Top 10 of 2019: New or New-to-Me Authors

Top 10 of 2019 is hosted once again by Kimberly Faye Reads, and this year she has a co-host Ginger @greadsbooks.   This second topic, new or new-to-me authors, is so hard!  Between the new authors I read as part of the whole launch of SmartyPants Romance, or the ARCs of debut authors I get, it's so hard to choose!  So some of these may be a little bit of a cheat and have more than one author.  In fact, I think I'll do like last year and at least even narrow down into romance and YA authors, 10? of each.

Romance:

1. 

First is Julia Kent.  Now, while I'd actually read one of her books under her other writing name, Meli Raine, as a free e-book a few years ago, Fluffy was the first I read under the name Julia Kent.  And it cracked me up so much!  I've loved all the books in that series so far.  I actually just finished listening to the 4th book in the Shopping for a Billionaire series yesterday, and I love it too!  Most of that series is part of the Audible Escape package, so that's how I'm enjoying them. 

My review of Fluffy is HERE.


2.

I read this one by Monica Murphy this year.  It was good, and I look forward to more in the future!

My review is HERE.



3.

I think all the rest of the authors I'll share under romance will be from SmartyPants Romance, like this one from Piper Sheldon. 

My review is HERE.

4.

When I saw this sitting on one of the tables at Book Bonanza this past August, I had to buy it since I'm a librarian, so I did get to meet the author, L.B. Dunbar, and then I was also introduced to her writing!

My review is HERE.

5.

I had to read all the books in the library series, so this one I got to read as part of a blog tour, and loved it as well!  It was probably my favorite of all of them.  Sabrina's shyness, the funny nerdy quotes, like "for the love of Dumbledore!".  Nora Everly is going to be someone I read a lot of in the future I hope! 

My review is HERE.

6.

I think this was my favorite in the Donner Bakery series from the SmartyPants Romance launch.  I think it is the author, Ellie Kay's, only book so far, but again, I look forward to more! 

My review is HERE.

7.

And another in the library series.  Normally I am not a big fan of the motorcycle club books, but this one was okay because of how awesome the librarian stuff was.  Cathy Yardley did a great job! 

My review is HERE.

8.

So much in this one that I liked as well, and I'm interested in reading more by Jiffy Kate.  It made me want to pack up and move myself to a place like Green Valley, I wished there was a real Green Valley!  It also kind of got me thinking maybe I want to work one of my stories into a way it could fit into the Green Valley world and possibly be part of the SmartyPants Romance group! 

My review is HERE.

9.

I loved this book.  All the stuff about being overweight and dealing with that was true.  How people look right through you, etc.  M.E. Carter responded to tweets I posted and Instagram posts as well.  Definitely looking forward to more by this author as well! 

My review is HERE.

10.

So, I actually read this earlier this year from a partner I found on a website called Critique Match when I was looking for someone to help me critique my short story.  I didn't actually know if she was published or not, hadn't heard of her, but read and loved her story to help her.  I wondered as I read if she was, because the story was so good! Then I found it posted as a book coming out this month, and I jumped on the blog tour to help promote it.  I'm currently "re-reading" the finished copy to post a full review here tomorrow!


YA Authors:
1.

I recently read and loved this book by Cookie O'Gorman.  I need to read more by this author now!  

My review is HERE.

2.

My first Hannah Moskowitz book was a hit!  

My review is HERE.

3.

So, I was supposed to read The Replacement Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts when it came out, but I didn't get to it. I signed up to do a blog tour for this one, and now I have to go back and read that one!  

My review is HERE.

4.

A good debut for Charlotte Nicole Davis, although the ending wasn't the best for me.  

My review is HERE.

5.

Yet another debut author, Brittney Morris, and I can't wait to see more from her in the future!  

My review is HERE.

6.

Natasha Diaz is another debut author I'm highly recommending!  

My review is HERE.

7.

While this is Chelsea Bobulski's second novel, it is the first one I've read, and I really liked how original she was with her ghost story and the way to see through it.  

My review is HERE.

8.

Another debut author I read this year was Autumn Krause, and it was a kind of original slant on a story that is similar to others I've read.  

My review is HERE.

9.

Another awesome 2019 debut author, I look forward to the sequel to this unique fantasy novel by Kalyn Josephson.  

My review is HERE.

10.

A great cult type of story that I really liked, Shannon Schuren will be on my watch list for future titles.  

My review is HERE.


Tell me, are any of these authors new to you?  Or are any old favorites?  What new or new-to-you authors did you read this year?

If you're interested in joining in to the Top 10 of 2019, you can go to the links at the top for the hosting blogs.  Here are the other topics you'll see coming up:

Also, while you're here, make sure you go enter into my weekly Cleaning Up My TBR Giveaway HERE.  It's open till Friday night at midnight!

ARC Review: The Virtue of Sin by Shannon Schuren

Book info:

Title:  The Virtue of Sin
Author:  Shannon Schuren
Genre:  YA contemporary
Release Date:  June 25th, 2019
Publisher:  Philomel Books, Penguin Teen
Source:  ARC won through Bookish First giveaway which did not influence my opinion.
My rating:  5 stars

Synopsis:
A compelling novel about speaking out, standing up, and breaking free -- perfect for fans of The Handmaid's Tale.

Miriam lives in New Jerusalem, a haven in the desert far away from the sins and depravity of the outside world. Within the gates of New Jerusalem, and under the eye of its founder and leader, Daniel, Miriam knows she is safe. Cared for. Even if she's forced, as a girl, to quiet her tongue when she has thoughts she wants to share, Miriam knows that New Jerusalem is a far better life than any alternative. So when God calls for a Matrimony, she's thrilled; she knows that Caleb, the boy she loves, will choose her to be his wife and they can finally start their life together.

But when the ceremony goes wrong and Miriam winds up with someone else, she can no longer keep quiet. For the first time, Miriam begins to question not only the rules that Daniel has set in place, but also what it is she believes in, and where she truly belongs.

Alongside unexpected allies, Miriam fights to learn--and challenge--the truth behind the only way of life she's ever known, even if it means straying from the path of Righteousness.

A compelling debut novel about speaking out, standing up, and breaking free.

Praise for The Virtue of Sin

"Shannon Schuren weaves a complex tale of love, faith, and lies in her thought-provoking debut The Virtue of Sin. As important as it is entertaining, this is a must-read for anyone who knows that independent thought trumps fitting in. One of my favorite reads of the year." --Christina Dalcher, bestselling author of VOX


My Review:
I'm always intrigued by any story about a cult, don't know why, it's just something that grabs me.  And this book did just that from the time I read the sneak peek, and then once I actually had the book in my hands and started reading, it was so hard to put down.  This one was even better than others, because while I thought I knew what was going to happen, the author threw in several twists and turns that I did not see coming.  My guesses as I went along were either so on track, or just to the side of what was actually happening.  It all made sense as the twists were explained, and made the story, the cult itself, that much more devious.  It also made you think about how what you've been told your whole life is always dependent on who is telling you those things, and what more is out there that you don't even know about it, if you don't look beyond what is easy and normal.  I definitely will be recommending this for my students, as well as at the bookstore where I work.   
 

Lisa's Looking Foward To #19 - June 25th, 2019

Back to joining up with the Waiting on Wednesday Posts, and the Can't Wait Wednesday posts hosted by Wishful Endings.  This week there are four on my list.

From my ARC list for June 25th:

I won an ARC of this through Bookish First, and plan/hope to get it read and do a review by this Sunday.  The first look that they gave me on the website definitely intrigued me, and I'm interested to see where the story goes.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

A novel about speaking out, standing up, and breaking free.

Miriam lives in New Jerusalem, a haven in the desert far away from the sins and depravity of the outside world. Within the gates of New Jerusalem, and under the eye of its founder and leader, Daniel, Miriam knows she is safe. Cared for. Even if she’s forced, as a girl, to quiet her tongue when she has thoughts she wants to share, Miriam knows that New Jerusalem is a far better life than any alternative. So when God calls for a Matrimony, she’s thrilled; she knows that Caleb, the boy she loves, will choose her to be his wife and they can finally start their life together.

But when the ceremony goes wrong and Miriam winds up with someone else, she can no longer keep quiet. For the first time, Miriam begins to question not only the rules that Daniel has set in place, but also what it is she believes in, and where she truly belongs.

Alongside unexpected allies, Miriam fights to learn–and challenge–the truth behind the only way of life she’s ever known, even if it means straying from the path of Righteousness.

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE. 

I love retelling types of stories, and Gena Showalter is a favorite author of mine.  I would have killed for this ARC!  I did get an egalley, so hope to have time to read still.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

Welcome to the Forest of Good and Evil. A dream come true, and a living nightmare.

Evil isn’t born, it’s made. One thought and action at a time. Take a good look at what you’ve made.

Far, far away, in the realm of Enchantia, creatures of legend still exist, magic is the norm and fairy tales are real. Except, fairy tales aren’t based on myths and legends of the past—they are prophecies of the future.

Raised in the mortal realm, Everly Morrow has no idea she’s a real life fairy tale princess—until she manifests an ability to commune with mirrors.

Look. See… What will one peek hurt?

Soon, a horrifying truth is revealed. She is fated to be Snow White’s greatest enemy, the Evil Queen.

With powers beyond her imagination or control—and determined to change Fate itself—Everly returns to the land of her birth. There, she meets Roth Charmaine, the supposed Prince Charming. Their attraction is undeniable, but their relationship is doomed.

As bits and pieces of the prophecy unfold, Everly faces one betrayal after another, and giving in to her dark side proves more tempting every day. Can she resist, or will she become the queen—and villain—she was born to be?

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE.

This one just sounds very unique and I'm so interested in things that are different, with different types of fantasy stories and creatures.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

A fresh and addictive fantasy-romance set in modern-day Seoul.

Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret--she's a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt.

But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead--her gumiho soul--in the process.

Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl--he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to humans. He's drawn to her anyway.

With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon's.

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE. 

I added this one because it sounds like one I would get for my school library, although I don't know now if I'd ever get around to reading it myself.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:


Their worlds are about to come crashing down...

At sixteen years old, Harper Lyon's life is spinning out of control. She threatens her parents with suicide unless she can meet her drug-dealing boyfriend, a college student who doesn't know she's pregnant. Cooper Lyons, her estranged grandfather, lives in rural Alaska with only his dog and cat for company. He has just been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, and he doesn't plan on letting the disease run its course. Harper needs to escape her parents and decide what to do about the baby. She and her grandpa are worlds apart, but they may be exactly what the other needs. When Harper calls her grandfather, he welcomes the opportunity to help her and redeem his previous failure with his daughter Heather, who died from a drug overdose years ago.

Can they save each other?

Sound good?  Add to Goodreads HERE.

Final Thoughts:
Two this week that are ones I'm really, really, really excited for.  Have you read any of these yet?  Are they on your TBR?  And hey, while you're here, you should go try to win some of my ARCs from Cleaning Up My TBR Post HERE. The US only giveaway is open till Friday at midnight, and this week I added some 2019 ARCs that can be one of your two choices.