Has your favourite author peaked?

beverley1022 · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 176 Location: Atlanta

I have several authors whom I ADORE and who've written several of my absolutely FAVOURITE books. None of the other books that have come after those books can hold a candle (IMO) to those particular books. Am I asking too much to wish or hope they'd write something on par with the ones I've read till the cover is off? Are my expectations to high?
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Danielle · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 6794 Location: Wheaton, IL

No your not!!! I used to love several authors and lately their books just aren't doing it for me anymore.

But I still keep on buying their books!?!?
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Dani · Joined: 28 Feb 2006 Posts: 820 Location: Northwest Florida

beverley1022 · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 176 Location: Atlanta

I'm so happy I'm not alone. Sometimes I feel bad expecting so much from them. I remember that Jane Austen was terrified that she'd peaked with Pride and Prejudice. In essence, it was her best book, so I guess she did. But she did still go onto deliver some read books after that. It's not that I expect the exact same kind of feeling about the other books, but I don't want to walk away disappointed.

And yes, some of my fave authors of all time, Linda Howard, stopped writing romances and that's always disappointing because i don't particularly like the suspense stuff. But, everyone has to do what's right for them and I completely understand that.
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Gypsy · Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 165 Location: California

You are definately not alone. Several of my favorite authors have switched from either historical to contemporary or contemporary to romantic suspense and I have no trouble with that change - I have trouble when the essence of what I enjoy from that particular author being lost in the change.

As an example - I have always loved Julie Garwood's historicals - especially her scottish romances but when she made the switch to contemporary that special something that I loved was lost. There are several of my favorites that have done the same thing. Go ahead and switch from subgenre to subgenre but don't lose the basic essence of what makes a book by a specific author special to her loyal readers.
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T.P. · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 1901 Location: North Carolina

I'm beginning to think my expectations are too high. One of my very favorite authors (that I won't mention here) seems to have lost her mojo. I'm wondering, is she pushed for deadlines and therefore can't deliver a good story or characters? One of the best things about her writing was the character development and now, the last two books I've read by her are so weak! I cannot believe this. I would have never thought it would happen. But maybe year after year of writing without a break becomes tedious and the authors just cannot keep creating fantastic stories.

I'm also wondering . . . do THEY themselves realize this too? Or do they get their author friends and special fans to proof their books and the reviews come back positive for them because their friends don't want to hurt their feelings by telling them what is lacking in the story? And does their editor even care because the bottom line is the famous name and how many books will sell just because it has the name or maybe because it is a vampire romance and that happens to be popular?

Riley · Joined: 26 Mar 2007 Posts: 950

I have that ongoing problem as well. It seems popularity has something to do with it, as soon as an author gets really popular the writing goes down the tubes.

JR Ward is that author for me. I get depressed when I look at her books on my shelf now.....I have come to accept that she will no longer be writing the magic of the first 4 books and I should probably just stop torturing myself by continuing to follow the BDB because it just ***** me off!

lorifoster · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:56 am Post subject:

My aunt would tell me that I'm so conceited, because every time I read about disgruntled readers, I'm sure they're talking about me. LOL.

It's a funny thing for an author to juggle her loyal readership, gain new readers, explore new ideas, and grow as an author.

Now, if we're talking about sloppy writing, like with tons of typos and choppy structure and unresolved plots, I'm with you. There's one author in particular who I stopped reading because there were just so many typos in her work it frustrated me. HOW they got through all the checks (editor, copy editor, author) I don't know. A few here and there, sure. It happens. Dozens? It shouldn't happen, not ever.

Then there are favorite authors I stopped reading because they went in new directions that other readers loved, but didn't quite do it for me.

My perspective is probably different from yours, since I'm a reader and a writer, but I still get it.

I LOVE reading all these posts for that reason. It helps me to stay in touch with reader expectations.

Hope you're all having a wonderful week,

Lori
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beverley1022 · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 176 Location: Atlanta

I think what happens is that expectations are set. Example, Julia Quinn fans LOVE her Bridgerton series (and I mean with a passion). And that was no short series, it was 8 books (I LOOOOVED WHEN HE WAS WICKED). Now the expectation is that subsequent books are on par with those books (you know, give or take). And one of my faves, Lisa Kleypas, her fans LOOVE her Wallflower series and they will expect the same of her for next books.

Of course, there will be a book or books that stand head above the rest and you think to yourself, well I can't imagine her topping that, and seriously you don't expect them to but you do want that consistent quality they always give you. It's only when authors fall short (and I don't mean one or two books but continuously) do you lose hope and stop buying their books. A FAVE author of mine from the 80s falls under that category. But I have to tell you, readers are loyal folks, I hung in there for about 5 disappointing books before I finally conceded that somewhere along the line she'd lost it for me.

As a writer, I pray to God that I don't do that to my potential readers.
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Sinful Surrender - Kensington
Coming Jan 5, 2010
Historical Romance Author
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THE SEASON
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quilt938 · Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Posts: 531 Location: Houston

I dont think any of mine have peaked - they just went off in other directions. Jayne Ann Krentz and Nora Roberts went paranormal before Iw as ready and I'm still grieving though Roberts has that weddings quartet that's back to the romance..Linda Howard got way too far into suspense for me..then Merline Lovelace went to nocturne and I had liked most of the Codename danger books from silhouette. Then I found Jory Strong's crime tells then she went paranormal..now I like light/cute pararnormal but seems like everyone jumped ship and honestly the 3-4 paranormal a uthors I've found are plenty for me darn it!
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roxhill · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 37 Location: San Antonio

I think Gypsy said it best by stating that she felt that some of her favorites had lost their essence, in a sense their voice. I read Jayne Ann Krentz for the trust between her H/H, and Lori Foster for the inherent goodness of her characters. No matter the time period or subgenre I still find that voice in their works. An author must grow as she writes. No one wants to read formulaic tales. It's amazing that they can imagine people and places and put that on paper for us all to read. I think you shoud keep looking you will find just what you want around the corner so to speak.

Carolina · Joined: 11 May 2006 Posts: 1853 Location: NC

Sherrilyn Kenyon has peaked.. I loved her dark hunters but now.. ugh
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Patricia Rice · Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 35

As a writer and a reader, I can see this subject from both sides. Yes, I'm disappointed when a favorite author takes off in directions I don't want to follow. And I quit reading authors who ride on their laurels and don't bother trying to make each book better than the last.

But the two problems are unfortunately related, IMO. Authors who strive to make each book better need new outlets and challenges to do so, which is why they often go in new directions.

Authors who keep writing the same book over and over will give readers their comfort zone, but I suspect both author and reader grow bored with the repetition.

It's a tough line to walk!

Gypsy · Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 165 Location: California

I can understand and appreciate an author wanting to grow and try new things. I guess what disappoints me is when an author writes wonderful romances then switches to romantic suspense - which I also enjoy - and completely looses the romance portion of the book.

I'll use Linda Howard as an example. I love her work - all of it. But I love her older romantic suspense novels more than I love her newer romantic suspense novels - why?? Because of the romance. I abosultely loved Dream Man, Mr. Perfect and Open Season - just to name a few - which I would consider romantic suspense. The romance was not lost in the suspense of the book. All three IMO have awesome romances and really good suspense plot lines - a great balance. Then you get to Up Close and Dangerous, Death Angel and Burn - which were really heavy on the suspense but it came at the expense of the romance - again IMO. These books just need a little more of that balance between the two.

I'm all for any of my favorite authors spreading their wings and trying new things - but if you are going to write a book and label it romantic suspense then please make sure it has a quality romance. If your going to have a predominately suspenseful book then just label it as suspense and I won't get upset - at least I'll know what I'm getting.

Please note that Linda Howard is still my number one favorite author - I've just accepted that she is really writing suspene with a touch of romance. Because Linda Howard on a bad day is still an increadibly talanted author - again IMO!!
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silverstar · Joined: 07 May 2008 Posts: 782 Location: Ca.

I like mysterys and romance so I did llike Lindas Kiss Me While I Sleep and Death Angel ,and all but one of her last books about taking over the whole Idaho town.
But then it seemed to me she came back with Burn,which I think was romance,very little suspense and I have to say I like her mysterys more than it.
I have really enjoyed all of her books except that Idaho one and Burn ,she and Lori Foster are my comfort reads .

Gypsy · Joined: 12 Oct 2009 Posts: 165 Location: California

JaniceC · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 571 Location: Edmonton,AB Canada

I think sometimes it is not the author or the book but us the readers.

When I have such high expectations about a book that I have been waiting for is it me, the book, or the author that is at "fault" when it does not live up to expectations?
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Danielle · Joined: 01 Mar 2006 Posts: 6794 Location: Wheaton, IL

BarbK · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:44 am Post subject:

I haven't really enjoyed a Linda Howard book, as in re-read, re-read, re-read.....since Open Season. I still re-read her oldies lots, though. I thought Burn was probably better than she has written in years (for my tastes), yep, a bit more romance but weak and nowhere near to her earlier romances.

I don't mind any genre of romance except for gay and threesomes or more, so if an author I like writes contemporary, historicals, paranormals, I don't mind. It's the authors writing I like.

I usually loose interest when the romance gets left behind for other things such as suspense.
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randi · Joined: 25 Aug 2007 Posts: 2441 Location: fort worth

i have all of garwood's books and often get them out to reread them. shame she doesn't do historicals anymore. same with coulter.

so far i'm a loyal and devoted feehan fan. hey, what can i say?

it seems the authors branch out into other fields maybe from boredom or they'll just get tired of the ole romance theme. who knows?

but i am sad to see the ones change.

i literally hate spending my money on new or used books and then get several chapters into them and just put them down.

if anybody can recommend somebody who writes like kleypass in "someone to watch over me" i'll buy it.
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