**Winter Reading Challenge - 1/6/15 - 31/8/15**

[Lynxie]

Dianne F. Gray has a number of her books on smashwords (which means you can download them in a heap of different formats, including PDF so you could read them on a computer or print them out).

She's an Aussie indie and most of her books are usually $1-3 each.

You can see her books on Smashwords here.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Lynxie; you have been a great help here:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "***Another Aussie Indie author for all of you struggling or just wishing for another author to read - Rachel Amphlett is Indie; AND she has two of her books reduced (if you read eb..."

Brenda is our Vicki an Indie author?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

She most definitely is Jools:)

[Lynxie]

Also, Mark Mann has his book The Stone Gate currently for free on Smashwords
Georgina Anne Taylor, another Aussie Indie has Fairy Tales for Freya for free on Smashwords

David Estes also an Aussie Indie, writes YA and he has a number of his books on Smashwords for a couple of dollars each.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "She most definitely is Jools:)"

There you go peeps, look no further...if its mystery suspense crime thrillers you love: Vicki Tyley is an indie author :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lynxie wrote: "Georgina Anne Taylor, another Aussie Indie has [book:Fairy Tales for F..."

This one is showing as no longer available Lynxie:( I was going to pick it up myself!

[Lynxie]

Brenda wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Georgina Anne Taylor, another Aussie Indie has [book:Fairy Tales for F..."

This one is showing as no longer available Lynxie:( I was going to pick it up myself!"

I wonder if I can still see it because I previously downloaded it. It seems to still have the 'add to library' button for me. That is a shame.

[Carolyn]

Lynxie wrote: "Also, Mark Mann has his book The Stone Gate currently for free on Smashwords
Georgina Anne Taylor, another Aussie Indie has ..."

I've picked up The Stone Gate. Thanks Lynxie.
How do you find most of the Indie authors you read?

[Lynxie]

Carolyn wrote: "I've picked up The Stone Gate. Thanks Lynxie.
How do you find most of the Indie authors you read?"

I review on my blog and a lot of indies really just want their name out there. I get a lot of review requests through my blog, but I also review from companies like 'Bostick' and for groups like Awesome Indies.

Add to that, that I'm a writer myself and I've found loads of other indies who just want to chat about writing... they provide lots of book opportunities too.

Groups like Shut Up and Read and Support for Indie authors also provide loads of free book opportunities :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kerri wrote: "I'll join in :)



W Whisper or Wonder
I Into the Darkest Corner or Invisible
N The Nightingale or "

Sorry Kerri, Jasper Jones isn't an Indie - it was published by Allen & Unwin...

[Trevor]

Brenda wrote: "***Another Aussie Indie author for all of you struggling or just wishing for another author to read - Rachel Amphlett is Indie; AND she has two of her books reduced (if you read eb..."

If you sign up for the Rachel Amphlett newsletter at http://www.rachelamphlett.com/ you can get a copy of Under Fire free.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Trevor!!

[Trevor]

So, after a little trouble identifying an Aussie Independent book I've come up with the following list for the challenge:

W - A Woman of Thirty by Honoré de Balzac
I - I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
N - A Note in the Margin by Isabelle Rowan
T - Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
E - Esmond In India by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
R - Rose Boys by Peter Rose

New release - TBA
Young adult - Gravity by Scot Gardner
Aussie Indie - Under Fire by Rachel Amphlett
Speculative - The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Historical - Dark Places by Kate Grenville
Mystery - The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume

thanks for another great set of book themes, I'm looking forward to this set of reading.

[Kerri]

Brenda wrote: "Kerri wrote: "I'll join in :)



W Whisper or Wonder
I Into the Darkest Corner or Invisible
N The Nightingale or "

S..."

The cover says it was the Indie book of the year in 2009? Did it start off as an Indie and then get republished? I chose it base on the award on the cover.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kerri wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kerri wrote: "I'll join in :)



W Whisper or Wonder
I Into the Darkest Corner or Invisible
N [book:The Nightingale|21..."

That means this: The best Australian writing as chosen by Australian Independent Booksellers the booksellers are independent, not the author....sorry:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Trevor wrote: "So, after a little trouble identifying an Aussie Independent book I've come up with the following list for the challenge:

W - A Woman of Thirty by Honoré de Balzac
I..."

Great list Trevor!

[Kerri]

Ok thanks for clarifying, will go hunting again.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kerri wrote: "Ok thanks for clarifying, will go hunting again."

You're welcome:) Click on the link/s in the original post - there are quite a few on those:)

[Elaine]

Lynxie wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Here's my first attempt at a list....subject to change of course.

1. Spell it out,
W- The Wonder Lover , if I can get it on tim..."

Thanks Lynxie. I really liked the sound of Grey Jack Road and your review but my library doesn't have it and it's $28 from the book depository so not really prepared to pay that much at the moment.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Here's mine at last:)


W - Written in Red by Anne Bishop 3 stars
I - Icebound by Dean Koontz 4 stars
N - Nemesis by Jo Nesbø 4 stars
T - Talulla Rising by Glen Duncan 5 stars
E - Elantris by Brandon Sanderson4 stars
R - Run by Ann Patchett 4 stars

New release Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs 3 stars
Aussie YA - Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier 3 stars
Indie, Aussie author - Bitter Nothings by Vicki Tyley5 stars
Speculative - Libriomancer by Jim C. Hines4 stars
HF - At the Water's Edge: A Novel bySara Gruen5 stars
Mystery - The Wrath of Angels by John Connolly. 4 stars

[Lynxie]

Elaine wrote: "Lynxie wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Here's my first attempt at a list....subject to change of course.

1. Spell it out,
W- The Wonder Lover , if I ca..."

Yikes! I wouldn't pay that much for it Elaine! Perhaps you could find something on Smashwords and print it off from PDF?

[Hannah]

Almost completed my list


W - Wolfsbane and Mistletoe by Charlaine Harris
I - It Started with a Kiss by Lisa Heidke
N - The Night Season by Chelsea Cain
T - Time Of Death by Alex Barclay
E - Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
R - Rage by Jonathan Kellerman

New Release - TBA
Aussie YA - The Cracks in the Kingdom by Jaclyn Moriarty
Aussie Indie Author - Worlds Apart by Ber Carroll
Speculative Fiction - Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
Historical Fiction - Bittersweet by Colleen McCullough
Mystery - Through the Grinder by Cleo Coyle

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Here's mine at last:)


W - Written in Red by Anne Bishop
I - Icebound by Dean Koontz
N - Nemesis by [author:Jo Nesbø|904719..."

A really good list Phrynne!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Han wrote: "Almost completed my list


W - Wolfsbane and Mistletoe by Charlaine Harris
I - It Started with a Kiss by Lisa Heidke
N - [book:Nefario..."

Another good list Han! Click through the Indie links supplied - have a look at others' lists plus the help from Lynxie throughout...you might find something to suit:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure they're definitely Indie AND Aussie though;)

[Lynxie]

Brenda wrote: "I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure they're definitely Indie AND Aussie though;)"

When I'm back on the computer I will add anymore I know. :)

[Jenn]

Brenda wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "My list.......

1. Spell it out..

W - Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Excellent list Jennifer :)"

Thanks Brenda. I have chosen a lot of new authors for this challenge.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Ok here's Me:


☔ 2015 Winter Challenge: ☔

W The Whispers: A Whispers Story by Lisa Unger Books 1,2 & 3. 5★s
I Ignoring Gravity by Sandra Danby 4★s
N The Night Guest by Fiona McFarlane 5★s
T This House of Grief by Helen Garner 4.5★s
E Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey .... *Reading now.
R Remember Me This Way: A Novel by Sabine Durrant 4★s

2. Winter release: My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman 5★s
3. Aussie YA: Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta 5★s
4. Aussie Indie: Bitter Nothings by Vicki Tyley ... .5★s

5. ❄ Owned for June, July, August ❄

5a. Speculative: Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

5b. Historical: Paper Daisies by Kim Kelly .....

5c. Mystery: The Bones of You by Debbie Howells 4★s

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lynxie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure they're definitely Indie AND Au..."

Thanks Lynxie:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Jennifer wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "My list.......

1. Spell it out..

W - Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Excellent list Jennifer :)"

Thanks Brenda. I have chosen a lot ..."

That's great Jennifer...I hope you enjoy them all!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Ok here's Me:


☔ 2015 Winter Challenge: ☔

W The Whispers: A Whispers Story by Lisa Unger #1.
I Ignoring Gravity by [author:Sandra Danby|656302..."

Excellent list Jools! Love your added icons too;)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Thanks Brenda, I'm looking forward to reading them and all from my tbr :)

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure they're definitely Indie AND Aussie though;)"

That's very helpful, Brenda. Just wondered whether you'd realised that The Stone Gate is listed twice? And I was also wondering about whether S.A. Tawks (The Spirit of Imagination, The Spirit of Pessimism, Mule, Misadventurous) is an indie author?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure they're definitely Indie AND Au..."

Yes she is - thanks Kathryn:) No I didn't realize that!! Silly me :/

[Kathryn]

Loving looking through everyone's lists. And thanks, Trevor - I hadn't thought about The Time Machine being speculative fiction - maybe I'll change my pick to that if I don't get it read this month, which I was hoping to do...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure they're definitely Indie AND Au..."

Lynxie has added some too for us:) There were actually 7 duplicates which I fixed, plus I added The Spirit of Imagination to the list:)

[Lynxie]

Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure they're definit..."

That was probably my fault. I just went through and added any Aussie Indies I had. I didn't check the list first - oops!

Thanks for fixing it Brenda :)

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "No I didn't realize that!! Silly me :/"

All too easy to do, I'm sure!!

And that's good news about S.A. Tawks - think I'll read Mule, which is quite timely with the recent executions...

[Kathryn]

Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure they're definit..."

I just added Mule, too.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Lynxie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure ..."

You're welcome:) I actually expected it would have something come up like "Currently listed" or similar instead of just adding it anyway!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I have just added a large number of Indie authors to This list

If anyone wants to add other Aussie Indie authors to the list please do so:) Make sure ..."

Great!

[Ace]

I haven't been able to finish a seasonal challenge yet, but it sure is fun making these lists!

W The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
I Ill-Gotten Gains: A Nell Forrest Mystery by Ilsa Evans
N Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
T Tapestry by Fiona McIntosh
(Changed to Treespeaker - saved 120 pages)

E Eagles at War by Ben Kane
DNF

R Ronan's Echo by Joanne van Os

New Release
My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman
5 Stars

YA Aussie Author
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta 3 stars

Aussie Indie Author
The Stone Gate

Speculative Fiction:
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 4 stars

Historical Fiction:
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
4 Stars

Mystery:
Dissolution by C.J. Sansom
(Changed to Everything I Never Told You - Saved 159 pages)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Excellent choices there Ace!!

[Ace]

Yes Rita, I didn't say I'd been clever about it, let me rethink some of these. Probably explains why I've never completed a challenge!!

[Trevor]

Kathryn wrote: "Loving looking through everyone's lists. And thanks, Trevor - I hadn't thought about The Time Machine being speculative fiction - maybe I'll change my pick to that if I don't get it rea..."

Interested in what you think of it, I've read a couple H.G. Wells lately and enjoyed them.

[Sally906]

Gosh there are some amazing lists - jotting down lots of new titles :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

There are, aren't they! It's great to read through them:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Ace wrote: "Yes Rita, I didn't say I'd been clever about it, let me rethink some of these. Probably explains why I've never completed a challenge!!"

Lol Ace! But it sure is fun making up these lists ;) it's almost as good as the reading isn't it?!

[Visible]

1. WINTER
W - The Way of Kings - Brandon Sanderson
I - Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest - Wade Davis
N - The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern
T - Toploader: A Novel - Ed O'Loughlin
E - Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness - Scott Jurek
R - Redshirts - John Scalzi

2. NEW RELEASE - tbc

3. YOUNG ADULT title by an AUSSIE author
The Stone Gate - Mark Mann

4. AUSSIE INDIE AUTHOR
Into the Storm's Domain - Ged Maybury

5.1. SPECULATIVE FICTION / JUNE
Ready Player One - Ernest Cline

5.2. HISTORICAL FICTION / JULY
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

5.3. MYSTERY / AUGUST
tbc