Spring Cleaning Hop...the Best Books you're NOT reading!

The best books you’re NOT reading could be right under your nose!

Some of the best books out there aren’t ones published by the traditional houses. Rather, they’re what are called “Indies”. Books that are independently published.

Years ago, publishers turned their noses up at authors who were “indies”.  Now, with the advent of such sophisticated publishing venues as Amazon Create Space and Barnes and Noble, indies are not only respected, publishing houses troll the sites looking to add these authors to their stables – particularly the ones whose books sell upwards of 1000 copies per month (and yes, that CAN be done – but it entails a lot of hard work!)

One such author who “made it” as an indie is H. P. Mallory.  After her book, Fire Burn Cauldron Bubble, was rejected by the major houses, she took a chance, uploaded it onto Amazon – and the rest is history. The book landed on the Amazon bestseller list and less than six months later Mallory not only had an agent, she had a contract with Random House to publish the next three Jolie Wilkins books in paperback! Today Mallory is an author with her feet in both venues, but she’s primarily an “Indie” author.  Her Lily Harper and Sinjin series are available in Nook and Kindle, and her Peyton Clark series is available in Kindle and trade paperback, having been published by Amazon under their Montlake romance imprint!

Rose Pressey is another indie author who’s made the transition into traditionally published author.  Rose specializes in paranormal mystery/romance, and churns books out faster than Nora Roberts.  After having several successful Kindle/nook series, Rose landed an agent and a contract for a three book deal with Kensington for her Haunted Vintage mysteries!

These authors started out with small readerships, but word of mouth transformed them into powerhouses! Which brings me to a “best book you may NOT be reading” – Kurt and Jessica Hansen’s Computer Love series!  This is one for sci-fi lovers. Sci-fi is a hard sell in the traditional market, but in the indie world there’s a plethora of good books in this genre, and this series is one of them!   Check out this covers:

The Computer Love Inc. trilogy takes place at a time when robotic individuals are nearly as prevalent in society as their human counterparts. These Companions, produced and sold by the famed robotics company Computer Love Inc., are so lifelike that their artificiality is undetectable. Yet, what lies beneath their skin is a complex web of circuitry and groundbreaking technology developed by the most esteemed professionals in the world of robotics.

It’s this awe-inspiring, hidden structure that catches the eye of a young paramedic, John, on the scene of a nasty car wreck. John is quickly captivated by the sight of a mangled Companion, and moving closer, discovers a suspicious object lodged inside the Companion’s head. He consults his best friend, as well as his godfather, Marius, who happened to be involved with the creation of the Companion and works at Computer Love Inc.

The chain of events that unfolds next has the potential to greatly alter the entire future of Computer Love Inc. John, Zak, and Marius find themselves at the center of a complex moral dilemma which forces them to test the boundaries of friendship and ethics. The dirty secrets that they discover must be acted on - but to do so will make them a target for forces that are far greater than anything they’d ever imagined. Marius is forced to reckon with the risks that come with his love for technology. All the while, a looming presence overshadows the company, watching as a silent observer until there is no choice but to act.

Computer Love Inc. and Computer Love Inc. II: Gestation are available now as eBooks and in paperback form on amazon.com. The first two novels are also available for the nook. The third installment of the Computer Love trilogy is due out this summer. For more information, visit the authors’ website: www.ComputerLoveInc.com

And me? Well, I started out indie (paranormal romantic suspense) but I’ve graduated into the traditionally published world of cozy mysteries – my favorite kind. Along with my cat ROCCO, I pen the Nick and Nora mysteries (think Jessica Fletcher with a cat).  The first volume, Meow if its Murder, was released last December and the second, CLAWS FOR ALARM, debuts November 3. To find out more about them, visit my “Nick and Nora” page at www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com or my website, www.tclotempio.com

In honor of the cozy mystery genre, two lucky commenters will receive a “mystery box” of cozies featuring books by authors such as Casey Daniels, Rose Pressey, JJ Cook, Susannah Hardy, Carole Nelson Douglas and more! Two winners will receive a box containing a minimum of 8 cozy mysteries!  All you have to do is leave a comment and tell us who your favorite cozy author is! Contest ends midnight, March 25. Be sure to leave your email addy so we can contact you!

And if you get a chance try an indie! You just  might find that “best book”…