If You Like, Try...

The other day I was in my local used book store looking for a romantic comedy. I just HAD to read a romantic comedy. The trouble was I had read all the romantic comedy authors that I loved. Since I don't reread books like so many others do, I was in serious trouble. I did leave the store with a book, but was it a really good choice?

I know I am not alone. I am often asked about authors that I think are good, but that another reader may not have heard about. Someone will say, "I just LOVE Nora Roberts, but I've read all her books. Who else can I read?"

I find that reading is a very subjective experience. What I may like may be completely different from what someone else likes. That's where you come in. I've started this list, but if we all contribute one or two per category, we can all help each other find that new-to-us author. E-mail me at Kelly@FictionDB.com with your favorites!

Explanation of Categories

Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy/Mystery
Contemporary Relationships
Romantic Suspense

Light Historical
Heavy Historical

Historical America
Historical Georgian
Historical Regency
Traditional Regency
Medieval
Time-Travel

Explanation of Categories

An explanation of my categories is necessary. These are my very own made-up categories, and as such, they reflect my mood for a particular type of read. We each have our own, so if you don't see one of your moods here, please let me know!

Romantic Comedy -- a contemporary that'll make me laugh. There may be some elements of mystery or suspense, but this book doesn't have me looking under the bed. My personal faves are Jennifer Crusie and Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Romantic Comedy/Mystery -- same criteria as above, except the book is also a crossover mystery novel. My personal faves are Janet Evanovich and Joanne Pence.
Contemporary Relationships -- these books focus on the relationship and tend to be more emotional. I pick one of these up when I want to get into the characters. My personal faves are Kathleen Gilles Seidel and Deborah Smith.
Romantic Suspense -- these are the ones that keep you up at night. Serial killers, murderous family members. These take me on a fast-paced ride on the dark side. My personal faves are Lisa Gardner and Eileen Dreyer.

Light Historical -- these are pure froth. Most I can't even remember the second I've finished them, but they are thoroughly entertaining and keep me flipping the pages. Light on history, heavy on banter. My personal faves are Johanna Lindsey and Judith Lansdowne.
Heavy Historical -- the opposite of light. Not necessarily heavy on history as much as heavy on story or suspense. The characters are more fleshed out and may be darker than the romps. My personal faves are Laura Kinsale and Katherine Sutcliffe.

Historical America -- I personally prefer European historicals, but some authors are so good, you'll read just about any book they write. A couple of authors who fall into this category for me are Catherine Anderson and Heather Graham.
Historical Georgian -- these are very similar to regencies, but the time period is different. The Scottish Uprising and the American Revolution figure prominently in the story. My personal favorite is Patricia Veryan.
Historical Regency -- these books are set in the Regency period, but have more complicated stories and sensuality. My personal faves are Loretta Chase and Cathy Maxwell.
Traditional Regency -- when I want a quick story delving into the English aristocracy, I pick up a regency. My personal faves are Carla Kelly and Emma Jensen.
Medieval -- I don't read too many medievals, but sometimes I'm in the mood for a darker time period. My personal faves are Elizabeth Chadwick and Shannon Drake.
Time-Travel -- another category I don't read much of. I guess I get too caught up in what the realities of such a situation would actually be. I do recommend Diana Gabaldon and Constance O'Day-Flannery.