So, I'm a really big fan of the Sweep series and the House of Night series. Are you a fan of any Pagan fiction or fiction that has really heavy Pagan themes? Would you be willing to recommend me some?'

edit: I should add that the Southern Vampire Mysteries (AKA Sookie Stackhouse series) is also in my favourites and one of the genres that makes me happy in my soul is paranormal romance....

So here's the order and how I discovered this genre:

-Twilight series (Stephanie Meyer)

-House of Night series (P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast)

-Almost Human Trilogy (Melanie Nowak) <---story is lovely, the editing atrocious! I was willing to look past that for a great story.

-Sookie Stackhouse series

-Anita Blake series

-Duality: Guardians of the Light (Renee Wildes) <--- this was free on Kindle for a while. It was sweet, Goddess-based, but they used words like "betwixt" and "thee" and all that. I only read the first book when I learned the next was kind of related, but not a continuation at all. Each of the books stands alone.

-The Hollows series (just started the first book)

So based on my little reading adventure, here are my recommendations for you. :)

1. The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris has some wiccan characters, but this is not too prevalent. House of Night is kind of unique that way. This is the series that is now being made into the HBO TV show, True Blood. This will probably always be me favorite, even above the House of Night novels. The characters are memorable, the storytelling excellent, the plot progresses nicely (my main complaint about HoN is they don't advance the plot well... it's either too fast or too slow), and the whole series is just... well, charming. Granted I have yet to find another Goddess-worship-centric series like HoN, but these ones I'm suggesting still seem to fill some of the same void.

2. The Anita Blake series by Laurell Hamilton is great that way (it has many interesting themes relating to paganism and witchcraft, in a neutral-to-positive light), as it has elements, but that's not all that it's about. It can get gory and violent at times though, as the main character works with the police investigations "preternatural crime." But this series has "magick" prevalent throughout, and she lives in a world where Vampires are out of the closet, witches have unions, and magic of all sorts is a part of everyday life. The best part about these books is the characters. They are just wonderful, and I have grown to love them all.

3. Hamilton also has another series called Meredith Gentry, which is promising, but I don't know how it would compare to the House of Night series.

Meredith NicEssus is a faerie princess turned private investigator in a world where faeries are not only known to the general public, but are also fashionable. She takes on the pseudonym "Meredith Gentry" to hide from her family and her past while hiding out in Los Angeles, California as a private investigator at Grey's Detective Agency. Merry, the only Sidhe (pronounced "shee") royal to be born on American soil, fearing the continuous assassination attempts on her life thinly disguised as duels, flees the Unseelie Court in a final act of self-preservation. Her glamour (the art of magical disguise through illusion) is nearly unrivaled at court, and she is able to pass herself off as a human with fey blood.

The general tone of the writing is less of an outright fantasy and more of an alternate history. The point of divergence from normal history is not provided, although hints are given about how the faerie history intersects with human history (Adolf Hitler, the Irish Potato Famine, and Thomas Jefferson are examples). In the books, Jefferson gave the Unseelie and Seelie courts asylum after the European courts exiled them—however with the caveat that they could not set themselves up as gods or make war on one another, by doing so they would risk being evicted from US soil.

from wikipedia

4. Another series that I have looked at but not read yet (more than a few chapters) in is The Hollows series by Kim Harrison. (first book is called Dead Witch Walking...) It looks like there are currently 7 books in the series. THIS might be more of what you are looking for, maybe.

The Hollows series (also called the Rachel Morgan series) is a series of detective/mystery novels in an urban fantasy alternate historyKim Harrison that take place primarily in the city of Cincinnati. The city itself is mostly separated in two parts: The main part of the town (usually called downtown) and the enclave on the opposite side of the Ohio River nicknamed "The Hollows". Most Inderlanders setting by in Cincinnati live on "The Hollows", although exceptions exist on both sides.

There are five known branches of magic in the novels, earth magic, ley line magic, demonic magic, elven magic, and Celtic magic. All magic draws its power from ley lines, sources of energy that are scattered across the surface of the world. A magic user is labeled as either white or black, depending upon how the magic effects their soul. White magic is not damaging to the practitioner's soul, while black magic is. The stain upon the magic user's aura (energy emanated from the soul) depends on how much the magic distorts the natural. The stain, named because it appears as a black layer covering the aura, can by fostered off onto another but cannot be destroyed.

The series is set in an alternate history where supernatural beings live side-by-side with normal humans. According to this timeline, after the discovery of the DNA double-helix by James D. Watson, Francis Crick and Rosalind Franklin, genetic manipulation becomes a possibility, changing several events in the history of this alternate universe. A virus nicknamed the T4 Angel virus attached itself to a flaw in the genome of a genetically manipulated tomato (its lab identification being T4 Angel tomato), and quickly spread around the world. As a result of the plague, all biogenetic research, including reverse engineering and genetic splicing, has been outlawed.

from wikipedia

5. Finally, here is another author whose stuff gets recommended to me all the time on amazon. The wikipedia page about her makes it sound like her work might be promising in this department too...

Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy/paranormal fiction. She is best known for her Otherworld Series featuring the D'Artigo Sisters. She has also written two mystery series and eight books on modern paganism, the most popular of which is Embracing the Moon. She is also working on a new series, Indigo Court, which will be published in 2010. The new series is not set within the same universe as the Otherworld Series. She will continue writing her current series in addition to the new series. Both mystery series are complete and no additional books are planned at this time. She has been active in the Craft since 1980^[1] though she is not Wiccan^[2]. Yasmine Galenorn previously wrote under the pen name India Ink for her Bath and Body series.

Sisters of the Moon

• Witchling ISBN 0425212548
• Changeling ISBN 0425216292
• Darkling ISBN 9780425218938
• Dragon Wytch ISBN 9780425222393
• Night Huntress ISBN 9780425225462
• Demon Mistress ISBN 9780425228647
• Bone Magic ISBN 9780425231982
• Harvest Hunting (forthcoming)
• Blood Wyne (forthcoming)

Chintz 'n China Mystery Series

• Ghost of A Chance ISBN 0-425-19128-1
• Legend of the Jade Dragon ISBN 0-425-19621-6
• Murder Under A Mystic Moon ISBN 0-425-20002-7
• A Harvest of Bones ISBN 0425207269
• One Hex of a Wedding ISBN 0-425-21117-7

Bath and Body Series (writing as India Ink)

• Scent To Her Grave ISBN 0425205339
• A Blush With Death ISBN 0-425-20966-0
• Glossed and Found ISBN 0425212947

Anthologies including Otherworld Series short stories

• Never After ISBN 9780515147285 (forthcoming October 27, 2009 US)
• Inked (forthcoming January 5, 2010 US)

Nonfiction Pagan titles

• Crafting the Body Divine: Ritual, Movement and Body Art ISBN 1580911048
• Embracing the Moon ISBN 1567183042
• Sexual Ecstacy ISBN 1580911137
• Magical Meditations ISBN 1580911552
• Totem Magic ISBN 1580911552
• Trancing The Witch's Wheel
• Dancing With The Sun
• Tarot Journeys

Sorry that came out kind of funky-looking, but I can't seem to get all the colors the same...

anyway, hope all that helps at least give you some ideas about where to go from here!

There are some absolutely WONDERFUL series out there, and I tried to highlight a few of those for you... there is also a lot of TOTAL CRAP, but that is mostly self-published on the kindle. If you go with actual paper books, the odds of getting junk are much smaller, since publishers require a certain level of quality, you know? I'm all about helping new authors get started when they self-publish with the kindle (like Melanie Nowak, for example), but there's always that little risk when there is no print title available.

I'd say give Sookie or the Hollows a try, or maybe that author Yasmine Galenorn. :) If I EVER come across anything that is special in the way the House of Night books were, I'll surely let you know ASAP!

I already read the Sookie Stackhouse novels and am eagerly awaiting the final novel which is going to be released in a few months. :)

As for the Anita Blake things... um, tried it. Didn't like it. I just couldn't get into the writing style.

I really liked the Sweep Series by Cate Teirnan. It was a very well written series and although it's a bit exaggerated, it does take a good aspect on Wicca and Paganism.

Here's a link to her website!

http://catetiernan.org/sweep/

@SamanthaMae: I mentioned being a big fan of that in my first post! XD

I absolutely love Tamara Pierce's books! She writes for a younger audience, but I still enjoy re-reading them all the time! She has tons of different series.

Charles de Lint is another great author, he writes more about teenagers than for them. He has written some books but I most enjoy his collection of short stories, "Waifs and Strays". It's like reading modern-day Pagan faerytales.

Now my other Pagan favourite is a non-fiction by Inga Muscio this book seems controversial by the title but I think it should be a must-read for everyone. Not just women the book is titled "Cunt".

Anne Bishop is another of my favourite fiction writers. Her "Black Jewels Trilogy" is exciting and action packed.

Marion Zimmer Bradley wrote "Mists of Avalon", one my favourite books of all time.

Liz Berry's "The China Garden" is a complete delight, perfect for the helpless romantic.

Charlie's #5 is very correct. Yasmine Galenorn is an excellent author. I have several of her books and have read several more. Both her fiction and nonfiction are worthy of a read. I loved the Chintz'n China mysteries, but also really enjoyed Embracing the Moon. Very, very good!

Awww, it's the last one? Sad, but at the same time I'm glad she's wrapping things up... I'm way annoyed with LKH the anita Blake author for going on and on about nothing now... The last 3 books have been terrible, and it looks as though the most recent ones aren't any better. That series is not haning on very well compared to how it started.

I actually have pre-ordered the last Sookie book though... I'm rooting for Eric!

I also love Tamora Pierce's novels. There are a few pantheons of Gods in the worlds she writes about, and they're all very originally Ms. Peirce's...and magic is usually commonplace in what she writes about.

I also heart Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series...it's about a wizard who's also a private investigator, and you can really tell that the author at least read a bunch on the subject of magick.

For Young Adult fiction, I recommend the Circle of Three series by Isobel Bird -- which focuses alot on Wicca. =)

I also really like Jane Yolen's stuff...pretty much everything she writes has a pagan theme. She writes both YA fiction and novels for adults.

If you want vampires, I personally liked the Night World series by L.J. Smith alot better than Twilight, heh.

Have any of you read the "Immortal series" by Alyson Noel? The first book is called Evermore, then Blue Moon. This author has got to be Wiccan. She even cites the Wiccan Rede! There is no way of knowing if she is, but I have a feeling. they are for teens, but who cares, they are great! And the vampire academy series is good to, forgot the author though. I dont care how old you are, these books are great. A total escape from reality. Thanks for sharing those books guys, I am always looking for more series like these, they are addicting!

I've read Evermore. Not my favorite. Was actually really disappointed in it. Little too conveniently mushy for me. You know, that Twilight scenario is harder than it seems apparently. Lots of copycats and they haven't gotten it right. Is the second book better? I've recently read another interesting Young Adult book called "Meridian." It's about spiritual clan of human/angels called the "fenestra" that act as windows for souls to pass into the other world (i.e. Angels of Death). Has anyone else read that one? It was pretty good. Unique story. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars - I am admittedly a snob about my fantasy fiction. I agree with the recommendation of Circle of Three. Really good series for the witchy inclined. They are far more realistic stories regarding real craft practice than the Sweep series (for Wiccans). Thank you Charlie for the extensive listings. I will seek out and pursue all the new sources for fantasy/pagan fiction you have supplied. Great list. -Mnemo

i dont know if anyone has listed or heard i kinda skimmed and didnt see it but if it has already been listed i am sorry  but the book "Blue is for Nightmares" by Laurie faria Stolarz. is a really fun read it. It is written for a younger audience but still well worth reading.

The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead is alot like the House of Night series- I heartily recommend it. Witchling, Changeling,etc by Yasmine Galenorn is really good too. Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan is my most favorite of them all. Though I like Laurel Hamilton, her books should come with a X rating, definitely not for younger readers.

I really like The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.  It is not by a pagan author or about vampires and such, but it does have a mystical and very pagan story line. A very good read.

I am reading Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse) now.. I'm not sure this is the final book in the series. I am quite thankful that this book has a somewhat of a different pace than the last few have what with the build-up to a huge event in which Sookie is tossed around like a rag doll and must recover from. Okay, maybe it's just missing the huge event, I'm not absolutely sure as I'm on page 270.  I've also started reading another series by Charlaine Harris, the Harper Connelly series.  Harper is kind of the opposite of Sookie, she can find dead people.  It's pretty good and has a different dynamic.

I have to love on the House of Night series, even though I haven't read them all yet.  I was born in Tulsa, after all, and live in the neighboring town that the Casts hail from. I'm glad they have enjoyed such success with it.

I like seeing all these other recommendations though. I'm looking forward to trying some out.

Tamora Pierce is good. I tried to read her books, couldn't get into them, but she's still really good.

Another good series is the Wicked series (by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie) There's 4 or 5 in the series.

The Blue is For Nightmares books are cute and thrilling (of course, I read them when I was 13 so my opinions are probably askew on what "thrilling" is). Still, I enjoyed them. They're directly about witchcraft and legitimate spells (no sacrifices like in Wicked, no flashy-flashy sparks like in Harry Potter [the love of my life!!]).

Good luck! Happy reading!

I like the Witch World series by Andre Norton. My favorite is Songsmith.

My husband enjoy's Wheel of Time series as well.

There are a few trilogies that are really good:  The Circle Trilogy by Nora Roberts, Three Sister Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts, and  Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts the middle one is very romance focused but the other two are more supernatural and less romance.

The Troy Game - SaraDouglass

Anything at all by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

Wise child -By Monica Furlong -Classic Book

Sacred Vow -By C.G Walters- Sorry It is a paranormal romance of sorts so maybe not your thing ( not typical of most paranormal romances- I didn't think anyway )  but was still worth a read for me

The Light Bearer-By Donna Gillespie---Germanic setting at the time of the Roman Empire

that's all I have for fiction,I am having a hard time myself finding anything that's looks like it could be of interest to me

I used to have a collection of Lovecraft stories... as far as I can remember, the title was something like "Nightmares and Dreamscapes".  Also Lord Dunsany's stuff.  All of it.  And Terry Pratchett.  Niel Gaiman's "American Gods" as well.  Good stuff.

I am a Pagan Paranormal Erotica Novelist (vampires, witches, shapeshifters).  All the characters in all my series (except the vamps) are Pagan.  I also include real spells, chants, and rituals from my BOS in all my series.  They are very Witchy and very Pagan (from Wiccans to Chaotes to Rune Witches and eclectic Pagans). 

You can find all my novels and series listed in order at my books site here => http://www.avampskiss.blogspot.com

All my ebooks are $1.99 at my books site in pdf (if you have a Nook or read on computer) and $1.99 in the Kindle Store here => http://ht.ly/2IkvB

If you have any questions let me know!

My very most favorite series in the whole world is Sherrilyn Kenyon's series "The Dark-Hunters"  ^_^  There are several others that I enjoy, but that series I follow religiously.  ^_^

My favorite Pagan non-fiction writer is Ellen Dugan.  Yasmine Galenorn comes close too.  I love her book "Embracing the Moon" and I love her Paranormal Romance books too!  :-D

The Fifth Sacred Thing and Walking to Mercury by Starhawk are my personal favorites. They're a bit more serious, not paranormal romance or YA fiction, but I've always found them inspiring.