Like some others, I don't have one favourite author but here are some of the authors I will grab when I want to be sure I'm going to enjoy reading, even if I have read their books more than once.
For Fantasy Robin Hobb ranks very high, along with J.R.R. Tolkien.
For Historical Mysteries I love Karen Odden, Jennifer Ashley and Kate Ross.
For Thrillers my go to authors are M.W. Craven and Robert Galbraith (which is actually J.K. Rowling).
My favorite used to be Ann Rule because I was an avid true crime reader years ago. I am not sure who is my favorite now. I think I do not have a favorite yet. It might change since I have just gotten back to reading.
There are too many I like, but I'd say a couple of my favourites are Michael Crichton and Agatha Christie. If we talk paranormal romance, Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter are up there too.
Ahhh this makes me so happy.. I read the hobbit for the first time when I was 7 or 8, LOTR has seen me through my entire life! I can pick up the book pretty much anywhere and I’m back with my trusted old friends in Middle-Earth..
I don’t know about just one favourite author.. but significant to my life were JRR Tolkien, Tad Williams, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, RA Salvatore… mainly fantasy and horror