30 Awesome Romance Authors to Read Right Now

Jude_Deveraux,_Buenos Aires photo by Embajada de EEUU en Argentina-Wikimedia

30 Awesome Romance Authors to Read Right Now

Nothing beats reading romance. It is sensual and always captivating. If you aspire to be a writer or just want to enjoy a nice read then here are 30 Awesome Romance Authors to Read Right Now.

1. Lorraine Heat

She is a best-selling award-winning American Author known for her beautifully captivating romantic novels for adults and teens.

 Lorraine was born on January 14, 1954, in Watford, United Kingdom. Born by an American father and a British mother which gives her dual citizenship and love for British and Texan, explaining her fanaticism for horse riding.

She has published more than 80 books and won awards. Some of her best-selling books include Scoundrels of St. James Series, The Hellions of Havisham Series, and Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James Series.

2. Sarah MacLean

An American Author born in December 1978, in Rhode Island, United States. She is a Best-seller in historical romance novels. Sarah has been awarded the Romance Writers of America RITA Award in 2013 and 2014. Must-read of hers include; Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, A Rogue by any other name, and No Good Duke Goes Unpunished.

3. Julia Quinn

Originally known as Julie Pottinger of Jewish origin, was born in 1970 in New York, United States. She has published 37 books and was awarded the Romance Writers of America RITA in 2007, 2008, and 2010 making her by then the youngest recipient of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) Hall of Fame for her outstanding work.

Interestingly, she was a medical student at Yale however, her love for writing took over and she fully focused on this path. Some of her best-selling novels include; The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me and Romancing MisterBridgerton.

4. Nora Roberts

Originally known as Eleanor Marie Robertson was the first author to receive the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Nora was born on 10 October 1950 in Maryland, United States.

 She has written more than 200 romance novels. Nora has written under the pseudonym Jill March, Sarah Hardesty, and J. D. Robb. She has been honored 21 times by the Romance Writers of America, making her the highest-ranked romance author.

 In 2007, the New York Times listed her among the 100 Most Influential People. Must-reads of hers include; Hideaway, The Next Always, and Northern Lights.

5. Cecelia Ahern

Cecelia_Ahern_-_Buchmesse_Wien_2022 photo by C.Stadler/Bwag-Wikimedia

Cecelia is an Irish novelist who was born on 30 September 1981 in Dublin. She is the daughter of former Taoiseach of Ireland, Bertie Ahern and Miriam Ahern.

She has published 30 books of which two of her books have been adapted into films. Cecelia wrote her first novel PS, I Love You at the age of 21 winning the number 1 bestseller in Ireland.

Cecelia has produced the ABC comedy Samantha Who? Must read of hers include; Where Rainbows End, If You Could See Me Now and A Place Called Here 

6. Eileen Dreyer

Known as Kathleen Korbel to the readers, is an American Author with a focus on contemporary, historical, suspense, and fantasy romance. She was born in 1952 in Brentwood, United States.

 She has been awarded five times for her outstanding work by the Romance Writers of America. Eileen is one of the recipients of the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Her inspiration comes from the work she conducted as a trauma nurse and her training in forensic nursing and death investigation. Eileen is best known for; It Begins with a Kiss, Twice Tempted, and Barely a Lady.

7. Catherine Bybee

Born on 1 May 1968 in the United States is a New York Times bestselling author who has written 36 books. Her book Wife by Wednesday brought her to the limelight and became a best seller listed in the New York Times.

 She had dreams of becoming an actress unfortunately, there were no available opportunities hence pushing her to train and become a nurse. Her nursing career was cut short when she injured her back.

Fortunately, during the recovery period, she turned her attention to writing which jump-started her career. She has been recognized as the number 1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller and is listed on Amazon’s Top 100.

8. Robyn Carr

She is a Romance author and an Executive Producer born in 1951 in the United States. Robyn studied nursing though this is a career she did not pursue since she followed her husband who was a pilot in the US air force and moved from base to base.

 A tough pregnancy forced her to bed rest and at this point, she turned her focus to writing. Some of her famous books include; Virgin River, The Wanderer, and The Hero.

9. Tessa Dare

Tessa Dare photo by Jeffrey Beall –Wikimedia

A historical romance novelist, who has written more than ten novels and four novellas. Tessa has been honored twice by the Romance Writers of America. She is a trained librarian who found her love for books at a young age. She embraced this love and found comfort and entertainment in them as the family moved a lot.

Her best books include; One Dance with a Duke, Any Duchess Will Do, and Do You Want to Start a Scandal.

10. Pippa Grant

A bestselling author who is known for her sharp and canny romantic comedy writings. Pipa is a stay home mom and a full-time writer. She has published 25 books.

Pippa is famously known for her novels; The Last Eligible Billionaire, Irresistible Trouble, and Flirting with the Frenemy.

11. Lisa Kleypas

Lisa is a historical and contemporary romance author born on 5 November 1964 in Texas, United States. She sold her first novel at the age of 21 and has so far published 49 books.

21 of her books have been applauded by the Romance Writers of America RITA which she has received awards. Her best books include; Seduce me At Sunrise, Lady Sophia’s Lover, and Suddenly You. 

12. Danielle Steel

Danielle Fernandes is a bestselling American author with over 180 books published. She was born on 14 August 1947 in New York, United States. Her father is German while her mother was Portuguese.

She has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having held the bestseller title with the New York Times for 380 weeks continuously. She has received many awards including Golden Globe nominations. Some of her books have been transformed into movies. Must-read books of hers include; Safe Harbour, The Gift, and All That Glitters.

13. Nicholas Charles Sparks

He was born on December 31, 1965, in Omaha, Nebraska. He is a romance novelist and screenwriter. He has published 23 novels, eleven of which have been transformed into movies for which he has been the producer.

His book, The Notebook brought him to the limelight and made the best-seller list in its first week of release. All his books have been bestsellers both locally and internationally. Must-read books of his include; A walk to Remember, The Guardian, and The Rescue.

14. Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Susan_Elizabeth_Phillips photo by Peter Irman-Wikimedia

 Susan is a romance novelist born on December 11, 1944, in Ohio, United States. Her first book The Copeland Bride was co-authored with her neighbor, Claire Lefkowitz.

She has won the Romance Writers of America award five times and has been a recipient of the Romance Writers Hall of Fame and Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Her best-selling books include; Kiss an Angel, It Had to Be You, and This Heart of Mine.

15. Jane Austen

Jane was a British novelist of the 18th century. She was born on 16 December 1775 in Hampshire, England, and died on 18 July 1817. She never married nor had any children. She is known for six major novels, though most of her books were published anonymously. Her book Pride and Prejudice brought her to the limelight after her death. Some of her other books include; Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma.

16. Diana Gabaldon

Diana_Gabaldon_photo by ActuaLitté-Wikimedia

Diana is an American novelist born on January 11, 1952, in Arizona, United States. She is famously known for the television series Outlander, a romance series that is still in writing.

Interestingly Diana has a bachelor’s degree in Zoology and a Masters in Marine Biology. Before the series Outlander, she was working as a comic book writer for Disney comics. Some of her famous novels include; An Echo in the Bone, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, and Written in My Own Heart’s Blood.

17. Julie Garwood

Julie, who goes by the pen name Emily Chase is an American novelist born in 1944 in Kansas, United States. Interestingly Julie grew up in a large Irish family and could not read till age 11.

She is famously known for her book For the Roses, which has been turned into a movie. She has written over 25 romance novels and has more than 20 novels listed on the New York Times Best Sellers. Must-read books of hers include; The Secret, The Bride, and Saving Grace.

18. Judith MacNaught

Judith is a contemporary and historical romance writer born on May 10, 1944, in San Luis Obispo. She has published 14 novels and two short stories.

Besides being a writer, she is known for being the first female executive producer at a CBS radio station. She has received an award from the Romantic Times for Best New Historical Novel. She is famously known for her novel Whitney, My Love which has been ranked as a bestseller.

19. Beverly Jenkins

Born in 1951, in Detroit, Beverly is an American writer with a focus on contemporary and historical romance novels in 20th-century African American culture.

Her love for books started at a very tender age, leading her to pursue and study English Literature. Her focus on African American settings made it hard to penetrate the publishers. Beverly has published over 60 books and gained fame with her first book Night Song. A must-read of hers includes; Jewel, Deadly Sexy, and Winds of Storm.

20.Audrey Niffenegger

AudreyNiffenegger photo by Michael Strong-Wikimedia

Audrey is an American writer, artist, and academic born on June 13, 1963, in Michigan. Her love for writing started at the tender age of 6.

She is famously known for her science fiction novel The Time Traveler’s Wife which has sold millions of copies. This novel was adapted into a film and is listed as a bestseller. She has published 9 books. Must-read books of hers include; Her Fearful Symmetry, Raven Girl, and The Three Incestuous Sisters.

21. Debbie Macomber

Debbie_Macomber_and_Laz_Roscoe photo by Seaman Jane Wood-Wikimedia

Debbie is a best-selling romance author who was born on October 22, 1948, in Washington, United States. Interestingly, Debbie is dyslexic and there was no thought of her being the giant name she is.

Before her first book was published, it was critiqued by Harlequin who thought it was not worth anything. Debbie sent the same manuscript to Silhouette, making it the first romance novel to be reviewed. Later her first book Starlight was published.

Six of her novels have been adapted into movies and others into series. In 2005 she won the Quill Award for best romance books. She has also been awarded by the Romance Writers of America for her exceptional work.

22. Jude Deveraux

An author who is majorly known for her historical romance also dives into genres like paranormal and mystery. She has published over 40 books and was listed in the New York Times best seller.

Jude was born on September 20, 1947, in Kentucky, United States. In 1991 she met her husband, Mohammed Montassir while on a tour in Egypt.

 They later had a son who was hit by a truck and died at the age of 8. Jude went into depression and seeks help from a psychic named Rose Marks. Rose conned her for 17 years till she led Jude to bankruptcy. Her best-selling books include; A Knight in Shining Armor, The Velvet Promise, and Sweet Liar.

23. Charlotte Brontë

She was born on 21 April 1816 in Thornton, United Kingdom, and died on 31 March 1855 from pregnancy complications. Charlotte was a novelist and a poet known for her outstanding gothic romantic fiction.

In pursuit of her writing passion, she sent her work to Robert Southey, a poet who thought a woman’s place is home not literal work. She found strength and comfort in her sisters whom they pursued this path together. She is best known for her book Jane Eyre. Some of her other known books include; Shirley and Villette.

24. Margaret Mitchell

Margaret was a novelist and journalist who was born on November 8, 1900, and died on August 16, 1949. She only published one book Gone with the Wind which won the National Book Award for Fiction as well as the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Her novel was later converted into a film. A manuscript of Lost Laysen her second book was later discovered after her death and published in 1966.

25. Alisha Rai

Gaithersburg Book Festival 2018, Maryland. Author Alisha Rai photo by Fuzheado-Wikimedia

She is an American author and Advocate of Asian descent. Alisha writes erotic, paranormal, and contemporary romance novels. Publishers rejected her book due to the fact her characters were non-white.

 She self-published her first book Serving Pleasure which appeared on the Washington Post’s annual list of best books of the year. Some of her other books include; Night Whispers, The Right Swipe, and Wrong to Need you.

26. Mary Balogh

Originally known as Mary Jenkins was born on 24 March 1944 in Swansea, Wales. She is a Canadian novelist focusing on historical romance with over 60 published novels and 30 novellas under her name.

She grew up in a time when women were not encouraged to study but the support from her parents ensured she got the best education. She drew her inspiration to write romantic novels from Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer. Her first publication A Masked Deception won her the Romantic Times Award for best new Regency writer.

27. Talia Hibbert

Born in 1996, Talia is a British romance novelist who focuses on paranormal and contemporary romance. Her characters are unique as they differ in ethnicity, sexual orientation, and body shape.

Talia used an inheritance from her great-grandmother to self-publish her first nine books. Later, Avon Romance published her book Get a life, Chloe Brown which won awards. Some of her other books include; A Girl Like Her, The Roommate Risk, and That Kind of Guy.

28. Jasmine Guillory

Jasmine_Guillory_2022_Texas_Book_Festival photo by Larry D. Moore-Wikimedia

Jasmine is an American romance novelist and an advocate focusing on security and intellectual property. Her novels feature African American characters.

Her first publication  The Wedding Date was considered a bestseller in The Washington Post. Some of her other known books include; The Proposal, The Wedding Party, and Party of Two.

29. Colleen Hoover

Margaret_Hoover author by U.S. National Archives-Wikimedia

She was born on December 11, 1979, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. She was a teacher and social worker before becoming a writer. She writes romantic novels and young adult fiction. Her first two novels Slammed and Point of Retreat was self-published before they became a hit and were republished by Atria Books. Colleen has published more than 20 books and seven of her novels are on the New York Times bestseller list.

30. Nalini Singh

Nalini was born in 1977 in Suva, Fiji, and raised in New Zealand. Before becoming an author of paranormal romance novels, she trained as a lawyer.

 Her first book Desert Warrior was published when she was 25 years old. Nalini has 70 books published under her name some of which have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

 She has twice won the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Novella. Some of her other books include; Awaken to Pleasure, Secrets in the Marriage Bed, and Lord of The Abyss.