Who do you consider to be the best HR author?

RosieD · Joined: 15 Mar 2013 Posts: 18 Location: Ca

In your personal opinion, who do you consider to be the best historical romance author?
I have been reading romance since I was 14 and rarely venture outside my favorite authors but, I am curious about who others read and consider to be top notch authors?
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KataO · Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 67 Location: Finland

Elizabeth Hoyt. I have enjoyed very much her Maiden Lane series. All (5) are good, but my favorites are Thief of Shadows and Lord of Darkness.

Deann · Joined: 13 Oct 2012 Posts: 11 Location: Midwest

Mary Balogh is queen. Even her books that are not my favorites are still above average. Two favorites that come to mind are Slightly Dangerous (ya gotta love Wulfric) and A Matter of Class, which is a great short story.

Runners up:
Liz Carlyle-her older books; Loretta Chase, Jo Goodman, Lorraine Heath, Elizabeth Hoyt, Madeline Hunter, Judith James, Carolyn Jewel, Lisa Kleypas, Julie Ann Long, Sarah MacLean, Courtney Milan, Ellen O'Connell, Julia Quinn-her older books; Sherry Thomas, Kaki Warner, Susan Wiggs
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Tee · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 4045 Location: Detroit Metro

Candace Camp has to be my very favorite, even from way back. And she is so consistent IMO. I've enjoyed others through the years, but none have seemed to stay the course for me as well as Camp has. Their inconsistencies work against them for me.

nikkiphilton · Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 193 Location: El Paso

In addition to the authors already mentioned, I would add Joanna Bourne.
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Sandlynn · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 1601 Location: Washington, D.C.

Penelope Williamson and Patricia Gaffney (although they don't write romances anymore) and Laura Kinsale.

iluvarake · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 719

I have many favorites but the ones I get the most excited about when I hear they have a new book coming out are Lisa Kleypas, Loretta Chase (though I think her last couple of books haven't been as good, her early ones are so great she's still an auto-buy), Anne Gracie, Elizabeth Hoyt, Courtney Milan and Julie Anne Long.

Joanna Bourne is also excellent but her books tend to be more angst-y than the writers listed above so I have to be in the right mood for them.
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pwm in mi · Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Posts: 182

Lisa Kleypas, when she was writing Historicals.
Elizabeth Hoyt
Tessa Dare- I've really enjoyed the Spindle Cove series
Courtney Milan
Carrie Lofty- His Very Own Girl- this is set in WWII and is a nice change of pace from regency era.

JaneO · Joined: 17 Feb 2008 Posts: 752

I can't believe no one has mentioned Jo Beverley and Mary Jo Putney. And I'll add Miranda Neville, Eloisa James and Laura Lee Guhrke. And Meredith Duran and Claudia Dain.

AndyR · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 100 Location: Central PA

Ellen O'connell for new and Lavryle Spencer for old.

dick · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 2245

Balogh or Putney.

Eliza · Joined: 21 Aug 2011 Posts: 711

Elizabeth Hoyt, Julie Anne Long and Miranda Neville among more "recent" authors for me. Of course also Loretta Chase, Judith Ivory, Mary Balogh, Lisa Kleypas, Eloisa James, Anne Gracie, Karen Ranney, Mary Jo Putney.

If I were forced to pick just one, it'd be Hoyt for newer and Balogh for long-timer.

PamelaM · Joined: 15 Mar 2010 Posts: 166

Can't say I have an all-around best author and I suppose I'm grateful for that. Just my thoughts...

Mary Balogh - solid writing, imaginative storyteller and if I was visting as a time-traveler, the author who most makes me believe I'm in the Regency period. In fact, I think she probably owns this period. Very Happy

Sherry Thomas- best edgy, complex and polarizing characterizations that come together for me. She keeps me glued to the page most of the time with her beautiful writing. Historically uses the Victorian period to its best advantage.

Lisa Kleypas Historicals- best of light without being fluffy writing. Best sigh-worthy romance and heros. Love that so many of her characters are diverse and not always aristocrats.

Also love Julie Anne Long, Connie Brockway, Elizabeth Hoyt, Eloisa James and Courtney Milan.

PWNN · Joined: 11 Apr 2010 Posts: 815

Judith Ivory is my gold standard for how much I love almost every one of her too few books - alas she's not writing any more. Then there's Balogh who's back list is varied and abundant with riches and who is still writing.

But since I'm incapable choosing just one - there are also Laura Kinsale, Mary Jo Putney, LaVyrle Spencer, Dinah Dean, Patricia Veryan, Georgette Heyer, Madeline Brent, Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels, Mary Stewart, Pamela Morsi, Barbara Metzger, Jo Beverely, Connie Brockway, Loretta Chase, Jo Goodman, Julia Ross, Laura Lee Guhrke, Madeline Hunter (her Medievals), Lorraine Heath (her westerns) and the more recent Joanna Bourne, Judith James, Sherry Thomas and Meredith Duran.
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RosieD · Joined: 15 Mar 2013 Posts: 18 Location: Ca

I could empty my checking account with all these rec's. I read and liked Mary Balough's (sp?) Simply series. I can't justify buying books right now financially but I can certainly reread what I already own. This is why I never get rid of books!
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I'm suffering from hysteria...
My debut novel Mine, All Mine