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Indie Bites #21
Indie Bites: Bandits & Botany
165 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2026
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About the author
Josie Jaffrey
61 books172 followersJosie is a dark fantasy, paranormal romance and historical fiction author who writes about lost worlds, dystopian societies and morally-ambiguous monsters (vampires are her favourite). She has published multiple novels and short stories. Most of those are set in the Silverse, an apocalyptic world filled with vampires and zombies.
Josie is the founding editor of indie fantasy magazine Indie Bites (www.silversunbooks.com) and the writer of the urban fantasy podcast Jack Valentine, Vampire Detective (www.jackvalentinepod.com).
She’s currently working on vampire murder mysteries (the Seekers series) and a YA series centred around Atlantis and the lost civilisations of the Mediterranean (the Deluge series). Researching the latter is the first time she’s used her Classics degree since university.
Josie lives in Oxford with her husband and two cats (Sparky and Gussie), who graciously permit human cohabitation in return for regular feeding and cuddles. The resulting cat fluff makes it difficult for Josie to wear black, which is largely why she gave up being a goth. Although the cats are definitely worth it, she still misses her old wardrobe.
Josie is the founding editor of indie fantasy magazine Indie Bites (www.silversunbooks.com) and the writer of the urban fantasy podcast Jack Valentine, Vampire Detective (www.jackvalentinepod.com).
She’s currently working on vampire murder mysteries (the Seekers series) and a YA series centred around Atlantis and the lost civilisations of the Mediterranean (the Deluge series). Researching the latter is the first time she’s used her Classics degree since university.
Josie lives in Oxford with her husband and two cats (Sparky and Gussie), who graciously permit human cohabitation in return for regular feeding and cuddles. The resulting cat fluff makes it difficult for Josie to wear black, which is largely why she gave up being a goth. Although the cats are definitely worth it, she still misses her old wardrobe.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 2, 2026
Each time I see a new issue of Indie Bites has been published I know I am in for a lovely reading weekend. This time the theme is Bandits and Botany and it fits right in with the change of season in the northern hemisphere. Some authors interpreted this as the season of new hope and beginnings, others see a more sinister future ahead.
Four Gifts for the Witch of the Wood and One for the Wolf by Arden Powell touched me in unforeseen ways. On the surface, it is a story about two outcasts trying to help each other. But to what end? And how do we communicate with each other when words fail us? Can we learn to trust again after betrayal? I adored this story and its delicious ending.
The Ranger and the Thief by Emmylou Kotzé is a story on who gets to profit from limited resources. Who does nature belong to? Are we destroying it for our short-term gain and forget the next generations? A timely and poignant story.
What Lives within a Rose by Allie Leigh is a beautiful love story on the subject of consent and forgiveness. What limits will we cross for friends and family? Do we betray our own morals for them and how can we live with the consequences of our failings. What a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story. Allie Leigh is quickly becoming one of my favourite Indie Bites contributors.
Threads and Vines by Josie Jaffrey looks at child stars on social media and the parents behind them. Do we create our own monsters by not protecting our children’s childhood and privacy? Where does encouragement for a child’s talent end and where does the parents’ ambition start. Thought-provoking and disturbing - it is another excellent signature story by Josie Jaffrey.
Where the Roots Remember by Crystal St Clair: such a short yet powerful story! I love “plant-based” horror and this was perfect.
A Fistful of Dahlias by Adie Hart is a glorious slice of life story of small-town communities and their many societies, clubs and social gatherings. We meet two middle-aged witches whose ambitions are focused on winning first price in the flower show. After all, what is life without a bit of rivalry? In any other writer’s hands these two women might have become caricatures and punchlines. Yet Adie Hart humanize them in such a tender way I can’t help but loving them. The story is a perfect showcase of Hart’s keen observational skills of human behaviour and idiosyncrasies - without judgment for our vanities and shortcomings.
Daffodils and Daves by Ceril N. Domace is a brilliant story set in the Clarkfowler universe. We meet Aleksandr and Mordecai on an errant for the upcoming nuptials of their colleagues and friends. Very soon, however, bandits try to steal first the wedding flowers and then our heroes’ hearts.
Bandits and Botany - a wonderful issue all around.
Four Gifts for the Witch of the Wood and One for the Wolf by Arden Powell touched me in unforeseen ways. On the surface, it is a story about two outcasts trying to help each other. But to what end? And how do we communicate with each other when words fail us? Can we learn to trust again after betrayal? I adored this story and its delicious ending.
The Ranger and the Thief by Emmylou Kotzé is a story on who gets to profit from limited resources. Who does nature belong to? Are we destroying it for our short-term gain and forget the next generations? A timely and poignant story.
What Lives within a Rose by Allie Leigh is a beautiful love story on the subject of consent and forgiveness. What limits will we cross for friends and family? Do we betray our own morals for them and how can we live with the consequences of our failings. What a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story. Allie Leigh is quickly becoming one of my favourite Indie Bites contributors.
Threads and Vines by Josie Jaffrey looks at child stars on social media and the parents behind them. Do we create our own monsters by not protecting our children’s childhood and privacy? Where does encouragement for a child’s talent end and where does the parents’ ambition start. Thought-provoking and disturbing - it is another excellent signature story by Josie Jaffrey.
Where the Roots Remember by Crystal St Clair: such a short yet powerful story! I love “plant-based” horror and this was perfect.
A Fistful of Dahlias by Adie Hart is a glorious slice of life story of small-town communities and their many societies, clubs and social gatherings. We meet two middle-aged witches whose ambitions are focused on winning first price in the flower show. After all, what is life without a bit of rivalry? In any other writer’s hands these two women might have become caricatures and punchlines. Yet Adie Hart humanize them in such a tender way I can’t help but loving them. The story is a perfect showcase of Hart’s keen observational skills of human behaviour and idiosyncrasies - without judgment for our vanities and shortcomings.
Daffodils and Daves by Ceril N. Domace is a brilliant story set in the Clarkfowler universe. We meet Aleksandr and Mordecai on an errant for the upcoming nuptials of their colleagues and friends. Very soon, however, bandits try to steal first the wedding flowers and then our heroes’ hearts.
Bandits and Botany - a wonderful issue all around.
Displaying 1 of 1 review