This next spooky recommendation comes from the creative mind of independent author David Washburn. DIY Exorcism had me imagining dark shapes in corners as sinister figures (it was just my laundry pile) and genuinely gave me goosebumps. When a small town pastor thinks his young son is possessed by a demon he does whatever he thinks necessary to rid the boy of evil.

Happy Indigenous People's Day, friends!

I've got multiple posts coming today, so many things to talk about, so many secrets to ....

Today we recognize the history and contribution of Indigenous people (starting by recognizing, we are still here!)

To Do List:

1. Buy Indigenous books (and from Indigenous creators! I get a small commission every time you shop using my bookshop link and it really helps at the end of the month!) I've added a few books to this post and I've also created a Bookshop shopping list, https://bookshop.org/lists/indigenous-book-releases-2026

Buy using my bookshop link and buying an Indigenous book, you support: Indigenous authors, an Indigenous creator (me!) and an Indigenous bookstore (Black Walnut Books!)

1. Shop Indigenous! Some of my fave Indigenous bookshops: Black Walnut Books, Quiet Quail Books and Eureka Bookstore!

2. Consider upgrading your membership today. Your monthly subscriptions are what keep this imprint going and provide a place for these authors to have a great publishing experience getting their stories into the world. More subscribers= more books!

3. Order books from Boozhoo Books. YOU HAVEN'T PURCHASED WHAT FEEDS BELOW YET? How can we become a bestseller without you?

   Have you preordered Cracks? It's time to start building momentum so that Cracks can debut with over 1,000 preorders in April. Can that be our imprint's "THING" - 1,000 preorders for authors every time. (This doesn't happen in trad pub, because the publishers just don't put in the effort and leave it all to the authors.) Proud to have community support and community funded publishing!

While I was in NYC, someone asked me if I was still interested in publishing Indigenous books- the answer has always been yes, but I know I don't talk about the behind the scenes as much as I should:

1. To date, we have made offers on 3 books by Indigenous authors. (a couple you know!) Unfortunately, we lost to other presses.

2. I am not an editor in the traditional sense, and Bindery's editing turnaround is tight, so I'm looking for manuscripts that are nearly there where I want them to be.

3. I have to be passionate about the story and believe I can sell it. I've read some good stories, that just are not for me.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it publicly, but I am always open to submissions for Indigenous authors. If you're agented, send directly to Bindery. If you're not agented, you can email me directly. My current bandwidth does not allow me to respond to all submissions, but I am always reading.

Someone left me a comment on Instagram (that I deleted, because I have that capability) and asked if I could still be an Indigenous led imprint, if I don't have any Indigenous books. Did I stop being Indigenous? (I could make an entire post about the stupid comments I get on social media, should I?)

Did you notice the new(ish) byline for my imprint: Publishing stories that haunt and heal.

I've read so many great stories recently and want this imprint to grow and expand, encompassing all that haunts and heals.

Did I mention earlier that I had publishing secrets? A total of three. And they keep coming!

One is going public SOON. One might get announced this week to paid subscribers. Maybe two. If you haven't upgraded yet- it's definitely time. Things are about to get spicy.

Okay, more coming soon! (Including a new Indigenous book bingo card! I know you've been waiting!)

XoXo (should I rewatch Gossip Girl? One like on this post and I will take that as a yes)

There have been lots of new friends joining recently, both here and on Instagram! If you're new, welcome! I'm so glad you're here!

You Can Sit with Us Book Club is an asynchronous, virtual book club exclusively for followers of Rachael's Reads! We chat on Discord and, as of this month, have added the ability to discuss on Fable as well. For now, we alternate between contemporary romance and fantasy/fantasy romance. Inner Circle and Producer level subscribers have the option to suggest titles for future months.

October's book is The Song of Sunrise by Monica J. DeLoy. Monica is an indie author from the Midwest and will be featured on my podcast, Endpapers, next week! The Song of Sunrise is a magical war academy fantasy romance and, as of earlier this month, is available as a full-cast audiobook! It's also on KU.

Book 2 of the Prentice Teller series releases TOMORROW, so when you left wondering what happens after The Song of Sunrise ends, you won't have long to wait!

Join on Discord!

Join on Fable!

Ready to read? Let's go!

Ready to dive into the world of selkies, fae, witches, werewolves, political intrigue, dangerous enemies, complicated loyalties, and one seriously complicated love story? 📚👀

The full Book Club Kit, Individual Book Club Member Guide, Buddy Reader Kit, AND Solo Reader Kit for Between Sky and Sea: Book 1 of the Black Heart Tribunal Series by Katy Tearle are officially available for The First Editions!

Whether you’re reading with your book club, buddy-reading with your favorite person, or going full solo deep-dive mode, we’ve got a kit for you. 🌊📖✨

📚 TAP THE LINK TO DOWNLOAD YOUR KITS!

Book Club Kit 

Individual Book Club Member Reader Guide 

Buddy Reader Kit 

Solo Reader Kit 

And once you’ve got your reading materials ready, don’t stop there!

🔥 CHECK OUT OUR BOOK CLUB DEEP-DIVE REVIEW OF BETWEEN SKY AND SEA for our full thoughts on Mira, Lukas, the Black Heart Tribunal, the supernatural world, the high-stakes political conflict, and ALL the things we’re still thinking about.

💬 AND IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY, CHECK OUT OUR BOOK CLUB CONVERSATION WITH KATY TEARLE! We went behind the pages to talk about the story, characters, world-building, and so much more.

Basically…if Between Sky and Sea is on your TBR, we came prepared. 😂🌊

Now grab your kit, grab your book, and come dive into Alistile with us! 📚✨

#BetweenSkyAndSea #KatyTearle #BlackHeartTribunal #BookClubKit #ThePageLadiesBookClub

If you’re looking for a fantasy that throws you directly into the fire and refuses to let you catch your breath, Between Sky and Sea: Book 1 of the Black Heart Tribunal Series by Katy Tearle is ready to drag you under and I was absolutely here for it.

I went into this expecting selkies, fae, witches, werewolves, political intrigue, and a dangerous fantasy world. What I got was all of that plus a story about power, prejudice, grief, loyalty, love, and what happens when someone is forced to become a leader before they’re ready.

And honestly? Mira has A LOT on her plate.

As the newly crowned King of All Selkies, Mira should be settling into her new role. Instead, she’s dodging assassins, protecting defectors from the fae, expanding her Royal Entourage with a witch and his apprentice, negotiating with werewolf packs, and trying to figure out how to protect an entire supernatural population from the Black Heart Tribunal.

No pressure, right? 😅

Except the Black Heart Tribunal isn’t just some shadowy villain lurking in the background. They’re organized, politically motivated, deeply hateful, and determined to wipe out non-human nobility while taking control of the supernatural population. Selkies, dragons, witches, werewolves, seers, fae, sirens the threat reaches across every corner of this world.

And that gave the story a sense of urgency that I really felt.

Because Mira isn't fighting for a kingdom alone. She’s fighting for people who have been targeted simply because of what they are.

That made the political conflict hit differently for me. The Tribunal’s ideology creates an atmosphere where alliances matter, trust is dangerous, and every decision carries consequences. Mira is learning how to lead while simultaneously trying to determine who she can actually trust and whether diplomacy will be enough when the people coming for her are willing to burn everything down.

Then there’s Lukas.

Former love. Current bodyguard. Complicated history. 👀

Lukas has sworn to protect Mira, but their past hangs between them, and I was completely invested in that tension. Their relationship brings a deeply personal layer to an already dangerous story. There’s unfinished business, regret, vulnerability, and the very real question of whether something broken can ever become whole again.

What I especially loved was how Between Sky and Sea balances the massive fantasy stakes with those intimate emotional moments. Yes, there are assassins, supernatural politics, magical beings, shifting alliances, and a terrifying enemy but underneath all of that is Mira trying to figure out who she is now that everyone expects her to be a king.

She isn’t handed an easy path. She makes mistakes. She questions herself. She has to learn when to compromise and when to stand her ground. And watching her grow into her power while the world around her becomes increasingly unstable made this feel like the beginning of something much bigger.

And I have QUESTIONS. So. Many. Questions. 😂

The world Katy Tearle is building has so much room to expand, and I am absolutely curious about where the Black Heart Tribunal will take us next, which alliances will hold, which ones will shatter, and what Mira and Lukas’s complicated history means for the future.

🌊 FINAL THOUGHTS

Between Sky and Sea is a high-stakes fantasy filled with selkies, fae, witches, werewolves, political intrigue, forbidden/second-chance romance, supernatural alliances, dangerous enemies, and characters carrying more emotional baggage than they probably have room for.

But beneath all that fantasy goodness is a story about identity, leadership, prejudice, found family, forgiveness, and choosing what kind of person you want to become when the world is demanding something from you.

I finished this feeling like the story had only just opened the door and I am very much ready to see what’s waiting on the other side.

📚 Thank you, Katy Tearle, for sharing Between Sky and Sea with us and giving The Page Ladies Book Club the chance to dive into this world!

✨ Want to dive in with us? Tap the link to download our Mini Reader Kits for Between Sky and Sea, or join The First Editions to get access to the full Book Club Kits and take your reading experience even deeper.

Mini Reader Kits 

And if you haven’t already, make sure you check out our Book Club Conversation with Katy Tearle for an even deeper look at the story, characters, world-building, and the inspiration behind the book. 🌊📖

💬 BOOK CLUB QUESTION: If you were Mira, would you prioritize diplomacy and alliances with the supernatural kingdoms or go straight after the Black Heart Tribunal before they have the chance to strike again?

#BetweenSkyAndSea #KatyTearle #BlackHeartTribunal #FantasyBookClub #FantasyBooks