Conversations with Kav – Indie Books + Giveaway

This is me feeling uber guilty over one of my ten reading goals for this year. That would be to read more independently published books. Because my reading year looks like this so far:

Yikes! It looks really bad put into a graph! So I have just two months left to sort this and I need your help!

LET’S TALK INDIE AUTHORS AND THEIR BOOKS

I need some guidance and a whole lot of encouragement to help me navigate the indie world of Christian Fiction. So, what’s a reader to do but turn to her bookish besties who always have her back?!

I’d love to hear about:

  • some of your favourite indie authors (can include hybrid authors (publish both indie and traditional)
  • a specific indie book recommendation you think I would enjoy
  • how you source indie books

No worries if some of you end up recommending the same author(s )– that’ll just push them higher up the priority list since they are so popular. But I’d also like to end up with a healthy Indie TBR list by the end of the day. And, as a special thank you for sharing your love of Indie Christian Fiction:

INDIE CHRISTIAN FICTION GIVEAWAY

At the end of your comment, include the title and author of an indie CF book you would like to win and I’ll enter you in the draw. Books MUST BE CHRISTIAN FICTION and can be independently published any time up through the end of this year.

This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.

US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice

Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice

International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of a Christian Fiction Indie novel, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 26 2024.

104 thoughts on “Conversations with Kav – Indie Books + Giveaway”

    1. Interesting, because I’ve heard her name frequently recently — maybe because she has a release coming out? Anyway, thanks for the nudge to check into her more thoroughly. Going on my list. If you’re interested in the giveaway, Rebecca, I need you to give me the title and author of the book you’d like to win.

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      2. If you subscribe to her newsletter, you will be able to get Criss Cross for free. That’s how I found her. I loved Criss Cross so much that I bought it paperback with the rest of the series (that had been published at the time). I would love to win C.C. Warren’s Dragonfly Ashes. I believe it releases at the end of this year.

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      3. That’s a great deal! Unfortunately I don’t read ebooks…but great to know you enjoyed Criss-Cross so much that you bought a paperback copy for your keeper shelf. I’ve seen Dragonfly Ashes around — pretty sure it was mentioned during Reader’s Choice Week. I’m excited to discover a new suspense author. Good luck, Rebecca!

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  2. There are SO MANY indie authors I love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here’s a list for you:

    Madisyn Carlin — she writes mainly New Adult nonmagical Christian fantasy fairy tale retellings, but she also writes some Christian historical fiction and general New Adult Christian fantasy. Madisyn writes the best characters EVER. She excels at writing dialogue and sibling relationships!!!!!!!!! All of her characters need hugs!

    Penny Zeller — mainly writes Christian historical fiction and Christian contemporary. Penny’s books have such sweet themes and amazing characters that are SO EASY to connect to!

    Mary Mecham — YA fairy tale retellings. Mary’s books are so fun and clean! And Mary is so sweet to work with!!!!!!!!

    Leialoha Humpherys — YA fairy tale retellings. Lei writes the best settings. She also does an incredible job of writing sibling relationships!

    Kyrie Wang — Historical fantasy. Kyrie’s characters need hugs. The premise of her Enemy’s Keeper series is so creative, and I CANNOT WAIT to read the next book in the series. Kyrie is also one of the sweetest people on the planet.

    Mikayla Robbins — Christian historical fiction. I read Mikayla’s book Abide With Me a few months ago, and I completely fell in love with her incredible writing style!!!!!!! She writes such inspiring themes into her books! And she wrote one of the most interesting love triangles I’ve ever read!

    Kristina Hall — Christian historical fiction, Christian contemporary. Kristina’s books are so inspiring! I haven’t read a ton of her books, but I cannot wait to get my hands on more of hers!

    Verity Sandahl — Christian fantasy. I haven’t read too many of hers (she’s a newer author), but I LOVED her book A Last Hope! It was such a fun retelling of King Thrushbeard!

    Kit Hawthorne — Christian historical fiction. Her books are so interesting and characters are magnificent! I won one of her books in a giveaway and ARC read another of her books!

    I know there are others I’m missing, but hopefully that’s a start!

    I usually learn about these authors from ARC opportunities, through multi-author series, and through connections I’ve made with other authors!!!

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    1. Ooohhh, thanks for this extensive list. I’ve looked them all up and chosen one book each to start with. Especially excited about the number of authors you mentioned doing fairy tale retellings — I LOVE that genre and have been searching for more. Who knew I’d find them in Indie books?! Thanks, Courtney. Oh — and if you want to be entered in the giveway, I just need the title and the author of the book you’d like to win.

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      1. You’re welcome!!!!! Can I ask which book from each you’re wanting to start with? If you want more fairy tale retelling indie author suggestions, let me know!!!! I’ve read what feels like a gazillion of them!!!!!

        For giveaway, um… Unexpected Witness by Penny Zeller.

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      2. Okay — here’s what I have on my list from your list: Crown by Madisyn Carlin, Levi’s Vow and Love From Afar (can’t decide) by Penny Zeller, To Defy a Dream and A Curse of Gold and Beauty (can’t decide) by Mary Mercham, Healer’s Blade by Kyrie Wang (Whoo CANADIAN AUTHOR), Abide With Me by Mikayla Robbins, A Last Hope by Verity Sandahl and Savannah’s Storm by Kit Hawthorne. For some reason Kristina Hall’s books are ridiculously expensive in Canada ($40) so I’ll have to wait and see about her. I don’t read ebooks so paperback or audio are my only option.

        I used to love reading fairy tale retellings back before I discovered Christian Fiction but they started getting too explicit in both sex and language so I switched to YA which was fine for a time and then the same thing happened so I stopped altogether so happy to discover these books. Thanks again, Courtney! And good luck with the giveaway!

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  3. Pingback: Author Tips needed, and a giveaway! – Books Less Travelled

    1. See, that’s my problem too! It’s like a random mention on bookstagram and that’s about it for me. We’re getting some great suggestions here though, and lots are historical which is your fave genre. Check some of the authors mentioned out and if you find a title that intrigues you, come back and enter the giveaway.

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    1. You’re the second to mention Kristina Hall — I’ve marked three of her books in different genres to try. For suspense, Promise Unbroken and Fled for Refuge and for historical, Trouble in Dry Springs. And yes, Lynn Shannon does indie as well as writes for Love Inspired Suspense. Vanessa Hall is totally new to me and ‘Unknown’ sounds amazing. I’m in a suspense-y mood so that might get read sooner than later. Thanks, Books Less Travelled. Don’t forget to add the title and author of an indie book you’d like to win.

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      1. Hmm, I’m torn between two, but for the sake of the giveaway I’d love to win Freedom’s Fire by Katelyn Douglas!

        (Embassie Susberry’s first Tate book was the other if you were wondering. Both are New-to-Me authors (Katelyn is actually a debut author) so can’t quite recommend them yet, but I’m looking forward to reading their books soon)

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      2. Oh, and Vanessa and Kristina Hall are sisters. I really enjoy Kristina’s books too, I’ve read her Fled for Refuge and the two A Better Country western books so far and really liked them! Both are very talented authors.

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  6. I agree with CC Warrens!
    Carrie Fancett Pagels writes under Hearts Overcoming Press. Mackinac Island stories. CF.
    Jenny Knipfer historical CF. Published under Bowker Identifiers.
    Dr. Richard Mabry CF medical fiction published under create space.
    Tracy Higley under Stonewater books. CF historical and fantasy. Time travel. One exceptional book was Nightfall in the Garden of Deep Time.
    BRANDY HEINEMAN is a C F writer. I loved Like Honey for the Bones .
    Danielle Grandinetti CF historical under Heartspot Press ( but it wouldn’t come up in Google search)

    I think Tamera Alexander had to publish one of hers by herself because her regular publisher rejected one of her titles. Civil War.

    maybe more later.

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    1. Oohhhhh, thank you, Paula. I am so impressed with everybody’s vast knowledge of indie authors. Thrilled to have so many names to work with. If I didn’t love my traditionally published author sos much, I’d say I should make the last two months of the year dedicated to Indies! I’ve taken note of Brandy Heineman’s Like Hone for the Bones – it does sound amazing…and Norway! Thanks so much, Paula. Oh — and don’t forget to give me a title and author for the indie book you want added to the giveaway draw.

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      1. Jenny Knipfer is wonderful. I have most of her books. Although, it helps that she lives next door to my parents…. Wonderful person!!!

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  7. I think it’s kind of hard to tell if an author is indie or not. Robin Patchen and Susan Sleeman come to mind. Becky Wade did a couple of indie ones, and Laura Frantz did a novella late last year. Natalie Walters did a super fun Christmas novella also last year. Heidi Chiavaroli does the Orchard House B&B series, which I think is indie. I agree about CC Warrens, but I’ve only read her first book. Indies are tough because my library usually won’t order them!

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    1. Oh, another retelling author. Cool. I agree — my library doesn’t get many indie published books either, but I thought that was mostly a Canada thing. I was surprised to be able to get a Jenny Proctor rom/com from them recently so I guess there’s always hope. I’ll be checking all these names out at my library soon.

      And I agree, sometimes it’s hard to tell if a book is indie or a just a small press. Used to be that if it was indie the publisher would be notes with the author’s name but now it seems like authors create cutesy ‘press’ names and you have to do a deep dive on google to figure out if it’s a legit publisher or if the book is really indie. I think that comes from way back when indie books were looked down upon as ‘less than’ so authors tried to combat that by making it look like the books were traditionally published?

      Come back with an indie title and author you would like to win and I’ll enter you in this giveaway, Perrianne!

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      2. I’m going hang out with this discussion for a bit before I make my choice. Do I need to let you know today? I’m often late to comment, so I should ask!

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      3. No worries, Perrianne. You can add your giveaway comment any time…just make it a new comment so it appears at the end of the comments thread. That way I’ll be sure to see it. I always check the comments right up until noon on Saturday before I do the draws.

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  9. Oh, another great topic Kav! Indie authors are harder to find if you are reading paperback, but there’s an endless supply of them if a person is an ebook reader. I have had Kindle Unlimited for most of this year and half of last year, so I’ve come across quite a few keepers.

    Here’s the link to Amazon’s Christian Romance 100 top sellers. You can click on the free at the top right, and scroll down a bit for the new releases. Just like we talked about last week you can still use the sample feature to try the writer’s style. And if it’s been out a while you can also check the rating. I promise I’m not a “front man” for amazon, lol, but I have found this a great way to find Indies. Kindle Unlimited will be across the top of any KU book. If you read a lot the 11.99 subscription pays for itself many times over

    Amazon Best Sellers: Best Christian Romance

    I sometimes try a book based on the subject matter and sometimes the summary, many are part of series. Some of the authors and their books are in print form so I’ll back track my list I’ve read and really enjoyed giving you some leads. (Books have gotten so expensive and a lot of the series I read are shorter, like 100-200 pages each so some of the prices really seem high, but I’ll only give you good leads to buy, or possibly request from your library)

    Last year I started reading Shanna Hatfield and have probably read 50-100 of books in her series, both contemp. and historical. This is a good contemp. collection of 4 books with my favorite topics of Christmas and stories told through letters, The Christmas Letters series:

    Here’s the link to the series, the first 2 were my fav but all were good, starts with Dear Mr. Frost

    Christmas Letters (4 book series) Paperback Edition (amazon.com)

    I’ve recently found a few other books/authors I can recommend with paperback available:

    A Kindness for Christmas by Lynn Lanning, To Overcome Betrayal by Sarah Lamb, Caleb’s New Bride by P. Creeden, Levi by Penny Kate.

    There are lots of others but I have to get ready for church. I’ll check back later on this super fun topic. I already see some names others have recommended that I plan to check out.

    Happy Sunday and happy reading

    WordPress.co

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    1. Dare I confess to having to yank my mind away from all these indie possibilities during church services today?! Shhhhh. Don’t tell. Thanks for all this information — you almost make me wish I could read ebooks. 🙂 Great resources for readers who do.

      I have heard of Shanna Hatfield…think I read one of her historicals a while back. That Christmas Letter series looks wonderful and it has the cutest covers! Plus, I discovered Lynn Lanning’s A Kindness for Christmas on audible at a really good price so, ta da, one more Christmas book on my TBR! And I’ve added Caleb’s New Bride and To Overcome Betrayal to my Amazon cart which is about to explode from being over full. lol

      Glad to hear that you are discovering new authors as well. I can’t believe all these names — so many I’ve never heard of before. Fantastic!

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  10. I had the very hardest time posting this morning, after typing it all it took 30 minutes to post and I had to use copy/paste so the print looks funny and it says awaiting moderation. I now see what others have talked about in the past to get a comment through.

    I got discombobulated with it all, but as for the drawing, I’d like to read Sherida Stewarts Healing Hearts, thanks Kav! tracey14567 at gmail dot com

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  12. Neverending Mercy by Latisha Section (excellent)

    Faithful by Kim Cash Tate (diversity)

    Driving Timmy’s Car by Barbara Ketchum (super good!)

    The Killer’s Therapist by Christy Barritt (one of her best IMO)

    Sea Thrifts & Thistles by Ruth Kyser (Scotland Romance Series (book 3) new release

    The Sahir of Zanzibar by Shirley Gould (diversity)

    Also Lynn Shannon has many good indie published suspense books!

    I hope we haven’t just confused you, Kav. lol I actually found most of these indie books/authors listed in the Christian fiction book clubs I’m in online via FB…especially Avid Readers of Christian fiction.

    Would love to win a copy of Latisha Sexton’s new release:

    ‘BRAM BAXTER MARRIES THE WRONG SISTER’

    Thanks, Kav! This is a fun discussion!

    dianalflowers at aol dot com

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      1. Ha – no wonder I couldn’t find that title. Silly autocorrect — thinks he knows it all. 🙂 Thanks for that awesome list, Diane. Not confused at all, ’cause I’m in list making mode. I’ve written down each author name and at least one book that I’d like to start with and created a legend to identify what genre they write it. Then I’ve filled my amazon and audible carts with a pile of possibilities ready to be sorted when it’s time to order (right now my order is up to $282.46!) Think I need to do some final list editing. Bwahahaha!

        Important Question: is Sea Thrifts and Thistles by Ruth Kyser okay to read out of order (think it’s book #3) because…Scotland!!!!!!

        I really should try to sort out my FB issues ’cause it seems like I’m missing out on a lot. 😦

        Good luck, Diane, thanks for adding to my indie TBR!

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      1. Cindy, I’ve read three of Latisha’s (two were suspense), but I highly recommend Neverending Mercy! So intriguing & unpredictable.

        Christy’s book ‘The Killer’s Therapist’ is a standalone and ‘Vacation Friends’ is as well. ‘Vacation Friends’ is a really good one, too! I think I prefer her standalones because I just can’t keep up with her series.

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      2. She’s a new to me author as well. And I just read Margin of Error by Christy Barritt which is like 100 books ago the way she puts them out lol. Second Fog Lake Mysteries series and I loved it. I’ve been hearing wonderful things about her latest release and it sounds like a standalone so that’s good.

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      3. I hadn’t even heard of Vacation Friends, Diane! Sounds really awesome! And I like the way you think — going for Christy Barritt’s standalones instead of her series. Mind you, I think she does a pretty good job of making it easy to hop in anywhere for most of her series…not all though.

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      4. Kav, what a great birthday present. $300 worth of books!! 😅 I’d have to sneak that amount past my husband. Bwahahahaha

        I asked the author if the Scottish series needs to be read in order & she said it can be read as a standalone. I think Christy Barritt does pretty well with writing series that can read as standalones, but I’m so OCD I feel bad when I read them sporadically. 😄 Vacation Friends IS good!!!

        BTW Courtney Walsh just wrote an indie full-length Christmas book coming out in November called Christmas with a Crank. Just found out about that one on FB!

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  13. I had a whole paragraph typed up and some how erased it all. So, C.C. Warrens is one of my all time favorites, start with her Holly series, on her website she lists what order to read them in. Annah Conwell writes sweet romcoms, start with The Love Audit. Chautona Havig writes A LOT of books across genres, I highly recommend starting with her Bookstring series, they are fabulous for us book nerds ;). Some of Courtney Walsh’s books are independently published. Knocking by Robin Merrill and series. Some of Kaci Lane’s are Christian fiction and some are clean (this is the trouble with some Indie authors, hard to know if they are clean or Christian), I loved Christmas in Dixie, it was hilarious. Sarah Monzon is another romcom author. Beth K. Vogt Dedicated to the One I love is another Indie. I am pretty sure Terrie Todd (Historical Fiction) is Indie. Same for Suzie Waltner. Some of Toni Shiloh’s are Indie, as are some of Pepper Basham’s earlier works. Michelle Pennington’s Shaped by Love series. Ellie Thornton Reboot Mystery series. Possibly Rae Walsh is another Indie. Sherri Schoenborn Murray Fried Chicken and Gravy (Fried Chicken series). Amy Matayo has some Christian fiction. I am sure with more time I could come up with more, but these are the ones that were on my favorites shelf 🙂 I read quite a few Indie authors, but some are just clean, so I didn’t list those! This was fun! If I were to win, I would love a C.C. Warrens newest release Dragonfly Ashes.

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    1. This is fantastic, Cindy. Thank you. Hadn’t heard of many of these. And you’ve reminded me that I have just a few of Toni Shiloh’s and Sarah Monzon’s indie books to catch up on. My Amazon cart is so full now it crashed my connection. Bwahahahaha! My wish list is going to be full to overflowing by the time I figure out which books I’ll buy first. And another CC Warrens fan — definitely have to read that first Holly book soon. Good luck, Cindy!

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    1. I got booted off FB years ago for ‘inappropriate content’ — yeah, right. It’s a long story which ended up with me relentlessly objecting to them censoring my posts (which had nothing worthy of censoring) and I guess I sent them enough emails that they thought I was bot or something because I couldn’t sign on any more. I’ve tried occasionally since then and I get in briefly and then get bounced back out. So strange. I know I could just create a new account but that would involved creating a new email etc so I just haven’t bothered.

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  15. Christian fiction indie books I’ve enjoyed: Running to You by Robin Patchen, Suing Cinderella by Stephanie Mack, Meet Hate by Abi Sabina (can’t remember if this is CF or just clean romance), The Samurai’s Heart by Walt Mussell, When We Blinked by Stephanie Mack, and Panning for Love by Meg Cross Wenig. I’m sure there are others, but that’s what I found from my Goodreads list!

    An indie book I’d like to win: Rocky Road by Becky Wade. Happy reading! Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com.

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  16. I appreciate all the information from Tracey and others who are so knowledgeable about doing searches. Already mentioned are a few who now or for a specific reason have indie published, such as Wade and Alexander. I have also read and enjoyed several Shanna Hatfield books. Not mentioned are two authors who were originally contracted with publishers but now indie publish – Julie Lessman and Caryl McAdoo. Julie’s A Dare and A Prayer is on my want to read list.

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  17. Jennifer Rodewald for wonderful Christian romance stories. I’ve read all of her books. I also enjoy Misty Beller books and would love Winning the Mountain Man’s Love, the next in the series I’m reading.

    Thanks for all the conversation and ideas!

    Sandy. Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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  19. Most of the Indie books I read are by authors who were formerly traditionally published (Melissa Tagg, Kristi Ann Hunter, Becky Wade). It’s easy enough to find out about their new Indie books when I’m on the author’s emailing list, but finding new authors who have never been traditionally published is really hard! Usually the only way I hear about them is if a traditionally published author recommends them in a newsletter or something.

    Frankly My Dear Clara by Kristi Ann Hunter is not up for preorder yet, but she announced November 12th as the publishing date! She’s been good about posting updates, so it seems like everything is going according to schedule. Her Regency romances are some of my absolute favorite books, so I’m excited for her to be back at them!

    rdalquist AT gmail DOT com

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    1. That’s the same problem I’ve been having — not being able to source strictly indie published authors. Maybe it’s partly because I’ll recognize a traditionally published author’s name when I see a new indie release on bookstagram where as I might skim over an unknown author? Either way, it’s so random but I feel like I have tons of choices now so I’m super excited to get started.

      And yay for Kristi Ann Hunter going back to her Regencies. Excited for this one as well. Good luck, Rachael.

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  20. I’m like you, and don’t read that much indie christian fiction. Mandi Blake is one I have read several of.

    Have you read any of Carla Laureano’s Haven Ridge series?

    If I win, I would chose Ruffling Society by Kay Moser (I saw someone mention this one on the Avid Readers of CF FB page)

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    1. Brilliant reminder — I have not read Carla Laureano’s Haven Ridge series and my library has them on hoopla in audio so, woohoo! Ruffling Society does look really good. Good luck, Patty!

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  22. I actually have a LOT of indie books/authors that I enjoy or have on my TBR, lol. I think I find them mostly through those book-digging rabbit-trails I regularly find myself wandering down, lol😅 (Particularly through Goodreads or book groups I’m in on Facebook!) I’m a HUGE fan of indie publishing! I’ve actually heard a lot of behind-the-scenes from authors who have gone both indie and traditional publishing and they have so much more freedom with their books going indie! I think they almost always decide they don’t want to go back to traditional after self-publishing because of all the restrictions that are lifted and the ability to follow the vision of where they want their book to go.

    One indie-published I think would be worth checking out is Colors of Truth by Tamera Alexander. (Interesting back-story to why that book became an indie too!)

    The indie-published book I’d love to enter for is (don’t judge🤫) The Raveling by Tamara Leigh! (😂Yes! She’s published many ways, including indie!)

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    1. Bwahahahaha! Elly! I would never have guessed your choice! Interesting insights on why authors are turning to indie publishing and that may be the reason there doesn’t seem to be has many traditionally published CF coming out. I was worried that we would be getting less CF but it might just be that it’s on the way to shifting to more indie than traditional. Good luck, Elly!

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      1. Yeah, the main downside and the only negative I’ve heard is the publicity. Traditional publishers have an established audience and, therefore, a much wider reach in getting the word out about their books, whereas when you go indie, it takes a lot of effort to make your releases known.

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  23. There’s an 11 book series called Pink Pistol Sisterhood that was indie published. All the books in the series are written by a different author (Karen Witemeyer, Shanna Hatfield, Cheryl Pierson, Kit Morgan, Kari Trumbo, Winnie Griggs, Linda Broday, Pam Crooks, Shanna Hatfield, Julie Benson, & Jessie Gussman) I haven’t read them all yet, but am working on it. 🙂

    Grace Hitchcock also has a series (Aprons & Veils) that she indie published.

    Then the rest that I can think of is Misty M. Beller, Penny Zeller, and Danielle Grandinetti.

    For the giveaway I’d pick “Sheltered by the Doctor” by Danielle Grandinetti.

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    1. I have actually read Karen Witemeyer’s Pink Pistol Sisterhood novella — think it was the first one in the series? But promptly forgot about the other books. Must look into them. Thanks for adding even more author names to my TBR list. And Sheltered by the Doctor sounds intriguing. Love the 1930s timeline and it sounds like there’s a mystery too. Good luck, Sabrina!

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  24. thanks for all the authors names that are indie. I love Penny Zeller but have not read too many. I would love to read: Over the Horizon (Horizon Series) book 1

    quilting dash lady at comcast dot new

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  25. Not sure I have a favorite Indie author. Honestly my favorite author is usually the one I’m reading. 🙂 Now when I keep going back for their books, I guess they are higher on my list.

    If I’m searching Indie books, I just put Indie Christian fiction books in the google bar and then start looking down the list. But honestly, my search is usually more of a referral from someone recommending a book to me that gets the ball rolling in that direction.

    Tops on my list of Indie books to read is SHELTERED BY THE DOCTOR by Danielle Grandinetti. I mean how can you not reach for that book just by the cover. Then the storyline sounds like a fabulous read to me. I’m always hooked on books in this era.

    The next book on my Indie books to read list is THE WAY BACK by Heidi Chiavaroli. Knowing the author’s works, I’m sure it’s another great read.

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  26. Oh this is a loaded post! I have to comment on this one! Are you prepared 😂?

    Favorite indie Authors

    Pegg Thomas(esp her Forts of Refuge Series)

    Temperance Johnson ( specifically her Lullaby by the River & Liberty Rose. She is about to redo her first two ones) yes I’m one of her ARC readers so I’ve read her release to and thats why I recommend it already 😂 (Lullaby by the River)

    Jenny Knipfer

    Anne Perreault (esp Arabian Nights Series)

    Grace Hitchcock (hybrid) indie series Aprons & Veils

    Joanne Bischof (hybrid) Suddenly Sadie Series

    April Gardner ( esp Beneath the Blackberry Moon series)

    Olivia Talbott

    Heidi Gray McGill

    Laura Thomas

    Urcelia Teixeira (love her books!)

    Stephanie Grace Whitson (Love At First Light) hybrid

    Elizabeth Ann Boyles

    Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer (her books are so full of history!)

    Lynn Shannon

    R. Marshall Wright

    Naomi Musch

    Teresa Smyser

    Sherrinda Ketchersid

    Caitlin Miller

    C. C. Warrens (esp Cherry Creek Mysteries)

    Angela Couch (hybrid)

    Tamera Leigh

    here are a few that I know of and most I have read. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on some of them! They are awesome!

    To Win:

    I would enjoy The Yellow Tape Letters by Caitlin Miller. sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Oh wow, Our Yellow Tape Letters sound amazing — another World War II novel as well. And thanks so much for that wonderful list — I can’t believe how many indie authors are out there that I knew nothing about! I have some mega reading ahead of me. Good luck, Sarah!

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  28. Oh, my! Y’all are making my head spin. So many authors I’ve never heard of. So many books and not enough time to check them all out. Blessings

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  29. I had a huge reply and it disappeared. Trying again!

    Kav, you use StoryGraph for your pie charts and such, right? So I’m thinking it’s just categorizing what specifically says Independently Published when many use their name or have a “company name.” For example, Havilah Press with Chautona Havig and Sweethaven with Courtney Walsh. Just a thought????

    Check out The Mosaic Collection. Authors. I believe they’re all indie. Chautona Havig, Deb Elkink, Sara Davison, Candace West, Brenda S Anderson, and several more.

    I believe these are all indie with different company names or variations of their name. Some have both traditional and indie:
    CC Warrens (recommended order on her fb page and website), Courtney Walsh, Lisa Harris, Latisha Sexton, Tawni Suchy, Emily Botrous, TK Chapin, Jennifer Rodewald, A M Heath, Beth Wiseman, DL Wood, Elle E Kay, Christine Dillon, Valerie Comer, Joanne Bischof, Catherine Brusk, Melissa Tagg, Kate Goodwin, Jill Gunderson (debut was awesome), MJ Padgett (Unexpected Love series is hilarious!), Linda Ford, Annah Conwell, Sharon Srock, Lisa R Howeler, Dan Walsh, Toni Shiloh, Nadine C Keels, TI Lowe, Robin Patchen, Storm Shultz, Heidi Chiavarolli, Heather Woodhaven, Sara Blackard, Kayla Messner, Jessica Ashley (I think her pub is just a name she uses), Jennifer H Westhall (Healing Euby series), Julie Lessman, Terrie Todd (I think it’s just a company name), Malissa Bonner Chapin, Michele Olson, Anne Perreault, Stephenia H McGee, Kari Trumbo, and so many more.

    Hmmm… I choose Her Place in Time by Stephenia H McGee.

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    1. Sorry, Tammy. Thanks for persevering. I found one of your comments in spam and one in pending — have no idea why. And what a fabulous list of mostly new to me authors. I’m in for quite a bit of research this week. Decisions. Decisions.

      And no, I don’t use Story Graph. I make up my graphics on Canva from my own stats that I keep track of the old fashioned way — in my goals book! I know, I’m such a dinosaur.

      Good luck, Tammy!

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      1. Oh gah. I needed a good laugh today. It’s been a rough one mentally bc of well . . . physical stuff. When I saw that remark about the dinosaur I literally laughed out loud. I’m right there with you, girl! No techie in me at all!

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      3. Feel free to delete any repeats that came up. I have never had this issue before but maybe it was my connection??

        I recently started StoryGraph and your pie charts looked like theirs. I was curious. So that’s why I wondered if the ones specifically saying “independently published” would be the limit. Anything that said their name, company name, etc would not be picked up as indie.

        I think that’s how mine would read it just as my inventory app would. Your method is definitely far more accurate then.

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  31. Kav, I got connected to indie author Caitlin Miller on social media (can’t remember how!) so I’d like to try one of her books. Will go with Our Yellow Tape Letters. She just signed with an agent and hopes to get published traditionally too. Btw, you definitely will want to read Laura Frantz’s indie novella A Matter of Honor. Excellent like all of Laura’s work 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  32. I used to follow the blog called Inspy Romance (I think they disbanded earlier this year) and there are several authors that contributed to it:

    Amy R. Anguish

    Laura Ashwood

    Narelle Atkins (Aussie Gal. I’ve read a few of her books)

    Valerie M. Bodden

    Tabitha Bouldin

    Emily Dana Botrous

    Valerie Comer (Her Farm Fresh series is good, but haven’t read all yet)

    Emily Conrad

    Tara Grace Ericson

    Heather Gray (read a few of hers)

    Milla Holt

    Deb Kastner (I’ve enjoyed her earlier Love Inspired books, so I don’t know if she also indie publishes)

    K. Leah

    Elizabeth Maddrey (read a few of hers)

    Robin Merrill

    Carolyn Miller (another Aussie Gal…she has a hockey series, but haven’t read them)

    Lindi Peterson

    Toni Shiloh (I know you’ve read her books)

    Jan Thompson (her Savannah Sweethearts series is good, though I haven’t read every one yet)

    Teresa Tysinger (I have a couple of unread books on my shelf)

    Jaycee Weaver

    Meghann Whistler (The Billionaire’s Secret was incredible! It won a Shelah Award. I know what your thinking… Billionaire, but trust me, it’s good!!)

    Merrillee Whren (I’ve read most of her Love Inspired and a few of her Front Porch Promises indie published)

    That’s quite a list isn’t it!? I can’t say for sure if they all are indie authors but I know quite a few are, or have gone that way because they wanted to get away from traditional publishing. Another one is Alexa Verde…though I can’t tell for sure if she writes CF or just clean & sweet stories.

    Anyway, since I have a Kindle Unlimited subscription, I have discovered a lot of Indie published authors. Most being sweet & clean (Regencies especially)….. so when I finish a book or series, Amazon shows me other authors like them & recommends them to me. Or I just follow my own rabbit trails and accidentally stumble upon new-to-me writers. Or the authors themselves recommend other authors in their newsletters. Isn’t that a concept? 😁 One particular Regency author I am devouring books by is Dorothy Sheldon. I LOVE her writing and am impatiently awaiting her fourth book in the Willienshires family saga series…. she needs to hurry up an write it 😂😂

    I think I’ve taken up enough space for tonight! As for a book for a giveaway, I don’t even know honestly. I think I’m just enjoying the conversation 😊

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    1. Seems like there isn’t an exact science to finding indie authors. More like a game of chance. Inspy Romance — the blog — was the only source I had for indie authors, loved their weekly podcast, so I was sorry to see it end. Thanks for including all those names — some I’ve heard about and others were new to me and I’ve only read a few. I have such a looonnnnnnnggggg list of authors now. It’s going to be fun figuring out how to organize the info. Handy-dandy notebook or go more technical? Decisions Decisions. Happy Reading, Trixi!

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      1. Just thought of two of my favorite CF authors who write westerns and I’ve read several books from their series….need to catch up though. Been on a bit of a wagon train/Oregon trail/Mail-order bride kick along with Regencies!

        Lacey Williams (her Wagon Train Sweethearts series is amazing)

        Linda Ford (her Mail-order Bride series is good too!)

        Then there’s Heather Blanton but I’ve not read anything by her yet, though they are on my want-to-read list!

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  33. Most of the CF I read is traditionally published because I can sign up to review books for them, but here are some that are either hybrid or I’ve gotten to know through recommendations or book tours. It’s easy to try out new-to-me authors when their books are available on Kindle Unlimited.

    Courtney Walsh, Jennifer Rodewald, Misty M. Beller, Sarah Monzon, Susan May Warren, Mary Connealy (her Garrison’s Law series was excellent!), Becky Wade, Heather B. Moore, Naomi Rawlings, Amy Matayo, Carla Laureano, Ruth Logan Herne, Pepper Basham, Jody Hedlund, Lena Goldfinch, Lacy Williams.

    Clean romance that has inspirational elements/themes:

    Heather B. Moore, Esther Hatch, Joanna Barker, Ashtyn Newbold, Deborah M. Hathaway, Jess Heileman, Martha Keyes, Nichole Van, Megan Walker, Arlem Hawks, Jennie Goutet, Rachael Anderson, Kaylee Baldwin, Cindy Steel, Taylor Dean, Becky Monson, Michele Paige Holmes, Rebecca Connolly, Julie Coulter Bellon, Regina Scott, Sally Britton, Jessica Scarlett, Kiera Dominguez, Amanda Panhorst, M.A. Nichols, Julie Christianson, Aspen Hadley, Gracie Ruth Mitchell, Rachel John, Melanie Jacobson, Kortney Keisel, Laura Rollins, Kaylee Baldwin, Jenessa Fayeth, Dana LeCheminant, Annah Conwell, Jen Atkinson, Sydney Muse.

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    1. Whoa — even more authors to check into. Thanks so much for adding so many new names to my growing TBR list. At this rate I could go a whole year only reading indie authors and still have some left over! I’m beginning to understand what a great resource Kindle Unlimited is for discovering new authors. Happy Reading, Heidi!

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  34. You hit on a popular topic, Kav!!! Like others, there are so many good indie authors out there. I’d recommend Jaycee Weaver, Teresa Tysinger, Andrea Boyd, Chautona Havig, Cathe Swanson, Heather Blanton, Misty Beller, Heather Day Gilbert, MaryLu Tyndall, and Tessa Afshar (haven’t read any of her Biblical fiction but I hear very good things about her books), just to name a few. But there really are soooooo many!!!

    I’d like to win a copy of Marry Christmas: Christmas Lights Collection 2023. I’ve rerad several collections by these indie authors and they are always full of humor and strong faith threads. TY for the opportunity!

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  35. I’m also not very familiar with Indie book authors. I did a Google search and found Goodreads’ 2023 top Indie Christian Fiction list. On that list, I found that Susan May Warren, one of my favorite authors, has an Indie book series! It’s called Minnesota Marshalls / The Marshall Family Saga. Several books from this series were on that Goodreads Indie list. Thanks for enlightening us on Indie books and authors, Kav! I would like to win: Jonas (Minnesota Marshalls/The Marshall Family Saga Book 10)

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    1. Yes, Susan May Warren went indie and then started her own publishing house so I think that’s how she publishes now. I’ve read some of that Minnesota Marshallls series, but not all of them. Good luck, Alison.

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    1. Eeeeeppp — her books do look good and they are on audible too. Eeeeep. I love me a cozy vibe mystery. So thankful for guilty pangs….bwahahahaha! And now I get to figure out how to add a line into my excel indie authors spreadsheet — woohoo!

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  37. Mari Hernan writes Christian Romance and it’s wonderful!

    IF I won, I’d want to win Love in the Wild by Mandi Blake. Blessedmommy3x AT gmail DOT com

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  38. I really enjoyed this conversation and will need to go over it again when I’m NOT working the elections. It’s been incredibly busy! I’m picking Memory Lane by Becky Wade.

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