Casee
Nalini Singh: I would read a grocery list written on a paper bag by this woman. It should surprise no one that she’s on my list this year.
A.L. Jackson: I discovered A.L. this year and am so glad that I was open to try new authors. I’ve glommed almost her entire backlist. I just couldn’t quit her.
Kristen Ashley: For years I heard of KA from Holly & Rowena. It was just this year that I was ready to jump in and sweet baby Jesus, this woman is like book crack.
Meghan March: Meghan March is another new-to-me author this year and I listened to quite a few of her books. I love that she writes trilogies and duets. Her books aren’t for everyone, but they sure were for me.
Ilona Andrews: This year I discovered the Kate Daniels series as well as the Innkeeper series. I love this amazing duo and am so glad that I finally started reading their books.
Honorable Mentions: Anne Bishop, Lauren Blakely, and Emma Chase. All new-to-me authors in 2019 and they are all amazing.
Holly
Lauren Blakely: Lauren Blakely is a new go-to author for me. When I’m not sure what to read or listen to, I head for one of her books and almost always come away feeling happy.
Molly Harper: 2019 was the year of lighter reads for me, and Molly Harper was just what I was in the mood for. Harper writes fun characters, witty dialogue and a lot of humor.
K.F. Breene: I anticipate every new release Breene puts out. If you haven’t tried her, you really must.
Simone St. James: I discovered St. James in 2019 after a recommendation from Wendy, The Super Librarian. I haven’t loved every single book I’ve read from her, but I walk away from each wanting to immediately pick up another.
Ilona Andrews: As everyone knows, I re-read a lot. And most of what I re-read in 2019 came from Ilona Andrews.
Honorable Mentions: Kristen Ashley, Patricia Briggs, Helen Hoang
Rowena
Kennedy Ryan: My favorite author of 2019 goes to Kennedy Ryan. I read 3 books by her, all new releases, and two of them made it into my Top 5 books of the year. She’s doing everything right and I cannot wait to read more of her stuff next year. She writes angsty romances that make me ugly cry but I don’t even care. All of her 2020 releases can Come.To.Mama.
Patricia Briggs: I haven’t binge-read an author in a while. I only did it once in 2019 and Briggs was the author that I read. Her Mercy Thompson series is one that I really enjoy but there were times when I wanted Mercy to kill every damn person in Adam’s pack, Adam included and even when I finished my binge-read of like the last 10 books in this series, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I couldn’t stop talking about it with Holly. I even browsed a couple of the books again, just so that I wouldn’t have to depart from Mercy yet. I’m like, obsessed with this series and that’s a credit to Briggs.
Ilona Andrews: It’s been over a year since I started reading Andrews (Thanks to Holly and Ames) and I continue to be completely obsessed with the Hidden Legacy series. Of course they were going to be included on this list. My love for their work continues to grow. I have so much love for their writing style and 2020 is the year that I catch up on the Innkeepers Chronicles and Kate Daniels series.
Helen Hoang: Helen Hoang kept the party going in 2019. When I first read The Kissing Quotient in 2018, I was pumped for more of Hoang’s story telling and though I didn’t enjoy The Bride Test as much as I enjoyed The Kiss Quotient, I still really enjoyed Hoang’s writing style and I’m super excited to continue my reading adventures in the new year with Quan’s story…or you know, whenever it comes out.
Sarina Bowen: I read a few books by Sarina Bowen in 2019 and she continues to shine with her hockey romances and with her new contemporary series, The Company? Yeah, I’m all on board for more romances from those characters. I adore Sarina Bowen’s writing and I have every faith that I will continue to love her books in 2020. She’s such a rock star!
I also enjoyed books by Helen Hoang, Sarina Bowen, and Patricia Briggs this year. Rowena, I can’t recall if you’ve already read Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series. I like those books even more than the Mercy Thompson ones.