Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten New To Me Authors I Read for the First Time in 2015 (& yes I do know I'm 2 days late LOL)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week has a different theme & you can find all the details about how to join in HERE.

Today's topic is Top Ten New To Me Authors I Read for the First Time in 2015 and I've discovered some wonderful new authors this year so I have lots to talk about. This will include a mixture of debut authors and authors who have been around for a while but who I only discovered this year. I'm also including a selection of adult and YA author's so there hopefully should be something here that appeals to everyone.

I've been looking forward to this topic for ages but life got in the way & I'm only just getting around to actually writing it so I apologise for being 2 days late. Better late than never though so here we go :o)

I love discovering new authors (I've actually read books by over 50 new to me authors this year!) and you can see a list of all the author's I've discovered in 2015 HERE if you're interested. It's been very hard to narrow it down to just my top 10 but I've finally done it so here are my favourites:

Pippa Dacosta

Pippa Dacosta has quickly become one of my favourite authors, I fell in love with her writing when I picked up the first in her science fiction series Girl From Above: Betrayal but have since also devoured her urban fantasy series that starts with Beyond the Veil. In fact I've worked my way through her entire back list (11 books and novellas) since August so that should give you a hint about how much I LOVE her stories. You can read all of my reviews of her work HERE.

K.F. Breene

K.F. Breene is another author whose books I've been absolutely devouring, I've not managed to make my way through her entire back list but I did devour all of the books currently available in her Warrior Chronicles series and I'm now desperately waiting for the next book to be written! Read my reviews HERE.

Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

I can't believe it took me so long to discover these author's wonderful series, I absolutely devoured These Broken Stars and This Shattered World earlier this year and the final book in the trilogy, This Fractured Light, is right at the top of my Christmas wish list this year. Both Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner have been added to my list of auto-buy authors and I can also highly recommend Illuminae that Amie wrote with another fabulous (but not new to me) author Jay Kristoff. Read my reviews HERE.

V.E. Schwab

Another new autobuy author has to be V.E. Schwab, I absolutely adored both A Darker Shade of Magic and Vicious. Both books are very different but utterly brilliant and I'm glad we're going to get more stories set in each world. You can find my reviews HERE.

E.K. Johnston

A Thousand Nights was one of my favourite books of the year so of course I had to include debut author E.K. Johnston in my list. This story is incredibly atmospheric and was so, so beautiful to read, I completely devoured it and I can't wait to see more from this author in the future. Read my review HERE.

Becky Chambers

I've been really enjoying my science fiction this year and Becky Chamber's debut, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, was brilliant. It has such a varied cast of characters and I really hope that this is going to be the start of a new series. I'll definitely be watching out for whatever this author writes next though. Read my review HERE.

Pamela Clare

I don't tend to read a lot of romantic suspense but I've been hearing amazing things about Pamela Clare's writing from American bloggers for such a long time now so when I found out her books had been picked up by a UK publisher I couldn't resist giving them a try. I can definitely understand why everyone raves about her now because these books are amazing! You can find my reviews HERE.

Naomi Novik

I loved Uprooted so much that I've already read it twice this year, it's an absolutely wonderful fairytale type fantasy story that I don't really have the words to describe, hence the reason I STILL haven't written up my review for it! I will be getting caught up with my final reviews by the end of the year though so watch out for this one - it's put Naomi Novik on my list of must read authors and I'm really looking forward to working my way through her back list.

Juliet Marillier

Another fantastic fantasy story that I'm yet to write a review for. Dreamer's Pool was brilliant and I already have the next book in the series that I'm hoping to read very soon so Juliet Marillier is another recommended author.

Louise O'Neill

Louise O'Neill's Asking For It isn't an easy read, in fact there were times when it was incredibly painful and it made me so mad that I could have probably committed murder if I'd been able to climb into the story and confront some of the main characters! This is such an important book though and I really do feel like EVERYONE should read it, Louise shines a light on rape culture in today's society and I think it paves the way for some very important questions that we all need to ask ourselves. I really think this should be required reading in schools to get people openly talking about what constitutes rape and whether anyone is ever Asking For It (of course they're absolutely NOT but you'd be surprised at how many people don't agree with that!). I've heard great things about Louise O'Neill's debut novel Only Ever Yours too so I'm planning on reading that one as soon as I get a chance.

So those are my favourite newly discovered authors for 2015. Have you read any of the books or series I mentioned? Which ones are your favourites? Who are your top new authors? I'm always looking for recommendations :o)

Review: Unlawful Contact - Pamela Clare

Sexy, thrilling, unputdownable.
Take a wildly romantic ride with the I-Team.

Taken hostage by a convicted murderer while reporting at a prison, Sophie Alton has no idea that the man holding the gun to her head is the bad boy who was her first love in high school.

Condemned to life without parole, Marc Hunter finds himself with no choice but to break out of prison after his younger sister disappears with her baby. Though he regrets what he has to put Sophie through, he can't let anything get in the way of stopping the corrupt officials who are set on destroying what's left of his family.

But being forced together rekindles memories for each of them. And, as the passion between them heats up, so does the conspiracy to put both of them in their graves . . .

I-Team Series:
Extreme Exposure
Heaven Can't Wait (Novella)
Hard Evidence
Unlawful Contact
Naked Edge
Breaking Point
Skin Deep (Novella)
First Strike (Novella)
Striking Distance

Visit Pamela Clare's website for more information.

Review:
I have become a huge fan of Pamela Clare since I started reading her I-Team stories and even though I'm only three books in it's now become one of my favourite series. Every time I think the books can't possibly get better she proves me wrong and Unlawful Contact was definitely the best one yet. I was hooked in by the incredibly sweet prologue that introduces us to the teenage versions of Marc and Sophie. They shared one special night together before Marc left their home town to join the army and although they never kept in contact neither of them ever forgot the time they had together.

Now, 12 years later Sophie is working as an investigative reporter and she's incredibly worried when one of her contacts, a recovering drug addict who she has been working with for months, disappears with her baby daughter. Sophie is sure that Megan wouldn't have started taking drugs again, not when she was so close to getting her baby back, and she is determined to find out what is really going on. When she is offered the chance to interview Megan's brother who is currently serving life in prison for murder, she has no idea that the person she is going to see is the boy who stole her heart all those years ago. Marc gave up everything to keep his sister safe and he knows there is more to her disappearance than meets the eye so he will do whatever it takes to get out of prison and search for her, even if that does mean taking the girl he once loved hostage.

What follows is an edge of your seat thrill ride that had me desperately turning the pages trying to find out what would happen. I fell hard for Marc, even though he was a convicted murderer, and I have absolutely no doubt that if I was in his position I would have done exactly the same thing that he did. Sophie and Marc have history but she doesn't immediately fall for his charms, she doesn't take his word for things and does her own investigation into his past. She can see that things don't add up and when he saves her life more than once she starts to realise that there is a lot more going on that meets the eye. I was sceptical about this romance before I started reading it - I mean how was I supposed to get on board with a hero who literally kidnaps the heroine at gunpoint within the first couple of chapters? - but I was incredibly impressed that Pamela Clare not only convinced me but had me completely rooting for them as a couple. Marc and Sophie were perfect for each other and their romance was sweet, hot and sexy as hell. Marc is a genuinely good guy, he always puts other people first and he will stand up for the people he loves no matter what it costs him. I had my suspicions about a certain thing from fairly early on but even if I'd been proved wrong I would still have been 100% behind Marc and his actions.

This series tackles some very difficult subjects that can make for uncomfortable reading at times - we've had big businesses trying to hide the environmental damage they are causing, political corruption, human trafficking and slavery and now we get a look at prison corruption and drug dealing - but it is always done in an incredibly informative way and it's obvious the author has a great deal of knowledge about these issues. In spite of the darkness to these stories she is also incredibly good at infusing some light hearted humour and fantastic romances. This series really is a perfect example of what good romantic suspense is all about and I can't wait to carry on reading it.

Source: Received from Headline Eternal in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Hard Evidence - Pamela Clare

Sexy, thrilling, unputdownable.
Take a wildly romantic ride with the I-Team.

After the murder of a teenage girl, investigative reporter Tessa Novak has her sights set on the mysterious man seen lurking near the crime scene as the culprit.

The man was Julian Darcangelo, an undercover FBI agent, closing in on the trail of a human trafficker and killer. Tessa's accusations could blow his cover, and he wants her off the case.

But just as Tessa has made Julian a target of interest, she is now a target of the killer. And, as they are forced to trust each other, their physical attraction escalates as intensely as the threat from a ruthless murderer who wants to see both of them dead . . .

I-Team Series:
Extreme Exposure
Heaven Can't Wait (Novella)
Hard Evidence
Unlawful Contact
Naked Edge
Breaking Point
Skin Deep (Novella)
First Strike (Novella)
Striking Distance

Visit Pamela Clare's website for more information.

Review:
When investigative reporter Tessa Novak witnesses a young girl being gunned down in a drive by shooting she becomes determined to find out what happened to her. Her investigation leads her to Julian Darcangelo, an undercover FBI agent, who she initially suspects of being the young girl's murderer. The last thing Julian needs is a reporter drawing attention to him, he has been working for years to bring down a ring of human traffickers and he's closer than ever to getting justice for their victims. It's not only a case of keeping Tessa quiet though, he also needs to keep her safe now that she's drawn attention from the dangerous gang who will think nothing of destroying as many lives as it takes to keep the money rolling in.

Hard Evidence is the second book in Pamela Clare's I-Team series and I enjoyed it even more than the first. This is a fantastically written series with great characters, intense story lines, incredible action and steamy romance. I love how realistic these characters are, witnessing the shooting has a lasting effect on Tessa, not only does it make her realise how precious life is but it also brings out her protective instincts. It may be too late for the girl who was killed but she wants to get answers for her family and she wants to make sure the same thing doesn't happen to someone else. She's incredibly brave to keep looking for answers even when it becomes clear that she is attracting dangerous attention but she isn't stupid and she knows when she needs to ask for help. I loved how courageous Tessa was and I liked that she had a strict code of morals that she wouldn't cross, even to get a story, which is something that can't be said for her boss.

Julian has spent years working this case, his dedication has cost him everything and it's all he can focus on. Good men died fighting this gang and Julian will do whatever it takes to bring them down permanently. The last thing he needs is a reporter getting in the way but Tessa brings out all his protective instincts and he has to keep her safe, it's not easy for him to trust her though and he worries that anything he tells her will turn up printed in the next day's newspaper. Although the two of them are instantly attracted to each other I was pleased that it took time for them to learn to trust each other and to start working together. Julian was very secretive and broody but he's also quite sweet when he wants to be and he was definitely sexy as hell.

I think one of the things I love most about this series is how much insight it gives into some horrific crimes, Pamela Clare does a great job of showcasing how human trafficking victims are treated in this instalment and it's not always comfortable reading. It never feels gratuitous but it's definitely a learning curve and it shows how important it is that we have people like Julian and Tessa out there putting their lives at risk to stop the bad guys. As much as parts of the story are quite dark this series still contains a lot of humour which helps to lighten the mood. The reporters on the I-Team all have a great bond and I loved seeing their interactions, they were protective and caring but also very nosey and enjoy snooping on each other. I also thought the blend of romance and suspense was pretty much perfect, we get a whole heap of action but the relationship development was satisfying too. This is quickly becoming a favourite series and I can't wait to start the next book.

Source: Received from Headline Eternal in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Review: Heaven Can't Wait - Pamela Clare

A sexy romp featuring the characters from Pamela Clare's popular I-Team series. Lissy Charteris and Will Fraser are two weeks away from getting married when Lissy suggests they put a bit of traditional romance into their lives by giving up sex until their wedding night. Though Will thinks it-s a crazy idea, he's not about to admit he can't do it. The two end up making a bet, vowing not to be the first to ask for sex. But what starts as a bet turns into a game of no-holds-barred seduction -- winner take all.

I-Team Series:
Extreme Exposure
Heaven Can't Wait (Novella)
Hard Evidence
Unlawful Contact
Naked Edge
Breaking Point
Skin Deep (Novella)
First Strike (Novella)
Striking Distance

Visit Pamela Clare's website for more information.

Review:
Heaven Can't Wait is a novella in Pamela Clare's I-Team series but I think it's best to point out that this is more of a straight up contemporary romance than a romantic suspense like the rest of the series. It's an excellent read and one I'd definitely recommend but if you go in looking for suspense then you could end up disappointed. What you'll get instead is a super hot, incredibly sweet and sexy romance between two fantastic characters and if you're anything like me you'll love every minute of it.

Lissy and Will are crazy about each other and with only two weeks to go before their wedding everyone knows it. Lissy wants to make sure their wedding night is special so she suggests to Will that they hold off on having sex until the big day. Will isn't keen on the idea but when Lissy turns it into a bet with the first person to ask for sex having to pay a forfeit he can't resist. Egged on by a few of their friends they both set out to make the other cave first and it doesn't take long before things are really spicing up between them.

This was a fab little novella and it was a great way to get to know some of the side characters from the series a little better. We also get cameo roles from some other familiar faces which was nice but I loved that Lissy and Will were the real focus of the story. They are a fantastic couple who are clearly madly in love, the sex was scorching and the banter between them and their friends was incredibly amusing. If you're looking for a quick, hot read then you really can't go wrong with this and I'd highly recommend checking out the rest of the series too.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Review: Extreme Exposure - Pamela Clare

In the years since her child's father left her, Kara McMillan has kept men at bay. The hard-boiled journalist has vowed never to become vulnerable again, however lonely she feels.

With his dangerous good looks, charm and power, Senator Reece Sheridan could have just about any woman he sets his piercing eyes on. But he's intrigued by only one: gutsy, sensual reporter Kara, who promises to be every bit the firebrand in bed that she is in print.

But this is no fling. A sudden political scandal - and attempts on Kara's life - threaten to drive them apart. Yet maybe adversity will draw them into a bond even more intense than their steamy embraces . . .

I-Team Series:
Extreme Exposure
Heaven Can't Wait (Novella)
Hard Evidence
Unlawful Contact
Naked Edge
Breaking Point
Skin Deep (Novella)
First Strike (Novella)
Striking Distance

Visit Pamela Clare's website for more information.

Review:
Kara works hard juggling her career as an investigative reporter and life as a single mum and it doesn't leave her much time for dating. Past experiences have left her wary of men anyway so she'd rather focus on her son and her job. She meets Reece on a rare night out with a friend and the chemistry is there from the very beginning but getting involved with a Senator could be a huge conflict of interests, especially considering the story she is currently working on. Kara has been contacted by a whistleblower and the deeper she digs the more it looks like the company that has been accused of illegal pollution has someone on the Senate in their pocket. As Kara's story puts her life in danger she is forced to decide whether Reece can be trusted, not just with her life but also with her heart.

I have heard so many great things about Pamela Clare's I-Team series from American bloggers so I was incredibly excited when I found out that the series now has a UK publisher and when Headline Eternal offered me review copies of the first three books I jumped at the chance of reading them. Romantic Suspense is a genre that I've been wanting to read more of and I have to say that this series was a great place to start, Extreme Exposure has fantastic characters, a really sweet and sexy romance and of course plenty of action and danger.

I loved how normal Kara is, she's just a hard working mum who is juggling a demanding day job with the needs of her four year old son. She feels guilty that she can't spend more time with Connor but at the same time it's up to her to pay all the bills and she loves working as a reporter. She's smart, witty and very good at what she does. Kara won't let anyone intimidate her and she is very determined to get to the truth but at the same time she isn't willing to take risks with her safety. Apart from one mistake towards the end of the book, which to be fair was down to an emotional reaction when she was under extreme pressure so I found it very easy to forgive, she has the street smarts to survive and unlike some heroines I wasn't left rolling my eyes wondering how she'd even survived the first chapter.

Reece is an idealist, his first love is teaching but he took a step into politics to prove to his students that one man can make a difference. He is determined to make positive changes and is well known for supporting bills that will help the environment. I found it incredibly easy to fall for Reece, he has a great sense of humour but most of all he was incredibly sweet and patient when it came to Kara. He could tell how badly she had been hurt in the past and wanted to prove that not all men are as useless as Connor's father. I loved the interactions between him and Connor too, he takes Kara's son under his wing and falls in love with him just as much as with his mother. Together Reece and Kara make such a great couple and I enjoyed spending time with them both, the sex was hot but it was the romance that really made me swoon and I loved every minute of it.

Extreme Exposure is a fantastic, fast paced read that had me alternating between laughing out loud and swooning when I wasn't about to fall of the edge of my seat. I'm already looking forward to getting to know the rest of the I-Team and can't wait to get started on the next book, Hard Evidence, I think I may have discovered a new favourite series!

Source: Received from Headline Eternal in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle: