Amazon links are in the book title and Goodreads links are in the title, book's series, and title under the original title placing.
Sooo, it's been a crazy year, ya know? Almost a whole year in hotels or airbnbs, a year of being sick, dealing with the effects of mold exposure, mold detox, and all of the ... loveliness that has come with all of that. And I kinda dropped off with all of my writing, blogging, and hey, even reading. Before launching both The Bookery and the anthology openings which are open until the end of this month so don't miss out! Find all of the anthology info here. I wrote my short story for the anthology... And it turned out to work better as a flash fiction so I'm writing a second story that I've wanted to write for a long time and am so geeked out to be doing it and there has just been a lot going on. So, yeah, crazy!
Anyway, I'm back again with the Five Fall Favorites! It's honestly my favorite thing about blogging and I've looked forward to it every year, so it makes me glad to be joining in a gain this year!
Today, especially will be fun because I chose to share about my favorite ....
INDIE Reads!
So, read on, find a new favorite and tell me in the comments what your favorite indie reads are!
About Deadlock
Before there was a Phantom Thief, one boy made a choice.
For as long as he can remember, Gregory’s life has been laid out for him. He’s always known if he passes his testing, he will become a leader in Deadlock like his ancestors before him. But after nearly dying and being saved by the man he was sent to kill, and who takes him in, Gregory starts to wonder if the life he’s been living is really a life at all.
By the time he realizes Deadlock won't just let him walk away, he only has one choice to make: Finish the testing and return to Deadlock? Or fight for his new life and family? But no matter what he chooses, he may lose everything.
Review
So, Deadlock doesn't have a full review... It will soon! After I do a reread, but it is one of the best books from P.D. Atkerson! A suspenseful, wonderful, sad and kinda harsh at times redeeming story that is perfect for every suspense lover.
My sisters and I have read P.D.'s books nearly 20 times each.
Freedom
book #1 in Liberty's Battleground series by Faith Potts
About Freedom
Review
Ah, know... I've written the review for this book before, after the first of I don't know five times of reading it... But somehow the review was lost, never finished, or I'm not sure what.
Anyway, this is one of the hardest but sweetest books I've ever read. It deals with hard subjects and has the cutest romances; it is just so good.
And the faith content is so good too.
I highly recommend it but warn that there are dealings with PTSD, suicide, and more.
No Chance Meeting
About No Chance Meeting
Alex Jennings is done with life. After losing her brother in Afghanistan, everything has collapsed around her. Getting laid off from her day job and failing in her art career, she has nowhere left to turn. She once had faith to believe that all things would work together for good, but that faith died with her brother. Now she just wants the pain to end.
Riley Conrad served thirteen years in the military until three bullets sent him home. After a year and a half of physical therapy and scraping together a living, all he wants is to live a simple life and perhaps even open the coffee shop he dreams about. However, the weight of failing his parents’ expectations doesn’t make it easy, and working as a bartender isn’t getting him anywhere fast.
Could a “chance” meeting between Alex and Riley set them both on the path God always intended?
Review
I knew I had to read this the instant I heard about it … A veteran, a grieving sister, and a "chance" but not really a "chance" meeting. You know, the perfect romance, to me. I love military books, military romances, and Christian military fiction, each of which could describe No Chance Meeting, this was truly a wonderful book.
With veteran suicides being the highest it ever has been I have been glad to see authors bring attention to the fact that so many soldiers need help yet when it is show in fiction it can get so sadly chlich so I was slightly surprised at the fast that ***SPOILERS*** Riley was not the one near to commiting suicide, I did like the twist on the story there.
The elements of faith were perfect, I loved Riley's sweet ways, for a soldier that is. And I loved Alex's character growth.
As the book got to the halfway point I was so in love with the story but realized something was going to happen, something likely bad … Knowing that I read with baited breath as the sweet interactions between Riley and Alex, the lovely story, and all until something unexpected happened. No more spoilers, so I'll just say yikes did I love and hate the last parts at times!
I was pleased by the story overall, I was not sure how much I would love it but I knew I would like it, since I've loved each and every one of the books by Jaye Elliot under her other author names, especially the books under Jaye L. Knight. Each of her works is spectacular, even if they are hard to read with the good and bad truths shown in a way that one can't help but be pulled into the story.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About Daylight
It was too late.
The whole world knew it, the nations shaking their heads at the fallen United States, our beautiful country of hope and freedom covered in blood and ashes.
Only the devil could’ve planned something so disastrous.
Only God could save us now.
Only God could save August.
It was all my fault that he nearly lost his life, dashing back into the hailstorm of debris to save a man who was already dead. I can only hope that he’ll recover—that we will recover.
Because some things will never be forgotten.
Coming to Kindle on Sept. 11th, 2021, Daylight is a heart-rending short story of grief and rejoicing in the aftermath of 9/11 by bestselling author, Grace A. Johnson.
Review
Yikes. Okay, this... Wow!
Really all I can say is ouch! This little story is heartbreaking, hopeful, and just a story with a reminder of what happened on 9/11.
As short of a read as Daylight is it will tug hard on your heart and leave you wanting more!
Warning: sexy is used, romance, and some attraction.
About Before the World Changed
What's left when the world falls apart?
The only concern on Alli's mind is planning her upcoming trip with her sister—until a bolt from a clear sky turns the world upside down. But as shock and grief close in, Alli comes face to face with others just as devastated by the events as she is, and with even more reason to fear. Can she find a way to share hope with those who need it most?
Review
*clears throat* Um, well.
Before the World Changed isn't what I expected. And I'm going to go into spoilers only because I want to be clear. So, forewarned, don't read my review unless you're okay with spoilers.
Many times, when service members come home from overseas, they can have random, weird, or anything trigger them. That is often so when someone has PTSD, so, personally, I've seen the reaction when a veteran sees a woman in full dress, head covered, etc.... The alertness, the want to think it's okay, but knowing that it might not be, the hands clenched, the bouncing leg, the need to get out. BUT, at the same time they don't always suspect that something bad will happen. It can be the other way, they can see the truth, that not everyone is bad. They can see the mother, sister, daughter, the little girl who needs help. They see the need or the winsome spirit or the joy.
Which is why I so so appreciate the way that Anna Grace handled some very harsh topics in such ... Naturally calm and loving way that points toward grace.
This little story is just so good, wholesome, and shows so much of what it was like 20 years ago.
If you read one book today, make it this one.
You don't want to miss out on this super awesome giveaway here!
Note: links may be affiliate links (meaning I receive a small commission if you use the links in my posts at NO extra cost to yourself.)
P.S. Don't miss today's free book! I didn't add it here but I highly suggest you head to Kate's post to snag your copy!
Note: links may be affiliate links (meaning I receive a small commission if you use the links in my posts at NO extra cost to yourself.)
ACK! I need to read all of these (including rereading Freedom!) Such a good selection!
Deadlock, CHECK. Freedom?? Oh man, why haven't I gotten this book yet?! No Chance Meeting sounds kinda fun too, and I've heard about Daylight as well. Before the World Changed and DL are the only ones I've read. *facedesk then snatched up TBR list*
_Mac
So glad to have you here, Abigail! And I love your indie recs. 😁
Oh, I need to read those last three… but the first two!! Ahh!! Yass! <3 Great picks!
~Katja
I'm very behind in Indie reads, but these look really good. I'm Lily, by the way. It's really nice to meet you, Abigail. And congrats on your new blog and store!