Calder Venn’s debut, All the Tide Takes: The Lost Treasure of Olivier Levasseur, plunges readers into the high-stakes world of 18th-century piracy, treasure hunting, and the unforgiving Indian Ocean. Published on February 24, 2026, this historical fiction novel is a meticulously researched maritime adventure that blends the intellectual discipline of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series with the moral complexity of The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s a tale of ambition, consequence, and the sea’s relentless duality—what it offers and what it takes. With its roots in real history and its sights set on timeless themes, this novel is a standout addition to the genre and the first in a planned trilogy.
Tag Archives: fiction
Collings MacCrae on Crafting Crime, Embracing Indie, and Redefining Neurodiverse Heroes
Collings MacCrae is a name that stands out in the world of crime fiction. A former healthcare consultant with over 40 years of experience, MacCrae brings a unique blend of professional expertise, personal insight, and creative passion to her writing. Her Fox Argall Mysteries series has fascinated readers with its dark, atmospheric storytelling, richly developed characters, and authentic portrayal of neurodivergence. In this Author’s Spotlight, we explore MacCrae’s journey as a writer, her decision to self-publish, and her vision for the future of indie publishing.
Collings MacCrae’s The Ruin of the Watcher: A Standout in Character-Driven Crime Fiction
Collings MacCrae’s The Ruin of the Watcher is a riveting crime-fiction prequel that blends a dark atmosphere with human characters and a unique protagonist. This novel introduces the Fox Argall Mysteries with a powerful exploration of trauma, loyalty, and neurodivergence, while delivering an intelligent, emotionally resonant standalone mystery.
12 TBR Gems You Need to Check Out This Week!
Building on this system, my picks for the week include a mix of indie gems and traditionally published heavyweights. Alongside sharing my recommendations, I’ll offer tips on how you can choose your next read wisely. We’ll also take a closer look at how indie books are impacting the publishing world, and why they deserve your attention.
Into the Shadows with Adam Caisse
Most people lock their doors at night, hoping to keep the monsters out. Adam Caisse, horror author, invites them in, listens to their secrets, and transforms nightmares into art. What draws someone to darkness and lets them sleep peacefully after? Today, we meet the mind behind the midnight tales.
From Gnight Sara to Sunday Sunset
The sequel, I Love You, Sunday Sunset, draws its name from Heck’s poem in Gnight Sara / Night Heck. In the poem, he reflects on Sunday sunsets as symbols of farewells and new beginnings, an idea that quietly but powerfully echoes throughout the story.
The Uncharted Territory: How Indie Authors Are Redrawing the Literary Map
In the overlooked corners of the literary world, far from the unrelenting pace and grand traditions of established publishing houses, a quiet revolution is taking shape. This movement is powered not by business tactics or sales projections but by the fervent commitment of storytellers. Welcome to the indie author’s realm, a setting in which creative autonomy dominates, and authors build their own publishing routes. For years, books traveled a predictable route from writer to reader through traditional publishing, but today, new narratives emerge—ones that change what literary achievement truly means.
A Journey Worth Taking: A Review of Paul Scott Grill’s Travel By Star
Some books are a quick thrill, a fleeting adventure you enjoy and then forget. Others settle into your bones, their stories and characters lingering long after you’ve turned the final page. Paul Scott Grill’s debut novel, Travel By Star, firmly belongs to the latter category.
Virginia Evans’ The Correspondent: A LOVE LETTER TO LETTERS
In an era dominated by fleeting texts and emails, Virginia Evans’ glowing debut, The Correspondent (Crown, 2025), is a love letter to the written word, and to the messy, beautiful lives it captures. This epistolary novel, a #1 New York Times bestseller and one of 2025’s most celebrated literary successes, showcases character-driven storytelling. Through the letters of Sybil Van Antwerp, a 73-year-old retired court clerk navigating the winter of her life, Evans delivers a touching meditation on grief, forgiveness, identity, and the relational influence.
CRIMSON REGRET: A Haunting Journey Through Pain and the Supernatural
This is the story of Amy Kennedy, a 16-year-old girl living in the fictional town of Englewood, a place steeped in a dark history of witch trials and executions dating back to the 17th century. This historical backdrop is not just a setting but a living, breathing force that shapes the town’s present and Amy’s personal struggles.