Aug 10 2009
Your Most Cracktastic Author (Stephanie Laurens GIVEAWAY)
I’m not sure if I would say that Stephanie Laurens is a guilty pleasure or the most cracktastic author in my library. I do know that I devour each release even though none have lived up to my love for Devil’s Bride. I recall when DB first came out in 1998 that it was revelatory in its own way. Most of the genre historicals featured the unwilling hero, a man who didn’t want to love, didn’t want to marry, and certainly didn’t want the heroine. His character arc, more often than not, included coming to terms with commitment.
This hero trope can often be seen in category novels, but since Lauren’s Devil’s Bride, the hero in pursuit has become almost de riguer in the genre. I’m not saying that Lauren’s invented the trope or that there weren’t books featuring hero in pursuit before the publication of Devil’s Bride, but she and Christine Feehan popularized it. (Feehan’s Dark series began publication in 1999).
I think because I associate the hero in pursuit trope to Laurens, she has become my most cracktastic author. One who I can’t stop reading, no matter what.
In celebration of Laurens and the hero in pursuit, Avon has donated two signed books to giveaway:
Tell me about your most cracktastic author in the comments below.
Send to Kindle
Aug 10, 2009 @ 08:05:44
Most cracktastic? Tough. Various authors for various reasons – but right now I’d say Kresley Cole is topping my “GIMME GIMME GIMME NOW!” list. Yes, I would probably sell my car to obtain my next fix… um… i mean… um… the next book. I’d also say Mima, for whom I have a disturbing fixation.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 08:16:54
Elise, you stole my answer! I was going to say Kresley Cole. I love the Immortals After Dark series. LOVE it with a passion. I’ve red and re-read them. Can’t wait for more books to come out.
For many years, I also devoured every Amanda Quick book that existed. I’ve slowed down on that recently, so I don’t know if it still counts.
I used to also devour Karen Marie Moning’s books. But, I haven’t yet gotten into the Darkfever series. I miss the MacKeltars and the lovely Highland time travel romances. If she wrote more of those, I would jump through hoops to go get one. Those are my crackcandy. May Daegus MacKeltar live on forever.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 08:18:00
I think for me it is probably Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle. No matter which iteration she writes under, her heroines are quirky and fun and her heroes are strong and brooding – they are all really similar, but oh, so lovely. Simply cracktastic!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 08:28:57
I heart Stephanie Laurens! I also like Brotherhood of the Sword series by Kinley MacGregor.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 08:35:09
Technically not a romance—I am hooked on C.S. Harris’s Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries, which have a fab hero and wrenching romance thrown in. I cannot wait for the next one. Same goes for Deanna Raybourn’s Silent series. If I could, I stand over both authors with a whip…and chocolate.
I read MBL on vacation. Cannot pass up Stephanie Laurens, even when I wanted to. Needed to. Couldn’t.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 08:35:56
Lisa Kleypas. Just gotta read ‘em. I even shell out the $$ for HARD-COVER copies!
Used to be Amanda Quick but those all started feeling like the same novel. Over and over and over. And not in a good way.
And after reading Goddess of the Hunt I’m thinking Tessa Dare is gonna be my new addiction. Seriously.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 08:38:35
These days, it’s all about Kresley Cole, Sherry Thomas, and Suzanne Brockmann. (In terms of genre, I’m all over the place.) Of course, there’s another Outlander book on the horizon, too, and that’s a must-have. And when Jenny Crusie’s next single-authored book comes out…
Aug 10, 2009 @ 08:44:53
I have to pick Jayne Ann Krentz. I still read her books although I liked her older stories more but I enjoy her unusual heroes and heroines.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 08:53:14
For me, a cracktastic author is someone who I love to read, but can’t figure out why, because it’s poorly written, has TSTL characters, and/or is very predictable. For a lot of people, that’s JR Ward. For me, it’s Anne Stuart. Stoopid limpy heroines; extremely broken, broody, hard heros (I will say that her heros are more anti-heros, than regular heros, which I like). Plot lines so holey they’re like Swiss cheese, preditable plots and resolutions. Yet…YET…I WANTS MORE ANNE STUART!!!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 09:00:34
Mine would be Jennifer Crusie. I just love her sense of humor. Anytime I see her name on a book, I have to buy it. And then there’s Julia Quinn – even if a previous book isn’t as good as I want it to be, I still keep reading her stories.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 09:09:21
If by “cracktastic” you mean those authors whose books I’ve read more than a dozen times each AND whose books I have on audio CD and listen to frequently, even though I have memorized much of the dialog and many specific passages, AND whose books published under another name I have also read multiple times, then, yes, mine has to be J. R. Ward/Jessica Bird. I can’t explain it, I don’t bother to fight it, this is just my reality. For all the reasons others revile them, I say “More, please.”
Aug 10, 2009 @ 09:30:14
Julie Garwood historicals are my “drug” of choice. I have to re-read every single one every summer vacation. I wish she’d return to historical romance with something that equals Ransom or Honor’s Splendour instead of the “short” Shadow Music.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 09:35:54
My current definition of “cracktastic” means authors whose books I look forward to so much that I preorder them, or buy them in their first release week. There are three authors on that list right now: Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh and Suzanne Enoch (for her Addison/Jellicoe contemporaries).
Suzanne, I’ve got some major DTs. Wanting some contemporaries, BAD. Just sayin.’ ;-)
I’m also glomming the Susan Grant backlist something fierce.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 09:36:40
Jane Anne Krentz/Jane Castle/Amanda Quick is my go to comfort read, but I prefer her older stuff.
I used to love Sandra Hill, I just had such a rollicking good time reading her Viking books that I didn’t care about the problems with the books themselves.
But there’s really no author I’d call cranktastic (and I’d used the same definition as Randi.)
I’m surprised no one has named JR Ward or LKH yet. Peeps seem to complain loud and long with each book issued yet still rush out to buy the next one.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 09:39:44
I too am on of the victims of the JAK/JC/AQ crack. I know her books all have the same feel to them, but I just cannot let them go. I wish she would give the Arcane Society a break and write about someone else. Another new crack for me it Susan Donovan, I have been reading her books back to back and I just love her voice! The stories are funny and quirky.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 09:53:23
Hi :)
Thanks for sharing.
My favorite “cracktastic” authors are:
C.S. Friedman
C.J. Cherryh
Jack L. Chalker
Robert Jordan
George R.R. Martin
Robin Hobb
Anne McCaffrey
Richelle Mead
Jackie Kessler
Kim Harrison
L.K. Hamilton
Yasmine Galenorn
Stephen King
L.A. Banks
Kelly Armstrong
…
:)
All the best to you and yours,
@RKCharron
xoxo
Aug 10, 2009 @ 10:21:38
Cracktastic authors for me are the ones that I habitually look up online to see when something else is coming out, and read and reread on a regular basis:
McKinley, especially The Blue Sword and Sunshine
Kresley Cole’s IAD series
Any Laura Kinsale I can get my hands on.
Meljean Brook’s Guardian series
Lora Leigh’s Breed series (I just can’t help myself!)
Elizabeth Hoyt’s series (any of them)
Natalie Singh’s new Angel series (although I’m sure her Psy/Changeling series would be too, if I ever started reading it).
Aug 10, 2009 @ 10:23:20
For romance authors it would have to be J.D. Robb. I am so addicted to the In Death series. Whenever a new book comes out it is like visiting with old friends.
For fantasy authors it would have to be Megan Whalen Turner. Her Thief series is fantastic, and The King of Attolia is my number 1 comfort read.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 10:32:00
Give me Eileen Dreyer/Kathleen Korbel any day. Although I haven’t yet read everything she’s put out, I’m well on my way!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 10:35:17
I love Hero In Pursuit. Anything where the guy is head over heels and the heroine is either oblivious or antagonistic slays me. Can’t get enough. The author whose books I gobble up in multiple formats is Suzanne Brockmann. I currently own Dark of Night in hardcover, mass market, and electronically. The hc because it’s signed, the e-version so I could read it comfortably right away, and the mm because it matches the others on my bookshelf. I’m 2/3 of the way there with Hot Pursuit.
THAT’S how addicted I am.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 10:39:41
J.D. Robb, Deanna Raybourn, C. S. Harris, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Louise Penny, and Diana Gabaldon.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 10:54:23
cracktastic….humm.. its between Nalini Singh and Karen Marie Mong–ugh, i’m so addicted!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 10:58:41
Lora Leigh is definitely the one for me. Although Nalini Singh and Kresley Cole are right up there.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 11:00:17
Let me see…..
Julia Spencer-Fleming
Linda Lael Miller
Robyn Carr
Linda Howard
Margaret Maron
Nora Roberts (J. D. Robb)
Janet Evanovich (No, I’m not tired of her yet.)
Dana Stabenow
Daniel Silva
I know I probably forgot someone, but this is my list for now.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 11:00:18
if by “cracktastic” you mean “walk by a shelf at a store, see author’s new book and OMGBUY”, i’d have to go with:
–naomi novik. can’t wait till the next book. muchneedwantplz. ((in my secret heart of hearts, i’m a lawrence/tharquay ‘shipper *grins*))
–lisa kleypas (her historicals, at least). her wallflower quartet books are good for pleasant rereading, and she writes her characters so well that the preview on her site for poppy’s book has me absolutely salivating for the end of september. SALIVATING!
–eloisa james. oh, the awesomeness. takes tropes/themes, turns them on their head, makes them wonderful and dances a jig around the whole thing. i can’t strictly say i’m actively looking forward to her next book (sick to death of cindarella stories, due largely in part to a former coworker with a cindarella complex the size of fort lauterdale), but i have confidence in her ability to make it good in spite of the same old story.
–stephanie laurens, i guess, given i own all the cynster novels. yeah, they kind of all blend together into a lather/rinse/repeat pattern, but i’m kind of holding out for more prequels like “promise in a kiss.”
a couple years ago johanna lindsey might have been on my crack authors list, but her recent mallory/andersen novels have been downright skeevy in hero tactics to the point where i half expect the next one to have a supply of roofies in his back pocket in case of “emergency.” i swear to god, “no choice but seduction” made me so angry….
Aug 10, 2009 @ 11:01:18
Ooooh, I’m so easily hooked. If I read one, and I like, I’ll glom onto everything the author has to offer in hopes they’ll all provide the same level of reading pleasure. Right now, it’s Stephanie Laurens, Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Lisa Kleypas, Claudia Dain, JAK, Karen Hawkins (and I don’t even care very much for books set in Scotland, och!) and Sabrina Jeffries. Not that any of those are necessarily so bad, they’re good . . . I’m just hooked.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 11:06:32
I’m with Randi on this definition, which might be why right now I don’t have an author who fits the bill. I do have authors I buy right away (one or two even in HC), but C.S. Harris and Arianna Franklin don’t fit into the “TSTL characters, predictable plots, can’t figure out why I’m reading them” category. I’ve had some in the past (LKH after Obsidian Butterfly, for example) but I’ve finally managed to break the habit.
As for the hero in pursuit, I like the trope very much and liked Devil’s Bride until near the end. I couldn’t understand why a man who said he loved a woman as much as Devil said he loved Honora (IIRC that’s her name) didn’t immediately fulfill her heart’s desire (in this case, to travel). It’s one reason why I loved Gaffney’s Christy more — he took Anne to Italy, and it was there she realized that she didn’t need to live abroad because Christy was her North Star and she was happy wherever he was. I don’t recall that Devil gave Honora the choice and so don’t remember her having a similar epiphany. Could be it’s been too many years since I read the book, at this point I just remember liking it while Honora was saying no to Devil and then not liking it once she said yes.
P.S. Met Ms. Laurens at the recent RWA conference. Three women were standing together. Two had name tags on (Claudia Dain and Suzanne Enoch). I said hello to each of them and told them how much I’d enjoyed their books, then turned to the third woman and said “I don’t know you.” Of course, that was Stephanie Laurens, the best selling and best known of the group. She was quite gracious despite my ignorance and I enjoyed chatting with all three of them for a few minutes.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 11:15:39
Cracktastic – the list is enormous – but I’ll just list a few….Nalini Singh, Karin Tabke, J. R. Ward, Lorretta Chase, Angela Knight, and Kresley Cole. I’m so in need of help…these authors could put out a paper on the architectural structure of an underground ant colony and I’d probably pre-buy!!!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 11:36:03
Victoria Dahl is an auto buy for me now. After reading Start Me Up, I bought her entire backlist.
I’m also a Karen Marie Moning fan – the fever series really drew me in and I have to have each new book on release day.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 11:43:44
Stephanie Laurens was once my crack of choice, until it became the same story over and over and over…
Current crack:
Julia Quinn
Loretta Chase
Laura Lee Guhrke
Lisa Kleypas historicals
Eloisa James
Aug 10, 2009 @ 11:57:59
Hmm… depending on our definitions of “crack-tastic”… I don’t have a current so-bad-but-I-can’t-get-enough author, although for a very long time it was Jude Devereaux and Mary Higgins Clark (mystery, not romance, but still). I am ashamed. If we’re talking so-good-her-books-are-like-crack, I’m addicted to Cruisie.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 12:00:35
Since my definition is an author I’ll buy no matter what then the authors that fall under this category are:
Emma Holly
JR Ward
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Kressley Cole
Lorraine Heath
Julia Quinn
Aug 10, 2009 @ 12:08:41
If I define “cracktastic” as “I just can’t help myself when this author has a new book out!”:
Robin McKinley – I buy her books in hardcover, and I even tracked down and read her children’s books.
Olivia Gates – oh God, I know they’re going to have total over-the-top drama that makes me roll my eyes like crazy, but I just don’t care. And I know I’ll constantly complain about the writing and descriptions, but I still just don’t care. I can’t stop reading them!
Lucy Monroe – I don’t even like her books, but I can’t stop myself from reading them. I can’t stand the characters, I don’t usually enjoy the plots, but every time a new one comes out, I grab it right away. And I don’t know why!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 12:10:01
Most cracktastic author for me has to be Elizabeth Hoyt. I didn’t read her books in chronological order but I am seriously hooked. It doesn’t matter that some of her heroes are physically deformed and some of her heroines not the great beauties that they are in most historical romances. Everything she writes works for me and I look forward to her next release before the end of this year.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 12:21:10
My favorites would be Laura Kinsale, Charlaine Harris or Kim Harrison.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 12:39:07
If you’re talking I’d have to be unconscious and on drugs not to buy the next book cracktastic then it’s Eve & Roarke in Robb’s IN DEATH series.
I loved Royce’s story in MASTERED BY LOVE (he still lets me call him Dalziel).
Aug 10, 2009 @ 13:15:37
Stephanie Laurens definitely makes the list, I love both of her series. A couple more auto buys authors:
Joey Hill
Lora Leigh
LKH
JD Robb
Nalini Singh
Maya Banks
Aug 10, 2009 @ 13:29:26
It is absolutely Susan Mallery. I was and remain completely obsessed with her Sheikh series. I came in midway through her 2nd cycle/country, and my first purchase of out-of-print books on amazon was the rest of the series!
I am also happy to report that her several other series are almost equally cracktastic for me. I have literally gone to bookstores in pajamas to get the rest of her series books.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 13:33:27
Read Roberta Gellis’ historical romances and continue to re-read them. I even like her fantasy novels.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 13:48:11
Charlaine Harris. I don’t know how to quit her.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 14:04:53
George RR Martin
Brian D’Amato
Jacquelyn Carey
Aug 10, 2009 @ 14:11:22
Krentz, Linda Howard, more – but I’m going by out put here. Never mind I think I’ve read all of Laurens’ books except for maybe the past year or so. Been too busy with paranormals and chicks with guns and shit. lol
Aug 10, 2009 @ 14:22:59
Cindy Gerard, Lisa Kleypas, Gaelen Foley and Pamela Clare
Aug 10, 2009 @ 14:29:07
My most Crack-tastic author has to be Johanna Lindsey, I always HAVE to get her new release, and I’ve re-read her older books until my covers have fallen off!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 14:39:12
Ditto on the C. S. Harris and Deanna Raybourn. I also love Simon Green (who is technically fantasy though) and Amanda Quick is a longtime habit of mine. Also when it comes to contemporaries (which I usually don’t read) Lori Foster sucks me in every time.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 14:42:08
Ok – I am a total fan girl for Nora Roberts but admittedly right now my obsessions are on Christian Dodd’s new Chosen series and Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld. So I guess I have three crack-tastic authors, is that allowed lol?
Aug 10, 2009 @ 15:01:14
There are a number of author’s out there who I love, but without a doubt Kresley Cole is my most “cracktastic” author ever. I love her IAD series and would jump through many torturous hoops to get my hands on her books.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 15:06:01
Kresley Cole & Jim Butcher. :)
Aug 10, 2009 @ 15:06:28
Without a doubt, J.R. Ward. Her work is so cracktastic to me that I didn’t even hesitate about buying her last book even though the series is now in hardcover. I didn’t even blink an eye. I just looked at how thick the book was, said, “Yay! More to read!” and took a sick day from work to read it.
And J.D. Robb’s another author whose new releases require the use of a sick day from work. There can be no disturbances whatsoever when the new book is there.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 15:16:40
New-to-me crack which I am glomming at this moment is the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr and the Bastion Club series by Stephanie Laurens. (I was going to start with the Cynsters & Devil’s Bride -which is waiting in my TBR pile- but got sidetracked to the BC when Avon offered THE LADY CHOSEN as a free read on-line.) Also Alyssa Day’s Atlantis series will be glommed asap.
(Known-to-me crack = auto-buy. Which are legion.)
Aug 10, 2009 @ 15:53:12
I’m going with the literal meaning of crack being not so very good for you and have to admit with much chagrin that LKH is my crack. I am however weaning myself a (very little) bit by only getting her books through the library. Man, no matter how much they suck, I just can’t stop. And sometimes, they really, really suck. But still…
If we’re talking things that are actually always good and I can’t get enough of them, well, Patricia Briggs seems to be at the top right now. I even had a friend who went to Comic Con score me some of her Homecoming series. I’ll buy anything she writes and slurp it down like a sweet, juicy, delicious mango. (Okay, stopping now.)
Aug 10, 2009 @ 15:56:37
Most cracktastic? Easy…Lisa Kleypas! She’s pretty much the only author I don’t even read reviews for, I just go ahead and preorder!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 16:24:55
My most cracktastic authors are: Stephanie Laurens, Lisa Kleypas, Julie Garwood, Hannah Howell and Julia Quinn. I will read whatever these authors have published. Some I have liked more than others, but like you I can’t & won’t give them up :)
Would love to win SL’s newest!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 16:42:02
Julie Garwood. She’s just about the only long-time favorite that I still buy and read. JG is still and always has been on my auto-buy list. Mostly due to her earlier books. I even liked her early contemporaries. So even though her last few books have been disappointing, I still buy her new books as soon as they come out. Only now I think of them as cotton candy reading – light, fluffy, and quickly devoured.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 16:57:06
For me, it would be:
JAK/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle
Lora Leigh’s Bound Hearts
Nora Roberts/JD Robb
Stephanie Laurens
Julie Garwood
Aug 10, 2009 @ 16:59:44
To me cracktastic means “buy them in hardback new the minute their books come out”. So for me that would be Martha Wells (fantasy with lots of romance), Lois Bujold, Terry Pratchett, Megan Whalen Turner, & Robin McKinley.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 17:15:12
If by “cracktastic” you mean an author that would make me push back a road trip vacation until the UPS guy arrived with my Amazon order, then that honor goes to Suzanne Brockmann (who still makes me want to get my own Navy SEAL to play with) and previously, JK Rowling. (Yes, this did happen twice. Husband wasn’t happy to be delayed on account of Man In Brown Carrying Crack Package, but he survived.)
Brockmann is what I consider “good crack”. So are Nora Roberts (because she’s still the Queen in my eyes) and Jennifer Crusie (no explanation necessary! She’s fabulous!).
And then, of course, there’s the bad crack, like JR Ward. A few times, I thought I had conquered my addition to Ward (after the famous Casper incident and then again after Phury’s story), but I couldn’t. I can’t. I’m weak. :(
Aug 10, 2009 @ 17:35:59
Karen Hawkins. It’s often hit or miss but I still come back for more.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 17:37:52
For me:
Stephanie Laurens
Johanna Lindsey
Rosemary Rogers
Patricia Grasso
are all cracktastic authors for me. Heck I even called in sick to read in order to read one of my “cracktastic” authors.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 17:43:18
There are several for me…Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Kristan Higgins, and Jennifer Crusie!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 17:57:40
Oops. Forgot Kristan Higgins. She’s good crack too.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 17:57:43
Back when I first started reading romance novels, Brenda Joyce was my ‘crack’ alternative. Cheaper than actual crack too, lol. I can’t really put into words what her early books mean to me. They left such an impression on me because I was young and they were, literally, some of the very first historical romance novels I’d ever read….and they mean the world to me.
Thanks for letting me participate!
Aug 10, 2009 @ 18:23:49
How timely — I’ve just discovered Stephanie Laurens and am making my way through her Bastion Club series.
My current cracktastic authors are Mary Balogh, Lisa Kleypas, and — I don’t see her name mentioned very much on review sites — Susan Napier, who has written a bunch of titles for Harlequin Presents.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 18:45:21
Got to be Katie MacAlister. If I go more than two days after a new book comes out without reading it, I start going into withdrawl.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 19:05:49
I’m going to have to second the vote for Katie MacAlister. I’m staring at Improper English right now and I kind of want to reread it even though it’s long past my bedtime…
Oh and Lois Greiman. Her series about the psychiatrist are like whoah. I’ve reread them at least a dozen times.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 19:47:44
Julia Quinn. I’ve read everything by her that I’ve been able to get my hands on, and every time I see a new release, I jump on it without checking the reviews.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 20:29:12
Two authors spring to mind – Nalini Singh and Sarah Monette. The former writes paranormal romance, the latter fantasy! Both I would buy at the drop of a hat!
Devil’s Bride was my first Stephanie Laurens’ book and my favourite. What I’d really love to read though is a Cynster medieval romance – watching the Cynsters ‘expand’ their holdings in a time that was…not as regimented would be fun :)
Oh, and Jane – please don’t include me in the giveaway. I just couldn’t resist answering the question :)
Aug 10, 2009 @ 21:08:56
Well, i would say Stephanie Laurens and Johanna Lindsay are two of my fav. But I would include also Gaelen Foley, I like her The Knight Miscellany well enough and I’m looking up for the Inferno club. .yup and maybe they’re more around there but those are my first choices. : )
Aug 10, 2009 @ 21:22:37
Stephanie Laurens and Jo Beverly- and like with crack I am willing to sell small dogs and children to get my next fix
in other genres Kathy Reichs and J A Jance are both authors that can make me cross the line of good taste just to get my hands on one of their books
Aug 10, 2009 @ 22:21:45
If by “cracktastic” you mean that an author becomes so embedded on a reader’s want list that the reader will, while running a 101 degree fever from the ‘flu, coughing up a lung and wheezing like an accordion accidentally sat on by Rosanne Barr, still climb into her car and drive to the Barnes And Noble at 9 in the morning to pick up Stephanie Lauren’s All About Passion the day it was released, then I’m gonna have to go with that. I musta had that crazy basement people thing going on because I was fishing around for change in my purse for the exact total and the salesgirl said, “no, really, I got it”, and all but threw the sack at me. I remember spending the rest of the day in a cocoon of quilts, crushed up Kleenexes, and bathed in the scent of vicks vaporub while sipping elebenty kabillion cups of hot tea and totally glomming on Stephanie’s latest. To this day, I am not sure if Gyles Rawlings was really that hawt a hero, or if I was simply walking a fine line between “not well” and “mind-fried”.
Aug 10, 2009 @ 23:04:07
Not a romance author, but i will snap up anything Steven Brust writes, the second it comes out.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 00:15:56
I am not sure about a particular author being my crack.. though I do inhale Sherrilyn Kenyon’s paranormals.
But I think my true reading crack is ebooks, can not stop myself visiting loose, samhain etc each week, despite the fact that out of the last twenty books from new to me authors, only two have actually been any good.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 00:39:52
Cheryl Holt used to be my cracktastic authors where the jaded male slut tutored the innocent virgin in the sexual arts and then fell for her. Love Lessons I really enjoyed but then went to a tired and boring formula. I finally gave up three books ago.
Now Laurens is my crack, but I have finally limited (except for the Bastion Club novel before this one) my reads to the library.
Nice to know that I am not alone in my shame.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 01:00:33
Also going with Randi’s definition, top of my list is Stephanie Laurens, then Johanna Lindsey and now Kenyon.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 01:08:50
For me it’s C.L. Wilson, Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh, and Christie Craig. I read each one no matter what. And the old bit that they could write the phone book and I’d read applies big time!
Aug 11, 2009 @ 01:54:03
er, is this a good place to ask whether “cracktastic” means what I think it means?
For the record, when I use it, it means I-wanna-read-this-now-and-I-must-buy-all-new-books-in-this-series/by-this-author-immediately in a good way but I sometimes wonder if the word has a negative connotation – a la it’s crack, I should be ashamed, it’s bad for you, etc. (then I think, if I’m wrong have I been insulting my favourite authors???)
I’m curious because I’d like to know if I’m using the word right – so clue me in ladies! [runs to hide behind couch in case "clueing in" is painful]
In answer to Jane’s question – my cracktastic author (in the good way) is JD Robb.
Closely followed by Mary Balogh and Jo Beverley. And Shannon McKenna. And Kathleen O’Reilly. And lately, Jill Shalvis. Oh, stop!
Aug 11, 2009 @ 02:29:19
Anne Stuart. Hands Down.
Her last book made me want to off the heroine myself, but when she hits my spot she hits it hard.
Now that sounded dirty, lol
Aug 11, 2009 @ 02:41:50
…if cracktastic authors are those that I look up online to see when something new is coming out, read and re-read on a regular basis, and hunt for backlist books:
Lisa Kleypas, Mary Balogh, Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series
…if the meaning goes more in the direction of Randi’s definition (“I love to read this author, but can't figure out why, because it's poorly written, has TSTL characters, and/or is very predictable,…“), than it used to be J.R. Ward for a time but the effect stopped.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 03:35:57
That’s difficult…okay, one of my top cracktastic authors has to be Sherrilyn Kenyon–even thought the storylines are rife with holes, there’s little character development/revolving door character cameos, and books in the series featuring characters whose stories I don’t give a f*** to read. (I realize most fans waited for ACHERON with baited breath, but yours truly? Not so much. I read it because…well, the DH series is my crack).
Also topping the list:
Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark series
Melissa Marr’s fae series
Yasmine Galenorn’s Otherworld series
Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series
Gillian Roberts’ Amanda Pepper Mysteries
Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Milhoan Mysteries
Diana Peterfreund’s Secret Society Girl series
Kim Harrison’s The Hallows series
and Sunny’s Mona Lisa series
I’m sure there are more but that’s all I can remember at present.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 05:33:14
JR Ward – I can’t give up on this series, even though I know I should. She manages to suck me back in. And JD Robb – I buy the hardcovers, because this series (And Roarke) is amazing.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 06:21:54
I see a theme with some authors here.
Cracktastic for me:
Lora Leigh
Emma Holly
Jim Butcher
I’m at the bookstore the day they have a new release.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 06:28:19
In the past few months my “cracktastic” authors have become Tracy Ann Warren and Julia Quinn. I even write the release date of their new books on my calendar.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 08:40:32
Some more Crack-tastic authors for me:
Julia Spencer-Fleming
Jeff Deaver
Karen Rose
F. Paul Wilson
Carl Hiaasen
Matthew Riley (oh the shame, but I am in love w/Scarecrow and can’t let go)
James Rollins
Kristan Higgins
Christine Feehan (reads anything but the Dark Series)
Old Crack that I finally whacked:
Johanna Lyndsay
Jude Devereaux
Patricia Rice
Diana Palmer
Linda Lael Miller
Teetering the crack whack:
Linda Howard
Karen Robards
Julie Garwood
Judith McNaught
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Sandra Brown
Tami Hoag
Kay Hooper
Aug 11, 2009 @ 13:42:16
Definitely Susan Elizabeth Phillips for the well-built characters. And Rachel Gibson for the lovin’.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 20:10:30
Definitely Kresley Cole. :) Can’t wait for her next book.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 20:44:41
I love Laurens!! I buy all her books, but the one author who i keep on my night stand and reread over and over is Shelly Laurentson! :0)
Aug 11, 2009 @ 21:37:05
I feel like they’re all crack- thus the ever growing TBR pile by my bedside. But I supposed if I had to narrow it down to what would be classic crack reads for me, it’d be Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas. Kudos for getting me hooked on romance.
Aug 11, 2009 @ 21:51:59
I would have to say Kim Harrison