IndieReader Discovery Awards 2025 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
In this exhilarating third installment of James Bultema’s SEA OF RED series, domestic terrorists acting for Iran destroy Independence Hall in Philadelphia, an atrocity that cannot go unpunished. As the US military brings its full force to bear in the Middle East, hardware and manpower capabilities will need to push beyond their limits to stop the Iranians from bringing the threat of nuclear war into reality. Sharp, precisely plotted, and explosive, RED LINES takes the reader alongside its characters deep into the combat zones and tactics behind the life-or-death missions. From cyber warfare to naval strategies and aerial dogfights, Bultema’s impeccable research, blistering pace, and gripping narrative ensure that RED LINES is an absolute must-read for military thriller fans.
Being the new kid in school is always a challenge for pre-teens, especially when you have to learn how to fit in. DODGING CUPCAKES by Laura Pashley introduces readers to 12-year-old Mindy, a transplant from Chicago to her dad’s rural Illinois hometown. Learning more about one’s own abilities, how to make new friends without intimidating others, and directing classmates to higher ambitions are good lessons for kids this age—and adults, too.
THE SOMETHING MORE is the new romance novel by HK Jacobs, known for her Alex Wilde romances. Quinn is an equine vet on the East Coast who loves her job and is engaged to a decent man. But when her father is seriously injured, she returns to the small Texas town where she grew up to help him and handle his vet practice until he recovers, which is when she runs into Will, the man who broke her heart and is now a bestselling author in town for a book event. Quinn has to face the past in order to have a future; as she learns to be truthful with herself, she also uncovers the truth of what happened with Will. Quinn’s passion and talent for her work are well-integrated into the story, and provide both a strong backdrop and another intriguing layer. The way Quinn and Will try to reconcile their past, present, and future, as the old feeling surface and grow even stronger, is handled with delicacy and vulnerability. With surprises, warmth and poignancy, THE SOMETHING MORE is a lovely, loving read.
Living in a city without truly appreciating its charm and beauty seems like a wasted opportunity. In TOKYO TEMPOS, author Michael Pronko continues his series as an American living and working in Japan. Descriptive passages bring the reader into each segment, as this “travelogue” offers a more personal experience of daily life for would-be visitors and those living—or wanting to live—in Japan. TOKYO TEMPOS is the fourth installment of Pronko’s Tokyo Moments series, continuing a love affair with this beautiful Japanese city.
Judy Haveson’s candid and witty book, OLDEST MOM ON THE PLAYGROUND, encapsulates the special pleasures and difficulties of becoming a mother later in life. As she navigates parenthood in her forties, Haveson’s realistic storytelling, which is laced with wit and resiliency, offers both insight and fun. Her frank observations provide readers who are juggling motherhood and the challenges of midlife with a reassuring viewpoint.
THE LYCAN PRINCESS & THE LETHAL POTIONS WIZ by Stina’s Pen brings readers into a vibrant fantasy world, where royal lycans, wraiths, and wizards interact amidst compelling political intrigue, magic, and lore. The narrative excels in its vivid world-building, with uniquely imagined creatures and a touch of humor that enriches the interactions among diverse species. This fantastical journey of destiny and prophecy is sure to captivate readers drawn to supernatural adventures.
Aubrey Birch’s poetry collection VESICAPISCIS looks simple on the page, but is layered and multi-faceted. Birch’s performance experience translates well to the poems, and several pieces could serve double duty as either prose poems or monologues standing on their own. The piece, as a whole, could be an evening’s performance. There are some beautifully memorable lines such as “Each photo is a voice” that are meditations within and without the rest of their poem. Loss, gain, ease, silence, fame, the body, questions, and most importantly, the meaning of the self and that power are all explored and prodded from multiple angles. There’s often a wry humor underneath the word arrangement. It appears as stream of consciousness, but there’s very much a sense of the artist being in control and guiding the reader on the journey, provoking the reader to think and dig deeper.
THE AVATAR MURDERS by Jim Rowson is a gritty detective novel that plunges readers into a futuristic world where augmented reality and digital avatars collide with murder. With a compelling protagonist grappling with personal loss, the book masterfully blends high-tech intrigue with emotional depth, making it a gripping read for fans of both sci-fi and noir.
Gustaf Berger’s THE PAPERBOY AND THE SPINSTER is a thoughtful exploration of the complexities of masculine identity in a recognizable – but hardly idyllic – 1950s America. On the cusp of manhood at 12 years old, its eponymous protagonist sometimes reflects the biases and failings of his time; but his surprising tenderness for plants, animals, and other human beings lends his story a deep, satisfying fullness.
An entertaining and complex read, Stephen J. Wallace’s debut novel HAZARDOUS LIES is a combination mystery/thriller centered around an explosion at a chemical plant. Jon Barrett, depressed after a scandal in his previous job, gets assigned the investigation on his first day in his new government job, for an agency fighting to keep its funding. The company is more interested in optics than the fact that three men died, and an intern (a politician’s son) is missing. How far will they go to protect themselves? How much political and legal power do they have to flex? While the answer is unsurprising, the way Jon uncovers doggedly uncovers each piece of the puzzle while struggling with his own depression is a good read. Wallace’s knowledge of engineering and how these types of plants work add texture to a profession few people understand and many fear. The external challenges provoke internal revelations that force Jon to make difficult decisions that will affect his future.
Imagine a world where there’s not a man in sight. In ALL THE MEN ARE GONE by K.A. Claytor, war has claimed every man, save for a few held secretly for producing future generations. Fast paced and intriguing, this fantasy sci-fi novel has colorful characters and a strange but satisfying conclusion.
Ian Crouch’s captivating historical fiction book, A PYRRHIC VICTORY VOLUME III-FATE, transports readers to the intricate political and military conflicts of ancient Greece. It provides an engaging look at Pyrrhus of Epirus’ ambition and strategic brilliance through vivid battle descriptions and intricately portrayed personalities. An intriguing book with complex historical background illustrating the balance between political and personal challenges.
Descriptive writing and colorful characters brings PINK CORROSION, the second installment of the Costi Gurgu’s “Corrosion” series, to life. Part sci-fi part fantasy, the story furthers Geo Woodman’s claim to the Silkers crown. Some political overtones, short chapters, and non-stop action will keep readers fully engaged.
FIRST CONTACT by Albert Zhang introduces readers to a futuristic, galaxy-spanning civilization as humanity encounters a mysterious and potentially hostile alien force. Through vivid world-building and complex characters, Zhang immerses readers in the anticipation and tension of humanity’s first interstellar interaction, making it a captivating read for any science fiction enthusiast.
Stacey Cooper’s PREPARING FOR A MARATHON: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE FROM A TO Z is an all-encompassing and enlightening handbook covering everything from selecting the appropriate race and course to ensuring proper nutrition. Cooper’s guide addresses all elements of marathon preparation in an easily navigable, alphabetized layout. Her personal stories and relatable writing create a sense of fellowship, offering readers support and motivation throughout their training. The book reflects Cooper’s enthusiasm for running and her intent to share her knowledge, making it a vital resource for aspiring marathon runners.
In Costi Gurgu’s PINK CORROSION, Book 2 of the CORROSION series, Geo Woodman claims his place as leader of the Silkers after defeating Prince Boris but quickly faces new struggles to earn the loyalty of the Silker Commanders and Council. With his partner (Bree), Geo must defend their newly acquired kingdom from the powerful warlord Han the Great, who is sweeping across kingdoms with his unstoppable army. Gurgu’s richly detailed worldbuilding and blend of medieval and modern elements bring this well-paced epic tale of loyalty, power, and intrigue to life, although readers may find the story even more compelling if they start with Book 1.
In A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT by Marlene M. Bell, former celebrity chef Laura Harris finds herself at the center of a chilling murder after her beloved mentor, Hattie Stenburg, is found dead, and Laura inherits her fortune amid swirling suspicion. As she fights to prove her innocence, Laura uncovers hidden secrets in her seemingly perfect small town—with a cunning adversary always lurking in the shadows, leaving cryptic threats and clues. This gripping tale of betrayal and intrigue will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover whether Laura can untangle the web of deceit before it is too late.
Kay Smith-Blum’s finely written debut, TANGLES, unfolds the stories of neighbors, Mary Boone and Lucas Hinson, living under the toxic shadow of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation during the 1940s. Trapped within an abusive marriage and beginning to realize the devastating consequences of the radioactive waste being pumped into their environment, Mary is determined to play her role in exposing the horrors of Hanford, but at what cost? Told through dual timelines that twist and converge, the story effortlessly moves between genres to gift the reader a beautifully touching love story and a brutal mystery set against the dawn of the nuclear age and its impact. Impeccably researched, forensic yet deeply human, TANGLES also resonates with contemporary relevance.