Oh boy, lol! Time for some embarrassing admissions. I grew up reading what was in the house, and despite having a wonderful library down the road, tend to forget I can explore other authors and genres. In addition, and much worse, I seem to have become a difficult reader to please, and have not enjoyed the majority of books I’ve picked up; even some old favorites seem to have lost their flavor. However, I am working to continue to broaden my horizons, and hope to someday re-learn the joy of discovery. A hope that feels to be slowly realizing.
To answer the actual question, here we go!
Growing up it was my ultimate dream to become the next James Rollins. He has such a way of pairing really great action/adventure with fascinating historical intrigue. Fast paced, straight up fun and informative, picking up a new Rollins book is always going to be a great ride. As time and my own developing style have come to inform me, only Rollins can be Rollins which is, after all, how it should be.
A relatively recent and truly delightful discovery is Michael Koryta. Another thriller writer, Koryta has an unique way of making characters truly human, with fully engaging stories and some of the most beautifully bitter-sweet endings I have ever witnessed. They are also, often, touched by ghosts, which has a haunting sort of appeal difficult to ignore.
Adrian Tchaikovsky is someone I stumbled across in researching for my query letters. I lucked into his “The Final Architecture” series, which I thoroughly enjoyed. His work tends to be very questive, investigating thoughts at once bordering the whimsical while very firmly rooted in the tenants of science. I also love that he enjoys and employs all sorts of bugs, even if I’m a little guilty of not having read his Shadows of the Apt or Children of Earth series just yet. Intelligent jumping spiders as a primary race and faction? Yes please!
I’m a bit late to the party, but I’ve finally picked up a couple of Brandon Sanderson’s works, and have greatly enjoyed them. I think I understand why he’s called the King of Fantasy.

One of my very, very favorite books is “Freckles” by Gene Stratton-Porter. The language is poetic, enchanting, and it’s impossible not to love Freckles and his Swamp Angel. The heart, the spirit portrayed is something special.
On that note, I love “Robin Hood”, the “Scarlett Pimpernel”, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a used copy of “Pride and Prejudice” sitting on my shelf. Shocking, right? I have discovered that I do not love all of John Ringo’s work, but “Vorpal Blade” is an absolute blast, and some of the best mix of fun and hard science out there. I’m not usually one for reacting verbally to the things I read, but I was consistently chuckling when I recently re-read it. Another book that left a mark with me is Jean Lee Latham’s “Carry On, Mr. Bowditch”. It’s for a younger audience, but beautifully demonstrates what not giving up, and sharing your strengths, can accomplish.
There are, of course, other authors whose work I have enjoyed, as well as influences small and major that I am not including, otherwise this would be a long post not very specific to the question.