The Indie Bookshelf discussion

I have so many, so I'll list my top 5: Tracey Garvis-Graves, Tarryn Fisher, Blaine Reimer, Jillian Dodd and Kristen Ashley

I think I like those authors who haven't yet gone mainstream like Kristen Ashley. I read a few who started Indie or self-pub, but have achieved quite a bit and have since gone the mainstream publisher route. Not sure it is fair to call them Indie anymore. You have a few in your list.

One thing I can say, I give any comers a fair break, but expect a bit more from the mainstream set because of their bevy of editors and marketing people. So many good authors out there, so really hard to create a short list. More than you wanted, I know!

Marie Force has done a fabulously professional job of epublishing with wonderful stories in clean edited copies always.

Kristen Ashley is one of the best at storytelling. Her writing took some getting comfortable with but all in all, she ranks at the top of the indie list for me as well.

S.C. Stephens, Jillian Dodd, and Fisher Amelie are some of the others I've tried and gone back for more.

I'm in total agreement with Michelle regarding expecting more from the mainstream authors with their staff of professionals. I'm willing to give indies a break unless it's just really poor and lazy simple editing problems -- these could easily be avoided with a beta reader or two.

Definately Tarryn Fisher. I loved The Opportunist!

Tarryn Fisher and Colleen Hoover!

Elizabeth Reyes, Liz Reinhardt and Tammara Webber

I guess R.L. Mathewson immediately springs to mind as an independent author who makes me weep with happiness.

I also really enjoyed reading Easy by Tammara Webber and Slammed by Colleen Hoover.

Any group that helps to create a buzz for independent authors who have zero advertising budget is worth it's weight in gold.

mmmmh let's see .... Definitely Simone Elkeles, R.L. Mathewson, Toni Aleo, V.K. Sykes, Kristen Ashley, Marie Force, Abbi Glines, Elizabeth Reyes. Also Cindy Stark, Mona Ingram and Cathi Stoler

Man I have so many Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher, Killian McRae, Tracey Garvis Graves, there are just so many excellent indie authors. I'm so happy I stumbled on these amazing authors!

Tracey Garvis-Graves and Coleen Hoover. I only started reading Indie this year and both Slammed and On The Island blew me away!

Tarryn Fisher, Colleen Hoover, and CJ Roberts

I agree with all of you about your choices of great indie authors! Keep commenting! Maybe you'll introduce us to someone we haven't read before! I've been reading, Kindred, by Nicola Claire and she's new to me, but has several books out. Her writing is great and her story is awesome! This is one of the best vamp books I've ever read!!

S.C. Stephens, Tarryn Fisher, Tracey Garvis-Graves, Jamie McGuire and Colleen Hoover!!

After reading "Crash," Nicole Williams can be added to my list, too!

I would have to say that Tammara Webber, Colleen Hoover, J. Sterling, and Jolene Perry are my favorite so far although, I love them all.

Oh, this is fun. Some of my favorites this year are:

S.C. Stephens, Thoughtless, Susan Ee, Angelfall, K.A. Linde, Avoiding Commitment

Oh, April....you would LOVE our blog! I think we've reviewed all those books! You have great taste!! :)

Leslie, thanks, I do! My goodreads friend Chrystle posted a review on Avoiding Commitment, which started my journey with your blog.

Ahhhh, Chrystle is wonderful and a huge asset to us!! She's great at writing reviews and we love her!

Tarryn Fisher! Love her style!

I have quite a few favorites. Colleen Hoover is at the top of the list.

Yep, I agree, Sherri!! Good choice!! ;)

S.C. Stephens, Tarryn Fisher, CJ Roberts, Jamie McGuire and Colleen Hoover!!

It's hard to narrow down when there are so many hidden gems out there!

R.L. Matthewson, CJ Roberts, and Jamie McGuire are my favorites so far this year!

Ok, dumb question, is there an easy way to tell an indie author? I've found so many new authors this year it's hard to remember everyone.

So hard to narrow down.

My first loves: Nicole Williams, M. Leighton, Tammy Blackwell, Kristie Cook, Keary Taylor...

New Loves: Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines, Liz Reinhardt, Tammara Webber...

The lists both could continue.

Lindsay wrote: "So hard to narrow down.

My first loves: Nicole Williams, M. Leighton, Tammy Blackwell, Kristie Cook, Keary Taylor...

New Loves: Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines, Liz Reinhardt, Tammara Webber...

The..."

Excellent choices, Lindsay! ;)

Amy A. Bartol, Colleen Hoover, Jamie McGuire, Shelly Crane, Georgia Cates, Addison Moore, Quinn Loftis, and my first intro to indies...Amanda Hocking.

Am I the first to mention Amy A. Bartol? Gosh, her series is applesauce amazing.

Love many of the authors already mentioned, but my fav is Tiffany A. Snow!

I agree with many authors listed above (esp. Colleen Hoover, Tammara Webber and Jamie McGuire) and also Samantha Young. I love all her series!!

I am a new indie book reader. Basically, I've been reading a lot books that end up having free kindle days, mostly in the Sci/fi fantasy genre. So I haven't read a lot from one single author yet. But so far I love Tim Greaton.

Laura wrote: "Ok, dumb question, is there an easy way to tell an indie author? I've found so many new authors this year it's har..."

I was going to ask the exact same question. I also imagine there are a lot of authors who are with very small publishers who might look at themselves as independent even if they aren't in the strictest sense of the word.

Laura and Ian, you can google the author and it would probably tell you, another way I can usually tell is if their books are priced below $5. Especially if they are a free download at any time. I know there are always exceptions to that rule, but let's face it, those low prices are the reason we all went with their ebooks over the $10-15 ebook price of a lot of traditionally published authors.

Recently discovered and fell in love with S.C. Stephens and Colleen Hoover, thanks to Goodreads and the Indie Bookshelf. I'm eager to discover many more. Much to my husband's chagrin, I've been reading non-stop lately. Any suggestions?

Amy wrote: "Recently discovered and fell in love with S.C. Stephens and Colleen Hoover, thanks to Goodreads and the Indie Bookshelf. I'm eager to discover many more. Much to my husband's chagrin, I've been re..."

"The Opportunist" by Tarryn Fisher

Amy wrote: "Recently discovered and fell in love with S.C. Stephens and Colleen Hoover, thanks to Goodreads and the Indie Bookshelf. I'm eager to discover many more. Much to my husband's chagrin, I've been re..."

Also, "Captive in the Dark" by CJ Roberts

Courtney wrote: "S.C. Stephens, Tarryn Fisher, CJ Roberts, Jamie McGuire and Colleen Hoover!!"

I have to add K.A. Linde to this.

I honestly love them all and could never pick just one! I have completely been drawn into the Indie world and love so much about all of these authors...

Amy wrote: "Recently discovered and fell in love with S.C. Stephens and Colleen Hoover, thanks to Goodreads and the Indie Bookshelf. I'm eager to discover many more. Much to my husband's chagrin, I've been re..."

All of us have read so many amazing books, by such amazing authors...just look at our "Read" and "Favorites" shelves and you will be reading for years...happily. :-)

Courtney wrote: "Amy wrote: "Recently discovered and fell in love with S.C. Stephens and Colleen Hoover, thanks to Goodreads and the Indie Bookshelf. I'm eager to discover many more. Much to my husband's chagrin, ..."

Thanks! I'll do that! I've already added a ton of books to my amazon wish list.

Red Phoenix is one of my favorite indie writers. I love her Brie series!

Shannon wrote: "Love many of the authors already mentioned, but my fav is Tiffany A. Snow!"

She's one of my favs as well!

Another indie who writes clean, smart and fun-to-read books is Stephanie Queen. I'm reading Between a Rock and a Mad Woman now. Venue is political and romance is between two opposing candidates for the governorship of MA. It's great -- already has 15 five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodread ratings are 4-5 stars.

IT'S FREE ON AMAZON TODAY!!

Ian wrote: "Any group that helps to create a buzz for independent authors who have zero advertising budget is worth it's weight in gold. "

I think I might be a little bit in love with you for that comment.

Have any of you read J.M. Hill? She writes really clean novels.Her novel is called Saving Grace.

I just discovered R.L. Mathewson and I can't get enough! I also like Lisa Renee Jones (I think she's Indie). Her book If I Were You is chilling!

In the Fool's Footsteps is great <3

It's so hard to pick a favorite! A few I've read great stuff by lately are Tracie McBride (not sure she's indie?), G.R. Yeates, Red Tash, David Gaughran, and PJ Jones.

I especially liked:

Ghosts Can Bleed by McBride
Shapes In The Mist by Yeates
This Brilliant Darkness by Tash
Transfection by Gaughran
Driving Me Nuts by PJ Jones


In the interests of full disclosure I should mention that most of these writers are also friends of mine, but I'm recommending them anyway! ROFL.