Thanks to Darlene Elizabeth Williams of http://darleneelizabethwilliamsauthor.com/, I found out about the 2013 “Indie Fever” Reading Challenge. Not only will participation force me to read faster than I otherwise might have, but here is another chance to spread the word about quality Indie fiction. I wish I had more time to read, because I would have entered at the “fanatic” level (28 or more Indie books), but as my current situation prevents fanaticism, I have entered at the “lover” level, hoping to rise perhaps to the “expert.” This will be grand fun! You can find a link to other participants’ blogs at http://b00kr3vi3ws.blogspot.in/2013/01/IndieFever.html.

THEREFORE, the next book up for review is Requiem, by crime author Bill Kitson’s HF-writing alter ego, William Gordon. It seems that Mr. Kitson has chosen a publishing route similar to that of Joan Druett, who was interviewed back in July: simultaneously self-publishing and working with a mainstream house (Hale). I would like to continue our series “From Mainstream to Indie” with an interview with Mr. Kitson, if he is amenable, at some point.

This looks to be a rags-to-riches (and perhaps back again) family saga–the first in the Byland Crescent series–following the fortunes of the wealthy entrepreneur, Albert Cowgill, and his family. The drama takes place in Northern Yorkshire in England from 1878 through the First World War. Appropriately, with the next season of Downton Abbey having just begun on Sunday, Requiem looks to be another sweeping family saga for book lovers to indulge in–we shall see. Mr. Kitson has a personal blog at http://billkitsonblog.wordpress.com/