Back in March 2019, I posted about my most anticipated Indie reads for 2019. I’m pretty terrible at new releases, but I actually read most, if not all, of what I was interested in! Let’s get started. I shall share the book, the blurb, and some of my thoughts, as well as a link to my full Goodreads review if I read it. Please note: ALL books, unless otherwise noted, are available to purchase on Amazon.
KEES AND COLLIERS Series by KELLYN ROTH
Souls Astray
Adele has been lost for a long time now …
Adele Collier has sought a carefree lifestyle ever since her tragic childhood. Determined to never allow anyone or anything to control her life or emotions again, she consistently seeks distraction in gaiety. But shaking her ghosts isn’t as easy as she’d like.
Troy Kee has been alone in the world since the Great War took his parents and left him in charge of his younger sister. When she marries, he’s left to seek after his goal of a healthy, complete family. But how can he focus on his dream when trouble plagues his family vineyard?
When Adele and Troy meet, a whirlwind romance begins—but can two lost souls have a healthy relationship?
The Lady Of The Vineyard
Is it too late for Adele to return to her daughter’s life?
When her ex-husband reappears in her life determined to spend more time with their child, Adele Collier allows him to take Judy to France for the summer. As the summer goes by, an internal battle rages in Adele’s heart. Can she give up her glamorous lifestyle to win her daughter’s heart?
Six-year-old Judy is more than happy to trade Adele’s neglect for her father’s adoring care. She loves his vineyard and wishes she could stay there forever, but someday she must return to England. Can Judy trust her mother again?
Flowers In Her Heart
Can Adele change her entire lifestyle to be a mother to her babies?
When her husband goes off to war, Adele feels lost and confused. In a new, less-than-ideal place in a frightening, less-than-ideal time, she flees to the garden with her daughters, determined to make their new house a home, even if it is from the outside in.
Battered by her own inner turmoil and scoffed at by those close to her, Adele seeks to make something beautiful amidst chaos. But can even the most beautiful flowers cover the years of scars?
MY THOUGHTS OF THE SERIES (minus From Now ‘Til Forever)
From Now ‘Til Forever isn’t in paperback, so I have yet to read it, sadly, but I’ll remedy that this year. Here are my quick thoughts of the series and my individual full reviews.
Overall, my favorite book was Flowers In Her Heart. I loved the growing family dynamic! As a series, it was well written, well edited, and while I wasn’t the target audience, it was great. My nitpicks were all personal preferences and mostly related to the romance plot.
The Lady of the Vineyard Full Review
Flowers in her Heart Full Review
EVERY BRIGHT AND BROKEN THING by BRIAN MCBRIDE
Haunted by the last question their mother ever asked them before she passed away, the Greyson brothers struggle to cope with their grief and adjust to life after tragedy.
Semi-popular sixteen-year-old Liam spends his nights performing as the lead singer of his high school indie pop/rock band, Liam and the Landmarks. But something happened to Liam two years ago at his friend’s house – a secret Liam will take to his grave. But in small towns like Summit, Colorado, secrets always seem to find their way out.
Twenty-four-year-old Ezra thought that he could cure his grief when he left Summit behind for a prestigious art school in Chicago, but things only got worse. Now a college dropout working at a gas station mini mart, he turns to alcohol, prescription painkillers, and meaningless one-night stands. But Ezra can’t run forever – life always catches up with you.
With striking and abrasively honest dual-perspective narratives, EVERY BRIGHT AND BROKEN THING illustrates the unbreakable bond between brothers and the power in coming home.
MY THOUGHTS
I actually did a HUGE review on my blog here. Overall, one of the best Indie books I’ve ever read. I resonated deeply with Liam and might’ve cried every time I read it. (I read it thrice) 5/5 stars.
MARTIN LEGACY by ABIGAYLE CLAIRE
Gemma Ebworthy is a struggling single mother—but not for much longer. Engaged to a kind-hearted farmer boy, her turbulent life is looking more stable at last, but troubles are still on the horizon. It seems their efforts to build a legacy for their unique family are constantly under siege.
Farris cherishes the only life he’s ever known, even though he feels more called to the mission field than his adoptive father’s fields. Growing up among extended family and in the Christian faith, he’s always had a firm foundation.
Yet when the past Gemma is so ashamed of—the one Farris can’t even remember—comes calling again, the life they’ve built is put to the test. For it to remain standing, Gemma is going to have to silence her demons once and for all. But this time, she’s not alone.
MY THOUGHTS
I beta read this novel, book two in the Martin Generations duology, and cannot give a sound review since it was a beta draft. I intend to read the final product of the novel this year. I’m not really the target audience, again, and from what I read, I do recommend Abigayle’s writings. The duo is super clean.
BELOVED by KAITLYN KRISPENSE
Life without love is hopeless.
Foster teen Cara Richards is unloved. With nothing left and nowhere to go, she is determined to find peace, no matter the cost. But despite her intentions, she’s tossed into another foster family and this time, there’s no going back to who she used to be. To make matters worse, one of her five new foster brothers is a Jesus freak, and she refuses to believe that God actually cares.
Her world is thrown upside down in a way she never expects. Though she prides herself on a resilient heart, her mind is lost adrift among a sea of questions: Is death really the answer? Does God care about someone as unworthy as me? Can everyone truly be loved, no matter what?
MY THOUGHTS
A clean, sweet novel about super important topics, I recommend this to everyone! Super good book. I can’t wait for what else Kaitlyn has in store. 4/5 stars.
FREEDOM by FAITH POTTS
Having just returned to American soil from the desert sands of the Middle East, James Greene is done with his life. ‘Double amputee’ doesn’t seem like a strong enough phrase to label the physical and emotional pain he bears. Add the lack of love and communication with his family members, the demons that haunt him day and night, and he can find nothing worth living for. Ending it all is the only way out.
Alexandria Lorance is a not-so-ordinary physical therapist, content with aiding in her patients’ recoveries. Her work gives her fulfillment, but alone in the silence, she still endures the hidden scars of a past, unhealthy relationship. Reminding herself that true healing is found in Christ alone, she seeks to show kindness and love to everyone she meets.
When these two broken ones’ paths intersect, the spark of friendship is ignited, bringing hope and joy to both. Can they step out of the darkness of suffering and into the freedom of grace?
A Marine, broken by war. A therapist, scarred by words. A chance meeting in a parking lot bonded them together. But can love grow in these two hurting hearts? Or are they truly too broken to ever find lasting happiness?
MY THOUGHTS
I LOVE THIS BOOK AND WANT TO SCREAM. I mean, yes, a thought-provoking, moving novel that handles the subject of veteran PTSD and suicide very well. 5/5 stars.
GUIDE ME HOME (FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE COLLECTION #3) by MICHAELA BUSH
Cortland may as well have been turned upside-down. Morgan Barnes has watched her cousins grow up and get married left and right. Having no luck with finding a proper fellow for herself, she’s ready to give up – until she’s blindsided by Martin Nolan.Cortland means new life for Martin. However, old habits are hard to break, even if he truly wants to. Can he seize the opportunities given to him, or will he shove it all away? Meanwhile, Lucy and Spencer’s comfortable little world gets upended and then flipped sideways to boot. With a baby on the way and Lucy’s father making a surprise appearance, their hands and hearts are full. When disaster strikes, can they stay afloat? And now resides faith, hope, and love – but in the final chapters, will the Barnes and Clarkson families see God’s plan for it all? The final book in the Faith, Hope, and Love collection.
MY THOUGHTS
I am currently reading this one because I got it for Christmas (yep, totally late, oops) but I LOVE IT SO FAR! I will be reviewing it on Goodreads (be sure to follow me there) once I finish. This series has been so adorable and clean!
TALES OF AMBIA SHORT STORIES by ALLISON TEBO
Allison didn’t publish any Tales of Ambia stories this year (this is the only book on the list I didn’t read + is not on Amazon) but I did beta read her upcoming Ambia story, Poppy’s Peril! I’ll review the story on Goodreads when it releases. If you enjoy comedy and fairy tale retellings with twists, be sure to check out the Tales of Ambia!
THE DIVIDED NATION, THE INFIDEL BOOKS #1 by ANGELA R. WATTS
WHEN THE NATION DIVIDES, THE INFIDELS MUST RISE.
The United States has fallen. Three years after the 2024 presidential election and the declaration of martial law, the nation is at war against itself. Gangs battle, civilians struggle for survival, and officials of the United Nations thrive. West Johnston, heir to the most powerful ganglord in the country, refuses to continue the family legacy. But, in order to defeat his father, he must become him: bloodthirsty and willing to do whatever it takes for control.
West gains control by helping fellow gangsters, Nate and Simon, when they form an alliance with one of the last remaining townships in America. After years of surviving and winter fast approaching, Springtown is in desperate need of supplies from the two teenagers. When the town leader’s daughter, Rene’, is kidnapped by an unknown rival, Nate and Simon risk their reputations to save her and the town they now love. But without help from West, their rescue mission will fail.
Told in multiple bold, abrasive narratives, THE DIVIDED NATION steps into a future where brotherhood bonds must be stronger than iron to survive a broken world, and faith without courage is dust in the wind.
MY THOUGHTS
Yes, this made the list earlier this year. And YES I AM STILL EXCITED IT RELEASED. In January 2020, I wasn’t sure “I could pull this novel off”–and plot twist, I couldn’t. But God could. God was with me every single step of the way and knew exactly what He was doing when He gave me this story and pushed me through the fire.
The Divided Nation has inspired people. Helped them. Made them laugh, made them cry (my own mother bawled through it. She does not cry when reading). It made them stop and think. I had plenty of voices nagging at me and slapping my wrists (little voices and actual people!) but I am so glad I followed God’s will for me. The Divided Nation recently earned a 5 star Readers’ Favorite review, which you can read on Amazon (scroll to the editorial review section). I may or may not still be crying over this review… actually, I love reviews, period. If you haven’t left an Amazon review for The Divided Nation, I would love if you did.
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Did you enjoy this post? I sure did! 2019 was a busy year, but I read over 110 books and plenty of those were Indie. I cannot wait to continue reading Indie in 2020–but this year, I’m challenging myself. Stay tuned for next week’s post to see what my most anticipated Indie reads are in 2020!
Have you read any of these books? Did you enjoy any Indie books from 2019?
God bless,
Angela R. Watts
*applauds all of this*
I arc read Beloved and was happily surprised to find I actually really liked it! (I can be kinda picky when it comes to books ;P). We’re currently adopting two little girls ourselves, and I could see them and their stories in the characters of Beloved. <3
Aw, that is so amazing, Julia! Congrats to you and your family and may God be with y’all!