Buy Indie Press is here!
Each month, #BuyIndiePress puts the spotlight on indie books from a handful of small presses and the like. All of the details are at the Buy Indie Press page. This month, I’m so excited to be putting the spotlight on Flux, Spencer Hill Press/Spencer Hill Contemporary, SOHO Teen, and Algonquin Young Readers!
Today is all about Spencer Hill Press!
Spencer Hill Press Official Website
Spencer Hill Contemporary Official Website
Spencer Hill Press is an independent publishing house specializing in sci-fi, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance for young adult readers. Our books have that “I couldn’t put it down!” quality.
Spencer Hill Contemporary – YA contemporary imprint
Tulip Romance – romance imprint
Spence City – urban fantasy imprint
ISBN: 978-1939392978
ISBN: 978-1633920170
The first book from Spencer Hill Contemporary that I read was the young adult contemporary novel, Behind the Scenes by Dahlia Adler (@MissDahlELama) which released June 24, 2014.
In Behind the Scenes, Dahlia takes a piece of Hollywood and gives us an up close and personal look at one of the many tangled webs in town and I loved it! I connected with all of the characters right away and I loved how Dahlia addressed the fears and desires that each of her characters have in more than just one aspect of their lives.
Under the Lights follows two characters that we meet in Behind the Scenes and it’s told from both of their points of view which is great because we really get such distinct looks at their lives and perspectives and it’s entertaining and emotionally engaging all of the way through. Both of these titles are diverse reads and if you’re looking for a female romance, Under the Lights is the book that you must pick up!
You can read my review of this novel here as well as my review of its companion title, Under the Lights and I highly recommend you add these books to your “To Read” shelf on Goodreads!
ISBN: 978-1633920491
Trigger Warning: Suicidal Thoughts, Sexual Assault
“We must be as courteous to man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
My most recent Spencer Hill read was Hello? by Liza Wiemer (@lizawiemer) which released November 10, 2015 (Add it to Goodreads). I was completely enraptured by this contemporary novel for two wonderful evenings.
While it feels like just yesterday I was running to the house phone when it rang, trying to pick it up ahead of my two sisters and as years passed, dialing whoever I wanted when I got my first cell phone… talking on the phone is a lost art now. That this novel takes that distant memory and brings life again to what makes communicating over the phone so magical…it’s so special and I love it.
I also love, love, love that this story is told through five POVs (both female and male) that are interconnected and I love how it’s revealed over the course of the novel just how interwoven they are. Even more, each POV has a distinct voice and writing style, whether it be free verse poetry or a POV written in the form of a screenplay, each voice is memorable in more ways than one and it’s so much fun to read. Bravo on nailing each POV. That’s not easy to master.
The story begins with Tricia grieving over the death of her grandmother and taking out a gun to end her pain. When she makes the decision to call her grandmother’s phone to get a sign, any sign that her grandmother is still watching over her, still present, a boy who has been given her grandmother’s number picks up. I don’t want to say too much more but I will say that I was moved by how the story began and was pleased with how the story concluded. I think you will feel the same.
Hello? is a beautiful story about loss and guilt and grief, family and friendship and love. Breaking up and breaking down. Forgiveness. It’s a moving story about finding the strength to save your peace of mind and the different ways we cope when we think we can’t. Hello? is a striking story about our calls for help and the answers we receive when we do. Note the trigger warnings above though if you think this book will be something you can cling to, read it. Don’t be afraid to say, “Hello?”
More Titles From Spencer Hill Press To Check Out:
1. Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
All I know about this book is that the main character’s touch can kill. That reminded me of Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi which I absolutely love for a grand number of reasons, one of which was the premise. So I thought I’d add this title to my list of books to read and see what this paranormal tale has to offer. I’m excited to read this one soon!
Released September 18, 2012
2. The Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray
A virus leading towards a fight for survival? That’s all I really need to know for this to be on my TBR list.
Released October 22, 2013
3. PODs by Michelle Pickett
I’m always intrigued by stories that follow people in underground habitats when *$!# hits the fan and I’m hoping this one will deliver. Only time will tell!
Released June 4, 2013
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