• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • Disclosure & Policies
  • Contact
  • Requests
  • Winners
  • Everything Books
  • Bookish Life
  • Secondary Navigation Social Media Icons

    • Facebook
    • Goodreads
    • Instagram

Storied Conversation

every story begins a conversation

  • Home
  • About
    • Disclosure & Policies
  • Contact
  • Requests
  • Winners
  • Everything Books
  • Bookish Life

May 2023 Featured Authors

May. 02, 2023

May 2023 Authors of the Month

Welcome to May 2023 Authors of the Month. This month I have three new authors for y’all to enjoy. All three are hugely popular and most likely some you have heard of. However, some of you like me may not have read some of their books though.

It’s funny how we can hear an author’s name again and again yet never really pick up one of their books. I’m sure everyone has a different reason for it. I will be honest and say a lot of the time, for me at least, it’s that I don’t like the more popular books. Take Fifty Shades of Grey and the Twilight series, both were very popular and I can’t stand either of them. 

They are well written but there are just things that I don’t like about them. So, whenever I hear of a new book from a popular author I am leery. I did purchase a book from each of our authors this month and I will let you know what I think about them once I get them read.

Janet Evanovich

Okay, I admit I haven’t read any of author Janet Evanovich’s books. I have however seen the money based on one of them. I enjoyed the movie and honestly need to read the books.

  • One for the Money
  • Wicked Appetite
  • The Heist
  • Metro Girl

I decided to showcase one book from four series that Janet Evanovich writes. I purchased Wicked Appetite this morning and hope to let y’all know more about it. It sounded very interesting.

About Janet Evanovich

Janet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Trouble Maker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, as well as the Fox and O'Hare series with co-author Lee Goldberg.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon

Dean Koontz

I have certainly heard of Dean Koontz and like many of you have seen several of the movies made from his books. I admit though that I have only read one or two of his books. There is no reason other than I just haven’t read him that much.

  • Life Expectancy
  • Phantoms
  • Odd Thomas
  • In the Heart of the Fire

I ordered In The Heart Of Fire this morning and am looking forward to reading it. Like I said I haven’t read much of his work but who knows this could be the book that changes that.

About Dean Koontz

Acknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.

Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

Colleen Hoover

If you read romance then Colleen Hoover is one of the most famous and popular authors. I am more than a little ashamed to admit that I haven’t read her work. I have had some of her books on my to be read pile for a while. I just haven’t gotten around to them as of yet.

  • It Ends With Us
  • Verity
  • Ugly Love
  • Heart Bones

I purchased Verity this morning because it is one that I have wanted to read for a while. I am one of those readers that loves to read new books but also tends to stick with my favorite authors. It’s hard for me to add a new author to the mix. Once I do though he or she is there for life.

About Colleen Hoover

International and #1 New York Times bestselling author of romance, YA, thriller, women's fiction and paranormal romance.

I don't like to be confined to one genre. If you put me in a box, I'll claw my way out.

My social media username is @colleenhoover pretty much everywhere except my email, which is colleenhooverbooks@gmail.com

Website | Goodreads | Amazon

ENTER BELOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN THE PRIZES BELOW:

  • iPad + 5 Books from Any of the 3 Authors of Your Choice + $25 Amazon Gift Card {Grand Prize- 1 Winner}
  • 5 from Any of the 3 Authors of Your Choice + $25 Amazon Gift Card {1 Winner}
  • $25 Amazon Gift Card {2 Winners}

GIVEAWAY IS OPEN WORLDWIDE AND ENDS MAY 31, 2023 AT 11:59 PM EST.

Category: Review Tags: Featured Author

← Previous Post
The Monthly Chapter | May 2023
Next Post →
Beyond the Thistles by Samantha Young | Blitz

You may also like

June 2026 Featured Authors Storied Conversation
June 2026 Author Spotlight
May 2026 Featured Authors Storied Conversation
May 2026 Author Spotlight
April 2026 Featured Authors Storied Conversation
April 2026 Author Spotlight

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Clem says

    May 2, 2023 at 2:49 am

    I read Koontz but cannot recall the titles

    Reply
  2. _Sandra_ says

    May 2, 2023 at 5:20 am

    Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen hoover were pretty good reads.

    Reply
  3. Will G says

    May 2, 2023 at 5:54 am

    It Ends With Us interests me.

    Reply
  4. Sharon Rooney says

    May 2, 2023 at 6:31 am

    I have been interested in reading Janet Evanovich’s booksfor a while now. I have heard that a lot of them take place in New Jersey or refer to New Jersey. I would probably start with Metro Girl.

    Reply
  5. mami2jcn says

    May 2, 2023 at 7:02 am

    It Ends With us has a cute cover that makes me interested in reading it.

    Reply
  6. Sherry says

    May 2, 2023 at 7:55 am

    It’s one of his older books but I really like Strangers by Dean Koontz.

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth says

    May 2, 2023 at 11:27 am

    I’ve read Hoover’s It Starts With Us (couldn’t get into Verity), and in high school I read Koontz’s Night Chills.

    Reply
  8. Jessica Beard says

    May 2, 2023 at 1:19 pm

    I want to read Heart Bones!

    Reply
  9. Elaine G says

    May 2, 2023 at 1:34 pm

    I’ve heard of these authors but haven’t read any of their books. Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich sounds good.

    Reply
  10. heather says

    May 2, 2023 at 3:18 pm

    Metro girl sounds like one I would love to read this summer.

    Reply
  11. Bea LaRocca says

    May 2, 2023 at 8:44 pm

    I have not read any of these authors before although I am familiar with both Colleen Hoover and Dean Koontz and would like to read any of their stories that you have listed above

    Reply
  12. Dreaa Drake says

    May 2, 2023 at 9:06 pm

    I havent read any of them yet, but ive had colleEn hoover on my tbr for a while! Verity is first because i heard great Things about it!

    Reply
  13. bn100 says

    May 2, 2023 at 10:36 pm

    odd Thomas

    Reply
  14. Sandra Dufoe says

    May 3, 2023 at 10:11 am

    I am reading a few series from Christine Feehan at the moment.

    Reply
  15. Shu says

    May 3, 2023 at 12:32 pm

    Iwould give a try on these books !

    Reply
  16. Shelly Peterson says

    May 3, 2023 at 12:40 pm

    Wicked apetite sounds like a good read.

    Reply
  17. Linda says

    May 3, 2023 at 5:22 pm

    I have read some of the Odd Thomas books.

    Reply
  18. Natalie says

    May 3, 2023 at 6:11 pm

    I am interested in reading One for the Money!

    Reply
  19. Madonna Dolin says

    May 3, 2023 at 7:17 pm

    omg, I can’t believe YOU HAVEN’T READ ANYTHING BY jANET EVANOVICH. A LIBRARIAN FRIEND RECOMMENDED HER TO ME YEARS AGO AND I READ ALL HER BOOKS. FUNNY STORY, MY DAUGHTER USED to forbid me to read them in public because I would laugh hysterically because they are so funny. then when she got older and started reading them, she does the same thing laughing in public. Obviously janet evanovich is my pick for wanting to read.

    Reply
  20. Nina Lewis says

    May 3, 2023 at 11:28 pm

    I am not a fan of colleen Hoover’s books. At all! So toxic & problematic, in my opinion!
    I have Janet Evanovich on my TBR! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Suzie B says

    May 4, 2023 at 7:33 am

    Ugly Love by Colleen HoOver is my fav!

    Reply
  22. Athena Graeme says

    May 4, 2023 at 9:35 am

    Dean Koontz is definitely my favorite! Intensity is just mind-blowing! So fast and hard to put down. I was excited when they started making his books into movies, but they just don’t seem to translate. They’re good movies, but just don’t really capture the books at all. He’s amazing!

    Reply
  23. kelly tupick says

    May 5, 2023 at 5:38 am

    Ugly love sounds interesting to me.

    Reply
  24. Elle says

    May 6, 2023 at 4:05 pm

    I have read a few books from Dean Koontz before.

    Reply
  25. Jeanna says

    May 11, 2023 at 11:10 am

    Ugly Love is one of my all time favorites!

    Reply
  26. Jen L says

    May 11, 2023 at 4:47 pm

    Phantoms sounds like a page turner

    Reply
  27. Piroska says

    May 13, 2023 at 6:54 pm

    I like Deen Koontz’s earlier works.

    Reply
  28. Jennifer Hess says

    May 15, 2023 at 8:22 am

    Not yet but my Summer goal is to read atleast 10 books. I want to escape mentally into a great book.

    Reply
  29. Nancy E Loring says

    May 16, 2023 at 7:44 pm

    I have always loved reading Dean Koonts books.

    Reply
  30. Terry Breeden says

    May 17, 2023 at 9:29 pm

    I have not read any dean koontz yet but odd thomas and life expectancy are both of my list that i would like to.

    Reply
  31. raMONA says

    May 20, 2023 at 5:14 am

    i do have a lot of books from colleen hoover on my tbr list, but i never got the chance to read them. i’m most interested in it ends with us, i’ve heard a lot of things about it, both good and bad:)

    Reply
  32. Susan Smith says

    May 20, 2023 at 7:50 pm

    Yes,It Ends With us is by Colleen Hoover is one of my favorite books.

    Reply
  33. Adriane says

    May 22, 2023 at 11:04 pm

    Love everY Janet Evanovich I’ve read, but I know I’ve missed some! Will have to check her full list and figure our which ones I have to look forwards to reading

    Reply
  34. KV says

    May 26, 2023 at 5:58 am

    I have Read Ugly love by Colleen Hoover.

    Reply
  35. Barbara Montag says

    May 27, 2023 at 1:13 pm

    I would love to read wicked appetite by Janet Evanovic.

    Reply
  36. Lucy says

    May 29, 2023 at 8:07 am

    Dean Koontz is my FAVORITE. I like suspense in novels, once you start Reading you don’t manage to put the book away until you finished It! His books really are mesmerizing!

    Reply
  37. Allison Swain says

    May 29, 2023 at 6:04 pm

    I like Ugly love by Colleen Hoover!

    Reply
  38. Brittany Doerfler says

    May 30, 2023 at 9:41 pm

    Metro girl by janet Evanovich is one of my faves.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

SC 2026 sidebar graphic


Hi, I’m Rita and I write all about books. I learned at a very early age just how much I love to read and getting lost in the worlds that books provide.

Find us online

  • Facebook
  • Goodreads
  • Instagram

Currently Reading

Nothing at the moment!

Recent Book Reviews

Rev  by Fiona DavenportTyre by Fiona Davenport  by Fiona DavenportForget That Guy by Lani Lynn ValeThe Bristlecone Writers' Group  by Lisa Williams KlineMaple & Moonlight  by Daphne ElliotWoden's Vengeance by Donovan CookMurder on an Irish Farm  by Carlene O'ConnorThe Arab-Israeli Cookbook by Robin SoansThe Lady of Galway Manor  by Jennifer DeibelBaking in the American South  by Anne ByrnThe Song That Moves the Sun  by Anna BrightThe Girl from Portofino by Siobhan DaikoThe Cake Bible, 35th Anniversary Edition by Rose Levy Beranbaum, Woody WolstonDesperately Seeking a Duchess by Christi CaldwellThe Final Target  by Nora RobertsTribune and the Sword by Adam LofthouseBe the Full Problem by Lani Lynn ValeThe Burning Pages by Paige SheltonStorm of Mercia  by MJ PorterTo Kiss a Demon  by Stephanie Rowe

Join Me This Year

26 in 2026 -2 challenge updated sidebar- SC everything books page 2026
The Big Read Take Two
♡♡♡AUDIO SALE ALERT♡♡♡ Hey audio lovers, do we ha ♡♡♡AUDIO SALE ALERT♡♡♡

Hey audio lovers, do we have a deal for you! This Much is True, Twist of Fate AND Trouble, all must-reads from USA Today bestselling author @authortlouise are on sale on audio now for just a limited time! 

Listen to This Much is True FOR FREE now → https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/this-much-is-true-by-tia-louise 

Listen to Twist of Fate for just $1.99 → https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/twist-of-fate-by-tia-louise 

Listen to Trouble for just $1.99 → https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/trouble-by-tia-louise

#thismuchistrue #twistoffate #trouble #tialouise #onsalenow #audiobooks #audiolovers @literallyyourspr
I am so excited to get to read this! I was lucky e I am so excited to get to read this! I was lucky enough to get the eARC today and am starting on it! 

Title: You’ve Got Hate Mail
Series: Accidentally Infamous
Book #: 1
Release Date: June 16, 2026
Ebook, Audiobook and Paperback 

Narrators: Kristina Ruth Zaharek, Gregory Salinas, supporting cast: Samantha Brentmoor and Stella Hunter

I should’ve worn underwear that day. 

I’d have far less hate mail in my inbox. I’d also still have a job. 
 
But I didn’t wear underwear. And I had a wardrobe malfunction on a livestream. 
 
So now I’m the proud owner of the internet’s most famous… you know. 
 
The good news? I’ve been invited to hide from my sudden infamy at a closed winery with other women who’ve suffered their own five minutes of shame. 
 
The bad news? The winery has a live-in handyman. 
 
A competent, compassionate, patient, sexy, single dad handyman. 
 
Whom I met when I punched him in the face. 
 
Accidentally, of course. But I still get why he’s happy keeping his distance from me. 
 
But when we find out the winery that’s saving my life is in danger of foreclosure, he and I become accidental partners. 
 
No big deal, working with a guy that I’m falling harder for each day. 
 
I’m already the internet’s favorite punching bag. Why not add an unrequited crush to my life? 
 
But what if it’s not unrequited after all? 
 
From USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling Author Pippa Grant comes a funny, heartwarming, swoony romance perfect for readers who love protective book boyfriends, found sisterhoods, slow burns, epically awkward meet-cutes, and love conquering all. 
 
Content note: This book contains toxic family and references to bullying, suicide, abuse, and the off-page cancer death of the hero’s first wife several years before the story begins. 

Amazon Ebook: https://readerlinks.com/l/5270161

Amazon Audio: https://readerlinks.com/l/5270164

Audible: https://readerlinks.com/l/5270172

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250898555-you-ve-got-hate-mail

Preorder comes with a signed copy, an exclusive art print, a mini book, AND a sticker sheet --link for this and all other links are in bio under Book Buzz!

#pippagrant #youvegothatemail #goneviral
📚 LOOK WHAT I'M READING TODAY! Unfortunate Games 📚 LOOK WHAT I'M READING TODAY! 

Unfortunate Games by Nichole Rose

Her fortune wasn't supposed to be her fate.

Emelia
Drunkenly folding my way into a future with the hottest goalie in the league wasn't how I intended to spend Saturday night, but here we are.

Clearly, my besties should not be in charge of Girl's Night activities.

One cootie catcher later, and Royce Elliot is determined to make this wild prediction a reality.

I'm absolutely not interested. Until I am.

He's supposed to be my client, not the man I can't resist.

But with every touch and every kiss, this feels less like a game…
and more like forever.

Royce
I know hockey, not how to win over a stubborn, fiercely independent publicist.

But the second I meet Emelia Jónsson, I stop caring about shutouts.
I care about her.

She says her fortune teller doesn't mean anything—that it's just a childish game.
I say fate handed me an opening, and I'm not going to miss my shot.

I didn't expect her to ignite the way she does for me.
And I never imagined I’d fall this hard, this fast.

She swears this can't happen.
She's wrong.

I'm not backing down until she admits the truth.
We were never just a game.
The two of us were fate.

Tropes include:

🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒He Falls First
🏒 Forced Proximity
🏒 Happily Ever After

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/247062173-unfortunate-games

PreOrder: https://amzn.to/4edFF5j

#currentlyreading #sportsromance #romcombooks #bookstagram #romcombooks #RomanceReads
✨Let's celebrate! It's release day for HEARTSMASHE ✨Let's celebrate! It's release day for HEARTSMASHED by @brookeblaine1! Grab it in KU!

#OneClickNow
Amazon U.S. https://amzn.to/4sljgbq
Amazon Worldwide https://mybook.to/Heartsmashed

This is a fake dating, opposites attract, MM romance! You get a jealous ex, emotional healing + 'I didn't mean to fall'! You do not want to miss out on this one!

#brookeblaine #newbookalert #mmromance @theauthor.agency
❤️𝐌𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐯𝐚 ❤️𝐌𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 #𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝!

Rafe Montero keeps his world quiet, controlled, and carefully structured.

As a wounded veteran turned demanding boss, the last thing he wants is a distraction, especially in the form of the bright, chaotic energy of his new employee. Beneath her playful confidence, though, is a woman determined to prove herself — even if her brooding boss keeps pushing her away.

Seraphina is everything Rafe isn’t. She’s outgoing where he’s guarded, spontaneous where he’s rigid, and impossible to ignore.

The more they clash in the workplace, the more undeniable the tension becomes. When late nights at the office turn into stolen moments and guarded confessions, Rafe realizes Seraphina might be the one person capable of breaking through the walls he built.

My Wounded Boss is an instalove romance featuring a possessive alpha hero, sizzling chemistry, a fiery heroine, a broody hero, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

📕 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
✔️ Grumpy/Sunshine
✔️ Workplace Romance
✔️ Wounded Veteran Hero
✔️ She Falls First, He Falls Harder
✔️ Opposites Attract

❤️𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞→ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGDDCCZ8

#instaloveinfluencers
I am now an influencer with @hawthorn.and.aster.se I am now an influencer with @hawthorn.and.aster.services!

Hawthorn & Aster is a queer, women owned digital marketing company that offers a wide array of pre-publication services and social media solutions. They are passionate about connecting authors and readers in meaningful ways.

More than that, they seek to diversify the romance space, and elevate otherwise underrepresented voices. They believe that diversity and inclusion can only flourish if space is made for it.

If you'd like to join the team, check out their profile, or learn more on their website: www.hawthornandaster.com

#hawthornandaster #bookmarketing #romancereadersofinstagram #romanceauthors

Footer

Every Story Begins with a Conversation

Welcome to Storied Conversation, a space dedicated to he thoughtful discussion of books, exploring literary worlds one page at a time.

Categories

See all the posts in a particular category.

  • Facebook
  • Goodreads
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2026 · Storied Conversation

Lexi Theme by Code + Coconut