IndieReader Discovery Awards 2024 Entrants
Added as our reviewers read them, find the latest verdicts for the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Award entrants, leading up to the big winner announcement in June!
AN OCCASIONAL DAMAGE OF ROSES by James Victor Anderson enchants with its simple yet profoundly meaningful poetry. Each piece reflects a range of emotions and experiences, carrying significant substance. Anderson’s clarity of expression ensures that every theme, mood, and story resonates effortlessly, inviting readers to delve into their own feelings. The anthology is beautifully structured, enabling a smooth transition between themes. Collectively, they weave a journey that reverberates self-discovery.
NAKED IN THE NOW by Marijke McCandless brings readers on a cheeky quest towards authentic self-expression and presence, precisely what’s needed today. This book transforms meditation into a joyful exploration, making it the ultimate invitation to shed the mundane and celebrate the vibrancy of the now, a must-have for anyone craving to live life freely and fully.
CONSUMMATE COACHES: by Tracy Emerick is an insightful 80-page Christian self-help volume that delves into the core principles of effective mentorship and leadership. Drawing parallels between the coaching approaches of Belichick and Christ, Emerick offers valuable guidance for readers seeking to refine their life coaching skills. This book transcends sports and spirituality, providing invaluable insights applicable to various aspects of life. It’s a must-read for anyone aspiring to excel in coaching and leadership roles.
GOD IS GOOD by Margaret Liu Collins is a heartfelt memoir that reveals a unique side of God that the author came to discover during one of her life’s darkest moments. Her experiences aim to offer hope for a radiant future, free of condemnation, and with a solid sense of belonging to individuals who may have been made to feel inadequate by insensitive spouses, parents, and friends, as well as by oppressive cultural and religious regulations.
In UNCOVERING THE HEALTH NUT IN YOU, author Stacy Cooper provides a practical and in-depth guide to creating a healthy lifestyle. While not a diet book, it contains valuable information on food choices and exercise, as well as techniques to meet reader’s health and fitness goals.
Two brothers whose lives could not appear more different yet both tormented by secrets. Chase, a decorated military veteran, suffering from acute PTSD, has withdrawn to the mountains of Ash County, and Jack, an outwardly successful radio host supposedly living the dream in Atlanta. When Jack’s lifestyle begins to overwhelm him, he decides to reconnect with Chase but what he discovers in the unforgiving North Georgia terrain will change his life forever. SECRETS OF ASH is a finely written, intense, and powerful novel exploring profound trauma, guilt, and fraternal complexities. As the brothers search for personal salvation, Green unfolds their story with harrowing density and a raw-edged intimacy that is brutally compelling and deeply moving.
DOGS DON’T CRY by John F. Andrews vividly portrays the the horrors of WWI from the perspective of Abby, a border collie. Throughout the book, the author beautifully depicts themes of loyalty, friendship, and the effect of war on families. Alongside the empathy the story provokes, the strong relationship between humans and their animal companions makes this book an unusual and engaging piece of literature.
Alice Simmons’s, an amazing nurse and devoted reporter is the subject of John F. Andrews’ AN AMERICAN NURSE IN PARIS. Her dream to report on the Great War is thwarted by a senior captain at the AEF Paris Press Office, who nearly injures her badly after she refuses to give into his requests and additionally, she finds herself under suspicion as a spy, leading the Paris police to put her under watch. A strange path paved with hopelessness and unfounded espionage accusations opens up deeply hidden truths and mysteries. This is a compelling narrative about the selflessness of brave troops, carefully written to amuse and inspire.
Guiding readers through the entrancing world of THIS ANIMAL BODY, author Meredith Walters unveils a captivating landscape where dreams and reality dance in harmony. Within the tapestry of her narrative, themes of identity, belonging, and the enigmatic essence of existence elegantly intertwine. As the architect of this literary voyage, Walters beckons readers into a thought-provoking exploration of imagination and self-discovery. The novel stands as a compelling narrative, offering profound insights to those seeking to unravel the complexities of the human experience.
In her book IT IS NOT ABOUT US: A CO-PARENTING SURVIVAL GUIDE TO TAKING THE HIGH ROAD, Darlene Taylor describes how a broken family can relate to one another through a renewed bond based on respect and compassion for the children, as well as a shared commitment to parenting at its core. In addition to being an invaluable resource, it gives divorced parents important advice on how to ensure that their children have happy childhood memories for the rest of their lives. Based on the author’s own divorce experience, this book will ably assist those who have found themselves on that frightening path in developing successful co-parenting relationships.
Set during World War II, William McClain’s novel, ALICE’S WAR is a story of two wars, both embodied and metaphorical. It immerses readers into the lives of the people of Weymouth, England, as the conflict arrives on their doorsteps, juxtaposed in a compelling fictionalized tale impressing the stifling societal rules women (including the Alice in the title) had to endure, while simultaneously dealing with daily tragedy. A riveting, emotional read.
A captivating journey into a world teetering on the brink of collapse, Liz Sauco’s LOST BLADES closely examines the intertwining consequences of fate for both its protagonists, Jamirh and Takeshi. Sauco’s storytelling weaves together elements of high and urban fantasy, with a twist of Sci-Fi, creating an immersive literary experience with volumetric characters, complex settings, and a gripping plot. A tale of treachery, mystery, unpredictability, and impending war, this first installment sets the stage for an epic fantasy series.
A worthy page-turner, THE THREE STONES OF EBON by David Mello + Keiko Mello is a tale of an eleven-year-old boy and his cat, and who find themselves in the magical land of Sturgus, a world full of impossible phenomena and mystifying creatures. With the help of a practicing mage, the two embark on a dangerous quest to find three precious stones that will awaken the protector of the land, eventually saving it from its engulfing darkness. The authors inspire readers to look beyond the obvious by maintaining a clever equilibrium between the magical smidgens across the pages and the characters’ own storylines, culminating in a plot that does much more than simply entertain. Fluid and immersive, the book is a great start to a possible series.
Alistair is a London-based former scaffolder and military officer who is excited about his current project: developing a free alternative energy source that can perform nuclear fusion. His accomplishments, however, draw the attention of a brutal oil despot and government official, who sends his ruthless gang from a small Middle Eastern nation to kill him and destroy his revolutionary prototype fusion reactor. The thrilling story of Jeff Thompson’s INLET INTRIGUE: takes readers on an unforgettable adventure filled with high-stakes chases, daring escapes from guns and bombs, and the opportunity to deliver a much-needed gift to the world.
DAUGHTER OF HADES by Mack Little is a fast-paced historical fiction set in the Caribbean region in 1649. The narrative begins with a sister and brother enslaved on a ship—after many trials and tribulations, they forge their way towards freedom. The duo encounter a dynamic crew of supporting characters, as the story twists and develops seamlessly, painting a haunting and vivid portrait of slavery and bringing the historical settings of the Caribbean and pirate culture to life. Fans of riveting historical fiction will enjoy this book immensely.
THE VOICE IN ALL by Audrey Auden, the first installment of the Artifex and the Muse series, offers a thrilling coming-of-age tale set in a captivating young adult fantasy world. Sixteen-year-old Ava embarks on a daring journey to escape servitude, relying on a heist to secure her freedom, while Dom, a field hand, faces the daunting prospect of a life of hard labor dictated by the temple priestesses. Their fates intertwine in a dark forest, where they become bound on exposure to the stolen pharmaka. An unlikely bond is formed as they navigate a future where escape and freedom seem like distant dreams.
STREET by A.D. Metcalfe is a real page turner that will hook readers from the very first page. A fast-paced coming of age tale, it tells the story of 12 year-old Johnny, who runs away from his abusive and dysfunctional family in Miami and travels to New York City where he forms a new family where he finally faces–and conquers–his demons. Highly recommended.
A delightful tale of an ordinary veterinarian thrust into the extraordinary world of treating dragons, Dr. S. K. Burkman’s WINGS AND WOUNDS crafts a captivating story that effortlessly plaits together the challenges of veterinary medicine with the fantastical elements of dragon existence. With its charming portrayal of the protagonist’s journey, the novel offers a refresh of the genre through the intersection of everyday life and mythical creatures. A mesmerizing read for humorous fantasy enthusiasts.