I often get requests for romance recommendations, so I thought the Friday before a holiday weekend would be a good time to list some of my favorite romance authors.
In no particular order:
- Joanna Bourne: French Revolution and Napoleonic Era tales of espionage featuring some of the most badass heroines you’re ever going to read, and all with an achingly eloquent voice
- Meredith Duran: has branched out from Victorian-era stories into the early 18th century and an upcoming Regency novel; again the voice and depth of characterization always leave me consumed with envy
- Julie Anne Long: Regency-era romance that’s beautifully and intelligently written; an auto-buy
- Tessa Dare: witty Regency romance that doesn’t sacrifice humor for depth, and also wonderfully written
- Shana Abé: historical paranormal and Medieval romance that’s lush and poetic
- Courtney Milan: mid-19th century romance that doesn’t shy away from complex characterizations or social issues
- Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas: it’s been a long while since she’s published a new book, but her historical romances were revelatory to me; until I’d read Ivory, I had no idea that romance could be intellectual, ambiguous, profound and beautiful; you’ll have to track her backlist down, especially the books written as Judy Cuevas
- Carrie Lofty: historical romance (and also erotic romance written with Lorelie Brown under the name Katie Porter) that also isn’t afraid of complex characterization and knows its way around eloquent language
- Victoria Dahl: contemporary and historical romance that feature sexually empowered heroines (who occasionally exclaim, “Balls!”)
- Sherry Thomas: Late Victorian romance that sensitively explores second chances, misunderstandings, and the difficult work of making a relationship function
Also, if you’re on the lookout for erotic romance, I strongly recommend:
- Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin: BDSM and other erotic elements, both paranormal and not paranormal
- Lauren Dane: Sci-fi and contemporary erotic romance
- Vivian Arend: Shapeshifters and non-paranormal erotic
- Megan Hart: gritty, heart-rending contemporary erotic romance
- Emma Holly: the queen of erotic romance, IMO
- Rebekah Weatherspoon: paranormal, multicultural lesbian erotic romance
Now I realize I’ve named just a few authors, and if I didn’t mention you, please don’t take offense! I have a lot of authors on my keeper shelves, but these are among my very favorites.
Leave a comment with your recommended authors, and you could win an autographed copy of WARRIOR! I’ll pick a winner by Wednesday, October 10.
Ooh, I love Judith Ivory’s books! However, I personally have to recommend:
Jeaniene Frost: paranormal
Darynda Jones: kick-ass heroine who happens to be the grim reaper
Amber Benson: paranormal
Annette Blair: Her paranormal romances are wonderful, as is her mystery series (one of few series where I get the books on release day)
Thanks for those recs, Isis! I realized that I didn’t really have any paranormal books on my list, so I’m glad you’ve offered your favorites. 🙂
Ok how about Kristen Ashley hers are all good!!
I’m not familiar with her books, Kerry. What genre does she write in?
Oh, Laurann Dohner and her New Species is also an autobuy, and if we´re talking Steampunk, i love Delilah S Dawson and her bludbunnies =) or Meljean Brook and her Iron Seas, the latest installment was on Island. Oh, and i can´t wait for Iced from Karen Marie Moning. Oh, and Sydney Croft´s ACRO series? *hmmm* Love all your rec´s. Did i mention Lisa Kleypas? =)
Can you tell i´m a bookoholic? Oh, Kim Harrison, Karen Chance, Vicki Pettersson and Kresley Cole. Love her Immortals After Dark, she somehow always manages a HEA even if everything can seem pitchblack *happy sigh*
best wishes, Linda xo
That’s a great list, Linda! I know my TBR pile will be growing!
Kresley Cole’s IAD series is totally addicting, and it isamazing that she can make a seemingly impossible situation work out.
Sarah MacLean’s historicals are fun.
Good pick!
Look at the story of Rama and Sita in the Hindu myth The Ramayana