:)

Note: Don’t discount this book just cos you can’t stand vampire books. This one has nothing to do with Interview with the Vampire.

At first I was disappointed with the web page’s author; but, only because she recommended authors who I’d already completely read out! :). As a result of this page I am going to try the Anne Bishop “Black Jewel” series.

This will be nothing new so I won’t go into the great detail several of the other posters have done. Let me just state that my first and favorite adult author has to be Guy Gavriel Kay, I’ve read Tigana at least 3 times over the past 19 years and love it every single time. Just today I finished rereading the Fionavar Trilogy for the 3rd time which was my very first GGK read, again, great story. Also loved Song for Arbonne but I’ve only read that one twice :).

I’d put George RR Martin on the same level as GGK for his Fire and Ice series; however, I’m a little afraid he’s going the way of Robert Jordan and Stephen Goodkind which would disappoint me to no end (yes, I actually read the mega Stephen Goodkind series, I gave up on the Wheel of Time though).

Jacqueline Carey and Robin Hobb kind of round out my top 4 favorite writers for reasons already stated by others, hopefully Anne Bishop can be #5…

Renault’s stories are rich historical adventures, always with some romance elements (either straight or historically homosexual, mostly the latter), set in ancient Greece, Italy, and Asia. She had a particular fascination with Alexander the Great that she explored in three books, and The Persian Boy is the last of them, the story of Baogas, a lovely eunuch who really existed in Alexander the Great’s entourage. I’ve enjoyed several other books by Renault – The Mask of Apollo in particular.

The only mainstream romances I can think of off-hand with BDSM elements are Kinsale’s ENCHANTER and Joyce’s SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT – both good but neither of them with fantastical elements.

I’m a great fan of Kinsale! So good characterizations, wonderful conflicts, historical details… *bliss* I’ll definitely check out Joyce, whom I haven’t read!

Generally, with the exception of certain paranormals, I tend to find that romance/erotica writers tend to create pretty derivative worlds – especially for someone who’s read quite a bit of fantasy/sci-fi.

I’ll second you on that!

Selene

Even regarding the romance – outside erotica, romances tend to be play it pretty safe sexually. The only mainstream romances I can think of off-hand with BDSM elements are Kinsale’s ENCHANTER and Joyce’s SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT

Did you know that Emma Holly started her regular erotic romance/fantasy career (as I said, she started out in female erotica) with some historical (regency, I believe) romances set in the UK? The very first one of those – Beyond Innocence – has mutual BDSM (in a smaller dose than regular BDSM from the few books of that – female aimed – that I’ve read), although she already had some in her Black Lace release Velvet Glove, which for some reason is shown as having been published in 2007 although my edition is from 1999.

I was kind of hoping someone here might have jumped in with recommendation that were similar in the romance aspect, but almost all recommendations have been in Fantasy, and I’ve already read nearly all of them…

Well, Carey is very much a fantasy writer so the recs probably make sense (although the George R R Martin and Robin Hobb recs did make me scratch my head a bit!). Despite the strong romance, I don’t think anyone could really think of Carey as a romance writer or even a fantasy romance writer.

Even regarding the romance – outside erotica, romances tend to be play it pretty safe sexually. The only mainstream romances I can think of off-hand with BDSM elements are Kinsale’s ENCHANTER and Joyce’s SHADOWS OF THE NIGHT – both good but neither of them with fantastical elements. Even with erotica, you might get the pushing of boundaries regarding the sexual relationship but even if set in a fantasy environment, the worldbuilding tends to suffer. Generally, with the exception of certain paranormals, I tend to find that romance/erotica writers tend to create pretty derivative worlds – especially for someone who’s read quite a bit of fantasy/sci-fi.

Racking my brains, a fantasy (sorry!) which is reminisient of Carey in terms of its epic scope, alternative sexuality and intrigue but otherwise completely different in setting is Ricardo Pinto’s SONG DANCE OF THE CHAMELEON books. Here is a review for the second book – couldn’t find a review of the first unfortunately. Although there are romantic elements, especially in the first book, it’s most definitely not a romance. It’s difficult to put my finger on exactly but it seems to have a similar “feel” as Carey’s books despite its differences…

In terms of other books mentioned here, I would second Estera’s rec of Judith Tarr’s Avaryan Rising books as well, and for the same reaons. The second and third books, especially, have strong romances in them – and the third is rather unusual even by today’s standards.

Amy–

I think Carey’s writing is so unique, it’s very hard to name even one writer who hits all the same marks. I think readers will have to choose a couple aspects of the Kushiel books (be it the romance, the intrigue, the writing style, etc.) to chose from the recs.

Yes, she does put in a unique mix. I was kind of hoping someone here might have jumped in with recommendation that were similar in the romance aspect, but almost all recommendations have been in Fantasy, and I’ve already read nearly all of them…

Selene

Lots of fantasy recommendations here that surprised me as I wouldn’t at all call them similar to Carey (goes once again to show how different reader perceptions are).

That’s true Selene — I think Carey’s writing is so unique, it’s very hard to name even one writer who hits all the same marks. I think readers will have to choose a couple aspects of the Kushiel books (be it the romance, the intrigue, the writing style, etc.) to chose from the recs.

muñeca, I like Jennifer Fallon, too. I sort of think of her books as “GRRM lite” — the same sort of epic fantasy & intrigue, but not as gritty.