Margaret Mitchell first entered my reading list when I was a senior in high school. She transported me back in time, introducing me to Scarlett, Rhett, Ashley and Tara. Characters I fell in love with and continue to fall in love with every time I read “Gone With the Wind”.

Alexandra Ripley continued on with “Scarlett”. It may not have gone exactly how Ms. Mitchell would have intended, but it kept the characters alive for a little while longer, answering a few questions readers may have had.

Donald McCaig took up Rhett’s story in “Rhett Butler’s People”. Not necessarily a romance, but I consider it part of the set. It gives the reader a little more in depth look at who Rhett Butler is.

Ms. Mitchell and Ms. Ripley have left this world. I couldn’t find a website for Mr. McCaig. You may not consider these romances, but for me, it fits the description.

Outlander begins the series in Inverness, Scotland, 1945, where Claire Randall is on her honeymoon with her new husband, Frank. The true tale begins when Claire steps through a stone circle and steps back in time to the 18th century Scotland where she meets the love of her life, Jamie Fraser. This man is the reason for the above symptoms. Ms. Gabaldon has this way of writing that envelops the reader in the world of Claire and Jamie, making the reader a part of the adventure these two are experiencing.

I’m not sure if it is the rugged beauty of Jamie and the love he has for Claire or if it is the beautiful words that flow from his tongue as he expresses that love, but this man touches my heart every time.

This a smart and funny series filled with action, adventure, history, sci-fi and romance.

Diana Gabaldon’s site

I have been a fan of King Arthur and Camelot since I could understand what things two things were. When I discovered the Kinley MacGregor (most know her as Sherrilyn Kenyon) series, Lords of Avalon, I found a little piece of paradise. These books show the darker side of Camelot. Arthur is dead and his knights are gone, but the Holy Grail lives on.

To my dismay, there are only two books in the series so far. There is a 3rd on its way, but not soon enough for me.

Kinley MacGregor’s site

The Murray clan books hold a very special place in my heart since that is my husband’s last name. I picked up my first Hannah Howell book for that reason alone and fell deeply in love with her writing. Whether it is Scotland, the New World, England, Hannah has the ability to make the reader feel alive within the very pages from which they read.

Hannah Howell website

My favorite cookbooks are the ones that have been handed down to me throughout my entire life. Most are not available to the public, but my grandma introduced me to a lady who is one of my best friends in the kitchen… Betty Crocker. As a child, I would get into my grandma’s cookbooks and look at the pictures. My most treasured one is Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book, published in 1963. The pages are worn, falling out or dog eared from so much use, but most of my baking recipes have come from this book.

Another of my favorites is one I received from my mother in law for a Christmas gift.  It is simply called Betty Crocker’s Cookbook. The recipes range from easy to difficult, but they are tasty. With the yields and equivalant charts to the emergency substitutions (which I have needed on more than one occasion), it is a wonderful addition to your cookbook library.

Betty Crocker’s site

Usually, I go and simply buy the pattern. Then, I came across this book, Magical Cross Stitch. It has patterns within its pages that beckoned to me. From the Phoenix, to a pegasus, to the Goddesses, to fairies, mermaids and more. The designers of this book show how you can take certain elements from the pattern and use them for other purposes (bookmarks, coasters, journal covers, etc.) There are over 25 different designs in this book.

The patterns are more complex so this book is not one for beginners.

David and Charles (publishers)

I got a cook book from my mom called The Great Big Cookie Book. It contains over 200 recipes for the most delicious treats. From Almond Fingers to Yogurt Honey muffins, this book has sweet and savory recipes to tempt the most resistant among us. There are healthy recipes as well as the not so healthy ones.

The publisher is Hermes House, but you would have better luck trying to find this particular cookbook at Amazon or other booksellers.

One year, we were very broke. My husband decided to try a recipe from this book to perk me up. He made the Chocolate Crepes. They were FANTASTIC! Now, my husband can cook, but he doesn’t do baking unless it comes prepackaged. That tells you how easy this recipe is.

From Baked Alaska to Zuccoto (kind of like a bombe cake), it has everything. The mole recipe is delicious. Jean Pare is the author of this particular cookbook and Company’s Coming is the publisher.

Company’s Coming site

Dr. Suess website

This has got to be one of the best werewolf novels I have read. Lilly is not portrayed as a sex object. She is shown as a young woman at odds with the things she has been asked to perform. I love the way the author uses the Church and their beliefs to bring spiritual questions to the surface. Uldolf is such a strong hero in this tale. He is not afraid to follow what his heart tells him even when his suspicions about Lilly prove to be true. His love still leads him back to Lilly. S.A Swann has written a story of love and passion. I recommend this book highly.

Wolfbreed review

S.A. Swann’s website

Witches, wizards, giants, ghosts, werewolves and lots of magick. So many things going on that will appeal to so many different readers. I cried when I reached the last page of the last book. I love the way J.K. Rowling turned kids back onto reading. If you haven’t gotten into the Harry Potter series yet, I encourage you to try it. I don’t have children. I bought these books for the sheer delight of reading what kind of trouble Harry, Ron, Hermione and friends could find at Hogwarts. And I re-read them for the same reason… once a year, out loud to my husband.

JK Rowling’s site

Sookie is a waitress as Merlotte’s in Bon Temps. She lives with her Gran. She has a brother, Jason, who… (pg-13 blog, hmmm…) likes the ladies. Her best friend is Tara, a woman who doesn’t tolerate stupidity well and will express her intolerance often. Sookie’s boyfriend was a vampire named Bill, though in the latest books, her boyfriend is a shifter. (See what I mean about covering the entire Halloween theme?) Did I mention Sookie is a telepath?  The fun happens when Sookie’s life begins to evolve into something that is bigger than she ever imagined. There is plenty of action and adventure and blood for everyone.

There are 9 books so far (the ninth one comes out this month).

Charlaine Harris’ site

Dance Upon the Air- we meet Nell Channing who has arrived on Three Sisters Island in trying to escape her abusive husband. She meets Ripley Todd, sheriff’s deputy, and Mia Devlin, store owner. Through these two women, she discovers a gift within herself that ties her to the island.

Heaven and Earth- is Ripley’s story. She is not as open to accepting her gifts as Nell was.  She likes her quiet life, but between her gifts and Mia, quiet is going out the window rapidly.

Face the Fire- is Mia’s story.  Mia has always been open to her gifts, but no so open to the love that has been in front of her the whole time. There is something after the sisters that is bigger than each of them. But together, they can conquer anything.

These women have had a huge impact on my life and my life’s path. It is, as if, I know them personally. I have never had a story touch me as profoundly as this trilogy did.

Nora Roberts’  site

I have read most of Silver’s non-fiction works, but when I found this one at the library, I had to read more. I was highly impressed. For me, the novel is terrific because Silver isn’t just guessing at how witchcraft works, she’s actually a witch.

Silver Ravenwolf’s website

Anita Blake is a vampire hunter and necromancer for her night job. But when  she gets done with work her lovers are waiting to satisfy her every desire. She now harbors the ardeur inside of her and it must be fed. Between her vampire lovers and were lovers, the sex does occur often, but I still think she is the tenacious thing she has always been.

See? I added another spooky element to the list: Zombies. This series contains all the things that scare the bejeebers out of you and turns it up a few notches.

Laurell K. Hamilton’s site

There are lots of steamy sex scenes to help balance all of the butt whooping going on. I love stories about women who are strong yet feminine, but aren’t afraid to stand up to their men!

Cheyenne McCray’s site

The Hollows is set in what used to be Cincinnati, Ohio. So, it is a world people are somewhat familiar with. There is just more supernatural stuff going on out in the open now. There are 7 books in this series so far, but I am hoping for another one real soon! There is never a dull moment with this trio plus their friends (and enemies).

Kim Harrison’s site

The journey with Maggie was exciting and full of adventure, one I would gladly take again. The cast of characters in this book are so colorful. From Nora and Eileen to the Fae of the Otherworld, each character brings a special element that is their own to this entire story. Culhane sees the strength in Maggie and admires it, even when she is fighting for something he does not believe in. To me, this makes him the perfect hero. Maggie is not a damsel in distress. She is a strong and independent young woman who is more than ready to be Queen. This is the epitome of a heroine. Having never read a book by Ms. Child before Beguiled, I will say she has made me a fan for life.

Maureen Child’s Website

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