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Monday, May 21, 2012

Discovering The New And Embracing The Old


I’ve been a lifelong reader and consider it one of my greatest joys. Books comfort me, relax me and looking at stack of shiny new paperbacks fills my heart with a funny sort of happiness.  (Please chime in on the comments and tell me this isn’t just me!!!)

What I’ve found over the years is that my reading joy tends to fall into two categories. The first is those “auto-buy” authors who I pick up the moment their books are out. Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child, Elizabeth Peters, Julia Quinn – all are a guaranteed great read and I have their upcoming release dates committed to memory. (Again….PLEASE chime in this isn’t just me!)

The second category, though, is one of a different sort of joy. I love finding new stories and new authors – books I stumbled upon through word of mouth, a fortuitous reading of a review, an Amazon recommendation or simply happened upon in the bookstore. Those books that I open up with no expectation beyond what I read on the back cover. It is in these books that a different sort of magic happens. The magic of discovery.

When I read a book by one of my “auto-buy” authors, I know what I’m going to get. The story may be different but the voice is familiar and wonderfully comfortable. With a new author, I’m turning the page to find out what comes next….racing through the story to see how the author solves that plot twist or pulls the hero and heroine together in that final, breathless moment of “will they or won’t they?”

For me, that is one of the great pleasures of reading. Every author has the same canvas, but what they do with that canvas is uniquely their own.

And I’m lucky enough to be along for the ride.

What about you? Do you enjoy finding new authors and if so, what new books have you discovered in the last year?  One commenter will be entered to win a copy of my latest release, WARRIOR ENCHANTED and I’ll select a winner at the end of today, May 21st from all who have posted.

Addison

***Addison's winner is Shelley B!  Shelley, please contact Addison directly at addisonfoxauthor@gmail.com with your mailing details!***

19 comments:

Maureen said...

It is always wonderful to read a story by an author that is new to me and find that I love it. In the last year I found Susanna Kearsley and Tessa Dare as authors that I hadn't read before but really enjoy their stories.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Chrisbails said...

I am exactly the same way. I have the auto-buys (like Laurell K Hamilton, Jeaniene Frost, Lyndsay Sands, Julia Quinn, and Roxanne StClair), but then I read a lot and look to blogs, facebook, and other recommendations to find new books. I have found some great authors that way including you Addison. This is also how I have found some favs like Lauren Dane, Erin Quinn, Jennifer Lyons, and Lisa Renee Jones. I am also a cover lover. If I like the looks of the cover, then I will usually buy it. Loved the post. This book looks great and definately adding to my must read list. Thanks for the giveaway.
christinebails@yahoo.com

Kathy Ivan said...

Hi Addison --I'm exactly the same. I have specific authors that are auto-buys for me and their books are like comfortable old friends coming by for a visit. but finding a new author, someone I haven't read before that strikes just the right cord with their writing, that can be just as exciting as reading one of my old "friends".

For those who haven't read Addison's series, they are FABULOUS!!!

Addison said...

Maureen - I love Tessa and I need to look for Susanna! And I so agree - it's just so fun to discover something new.

Addison

Addison said...

Chris:

Thanks for your sweet comments! And I do agree with you on the cover - there are certain books that just pique my curiosity the moment I see the cover and I'm hooked.

Addison

Addison said...

Kathy:

That is such a great way to put it - comfortable old friends coming for a visit (or very hot hero-comfortable, as it may be!)

And thank you as well for your sweet words. I can't help but share the love right back - DESPERATE CHOICES was one of the best books I read last year. I think you've created the most delicious hero in Max Lamoreaux - he is yummy!

Addison

Michele L. said...

Hi Addison!

I love your name by the way! :) Interesting post! I have many authors that I love, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Shana Abe, Stephanie Bond, Charlaine Harris, Kat Richardson, Michele Bardsley, and many others. I recently discovered a new author, Rachel Gibson. I don't know how I missed her books! I am reading, "Lola Carlyle Reveals All". Her story has humor, suspense, passion and romance. She throws in some great twists and turns along the way also. Great combination!

Your book sounds awesome! The cover is really enticing also! I can't wait to read this one!

Have a great day!

erin said...

Thanks for a great post and giveaway!!! Congrats on the new release and I'm definitely adding it to my wishlist!

I love finding new authors! This is the main reason that I started reading my book blogs... to get recommendations and "discover" new to me authors. I'm like you and I have every new release by my autobuy authors marked and in most cases, already preordered from Amazon. But it's such a thrill to take a chance on a new author and fall in love ;) Just recently that happened to me! I p/u Joey W. Hill's Something about Witches and In the Company of Witches and I was blown away... they are beyond fabulous into awesomeness beyond description!

Addison said...

Hi Michele!

Thanks for your lovely compliments :-) I truly adore the NAL art department - they are simply awesome when it comes to covers.

Oh - I love Rachel Gibson and I LOVE Lola! That was a fantastic book. The first I read of hers was SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE and I was hooked from there.

Addison

Addison said...

Erin:

Thanks for joining me today! And I will definitely put Joey W Hill on my TBR. There is just nothing better than an excited recommendation to pique interest and have me running for the bookstore and/or my Kindle!

Addison

girlygirlhoosier52 said...

It's not just you!!! It's not just you!!!... There are a whole raft, bunch, gang, crew, etc., etc., out here in Reader Land with you... And I've found some wonderful blogs sites from writers and fans.. I only wish I had a 30 hour day to read... And now I have another author to watch for!!!

Addison said...

Yay, Girly! It's always nice to be validated!! :-) I can no go happily back to coveting my nice, shiny TBR pile!!!

Addison

Shelley B said...

I am exactly the same way! I've read romances for 30 years, but Ive just had my iPad for six months, so I'm really new to the whole ebook craze. I used to buy maybe 2 or 3 books a month. Now, because I've started reading so many blogs and been introduced to so many new authors, I buy 20 or more books a month! There are authors I've read for years, and some I just have found. I love it! Thanks!

*yadkny* said...

I LOVE finding new authors! I am so excited to have found Jamie McGuire and now she is one of my favorite authors. I've only read 1 of her books, but she is already on my auto-buy list. The blogs and Goodreads peeps that I follow have been great in giving me new authors to try.

yadkny@hotmail.com

Mary Preston said...

It's wonderful when you discover new authors to love.

My daughter insisted I read George RR Martin's series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE. It is just brilliant.

Eli Yanti said...

i got so many new great authors but the most book i love this year is first grave to the right series by darynda jones

and you are a new author for me too, i hope i can read your book soon :)

Addison said...

Shelley-

I know exactly what you mean about an e-reader. I have always been a big book buyer, but once I got an e-reader I started reading even more.

Addison

Addison said...

Marybelle:

You're the second recommendation I've heard this week for George RR Martin. Clearly I need to check him out!

Addison

Addison said...

Eli:

I LOVE Darynda's work! She's one of my Ruby Slippered Sisters and she's also just an incredibly awesome person, too.

Addison