My favorite books for bold, sexy, sassy, and inspiring female MC

Why am I passionate about this?

I was raised by my Grandmother who escaped Nazi-occupied Germany. A strong, proud, capable woman who eventually, despite arriving in the UK as a refugee, ended up working for Winston Churchill as a war secretary. Not a feminist but rather a true champion of women. I believe a woman's body, her mind, her essence is her own! I write about strong females, sex positive not under the control of an Alpha male. I have a rare gift for writing Erotica with a real story, which will transport you as if in the room with my characters. More than this, I create characters you'll care about and take with you on your own journey path.


I wrote...

Diary of a Contemporary Woman

By Lucy Pussett,

Book cover of Diary of a Contemporary Woman

What is my book about?

Having reached 34, Angelique Santoro finds herself feeling trapped and deeply unhappy within the constraints of traditional relationships. Uneasy to perform the role of life partner or girlfriend in the way society has designed for all women. Finally, she takes the courage to break free and becomes single for the first time in 15 years. Breaking away from the ties that bind us. Breaking away from the fear of being alone and lonely to become what she was always meant to be.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Lucy Pussett Why did I love this book?

With the exception of LOTR, this is my favourite trilogy ever. It's fast-paced and effortlessly carries you along as you become ever more addicted to Lisbeth Salander. For me personally? Lisbeth is the greatest anti-heroine ever created. In the Thriller genre, so often one experiences obvious plots and most certainly obvious hero characters from the damaged cop to the vulnerable girl which needs saving. Nothing cheesy whatsoever in this trilogy! It's gripping and the author cleverly makes you feel and care deeply for Lisbeth even when perhaps she is acting in a morally questionable manner a wry smirk finds itself on your face. These are books I promise you'll never regret buying.​

By Stieg Larsson,

Why should I read it?

23 authors picked The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder - and that the killer is a member of his own tightly-knit but dysfunctional family.

He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, truculent computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. When the pair link Harriet's disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history.

But the Vangers are a secretive clan, and…


Book cover of All Woman and Springtime

Lucy Pussett Why did I love this book?

This book splits public opinion right down the middle it seems from hateful 1-star reviews to glowing 5-star ones. Well, for me it was a crystal clear five stars! Our protagonist Gi and her friend IL-sun escape North Korea and end up in a horrific sex trafficking ring, eventually finding themselves in America. Even now, years on since I turned that last page, I feel Gi. I visualised with ease every step she took, every breath, every torment and heartache she endured. The book is beautifully written. I'm confused how anyone can give this book a poor rating other than accepting the simple fact not all books are for all readers! I couldn't put it down and cancelled two business appointments having to reschedule them as I wasn't leaving the house. Get the tissues at the ready.

By Brandon W. Jones,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked All Woman and Springtime as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“A gripping novel” of two North Korean teenage girls, and their harrowing journey as they escape the authoritarian state (O, The Oprah Magazine).
 
Before she met Il-sun in an orphanage, Gi was a hollow husk of a girl, broken from growing up in one of North Korea’s forced-labor camps. A mathematical genius, she learned to cope with pain by retreating into a world of numbers and calculations. Gi becomes enamored with the brash and radiant Il-sun, a friend she describes as “all woman and springtime.”
 
But Il-sun’s pursuit of a better life imperils both girls when her suitor spirits them…


Book cover of Believing In Fate

Lucy Pussett Why did I love this book?

Believing in Fate by Veya Thorn is my first read into Mafia romance and the underworld of International crime. I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did, such a fantastic read. It’s full of danger, intrigue, chaos, charm, lust, more lusting, love, friendship, and family. Asimina, the MC is one of the reasons I loved the book. She’s independent, strong, brave, intelligent, feisty, and full of determination to succeed and survive on her own. She’s a beautiful woman who you don’t ever want to cross but you admire her courage. She’s someone you punch the air for and would wish to fight alongside. Ah, if only books were real life!! 

By Vaya Thorn,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Believing In Fate as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

It is said your fate is sealed at infancy, love, happiness, and sorrow. Asimina Alexiou is impulsive, brave, vibrant, and Independent. She finds herself with unwanted attention. She sought help from her cousin, a man that is nothing less than a brother. However, Petro has secrets of his own that will land Asimina in the hands of one Capo Dei Capi Raffaele Dante Morelli.Raffaele the crime boss of the biggest mafia family across the States and Europe. His close, inner cycle of men is his underboss and capos running extensive drug and gun operations throughout multiple sectors. Raffaele's training has…


Book cover of The Refusal

Lucy Pussett Why did I love this book?

Eve is a debut novelist just as I am and did a fantastic job in creating a feel for her cast of characters even if the notion of a tech billionaire playboy is perhaps not so original, this did not matter to me at all as well written and the MC was total girl power, in her own unique way. Jo is not your killer blonde, your "stop traffic" beauty but rather a tech geek, with freckles, and ginger. Aces! I like authors which create less obvious heroines. It massively appeals to me. It was refreshingly written showing the real insecurities of both Jo and Janus upon entering a new relationship. Funny, suspenseful, and very steamy yet also real as about sincere emotions, friendships, and public perception.  

By Eve M. Riley,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Refusal as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

SHORTLISTED FOR 29 ROMANCE BOOK AWARDS!

WINNER: The Pinnacle Book Award

WINNER: Los Angeles Book Festival

WINNER: Global Book Award

WINNER: Beach Book Festival

WINNER: National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award

DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE: Independent Press Awards

"Have you ever found yourself reading a really exceptional book and you find that you’re forcing yourself to slow down on your reading because you simply don’t want the book to end?” Shannon Kuhn, Author and ARC reviewer

Quiet boyfriends. An organised life. It’s all about to be upended.

Driven, workaholic Janus Phillips has glamorous tastes. Tech billionaire, red carpet events, a new model…


Book cover of The Evolution of a Girl

Lucy Pussett Why did I love this book?

So, a totally underrated, amazing writer and poet. I don’t know much about poetry. I was told by a friend to read this book and I’m so pleased I listened to her. Love the poems in here as some really spoke to my soul, my heart. Beautiful, relatable, powerful, original, heartfelt, heart-warming. I mean I could list adjectives until the cows come home people! Any book which helps women to understand and inspire them on how to grow and become happy in what is sometimes a world full of toxic masculinity gets my thumbs up, esp when it doesn’t read like a feminist on a power rant!! Read it, you can thank me on Instagram after.

By L.E. Bowman,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Evolution of a Girl as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The Evolution of a Girl is a collection of poetry and prose taking the reader from girl to woman; from heartbreak and anger to transformation and rebirth. It speaks of the strength we find when learning to accept ourselves and the unbreakable softness that comes from unyielding self-love. The Evolution of a Girl is a book for those who are hurting, for those who are healing, and for those who are ready to try again.


You might also like...

Trans-Mongolian Express

By David L. Robbins,

Book cover of Trans-Mongolian Express

David L. Robbins Author Of War of the Rats

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve penned (so far) seventeen novels, most set during some historical conflict or other, all of them revolving around intense personal relationships (loyalty, love, betrayal, those sorts of profound truths). I tend to read the sorts of books I wish to write. I also teach creative writing at a university (VCU); I tell my students that if they want to really know what a character is made of, shoot at them or have them fall in love. In my own work, I do both.

David's book list on love and war and describing both battlefields

What is my book about?

In the harrowing aftermath of Chornobyl's meltdown in 1986, the fate of Eastern Europe hangs by a thread.

From Beijing, American radiation scientist Lara, once a thorn in the Russian mob's side, is drawn back into the shadows of the Soviet Union on the Trans-Mongolian Express. She isn't alone. Anton, a Soviet scientist exiled for predicting Chornobyl's catastrophe, is on a quest to expose the truth. Amidst them, Timur, a Chechen giant fueled by vengeance, plots to destroy the already crumbling Soviet Union.

Suddenly, a murder on the remote tracks of the Gobi thrusts them into a deadly game of cat and mouse. As Chief Sheriff Bat races to solve the murder, their lives are thrown into jeopardy. Lara finds an unexpected ally in Gang, a reluctant assassin sent to end her life, and an illicit romance blooms amidst the chaos. But Gang isn't the only killer onboard. A hidden menace lurks, threatening to unravel all their plans.

In this electrifying ride across a historical backdrop, suspense and passion collide in an unyielding dance of survival and redemption. Who will survive the Trans-Mongolian Express?

Trans-Mongolian Express

By David L. Robbins,

What is this book about?

In the harrowing aftermath of Chernobyl's meltdown in 1986, the fate of Eastern Europe hangs by a thread.

From Beijing, American radiation scientist Lara, once a thorn in the Russian mob's side, is drawn back into the shadows of the Soviet Union on the Trans-Mongolian Express. She isn't alone. Anton, a Soviet scientist exiled for predicting Chernobyl's catastrophe, is on a quest to expose the truth. Amidst them, Timur, a Chechen giant fueled by vengeance, plots to destroy the already crumbling Soviet Union.

Suddenly, a murder on the remote tracks of the Gobi thrusts them into a deadly game of…


5 book lists we think you will like!

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