This year has been quite exploratory for me in terms of books I read and my overall reading taste. I discovered many new to me authors this year and a few that I now feel like I have to read everything they have written. I’d really delved into paranormal/sci-fi romance this year and have quickly become obsessed. I have also stumbled upon the pull towards dark romances. I do not know what that says about me, but dark romances give me more than those corny fluffy romances ever could. All of these new to me authors have given me tons of books to add to my every growing TBR!

Seanan McGuire

I binge read all of the books in the Wayward Children Series that have been published. They are so whimsical while also sprinkled with a dark edge. It cannot come fast enough, but I cannot wait until the next book is released in the series. I really enjoyed the writing and the way McGuire was able to tell a fairytale retelling of sorts that was unique and a bit dark!

I’ve heard a ton of things about McGuire’s other books. I am intrigued with October Daye series (even though it is 17 books long) Many have also been talking about the recent release of Middlegame that sounds right up my alley as well.

Abigail Owens

I never knew I needed a dragon shifter romance until I picked up The Rouge King by Abigail Owens. She writes steamy romance as well as beautifully crafted and detailed worlds. The story in layered with shifters of all sorts and it is something I have never read before in books. Before I even finished The Rogue King, I was googling what other books Owens had written and was excited to see a spin-off series to the book I was reading.

Owens has a few other shifter series that I am intrigued by and want to look into reading once I have read the published Fire Edge’s series and wait for more books to be released in the Inferno Rising series.

Ruby Dixon

After finishing The Rogue King by Abigail Owens, I wanted more books like it. I was with my bestie and we somehow got on the topic of alien romances. While searching goodreads and hoopla I had stumbled upon Ice Planet Barbarian by Ruby Dixon, the cover and synopsis had me laughing. I wanted to read it as more of a joke and then saw it all over YouTube and within the book community. Hoopla has the Ice Planet Barbarian series as audiobooks and I quickly became obsessed!

I have currently read 20 books (including novellas) in the Ice Planet Barbarian series. I have 3 more to read from those that are published in the series, but Dixon has a spin-off series as well as a dragon shifter series! Although she writes what is almost alien erotica, Dixon has done a fantastic job of creating a detailed world, an overarching story and really focusing on character development. As well as some very hot and steamy moments! Ruby Dixon is quickly earning a spot on my all time favorite authors list.

Susan Dennard

She is not really a new to me author for the fact that I have had her books on my shelves for years. Yet this is the first year I have actually picked them up and read some of her books. Therefore it is a new author!

I have heard nothing but good things about the Witchland series by Susan Dennard and was so happy to find some friends on twitter that also wanted to binge read the series. I finished Truthwitch and could not believe I have put it off for so long. The friendship, sassy/fierce characters and unique magic system is just the tip of the fabulous books.

I also own the Something Strange and Deadly Trilogy by Susan Dennard and expect great things from it. I cannot wait to pick it up and get lost in another world created by Dennard!

Kate Alice Marshall

One of my favorite books of the year was Rules of Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall. It was so unique and so well written. Marshall ended up doing something that no other book has truly accomplished , scared me and gave my chills up my spine. The story was so dark and creepy and that ending came out of nowhere.

Marshall does not have many books out, but I look forward to future books she releases.

T.M. Frazier

Talk about dark romance with moments that are hard to read and layered with mature content , but also has its sweet moments as well as those steamy scenes! This dark romance series is a new exploration in genres for me, but Frazier did not let me down and really pulled me in. She writes fantastic, complex characters. Preppy quickly became one of my all time favorite characters.

I have so far read 2 books in the King series by T.M Frazier and cannot wait to continue and learn more about the other characters. There are also quite a few other series that Frazier has written that fascinate me and have been added to my ever growing TBR.

Tillie Cole

Tillie Cole is not a typical author you would think to find on my new to me authors list, but I have no idea why this was the first year I have ever read a book by her. I read Raze by Tillie Cole and this was such a dark MC romance book that had me flying through the pages. The back story was so dark yet so interesting. I have a weakness for dark and damaged males in books! I’ve heard mixed things about the other books in this series, but I am so interested to pick them up.

I have also heard great things about another series by her, Hades Hangman. It had me at MC dark romance series. Cole writes great complex characters and is able to write layered stories with darkness while still being able to find the light and love.

Do you have any new to me authors that you have discovered this year?

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