by Anna Campbell
Do you have the expression 'getting fresh' in the US? It sounds American to me but I've come to grief before with assuming slang crosses all continents!
Actually I'm not talking about naughty bits (the Golden Rooster squawks in protest. He's got quite a dirty mind for a young chook!). I'm talking about fresh voices in romance. Well, fresh to me anyway!
As most of you know (actually given the wild launch we had, as ALL of you know!), I have a new book out in November. It's called CAPTIVE OF SIN. As I write this (early November), I'm at the stage where reviews are starting to come in. What struck me about a couple of these sites is that the reviewers, who fortunately really enjoyed COS, had never read one of my books before and therefore they talked about how fresh the voice was to them.
So I started to think about some new voices in romance that have really impressed me lately. When I say 'new', I mean new to me.
One of these authors is so new, her book doesn't even come out until next January but the other two I'm going to talk about have been around for a while. Just not in my TBR pile, even though they've become regulars in the last few months.
One of the perks of being an author is you get to read new books ahead of time for quotes. I was delighted recently to read a book by a new author who I've known personally since Avon Fanlit days. Oh, I did love Fanlit! And I can't believe how many wonderful careers have been launched as a result of all the good mojo created there.
Anyway, this great book is PROOF BY SEDUCTION by Courtney Milan. It's a Victorian historical and it's smart and funny and packs a real emotional punch under its glittering facade. It's out next January and whatever you do, don't miss it. It's about a psychic and the marquess who sets out to unmask her and in the process falls in love much against his will. Gorgeous stuff. Publishers Weekly (who as most of you know is currently flavor of the month chez Campbell!) gave this book a starred review, so clearly they recognize its brilliance too!
Two more authors I've discovered in the last 12 months who have become mainstays on my bedside table are Pamela Clare and Sarah Mayberry.
Pamela writes wonderful intense historical romance and real nail-biting suspense. Grab her RIDE THE FIRE and you won't be sorry! It's a heart-wrenching journey and you get such a wonderful sigh of AHHHHHH at the end. Oh, and hubba hubba to Nicholas Kenleigh, the gorgeous, tortured hero!
Sarah Mayberry writes smart, sexy, emotional romance for Harlequin Blaze. Actually I need to thank our Tawny for helping me to become a Blaze reader. Some of the best writers I know publish in that line!
Sarah's most recent book is SHE'S GOT IT BAD which is a best friends reunion book - something she does like nobody else. Your heart will go out to prickly Zoe, the heroine, and emotionally damaged Liam as they tread the rocky road to happy ever after. A wonderful read!
So what new authors have you discovered in the last year? I'm always looking for recommendations! They don't have to be debut authors, just authors you hadn't read before who have now become a must buy. Let's talk some good books, people!
101 comments:
Mine?
Yes you are LynZ! Congrats :D
Boy Lynz and Mariska, you two are HOT! Or is it the GR who is a hot commodity? Heaven knows, he hasn't shown his beak around my place in many a moon, but he was pretty well worthless last time he was here. :-P I think Helen fed him too many Tim-Tams and spoiled him. Now if I could snag him right after P226 put him through his paces...
Anyway, CONGRATS Lynz!
And SUPER CONGRATS, Fo on COS being named one of PW's BEST!!! WHAT AN HONOR! And totally deserved, I might add.
As for fresh voices I've discovered... OTHER than our wonderful Banditas? The only one I can think of off hand is Deanna Raybourn, and she WON a Rita in 2008 so obviously my 'discovery' was a no-brainer. :-P Of course, my TBR mountain doesn't really NEED any more fabulous authors and books, but I'm sure I'll find some anyway.
AC
Congrats Lynz! WTG!
Here is a few authors I have discovered in the past while is Caroline Fyffe, Carrie Lofty, and Angie Fox. There is a whole lot more that I love but to many to mention. These banditas do an awesome job with their books. They are auto buys.
Ooh, Anna, Sarah's a treat, isn't she?? I became a fan a couple years ago, and she's soooo good!
My most recent "ooh!" read was Emilie Richards' Happiness Key--a story about four very different women who become friends. I'm a sucker for those kinds of stories, so I'll be looking to see whether Ms. Richards' other books are anything like this one!
Congrats on the GR, Lynz!
hi anna! congrats lynz!
my favorite read this year would have to be anne mallory's "three nights of sin". it was my first read by her and i hardly recommend that book. also another author i discovered this year was larissa ione. i had given up on paranormals until i discovered her. i quickly devoured the first three books of her demonica series and i can't wait for the fourth book.
Hey, Lynz, congratulations on the chook! Gosh, Mariska, you were snapping at her heels too.
Thanks, AC. Honestly I spent the day after I heard the news in a complete daze! Kept checking back to make sure I hadn't dreamed it! A very nice little accolade to bring back to the lair! I loved Deanne Raybourn's first two books - loved the mysterious hero and the sexual tension.
Hi Virginia! I'll check out those authors. I've got Carrie Lofty's book in my TBR pile but honestly, it's so big, I feel I'm never going to get to the bottom of it! Thanks for supporting the bandit books too!
Fedora, Sharon Archer who writes Medicals and often comments here (she's been a guest) put me onto Sarah Mayberry. Wow, SM is SOOOOO good. I've now read all her Blazes except the first one which is actually pretty hard to find. Got the two SuperRomances waiting for me once I've written a respectable amount of the new story. Which sadly is not quite yet! I love the way she combines humor and emotion and a great sexy story with that really vivid, real-life feeling. They're similar qualities to Tawny's books and I love Tawny's writing. I don't know Emilie Richards. I'll have to check her out.
Michelle, I've heard great things about both authors. I've actually got a couple of Susan Mallery's cooking sister books on the TBR pile (yes, I know I've got EVERYTHING on the TBR pile, you should see it!). Vrai Anna is a huge fan so I picked these up but haven't got around to reading them yet. I've really fallen behind with reading paranormals lately. I'll have to pull my finger out.
I have to second Anna's comment about Courtney Milan's PROOF BY SEDUCTION. I met Courtney in Fanlit as well and have since been lucky to call her a friend. Besides being wildly talented, she's smart, funny, and nice. I've also been lucky to read PROOF BY SEDUCTION and echo Anna's sentiments. You do not want to miss this book! It is powerful, sexy, and you'll be riveted all the way through. PROOF BY SEDUCTION is awesome and full of win!
Speaking of books that are awesome and full of win is CAPTIVE OF SIN!!! I finished it this weekend and zomg, it was sooooooooooooo awesome. I <3 Gideon. Can I steal him away from Christine Wells? Pretty please? No. Darn it.
Now, I'm going to check out the other two books you've recommended. (I've heard great, fabulous things about Mayberry, so I'm thinking I should read her. *g*)
Hi Anna, great post, as usual! Ohhh, I'm still recovering from that fantastic weekend at your house. Or I would be, if my family would let me have any time to myself!
I haven't read Pamela Clare yet, but I totally agree with you about the other two writers you mentioned. I've only read Courtney's Christmas novella but her wonderful talent really shone through that piece and I'm looking forward to Proof by Seduction. Sarah Mayberry is also a favourite of mine. Her writing, like our Tawny's, has that punchy, real, emotionally gripping quality to it that I love.
Another author who I'm sure will be mentioned many times here is Tessa Dare. I adored her debut and I'm looking forward to her others. Another author who was new to me is Carolyn Jewel. I picked up Scandal in D.C. because I had heard it had a similar premise to Wicked Little Game (very vague similarity!) and I enjoyed Jewel's style very much.
Congrats on the GR, Lynz.
Hi Anna,
Pamela Clare is one of my favorite authors. I discovered her books a couple of years ago. My recent discoveries include Kris Kennedy, Joan Johnston, Nina Bruhns and Kylie Brant.
Congrats lynz
Anna
Firstly huge congrats on the review as you know I have read COS already and it is a fantastic read.
What a great post I love finding new authors not that my TBR pile needs to get any bigger but as I say you can never have too many books.
I too have read some of Pamela Clare's books thanks to Joanie and I have a few more on the TBR pile I do love her books,I do have a few new authors books on the pile and I will get to them soon (I really need to retire LOL) My mind is blank at the moment I have 2 of the grandkids here and it is very noisy I will get back
Have Fun
Helen
Yay! It's been so long since the GR and I have had a day together; I was starting to fell unloved! (And well-rested for once, but that's a story for another day. Staying up 'till past midnight is worth it for him. And Jon Stewart. Him too.)
I've heard such rave reviews for Proof by Seduction. I can't wait to read it myself! Even if a bunch of authors I love hadn't recommended it, her blog entry on the Publisher's Weekly top ten fiasco would've sold me on it. :) And I recently discovered Sarah Mayberry, too! I've only read her Blazes, but her new SuperRomance is high on my TBR list.
I've discovered so many amazing authors in the past year, but some of them really stand out: Tessa Dare's wonderful debut, and in the new-to-me category, Patricia Briggs, Annie West, Deanna Raybourn, Carolyn Jewel, Maria V. Snyder, Michelle Sagara, and Olivia Gates. *phew* That's a lot of new authors!
I also re-discovered Isobelle Carmody. I'd read the first book in her Obernewtyn series years and years ago, but hadn't realized that sequels had been published. A week of bliss followed the discovery, as I found five new books to devour. *sigh*
And speaking of new authors, remember how I talked about a book by Kimberly Van Meter and an airplane a while back? (Summarized: I'm actually a fan of Kim Van Meter's because of flying. Earlier this year, while coming back from Mexico, I couldn't help noticing that the woman sitting beside me had tucked a Super Romance into the pouch of the chair in front of her... We chatted a little, and I asked her if she'd mind if I read the book. She said to help myself, so I dug in and started reading as fast as I could. There was less than an hour left on our flight, but I managed to read about half of the book in that time... One of these days I'm totally going to get my hands on a copy of that first book, though, and find out how it ended.)
Well, I got my hair done the other day, and when I left the building I noticed that the used bookstore across the way was having a half-off sale because it was closing. I decided to go in and guess which book was marked down to $1? Seriously, guess! That's right; it was the book I started last February, the one I'd wanted to finish for ages! So I finally got myself a copy and just finished it last night! Yay!
Great post, Anna! I love to learn about new to me authors!! So many authors, so little time. I have heard so many great things about Courtney Milan's upcoming release. And I am always happy to find a new Blaze author!
Right now I am reading the debut release by Angela Johnson called Vow of Seduction. It's about Kat and Alex, who were married at a young age, and the day after their wedding Alex leaves for the Crusade. He is gone for 6 years, 4 of which he was held captive. Kat, and everyone else, believes he is dead until he shows up at her wedding to one of his friends. I'm lovin' it!!!!
It's Lynz, moving up from the rear to overtake yesterday's champion, Mariska. The competition is fierce! *g*
Hm. Fresh new voices. I read and thoroughly enjoyed Too Good To Be True by Kristan Higgins this year. I hadn't read her before and I was absolutely tickled to find her! I plan to read her entire list. Love me some Kristan Higgins!
I have to second AC's recommendation of Deanna Raybourn. Fabulous Victorians with a perfect blend of mystery, romance and crazy family. Hey, I think I pimped her in my "mysteries" blog post the other day, too. Love me some Deanna Raybourn!
Wow, Lynz! That used bookstore story is compelling. It's like that book was meant for you! You'll have to let us know if it was as fabulous as you expected.
Okay, one more. This year at Moonlight & Magolias, I went to a workshop by Molly O'Keefe. She was hilarious and I loved the way she spoke, so I was excited to find her book was one of the free ones in the bags. Yes! I read her Worth Fighting For, which is a Super Romance that came out in 2008.
It was wonderful, heartwarming and compelling. Now I love me some Molly O'Keefe!
Great post -- I just placed orders for all three. I've read Pamela Clare before, and Courtney's Christmas novella, but Sarah Mayberry is new to me.
New (or almost new) authors I'd recommend include Marilyn Brandt, Tessa Dare, Lisa Dale, Helen Scott Taylor, Jennifer Haymore, Jessa Slade -- that's all I can think of, offhand.
Mornin' everyone...Lynz! Welcome to the chook, I mean, welcome back!
I discovered a fantastic author in 2006...what was her name???? Anna? Fo? Oh, well, it'll come to me :-)
I've been a raving fan of Pamela's for several years since I first discovered her historicals. She deftly brings to life the time period (which is colonial America!!! Different!! YAY!)and her characters.
Masterful...it's all I can say.
Caren - I bought Kristan Higgins first book when it was released, just out of curiousity. I LOVED it and knew I'd be reading anything else she wrote. Virginia Kantra is another author I fell in love with early on.
Great post, and congratulations Anna on the Publishers Weekly list for COS. Well deserved! I recently finished COS, loved it, quite an emotional ride! Who wouldn't fall in love with Gideon? Intense!
Authors, debut and otherwise, that I have enjoyed this year are: Tessa Dare (her trilogy is sweet, funny and romantic); Jennifer Haymore (her debut, A Hint of Wicked, was stellar! Deeply emotional. Can't wait for the next one.); and I've recently "re-discovered" Susan Mallery after reading her Lone Star series. Debuts I am looking forward to: Courtney Milan and Sara Lindsey!
Becke,
I concur...these two ladies are on my Must Buy list.
As is Jessica Andersen's Keepers series.
Hey Lynz! The chook comes to chase the dog. Grins. Congrats!
Anna, I'm still celebrating for you over the PW listing! WOOT!!!
Love the two new authors you listed. There are some new ones for me too, including Loreth Anne White. Loreth is a pal of Romance Bandit KJ, but I'd not read her before I met her in SF. I've picked up several of her books since, and they're GREAT!!!
Believe it or not, I hadn't read Linda Howard prior to meeting her at a booksigning at Nora Robert's bookstore, so I delved into her backlist and just LOVED it! She's a fabulous author. Those of you who've been reading her for years will shake your head at me, no doubt. Ha!
My friend Ellen Dugan who I hosted in October is a womderful find.
Oooh, ooh! Hank Phillip Ryan! She was the Barnes and Noble.com Author of the month in Sept. (I was Aug, and our own BB Becke was our hostess over there) Anyway, Becke had recommended her and I powered through all three of her books. Really fun.
Patricia Briggs - her fantasy stuff, rather than the vamp/coyote series.
Okay, okay, I'll stop! Grins.
Oh! Angie Fox! I discovered here when she guested with us. LOVED Accidental Demon Slayer. :>
And so many others we've featured here are in the TBR tower...
I've squeed all over the web for your PW win, Anna, and I'm in the middle of COS today and loving it.
I too have read Proof by Seduction and agree that it is an extraordinary book. It's got everything--characters that captivate, attention-grabbing plot, and wonderful, lucid prose. I knew when I read CM's "The Goddess of Small Things" (repubbed again on Romance Vagabonds during our farewell week party)that she was an amazing writer. POS and "That Wicked Gift," her Christmas novella, prove me right, and they are just the beginning.
Other new voices I have loved this year include Tessa Dare, whose recent trilogy I adored and have already reread; Vanessa Kelly,whose Mastering the Marquess was another of my faveorite reads of the year; Kris Kennedy,whose The Conqueror entered my very small list of Medievals I Have Loved; and Jennifer Haymore, whose A Hint of Wicked is a brave, unforgettable book.
And Emilie Richards has a terrific backlist for those new to her to explore. The Trouble with Joe is on my top-ten best category list, and her Prospect Street is one of my all-time favorites in any category. I liked Happiness Key too, but I like her Shenandoah Album books even more. I read her mysteries too.
And honestly, I can spell "favorite." :(
I agree--anyone who read Courtney Milan's Goddess of Small Things back in the Fanlit days knew the magic was there. You all should pop over to her website and read it if you haven't.
I found Virgina Kantra through the Banditas and oh my gosh do I love her books! And I have Molly O'Keefe on my shelves, she awesome, and Cathy Gillen Thacker's American romances are great. And Kay Thomas--I heart her Bulletproof books.
Too many. There are just too many. And don't even get me started on all of the Bandita's works...it's a wonder I cook at all...oh wait, I don't...;)
Oh, Vanessa Kelly -- how could I forget??
Good morning, Anna! What a great topic! I'm always looking for fresh voices & new authors.
I'm with Caren--I recently discovered Kristan Higgins & she's awesome. Her voice is just so distinctive & friendly & fun.
And I'm with Joanie, too--I love Jessican Andersen's Night Keepers.
I just discovered Elizabeth Hoyt, along with her contemporary alter ego Julia Harper, & I have to confess I'm in love. She won a GH some years back--2005? 2006?--with her Leopard King or Raven King or some kind of king book. The details escape me but her writing is lovely.
Susan and Caren, I have Kristen in my towering TBR pile. I guess I'm moving her up the stack....grins.
Anna, thanks so much for the mention--you've put in very rarified company indeed!
Tessa Dare and Jennifer Haymore are both authors who have blown me away this year (and I can't wait for their next books). So is Kris Kennedy--she won the Golden Heart in 2008 for best historical romance, and wow, does she ever deserve it. Her book "The Conqueror" is out now, but her GH-winning book, "The Irish Warrior" will be out in spring of 2010.
There are so many new, fresh voices out there. Not least of which is Anna Campbell--I don't know whether you're "new" but compared to some of the granddames, I suppose you are! And I think you compare well to every one of them. :)
Hi, Anna. It's always thrilling to find an author you haven't read before like I did this last weekend. I've discovered Susan King and picked up her book The Stone Maiden and I am really enjoying it. She uses wonderful descriptions and very smooth wording of the English language--almost like prose, I think.
I also have COS in my possession and will be reading it next. Congrats on all the rave reviews!
Lynz, congrats on the rooster! Mariska and AC, close but not quite. Better luck next time.
Anna, that is one smokin' cover at the top of the blog!
I'm embarrassed (abashed?) to admit I've reached the age when my memory compresses events. So I don't remember exactly which authors I discovered in the last year and which were earlier. I'll give it a try, though:
Lori Handeland's Doomsday series
Eve Silver's mages (series not continuing)
Sherrilynn Kenyon's Darkhunters (yeah, I know, I know, behind the curve!)
Penny McCall's romantic suspense
Ann Aguirre's many guises
Ilona Andrews' urban fantasy
Hank Phillippi Ryan's romantic suspense series
Hmm, a definite trend toward series.
And, of course, various and sundry banditas. :-)
JT, the only reason Jessica Andersen's Nightkeepers aren't on my list is that I remember reading the first one two actual years ago. But I love them, as you know!
Gillian wrote: Too many. There are just too many.
This would apply to my entire TBR pile, not just the books everyone's listing here. *sigh*
Great topic, Anna. I love hearing about new-to-me authors and getting recommendations from readers whose opinions I trust.
I've been delighted to have read all the Bandita books that are currently out and adding those amazing writers to my list of reads.
Mainly, however, I've been reading or re-reading authors I've been in love with for years.
My "new" authors for 2009 are : Marie Force, Robin Kaye, Lisa Dale, Chrsite Craig, Tessa Dare, Anna Campbell (yes I know how come ???), Tracy Anne Warren, Karen Foley, Sarah Mayberry, Beth Andrews.
I loved those ladies' books, they're all on my keeper shelf (I have to do something about that, it's getting way to small for all my keepers *sigh*).
Hey, Ely, isn't PBS absolutely fantastic? I was riveted when I read it - felt like I was there as a star was born! Hey, cool about loving COS!!!! Mwah to you! You can distract Christine with something shiny while I steal Gideon away. Mind you, no promises that I'm going to give him back. Charis and I have already had a couple of tussles over that boy! ;-)
Hey, Christine, thanks for the recommendations! We have fairly similar taste in reading so I always pay attention when you recommend someone. I've got Tessa's book on the bedside table - I'm SOOOOO far behind on my reading, you wouldn't believe it. Well, actually you probably would.
Didn't we have a fabulous time on the weekend? And the weather was so kind. I can remember sitting there in the warm twilight looking at the lake, talking to good friends and thinking, "It doesn't get much better than this."
Jane, isn't Pamela great? I can't believe I've only just discovered her awesomeness! But one of the good things about that is I have her backlist to look forward to. Thanks for the other recommendations - I'll check them out!
Ha ha, Helen. Sounds like you're in a similar situation to Christine. Thanks so much for that lovely wrap for COS. I'm so delighted you loved it!
Lynz, what a great rundown of some great authors. Laughed at you finding Kim's book that way - clearly you were MEANT to finish it! Ooh, and cool you mentioned Annie West - she's my crit partner and I'm the lucky person who gets to read her books before anyone else. Seriously, it's fantastic! She's got a December release and she's coming on the Bandits to talk about it - it's one of her best, so make sure you check BLACKMAILED BRIDE, INEXPERIENCED WIFE out. It made me cry when I read it! SOOOOO good!
Ooh, Buffie, a great new medieval author? Bring it on!!!!! I started out writing medievals back in the dim, distant. Always had a fondness for the genre. That story sounds great. Actually some of my favorite writers these days write Blazes - there's Sarah, of course, and Tawny, even more of course, and Kathleen O'Reilly is absolutely awesome!
Caren, isn't it great when you stumble across a new author you absolutely love. And then they've got a BACKLIST!!!! Mind you, hanging out for a debut author's next effort is pretty exciting too. I've got Courtney's Christmas novella on the TBR pile so I've got me some more CM to read.
Caren, I've never read Molly O'Keefe. I'll have to keep an eye out for her. Thanks for the recommendation. And hey, don't apologize by swinging by and making the joint jump!
Wow, Becke, you're definitely scaling your TBR pile. Thanks for the recommendations! I think Pamela will appeal to you - they're smart books and I know how you appreciate that!
JT, I think I started to read Pamela because we started chatting on Facebook. I love how all this networking stuff works. And then I found out you were another fan. I love the depth of her writing. It's amazing! Hey, that other author you're talking about - she sounds AWESOME, LOL!
Congrats Lynz. :)
Hmmm, off the top of my head...
Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia series, Sherwood Smith's Inda series, Mike Carey's Felix Castor series, anything by Mark Del Franco, L.A. Meyer's Bloody Jack series, Maria V. Snyder, Georgia Evans' Brytewood trilogy, Elizabeth George, T.A. Pratt, C.C. Humphreys, ...and probably a bunch that I'm not recalling right now...
Becke, Kristan was a great guest here. I haven't read Virginia Kantra - I'll have to check her out.
Squee! CM's book on the Banditas' blog.
Oh, hi, Banditas. Long time no see. I was busy fighting the good fight against the flu last two weeks. I'm all healthy now and won't give you the bugs as I party on in The Lair.
I loved, loved, loved CM's novella in the Christmas anthology. And I'm simply dying waiting for PROOF to be released.
Hi tmd! Thanks for the congrats and saying you loved COS! I think you might have to fight Christine and Ely for Gideon, though ;-) I've retired, injured. Those girls are VICIOUS!!! Snort. What a great list of recommendations. I've heard great stuff about Susan Mallery - Vrai Anna is a huge fan. I've got a couple of her books (wait for it, you'll never guess) on the TBR pile.
Joan, I've been meaning to read Jessica's books since she was a guest here. This blog is BAAAAAD for my bank balance!
Hey, Jeanne, what an interesting list. Ellen was a fantastic guest and she's definitely on my radar now. Linda Howard is AWESOME!!! Some of my favorites of hers are Son of the Morning and Now You See Her and Cry No More. I've got Death Angel on my bedside table. I'm saving it for when I've got some uninterrupted reading time. Once I start a Linda Howard, I can't put it down.
Janga, I'll definitely check out Emilie Richards! Sounds like she might be right up my alley - or my Prospect Street, in fact! I read Vanessa's second book for a quote - it's officially a 'sensual treat'! And I love the title - Sex and the Single Earl! Kris and Jen have both visited here and been fantastic guests. Hey, thanks for the PW congrats. That was wonderful news - and I'm delighted that you're enjoying COS!
I can't. Well, I can in two languages. American and Australian. Favorite/favourite!
Snort to the cooking, Gillian! Thanks for swinging by. It's funny with Courtney's stuff, isn't it? You know right from the first sentence that you're in the hands of someone really good! Hey, sounds like I really SHOULD read Virginia Kantra!
Hey, Susan, honey, Elizabeth Hoyt was a Golden Heart finalist with us! Seems amazing, doesn't it? And actually our Donna got the gong that year and our Christine. And maybe you won it two years later. The Bandit lair is clearly Golden Heart central!!!!
Awwww, Courtney, thank you! What a lovely thing to say! I still definitely DO feel like a new kid on the block. COS is only my fourth book which is real beginner steps in this life. Congratulations on your awesome book, by the way. I know I raved when I read it for the quote but you deserve to hear more raving! Kris was a guest here and was great - I must read her book. I love a great medieval. Hey, great that Jennifer Haymore is getting more love. She's a friend to the Banditas! I'm saving Tessa's books - I tend to hoard stuff I know is going to be good for when I've got a gap in the schedule and I can just wallow. I love the covers they gave her too! So beautiful and romantic. By the way, your cover's not too shabby either! ;-)
Hey, thanks, Deb - hope you enjoy COS. I've seen Susan King around for years - haven't ever picked up one of her books. I must now! There's too many great authors out there. What am I saying? You can't have too many great authors!
Nancy, it's interesting that you've trended so much towards series. Mind you, so has the world! And that's a fantastic list. My memory compresses too which is one of the reason I stuck to those three authors who I KNOW I've discovered fairly recently. I've devoured Sarah's backlist and I've got nearly everything Pamela's written on the TBR pile. Courtney needs to write faster!
Hey, Jessica's getting some lovin' too. I must check them out.
Jo, sometimes just an older book will do, won't it? I'm doing my first review for the Romance Dish this month and I'm going to start with a doozy, Pride and Prejudice. I've read it a stack of times although not in recent years - looking forward to reacquainting myself with Darcy and Elizabeth and all their kin. Not that Jane need worry about my pathetic ramblings about her book - "We are not worthy!" For some reason, I seem to be channelling Wayne's World at the moment. Hmm...
Hey, Emmanuelle, that's a great list (and not just because I'm on it!). You've got some of my favorites there too. Beth Andrews and Sarah, for a start. I'll have to check out the others. Thanks for swinging by!
Pissenlit, I discovered Elizabeth George last year and devoured a whole stack of her books in a row. Taking a breather for the moment although I'll definitely go back to Lynley and Havers. I love Havers - it's interesting, she's a character who really divides people but I think she's great. Nice to read about a woman who's so far from perfect and yet is such a compelling character.
Keira, the novella is really close to the top of the TBR pile. I've got a book to read for a quote which promises to be fantastic and P&P to read for the review then I think it's CM's turn. I wish I had a clone who could just lie around reading all day. In fact, I wish I WAS that clone! Sorry to hear you've been sick, hon! I noticed you'd been quiet. Stay away from those nasty bugs.
Great minds and all that--I just posted a couple of new names on my blogger site yesterday, but I'll list them here so you don't have to go digging: Ilona Andrews new series The Edge, the first book is ON THE EDGE and Gail Carriger's SOULLESS. Like Nancy, I have a taste for fantasy. The Andrews is contemporary and the Carriger is Victorian. But the romance in both is delicious.
And COS just arrived the other day. It's on the top of the TBR stack. I just finished revisions and I'm ready to dig in... Happy dancing here.
Wow, Patricia! Fantastic to see you here! And how cool you've got COS - I hope you enjoy it. Good luck with the revisions. Soulless made the Publishers Weekly list too - and clearly, they're people with exquisite taste, LOL! I'll have to check it out. It sounds really interesting. I haven't read Ilona Andrews - she's another one for the list. Actually, Patricia, I've spent a couple of weeks doing nothing but talk about my own book. It's kinda nice to talk about someone else's!
Oh, yes--Gail Carriger's SOULLESS!
And--so stupid of me--in 2010, there are some incredible new authors coming up. Sara Lindsey, Maggie Robinson, and Tiffany Clare--all three are very different in tone and style, but each incredibly fresh and wonderful.
While we're at it, Lori Brighton's WILD HEART is sitting on my dresser and I want to delve into it the moment I turn this darned book in.
I'm also really excited about Kelly Gay's upcoming urban fantasy, THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS--which releases in just a few weeks.
Anna, I definitely need a reading clone, too, so when you get that technology please send it over here! During Christmas I will really need to reward myself with a no-guilt reading holiday.
Yes, Anna, a new medieval author!!! As everyone knows, I love (LOVE!) medievals, and am always so happy when I find a new author writing one. I wish more were published.
Just finished a book by Gaelen Foley, great writer.......and I also love books by Delilah Marvelle
and Pamela Clare
Anna, Anna, Anna, remember out pact? If I don't get Gideon, you don't get Vane. Capiche??
Sorry Ely! But Charis and I are negotiating a timeshare arrangement:)
I'm still sighing for twilight on the lake and writerly talk with you two! Very tough to settle back to work and family after that!
I just read a book by Kathryn Dennis (Shadow Rider) and would like to find more. I too agree about Pamela Clare. I've been buying up all the Jodi Picoult books and haven't been disappointed on any of them. Many of the authors mentioned here are in my tbr pile - there's going to be some shuffling lol.
David Hackett Fischer.
Nonfiction. Details the run-up to, and events of 4/19/1775
Pat, I've looked at the new Ilona Andrews. Then I look at the TBR pile and hesitate. I suspect it's in my future, though.
Courtney, Lori Brighton will be here on 11/27, so stop back in if you get the chance.
The cover fairy really loves you! What a gorgeous cover.
Courtney, the last few years, I've deliberately made sure I have nothing on in the days between Christmas and New Year and I do a great big reading binge. It's such bliss! Generally there's Christmas goodies in the pantry and I have a pile of great books to read and I'm happy as a pig in mud. Well, a pig who can read, but you get the idea. I'm really looking forward to the three debuts you mentioned - I've read Maggie's book and it's great and Tiffany's is the book awaiting a quote. I read a partial a while ago and it was BRILLIANT!!!! And so sexy. It's so exciting to have these great new voices, yours included, entering the genre.
Buffie, I've noticed a few more debut authors with medievals. That's a great sign!
Joanne, Gaelene's an Avon lady now. I was really thrilled to meet her at the last conference. She's lovely and so smart! Great to see another Pamela Clare fan - I haven't read Delilah's stuff, must check it out. I remember there was a lot of buzz about her debut.
Christine, it was just one of those lovely weekends, wasn't it? And I have to say I loved eating all the leftovers! One of the nice side effects of having visitors! ;-) The Lindt chocs are no more, you'll be most surprised to hear.
Oh, that's right, I get Vane, don't I? Sorry, Ely. Some things just weren't meant to be! LOL.
Catslady, I haven't read Jodi Picoult. Have heard a lot about her too. How cool that you're a PC fan too! Kathrynn has been a wonderful guest here on the Bandits and I've got her book on the TBR pile. No wonder it blocks out the sun!
Hi Ms. Anna!! I'm so looking forward to Courtney's PROOF! I agree with everyone who's said the cover is gorgeous!
My fave 'new to me' authors are Kristan Higgins (OMG, I love her! I've already re-read CATCH OF THE DAY twice!), Tessa Dare (I'm on book two and it's fabulous!), Lisa Kleypas's contempories (I don't know why I didn't read them sooner but I seriously love them), Jennifer Lyon (her Wing Slayer Hunters are the sexiest alpha heroes on the planet!!), and of course, I love all the Bandita books. What a brilliant group of writers!! ;-)
Hey, P226! Great to see you. Although the rooster blanches at the merest mention of your name! That DHF book sounds really interesting. I actually bought one of his books on someone's recommendation - the one about the folk traditions in America - it's fascinating but I do most of my reading in bed and this thing weighs a ton so I never got terribly far into it. I was getting a compressed chest!
Nancy, isn't Courtney's cover gorgeous? You're right about the cover fairy. I'm looking forward to meeting Lori! She's a regular over on the Season Forum.
Kate, isn't it cool how we all love each other's books? I think that's just great. Can't wait for your new one! What a great list - Tessa Dare and Kristan Higgins are on a lot of people's lists, yay, them!
Hey Anna - just discovered Emma Wildes and I fell in love. I read her first book (I believe it's her debut book) An Indecent Proposition and now can't wait to read her January release Lessons from a Scarlet Lady. Her voice really 'spoke to me' and her characters resonated. I just love discovering new to me authors!
Hi Marisa! Great to see you. Emma Wildes, huh? NEVER HEARD OF HER!!!! But that strong a recommendation from you has me now heading over to Amazon. Don't you love it when you find a great new author?
i guess i'm the one that still 'new' with books world :)
since i just entered this 'world' couple months ago, so i have huge behind of the Authors mentioned by others *g*
so the new authors for me that catch my attention; Anna Campbell, Nicola Cornick, Claire Baxter, Miranda Lee, Janet Mullany, AC (hey, can i include her in romance Anna? ^_*)
Buffie & Fo: I'm ALWAYS looking for new medieval authors, so I'm of course thrilled with the return of the medieval trend.
Christine wrote, "Anna, Anna, Anna, remember out pact? If I don't get Gideon, you don't get Vane. Capiche??"
Fo promised me Gideon on Facebook. And you gave Vane to me a while back, and I ain't givin' him back. Sorry all the Banditas & Buddies. You may all go home disappointed.
Hey, Mariska, everyone here except the Rooster is REALLY easy going. You can include whoever you like, m'dear! ;-) I love Nicola's books - got the two last Brides of Fortune books on the bedside table (that's sort of like the super-duper TBR pile!). Claire Baxter is great, another Aussie, whoo-hooo! So is Miranda! And Janet Mullaney always makes me laugh my head off. I think you've made a great start, actually! Yay, you!
Keira, the first historical romance in the sense that I write 'em book I ever read was a medieval, Kathleen Woodiwiss's The Wolf and the Dove. Always had a soft spot for the genre. And hey, no wonder I can't find Vane - I went looking for him. YOU'VE GOT HIM!!!!!
Hm... new authors I've discovered? *think think* Merline Lovelace is a relatively new to me author. Kathie DeNosky too. (Gosh I hope I typed her name right. Too bad I'm too lazy to double check :X)
Anne McAllister. Otherwise... most of my "go to" authors - well, aren't new to me :P
Great post, Anna! I am especially looking forward to Courtney's book!!
This year I discovered Jennifer Ashley, Stephanie Bond, Tori Carrington, Tessa Dare, Kristan Higgins, and Julie James. All are extremely talented authors!
Lime, I love Anne McAllister. I think she's an amazing writer in her understated way. I haven't read Merline Lovelace or Kathy DeNosky. Will have to check them out.
Wow, Andrea, that's an amazing list! I've great stuff about everyone you've mentioned. Isn't it great that there's so many great new voices hitting the stands at the moment?
Hey, thanks, everyone, for a great day in the lair. And now my TBR pile reaches to the MOON!!!!! Happy reading!
Hey, everyone! Golly, this is busy place. I had to go MIA for a few hours while I took my father to the ER. Sorry about that! (He's okay now, no worries.) But I fully intend to go through all the wonderful comments here. I'm getting all warm and fuzzy from all the congrats and well wishes here. Banditas rock!
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