Influential authors | Peggy Jaeger, Author

Okay, I’m going to say this up front: I stole this idea from another author I saw tweet about it the other day. I just knew it was worth a blog post.

There are really waaaaaaaaay more than 5, but these are the ones that did it – and do it – for me as a romance writer.

Pride and Prejudice – the original wonen’s fiction, but really, a true romance at heart. A loving heroine, a brooding hunk of a hero, a ditzy family, secrets, lies, and scandal. It’s simply perfection in every way.

Gone with the Wind – again, not billed as a romance but as historical fiction. And again, really a true romance. I mean, come on. There’s a reason no other h/h in the romance world are named Rhett and Scarlett. Just sayin…

Shanna – the very first ADULT romance I read at 17, and by adult I mean – it had sex. A lot of sex. Really, really, well written, sexy sex. Woodiwiss was a master and if you’ve never read anything by her, correct that situation today.

Irish Thoroughbred – the very first book by the queen of us all. Tender, sweet, a voice that was like no others on the market at that time. This book has stood the test of time, changing writing styles, and everything else in romancelandia.

Sense and Sensibility – my favorite scene in a Jane Austen book. Captain Brandon walks into a music room where MaryAnn is playing. While he listens, he falls in love with her. If you’ve seen the Emma Thomson/Kate Winslet movie version, you know the scene I’m talking about. Perfection. The best love-at-first-glance I’ve ever read. Bar none.