For the last few months, I’ve been doing research for a story idea I that began germinating in my imagination about five years ago – long before I actually decided to start writing romance.
Last week I happened to be cruising around the interwebs and discovered that another author had a similar idea – only she was a lot faster than me.
This is always a terrifying thing for a writer, as I’ve said before. So I bought the first book in the series – Elizabeth Hoyt’s Wicked Intentions – and settled back to reassure myself that my story was different.
Ho-ly cow! Within pages I’d completely forgotten why I started reading it. All I knew was that I had been swept away into eighteenth century London – a time and place that has fascinated me for years – and that Elizabeth Hoyt was going to be a new auto-buy author for me.
Elizabeth Hoyt has been published for six years. I’ve seen loads of reviews for her books and have heard readers gush about her. But for some reason I’d never read any of her books…until last week.
I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning on a work night because I couldn’t put Wicked Intentions down. I kept reading over breakfast and then devoured the rest on my train home from work. When I finished, I was crushed. I still had two hours left on my journey, and I felt bereft. Elizabeth Hoyt became my smack.
And then I remembered that the fourth book in her Maiden Lane series – Thief of Shadows – was sitting on my Kindle – an advance review copy that I’d downloaded from NetGalley. I immediately launched into it. And for once, I was distraught that my commute is only four hours long.
The best thing about “discovering” an author years after they’re first published is that you can explore an entire backlist.
Have you discovered a favorite author after they’d been writing for years? Do you have a favorite Elizabeth Hoyt book you recommend I read next?
About 3 years ago I come across 2 great authors that have been around awile and devoured everything they had. Both are still on my auto-buy list. They are Johanna Lindsey and Kat Martin. Love Johanna’s Malory series and Kat’s against and necklace series.
When I was 10 going on 11 my parents sent me to Maine for the first time by myself without them or my 2 younger brothers durning our summer break. At the time I didnt realize that my parents were fighting, I thought that I was finally beig treated like an adult. So a few weeks later when my Nana & Papa took me to a neighboring church that was having a book sale, $5 for all the books you could fit into a paper bag one of the books I grabbed was a Johanna Lindsey book & fortunately for me it was one of the Malory series, Gentle Rogue. Needless to say I was hooked and 22 years later I’m still reading not only her books but quite a few other authors. If you like book series like the Malory’s , Elizabeth Hoyt does some excellent series and so does Stephanie Laurens (Cynster Series, next to the Malory’s the Cynster’s are one of my other favorite families), Julia Quinn (Bridgerton Series) , Sabrina Jefferies, and Victoria Alexander. I have a few other authors that I absolutely love but I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to “force” my reading opinions on you, LoL.
Share away, Melissa!
Series are great, aren’t they? Julia Quinn was another author I “discovered” after she’d been published for several years, so I never had to wait for a new Bridgerton novel. They were all at the library waiting for me. (I was chatting with the librarian one day, and she was clearly a huge Julia Quinn fan.)
I haven’t read Victoria Alexander, so thanks for the rec!
I don’t think I’ve read any of Kat Martin’s books, Chris. Where would you recommend I start?
LOL. It’s such a rush finding a great new author, isn’t it? I think my favorite so far by Elizabeth Hoyt is The Serpent Prince (but do read the Princes Trilogy in order).
Recently I found out about two mystery series which have been around for a while that I’m absolutely loving – the C.S. Harris books that take place in Regency England, and the Lindsey Davis ones about Ancient Rome.
I’m really going to have to read the Princes Trilogy – thanks for the rec, Barbara!
I would recommend Notorious Pleasures, which is part of the Maiden Lane series.
Better late than never, right? I felt the same way when I discovered Lorraine Heath last year and Julie Anne Long early this year — where had they been all my life? But the good thing is, I didn’t have to wait long to get their next books because I had an entire backlist to read my way through. Joy! ^_^
Enjoy Thief of Shadows! I’m really excited to get my copy next month. ^_^
Okay, I’m *definitely* going to have to pick up a Lorraine Heath novel! And I think you’ll love Thief of Shadows, Tin. I posted my review today.
I just read your review!
Oh. My. It sounds like a really great book! Very, very excited now. ^_^
It is great, Tin. I know you’ll enjoy it!
Recently, I “discovered” Rachel Gibson and Lorraine Heath. Since they’ve been writing for years, I have a large backlist to get through.
I haven’t read anything by Lorraine Heath, but I’ve read all but two of Rachel Gibson’s books and love her – especially her hockey players. ROWR!
I think my favorite of Elizabeth’s is The Raven Prince. I just love the Georgian settings also. There was one week a few years back on which I read my first Julia Quinn (the Duke and I) and my first Jennifer Crusie (Bet Me). That was a pretty stellar reading week, and sent me off on a happy backlist quest for both authors. Another author that I discovered rather late was Eileen Wilks. I started reading her World of the Lupi series last year and was so happy that there were already seven books out. I’m now up to number 6 and spacing them out to last until her new release this fall.
Your first Julia Quinn and Jennifer Crusie in one week?? Hell yeah, that’s stellar!
I LOVE Elizabeth Hoyt and just discovered her a few months ago. i have read through all of her books now. My most recent author crush is Julie Anne Long. I’ve only read two of her books so far, but am quickly running through them.
I might have to look at Lorraine Heath, too 🙂
I love Julie Anne Long’s books, too — can’t wait for the next one! 🙂
Julie Anne Long is awesome. I really need to get more of her books. So many wonderful authors, so little money…:)
I investigate the backlist of each new (to me) author I discover. It was a month a birthdays when I discovered (and bought all of) Barbara Metzger’s Regency romance. She is wicked brilliant and witty.
Ooh, a new-to-me author. Thanks, Rebecca!
You are absolutely hilarious!
I have read books by Johanna Lindsey…The Malory series, and books by Mary Balogh…my favorite of hers is A Secret Affair….when I finished that book, I was waiting for another from the library….so I went looking for something to read and came upon Ms Hoyt’s Wicked Intentions!! What more can I say, as you already know for yourself how in love you fell with just a few pages into this awesome book!
I have read all of her books since discovering them…The Four Soilders, The Prince Trilogy, and of course the Maiden Lane series. I am anxiously awaiting the release of Thief of Shadows…..like so many others. 😉
You’ll LOVE Thief of Shadows, Donna!
And thanks for the tip about A Secret Affair. I haven’t read that one, but I love Mary Balogh!
So glad you stopped by!
Mary Balogh’s “Simply” and “Slightly” series are my favorites. Love those Bedwyns! Also, anything by Lisa Klepas.
Ooh, YES to Mary Balogh and Lisa Kleypas, Angela. Two of my all-time faves.