Disappointing authors

Have you liked an author in the past who now consistently disappoints you?

I have respect for an author who develops a character and writes a series that keeps readers interested and wanting more. If an occasional book feels less engaging to me, I don't criticize. For one thing, maybe it was just me and most readers thoroughly enjoyed the novel.

Years ago, a friend told me to read Chiefs by Stuart Woods. I had seen his name all over the paperback best sellers bookshelves but never read any of his books. I checked Chiefs out of the library and really enjoyed it. I mentioned the book to another friend who had a box of his paperbacks, all of the Stone Barrington series. Woods now writes three or four different series with occasional cross-over characters. I sorted the books in chronological order and began reading. I liked the first books. Then sex became a major part of each book. Now his books are, in my opinion, a poor parody of anything he ever wrote that was well done.

It isn't that there is sex in the story line that has nothing to do with the plot. It is that every woman Stone Barrington encounters is thin, gorgeous, wealthy, talented and drops every article of her clothing within 24 hours of meeting him. Perhaps Woods thinks this a tribute to women, portraying them in such a "positive" light. I am fine with escapist fiction. For instance, I love the Stephanie Plum series.

Perhaps if Woods did not take a condescending tone with his readers in the author's note that appears at the end of each of his novels, I wouldn't be writing about him at all. Like much of our dealings in our everyday lives, it isn't the message you deliver, but how you say it.

On the positive side, there are authors whose books I know I will enjoy. They may not be block busters, but the characters are like old friends and I like to catch up with their lives. In no particular order, I enjoy

Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels
Debbie Macomber's Blossom Street books
Monica Ferris' Betsy Devonshire/Crewel World mysteries
Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone alphabet mysteries
Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilters series
Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Schulz catering mysteries
Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson cookie mysteries
Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia series
Jan Karon's Mitford books
Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper books
Annie Griffin's Hannah and Kiki books
Anne George's Sister and Mouse books
and anything by Billie Letts and Fannie Flagg

Not to exclude male authors, I like the Alex Cross books by James Patterson, Lou Boldt books by Ridley Pearson, the Prey series (Lucas Davenport) by John Sandford and Odd Thomas books by Dean Koontz.

The greater number of female authors wasn't a conscious choice, but their characters, being women, are more identifiable.

Which authors or types of books call to you, and what do you tend to avoid?