Jul
22 2009 |
Today’s prize is a copy of What Happens In Vegas…After Dark!
My story is Sensual Magic and it’s a follow up to last year’s Stripped, featuring William Emery.
Two years ago, William Emery believed in love. Deciding to make his permanent home in Boston and start a nightclub there, he was locking down funding and approving the font on wedding invitations.
Until he found out his fiancée was little more than a faithless gold digger.
Emotionally devastated, he moved to Las Vegas where his younger brother lived and began work to create the kind of club he’d always wanted to run. And to drown the memories of his idealism in a sea of female flesh. If you didn’t involve your heart, it never got broken.
Nell Hunter is a witch on the trail of a human who’s stolen from her people. This human is working with a group of mages stealing money and power from the clans and cabals, relying on the need for secrecy to keep their victims quiet and from going to the police. But they hadn’t banked on Nell.
She’s a bonded hunter to the court of the Owen clan.
In Vegas, Nell seeks William out, his ex-fiance is the woman she’s looking for. The sparks between them fly immediately and while Nell knows they’re meant to be, William has a harder time with it. They come together as bullets and magic fly – nothing worth having is ever easy.
Today’s Question: For those of you who read anthologies – have you discovered new authors who then became an auto buy?
I’ll choose a winner tomorrow afternoon! Good luck
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:36 am · Link
Yes, or at least gone hunting out full length novels by the authors that I have first tried through anthologies, I discovered and got hooked on MaryJanice Davidson and Angela Knight through the Secrets anthologies.. lol That seems like a fair chunk of time ago now though.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:48 am · Link
Whoopsies I think that was only Angela Knight through the Secrets. MJD was through Lori Fosters site. and back into hiding I go.
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 am · Link
I don’t read so many anthologies but I’ve found two authors , Eve Silver and Cindy Gerard. I love their books!
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:49 am · Link
I found Allison Brennan and Brenda Novak. I love there books!
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:57 am · Link
Hi Lauren:
Yes I have, and I love anthologies for that reason. I discovered Eden Bradley through and anthology read and a couple of others that have become an autobuy!
Thanks and have a great day. 😀
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:00 am · Link
Yes! The most memorable was Nalini Singh, from her story in The Magical Christmas Cat.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:04 am · Link
Please do not enter me into today’s draw because I have already purchased and read this one.
As for anthologies, I only have a few. I have positives and negatives.
For the positives, I like them because they introduce authors I haven’t read yet. I also like them because sometimes authors write an anthology about a secondary character from one of their novels and you get to follow up on a side story. Since the secondary character is maybe not warranted to a full size novel, there is still an opportunity to complete the side story or grow it a bit more.
My negative is that the stories are usually too short. I get so involved in my stories and characters that if they are too short I feel kinda ripped off. lol. Also because I get so involved with one story, it is hard to just jump to the next.
The good thing about this particular book, at least the 4 authors had the same theme and “Darkness” was used over and over in each story so there was sort of a connection.
thanks!
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:16 am · Link
I have discovered alot of new authors by reading anthologies.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:24 am · Link
It goes both ways — I’ve found keepers and stinkers, but the keepers, to date, far outweigh the stinkers.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:33 am · Link
Yes, I have found new to me authors that have become autobuys from reading anthologies. One that comes to mind is Meljean Brook.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:34 am · Link
Not yet. I don’t read too many anthos and most of those that I’ve read feature established writers.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:43 am · Link
Actually, an anthology was my very first purchase! Didn’t know what I was buying or what to buy, so I just took a chance. Angela Knight and Lora Leigh became fast favorites.
Thanks!
Amy M
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:58 am · Link
Hi, Lauren~~I have Vegas, After Dark….don’t enter me, but you always have GREAT questions~~
I have actually discovered quite a few authors who have become auto buy authors for me in anthologies. And you know what?? One of the biggest hooks is when the story is part of a series, and you get little hints of the other stories….I am always zipping out to buy or ordering them off Amazon ASAP, lol. If it’s a hook, it works on me!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:05 am · Link
I’ve come across a few authors due to an anthology. I personally love finding authors this way. For me if I love their shorter stories, I always wonder what they can bring to a longer and fuller story. It can be fascinating to compare the two lengths and see if their writing style changes. Have a great day.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:07 am · Link
Yes. I found Shiloh Walker and Lora Leigh through an anthology.
It’s a great way to check out an author’s style and make sure you like it.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:09 am · Link
I am really bad at reading anthologies. I kind of read a short story and then forget the name. But that can be cos I have read like 2
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:18 am · Link
Yes, I have found a few gems through anthologies simply because I choose books and authors that I like alot.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:24 am · Link
Yup! Nalini Singh, Erin McCarthy, Shannon McKenna, Lore Leigh…the list goes on! I have anthologies to thank for opening the doors to many new and diverse authors.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:26 am · Link
yes I have picked up anthologies and have discovered authors this way.
Please don’t enter me in the contest today I have this book and it was good
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:32 am · Link
I haven’t read many anthologies. I did find Lora Leigh and Charlene Teglia (I think) in an anthology and now I grab every book I can from them.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:56 am · Link
Finding new authors is one of the main reasons I read anthologies. I found Lora Leigh in one and many of the other authors I read regularly in others.
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:59 am · Link
You know, it really makes a lot of sense to get an anthology to get new authors instead of trying out entire books but I don’t. Mostly I get my new authors from recomendations.
Does anyone on this blog have any good anthologies to try?
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:59 am · Link
Anthologies haven’t (directly) led to auto-buy authors, but they’ve definitely led to me trying out tons of authors I would never have encountered otherwise. I find the historical romance, paranormal, dark/urban fantasy, & futuristic/sci-fi/speculative anthologies invaluable when seeking new discoveries (especially the Mammoth Book Of… series. My favorites thus far have to be THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF VAMPIRES, THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF VAMPIRE ROMANCE, and THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF PARANORMAL ROMANCE collections. I can’t wait for the release of THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF VAMPIRE ROMANCE 2.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:03 am · Link
I found Cynthia Eden and Shelley Laurenston. I’m sure I’ve found many others, but can’t recall if I read a regular novel or a novella in an anthology first (Lora Leigh, Allsion Kent, Erin McCarthy).
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:04 am · Link
I love reading anthologies for just that reason, the chance to find new authors! It’s nice to just get a sample of their writing without having to risk really not liking it and regretting the decision for the rest of your life. 😎 Okay, perhaps a tad dramatic, but you get the point. Let’s see, I know I found Allyssa Day that way. Can’t think of others off hand, but I know I have! Oh! and Amanda Ashley.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:13 am · Link
Definitely pluses and minuses to anthologies. I have definitely found new authors to read and gone to read more of their stories but sometimes you do get some stories that you don’t care for. Don’t put me in this one b/c I already have this book
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:33 am · Link
Please don’t enter me in this one since I already have the book. I love antho’s for the most part sometimes because it does give me an opportunity to “test out” authors with something short instead of an entire novel while at the same time read a story by an author I love
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:40 am · Link
Anthologies are new to me. I think the first one I read was I Do — an anthology in support of marriage equality . I am more attracted to anthologies if they have an author listed that I already know I like!
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:45 am · Link
Definitely!! I discovered Virginia Kantra, Emma Holly, Angela Knight and Christine Feehan in anthologies and these ladies are all auto buys for me.
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:46 am · Link
Hi! I have no idea about the anthologies. For the past 35+ years I have been oblivious to all that detail — I simply picked up a book and read it. Didn’t note the author’s name or even the title of the book. Just read it, passed it on to girlfriends, and picked up another book. Quickly. Now that I am entering some book contests online, I’m realizing that I should keep track of info like that, so ask me again next year, ha ha!
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:47 am · Link
Yes, I have discovered new authors. Shannon McKenna, HelenKay Dimon, Lucy Monroe, Erin McCarthy, Jill Shalvis, Nancy Warren… – can you tell I really hit up the “Bad Boys” Brava anthologies when I first started reading romances? 😛
And all of those talented ladies are some of my favorite authors now.
Oh – and please don’t enter me into this drawing. I already have a copy. 🙂
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:48 am · Link
Love, love, love anthologies. They are great when you have young kids and only have time for a short story during nap time, or right before going to bed. I read several when my kids were younger and discovered authors like Lori Foster, Shannon McKenna, Meljean Brook, Shiloh Walker, Lora Leigh, Cathryn Fox, Kresley Cole and Sherrilyn Kenyon 😛
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:52 am · Link
Yes, I have discovered new authors. Pam Rosenthal, Susan Johnson, Lucy Monroe, Jill Shalvis, Thea Devine, Robin Schone. 😎
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:00 am · Link
I have definitely discovered new to me authors through anthologies. Among them, Angela Knight and Allison Kent.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:21 am · Link
Yes! Through anthologies is how I discovered Lori Handleland, Ronda Thompson, and many more. Yeah, anthologies can be a pain about how short their stories but it gives you an excellent insight on their writing styles.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:31 am · Link
I have definitely found new authors that have later become auto buys because of anthologies.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:52 am · Link
Great question Lauren! I have definitely found authors through anthologies who then become auto-buys (and some that become auto-rejects, but we’ll stay on the positive side today 😉 ). Lisa Renee Jones (n Damned, Delicious & Dangerous), P.F. Kozak , Maggie Shayne (in Kick Ass and Midnight Pleasures), ooh, and just about everyone in the EC Forbidden Fantasies anthology — to name a few.
I’ve also discovered new authors when reading anthologies to “bridge” the stories in familiar authors’ full length works.
Thanks for the contest! This looks like a *hawt* read! 😉
~bella
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am · Link
I like anthologies for that reason…new authors to try out in short format. That is also the reason they are not my favorite…too short if the author rocks!
I have found some great ones and also the other side of the coin, people I will not buy because I did not like the “voice”.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:00 am · Link
Have you discovered new authors who then became an auto buy?
I actually discovered Cythinia Eden when I read “Everlasting Bad Boys”. Shelly Laurenston is on my auto- buy list was I bought the book just to read her story. Then I started to read Eden’s story and I discovered she is a great author as well.
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:22 am · Link
Yes, I most certainly have. Here are a few that I have added to my auto buy list; Lora Leigh, Sherri L King, Jill Shalvis, Erin McCarthy, Maggie Shayne. 🙂
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:28 am · Link
I love anthologies too!! I’ve discovered so many wonderful authors including Angela Knight, Lucy Monroe, HelenKay Dimon, Eden Bradley, Shelly Laurenston…….I could go on and on as well!!
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am · Link
I also have found wonderful authors that way..Stephanie Laurens,Sabrina Jeffries,Kresley Cole,…As well as authors that i have found in other books.. Karen Marie Moning,Brenda Joyce.etc.. I could go on and on lol.. I love to read and i keep a list a of my authors and there book that i read I hooked. 😀 😆
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:59 am · Link
Absolutely! I love to read anthologies, especially when I am short on time to read. Shannon McKenna, Cynthia Eden and Karen Kelley are just a few of the authors I have found.
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 am · Link
I’ve discovered a couple of new-to-me
authors due to reading anthologies:
MaryJanice Davidson and Cynthia Eden.
I love anthologies because they are an
easy-to-read length when I don’t have
a lot of time for reading!
Pat Cochran
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:23 am · Link
I have not read an anthology yet
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:29 am · Link
I actually don’t like anthologies because the stories are always short so I really don’t end like the book thus no authors that I add to my must buy list
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:56 am · Link
Yes! I’ve found so many great authors thanks to anthologies.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 am · Link
Yes I love anthologies and have found many great authors new to me. The Bad Boy anthologies are the one s I remember most.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:16 am · Link
Yes, I have found a coupkle authors because of anthologies.
July 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am · Link
yes i have actually. Quite a bit. I’ll read the story fall in love with it and then have to check out what else that author has written. I’ve discovered some of my fav authors that way.
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