Conversations With Kav – Celebrating Indie Authors Day + Giveaway

It’s the fourth Sunday of the month and time for a new blog tradition – celebrating our independently published authors! I’m trying to read more indie books and have been thrilled to get all kinds of great recommendations from you guys so I thought it would be fun to set aside one day a month where we can chat about indie books as a way to support these hardworking, often overlooked authors.

  • what we’re reading 
  • new release alerts 
  • recommended authors

Here’s a snapshot of some of the indie books I’ve read this summer.

I’ve had fun sourcing out some great indie suspense and my beloved cozy mysteries. Along with a few Christmas books as part of my participation in Christmas in July .

Now for some indie books that have been languishing on my TBR for way too long. Will August be the month they finally get read?

And the August Independently Published Release I am looking forward to:

And now it’s time for a chat. What indie books have you been reading this summer? Already on your TBR just waiting to be noticed? New Indie Releases you are looking forward to? Share in the comments AND LEAVE THE TITLE AND AUTHOR OF AN INDIE BOOK (CHRISTIAN FICTION OR CLEAN ROMMANCE) THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO OWN AND IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN, THAT’S THE BOOK YOU WILL WIN.

Giveaway Opportunity:

US – paperback or ebook (check to make sure the book you choose has the edition you want, some seem to only be in ebook format.)

Canada – paperback, ebook or audible (if available) and also confirm that the book comes int he format you want

International – ebook if you have a US kindle account

You suggest an independently published Christian Fiction (or Clean Romance) already in print and leave the title and author in a comment and you will be entered in the giveaway. If your name comes up, then that’s the book you will win. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 1 2026.

38 thoughts on “Conversations With Kav – Celebrating Indie Authors Day + Giveaway”

  1. I’m still chasing The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano. The library won’t order it. I wonder is she’s now all indie? I see that When Winter Came to Dunn Cottage will be her Fall release.

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

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    1. I didn’t realize Joanna Davidson Politano had another indie release coming out in the fall. That’s exciting. I wonder if she’ll be a hybrid author – both traditional and indie. Seems like one of the pluses of indie publishing is that you can release books whenever you want, not on a publisher’s strict timetable. Hopefully libraries will catch up and figure out how to stock their shelves with indie books, especially by proven authors like this one. Good luck, Perrianne.

      Oh, and re the double posting….WP likes to do that sometimes. Just randomly choosing some poor soul to taunt, I guess. 🙂 It could be worse – I’ve seen where WP dogged one commenter and routinely posted their comments four times! Bwahahaha! Just consider yourself special since WP has singled you out. 🙂

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      1. I would not have known about the new release without visiting her website (cover is pending). I think my library is allergic to indies! Sometimes they get an e-copy or rarely an audio, but honestly not often. I’m glad WP loves me but I still have no idea how I did that. 🤣🤣🤣

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  4. Good morning everyone! Kav, I really want to hear what you think about The Lumberjack from the Cabin next Door. It’s one of my favorite books this year.

    I tried to read some “Christmas in July” indies so here’s what I can recommend.

    Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong you recommend last year. Very good.

    A Blizzard of Wishes by Kinberly Kirkland Absher (second in a series but can be read as a standalone) The third book in the series, When Spring Blooms is good too. Another Christmas book by this author, A Song Beneath the Mistletoe was also very good.

    An Ever After Christmas by Melissa Alyse, third in series with recurring characters but reads fine as a standalone. The fourth book in this series, When Grace Finds You is outstanding.

    Lastly, not a Christmas book but a good indie, would be Beyond the Melody by Amanda Cabot. That cover drew me in and I enjoyed the story. So there you have it, 7 indie recommendations for books I read this month, 4 Christmas, 2 contemporary and 1 historical.

    I’d like to read Vannetta Chapman’s The Reimagined Life of Jade Morrow.

    Thanks Kav and happy Sunday! tracey14567 atgmail.com

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    1. I ordered The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door on your say so and am looking forward to it! Not sure why it’s still sitting on my TBR pile. I’m about two thirds through Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, a Christmas cozy mystery, so maybe I’ll pick up the lumberjack next. 🙂

      I can’t believe there’s a billionaire book in your recommended list! But A Blizzard of Wishes sounds good otherwise…especially with a snowed in scene! And I love that cover. Might have snuck this title into my shopping cart when no one was watching. 🙂

      Glad to hear you enjoyed Beyond the Melody, that one really caught my eye during RCW. And now my shopping cart is too full. I might have to transfer some to my wishlist and purchase others. Decisions. Decisions.

      Good luck, Tracey!

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      1. I picked up A Blizzard of Wishes because I’d read another of her books, Praying for Mr. Wright, and it was good. (That book came about when a reader on Avid Readers of Christian Fiction FB page posted off topic, she was looking for a Christian wife for her brother-in-law in their Texas area. So cute, and many of us said we’d read a book based on that true life story, so Kimberly wrote it) But I digress…

        The Christmas aspect was what caught my attention, not the billionaire aspect. That’s really secondary to the whole story and I didn’t let the fact the writer used the “B” word keep me from reading it, haha. There is so much more going on than the wealth part. I don’t even know why writers use the B word, what ever happened to a millionaire being good enough, or just plain wealthy? Overall, I do stay away from B books especially if it’s in the title, but I don’t disregard a book on that alone if it’s just mentioned in the summary. Book choices have to go through so many filters to get us to our happy ever after, don’t they?

        Amanda Cabot has another Christmas book in this series. I may backtrack and read it too, One Special Christmas. These 2 books are connected to a historical 1880’s series about the family in Sweetwater Crossing…rabbit trails.

        I laughed so much reading The Lumberjack and hope it’s as funny to you too. (But not to worry, it also has plenty of depth)

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      2. Yay, I’m in the mood for a laugh out loud book so Lumberjack will definitely be up next. I’ve a quarter left to go with my Christmas cozy that isn’t very Christmasy but I love the dog theme. Billionaire is such a repel word for me. I usually go running but some readers love that theme. I’m with you, though, why does it have to be a billionaire, why can’t the guy just be well off and leave it at that? The extreme excess that billionaire conjures up always gives me the ick factor. Ah well, I trust you on this one the book might have left my shopping cart and is due to be delivered this week. 🙂 My first book delivered to this address! That’s a memorable marker for sure.

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      3. I’m with you and Tracey, Kav! I refuse to read a billionaire book. Millionaire was bad enough, but billionaire just turns me off.

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    2. Tracey, I’ve not read Mistletoe and Malice yet (but would like to sometime!) but fyi, it’s not an indie book. Amazon lists it as published by Scrivenings Press. I love the cover!

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  5. My PC crashed, my tablet nor phone wouldn’t let me on, finally after 45 mins here I am! Had to reset computer. Ugh Anyway, good morning, Kav, and a blesssed Sunday to you! Here’s some Indies I’ve read:

    The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano

    Of Flaw and Scorn by Vera Bell

    Ribbons of Guilt by Laura Thomas

    Hidden Seeds by Jessica Brodie

    Sapphire Island by Creston Mapes

    Stronger Than the Storm by Deena Adams and more!

    I’d love to read No Sparks Allowed by Valerie Comer (I love figure skating & book covers with string lights! Hubby was going to hang some on our patio but they set off headaches, so I’ll have to look at them on book covers instead.) I think this will work bc it releases before giveaway date??

    Thanks, Kav, for the giveaway! dianalflowers at aol dot com

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    1. Well, grrrrr, to morning techno grumbles! Ohhhh, you’ve already read The Life She Forgot — yay — love a solid recommendation. That’s quite the list, Diane, and some of them sound super angsty. You are adding to my indie wishlist! Ack! That’s a good thing, right?! I haven’t read a Valerie Comer book in quite a while and this one cropped up on my radar during RCW. And yes, it works since it will be available by the weekend. Good luck, Diane!

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      1. They were pretty angsty. I didn’t review all of them on GRs, but did rate them. My SIL was getting ready to meet Jesus & words just wouldn’t come. I also think that’s why I didn’t enjoy some as much as I thought I would or rate them quite as high. I guess I’m a mood reader. There was a small time span I couldn’t read at all as I mentioned in an earlier post. And one was beautifully written, but I had the entire plot figured out by the 3rd or 4th chapter & it wasn’t as good after that! I created my own spoiler! LOL!

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      2. Totally understandable with you going through all that. Maybe that’s what drew you to the angst as well? Sometimes I look for a book that’s reflecting what I’m going through and other times I want it to be a total escape and nothing like my real life. Mood reading at its best.

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      3. What’s so odd is that when I did begin reading regularly again I had no trouble reading 2 suspense books bc they were enjoyable—angsty, but intriguing & not so deep that I couldn’t concentrate on them. I loved Conspiracy and even was able to write a brief review. Oh, that setting! Ribbons of Guilt was another I really liked. Stalker book, but not graphic or overly creepy.

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  6. Happy Sunday Kav. The Lumberjack from the Cabin Next Door. (my first choice – I am not sure if this is Indie or not) Christmas With the Cranks by Courtney Walsh. (second choice)

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  7. This post made me realize I haven’t read any indie authors this summer! Yikes! Better get to it! Some of my favs are Martha Keyes, Emily Conrad, and Cindy Steele. I’ve heard good things about Elizabeth Camden’s contemporary romances that she self-publishes.

    I’d love to win a copy of Uneasy Street by Becky Wade. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway.

    Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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    1. I think I’ve only read one Emily Conrad. I keep putting her on my ‘watch’ list and then forgetting to check into her books more. The life of a distracted avid reader! 🙂 Good luck, Jolene!

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  8. Good morning!

    It was fun to look back at my July books read, and a few indies were included:

    What if We Broke the Rules by Tara Grace Ericson

    Part of your World by Karen Witemeyer

    Mail-order Viscountess by Misty Beller

    Beyond the Melody by Amanda Cabot

    What if she Stayed by Elizabeth Maddrey

    Rival to Resist by Martha Keyes. I read the previous books in the series and finally read this last one.

    Love that Lasts by Valerie Bodden

    The Life she Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano I read in May and highly highly recommend! So looking forward to When Winter Came to Dunn Cottage, coming Fall 2026

    On my list to read:

    Until April by Janet Ferguson

    Horseshoes and Honeymoons by Jody Hedlund

    Continuing the Heart of Nashville series: What about the Song? by Rebecca Reed and What about Something New? By Andrea Christensen

    Petticoats and Patriots multi author series, starting with For Liberty and Love by Shanna Hatfield

    Flee from Evil by Rebecca Hartt, book 3 in the series

    Miss Heresford and the Beast by Mimi Matthews. The start of a new series, clean not CF

    And finally A Lot Like Lavender by B.R. Goodwin (my choice).

    Thanks! Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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    1. Oh, wow, you are doing great with your indie author reading this summer! Lots of the ones you mentioned are new to me so that’s exciting. It’s been a while since I’ve read anything by Elizabeth Maddrey and What if I Stayed sounds like the perfect contemporary romance! That’s an ambitious want to read list and I approve of your A Lot Like Lavender choice. 🙂 Good luck, Sandy!

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  9. I would like to read A Song Beneath the Mistletoe! I have read other books by KK Absher and I loved them. Thanks, Kav!! jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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  10. Kav, I haven’t read an indie book this summer, but wow, I noticed how many in your first graphic are trad authors too. Amazing how many are doing both now. I still haven’t read Lori Benton’s new book A Scattering of Light (but really, really want to!) so I’ll list that one — again! lol

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  11. Well, I am with Cheryl, I have been wanting Lori Benton’s book ever since I saw it! A scattering of Light is my choice.
    paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom

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  13. I think I’ll choose Beyond the Melody by Amanda Cabot. The cover intrigues me, and the premise sounds good.

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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  14. Indy books I read this summer that come to mind are Part of Your World by Karen Witemeyer, The Second Chance Trailer Park by Katie Powner, and Beyond the Melody by Amanda Cabot.

    An indy book I’d like to read is One Special Christmas by Amanda Cabot.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  15. I haven’t read much this year but I have been working on reading more this year. Id love to finish Wages of Sin by Urcelia Teixeira for the Valley of Death series. Thanks Kav!

    sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom

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  16. BR Goodwin is one I discovered this year and I’ve enjoyed her more recent releases. Other recent indie author discoveries are Emily Evermore, Rachel Morgan’s Charmed Leaf Legacy series, Amanda Panhorst, Beth Brower’s Emma M. Lion series. I just got to read an ARC of Nichole Van’s upcoming release and loved it. A book I would love for my shelf is The One With the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel- it’s so rereadable!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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