Book Reviews

Most writers are avid readers and I'm no exception. I've been inhaling books for more than 30 years now. Here are my top picks for you to read today. Seriously, go to the library or download these books now. Waste no time!

All Time Favorites

The Mists of Avalon by Marian Zimmer-Bradley-- This was the book that started my love affair with paranormal romance. It's a fantasy, a retelling of the King Arthur myth from a feminist perspective and an enchanting, all encompassing journey into a different world. Open the cover for magic, love, betrayal and what happens when fate and choices collide.
The Mists of Avalon

Love Story by Erich Segal-- What can you say about a twenty-three year-old girl who died? It's sad. It's heart wrenching. It's the kind of real love that sends shivers down your spine. Prepare to sob until your heart bursts. It's worth every tear.
Love Story


Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones by Ann Head-- July thinks she's got the world by the tail until she and her boyfriend Bo Jo go too far one night. When she realizes she's expecting she and Bo Jo, her football star boyfriend, end up married. Life isn't what she expected but growing up and being in love end up changing July in unexpected ways. I loved this book when I was a teenager. July grows up the hard way and it's fun to go along on the journey.
Mr. and Mrs. Bo Jo Jones

Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling-- I can't even pick one book. In my mind the seven books run together into one perfect story. Rowling captures mythology, magic and the real relationships between friends and family with sparks of genius.
Harry Potter

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Series by Ann Brashares-- I love the way romance, family and growing up are woven together into the fabric of friendship in this sweet series. A long distance dad, boyfriend troubles, long distance love and finding yourself collide in this amazing series.
Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants
http://annbrashares.com/

Princess Diaries Series by Meg Cabot-- Mia's angst at finding out she's the princess of a country she's never visited is counter-balanced by first love, the trials of friendship and her crazed grandmother. Nothing like the Disney movie and that's a good thing.
The Princess Diaires
http://www.megcabot.com/

The Chronicles of Vladmir Tod by Heather Brewer-- Written by a woman who probably doesn't realize she kept me from quitting writing just by letting me sit near her and another group of writers at a conference. She told me the first book in this series was her fourth complete novel and her first published. She urged me never to give up. I'm glad she didn't because her series has all my favorite ingrediants. Vlad is a vampire with a high moral code. There's romance, friendship, loss, betrayal and redemption.
8th Grade Bites
http://www.heatherbrewer.com/



Abandon by Meg Cabot-- If you've been following my blog, you know this one was a big hit with me. I love the modern retelling of the Hades/Persephone myth. I'm completely enthralled with the Greek mythology book rage at the moment. There's a weird scene early on involving a cup of tea, but keep reading because the romance and the plot heat up in all the right ways after that.
http://www.megcabot.com/


The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter-- I absolutely loved this one. This version of the Hades/Persephone myth took my Greek mythology obsession to the next level. Nothing is what it seems and everything is at stake for Kate in this book as she trades her future for the people she loves. She ends up with more than she bargained for in the process.
http://www.aimeecarter.com/

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan-- I'm actually a huge fan of the Percy Jackson series, but I love the ways this book, the first in a new related, but different, series brings the lives and fates of three demigods together. This book, which would appeal to boys and girls has the perfect blend of humor, action and mystery, with a hint of romance thrown in.
http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx