This was brought up in another thread, but I felt this subject deserved it's own thread.

If you know of a book or a series that is good, tell us about it

Mary Janice Davidson's "Undead" series in a laugh out loud blast, you can read about her books here: http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net/Betsy.htm   The first book is Undead and Unwed

Kim Harrison's "The Hollows" series is fast paced and fun, you can read about her books and read the first chapter of each of them here: http://www.kimharrison.net/The%20Books.htm   The first book is Dead Witch Walking

Katie MacAlister's "Aisling Grey, Guardian" series is fun with a sexy dragon hero, you can read about her books here: http://www.katiemacalister.com/books/aislinggrey.html                           The first book is You Slay Me

And last, but certainly not least is one of my all time favorite series' Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. This is not a paranormal series, but it will make you laugh 'til you hurt. Stephanie Plum is an inept, but lucky bounty hunter. I cannot tell you how wonderful this series is, you will just have to go over to her site where you can read the first chapter of each book, the first book is One For The Money. Go check them out here: http://www.evanovich.com

Here's my list of must reads:

Books by Robin Hobb: "The Farseer Trilogy" starting with Assassin's Apprentice, then Royal Assassin, and finally Assassin's Quest.

"The Tawny Man Trilogy" starting with Fool's Errand, then Golden Fool, and finally Fool's Fate.  These two trilogies have made me laugh, cry, scream, want to reach in and slap the main character, and to be awake at 2pm after being up all night going "one more chapter." You have to read "The Farseer Trilogy" first and then go onto "The Tawny Man Trilogy" which is the final series set in that particular world.

Any book by R.A Salvatore. :P  I love his novel's set in the "Forgotten Realms" universe.

The DragonLance novels by Marget Wise and Tracy Hickman. Start with "Dragons of Autumn Twilight" and then go on from there. These books got me started on fantasy novels. I blame my husband for this addiction.  They also inspired me to try my hand at writing a fantasy novel. :)

::points to avatar:: The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Harry is awsome and you'll love Bob. Book one is "Storm Front." Of course I'm fairly positive you know who reads the audio books for this series. ;)

I'll probally add to this list as I think up more. :)

The only series I have read for the last few years are the Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton, the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, and the Dark Series by Christine Feehan. The Dark series, I once started a crossover of it. Its a supernatural romance series which these Carpathians that are much like vampires and in fact when they lose their souls they become vampires. The premise of the series is that each male has a female lifemate, and saying the binding words anchors his soul. The males make you want to beat them in the head, but the women put them in their place.

I also read vampire romances by Shannon Drake and Maggie Shayne. Shannon Drake's vampires are similar to classic Dracula (in the movie or what not he could go out in low daylight and so can her vampires). Maggie Shayne's vampires can only be turned from special psychic humans or something like that, and one book has the hero being the long lost Gilgamesh (i think I got the name right because I don't think it was Beowulf... yes, its Gilgamesh that has the guy looking for immortality... and he must have found it and become a vampire :P )

I can provide the authors' websites if anyone wants them.

I also forgot that Maggie Shayne has a series dealing with these immortal witches, whose magic is based a lot similar to Wiccan practices.

Sorry LisFayte- I have to disagree on Stephanie Plum.  She didn't seem to know much, and the grandmother was more interesting, IMO.  It was interesting, I finished it, but I wouldn't read another.

Once again, though it is not paranormal, I will rec the Fantabulous Jackie Collins: I'd start with LA Connections, or the Santangelo Series (Chances, Lucky, Lady Boss, Vendetta: Lucky's Revenge, Dangerous Kiss), Rock Star, Lovers and Gamblers (with a trapped in the jungle twist), and Thrill. 

Of course there's more, but those are the ones I love ;)

Sigh - I have a couple of series I'd like to recommend, but being me, I can't remember the titles of the best ones.  The ones I do remember are the Shannara (sp?) books.  The Scions of Shannara is one, I think.  They are full of elves, magic, a cool black leopard, a wizard and some fairly adult (in the relationships - not adult as in sex scenes) situations and relationships.  I don't even know how many of them there are, but it's a lot and I haven't read them all.  

I'll go root through my books and find the other series. It is really an interesting concept - set on a world where magic is a natural force that is part of the planet's make-up and the humans who have been born there have adapted to it - some better than others.  The main villain - who is really awful in the beginning - is a kind of vampire and an intriguing character, as is the magically adept "priest"who becomes a reluctant ally. They are really excellent books - each could stand alone, but they make an arc that really should be followed to the end.  I will find the author and titles for you. I promise.

The Dragonbone Chair and the books that followed it are very good. I think there were three in the series, but I only recall the title of the first one  - Tad Williams is the author and he is all over the place in his genres, but wonderful at all of them. This one is a typical fantasy - elves, magic, evil bad guys, castles kind of story. He also has a series set in a virtual reality world that is truly amazing, and one novel that is an urban fantasy.  Very talented guy. Again, quite grown-up in that the relationships are not all fluffy and the bad guys can be really, really scary. (And the worst ones are often human...)

For vampires: I'd recommend The Historian (long, but awesome and chilling), I Am Legend by Richard Matheson (I read this when I was in high school I think, but it is a classic and has recently been rereleased - I think because someone is planning a movie. It's more of a science fiction approach.), anything by Tanith Lee.  I like Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's little vampire guy (whose name escapes me). That's all that I can remember right now.  I'm actually pretty proud of myself. lol I did cheat a little bit and run my eyes over the bookcase in my bedroom, but most of this is from memory. (Hence, the lack of actual titles...) If anyone is interested in knowing the exact titles, let me know and I'll dig them out for you.  I have most of these, but some are packed away in boxes right now while we finish off the basement and build book shelves.

Um...Robert Jordan - something about a wheel series?  Haven't read more than one of those yet, but I bought the next one and it's in my pile of stuff to read.

Robert Jordan - Wheel of Time.  Boy, that series is LONG, and I think it is still going.  It is very inventive, I just couldn't keep with it over such a long span of time.

DD seems to like the blood debt series by Tanya Huff.  Personally, I don't really care much for mystical/vampire fiction - most seem too formulaic and shallow for to really care what happens to the characters.

- Cas/Ananuthe

That's it! Thanks, Cas.  It is a long series, I think. I didn't realize that when I started it - thought I was just reading one book. LOL Then I found out it was leading to another, and another, and....

I'm not familiar with Tanya Huff. The only vampire series I can remember reading/following is the one mentioned above. I didn't even know until recently that there were so many of them out there. :) *is oblivious most of the time*

Scarlet, I am sorry that you did not enjoy the first Stephanie Plum book, but I think you have done yourself a disservice by not going any further in the series. I will agree that the first book wasn't her best, but with each book they get funnier. The second book was much, much better than the first, the large cast of characters in the books are all quirky and original.

Another series I was going to mention is Anne Bishop's Black Jewels Trilogy, the first book is Daughter of the Blood, the second is Heir to the Shadows, and the third is Queen of the Darkness, here is a very brief summary of the first book:   

LisFayte-

Hmm... okay.  Perhaps this summer (when I'm out of school and not bombarded with multiple novels that I'm required to read), I'll check out another one.  Got any in particular that you feel is the best?

The Carpathian Series by Christine Feehan.

Yummy vampires... bitey goodness  *EG*

"Robert Jordan - Wheel of Time.  Boy, that series is LONG, and I think it is still going.  It is very inventive, I just couldn't keep with it over such a long span of time. "

My brother-in-law reads that series. He cursed me when I got him book eleven (if I remeber correctly) since he hadn't read book ten yet. He's afraid the series won't get finished.

I actually prefer long series. I guess I just don't want the character's adventures to end.

This recommendation is a series my husband loves. I personally haven't read them but he read each book within days after getting them. It's "The Dark Tower" series by Stephen King. I believe there are eight in total with the first being "The Gunslinger."

BTW-I finished "Fool's Fate" today. It made me cry and I have to say it was the best out of them all.

Shadooooow - the "vampires" weren't yummy! They were walking corpses.... literally. Ew.... YOU can kiss one of those but I'll take the Carpathians - no matter how annoying they can be, because its fun to mock them :P

I just remembered one more book. John Stakely's "Vampires." I loved this book. Forget the movie by John Carpenter. The only thing they got right was casting James Woods as the lead character. It is awsome and the vampires are evil. :D

Well, LadyYashka kinda already named the only series I have to add to this thread... The Dresden Files is absolutely awesome - and chock full of Buffy references. Seriously, a vampire wearing a BtVS t-shirt? Cracks me up every time. I *heart* Thomas. I want James Marsters to play him on the show, since he wouldn't play Harry. 

I used to read tons of books when I was taking the train to work every day and had a 45 minute commute. But of course, now I can't remember any of them. I just bought a book called "Carpe Demon" about a demon-hunting soccer mom, because I thought the title was cute, but I haven't started it yet.

Wait- JM wouldn't play Harry, or they wouldn't give it to him?  I'm confused...

And the Carpe Demon- my teacher told me that it was like if Buffy had gotten married and had kids, and then demons resurface or an apocalypse comes about.  If you read it, let me know if it's any good.

He didn't want to play Harry. I'm not sure if they officially offered him the role, but I know there was interest in him for the part because of the audio books. But it's filmed in Toronto, and he didn't want to have to move all the way across the country from his family. Also, I think there was probably a type-casting concern, what with the supernatural/magic/vampires aspect. And the fact that Harry wears a VERY Spike-like leather duster.... lol. Except they ended up changing that for the show anyway, which kinda makes me sad. Harry also has a line in one of the books about how he likes phallic weapons "because they make me feel manly." Hmmm... quote Spike much? :)

My absolute favorite exchange, though, was when Harry's being chased by vampires, and he warns someone, "Don't let them lick you!" Because apparently, vampire saliva is a narcotic - and once it's in your system, you can't resist them. I think that explains Buffy's little obsession, don't you?

Maybe with Angel or Dracula, but Spike doesn't need any drug or thrall to tempt a woman- all you gotta do is look at him *sigh*

I don't watch the series, but I didn't hear glowing reviews about it.  Shows like that and that new vamp show on Lifetime piss me off tremendously, cause it's obvious there's a market for that kind of show still, and yet, those bastards canceled Angel. Gosh, it makes me so mad.

And openly stilling Spike quotes and trademarks?  Ugh!  I need to go watch a DVD with Spike on it now...

I don't think Jim Butcher was actually stealing the quotes, it was more like paying homage to the character Spike, and to the show itself. JB has always said he was a fan of the show, I believe that was one reason why James Marsters was tapped to read the audio books.

Yeah, it's just a little nod to the show, and mutual fans. A little something from Jim to make us smile.

I think Jim was prepared to put in a good word for James, but James isn't moving from L.A. until the kids are grown.

From what I remember they had offered JM the role and he didn't take it for reasons already stated here. Jim still thinks highly of JM as well. Once they announced who was playing Harry, Jim wrote in an email to his old mailing list why JM turned down the role and that he felt it was something Harry would have done.

I remember reading that and going "awww how sweet."

Yup. :)

I'll be happy as long as James keeps reading the audio books! Yum!

CM

Yep... and it certainly does make me smile, every time it happens. :) And yeah, they approached James for the audio books because of his work on Buffy, they thought he'd do a great job with the characters.

I have to say, Paul Blackthorne's definitely getting it done as Harry... even if occasionally his accent goes a little wonky. But you probably wouldn't notice it if you didn't know he was British. I don't find myself saying "James Marsters woulda done it better."

How many kids does JM have?  As long as he's not married, it won't disturb my future dream...

And I'm probably wrong about the Dresden Files show, but that still doesn't mean I'm happy about the blatant rip off that Lifetime show "Blood Rites(?)" is in existence...  I long for an Angel or Spike movie

I think James could have played the hell out of Harry - but I can understand if he didn't want to do the traveling/moving involved.  I didn't dislike the first shows I watched, but I can't say that I've made a point of following it as I might have if James was playing Harry. 

James has one son from his former marraige and he is raising his neice (brother's child) - or at least he was the last time I heard him speak. He usually refers to his "family" rather than just his son.  I think Sullivan lives with his mom, though and James sees him on weekends. 

Yeah, SI, any vampire shows that come up when they already had a perfectly good one with a built-in audience, are to growl at. :)

"Blood Ties" is a series based on the "Blood" novels by Tanya Huff, I want to see this series and it will be very different than Buffy. This show will have more of a "Forever Knight" feel to it.

Yep, his niece lives with him, and his son is with his mother. James drives up to Modesto every weekend he's not working, which I think is great. I wish my dad had been that devoted to seeing me.

That show's on Lifetime, though - wouldn't it lean towards chick-flick mush? I wasn't impressed with the commercial I saw. Kind of reminded me of a live-action romance novel.

Does anyone know which publishing house released these series of books

The Carpathian Series by Christine Feehan.

I can't find them anywhere and my book store said if I could find out who released them they may be able to order them in for me...

Here's the author's website, Mrs. http://www.christinefeehan.com/dark_series.htm

CM

The Carpathian series is a "Leisure Books" Publication.

Leisure Books are a trademark of

Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.

200 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10016

http://dorchesterpub.com

Spikes Mrs. you can probably order the books from Amazon, the name of the first book is Dark Prince.

The Anita Blake series is kinda hard to shrink into a few sentences.  Since book 15 or is it 16?  is coming out this summer.  Best advice for you is to read it. Personaly I prefer the later books but the beginning of the series is pretty awesome. 

A for books recommendations, no one mentioned the Dark-Hunter series.  By writer Sherrilyn Kenyon.  Great characters, and funny as hell.  I still laugh out loud everytime I read Talon's story. As far as non-paranormal, check out the Eve Dallas serie.  Futuristic mystery by JD Robb but pretty good.  Or the Mary Russell Serie ( Sherlock Holmes with a wife.  Mary is awesome) by Laurie R. King...