This post is part of the Mistletoe Madness blog hop. If you’re here for the first time, welcome! I blog about contemporary and historical romance, and I have weekly giveaways. (This one is an added bonus.) I hope you’ll consider subscribing and visiting again sometime.
I’ve heard some lovely stories about parents who mark their children’s growth by writing them a letter every birthday and recounting all the things they’ve learned to do.
I’m a bit too old for my mom to do that, so I measure my own growth in my own ways. One of my favorites is by reflecting on much-loved authors whose books I hadn’t read a year ago. These are authors who gave me the thrill of discovery and inspiration – what more could you ask for?
Here are 11 romance authors I “discovered” this year. I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing some of them, and I’m making it my resolution to interview the others in 2012.
1. Shannon Stacey: Heartfelt, funny contemporary romance
2. Jane Graves: Contemporary romance that tugs the heartstrings
3. Catherine Mann: High-octane military romance (Catherine will be here the week of December 26 giving away Hot Zone!)
4. Brenda Novak: Romantic suspense that’ll keep you up all night!
5. Katie Lane: Quirky, hot small-town Texas romance
6. Laura Lee Guhrke: Stunningly beautiful historical romance
7. Shana Galen: Absolutely fantastic historical adventures
8. Suzanne Brockman: Her contemporary romance Infamous made me cry.
9. Vicky Dreiling: Wickedly witty historical romance
10. Sarah MacLean: Laugh-out-loud-funny Regency romance
11. Joanne Kennedy: Fun and poignant contemporary cowboy romance
Giveaway!
Since this is part of the Mistletoe Madness blog hop, there are a few ways you can win cool stuff.
Win a $10 book gift certificate and some chocolate on my blog. (Open internationally)
Leave a comment below telling me an author you became a fan of this year. On December 23, I’ll randomly choose one commenter to win a $10 (or equivalent in your currency) gift certificate to an online book retailer. I’ll also send you this ornament filled with chocolate stars (fake tree not included), which will hopefully arrive in time for you to share them at a New Year’s party!
Enter to win a Nook! (U.S. only)
If you live in the U.S., you can also sign up for the Nook giveaway on PJ Schnyder’s blog, as part of the Mistletoe Madness blog hop. The Nook is loaded with books, so you can discover lots of new authors in 2012.
Visit other bloggers giving stuff away.
On PJ Schnyder’s blog, you can find links to all the other bloggers giving away cool stuff during the Mistletoe Madness blog hop. Go give ’em some love, and you could win cool stuff from them!
Who are your favorite new authors that you’ve discovered in 2011?
Reader, I created him 
Thanks you so much for this great giveaway international.
This year i’ve discovered Nalini Singh and became fan with her psy changeling serie
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
I discovered the entire paranormal genre this year and almost 400 books with it. I have to say that my absolute favorite is Kresley Cole and I’m anxiously waiting for Lothaire 🙂
I read Katy Madison’s debut book this year and absolutely loved it, so now I can’t wait to read more books by her! Great giveaway!
marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi Kat, I discovered several great new paranormal authors like Stephanie Chong, Dianne Duvall and Sara Humphreys
I’ve discovered Jane Graves and Maya Banks this year. And I’m so glad I did! 🙂
Thank you for the giveaway!
I’m about to read my first Maya Banks novel, Claudia, and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve heard so many great things.
Thanks for commenting!
Kat, what a nice surprise this morning! Thank you for putting me in such good company–I love so many of the authors on your list. My most recent discovery was Laura Griffin (“One Last Breath,” “Whisper of Warning”). Her romantic suspense is very different from my cowboy contemporaries, but absorbing and impossible to put down.
You’re so welcome, Joanne, and thanks for putting this post on your Facebook page!
I totally agree with you about Laura Griffin. I’ve only read one of her novels, but it was totally gripping and I hope to read more of hers (and yours!) in 2012. 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it to worldwide entries.
Much appreciated.
I have read many, many new authors this year and enjoyed most of them.
The latest to grab me was Ann Aguirre whose books I love and am busy collecting.
Have a happy and re;axing Christmas season.
Carol T
Thanks to you, too, Carol! And since I live in the Netherlands, I always try to make my giveaways international.
Hope you have a lovely holiday season and discover lots of wonderful new authors in 2012. 🙂
Greetings from Italy!. I’m new to your blog, but I already like it here. Joanne Kennedy posted it on her Facebook page & here I am. Here is a list of my 2011 authors (in to particular order):
1. Jane Graves (I really enjoy her writing style & characters. I like the fact that all of them are different, original)
2. Joanne Kennedy (Read her last book & I loved it. Plan to go through her backlist)
3. Christie Craig (Can’t wait for the next book in her “Hotter in Texas” series)
as well as Kristan Higgins, Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr and Brenda Novak.
Sounds like we have really similar taste, Natalija! Thanks for commenting. And greetings from the Netherlands. 🙂
This year I discovered Thea Harrison and love her books. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
My newest discovered author for me is Kathryne Kennedy. She has an Elven series that’s wonderful. This is a romantic/fantasy/paranormal genre which is new to me (the fantasy part lol). I recommend her!
So many great authors to choose from! I guess I’d have to go with Suzanne Collins, for “The Hunger Games.”
Thanks for the giveaway!
I discovered Karen Chance and the Cassandra Palmer series. I’m so glad I did! Thanks for the giveaway!
adsanders77 at gmail dot com
I discovered so many this year, Donna Grant, Stacey Kennedy , Tina Folsom , Keta Diablo and many more.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail.com
I discovered Cassandra Clare this year. Can’t wait to read Clockwork Prince.
I discovered Tina Folsum ,Michelle Bardsley and Judi Fennell all fantastic authors this year.
flanagan@mebtel.net
I found Carrie Ryan the author of the Forest With Hands and Teeth series, just loved it! deanna_boocock@hotmail.com
I’m glad I discovered Kami Garcia this year–the Caster Chronicles are great!!
celjla212 at aol dot com
Thank you for including me on your list – it’s an honor to be in such awesome company!!
As for my new-author discovery this year, I thoroughly enjoyed Jessica Scott’s BECAUSE OF YOU. A deeply emotional, moving read!
Thanks again for the shout out and the time on your blog, Kat!
Wow, your author list is very interesting, I haven’t heard of any of them. I have more than one favorite that I read this year. I actually went to a couple of conventions to meet them.
My list
1. Crymsyn Hart – met at AAD
2. Dakota Cassidy – met at AAD and Readers & Ritas
3. Caridad Pienero – met at AAD
4. Monica Burns – met at AAD and Readers & Ritas
5. Stella Price – met at AAD
6. Judy Fennell – met at AAD
—–Would love to meet the following since I have read all of their books—-
7. Stacey Kennedy
8. Danica Avet
9. Lisa Beth Darling
10. Natasha Blackthorne
11. Karyn Gerrard
12. Ashly Willis
13. Tarrah Scott
14. Mandy Roth
15. Many many many more
I dont think I have every read a bad book, I love to read.
Merry Christmas!
Ronda Tutt
mrsqueentutt@yahoo.com
Wow! Thanks for the great list of new authors to try! And merry Christmas to you, too. 🙂
Thanks for including me on your list. Love seeing all the awesome reading recs!
Mandy
I just discovered Eileen Wilks’ World of the Lupi series and I’m loving it. I’m so glad there are already 8 books out. Another new to me author that I’m loving is Jill Shalvis.
This year I discover Catherine Mann, Great books. And Lara Adrian. I immediately became hooked on her series.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Thanks for participating in the blog hop, and for offering the GC. I found Savanna Kougar this year.
For me, funnily enough Diana Gabaldon. My Mum had been going on about her for years and I only tried her this year. A great find.
I still haven’t read Diana Gabaldon, Gareth. She’s been on my TBR pile for a long time. Thanks for recommending her. I’ll move her higher up my list of authors to read!
Kat, thanks so much for including me! I count myself lucky Ashley introduced us in New York this summer. Hope to see you again soon!
I loved meeting you, too! I’m planning to be at Nationals again this year, so I hope I’ll see you there!
For me this year it was Donna Grant, Stacey Kennedy and Karen Chance.
skpetal at hotmail dot com
wow it been lot of them i got Kristie cooks book and they are super
i like the gift you givng way
desi the blone@ msn.com
I discovered Laura Kaye and have read all her ebooks! She is so talented and her books are unique!
books4me67 at ymail dot com
I discovered Thea Harrison, Danica Avet and Tessa Adams. I am hooked.
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win such a great prize!
reneebennett35 at yahoo dot com
I found Victoria Dahl this year and I don’t know what took me so long to find her. Amazing author!
I love her, too! And like you, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t read her before. She’s awesome!
Thanks for the giveaways.
2011 has been a fruitful year for me since I “discovered” many great authors:
Ilona Andrews (husband & wife team) – their Kate Daniels series is phenomenal.
Kristan Higgins – She is now my favorite contemporary romance author.
Karen Marie Moning – Yes, who can resist Barrons in her Fever series!
Deanna Raybourne – Brisbane in her Lady Julia series is so charming.
Tasha Alexander – Lady Emily series
Lauren Willig – Pink carnation series
Sounds like lots of great ones, Connie. Hope 2012 is just as fruitful!
I discovered Meg Benjamin, Toni Anderson, and Rainbow Rowell all this year.
Also, I discovered Juill Shalvis. I had read some of her books before, but discovered many of her trilogies this year and a mini-glom.
Oops that should be Jill Shalvis.
I totally glommed on her this year, too. She’s amazing!
I have a secondary reason to be pleased that I started reading this blog: I discovered that my own book – Captive Echo – is more than a contemporary sci-fi thriller – it’s a romance. So although you haven’t strictly ‘discovered’ me – you’ve allowed me to discover myself.
Aww, I’m so happy to hear that, Tooty!
I have discoverd Sophie Kinsella, Jane Graves and kate Jacobs, among many others.
I discovered Annabel Pitcher!
Thanks for the giveaway! I became a major fan of Karen Marie Moning this year after discovering and devouring her Fever series.
barbara freethy is a new to me author and i’ve attempted to find all her older books. they are great!
happy holidays
Julie
Thanks for participating in the hop. I discovered Sierra Dean and Diane Duvall and others I can’t remember, darn .
Anne
acm05atjuno.com
I’ve been spending 2011 getting to know more indie authors, through various free e-book giveaways. My e-reader is bursting with talent now 🙂
kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com
I have found Keri Arthur
Christine Feehan
Heather Killough-Walden
Nicky Charles
Monica McCarty
Hannah Howell
Karen Hawkins
Thank you so much for participating in this hop! I love finding new authors and books!!
Happy Holidays!
Oh, there have been so many new authors, which makes 2011 a pretty good year. I’m have to say that Richard Kadrey and N.K. Jemisin were the ones who stood out the most.
Veronica Blade I need to read Something Witchy This Way Comes
I just discovered blogs this year so I have found so many new authors! Some of my faves that are new to me were:
Cherise SInclair, Eve Langlais, Larissa Ione, JR Ward, Katie MacAlister, and so many more! Thank you for the giveaway and have a wonderful Christmas & New Year!
June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Blogs are fantastic for introducing you to new authors, aren’t they, June? Thanks for stopping by mine, and happy holidays to you, too!
I discovered and became a huge fan of Rose Lerner this year – I love both of her very non-traditional Regencies SO much and can’t wait to read whatever she writes next.
I totally agree, Stephanie! She’s amazing and I can’t wait to see what’s coming next. 🙂
I discovered Susanna Kearsley and am looking forward to reading more of her books.
I know of and like many of your newly discovered authors, but I would said my most favorite 2011 discovery was Deanna Raybourn. I love her Lady Julia Grey mysteries.
mcv111@hotmail.com
I know of and like many of your newly discovered authors, but I would say my most favorite 2011 discovery was Deanna Raybourn. I love her Lady Julia Grey mysteries.
mcv111@hotmail.com
I discovered J R Ward and her Black Dagger Brotherhood Series.
jmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh I found so many new authors this year. Here are a few: Nina Bangs, Adrian Phoenix, Ilona Andrews, and Shiloh Walker. As you can see I am into paranormal and urban fantasy books right now…LOL
Merry Christmas!!
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
Larissa Ione and Adrian phoenix, Jeri Smith-ready 🙂
Thank you for the excellent giveaway. I hope you have a safe and joyous holiday season. I discovered Cassandra Clare this year, I love her books. I also read JK Rowling this year, Suzanne Collins and Stephanie Meyer. I know, I’m behind in the times.
seriousreader at live dot com
Sarah MacLean!:) Love her love by the numbers!;D
Ive found so many new authors. The one im on right now is Sophie Oak. I adore her books! So good! Thank you for the awesome giveaway! Have a very Merry Christmas! Thank you!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
My fav new author of 2011 is probably Diane Setterfield…I just wish she would write another novel!!
meghan_L_P at hotmail dot com
Thx for the great giveaway!
This year I discovered Julia Quinn.
spav05(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I became a fan of Laurann Dohner. Her aliens are scrumptious!! *sigh* 😉
Happy Holidays to all!!
thewildtwo {@} sbcglobal {DOT} net
I discovered Devon Monk’s books this year and I’m so glad I did. They’re so great.
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