"The Virgin Cure," by Ami McKay

The Protagonist:  Moth "Ada" Fenwick. Born in the slums of New York City, she longs for a life of luxury, ease, and comfort. But h...

"The World According to Garp," by John Irving

The Protagonist: T.S. Garp. Raised by an independent-thinking single mother, he wants to be a successful writer when he grows up. His Angst...

"Not Proper Enough," by Carolyn Jewel

The Chick: Eugenia Bryant. Back in town to help an awkward but brilliant family friend succeed at the Marriage Mart, she has the misfortune ...

"Crazy For Love," by Victoria Dahl

The Chick: Chloe Turner. An ordinary accountant who just wants to relax at a secluded resort after her fiance took "getting cold feet...

"American Gods," by Neil Gaiman

The Protagonist: Shadow. When he's released from prison mere days after his wife's sudden death, he impulsively accepts a job from ...

"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

  The Protagonist: Clay Jensen. He's just a regular kid, a nice guy, likes his mom and schoolwork. I guess? The Rub: He thinks he'...

"Storm Glass," by Maria V. Snyder

The Protagonist: Opal Cowan. Teased at magic school for being a One-Trick Wonder, when she's sent out on a special glass-making mission ...

"Crazy For You," by Jennifer Crusie

The Chick: Quinn McKenzie. When she rescues an abandoned little dog against her practical boyfriend's wishes, she realizes she's set...

"Tangled Up In Love," by Heidi Betts

The Chick: Veronica Chasen. When she needs to challenge Dylan Stone, a rival from another paper, she decides to bet that he can't learn ...

"Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," by Gregory Maguire

The Heroine: Elphaba Thropp, a.k.a. "The Wicked Witch of the West." Apparently born mean and green, this neglected daughter of an ...

"Stolen Fury," by Elisabeth Naughton

The Chick: Dr. Lisa Maxwell. After years of searching for a rare trio of Greek artefacts, she finds the first of three Furies in a cave and ...

ANTHOLOGY REVIEW: "The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor," by Diane Gaston, Deb Marlowe, Amanda McCabe

The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor is next on my RITA-Reading Challenge, since two of its three novellas were nominated for Best Romance Novel...