Book Recomendations

I am an avid reader, but I can be rather particular about what I like to read.  One of my favorite types of characters is a strong lead female character.  Below are three book series I really enjoy.

Mercy Thompson, by Patricia Briggs

This is a great series if you enjoy vampires and werewolves.  The main character of the series, Mercy Thompson, is a coyote shape-shifter raised in a world of werewolves.  She works as a mechanic, but has to deal with a world full of overbearing werewolves trying to tell her how to live her life, vampires that would, most often, like to be rid of her, and various other fey, fairies, and supernatural beasties.

The books are written in first person from Mercy’s point of view, and some might find that off-setting.  There are 8 books in the series, as well as several books written in a spin-off series called Alpha and Omega.  If you are looking to start a new series, this is a great one.  For the most part, the books are clean.  There is some language, but sexual situations are at a minimal and generally not overly detailed.  Even young adults/older teenagers could feel comfortable reading these stories.

Kate Daniels, by Ilona Andrews

This is another fantastic fantasy series.  The series is set in a type of post-apocalyptic Atlanta where magic has returned and is playing havoc with the world.  Kate Daniels is a former mercenary/supernatural problem solver.  All her life she has been preparing for a confrontation with her father, the head of the People, who control the world’s vampires.  In the meantime, she gets wrapped up in the world of shape-shifters as she falls for the head of all the were-animals in Atlanta.

This series is a little darker, a little grittier.  It definitely a series meant for adults.  Language and violence are definitely more intense this these books.  Currently there are 7 books, plus one spin-off book that ties directly into the series. 

In Death, by JD Robb

This series is set in the future, and revolves around the character of Eve Dallas.  Eve is a murder detective in NYC.  Each stories in this series is relatively independent of the others, though reading them in order does fill in some of the gaps since it is assumed you know all the ensemble characters, as well as the dark histories both Eve and her husband Roarke have.

This most definitely an adult series.  Language is an issue, but sexual situations are a regular part of the storyline.  One weakness of the books I have discovered is that since JD Robb is actually a pseudonym for Nora Roberts, she often has ghost writers writing the books on her behalf, and some are definitely better than others.  There are 38 full length books out, with one to be released Sept. 2014.  There are also 9 short stories that have been printed in various anthologies.

I would suggest looking for these books on Amazon.com, should you find yourself interested.  As far as I know you can get all of them in e-book format if that is your preference.