Denise, talk about long-lasting favorites! It sure speaks well for the world-building in each of those series or stand-alone books that they've stayed on people's keeper-shelf lists pretty much ever since they were first published.

Jeanne, it's wonderful to know exactly which author/s inspired you...that way, every time you mention it ANY readers who loved 'em will know "oh, boy, this is the kind of writing I love as well!"

My own work sample
The Canid: Spirito
Author: JLNich
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis

Spirito Deshik, born first son, destined to bond as protector of the potentate of the Royal house, is given a reading at the Temple of the Skaveen in his 3rd birth year. The reading foretells of immense trials and his mastery of many skills, and a unique star-filled destiny, far from his home planet. If he is a protector, bonded and sworn to defend the royal house line, his permanent position on his home planet Canid, would not be questioned. But the Skaveen are as certain as the twin moons rise above the planet. Spirito Deshik will be protector and he will leave the planet to fulfill a destiny. While the history of his youth and training, the war trials, and his bonding as protectorate are documented in the historicals, this is the true account of how he became the 14th Kingship protector of how he broke the sacred bond only to become a legend on his world and others long after.

Excerpt
The Canid, with his stunning silver-white wolf features—his long muzzle, fur covered skin, large sharp teeth unique to his species—stared, his eyes narrowed. "I am Spirito Deshik, warrior of Canid, master of Chu, Doha, Fuad, Sune, and Eyas" His white paws flowed as he spoke, going through a sequence of symbols for each. A fist for strength, a lifted two claws for life, three digits spread to press against his brow for wisdom, four curled digits held against his fur covered chest for peace, and finally he brought the back of his paws to touch, for death. His fluid hand-dance displayed control, power, and certainty.

Good heavens, if you ever made it up to Tucson we could EASILY have wound up in the same place!

Everyone has a favorite comfort zone! 🙂

Taking a break from Sisters Vacation -- during which we're, if you can believe it, making paper dolls like we used to as kids -- to put the names of 37 commenters into random-dot-org, which generated #8.

So congratulations go to the eighth commenter, Maggie Smith -- just contact me directly at Book Laurie@ gmail etc and I'll get you into the classroom at https://groups.io/g/MTSWB

And thanks to EVERYBODY who's posted such fabulous comments...I appreciate all of you speaking up!

Belinda, that's such great advice about people living in a vacuum -- so very well condensed. I remember another writer asking her partner who wasn't inclined to description "are these people just sitting in the middle of nowhere, naked?" and now "living in a vacuum" will go on my list of fabulous phrases!