Diana Gabaldon published her first novel, Outlander, a 600-page historical saga set in the 18th century Highlands, in 1991. Since the publication of this novel, she has become one of America's most popular fiction writer, expanding into a popular book series. Following the first novel, Outlander, she has continued the story with, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, and The Fiery Cross. Diana Gabaldon has also written a companion novel to this series called the, Outlandish Companion. What impresses me most about this author is the parallel of factual Scottish historical events in this novel, from the Culloden war to the American Revolution. Diana Gabaldon is one of my favorite writers for her writing detail and obvious careful research of historical facts combined with fun and adventurous fictional writing.

If you enjoyed James Fenimore Cooper's, The Last of the Mohicans, you will love Sara Donati's Frontier stories. This series begins with the saga of the frontiering Bonner family in 18th century New York state. Her first novel of the series, Into the Wilderness, features the character Nathaniel Bonner, the son of Daniel Bonner from Cooper's, The Last of the Mohicans. It follows the adventures of a genteel young woman who must adjust to a new land and culture. These impressive historical novels interweave the destinies of two young lovers torn between English and Mohawk cultures. Sara's books are full of historical events of colonial America. Be prepared for a great adventure with Sara Donati's Wilderness series.

In Wilbur Smith's books there is an injection of politics, drawn from unending, painstaking research, torrid passion, and liberal doses of violence that give a totally individual character to Wilbur's novels. From the limitless landscapes of Southern Africa to the mysterious ancient world of Egypt, Wilbur Smith's books are action packed, full of history, with believable characters. A resident of South Africa, Wilbur Smith has 28 books still in print and translated into 26 languages. I particularly enjoyed his Egyptian series, he draws a realistic picture of Egyptian life and culture, and had a hard time putting these books down.

I highly recommend Patrick Smith's books for adventurous Florida reading. Smith, is considered one of Florida's greatest writers of fiction. An author of international acclaim, Smith has written eight novels including, "The River is Home," "The Beginning," "Forever Island," "Angel City," "Allapattah," and perhaps his most well-known book, "A Land Remembered." In his novel, A Land Remembered, it covers 110 years of Florida history from 1863 through 1968 as seen through the eyes of several generations of a pioneer family. Many of Smith's books are about the lowly and the meek and the underdogs in life -- Pearl River swamp rats and poor whites and blacks in the South during the struggles of the 1960's and downtrodden Indians and migrant workers. These are things many people know little about but should. And they are real people and real situations.

No official homepage, but information on the author can be found at the link below:
http://www.olemiss.edu/mwp/dir/smith_patrick_d/

Although Jude Deveraux is considered a "Romance Writer", many of her books lean towards the mystery genre. I've enjoyed most of her later novels that dealt with the paranormal, such as 'Forever', and 'Always', however, some of her earlier works tend to be heavy on the romance with shallow story lines. Books by Jude Deveraux that I highly enjoyed are; The Mulberry Tree, Forever, Always, A Knight in Shining Armor, and Wild Orchids.