If you've worked your way through all Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series and you need something else to help you escape the everyday world, try some of these.

It's a diverse list, but the books and series included usually have in common kick-butt female characters or really cool male characters(preferably both), hot relationships (but no contrived "romance" plots), fascinating settings, and pure escapism (depressing books or deep literature need not apply). No full-out girly girls, but no semi-omnipotent teen princesses either. Must have a full-grown sense of humor to qualify.

These books are mostly paranormal fantasy, with a few mystery and humor series thrown in for good measure.

I tried to find the first in the series where possible to illustrate, but may have erred on a few. I highly recommend reading all series in order.

Would love to hear your suggestions. If it's a series, please add just the first book in the series.