Jayne Ann Krentz, Nora Roberts, Linda Howard (and many others)... authors with books that are constantly well written, constantly enjoyable. Rereadable after decades. I haven't noticed any of the new authors around being on the same quality level - although if you publish a book every two weeks, how can you be?
Are there any *newish* authors that you think you will still read 20 years from now?
Last Edit: Mar 11, 2020 6:26:45 GMT -7 by omnivore
Post by Banana Boat on Mar 11, 2020 9:37:36 GMT -7
Good question. I can think of a few that I enjoy now but who may change their writing style. I think Roberts and Krentz have pretty much kept the same style and just improved. Linda Howard's newer books haven't interested me but I love her older ones. I personally hope that Mariana Zapata, Karen Rose, Laura Griffin, SEP, Susan Mallery and Jill Shalvis, just to name a few, are still writing (the same) in 20 years. How about you?
I know those are authors that I enjoy now as much as I have the older ones but that's my opinion. I've know I've seen reviews for Krentz, Roberts, Howard, etc. where folks say this book isn't as good as her old ones; I think someone else is writing them for her, etc. There's always several folks saying it on every single In Death as the new ones come out. And Nora's got a very distinctive style; that's how I recognized them as NR's before they put her name on the In Deaths; listing them only as J D Robb. And the Krentz titles; oh yeah, like pulling your favorite wrap around your shoulders to read one of hers.
At one time, I would have said Stephanie Laurens would be one of those for the 20 year haul...shoot, Devil's Bride published in 1998...she's been around more than 20 years already! she published Tangled Reins back in 1992! Okay, she's changed a bit & I've been having some trouble reading some of her more recent. I thought I'd be reading Christine Feehan still but I've just not really enjoyed her for some time & I'm rarely buying one any more in any of the series...never thought I'd give up on the Carpathians!
I never know, is it them or is it me that's changed??
Hmmm I also enjoyed Stephanie Laurens, the earlier stuff, and yes, after while it all became more of the same. I haven't read any of her new stuff but I do read her old stuff every now and again. Linda Howard - I enjoy some of her new books, some I don't. What about Lynsay Sands? Same with the old/new - her old medieval stories were good, first Vampire books were good, later ones were meh. I get the feeling that sometimes an authors "has" a certain amount of books in her(him), and once those stores are told it's more formulaic. Rinse repeat. Even Julie Garwood - her last book I didn't read past Chapter 2. Karen Rose is good. Well planned, tight plots. Same with Laura Griffin, although I am getting a bit tired of the Tracers series.
There are many new authors I enjoy, but I know that a year or two from now another author will come along that fills the same spot in my go-to author lists. Krentz will always have a place of her own.
I often reread Allison Lane as well, when I am in the mood for a trad. regency. Although she hasn't published new stuff recently, her old stuff are mostly on my keeper shelf. And of course Mary Balogh's old stuff.
Post by Banana Boat on Mar 12, 2020 14:28:29 GMT -7
If I remember correctly Laura Griffin's newest books are not in the Tracer series. I'm looking forward to her newest one due July of this year. I'm another one who enjoyed Stephanie Lauren's older books much more than her newer books. Actually I don't think I was able to finish one of her newer books, don't remember which one. I loved Julie Garwood's older books, too. The newer contemporary books are ok, but not as good as the older ones. Karen Rose is a winner for me. Seems I like quite a few older books. Hmmmm, maybe because I'm getting older. Krentz/Quick is always a winner for me. I'm now reading Mystique: A Novel by Amanda Quick. Having a good time with it and it really surprises me. I haven't read a medieval book in years.
Last Edit: Mar 12, 2020 14:33:45 GMT -7 by Banana Boat: eta
I used to read lots of medieval but yeah, it's been quite a while, outside of the one that Laurens wrote. I did enjoy that one altho I got a bit annoyed at the h! Desire's Prize I have some; maybe I should try one, see if it catches my attention... And I love Mystique! Wasn't the other one Desire? Yeah, had lots of flowers, scents, etc.