Her Book Self

Since this is a day about showing gratitude, I want to say a big thank you to Authors, and especially Independent Authors, because your writing makes my life richer. As I dabble in NaNoWriMo and attempt to create my own novel length work of fiction, I recognize that good writing is not something that just happens.  Constructing a story and putting it to paper in creative and artful words is a challenging task. And that's not even mentioning the world of editing and polishing.  Authors, I admire you.  I salute you and I thank you. Indie authors, doubly so.  There's a bit of a stigma attached to embracing the title of published author without the protective shield of a publishing house, but I know that some of my favorite works this year have been by those courageous writers.  Thank you for daring to put your work out there.  It is every bit as brilliant as those that publishers choose to print and I, for one, am glad to support your efforts!  

On that note, I'm pleased to spotlight a novel I read last month by author J.C. Phelps.  If any readers out there hesitate to check out independently published books fearing a lesser quality of writing, be assured that Phelps composes novels of high caliber and tons of fun.   

Move over James Bond, there's a new secret agent hitting the scene. Petite and polished Alexis Stanton hardly seems the type, but raised in a family that gave etiquette equal time with special ops training, she proves she's not one to be underestimated.

After quitting her dullsville job doing data entry, Alex responds to a mysterious newspaper job advertisement and realizes right away that her special training is exactly what White and Associates are looking for. Employed by the mysterious and attractive Mr. White, Alex is given the new moniker Ms. Grey and instantly thrust into secret missions with her life on the line. She may be in over her head, but she's not about to show it because she's also having the time of her life.

Color Me Grey was a fun and exciting book. J.C. Phelps keeps the action and suspense high and manages to hint at romance just enough to make the characters exceptionally intriguing. I loved Alexis Stanton as the heroine - she's tough but also smart and sensitive; larger than life but still easy to relate to. The book was well written with a perfect pace, and as all my favorite series entries do, it tells a succinct story while still keeping readers eager for its sequels. There's nothing Grey about whether or not Phelps knows how to write - clear as black and white, she is a wonderful storyteller and an awesome author to check out!

And while I'm on the topic of thanking people, thank you to all my blog readers that have joined, followed, and commented in the past six months.  I never knew that book blogging would be such a fun and rewarding experience.  I've really enjoyed interacting with so many other readers through this blog and I've loved every bit of it.  Before I get too sappy, I'll throw out a question for discussion: Do you read independently published books?  Why or why not?