New Author Challenge

Well I tried it last year and failed miserably. I think I read, maybe 2 new to me authors all year. But I'm never one to give up easily, so I thought I'd try it again this year. And with all my other personal reading challenges - what the heck ;)

The Challenge: Read 50 new-to-you authors this year. I'll list them in the order I read them, and what book of theirs I read. As well as if I enjoyed it, plan to look for more, or any other details.

This year I'm already off to a decent start (especially compared to last year):

1. Jennifer Armintrout - The Turning
The Turning is the first book in Jennifer's Blood Ties series. I loved this first book, and pretty quickly went through the other three. And picked up the first book in her next series: Lightworld/Darkworld.

2. Kate Pearce - Roping the Wind
Roping the Wind is the first book in Kate's Turner Brothers series. It was a really good, fun cowboy read. I supremely enjoyed it. And quickly read the other two. I look forward to reading more of hers.

3. Lauren Dane - Giving Chase
A good fun read. I'm definitely gonna get to some more of her work.

4. Susan Donovan - He Loves Lucy
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the love story between Lucy and Theo was not only touching, but believable.

5. Melinda Barron - Graceful Submission
This was a fantastic book. I loved the development of the characters, and how BDSM was handled in it. I will definitely be looking for more of her books.

6. Kat Alexis - Candy Coated Passion
To be honest the sex scenes got a bit tedious, and it felt like there was little to no growth with the characters. I'd love to see the author do more with them, so it's not just sex scene after sex scene.

7. Maggie Casper - Zane's Way
Hmm. It had the potential for a really good book. The characters were interesting, the storyline was interesting, but it just seemed to rushed. I didn't get enough time of them together, much more time of them apart. Not enough time to see how their relationship grew. Pity, because I missed that.

8. Julia Quinn - The Duke and I
I absolutely adored this book. The characters are lively, quick, smart and interesting. People that I would love to know. The romance is sweet, hot, and beautiful. The dialogue is fabulous. The secondary characters (coming up in future books) are absolutely fascinating. I can't wait to read more from Julia Quinn. (Yes - I know I'm quite late to this party...lol)

9. Jennifer Ashley - The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie
What a fantastic book. I love the way that the author showed the hero having AS. How it wasn't a passed over part of the story, how it was completely integrated into the love story and the overall story. Fantastic romance with a real hero and heroine. I couldn't put it down, and can't wait to read more in this series.

10. Stacia Kane - Unholy Ghosts
Read my review here

11. Charlaine Harris - Dead Until Dark
I really enjoyed this first novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Enough that it made me immediately get the following 9 full length novels and devour them in a week.

12. Desiree Holt - Double Entry
This was a decent book that had some likable characters, although I can't remember much specifically about them. It was a short story, heavy on sex, and light on conflict. I did have some problems with one scene in particular that was just beyond unrealistic for me - not in that it couldn't be done, but in that it definitely shouldn't, and any woman would know that. There was also some unrealistic dialogue that felt more like the author trying to give distinctive personalities rather than the characters actually having distinctive personalities. Other than that, I'd be willing to try another novel by her sometime.

13. Kasey MacKenzie - Red Hot Fury
A debut author with a fresh new look at urban fantasy. I've been working on a review for this. The concept is awesome and intriguing, but there were some definite debut-novel issues I had. Update: Read review here.

14. Gena Showalter - The Darkest Night
First book in the Lords of the Underworld series. Interesting premise, good characters. A good read, and I look forward to seeing where she takes the series.

15. Cherise Sinclair - Club Shadowlands
The best thing I can say about this author is that as soon as I finished Club Shadowlands I immediately read everything else she has available. I find her characters believable, charming, interesting and hot. The end of Master of the Mountain still strikes me as perfect - just because of how realistic it was. And beautiful. I eagerly await anything and everything Cherise sends my way.

16. Victoria Dahl (as Holly Summers)- The Wicked West
I grabbed this book on a recommendation from Sarah at Dear Author. I enjoyed it. It was a quick, intense read. I liked the female knowing exactly what she wanted, and not afraid to go after it. I'll definitely look for more of her work.

17. KC Sehlhorst - Hel Hath No Fury
I loved what the author did with the concept of Lucifer. He was handled absolutely brilliantly. I felt there were things in the storyline rushed, and not explained, but I definitely enjoyed being along for the ride and look forward to reading more by this author.

18. Vicki Lewis Thompson - Blonde With a Wand
I've heard of her Nerds books before, but this is the first one I picked up, on the recommendation of a friend. I really enjoyed it. I liked seeing the growth that both characters went through, and definitely look forward to more.

19. Anne Stuart - Ruthless
I enjoyed this historical romance novel. The characters and setting were very different to me, which was actually nice. See my review here.

20. Eve Silver - Sins of the Heart
Definitely not going to be the last book I read by Eve Silver. She set up a fascinating world, with great characters and an interesting plot. Read my review here.

21. L. Shannon - Amethyst Bound
Interesting world, but I didn't feel there was enough character building, nor enough to keep the story moving. It was relatively easy for me to put this down, and only force of will kept me going (until I met a character that I really want to know more about at the end!!) Read my review here.

22. Meljean Brook - "Here There Be Monsters" in Burning Up anthology
I loved this novella. Fantastic, fresh, interesting world and characters that are fully developed which is always impressive in a novella format. Can't wait for the full length The Iron Duke and have started on a glom of Meljean's backlist, her Guardian series.

23. Zoë Archer - Warrior
A fun adventure story with bits of magic, a trek through the steppes of Outer Mongolia and wonderful characters - read my review here.

24. Courtney Milan - Proof by Seduction
A historical that made me laugh, and tear up, I clearly felt the emotions of the characters. Read my review here.

25. Ilona Andrews - On the Edge
Rustic Fantasy is what Ilona Andrews calls this book, and I loved it, so much that it was incredibly hard for me to put down. Read my review here.

26. J.Z. Colby - The Test
Interesting idea with a young male, obviously from a different world, traveling to a city to find a crew for his ship. But it moved slow and I never felt like I got to know the characters. There was also the abrupt cut-off at the end and the mediocre writing. It did finally start to pick up near the end and I would be interested in where the story went.

27. Melissa Schroeder - A Little Harmless Sex
A fun, erotic romp that made me eager to dive into more of her works. After quickly finishing the two other books available in this series, A Little Harmless Pleasure (my favorite of the three so far), and A Little Harmless Obsession, I will definitely be looking for more

28. Riley Shane - The Taste of Magick
A wonderful Halloween short story that's sexy, fun and deep. I definitely look forward to more by Riley Shane. Read my review here.

29. Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games
Review to come. Immediately upon finishing this book I had to go out and get Catching Fire (and then Mockingjay). Days later and I can't stop thinking about it.

30. Nicole Austin - Erotique
A 'Naughty Nooner' from Ellora's Cave. A quick short story. I enjoyed it, and liked Ms. Austin's writing style so I'll definitely be looking for more from her. I do think the end could have used another two or three paragraphs.

31. Sally Painter - Not Just an Orgy
Another 'Naughty Nooner' from Ellora's Cave. I think this had a good premise but in such a short format I think there was too much plot. There was deception, the first time the couple was together, supernatural thrown in there for good measure. It just had too much going on in such a short space. I think this story could have benefited from a longer format, or less busy-ness.

32. Cassandra Gold - Quinn's Hart
I absolutely loved this book! It was such a sweet love story and made me smile all the way through. See my review here.

33. Rebecca Royce - Yes, Captain
This was a quick, good read. While I would have appreciated a bit more development between the characters I'd definitely be interested in reading more by Ms. Royce.

34. Kristen Painter - Miss Bramble and the Leviathan
A quick steampunk read that I enjoyed. The author did a good job of showing the steampunk world and still developing the characters. Again, I would have liked to had more time there just to delve a bit deeper, but I look forward to reading more by this author.

35. Roxanne St. Claire - Edge of Sight
I don't read a lot of romantic-suspense anymore, probably because it all feels like 'been there, done that' to me. However I was pulled right into this book. And I really enjoyed it. Tortured, truly damaged hero, strong smart heroine - and they actually talk, imagine that. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

36. Sabrina Jeffries - Never Seduce a Scoundrel
Yes, it's true. I've never read Sabrina Jeffries before this year. This was a fun historical to read. It had a few things that I'm not a fan of - prolonged deception on the part of hero AND heroine for one - but in the end I liked it. I've got the others in the series on my list.


Last updated 29 December 2010