[oneofthefew]

Serena, it really depends on what you are looking for in a book. In my humble opinion Iain Banks is really good. James Kelman is someone that people rave about, but I haven't been impressed with him - similarly with Irvine Welsh! Janice Galloway is not an author I am familiar with, but she's won a few prizes. Muriel Spark is another that's worth checking - based on what little I've read from her that is!

Going back a bit in time, Neil Munro produced a few good historical novels; he also wrote the Para Handy tales! Beyond that you have Scott and Stevenson - and plenty more to choose from!

As for my opinion of Karen Marie Moning, as you probably guessed I have never read anything she has written. I based what I said on your introduction to her work and the "formula approach" - especially the old time highland warriors - she seems to take to writing a book set in Scotland! Chances are her "vision" of Scotland NEVER existed, no matter how romantically people like to think about the Highlands or years gone by! However, from the brief list of Scottish authors I have mentioned above there really is no need for me to even look for KMM's books!