Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday: New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2020

 


 Join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun! Hosted by 


New authors I discovered in 2020:



I've discovered this author via my favourite author, Susan May Warren, who started this program of helping new authors publish by using her Deep Haven setting and helping them with their own story.  Her debut delivered a sweet romance and broken characters on a path to healing. 


I’m Rachel Russell, a freelance writer and novelist.

When it comes to novels, nothing beats an inspirational romance. (I’m biased.) Add in some adventure, redemption, and hope, and you’ve got the makings of an epic story.

My heroes and heroines are imperfect people. The exciting part is to see how they grow through the course of the novel.

Set in the beautiful state of Oregon, you’ll discover the mountains, valleys, coastline, and desert of this great state. When you finish the last page, my hope is that not only will you feel like you’ve been here, you’ll feel like you know the people here, too.

The truth is, I always wanted to be a writer, but I’m also super practical. I pursued a degree in biology with a chemistry minor and then, promptly went into law enforcement. What? Yep, I did. But God had a master plan, and He has guided the tapestry of my life, moving me on from law enforcement, weaving in a husband and two children, bringing me back to the desire of my heart. And so, I write.

In December 2017, I began working with Susan May Warren at My Book Therapy through Novel Academy and Storycrafters program. Her instruction and mentoring have revolutionized my writing and it’s been an honor to learn from her and the MBT staff.

I’m also a voracious reader, avid equestrienne, and believe humor is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.

I’m a member of Oregon Christian Writers and a blogger for My Book Therapy’s Learn How to Write a Novel blog.


2.  Susan Sleeman

I won a free copy of the first book in Susan Sleeman's latest series.  But after reading this, I definitely want to read her backlist (which is long 😀💪) as well.


Susan is the bestselling author of over thirty-five Christian/inspirational and clean reads romantic suspense and mysteries and has sold over a million books. She grew up in a small Wisconsin town where she spent her summers reading Nancy Drew and developing a love of mystery and suspense books.

Today, Susan channels this enthusiasm into writing romantic suspense and mystery novels and hosting the popular internet website TheSuspenseZone.com.

Much to her husband’s dismay, Susan loves to look at everyday situations and turn them into murder and mayhem scenarios for future novels. If you’ve met Susan, she has probably figured out a plausible way to kill you and get away with it. Don’t worry, she’d never follow through on it.

Susan currently lives in Oregon, but has had the pleasure of living in nine states. She and her amazing husband have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law and an adorable grandson. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying her grandson, reading, gardening or working on TheSuspenseZone.com.










3.  Steven James

This author was on my TBR for years and I had great expectations which I could confirm was 100% met.  His Thriller was crazy good and had me gasping a few times! The rest of the Patrick Bowers series on my 2021 list. 


STEVEN JAMES

Steven James is a national bestselling novelist whose award-winning, pulse-pounding thrillers continue to gain wide critical acclaim and a growing fan base.

His latest novel, SYNAPSE, a near-future thriller, released on October 8, 2019.

Suspense Magazine, who named Steven’s book EVERY WICKED MAN one of their “Best Books of 2018,” says that he “sets the new standard in suspense writing.” Publishers Weekly calls him a “master storyteller at the peak of his game,” and RT Book Reviews promises that “the nail-biting suspense will rivet you.”

Steven deftly weaves intense stories of psychological suspense with deep philosophical insights. As critically-acclaimed novelist Ann Tatlock put it, “Steven James gives us a captivating look at the fine line between good and evil in the human heart.”

Equipped with a unique Master’s Degree in Storytelling, he has taught writing and storytelling on four continents over the past two decades and has spoken more than two thousand times at events spanning the globe. His short fiction has appeared in many publications, including the New York Times.

Steven’s groundbreaking books on the art of fiction writing, STORY TRUMPS STRUCTURE and TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR NOVEL, have both won Storytelling World Awards. Widely recognized for his story-crafting expertise, he teaches regularly as a Master Class instructor at ThrillerFest, North America’s premier training event for suspense writers.

In his podcast The Story Blender, he interviews leading storytellers in film, print, and web. Listen now on www.thestoryblender.com.

When Steven isn’t writing or speaking, you’ll find him trail running, rock climbing, or drinking dark roast coffee near his home in East Tennessee.


Mary Connealy's westerns were fun and filled with strong women.  She had me laughing quite a few times. 



Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist.
She is the bestselling author of 48 books and novellas.
Her most recent three book series are: Cimarron Legacy, Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, Kincaid Bride for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers.
Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.


I love suspense and always excited when I meet a new author.  And I found Lynn H Blackburn with her first series, so can gladly wait for any new releases.

Lynn H. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

Her Dive Team Investigations series includes Beneath the Surface and In Too Deep (a Fall 2018 Okra Pick and 2019 Selah Award finalist). The conclusion to the series, One Final Breath, releases in September 2019. She is also the author of Hidden Legacy and Covert Justice which won the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel.



This author is now my "out of comfort zone" author.  Her Lyrical writing is beautiful.



I'm Amanda. Just a girl redeemed, whose God has spun words into my heart. This is where I share them. My hope is for this place to reflect His refuge, a safe place of encouragement for you. Brew a cup of tea, pull up a chair, and sit a while; I'm so glad you're here!











Yes, I'm very late to the game with this one, but totally enjoyed Anne of Green Gables, another series I hope to complete in 2021.

This author was a nice surprise.  If you want books both male and female will like, this will probably also be one.  You need to read carefully because he drops subtle hints in an unique way for that final reveal!


Christy and I married in 1993. If you include dating, I’ve known and loved her for more than half my life. She is and always will be the home for my heart. We have three boys. Charlie, John T. and Rives. Folks often ask me, which of my books do I like the best. You might as well line up my sons and ask me who I love the most.

My hobbies are bow hunting, working out (a blend of old school stuff and martial arts, called Fight Fit) and Tae Kwon Do. In October 2012 I earned my black belt but I’m still the least flexible person you’ve ever met. The guy that trains me, laughs everytime I start warming up. My boys are far better at Tae Kwon Do than I but I doubt they have as much fun – I get to do and watch. They just do.

I also like to write, but that’s another story.  



I enjoyed this Regency meets mystery/suspense plot and will definitely read more by this author.

Meet Sarah


Sarah E. Ladd has always loved the Regency period — the clothes, the music, the literature and the art. A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period and gave her idea of what life would’ve looked like in era. It wasn’t until 2010 that Ladd began writing seriously. Shortly after, Ladd released the first book in the Whispers on the Moors series. Book one of the series, The Heiress of Winterwood, was the recipient of the 2011 ACFW Genesis Award for historical romance. Ladd also has more than ten years of marketing experience. She holds degrees in public relations and marketing and lives in Indiana with her family and spunky Golden Retriever.


This author is another one whose name I see among all my Goodreads friends and I enjoyed my first book by her.  Looking forward to read more by her.





Rachel Hauck is a New York Times Bestselling, award winning author living in sunny central Florida with her husband, a pastor.

5 comments:

  1. So many of my favorite authors are listed here! I hope you can stop by:

    https://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2021/01/top-ten-tuesday-2020-new-to-me-authors.html

    Colletta

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad you found so many great new authors last year!

    My post.

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  3. The Steven James book looks interesting!

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I read and enjoyed several books by Martin years ago. I need to see what he's been up to lately! PETTICOAT RANCH sounds super fun . I'll have to give that one a go.

    Happy TTT!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm glad you finally met L.M. Montgomery; better late than never. I mean, I just read Frances Hodgson Burnett for the first time a year ago.

    Also, it's really cool to see Charles Martin on your list. I was so impressed by The Mountain Between Us that I read Thunder Road and When Crickets Cry in quick succession. Then I had to take a break because his writing is a lot to process, but I should get back to him.

    ReplyDelete

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