Sorry, Jade Knight, but I despise Goodkind for many reasons and WFR left me eye-rolling. His writing just doesn't hold up against well-rounded authors like Brandon and RJ. I have a negative impression of Terry Brooks stuck in my brain, but have no idea why. I know I read a short story of his in a Tor anthology once. Maybe I didn't like it, but will try his books on your recommendation. From the library.
Douglas, I could not come up with the word "gratuitous" when I was posting. It would just not come, but it is what I am trying to avoid, obviously, in relation to sex, violence and language. Is the author letting the story flow are is he just trying to impress his "Jackass Generation" buddies? (My phrase, thank you very much.) A lot of R-rated movies fall into that category, I think, even though movies like "Up" make much more money. In cool Hollywood, most young producer/directors don't want to be known for making something like Princess Bride when they can get invited to all the best parties for making Kill Bill.
On second thought, I'm not sure, when given a choice between truly clean-but-realistic content, that I will choose to read a vampire-themed book, especially one that will offend in any way. So maybe E.E. Knight will not top my list quite yet. I know I have read and loved Patricia McKilip, but can't remember one title. Weird.