|
|
As
an English Literature major in college, I have a deep
appreciation for good literature and enjoy reading
and writing in my spare time. My idea of heavenly
bliss is sitting curled up in an overstuffed chair
near the fire place with my little cat curled up in
my lap, an excellent glass of wine in my hand and
hours of spare time to enjoy one of my favorite books.
This is a list of favorite authors and book recommendations
as well as links to various author’s home pages.
I hope you enjoy some of these books, and if you have
a few favorite authors and book recommendations, send
me an e-mail message and/or a new link for the favorite
authors and books page.
|
|
|
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, The Fiery
Cross, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, and An
Echo in the Bone. 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.
| |
|
|
Diana
Gabaldon's homepage:
http://www.dianagabaldon.com/
|
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.
Sara
Donati's homepage:
http://www.saralaughs.com/
|
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.
Wilbur
Smith's homepage:
http://www.wilbursmithbooks.com/
|
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.
Patrick Smith's
Homepage:
http://www.patricksmithonline.com/
|
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.
Jude
Deveraux's Homepage
http://judedeveraux.com/
|
Although
Karen Marie Moning is best known for her paranormal
Highlander romance novels, I thoroughly enjoyed
her "Fever" series which are urban
fantasy novels of Irish folklore
of the Fae--an ancient
race of immortal beings who have lived secretly
among humans for millennia. This series is one
of the best fictional series that I have read
in a long time and they were the type of novels
that were impossible to put down once you picked
one up and turned the first page. Out of all
the authors listed on this page, I would rate
Karen Marie Moning my second favorite author
(with Diana Gabaldon being my favorite).
|
In
the midst of civil war, famine, religious strife
and war there arises a magnificent Cathedral.
Unlike anything else he has ever written, Pillars
of the Earth is filled with extraordinary suspense
and mystery. This is my favorite book and is
on the top of my list as a "Must Read"
for any book lover.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
