Hello writing and reading communities! It’s time for the next instalment of Indie Recommends Indie and I have author Krislee Ellsworth with me today. You might remember her name from Amanda’s Indie Recommends Indie feature where she had mentioned Krislee’s book. Let’s hear from her about her book and indie recommendations.
Krislee, thank you for joining me for this series! I am thrilled that you wanted to be on the series! Before we get started and since this is your first time on Armed with A Book, tell me and my readers a bit about yourself. 🙂
Hello. I was born in the pinewoods of Mississippi, where my love for stories and imagination was born. I would explore the woods, lost in thought, always coming up with new stories in my head.Â
It wasn’t until I was eighteen years old that I had the inspiration for two characters. These characters were special to me, but I didn’t know what their story was. I began writing countless stories with them, but none of them fit. Then, in March of 2017, I came across a seedling of an idea for a story so wonderful that I could hardly sleep at night. But even with that wonderful, sprouting idea, I still struggled to put it adequately in words.
Do you primarily read indie books or big publishers books as well?
In the past I mainly read big name publishers, but I have made an effort in the past year to read indie. In fact, I’d say that at least 70% of the books I’ve read in 2021 have been by independent authors! The bookstagram community is so amazing and I have loved the new friends I have made in the past several months since Lorden Awakening released and can’t wait to continue discovering new titles!
Krislee’s Indie Recommendations
Unveiling by Zel Winter
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Published 2020
Book 1 of the Mythical Creatures seriesÂ
Dan Noble is an old Vampire, perhaps the oldest in the world. One night on the prowl, he is inexplicably drawn to a plain-looking university student. But Nina Wright is not as boring as she seems: she meets Dan’s charm with the allure of her own, and the two share an unforgettable night. When Dan tries and fails to compel Nina to forget their encounter, he suspects that she is no ordinary human. And when a gang of bloodthirsty vampires singles her out for a vicious kidnapping, he realizes the girl he has fallen head over heels for may very well be a Human Immortal, a being of awesome power. Nina will be able to reclaim her supernatural gifts if she chooses a mate of her own lineage, Nature’s Immortals: a Dragon, Were, or Fae. As a Vampire, Dan would only stand in the way of her destiny.
Will he find the courage to give up his true love just as soon as he has found her?
Unveiling is Book 1 of the Mythical Creatures Series, in which powerful Immortal beings battle for justice in a magical world just beyond the veil of our own.
Why this book is loved:
I came across Zel Winter’s account at the beginning of this year when I was promoting the release of my book. We got in contact because we were both new to the indie realm and decided to read and promote each other’s work. She writes paranormal fantasy-romance, something that I honestly hadn’t read since high school, but her work was a great reintroduction to the genre.
I read Unveiling earlier this year and it was a great escape from the stresses of starting a new job and moving. The characters were likeable and the plot pulled me in enough to keep the pages turning past my bedtime.
I reviewed and promoted the book on Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram with the following review: I really enjoyed this book! I’m not normally into paranormal fantasy books, but this one is really well written and the characters are engaging enough that I found myself unable to stop reading. The prologue introduces the unique world building and explains how the different mythical races came to be. This was interesting and allowed me to understand what the characters were up against when the story began. I loved the romance between Dan and Nina, and I really hope there’s more to come!
Anyone who loves the perfect combination of fantasy, romance, and paranormal elements will gobble this up!
The Next Right Thing by Celine Perron
Crime Thriller
Published 2021Â
Standalone
Twenty-seven-year-old Rena Moretti has lived her life the only way she knows how: by being a good girl and avoiding scrutiny. As the by-product of an illicit affair gone wrong, she figures she doesn’t have much room for error. A budding journalist with an ambition for big things, Rena is comfortable in her own skin, enjoying the simple pleasures of her comfy apartment and the confidence of her best friend. But when Rena becomes the victim of a random hit-and-run accident, her life gets turned upside down on all fronts.
After the accident, everyone wants Rena to make a safe return to the life she had before—but Rena is increasingly convinced she has to do the exact opposite if she wants to find any closure. She becomes obsessed with a young man that she’s convinced was involved in her crime, but in pursuit of connection, Rena is dragged into the criminal dealings of a local gang.
The Next Right Thing is a moral crime thriller which proves to be equal parts dangerous and thought provoking. Bringing with it victims of crime, countless moral dilemmas, and an elusive gang leader. Rena must now decide whether the right thing is always the best thing. In this page turner, readers will follow along as Rena chooses to overcome her fears and finds inside her a bravery she never knew. But can she make the right choice before it’s too late?
Why Krislee recommends this book:
Celine is another new friend I have made in the indie author community, and I love seeing her page and brand as an author grow. So far, I have only read her debut, The Next Right Thing, but I really hope to get around to her new series, The Caged Curse, which I believe will have a sequel out in December.
Celine’s writing is very emotional and deals with real issues in such a relatable way. I also love how she writes realistic relationships between characters. There were moments of joy, humor, and even raw despair that the reader walks through with Rena.
My review as seen on Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram: This is a really heartfelt story. I felt invested in Rena’s story from the beginning with how she dealt with the trauma and trying to figure out What had happened, along with how she interacted with her friends. I especially liked Rachel as a side character. She is always so supportive; not overly defensive or insensitive like many characters in other books are. There were a few lines that even made me laugh out loud! Overall, “The Next Right Thing” is a beautifully written and emotional book. I hope to read more by Celine Perron!
I would recommend this book to any fans of psychological and crime thrillers.
Secret of 8 by Cristal Sipple-Underwood and Andrew Underwood
Mystery/Children’s fiction
Published 2019
Book #1 of the Spider Gang Mysteries Series
Imagine a world where being different was better than being ordinary. Six misfit kids (Sarah-The Ginger, Ben-The Geek, Nate-The Deaf Kid, Marcus- The Bully, Steph-The Dreamer & Mike with his Imaginary Friend) find themselves part of an unsolved mystery when Ben and his family move into a haunted house. Not only do they all find acceptance but unite together to become ghost hunters. By using their unique abilities and teamwork, they get one step closer to solving the case. They never imagined the magical transformation their lives would take.
This is a unique story that was written in two points of view. The female and male voice allows the reader to see through the eyes of Sarah and Ben. Since this book portrays life during the 1920’s and 1980’s, we have created an informative webpage for our younger readers. History can be fun!
Why Krislee recommends this book:
Cristal and Andrew are an awesome author couple. I read both of their Spider Gang Mysteries books on kindle and was immediately charmed by the whimsical but exciting children’s mystery.
I saw a lot of my younger self in Sarah, one of the point of view characters. She’s on the edge of childhood and growing up and seems to be gripping onto her imaginative and adventurous tendencies of running around with her “gang” of friends, though I must admit that I didn’t have and exciting paranormal mystery to unravel.
My review as seen on Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram: This book surprised me! I normally read YA or new adult books, so it took me a few chapters to adjust to the narrative intended for younger audiences, but once I was invested in the mystery, I couldn’t stop reading! This is the perfect read for younger audiences, especially if they are new to mysteries. The hints are subtle but keep you engaged while the plot twists keep you on your toes. I also read the sequel, The Wandering, and I loved the continuation of the characters’ development within the world. This husband-wife author team works really well together to bring a fun, fast-paced mystery series.
While this series is geared toward younger readers, anyone who loves a good, clean read will enjoy this fun, mysterious tale!
Reality Dreamers by K.M. Frost
YA Dystopian Sci-Fi
Published 2016
Book #1 of the Reality Dreamers series
Fifteen-year-old Jonas Hartley shouldn’t be having nightmares anymore, but that doesn’t stop them from coming. Every night, the dreams get worse—until he meets the Reality Dreamers.
Normally, Jonas would avoid this strange trio of teenagers, but when he realizes one of them is a mysterious girl he’s seen in reality, he decides to stick around for a while, curious about what they’re doing in his dreams.
But curiosity isn’t always harmless.
The Reality Dreamers are hunted by dark beings called Entities, products of a dark world with many secrets. Too late, Jonas realizes he may have gotten himself into something much larger and much darker than he ever could have imagined…
Why Krislee recommends this book:
K.M. Frost is a personal friend of mine (She was one of my bridesmaids!). Our love for reading and our dreams of one day becoming authors is what brought us together. I remember trading notes and discussing stories and dreaming about the moment that we could hold a physical copy of our books in our hands.
Look at us now! We have achieved our dream and are working to continue to build it. K.M. Frost is a very character-driven author that will make you fall in love with the cast she created to tell her story.
My review as seen on Amazon, Goodreads, and Instagram: I read this book a while ago, but I really loved it! I love the concept of being able to go to sleep in one world/reality to wake up in another. The main cast of characters is made of a fun group of rag-tag teenagers who bond through their adventures in a different world/dreamscape. There are lots of mysterious and suspenseful moments that keep the pages turning. I appreciated how the main characters are teenagers and actually act like teenagers. I feel that too many YA novels try to make their teens act too much like grown adults. The plot and characters are interesting without trashy language or sexual themes.
All in all, this is an enjoyable read for all ages, especially readers in their early to mid-teens. I believe that it is a good introductory book for young readers who want to get into fantasy and sci-fi books, as the fantastical concepts are easy to understand but interesting.
Fans of YA dystopian fiction and sci-fi are sure to fall in love with K.M. Frost’s writing!
The Elementals by Erin Forbes
YA Fantasy
Published 2019
Book #1 in the Fire & Ice series
Welcome to Aisling, an enchanted realm where each individual is born with a unique and magical Gift. For centuries, this realm has been slowly crumbling due to an ancient curse set on the land. However, the moment that Alice and Emery Hanley step into the Academy for Gifted Youth, their lives are forever changed. Amidst the disappearance of a fellow student, the twin sisters discover a prophecy that could save the realm of Aisling from destruction.
Why Krislee recommends this book:
I can’t express how much I fell in love with the fairytale world In The Elementals. The imagery and general tone is the perfect combination of Disney and Harry Potter—you have a magical school for children and teens with magical powers, mysterious forests, mystical creatures, and powerful friendships. My inner Hogwarts hopeful really connected with the characters and the whimsical adventures.
And the most impressive part? Erin Forbes was a teenager when she wrote it. Not only did she create a beautiful world in her mind, but she expertly penned it while she was still in the target age group. If you miss the magic of reading Harry Potter for the first time, give The Elementals a try!
After all these fabulous recommendations, here is Krislee’s book that she wanted to highlight.
Krislee’s Book Spotlight
Lorden Awakening
Fantasy
Published 2021
Book #1 in the Lorden Awakening 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.
Lorden Awakening was a song I didn’t know how to sing. I don’t know the moment I knew that I had to write it because so many pieces of the stories and characters can date back to my childhood daydreams.Â
I do know for certain that the characters of Anaver and Rothrin began to form in my mind in December of 2013, though they were part of a much different story–a Doctor Who fanfiction that my sister and I created in our heads. They slowly evolved and changed as I grew up and experienced life, loss, love, and learning. I used to think that they represented something that I could never become, but now I see that they are me.
There have been so many different versions of this story as I have struggled to find the words and sequence of events to adequately portray the world and the people that live in it. It might not be a masterpiece to everyone that reads it, but it is my masterpiece.
Readers who enjoyed A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Books of Bayern would like this book.
Krislee
Connect with Krislee on Instagram, Goodreads and her website.
Did you add any to your TBR today? Tell us in the comments!
Thank you so much for hanging out with Krislee and me today as part of the sixteenth 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. This is a fantastic way to bring attention to fellow indie authors as well as your own book. 🙂
Banner Photo of library by Alfons Morales on Unsplash
Be First to Comment