Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion

Just wanted to open a chat to discuss authors new to you.

As I was getting ready to start another book, I started thinking about all the "new" authors I've been exposed to this year. Some ok, others phenomenal and a few, well.... I'll just leave it at that.

I thought I would inquire as to which authors you've discovered recently that have left a mark, whether that's to add every book ever written by him or her to your TBR list or to quickly scroll past books suggested to you by the author. Good, okay or the "where was the editor?" authors.

Please share and maybe we'll all have some more books to add to our never ending TBR lists.

I've fallen brain over heart on works from Pamela Clare, Jeaniene Frost, Julie James, Veronica Roth, and Molly Harper, just to name a few. lol

Pretty sure I have everything Ms. Harper and Ms. Frost in my TBR or Read list.

Woooo... I'll have to check out some of those, Heather. I just found Pamela Clare & Jeaniene Frost.

This year I discovered:
Maggie Osborne
Jodi Thomas

My biggest surprise was Patricia Briggs; I don't know why, but I didn't think she would be my cuppa tea - and I just LOVE her.

I tried Ms. Briggs Mercedes Thompson series and couldn't get into it. I do plan on reading the intro novella for her Alpha & Omega series. Fingers crossed that it will turn out better for me.
Don't think I have anything in my TBR for Ms. Osborne or Ms. Thomas. Will have to go searching. =)

Now you have me wondering, Heather. I'm about 1/2 way through - having started it in the middle of the night; just loving it so much it is hard to put down. But, I wonder if that is b/c of the connected story to the Alpha & Omega series. Hmmmmm. I will say the story creeped up on me... very deceptive, that. I found myself caring about a simple story that became more complex.

Great topic Heather!

I'll have to go back through my read books and see which stand-out authors were new this year. The first three on your list were my "finds" of 2010 and I'm still a fan of their newer stories.

These are some new-to-me authors from this year who stood out. For some, I've only read one title, but enjoyed it so much I'm looking forward to reading more. For others, I've read enough to now know they have been added to my auto-buy list.

Contemp:
Karina Bliss
Inez Kelley
Suzanne Brockmann
Linda Howard
Jill Shalvis

Paranormal/Steampunk/Fantasy:
Nalini Singh
Zoe Archer
Meljean Brook
Patricia Briggs
Shana Abe

Historical:
Courtney Milan
Eloisa James
Lisa Kleypas

I will usually follow series rather than authors, especially since I cannot freely spend a lot of money and time on books anymore.

Off the top of my head, a newly discovered author I recall is Annelise Ryan, a penname. She wrote , a freebie that I read a few days ago and enjoyed. I loved the authentic voice of a nurse turned assistant medical examiner. She's only got 2 other books in the series which I've added to my TBR pile, but they are more expensive than I want to spend so they'll remain there until I can get it at a discount, in a swap, or as a loan.

Edit: Looking at my stats, and here are more authors. I'll just limit to certain ones.

Jennifer Ashley, Highland Pleasures series
Julie Anne Long, Pennyroyal Green series
Gena Showalter, Lords of the Underworld series
Nora Roberts, Bride Quartet series
Jana DeLeon, Ghost-in-Law trilogy
Rick Riordan, Percy Jackson series
C.L. Wilson, while I had some problems with her Tairen Soul books, I really liked it. I want more.


@CaroB: Karina Bliss, Suzanne Brockmann, and Jill Shalvis are new to me authors this year too. :)

New to me this year, Thea Harrison. I loved Dragon Bound so much that I reread it as soon as I finished it. I have the next two in the TBR.

Sandra J wrote: "New to me this year, Thea Harrison. I loved Dragon Bound so much that I reread it as soon as I finished it. I have the next two in the TBR."

LOL! I had to re-read that one right away too, Sandra!

niquae wrote: "I will usually follow series rather than authors, especially since I cannot freely spend a lot of money and time on books anymore.

Off the top of my head, a newly discovered author I recall is Ann..."

Thanks, niquae! I love books about nurses (since I am one) and will have to check out the Mattie Winston series. And some of your other authors.

CaroB, I haven't gotten into Eloisa James' books yet - but some people just love her. I think I read one and was very disappointed in a secondary love story - only to find out years later that those two characters would get their own HEA story. So, I should give her another try.

Inez Kelley I haven't heard of. I'll have to check her out too.

Lisa Kay wrote: "CaroB, I haven't gotten into Eloisa James' books yet - but some people just love her. I think I read one and was very disappointed in a secondary love story - only to find out years later that tho..."

I have some Eloisa James novels that I bought from a used book sale. I'd like to give her a try too.

✿Michelle✿, are you enjoying your unplanned night off? (Stupid question!)

Lisa Kay wrote: "✿Michelle✿, are you enjoying your unplanned night off? (Stupid question!)"

You know it! I'm baking cookies, reading, gabbing on the phone, and spending too much time on goodreads, LOL!!!!

Sounds like my kind of night!

Fax me some cookies.

Lisa Kay wrote: "niquae wrote: "I will usually follow series rather than authors, especially since I cannot freely spend a lot of money and time on books anymore.

Off the top of my head, a newly discovered author ..."

Yup! I know. I thought of you when I read that book. ;) You might like the mystery series - or at least identify with the main character. The author is also a nurse. :D

I really enjoy Eloisa James's work. My latest read by her was When Beauty Tamed the Beast. I've got A Kiss at Midnight to read next.

Cookies...*salivates*

I have had several people recommend - looks like lots of people loved that one.

Have you see House, M.D.? Do you like the main character? If so, you might like the hero in that book.

Yes, love House. I'm checking out Annelise Ryan books on Amazon right now. Too bad I missed the freebie.

Lisa Kay wrote: "I have had several people recommend - looks like lots of people loved that one."

I'm wondering if its necessary to read the first book in the series first . I know some HR's can be read out of order, but others not so much.

I just started reading . Linda Lael Miller is a new author for me, and so far I'm enjoying this novel.

Really, ✿M✿? Wow. I thought everyone had read LLM. Now I don't feel so bad about all the authors I haven't tried.

✿Michelle✿ wrote: "I'm wondering if its necessary to read the first book in the series first..."

Oh, good point. I don't know the answer! Does anyone else?

✿Michelle✿ wrote: "Lisa Kay wrote: "I have had several people recommend - looks like lots of people loved that one."

I'm wondering if its necessary to read the first..."

I've only read WBTTB, Michelle, and it was enough to know I want to read more of Eloisa James' books, didn't feel like I was missing some part of the story. I hadn't even realised there was one before it in a series.

✿Michelle✿ wrote: "I just started reading . Linda Lael Miller is a new author for me, and so far I'm enjoying this novel."

I've not read her either.

Sandra J wrote: "New to me this year, Thea Harrison. I loved Dragon Bound so much that I reread it as soon as I finished it. I have the next two in the TBR."

I loved this book and worried I won't like the next one as much, so I keep putting it off. lol

CaroB wrote: "✿Michelle✿ wrote: "Lisa Kay wrote: "I have had several people recommend - looks like lots of people loved that one."

I'm wondering if its necessary ..."

Thanks CaroB!

CaroB wrote: "✿Michelle✿ wrote: "I just started reading . Linda Lael Miller is a new author for me, and so far I'm enjoying this novel."

I've not re..."

Well, now I don't feel so bad :)

Lisa Kay wrote: "Really, ✿M✿? Wow. I thought everyone had read LLM. Now I don't feel so bad about all the authors I haven't tried."

There are so many authors out there to try. Everytime I think I'm making a dent in by TBR pile, here comes 10,000 more authors to try, LOL!!

Really, CaroB! Wow, no LLM. Well, her older ones are her best, IMHO. Just saying...

Really, ✿M✿! ("Really" seems to be my word of the day!) I agree... too many authors... but I love it!

Heather wrote: "I loved this book and worried I won't like the next one as much, so I keep putting it off. lol "

. I can see why you feel that way. I liked the next one... but as the first was one of my best reads this year, how could it hold up? I've been putting off #3 b/c of your reason... just started listening to it.

I have Storm's Heart and Serpent's Kiss in the TBR, and haven't started either one yet. No one measures up to Dragos and Pia!

wow, that book is getting such a talking up, I'm starting to get nervous it might not live up to the hype. You know how that can sometimes happen? I'll be doing the buddy-read for it next week.

Yeah, sometimes reading the hype is not a good thing. Hopefully Dragos & Pia came come through for you, CaroB.

Hey, just wondered. Was nominated for GRs romance of the year? I'll go check.

Hey... couldn't find the noms.

Lisa Kay wrote: "Hey... couldn't find the noms."
It was not. booooo

Are there going to be three rounds?

Not sure, but it was not in the 1st round

That sucks!

Agreed, especially after I see some of the books that were picked.

Who did the nominations? Is it just normal readers or was it based on GR ratings?

Lorraine Heath and Delaney Diamond are both new to me, and I'm really enjoying what I've read of their work so far.

Haven't read any Delaney Diamond; I'll have to check her out.

Really didn't start reading any Jill Shalvis until about a year ago and just love her. Still way behind on some things - I've heard glowing things about Julie James, haven't managed to read one yet.

Zoe, I love JS and have read her for a long time. JJ I've only read one of and it didn't wow me; though I'll try another.

Robert Thornhill, I've read 3 and thought they were all funny.

Adam Pepper, I've read 2, one a crime thriller and the other a paranormal thriller.

Tristan J. Tarwater, a new author with the first book in a series. Really great debut novel.

Hmmm, new to me...oh here's one y'all might really like (since this is a romance focused group) Hope Ramsey. She has 3 books out based in Last Chance. Though I think I actually "found" her last year, but her newest is out now.