In addition to my usual end-of-year/new-year’s posts of my Top Books Read and Top Anticipated Reads, I’d like to do a post that highlights some of my favorite self-published/indie author/indie pub. books that I’ve read this year. My blog is open to all submissions and this leads to quite the variety of reads (which I love!) and so this post will be a moment to promote and praise some of my Top 2019 Reads that you won’t find being pushed and flaunted in major bookstores. Hopefully something will catch your eye!

*arranged alphabetically by title

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AGE OF VAMPIRES (Series)
Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti
YA/NA Fiction | Paranormal Dystopian Romance
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“This series is utterly addicting. Peckham and Valenti combine their genre specialties to craft a riveting Dystopian Vampire Romance saga that will take your breath away. From the first chapter you’ll be racing in thrilling desperation to read what happens next and I strongly suggest you plan the time to read these books back-to-back because those cliff-hangers are insane, the fight scenes are exhilarating, and the slow-burn romance will have you swooning!”
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CARRION CROW
(Otherworld #2)
Talis Jones
YA Fiction | Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“Carrion Crow scales new heights beneath the staggering storm of prophecy that could cleave apart the Island’s future either resurrecting it or damning it forever. The line between hero and villain blurs in a dizzying dance as the Verdandi siblings face down a Crown not yet through haunting the dead. Winner takes all, but when the blood is washed away will there be anyone left standing to claim it?”
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DEADLY SWEET
(The Spellwork Syndicate #1)
Lola Dodge
YA Fiction | Paranormal
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“I’ve been on a bit of a paranormal binge lately (prompted by my trying to stay cliché with the Halloween season haha) and I have to say that this book really took on its own corner. Urban fantasy, strong female lead, dire situations and distant dreams, somehow it managed to really feel like its own thing. A bit lighter than most paranormal reads, a bit more fun and feel-good. Not to the extent of The Good Witch but it’s definitely no adrenaline and drama-injected The Vampire Diaries or anything like that. It was refreshing honestly. Not too heavy, not too light, Deadly Sweet is just that: dark, intriguing, fun, and tasty. If you’re on the hunt for a witchy read (and have a sweet tooth or adore The Great British Bake-Off) then I absolutely recommend you check this one out!”
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OFF PLANET
(Aunare Chronicles #1)
Aileen Erin
YA/NA Fiction | Sci-Fi
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“Off Planet is but the beginning in a truly spectacular science fiction drama. With a kickass heroine who bears the future on her shoulders, a plot that melts down reality and time until you’re lost to all but the story flashing before you, characters that will win your heart and have you pledge loyalty, and a world that is wicked cool…beware, for this is a recipe for addiction. An absolute recommend for both sci-fi fans and newbies alike!”
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SAM’S TOWN
Tess Stockslager
Fiction | Zombie Apocalypse
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Goodreads | Amazon

“Funny, gritty, yet beating with a very human heart. If you’re on the hunt for a zombie apocalypse book then this should be on your list!”
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THE SENTINEL’S ALLIANCE
(Silence Sea Chronicles #3)
Suzanne Rogerson
Fiction | Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“The Sentinel’s Alliance is a thrilling conclusion to this unique trilogy of fantasy, magic, destiny, secrecy, and war. Characters come and characters go all while battle is waged for the future of magic in the isles of the Silent Sea. Exciting, determined, and satisfying, this series is one any fantasy reader might enjoy.”
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SOLUS
(Walking Shadows #2)
Talis Jones
YA/NA Fiction | Dystopia
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“In the beginning, a young girl is torn from her home when society shattered around her and as she grew up in the callous aftermath she faced the world with fire in her veins. In this series continuation a boy is set free by the crimes of that same girl and he grows up fighting back prisons at every turn. While book one was a tale of fiery redemption, book two is a journey towards finding home. Bones is sweet, intelligent, a touch arrogant, and handy with both guns and medicines, and I loved following his battle against a tumultuous past determined to find a slice of peace where he belongs, no strings attached. ”
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TAMING DEMONS FOR BEGINNERS
(The Guild Codex: Demonized #1)
Annette Marie
NA Fiction | Urban Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“A cookie-loving demon? Please and thank you.
I’ve read Chase the Dark by Annette Marie and really enjoyed it but this is my first dive into The Guild Codex and I really enjoyed this one. Robin with her self-help books made me laugh a bit more than pity her (sorry, I’m mean) but I thought the chemistry between her and this cookie-loving demon was fantastic and is 100% of what sold me on the story and why I’m dancing for book 2! A quick read that was funny, dark, absurd, dangerous, and utterly addicting, Taming Demons for Beginners is a knockout that will leave you dying for more.”
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THREE MAGES AND A MARGARITA
(The Guild Codex: Spellbound #1)
Annette Marie
NA Fiction | Urban Fantasy
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“I love Tori, I love the three mages (I have a favorite of course), I love the world, the story, and pretty much everything. It’s written like a classic serial too where each book has its own contained plot arc that gets resolved even while certain threads develop with each book. Quick-paced, thought out, dark, and overall a load of fun to read, I’m already lunging for the next book in the series! I also love that it is a New Adult series without that meaning it’s super explicit or overrun with either violence or sex. You get all the adventure and fun we love from YA, but now it’s a bit more grown up as it steps into a world where you gotta pay rent and balance workplace relationships. Haha I thinks it’s fantastically fun and features characters my age.”
(author’s note: The is not a reverse harem series)
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A TOUCH OF DEATH
(The Outlands Pentalogy #1)
Rebecca Crunden
Fiction | Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“Gritty realism and haunting possibilities meld together and weave into a tale of a “criminal” and a “princess” forced to align for the sake of survival and so much more.
This post-apocalyptic story is just the beginning and it was both exactly as described yet nothing that I expected. The plot is a gritty rollercoaster of a ride that walks with steady steps keenly aware of consequences yet unfaltering in its journey. Utterly intriguing and rippling with lots of twists and turns, we unravel this dark world of survivors that collides to a stop that will have you already reaching for the sequel.”
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WAR
(The Four Horsemen #2)
Laura Thalassa
NA Fiction | Apocalyptic Romance
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My Review | Goodreads | Amazon

“The romance is slow and surprising, the world is brutal and haunting, the plot is twisty and intriguing, the pace is both steady and quick as lightning, and the characters are fully formed for better or worse. War is a sequel one will not be quick to forget.”
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