Five Fall Favorites: Tuesday – Indie Books (2025)

Welcome to the 10th annual Five Fall Favorites blog party! Kate Willis and Rebekah Morris are the hosts of this fun yearly event. This is my first year joining the FFF party, and I’m excited to be here with you all today!

This year the FFF participants were split into teams. I’m on team Walnut along with a a handful of other blogs.

Also on my team are:
Skai

Madisyn

Abigail

Bethany

Kelsey

Kate

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_{This post includes affiliate links, which simply means that if you click on one of them and make a purchase, I’ll also make a small percentage at no extra cost to you.}

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Tuesday’s Prompt: Indie Books

1. The Warrior Prince by Ashton E. Dorow –

When Prince Gareth of Acuniel accepted orders to bring aid to a neighboring ally, he saw it only as a chance to prove himself a worthy replacement for his errant brother. He never thought it would lead to him falling for his host’s daughter–a beautiful, guarded young woman condemned for her physical disability. Yet Lady Rienna, shackled by secrets and mistrust, has no interest in a romance.

Heartbroken by her rejection, Gareth returns home, ready to put the matter behind him. But his homecoming is far different than expected, and only serves to deepen his wounds.

Nearly a year later, Gareth once again finds himself riding to the Kingdom of Linton’s aid–and this time, the stakes are much higher. Faced with conquering a city in order to prevent Rienna from being given to an abusive man, Gareth knows he must do everything possible to succeed. Rienna may not love him… But how could he ever forgive himself if he left her to such a fate?

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I read so many indie and small press books, that today’s topic could become overwhelming pretty fast, so I’m going simple and picking a few that stand out to me on my Goodreads ‘read’ shelf that I’ve loved but haven’t talked about much or lately.

First I’m starting with one I read last month. Ah, I’ve seen this series around but never really thought it’d be something I’d particularly love. I mean, I enjoy some medieval stories occasionally, but I no longer read fantasy. This one is non-magical (the only kind I’d even consider anymore) but is also the first one I’ve been willing to try in over a year. (Probably closer to two now?)

Still, this one stood out and I finally picked it up. It took a few chapters but soon I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN!! I never expected this to be one of those ‘I needed it’ type books that the Holy Spirit sometimes directs me to just when I need the most, but it was! Such a precious story of resilience, healing, forgiveness, and so much more!

2. The Reluctant Cattleman by Karen Baney –

A heartwarming western romance and coming of age story set in Prescott, Arizona in 1887.

As Sam Colter takes on more responsibilities at the family ranch, he believes he is a disappointment to his father. He feels like the misfit of the family. When a journalist shows up to interview his mother, secrets from the past threaten his fledging sense of security. Can he overcome his fear and doubts to accept his role as a cattleman and rancher? Will he allow himself to love the woman who turned his life upside down?

Ellie Mae Thatcher moves to Prescott to start her career as a writer. When she misleads the Colters about her identity, she hurts the man she is falling in love with. Can she win back his trust and his heart?

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I no longer read many of this authors books after realizing her contemporary books we’re for me, but I loved this historical series!! The whole series is absolutely delightful, and it gets better and better with each book!

3. Gold in Fire by Misty Woods –

“All I want in this life is to spend the rest of it in peace with my family, is that so wrong?”

Kidnapped as a ransom by the Cherokee Indians as an infant and never returned to her true family, a European young woman named Maria grows up never knowing of her true identity. But when a letter arrives twenty years later, claiming to be written by a James Williams, Maria’s world comes crashing down. Lies are discovered, secrets are unearthed, and choices must be made—return home and start afresh, or remain with the Cherokees and resist the government’s growing hatred against them all? Maria finds herself utterly crushed and wondering why God would allow such evil and suffering; but despite the spiraling doubts and fears that plague her heart, can Maria rise above the ashes and come out stronger, finer than gold tested in fire?

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I had been eagerly awaiting this one since the end of last year, and it was worth the wait! I loved meeting these characters and getting to read their heart-felt story in this emotional trail of tears debut.

4. Pages of Promise by Jessica Ashley –

When Eliza’s life is threatened, she turns to a handsome veteran for help.

I left everything I’d ever known behind. And that decision may cost me my life.

The moving truck hadn’t even been unpacked when my fresh start went up in flames.

A frightening letter left in my mailbox and signed Always Yours sends me running to the only man in town who can help me.

Driven by his protective nature and a mission he believes comes from God, ex-Army Ranger Lance Knight agrees, despite the fact that I’ve made it no secret I want nothing to do with him–or anyone for that matter.

The longer we’re together, the more I begin to realize that Lance is more than I gave him credit for. Something that troubles me nearly as much as the fact that an unknown man seems to have already claimed me as his.

Trouble is, my admirer has a jealous side, and it’s not long before Lance is pulled into the crosshairs right alongside me…

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Okay, I think this cover’s a little cheesy (the author sells an alternative cover version on her website that I prefer!) But I was surprised by how much I loved this story. I enjoy Christian Romantic Suspense, but tend to be a little picky about the genre after reading so many. This one blew me away and pulled me in at the same time. It instantly grabbed my attention and ended up being a beautifully inspirational read!

5. Weaving Roots by Heather Wood –

Baltimore, 1828
Spinning. Turning flax to fine linen thread for her family’s weaving business keeps Betha’s hands occupied all day, but it’s the concerns spinning in her heart that never truly rest. How can she give her nephew Henry a secure, loving home when his father remains indifferent? How can she guide the boy who calls her “Ma” to know and follow the Lord for himself? And when past secrets and future changes collide, will she lose Henry altogether?

Colm Gallagher is passionate about teaching boys using innovative educational methods. But is his kind and thorough instruction enough if he is not allowed to give his students the ultimate truth of God’s Word? Confronted by his student Henry Young and the boy’s lovely but determined aunt, Colm considers if he has allowed practical considerations to outweigh his deepest-held beliefs. Even as Betha and Colm are drawn to each other, family loyalties, financial pressures, and personal uncertainties push them further apart. Will the threads of their lives unravel or become knit together into something stronger?

Weaving linen is her family’s legacy. Weaving roots of truth and grace is her calling.

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This one! I had wanted to read it last year, but didn’t get around to it until a few months ago. Turns out, that was exactly when I was supposed to read it. This beautiful story was one of those delightful hidden gems! I knew I would probably enjoy it, but never expected to love it so much! It was so much more that just another historical romance, it has a little of everything and deals with some difficult choices Christians are faced with on a daily basis even today. Some of which we face more and more so lately.

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Giveaway Time:

This year, thanks to having so many contributions, and to celebrate this being the tenth anniversary, the giveaway will have two winners!

Rafflecopter giveaway

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FFF is a yearly bookish blog party hosted by:

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