Five Fall Favorites {Indie-Published + Bushels}

Welcome to the last day of FFF on Stories by Firefly, readers! :D (Okay, so...technically tomorrow is the last day of the party, but I won't be posting then. Explanation at the end of the post. *wink*) Today's genre is 'indie-published' which I'm super excited for, being an indie author myself. (Wow, I just kinda realized that. O.O)

Look at all those lovely apples! Who else loves apple deserts this time of year? Hope y'all brought some ideas for what to do with all of them, because I'm pretty sure we're going to need the emptied bushel baskets for y'all to carry all these books home in. :)

FRIDAY: INDIE-PUBLISHED

To Get to You by Joanne Bischof // Wild Air, book #1 

To get to the girl he loves, Riley Kane must head off on a road trip with the father he never knew. Then pray for a miracle.

Most teens would love to have a pro surfer for a dad. Just not Riley. Abandoned as a kid, he hates the sound of the ocean and the man who gave himself to it.

When the eighteen-year-old learns that his best friend is stranded at a New Mexico hospital as her father fights for his life, Riley hits the highway to head east. But when his Jeep breaks down before he even leaves California, he must rely on the one man he despises to get to the girl who needs him the most. And when it comes to the surfer with the Volkswagen van and dog-eared map, a thousand miles may–or may not–be enough to heal the past.

A story of new beginnings and second chances. 

Oh my goodness, what a darling book! I've never read anything that shows hope and grace and redemption as beautifully as To Get to You. The second chances theme was so amazing!! For those of you who may not like romance in books, this one isn't nearly as romance-y as it sounds. Riley and Becca are super adorable, but that's not the main focus on the book. Doesn't that cover just make you want to read it?! Don't even get me started on the lovely interior formatting! <3 

Beyond the Horizon by Jesseca Wheaton 

Eliana longs to see the world beyond the mountains that tower above Salzburg, Austria, but knows that dream will never see such adventure- and neither will she.

Surrounded by a world of cruelty, she lives for the weekly visits of Aron, a boy she met on one of her rambles through the countryside.

But as the years pass and she begins to grow older, a new and unwelcome world is opened up to her.
On a fateful night at a party she vowed she’d never attend, she comes face to face with a shocking truth.

As the world around her teeters on the brink of war, Eliana struggles to figure out just where her loyalty lies; a decision that will drastically change the course of her life. Will she ever be free to see what lies beyond the horizon? 

Eeps, a Christmas WWII Cinderella retelling! All three of these are things that I love in a story, so how could I not adore this one? Miss Wheaton does a great job of bringing Austria during WWII to life in this sweet novella! The salvation story is inspiring, the romance is sweet, and the brother-sister relationship is darling! 

Read my full review here.

The Pirate Daughter's Promise by Molly Evangeline // Pirates and Faith, book #1 

Skylar McHenry knew the love of her parents and a doting grandfather until her sixth year was marked by the tragic loss of her mother. When her father's secret past as a pirate came to light, father and daughter fled to a life at sea. Although Daniel McHenry's life had changed and he now robbed pirates to return the stolen goods to their rightful owners, his ship was captured by authorities, and he was hung for piracy.

Skye grew up in an orphanage, little more than a servant and shunned by everyone around her. Now a young woman, each day Skye faces is marked by some new struggle. Her only hope has been to rely on her heavenly Father's care and comfort, and the solace of her best friend Will, who has become more than dear to her.

Just when an unexpected encounter with her grandfather gives Skye a small glimmer of hope that things might change in her favor, her world is shattered. She is awakened in the night by cannon blasts. Pirates storm the orphanage, drag her away into the night, and force her aboard their ship. The cruel captain's intentions are clear. He will extract from her, through any means necessary, the location of the hidden treasure rewarded to Daniel by those whose belongings he had returned. For Skye to divulge the location would mean breaking the last promise she made to her father. She's certain she never will, but what happens when the lives of those dearest to her are at stake?

The Pirate Daughter's Promise is full of daring high seas adventure; sweet, wholesome romance; surprising discoveries; unlikely new friends; and the rewards of trusting in God even when life seems impossible.

Full of danger and intrigue, this would be a great adventure story for girls of any age! It's been awhile since I read this book, but I remember really enjoying it and staying up late one night to finish it. Skylar's story was really interesting and the guy she was friends with (why can't I remember his name?!) was great too! I look forward to reading more by this author (also published under Jaye L. Knight.) 

Read my review here.

A Dream Not Imagined by Shantelle Mary Hannu 

A Maid, a Prince, and a Duke. A Gardener, a Stepmother, and a secret...

Ellie Abbington, a beautiful yet unassuming young woman, quietly longs for her life to change. Too privileged to associate with the servants—too underprivileged to associate with her own family; she dreams a dream of a prince and a happily ever after.

But it could be that her own stepsisters, conniving Dezmarie and easily-influenced Adelaide, are dreaming the same dream...of the same prince.

In the end, are dreams even all they're made out to be? Especially with deep and long-hidden secrets about to be unearthed?

A Dream Not Imagined is a non-magical fairytale novella based loosely on the classic tale of Cinderella.

Ahh, what a precious story! I've read this one twice and I love it oh, so much. The not-your-typical Cinderella story is absolutely lovely, and the writing is very good for a debut as well. Miss Hannu did a beautiful job of writing a love story that unfolds the way God intended for it to. And that plot twist, oh my! 

Read my review here.

Ain't We Got Fun by Emily Chapman & Emily Ann Putzke 

It was never much of an issue for Bess: living contentedly on her family's farm, despite the Depression which loomed around them. But when her older sister Georgiana takes off to New York City to make a fortune and help Papa out, feelings of adventure and wanderlust strike Bess at home. Through their lively letter correspondence, the sisters recount to one another their adventures, surprises, and heartaches, leaving little room for depression. For in a world of such wonder, ain't we got fun?

Told through the letters of two sisters during the Great Depression, Ain't We Got Fun is a wonderful epistolary novel. Bess and Georgiana were such fun dears to read about! I think the fact that the girls' letters were written by the different authoresses made it even more unique. I haven't read many epistolary works, but this is definitely a favorite! :) 

At last check (late last night) we were only 4 entrants away from hitting the 100 needed to have a 3rd place in the grand prize giveaway! C'mon, friends, have everyone enter to win! We're so close and today is the last day to enter. :D (Enter by clicking here or visiting Rebekah's blog by clicking the above image.) 

I won't be posting tomorrow, but I will be around to reply to late comments...until I leave for the airport... *wink* Several of the bloggers will still be posting though, and be sure to check out Rebekah's blog for the giveaway winners! :D 

Favorite indie-book? Favorite indie-author? Need an explanation of what indie means? ;D 

~Faith