BBNYA 2024 Winner: Clues to You by Claire Huston

September 5, 2025 kerrimcbooknerd1 Comment

Hello, reader!

Our finalists for 2024’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award are on tour and I’m joining in! Today, I’ll be bringing you my thoughts on the book that took home the prize in 2024, a romance with the backdrop of a murder mystery called Clues to You by Claire Huston!

But, before I go on, let me tell you more about this award. BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with, typically, 15 finalists (though we had 16 in 2024) and one overall winner. If you are an author and wish to learn more about the BBNYA competition, you can visit the official website http://www.bbnya.com or Twitter @bbnya_official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

And, now, let’s talk about the book!

Title: Clues to You
Author: Claire Huston
Publisher: Goldencrest Books International
Publication date: September 19th, 2023
Length: 373 pages
Genre: Romance/Mystery
Age group: Adult

Book Links

Amazon::StoryGraph::Goodreads

One murder mystery weekend. Two rival sleuths.

They’re looking for answers. But will they find love?

Kate Brannon is delighted to be attending her first murder mystery weekend in a movie-worthy Victorian manor house. Still getting over being dumped, cracking the case would be a welcome boost to her flagging confidence. And the prize money wouldn’t hurt either.

But Kate’s dreams of victory become a nightmare with the arrival of Max Ravenscroft. Smart, enigmatic and annoyingly handsome, Max is Kate’s sleuthing nemesis.

When she and Max are forced to work together, Kate despairs. But, as the investigation brings them closer, she finds being his partner in solving crime isn’t all bad.

With growing suspicions that the game is rigged against them, can Kate and Max beat the odds to find the killer? And, as their partnership deepens, can they find romance too?

A sweet romantic comedy with a cosy mystery at its heart. Perfect for fans of Kathryn Freeman, Laura Jane Williams and Katie Fforde.

This rivals-to-lovers romance is a standalone romcom and part of the Love in the Comptons collection.

Continue reading →

BBNYA 2024 Finalist Tour: A Necromancer Called Gam Gam by Adam Holcombe

August 19, 2025 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

Our finalists for 2024’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award are on tour and I’m joining in! Today, I’ll be bringing you my thoughts on our 2nd place finalist, a short fantasy that has a lot of heart and a geriatric necromancer called A Necromancer Called Gam Gam by Adam Holcombe!

And, now, let’s talk about the book!

Title: A Necromancer Called Gam Gam
Author: Adam Holcombe
Publisher: Self-published
Publication date: May 30th, 2023
Length: 110 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Age group: Adult

Book Links

Bookshop::B&N::Amazon::StoryGraph::
Goodreads

A grandmotherly necromancer seeking resolution for her past with the help of her loyal entourage: an undead cat and a spectral knight.

A girl on the run from the Eternal Empire for the mysterious power she possesses.

When a chance encounter pulls them together, Gam Gam will do what it takes to protect Mina from the rogue sergeant hounding her–including raising the dead. As long as they’re dressed for the occasion.

Continue reading →

blog tour · book reviews

BBNYA 2024 Finalist Tour: Bad Grains by Susanne Schmidt

July 23, 2025 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

Our finalists for 2024’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award are on tour and I’m joining in! Today, I’ll be bringing you my thoughts on our 4th place finalist, a middle grade horror that feels like an enchanted folktale called Bad Grains by Susanne Schmidt!

And, now, let’s talk about the book!

Title: Bad Grains
Author: Susanne Schmidt
Publisher: Self-published
Publication date: October 1st, 2024
Length: 167 pages
Genre: Horror/Fantasy
Age group: Middle Grade

Book Links

Bookshop::B&N::Amazon::StoryGraph::
Goodreads

In the quaint German town of Fels, Halloween takes a dark turn for eleven-year-old Jo when her annoying older brother, Hektor, goes missing. Jo suspects he’s playing a prank, but then both her father and grandma forget Hektor’s name, and his stuff mysteriously disappears from his room.

With the adults of no help whatsoever, Jo starts her own investigation and uncovers a gruesome legend: A monster lives in the rye fields and it has been preying on the children of Fels for centuries, ensnaring them into its world under the roots. Now Jo will have two days until the gates between worlds closes on Halloween night.

Armed with a trusty turnip lantern, and her brother’s obnoxious best friend as her only ally, can Jo outsmart the ancient monster, or will the rye fields claim even more innocent victims?

Join Jo an experience a spine-chilling adventure that combines the darkness of German folklore with the magic of spooky season.

Continue reading →

blog tour · book reviews

BBNYA 2024 Finalist Tour: Madame Eldridge’s Wayward Home for Unruly Boys by Benjamin Ryan

July 12, 2025 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

Our finalists for 2024’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award are on tour and I’m joining in! Today, I’ll be bringing you my thoughts on our 5th place finalist, a twisty fantasy filled magic and intrigue called Madame Eldridge’s Wayward Home for Unruly Boys by Benjamin Ryan!

And, now, let’s talk about the book!

Title: Madame Eldridge’s Wayward Home for Unruly Boys
Author: Benjamin Ryan
Publisher: Conquest Publishing
Publication date: August 1st, 2023
Length: 290 pages
Genre: Fantasy/Mystery
Age group: Young Adult

Book Links

Bookshop::B&N::Amazon::StoryGraph::
Goodreads

Deep in the heart of Virginia’s dense backwoods, the Wayward Home for Unruly Boys hides more than just troubled youth. Under Madame Eldridge’s watchful eye, three strict rules govern their behavior

1. What happens here stays here.

2. You must complete all eight steps—no exceptions allowed.

3. Forget your name; you’ll be known only by your problem.

But, there’s one unspoken rule that sends shivers down the boys’ never enter the forbidden third-floor bedroom of the boy who vanished, leaving nothing behind but whispers.

When Vandalize and Stealer defy this warning, they uncover a treasure trove of bewitched artifacts, each with a strange and powerful ability. Using these relics, the boys tackle Madame Eldridge’s whimsical—and often bizarre—challenges, only to learn magic always demands its price.

Amidst the chaos, Fibbsy stumbles upon a peculiar object that sends him hurtling back in time, revealing an unfathomable truth about Madame Eldridge, the eerie town, and the missing boy’s fate. But who will trust the words of a liar?

Bound by the house’s darkest mysteries, Fibbsy, Defiance, Slob, and Secret form an unlikely friendship as they race to unveil the shrouded secrets surrounding the Wayward Home. Together, they confront their deepest fears, uncovering that the real magic lies in facing their own personal demons—and each other.

Continue reading →

blog tour · book reviews

BBNYA 2024 Finalist Tour: Glunda the Veg Witch by Keith W. Dickinson

June 11, 2025July 12, 2025 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

Our finalists for 2024’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award are on tour and I’m joining in! Today, I’ll be bringing you my thoughts on our 7th place finalist, a fun and funny witchy fantasy called Glunda the Veg Witch by Keith W. Dickinson!

And, now, let’s talk about Glunda the Veg Witch!

Title: Glunda the Veg Witch
Author: Keith W. Dickinson
Publisher: Hammersmyth Press
Publication date: October 31st, 2023
Length: 149 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Age group: New Adult

Book Links

Bookshop::B&N::Amazon::StoryGraph::
Goodreads

“A witch’s boots told the story of her life. They showed you where she’d been, where she was going, and what kind of a witch she would be when she got there. And, most importantly, they were proof that said witch was not someone to be trifled with. She was to be listened to, and obeyed, and yes sometimes even feared, because her wisdom was hard earned and her wrath swift and mighty. They would have to be, for her to have lived in such boots for so many a year. No one trusted a witch in brand new boots, and rightly so as far as Glunda was concerned.”

Glunda Ashwillow is on top of the world. About to become head witch, and the youngest ever Guardian of the Golden Key, the only thing standing in her way is her old enemy, the Drupe Mages. They have the key, and they’re not willing to give it up without a fight.

With a coven of quarrelsome witches to contend with, and a fief full of farmers on the verge of revolt, can Glunda beat the mages and get the key before she runs out of veg? Or is there a cold, hard, carrot-less winter ahead for all concerned?

A tale of heroism and hotpots, Glunda The Veg Witch is a fun fantasy adventure everyone can enjoy.

Continue reading →

blog tour · book reviews

BBNYA 2024 Finalist Tour: Curse of Souls by Niranjan

February 20, 2025 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

Our finalists for 2024’s Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award are on tour and I’m joining in! Today, I’ll be bringing you my thoughts on our 15th place finalist, a true sci-fi/fantasy blend with a good dash of romance called Curse of Souls by Niranjan!

And, now, let’s talk about Curse of Souls!

Title: Curse of Souls
Author: Niranjan
Publisher: Self-published
Publication date: January 19th, 2024
Length: 158 pages
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Age group: Adult
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, violence, war, blood

Book Links

Bookshop::B&N::Amazon::StoryGraph::
Goodreads

The fates of two nations hang on the balance on a man’s choice between love and an arcane bond.

Philip has been spearheading a rebellion in his country, with Casey, his lover and partner, at his side. The rebellion has snowballed into a civil war and casualties on both sides are mounting. In a desperate attempt for peace, Philip decides to approach Raylan, the second in command of the other side. He has learned that Raylan is not as stubborn as his mentor and that he may be open to negotiations.

The last thing Philip expects is for a soul mate bond to spring to life between him and Raylan, activating an ancient curse that will kill them both if the bond isn’t consummated. Philip has never loved anyone but Casey, and Raylan is a total stranger who he has no feelings for. Yet, the delicate negotiations between the two nations will fail without him and Raylan. Philip’s life is not his own, after all; it belongs to the people he has pledged his service to.

With more than his life at stake, will Philip be able to let go of the love of his life to bring peace to his people?

Curse of Souls is dystopian futuristic fantasy. If you love fantasy tales with high personal and world changing stakes, and protagonists who struggle to make hard choices, you will enjoy Niranjan’s Curse of Souls about people pushed to the limits of their endurance.

Buy Curse of Souls today for a tale of love, sacrifice and redemption that will leave you breathless.

Continue reading →

bbnya spotlight

BBNYA Semi-Finalist Spotlight 2024: Wrath of the Land by Oli Jacobs

December 4, 2024 kerrimcbooknerdLeave a comment

Hello, reader!

Today on the blog, I’m helping the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) spotlight all the books that made it to the semi-finals! We had an incredible line up of novels in 2024, which was very exciting for me as a panelist. My TBR grew exponentially just from reading my assigned excerpts! So, even though I didn’t delve into every semi-finalist, they all deserve a shout-out because the competition was tough this year.

But what is BBNYA, exactly? It is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 16 finalists and one overall winner. It’s a way to celebrate indie novels, which don’t get nearly enough love, and hopefully bring more attention to indie authors and indie publishing in general.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the @Foliosociety (if you love beautiful books, you NEED to check out their website!) and the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Our final spotlight is shining on a horror novel that sounds eerie: Wrath of the Land by Oli Jacobs!