Best Debut Romance Author of 2015 So Far Is……..
I’ll admit it; I tend to shy away from new authors. Give me a choice between a comfort read and an unknown quantity and I’ll almost always choose the comfort read. This is particularly stupid when I look at the outstanding authors who have won in the Best Debut Romance Author category in recent years.
- 2014 Sonali Dev
- 2013 Emma Chase
- 2012 Cecilia Grant
- 2011 Jessica Scott
- 2010 Rose Lerner
- 2009 Tessa Dare
- 2008 Sherry Thomas
- 2007 Anna Campbell
- 2006 Elizabeth Hoyt
- 2005 Lisa Valdez
The best debut author category has frequently been a problem category for readers. By debut, we mean the author has not been published under any name or any genre prior to 2015. Each year we get a flurry of votes for authors who developed a new pen name in a given year. We also get votes for authors who switched romance genres. Sadly, we have to reject those votes.
So who are the genuine debut romance authors that have stood out in our minds for 2015? With the help of fellow AAR staff members I’ve come up with the following list:
- Anna Bradley (A Wicked Way to Win an Earl)
- Karma Brown (Come Away with Me)
- Bethany Chase (The One That Got Away)
- Tamara Dietrich (The Hummingbird’s Cage)
- Elisabeth Egan (A Window Opens)
- Amy FitzHenry (Cold Feet)
- Ellen Herrick (The Sparrow Sisters)
- Claire Kells (Girl Underwater)
- Kathleen Kimmel (A Lady’s Guide to Ruin)
- Allison Morgan (The Someday Jar)
- Amy E. Reichert (The Coincidence of Coconut Cake)
- Joanna Shupe (The Courtesan Duchess)
I’m sure there are many additional wonderful romance authors who made their debut in 2015. Do you have any to suggest that are must reads? And who are you planning to vote for in this category?
Thanks!
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I have not read any of the books mentioned in the blog. The only debut author I read was “”The Mason List””, by SD Hendrickson. This coming of age, friends to lovers story was excellent.
I just wanted to thank AAR & Dabney Grinnan for this great list of debut authors readers can try. As a relatively new author myself, even with several books out I know how hard it is to get readers to gamble on us. I am sure the authors you listed here will be forever grateful.
As for me, I’m going to pick up some of the books listed here. Can’t wait to dive in!
I would give a shout out to “”In Search of Scandal””. Susanne Lord is a debut author in 2015 and I loved her book!
If you’re a fan of historical romance where the history really matters, you might find my debut romance, A REBEL WITHOUT A ROGUE, of interest.
Historical Romance Society’s Indie Reviews called it “”a sparking romance.””
“”a sparking debut”” — sorry for the typo!
I loved Roan Parrish’s In the Middle of Somewhere. It was a great first book. That would be my vote.
I haven’t read any of the new authors in the list.
You might want to change “”Somali Dev”” to “”Sonali Dev”” :)
I really enjoyed Joanna Shupe’s first two books (not a fan of “”historical heroines in breeches”” – as book three was), but after she added Stalin to a “”sexy men”” Pinterest board, I cannot pick up another one of her books. Stalin killed millions more than Hitler (including people in my family) and nobody would EVER give Hitler that leeway!
I understand that typos happen. What I do not understand is delay on AAR’s end in correcting a misspelling of an author’s name, especially when another commenter (see Sonya Heaney’s post on November 24th @ 8:32 am) politely pointed out the typo three days ago.
Please change “”Somali Dev”” to read “”SoNali Dev””
I have not read any of the above authors. I respect those who read and review new authors because as a reader I don’t have time to take chances with unknown writers. I depend upon word of mouth from others.
I know what you mean, Blackjack. With my “”reviewing hat”” on, I can afford to take a few chances, and I’ve actually read some more than decent débuts this year. But even then, I probably don’t read as many firsts as I used to.
Thanks for the reviews! I really do rely upon them!
Thanks for the list- I have’t read any of them so I better get a move on!
Is Jayne Fresnia considered a debut author? I really liked True Story.
No, she’s been writing for some years now.
Jayne Fresnia came to my attention just this past year from some very favorable reader reviews. I want to give one of hers a try soon.
Oh, also there’s Anna Harrington’s book Duke’s are Forever – I haven’t read it yet, bit I’ve heard positive things.
Yes, I second the vote for the Kingston.
I’ve also now read the Kathleen Kimmel and thought it was very poor (I’ve given it a C-), so you might want to remove that one.
Elizabeth Kingston with The King’s Man.
My thanks Paola! I purchased this book and LOVED it. I cannot remember the last time I read a book which moved me like this one.