Scott, I had the same experience with her books. I loved Interview with the Vampire and eagerly awaited each new book about him and vampire history. I remember her being very angry over the casting of Tom Cruise as Lestat, but when she saw the finished movie, she was happy with his performance. I lost interest at some point as the chronicles went on. I didn't realize until later that she had written erotica. I have read a few books that her son Christopher Rice has written.
It was announced recently that AMC is adapting some of her novels for their platform, starting with Interview with the Vampire. It will be interesting to see a new version, but sad she did not live to see a whole new audience find her works.