www.goodreads.com is a fun site, sort of like facebook or a blog for readers. You have "friends" and can read each others reviews. Here's mine
http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1528799

Sharon Kay Penman Here be Dragons etc, (12th century England/Wales)
Bernard Cornwell - the Pale Horsemanetc (8th century Saxon/Norse history)
Jack Whyte - Skystone, a different retelling of Arthur
Jaqueline Carey - Kushiel's Dart alternate world romance/intrigue
SM Stirling - Island in the Sea of Time ( silly alternate history)
Juliet Marilleir - Sevenwaters Trilogy, starts with Daughter of the Forest ( relling of the seven swans, incredible)

I second Wilbur Smith, I like the set that starts with Blue Horizon