Thanks for having me on the blog today, Sandy! You always do a great job and I’m thrilled to be here.
I read all the time and I’m not sure I can list my top ten favorite books, so how about I list my top ten favorite series? These are authors I have followed for years and in most cases have probably bought everything they’ve ever written.
1) Zoe Sharp’s Charlie Fox series. The first book is the bloody and fast-paced Killer Instinct, where we first meet Charlie. I can attest each subsequent book gets better and better. Her writing is smooth, the action and fight scenes are stellar, and I have to force myself to put the books down and go to bed at night.
2) Charlaine Harris. Yes, we all know her True Blood series, but I’ve read everything she’s written, including her single titles. She’s a fantastic storyteller.
3) Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson series. Shapeshifters at their best! I love that she married the hero and heroine and still wrote adventures for them. The trend to screw up the heroine’s love life gets really old after awhile, trust me.
4) Jim Butcher. His Harry Dresden books appeal to me more than his high fantasy stuff, but I love his humor and his characters.
5) Janet Evanovich. I lived in Jersey for twenty years, do I need to say anything else? Yes, I wish Stephanie would pick a man and settle down (I still think she could have adventures), but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every book Evanovich has done in this series.
6) Katherine Kerr, Land of Devvry series. High/epic fantasy at its best. Check them out if you enjoyed Tolkien’s LotR or Boone Brux’s Bringer and the Bane series.
7) Kim Harrison’s Hollow series. She killed off people I would have rater still lived, but her plots are always fresh and fast paced. I’ve enjoyed watching the characters evolve and think she’s done a fantastic job on the books.
8) Emma Holly. I’m pretty sure I’ve read over twenty titles of hers. She is the author that inspired me to write graphic sex scenes. I don’t think I’ve ever read a story from her that I didn’t like. From contemporary to fantasy, she delivers a hot read that leaves you gasping for more.
9) Laurell K Hamilton — despite my dislike of half a dozen or so of the later Anita Blake books, there is no denying this woman can weave a captivating tale. I’ve read her Merry Gentry and Nightseer books as well. She may not be an auto-buy for me anymore, but I still enjoy her writing.
10) P.N. Elrod. I haven’t seen anything new from her in a while, but her Vampire Files stories were unique and well done. An excellent paranormal mystery with great characters and terrific setting.
What are some of your favorite series? And don’t be afraid to dig deep and name some old ones, I sure did!
C.J. Ellisson USA Today bestselling author &
author of the New York Times bestselling book Vanilla on Top
Book Two in the Wild Side series, Avoiding Mr. Right, is now out!
Speaker at RWA Nationals in Atlanta, GA, July 17-21, 2013
Vampire Vacation ~ The Hunt ~ Big Game ~ Death’s Servant
C.J. Ellisson is the USA Today Bestselling author of the NYT Bestselling book, Vanilla on Top, the bestselling V V Inn series, and several erotica shorts. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a fluffy black cat who makes her sneeze. Unlike most full-time authors, she’s also battling a severe chronic illness.
C.J. works daily to put her Lupus into remission and continues to fight numerous bacterial infections while her immune system slowly attacks her body. She turned to writing when she could no longer work outside the home and claims the escape of penning contemporary fantasy, erotica, and erotic romance has helped save her sanity.
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Great post, CJ. A fun post.
My favorite series all time, JD Robb’s In Death series. I also love Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series. I have a few other I love, including Christine Feehan’s Dark series, though I wasnt crazy about the last three books.
Wonderful post, C.J.
I have read some of these series and books. Yet in the end, we each take away something different. Thanks for giving us a peak at your favorite books.
Great post C.J. It is amazing how so many readers like the same books and series.
Great post, CJ. I love Mercy Thompson and Kate Daniels
I’m with Barb,
My favs are Christine Feehan’s Darks, Nalini Singh’s psy/changlings; Lora Leigh’s Breeds; Jacquline Rhoades Wolvers and Guardians; The Outtlander series (but it’s huge); Victoria Danaan’s Black Swan series; ….I’m sure there’s more – but my brain is tired! LOL
Thanks CJ for a great post. I have several series I read.
BDB by JR Ward
Breeds by Lora Leigh
Guardians by Jacqueline Rhoades
Charley Davidson by Darynda Jones
Carpathians by Christine Feehan
Dark Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon
There are more but…..like Georgie…I can’t think…lol
wonderful post c.j. i read some of those very same books. congratulations.
Great post C.J . I have to agree with all of these ladies , ,Leigh , Ward , Hamilton, Kenyon , Adrian , Harrison , Armstrong , Aiken , Briggs ,Cooke ,Day ,Frost ,Ione, Laurenston, Showalter, Ok just a few more names that I can think of .