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Finding new authors to love always makes me happy! Every year I make new discoveries, and last year was no exception. For this post, “New-To-Me Authors” refers to established authors who are NOT DEBUT authors. There were plenty of amazing debuts I read last year, but I want to focus on those authors who have at least one book under their belts. Here are the authors I finally discovered and the books I read (in no particular order):
Grace Draven
Draven has written a bunch of fantasy/romance books, and I’m so glad I was able to read Phoenix Unbound last year, the start to a new series. Of course now I want to go back and catch up on her backlist! You can read my review of Phoenix Unbound here.
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Barnes is a well-known and popular writer in the contemporary/thriller genre, but since I don’t usually read those types of books, I’ve never read anything by her before. Until a publicist asked if I’d like to try her latest, Little White Lies. I had so much fun with this book! And I’m definitely excited about the next book in the series. My review.
Sebastien de Castell
I’ve been reading reviews from other bloggers of de Castell’s Greatcoat series for years, and I’ve always wanted to jump into that series. But because of time restraints I was never able to figure out how to fit his books into my schedule. When Spellslinger came along, I was excited to get in on the ground floor of this amazing series. Read my review here.
Claire Legrand
Claire Legrand has been writing YA fiction for years, but I’ve never read her before. Until I saw the premise of Sawkill Girls and immediately requested a review copy. I was so impressed, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on her upcoming releases. Read my review here.
Peter Tieryas
I missed Tieryas’ first book, United States of Japan, but I was excited to find out that I could jump right into Mecha Samurai Empire, set in the same universe, without having read the first book. Of course, now I want to go back and catch up! Read my review here.
Robert Masello
Robert Masello is another author who has been writing for years, but for whatever reasons I just never read him before. But when a publicist offered up The Night Crossing for review, I was excited to finally read one of his books. And it was really good! Read my review here.
Craig DiLouie
DiLouie has lots of books under his belt, but I’m glad that One of Us was my first. Yes, it was a tough subject matter and often difficult to read at times, but I have a lot of respect for this author and the way he incorporated important themes with a thrilling story. Read my review here.
John Kessel
I’d seen Kessel’s name floating around, but I had never read him when I caught wind of Pride and Prometheus. I knew I wanted to read this, and I’m so glad I did. I’m looking forward to his next book! Read my review here.
Rachel Aaron
I’ve been trying for a few years to jump on the Rachel Aaron/Rachel Bach bandwagon, but you know. Not enough time to read everything I want to! So when I was offered the chance to review Garrison Girl, I was excited to see what all the fuss was about. I really loved this story, and I’m going to try to catch up on some of her other series, like the Heartstriker and Fortune’s Pawn. Read my review here.
Tim Waggoner
Waggoner’s been writing for a long time, and I’m kind of surprised I’ve never read any of his books before. Enter 2018 and his latest The Mouth of the Dark, and I knew I wanted to read it after seeing some rave reviews on other blogs. Read my review here.
I love discovering new to me authors. While I rarely go to their backlist (too many books, not enough time), I do look forward to their new books. I’m glad you discovered Grace Draven. She has been a favorite of mine for a few years. I even met her a few years back and she is truly a sweety!
A great article and really interesting list, Tammy:). Grace Draven has caught my eye – I’ll be checking her out as I don’t mind fantasy romance, so long as it’s in that order… And I’m delighted you have enjoyed Sebastien de Castell – I would like to get hold of his Greatcoats series now. And I’ve been a fan of Rachel Aaron/Bach for a while now – I recommend the Fortune’s Pawn trilogy as a bundle of space opera fun with a no-holds-barred heroine.
I already have copies of all the Fortune’s Pawn books, so I just need to find time to read them:-)
I really need to get my hands on a copy of that Draven. My bestie raves about that book! I also surprisingly loved Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ book and went on to read The Fixer as well last year.
Bonnie @ For the Love of Words recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Best New Authors Read in 2018
I’ve heard good things about The Fixer, if I have time I’m tempted to give it a try:-)
I still need to read Pride and Prometheus as well as the Grace Draven book. I saw a few days back she had a new one coming out too. Don’t know if it’s a continuation of this one or not. Over half of the books I read last year were new-to-me authors which kind of shocked me. I was happy about what I read but for some reason I guess I thought I was reading more of my old faves.
I just saw that the sequel to Phoenix Unbound is listed on Goodreads, I can’t wait!
I loved Pride and Prometheus as well! I’d read some of Kessel’s short stories before (there’s a terrific quartet set on the moon), but I’d like to read more of his novels too. I still have a copy of One of Us that I need to read. Glad to see it made your top 10 list! Garrison Girl looks like something I might like too!
One of Us is definitely worth reading, although it’s very dark and depressing at times, but I’m so glad I read it.
Ooh, Pride and Prometheus sounds good.
This is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
It was really good, and a nice surprise:-)
In the Mouth of the Dark was such a crazy book. I haven’t read his backlist (yet) but have a couple in the tbr.
It was crazy! I want to see what else he can do:-)
I haven’t read anything by any of these authors, but Phoenix Unbound is on my TBR 😀
It was so good! Have fun reading:-)
Fantastic list! I’ve read three of these authors. Once I read a Rachel Aaron novel I fell in love with her storytelling and have been trying to catch up with her backlist since lol.
Rachel Aaron has a bunch of books under her belt, I’m excited to read more:-)
Ooh great list! And great idea to focus on non-debut authors, that definitely helps things. Claire Legrand and Sebastien de Castell are two new authors I’m pretty excited to read more from. There are quite a few authors here that I’ve been meaning to check out, so I’ll have to look into them soon!
I want to read more from de Castell, I’m so behind, he’s written so many books!
Mecha Samurai Empire is high up on my “Need to buy” list – one day!
Caitlin G. recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: New to Me Authors I Read in 2018
It’s such a fun read, hope you get the chance some day:-)
Craig DiLouie won me over with his “One of Us” in the space of a few chapters, and I’m more than looking forward to his next novel, that sounds just as intriguing, if not more… 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Short Story Review: CANOE, by Nancy Kress
It does sound good! The cover really makes me curious:-)
I haven’t read any of these authors, but I’m glad you found them in 2018! Here’s hoping both of us find more great authors to love in the new year.
Happy TTT!
Yes, here’s hoping! We have a whole year ahead of us to discover them:-)
I love this list – although at the same time it makes me sad because there are quite a few authors on here that I want to read. I can do this!
Lynn 😀
I know, whenever I make lists like this I get sad too because I know I’ll never have time to read everything!
I really need to read Sawkill Girls, I picked up the ebook when it was on sale but it lies unread. I wasn’t a super fan of Furyborn but enjoyed it enough to try her other release!
I was surprised how much I enjoyed Sawkill Girls! Very scary and above average for a YA.
OH that is super exciting to me, yay!
Great list! I read Rachel Aaron’s The Spirit Thief and the first couple of book in the Nice Dragon’s Finish Last series, but have decided she’s just not a great fit for me… I am too picky about humor and her’s doesnt work well for me, but I suspect you would enjoy them much more than I did
I’ll probably start with her Paradox series:-)
The Night Crossing was really good, wasn’t it! 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me
Yes! I’m ready to read something else by that author:-)
I gotta read One of Us this year.
And I have Sebastien de Castell’s Greatcoats on my TBR.
Just make sure you’re in a serious mood when you pick up One of Us!
I see so many ones I’ve wanted to read here, Tammy, but I think Sawkill Girls is at the top of the list. Terrific choices!
Oh yes! Sawkill Girls is a ton of fun:-)
I did try Waggoner last year. That book was insane. LOL I have a couple more of his to read now. These others all new to me. Thanks for introducing them.
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I definitely want to try another Waggoner book!
I haven’t read any of these authors yet but I know I added several of them to my TBR based on your reviews in 2018. 🙂
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday – Top 10 New-to-Me Authors in 2018
Thanks Suzanne, I hope you get the chance to try one or two:-)
Jennifer Lynn Barnes also made my list. I don’t know if she’s written much SFF, if any, but I don’t care, she’s definitely a must-read author now, no matter what she writes. Also yay for discovering Sebastian de Castell in 2018!
I agree, Jennifer Lynn Barnes was quite a nice surprise. I’m anxious to see what the next book in the series is about.
I’ve never read anything from these authors but there are some I really want to, especially Claire Legrand and Jennifer Barnes. I’ve heard so many good things about their books!
I’m excited to read more books from both authors, and luckily they both have lots of books out!
That Mecha Samurai one looks like it could be a good video game 😀
I just bought a copy of One of Us and wanna get Sawkill Girls too.
Mecha Samurai Empire is very cinematic, I could also see it as a video game:-)
I have that Draven book and I need to try it and I kind of want to try de Castell’s series too. 🙂
You should definitely try Phoenix Unbound, so good!
Mecha Samurai Empire looks really cool. I own like the first 3 spellslinger books but haven’t started it yet. This year!
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