Reading Lists - Twelve Days of Christmas - Romance 2

An O’Brien Family Christmas by Sherryl Woods 
While celebrating the holidays in Dublin, Ireland, the O'Briens are in an uproar over matriarch Nell's rekindled romance with an old flame, while playboy Matthew O'Brien must convince Laila Riley, an older woman burned by love, to take a chance on him. You may also want to try A Chesapeake Shores Christmas.

An Outlaw’s Christmas by Linda Lael Miller 
Sawyer McKettrick goes to Texas to seek a job as marshal. He injured in a blinding snowstorm and ends up in the arms of Piper St James. As they wait out the storm, the handsome loner has Piper remembering long-ago dreams of marriage and motherhood. Also look for The Christmas Brides. 

The Promise in a Kiss by Stephanie Laurens 

As Helena prepares to enter London society, determined to marry the most eligible bachelor, Sebastian, Duke of Ives, she discovers that he is the same enigmatic Englishman who changed her life with one incredible kiss on a Christmas Eve long ago.

The Secret Life of Mrs. Claus by Carly Alexander

Last year, Olivia Todd was onstage in New York with the other fabulous Rockettes; this year, a broken ankle sends her home to Baltimore, where the only gig available is playing Mrs. Claus at a department store. Her ex-boyfriend has trashed Olivia's reputation all over town by making her the subject of a “fictional” TV show about a bad-news girlfriend named Olivia—and it's called The Nutcracker. So now her only Christmas wish is a second chance, and with a little help from her seventh-grade sweetheart—plus some of that wonderful Christmas magic—who knows?

Silver Bells by Luanne Rice

Troubled by haunting memories of the past, a rugged Christmas tree farmer from Nova Scotia and a reclusive young librarian from New York City come together amid the holiday magic of a glittering city.

Sleigh Belles by Beth Albright (new!)

This fun southern chick lit series continues as reporter Dallas Dubois is charged with taking over when the director of the Tuscaloosa children's Christmas play falls ill. Everyone is shocked—especially Cal Hollingsworth, who still remembers her as the Ice Queen from high school. When long-lost family members reenter her life, Dallas's icy veneer begins to melt,  and with Cal by her side, she soon realizes that it's what's under all the hair spray that counts. 

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber (new!)

Carrie Slayton, need to score an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author, to launch her career. It is the holidays, but her career is at stake, so she forsakes her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she’s soon torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart. I can’t think of another author who’s written as many Christmas stories as Macomber. If you like this one, you can also read The Christmas Basket, The Snow Bride, When Christmas Comes, There’s Something about Christmas, Christmas Letters, The Snow Bride, 1225 Christmas Tree Lane, and Call Me Mrs. Miracle!

The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap by Donna Kauffman, Kate Angell, and Kimberly Kinkaid
Three friends try to find the right man before the season, and the Christmas cookie exchange, is over.

Tidings of Great Joy by Sandra Brown

At a Christmas Eve party, levelheaded architect Ria Lavender becomes dazzled by champagne, snow, and charming mayoral candidate Taylor MacKensie, and they impulsively spend the night together. Two months later, realizing she's pregnant, Ria demands that Taylor marry her. But what she intends will be a marriage in name only escalates into much more as the two begin sharing a house and, inevitably, a bed. Then tragedy strikes, threatening their tenuous union and leading to some new realizations about love.

Twas the Night after Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries

Summoned to visit the seriously ill mother from whom he has been estranged most of his life, Pierce Waverly, the Earl of Devonmont, learns that Camilla, his mother's beautiful companion, has tricked him to orchestrate a holiday reconciliation that progresses with conciliatory steps on both sides at the same time Pierce finds himself falling for Camilla.

Upon a Winter’s Night by Karen Harper (new!)

As Christmas approaches, Amish woman Lydia Brand begins to search for answers about her biological parents, but her pursuit of the truth has left her only with hints of a dark secret—and threats from an unseen adversary. While she does her best to stave off advances from her parents' preferred suitor, Lydia discovers that her heart truly belongs to her friend Josh Yoder.

What Happens at Christmas by Victoria Alexander

Hiring actors to pose as her "conventional" family to secure a proposal from a dashing prince, Camille, Lady Lydingham, finds her plans going awry when a man from her past crashes her party, determined to win her hand as well. You’ll also enjoy Alexander’s His Mistress by Christmas.

Reading Lists - Twelve Days of Christmas - Romance

All Through the Night by Suzanne Brockmann 
The 12th Troubleshooter thriller opens with FBI agent Jules Cassidy's marriage proposal to movie star Robin Chadwick. The two men's Boston wedding shower is crashed by a reporter, and the revealing interview tape ends up online. Jules's angry friends from private security firm Troubleshooter Inc. move to shut him down. With the wedding set for December 15, Jules is sent to Kandahar (ruining Thanksgiving), and an insane celebrity stalker believes Jules and Robin are robots who need to be eliminated.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas 
Mark Nolan's happy-go-lucky bachelorhood is interrupted by the death of his sister and his subsequent guardianship of her six-year-old daughter, Holly, who is traumatized into muteness and desperately seeking a maternal figure. Enter Maggie Collins, a toy shop owner who lost her own husband to cancer. As the holiday season draws closer, Maggie, Mark, and Holly begin to spend more time together, and Maggie and Mark's attraction becomes too powerful to ignore. 

Christmas Revels by Mary Jo Putney 
Fan favorite Mary Jo Putney presents a collection of holiday tales in which five very different couples receive a valuable lesson in love. 

The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson 
Since her husband died three years ago, Gaby's four children have drifted apart and haven't celebrated Christmas together. When Gaby announces that she's getting married—and that the groom will remain a secret until the wedding day—she may finally be able to bring them home for the holidays. 

The Delaney Christmas Carol by Kay Hooper, Iris Johansen, and Fayrene Preston 
Three romance novelists capture the Christmas spirit—past, present, and future—in the story of three generations of Delaneys who find love and passion in the revelry of the holiday season. A family heirloom links one generation of the Arizona family to the next. 

The Gift by Nora Roberts 
Christmas romance is the theme that links these three novellas by bestseller Nora Roberts. In Home for Christmas, a reporter returns after years abroad to win the heart of the girl he left behind. In All I Want for Christmas, identical twins boys want one gift from Santa—a new mom. Will their music teacher fall in love with their love-wary father? In Gabriel's Angel, a very pregnant woman on the run appears at Gabriel’s remote cabin during a blizzard, and the modern-day Scrooge can’t turn her away. Also First Impressions by Roberts. 

Home in Time for Christmas by Heather Graham 
When she rescues a man claiming to be a patriot soldier, sentenced to death by British authorities, Melody Tarleton takes the stranger to her parent's house where a little Christmas magic, some enchanted petals, and ancient potions take them on an unimaginable adventure. If you’re looking for more holiday tales by Graham, try A Magical Christmas, The Last Noel, and A Season of Miracles. 

I’ll be Home for Christmas by Fern Michaels 
This is a collection of four stories about the Christmas season by Fern Michaels, including a businessman planning to buy a woman's family property out from under her, and a gift wrap business owner and her manager at odds during the holiday season. Michaels loves to write about Christmas—also try Christmas at Timberwoods, Coming Home for Christmas, Comfort and Joy, and No Place Like Home. 

Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs 
Librarian Maureen Davenport finally gets to direct Avalon's annual holiday pageant. Former child star Eddie Haven is turning out to be a tattooed lump of coal in her stocking, because he can't stand Christmas, but a judge's court order has landed him right in the middle of the merrymaking. Also look for Candelight Christmas, new this year! 

Merry Christmas, Cowboy by Janet Dailey 
Hoping to give back to the community, Denver police officer Paula Lewis volunteers at the Christmas House to help local children, where she is drawn to local rancher Zach Bennett, as they work together to help a young boy. You might also like Dailey’s A Cowboy Under My Christmas Tree. 

The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig 
Despite her dear friend Jane Austen's warning against teaching, Arabella Dempsey accepts a position at a girls' school in Bath, just before Christmas. She hardly imagines coming face-to-face with French aristocrats and international spies. Reginald "Turnip" Fitzhugh-often mistaken for the elusive spy known as the Pink Carnation—has blundered into danger before. When Turnip and Arabella find their Christmas pudding yielding a cryptic message, they are launched on a Yuletide adventure.

More holiday romance to come on December 18!

Reading lists - Paranormal romance

There have been lots of young adult fantasy series taking readers by storm lately. If you're one of those readers, and you're ready for something more "grown up" than the chaste kisses of books geared toward teens, you're in luck! One of our displays this month is a collection of paranormal romance novels. I knew we’d never be able to display every book in the list we created, so I decided to share them here, along with brief plot summaries. Most of these books are the first in a series, which is noted in parentheses next to the title. In these books you’ll find plenty of tough women, sexy men, and steamy love scenes—not to mention vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts, zombies, shifters, fey, telepaths, and more! Keep in mind that this is far from every paranormal romance series out there—it's probably not even every paranormal romance series we own. As always, feel free to ask at the reference desk if you're looking for more! 

Novels 

Daughter of Darkness by V.C. Andrews

One night, with the sound of a young man's scream, high school senior Lorelei discovers that her stern but loving father, who adopted Lorelei and her sisters as infants, is no ordinary man. He has raised his beautiful girls for one purpose: to lure young men into their world of shadows. Like her sisters, Lorelei has been trained in the art of seduction and warned to never fall in love. But when she meets a handsome and charming classmate, she boldly defies her family and follows her heart—even if love is a poison. (F And / PB Fantasy A)

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (Women of the Otherworld #1)

Elena Michaels is a self-described "mutt," a werewolf who left her secretive pack in upstate New York for a normal life among humans in Toronto. All this is jeopardized when she agrees to help her old packmates hunt some troublesome mutts who are converting common criminals to werewolves and leaving a trail of conspicuous carnage. Reunited with her former lycanthrope lover and forced into brutally predatory confrontations, Elena finds the call of the wild subtly reasserting itself. (F Arm)

I’m the Vampire, That’s Why by Michele Bardsley (Broken Heart, Oklahoma #1)

Now one of the undead, single mother Jessica Matthews, who is delighted with the disappearance of her stretch marks and her newly improved vision, has trouble dealing with the fact that she is now bound to a sinfully sexy Irish vampire for several hundred years. (PB Fantasy B)

Real Vampires Have Curves by Gerry Bartlett (Real Vampires #1)

Eternally full-figured Gloriana St. Clair struggles with her centuries-old relationship with Scottish vampire Jeremy, opens a vintage clothing store, and falls under the spell of a billionaire techno-freak immortal. (OverDrive ebook)

The Silver Wolf by Alice Borchardt (Legends of the Wolves #1)

Regeane, a female werewolf, wanders Rome during the Dark Ages and tries to escape being burned at the stake. Her guardian and his son plan to recoup their fortunes by marrying her to a wealthy bridegroom, even though she might inadvertently make him into a bedtime snack. (F Bo)

Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega #1)

After years at the bottom of the pack, Anna has learned never to trust dominant males, until Charles Cornick, the enforcer and leader of the North American werewolves, declares her his mate, revealing her destiny as an Omega wolf. (F Bri)

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (Mercedes Thompson #1)

Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself. (PB Fantasy B)

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook (Iron Seas #1)

When a dead body is dropped from an airship onto Rhys Trahaearn's doorstep, Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth uncovers the victim's identity--and stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. To save them, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans. (F Bro)

Insatiable by Meg Cabot (Insatiable #1)

Meena Harper, forced to write about vampires even though she doesn't believe in them, falls in love with Lucien Antonescu, a modern-day prince with a bit of a dark side. It's a dark side a lot of people, like an ancient society of vampire hunters, would prefer to see him dead for. The problem is: Lucien's already dead! And while Lucien seems like everything Meena has ever dreamed of in a boyfriend, he might turn out to be more like a nightmare. (F Cab / BCD Cab)

Firelight by Kristen Callihan

After she is forced to wed Lord Benjamin Archer, London's most nefarious nobleman, Miranda Ellis, who is gifted with exceptional abilities, comes to love her new husband, but his dark curse soon leads them both into deadly danger. (F Cal)

Goddess of the Sea by P.C. Cast (Goddess Summoning #1)

After her plane crashes into the sea, an Air Force Sergeant finds herself occupying the body of the mythic mermaid Undine—and falling for a sexy merman. (F Cas)

Lessons after Dark by Isabel Cooper

Olivia Brightmore didn't know what to expect when she took a position to teach at Englefiend School, an academy for 'gifted' children. But it wasn't having to rescue a young girl who levitated to the ceiling. Or battling a dark mystery in the surrounding woods. And nothing could have prepared her for Dr. Gareth St. John. He knew all about her history and scrutinized her every move because of it. But there was more than suspicion lurking in those luscious green eyes. Even with all the strange occurrences at the school, the most unsettling of all is the attraction pulling Olivia and Gareth together with a force that cannot be denied. (PB Romance C)

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davison (Queen Betsey #1)

After being killed in a car accident, fashion savvy Betsy Taylor becomes one of the undead and, with the help of her newfound friends, the lure of designer shoes, and a sexy vampire, must destroy a dark enemy and fulfill her destiny as the prophesied vampire queen. (F Dav)

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich (Lizzy & Diesel #1)

Life in Marblehead has had a pleasant predictability, until Diesel arrives. Rumor has it that a collection of priceless ancient relics representing the Seven Deadly Sins have made their way to Boston's North Shore. Partnered with pastry chef Lizzie Tucker, Diesel bullies and charms his way through historic Salem to track them down. Caught in a race against time, Diesel and Lizzie soon find out that more isn't always better, as they battle the first of the deadly sins. (F Eva / MP3 CD Eva / OverDrive e-audio)

Dark Dreamers by Christine Feehan and Marjorie M. Liu

Sara Marten finally meets the vampire who is both angel and demon and meant to become her mate; and, Charlie, a gargoyle, senses that the beautiful and sweet Aggie Durand could be his salvation. (PB Romance F)

Dark Prince by Christine Feehan (Dark #1)

A telepathic hunter of serial killers, Raven Whitney embarks on a vacation far from home. The powerful leader of the Carpathians—a wise and secret ancient race that thrives in the night—Mikhail Dubrinsky is engulfed by despair, fearful of never finding the mate who can save him from the encroaching darkness.

From the moment they meet, Raven and Mikhail are helpless to resist the desire that sparks between them. But just as fate unexpectedly brings these life mates together, malevolent forces threaten to destroy them and their fragile love. (F Fee)

Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (Night Huntress #1)

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield pursues the undead with a vengeance in the hope that one of her prey will be the father who ruined her mother's life, but her plans go awry when she is captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter.  (PB Fantasy F / OverDrive e-audio)

Phantom Evil by Heather Graham (Krewe of Hunters #1)

Heading a group of paranormal investigators for the government, Jackson Crow—part English, part Cheyenne—uses his link to the realm of spirits to help solve the mysterious death of a senator's wife with the help of Angela Hawkins, a police officer with paranormal intuition. (F Gra / OverDrive ebook)

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake #1)

When innocent vampires are found murdered, the city's most powerful vampire hires Anita Blake, a vampire hunter known as "The Executioner," to investigate the crimes. Along the way she meets Jean Claude, the master vampire destined to become not only her biggest nemesis, but her greatest lover. (F Ham)

Dead until Dark by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse #1)

Sookie Stackhouse is a cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana, but she keeps to herself and doesn't date much because of her "disability" to read minds. When she meets Bill, Sookie can't hear a word he's thinking. He's the type of guy she's waited for all of her life, but he has a disability, too—he's a vampire with a bad reputation. When one of Sookie's coworkers is killed, she fears she's next. Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea. (F Har / OverDrive ebook)

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison (Rachel Morgan #1)

Sexy bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan prowls the dark streets of Cincinnati, keeping tabs on the vampires and other creatures of the supernatural who prey on the city's innocent and vulnerable inhabitants. (PB Fantasy H)

Silver by Rhiannon Held

Andrew Dare is a werewolf, the enforcer for the Roanoke pack. The lone Were he's tracking doesn't smell or act like anyone he's ever encountered. And when he catches her, it doesn't get any better. She's beautiful, she's crazy, and someone has tortured her by injecting silver into her veins. She says her name is Silver, and that she's lost her wild self and can't shift any more. Andrew and Silver will join forces to track down this menace while discovering their own power and their passion for each other. (F Hel)

The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn (Kismet Knight #1)

Kismet Knight, PhD, doesn't believe in the paranormal. She especially doesn't believe in vampires, but she begins to wise up when she is introduced to a handsome man named Devereux who claims to be 800 years old. Kismet doesn't buy his vampire story, but she also can't explain why. (F Hil)

Blood Born by Linda Howard and Linda Jones (Vampire #1)

Blood-born vampire Luca Ambrus is an agent for the Council, the centuries-old clan that governs the vampire race. When a leading Council member is murdered, Luca investigates, eventually uncovering a group of rogue vampires determined to overthrow the Council and humankind. In an effort to defeat the rebel vamps, Luca teams up with Chloe Fallon, a human able to channel spirit warriors and thus protect people from vampires. As Luca and Chloe work together, a passionate romance develops. (OverDrive ebook)

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (Charley Davidson #1)

Using her ability to see ghosts in her work as a private investigator, grim reaper Charley Davidson begins experiencing intense sensual dreams about a mysterious entity that has been following her throughout her life. (F Jon / OverDrive e-audio)

Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner (Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom #1)

Retired demon hunter Kate Connor must go back to work when she spots a demon lurking in the local Wal-Mart. She tries not to arouse suspicion because this kind of thing could really hurt her husband's political career. (PB Fantasy K / OverDrive e-audio)

Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon (The League #1)

He was born and trained to kill. Command Assassin Nykyrian Quiakides once turned his back on the League—and has been hunted by them ever since. Though many have tried, none can kill him or stop him from completing his current mission: to protect Kiara Zamir, a woman whose father's political alliance has made her a target. (F Ken / OverDrive e-audio)

Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunter #1)

He is solitude. He is darkness. He is the ruler of the night. Yet Kyrian of Thrace has just woken up handcuffed to his worst nightmare: An accountant. Worse, she's being hunted by one of the most lethal vampires out there. And if Amanda Devereaux goes down, then he does too. But it's not just their lives that are hanging in the balance. Kyrian and Amanda are all that stands between humanity and oblivion. Let's hope they win. (F Ken)

Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz (Dark Legacy #1)

Within the pages of very rare books some centuries old lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell's unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes—and sometimes taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumors swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market. Convinced that she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, a specialist in paranormal crystals and amber—"hot rocks." Passion flares immediately between them, but neither entirely trusts the other. When it comes to dealing with a killer who has paranormal abilities, and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code, no one is safe. (F Kre)

Howling at the Moon by Karen MacInerney (Tales of an Urban Werewolf #1)

Sophie Garou's wonderful life suddenly becomes complicated when a sexy new werewolf arrives in town, causing her more trouble than usual in hiding her true werewolf nature from her human lawyer boyfriend. (PB Fantasy M)

Touch of a Thief by Mia Marlowe (Touch #1)

Lady Viola Preston can relieve a gentleman of the studs at his wrists without his being any the wiser and pick any lock devised by man in less than a minute. But she's careful to wear gloves when she steals jewels. When Viola touches a gemstone with her bare skin, it “speaks” to her, sending disturbing visions. Still more disturbing is the handsome rogue who catches her red-handed and forces her to join him on the most dangerous and thrilling adventure of her life. (F Mar)

A Date with the Other Side by Erin McCarthy (Cuttersville, Ohio #1)

While leading a tour of haunted houses in Cuttersville, Ohio, Shelby Tucker discovers s sexy naked man in the bedroom of a supposedly vacant cottage, an encounter that shakes up her life when some feisty matchmaking spirits decide to bring her together with local bad boy Boston Macnamara. (OverDrive ebook)

Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden (Venus #1)

Tired of being a failure at love, Rachel Greer decides to dedicate her life to meaningful pursuits, filling her life with work and volunteerism, until the goddess Venus, forced into the role of fairy godmother by her father, Zeus, decides to turn Rachel's orderly--but boring--life upside down by finding her the perfect man. (F McK)

Sunshine by Robin McKinley

All hope for stopping the vampiric elite from controlling earth depends on human SOFs (Special Other Forces) and the success of their attempt to recruit Sunshine, the daughter of legendary sorcerer Onyx Blaise. (F McK)

Storm Born by Richelle Mead (Dark Swan #1)

Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world... Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy, one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie's first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it. (PB Fantasy M)

Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead (Georgia Kincaid #1)

Being a succubus sounds pretty glamorous. Shape-shifting, killer wardrobe, what's not to like? But Georgina Kincaid's life is far from exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies, and she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life, which means her crush on sexy writer Seth Mortensen is going nowhere fast. (F Mea / OverDrive ebook)

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill (Chicagoland Vampires #1)

When graduate student Merit was attacked by a vampire, her life was saved by yet another who decided to turn her into the walking dead. Trying to figure out her place at Hyde Park mansion amongst her new vampire friends is becoming quite challenging, especially after she determines that she is still being targeted by an unknown entity. (F Nei)

Stolen Magic by Mary Jo Putney

Heir to an ancient title, Simon Malmain, the Earl of Falconer, is well known among the Guardians, humans with magical powers derived from nature. A routine mission to confront a rogue Guardian who has misused his powers turns disastrous when Simon's quarry, Lord Drayton, captures his pursuer in a transformation spell, turning him into a unicorn. Aid arrives in the form of Meg, a fey young woman who first traps Simon, then frees him. (F Put)

Crystal Gardens by Amanda Quick (Ladies of Lantern Street #1)

Moving to a country cottage where she seeks refuge in a paranormally charged garden, Evangeline Ames is rescued from a would-be assassin by the garden's owner, Lucas Sebastian, who taps Evangeline's detective skills to solve a buried-treasure mystery and stop a common enemy. (F Qui)

Second Sight by Amanda Quick (Arcane Society #1)

Venetia Milton earns big bucks photographing the artifacts owned by the brooding Gabriel Jones, whom she also manages to seduce, but after hearing that he is dead, she is stunned when he winds up on her doorstep very much alive and afraid for his life. (F Qui)

Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts (Sign of Seven Trilogy #1)

Every seven years, on the seventh day of the seventh month, strange things happen, and three friends—Caleb, Fox, and Gage—must battle against evil with the women who love them by their sides. (PB Romance R / LP Rob / OverDrive ebook / OverDrive e-audio)

Morrigan’s Cross by Nora Roberts (The Circle Trilogy #1)

As the powerful vampire Lilith prepares to quench her thirst for destruction by unleashing her fury in battle, a medieval sorcerer, one of the circle of six charged by the goddess Morrigan, must travel through time to stop her. (F Rob / LP Rob / OverDrive ebook)

Tall, Dark, and Hungry by Lynsay Sands (Argeneau Family #4)

Terri, a beautiful Englishwoman, arrives in New York to help plan her cousin's wedding and is powerfully drawn to Bastien, a relative of her cousin's fiancé, who, unbeknownst to Terri, is a vampire thirsty for love. (PB Romance S)

Beauty Dates the Beast by Jessica Sims

When a problem at the supernatural dating agency where she works leads to Bathsheba Ward going on a date with were-cougar clan leader Beau Russell, she resists the subsequent attraction between them as she hides a secret. (PB Fantasy S)

Primal Desires by Suzan Sizemore (Primes #7)

A master magician known as "The Beast Master" for his Las Vegas performances with big cats, Jason Cage, the Prime of his vampire family, uses his remarkable telepathic skills to rescue beautiful Sofia Hunyara from a werewolf attack and sets out to teach her about her family's secret history as wolf tamers and about her role as his destined bondmate. (PB Romance S)

How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks (Love at Stake #1)

On the run from the Russian mob after witnessing a brutal murder, dentist Shanna Whelan is rescued from certain death by Roman Draganesti, a charming and wealthy vampire in search of a dentist who can repair his broken fang. (PB Fantasy S)

The Becoming by Jeanne C. Stein (Anna Strong #1)

Trapped between the worlds of the living and the dead, Anna Strong, a vampire and trained warrior, is torn between two men—a human DEA agent and a Night Watcher—as she wages war on evil. (PB Fantasy S)

The Midnight Guardian by Sarah Jane Stratford (Millennial Novels #1)

Remembering the devastation of World War I on the vampire communities, ancient vampires break their policy against interfering in human affairs upon the outbreak of World War II, but find the Nazi war machine more formidable than anticipated. (F Str)

Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville #1)

When Kitty Norville, a DJ for a Denver radio station and a secret werewolf, accidentally launches a late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged, she becomes the target of a werewolf hunter and several homicidal undead. (PB Fantasy V)

Stray by Rachel Vincent (Werecats #1)

After narrowly escaping an attack by a Stray, Faythe, a shape-shifting young werecat and rebellious member of a Pride, discovers that two of her fellow female werecats have disappeared and launches a personal campaign to find her missing friends and stop the kidnappers before it is too late. (F Vin)

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1)

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood. When one of his most trusted fighters is killed—leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate—Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams. (PB Fantasy W / OverDrive ebook)

Story Collections

By Blood We Live

Gathers together the best vampire literature of the last three decades from many of today's most renowned authors of fantasy, speculative fiction, and horror. (SC By)

Chicks Kick Butt

An urban fantasy anthology of original stories features heroines who combat supernatural adversaries from dragons to demons. (SC Chi)

Death’s Excellent Vacation

Presents a collection of twelve original tales featuring supernatural beings going on vacation. (SC Dea / OverDrive e-audio)

Home Improvement: Undead Edition

A collection of paranormal do-it-yourself stories. (SC Hom)

Many Bloody Returns

A collection of vampire birthday tales. (SC Man)

Songs of Love and Death

Presents a collection of original tales that explores crossover themes of romance, fantasy, and science fiction. (SC Son)

Strange Brew

An anthology of nine urban fantasy tales with a mixed bag of wizardry/witchcraft, mystery and glamour. (SC Str)

The Other Side

A collection of five romantic novellas involving ghosts. (SC Oth)

Vampires: The Recent Undead

Slake your insatiable thirst and drink deeply of 25 of the best sanguinary stories of the new millennium: terrifying or tender, deadly or delicious, tough or tame, romantic or rude, funny or frightening, wily or weary, classic or cutting edge… (SC Vam)

What Dreams May Come

Dreams come true in the most unlikely and magical ways in this trilogy of novellas. (SC Wha)

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe

Lycanthropy is the theme of a special anthology of holiday tales featuring a collection of werewolf stories. (SC Wol)

Read-alike Guides - Nora Roberts

If you like the romance novels of Nora Roberts, you might enjoy of these books:

A Woman’s Heart by JoAnn Ross

Quinn Gallagher is a jaded writer who comes to Ireland for the filming of one his famous novels.  There he meets Nora Fitzpatrick, a beautiful widow who is unlike any woman he has ever met.  Fans of Nora Roberts’s Irish-themed novels will delight in the setting and memorable characters of this tender and lyrical book.  

 Kill and Tell by Linda Howard

When Karen Whitlaw receives a notebook from the estranged father she hasn’t seen in twenty years, she thinks nothing of it until learning he has been the victim of a murder on the streets of New Orleans.  Detective Marc Chastain, assigned to the case, begins to warm to Karen just as he discovers her life is in grave danger.  Like Roberts, Linda Howard is a master of the romantic suspense novel, and Kill and Tell is one of her best.

Chill Factor by Sandra Brown

Romantic suspense lovers may also enjoy Chill Factor, a gripping thriller about Lilly Martin, a woman trapped in a cabin during a blizzard with a man who is possibly a wanted serial killer.  Romance heats up as the storm rages, while Lilly’s ex-husband, the town’s police chief, desperately pursues the man he unquestionably believes to be the culprit.

Gone Too Far by Suzanne Brockmann

Followers of Roberts’s output under the J.D. Robb pen name might want to try reading Suzanne Brockmann.  Gone Too Far is from the author’s Troubleshooter series, which mixes military expertise, nail-biting suspense, and steamy sexual tension. This entry focuses mainly on the relationship between Navy SEAL Sam Starrett and FBI agent Alyssa Locke.  

One Summer by Karen Robards

Readers who fancy a good bad-boy hero will love Johnny Harris, the male protagonist of One Summer. Johnny’s an ex-con who returns to his hometown after a stint in prison, only to find himself the main suspect in a murder investigation.  The only person willing to defend his innocence is his former teacher, Rachel Roberts, who begins to develop deeper feelings for Johnny.

Turbulent Sea by Christine Feehan

Joley Drake is one of seven sisters who possess magical powers.  Her talent of spell-singing has gained her fame as a rock star, but when her life is jeopardized by a violent stalker she must place her trust in the hands of her handsome bodyguard, who may or may not be a hit man for the mob.  A must read for paranormal romance enthusiasts.     

Light In Shadow by Jayne Ann Krentz

Zoe Luce, an interior designer with psychic powers, enlists the help of private investigator Ethan Truax when she suspects one of her clients of murder.  Krentz seamlessly blends romance, suspense, and paranormal elements to create a style uniquely her own.

Virgin River by Robyn Carr

Midwife and recent widow Melinda Monroe moves from Los Angeles to Virgin River in search of a new start.  Unimpressed with the town at first, Mel is set upon leaving until she finds an abandoned baby on her doorstep.  She then begins to reluctantly kindle friendships in Virgin River, especially with Jack, the sensitive bartender.  Fans of small town romances, such as Roberts’s recent Inn Boonsboro trilogy, will be touched by this sweet and emotional story.

Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Night Pleasures is an imaginative paranormal romance in the style of Roberts’s The Circle Trilogy. Kyrian of Thrace is a Dark-Hunter who roams the earth providing protection from the evil Daimons.  Amanda Devereaux is an accountant who wants nothing more than a quiet, normal life.  Watch the sparks fly when they awake one morning in a strange bed handcuffed together.

Amber Beach by Elizabeth Lowell

Elizabeth Lowell writes detail rich novels that often feature strong female characters. In Amber Beach, the first of The Donovans series, Honor Donovan determinedly searches for her missing brother despite being warned by the rest of the Donovan men to mind her own business.  What follows is a pulse-racing combination of romance, adventure, and family drama.

Books by Nora Roberts you might also like:

Naked In Death (writing as J.D. Robb)

The first book in the In Death series follows Eve Dallas, a New York police lieutenant in the year 2058, as she investigates the murder of a prostitute granddaughter of a U.S. senator. Will the investigation be compromised when Eve begins to fall in love with dashing Irish millionaire (and lead suspect) Roarke?

Remember When by Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb

Roberts collaborates with her alter ego in this two-part novel that “blends present-day romance and futuristic suspense.”  Part One involves a hidden fortune of stolen diamonds and a pawn shop owner with a mysterious past, while Part Two has Lt. Eve Dallas continuing the search for the missing diamonds 56 years later.

New York to Dallas (writing as J.D. Robb)

Lt. Eve Dallas must face her inner demons when she returns to her home city on the trail of escaped convict Isaac McQueen, a man she put behind bars in the early days of her career.  As she gets closer to catching this unhinged maniac, Eve realizes that he is bent on seeking revenge and she may be his next target.

Read-alike Guides - Outlander

 If you liked Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, you might enjoy one of these books:

Devil Water by Anya Seton
Seton wrote several thick books with elements of appeal for Outlander fans—though no one book has everything. They are nicely paced, involving stories woven through with solid historic detail and attention to character. Here, Jenny, the daughter of the last Englishman beheaded for supporting the pretender James Stuart in the Jacobite Rebellion, goes to Virginia.

Into the Wilderness by Sarah Donati
Donati regards Gabaldon as her mentor; her work also has solid history, evocative settings, love between "outsiders," and strong characterization. In the first book of her saga, Elizabeth leaves England to teach in New York. When she meets Nathaniel, a white man raised as a member of the Mohawk tribe, their love causes a scandal that leads them to flee into the woods and into danger.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
For early historical romance, try the classic Ivanhoe. At the time of the Norman Conquest, Ivanhoe returns from the Crusades to claim his inheritance and the love of Rowena. He becomes involved in the struggle between Richard Coeur de Lion and his Norman brother John. The gripping narrative is structured by a series of conflicts: Saxon versus Norman, Christian versus Jew, and men versus women.

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux
Abandoned by her lover after a quarrel, Dougless Montgomery is stranded in rural England. The sudden appearance of Nicholas Stafford—a knight who died in 1564—begins a passionate affair that eventually takes Dougless back to the 16th century. Also try Legend, in which an antique wedding dress leads to 1873 Colorado.

Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey
Sold into indentured servitude at the exotic Night Court as a child, Phèdre nó Delaunay faces a difficult choice between honor and duty as she deals with a world of conspiracy and betrayal. Adventure, action, romance, and steamy sex figure prominently in this sprawling, intricately plotted fantasy series.

Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon
John Grey, who befriends Jamie Fraser at Adsmuir prison in Voyager, has his own series set in the Outlander world. Here, upon his return from Scottish exile in 1757, Lord John pursues a traitor through London and across the seas, an endeavor that is complicated by a delicate family affair and his memories of the Jacobite Rising.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Readers who enjoy Gabaldon’s detailed stories of everyday lives during extraordinary historical times should try this modern classic. Set in 12th century England, this epic of kings and peasants follows the lives, loves, dreams, and heartbreaks of Kingsbridge during the construction of a magnificent cathedral.

Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson
Set against the backdrop of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Quicksilver tells the intertwining tales of three unforgettable main characters as they traverse a landscape populated by mad alchemists, Barbary pirates, and bawdy courtiers, as well as historical figures including Ben Franklin, William of Orange, Louis XIV, and many others.

The Skystone by Jack Whyte
A retired centurion and his former commander conquer enemies and establish an independent community in Britain, while also providing a possible origin for one of the greatest artifacts of Arthurian myth—Excalibur. "From the building blocks of history and the mortar of reality, Jack Whyte has built Arthur's world and showed us the bone beneath the flesh of legend," Gabaldon has written of this series.

Son of the Morning by Linda Howard
In this beloved time travel romance, ancient language translator Grace St. John finds a document that gives the location of a treasure that Niall of Scotland brought home as Guardian of the Treasure for the Knights Templar in the 14th century. She is transported to his time to protect the relics, including the Holy Grail. Niall is one sexy Scot in a class with Jamie Fraser!

Timeline by Michael Crichton
When elderly Yale history prof Edward Johnston travels back to his beloved 15th century and gets stuck, his assistants follow to the rescue. Crichton invests his story with terrific period detail, castles, sword-play, jousts, sudden death, bold knights-in-armor, and seductive ladies-in-waiting. There's also strong suspense as he cuts between past and present, where the time-travel machinery has broken. Will the heroes survive and make it back?

Time and Again by Jack Finney
Simon Morley, a young Manhattan illustrator, is selected by a secret government agency—presumably to test Einstein's theory that the past actually co-exists with the present—and finds himself transported to the year 1882 under hypnosis. There, he falls in love and refuses to change records for the government agency controlling his experiment. Written with style and elegance, this novel is boldly visionary yet romantic.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
For a much different twist on time travel romance, try the story of Henry and Clare Detamble. Henry’s Chrono-Displacement Disorder forces him to travel against his will, causing him to visit Clare as a little girl and later as an aged widow and explain "how it feels to be living outside of the time constraints most humans are subject to." This novel is a beautiful, heartbreaking, timeless love story.

Reading Lists - Beyond Twilight (YA Fantasy for Adults)

Several (adult) staff members here at the library love to read books from the young adult section, especially fantasy novels. Of course we've read a lot of vampire books (because let's face it, a lot of vampire books have been published lately!), but we've also branched out a lot too—in fact, one of us predicted that angels would be the next big thing before they became the next big thing.

We're often trying to think of recommendations for patrons with the same reading tastes, and we decided to come up with a list of some of our favorites. Though it's difficult to describe the plot and why we liked a book in so few words, trust us when we say, "These books are good!" Our list grew much more quickly than we anticipated, so we finally had to stop with the shocking total of 39 books. Of course, that means there are more where these came from...

Part 1—Paranomal Romance Standards

Vampires

Evernight by Claudia Gray
Sixteen-year-old Bianca, a new girl at the sinister Evernight boarding school, finds herself drawn to another outsider, Lucas, but dark forces threaten to tear them apart and destroy Bianca's entire world. Why we love it: Not just one but two huge plot twists, quick read, fresh take on the themes of “coming of age” and dealing with the undead,” exciting, Bianca’s sexy friend Balthazar.

Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird is Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night where she will train to become an adult vampyre. Why we love it: New twists, great characters (friends, family, and enemies), clique drama, Native American element, realistically fun and witty dialogue, cool tattoos, vampyres have their own religion (worship of the goddess Nyx), Zoey’s one-of-a-kind kitty Nala.

Persistence of Memory by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Diagnosed with schizophrenia as a child, 16-year-old Erin has spent half of her life in therapy and on drugs, but now must face the possibility of weird things in the real world, including shapeshifting friends and her "alter," a centuries-old vampire. Why we love it: Mental illness; mind-sharing; a helpful, magical guy friend; creative; more creatures than just vampires; dramatic.

Weres

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Having fallen for a human boy, Vivian, a beautiful teenage werewolf, must battle both her packmates and the fear of the townspeople to decide where she belongs and with whom. Why we love it: Classic! Klause makes werewolves cooler than vampires, who Vivian ends up with, interesting ending, dark but very human, saw the movie.

The Dark Divine by Bree Despain
Grace Divine learns a dark secret when a childhood friend returns, upsetting her pastor-father and the rest of her family. At the same time, there are strange things happening in their tiny Minnesota town. Why we love it: Just plain good—faith element, family dynamic, artists, paradoxes, suspense/mystery—we could gush forever!

Need by Carrie Jones
Depressed after the death of her stepfather, Zara goes to live with her grandmother in small town Maine, where new friends tell Zara the strange man she keeps seeing may be a pixie king, and that only "were" creatures can stop him from taking souls. Why we love it: Maine, gold pixie dust, Zara supports Amnesty International, most awesome grandma ever.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
In all the years she has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house, Grace has been particularly drawn to an unusual yellow-eyed wolf who has also been watching her with increasing intensity. Why we love it: Reminiscent of Twilight, but we couldn’t put it down—we laughed, we cried, and we fell in love with a hunky wereboy!

Faeries

Tithe by Holly Black
Sixteen-year-old Kaye, who has been visited by faeries since childhood, discovers that she herself is a magical faerie creature with a special destiny. Why we love it: Intriguing, dark, no cookie-cutter characters (they’re troubled, malevolent, etc.), masterfully portrays the allure and terror of the Fae world, shows the ugly side of life and growing up.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Aislinn, who has the rare ability to see faeries, is drawn against her will into a centuries-old battle between the Summer King and Winter Queen, and the survival of her life, her love, and summer all hang in the balance. Why we love it: A bad guy who wants to be good, tattoos, living in a train, several stories to follow, interesting faerie mythology, caring male friend, wicked AND lovely!

Wings by Aprilynne Pike
When a plant blooms out of 15-year-old Laurel's back, it leads to the discovery that she is a faerie and that she has a crucial role to play in keeping the world safe from the encroaching enemy trolls. Why we love it: A love triangle with a very tough choice for Laurel, different faerie mythology (petal wings that sprout in spring and die away in autumn, caste system, unique talents...) Interesting!

Angels

Fallen by Lauren Kate
Suspected in the death of her boyfriend, 17-year-old Luce is sent to a Savannah, Georgia, reform school where she meets two intriguing boys and learns the truth about the strange shadows that have always haunted her. Why we love it: Angels and a human heroine might be the only ones able to save the world, the librarian has an important role, creepy gothic school with a pool in the church, dark tone.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Nora has always been cautious in her relationships, until Patch, who has a dark side she can sense, enrolls at her school. Is it his voice in her thoughts? What is the V-shaped scar on his back? Why we love it: Suspense, romantic tension, funny BFF, Nora has a personality, yummy bad boy Patch—“unputdownable” and at the top of our list!

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Sixteen-year-old Clara Gardner's purpose as an angel-blood begins to manifest itself, forcing her family to pull up stakes and move to Jackson, Wyoming, where she learns that danger and heartbreak come with her powers. Why we love it: Sibling relationship, Wyoming, love triangle (team Tucker!), supernatural girl with a goal, huge surprise ending, very well-written characters.

Part 2—Miscellaneous Paranormal Romance

Beastly by Alex Flinn
A modern retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" from the point of view of a vain Manhattan private school student who is turned into a monster and must find true love before he can return to his human form. Why we love it: Old story reborn, showcases the importance of morality and the power of love, excellent characterization (with both physical and emotional metamorphosis).

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
In a small South Carolina town, 16-year-old Ethan is powerfully drawn to Lena, a new classmate with whom he shares a psychic connection and whose family hides a dark secret that may be revealed on her sixteenth birthday. Why we love it: Poetry, Southern Gothic atmosphere, Civil War history, complex mythology, boy’s point of view, strong descriptions, cool librarian, small town feel.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Suddenly able to see demons and the Darkhunters who are dedicated to returning them to their own dimension, 15-year-old Clary Fray is drawn into this bizzare world when her mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a monster. Why we love it: Plot twists, good laugh-out-loud dialogue, complex romance, interesting characters and mythology.

Evermore by Alyson Noël
Since the car accident that claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras and hear people's thoughts, and she goes out of her way to hide from other people until she meets Damen, another psychic teenager who is hiding even more mysteries. Why we love it: California, tulips, great dialogue, engaging back story, sisters, no creatures—just a cool psychic girl.

Firelight by Sophie Jordan
When 16-year-old Jacinda, who can change into a dragon, is forced to move away from her community of shapeshifters and start a more normal life, she falls in love with a boy who proves to be her most dangerous enemy. Why we love it: Strong heroine, love/hate sister relationship, romantic leads endanger each other, and oh yeah—she turns into a dragon! A dragon!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Orphaned Mary seeks knowledge of life, love, and especially what lies beyond her walled village and the surrounding forest, home of the Unconsecrated, aggressive flesh-eating people who were once dead. Why we love it: Page-turner, hope, depressing but enthralling, highlights consequences of a break with conformity, The Village + I Am Legend.

Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride
Sam LaCroix, a Seattle fast-food worker and college dropout, discovers he is a necromancer, part of a world of creatures and a threat to another necromancer’s lucrative business of raising the dead. Why we love it: So funny, male lead that boys can relate to, surprise ending, talking head in a bowling bag!

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
After learning that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea, Percy Jackson transfers from boarding school to Camp Half-Blood, a summer camp for demigods, and becomes involved in a quest to prevent a war between the gods. Why we love it: Funny, plenty of action, realistic dialogue, more friendship than romance, great for boys.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
When a dark prophecy begins to come true, 16-year-old Evie of the International Paranormal Containment Agency must try to stop it and uncover its connection to herself and the alluring shapeshifter, Lend. Why we love it: Refreshing heroine who gets excited to do normal teenage stuff, vampires and faeries plus original supernatural beings keeps things interesting.

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
In late nineteenth-century New York state, wealthy 16-year-old twins Lia and Alice Milthorpe find that they are on opposite sides of an ancient prophecy that has destroyed their parents and seeks to do even more harm. Why we love it: Fighting sisters (one mostly good, one mostly evil), strong secondary characters, great plot, different paranormal abilities.

The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff
Mackie Doyle knows that he replaced a human child when he was an infant. When a friend's sister disappears, he goes against his family's and town's deliberate denial of the problem to confront the beings that dwell under the town, tampering with human lives. Why we love it: Disturbing and gruesome yet beautiful story; pure, refreshing lead character; power of love and selflessness.

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
After Chloe starts seeing ghosts and is sent to Lyle House, a mysterious group home for mentally disturbed teenagers, she soon discovers that neither Lyle House nor its inhabitants are exactly what they seem, and that she and her new friends are in danger. Why we love it: Non-stop action, fun and exciting, great creepy scenes.

The White Cat by Holly Black
When Cassel Sharpe discovers that his older brothers have used him to carry out their criminal schemes and then stolen his memories, he figures out a way to turn their evil machinations against them. Why we love it: Family dynamics, male protagonist, tragic love, good and evil are jumbled up, attention-holding, silly but brilliant concept (two words—supernatural mafia).

Part 3—Alternate Worlds/Sci-Fi

Alternate World Fantasy

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta
On the cusp of manhood, Finnikin reluctantly joins forces with an enigmatic young novice and fellow-exile, who claims that her dark dreams will lead them to a surviving royal child and a way to regain the throne of Lumatere. Why we love it: Complex characters, world building, good old-fashioned young-man-on-a-quest fantasy, surprises.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
Accompanied by her shape-shifting daemon, Lyra Belacqua sets out to prevent her best friend and other kidnapped children from becoming the subject of gruesome experiments in the Far North. Why we love it: Allegory, the importance of truth, friendship, talking polar bears, witches, parallel worlds, adventure and suspense, physical manifestation of the soul.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king. Why we love it: Emotional journey, epic fantasy, believable characters, strong and inspiring female lead, disturbing villain, swords, two different eye colors.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
After the suspicious death of her mother in 1895, 16-year-old Gemma returns to England (after many years in India) to attend a finishing school where she becomes aware of her magical powers and ability to see into the spirit world. Why we love it: Well-written, Victorian era, good and evil are confused, fear, excitement, atmosphere.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Eldest of three sisters in a land where that is considered to be a misfortune, Sophie is resigned to her fate as a hat shop apprentice until a witch turns her into an old woman and she finds herself in the castle of the greatly feared wizard Howl. Why we love it: Unique and involved concept with a well-woven plot, laugh-out-loud sarcasm, a real gem.

The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
Cast out of Wonderland by her evil aunt Redd, young Alyss Heart finds herself living in Victorian Oxford as Alice Liddell and struggling to keep memories of her kingdom intact until she can return and claim her rightful throne. Why we love it: Fun and action-packed, new take on a beloved tale, steampunk, detailed characters/character development.

The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
When 15-year-old Will is rejected by battleschool, he becomes the reluctant apprentice to the mysterious Ranger Halt and winds up protecting the kingdom from danger. Why we love it: Action and adventure, great fun for all ages and genders—knights, archers, Vikings!

Science Fiction

The Angel Experiment by James Patterson
After the mutant Erasers abduct the youngest member of their group, the "birdkids" (who are the result of genetic experimentation) take off in pursuit, also struggling to understand their own origins and purpose. Why we love it: Wings, first love, darkly brooding Fang, future science seems possible, kids controlling their destiny.

The Fetch by Chris Humphreys
After exploring a sea chest full of runes and a journal belonging to his deceased grandfather, 15-year-old Sky summons the old man's ghost, who teaches him how to travel through time and space. Why we love it: Corsica, male protagonist, dark and mysterious, evil grandpa, runestones add a unique touch.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In future North America, Panem’s rulers maintain control through a TV survival competition, pitting teens from each district against each other. Katniss's skills are tested when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place. Why we love it: Eerily possible future, social commentary, love triangle, tough girl, nail-biting suspense, pure AWESOME!

Skinned by Robin Wasserman
To save her from dying in a horrible accident, 17-year-old Lia's wealthy parents transplant her brain into a mechanical body. She must make the transition from leader of the rich, shallow girls at school to mechanical outcast. Why we love it: Seems like a possible future (believable and realistic), girl trying to find herself, sister relationship, the best character development, inspires moral debate.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Just before their 16th birthdays, when they will be transformed into beauties whose only job is to have a great time, Tally's best friend runs away and Tally must find her and turn her in, or never become pretty at all. Why we love it: Fun invented language, social commentary fits modern society, utterly captivating world-building, strongly developed characters, exciting.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman
In a future world where those aged 13 to 18 can have their lives "unwound" and their body parts harvested for use by others, three teens go to extreme lengths to uphold their beliefs—and, perhaps, save their own lives. Why we love it: Current headlines projected into future, heart-pounding suspense, biting social commentary, not too much romance, realistic feel.

Reading Lists - Romantic Suspense

The romantic suspense story is related to the Gothic novel. The heroine is usually a female who finds herself in a dangerous situation while the hero serves as both her protector and love interest.

Blue Smoke and Murder by Elizabeth Lowell
Private information collector and reluctant bodyguard Zach Balfour is hired to protect wilderness expert Jill Breck, a river guide with ties to the art world. Zach realizes his charge is in more danger than previously known, a situation that pits them against the ruthless multi-million-dollar Western art circuit.

Close to You by Christina Dodd
Up-and-coming TV reporter Kate Montgomery lands a high-paying job in Austin, where she acquires a stalker who may hold the key to unanswered questions about her past. Kate never suspects that a powerful figure is pulling her strings behind the scenes—or that Teague Ramos, her new bodyguard, will turn her life upside down, both professionally and personally. (PB)

Hurricane by Karen Harper
As a hurricane bears down on the residents of southwest Florida, forcing them to evacuate, Julie Minton and Zack Brockman, a former Navy SEAL, must race against time to find their missing children. Julie and Zack have more than Mother Nature to worry about, however, as they find themselves in the path of dangerous enemies who use the storm’s devastation their own evil ends.

Killing Her Softly by Beverly Barton
Accused of murdering his lover, defense attorney and notorious womanizer Quinn Cortez vows to prove his innocence to Annabelle Vanderley, the victim's cousin, but his quest for the truth causes the untimely demise of several more ex-lovers. Falling for Quinn, Annabelle wonders just how close she may be to a twisted psychopath (PB)

Now You See Him by Stella Cameron
After the man Ellie Byron sent to prison escapes, two murders occur, emulating a best-selling author's crime novels. Bookseller and former witness Ellie must team up with attorney Joe Gable to catch a killer when the third crime novel is released. As she and Joe grow closer, she must let him in on the hidden secrets of her past.

On the Run by Iris Johansen
The CIA put Grace Archer and her young daughter, Frankie, under protective custody on a small horse farm in Alabama. When their cover is blown, the CIA wants to use the two as bait to smoke out Marvot, an old enemy. The only person who can protect them is Jake Kilmer—a rogue agent, Grace’s estranged lover, and Frankie’s father.

Open Season by Linda Howard
Daisy Ann Minor realizes that at 34, she's a stereotypical librarian with old-fashioned clothes and mousey brown hair, so she turns herself into a party girl, declaring open season on manhunting. Late one night she sees something she's not supposed to see and finds herself the target of a killer. Daisy turns to Jack Russo, the sexy Chief of Police, for help.

Played by Barbara Freethy
A legendary diamond comes into the auction house where art historian Christina Alberti works, and two thieves, one of them her father, want the gem. FBI Agent J.T. McIntyre is determined to catch the thief who destroyed his family, and he won't let anybody stand in his way, not even the beautiful Christina, whose secrets make him wonder which side she's on. (PB)

Pursuit by Karen Robards
Jessica Ford is a young D.C. lawyer whose life is thrown for a loop when she survives a car wreck that kills the first lady and finds her own life in danger. In steps Secret Service agent Mark Ryan. As bodies start piling up, Jessica and Mark have no one to turn to except each other. The conspiracy points to some very high places, and the duo realize the key to saving their lives is locked away in Jessica’s memories.

The Rivals by Joan Johnston
Teton County sheriff’s deputy Sarah Barndollar is working a missing child case, and the victim is the U.S. Attorney General’s daughter. Things becomes more dangerous when Sarah realizes a serial kidnapper and murderer might be responsible. With the help of Drew De Witt, the attorney general’s sexy cousin, Sarah works through the puzzling clues while fighting a mesmerizing attraction to him.

Smash Cut by Sandra Brown
Julie Rutledge believes that the accidental shooting of her friend was actually orchestrated by the victim's depraved nephew Creighton. She seduces defense lawyer Derek Mitchell to prevent him from representing Creighton in court. Julie becomes the prime suspect in the murder, and Derek, who wants to believe in her innocence, realizes that the nephew is a psychotic movie buff who enjoys acting out violent film plots.

Twice Kissed by Lisa Jackson
When her twin sister disappears, Maggie McCrae, determined to find the truth, steps into her shoes and discovers her twin's dark side, leading her down a path of revenge, betrayal, and deceit. It also leads her into the arms of the only man she ever loved—and her sister’s ex-husband—Thane Walker. Thane could be Maggie’s best hope, but he might be a cold-blooded killer.

Twisted by Andrea Kane
Former FBI Special Agent Sloane Burbank works as an independent consultant, using her specialized skills to train law enforcement and private organizations in crisis resolution. When her childhood friend disappears and the woman's parents beg for her help, Sloane takes the case—even though her ex-lover Derek Parker is the FBI agent in charge.

Read-alike Guides - The Notebook

If you liked The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, you might enjoy one of these books:

The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
On assignment shooting the covered bridges in Iowa, 52-year-old photographer Robert Kincaid falls in love with Francesca Johnson, a married Iowan woman, during four days of love, magic, and beauty. Like Sparks, Waller tends to focus more on his male lead than the female love interest in this bittersweet tale of lingering memories.

Friendship Cake by Lynne Hinton
Five women, working together to create a church cookbook, share their passions, loves, and losses. As these women share recipes and a love of the Lord, they make a friendship cake to last till the end of their lives. This sincere novel features a North Carolina setting, emphasis on Christian faith and values, and 17 southern-style recipes.

The Last Promise by Richard Paul Evans
Having followed her new husband to his native home in rustic Tuscany, Ellana discovers his chauvinism and philandering. She distracts herself from her marital disappointments by caring for her asthmatic son. She reevaluates her life when she meets American art lover Ross Story. This sweetly sappy story delivers love, heartbreak, and a nearly missed opportunity.

The Last Valentine by James Michael Pratt
In 1944, Caroline Thomas awaits the birth of her child while her husband serves in the Pacific; 50 years later, their son Neil tells their story to a reporter, with whom he falls in love. Through his parents’ legacy, Neil learns about faith and true love. Vivid descriptions and intertwined narratives add depth to this touching novel.

Lisey’s Story by Stephen King
This is “a love story steeped in strength and tenderness, and cast with the most vivid, touching and believable characters,” says Nicholas Sparks. Two years after losing her husband of 25 years, Lisey looks back at the sometimes frightening intimacy that marked their marriage and her husband’s secretive nature that established Lisey's supernatural belief systems.

Love Story by Erich Segal
This is the timeless story about the love and marriage of rich Harvard ice hockey player Oliver Barrett IV and poor Radcliffe music student Jenny Calliveri. In addition to their class differences, the couple must deal with Jenny’s leukemia. Read this with a tissue box nearby. Also try Segal’s Only Love.

Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons
Returning to her family’s cottage after the death of her husband, Lily takes comfort in carrying on detailed conversations with the spirit she believes is in residence. Revisiting the happy times of her marriage and their unconventional courtship also propels Lily further down memory lane. This is an evocative novel about love and loss, complete with a coastal setting and dramatic surprise ending.

A Song I Knew by Heart by Bret Lott
Naomi has lived with her son and his wife Ruth since the death of her husband. When her son is killed in an accident, Naomi and Ruth begin a painful journey of reconciliation and forgiveness. Lott’s rhythmic phrasing echoes the source of his inspiration—the Book of Ruth—and paints a tender portrait of the grieving process.

Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
Kate Wilkerson has found her perfect man at last. Then he disappears without explanation, leaving behind only a diary for her to read. The diary is written by a new mother for her baby son, Nicholas. Kate attempts to make sense of what she finds in Suzanne’s diary in this bittersweet story about different types of love and loss. Also try Sam’s Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson.

This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
Raised by a mother who's had five husbands, 18-year-old Remy believes in no-commitment, short-term relationships until she meets Dexter, a rock band musician. This Young Adult novel is about coming to terms with the fact that loving someone requires a leap of faith and that a soft landing is never guaranteed. It should appeal to fans of Sparks’ more recent books about teenagers.

Also by Nicholas Sparks:

A Bend in the Road
Devastated by the death of his wife in a hit-and-run accident, Miles, deputy sheriff of New Bern, NC, discovers new meaning in his life when he meets Sarah Andrews, a woman struggling to rebuild her own life. However, their new relationship is tested when Miles receives a tip about his wife’s death. This novel has a touch of mystery and darker themes than most of Sparks’ work.

The Wedding
In this quasi-sequel to The Notebook, Wilson Lewis has been married to Noah and Allie’s daughter for 30 years. With the preparations for their own daughter's wedding serving as a catalyst, Wilson realizes that the spark has left his relationship with his wife, and he sets out to make his wife fall in love with him again.

Three Weeks with My Brother (with Micah Sparks)
In a memoir written with his brother, Sparks describes how the two of them dealt with their grief over the untimely deaths of their parents and only sister by embarking on a three-week odyssey around the world. Part biography and part spiritual travelogue, this a beautiful story about holding onto faith and family when faced with tragedy.