This week's topic for all my YA Indie Carnival peeps is . . . what three indie authors am I reading right now? Let me start by saying when I first got my Kindle this past Christmas, I downloaded a book without realizing it was an indie author. An author you've probably never heard of, Amanda Hocking (that was my pathetic attempt at being cheeky), and finished My Blood Approves in a 48 hour period. Now I'm not a vampire fanatic, I know, I know, I'm a rare breed in my ya lit world. Before the tomato tossing begins, I'm not anti-vampire, I'm just not pro-vampire . . . but I am pro crazy-good-writing. And in my opinion, and thousands of others mind you, Ms. Hocking is a CGW (crazy good writer for those that don't know my love to turn phrases into acronyms).
After reading one of Amanda's series, I downloaded some other indies, found the books to be just as solid and sold for a fraction of the price of traditionally published books. For someone like me who might read a couple of books a week, price is a definite consideration. Having read a couple dozen indie books in the past six months, I've found they are just as good as their traditionally published counterparts. I'm not saying every indie book is a winner worthy of a blue ribbon, but I can't say that every traditionally published book is either.
Long story short: give an indie a chance *winks*, because once you go indie, you never go back!
SO, who am I reading right now?
Solstice by P.J Hoover
Piper’s world is dying. Global warming kills every living thing on Earth, and each day brings hotter temperatures and heat bubbles which threaten to destroy humanity. Amid this Global Heating Crisis, Piper lives with her mother who suffocates her more than the chaotic climate. When her mother is called away to meet the father Piper has been running from her entire life, Piper seizes an opportunity for freedom.
But when Piper discovers a world of mythology she never knew existed, she realizes her world is not the only one in crisis. While Gods battle for control of the Underworld, Piper's life spirals into turmoil, and she struggles to find answers to secrets kept from her since birth. And though she’s drawn to her classmate Shayne, he may be more than he claims. Piper has to choose whom she can trust and how she can save the people she loves even if it means the end of everything she’s ever known.
Winnemucca by Laura Elliott
Winnemucca is a young-adult coming-of-age, paranormal novel about a teenage girl's enchanted road trip to her true self no matter who or what tries to stop her.
One mistake will change Ginny's life forever.
One answer will set her free.
Once upon a time Ginny's road blood ripened, the day she got wise to love. Engaged to the high school quarterback, his quarter-carat ring and enchanting smile should have been enough for her. But, she stands him up and takes a walk where every step questions her happily ever after gone-bad and the fate of the mother she never knew. The mother her father refuses to talk about. Ginny fights to untangle her big, fat, lie-of-a-life on an enchanted road trip to Winnemucca, where she believes all her answers lie. She must solve the riddle of her past and outrun everyone who wants a piece of her future, including a man determined to see she never has one. When fear's as blind as love, how far would you go to find the flesh-and-blood reality of your own happily ever after?
The Understorey by Fisher Amelie
Elliott Gray is incomplete, scrambling through the dark on his hands and knees, blindly feeling for the switch it would take to bring the peace he's forever been searching for.
Julia Jacobs is unhappy, missing a noticeable piece of her soul, a naked canvas with vivid paints at her disposal but no brush to assemble the vision.
At a young age, courtesy of an unknowing Elliott Gray, Julia tastes the burn of heartache and since then, has silently vowed to her heart that it would never be susceptible to such pain again but when Julia and Elliott discover they share a supernatural connection that's never been revealed before, Elliott makes it his life's goal to convince her they are fated. He knows, if she only gave him but one chance to prove himself, she would not be afraid but when Elliott's best friend Jesse Thomas turns out to be much more than meets the eye, it's all Elliott can do to hold on to his new love, while attempting to survive an enormous threat on their future.
These are turning into great reads so far and I 've got so many more to get through on my to-be-read list including several of my indie carnival sister's books (Amy Jones' Soul Quest, T.R. Graves' Warriors of the Blood, Wren Emerson's I Wish . . ., and so many more). In addition, here are several of my favorite indie author's I can't get enough of: Courtney Cole (The Bloodstone Saga), Addison Moore (Celestra series), and Jamie McQuire (Providence, Requiem, Beautiful Disaster).
Be sure to check out what the rest of my indie sisterhood are reading!
OOOOhhhh. I can't wait. There's so much great stuff to read and so little time. Thanks for the post, Nicole.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more! I started with the Trylle Trilogy (that is hard to type) in my exploration into Indie writers. I got so engrossed into books after I got my Kindle for Christmas (as well) that I just couldn't afford 2 to sometimes 4 traditionally published books a week. I truely appreciate you Indie writers that make reading fun, affordable (and lendalbe)! It has really fulled my addiction, maybe for the worse. Tee hee. Just added Understorey to my to read list a few days ago. HUGE Addison Moore and Jamie McGuire fan myself as well. Keep up the great work at burning up my Kindle battery!
ReplyDeleteThere really are SO many great books to read out there. Enjoy, Heather!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great comment, Lindsay and I like that goal of burning up your Kindle battery (you're so witty, I love it!).
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