13 years after publication, the first book in Sons of Iberia is still finding new readers.
I asked for your help.
And, honestly, the response surprised me.
Warhorn, the first book in my Sons of Iberia series, was originally published back in 2013. That's 13 years ago — which feels slightly strange to say!
Since then, it has picked up more than 550 reviews, with an average rating of 4.1 stars. For a debut novel from an independent author, I've always been very proud of how Warhorn has performed.
But after 13 years, I wondered whether there was still much interest in it from readers who hadn't discovered the series yet.
So, when I decided to make Warhorn free on Kindle for a few days, I set myself a modest target.
100 new readers...
I posted on social media and asked readers, followers and friends to help spread the word.
This was the post:
My goal for this coming bank holiday weekend (27 - 29 August, 2026) ?
To get Warhorn into the hands of at least 100 new readers before Sunday, and I’d love your help to hit it.
If you've already read Book 1, do a fellow indie author a solid: share this free link with your bookish tribe, reading groups, or anyone who loves proper, gritty historical fiction.
Let’s see if we can blow past that 100-copy target together!
J. Glenn Bauer
Well...
You didn't just help me reach 100.
Over the three days, more than 800 Kindle copies of Warhorn were downloaded.
That's roughly eight times the target I had set. What a surprise — and what a result.
Welcome to Sons of Iberia
So, if you were one of those readers who downloaded Warhorn, welcome! You have just opened the door to a story that began in Iberia more than 2,000 years ago.
Sons of Iberia is my ongoing historical fiction series set during the Second Punic War, a time when Carthage and Rome were fighting for control of the western Mediterranean and the peoples of Iberia were caught between them.
But the series isn't simply about Rome versus Carthage. It's about the people living through the war. It's about loyalty, survival, ambition, friendship, betrayal and the way war changes everyone who becomes caught up in it.
And at the centre of the story is Caros, a Bastetani warrior whose life becomes increasingly entangled with the great conflict spreading across Iberia.
If you've just started Warhorn, you're at the beginning of a much bigger story, and I'd genuinely like to hear what you think.
Talk to me
One of the best things about being an independent author is that there isn't a huge wall between the writer and the reader.
You can actually talk to me.
If you've started Warhorn, tell me what you think.
- Which character has caught your attention?
- What do you think of Caros?
- Did the world of ancient Iberia surprise you?
- Have you got a favourite scene?
- And if you've finished the book, I'd especially like to know whether you want to continue into Book 2, Battle Cloud.
You can find me through my website and social media, and I genuinely enjoy hearing from readers. Your comments, messages and questions also give me a chance to talk about the history, characters and ideas behind Sons of Iberia.
After all, I spent years writing these people.
It's rather good to know that they're now living in someone else's imagination too.
And one small favour...
If you downloaded Warhorn during the promotion and eventually read it, I'd be very grateful if you would leave an honest review on Amazon (US | UK) or Goodreads (Links to each platform below).
Reviews make a huge difference to independent authors. They help other readers discover a book that might otherwise disappear among the millions of books available today.
You don't need to write an essay. If you enjoyed it, a few honest words are enough.
And if you didn't enjoy it, that's useful to know too. Readers have their own tastes, and that's part of the business of writing books.
Links to Platforms For Reviews
What's next?
For me, the story is still very much alive.
Sons of Iberia is planned as a 12-book series, following the people of Iberia through the wider conflict and the brutal years of the Second Punic War.
And the next instalment is already on its way! Season of Scars, Book 6, is released on 12 October 2026 and is available to pre-order now.
But if you're new to the series, don't start there. Start with Warhorn.
That's where the story began. And, thanks to more than 800 new readers discovering it this summer, it's clear that 13 years later, the story is still finding people.
So welcome to Sons of Iberia! I hope you'll stay for the rest of the journey.
J. Glenn Bauer