New (To Me) Authors In 2017


I didn’t set out to read new authors in 2017, but looking back over my reading this year I can see that I definitely did just that. Some were hits, some were misses, some were pretty forgettable (sad but true), and some became new favorites. So let’s take a look.

I read a total of 35 (yes, THIRTY-FIVE!) new-to-me authors in 2017. I was pretty astounded by that number! I would have guessed less than half that.  Here’s a rundown of all 35:

Vi Keeland, Bryn Greenwood, Kiera Cass, Jeff Zentner, Robin Roe*, Julie Buxbaum, Juilana Keyes, Marley Jacobs*, Anne Bishop, Sarah Jio, Katja Millay, Joanna Wylde, Brigid Kemmerer, S. Jae-Jones*, Sandhya Menon*, Jill Santopolo, Cath Crowley, Sasha Clinton, Emma Scott, Kylie Scott, Emma Chase, Tiffany Pitcock*, London Hale, Katy Upperman*, Sarah White*, L.P. Dover, Tracy Wolff, Martin Wilson, Sara Jade Alan*, Robin Covington, Liz Nugent, Leigh Bardugo, Mary Lindsey, Monica Murphy, Dianne Duvall
*Denotes debut author

Among the books from these 35 authors there were some real stand-outs, so here are the ones that truly made an impression.

ANNE BISHOP
In March I downloaded the audio version of Bishop’s Written in Red on a whim. It was unlike anything I typically read and I had no expectations. And I loved it! I was instantly hooked on the story of blood prophet Meg Corbyn and the characters/creatures who dwelled within the Lakeside Courtyard. I quickly made my through all five books in the series and am now anxiously awaiting the next book.

EMMA SCOTT
The oh-so-pretty cover of Sugar & Gold caught my eye and the synopsis caught my imagination. I ended up flying through this romance with a slight paranormal twist. Scott managed to surprise me with characters I loved, a plot that I couldn’t predict, and an emotional impact that I didn’t expect. I know I’ll be reading more from Emma Scott… soon.

JEFF ZENTNER
Truth be told, I only picked up The Serpent King because Shannon (It Starts at Midnight) sang its praises for a solid year. I chose to go the audio route and, while I didn’t love it quite as much as Shannon (who could? LOL), my heart still ached for the characters and their struggles with poverty, abuse, faith, and friendship. And even though it’s been 10 months since reading it, there is one particular scene that has stayed with me and continues to hurt my heart – and probably always will. It’s not often I encounter a specific scene that is so utterly unforgettable, but Zentner managed to create just that, so kudos to him.

JULIE BUXBAUM, BRIGID KEMMERER, KYLIE SCOTT, KATY UPPERMAN
When it came to YA contemporary, these authors were new voices that caught my attention. Tell Me Three Things, Letters to the Lost, Trust, and Kissing Max Holden – all four novels had that certain something that just clicked with me and had me ready to read more from each author.



WHICH NEW TO YOU AUTHOR 
WAS YOUR FAVORITE THIS YEAR?

23 comments

  1. Wow on 35 new to you authors this year!! I need to read that Anne Bishop series. I enjoyed Jeff Zentner this year for the first too.

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    1. I highly recommend The Others series by Anne Bishop. I was hooked from the first book. The world she's created is so creative and imaginative.

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  2. I had a lot of new to me authors too. I read my first Emma Scott, Katy Upperman, Brigid Kemmerer books this year too, loved them all, and will definitely read more from them.

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    1. I'm super excited to read more from Emma Scott! I just fell in love with her story telling ability.

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  3. haha your "I didn’t love it quite as much as Shannon (who could? LOL)" LOL! I was trying to remember WHY i read it and I think it was because of Shannon's review! :) I "kinda" like it only too :) but I do think Zentner it's a great writer. Ok. I think you want me to read the Others? LOL Like Daemon I see the Others in all your top posts :)

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    1. Shannon can be quite persuasive, can't she? LOL
      I totally recommend Bishop's The Others series. I feel like I've seen you read UF before (I'm not imagining that, right?) so I think you would really get into it.

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  4. ahh I love new to me authors <33 that is such an impressive number :D and also awesome that you seemed to enjoy most of them

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    1. I was lucky to discover some really great new (to me) authors that I know I'll be reading more from. Such a good feeling! :)

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  5. ♥♥♥ Anne Bishop! So glad you picked her up this year! I need to read Letters to the Lost soon!!

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    1. I listened to whole series on audio and plan to do a re-listen before the next book comes out in May. I'm kinda bummed it's not following the same characters, though (or at least doesn't sound like it will be).

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  6. I've read a lot of new authors this year too!! Especially since I've branched out from YA into more NA. Previously I only read historical romances then went to YA. I'm constantly changing it seems lol!! I would love to try Julie Bexbaum, Katy Upperman, Vi Keeland, etc. So many awesome authors out there to discover.

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    1. Sounds like you go through reading phases (as far as genres, anyway). I listened to the audio of Buxbaum's Tell Me Three Things and it was so good that I bought a physical copy. I'm excited to pick up her latest release!

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  7. I still need to read Anne Bishop's series. I've only read Goodbye Days by Zentner, but I do want to read The Serpent King!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I definitely recommend The Others series by Anne Bishop! And I still want to pick up Zentner's Goodbye Days.

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  8. Yay for Anne Bishop and Emma Scott. Love them both. I love Joanna Wylde as well. Oh I think I need to do this list soon. My favorite new to me authors this year is Devney Perry, Lorelei James, Lauren Blakely, Penelope Sky, Keri Lake, A Zavarelli and Kandi Steiner. There are some I forgot to meintion I believe.

    Awesome list, Tanya. 😁❤️👍🏻

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    1. I only read one from Joanna Wylde this year and liked it but didn't love it. Still unsure if I'll continue with the series. Anne Bishop and Emma Scott were fantastic, though! I definitely want to try Devney Perry! I keep seeing rave reviews for her books!

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  9. Hahha I am having quite the chuckle at your comments about The Serpent King, but also everyone else who says I pushed it on them too bwhahhaha. I mean I am glad you at least liked it ;) I read Brigid Kemmerer for the first time too, I liked her book a lot! I really need to read Ann Bishop's series, and Julie Buxbaum's books too! Fabulous picks!

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    1. Isn't that part of the book blogger credo? Thou shalt push books on others? LOL Ad you do it so well! =D I definitely want to read more from Kemmerer... and you so need to try that Anne Bishop series!

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  11. I've always meant to try Anne Bishop. And I am also a longtime fan of Brigid Kemmerer and a new fan of Jeff Zentner!
    Jen Ryland Reviews

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    1. The Anne Bishop series was probably by biggest surprise of the year. Hooray for trying new things and stepping out of my reading comfort zone! I'm excited to read more from Kemmerer.

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  12. I really-really need to read Letters to the Lost! I've heard so many amazing things about it from a wide-variety of people, so I'm fairly certain I'll enjoy it. Anne Bishop is an author I've wanted to check out for a while now, and your post makes me really want to put Written in Red to the top of my tbr list. Great post & I'm happy you discovered so many fantastic authors in 2017! :)

    Veronika @ The Regal Critiques

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    1. Letters to the Lost is wonderful! And I highly recommend The Others series by Anne Bishop. I listened to all 5 books in the series this year and am so hooked!

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