I used to only read fiction about once a year. So I would reread my Georgette Heyer and Dick Frances collection whenever I felt the need. :-D

A couple of years ago, I got brave and branched out. I started by reading some authors that wrote forewords to a series of GH releases. That is how I discovered Mary Balogh, Mary Jo Putney, and Jo Beverly. Then I found Jayne Ann Krentz and particularly like her as Amanda Quick. Recently I started reading Nora Roberts and Elizabeth Lowell. I also like Victoria Holt, Susan Wiggs, and sometimes Catherine Coulter. I read Catherine Cookson in a certain mood. I have read some Jane Feather and Julie Garwood that I like as well.

Anyone that likes any of the above have suggestions for additional authors to look for?

If you like books on friends and family relationships try Fern Michaels, Debbie Macomber, Luanne Rice, Kristin Hannah, and Especially Pamela Morsi.

Have you tried Sherrily Kenyon yet?  She isn't NEW granted, but if she is KNEW for you, than she is NEW. She is OUTSTANDING.  She's been considered in just about every genre: action, romance, horror, general fiction...they put her in every one.  She's emotional, detailed, and it shows.  She's addictive.

Maeve Binchy, Anne Tyler, and Joanna Trollope.  Complex, emotional writers who are a cut above the usual "relationship & family fiction" especially Trollope and Tyler.  I can't bring myself to post my favorites of theirs', but check out "Saint Maybe" by Ann Tyler and "The Rector's Wife" by Trollope.  "Scarlet Feather" and "Circle of Friends" by Binchy are good reads. Also, for a writer in the genre who is so good she is being included in Norton Anthologies, check out Jane Smiley.  I just read Horse Heaven (very relevant if you like Dick Francis, I love his books!) and was glued to the chair the whole time.

And I do have a few by Tyler and Trollope :)

I second Anne Tyler and Maeve Binchy!  I also love Anne Rivers Siddons.   My faves by her are:  Downtown;  King's Oak;  Hill Towns;  Outer Banks;  Nora Nora.   But I've enjoyed all her books.  Oh, I also just discovered Dorothea Benton Frank and Marian Keyes thanks to PBS!  Marian Keyes is an Irish author whose books (IMO only!) are more along the lines of chick lit but are still very fun to read.

Phillippa Gregory and Jean Plaidy are a very good historical fiction writers. 

For something kind of different, try this memoir:  The Prize Winner Of Defiance, Ohio-by Terry Ryan.   I loved this book!  I just saw the movie based on this book and am happy to say I enjoyed it as much as the book. 

Thank you all so much! Many of these were totally new to me. I can't wait to try them out!!!

Some others to consider

• Judith McNaught
• Catherine Anderson
• Diana Gabaldon (Outlander Series)
• Andrea Kane
• Mary Stewart
• Phyllis Whitney
• Christina Dodd

I second Maeve Binchy (I have a bunch of her books in my TBR pile-she's one of my mom's fav authors so she passes them on to me when she's done). Also Rosamunde Pilcher is very good (The Shell Seekers was my fav). I like Diana Gabaldon too and just started reading Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants is her latest).

Dory

Rosamund Pilcher and Anne Tyler are the two I was going to suggest, but I see I was beaten to it, LOL!

The Shell Seekers (Pilcher) and The Accidental Tourist (Tyler) are my favorites of their books.

How about Jennifer Chiaverini?  I really enjoyed Cross Country Quilters.

I always enjoyed Lavryle Spencer, especially "Morning Glory." 

J.D. Robb (who is also Nora Roberts), Nicholas Sparks, Luanne Rice, Suzanne Brockmann, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Evans are some of my favorite authors. But a lot of times I'll read a book strictly based on what is said about the book on the back cover and I've rarely been disappointed. My taste in books also changes from time to time. If you like historical romances I think that Jude Deveraux and Bertrice Small are excellent, their books are like series but each book is also a stand alone.

My favorite author, lately, is Donna Leon.  Her books are set in Venice, Italy.  They are very thoughtful mysteries and give wonderful insight in to real life in Venice. They never have a "contrived" ending.

Other excellent authors are Linda Fairstein, who was an asst DA in Manhattan, Karin Slaughter, Kate Wilhelm, and Lisa Scottoline.  I will read any of their stories.

On the lighter side, I like Nancy Fairbanks who writes mysteries about a food writer who travels to different countries with her college professor husband, and Selma eichler who writes the Desiree Shapiro series about an overweight PI in Manhattan.

Try going to Gnooks www.gnooks.com/trip.php

It is pretty neat -- you type in the name of three authors that you really enjoy, and it offers up a list of new authors to try!