I am a huge Outlander fan and would pick that series as my number one read.  Right under that would be Marsha Canham's books.  If you consider Diana Garbaldon your favorite author who would be under her?  I am curious to everyone's taste and maybe find a new author. 

Elizabeth Chadwick would be second on my list. That's the HF writer from the UK, not the romance writer.

I'm with you -- I love Gabaldon (and nobody else comes close); Canham would be next on the list.  Also, MJ Putney, Lisa Kleypas, Liz Carlyle, Galen Foley, Laura Kinsale.  Recent new discovery is Judith Ivory (loved Untie My Heart).

Gena Showalter or possibly Karen Marie Moning.

Sherri

Outlander is also my favorite series- and while there have been other books/series I have really liked, none has come close to Outlander.  I have heard that if you like Diana Gabaldon, you might also like Sarah Donati's series, the first of which is Into the Wilderness- in fact, Jamie and Claire actually make a cameo in one of her books, from what I understand.  I have Into the Wilderness, but like Gabaldon's books, it is pretty  long, and I have resolved not to start any more of those longer books until I finish ABOSAA.  Of course, by the time I do that, An Echo in the Bone will probably be out, sigh.  Anyway, that said, I will concur with Sherri above that Karen Marie Moning's Highlander books were really, really good.  Not Gabaldon good, but among my favorites.

I thought a couple of the Moning books, Dark Highlander, Immortal Highlander & even Kiss of the Highlander were quite good, but I was disappointed with much of the rest of the series.  She's definitely no Gabaldon, but they were entertaining at least.  I enjoyed the Tuatha de Daanan mythology -- the story of the fae and the Druid/time travel themes. 

Genie, What book would you start with?  The Wild Hunt? Would you do them in order according to time?

I love Diana Gabaldon and Marsha Canham too.

I'm with Lesley -  and would guess you're likely to enjoy Sara Donati's books.  It's a similar kind of family saga and you join the charcters throughout their lives.  One of the things that adds a richness to Diana's books is learning so much about the herbal remedies and day to day kinds of things from the time period.  Sara Donati's books also include this kind of thing with complex and well developed characters. I would consider both historical fiction romance.

I also love Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series. They are definately more romanticially driven, but with interesting story lines and some smokin' hot highlanders.

Recently read the Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly and would highly recommend it.  It's fantastic historical fiction.

I've also really enjoyed Monica McCarty's books recently too - some more steamy highlanders!

I agree with those who say no one comes close to Gabaldon. She's in a class by herself. That said, she can't possibly keep me in reading material. :)

I've read 4 or 5 books by Elizabeth Chadwick and I've enjoyed each one of them equally. I would recommend starting with her later works. She's definitely one who improves with time. (Who doesn't?)

The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion are biographical fiction about William Marshal. He's not too well known today. But in his day, he was quite influential - a knight under Richard the Lionheart and later, King John. In fact, he saved England from bankruptcy by lending money from his own coffers. He was quite a man. One could fall in love reading these books.

I also enjoyed Lords of the White Castle, which is a love story about the English outlaw, Fulke Fitzwarin and his bride. Fulke has a few run-ins with King John. Another title, Shadows and Strongholds, deals with Fulke's father and provides some background for understanding the trouble with the king. You can read these in any order. Shadows actually was published years after Lords.

I also read Daughters of the Grail. A bittersweet love story is secondary to the main theme, which deals with the Albigensian Crusade -- the demise of the Cathars at the hands of over-zealous Catholics. 13th Century and Simon de Montfort makes several appearances as the most zealous of the Catholics.

While I enjoy Marsha Canham and Sara Donati, I don't think either of them write on the level of Gabaldon or Chadwick. But that's just me. They're still enjoyable reads.

I have heard people reccomend The Bronze Horseman as being one of those books that, like Outlander, has a broad sweeping epic scale...I haven't read it myself yet, however.

The Outlander series is by far and away my favorite.

After that is the Lynn Kurland Artain/De Padgent books.

I'm reading the Sara Donati, Into the Wilderness. I really like it so far. I love Outlander.

I forgot to mention Sharon Kay Penman. For me, she follows Elizabeth Chadwick in the history and romance department. EC's history is more accurate. Penman tends to be more romantic. So pick your poison. :)

I'd start with the Welsh trilogy - Here Be Dragons, Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning.

You guys will be gratified to know I started Outlander tonight.  I'm on page 45 right now and not finding it boring at all.  Claire just got to the henge with Frank, and they're out there lurking around, watching the locals show up.  I'm curious as to what happens next, so back to the book.  Just wanted to log in and let everyone - especially Claudia & Sherron - know that I'm reading it:P

Kim, I almost asked you today if you had started it yet.  But, I didn’t want to appear pushy.  I know exactly where you are at in the book and am very excited for you.  Have fun in "Outlander World".  Let us know what you think throughout the book.  I am curious to know your opinion on it.

Will do, Sherron.  I sat up until almost 2am reading last night, and that's rare for me:)  I left off at Part 3 - Chapter 11, so you have some idea of where I am.  I'll be right back into it today, as soon as the housework is done and I can put my feet up.  I think it's pretty good so far.

I've messaged Claudia about this already - if my hubby divorces me, I'm coming after you guys:P  I have had my nose stuck in this book all morning, I'm almost halfway through it, the housework ain't gettin' done, my kids are getting Pizza Hut for dinner (delivery, of course), and God only knows what time I'll get in bed tonight.  I finally just pried myself out of it long enough to get a shower, because I have a doctor's appt. at 1:00.  And I'll be taking this with me too...

LOL! Kim, that is the same problem I had. I started the Outlander group in Hidden Gems and had this plan to read only a few chapters a week. Yeah right! I finished the book by the time we were supposed to be on chapter 23!

I'm glad you like it. =) Keep us updated!

I am reading Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati right now. It was one that I kept hearing compared to Outlander. I was skeptical but I am really liking it so far.

ooo Kim, isn't it wonderful?  now you know why all of us are always encouraging people to read it!

I am so glad that you like it Kim.  When I started the Outlander series nothing got done in my house for a month.  LOL  When I was cooking I would prop open the book so that I could read it at the same time.  It was bad.  And no food on it either Kim.  :)

Aimee, I have Into the Wilderness in my TBR pile and I am thinking about reading it next. 

Kim,

I'm not surprised you're taking it to the doc's ;-P.  Just don't go reading in the car.  So glad you're enjoying it.  You'll have to give us your final verdict when you're done and be sure to tell us your favorite scene. 

Glad to hear you're enjoying it. I devoured the first 5 books, barely coming up for air. (At the time, the 6th wasn't published, or I'd have devoured it too.)

Sherron if you start Into the Wilderness let me know what you think!

Ok, so up to Part 5 today - stayed up until 2am again...

Got through the infamous beating, and it didn't bother me overall.  I admit I was pretty tweaked with Jamie at first, and then after - the way he behaved, the things he said & did - he pretty much made it right, IMO.  I'd stand in the face of rotten egg throwing feminists and say that without shame.  It's one thing to say a man has no right to discipline a woman when the woman is completely self-sufficient and able to take care of herself, quite another when she has to depend on the man in question for her survival.  I think 'nuf said on that:P  The witch trial thing was intense - and oh yeah, y'all are right: Jamie is a muffin:P  QUITE the total package, IMO.

After Outlander I picked up The Clan of the Cave Bear and the rest of The Earth's Children Series by Jean M Auel. I really enjoyed those. They are set during the Ice Age and while Auel can be overly discriptive at times, the books are still really, really good. It's a saga about a girl who lost her entire tribe (or clan or whatever) during an earthquake and is rescued by a clan of neanderthals who decide to keep and raise her. Throughout the series you get to see her grow, attempt to find her place among people so different from her, struggle to survive, fall in love, and travel all over ice age europe. These books are on my keeper shelf.