Great reads for working women

The end of a work day is just the beginning for many working women. A day in the office is just a preface to a busy evening preparing supper, feeding the family and getting the children to bed. A great way to relax after a busy day is to de-stress with a good book. Here are a few suggestions of great reads to "cut off the day."

Janet Evanovich is one of today's most popular novelists. Her series of novels featuring girl bounty hunter Stephanie Plum are funny, bright and real page turners. The first book in the series, One for the Money, introduces readers to Stephanie and her zany family. Her parents, grandmother and sister are great characters and often get Stephanie involved in events better left alone.

Add a sometime boyfriend and an attractive coworker, along with some pretty tough sidekicks and

you've got the perfect recipe for an entertaining and lighthearted read.

Evanovich has written 11 books in the Stephanie Plum series with number 12 due out this summer.

Mary Kay Andrews, a Georgia author, has three side-splitting novels with a fourth just released this month. Itsy Bitsy Lies, Hissy Fit, and Savannah Blues all feature feisty women characters and laughter galore.

Her new book, Savannah Breeze, picks up the story of Bebe Loudermilk who was first introduced to readers in Savannah Blues.

For romantic and suspenseful plots, try Catherine Coulter. Her FBI series features special agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock. Beginning with The Cove and The Maze, Coulter offers five books filled with adventure, intrigue and romance.

Iris Johansen, another Georgia writer, also writes great romantic suspense novels. Ugly Duckling, one of her earliest books, tells the story of plain Nell Calder who redefines herself and her life to seek revenge for the deaths of her husband and child.

Johansen also writes a series of mysteries centering around the adventures of Eve Duncan, a forensic sculptor.

Another Georgia author, Deborah Smith, tells stories set in the Georgia mountains. With romance and mystery in the plots, her books are easy to read and have interesting plots. Sweet Hush is centered around an apple farm in the Georgia mountains and Charming Grace features big time movie stars descending on Dahlonega, Ga., in a humorous and sometimes satirical story. And for a different kind

of heroine and a very different sidekick, try Anne George's Southern sister mysteries. Patrica Anne Hollowell, retired schoolteacher and somewhat demure woman, and her decidedly outspoken older sister Mary Alice find themselves in a variety of situations. The books are set in locations in Florida and Alabama readers will find familiar.

For readers who might like more inspiration than intrigue in their stories, Karen Kingsbury offers a long list of titles for the taking. Considered the topselling Christian fiction writer of today, Kingsbury has been dubbed the "Queen of Clean" fiction.

With over four million copies of her books in print, Kingsbury writes both stand alone titles and series. Her most popular series are Redemption, Firstborn and Women of Faith.