Michelle Scott, urban fantasy author

If you're looking for a fantastic fantasy read this summer, look no further. Dragons of Wendal, a newly-released novel by Maria Schneider, offers readers all of the elements of a really terrific story: a strong heroine, a sweet romance, and plenty of action. Oh, and did I mention shifters? You've gotta love shifters!

When Zoe realizes that no one in her home kingdom takes her seriously, and that she will forever be in the shadow of less competent wizards, she runs away to school to study and learn the craft of magic. Once there, she stumbles upon a mystery that brings her face-to-face with the mysterious dragons of Wendal.

I became acquainted with Schneider's writing after reading her collection of fantasy short stories, Sage: Tales from a Magician Kingdom, and I've been following her work ever since. Schneider is an excellent story teller, and her plots are always vibrant and full of interesting characters.

This enchanting read definitely belongs on your summer reading list!