Read-Alike Monday: Debbie Macomber

Debbie Macomber is always a hit at Lake Forest Library. Her contemporary romance novels with sympathetic heroines and inspirational story lines make for upbeat and uplifting reading. Her latest book is Sweet Tomorrows. If you enjoy these kinds of stories, check out some of these authors too.

Read-Alikes:

Jan Karon: Karon is best known for her popular series of books set in fictional Mitford, North Carolina, and featuring Father Timothy Kavanaugh. Karon's heartwarming novels offer more character than plot and more dialog than action. Father Tim is the main character of these books, but the townspeople are also feautred and offer humor to the stories. The Mitford novels are leisurely-paced, gentle stories of a small town and its residents who face moral dilemmas, but can overcome all obstacles. Start with: At Home in Mitford.

Susan Wiggs: Susan Wiggs writes contemporary and historical romances and novels of women's lives and relationships. These leisurely paced stories focus on a woman's journey to self-awareness, usually within the context of a romance. Wiggs' women are intelligent, emotionally vulnerable and self-reliant, while her men are strong and confident. Start with: Summer at Willow Lake.

Sherryl Woods: Woods uses small-town southern culture and setting to create vibrant romances in a series that follows different members of the same family. Woods' storylines feature a strong sense of community. The books read at a leisurely pace and often examine contemporary social issues.      Start with: Stealing Home.