Category Archives: Indie Authors

High School Ideals

One of my favorite parts of the spring is seeing the local high school seniors prepare for graduation and their end of the year festivities.  I smile when I see a limo pull up across the street and a line of 17 and 18 year olds dressed in long gowns and tuxedos piling into the fancy car.  A pang of nostalgia hits me as I drive past my old high school and I see chairs lining the football field in preparation for commencement ceremonies.  I remember the excitement well.  The future held endless possibilities as my friends and I prepared to head off to college in fall.  We each had our vision of what our lives would hold.  Of course, as time goes on, everyone knows that life doesn’t always turn out the way you planned.  One of my favorite lines from The Other Side of Later is from a conversation between Julia and Drew.  I hope you enjoy this sneak peek!

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“You know why I said yes when you called that first night?”  He looked at me.  “When we were in that gazebo, the conversation was so cathartic.  I feel like I have so much baggage from the past 10 years, but when we talked, it was like it didn’t matter that my life took a different route than I had planned.  I was curious of why I felt different it in that gazebo.”

“And then you realized who I was and reality struck?”  He asked.

It would have been easy to say yes to that question.  Drew may have been offended, but he would have left me alone.  However, I was on a roll with the truth.  “No, reality struck, but it wasn’t because I with you.  It was because all of a sudden I realized you understand how I feel every day.  The ideas and ideals that we have in our 18 year old heads when we graduate from high school are hardly realistic.  Julia Merina, single mom at 28?”  I let out a slight laugh and shook my head.  “It certainly wasn’t what I pictured 10 years ago.  But it’s a fact of my life.  Some people understand that life doesn’t work out the way you planned and some don’t.  You get it.”  I paused for a split second again and looked at Drew.  There was compassion in his eyes, but he said nothing so I continued.  “Anyway, it hit me all at one.  I realized I was dating again.  Before we had dinner at the Shellfish, I hadn’t been on a date since Carson was born.  Everything felt real.”

“And that’s bad?”

The Other Side of Later is available on Amazon for only 99¢!

Indie Author Book Review – Antiques and Murder

Last weekend, I started my search for books by indie authors, and I stumbled upon Antiques and Murder by Elle Griffin. It was a quick, easy novella to read.

Synopsis from Amazon:

Living in a small town can make it hard to find a date. So, when a sexy new neighbor turns out to be a blast from the past, twenty-nine year old Jemma-Leigh is more than ready to give it a try, not even nosy neighbors and a meddling mother can stop her. When a customer from her antique shop is found murdered, people suspect her new man. Determined to prove his innocence, she sets out to uncover the truth. Can she navigate the murky waters of family, love and murder? Will she find the killer before the killer finds her?

This is a novella of approx. 20,000 words.

My review:

There’s something about small town, southern charm that just puts a smile on my face when I read a book. When that is coupled with likable characters, some steamy romance (not just due to the southern heat), and a little mystery, all the makings for a good story are there.

Jemma-Leigh is charismatic and immediately likable, and Dawson is completely swoon-worthy. I hope this novella is the start of a series because I’d love to visit the streets of Camden, Georgia again!

 

I’m still searching for my next book.  Who are your favorite indie authors? I’d love to hear about them and put their books on my list!

Who are your favorite indie authors?

Good morning and Happy Valentine’s Day!

For the past few weeks, I’ve been researching and trying to find new ways to market and promote my book.  As always, I find that self-publishing isn’t for the faint of heart!  (Well, I already knew that!)  But I also found that the most successful indie authors were able to reach a lot of readers and built their success on reviews.  So I started thinking that while I’m still trying to find the best way to reach potential readers, I want to help fellow indie authors too.  I’m going to start reading at least one book by an indie author each month and post reviews here on my blog, Goodreads, and Amazon.

Now, here’s where I need help.  Who are your favorite indie authors?  What is your favorite book by an indie author?  I’d love to hear about your favorites as I create my list!

Have a great day!