Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Spring 2026 – Indie Fiction

Spring may be shy about making an appearance this year, but we can still look forward to the new season by exploring all the new releases coming out in April, May and June 2026.

Here’s how this week’s giveaway works: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION genre specific titles with release dates in April, May or June 2026 (up to 3 suggestions per genre day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it’s a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: These giveaways are available in paperback or ebook format to US and Canadian readers. Ebooks available internationally if you have a .com kindle account (US Amazon)

New Category: Indie Fiction Giveaway Day

I know this might be somewhat of a challenge since we often don’t hear about indie releases until very close to the release day, if we hear about them at all. So…FOR THIS CATEGORY ONLY…indie books released any time in 2026 up to the end of June can be included.

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the books in the Indie Fiction genre you would like to win.

Indie Fiction – a full length story or novella or collection of novellas published independently by an author. Any genre, but must fit the Christian Fiction / Closed Door, Clean Read category.

How does it work?

Easy Peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES

Publication date must be January – June 2026

Each day is genre specific, so only submit titles from that genre

Christian Fiction / Closed Door books only please!

You can offer up to three suggestions per genre day BUT they need to be made in 3 separate comments (easier for me to keep track of.)

No email entries this time round since WP comments are working

OF SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU HAVEN’T COMMENTED ON THIS BLOG BEFORE, YOUR FIRST COMMENT WON’T APPEAR UNTIL I APPROVE IT. AFTER THAT YOUR COMMENTS WILL POST AUTOMATICALLY.

Entrants must submit their own selections (no piggybacking on someone else’s log in.)

It’s helpful to include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments per day. If you choose not to include your email then it’s up to you to contact me if you are a winner.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON 

Sunday March 29 2026

(You can enter any of the giveaways up until noon EST on Saturday March 28 2026 Winners will be announced the following day.)

166 thoughts on “Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Spring 2026 – Indie Fiction”

  1. Hey, Kav!

    Thanks so much for another Reader’s Choice Week! Always super exciting!

    I recently realized that Joanna Davidson Politano’s forthcoming release, The Life She Forgot, is not coming from Revell. It’s from Grafted Pages Press, which appears to be started by three traditionally-published authors (Politano, Tromp, and Wright). Their bio says, “We are an alliance of independent authors who write low-spice gothic fiction for teens and adults.” Would this count?

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      1. Yes, that is interesting! And definitely counts for this giveaway. A great trio of authors too. I wonder if they will eventually expand it to include other authors and make it an official press the way Susan May Warren has? Time will tell. For now it’s indie for sure. This also provides a dilemma for those of us eager to find indie books, we see the press name and assume it’s a legit publishing company when it’s really an author’s own creation to publish independently under. Not sure why they do that. I always do a search for any publisher I don’t recognize in order to determine if it’s indie or not. Sigh, being a book nerd isn’t for the faint of heart. 🙂 Good luck, Stephanie!

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  2. I can’t believe we’re at the end of Mar already & time for another RCW! It was 85° yesterday but it won’t stay that warm. I see some 50° temps in our 10 day forecast. Spring is weird here! Love this new Indie category BTW!

    1) The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano (Apr 21)

    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity, Kav! Always so much fun! dianalflowers at aol dot com

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  4. 3) Of Flaw and Scorn by Vera Bell (Apr 28)

    This is her debut Christian historical romance! Vikings are slightly out of my comfort zone, but this sounds & looks exciting! That cover! Looking forward to seeing what everyone else chooses!

    Have a blessed Sunday, Kav!

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    1. While I don’t want it to be 85 I’d be happy with something above zero and for the snow to stop already!!!!! Ahem…I’m ignoring the outside and concentrating on the warm promise of spring reads! Of Flaw and Scorn sounds really emotional and I love, love, looovveee that cover! Plus Ireland! Eeeeppp!!!! And I know you’ve raved about Creston Mapes before….I haven’t got on the bandwagon yet though. So many books, so little time! Good luck, Diane!

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      1. Beautiful here when it’s in the 70s so looking forward to those temps. The hummingbirds are starting to make their appearance. I know you’re tired of looking at snow!

        Creston Mapes suspense books are unique and aren’t graphic. I don’t read every one of his books, but thoroughly enjoyed the ones I have! It’s the same for every suspense author. Love Christy Barritt, but pass on some of hers as well bc the plot doesn’t appeal to me. Not into drug trafficking, political espionage, amnesia tropes, etc.

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      2. We have to pick and choose our suspense fiction, even with favourite authors. I recently read Christy Barritt’s The Cottage on Ghost Lane and loved it so now I have to read the whole series, but I’ve missed tons of her other books. Hmmm, I wonder if she has anything coming out this spring? Must check that.

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      3. Christy has one coming out Mar 31 called Trailing Justice, which is Book 3 in her newest series. I’ve read Book 1, but not 2 yet. I’m sure she’ll have another written this spring or summer bc she’sss . . . CHRISTY!!!

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      1. Ok will try this again. 😊 If there are any clues as to how to search for Indie books, I’d appreciate the hints.  On these, I found who the publisher was and then googles to see if they were Indie publishers. Is there a simpler way?  It’s hard enough to find them that are still in paperback form and not use ebooks.  ☹

        2. THE TOP OF THE WORLD by Elizabeth Camden

        An author I know, but have never had the chance to read one of her books yet.  Add to that, I’m an old army brat drawn to anything with a military feel to it.  Plus, second chance – one of my favorites too.  All add up to this one being perfect for me.

        Release date – April 14, 2026

        2clowns at arkansas dot net

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      2. Yep, this one works and it is frustrating trying to search for indie books, especially when authors create ‘fake’ presses instead of putting ‘independently published’ in the info section. The only way I have found to verify whether a books is an indie or not is to google search unknown publishers to check. There have been some great suggestions already today though so check out the comments and I bet you’ll find another one that tickles your fancy. Good luck, Kay!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. 2. AN APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY by Jayna Breigh

      Release date – January 27, 2026

      2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    2. Happy Sunday and welcome Spring! I’m putting on my intrepid reporting hat this morning to give some recommendations for indie published books since they aren’t always easy to find.

      Three books I’m looking forward to (but will read on KU):

      1-Part of Your World by Karen Witemeyer 6/16

      2-The Top of the Word by Elizabeth Camden 4/14

      3=To Dance with a Duke Gabrielle Meyer 6/9

      Two I have already read and recommend:

      1-Where Stillness Speaks by Chelsey Wellwood

      2-Roped into Paradise by Shanna Hatfield

      Now to find some entries for myself 🙂

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      1. I forgot to mention the indie I’m reading right now, The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door by Emily Hampton. It’s a romcom and so witty and clever, so much fun!

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      2. Tracey, Chelsey Welwood has her 2nd book in the series coming out this summer By Mercy Untold, but she hasn’t given a specific release date yet. Looking forward to it! Where Stillness Speaks was so good!!

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      3. Eeeeppppppp!!!! Another Western fairy tale retelling!!!!!! I’m so excited! And you follow that with a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers retelling by Gabrielle Meyer. Double eeeeeeeppppp!!!! I have Where Stillness Speaks on my audible wishlist and it’s moving up the queue! Roped into Paradise sounds perfect –kind of like Hearts Aweigh without the mystery aspect. Thanks so much for sharing these, Tracey! Your intrepid investigative skills are showing! 🙂

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        2. Yes, Roped into Paradise is just like the shippers, I’m hoping Shanna does a sequel to it next. I’ve been watching Shannon Dunlap for her next shipper book, but so far, it’s crickets. If you want a cozy mystery that reminded me of the shippers, try Books and Buried Secrets by Melissa Alyse. New to me author, just came out 3/1. I tried it and it was so good, and so very touching by the end I was tearing up. You don’t see that in cozy mysteries very often.

          You will love The Lumberjack! I had time last night for something new, so I picked it to read. I bought it way back in Oct (like to keep my kindle well stocked). I’ve seen so many great reviews decided it was time, so glad I did. I was laughing out loud from the beginning. Can’t wait to start up again today. Emily Hampton is like a Christian standup comedian. I can hardly stop laughing at one thing before I’m laughing at another. This is only her 2nd fiction book although it looks like she’s written a number of devos. New to me author but I’ll be tracking her now. Sorry (not sorry) about the book budget but can’t stop sharing the good stuff!

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        3. ARgh/Yay, you’ve made me added another book to my list! A Tracey high praise cozy mystery is not to be missed, I think! 🙂 I’m reading a hysterically, laugh out loud funny rom/com right now, well listening to it, and it’s soooooooo good!

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    3. Three more authors who publish independently:

      C.C. Warrens

      Carrie Fancett Pagels ( I am in her latest one under my maiden name)

      Danielle Grandinetti

      I will choose C.C.’s latest CrossBones.
      paulamarys49ATggmailDOTcom

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      1. That’s so cool that you have become a fictional character in a Carrie Fancett Pagels book! And your mentioning C.C. Warrens is another hint that I should get on with that third Holly book before I’m even further behind! Good luck, Paula!

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        1. It is strange to read my name in the book.
          i was also a bully nurse in an Insane Asylum in Crystal Caudill’s newest Sung in the Shadows.

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    4. Happy Spring! I enjoy quite a few independently published books and found the new information about Joanna Davidson Politano’s newest book recently. She is part of a book signing event scheduled at Baker Book House and they didn’t have her book!

      So, that is my first choice, The Life She Forgot, April release.

      Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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      1. Wow, I’m finding it interesting that so many traditionally published authors are also indie publishing now. Great additions to my wish list! Thanks for that (I think!) Good luck, Sandy!

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    7. With so many Indie authors these days, this is a great idea! I’ve already preordered Elizabeth Camden’s The Top of the World (so no need to put that one in the hat), but I wanted to make mention of it, being on-theme. However, there are plenty more!

      A Scattering of Light by Lori Benton (April 2026)

      rdalquist AT gmail DOT com

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      2. I did not realize that Lori Bention’s upcoming release was indie! It looks amazing and, if I’m not mistaken, it’s been a couple of years since she released a book. Good luck, Rachael!

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      1. Alas, this one isn’t indie either — it’s Tyndale. Oh — and don’t worry if you only come across indie books that are only listed last ebook – the paperback edition options aren’t usually listed until the actual release date.

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        1. When I googles if Tyndale is an Indie publisher, this is the reply I get – Yes, Tyndale House Publishers (which includes Tyndale Fiction) is one of the world’s largest independent Christian publishers. Founded in 1962, it is a privately held, non-profit company based in Carol Stream, Illinois, whose profits go to the Tyndale House Foundation to support charitable missions. So you see why I am so confused.

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        2. Ahhhhh — that is confusing. An independent publisher is totally different from and independently published author. Think of it this way — and indie author also acts as her own publisher. She doesn’t get an advance, she has to pay all the costs of getting the book out, hiring her own editor etc.

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    21. I found a listopia list on Goodreads that was made in 2014. So it may not help but here it is. Christian Independently-Published Books. But it has the authors names anyway. Not a link. You have to search in lists on goodreads.

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    22. Many interesting comments! Being an active book reviewer appears to be a real plus in this study. The following doesn’t seem (?) to be a publishing house release (this week) – The Architect’s House of Belonging. A Regency by Isobel Jacobs.

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    23. I am surprised at how many traditionally published authors are doing indie stuff.  Becky Wade said that she would remain indie going forward.  That surprised me!  I’m going to choose The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano releasing 4/21.  

      We’re looking at 87F today, Kav.  Sorry about the snow!

      perrianne  (DOT) askew ( AT) me ( DOT) com

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      1. I am too. Maybe to have more control over content and the whole process? And there seems to be a lot more guides available to help with self-publishing. Also, it seems like traditional publishers are cutting back on their releases and Indies can publish however and whenever they want. The Life She Forgot sounds amazing! Good luck, Perrianne!

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    24. The Top of the World by Elizabeth Camden. So many prominent authors are also doing some self published books in the last few years. Robin Lee Hatcher was the first I really noticed.

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      1. It seems like Robin Lee Hatcher is exclusively self publishing now. Seems like Elizabeth Camden is self publishing her contemporary novels and traditionally publishing her historical ones. Good luck, CC!

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    27. It is a bit tricky to figure out which books are independently published! But I am looking forward to

      Part of Your World by Karen Witemeyer (June 16th)

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    29. And lastly, I think this one is independently published, but I’m not as familiar with Gabrielle Meyer so I might be mistaken!

      To Dance with a Duke by Gabrielle Meyer (June 9th)

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    30. #1 To Dance with a Duke by Gabrielle Meyer It’s good we have a lot of sleuths here! It’s kind of hard to figure out which books are indie ones.

      whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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      2. #3 A Most Enticing Enigma by Rebecca Connolly Releases April 22

        I hope this one qualifies. She also writes for Shadow Mountain, so I’m sure it’s clean and wholesome. It’s part of a series by authors who write clean and wholesome books.

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      10. Here’s one I just came across if anyone needs a recommendation:

        Title: Through Smoke and Secrets
        Series: Dangerous Heirlooms #1
        Author: Rebecca Hemlock
        Publisher: Independently published
        Release Date: January 21, 2026
        Genre: Mystery Suspense

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