Who are your favorite authors?
Probably my favorite contemporary romance author is Victoria Dahl, but I also love Rachael Herron's books! For historical romance, I love Julia Quinn and Tessa Dare, and for paranormal - I drop everything for a JR Ward or Karen Marie Moning book. As for Diana Gabaldon, I'm one of her legions of fans, too.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
1) Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. I love the WW2 setting; I studied that era a lot in college, and I'm always drawn to books set in that time period. But more importantly, this book is hands-down one of the funniest I have ever read. You know that intelligent, ironic, dry humor that the Brits are so well-known for? This has it in spades.
2) Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon. This book has such a huge and rabid fan base for a reason. Her writing is flawless, the setting and time period is fascinating, her characters are compelling, and the romance is off the charts.
3) Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy. It's worth the effort. You get sucked right into all the family drama, and that tragic romance so characteristic of the Russians.
4) The Bronze Horseman, by Paullina Simons. Another WW2 book, another Russian perspective. The scope of the narrative, and the amazing, star-crossed characters blow me away.
5) How to Knit a Love Song, by Rachael Herron. This contemporary romance is a real gem - well-crafted and likable in every way. Plus, I'll always think of it as the impetus for me realizing that the books I was writing were romances, and that people might actually enjoy reading them.
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