What books and authors do you know and like that don't get near the recognition they deserve? Overshadowed by the heavy hitters, who is just waiting to be discovered or has been around but never flashed about? In my mind, authors who have maybe put out ten books (not counting category or anthology) or less qualify. But I wouldn't put say, Sherry Thomas or Meredith Duran in this category even though they only have a few books to their credit. I'd call them rising stars....

I'm sure it's hard for less-recognized authors to stay in the game, particularly if they don't have the sales to support them. So who are some of your less or under supported authors? And recommended reads?

I just read books by Kristan Higgins and Victoria Dahl.  They were both excellent!  Far better than a lot of highly advertised/WL'd authors.

First author that came to mind is Merline Lovelace. I only see her mentioned now and again on listservs, etc., but she's pretty awesome, and has run the gamut: categories, historicals, contemporary, rom/susp.

Paullina Simmons

Curtiss Ann Matlock-  i don't think she gets the recognition she deserves.

I have one Paulina Simmons (that I didn't know I had) and I know I have some Matlocks around. I'll have to root around in the boxes. One of Matlock's I think has the name Ruby in the title, I think? If I have the author right, the blurb sounds interesting. I hopw this is a long thread - I'm always on the wach for authors I've never tried before, or revisiting authors I haven't read in ages. Keep the suggestiions coming everyone.

Julia Ross. I think she could be up there with Kinsale and Ivory for sheer quality of prose if she weren't very hit and miss. Also, I understand from her website that's been suffering from major writer's block and that's undoubtedly impacted her career. But her hits are REALLY hits.

Marianne Stillings. She's only puts a book every year or so. But they are so wonderfully written. I wish she would publish more but then again I'm glad she takes her time and doesn't just churn the books out.  I tend to avoid the author's that just crank out 3 or 4 new books a year because I find they tend to all be the same book. 

I was really surprised at how unknown Marsha Canham was when I first started posting on this board.  She was already on extended hiatus from writing when I discovered her, but I thought she would have a wider following given that her books were so good.  Guess it's because she never wrote any paranormals:P

Amazon Lily by Theresa Weir is great. I'd never heard of her before picking this up, but I was glad I did. It's a contemporary romance, not very long either - maybe 250 pages? I think I reviewed it here. Loved the hero. Loved the setting. Loved the cover!

Lisa Ann Verge wrote a book called Heaven in His Arms set in late 17th century Canadain wilderness. I haven't read anything else by this author, but this one was a really good read. Adventure, humor, hot hero, strong and likeable heroine.

I also love Maggie Osborne's unconventional heroines, and I've never talked to anyone who's heard of her when I bring it up.

I second Sara, Theresa Weir is fabulous, but she doesn't write romances anymore (sadly)  She is writing suspense under the name Anne Frasier now. Too bad. Her voice was remarkably different.

I think Julie Anne Long gets better and better, and I would consider her a bit underknown, but she did have an Honorable mention at the recent AAR poll.   My fav of hers is Secret to Seduction.

I was pleasantly suprised by Sealed With a Kiss by mary margret daughterty? not sure of the spelling..nice good read and I'm glad she has another coming out.

I second Marianne Stillings(stumbled on one of her books totally by chance and loved it), curtiss ann matlock, merline lovelace(thought her paranormal I'm not wild about and hope s he doesn't go to that full-time)

Sarah, my WL has just gotten bigger.  Heaven in His Arms seems like my kind of book.  Looking forward to that one.  I also added Amazon Lily.

Oooo, lots of good mentions in this thread.

best obscure historical not usually mentioned is THE PAINTED LADY by Lucia Grahame. this is the author's only work, victorian. it's first person and has mention of adultery but once u get past all that, it's as beautifully written historical as u will ever likely find.

I haven't read any of these authors.  I'm going to have to make a list.  Not good, I am already overwhelmed :-)

I agree on Marianne Stillings...I've read most of her books (I have 2 that are older I haven't read yet) and each has been a great read.

Jane Graves is also one I haven't seen mentioned much...I used Tall Tales and Wedding Veils in the Guess the book thread and no one got it.  Most of her stuff is pretty funny.  Another author who only outputs one book every year or so.

I've read a few of Beth Ciotta's and they were nice cute reads..didn't like them as much as Stillings' but still good.

I'm bumping this thread....so it gets some more answers.

I guess one of my hidden treasures is Margaret Brownley. I think I've talked about her before. She writes American historicals. I've only read one book by her, called Buttons and Beaus, but I thought it was cute and original. Here's the synopsis:

No one can pedal a bicycle around turn of the century New York without a license, so Amanda Blackwell’s cycling school is all the rage. The innovative establishment provides an income for the independent miss and her little brother, Donny, a special child.

But everything goes to Hades in a handbasket the day Damian Newcastle rides into her life...

Architect Damian Newcastle has a dream--to build the highest skyscraper in New York, redeem his family’s honor, and give his wheelchair-bound son a view of the entire city. He just needs the land occupied by Amanda’s cycling school to do it. But the building collapse that ruined his father’s company caused Amanda’s father’s death. He and Amanda are supposed to be enemies, but they’re both head over handlebars on a bumpy road to love...

Great thread. I am going to go check out all the ones mentioned. I will second Julie Anne Long. I don't know if she is a rising star or not, but I have loved all her books.

I just ordered Heaven IN HIs Arms by Lisa Ann Verge from Amazon.  I paid a litle extra for one that's billed as new and never read since it's WL here.  Although I am expecting it to have some yellowing.