As a teenager, I was always an avid reader, and I read everything I could get my hands on. The first story I ever wrote was a Who-dun-it, and I read all the popular Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. I worked in the high school library and later in the public library as after school jobs, and nothing could have been better for me. Although I read all the classic literature, I did love a good story about teenagers whose characters were smart, inspiring and engaging. I'm trying to offer a few good choices as I find them, and I would welcome a teen reviewer who would enjoy reading and writing about the books for this page. If you know anyone, send them my way. 

~~Sandy Penny, Founder of Sweet Mystery Books.

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Descended from Dragons by Tricia Owens

(Moonlight Dragon Urban Fantasy Mystery Series, Book 1) 

Descended from Dragons by Tricia Owens

(Moonlight Dragon Urban Fantasy Mystery Series, Book 1) 

This was a super fun read, a unique magical setting, and the star of the show who gets in more trouble than she can handle - or can she? Anne Moody is a sorceress who is descended from dragons, and she has powers; one is the command of a dragon. It's a constant fight for her not to burn down the city, but she's becoming more adept. She runs a pawn shop in Las Vegas, and the occasional magical object comes her way. When she buys a gargoyle statue, little does she know that it houses a real gargoyle and a demon, all in the same little package. And it's no accident she ended up with it. When her cryptic cursed magical cameo jewelry tells her she will meet the love of her life, but he will try to kill her, she has no idea what that means, but she's about to find out. What's a poor little sorceress to do when she's looking for love in all the wrong places? Her best friend is a human/monkey shapeshifter, and monkeys are always up for getting into trouble with you. Of course, there is a fierce battle in the end that threatens the very existence of Las Vegas. This is a well written, fast paced magical novel complete with dragons, demons, sorcerers and hot guys and gals. Lots of awesome kooky characters. It's funny and witty and an all around great read. If you like kick-ass heroines, gotta read this one. And, even though it's the first in a series, it is not a cliffhanger. It stands alone and still makes you want more. *****Five Stars ~Sandy Penny, SweetMysteryBooks. Book 2 coming soon, and I can't wait to review it.



The book of Sight by Deborah Dunlevy

I really enjoyed this clean teen novel. It is magical fantasy with a likable cast of interesting teens. When a strange and mysterious book shows up at Alex's door, she is dumbfounded. She can't read the language, and has no idea who sent it to her. Then she begins to see the stories in her mind, and she starts seeing other things too, like little people who live in the forest. When she is drawn to a circle of trees and meets other kids who have been given the book, the mystery deepens, and they decide to join forces to figure it out together. When their books start disappearing, they are determined to get them back and are led into adventure, danger and more mysteries. It's well written, interesting and compelling. It's a quick read that leads you to book 2 in the series. I highly recommend it for those who desire a magical adventure. Nicely done. ~Review by Sandy Penny of SweetMysteryBooks.





Pinehurst by Nicole Grane 

A Young Adult Magical Olympian Adventure/Fantasy/Romance Novel

This is a pretty good Young Adult fantasy about a teenage girl who finds out she's the daughter of the leader of the Olympians, witches with all kinds of magical abilities and special powers. She doesn't learn who she really is until her dad transfers her to Pinehurst school for the magically gifted. She has no idea her father transferred her to protect her from hellish demons who are trying to kill him and his family. She also has no idea how advanced her powers are until she is with others who are less developed. When her father disappears, her guardian and demon hunter Antonio takes her with him to find her father, and that involves going to hell. She has to fight all kinds of demons and mysterious beings to get to her father before he is killed. It's a love story, a coming of age story, and a fantastic adventure. If you like that kind of blend, you'll definitely like this one. Interesting characters and a good fantasy story. This is the first in the series, and I'm sure the adventures will only get more fantastic as the stories unfold. ~Review by Sandy Penny, Founder of SweetMysteryBooks. **** Four Stars  

Click here for other Pinehurst Magical novels by Nicole Grane on Amazon. 

Click here for the Immortal Wounds vampire series by Nicole Grane on Amazon. 



Mike Wells Writes Teen Fiction as compelling as his Suspense/Thrillers 





Wild Child by Mike Wells . a clean teen series

Mike Wells is one of my favorite authors. He writes thrillers, suspense and teen fiction. His tagline says his books are "unputdownable," and I agree. Every one I've read has been completely engrossing. His stories are never ordinary, always extraordinary. 

I just read Wild Child, Book 1, affectionately called the "book that wouldn't die." For that story check out the Amazon link. Briana Fox is the wildest girl in school. She and Kyle have been close for a long time...almost lovers. But Kyle is afraid that if he pushes her, he'll have his heart broken and lose his best friend. When Briana challenges him to a swim across the lake, she's injured in a horrific accident, but she discovers a mysterious substance in an underwater cave that saves her life. What seems to be a magical "power drug" invokes superhuman abilities, and Briana soon becomes dependent on it for her very survival. When two government agents learn of the discovery, they will stop at nothing to find the source and turn Briana into a human experiment. Is Kyle willing to risk everything to protect his love? I can hardly wait to read the next book.

Wild Child, Book 2, Lilith:  picks up where the first story left off. Join Kyle, Briana, Brawn and Brains for another hair-raising adventure with the "green water." Several new, intriguing characters are introduced. Written in the same lean, fast-paced style as the original, this sequel will keep you breathlessly turning the pages, wondering what will happen next. (Reading it now.)

The Mysterious Disappearance of Kurt Kramer - Books 1 and 2

When a four teens on vacation see something land on the beach in the middle of the night, they obviously go to check it out. What seems like a solid piece of metal suddenly opens and sucks in one of the kids, and it's his birthday. The rest of the story is about his friends, family and the government trying find out what happened to him. There are elements of mysticism, magical reality and psychic abilities as the mystery unfolds. 

Young or old, this is a great story with some great messages, and lots to think about.

The Wrong Side of the Tracks - Books 1 and 2 (some bad language in this one)

The Wrong Side of the Tracks is reminiscent of "Stand By Me." I often compare Mike Wells to Stephen King, and it's because he has a range in his writing that is not restricted by genre. He sets out to tell a good story, and he follows it wherever it takes him. This is a coming of age story of a teen boy learning to find his strength and define who he is going to be in this world. It is a story of friendship that transcends the boundaries of societal judgments. It has deep emotions hidden in day-to-day circumstances. Mike successfully captures the teenage boys' angst and their challenges with bullies and girls and plans for the future. As always, Mike has told a great story and managed to make us think and remember what it was like in our teens. I love that his Young Adult novel is just as compelling as any of his thrillers. Good job, Mike.

****** FIve stars for all these series. - Read Sandy Penny's reviews on Sweet Mystery Books Blog


Panic by Lauren Oliver

An utterly gripping thriller from bestselling author Lauren Oliver. Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a poor town of twelve thousand people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do. Heather never thought she would compete in panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She'd never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought. Dodge has never been afraid of panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game; he's sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he's not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for. For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them-and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most. In this gritty, spellbinding novel, bestselling author Lauren Oliver delivers a gripping narrative of friendship, courage, survival, and hope.





Lingering Echoes by Erica Kiefer (Clean Teen Publishing)

Review by Sandy Penny: Allie is returning to the vacation spot where she almost drowned and where her beloved cousin disappeared in the raging river, right before her eyes. Her guilt and pain seem to draw her to Damien, a local bad boy, like a moth to a flame. Is he the terror the town thinks he is, and is she in danger hanging out with him? What secrets lurk beneath the surface of this teen thriller? The relationship is complicated by Aaron, her step-brother's best friend, who always seems to be saving her from the trouble she gets into. I loved this book. It really connected with summer love, the depth of teen feelings, and the rebellion and struggles we all experience in our teen years. It's a story with a lot of depth, well written and fast paced. Once you get started, you won't want to stop. I highly recommend it to those who like stories about teenagers at defining moments in their  lives. Excellent read. Five Stars ***** 

Rumors is a short novella prequel to Lingering Echoes. It begins in Allie's high school setting and involves her being accused of and punished for things she didn't do. It tells the heart-wrenching story of Allie losing her favorite cousin, and the beginning of coming to terms with the day that changed her life forever. It sets the stage for Lingering Echoes and should have been included in the book. Well written, well told and emotionally powerful. Erica Kiefer is an excellent writer and story-teller. Five Stars *****


How to Fall by Jane Casey

When fifteen-year-old Freya drowns, everyone assumes she's killed herself, but no-one knows why. Her cousin, Jess Tennant, thinks she was murdered - and is determined to uncover the truth. On a summer visit to sleepy Port Sentinel, Jess (who bears a striking resemblance to her dead cousin) starts asking questions - questions that provoke strong reactions from her friends and family, not to mention Freya's enemies. Everyone is hiding something - and Freya herself had more than her fair share of secrets. Can Jess unravel the mystery of her cousin's death? A mystery involving a silver locket, seething jealousy and a cliff-top in the pitch black of night?