I’d like to do a monthly post on under appreciated authors–you know the ones who fly under the general reader’s radar. Lately, when I’ve discovered a ‘new-to-me’ author, they’ve well and truly been discovered–as in New York Times bestselling author. Actually, when I think about it I did recently discover Mira Lyn Kelly. She writes for Harlequin Presents and I found her on Twitter. I think the deal was she had a book coming out so I requested a copy from Harlequin to review (like to support my Twitter followers as much and whenever I can). The book was FRONT PAGE AFFAIR and I absolutely loved it so I went back and found her debut, which was WILD FLING OR A WEDDING RING. Loved that one too.


Well I got an advance read on her upcoming October release, S BEFORE THE EX and loved it! Her books are so emotional and sexy–my absolute favourite kind.  So I guess today I do have one author I think has been flying under the radar despite what I state at the beginning of the post.

What about you? Is there an author you think isn’t getting the proper ‘deference’ by the reading public? Comment and enter to win another book from my stash still left from the Anniversary Giveaway!

“…So attention must be paid. He’s not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must finally be paid to such a person.”
– Death of a Salesman

authors under the radarcategory romancescontemporary
By Giveaways, Harlequin48 Comments on Authors flying under the radar

48 Replies to “Authors flying under the radar”

  1. I was in the mood for a sports romance and happened upon Bella Andre (never heard of her before). She writes great alpha males and heats it up for sure.

    Looking forward to checking out Mira Lyn Kelly.

  2. I loved WILD FLING OR A WEDDING RING! I can’t think of any under the radar authors right now…I’ve been working on some old favs (Maya Banks, Victoria Dahl, Jill Shalvis) lately — trying to weed books from my ‘to read’ collection on my Kindle. I always end up buying more than I can realistically read and then get bogged down. I’d love to hear who others are reading that I’ve missed however

  3. I am always in the mood for a historical romance. I think that there are many out there who deserve recognition. Christine Hollis is great. Many thanks.

  5. I hope Carolyn Crane gets more attention in the coming months. I cannot believe her mainstream print publishers decided not to extend the contract for her Disillusionists series. It’s awesome! Thank goodness Samhain had the good sense to snap her up and publish the next installment.

  8. Katherine Allred – The Sweet Gum Tree and What Price Paradise (contemp)
    Bonnie Dee – Finding Home, The Countess Takes A Lover (contemp and historical, high heat levels)
    Samantha Blair – Generational Sins (BDSM erotic romance, very emotional and intense)
    Katie Allen – Breaking the Silence (erotic romance, virgin hero)

  10. I think there are a lot of authors flying under the radar. I run into a lot of authors that I have never heard of and find their books to be very good. Sorry I am really bad about remembering names.

  11. It’s really difficult to think of an author who’s flying “under the radar” since most of the authors I’ve read have been recommended. I didn’t start really getting deep in to the historical/regency romance scene until maybe a year and a half ago, so every author seems newly discovered to me:). One author I love who I don’t hear a lot about is Christie Kelley. I’m sure she is well known to others, but I have had the pleasure of just recently being introduced to her work and I totally ate up her Spinster Club series. Amazing.

  12. Oh, there are so many new authors out there and even if they aren’t new, they can be new to any one reader. I recently discovered (meaning I just found her) Kathyrne Kennedy who writes romantic fantasy/paranormal. A new genre for me and I am just loving it.

  13. I know that there are a lot of authors out there who are under the radar, but can’t think of one right now. Most of the authors I read about are already there.

  14. Jaime Rush is an author of a sexy paranormal series that I really enjoyed but I don’t think she really got as much attention as she deserved.

  15. One author not getting enough recognition is you, Bev. I try to recommend your books on a few of the romance blogs and message boards that I post on. I read the first 3 chapters of Heir to Deception and it was so good. You’ve set high expectations for Alex’s story.

    Another author that hasn’t gotten enough recognition yet is Julie James. I can’t believe none of her contemporaries has been nominated for a RITA yet.

  16. I would have to agree with Kim listing Julie James as an author who hasn’t gotten enough attention. I would also add
    Amy Knupp who also writes for Harlequin under the Harlequin Superromance banner and Stephanie Tyler, who writes contemporary romantic suspense. I know there are a ton of historical writers who don’t get enough attention, one who I’ve read (she’s only done two books so far) is Laura Navarre. Thanks for the giveaway!

  17. Two PNR authors come to mind. The first, Carolyn Crane, was mentioned earlier today by poster Susan Laura. I loved the early Disillusionist books and like Susan, couldn’t understand the publisher’s action. The third book should (finally) be out by the end of the year. The first two, Mind Games and Double Cross, are unique and compelling.

    The other PNR author is Gini Koch, who has brought us a very funny take on the Aliens in America theme. Her series, featuring heroine Kitty Katt and alien hero Jeff Martini, is guaranteed to give the reader lots of laughs, in an action-packed story. The fourth book, Alien Proliferation, will be released in December.

  18. An author I think who hasn’t gotten enough recognition is Michelle Willingham. She writes wonderful Irish and Scottish Medievals for Harlequin Historical.

  23. I think Carrie Lofty and Judith James needs more love. They write unusual historical romances, and publishers seem to think there is not enough of a market for those. We need more books set in other time periods and locales outside of England.

  25. Lauren Royal — Her last book was published in 2007. I think she’s working on something new right now and I’m really looking forward to seeing it published.

    Cathy Maxwell just finished a really great trilogy, which I really really loved.

    Amelia Grey is another amazing writer that I wish more people read.

  26. I tend to read authors that my friends/coworkers or blogs recommend to me, but I work for a public library so it’s full of readers! Otherwise I would just end up reading my favorites over and over again. I trust you to tell me about great authors that I might have missed! 😀

  28. I enjoyed some Harlequin Presents books by newer authors Lynn Raye Harris and Maisey Yates. I have Mira Lyn Kelly’s “Front Page Affair” in my TBR pile. I will have to get it out and read it soon. I keep hearing good things about it!

  29. I love Mary Wine’s stories. And some that have been mentioned – Cathy Maxwell, Annie Grace, Suzanne Enoch – I love their stories. I remember reading one author years ago – Kathleen Harrington – who started a trilogy about brothers but I believe only wrote the first one which I really loved and looked forward to the others but have never seen the others. I’m sure there are others.

  31. Boy, I can’t even tell you how much seeing this made my day today! Thanks so very much! And thanks to those of you have read my books and those who are planning to give them a try. And EXTRA big thanks for all of you with the awesome new recommendations. I’m always looking for new authors to pick up and LOVE getting solid recommendations. So I’ve just added about a dozen names to my TBR list! yay!!!

  32. I always feel that Lisa Cach is under-appreciated, for her historicals at any rate. To me, she’s one of those special, distinctive historical writers who always belongs on the lists when people ask for something really good like Judith Ivory or Laura Kinsale, but rarely seems to get mentioned.

  33. Books by authors like this are what I call “hidden gems” and which is why I always try to evenly balance my reads between my favourite authors whose work I trust in to deliver an amazing story, authors who are well-known for good reason and those authors who are flying under the radar. I love finding a story of which the author is new to me and may not be well-known and LOVING that story. To be fair, authors who may not be well-known and that I consider flying under the radar can be quite popular in another country or another reading audience. That is why I like finding authors outside of the North American region to get a taste of their culture and personal experience which go on to influence their writing. Some of these authors are Brenda Joyce and Melody Thomas.

  36. I just finished a fantastic fantasy romance called The Battle Sylph by LJ McDonald. It’s not a real popular genre, but I think any romance lover would enjoy her writing. Two other under the radar authors are Jeanne Strong who writes a vampire series, The Anna Strong Chronicles and Eileen Wilks’ World of the Lupi werewolves series. Thanks for the other recs. I love discovering hidden gems.

  37. There are just so many good books out there. I have to admit to looking at the most popular books with good reviews before deciding what to read.

  38. I know the gentle Amish stories will not be for everyone, but I am loving Wanda Brunstetter. I hear nothing about her anywhere & only stumbled upon her by chance.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  39. Some authors that I can think of that, IMHO, don’t get enough ‘air’ time are:
    Kierren Kramer
    Ann Lethbridge (aka Michele Ann Young)
    Andrea Penrose (new alter ego of Cara Elliott)
    Alissa Johnson (she’s been around for awhile but I never see any discussion about her work)

  40. I am now reading Dee Davis’ A-Tac series, and the books have been great. This author deserves more attention.

  42. There are so many good new authors out there. You, Ashley March, Lori Brighton could all use more exposure. An “older” writer whose historicals have such wonderful details and characters is Jennifer Blake.

  43. Oooh~

    +1 for Alissa Johnson and for Carolyn Jewel!

    I’m glad that Carolyn Jewel is releasing a historical novel this year. ^_^

  46. What a great blog post idea, there are so many great writers out there that just don’t get as much publicity as they should. I will have to check out the ones you mentioned above…

  47. For contemporaries, Alice Clayton has written two (digital only?) books that I love: The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed. They are so funny and smart. I’m dying for her to publish another book soon.

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