Beating A Good Author to Death

When I find an author I like, really like, I start buying all their books. It is great if the author already has about ten books published. I can buy a few in a row. It is interesting to watch the writing evolve.
Danielle Steel was the first author I really got into. There was a time I had all her books. I knew when her books were due out and would buy them the day they hit the stores. Season of Passion is one of my favorites. It is a cute story. I have probably read it twenty times.
She wrote a book about her son called, His Bright Light. It is one of the best books I have read about mental illness. I have a mentally ill son and so many times I was able to relate to what she was writing. It was also helpful to know that with all the money in the world, there was still only so much she could do to help him.
Danielle Steel publishes two books a year. After so many books, I feel like she cannot find anything new to write about. She has written over ninety books. I think when an author becomes so famous they should only publish a book when they feel like it. Do not write a book, just because it is time. She published a book called The Klone and I. It was so ridiculous I stopped my Danielle Steel collection. Took me awhile to get the taste of lame book out of my mouth. At some point it needs to be said by someone, no. You are Danielle Steel you cannot publish a book about a Clone. You need to step back and take a writing hiatus. When you feel that you truly have a book in you, write it.
I did start buying her books again. I just do not buy every one she writes. I read the back. If it seems ridiculous and too predictable, I do not get it. That was tough for me. I liked knowing I owned all of her books. Part of my obsessive personality.
I started reading John Grisham when he had about three books out. The first book I read was, A Time To Kill. If you saw the movie, you get the feeling about how great this book is. I will say the book did not look as good in blue jeans as Matthew McConaughey. He helped sell the book for me. All the drama that came through in the acting was even more intense in the book. His books were unique and interesting. The writing was amazing. I started collecting his books. Knew the dates they would come out. Next to his writing, what I love about his books is the fact that in hardback they started out all being the same height. They look so wonderful on a bookshelf. The books he wrote that were not about the legal profession would usually be a different size. After a while I got tired of all the legal stories. I have not bought one of those books in a few years. I absolutely love his books that are not about law. His book, A Painted House is so wonderful. It reminded me of the style of Grapes of Wrath. Skipping Christmas was hilarious. Bleachers, also very good.
When every book the author writes gets made into a movie, I lose my passion for them. I understand they are writing for money. It must be a huge satisfaction to see something they write be turned into a movie. John Grisham books draw big names for the movies. That said, I am still stuck up about books to movies. It feels like selling out. I lose some respect for the author. If you want to write movies, write movies. Books are such an artistic outlet. Do not ruin it for the readers.
I have not learned my lesson from the above mentioned experiences. Right now my "have to have" authors are, Jodi Picoult. I know I was disappointed with Jodi's last book. I might be falling out of love with her. I also buy all of Janet Evanovich's books. I want her to end her series. It has been a great ride, now stop it. Start something else. That said, I am still buying her other stuff.
What about you other readers out there. Do you fall out of love with your authors? Let me know how you feel. Who is your "have to have" author?