“Indie” Authors Rule

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.

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.

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. 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. 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 and set in the American South.

​Jana Petken is one awesome author and someone to follow and read faithfully.

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 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.

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.

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.

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: