The Final Tally and A New Survey

Mar 23, 2009 | This & That

Thank you so much for all your well wishes (my hand sends extra thanks you, and my shoulder as well) and your great guesses. BTW, my hand is nearly back to 100%, but I’ve had to lay off the knitting and gardening all week. But necessary when you realize the final tally was 130 boxes of signed books, and since as an industry standard, a box of mass market paperbacks always contains 48 books, I signed 6240 books, give or take a few that came out of the box a little worse for wear—another industry standard, I fear. (And there you go, it’s only Monday and you’ve learned something new.)

So because Kelli Estes and Chrissie M were such great guessers, I had to get out my calculator to determine who was closer, and the winner is Chrissie M with her guess of 6350. Because Kelli was so close as well, with her guess of 6000, I am sending them both Amazon.com gift certificates. Again, thank you to everyone who played along!

And since you all did so well on that challenge, here is another. Next week I speak to the MPLA (Mountain Plains Library Association-hence the quick trip to Wichita) and I am trying to compile a list of recommended authors/books based on popular culture. It works like this, if you loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you are gonna love Lara Adrian’s vampire series. (I just finished Veil of Midnight and it was great. I couldn’t put it down.) Librarians are always looking for help with genres they don’t read, so the key is to arm them with some great romance recommendations. And this is where you come in.

Now I have my own list of favorites, but my favorites may not be your favorites. We all have our favs.  I also have to confess, I don’t read a lot outside of historicals and paranormals—oh, I’ll venture into Women’s Fiction on occasion, and love Rachel Gibson’s contemporaries, so I need some help making sure my list is complete.

This is where you can help—and one lucky poster will be randomly chosen to get a $25 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble, Borders, or Amazon.com—their choice.

Just post your list of favorite authors in any or all of these categories, Historical, Paranormal, Women’s Fiction/Contemporary, and Romantic Suspense into the comments. If you have a most favorite, favorite, can’t-put-down book by that author, it would be great to have titles as well. Best of all?  Once I have this list compiled, I’ll share it with all of you. Perhaps we can all find new best reads!

So give me those lists and you’ll be entered to win! And now it is my turn to say to you, Thank you! Oh, and once you are done sharing the list, consider sharing this post on Facebook or other social site, the buttons at the top of the comment section make this really easy to do. Because the more posts, the more new books we’ll discover.

54 Comments

  1. Jane Irish Nelson

    My favorite romance authors include:

    Jane Austen (contemporary when she wrote, but now historical)
    Georgette Heyer (Regency)
    Jo Beverley (Historical)
    Mary Balogh (Historical)
    Mary Jo Putney (Historical/Paranormal)
    Diana Gabaldon (Time Travel)
    Debbie Macomber (Contemporary)

    I don’t know if this will be of much help, but good luck compiling your list.

  2. Aderike A

    These are the list of my favourite authors.

    Historical:
    1) Julia Quinn
    2) Amanda Quick
    3) Hannah Howell
    4) Candace Camp
    5) Mary Balogh
    6) Karen Hawkins
    7) Catherine Coulter
    8) Brenda Joyce
    9) Sabrina Jeffries
    10) Elizabeth Boyle
    11) Julia London
    12) Lisa Kleypas
    13) Eloisa James
    14) Madeline Hunter
    15) Kinley MacGregor

    Women’s Fiction/Contemporary:
    1) Susan Elizabeth Phillips
    2) Jane Anne Krentz
    3) Sophie Kinsella

  3. Lori Craig

    right off the top of my head (which means I know I’m leaving lots of my faves out):

    Elizabeth Boyle, of course 🙂
    Susan Elizabeth Phillips
    Kathleen Woodiwiss
    Julia Quinn
    Mary Balogh
    Lisa Kleypas
    Tina St. John (although I haven’t seen anything from her in a while, hope she’s still writing)
    Julie Garwood
    Jude Deveraux
    Kathryn Caskie

  4. Victoria Esser

    Romantic Suspense:Suzanne Brockmann (start with UNSUNG HERO & read in order to REALLY enjoy — only author I buy in hardcover)
    Brenda Novak
    Linda Howard

    Contemporary: Susan Elizabeth Phillips (NOBODY’S BABY BUT MINE or HEAVEN, TEXAS)
    Susan Anderson

    Paranormal: Lynn Kurland
    C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp

    Historical Romance (long list here):
    Jaquie D’alessandro
    Julia Quinn (any of the BRIDGERTON BOOKS)
    Lorraine Heath
    Lisa Kleypas
    Sabrina Jeffries
    Victoria Alexander
    Teresa Mederios

    Add yourself to the Historical list and I’d better make myself stop. I could go on all day. Recommend romance writers is one of my favorite games!

  5. Jerrica

    My favorites in Historical:

    Julia Quinn
    Sabrina Jeffries
    Stephanie Laurens
    Lauren Willig
    Colleen Gleason
    Lisa Kleypas
    Jillian Hunter

    Women’s Fiction:

    Sophie Kinsella/Madeleine Wickham
    Lauren Weisberger

  6. Lori Ann

    Women’s Fiction/Contemporary:

    1. Toni Blake
    2. Rachel Gibson
    3. Susan Elizabeth Phillips
    4. Julie James
    5. Deirdre Martin
    6. Erin McCarthy
    7. Marianne Stillings
    8. Susan Andersen

    Paranormal:

    1. Kresley Cole
    2. J.R. Ward
    3. Lara Adrian
    4. Gena Showalter
    5. Larissa Ione
    6. Kerrelyn Sparks
    7. Lynsay Sands
    8. Nalini Singh

    Historical:

    1. Eloisa James
    2. Lisa Kleypas
    3. Elizabeth Hoyt
    4. Julia Quinn
    5. Sabrina Jeffries
    6. Anne Mallory
    7. Sherry Thomas
    8. Candace Camp
    9. Jo Goodman
    10. Loretta Chase
    11. Suzanne Enoch
    12. Lorraine Heath
    13. Mary Balogh
    14. Madeline Hunter
    15. Laura Lee Guhrke

  7. Laura Randall

    oooooooooo a list!

    Elizabeth Boyle 😉
    Rachel Gibson
    Christina Dodd – both her contemps & historicals
    Barbara Metzger
    Sabrina Jeffries
    Karen Hawkins
    Lori Foster
    Julia London
    Lori Handeland
    Madeline Hunter
    Stephanie Laurens
    Maya Banks
    Sierra Dafoe
    Susan Mallery

    Just for a start.

  8. Jessica

    Oh – I love talking books and finding read-alike titles! Here are some of my new and favorite finds:

    Women’s Fiction/Contemporary
    Marisa de los Santos
    Barbara O’Neal (Barbara Samuel)
    Erica Bauermeister
    Marie Bostwick
    Jane Porter
    Beth Kendrick
    Jane Green
    Eileen Cook (who also writes YA)

  9. Mary P

    This is hard.. my list gets longer every day.. but here goes..these are all keeper/multiple read authors.. in no particular order:

    *Elizabeth Boyle- “Something About Emmeline” touched my heart.
    *Mary Balogh – “Simply Love” is favorite, but I love all of her books.
    *Kathryn Smith- “Brotherhood of the Blood” series.. can’t beat “historical vampires”!!
    *Julia Quinn – The Bridgerton family is great.. fav book and character: Colin in “Romancing Mr. Brigerton”.
    *Eloisa James – Love all of her books equally
    *Teresa Medieros – “After Midnight” is one of my favorites.
    *Cathy Maxwell – Can’t go wrong with any of her books.

  10. Lily

    Don’t forget:

    Betina Krahn (The Last Bachelor, The Perfect Mistress and Not Quite Married)

    Julie Anne Long (Like No Other Lover, To Love a Thief)

    Barabra Pierce (Sinful Between the Sheets, Scandalous by Night)

    Tracy Anne Warren (Marriage Trap series, Tempted by His Kiss)

    Elizabeth Gaskell (anything)

  11. Hilda Hurtarte

    My favorites in Historical:

    *Julia Quinn (On the Way to the Wedding and The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever)
    *Lisa Kleypas (Again the Magic, The Devil in Winter, and Mine Till Midnight)
    8Victoria Alexander (Secrets of a Proper Lady)
    *Elizabeth Boyle (Tempted by the Night)
    *Brenda Joyce (The de Warenne Dynasty, but especially The Masquerade)
    *Cathy Maxwell (Bedding the Heiress and Temptation of a proper Governess)
    *Karen Hawkins (To Scotland, With Love)

    Paranormal:
    Gena Showalter (The Darkest Night)
    Brenda Joyce (The Masters of Time Series)
    Lynsay Sands (Vampire, Interrupted)
    *Kerrelyn Sparks (All I want for Christmas is a Vampire)
    *Christine Feehan (Dark Series and Ghost Walkers Series)

    Hope this helps.

  12. LeeAnn

    Favorite romance authors:
    Romantic Suspense,
    Nora Roberts
    Jayne Ann Krentz
    Linda Howard
    Maggie Shayne
    Cait London
    Meryl Sawyer
    Katherine Stone

    Historical,
    Julie Garwood
    Anne Stuart
    JoAnne Lindsey
    Amanda Quick

    Paranormal,
    Sherrilyn Kenyon
    Jayne Castle/ Jayne Ann Krentz
    Rebecca York
    Susan Squire
    Maggie Shayne
    Heather Graham
    Jacki Frank
    Amanda Ashley
    Christine Feehan
    Kelley Armstrong

    Just to name a few.

  13. seton

    wow, 6240? Congrats to the winners.

    My faves:

    Madeline Hunter
    Eloisa James
    Julia Anne Long
    Mary Jo Putney
    Loretta Chase
    Sherry Thomas
    Laura Kinsale
    Elizabeth Hoyt
    Lorraine Heath
    Jacquie D’Alessandro
    Jo Beverley

  14. Carolyn Hughes

    This is so hard! There are so many!

    Historicals:
    Elizabeth Boyle (of course!)
    Julia Quinn
    Lisa Kleypas
    Jacquie D’Alessandro
    Monica McCarty
    Eloisa James
    Mary Balogh
    Julia Garwood
    Mary Jo Putney
    Jo Beverly
    Cathy Maxwell
    Hannah Howell
    Johanna Lindsey
    Kathleen Woodiwiss
    Judith McNaught
    Gaelen Foley
    Donna Fletcher
    Celeste Bradley
    Jillian Hunter
    Julia London
    Victoria Alexander
    Karen Hawkins
    Catherine Coulter
    Teresa Medeiros
    Brenda Joyce
    Elizabeth Hoyt
    Loretta Chase
    Jill Gregory
    Virginia Henley
    Georgette Heyer
    Kathleen McGivens
    Sabrina Jeffries
    Jude Deveraux
    Jill Barnett
    Arnette Lamb (taken from us far too young)
    Kinley MacGregor
    Lois Greiman
    Paula Quinn
    Stephen Laurens
    Madeline Hunter
    Lorraine Heath
    Tracy Anne Warren
    Candace Camp
    Jo Goodman

    Paranormal:
    Lynn Kurland
    Veronica Wolff
    Karen Marie Moning
    Cindy Miles
    Melissa Mayhue
    Kresley Cole
    Heather Graham
    Christina Skye (Draycott Abbey series)

    Contemporary:
    Lisa Kleypas
    Catherine Coulter (FBI Series)
    Nora Roberts
    Christina Dodd

    I’m going to kick myself later if I left another favorite off the list. 🙂

  15. Jenny

    They are in no particular order, and I love all the books written by the authors. Each has their own technique and uniqueness

    Elizabeth Boyle Ofcourse
    Mary Balogh
    Sara Bennett
    Celeste Bradley
    Candace Camp
    Jacquie D’Alessandro
    Christina Dodd
    Jane Feather
    Gaelen Foley
    Julie Garwood
    Elizabeth Hoyt
    Cheryl Holt
    Madeline Hunter
    Eloisa James
    Samantha James
    Sabrina Jeffries
    Brenda Joyce
    Lisa Kleypas
    Julia London
    Cathy Maxwell
    Judith McNaught
    Julia Quinn
    Jenna Petersen

  16. Monica

    Historical-
    ELizabeth Boyle
    Julia Quinn
    Lisa Kleypas

    Romantic suspense-
    Suzanne Brockmann!!

    🙂

  17. Laura B.

    Favorite historical authors:

    Eloisa James
    Julia Quinn
    Stephanie Laurens
    Lisa Kleypas
    Samantha James

  18. Laura B.

    I forgot to add Maya Rodale

  19. Quilt Lady

    Elizabeth Boyle
    Elizabeth Hoyt
    Constance O’Banyon
    Julia Quinn
    Heidi Betts
    Susan Crandall
    Kathleen E Woodiwiss
    New author Elaine Levine
    Shari Anton
    Shirley Tallman
    Joanna Sundell

    A lot I named where historical but I am big into historical.

  20. Sarah

    Most if not all my favorite authors were listed, these are just the ones I don’t believe I saw: Victoria Alexander, Leanne Banks and Christie Ridgway. Also, I enjoy any romance with a sports theme thrown in.

  21. Jamie

    I mostly read historicals, so that list is long starting with you, Elizabeth.

    Other Historical authors:
    1) Lisa Kleypas
    2) Suzanne Enoch
    3) Laura Lee Guhrke
    4) Samantha James
    5) Julia Quinn
    6) Candice Camp
    7) Jacquie D’Alessandro
    8) Victoria Alexander
    9) Sabrina Jefferies
    10) Maya Rodale
    11) Anne Mallory
    12) Kathryn Caskie
    13) John Jakes

    Paranormal – JR Ward (I love her Brotherhood books)

    Contemporary – Sophie Kinsella (I don’t really read this genre, but I had to read her Shopaholic books – because I am one – and really enjoy them) and Harold Robbins (His books are both contemporary and historical)

    Classical literature authors:
    1) Jane Austen
    2) Charlotte Bronte
    3) Emily Bronte
    4) Charles Dickens
    5) Lucy Maud Montgomery
    6) Frances Hodgson Burnett
    7) Robert Lewis Stephenson
    8) Lewis Carroll

  22. Jamie

    I forgot to add Teresa Medeiros and Elizabeth Hoyt on the historical authors.

    Also the number 8 on the list gives you the cool smilie instead of giving you the number 8. Oh well. You are cool. 😀

  23. Laura B.

    Sarah–

    I LOVE Leanne Banks! I own every novel and story she has written. Her books are excellent.

    😀

  24. Laura B.

    I guess I should add that my favorite Leanne Banks book is Millionaire Husband.

    I noticed several people have mentioned Victoria Alexander. My favorite book of hers is A Visit From Sir Nicholas. My second favorite is Love With A Proper Husband.

  25. Elizabeth

    Historical:
    Judith McNaught, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Nicole Jordan, Jacquie D’Allesandro, Jude Deveraux, Victoria Alexander

    Paranormal:
    Brenda Joyce, Lyndsay Sands, Kerrelyn Sparks, Christina Dodd, Christina Feehan, Karen Marie Moning, Christina Skye

    Women’s Fiction/Contemporary:
    Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Sophie Kinsella, Diana Palmer, Catherine Anderson, Linda Lael Miller, Jennifer Crusie,
    Romantic Suspense:
    Roxanne St Claire, Christina Dodd, Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood,

  26. Elizabeth

    Historical:
    Judith McNaught, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Nicole Jordan, Jacquie D’Allesandro, Jude Deveraux, Victoria Alexander, Virginia Henley

    Paranormal:
    Brenda Joyce, Lyndsay Sands, Kerrelyn Sparks, Christina Dodd, Christina Feehan, Karen Marie Moning, Christina Skye

    Women’s Fiction/Contemporary:
    Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Sophie Kinsella, Diana Palmer, Catherine Anderson, Linda Lael Miller, Jennifer Crusie,
    Romantic Suspense:
    Roxanne St Claire, Christina Dodd, Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood,

  27. Diane Ascencao

    Wow! The pressure, here it goes. I most likely missed a ton of writers.

    Historical
    Elizabeth Boyle (the new book is on my kindle pre-order)
    Mary Balogh (her signet regency’s got me hooked on regency’s)
    Samantha James
    Eloisa James (the Desperate Duchesses series rocks)
    Stephanie Laurens
    Shari Anton
    Julia Quinn
    Candace Camp
    Rebecca Paisley (no longer writing but her books were funny & memorable)

    Paranormal

    Maryjanice Davidson (Undead and… series is awesome & Fred the Mermaid series is too)
    Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunters series)
    Lynsay Sands
    Linda Wisdom

    Women’s Fiction/Contemporary

    Susan Elizabeth Phillips

  28. kelly

    Robyn Carr
    Jane Feather
    Janet CHapman
    Elizabeth Boyle
    Karen Hawkins
    Julia Quinn
    Mary Balogh
    Charlaine Harris
    Eloisa James
    Lisa Kleypas
    Madeline Hunter
    Candace Camp
    Karen Ranney
    Jodi Thomas
    Cathy Maxwell
    Lorraine Heath
    Julia London

  29. Lois

    I tried to do something of a “complete” listing, but I just know I’ve forgotten some authors that are auto-buy. . . and as a whole, I don’t have a favorite book per-se, more like either there are a few or I can’t live without all they wrote. LOL But in a couple places I put an extra note.

    Historical —

    well, you
    Lisa Kleypas
    Julia Quinn
    Candice Hern
    Sabrina Jeffries
    Lauren Willig – hers I’ve been lucky to get most in the original hardcover, so here, if you pick up no other, go with the first, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation
    Jane Austen — P&P (duh) or NA
    Amanda Quick
    Teresa Mederios
    Samantha James
    Bonnie Vanak
    Victoria Alexander
    Jacquie D’Alessandro
    Anne Mallory
    Alexandra Benedict
    Anne Gracie
    Jillian Hunter
    Amanda Grange (for her JA hero diaries)

    Paranormal —

    here, I just really read those of authors I already read something else with, such as
    Teresa Mederios
    Vicki Lewis Thompson

    Contemporary —

    Marianne Stillings – to try her out, go with the first, the one that I’ll pick up to reread more than the others just to reread one, The Damsel in this Dress
    Lori Wilde
    Vicki Lewis Thompson
    Jacquie D’Alessandro
    Susan Mallery
    Nicola Marsh (Presents, H Romance)
    Cara Colter (H Romance)
    Christie Ridway
    Karen Kendall
    HelenKay Dimon

    Romantic Suspense —

    I really don’t read honest to goodness Romantic Suspense, but Marianne Stillings, Karen Kendall are sort of romantic supsense-light so to speak.

    So, my list for today. 🙂

    Lois

  30. Lois

    Oh, and Julia Harper (Elizabeth Hoyt’s Contemporary Alter Ego) — she only has two out at present, but both are so stinken hysterical! 🙂

    Lois

  31. Kelli Estes

    Oh, Wow, Elizabeth, thank you!! You are so generous to let both of us win! I know exactly what to buy from Amazon, too – your book! Woohoo!

    Thank you!
    Kelli

  32. Elle

    Historic
    -Julia Quinn
    -Elizabeth Boyle (of course) 🙂
    -Catherine Anderson
    -Julie Garwood
    -Stephanie Laurens
    -Celeste Bradley

    Contemporary
    -Catherine Anderson
    -Christina Dodd

    Paranormal
    -Kresly Cole
    -Stephenie Meyers (she’s more of a youth author but her first three books of the Twilight series were amazing)

  33. Debra S

    Stephanie Bond
    Megan Hart
    Lauren Dane
    Dee Davis
    Claire Cook
    Elizabeth Boyle
    Julia Quinn
    Kristan Higgins
    Kristin Hannha

  34. Chris

    One of my all-time favorita books is Devil’s Embrace written by Catherine Coulter. I miss her books! She writes contemporary, now, I think. Of course this list is Historical:
    1)Elizabeth Boyle
    2)Candace Hern (Love her books – anxiously awaiting her next!)
    3)Lisa Kleypas
    4)Julia Quinn
    5)Jo Beverly
    6)Sabrina Jeffries
    7)Stephanie Laurens
    8)Julia London
    9)Victoria Alaxander
    10)Catherine Coulter

  35. Marie

    Here’s my favorites:

    Histroical:

    Anne Stuart – A Rose at Midnight, The Devil’s Waltz, Hidden Honor
    Brenda Joyce – The Prize
    Lorraine Heath – In Bed With The Devil, Your Scandalous Ways
    Julie Anne Long – The Perils of Pleasure
    Joanna Bourne – The Spymaster’s Lady
    Judith McNaught – Almost Heaven, Whitney, My love

    Contemporary:

    Donna Kauffman – The Great Scot
    Anne Stuart – Into The Fire, Black Ice
    Jill Shalvis – Get a Clue

  36. Laurie

    Historicals:

    Elizabeth Boyle (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your books!!! I’m so happy you have 2 books coming out back to back! :0))
    Eloisa James
    Julia Quinn
    Christina Dodd
    Laura Lee Guhrke (just discovered her)
    Johanna Lindsay (older books)
    Jill Gregory
    Maggie Osborne (love her!!!)

    Women’s Fiction:
    Debbie Macomber
    Jane Greene
    Jennifer Weiner

    Contemporary:
    Susan Elizabeth Phillips
    Vicki Lewis Thompson

    Romantic Suspense:
    Karen Rose (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her books!!!)

  37. Bev

    Lisa Kleypas- It Happened One Autumn, Devil in Winter
    Sherry Thomas – Private Arrangements, Delicious
    Linda Howard (romances)Sarah’s Child, Duncan’s Bride,The Mackenzies (all books), Loving Evangeline
    Sandra Brown (romances)Texas Chase& Lucky
    Brenda Joyce (historicals)Scandalous Love, Secrets
    Sarah Mayberry (Harl Blaze)Cruise Control
    Loretta Chase – Lord of Scoundrels
    Julia Quinn – When He Was Wicked
    Laura Lee Guhrke – The Marriage Bed, And Then He kissed Her
    Sophia Jordan – Too Wicked To Tame
    Johanna Lindsey – older stuff

  38. Jane

    Historical:
    Julie Garwood
    Gaelen Foley
    Stephanie Laurens
    Lisa Kleypas
    Jacquie D’Alessandro

    Contemporary:
    Susan Andersen
    Deirdre Martin

    Romantic Suspense:
    Allison Brennan
    Debra Webb
    Karen Rose

    Paranormal:
    Heather Graham
    Colleen Gleason
    Cynthia Eden

  39. Teresa K

    Lists are awesome!

    At the top of my head and in no particular order:

    Romantic suspense:
    Nora Roberts
    Jayne Ann Krentz
    Linda Howard
    Heather Graham

    Historical:
    Amanda Quick
    Elizabeth Boyle
    Judith McNaught (especially Almost Heaven)
    Lisa Kleypas (older books)
    Rebecca Brandewyne
    Sabrina Jeffries
    Teresa Mederios
    Virginia Henley (Insatiable)

    Classic Historical:
    Jane Austen
    George Eliot

    Time Travel:
    Jude Deveraux (A Knight in Shining Armor)

    Contemporary/Women’s Fiction:
    Susan Elizabeth Phillips
    Debbie Macomber
    Catherine Coulter

  40. HistoricalGoddess

    Well for me here it is…

    Historical Romance- Liz Carlyle, Julia London, Sabrina Jefferies, Laura Lee Gurke, Elizabeth Boyle, Christina Dodd (her older stuff), Mary Reed McCall, Connie Brockway, Tracy Ann Warren, Jenna Petersen, Kathleen Givens, Susan Johnson, Gayle Callen, Sophie Nash, Sophia Jordan, Anna Campbell, Nicole Jordan, Cathy Maxwell, Julie Garwood, Galean Foley, Loretta Chase, Lorraine Heath, Sherry Thomas, Victoria Alexander, Shari Anton, Eloisa James, Amanda Quick, Cheryl Holt and Brenda Joyce.

    Paranormal- Christina Dodd, Sharie Kohler, Emma Holly. Shana Abe, Lynn Kurland, Kresley Cole, Shayla Black and Lora Leigh.

    Romantic Suspense- Lisa Jackson and Jess Michaels, Catherine Coulter.

  41. CRP

    historical:
    1. Morning Glory by L. Spencer (loved all ger contempories and historical)
    2. Something Shady by Pamela Morsi )I read all her hiatoicals
    3 Jill Landis Last Chance
    Woman’s Fiction
    Kristin Hannah
    Jodi Picoult (not HEA)
    Inspictional Fiction
    Deeanne Gist (Historical)
    Karen Kingsbury (contemorary–HEA)

  42. Tal

    I only really enjoy historicals…of course my memory WILL fail me.. but here it goes…
    My favorite all time historical which I believe has everything you want, love , family, humor well written characters AND dialogue(?)..
    The Keeper of the Dream by Penelope Williamson
    AWESOME!!!

    I also enjoy the usual, Enoch, Quinn, Hawkins, Boyle,Ranney is fav. Madeline Hunter, also great everytime,Balogh, and Long and Joanne Bourne I recently discovered… they both write outside the boxwnonderful stories… Tal

  43. cheryl c.

    Historicals:
    Julia Quinn
    Eloisa James
    Linda Lael Miller
    Jodi Thomas
    Sherry Thomas
    Lisa Kleypas
    Julie Garwood
    Elizabeth Boyle
    Elizabeth Hoyt
    Monica McCarty

    Contemporaries:
    Kristan Higgins
    Jennifer Crusie
    Lisa Kleypas
    Nora Roberts
    Susan Mallery
    Stef Ann Holm
    Susan Elizabeth Phillips
    Debbie Macomber
    Susan Wiggs
    Lori Wilde

  44. Pam P

    I have way too many favorites, some of my top reads:

    Loretta Chase – Lord of Scoundrels, Mr. Impossible
    Connie Brockway – All Through the Night, As You Desire, Bridal Favors
    Lisa Kleypas – Dreaming of You, Worthy Any Price, It Happend One Autumn, Secrets of a Summer Night, Blue-Eyed Devil (contemp)
    Jo Goodman – If His Kiss is Wicked, Price of Desire, A Season to be Sinful
    Joanna Bourne – The Spymaster’s Lady
    Judith James – Broken Wing
    Carolyn Jewel – Scandal
    Madeline Hunter – love her medievals (By Possession, By Arrangement, By Design), Rules of Seduction, Sins of Lord Easterbrook
    Jo Beverly – Malloren series (My Lady Notorious), Lord of My Heart, Lord of Midnight
    Mary Balogh – A Summer to Remember, Slightly Dangerous, Simply Love, First Comes Marriage
    Mary Jo Putney – The Rake, Fallen Angel Series
    Adele Ashworth – Winter Garden
    Judith McNaught – A Kingdom of Dreams, Once and Always, Almost Heaven
    Amanda Quick – Ravished, Desire, Reckless
    Jayne Krentz – Trust Me, Perfect Partners, Absolutely, Positively
    Julie Garwood – Saving Grace, Honor’s Splendor, The Prize, The Secret, Lion’s Lady
    Julia Quinn- Bridgertons (The Duke and I, When He Was Wicked, The Viscount Who Loved Me)
    Sherry Thomas – Delicous, Private Arrangements
    Elizabeth Hoyt – The Raven Prince, The Serpent Prince, To Seduce a Sinner
    Carla Kelly – Beau Crusoe, Marrying the Captain,
    Donna Fletcher’s The Irish Devil
    Judith Ivory – Untie My Heart
    TJ Bennett – The Legacy, The Promise

    Nalini Singh – Love her Psy series, favorite is Caressed by Ice, then Slave to Sensation
    CL Wilson – Fading Land series (King of Sword and Sky,Lady of Light and Shadows, etc.)
    Elizabeth Vaughan – Warprize, Warlord
    Kresley Cole – Dark Needs at Night’s Edge, Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night)
    Lynn Kurland series (Stardust of Yesterday, A Dance through Time, The Very Thought of You, Dreams of Stardust)
    Karen Marie Moning Fever series (Bloodfever, FaeFever
    Patricia Briggs – Cry Wolf
    Kay Hooper’s Wizard of Seattle
    Jayne Krentz – Shield’s Lady

  45. Nicole V

    Historical Romance(in no particular order)
    Elizabeth Boyle
    Eloisa James
    Victoria Alexander
    Sabrina Jeffries
    Julia London
    Suzanne Enoch
    Nicola Cornick
    Adele Ashworth
    Julia Quinn
    Alissa Johnson
    Anne Gracie
    Julianne MaClean
    Laura Lee Guhrke
    Virginia Henley
    Gayle Callen
    Kathryn Caskie
    Lisa Kleypas
    Cathy Maxwell
    Julie Anne Long
    Kathleen Drymon

    Paranormal Romance(in no particular order)
    Jennifer Armintrout
    Annette Blair
    Charlaine Harris
    Christine Feehan
    Kresley Cole
    Lynsay Sands (She also has historicals)
    Kerrelyn Sparks
    Kathyryn Smith (She also has historicals)
    Mary Janice Davidson
    Katie MacAlistar
    Karen Marie Moning
    Kimberly Raye
    Kim Harrison

    Contemporary/Women’s Fiction(no particular order)
    Jane Heller
    Suzanne Simmons
    Susan Elizabeth Phillips
    Elda Minger
    Cindy Kirk

    Young Adult (in no particular order)
    Stephenie Meyer
    P.C. and Kristin Cast
    Melissa De La Cruz
    Amanda Marrone
    Jay Asher
    Claudia Grey
    L.J. Smith
    Ellen Schreiber
    Richelle Mead

    I didn’t write certain books because I enjoy everything I’ve read by these authors. I’m also in the process of buying all the books ever published by them as well. These authors have books that are simply amazing. A story will replay in my head once in a while, and it won’t stop until to go back and reread. You will definately remember they’re books long after you’ve finished reading.

  46. Quilt Lady

    Try Beverly Barton for romantic suspense, she is pretty good!

  47. Donna S

    Paranormal (no particular order):
    Michelle Bardsley
    Richelle Mead
    Jennifer Armintrout
    Katie MacAlistar
    Annette Blair
    Mary Janice Davidson
    Jeri Smith-Ready
    Jeanne Stein
    Jennifer Rardin
    Carrie Vaughn
    Jeaniene Frost
    Rachel Caine
    Lori Handeland
    Kerrelyn Sparks
    Lynsay Sands
    Anya Bast
    Karen Marie Moning
    Dakota Cassidy
    Rebecca York
    Angie Fox

    Contemporary (no particular order):
    Nora Roberts
    Kathleen Bacus
    Susan McBride
    Sophie Kinsella
    Alesia Holliday
    Erin McCarthy

    Hmm, obviously I read mostly paranormals. I could have made that list a whole lot longer.

  48. MJ Britt

    1. Historical
    Classic Authors:
    Jane Austen
    Georgette Heyer
    Contemporary Authors:
    Julia Quinn

    2. Paranormal
    Jayne Ann Krentz Anything
    Amanda Quick Arcane Society!
    Jayne Castle Harmony Series

    3. Contemporary Romance
    Ann Roth
    Susan Mallery
    Nora Roberts
    Jane Porter

    4. Romantic Suspense
    Jayne Ann Krentz

    5. Women’s Fiction
    Rosamunde Pilcher

  49. Penney W.

    Here are my favorites.
    1. Elizabeth Boyle -All can’t wait for her new ones
    2. Lisa Kleypas- Seduce me at Sunrise series
    3. Tawny Weber- Blaze books All
    4. Elizabeth Hoyt-LEGEND OF THE FOUR SOLDIERS series
    5. Margaret Moore- Kiss me quick series
    6. Sara Bennett-All
    7. Anna Campbell-Untouched and many more
    8. Mary Balough- many
    9. Tracy Anne Warren-Temped by his kiss
    10. Eloisa James-Duchess by night it’s the series
    11. Samantha James-Bride of a wicked Scotsman
    I have many many more,
    Penney

  50. Bridget Locke

    Whoo-boy. Um, this is really, really cruel. :0

    I’d say paranormal would be:

    Lara Adrian
    Colleen Gleason
    Nalini Singh
    Ilona Andrews
    Christine Warren
    (just to name a few…Nalini is #1 for me, tho)

    Historical:

    Lisa Kleypas

    Romantic Suspense:

    Cindy Gerard

  51. Laura B.

    Lisa Kleypas – It Happened One Autumn

    Samantha James – Every Wish Fulfilled, The Perfect Groom, The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell

    Julia Quinn – Brighter than the Sun

    Stephanie Laurens – All About Love, A Rogue’s Proposal

  52. Vinessa

    To name just a few:

    Historical
    Lisa Kleypas
    Julia Quinn
    Elizabeth Boyle
    Brenda Joyce
    Gaylen Callen
    Sabrina Jeffries

    Paranormal
    Gena Showalter
    Charlaine Harris

    Contemporary
    Susan Elizabeth Phillips
    Lori Foster
    Susan Andersen
    Vicki Lewis Thompson
    Linda Leal Miller

    Thanks for asking on behalf of us readers, Elizabeth!

  53. kieta2006

    1 Johanna Lindsey-(Different)
    2 Lisa Kleypas-(Just sexy)
    3 Samantha James(sexy)
    4 Julia Quinn-(Great Humor)
    5 Mary Balogh-(Good Family)
    6 KarenMarie Moning-(Great Paranormal)

  54. Denise Ray

    Sophie Kinsella
    Elizabeth Boyle
    Deborah Smith
    Claudia Pemberton
    Cynthia Kartwick

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