Thank God It’s Indie Friday (2)

TGIIF is a new feature here at Kate’s Tales of Books and Bands in which I will feature an indie author and indie band/musician every week. If you are an author or musician interested in being featured, please check out this blog post for more information!

Hi there and welcome to round two of TGIIF! I am very excited to be sharing another one of my FAVORITE authors today as well as an amazing band I think you guys are going to want to keep your eyes on!

Today’s Indie Author Is…

Nyrae Dawn!

I stumbled across the absolutely AMAZING Nyrae Dawn almost exactly a year ago when I picked up her book, Charade. All it took was that one book and I knew I would be a fan-girl of hers for forever. Seriously, that book captured me on the first page and it has yet to let me go. Since reading Charade I have read the sequel Facade and a book she co-wrote with fellow awesome author Jolene Perry called Dizzy.

Nyrae has mastered the art of publishing across several platforms in many different ways. She can be found writing Young Adult and New Adult books under the name Nyrae Dawn and Adult books under the name Kelley Vitollo. Some of her books are self-published, some of her books are published through Entangled, and some are published through Grand Central Publishing. Regardless of what genre the book is or how it is published, what you will get is an awesome story. I’ve compiled a list of all her books below with all the links you could ever need. I am also sharing the book playlist I compiled for my latest read of hers, Facade. I hope you all enjoy and decide to pick up one of Nyrae’s books!

   

Charade (Games #1)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Book Review // Book Playlist

Facade (Games #2)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Masquerade (Games #3)

Goodreads // Pre-order on Amazon // Pre-order on Barnes & Noble

   

The Hook-Up Doctor’s Guide (What A Boy Wants #.5)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

What A Boy Wants (What A Boy Wants #1)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

What A Boy Needs (What A Boy Wants #2)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

     

Measuring Up

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Freeing Carter

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Four Summers

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Karma Bites

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

 

Dizzy

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Out Of Play

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

   

Lucky Break (Shamrock Falls #1)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Luck of the Draw (Shamrock Falls #2)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Just My Luck (Shamrock Falls #3)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

BOOK PLAYLIST:

I picked each of these songs for different reasons. Some of them reminded me of a specific character or moment in the book. Others, like “Bleed” by Hot Chelle Rae and “Broken” by Lifehouse were picked because I felt they encompassed so much of what the book was about. If you’ve read Facade, what songs would you pick for the book? If not, what do you think of the playlist anyways?

WHERE TO FIND THE AUTHOR:

Nyrae on Goodreads // Kelley on Goodreads // Nyrae’s Website // Kelley’s Website

Nyrae’s Twitter // Kelley’s Twitter // Nyrae’s Facebook Page // Kelley’s Facebook Page

Today’s Indie Artist Is…

Alexander!

This band is signed with I Am Mighty Records, and independent label based in the U.K. that I am a fan of. They let me know when their artists release something new, I freak out over the awesome music, and then share it with you guys. I say it’s a pretty good relationship. Alexander has been one of my FAVORITES from I am Mighty Records. Their songs are of the variety that happen to get stuck in your head all day long but that’s okay, because they also sort of really rock. Right now Alexander has two music videos out which I am going to share with you guys today! Also be sure to check out their website and other fun links that I have listed below!

Say Hello

Link to “Unplugged” version

You Lost Yourself

Link to “Unplugged version

Website // YouTube // Twitter // Facebook

Thank God It’s Indie Friday (1)

TGIIF is a new feature here at Kate’s Tales of Books and Bands in which I will feature an indie author and indie band/musician every week. If you are an author or musician interested in being featured, please check out this blog post for more information!

To kick off my very first TGIIF, I will be introducing a few of my favorites. Raine Thomas, indie author, is not only kick-ass when it comes to writing books and making up book playlists, but she is also one of those people I just want to squeeze. Her kindness and generosity knows no bounds. As for today’s indie artist, I had a super non-difficult time selecting them. The Avett Brothers have become one of my all-time favorite bands over the years. Since their beginning they have been putting music out there that is original, meaningful, and oh so amazing. While they are now signed to Ramseur Records, their dedication to staying themselves and putting music out there that truly means something regardless of what is popular, makes them one indie band that everyone should be lucky enough to listen to.

Today’s Indie Author Is…

Raine Thomas!

Raine started up her own publishing label, Iambe Books back in 2011. Since then Raine has published 9, yes I said NINE books. With her Daughters of Saraqael series, her Firstborn trilogy, and two AWESOME NA Romances under her belt, there is something there for EVERYONE to enjoy.

For today’s post I am going to be featuring all of Raine’s books in one post. I’ve compiled a list with covers, links as well as all of the fun stuff Raine has participated with here on the blog. Please be sure to share some love for this author because she made of pure awesome.

       

The Prophecy (Daughters of Saraqael #.5)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Becoming (Daughters of Saraqael #1)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Book Review

Central (Daughters of Saraqael #2)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

Foretold (Daughters of Saraqael #3)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble

   

Defy (Firstborn Trilogy #1)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Book Playlist

Shift (Firstborn Trilogy #2)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Book Playlist

Elder (Firstborn Trilogy #3)

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Book Playlist

 

For Everly

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Book Review // Book Playlist

Meant For Her

Goodreads // Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Book Review // Book Playlist

About The Author:

Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of a series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorian plane, including the Daughters of Saraqael trilogy and the Firstborn trilogy. She is also the author of the bestselling New Adult Contemporary Romance, For Everly, and the much-anticipated spin-off, Meant for Her. She is a proud member of Romance Writers of America and is a contributing blogger to The Writer’s Voice. When she isn’t planning weddings, writing, or glued to social media, she can usually be found on one of Florida’s beautiful beaches with her husband and daughter or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.

Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads // Pinterest // Linkedin // Website // Blog

Today’s Indie Artist Is…

The Avett Brothers!

Brothers Seth and Scott Avett have been sharing music long before The Avett Brothers were an actual thing. And now with Bob Crawford and Joe Kwon on board, they have released an insane amount of music that my ears can’t seem to get enough of. I’ve got all sorts of links for you to check out below as well as a Spotify playlist of their music. Enjoy!

Website // YouTube // Twitter // Facebook

Now Introducing: Thank God It’s Indie Friday!

Hi there everyone and welcome to the launch of a new feature over here at Tales of Books and Bands, Thank God It’s Indie Friday or you know, we could also call it TGIIF for short.

I’ve known for a while I wanted to do a feature that would include both my love for books and music but the tough part was actually coming up with something. After some intense brainstorming sessions (i.e. I sat at my computer looking up funny pictures online) it finally dawned on me. Out in the world of books are awesome Indie Authors. Out in the world of music, there are fantastic Indie Artists. Why not combine the both and have an awesometastic weekly feature that showcases both?

Each Friday I hope to be sharing one indie author with you along with one indie artist. For the bookish side of this feature I could be gushing about an author I’ve read before, flail over an author I’m excited about, or even (as you’ll read more about below) I will have an indie author take over my blog for the day. When we flip over to the music side of things, I will feature an indie band/musician that I enjoy listening to. Odds are this will be a mix of YouTube videos, Spotify playlists, and even if we’re really lucky, (again, as you’ll read more about below) I’ll have an artist/musician take over the blog for the day!

And now I shall explain what there is to explain when I said “as you’ll read more about below.”

I debated if I wanted this to be all authors and artists that I find on my own. But then the more I thought about it, the more I realized, I could find and feature a whole lot more authors/artists if I opened up sign-up forms. So what this all means, if you are an indie author or an indie musician, read more below and you could potentially sign up to be featured on a TGIIF post!

INDIE AUTHORS:

If you are an indie author (small press authors count too!) interested in being featured here on the blog, please make sure you are either a Young Adult author, a New Adult author, or Adult Romance/Contemporary Fiction author. I hate to limit it but seeing as those are the types of books I read and review here on the blog, I would like to stick with that. Being featured can mean a number of things:

-You could write up a guest post on why you chose to go the indie/small press route, the struggles you’ve had going indie, and the awesome success you’ve had with going indie.

-You could share an exclusive sneak peek of one or more of your indie books here on the blog.

-You could host a giveaway of one or more of your indie books.

-You could become the apple of my eye if you wish to feature a book playlist (notice how I like to mix music with my books?) over one or more of your indie books!

-Other ideas or suggestions? I am completely open to any that you may have!

So if you are an indie author and you 1) meet my few requirements and 2) this sounds like something you would be interested in, please fill out this form or feel free to email me at katelynsblog[at]aol[dot]com

INDIE ARTISTS & BANDS:

If you are an indie artist or band interested in being featured on a TGIIF post, please make sure you check out my “Music To Check Out” page. While my musical tastes are eclectic and I am pretty much thrilled to feature any musician here on the blog, I would be doubly thrilled if they were somewhat similar to music I tend to go for. Being featured as an artist/band is going to be a lot different from an author but there are still some different things we can do:

-A typical feature post, in which I will showcase one (or a few!) videos (preferably YouTube ones) of your music.

-A guest post talking about being an indie artist/band. Tell us what it’s like making, producing, selling, and performing all your own music.

-You could giveaway your album, your EP, your song, or even some merch!

-Or you know, if you have another idea, please feel free to let me know!

So if you happen to be an indie artist/musician/band interested in being featured on a TGIIF post, please fill out this form or feel free to email me at katelynsblog[at]aol[dot]com!