I like to know what I"m getting.If they're writing different I like to have a headsup so to speak. I have some authors I have to read the back closely on and still feel like I'm takinga  chance because their work changed so much.

I can give you a couple of them that drive me nuts...Catherine Coulter is one. I can't even describe it, the dialog just plain old stinks IMO. Iris Johansen is another one like that. It's their writing style that I don't like. Diana Palmer's writing is great, I just can't read too many in a row because they're all kinda alike.

I love some authors because a lot of their books are different, Catherine Anderson, Susan Andersen, and Sandra Brown, just to name a few.

So I guess you could say that I prefer it when a writer deviates from their norm, just as long as the writing style isn't unbearable:)

Jennifer Crusies all have atleast one of these in common; Dove Ice cream bars, Cherries, Dogs, etc. There are more that they have in common but I am drawing a blank! LOL! I like a little similarity. but as far as the plot goes, I would rather not have the same exact storyline everytime. I love to read ...I will try just about anything but I have authors that I go to for comfort because I know what they have waiting for me. I am one big contradiction I guess!!! 

I have yet to read a Diana Palmer book where the heroine wasn't blonde or at least strawberry blonde.  She's also usually a virgin well past the normal age for "deflowering" in the modern world.  I have nothing against blondes, I am one.  It just seems odd. 

With Nora Roberts, a house is always described as "pretty" even if a guy says it.  "Do you see that pretty little house over there?"  I don't think a guy would use the word "pretty" to describe a house.

Other than that, though, she's my favourite author.

While i do like some of Diana Palmer's books, do all of her Heroes have to be so dominating and borderline cruel sometimes?

Catherine Coulter is fond of the brutish hero and "forced" seductions. 

Rachel Gibson has a lot of the following:   Jeeps, tattooed heros (yum), & furry happy trails (double yum).

I love that "furry happy trails".  I like those too :-)