Hello writing and reading communities! It’s time for the next installment of Indie Recommends Indie and today I have Amanda Denham. She was previously featured on my Creator’s Roulette series and we chatted about traditional publishing at that point.
Amanda, thank you for joining me for this series! I know you but some of my readers might not if they are visiting Armed with A Book for the first time. Tell us a bit about yourself. 🙂
Hi, everyone! My name is Amanda, and I’m an author and also an artist. I live in Birmingham, Alabama (U.S.) with my husband and two rabbits. Thank you for having me again, it’s a pleasure.
Do you primarily read indie books or big publishers books as well?
When I was younger, I used to only read big publishers’ books, ones I’d find in my local bookstores. However, once I became an indie author myself, I met tons of amazing writers on Instagram and Twitter who had released books. Now I honestly almost exclusively read indie books, though I really should go visit bookstores again once and a while (a mix of 2020 lockdown and owning a Kindle has made me way more into downloading ebooks). I’d say 90% lately have been indie.
Amanda’s Indie Recommendations
The Forest Witch by Britt Laux
Fantasy
Published 2021
Series: Tales of Unara
Book Number: 1
Lanira na Caliri never expected to find a human in the North Forest of Unara, let alone a witch. When she discovers Siobhan unconscious by the portal that leads to her world, she soon learns of a prophecy that foretold her coming. A warning that a daughter of Unara will bring destruction upon the realm. The reign of blood will come again unless Lanira can stop it. With the little witch by her side, Lanira embarks on a journey across the clans of Unara to unite the people and save her realm from the Dark Karika’s return at all costs. Even if she must risk losing herself to the mysterious Minra na Goran in the process.
Why this book is loved:
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves high fantasy and detailed world building, along with unique LGBTQ relationships.
The detail in this book is staggering. The world building is smooth and pulls you into this new realm easily. I love the strong female protagonist in Lanira – she has very defined strengths and weaknesses. She fights, she cries, she expresses being afraid…but she also loves, protects, and changes through the story. It’s really great character development, hard to find such nuance. This is a truly unique book, and I’m on the edge of my seat wondering what happens next!
A Broken Kind of Love by Colleen Young
Romance
Published 2020
Standalone
After Delia’s parents abandoned her and her sister at a young age she spent her childhood dreaming of a better future. As an adult, Delia finally has everything she’s ever dreamed of – a husband, three great kids, surrounded by the love and stability that she craved as a child.
Mitch has retired from the Army nursing mental and physical battle wounds from his time spent overseas. In his second career as an EMT, he takes solace in saving lives and running from the regrets in his past.
One fateful night Mitch and Delia’s path’s cross, changing the course of their lives forever.
Will these two be able to find their way to 𝘈 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦?
Why Amanda recommends this book:
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a realistic, slow burn romance.
This is one of the better love stories I’ve read in a LONG time! There’s a connection, raw honesty and feelings, all while developing through hard times (which can forge the strongest kind of love). Its attention to detail about all the characters is astounding. Everyone has their own story, wants, and needs. You feel like you know them, or that you’ve met someone like them before.
Lorden Awakening by Krislee Ellsworth
Fantasy
Published 2021
First in a series
Magic has not existed for three centuries, and the world is dying because of it.
Anaver has never seen the sun through the foggy dome that surrounds the island of Tamrose. She’s heard tales of other lands and magic, but no one can prove that such things ever existed.
When fate pulls her from her home and places her in a land of sun and starlight, she discovers that she harbors a power that can awaken the earth’s dormant magic.
Rothrin has watched as the world around him fades away. The elements have long lost their state of Lorden, or harmony, which has caused a decades-long famine to sweep over the continent.
All seems lost until he meets Anaver, and the elements begin to awaken. They set out on a quest in a land on the brink of collapse and starvation to unleash the earth’s power before time runs out.
Why Amanda recommends this book:
I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves a fun high fantasy adventure full of magic and budding romance.
This was a fun adventure! I was extremely invested in the mystery of the land and characters. The visuals are nicely described, so I could almost play this book in my head like a movie. I love Anaver And Rothrin’s friendship that evolves over time, and the magic system is so interesting. I’ll save most of the details so I don’t spoil anything, but it was a wonderful ride… and I’m ready for book two!
The Pink Jackalope by Luna Dunn, K. Dunaway
Poetry
Published 2019
Standalone
“Today I sang my own song, and the words that echoed back were not your own.” Luna Dunn’s poetry debut is comprised of 51 poems perfect for those struggling to understand the grief of loss. Lulling the reader into a soft lullaby that is a roller coaster of emotion, the reader is pulled into a story that spans nearly a decade of complicated relationships bordered by the constant pressure surrounding mental illness and all that comes with it.
Why Amanda recommends this book:
I recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry that is outside the norm. Also to anyone who loves relatable, down to earth content.
I’m not normally a poetry reader, but this collection drew me in. It really feels like you’re sitting with a close friend as they tell you stories about their life. The poems can be warm, cozy, yet can also hit you with hard life lessons of feelings that you’ve experienced before. Even if you don’t know the author, you feel like you do after reading this.
Asphalt Chasers by Bre Hall
Young Adult
Published 2019
Standalone
Ellie and her mom were going to leave their small-town Kansas life behind and hit the road, trek over the black asphalt of Route 66, and head north when they reached the Pacific. They were going to experience all of the zany roadside attractions along the way. They were going to surf every break between Santa Monica and Rockaway Beach. Ellie promised they would climb into her mom’s ’87 VW and do all of those things. She promised. But it was too late.
Ellie’s mom was already dying of cancer when she made Ellie promise and she died before their journey could even begin. Now, five months later, Ellie is haunted by the promise she made. But she is determined to get to the Oregon Coast on the route they planned, even though she’ll have to do it on her own, even though her dad forbid it. She will do anything to ensure the promise be fulfilled. Ellie isn’t the only setting out on the road.Enter Luke, the tall, handsome, basketball stud who runs in Ellie’s crew. He’s had a crush on Ellie since he moved to tiny Wheat Hill in the ninth grade, but when he finally gets the guts to try and tell her how he feels, she’s already started her journey. Luke quickly enlists the help of his and Ellie’s three kooky friends and they all hit the highway in the hopes of catching up to Ellie. Will Ellie fulfill her promise? Will Luke tell her how he feels? Or will they just keep chasing the asphalt of the road into oblivion, never reaching its end?
Why Amanda recommends this book:
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves road trips, friendship centered books, and budding romance.
Asphalt Chasers made me crave summer time on the beach: the salty ocean, the wind in my hair, the sand beneath my feet. Ellie, the main protagonist, made me fall in love with her resolve and sense of self. It made for a smooth, interesting read as the book seamlessly takes the reader on a road trip full of fun and laughs, but also one that challenges friendships and emotions. I recommend this to anyone who wants a little nostalgia for summer days, good friends, and the relatable feeling of trying to find your way.
After all these fabulous recommendations, here is Amanda’s book that she wanted to highlight.
Amanda’s Book Spotlight
Sin Eater by Amanda Denham
Urban Fantasy
Published in 2021
Two years ago, Jayde Holloway discovered that she had the power to erase memories in the worst way possible: by accidentally wiping her best friend Jenny’s at the end of their senior year. Now, shut off from the world, Jayde exists solely for her role as the Sin Eater, an entity who can take away a person’s every bad memory if they so wish… for a price.
Jayde hates the lonely life that she’s dealt, especially under her strict boss Jak, who consistently keeps her under his watchful eye through blackmail: a constant reminder of all of her mistakes. When she must travel back to her hometown, Jayde secretly befriends two siblings with a haunted past of their own. As her own painful memories begin to overwhelm, Jayde must make a choice: remain chained to a familiar but hurtful past, or reveal all of her darkest secrets for what could be a better future.
Amanda recommends her book to anyone who loves character and relationship driven stories. Anyone who likes a few twists and plenty of emotion. You can find it on Amazon.
Connect with Amanda on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Thank you so much for hanging out with Amanda and me today as part of the seventh Indie Recommends Indie Series. I hope you are enjoying the series so far and are looking forward to future posts. If you are an indie or small press author who is an avid reader and wants to be featured, sign up using the form on the Indie Recommends Indie home page. Looking forward to connecting with you.
Banner Photo of library by Alfons Morales on Unsplash
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