This week I want to continue the theme of highlighting and celebrating some of the fantastic "indie" authors out there in the marketplace. As an author, I know that reading other people's work is critical to both my own peace of mind and happiness, but it has also played a massive part in my own growth as an author.
I will again highlight four authors who I have read recently and whose work has impressed me greatly. I am rapidly forming the opinion that the "indie" authors I am now reading are every bit as talented, creative and skilled at their craft as any of the "legacy" published authors - hence the title of this blog; "Indie Authors Rule". I say this not out of jealousy or envy for the "legacy" authors but out of deep respect for the new breed of "indie" authors.
Remember all of my reviews of these author's books and many more can be accessed here: /book-reviews.html
So, without further ado, my number one author this week, probably because hers was the last book I actually read is Estela Vazquez Perez
I will again highlight four authors who I have read recently and whose work has impressed me greatly. I am rapidly forming the opinion that the "indie" authors I am now reading are every bit as talented, creative and skilled at their craft as any of the "legacy" published authors - hence the title of this blog; "Indie Authors Rule". I say this not out of jealousy or envy for the "legacy" authors but out of deep respect for the new breed of "indie" authors.
Remember all of my reviews of these author's books and many more can be accessed here: /book-reviews.html
So, without further ado, my number one author this week, probably because hers was the last book I actually read is Estela Vazquez Perez
1/ Estela Vazquez Perez:
Now, I'll put my hand up right now and admit something incredibly sinful - I am a die-hard, soppy, romantic. I secretly love romantic novels - not your "Mills & Boon" stuff, but romantic novels with some real guts and grit. This is the stuff Perez writes about and I have absolutely fallen for her towering, powerful, love stories.
Her writing style and her beautifully composed phrasing just had me in raptures and wanting more. She has an uncanny ability to draw you into her novels and to identify and empathise with the main characters. The language she uses is rich and striking. I commented on the review of one of her books that her language is "lustrous" and that is still the best word I can find to describe her style.
So far she has written two exceptional novels. The first I read was called Montenegro Book 1: Cemetery Candles and the last one Light and Shadows. You can check out Perez's novels here:
http://www.amazon.com/Estela-Vazquez-Perez/e/B00B5FO05A/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1443832864&sr=8-1
Both her first two novels were romances, but both also totally different. Cemetery Candles was an historical romance with a touch of vampirism thrown in for good measure, whilst Light and Shadows was set in modern day New York in the Theatre District.
I can not speak highly enough of this talented author and I absolutely look forward to her next offering, with anticipation. Montenegro was clearly the start of a saga and I sincerely hope to get to read more of the characters I fell in love with, soon.
Check this rising "Indie" star out very soon!
Now, I'll put my hand up right now and admit something incredibly sinful - I am a die-hard, soppy, romantic. I secretly love romantic novels - not your "Mills & Boon" stuff, but romantic novels with some real guts and grit. This is the stuff Perez writes about and I have absolutely fallen for her towering, powerful, love stories.
Her writing style and her beautifully composed phrasing just had me in raptures and wanting more. She has an uncanny ability to draw you into her novels and to identify and empathise with the main characters. The language she uses is rich and striking. I commented on the review of one of her books that her language is "lustrous" and that is still the best word I can find to describe her style.
So far she has written two exceptional novels. The first I read was called Montenegro Book 1: Cemetery Candles and the last one Light and Shadows. You can check out Perez's novels here:
http://www.amazon.com/Estela-Vazquez-Perez/e/B00B5FO05A/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1443832864&sr=8-1
Both her first two novels were romances, but both also totally different. Cemetery Candles was an historical romance with a touch of vampirism thrown in for good measure, whilst Light and Shadows was set in modern day New York in the Theatre District.
I can not speak highly enough of this talented author and I absolutely look forward to her next offering, with anticipation. Montenegro was clearly the start of a saga and I sincerely hope to get to read more of the characters I fell in love with, soon.
Check this rising "Indie" star out very soon!
2/ Jana Petken:
I have only read one of Petken's books to date; The Errant Flock, but I was impressed enough by this book to put her and her other titles at the top of my "to read list".
The Errant Flock was an historical novel set in Spain during the time of the Second Inquisition. Her attention to historical detail and her powerful descriptions of the people and the practices of the time, were what made this book stand out so much for me. The Inquisition was such a terrible, unjust and evil time for so many cultures all over Europe and around the rest of the world, that it played an enormous part in our history. Petken captures this time magnificently through the eyes of a simple soldier. The opportunity existed to go into horrific detail, but the author managed to keep the story readable and enjoyable, whilst still conveying the absolute insanity of the Inquisition. I loved this book.
Petken's first novel is a towering (717 pages on Kindle) award-winning effort titled Guardian of Secrets; another historical piece, this time set in the Spain of 1912. This is high up on my "must read list". In addition to this she has a series, titled The Mercy Carver Series (Books 1 & 2); Dark Shadows and Blood Moon. These two books follow the adventures, life and loves of Mercy Carver, a recent immigrant to the New World. Set in the American South of the nineteenth century, if the reviews are anything to go by, they are both a continuation of her stunning historical romances.
Jana Petken is one awesome author and someone to follow and read faithfully.
You can check out her work here:
http://www.amazon.com/Jana-Petken/e/B00I2WAUVC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
I have only read one of Petken's books to date; The Errant Flock, but I was impressed enough by this book to put her and her other titles at the top of my "to read list".
The Errant Flock was an historical novel set in Spain during the time of the Second Inquisition. Her attention to historical detail and her powerful descriptions of the people and the practices of the time, were what made this book stand out so much for me. The Inquisition was such a terrible, unjust and evil time for so many cultures all over Europe and around the rest of the world, that it played an enormous part in our history. Petken captures this time magnificently through the eyes of a simple soldier. The opportunity existed to go into horrific detail, but the author managed to keep the story readable and enjoyable, whilst still conveying the absolute insanity of the Inquisition. I loved this book.
Petken's first novel is a towering (717 pages on Kindle) award-winning effort titled Guardian of Secrets; another historical piece, this time set in the Spain of 1912. This is high up on my "must read list". In addition to this she has a series, titled The Mercy Carver Series (Books 1 & 2); Dark Shadows and Blood Moon. These two books follow the adventures, life and loves of Mercy Carver, a recent immigrant to the New World. Set in the American South of the nineteenth century, if the reviews are anything to go by, they are both a continuation of her stunning historical romances.
Jana Petken is one awesome author and someone to follow and read faithfully.
You can check out her work here:
http://www.amazon.com/Jana-Petken/e/B00I2WAUVC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
3/ Johanna Craven:
Music From Standing Waves is Johanna Craven's debut novel and what an outstanding debut it is. Although I can be described, at the best of times, as "musically challenged" the subject of this novel, a young lady who dreamed of becoming a concert violinist, didn't detract from my enjoyment of it at all. The author was diligent in not falling into the trap of using technical, musical jargon and even for the most tone-deaf of us, it was a fantastic read.
Craven's knowledge and understanding of the classical musical industry and artistic temperament were clearly evident throughout this work. It came as no surprise to read, at the end of the book, that indeed Craven had attended the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music herself. They say you should write about what you know, and obviously this is what she has done for her first novel. One could feel a real sense of empathy with the main character, who grew up in a tiny, seaside village in the far north of Australia and her dreams of escaping one day to make a life for herself on the concert stage. It was a wonderful portrayal.
I found this book so enjoyable, that I am waiting, with bated breath, to see what she follows up her first effort with. Craven joins the growing list of extremely talented and exciting new authors.
Check out her debut novel here: http://www.amazon.com/Music-Standing-Waves-Johanna-Craven-ebook/dp/B013IF2ABU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
4/ Carissa Ann Lynch:
Lynch has authored three books to date; This is Not About Love, Grayson's Ridge and Flocksdale Files: have you seen THIS GIRL? I have thus far read only the last one and was absolutely impressed with her writing, her style and her character development, that I will plan to go back and read her earlier books.
Flocksdale Files was the first in a series. I note on her Amazon author page that the sequel to THIS GIRL; House of the Lost Girls is almost complete with a release date of November 2015 targeted. Excellent - something to absolutely look forward to.
I can't yet comment on her earlier books, but I suspect much of what she writes is either supernatural or in the case of Flocksdale Files, crime driven.
have you seen THIS GIRL? was an incredibly powerful, yet sensitive portrayal of sex slavery in the 21st Century in the US. To read about the terrible crimes perpetrated on a young, innocent thirteen-year old was indeed harrowing, but Lynch handled it extremely well.
I am absolutely looking forward to more from this author. You can check her out here:
http://www.amazon.com/Carissa-Lynch/e/B00REPXXW6/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Lynch has authored three books to date; This is Not About Love, Grayson's Ridge and Flocksdale Files: have you seen THIS GIRL? I have thus far read only the last one and was absolutely impressed with her writing, her style and her character development, that I will plan to go back and read her earlier books.
Flocksdale Files was the first in a series. I note on her Amazon author page that the sequel to THIS GIRL; House of the Lost Girls is almost complete with a release date of November 2015 targeted. Excellent - something to absolutely look forward to.
I can't yet comment on her earlier books, but I suspect much of what she writes is either supernatural or in the case of Flocksdale Files, crime driven.
have you seen THIS GIRL? was an incredibly powerful, yet sensitive portrayal of sex slavery in the 21st Century in the US. To read about the terrible crimes perpetrated on a young, innocent thirteen-year old was indeed harrowing, but Lynch handled it extremely well.
I am absolutely looking forward to more from this author. You can check her out here:
http://www.amazon.com/Carissa-Lynch/e/B00REPXXW6/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
It may not have escaped your attention that all of today's authors are women and indeed two of the four authors I highlighted last week are also woman. Are there more woman than men "indie" authors out there? I have no figures on this, but anecdotally I suspect that it is the case. It might also reflect on my particular genre bent as well, but I can't help wondering if it is easier for male writers to get "legacy" publishing contracts than it is for women. I have read some articles on this particular topic and although times are changing, one suspects not too quickly amongst the "big 5" publishers.
I will leave you today with one final thought. The "indie" author world is alive and kicking and in my humble opinion, RULES! I would rather read an exciting new debut novel from a new "indie" author, than some tired, old, hack churning out formulaic stories and living on his/her legacy publishing reputation.
Read, review and comment on all of the fabulous "indie" writers out there.
Till next week, when I'll have four new, and exciting authors to follow:
I will leave you today with one final thought. The "indie" author world is alive and kicking and in my humble opinion, RULES! I would rather read an exciting new debut novel from a new "indie" author, than some tired, old, hack churning out formulaic stories and living on his/her legacy publishing reputation.
Read, review and comment on all of the fabulous "indie" writers out there.
Till next week, when I'll have four new, and exciting authors to follow:
CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!
EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
Have a great life and spread the love!
Changing the world – one reader at a time!
EMBRACE THE OPPORTUNITIES LIFE PRESENTS TO YOU AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!
Have a great life and spread the love!
Changing the world – one reader at a time!
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