I've just finished reading 8 books for RWA's RITA contest. Since I tend to read historical romance, it was fun to get some books I wouldn't normally pick up. I don't want to divulge the category but suffice it to say, not all these stories were my cup of tea. But it did give me the chance to try some new authors.
I found a few authors that I would read their back list and a few I probably wouldn't read again. Nothing against the story, it just didn't suite me. I'm sure other people loved it.
So what about you? When was the last time you tried a new author? What are you reading now?
Please excuse the short post. I'm a bit overloaded in my life right now.
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69 comments:
The last time I read a new author was a few months ago and it was Ashley March. I was rereading a few of Heather Graham's ghost stories and right now I'm rereading Lisa Kleypas' "Scandal in Spring."
Jane, congrats on the chook! He must have got sick of the hot weather down in Oz.
Christie, one of the reasons I like reading for the RITA is that I always pick up an author or two who becomes an autobuy. Happened this year too!
Jane, the Bandits are invading Ashley March's blog party (March Madness which kinda makes sense!) on 5th March. You'll have to swing by and say hello!
I love trying new authors. I find that they are refreshing. I'm actually more afraid to try veteran authors because they have such an exstensive back-list.
Well done Jane and as Anna has already said I am sure he is over the hot weather here have fun with him
Christie
I love trying new authors one I tried this year was Lila DiPasqua and I loved her book and I too love historical but I do so love trying other genres these days so many to choose from.
At the moment I am trying very hard to read at least one book from all the authors that will be at ARRC2011 (don't think I am going to get there though although I am making headway LOL) but I recieved and arc of Pamela Palmer's March release Hunger Untamed and I couldn't resit and I am loving it soo good.
Have Fun
Helen
Hi Jane, congrats on the GR. I've heard of Ashley March but I haven't had the chance to pick up her book.
Anna, it was fun because this is a category I just don't pick up to read unless I have a friend published in it.
Danielle, if I find a new author I just love, I like being able to find more of his/her books right then. That way I don't have to wait 6 months to a year for the next book to come out.
Helen, I love Pam's books. Good luck trying to get through all the ARRC's author list :)
I'm always reading new authors. Right now, it's Michelle Moran's Madame Tussaud.
Good morning, Christie! I had the same experience with my RITA books. Several that weren't my cup of tea, but one that I wouldn't have thought was my cup of tea that totally surprised me and was. Obviously, I'm not free to divulge names, but it was a very fun experience.
I look forward to the day when I can judge the RITAs and, of course, enter them!
I've just finished my Golden Heart judging and had a couple of excellent entries - I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them!
This blog is a terrible place for picking up new authors - I mean that in the best possible way *g*. Every time we have a guest, I seem to pick up someone new to read or will give an author a try who writes in a category I don't normally read.
The last new author I tried was actually from one of the Amazon recommendation emails - I'd just bought the latest Allison Brennan (Love me to Death - which returns to her straight RS writing) and it suggested I might like Kate Brady (a RITA winner). They were right - I did!
Danielle - I hear you! I'm a terrible glommer onto those backlists and veteran authors have so many books you have to read!
I just bought pretty much all of Anne Gracie's backlist and have been working my way through them. What a treat!
Oh yes, Helen, Pam is a wonderful author! The Banditas have a special soft spot for Pam as she finalled in the Golden Heart with us in 2006.
I can't wait for my trip to Australia in August for the Romance Writers of Australia conference!
Jane got the GR !! Maybe he can work off the Tim Tams and tea he stuffed himself with while in Oz!
I agree with VraiAnna that this blog is TERRIBLE for my finances but wonderful for discovering new authors!
Actually the last new to me author I read was Pamela Palmer as well! I read her on recommendation of LaCampbell and I really love what I've read so far. Glad to hear she has a new one coming out.
Another venue that introduces me to new authors I normally don't read extensively is our local library fund raiser - Murder on the Menu. It is a readers' luncheon featuring mystery authors. (Kate we would LOVE to have you!)
From this year's luncheon just a few weeks ago I bought a new to me author, Jeri Westerson who writes a a "medieval Sam Spade" series featuring a disgraced knight who was stripped of everything and now solves crimes in the "mean streets of 14th century London."
I'm reading the first book, Serpent in the Thorns, and I have to say that so far I am loving Crispin Guest, the hero, and the story is definitely engrossing! The second book is Veil of Thorns and I WILL be ordering it if this book continues as well as it has started.
Reminds me, I need to pre order the latest C.S. Harris (comes out March 5) another new to me author La Campbell suggested!
It was a few months ago. I tried Monica McCarty--and I loved her! :)
Right now I'm rereading a Eloisa James because I flew through her newest and loved it so much that I'm having withdrawals. Other books--which I haven't read--aren't holding my attention. *shrugs*
Oh, yeah, Cindy, I'll bet those Rita entries can really be a mixed bag!
Actually, I've been trying quite a few new authors since I got my Kindle, and I've targeted the inexpensive ones. They're always having some kind of sale, and I find I'm willing to gamble on a new author for 99 cents or $1.99, while I maybe wouldn't at a regular $6.99 price for a paperback.
J.R. Rain has a Vampire series called Vampire for Hire, the first book being "Moon Dance." It's a contemp vampire P.I., and her voice is pretty good, a little snarky, which I like, first person POV.
I'm reading Suzanne Collins' YA series, starting with HUNGER GAMES.
And I'm really, really enjoying Margaret Atwood's THE YEAR OF THE FLOOD. I think she's the best contemporary writer of general fiction around today. Some of her books tend to be dark and apocalyptic, however.
I'm eager to get my hands on Eloisa James' latest. Has anyone read it or is it even released? She did an article for TV Guide hooking the book to the TV show HOUSE. And the picture in TV Guide was a spoof of romance covers. Clever.
Jo, I read it and it's fabulous!
I'm in the midst of reading RITA books as well, and like you, love discovering new authors - and new genres that I don't normally read. I especially like it when I get to read a debut so I can hop on the bandwagon early.
In the past, I've gotten books in my RITA stack that I KNEW would be RITA winners - and they were. Can't say I'm seeing that this year - it's all in the luck of the draw. Still, there's nothing like settling in with a cup of tea and a new set of characters and falling in love over and over again.
I generally stick with historical romances (with a few exceptions)but love to read new authors! If an author that I really like gives a quote on a book, I will often try it. I read so many books that the wait for new releases have to be filled with authors that I have not yet read.
Jane, congrats on the bird!
Christie, I'm reading Laura Anne Gilman's Nebula-nominated Flesh and Fire right now. It's the first book in a trilogy, The Vineart War. The magic system is based on wine, which is an original slant. Laura Anne is not new to me, though. I'd read seven of her other books before this one.
The last time I tried a new author was when I read Tiffany Clare's Surrender of a Lady, which I liked a lot.
Danielle, I know what you mean about backlists. Some authors can keep a reader busy for weeks!
OTOH, when I discovered Lord Peter Wimsey, Dorothy L. Sayers' aristocratic detective, I was devastated to learn Sayers was long dead and there would be only the handful of books I had read.
Helen, I also love a variety genres and types of books. About the fiction I don't read is literary. It doesn't seem to me to be about the story as much as the execution, and I want a good story.
I read a fair amount of nonfiction, too.
Margay, is that a novel or a biography?
This is sad, but I haven't read a full novel in 10 days. I read a little at night, but by the time I pick up my book, I'm too zonked to read much more than a few pages at a time. I would really like a weekend day where I'm caught up on all housework and just read. :)
It's a novel based on the life of the famous wax figure maker.
Louisa, that sounds like a fabulous luncheon! And, alas for my budget, the mystery series with the disgraced knight looks very intriguing.
Ms. Hellion, I haven't tried Monica McCarty yet, but she's on my list!
I hope you'll be able to fall into a book soon.
Jo, the dh is also reading the Suzanne Collins trilogy. He teaches YA literature. So far, he has finished the first book and liked it a lot.
June, I read a lot of historicals, too. I read a fair number of YA romances when I was in high school, though I didn't think of them specifically as romances. When I picked up romance as an adult, I went first to historicals.
P.S. I do want to read The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews. My sister says it is one of the best books she has read in years.
Deb, I find that I have more reading time now that the boy is older. I've done a lot of reading in carpool lines, too.
Margay, thanks.
Hi Jane! Congrats on the rooster. What genre/subgenre is Ashley March?
And yes, I should KNOW that, seeing as how we're guesting with Ashely. Jeesh!
Grins.
I'm reading Kathy Reich's latest, and an Ann Auirre book that Nancy recommended that's really good, and of course I cannot remember the title. *eye roll*
I'm also reading a non-fiction book about crystals for another project I'm working on. Fascinating stuff.
I try to read new authors all the time :)
Right now I'm doing it for Romcon.
(Nope I'm not telling who...LOL)
Then I also do a bunch of different requests come through that I pick up here and there just because I think the book looks interesting. (sometimes like last night I wish I hadn't, but I guess not all books blurbs are true to there words.)
As for what I really love....Ahhhhh
My Highlanders....I don't care if they're Vampires Like in Kerrelyn Sparks' books or just Hotties in Historicals....I'm a junky for a hottie in a kilt!!!!
Bad I know but atleast I'll say it!
Jo, Eloisa's take on Beauty and the Beast is a marvelous book. I reviewed it for The Romance Dish a few weeks ago and gave it five stars. i would have given it more if I could. :)
The most recent new author I read was Kieran Kramer. I love her humorous romances, When Harry Met Molly and Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right, and am looking forward to her April 26 release Cloudy with a Chance of Marriage.
It seems like every time I turn around, I discover a new author thanks to friends like you Bandits. I thank you, but my wallet feels the pinch. ;-)
I just finished ARC's of A LIGHT AT WINTER'S END by Julia London (fabulous!) and TREACHERY IN DEATH by J.D. Robb (never get tired of this series! Roarke...sigh).
Christie, I'm still reading my Rita entries so I can't mention those but the last new-to-me-author I read was Jessica Andersen and I'm so glad I did! I fell in love with her Final Prophecy series :-)
Someone just lent me a bag of books so I have been trying some new authors. Unfortunately the last one wasn't so hot but I muddled through. I am sure I am going to find some treasures too! Oh and I get to read two books for Romcon so I have my fingers crossed.
Hey Christie,
I'm reading the last of my Rita books too. And yes, I purposely chose a category I don't normally read and definitely don't write. I find that is a great way to discover books and authors I might not normally read.
Of course, here in the Lair is a GREAT place to find new and different authors. I lost count of the great reads I've discovered through our wonderful guests.
AC
BJ and Catslady,
How FANTASTIC that you are reading for the RomCom contest! I hope you both get lots of winners in your batches. ;-)
AC
I'm reading a new release by Darynda Jones - it's called FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT. This story is a Golden Heart winner and, wow, I can see why it won - I love discovering new authors!
Susan, don't you just love when reading through those entries and finding something completely different and wonderful.
Anna, this blog does have some fantastic guest authors. I've found a few new ones that way too.
Louisa, a medieval Sam Spade sounds great! I'll have to look for that one.
Ms. Hellion, I still haven't read Monica McCarty yet. I've heard great things about her.
Jo, I would think the Kindle would be very bad for me. But I've heard a lot of people love those cheap/free reads.
Donna, I only had one or two I thought might have a chance at winning. But I'm still hoping they do.
June M. said...
If an author that I really like gives a quote on a book, I will often try it.
Jane, I think that's fascinating. I've read so many other people who say the author quotes don't mean a thing to them.
Nancy, I haven't read Tiffany Clare yet. She's on my list to try. Just no time right now.
Deb, if it wasn't for the contest, I wouldn't have read anything for the past month. 10 days isn't so bad :)
BJ, are you reading for a RomCon contest? Or reviewing?
Beth, is that a paranormal series? The series title sounds like it.
I'm doing the RomCom contest. The reviews I do are usually sent through Bosticks.
But it's so funny. Cause the RomCom is actually right next door to me town wise.....not even like 2 minutes away....I can't wait until August!!!! It's gonna be SO MUCH FUN!!!!!
Jane congrats on the chook!
Christie, for me I tried out a new author earlier this week. Eliosa James was a recommendation on another fav author's site and I thought I would give her a go.
I purchased 2 of her books, 1 I really enjoyed and the other was so so.
Definitely love exploring the different styles within Regency and Historical Romance. Next on my list is Tiffany Clare!
Thanks for taking the time to post, short or not. Can't wait for your next book!!! (sorry had to say that because I am anxious)
OMG, Christie, I'm so sorry. I had Aunty Cindy's blog on my mind and accidentally called you "Cindy."
Old brains!
I really do know your name, tee hee.
Thanks, Margay, then for sure I'll pick it up!
Thanks, Nancy, I never read much of Collins' romance books, so I wasn't sure, but I think she's captured the YA voice pretty well, and I DO like the world building. The pacing is a mite slow for me, but I think YA's tend to be that way. All that teen angst has to have an outlet you know.
Janga said, "Jo, Eloisa's take on Beauty and the Beast is a marvelous book. I reviewed it for The Romance Dish a few weeks ago and gave it five stars. i would have given it more if I could. :)"
Great! I'll have to go back and read your review. I absolutely LOVE the Beauty and the Beast story anyway, so I'm very eager to get to this one. Thanks for the tip.
Yes, Christie, it's very, very easy to show for Kindle books, but I spent a lot of $$ at Amazon anyway and since I have so many auto-buys in hardback, it's actually a bit cheaper. The Kindle romance e-books tend to be priced the same as the paperbacks.
That's right, Gannon, go ahead and taunt us because you've read Treachery in Death. We who have to wait are just PERISHING with envy!
*sigh*
Beth, you read the Nightkeepers?! Yay!
Hmmm, last time I tried a new author might've been way back in October because I haven't been reading much lately, maybe only 3 or 4 books since then. However, I'm making up for that now. I'm currently reading Mark Del Franco's Face Off(Laura Blackstone #2), Scott Westerfeld's Behemoth(Leviathan #2) and Rick Riordan's The Lost Hero(The Heroes of Olympus #1).
That's right, Gannon, go ahead and taunt us because you've read Treachery in Death. We who have to wait are just PERISHING with envy!
Just a few more days, Nancy. And it's so worth the wait. :-)
I love discovering new-to-me authors. Kieran Kramer is a recent discovery who I'm enjoying a lot.
I just finished reading an ARC of What I Did for a Duke by Julie Anne Long. It's the fifth book in her historical Pennyroyal Green series and, in my opinion, her best book yet. I loved it! Janga reviewed it for us at The Romance Dish and gave it an enthusiastic five stars. It'll be in stores next week!
Next up on my tbr is If Wishes Were Horses, a debut novel from Robert Barclay.
PJ, I have If Wishes Were Horses on my reading pile, too.
I, too have been reading RITA books and at least one was an unexpected surprise and I'm now trawling for her backlist.
The person I'm glomming most at the moment (and no RITA related) is Trisha Ashley. I started with her most recent one, Twelve Days of Christmas (or something like that - I'm rotten with titles and am away from my bookshelves) and loved it and am now working my way through her backlist.
Gorgeous, light-hearted English romance somewhat in the Katie Fforde style.
Anna Sugden, so looking forward to your aussie visit.
Meant to add, previous glom was Susanna Kearsley - also contemporary, but with interesting historical connections. Lovely writing. Have exhausted her backlist, though.
I love finding authors with a backlist because I'm greedy and want to read them all, now!
I read several new authors this year - Margaret Mallory and Erin Quinn being just two of them. If they write in a genre that I really enjoy (historical fiction - natch!), I'll give them a try if it seems similar to a style that is similar to one of my favorite authors.
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