As we reflect on the year so far, we are excited to present our 10 favorite indie eBooks of 2024! This selection highlights the exceptional talent and diversity of indie authors, spanning genres from literary fiction and mystery to young adult adventures and beyond. Each book is a unique treasure, offering a rich tapestry of storytelling.
We are confident you will discover your next favorite indie read among these pages. Enjoy the journey through these extraordinary stories as we highlight an incredible year so far…
Baskets and Beignets by Jana DeLeon
Ten years ago, Ryan Comeaux was convicted of killing his girlfriend and was sentenced to life in prison. Now a witness has come forward. She claims she was with Ryan the entire night. So, it’s not possible he was the killer. But the local police assume she’s mistaken. They aren’t interested in reopening the case. The witness, Kelsey Spalding, has her own reasons for wanting Ryan’s conviction overturned and hires Swamp Team 3 to prove him innocent. Fortune has solved cold cases before, but never one with so little evidence and so many suspects with not only strong motive but opportunity. Can she solve a decade-old murder, or will the real killer strike again to cover his tracks?
What readers are saying: “Glad to see Swamp Team is not running out of gas. I eagerly await the next installment.” – lkjohnson, B&N Reviewer
Gentleman and the Witch by Eve Langlais
Becoming a witch at sixteen started me on my path to greatness. I started my own business. But surely I am destined to do more than make skincare products. When a gentleman who claims he used to be a god demands my help, I laugh him off. However, when my home is destroyed, I decide to join him on his quest for revenge. After all, it turns out we have a common enemy. What I didn’t expect? To end up fighting for my life on another world. Nor did I think I’d fall in love. An affair short-lived. Evildoers might want to use me to advance their cause, but they might end up surprised because I’m not a good witch. I will do anything, even end the world, to avenge those I love.
What readers are saying: “I knew these two would be interesting, but they went places I was not prepared! … That made our conclusion all the more unexpected, and the epilogue all the more sweet.” – Dar Gee, B&N Reviewer
Away From Here by Kate Bold
FBI Agent Nina Veil wakes from a two-year coma having forgotten most of her life—but her skills are just as sharp as ever. When victims of a dangerous new killer are found inside locked cages, FBI Agent Nina Veil’s broken memories could hold the key to catching the very same man who put her in a coma—before he strikes again. An enthralling crime thriller with a captivating and complex female protagonist, the Nina Veil series is full of relentless action, suspenseful moments, surprising plot twists, and shocking revelations. Prepare to be glued to the pages as the fast-paced narrative keeps you reading until the early hours of the morning.
What readers are saying: “The story is full of action, it has a good plot, and highlights the importance of persevering and expanding one’s limits.” – Claudete T., B&N Reviewer
Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg
If it weren’t for Emma Johnson, Caryn Johnson would have never become Whoopi Goldberg. Emma gave her children the loving care and wisdom they needed to succeed in life. When Whoopi lost her mother in 2010—and then her older brother, Clyde, five years later—she felt deeply alone. To this day, Whoopi doesn’t know how her mother was able to give them such an enriching childhood, despite the struggles they faced—and it wasn’t until she was well into adulthood that she learned just how traumatic some of those struggles were. Bits and Pieces is a moving tribute from a daughter to her mother, and beautiful portrait of three people who loved each other deeply.
What readers are saying: “This book had everything in it – advice, humor, and relatability. I love that she wrote this book the way that she thinks, because it felt like I was sitting around chatting with a friend.” – shaunteller2811, B&N Reviewer
Hopelessly Romantic by Barbara Freethy
Pragmatic and fiercely independent, Ava Campbell is housesitting for her newlywed sister Serena when Liam Nash, a laid-back Australian surfer, enters her life. Liam insists that he has the green light from Serena’s hubby, Brad, to crash at the apartment. With no room for negotiation, these two opposites are forced into a shared living arrangement. And everything is further complicated by the antics of Miss Daisy, a feisty feline with a knack for mischief! But, still, an unexpected connection blooms. Can Liam’s infectious charm thaw Ava’s very well-guarded heart? Will Ava discover that the best things in life often arrive when you least expect them?
What readers are saying: “This is a great start to a new Barbara Freethy series! … This story is filled with so many interesting characters that I cannot wait to read about in future books.” – Boaters92, B&N Reviewer
Fighting for Adalyn by Katie Reus
She trusted the wrong person and got good people killed. While Adalyn will live with that mistake forever, she finally got justice. But the past has come back to haunt her—and it wants revenge. An old enemy is targeting all her former haunts and connections in New Orleans, using the wildness of Mardi Gras week to commit his crimes. Rowan, veteran Marine, has hated Adalyn for getting his team killed. Until he discovers that the former CIA agent risked everything to stop the real perpetrator. Now they’re racing against the clock to stop a faceless madman. If they can’t figure out who he is or what his endgame is, an entire city could go up in flames—with them in it.
What readers are saying: “Just as the other books in the series, this one grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept it until the end. Lots of suspense, explosions, angst, and a few twists thrown in. I highly recommend.” – tsinclr, B&N Reviewer
The Liars by Joanne DeMaio
Look past the tended lawns and screened windows open to the sea breeze and dusky porch lights shining on waning summer nights. And listen closely. Are those whispers of swaying marsh grasses? Or hushed secrets floating in the salt air? Walking the sandy roads, it’s hard to tell. There. There’s the imposing Barlow cottage on the bluff. Elsa’s shingled inn by the sea. The Fenwicks’ last-standing cottage on the sand. Cliff’s ramshackle beach trailer. Celia’s tucked-away guest cottage. And Shane’s little rented bungalow. In the New England beach town of Stony Point, some of these weathered cottages hold their secrets well. In others, the lies are beginning to show.
What readers are saying: “I’m so in love with this series, all the characters have become like my own family. The Liars was another great book full of so many lies and secrets, but not really a bad thing, kind of. Can hardly wait for the book!” – Seashell, B&N Reviewer
The Last Love Song by Kalie Holford
After high school graduation, Mia Peters finds that everyone she knows is moving on. That includes Britt, her biggest supporter … and kind-of-sort-of girlfriend. Britt wants more for Mia. But Mia can’t imagine a life beyond Sunset Cove. Or following in footsteps of her late mother—country music star Tori Rose. Then Mia finds a mysterious letter addressed in her mother’s handwriting. The first of many, one by one the letters lead Mia on a wild scavenger hunt through a Sunset Cove. Each new discovery brings Mia closer to the real Tori Rose, but with the clock ticking on Britt’s departure, Mia knows she is running out of time.
What readers are saying: “This story is so heartfelt, using alternative timelines to follow a mother’s journey in music and a daughter’s journey to find herself while stepping through the past… I loved everything about this and eagerly await what’s next from this author!” – JDavis8, B&N Reviewer
Circus Train at Sunrise by Sarah Denning
Charlotte Baxter is eager for the circus to come through her dusty Texas town on the railroad. But the exciting event turns deadly when a star performer dies in the center ring. Then, when Charlotte discovers a devastating secret at home, she takes her son and escapes her dangerous husband by jumping on the circus train. Jay Edwards manages logistics for the traveling circus, but challenges arise as the circus faces a financial crisis. Jay finds someone he can confide in when he meets Charlotte. As the two grow closer while investigating the fatal center-ring accident, Charlotte uncovers a worrisome connection to the victim that threatens deadly consequences for her too.
What readers are saying: “I’m a fan of murder mysteries and this book didn’t disappoint! I knew I was hooked after reading the prologue. Denning brings the characters to life in a way that the reader feels a connection to them throughout the book. I hope to see more from this author!” – JDK25, B&N Reviewer
I’m the Same by James Ungurait