Bring on the Indie Books!
- Lily Lawson
- Jan 11
- 6 min read
Part one – the self-published novels
As an Indie author and a fan of Indie and Small Press books I am always keen to encourage others to read them.
Throughout 2026 I will be sending a monthly newsletter with some examples you might want to take a look at.
I have read or am reading the novels listed below.
Having looked at this list I think I need to say I don’t always need a dead body in it to enjoy fiction!
I am currently reading
The Wingspan of Treason by L. N. Bayen
This is an epic fantasy with beautiful illustrations by the author. There will be more from me about this in a future post.
TRUTH IS A KNIFE. LOYALTY’S A CAGE. NO ONE IS INNOCENT.
This is not for bedtime reading, at least for me. Given the line above I don’t think I am giving any spoilers by saying there’s some difficult stuff in this well written tale. I am taking it slowly like a treasure.
Adam and Grace series – J. C. Paulson
J.C. Paulson’s mystery, crime and romance series currently consists of five books. The Maddox Verdict, the sixth and final book of the main series arc will be published in 2026. I am eager to read it.
All of the books (apart from in my opinion Broken Through) can be read as standalones as each one is a complete story. The connecting thread is the romance between Adam and Grace.
I know ‘I couldn’t put it down’ is an overused term but there is an addictive quality to Paulson’s writing that gets you in its grip and you don’t even notice till you’re completely hooked. I binged the first five books which is something I’ve never done before.
Although the series is inspired by real events and true crime, this is a fictional series. The characters feel very real. I even found myself rooting for a fairly unlikeable minor character at one stage.
JC knows her craft of that there is no doubt. Her journalistic research skills are evident as she weaves complex stories covering difficult subject matter with a side order of romance.
I can imagine Adam and Grace being part of a community and dealing with these issues. It would make an excellent TV series in my opinion.
The Lightbody Mystery Series - Carolyn Ruffles
‘Who done it?’ Is an excellent question.
As is ‘What is going on?’
Secrets abound in this dual timeline duology. I love village stories; they always have great characters and it’s all so tangled. There is a lot going on here above and below the surface.
An emotional read which stayed with me from one book to the next and beyond. The descriptions of setting and characters put me firmly in the story. I rooted for both MC’s from the off. Deborah Ryecroft I found particularly relatable.
These books raised many issues about what people believe and how they act because of it.
The Herbalists Daughters – Cheryl Burman
I was very torn about which book to choose by Cheryl Burman, having read them all and I suggest you check them all out.
This dual timeline historical fantasy is actually a sequel (to River Witch) but can be read as a standalone.
Burman has a style that urges you forward - one more chapter - and another and onward. The switching between time periods had me at times reading one more chapter because I HAD to get back to the hanging thread of the story in the opposite part of the story, but then it happened again in the other timeline, very hard to put the book down, clever stuff.
I took to Mara at first mention (being already familiar with and fond of Hester - the MC of River Witch)
The author, as always, has created a wealth of relatable characters in a story rich with detail and feeling. They camp in your head while you read and in between. There is an obvious wealth of knowledge and research woven into these tales.A treat to savour. 'Join us, learn with us...'
In case anyone is interested Keepers and Walking in the Rain were the other contenders. The first introduced me to Cheryl’s adult fiction and the second has in my view her best MC and kept me up till 2 am so I could read it in one go. The skill of her first foray into dual timeline edged it on this occasion but on another day who knows?
The Body in Bounty Bay – K. T. McGivens
This is book 13 in a series of 25 but don’t let that put you off. I read this having not read any of the others and to me it didn’t matter at all. Each book is a story in it’s own right.
Once in a while a book touches your heart and pulls you in.I love the setting of this book (I'm a sucker for small towns). This is my first meeting with Katie Porter, but I liked her from the off. Her fiancé and friends charmed me too. Then this amazing group of women kind of wandered in. As the story progressed and I got to know Miss Porter she certainly grew on me as did the rest of the cast.Mystery writing is by no means easy, you have to drip feed the audience information that may or may not lead in the right direction. Too much too soon and why finish the book. Not enough and you leave the reader lost. There is much to work out.In less than 24 hours (because I kind of fell into this book and didn't want to leave in the most gentle manner that this has ever happened to me) K T McGivens impressed me with her originality and a warmth that oozed out and hugged me. Not easy for a book with two dead bodies in it.
Rosalie's Apple Tree - Ann Garcia
Psychological fiction - an unusual genre for me but well worth it. Probably my most intense experience with a book.
I've had the privilege of reading this book in one day. It was an intense experience which spoke to me in a number of ways. Widowed single parenthood, Downs syndrome, OCD, PTSD make for an interesting combo in this dual point of view story. It is evident Garcia has done her research. These are difficult areas for an author to navigate. Ann Garcia does an amazing job of weaving the story and making it all fit together. Each character is human. The ripples of loss reach further than we might anticipate. Healing can be a long complicated road. This book touched me emotionally which in itself is a rare thing.
Unforgettable – R. E. Loten
This book has made every Indie recommends list I have written that I could put it on.
I took my time with this book because I didn't want it to end. I wanted Tom to be happy whoever that was with. I could feel him being pulled in half. I was uncertain what he would do. These very human people with their doubts and flaws come to life on the page. This is a well written, believable story which will linger with me for a long time.
And Then She Fell - Dreena Collins
The wow book from an author known as a short story writer. It blew me away.
Dreena Collins has a way with words. She plucks you from where you are and lands you in the middle of the story. Susie is very alive in this book despite being dead. The characters paint her into the picture. The grief, blame and sorrow drips from the pages. I've read this twice; such well written prose deserves more than one read. Each beat is considered, each action worked out to keep you guessing. The cast of imperfect humans recognisable. Award winning Collins shows us her talent is not limited to short stories, far from it.
I know it’s hard to tell if a book is self-published or small press and it can be difficult for books to get noticed given the volume that is produced every year. There are some excellent indie books out there that deserve more readers.
I created this list on Goodreads to help people find them. Several authors have contributed and/or voted for their favourites too.
This list is by no means exhaustive but along with these newsletters it might give you some idea of what is out there and hopefully tempt you to check some of them out.
If there are any Indie books you would like me to include in a future newsletter please let me know.
Happy Reading.
Lily x
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