Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Summer Edition 2026 – Indie Fiction

Hellllooooo Summer and all the lazy days of lounging and reading ahead! Time to stock pile our TBRs with the newest releases so let’s take a look at what’s coming out in July, August and September 2026!

Here’s how this week’s giveaway works: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION genre specific titles with release dates in July, August or September 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)

Newish 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 September 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 July, August or September 2026

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

Christian Fiction 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 July 12 2026

(You can enter any of the giveaways up until noon EST on Saturday July 11 2026 Winners will be announced the following day.)

142 thoughts on “Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Summer Edition 2026 – Indie Fiction”

  1. I’ve been really interested in The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano. I believe this one indie, so please correct me if I’m wrong. My library is not good about ordering indie books. Maybe it’s just for Christian Fiction, but I think it’s across the board.

    I hope that you are somewhat settled in your new place!  Take your time to unpack.

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

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    1. Yes, The Life She Forgot is Indie. It was a a popular request last RCW. It’s hard for libraries to purchase indie books depending on the system. Mine doesn’t get many either. Phew! The move was crazy hot and I’m not completely settled in yet, hello, books in boxes still! But the worst is that I can’t get my internet connected and it’s driving me crazy. Using a data chomping hotspot right now so we’ll see how this goes. Hopefully I’ll get my internet sorted tomorrow. Good luck, Perrianne!

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  2. I think A Girls Guide to Having it All by Leslie Kirby DeVooght is Indy published (earlier this year) The first book in the series was great!

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  5. Good Sunday Morning, every day this past week when I checked emails I was missing something, and I already knew it was you Kav and Best Reads! I hope you are all snuggled in and enjoying the new apartment. I’m so glad your back.

    I’ve read 2 indie 5 star books I can recommend. for anyone looking. The first, Love That Lasts by Valerie Bodden. I almost passed it by because 490 pages, gulp. But it wasn’t repetitive at all and held my interest the entire way through. It was so good, I wished it could have just kept going. Can’t wait for the second book in Dec’

    The other book I just read was How to Lose an Heiress in Ten Days by Kathryn Springer. It released on June 29th, a rom/com of sorts but with a lot of depth. So good, I do love Kathryn Springer books.

    My first indie pick would be The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow by Vanatta Chapman. Based on the blurb and the few early reviews it sounds like a spin on ‘what if I’d chosen differently” thought. Intriguing. Releases July 23rd.

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  6. My second choice would be Mist on the Waters by Stephania McGee. It’s published by By the Vine Press which I believe is Stephania’s self-publishing site. Not 100% sure though. You were so right when you said finding and verifying indie published can be a challenge. Anyway, this has the prettiest cover, it’s a bit of everything, roaring 20’s historical romance and suspense all in one. Release date August 11th.

    Thanks for this fun indie day, Kav. I’ll be reading other choices on the lookout for my third book.

    tracey14567 atgmail.com

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    1. Well, it’s Sunday evening now due to internet woes – what a terrible host I am to this summery RCW opening gala. lol And, yes, it sure felt strange not to be checking in at Best Reads for days on end! I am sooooo happy to be back, even with this ‘borrowed’ internet!

      Love that cover on The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow! Simple but so appealing. Mists on the Waters sounds intriguing too. Love a history/mystery combo.

      Thanks for sharing some extra indie books. I remember you talking about Valeri Bodden’s book before but you hadn’t finished it yet so good to know it was worth venturing into the lengthy book arena! How to Lose An Heiress in Ten Days looks fun – and I do love a rom/com with depth. Also, it’s been awhile since I’ve read a Kathryn Springer book! Thanks for the suggestions, Tracey! Good luck!

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  7. Good morning, Kav! Hoping your move went smoothly! Looking forward to hearing more about it! It’s been a week of intense grieving for our huge extended family as we lost a vital & beloved family member to cancer. So seeing you here this morning is a sense of normalcy I truly needed.

    1) Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton (Aug 25) I enjoyed the 1st book in the series, Neverending Mercy, a lot!

    dianalflowers at aol dot com

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  9. 3) No Sparks Allowed by Valerie Comer (July 30) This sounds fun & I love string lights on covers! I also love figure skating.

    Thanks for the fun giveaway, Kav, and welcome back!

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    1. I’m so sorry to hear about your family’s loss, Diane. Praying for you all as you adjust to life without a beloved family member. So glad that the return of RCW can provide a bit of normal into your grieving world.

      I still haven’t read Latisha Sexton! But I do have Neverending Mercy on your recommendation. I just need to read it now! And here the next book in the series is coming out already! Sigh. It’s been ages since I read a Valerie Comer book! Might have jump in again with this July release. Good luck, Diane (and gentle hugs.)

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      1. Thanks so much, Kav. She was so healthy and full of life, funny, & never seemed to age. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer & was gone within a year. She & her hubby (my hub’s brother) always held the best 4th of July swimming/BBQ bashes & we all looked forward to it every yr. I just can’t wrap my mind around it. I know she’s not suffering anymore & I thank God for that! So a quiet 4th of July was had for the entire family yesterday. I’m finally able to regularly get back into reading & am looking forward to all these great summer releases! Gentle hugs back!

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      2. That really must have made this holiday so difficult for you all. Praying that you can receive comfort from so many sweet memories. Especially praying for her husband who is experiencing such a profound loss. I wonder if authors realize the solace their stories can bring to struggling readers. It can be such a relief to lose yourself in a story world for a while. God bless our beloved authors!

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      3. So difficult bc we’ve celebrated there for years every 4th of July. So many wonderful memories! When I lost my mom I remember sitting in front of my flower garden reading Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz. Yes, thank God for all these awesome authors who take us away from it all for awhile! Thank you, Kav, for your prayers and words of comfort.

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  10. To Chase the Stars by Tara Johnson will be my second choice. I’m still pondering my third choice. It IS really difficult to know if books are indie or not!

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

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    1. I know! I wish authors would stick with ‘independently published’ in the Publisher field instead of making up cutesy names for non-existent publishers. It would make things so much easier! Good luck, Perrianne!

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      1. I’m not certain, but I think the name they put in the publisher field is the small business name that they set up for taxes, etc. I think putting “independently published ” in that field is for the authors who have their indie books only on Kindle with Amazon and nowhere else. There are a couple of authors who have a name in that field that when looking it up, I found it only to be the name of the software they used to format their book! I may be totally mistaken about this. Maybe an Indie author or hybrid one will let us know.

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      3. That’s interesting, Sylvia. I hadn’t thought about the small business angle. Thanks for sharing that. And yes, Perrianne, it’s still sooooooo confusing! I mean, I guess most people don’t go looking for indie books, they are looking for a genre or blurb that catches their attention and don’t really care who published the book. I’m deliberately trying to increase the number of indie books I read though, so I am always on the hunt! 🙂

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    1. Ohhhhh, Special Target sounds like just the kind of book I’m in the mood for! And you’ve reminded me about that K-9 suspense series by Linda J. White. I’ve read the first two books in that series and have it as one of my SAS (Serious About Series) to complete this year, but yikes! already up to #8 that means I’m six behind.

      Alas, The Girl Upstairs by Jessica Patch is a Love Inspired Trade book, not independently published, so won’t count for this giveaway. Feel free to choose another title. Good luck, Kay!

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    1. Eeeppp!!! I just unpacked Anchor Cove today. It was the last book I ordered from my old address and I had to pack it without reading it! So sad. But she’s resurfaced now and I can’t wait to dig in. Super cute cover too. Good luck, Perrianne!

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      1. It’s Toni Shiloh, so it’s sure to be good! I hope you get your internet issues ironed out. I know it’s frustrating because my phone likes to randomly drop my wifi. ☹️

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    1. Oops, this one is published by Revell, so not an indie book but I’m am so looking forward to it! Love Elizabeth Goddard’s suspense! Feel free to choose another title for this giveaway, Kim.

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  16. Good Morning and YAY you are moved! Hope all went well😊

    #1. A Lot Like Lavender by B.R. Goodwin, 8/3. This has been a really great series.

    Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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    1. eeeeeeppp!! Beyond the Melody by Amanda Cabot sounds amazing. Hope it comes out in paperback too! And I need to read more B. R. Goodwin. I’m working on her Sugartree Romance series and here she has a whole new one nearly completely. The move went really well, except for the heat. That was horrific! No air conditioning at either end. The movers were really troopers. Still have more unpacking to do and a trip to IKEA might have distracted me yesterday! 🙂 Good luck, Sandy!

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  18. Good morning Kav! I hope this day finds you happily in your new place….prayers for you as you settle in. I know how much chaos can go into moving, so I ask for peace as well.

    My one book I found for today (like you said, very hard to scout out!) sounds so good by a favorite author:

    The Stranger I Love by Esther Hatch~May 2026

    Thanks for the chance to win….here’s to discovering new books from our Reader’s Choice week ☺️❤

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      1. Okay forgive me, I named the wrong author for the book!! Was up too late with all the fireworks going off in our neighborhood so my brain is absolute mush…..Anneka Walker is the writer.

        Guess I’m taking a nap after church today…a rare thing indeed….HAHA!

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      2. Okay, this one sounds really good and the whole series has a Runaway Brides theme it looks like. I do love the way Anneka Walker writes a romance! I’m ready for a swoonworthy read! And thanks for the prayers — finding peace in the chaos is so important. Things are calming down a bit now. And I’ve been inspired by my morning walks. My neighbourhood is beautiful! Can’t wait to tell you all about it! But must save that for a Conversational Sunday. 🙂 We’re all about book talking this week! Good luck, Trixi!

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  19. #3. Spies Don’t Fall for Their Best Friend by Meg Easton, 9/1

    I also wanted to mention a new multi author series I just started on KU, The Heart of Nashville. I enjoyed the first book, What if we Broke the Rules by Tara Grace Ericson. I’ve loved all of her books.

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    1. Meg Easton is a new to me author and this book sounds like a fun read. And thanks for sharing about The Heart of Nashville multi-author series. I really enjoyed a summer series a couple of years ago and I’ve started looking fore more multi-author series. Thinking of trying to keep up with two a year and The Heart of Nashville might be one of them. Good luck, Sandy!

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  23. Welcome back, Kav!! How was the move?! Are you getting settled? For my first pick I will go with Head over Wheels by B.R. Goodwin, it published in February. cilydav at hotmail dot com

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    1. I see you are a B. R. Goodwin fan too! Must prioritize the book I have written by her. 🙂 The move was excruciatingly hot (111 F!) The poor movers – no air conditioning at either end but they were amazing. The heatwave broke last night and I don’t even have a fan on today! I’m loving my neighbourhood (had to download a map app because I kept getting lost on my wall! lol) And for the first time in the history of moving, my book boxes are the last to be unpacked. But there is a method to my madness so hopefully I’ll be completely settled by the end of this week! Good luck, Cindy!

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      1. I knew it was going to be hot, but that does sound miserable. Our heatwave broke last night too, thank God! It has been hard to breathe. Yes, I have loved what I have read by her, but I am woefully behind. I am sure you have a great reason for leaving the books to last. I am glad you should be settled soon, and are loving your new place. Yes, I always need maps when walking in my new neighborhoods, LOL! Have a fantastic week!

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    1. Oopsie. This one isn’t indie. It’s a small press imprint of Whitefire Publishing — so small independent publisher but still a publisher. Feel free to choose a replacement title. Good luck, Lucy!

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  28. 3. The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano. 
    I pray your move went well and you are very happy there. Blessings

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    1. Thanks, Lucy. I’m gradually getting things organized. Kitchen is completely unpacked – on the first day in fact thanks to friends so that made it easier to handle the rest of the chaos. 🙂 Good luck, Lucy!

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  29. Secrets in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell coming out in late September. Thanks Kav.

    Hope your move went smoothly; welcome back…… jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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      1. And, rats, I got carried away with anticipatory glee– this one isn’t an independently published book. Feel, free to choose another one in place of this one, Jackie!

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  34. The Second Chance Trailer Park by Katie Powner

    It is so hard to tell what is Indy published! Someone requested Secrets in the Castle Library but I don’t think WhiteCrown Publishing is Indy. If it was, I would have requested it too.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. You’re right about Secrets in the Castle. Not an indie published book and, alas, neither is The Second Chance Trailer Park — it’s published by a small press that’s part of Crooked Lane Publishers (huge in the cozy mystery genre). And, goodness, I had to dig to determine that. Hiunting down indie books is not for the faint of heart! Feel free to choose a replacement title, Pam

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  37. 3rd CHOICE: The Turning of the Tide: A Hebridean Story (Hebridean Stories)by Ashley Worrell, September 2026. Blessedmommy3x AT gmail DOT com

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      2. More Than Convenient by Laura Hawkins

        August 2026

        Blessedmommy3x AT gmail DOT com

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  39. 1st CHOICE: Cruel Blood (Marino Legacy Trilogy Book One): A Christian Mafia Romance by Skylar J. Kent, July, 2026. Blessedmommy3x AT gmail DOT com

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  46. Happy July, Kav! Hope you’re settling in nicely!

    This one is actually easy this time!
    1 of 3 — Secrets in the Castle Library by the amazing Ann Swindell in late Sept. Thank-you!

    appletamo AT Yahoo DOT ca

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    1. Brain failure: It’s Whitefire Pub and I know it. Sighhhh…. Can you tell I’m excited for its release!? I’ll replace it with Katie Powner’s The Second Chance Trailer Park. Thanks.

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      1. lol – I got all excited about Secrets in the Castle Library too. I expect it will show up a lot on other days this week! 🙂 Also, The Second Chance Trailer Park isn’t an indie book – published by a small press that’s part of Crooked Lane Books.

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