The Lost City Explorers, Volume 1 by Zack Kaplan, Mike Marts (Editor), Álvaro Sarraseca (Contributor)

The Lost City Explorers, Volume 1 by Zack Kaplan,  Mike Marts (Editor), Álvaro Sarraseca (Contributor) - 120 pages

Lost cities aren't just the stuff of myths. They exist hidden right under our noses. But when a mysterious expedition is disrupted by supernatural activity, and an antiquities professor goes missing, his teenage daughter and her friends must become underground urban explorers, follow his tracks on a coming-of-age journey through subterranean tunnels, and ultimately find the holy grail of lost city: Atlantis buried right under New York City!

Explore science fiction and archeology in this new adventure series by Zack Kaplan (Eclipse, Port of Earth) and Alvaro Sarraseca (Magnus, Turok).

Atlantis Rising by T.A. Barron

Atlantis Rising by T.A. Barron - 371 pages

Promi is a thief that has finally been caught by the high priest of Ellegandia.  It is there that he discovers that the stories of magic are real, as is a prophecy that seems to be about him.  He gets caught up in a fight against the high priest and the spirit Narkazan who are trying to steal all the magic to take over both Earth and the immortal realm.
I really liked this book.  It is basically the story of how Atlantis came to be a mythical island in the middle of the ocean.  While it is a good book for kids, I really think teen boys would enjoy the series.  In fact, I'm already thinking of several in the teen book club to recommend it to.

Teardrop by Lauren Kate

Teardrop by Lauren Kate, 441 pages
(1st book in series)

So much better than the author's "Fallen" series, "Teardrop" reaches the depths of Atlantis in a sweet love story full of heartache, mystery, death, and suspense. Eureka Boudreaux is a leap year baby trying to grasp the shreds of her life and hold them together. She lost her mother in a tragic accident that left Eureka deaf on one side and filled with a world of sorrow and pain. Her attempt at suicide after her mom's death is a cry for help that her dad and stepmom can't seem to answer correctly. Eureka feels lost and alone in her small bayou town in Louisiana. Despite the unfathomable anguish she faces, Eureka never cries. She almost did once before in her life -- but then her mother slapped her soundly across the face and told her to never cry again. Since that day, Eureka hasn't. She has her two best-friends that try to help her keep the pieces of her life together -- Cat, a flirtatious and vivacious girl, and Brooks, a strong and dedicated boy. When a mysterious boy steps into her life, Eureka's life is forever changed. Armed with gifts from her mother (a locket, a stone and a book she cannot read), Eureka must seek out her destiny as a descendent of the mysterious lost city of Atlantis. The life of her loved ones and the world depends on it.
The story has its high and low points but overall was enjoyable. I look forward to reading the second book of the series.

The Heart of a Hero by Janet Chapman

The Heart of a Hero by Janet Chapman - 359 pages
A Spellbound Falls Romance

Nicholas is happy with his new position as head of security for Nova Mare resort since he retired as bodyguard to princess Carolina of Atlantis.  He's enjoying the 21st century.  Then he meets resort housekeeper Julia -- the first woman he's been interested since settling at Nova Mare.  He decides she's the one for him.  Now if only she would agree instead of running away every time she sees him.
This is the fourth Spellbound Falls book and in my opinion the best of them so far.

Spellbound Falls by Janet Chapman

Spellbound Falls by Janet Chapman - 343 pages

Olivia's new camper, Mac, and his son Henry are very unusual.  They seem to be able to forecast the weather.  They talk in an old-fashioned manner.  And locks don't seem to work around them.  Then three lost albatrosses are found walking down the road.  Mac promises to get them back to their home.  It's yet one more weird thing that confuses Olivia about Mac.  However, none of that is stopping her from falling in love with Mac and his son.
It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did I really enjoyed it.  I think part of the problem is that while this is the first book in a series, it is connected to several of the author's other series.  There are several characters and plot points that seem like they might more sense if I had read the other books first.