I find myself reading a particular author because of the fantastic worlds she can build. Creative, believable, and unique. To go back and visit, time and time again, through sequels or series. When you’ve read the last page, and wish it’d never end.
So you buy the next book, or wait for the next release.
There have been a few authors who take me on just such a voyage, ones that I keep thinking about long after the book is finished. Sometimes, even, a few books later.
Those are the writers who are truly gifted. Some of my favorites are (in no particular order):
• JR Ward – The Black Dagger Brotherhood series & Fallen Angels series
• Cherry Adair – T-FLAC series
• Karen Marie Moning – Fever series
• Jacqueline Frank – All of her series
• And my crit partner, Brenda Dyer, who’s work isn’t published yet but I know soon will be – The Prophecy series
Which author have you read, and then gone back for more?
11 comments:
Oh Sheri, you are speaking my fully developed fictional language. I love world building more than anything. Reading and writing it. J.R.R.Tolkein is the master. It took him a lifetime to build Middle Earth.
Allison Croggon's Pellinor series is an excellent series for world building too.
U got a good list there:) I agree. Brenda will soon be published.
I find myself hooked on books by Alyson Noel. She creates one heckuva storyworld:)
In the science fiction realm, the Masters, Clarke, Bradbury, Heinlein and Roddenberry.
Mainstream fiction, Tom Clancy, hands down. "Next time Jack, write a memeo!"
I admit that lately I don't seem to be able to find much time to read for pleasure, but all of the comments and your suggestions are leaving me with a few books to add to my list.
As for Brenda's book, I keep hearing bits and pieces about it and would love to get my hands on it as soon as it's pubbed.
Nice post, Sheri :)
Cherry Adair was my inspiration nine years ago when I started writing again seriously. Love her. And Karen Marie Moning. Another favorite is Stephanie Tyler—absolutely adore her and her books. Fun post.
I'll leave building alternate or future worlds to the rest of you. I'm happy re-creating Regency England.
Marion
One of my particular favorites is Nalini Singh and her Guild Hunter series and the Psy-Changeling Series. I can't get enough. JR Ward is also on my list and having read only the first few chapter of Brenda's Prophecy series I have to agree with you that man, she can really pull you into her world :-)
When I started reading romance, Johanna Lindsey was my fav, but then I found PARANORMAL ROMANCES and I was hooked! I absolutely love Karen Marie Moning, Sherlyn Kenyon, J.R Ward, but my all time favorite author has to be J.R Tolkien. The Lord Of The Rings trilogy will forever be my favorite books. And not just TLOTR's but the books and history that come before. I love history and how stories go on and on and how events from the past effect and tie into the future.
And Mike....you are truly the bomb. Thank you for liking Love's Prophecy as much as you do. What you said above is what I'm going to tell my family at the dinner table tonight when we have to tell everyone what we are thankful for. I'm going to say I'm thankful for my crit partner who is so much more than a cp, she's a treasured and valued friend! Oh, and her name is Mike!
Casea ~ Tolkein was a master, wasn’t he? How patient and thorough he created Middle Earth. It’s a rarity to find such exceptional world building like that anymore. Everyone’s in too much of a hurry these days. Croggon is a new name to me – I’ll have to check her out. Thanks for the reading lead and for stopping by!
Mart ~ Allison Noel…well, what can you say about her? Your friend is good at what she does alright and is pretty much the queen of YA these days. Thanks for stopping by!
Starfox Howl ~ (I just love writing that name!) I haven’t read serious sci-fi since high school, when it all made sense. That’s a scary thought. My dad is a huge Clancy fan, and I know he’s nodding his approval. Thanks for adding your author names.
Christine ~ Why is it we can find time to do the things we don’t want to do (toilet brush, anyone?), yet we’re too busy to enjoy what we REALLY want to do? I say we break the cycle now! LOL Thanks for coming by.
Jennifer ~ Both Adair & Moning are HOT, prolific writers. And Cherry still finds time to teach writing classes too! I don’t know how she does it. Thanks for stopping by and mentioning S. Tyler to me. I’ll add her to my growing TBR list.
Marion/Ella Quinn ~ When I first started reading romance, I read regency. I loved being transported back in time when women were ladies and men were dashing rogues. There was a time I thought I’d been born in the wrong century – I loved the books so much. I still do and read Mary Balogh now and then. Thanks for stopping by!
Kaycee ~ Back in the writing scene, good to see you, Karl! I’ve heard of Singh several times, all with glowing reports. Okay, she’s going on my list now too. Brenda Dyer taught me a few things about world building while I read her manuscript, and you’re right. It sucked me in and I wanted to stay. Thanks for your comments.
Brendan ~ I made the switch from historical to paranormal romance after I read some story with a vampire AND LOVED IT! The sense that nothing is as it appears really calls to me and keeps me wanting more. Just like The Lord of the Rings and all the other great worlds that have been created by others. And I’m anxious to read the book in your Prophecy series, I want to go back to your world for more. Happy Thanksgiving, you crazy Canook.
I absolutely love Megan Hart's world building in her sci-fi/fantasy-slant books, like Exit Light. She had me totally captivated in there, and I re-read the book just to reimmerse myself in the dreamscape she created.
Also, world-building - we tend to think fantasy/paranormal/scifi, but even contemporary reads have amazing world-building. Case in point - the world of Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich, and that of Fool's Gold in Susan Mallery's eponymous series. I feel like if I were to be parachuted into Fool's Gold tomorrow, I could find my way around after just one glance to situate myself. :)
My world building is fairly easy--go outside, take a look around, go for a ride. I'm not much into fantasty, sci-fi or those kinds of worlds, other than yours.
Who do I love for the kinds of books I like? Kat Martin. Joan Johnson. Sandra Brown. Several of very talented CPs.
Post a Comment