The bestselling author of Oolong Dead serves up an
Old-World treat, spiced with a Sherlock Holmes-style murder
mystery. It was the Dickensian evening Theodosia Browning
had been hoping for. Charleston shop-owners dressed in
cloaks of yore threw open their back doors to visitors,
who took advantage of bargains and Theodosia's delicious
teas. But later, the alleys clear except for one body-
which a horrified Theodosia discovers. It's Daria, the map
store's owner. Locals have shown interest in buying her
shop-but enough to kill? Plus there's been a customer hell-
bent on acquiring a not-for-sale map. Most alarming of all
theories, however, is Detective Tidwell's: the killer
mistook Daria for Theodosia. And if that theory holds, the
killer's work isn't done.
Spring has finally arrived in Germany!!! Though now the temps went down a bit and we are going to get some rain. And I am using my free time to read and cross stitch! (Valerie Bongards 6:37am March 28, 2010)
If I buy a book and enjoy it, I always look for the next one by that author especially when it is part of a series. And it goes to the very top of my TBR list. If it was only so so to me, I won't purchase the next one unless it is an author that I read a lot and then I will give the series another try. (Phyllis Crabtree 11:46am April 25, 2010)
This is going to sound awful. I win books by new authors and then decide if I will spend my precious money on their other books. This happened with Sandra Hyatt's books. I won the first and just loved it, so I made a point of getting her second book; now I'm waiting for her third to be published (which will be soon). Can hardly wait....
I have read a series of books by a certain famous author and I didn't like books #1 and #2. I WILL read #3 of the trilogy (because I bought all three at once), but if I don't like it, I'll skip to the end. The reason I have kept up with this author is because I've really, really enjoyed her non-trilogy books (which I will continue to buy).
Yes, if I've loved the author (like Sandra Hyatt), her latest book goes "near" the top of the pile, depending on whose books are there now. (Elaine Seymour 11:47am April 25, 2010)
Most of the books I read come from the library. When I buy a book, it is because it's an author/series I keep (there are a few) or my library doesn't carry the book. When that happens, after I'm finished with the book I will sometimes donate it to the library for their circulation stacks. "Mind Games" by Carolyn Crane is my most recent purchase, and it is at the top of my TBR list. (G S Moch 12:16pm April 25, 2010)
When I find a "new" to me author with a series, I can't wait to follow the main or secondary characters on through their living or backwards in time. I also read book reviews and write a few of my own and decide what sounds good in the genres I love. As the years go by, I'm increasing the boundaries and going into fields that did not interest me before. (Alyson Widen 1:36pm April 25, 2010)
I get suggestions from friends and if I read the book and like it then I try to find more from that author. If I don't like it then I usually don't buy/read another by that author unless it is a gift and then only if I'm in the mood to try another one.... I recently bought a book because it sounded good and i had heard good things about the author, I then bought the first 4 in the series so I could read them in order and it was all I could do to finish those 4 and now I have a new book that is about #9 in the series that I won't be reading... (Brandy Blake 1:44pm April 25, 2010)
I will buy series books - but I wait until I have a good Borders or BN coupon! Most of the new authors I search for I first met when I won a book or a friend loaned me a book. (Karin Tillotson 1:46pm April 25, 2010)
Fresh Fiction has introduced me to many new authors. I am ready for more! Blessings, Marjorie (Marjorie Carmony 1:56pm April 25, 2010)
I will buy more books from new to me authors if they truly grabbed my attention... but I do budget myself each month so it gets a bit hard to pick and choose which ones are a priority! My mood changes each month as for genre & authors. (Colleen Conklin 1:58pm April 25, 2010)
Flipping to a random section of the book and reading an excerpt is generally how I make a decision on whether to buy a book...new to me author or no. If I read the book and it doesn't grab me, I will check the next one of that series out from the library. If I love the author, I do have a tendency to glom. (G. Bisbjerg 2:41pm April 25, 2010)
I only purchase new authors if the recommendations from other readers...whom I know share my preferences....are great.
In fact, I just bought a new author based on recommendations...Nine Rules To Break When Romancing A Rake by Sarah MacLean.
If I like it, I'll make a note in my library review...Great New Author...Get Next Book.
If I find that book so so, I probably would not buy another by that author. (Mitzi Hinkey 3:56pm April 25, 2010)
I belong to several sites. Yahoo groups, book sites and community sites that recommend books so I found new ones that way also when I do have those few dollars available and I am at Walmart, Target or B & N I will read the summary on the back cover if the front intrigues me. Once I have read a newbie if they have impressed me I will add them to my huge TBR list that I keep by my computer and then scratch them off as I buy them. What is irritating is that I cannot get ebooks and many of those on my TBR list are ebooks that I have to wait to come in print because I only have one computer as yet trying to get a second because hubby and I both like to spend a lot of time on it.
Robin (Robin Smith 4:43pm April 25, 2010)
I don't gamble on books by new authors with my money. I'll try the author out by borrowing a book from a friend or from the library first. (Jung Ja Ahn 4:48pm April 25, 2010)
I think, ultimately, word of mouth has a lot to do with it. If a new author is getting a lot of good buzz online or if a friend recommends a book they really liked, I'll try it out. If I like it, I will continue to purchase that author's books - until they disappoint me. If a book is only so-so and it's part of a series, I probably won't continue with it. It has to be good in order for me to continue with it. If I don't engage with the characters or the story is kind of bland, I'm not going to care too much about what happens. On the other hand, I will forgive typos, grammatical errors, and even so-so writing if the story and the characters engage me and make me care about them. (Margay Roberge 5:12pm April 25, 2010)
I usually read series books from our Library first but if they are missing one in the series I will look for it while shopping and then donate it to the Libary so they can have it for their collection. (Teresa Ward 5:22pm April 25, 2010)
I usually find a "new to me author" by winning a book from one of the sites. I have found some really great reads this way and follow those authors. love series and if I find a new author and they have a series, I ususally continue reading the series. (JoAnn White 6:05pm April 25, 2010)
I have found many new authors because I signed up for an e-mail from my city's public library and each Monday they e-mail me the first few pages of a book of a genre I have picked. Tuesday through Friday I get a few more pages of the same book so by Friday I've read the first 20 pages of the book and know if I want to purchase it to continue or bypass it. Word of mouth from my book club friends is another source for new authors or good reads but because I read so much, I really try to make my discounts and coupons from various book stores go as far as I can. If I read a book by a new author that didn't do it for me, I'm not likely to try again, but if it's a dud from a favorite author, I'll certainly give the author another try. (Jill Hayden 6:17pm April 25, 2010)
I too will read a series.I favor the mysteries and enjoy getting to know the characters. (Catherine Myers 6:47pm April 25, 2010)
I will try a new author if the story appeals to me. So willing to give a new author a try. (Joanne Reynolds 6:49pm April 25, 2010)
If I love an author then yes they go to the top of my list. If I find the first book of a series SOSO. There is no way I am wasting time & money on more books of that series. Too many great books to read. (Mary Preston 6:57pm April 25, 2010)
I read a lot of blogs and if I'm seeing a lot of good reviews on a new to me author, I'll try their book. If I love it, the next book gets to the top of the TBR pile. I usually know enough about a new author's books that I'm not disappointed, so it's usually not much of a gamble. (Barbara Elness 6:59pm April 25, 2010)
I find new authors from contests, blogs, bookstores and word of mouth. If a book in a series isn't really all that great, I will still check out the series if it's an author I like. If I love a series or author's work I will instantly plan on buying it. (Leni Kaye 7:34pm April 25, 2010)
I'll try new authors recommended to me by friends and if I enjoy the books will get the author's other books; in fact if i really liked it I'll buy all the books the author has written be they series or not. (Diane Sadler 7:58pm April 25, 2010)
I am constantly looking for new authors. I am really excited when I find one that stirs my imagination and interest. If I like them I would continue to buy their new releases, but if the author is just so-so I doubt if I would buy more of their books. (Rosemary Krejsa 8:02pm April 25, 2010)
I will try anything at least once. How else will you know what else is out there? I think its worth it even if you dont like it someone else you know might, pass it along. (Leanne Jacobson 10:05pm April 25, 2010)
I am like Elaine and love to enter these contests; it has introduced me to many good authors. I also have a gift card at our local book store to redeem and am planning to look for more books of the authors I have already met. (Barbara Studer 10:14pm April 25, 2010)
There are a few authors and series from other authors that I just have to have - Karen Moning, Janet Chapman, Julie Garwood, Christina Dodd, among others. There are, however many other authors whose books I search out and read at the library. That was one of the things I loved about working at the library. You knew when books were coming out (and often got it first) and I could introduce authors to people. We discovered Laura Childs about 3 years ago and have made sure all her books are on the shelf. (Patricia Barraclough 10:36pm April 25, 2010)
If it's a new author or even a new series by an author I love, I read as many reviews as I can to see what they have to say. I only buy the PB, never the HB or Trade size. If an author I've loved and followed switches to HB after only being out in PB, I'll get it from the library or swap site. I read around 150 to 200 books a year so I'm careful which ones I buy. If I can get it used or at a library I'm much more likely to try a new author. (Lisa Richards 11:00pm April 25, 2010)
I am always looking for that new author. I like the Historical Romance novels and try to find those with a series and of course I always have to start with the #1 and work my way down. (Pam Alderson 11:38pm April 25, 2010)
I love to pop in on author chats and special author blog events to learn about new authors. I also find excerpts to be immensely helpful. When I'm looking at a new author, I'll tend to go look for their website and read all of the excerpts for all of the books they have posted before deciding to spend my book budget money on them. I often search AllRomance.com or othe eBook sales for free ebooks or free novelettes so I can get a small taste of a new author's work before jumping in with the funds. (Donna Holmberg 12:00pm April 26, 2010)
I agree with others here- I tend to test new authors with book trades or borrowing from a friend. And then if it grabs me do I add it to the budget list with the other authors I am willing to purhcase books for. I'll even read the excerpt on the author' website to help determine if I is one worhty of my book budget. (Sara Edmonds 12:18pm April 26, 2010)
I haven't started a new series for over a year now, except for the couple where I won one of the books. And even then, getting the rest of the series has to wait til the budget quits screaming in agony. (Carol Cobun 2:22am April 26, 2010)
I look at reviews and what covers I like. Will also look at what other writers are reading. I try to read part of the first chapter to see if I like the author's voice and if it keeps my interest. I will admit to starting the last chapter to see if the author is consistent if I have never read any of their books. (Lindsey Ekland 4:46am April 26, 2010)
I prefer to read series books, and have to start with the first one. If I like it, I try to read more. If not, I don't continue. I try to buy the paperback ones because they're hard to find in the library. The hardback I try to get from the library. If I really, really, like the book, I'll buy my own with a coupon from Borders or from Amazon. As you all know, book money can be hard to get. Reviews help, especially if the reviewer has liked books I also like. (Sherry Moran 2:18pm April 27, 2010)
Hi Sandi,
I don't know how long you keep a topic up, but it's Friday today, and I just found this.
Hmmm, I'll go without lots of things, but I refuse to go without my books. I'll pick up a new-to-me author if the cover catches my eye. Then I'll read the back-blurb, and if I'm still interested, I'll read the last 3 or 4 pages. If I'm still interested then, and only then, will I buy the book.
I read very few books from the library because I am a hoarder. I'm also a re-reader. But I'm also frugal, and very seldom do I pay full price, even for new books. (Donna Breitkreuz 5:57pm April 30, 2010)
It used to be unusual for me to buy new authors as new books. My introduction to new authors usually came from buying used. Now that I can get great deals on e-books (prices in Canada are overpriced, especially now), I am more likely to buy new authors based on plot summaries. I often check the Fictionwise new release list in my areas of interest. (Carol Drummond 11:29am May 8, 2010)
If I read a new to me author and they are great then I immediately start glomming their books, especially if they have written a series. I'll buy a new author if I've gotten a recommendation from someone I know who shares my tastes, or I pick it up in the book shop and the blurb gets me interested. (Valerie Bongards 5:00pm May 22, 2010)