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DragonBound now available on Audiobook!

Book Two of the SoulMist series has now joined SoulBreather and been immortalised by Tim Paige’s amazing narration. You can find it on Audible, Amazon, iTunes or Apple Books. Other platforms coming soon.

All 9 hours and 28 minutes of it. Check out the audio sample and start the adventure now.

Now you can meet Solanji and Demavrian whilst you drive, exercise or work. Pick up your copy from Audible, Spotify, Amazon, iTunes or Apple Books. Other platforms available soon.

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.

Readers reviews

“I absolutely adored this book! It completely tops the first book with its coordination of viewpoints, the well-developed plot, and the twists and turns. I really enjoyed the character development and ALL THE REVEALS! I almost didn’t see the ending coming! *Definitely* recommend this book!” Amazon 5* Review

“This was another winner in my book. After reading the first book I only hope that the next one would be as good and to my wonderful surprise, this book was even better.” Amazon 5* Review

Not started the SoulMist series yet?

Book1: SoulBreather
Book 2: DragonBound
Book3: OblivionGate (On preorder-Releases July 1st, 2024)

Happy Listening!

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Sentinals Across Time now available on Audiobook!

Book Four of the Sentinal series has now joined the first three books of the Sentinal Series and been immortalised by Matts Coles’ amazing narration. You can find it on Audible, Spotify, Amazon, iTunes or Apple Books. Other platforms coming soon.

All 14 hours and 51 minutes of it. Check out the audio sample and start the adventure now.

Now you can meet Jerrol and the Sentinals whilst you drive, exercise or work. Pick up your copy from Audible, Spotify, Amazon, iTunes or Apple Books. Other platforms available soon.

Readers’ Favorite Five Star review
‘Author Helen Garraway has crafted a captivating fantasy experience, immersing me in a richly detailed world filled with intricate characters and a finely woven tapestry of magic and lore. Garraway’s storytelling is tender and emotive in all the right places, allowing the reader to empathize with Jerrol’s predicament and root for the preservation of the Birtolian Empire. I was impressed by the different angles of culture, lore, politics, and social structures, which allowed Jerrol to tackle themes like duty, sacrifice, and the consequences of wielding magic, creating a compelling and immersive read.’

Amazon 5* by KST

‘I’ve never read a time travel novel that flows so seamlessly and is so engrossing! … coming to love Jerrol, Taelia and all the Sentinals but I was completely mesmerized within the first few chapters! So far all 3 books are going on my “awesome re-read “ list.’

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.

Not started the Sentinal series yet?

Book1: Sentinals Awaken
Book 2: Sentinals Rising
Book3: Sentinals Justice
Book 4: Sentinals Across Time
Book 5: Sentinals Banished
Book 6: Sentinals Destiny

Associated books:
Book 3.5: Sentinals Recovery

Happy Listening!

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Indie Author Blog: Self Care

This week has been really busy. I am finalising my latest book for launch. Creating the marketing plan for the launch and all the supporting promotional assets and activities. Trying to set up a webstore so I can sell audiobooks direct. Working with two design agencies on two separate book covers. Dealing with offers from book vendors. Ordering all the stuff I need for physical IRL book fairs and the insurance that’s needed to go with it, and on top of that my daughter is home visiting from Canada and it is all TOO MUCH!

Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

I have realised I cannot do it all, and it’s ok to take a breath and stop for a moment. Not everything needs to be done today, and I need to prioritise my daughter being home and enjoy her company while I can.

Then I’ll get back to the chaos of the self publishing world. Maybe prioritise my list so I can actually do some writing. I desperately need to do some brainstorming too, as I have lots of thoughts I need to capture for a book that’s currently in my head.

Maybe it is time to consider delegating some things to someone else, if I can figure out how to let go of it!

I suppose what I am trying to say, is that not everything needs to be done this minute. So make a list, Helen. Prioritise it with realistic due dates and don’t let it all overwhelm you. The webstore can wait. Enjoy time with my daughter first. (I have tickets for the Hundreds! A day of watching cricket is a first step!)

After that, I need to get the books and merch for the book fairs, (If you are in Marlow on September 2nd then come to the Marlow Indie Book Fair and say hello,) and then the book launch is the priority, and make time to write, because that is the reason I am doing this in the first place. Because I love writing, and if this was an ideal world, then all I would be doing is writing.

See, I am writing this blog and I’ve calmed down already! Writing is my therapy. I hope you find something that you enjoy and relaxes you when life gets that little bit too stressful.

If you enjoy fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather, or my epic fantasy Sentinal 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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Indie Author Blog-The Self Publishing Show Live, London, 2023

I have just spent two days in London at the Self Publishing Show Live, surrounded by like-minded, inspirational, enthusiastic, independent authors, all of whom are eager to succeed in the world of self publishing. Just being in that environment is motivational in itself, let alone the thought-provoking sessions various speakers presented over the two days.

I am still digesting all the information I heard and there was a lot. It could be overwhelming but I think you have to digest everything for a while and then decide where you want to focus. What is it that I want achieve and what do I need to do to achieve it. From there you can choose which path to take and which options to follow.

Some of the main messages I took away for this conference:

There is no better time to be an independently published author.
- Independently published authors are growing their revenues – according to research performed by the Alliance of Independent Authors, available to ALLi members on their website (affiliate link) – whereas traditionally published authors are not. (See Society of Author’s (SoA) recent ALCS Report. You can find a comparison report on the SPS Facebook group)
To be successful you have to accept this is a long term project, and you need multiple books.
- The more the better! So focus on writing books.
It is hard work.
You need to treat writing as a business and wear your business hat. Being agreeable all the time won’t cut it.
Believe in yourself. Belief and positive thinking is a self fulfilling prophecy. It’s not down to luck.
- Having a positive attitude and believing you can hit your goals means you are more likely to achieve them
Marketing is a necessary evil. Focus on the platform you are most comfortable with. You don’t have to do everything. You choose what you want to do.

The opportunity to network, meet other authors and compare notes was invaluable. No matter how shy you are, the writing community is very welcoming and everyone wants everyone else to succeed.

Hearing what other authors did to be successful is inspiring, and every author’s path is different, so be inspired by other’s successes, see what they did and emulate it. Understanding the market, trends and opportunites is key for any business, and selling books is no different. Use the tools available and carve your own path to success. If you haven’t finished your book yet, then stop procrastinating and get writing. If you have finished, congratulations on an amazing achievement. You should be exceedingly proud of yourself. I hope you celebrated.

This is the time to be an independenty published author. It’s down to you to grab that opportunity with both hands. I know I will.

And don’t forget…

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. If you love Romance, then try my Fantasy Romance SoulMist series. 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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SoulBreather now available on Audiobook!

The first book in the SoulMist series is now available in Audio book. You can find it via the vendor of your choice HERE.

I am so thirilled that Voice Artist Tim Paige agreed to narrate my book. Check out the audio sample and start the adventure now.

If you fall in love with the shadows, does that mean you are fallen too?
A dying angel. A fractured realm. The mortal who might be able to save them both.

Solanji has a secret. One that is becoming increasingly difficult to keep. She can touch souls and see into a person’s inner thoughts. Soulbreathing is exhilarating and addictive, until the day Solanji caresses the wrong person’s soulmist.

Dragged into a long forgotten angelic mystery, she is forced to venture into Eidolon, the godforsaken last resort for those without souls. In order to save her brother, she must rescue a broken and tortured man. Can she save him from the shadows? Does he even want to be saved? And can she find a way to return to the light before the darkness engulfs them both?

SoulBreather is the first book in the paranormal fantasy SoulMist series.

About Tim Paige (Voice Artist/Narrator)

I’m a father to two awesome little boys (and a 4 lb toy poodle). We’re a little too obsessed with Disney (#Disnerds) and Marvel Comics.

I spent a large part of my life as a touring musician, playing on some of the bigget stages in the world (including on MTV’s TRL, back when that was a thing).

I also practiced and taught marketing (mostly at software startups) so I’ve got tech expertise, as well as experience with entrepreneurship, startups, and motivation.

Rom Coms are my JAM, so if something has a HEA, count me in.

I’ve not only narrated best-selling books, but have also voiced national commercials, tv show promos, trailers, and more.

Listen on Spotify

If you’ve read this far, you deserve a gift! I have a few Spotify promo codes allowing you to download my audiobook for free. You can apply for a free code here. (Limited number of codes available so don’t delay. When they are gone, they are gone!) Let me know what you think by leaving a review.

Happy Listening!

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. (First three books also available on audio!) 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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Sustainability Matters

As Earth Day approaches, my thoughts turn to what we are doing to our planet, our home. For some time I’ve wanted to help with reforestation projects and help plant more trees. Return parts of our amazing country back to its leafy origins. To help protect those ancients forests that sustain so much natural life and can teach us so much.

I have always had a love of trees. Walking through forests, copses, elm trees lining a road, Pine firs bordering a moor, the horse chestnut tree in my backgarden (even through all its seasons!), a single oak tree in all it magnificent glory! Even the local cemetary which has many ebautirul specimens.

It’s so peaceful walking through nature, listening to the swish of leaves, the odd woodpecker or some energetic birdsong! That blackbird certainly has some lungs. But if we don’t protect our forests, nurture the trees, our children won’t get to enjoy the natural world in the way we do.

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

With my Sentinal series books being based around a magical sentinal tree which protected the Lady’s guards for thousand of years, it seems only right that these books should should also protect and give back to the environment.

So I’ve decided to donate 20p for every ebook or print book I sell. This includes all my books, both the Epic Fantasy Sentinal series and the Fantasy Romance SoulMist series.

In the UK it costs £5.00 to plant a tree so for every twenty-five books I sell, we’ll plant a tree between us.

You can follow our progress on my sustainability page and see how many trees we’ve planted. Share the word, buy a book and help plant a tree!

How Many Trees Have We Planted?

And don’t forget…

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series. 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 Across Time is a Finalist for the 2022 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction

The tension is rising! Can you feel it? Sentinals Across Time, the fourth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series has made it through to the Finals for the 2022 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 Semi Finals in the 2022 CIBAs OZMA division.

Sentinals Across Time has moved forward in the judging rounds from all 2022 Ozma Fantasy Fiction entries to the 2022 Ozma Book Awards FINALS. Entries are now in competition for 2022 Ozma FINALIST. Finalists will be selected from the Semi Finailsts. All FINALISTS will be announced and recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference (CAC23) on April 29th, 2023.

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

If you would like to stay in contact and follow my writing career, then 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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The Alliance of Independent Authors - Author Member

Sentinals Justice now available on Audiobook!

The third book in the Sentinal series is now avaialble in Audio book. You can find it on Audible, Amazon or Apple Books.

All 16 hours and 26 minutes of it, narrated by the amazing Matt Coles. Check out the audio sample and start the adventure now.

I’ve loved working on this third installment of the series. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions as Matt takes you to the icy lands of Elothia.

Now you can meet Jerrol and the Sentinals whilst you drive, exercise or work. Pick up your copy from Audible, Amazon or Apple Books.

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

The third installment of the Sentinal series takes us to the frozen north, to the Grand Duchy of Elothia. Border tensions with Elothia force King Benedict to send a diplomatic envoy to sue for peace. Benedict has his hands full with Vespiri and Terolia, he can’t afford a war on his northern border as well. Commander Jerrol Haven is sent to broker peace. Having met Grand Duke Randolf the thirteenth before, Jerrol hopes their previously successful negotiations will assist in a speedy resolution and allow him time to discover how to rescue Birlerion from the Ascendants.

Meanwhile, the Chapterhouse has received a request for a scholar to assist in searching for signs of the Sentinals in Elothia. Taelia is assigned the task, because Scholar Torsion is also missing after the attack at the Watch Towers.

Amidst escalating tensions and conflicting needs, Jerrol journeys to Elothia, hoping to meet with Randolf before the Ascendants can influence him. Escorting Taelia is an unexpected bonus. Can Jerrol stop Elothia and Vespiri from going to war? Will they find more Sentinals? And can they find out where the Ascendants took Birlerion and Torsion before it is too late.

If you’ve read this far, you deserve a gift! I have a few Audible promo codes allowing you to download my audiobook for free. You can apply for a free code here. (Limited number of codes available so don’t delay. When they are gone, they are gone!) Let me know what you think by leaving a review.

Happy Listening!

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