Behind Every Writer is an Author You Must Read
First of all, thanks so much to Mandi for having me visit today! It’s always a treat to get to be a guest at Smexy Books.
Writers often get asked a variation of the same question over and over again: What inspires you?
Sometimes the answer to this question leads to a discussion of music or movies, sometimes a newspaper article or friend-related story the writer heard. Those might be sources of inspiration for ideas, but what’s the inspiration that first compelled the writer to start writing in the first place and then continues to inspire her to write as time goes by?
The answer, which is true for me and I believe to be true for most writers out there—is other authors. I wanted to start writing because I read fabulous books that made me fall in love with the romance genre. I remember being so happy after reading a Julia Quinn book that I couldn’t not write—I had to go to my computer and start typing words, even if I didn’t know which words would come next. Now that I’m a published author, I still find inspiration through other authors. When I read their books, they awe me to such an extent that I am inspired to become a better writer not just with each book I write, but even with each sentence that comes from my fingers.
And although this is supposed to be a blog post for my ROMANCING THE COUNTESS book tour, I would be remiss if I did not give credit where credit is due. If you ever get a chance to ask an author to name other authors that inspire them, do so. You’ll likely find a new favorite.
These are just a few of the authors I return to again and again who I can count on to awe and inspire me, my auto-buys:
Lisa Kleypas
Sherry Thomas
Anne Mallory
Meredith Duran
Joanna Bourne
Julie Anne Long
Laura Lee Gurhke
Teresa Medeiros
Loretta Chase
Julie James
Even if you’re not a writer, you likely have a list of authors who continually awe you when you read their books. Who are your favorites that you would passionately recommend to any fellow romance reader?
One random commenter will be chosen to win a copy of my newest book, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS (open internationally)!
Also, find out how to win the ROMANCING THE COUNTESS Book Tour Grand Prize of 50+ romance novels by visiting www.ashleymarch.com!
Thanks Ashley! Contest open through September 16th.
Even if you’re not a writer, you likely have a list of authors who continually awe you when you read their books. Who are your favorites that you would passionately recommend to any fellow romance reader?
I’d have to say that the two who continuously amaze me, who I can continually read without any single story ever getting old, would have to be Julia Quinn and Karen Marie Moning. Both of them are amazing, awe-inspring authors, who, as a writer, I look up to. They’re so good…
I love the stories of Lisa Kleypas, Sarah MacLean, Pamela Clare, Shannon McKenna, Suzanne Enoch, Rachel Gibson, Elizabeth Hoyt, Lorelei James, Sarah Mayberry and Jill Shalvis. I would recommend them all and have already done so. They vary hugely in sensualtiy and writing style but I always get that feel-good feeling whenever I read one of them.
I love books by Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Julia London, Janet Evanovich, and Lyndsay Sands. Some other authors that I love are Laurell K Hamilton, Jeaniene Frost, and Charlaine Harris. I love to read and am always looking for new authors and books to read. I will try almost any author or book, because you will never know if you like them until you try.
Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win. You are a new author for me and would love to win and read your books.
Hi Ashley!!! Congrats on your recent release. Just absolutely fabulous. :)
Elizabeth Hoyt, Julie Anne Long and Victoria Dahl are at the top of my list. I recently discovered Julia Quinn (ack! don’t disown me) thanks to Jamie and I’m slowly going through her back list. Sarah MacLean has hilarious books and that Ashley March, she’s fabulous.
I love the Highlander books of Donna Grant. Others I love are Nalini Singh, Shelly Laurenston and Sam Cheever – they are automatic buys for me :)
There are many authors that I like (Lisa Kleypas, Elizabeth Hoyt, Samantha James …) but I always return to Mary Balogh. I love regency novels! And she is one of the best regency authors. Her writing is very relaxing, but at the same time it’s always a page turner.
Some authors I love reading are: Elizabeth Hoyt, Nalini Singh, Lauren Dane, Lisa Kleypas, Maya Banks, Keri Arthur and JR Ward.
I love Lisa Klypas, Julia Quinn, Laura Lee Gurthke, Katharine Ashe, Tessa Dare and Elizabeth Boyle, Sabrina Jefferies, Sarah MacLean and Mary Balogh. There are so may more.
This is my must-read list for historical romance: Julia Quinn, Courtney Milan, Sarah MacLean, Sabrina Jeffries, Elizabeth Hoyt, Lisa Kleypas, Sherry Thomas and Julie Anne Long.
I would totally recommend these authors: Lynn Kurland, Lisa Kleypas, Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh, Karen Marie Moning, Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken… This list is getting too long. There are so many fantastic writers!
This book sounds awesome and I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
Hi Abigail! I have never read Karen Marie Moning, though I’ve heard fabulous things about her Fever series. But I’m with you 100% all the way as a fangirl of Julia Quinn. Great picks. =)
Hi ClaudiaGC! I think I’ve heard of every one of those authors (though, unfortunately, some of them are still on my TBR) except for Shannon McKenna. Thanks for the great recs! =)
Hi Chris! First of all, thanks for giving us new authors a try. =) Can you believe that I’ve never read either Julia London or Lynsay Sands? I must rectify this immediately…after the other hundred books in my TBR. ;)
I’ve got so many favourites – it is both wonderful & expensive!
Historical – Lisa Kleypas, Kate Noble, Joanna Bourne, Loretta Chase
Paranormal – Jeaniene Frost, Lydia Dare
Contemporary – Victoria Dahl
Category – Sarah Morgan
Erotica – Joey W. Hill, Melissa Schroeder, Lorelei James
M/M – Heidi Cullinan
Hi Kati! Thanks so very much. =) I promise not to disown you about Julia Quinn as long as you tel me you’ve read Lisa Kleypas, Laura Lee Guhrke, Suzanne Enoch, and Teresa Medeiros. ;)
Hi Chrizette! I have to admit I haven’t read a single one of these authors. *hangs head in shame* If I were to start with one of them, which one should I read first?
Hi Natalija! Oh, thanks for reminding me about Mary Balogh. I’ve actually one read one of her books, but I’ve wanted to read more–there are just so many, though, I don’t know where to start. Do you have any favorite recommendations of hers?
Hi Crystal GB! Thank you for the recs. I have to ask you a question–I see that some of these authors are very prolific, especially Lauren Dane and Maya Banks. Does the fact that they have frequent releases help them to become a favorite?
Hi Ora! You named some of my top authors, too. Glad to see that we both have great taste. ;)
Hi LSUReader! Yes! And I’m actually surprised I’m not seeing more Sherry Thomas fans–I absolutely LOVE her work. Thanks for mentioning her. I think she really changed the game in historical romance.
Hi Julie! You’re right. =) I’m starting to think my TBR pile and my bank card are going to seriously suffer after all of these recommendations. But heck, who am I kidding? I love romance. =) Bring ’em on!
Hi Obscured Vixen! Thanks for dropping by. =) Good luck with the giveaway!
Hi Katherine! I’ll have to check out the authors you rec’d outside of historical. *gulp* =) More books! I’m excited to see that you included Joanna Bourne on your list. I’m reading THE FORBIDDEN ROSE right now and absolutely LOVE it. Can’t wait for her new book (I think it’s out in November, yes?).
Hi Ashley! My favorites tend to change with the seasons, when its colder outside I like authors that make me feel all warm & fuzzy inside, Robyn Carr, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. In the summer I like books that are grittier, fast paced, have an edge to them I guess you could say…Nalini Singh, Christine Feehan, Dean Koontz.
Christine Feehan
Nalini Singh
JD Robb
Robyn Carr
Sherryl Woods
Fern Michaels
Hi Ashley :D
Again ;)
Now let’s see, who would I recommend, well I have fallen for Julia Quinn lately. So hard with the rest since I have read many authors, but just one book. But I do have high hopes from my one Tessa Dare book
Hello Ashley. I’m looking forward to reading Romancing the Countess!
Once a year I re-read P&P & Persuasion – I will forever be a fangirl of Wentworth & Darcy *swoon* so J.Austen tops the list followed by C. Milan, K.Moning, S.MacLean, P.Briggs, V. Dahl, I.Andrews, K.Noble, K.Harrison, J. Frost, N.Singh.
First Comes Marriage from the Huxtable series by Mary Balogh was the first book I read from her and would highly recommend it. It is a favorite of mine. I just loved Vanessa and Elliot’s story.
Ooh, thanks, Ora! I’ve seen the covers for that series and LOVE them as well as the titles. Glad to have a recommendation. =) (Also, now that I’ve finally woken up at 4 in the afternoon, I realize I can reply to each individual message. *sigh* I can blame this on the baby AND the toddler this time, I think. =) )
I’ll confess to being a fan of Victoria Holt.
Historical Romance with a mystery thrown in as well. I got almost all of her books.
Hi Sullivan–I’ve never heard of Victoria Holt. Is she an old-school author, or fairly recent? Have you ever read Mary Stewart? I’ve had several people recommend her to me, and your description of romance with mystery made me think of her.
Historical romance? Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn! AWESOME
Sizzling contemporary reads? Jaci Burton, E L James
PNR: Jeaniene Frost, Larissa Ione
Thriller: Tom Wood, Barry Eisler, Daniel Silva, Alex Berenson
Romantic Suspense: Pamela Clare
I could go on and on ;-)
Thank you SO much for the giveaway! I love that it’s international!
GFC: _yay_
sk_86(at)gmx(dot)de
Hi _yay_! I am of the firm belief that international readers need romance, too. ;) Thanks for all the great recs! I’ve never even heard of E.L. James–will have to go look her up now. Good luck with the giveaway! =)
Great post today! Some of your favs are mine too! Here is a list of authors that I love and recommend to my friends.Teresa Medeiros, Lisa Kleypas, Christina Dodd, Jayne Anne Krentz, AKA Amanda Quick, Johanna Lindsey, Eloisa James, Mary Balogh, Stephanie Laurens, KerrelynSparks, Betina Krahn, Lorraine Heath, Heather Graham, Barbara Bretton, Linda Lael Miller, ConnieBrockway, Kat Martin, and Tara Janzen. So many more but I could go on forever!
Hi Johanna! Glad you enjoyed the post. :) You’ve listed a lot of authors I’ve been meaning to try but have just never gotten around to. *ducks head* Will try to change my ways, I promise! :) As for Tara Janzen, she was a guest earlier this year at the Denver Lady Jane’s Salon and it was SUCH a delight to meet her and hear her read excerpts from her books. If you ever get a chance to meet her, you’re in for a treat. =)
Many of the authors you listed are on my list too. I love Lisa Kleypas, JR Ward, Laura Lee Gurhke, Anna Campbell, Sherry Thomas, Juliana Stone, Miranda Neville, Jenna Petersen, Kathryn Smith, Sarah MacLean, Lara Adrian, Larissa Ione, Victoria Alexander, Teresa Medeiros, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Laurie London, Vicky Dreiling, Ashley March, and Melody Thoma. I could honestly keep going though.
Hi Danielle! Ooh, Melody Thomas is one of those authors whose names I see over and over again and just have never gotten around to reading. Do you have a suggested title I should start with first?
Hi Jenn3128! This is interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone define their reading in seasons before, but I can completely understand what you mean. Hmm…I’ll have to start keeping track of my own reading to see if there’s any such pattern. =)
Hi Estella! Thank you for chiming in with your favorite authors. =)
Hi Blodeuedd. :) Again. ;) *waves wildly* Do you mean that you only ever read one book from an author? That’s…that’s… *sputters* As you can see, I don’t know what to say. I think we need to have a serious sit-down talk, my friend. ;) As for Julia Quinn, I can definitely see how you would glom her backlist. And I haven’t read Tessa Dare’s new book yet, but I’ve read most everything else she’s written, and she’s definitely worth taking an afternoon out for yourself. =) Hope you enjoy her book!
Hi Mindy! I hope you enjoy RtC if you get a chance to read it! Wow, these are some great authors you have on your list. =) A lot I’ve only heard the names, but I know people say fantastic things about them. Hearing their names again is great. Now to start creating that Christmas list… =)
I would have to say Jennifer Cruise is one of my all time favorite contemporary writers. Her books are just so witty and humorous.
Hi Sonali! You’re the second person in a short period of time to rave about her books. I think this might be an omen. =)
I would totally recommend DeeAnne Gist, Dee Davis, Nora Roberts for authors :) they are amazing
Hi Arianne! Thanks for the recs! I’ve definitely read Nora Roberts, but not either of the other two. Will have to check them out now. =)
My short list:
Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series
Karen Marie Moning anything she writes
Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games series
Sabrina Jeffries’ Hellion Series
Gena Showalter YA series
Mary Stewart Merlin series
But, there are so many more! Thanks for the giveaway.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
Hi Jen B.! Thanks for the recs. And it looks like you are a serious series woman. =) Out of curiosity, do you have a limitation for how many books is too many in a series, or will you read for as long as they interest you?
My autobuy authors are 1)Cynthia Eden-I love the wait she writes-she has that gift that pulls you immediately into the story. 2) Larissa Ione-I remember reading my first Larissa Ione book-I was enthralled with her world building. 3) Thea Harrison-a new author for me but she has me hooked! 4) Pamela Clare- she has a flare for writing great romance suspense stories and there are so many more… Thanks for the great question.
kamwh1207(at)att(dot)net
Wow, Tina, you have named some authors I’ve heard of before but haven’t yet read. Actually, I think I picked up a couple of Pamela Clare and Thea Harrison books at the Borders closing. Will move them to the top of TBR list. =)
My Autobuy:
You of course (after reading seducing the duchess)
Julia Quinn
Julie Ann Long
Joanna Bourne
Eloisa James
Hi May! Wow–thank you so much–what GREAT company to be in on your bookshelf. =) Hope you enjoy ROMANCING THE COUNTESS, too!
All authors you name are autobuys for me, along with Nalini Singh, Jeaniene Frost, Meljean Brook, Sarah MacLean, Elizabeth Hoyt, Connie Brockway, Patricia Briggs, CS Harris, Mary Balogh, and quite a few more too!
Hi Pam! Thanks for commenting! =) I FINALLY bought THE IRON DUKE by Meljean Brook and cannot wait to get to it, especially after everyone raved about it so much last year. Thanks so much for reminding me I need to read this soon!
OMG! There are just so many!! I will read anything Nora Roberts(JD Robb) writes! Other favorites include Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Cara Neggers, Catherine Coulter, Lori Foster, Laura Griffin, Tara Janzen, Dee Davis, JT Ellison, Karen Robards, Linda Howard, Karen Rose, Iris Johansen, and I feel badly that I’m leaving someone off my list!
Congratulations, Ashley, on the release of Romancing the Countess and thanks for the chance to win a copy!
kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hi Karen! Thank you! It looks like you’re a big romantic suspense fan. =) Thanks for all the great-looking recommendations, and good luck with the giveaway! =)
Historical romance authors I love are: Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas, Courtney Milan, Sherry Thomas, and Julie Ann Long. Paranormal / Urban Fantasy / SciFi Romance authors I love are: Keri Arthur, Jeaniene Frost, Charlaine Harris, Jennifer Estep, Kelly Gay, Kelly Meding, Ann Aguirre, Gini Koch, Kevin Hearne and Zoe Archer.
I enjoyed your first book Ashley and I’m looking forward to reading Romancing the Countess.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Thanks so much, Barbara! =) I’m so glad you brought up Zoe Archer’s name. I think she is definitely an author to watch–I was thrilled to discover her last year, and am excited to see what all she keeps writing.
I absolutely adore angst, the more, the merrier, so I love Sherry Thomas, Elizabeth Hoyt, Laura Kinsale, and your first book, Seducing the Duchess. I’ve also recently discovered Eloisa James and Julie Ann Long. Aside from historical, in UF, I will read absolutely anything that Ilona Andrews chooses to write, same with Patricia Briggs, Jennifer Estep, and recently Thea Harrison. There are so many great authors out there
Hi JenM! I definitely agree with you on all of the historical authors you mentioned (can’t speak to the others as haven’t read them yet, but appreciate the recs for the future when I go on a reading vacation ;), and am so honored to be put in with such fantastic company! I hope you enjoy ROMANCING THE COUNTESS, too! =)
I have many authors that I enjoy reading from and each of their style and voice can be quite different. These include Judith McNaught, Kristin Hannah, Kristan Higgins, Carla Neggers and Karen Marie Moning (Fever series). And the list goes on. Happily I am discovering more authors daily that are quickly going on my auto-read list.
Hi Na! It does seem like more and more fantastic authors are coming out, doesn’t it? I’m happy, too–don’t know if my bank account is as happy, though. ;)
I’d recommend Mary Balogh, Loretta Chase & Jill Shalvis
Hi Turophile! I just bought my first Jill Shalvis book the other day and am so excited to getting around to reading it–I’ve heard such great things about her!
I just recently discovered some long praised historical romance authors (Loretta Chase, Julie Anne Long) and I fell hard for their writing :-D I also love Rosemarie Harris’ Scoundrel’s Honour and Laura lee Guhrke and Lorraine Heath never disappoint! Julie James is a favourite contemporary romance author of mine too (right along Erin Nicholas whose laugh out loud sexy and witty stories make me feel happy).
Congratulations on your release, I have to tell yopu I fell in love with that beautiful cover right from the start ;-p
Thank you very much for the opportunity!
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
There are so many! But to limit myself to just a few, I’d say Mary Balogh, Jo Beverley, JD Robb, Nora Roberts, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Loretta Chase, Nalini Singh, KA Mitchell, Marie Sexton, Molly Harper and Karen Rose.
I have lots of fav authors, but I wold definitely recommend: Lora Leigh, Joey Hill, Joely Sue Burkhart, Cate Masters – to name a few.
I love the cover of this book!
Mara
marajbrandon AT earthlink DOT net
I like a bunch of different genres. Paranormal mainly. Some of my favorite authors are Julie Garwood, Amanda Quick, Catherine Coulter, Thea Harrison, Marjorie M Liu, C L Wilson, Ilona Andrews, Larissa Ione, Christine Feehan, Nalini Singh, Yasmine Galenorn, etc.
I read a bunch of different genres. I love Stephenie Meyers, Ted Dekker, Penny Jordan, Larissa Lone. The list goes on. There are so many good authors out there. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. It sounds really good. Tore923@aol.com
Uh oh. That question requires pages and pages to be answered but I’ll keep mine short. For paranormal romance, I’d say Nalini Singh, J.R. Ward and Kresley Cole. For historical romance, my two faves are Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn, but there are others. JD Robb is another favourite of mine. As well as Pamela Clare in romantic suspense. As far as contemporary romance goes, Kleypas again and Julie James!
I’m looking forward to reading my first March book soon!
My auto buys are Lisa Kleypas, Loretta Chase and Maya Banks. They are always good.
I love Anne Stuart, Lori Brighton and Anna Campbell’s books!
Wow what a hard question!! I adore so many authors it is really difficult to narrow it down. I guess I’ll only include the authors that I pre-order the books the minute I get a tweet, email, or whatever from indicating the book is available to order. :) Those authors would be Jeaniene Frost, Jacquelyn Frank, Karen Marie Moning, Molly Harper, Jill Myles, and Richelle Mead. I guess their amazing senses of humor are what set them apart for me. I love to laugh while reading my romances. If I guy can’t make you laugh he will have a hard time holding your heart…
mandy(at)fuse(dot)net
Well, I have to say, after a quick glance, I agree with most of these comments. There are a great many FANTASTIC authors out there. The aurhors mentioned that I have not yet read, I will make a list of dure to read, I love finding new authors. Ms. March would be one of those for me. But to get back to the question, there are to author I would highly recommend. One being Alexandria Hawkins, She is a fairly new aurthor who came out with this amazing series that I am total in love with called the “Lords of Vice”. These incredible and eclectic group of men are a must read, truly. And another new author I absolutely love is Kaki Warner. She has tow series the “Blood Rose” series and the “Runaway Brides” series. These series are funny, endearing and have strong heroines. Love them!! I know anyone reading them will also.
SORRY!! about the spelling errors, its late and my mind moves faster than my fingers, especially when I have a lot to say! Thanks for the contest!
I would recommend Sherrilyn Kenyon, Shelly Laurenston, Nalini Singh, Gena Showalter, and Jennifer Ashley.
I am fairly new to the historical genre but Sarah MacLean drew me in with Nine Rules…so I have no problem recommending her! I agree with all your choices, Julie James is a fav contemporary for me as well as Jill Shavlis. I have not read Joanna Bourne but I will look into her work :) Another favorite historical of mine is Anna Campbell and I have also enjoyed all that I have read from Lavinia Kent as well.
Sandra Hill is hilarious. Lisa Kleypas, Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
No one who I’ve recommended Jennifer Crusie to has ever complained!
I have three favorites: Brenda Joyce, Catherine Coulter and Kate Pearce.
Great post Ashley, thank you. I’ll limit my list of auto buy authors to historical authors for now:
Jude Deveraux, Bertrice Small, Stephanie Laurens, Lisa Kleypas, Melissa Mayhue, Johanna Lindsey, Sabrina Jeffries, Suzanne Enoch, Catherine Coulter, Amanda Quick, and of course many more favourite reads.
auriansbooks at gmail dot com
I’ve just recently gotten back into HR and so far my favs have been Eileen Dreyer, Sherry Thomas, Kieran Kramer… soo many, too little time! :)
Thanks for the great post and giveaway!
GFC ~ erin
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed the post! Please count me in for the giveaway!
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
oops, forgot to include who my favourite authors are. My favourite genre to read is Paranormal Romance, so I love authors like Jeaniene Frost, Nalini Singh, Gena Showalter, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Patricia Briggs and many more!
Shannon Drake, Julie Garwood
Lisa Kleypas and Karen Marie Moning!
Hello there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.