Top 10 of 2012: Best Indie Books I Read in 2012

Welcome to day 4 of The Top 10 of 2012 hosted by  Lisa from A Life Bound By Books, Jessica from Confessions of a Bookaholic, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads 
Today is Blogger's choice of a top 10 topic and I am choosing to show you the top 10 Indie books I have read in 2012. I am honored and proud to have been introduced to some really great Indie authors this year. So here are my choices for the best ones I have read (you can click on each book cover to take you to the blurb on Goodreads)!

Libera Me (Requiem #2) by Christine Fonseca. I LOVED the first book in this series, but this book was just totally and completely AMAZING! I was asked to read this book prior to it's release and I have to say that it had my heart racing from beginning to end!

Transcend by Christine Fonseca (can you tell I like Christine's work?). If you are a fan of Phantom of the Opera, this book is for you! A psychological thriller that will keep you on your toes and certainly rattle your brain. I was honored to be a beta reader for this book and I truly loved it. But, beware, it is very dark.

Here (Here #1)by Ella James. This book was just full of total awesome. I was not expecting to be pulled into it at first. But then Ella's writing just sucked me right through the story. If you are a fan of sci fi writing with a twist of romance this is the book for you!

Day Soldiers by Brandon Hale. I was asked to read and review this book. It sounded interesting enough, vampires always intrigue me. But this book was nothing like I thought it would be. It's a paranormal and dystopian all mixed into one. Brandon's writing was awesome!

Exiled (The Never Chronicles #1) by J.R. Wagner. I was sent this book to read and review by the author. I am not usually a huge fantasy book fan, it really takes a lot to pull me into something like this. Think Harry Potter meets The Hobbit or Lord of the Rings. Interesting for sure!

Open Minds (Mindjack Trilogy, #1) by Susan Kaye Quinn. Now this book is totally awesome. Another paranormal/dystopian mix. Susan's writing is just totally awesome. And I can't but help love her characters. If you like movies like XMen, then you'll be pulled right into this story!

Fire With Fire (Demonblood #2) by Penelope King. I mentioned Penelope's first book, A Demon Made Me Do It, on my Top 10 Books I've Read in 2012 list. I absolutely loved that book. And this sequel was even better. If you like demons and hell hounds, pick this one up, quick!

To Ride a Puca by Heather McCorkle. I have to say, I was not expecting to like this story as much as I did. I am not usually one for historical fantasy, but this really just caught me off guard. Heather's writing is amazing and her imagery is awesome. It was great to see the origins of her Channler novels!

Moon Dwellers (The Dwellers #1) by David Estes. If you like dystopians like Divergent and The Hunger Games, you will really like this book (and it's sequels). David takes a totally unique look on post apocalyptic living and the socialization that has ensued after the fall of the Earth. Pick it up, I promise you won't be sorry!

Seers (Seers #1)by Heather Frost. This is a book that just kind of fell into my lap. I got approved to read it's sequel, Demons through Net Galley without knowing it was a sequel. Well, I could not very well read the second book without reading the first. So I got this one and zoomed right through it. I really found it different and intriguing. A super paranormal read, and Heather is an excellent writer!

So, that's my list of Indie books that totally caught my attention this year. What about you, have you read any Indie books that you could not put down and would tell others to run out and get for sure? 

Cover Reveal: Trapped (Here #2) by Ella James

I cannot tell you how utterly excited I am today to be participating in the cover reveal for Ella James' newest book in her Here trilogy:

Trapped

Take a look at this beauty!!!

OMGOSH SOOOOOO GORGEOUS!!!

If you have not read the first book in this series, go read it, NOW!

Here's a little taste of what this book is about!

(CONTAINS SPOILERS - DO NOT READ BEFORE READING HERE):

When Milo Mitchell falls for the beautiful, tuxedo-clad guy she found wandering her family's rural Colorado property, she never dreamed he was a scout from another galaxy, or that their relationship would leave him with an impossible choice: eradicating humankind, or initiating the end of his own people. 

Nick's job is finding the elements his people need to power their elaborate interweb of minds. Being a scout means he is capable of traveling to other planets on his own. It also means that, unlike The Rest, he has access to primitive feelings and individual desires. For eons, he was part of the whole, but when he encountered Milo, his obsession with her changed everything.

Nick's partner, Vera, is capable of independent thought, but not compelled by it. She is satisfied with her existence as one of The Rest, and she won't agree that humans are worth sparing; not when their planet has a precious cache of the gold her people need so badly. 

While Vera tries to force Nick into endorsing an Earth invasion, working behind the scenes to tie his hands, and the Department of Defense lays a trap for them with Milo's mom as bait, Nick and Milo are waging their own war - against a primal desire that can only lead to one thing: heartbreak.

Trapped is book two in the Here Trilogy (YA Sci-Fi Romance)

Cover Reveal Date: Wednesday, November 28

Release Date: December 2012

Link to Here, book one: http://www.amazon.com/Here-Paranormal-Romance-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B007A0I86Q/ref=pd_sim_kstore_4

Tiny link to Here, book one: http://tinyurl.com/apr8t6k

Link to Ella's site: www.ellajamesbooks.blogspot.com

Ella on FB: www.facebook.com/ellajamesauthorpage

Twitter: author_ellaj

10 Indie Authors You Need To Know!

This year has been a huge eye opener for me as far as Indie authors are concerned. Before this year, I didn't know what Indie authors were. But now, I love reading them. They offer so much to the reader! I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to some of my favorites! Go check them out on Goodreads and add their books! I promise you will not be disappointed!

Cambria Hebert

 Cambria Hebert is an author who wrote her first book at the age of fifteen. It was terrible. But the passion for writing never went away so years later when she opened her laptop and started typing she worked until she wrote a book that she hopes everyone will be as excited about as she is.

Cambria is obsessed with werewolves and is terrified of chickens (they are creepy!)She is an animal lover that would choose coffee over food and her favorite TV show is the Vampire Diaries (Hell-O Damon!)

Please visit her blog and her author website:
http://www.cambriahebert.com

Christine Fonseca

Critically acclaimed nonfiction and YA author Christine Fonseca is dedicated to helping children of all ages find their voice in the world. Drawing on her expertise as an educational psychologist, her nonfiction titles address issues of emotional intensity, resiliency and giftedness. In fiction, she explores the darker aspects of humanity and delivers gothic thrillers that take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. In life, she teaches her own children to embrace their unique talents and find their voice by being a force of positive change in the world.
When she’s not writing or developing programs to support children with exceptional needs, she can be found spending time with her family, sipping too many skinny vanilla lattes at her favorite coffee house or playing around on Facebook and Twitter. For more information about Christine Fonseca or her books, visit her website – http://christinefonseca.com or her blog http://christinefonseca.blogspot.com. 
Her upcoming titles include:
• TRANSCEND (Sept. 2012, Compass Press) - a YA Gothic thriller inspired by Phantom of the Opera
• LIBERA ME (Oct. 2012,Compass Press) - the much awaited continuation of the YA Gothic romance, The Requiem Series.
• A GIRL'S GUIDE TO REDEFINING NORMAL (April, 2013, Prufrock Press) - a guide for teen girls to finding their unique voice.
Other titles include:
• Emotional Intensity in Gifted Student
• 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids
• Lacrimosa
• Dies Irae
• Mea Culpa

KaSonndra Leigh

I live in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, North Carolina. I write about teens doing fantastical things in magical worlds. Sometimes they fall for each other and make sacrifices for their friends. Oh, and sometimes they love music and nature too. I live with two teens, mentor other teens, and write with them. Some of them have made me promise to write a boy book next. Now that I have completed my MFA in creative writing, I find that I have a little extra time to play CLUE more often. I live in an L-shaped house dedicated to my grandmother. It has a secret library complete with fairies, venetian plastered walls, and a desk made out of clear blue glass. 

When Copper Suns Fall is my debut novel. 

Heather McCorkle

I am an author of fantasy, in all its many sub-genres. Living green, saving endangered species, helping other writers, and supporting fabulous authors are a few of my passions. I am also a volunteer for the IS Foundation which works to make the world a greener place. When I'm not volunteering, writing, or surfing my social networking sites, I can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, I enjoy the outdoors almost as much as the worlds I create on the pages. No need to travel to the Great Northwest though, you can find me here, on my blog, and Monday night's on Twitter where I co-moderate the #WritersRoad chat.

Stephanie Judice

Stephanie Judice calls lush, moss-laden New Iberia, Louisiana, home where the landscape curls into her imagination creating mystical settings for her stories. She shares her small, southern lifestyle with her husband and four children. As a high school teacher of English and Fine Arts, she is immersed in mythology, legends, and art that serve as constant inspiration for her writings. Some of her favorite things are autumn leaves, southern accents, Gothic architecture, Renaissance festivals, family movie nights, and, of course, William Shakespeare. Writing is her haven for self-expression where imagination rules and dreams do come true.

RISING is her debut novel in the paranormal, teen series SAGA OF THE SETTI.

Penelope King

Penelope King is a native Californian who now lives in beautiful South Carolina. She says "y'all" more often than she'd like to admit, eats more fried food than is probably healthy, and still hasn't gotten used to the scary thunderstorms that seem to appear from out of nowhere.

She stays up way too late and does the bulk of her writing in the witching hours. She rarely misses a sunrise, and needs to include a special "thank you" in her book credits to Starbucks caramel frappuccinos.

When she's not writing, she's reading any and all YA out there, swimming, kayaking at the river, doing Zumba and kickboxing, or watching a trashy reality show. She can BBQ better than most men, and if she had to marry a food it would probably be pizza, but she'd cheat on it with sushi

David Estes

David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. David grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually he moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife. A reader all his life, he began writing novels for the children's and YA markets in 2010, and started writing full time in June 2012. Now he travels the world writing with his wife, Adele. David's a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table.

Karen Amanda Hooper

Author of YA paranormal and fantasy. TANGLED TIDES by Rhemalda Publishing (11/25/11)
GRASPING AT ETERNITY (Book 1-The Kindrily Series) by Starry Sky Publishing (5/25/12) 

I was born and bred in Baltimore, frolicked and froze in Colorado for a couple of years and I'm currently sunning and splashing around Florida with my two sweet and adorable dogs. I'm addicted to coffee, chocolate and complicated happily-ever-afters. 

Feel free to friend me. I love meeting other book lovers and I like seeing what people are reading!

Ella James

Ella James is the author of Stained and Stolen, books one and two in the Stained Series; HERE, book one in a sci-fi romance trilogy; and Before You Go, a romance YA beach read that tells the first meeting of Logan and Margo, who will be featured in her upcoming adult release, Over The Moon. She has a YA paranormal romance release scheduled for every month of 2012, including Chosen (Stained Book Three) in June and the second HERE book in July. 

Ella is inviting readers to help her write a shapeshifter romance, which is plotted via polls and questions on her blog and her Facebook page. 

Ella lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her wonderful husband, opinionated baby, and mopey dog. You can visit her blog at www.ellajamesbooks.blogspot.com, or friend her on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/ellajamesbooks. For a list of her award-winning YA romances, visit her Amazon page athttp://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0...

Julie Reece

Hey! I'm Julie Reece and I write Young Adult novels. I live in Atlanta with my husband, and daughters, and am passionate about animals, underdogs, and dark chocolate. I love to read urban fantasy, paranormal romance ... okay, pretty much anything YA.

So get out there and start supporting Indie authors, especially the ones I listed above, you will not be disappointed with what you find!

Here by Ella James

Today I am super excited to present to you my review of a totally and completely FANTABULOUS book that you all MUST read.
This is the newest cover of this book, which I just totally and completely love!

You may know the older cover of this book, which makes just as much sense if you've read the story, but, in my opinion, is not nearly as pretty:

Title: Here (Here Trilogy, #1)

Author: Ella James

Publication Date: February 15, 2012

ASIN: B007A0I86Q

Purchase Links: 

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Blurb from Goodreads:

Milo Mitchell's life used to be charmed, but that was before her family dissolved, she went a little crazy, and her best friends started acting more like strangers. Spending Saturday morning in a treehouse with a stun gun for company and a herd of deer for friends is the only exciting thing in her life...until she shoots a fawn and finds her dart stuck in a guy.

Her gorgeous victim is dressed in a Brioni tux and armed with a hanky. He has no idea who or where he is. Afraid her dart caused his amnesia, Milo takes him in, names him Nick, and vows to help him solve his mystery. Soon the pair find Nick's face in a newspaper obituary, and Nick beings to have strange, ethereal memories of Milo--who is sure she's never met him. Suddenly Nick knows things he shouldn't know and is doing things he shouldn't do. When the Department of Defense shows up, Nick and Milo run--toward a shocking conclusion that could destroy both their worlds.

And a little about Ella James:

Ella James is the author of Stained and Stolen, books one and two in the Stained Series; HERE, book one in a sci-fi romance trilogy; and Before You Go, a romance YA beach read that tells the first meeting of Logan and Margo, who will be featured in her upcoming adult release, Over The Moon. She has a YA paranormal romance release scheduled for every month of 2012, including Chosen (Stained Book Three) in June and the second HERE book in July. 

Ella is inviting readers to help her write a shapeshifter romance, which is plotted via polls and questions on her blog and her Facebook page. 

Ella lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her wonderful husband, opinionated baby, and mopey dog. You can visit her blog at www.ellajamesbooks.blogspot.com, or friend her on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/ellajamesbooks.

Now for my review!

Holy cow, Ella, you DID NOT just end the freaking book like that! ACK!!!!! Yup, that was my first thought when I read the last page. As you can imagine, it's a cliffhanger, ACK!

I would like to thank Ella James for sending me a copy of this book to review and give my honest opinion.

Blurb from Goodreads:

Milo Mitchell's life used to be charmed, but that was before her family dissolved, she went a little crazy, and her best friends started acting more like strangers. Spending Saturday morning in a treehouse with a stun gun for company and a herd of deer for friends is the only exciting thing in her life...until she shoots a fawn and finds her dart stuck in a guy.
Her gorgeous victim is dressed in a Brioni tux and armed with a hanky. He has no idea who or where he is. Afraid her dart caused his amnesia, Milo takes him in, names him Nick, and vows to help him solve his mystery. Soon the pair find Nick's face in a newspaper obituary, and Nick beings to have strange, ethereal memories of Milo--who is sure she's never met him. Suddenly Nick knows things he shouldn't know and is doing things he shouldn't do. When the Department of Defense shows up, Nick and Milo run--toward a shocking conclusion that could destroy both their worlds.

I will be honest and say I did not read the blurb or any reviews for this book prior to reading it. So, I went in blind, not knowing what it was about or what to expect! Boy, am I glad I dove into this one. I mean, WOW! I am not usually a sci-fi fan as far as reading is concerned, although I have no idea why since for TV and movies I love that stuff. So, when I noticed this book was slated under a sci-fi YA genre, I wasn't sure what to expect!

The Cover: When I received the book, I was taken aback by the cover. It was very cryptic to me: a person on the front and then some windmills in the background, and all in what I would refer to as "black light." I couldn't make heads or tails of it. Now that I read the book it makes total sense. As does this new cover, which I much prefer, in all honesty, and I really think captures things better as far as the theme of the story is concerned.

Characters:
I really love the main characters in this story. They are well developed and very strong. I connected to them almost immediately. I felt their emtions to the tee: fear, love, doubt...you name it, my heart was in there right with them!
Milo is a teen girl who is very strong minded. She has three best friends but she is very independent and does her own thing. I have to say that she did come across much older than what she was. She did not strike me as the typical teen. One thing I loved about her was there was no self-loathing with her. She didn't think herself unworthy of being liked for the most part. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in the fact that she really could not tell that Nick/Gabe was not totally normal. She alluded to it, but still seemed so shocked when it was finally revealed. It seemed unrealistic to me since there were so many clues during her growing relationship with him.
Nick/Gabe is just so sweet. And I love the beginning of the book when he comes off as shy and quiet. His need to protect Milo is unsurpassed. I love that he is such an enigma to both Milo and the reader (although, as a reader I figured there was something out of this world about him, I just wasn't sure what). For so long, we really have no idea who he is or how he showed up so instantly in those woods. Slowly he is revealed to us, which I really love. And my gueses were wrong at first. He's shrouded in mystery and that makes him so much more interesting.
The ancillary characters realoly weren't developed in this book. We don't see all that much of Milos best friends, just a small glimpse at the begging and then at a party they attend. But nothing to really show us the relationship she has with them. She does describe it a bit, but to me it was still not all that clear. And I don't think it necessarily had to be, since they didn't appear all that much in the book. Then again, Milo was so independent, I am not sure she would have related what was going on, even to her best friends. Her mother is not really around for us to get to know. We do get to know some of the "evil" character personalities a bit, but not really until the end of the book as they are an integral part of what is going on.

Storyline:
I was not expecting the storyline from this book at all. When I first started the book I have to say I was a bit confused. The tone confused me. It was very choppy and I really wasn't getting a sense of where it was going. I was unsure of whether or not I would enjoy the book because I didn't like the way the writing was going. And then I got to chapter 2 and things just kind of took off. I mean, I could not put the book down. I read over 1/2 of it the first night and was chomping at the bit the next day to get back to it and finish it up! It was fast paced and suspenseful. It was so captivating, I stayed up late and wasn't even sure where a good point to stop would be! The book builds slowly, keeping you wrapped in it's mystery and wanting to move along to find out what happens. James does a great job of world building. And James cleverly sneaks us through this world, as she reveals little by little what she wants us to know. My heart was pounding by the end and I just couldn't get enough. Then, all of a sudden, BANG, CLIFFHANGER! OMGosh, Ms. James, how the heck can you leave it all out there like that? I need the second book NOW!

So, you could say I definitely loved this book. I really enjoyed the ride the author took me on, especially since I have read minimal sci-fi books and I'm always leary of where they will go. I am into this trilogy for the long haul and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves sci-fi/paranormal young adult reads.

4 out of 5 stars from me!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007...
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/here-...
http://www.librarything.com/work/1304...

Really, you gotta go get this book. I was absorbed in it!!! It just grabbed me and took me on a ride!!! I am ITCHING to read the next one, which comes out in October (the cover has not been released yet) and the third which is due out in November (GO ELLA, YOU'RE IN A GROOVE). And if you haven't read Ella's other series, Stained, go out and get it NOW!!!!!!!