After spending the past two days packing, I have to say that I’ve finally reached the saturation point. I cannot believe how much crap I own. It’s crazy. I have just about every workbook that I’ve ever received…strike that…I do have EVERY workbook that I ever received at a conference. I’d ‘planned’ to go through them once I got home from the various conferences. I managed to skim them all. Read a few pages, but other than that, they’ve sat in my office closet gathering MASSIVE amounts of dust. Did I mention the mountain of magazines I found? That whole out of sight, out of mind thing is true. Sigh.
Today, I plan to tackle the rest of the bookcases in the hall. It shouldn’t take me too long. I still have the bookcases in my office. (They hold my reference books.) Actually, thinking about it, the books have been the easiest thing to pack. It’s everything else that’s tough. But I don’t want to talk about packing anymore. It’s boring and not very much fun. 
I’ve decided to name a few of my favorite authors by category. Yes, I’m stretching for something to talk about. While I’m at it, if anyone has an idea for what I should write over the next couple of weeks throw it out there. I need all the help that I can get right now. 
So back to the authors…I’ll start with my favorite paranormal romance writers: Lora Leigh (truly love her Breed series), Christine Warren (she writes some of the best characters), Angela Knight (love her vampires), Lynn Viehl (dark and atmospheric) and Jeaniene Frost (super urban fantasy romances (Bones sigh)).
Favorite historical authors: Lisa Kleypas (enchanting), Stephanie Laurens (comfortable), Christina Dodd (charming), Julia Templeton (scorching) and Sylvia Day (smoking).
Favorite contemporary authors: Michele Albert (consistently strong), Beth Ciotta (so endearingly funny), Jill Shalvis (terrific romances), Cherry Adair (enjoy her special ops) and Erin McCarthy (always entertaining).
Favorite urban fantasy authors: Patricia Briggs (Love her Mercy series), Rob Thurman (Love her characters’ attitudes), Laurell K. Hamilton (the old stuff rocks), Carrie Vaughn (Kitty can do no wrong) and Charlaine Harris (consistently terrific). This was actually the hardest category for me because I have so many favorites.
The final category is misc. because I wasn’t quite sure where to put these authors: Stuart Woods (entertaining mysteries), Matt Reilly (mind popcorn), James Rollins (action/adventure), Douglas Preston (fun monsters) and Dean Koontz (great intrigue).
Now it’s your turn. Who are your top three favorites?
November 5th, 2007
I need to start writing down all the books you pick up….by the time I get around to buying them, I’ve forgotten
by amie November 5th, 2007 at 10:50 amHey, good luck with the packing! It’s a real pain in the @$$, I know.
I was just thinking about my favorite authors this morning. I’d have to say Philip Pullman (incredible, complex young-adult fantasy novels and mysteries), Carl Hiaasen (really great enviro-mysteries that are funny and cheeky as hell — loved your “popcorn for the mind” phrase, btw, and that fits him, I think), Jenny Crusie (no explanation necessary, I’m sure), and Alice Hoffman — her older novels, especially. She writes about magic and pain and love and her stuff really bowls me over.
by Catherine Morris November 5th, 2007 at 11:03 amI feel the need to purge soon. I think I’m going to go through my closet and drawers and give away most of my clothes. As I look at the four piles of laundry to do, I have too many clothes that I never wear.
Favorite authors…Rachel Caine - Weather Warden series rocks, and I’ve read the first in her YA Morgainville Vampires and it is fantastic. Kim Harrison - Rachel Morgan can do no wrong for me. And I can’t name just one other author…third place is filled by about five or six authors right now (Rob Thurman, Lilith Saintcrow, Mark Del Franco, Alex Archer, although she’s the name de plume for the Rogue Angel series that a few different authors write under, Eve Kenin, Jim Butcher, and Simon Green)
by Vivi Anna November 5th, 2007 at 12:47 pmGood luck with the packing. I moved about a year ago and had a fit at all the stuff we had collected. Think how great it’s going to feel when you’re done!
by HelenKay Dimon November 5th, 2007 at 1:52 pmTell me about it. I was supposed to spend this year tackling closets, etc. and getting rid of over 30 years of living. Egads!
Top Three: Jill Shalvis (you said it); Kay Hooper (love her Bishop series); and a tie between Jennifer Cruisie and Jim Butcher.
by Bailey Stewart November 5th, 2007 at 5:54 pmDon’t feel like the Lone Ranger, Jordan, we all own too much s**t. Koontz was the first horror writer I can think of, who didn’t automatically kill most everyone you’d come to know in his novel.
by BernardL November 6th, 2007 at 7:04 amOnly three?! No can do. I’d be leaving out too many good authors. *wg* I mean… Dan Brown, Jim Butcher, J.R. Ward, Maggie Shayne, Joey W. Hill, and sooooo many more.
by Tempest Knight November 6th, 2007 at 7:56 amViehl, in all her incarnations.
by Shiloh Walker November 6th, 2007 at 8:12 amNora Roberts/JD Robb
hmmmm…. guh… this one is harder. It would be like a three way or four way tie. So I’ll just go with the two.
Yep. Packing is the worst part of moving. ARGH.
3 favorites, okay, I should be able to do that…Lois M. Bujold, PG Wodehouse, Jennifer Crusie. I have to either stop there or keep going for a long, long LONG time.
by Charli November 6th, 2007 at 9:29 amleslie kelly
by Anonymous November 6th, 2007 at 11:17 amvicki thompson
lori foster
suzanne enoch
heidi betts
Amie, I should put links to the books, but I’ve been lazy. That’s how I keep track of books that I want to read when I visit other people’s blogs.
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:25 pmCatherine, Thank you! I know you’ve been there recently.
As for the books, you reminded me that I forgot YA. I should’ve put that one down too. I’d have to say P.C. Cast, Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfeld and Stephanie Meyer. (I’ve purposely left off JK Rowling, since that’s a given.;)
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:29 pmWell stop being lazy! *ggg*
THREE JUST THREE? Um I have to vote for Hooper also, Koontz and SEP (because I”m thinking long-time faves though I do have some new ones).
by Amie November 6th, 2007 at 1:29 pmVivi, It’s tough to do. I actually don’t have a problem giving clothes away. Not sure why. It’s everything else that’s hard. I cried when they took my bedroom set away today. (It was antique and I’ve had it since I was eight. Sigh.) Unfortunately, it won’t fit in the new place. Hopefully it’ll find a loving home.
As for books, I forgot about Simon Green. I LOVE his stuff. I’m sure that Rachel Caine will soon join my favorites’ pile. Of course, I dig Jim Butcher, but I was trying to limit myself. *ggg*
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:32 pmHelenKay, I am trying to keep focused on that light at the end of the tunnel. Right now it kinda looks like a oncoming train. LOL!
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:33 pmBailey, It’s tough. I’ve had some of the stuff for thirty years. Jill is always good for a fun romance read. She’s one of my favorite Blaze authors.
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:34 pmBernard, I know most people are clinging to way too much crap. I just can’t believe that I’ve let it get this bad. I really do hope this move helps clear a lot of stuff out. Sigh. As for Koontz, I think that’s why I enjoy his work so much. You can actually root for people and in all likelihood they will survive until the end of the book.
He ends with hope.
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:36 pmTempest, Don’t you think my ‘actual’ lists are longer? *ggg*
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:37 pmShiloh, Chicken.
*wg*
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:37 pmCharli, PG Wodehouse is fantastic. Brilliantly witty, while pointing out the obsurdity of the times. Much like Terry Pratchett.
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:39 pmAnon, Good choices.
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:40 pmAmie, Yep, just three.
by Jordan November 6th, 2007 at 1:40 pmI like a lot of the ones you mentioned, but Also love Janet Evanovich’s Stepahnie Plum, and I adore Susan E Philllips for traditional contemporary romances. I’m a big Lee Child fan as well (love me some Jack Reacher) and Lori Armstrong’s Julie Collins PI series.
by Sasha November 7th, 2007 at 10:57 amSasha, I’ve recently started reading Lee Child. Must say that I’m enjoying the writing too.
by Jordan November 7th, 2007 at 6:20 pmI’ve decided I’m a very big Character reader. Yes, plot is always important but the authors I consider keepers and autobuys are allabtout eh charcter. Liek Julie Collins in Lori Armstrongs series. Serious tough girl with issues, and I love her. Jack Reacher. A ture hero who is searchign fro his ownplace inthe workd (Plus I love that some of the Jack Reacher books are in first person and some are in third, depending on the story. That appeals to me because I write both, and It’s good to knwo i’m not crazy when I feel that some just Have to be told a certain way.) Mercy Thomspon, Stephanie Plum, and Sookie Stackhouse. It’s all about the character, if we care abotu them, then the story is worthwhile even if it’s not the most unique or intricate.
If you enjoy Jack Reacher, you really should check out Lori Armstrong’ Julie Collins Series. the first book si BLOOD TIES (and no, it’s not paranormal.)
by Sasha November 8th, 2007 at 1:18 pmMan, I really need to learn to edit my posts before I hit send. *blush*
Jack Reacher isa TRUE hero.. and well, the rest I think you can figure out. LOL Sorry.
by Sasha November 8th, 2007 at 1:20 pm