Sara's Selections

Even now, several years after the creation of this page, I still maintain Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie as my favorite book.

Some of my other choices have changed, or expanded, so the remainder of my pick list is different...

* I still suffer from vampire addiction. I have re-read the Stephenie Meyer Twilight series (c'mon -- the last movie is coming out soon!! I HAD TO!!) Some other choice vampire series are: Kerrilyn Sparks, who writes a spicy undead story ; Molly Harper and her "Nice Girls" series ; The House of Night Series by PC Cast is a YA series but it holds your interest through the ends ; the Betsy books by MaryJanice Davidson -- with the exception of the final book in the series, which almost made me NOT put her in this list ; Jennifer Rardin's Jaz Parks series is about a vampire hunter whose partner IS a vampire ; and finally, some vampire humor with the Broken Heart, Oklahoma, series by Michele Bardsley.

If you're into the whole supernatural thing, check out the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Mercy is a shape-shifter mechanic who spends the majority of her time fighting the supernatural in the form of werewolves, vampires, fae, and the like. She is an entirely likeable character who is totally normal... except she can change into a coyote.

Another of my favorite shape-shifter series is the Rachel Vincent series featuring Faythe Sanders, a werecat who must work with her Pride to keep control of their territory...and her life. The Shifters series feature one-word titles like Pray and Shift , and are often checked out as a group, so you won't have to squirm on the edge of your seat to find out what happens with Faythe and Marc.

On to other genres, where nobody drinks blood or changes into four-legged creatures...

Some mystery / who-done-it titles:

* the Lucky O'Toole series by Deborah Coontz. This is a new series -- only 2 titles so far -- but Lucky's adventures in Vegas can surely survive for some more.

* Julie Kramer's Missing Mark and Stalking Susan are both Booklist starred titles. These mysteries will keep you guessing.

* The for me series by Karen Rose are more edgy than the average mystery. They feature serial killers and grisly murder... and a pair of lovers who must stop the killer.

* Another series with only 2 titles to date is the Kate Burkholder Silence series by Linda Castillo. Kate is a cop in an Amish community in Ohio, where she is shunned by the very people she is sworn to protect, as she left the Plain life long ago. This is another author I think we will see more from soon.

*ooooohhhh... Chelsea Cain has a wonderful archenemy for cop Archie Sheridan with female serial killer Gretchen Lowell. With three titles in the "heart" series already (and one set to be released in early 2011), Cain is a master at cop and killer interaction.

A Touch of Romance...

* The search for lost gold is a theme through the Montana trilogy by RC Ryan. Three cousins search for the lost treasure their grandfather swears is on their ranch...and find true love in the process.

* The Black Ops series by Cindy Gerard is sexy, steamy, and just a little scary. This is romantic suspense in its best form. There are currently 11 titles in the series... expect more!

* Cathie Linz has some wacky characters in her Girls series. She also has some stand-alone titles that carry on her humor and fun-filled romps.

* Kat Martin is a well-rounded author. She can put you square in the middle of Wyoming in the present day with her Against trilogy, then her Brides series can put you in the Old West.

* Penny McCall has a series of romantic suspense with titles like Ace is Wild and Tag, You're It which feature reoccurring characters.

A Few Side Notes...

* Nora Roberts still makes me bounce on the edge of my seat when a new book arrives. I loved her Bride Quartet series, and I can't wait for the next hardback suspense title to come out!

* The Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich are still some of the best laugh-out-loud fiction around. While Steph and Grandma Mazur are getting a little worn, having Morelli and Ranger around will keep things rolling!

* James Patterson seems to put out a book about every couple of weeks. His new ones are often co-written by an up-and-coming author, who then goes on to write his or her own books. Nothing like being trained by the master of suspense!

* Susan Elizabeth Phillips continues to me one of my favorite romance authors. She writes stories with humor and heart, with characters that stay with you.

These are just a select few of the authors and series I love. I am sure there are more I am forgetting. If you ever need suggestions, please ask... I will be glad to help!

Happy Reading!