Tamara S. Harker

@tamarasharker

Indie epic fantasy author, editor, and avid collector and list-maker. My first novel, 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑎𝑟: 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑙𝑒𝑠ℎ, is out now! 🚫 GenAI, bigots unwelcome. (She/Her) www.tamarasharker.com

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Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· 19d

Only a week to go in the #Smashwords Sale! Now's a great time to grab 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑙𝑒𝑠ℎ for 50% off -- that's five years of my blood, sweat, and tears for less than the price of a coffee! 😂 Find her here: www.smashwords.com/books/view/1... Free sample here: dl.bookfunnel.com/egadrmb4au #SWSale2026

"Stone and Flesh is the first book in an epic fantasy series steeped in gothic themes. It follows Fieron, an undertaker-psychopomp in a world recovering from an unprecedented war, as he is forced to flee one burden for one far greater -- and darker."

"- Carefully-crafted, slow-burn, rewarding plot
- An adult, reluctant hero
- Elemental magic
- A quest given by a ghost -- that then goes wrong
- Your new favorite villain
- Lyrical prose"

"Early Praise
(All reviews available in full on Goodreads!)

- "WOW"
- "spectacular"
- "ambitious"
- "unique"
- "haunting"
- "intricate"
- "epic and intimate" "

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· 21d

Thrilled to report a new five-star review for 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉! The downside to having a longer book is the longer lead-time on reader reception. Readers, if you ever doubt a few words matter, just know I'll be living off this one review for the next two weeks or so! 🥰 🪐📚 #epicfantasy

"...true old school fantasy...unapologetic in its complexity..."

"...a sensory delight."

"I will be at the front of the line to read the sequel."

-- Excerpts from a five-star review for Stone and Flesh by Tamara S. Harker.

A screenshot of a five-star Goodreads review left for Stone and Flesh. The review reads:

"I loved this book, it has been a while since I have really felt like I needed to really read a book. This is a true old school epic fantasy, it is unapologetic in it's complexity and draws you into a fully formed world desperately trying to recover after an all encompassing war.

The writing here is intricate and beautifully descriptive, some of the turns of phrase Tamara uses in this book were beautiful and her prose is a sensory delight.

The world itself feels fleshed out and alive, we as the reader follow a variety of characters moving through it and through their diverse experience we begin to put together how it works. This is much the same was that we learn about the magic system, one of them more complex ones I have read in recent years. The magic here works on a simple principle but has a clever layering to it that brings it depth, with different types of wielders being able to use the source in unique ways

For me however the real stars of the peices are the characters. The book is so character driven and each new person we meet feels unique and lived, their stories all help to build towards the central plot and in my case at least even a character e see for only a few paragraphs stayed with me and ai hope to see more of.

The conclusion is satisfying in the way that leaves you desperate for more and I know I will be at the front of the line to read the sequel."

Text above the screenshot reads "Thank you so much, Jack!", Jack being the reviewer.

A brief summary for Stone and Flesh, by Tamara S. Harker, that reads:

"A weary young undertaker is tasked by a dead hero to find an artifact that began – and ended – a recent war. In doing so, he gathers an eclectic group of veterans and greenhorns almost by accident.

Yet finding the artifact is only the beginning, and in solving the riddle of the hero’s last request, they are only met with more questions – about the war, their alleged enemy, and the very nature of their world."

www.tamarasharker.com

A predominantly dark green background, on top of which is a mockup graphic of the paperback and eBook editions of Stone and Flesh by Tamara S. Harker. (The eBook editions being the front cover on a tablet and phone screen.)

Beneath the mockups, bold pinkish-red text reads "Add it to your TBR!"

Beneath this text are the four company icons for The StoryGraph, Goodreads, Pagebound, and Fable.

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· 22d

...been alive, Peithya would have been able to prevent or mitigate that? (Final fun fact: the Troth makes an appearance in S&F, and Peithya is mentioned! See the below snippet of conversation between Kaavius and Unliore.) [6/6]

“But I just want you to know that even if you never make another mark in that book ever again, it won’t make you any less of a person. Maybe…maybe it just means you’re judging yourself against the wrong thing. Don’t let some dried-up saint’s checklist rob you of your self-worth.”

She let his words settle on her. When they reached too close to her vulnerable spot, she forced mirth into her voice. “You really shouldn’t speak of Peithya the Risen that way.”

From "Stone and Flesh" by Tamara S. Harker.

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jul 9

Hello, friends! As you know, 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 is in the #Smashwords sale this July, but so are oodles of other great authors! Some are even offering their books for free! Fellow indies, if you're participating, drop your links below and share this around! 🥰 www.smashwords.com/sale #SWSale2026

A bright graphic depicting the beach on the left and a wintery scene on the right. The text atop the graphic reads:

"Smashwords July Summer/Winter Sale
smashwords.com/sale"

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jul 8

In between working on Book 2, my brain breaks have involved sketching out some concept notes for a non-FoW side project! Tentative title of 'A Kingdom for Water'. I don't normally do this, as all of it is subject to change, but here's a peek. 👀 #wip

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jul 1

Happy July, friends! The @smashwords.bsky.social Annual Summer/Winter Sale is live, so go grab 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 for 50% off! You can find it at www.smashwords.com/books/view/1... all month, and don't forget to browse all the other great titles, too! 😍 #SWSale2026 #Smashwords

𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 is now 50% off as part of the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale! Lasts the whole of July.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1880752

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jun 26

They're cute sometimes.

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jun 22

Thank you to everyone who snagged a free eBook of 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 over the weekend! You rock, and I'm looking forward to hearing about your adventure with Fîeron and Friends ᵀᴹ. Fellow indies, don't forget to add your book to indiedirectory.com so you can take part in future events! ❤️

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jun 21

Grab thy free eBooks while you can! 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑙𝑒𝑠ℎ plus many more -- ends tonight! 😮 www.indiebookdirectory.com/indie-stuffed #tamarasharker #fruitofwar #booksky #indiebooks #epicfantasybooks

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jun 20

The IndieStuffed sale is live! Go grab 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑙𝑒𝑠ℎ and 350+ great eBooks for FREE! 💙📚🪐 www.indiebookdirectory.com/indie-stuffed Spreading the word is greatly appreciated! 🥰 #tamarasharker #fruitofwar #booksky #indiebooks #epicfantasybooks

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jun 19

I just realized yesterday that I'd hit not only my fifty-copy milestone, but my seventy-five-copy milestone! Thank you SO much, friends! 🥰 If you'd like to take a chance on 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉, now's a great time! This weekend only you can grab the eBook for free, or it'll be 50% off throughout July!

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jun 16

Has word of this reached here, yet? No? Well by golly! 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡-𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 -- that's this weekend! -- head to indiebookdirectory.com for an awesome FREE eBook event! 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 will be among these and many more great offerings. Truly something for everyone.

A predominantly pink notice that reads:

"Indie Stuffed by Indie Book Directory

A Stuff Your e-Reader Event

On June 20th & 21st we will have hundreds of books available for free!

Author submissions open until June 12th

IndieBookDirectory.com/indie-stuffed"

A collection of book front covers, arranged in a grid, on a pink background. Text at the top reads "IndieStuffed / Stuff Your E-Reader Event / June 20ths & 21st"

Text at the bottom reads "indiebookdirectory.com/indie-stuffed"

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Jun 5

Next up in my indie interview series -- something a little different! Urban fantasy author @mark-engels.com speaks with me about his Forest Exiles saga, the unexpected turns a publishing journey can take, and the challenges and rewards of working with artists. www.tamarasharker.com/about-tamara...

A dark green, leafy background, on top of which is the cover of Mark Engels' first book in his Forest Exiles Saga, Werecats Emergent. Bright red text reads "Indie Author Interview", while smaller pale green text reads "Mark Engels" and "Read now at Harken!, Tamara's blog devoted to indie SFF interviews and recommendations!"

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· May 29

Aw, thank you so much! I think so too! 🥰

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· May 28

Truly, I love writing my newsletter. It feels like we're all part of a secret club. 😎 And in this issue, there's some exclusive news and a sneaky snippet you won't find anywhere else! 👀 Hope to speak to you soon, my loves! ❤️ /PSA preview.mailerlite.io/forms/127836...

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· May 27

A huge thanks to everyone who entered the eBook giveaway! Remember to check your inboxes for your download link, update your TBRs, and review! They help me more than you know. 🥰 Most of all, though, enjoy your journey into Ícalar! #epicfantasy #darkfantasy #fruitofwar #indiebooks

A dark green leafy background, atop which is the following text:

"If you're an intermediate to advanced fantasy reader, stay tuned!

(And don't forget the free sample on my website in the meantime...)

<3 Tamara"

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· May 23

Another five-star review this morning to brighten what is otherwise a very rainy day here in the South! Huge thanks to Dimi for the glowing praise! 🥰 You can read it in full here on Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...

Gold text on a burgundy background. Quotes from a five-star Goodreads review that read:

"...a haunting and ambitious opening...

...richly mythic..."

"Fans of dark fantasy in the tradition of Steven Erikson or Gene Wolfe may especially appreciate its layered lore and moral complexity."

A dark green background, on top of which are mockups of the ebook and paperback of Tamara S. Harker's "Stone and Flesh". Beneath the mockups are the icons for The StoryGraph, Goodreads, Pagebound, and Fable.

Text between the mockups and icons reads "The Fruit of War: Stone and Flesh has arrived! Add it to your TBR!"

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· May 14

So something very cool happened today! This is my first copy in a local, independent bookstore. 😍 Though I was nervous about it all (why? why are we ever nervous about something), everyone there was very kind and I'm thrilled to have been welcomed on their shelves. Now to see if she sells. 😬

A photo of forest green bookshelves full of fantasy and sci-fi books, spines-out. In the center, front cover facing outward, is "Stone and Flesh" by Tamara S. Harker.

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· May 4

Apparently Zillow profiles for pirating purposes are a thing now.

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· May 3

Bumping this again on this fine Sunday! Enter the LibraryThing giveaway for a free eBook of 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 and help me reach twenty reviews by the end of May! ❤️ www.librarything.com/ner/detail/5... #fruitofwar #tamarasharker #epicfantasybooks #librarything #darkfantasybooks

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 25

So here's something fun! My book has, courtesy of a friend, made it all the way to Japan! 🗾 She gifted a copy to Neko Neko Nook where they stayed: you can see it in the lovely hotelier Ushka's vlog here: youtu.be/HaOaCPc9Bqs?...

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 17

You know you want to. 👀 www.tamarasharker.com/books books2read.com/fruitofwar [3/3]

A predominantly red and black cloudy background. There is a hand-painted pinkish-red '4' in the top left corner, followed by "I'm an indie!" in faintly neon pinkish-red text. Pale text below this header reads:

"Traditionally-published and already-popular titles are great! But it's time to diversify.

I won't try to wedge myself between comp titles or throw a bunch of keywords at you -- I think you're smart enough to read my blurb, or a sample, and decide for yourself:

Will you accompany Fieron into the wake of war? Will you heed the last request of a dead hero, even if it leads you to your enemy? Even if it makes you question all you thought you knew?

Will you take a bite of Stone and Flesh to see how it tastes?"

A predominantly red and black cloudy background, on top of which is a mockup graphic for the eBook (phone and tablet) and paperback editions of Tamara S. Harker's "Stone and Flesh".

Below the graphic are the headers "Add her:", "Find her:", and "+ Don't forget to request at your local library!", followed by several review sit and retailer icons.

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 17

She's nutritionally dense -- lots of tasty things to sink your teeth into! [2/3]

A predominantly red and black cloudy background. There is a hand-painted pinkish-red '4' in the top left corner, followed by "She's chunky, yes, but full of..." in faintly neon pinkish-red text.

Under this header is a skinny photo of the spine of "The Fruit of War, Book 1: Stone and Flesh" by Tamara S. Harker. Pale arrows around this photo point to annotations which, counterclockwise from top right, read:

"Diverse characters!"

"Lyrical prose!"

"Carefully-crafted, slow-burn, rewarding plot!"

"Immersive -- but not overwhelming -- worldbuilding!"

"Gothic horror elements that creep up on you in the best of ways!"

A predominantly red and black cloudy background. There is a hand-painted pinkish-red '3' in the top left corner, followed by "Did I mention that there's..." in faintly neon pinkish-red text.

Under this header is a photo of an open open and red floral bookmark. Surrounding the photo are pinkish-red arrows pointing to pale text annotations which, counterclockwise from the top, read:

"An adult, reluctant hero -- whose job is to guide the souls of the dead?"

"Elemental magic?"

"A sassy old lady?"

"A mounting feeling of existential dread?"

"Cat-dragons and warbears?"

"Your new favorite villain?"

"A quest given by a ghost -- that then goes wrong?"

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 17

I've been so excited to see folks adding me to their TBR or buying my lovely book these past couple months -- thank you so much! 🥰 Now can I convince you to bump me up? 👀 #fruitofwar #darkfantasy #sff [1/3]

A predominantly red and black cloudy background. Pale handwritten font at a slant at the top reads "Hi, I'm Tamara!"

To the right of the image is a photo of a brunette woman looking to her left, with the lower half of her face obscured by a fantasy novel titled "Stone and Flesh". Text to the left reads "My debut epic fantasy Stone and Flesh launched on March 1st, and I'm over the moon!"

Pinkish-red handwritten text then reads: "Here's why I think you should bump me up on your TBR!"

A predominantly red and black cloudy background. There is a hand-painted pinkish-red '4' in the top left corner, followed by "Just look at her -- she's gorgeous!" in faintly neon pinkish-red text.

Under this header on the left is a photo of a hand and the fantasy novel "Stone and Flesh" by Tamara S. Harker, on a purple velvet floral background. To the right of the photo, pale text reads: "If there's one thing my readers are already raving about, it's how good that cover looks on their shelves!"

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 16

It's that time of night in the drafting process, I guess. 🫠

A screenshot of a typo in black text on a white background that reads "they blung to each other,".

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 15

By the by, on the off chance this is of interest, I'm trying out Goodreads' author questions function! Feel free to stop by! 🥰 www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

A dark pinkish-red floral background, on top of which pale text reads: "Did you know I'm answering reader questions on Goodreads? Visit my author page and ask away about Stone and Flesh!"

Beneath this is a framed screenshot of a Goodreads question box for Tamara S. Harker and "The Fruit of War, Book 1: Stone and Flesh". Across the screenshot is written "Don't forget to follow me!". Beneath the screenshot is written "*Please indicate any spoilers upfront!"

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 14

I'm not good at relaxing, but I'm trying. My brain feels tied up in knots and it's making writing more of a struggle than it should be. Being out in the country helps!

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 13

Over the weekend was delighted to receive such a cute and jam-packed delivery from @salientbooks.bsky.social! Such care and attention to detail. Thank you, Jasmine! 🦝💚 Eager to curl up with @mark-engels.com's Werecats while I'm out of town! Stay tuned for a follow-up!

A lime green clamshell box open to display a variety of book-related goodies from Salient Books, including stickers, a personalized thank-you card, and a small brochure, most of which feature a racoon-esque mascot.

A book wrapped in dark green paper and tied with thin gold ribbon; slipped beneath the ribbon is a promotional bookmark for Salient Books. On the paper itself, "Thank you Tamara" is printed in white ink; there is also a racoon-esque mascot sticker, below which reads "You've added a happy ending to our day."

The back of the book wrapped in dark green paper, which is sealed on the fore-edge with an ornate black and gold thank-you sticker; two other cream and black thank-you stickers with Salient Books' mascot seal it at top and bottom.

A propped-up copy of Mark J. Engels' fantasy novel "Werecats Emergent", the cover of which features a dark green and blue forested background with a female figure dressed in black. The figure has tawny brown, speckled fur and clawed hands, and her face is not visible. In the foreground, pale text reads:

"Werecats Emergent
Book 1 of the Forest Exiles Saga
Mark J. Engels."

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 11

TY Elise! ❤️ 𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒉 is the first book in an epic fantasy series steeped in gothic themes. It follows Fîeron, an undertaker-psychopomp in a world recovering from an unprecedented war, as he is forced to flee one burden for one far greater – and darker. www.tamarasharker.com/books

A predominantly dark green muted fantasy illustrated background depicting an ancient battle, with armored skeletons and fallen weapons in front of a grove of trees.

On top of the background on the right is a mockup image of the paperback and eBook editions of "Stone and Flesh" by Tamara S. Harker.

To the left is pinkish-red text that reads "Get your copy now!", beneath which is green text that reads "For readers who like their fantasy intelligent...immersive...and simmering with ghosts of the past...both figurative and literal."

At the bottom, reddish-pink text reads "Buy directly from Tamara for a personal touch at tamarasharker.com!", under which is a small row of retailer icons and a plus sign. Finally, a line of pale text reads "Links to all retailers are listed here: books2read.com/fruitofwar"

Tamara S. Harker@tamarasharker· Apr 10

Guess whose 13th birthday it is today! 🥳