#YAIndieCarnival: Beat the heat

Today at the YA Indie Carnival we're dishing out hot summer reads! And I've got a few awesome reads for you to get your teeth into. Here are some of my favourite books that are just perfect for the beach, the pool, the terrace, outside under the shade of a tree or just snuggled up indoors out of the heat!

Hidden & Thicker Than Blood by Shalini Boland

I've read Hidden three times over the past couple of years and each time I've loved it even more. If you love vampire stories, then Hidden is a must-read! Thicker Than Blood, the sequel, came out earlier this year and it certainly didn't disappoint. I can't wait for the third book in The Marchwood Vampire series!! Oh, and once you've read those, check out Shalini's other books, A Shirtful of Frogs (I'm reading it soon!) and Outside which is, like, one of the BEST dystopian novels I've read! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

The Fairy Circle & Fairy Thief by Johanna Frappier

Johanna's imagination is just totally awesome! I love the way she writes and her main character, who goes through some crazy stuff, is just like a regular teenager, you know? She's just so cool. If you love fairy books, then you've got to try this series... it's SO different from anything else you've read, I'm sure of it! AMAZING!

The Bringer by Samantha Towle

So far this is the only book I've read by Samantha (although I have others on my Kindle, ready and waiting... !) and it was AM.A.Z.I.N.G! I loved everything about it, especially the Australia connection! Again, this book is totally unique and there is no doubt that you're gonna LOVE IT!

Rippler by Cidney Swanson

I was totally taken aback by Rippler (probably because I had absolutely no idea what it was going to be about!) because it was just so brilliant. Cidney writes beautifully and her main character's 'problem' for want of a better word, is probably one of the coolest 'problems' around (although a tad awkward at times). This book is an awesome summer read... go and get it, like now (it's FREE at the moment)! AWESOME!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Yes, I know, I know... I'm kind of behind the times. I was a late comer to The Hunger Games and my goodness, I wasn't disappointed. It was AMAZING. I'm sure you've all read it by now so how about re-reading it? You're bound to notice little bits of awesomeness than you missed the first time round! SUPER!

Paradox by Patti Roberts

Again, this is one of those books that was unputdownable. It is so unique, unlike any other books I've ever read. I love that it incorporates different worlds (I ain't giving anything away here!). Patti is a super writer and I can't wait to finally get round to reading the sequels! WONDERFUL!

Anathema by Megg Jensen

I LOVED this book, everything about it just draws you in and you end up sitting up late at night desperate to know what happens next! It's a real page-turner. You must read Anathema... it's FREE at the moment (!), you'll be totally engrossed after the first page! BEAUTIFUL!

There are so many other wonderful YA books that I could go on and on and on...! How about trying out books by all the YA Indie Carnis? There are some real gems to be found among them, for example, have you tried The Raven Saga... it's really very good ;)

To beat the heat and find out some more awesome summer reads, check out my awesome buddies, the YA Indie carnis below.... See ya next week ;) xx

1. Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series
2. Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series

3. Heather Self

4. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga 

6. Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 

8. K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9. Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series 

10. Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11. Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey

12. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter  

13. Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy
14. Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga

15. Courtney Cole Writes
16. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.

17. Ella James
18. Maureen Murrish

19. Valerie Sloan
20. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings

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Q&A with author Megg Jensen

A very warm welcome to Anathema and Oubliette author Megg Jensen...

Have you ever read a book that made you think 'wow'? If so, what book was it and why did it have such an effect on you?
My favorite book of all time is The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I've read it quite a few times and every time I think, "WOW!" Her mastery of language and her ability to give a legend new life impresses me.

Who is your favourite author and why?
Haha, it's definitely Marion Zimmer Bradley, for all the reasons listed above.

Who, or what, inspires you?
My inspiration usually comes from the strangest places. Anathema was inspired by one fanciful comment my daughter made about the clouds. My son is adopted and one night some random thinking about him led to the inspiration for my upcoming novel, Sleepers. Inspiration usually strikes when I'm not looking for it.

Where is your favourite place to write?
In my bed with my laptop. It's usually the only place I can find quiet or be alone.

What is your book about?
Anathema - Reychel is a slave girl surrounded by magic, lies and manipulation. Her best friend disappears in the middle of the night leaving Reychel to face her fifteenth birthday, the day her master burns his brand into the back of her bald head, alone. She's sheltered from the outside world and doesn't have any hope for escape, but when people desperate for freedom ask for her help can Reychel learn to believe in herself?

Oubliette - Reychel thought she was finally free. She was wrong.
Everyone saw her gift of prophecy as a blessing, but her gift is uncontrollable. No one alive can teach her to manipulate her unique gift and the answers she needs lie buried within a madman’s journals.
She’s thrust in the midst of a brewing war and the only uniting factor for her people is their belief in the Prophet. Will Reychel learn to control her gift or will she be forced to deliver a false prophecy that could lead her people into a violent war?

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
Jurassic Park! Lord of the Rings Trilogy! Harry Potter movies! Please, don't make me choose. :)

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?

I would love to see Molly Quinn play Reychel, Abigail Breslin play Ivy, and Alexander Ludwig for Mark. 

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
Before kids I went swing dancing six nights a week. I miss dancing on a regular basis so much, but evenings at home snuggling on the couch with kids is fantastic too.

Thanks, Megg and best of luck with your books. I can't wait to read them!