Favorite Books and Series from V.C. Andrews and Ghost Writer Andrew Neiderman

She left behind a legacy of Gothic horror that combined a family saga and often provided rags-to-riches stories for her characters. Her best known novel Flowers in the Attic, involves the Dollanganger Family, which is one of only two V.C. Andrews novels to actually make it movie status. Another series, Rain, was also made into a movie.

After V.C. Andrews' death her estate hired Andrew Neiderman, a ghost writer, to continue writing is the style and under her name. Neiderman certainly has her style down pat, and many of the stories that he wrote under her name were superb, in fact most of them are. Although I personally was not a fan of the mini-series. Other than that I certainly admire Neiderman for being able to incorporate so much of her style into many of the novels.

As a book lover I can honestly, and ironically say, that no one can compare to the style of V.C. Andrews, at least in my book they can't. However, without comparing authors I can certainly admit to enjoying many books by Nicholas Sparks and the late Phyllis A. Whitney.

As a fan I have read all of the books released under V.C. Andrews' name. This list will include books that she herself finished, and those done by Andrew Neiderman, her ghost-writer.

As many of you may know Andrew's works, before her death, consisted of eight books that were not ghost-written. So it would be impossible to not list the ghost-written ones, as the last actual series V.C.. Andrews worked on was my favorite, The Casteel series. The five books in the Casteel series were released between 1985 and 1990, leaving three to be released after her death. And Garden of Shadows, from the Flowers in the Attic series was also finished by Andrew Neiderman, as was Fallen Hearts. From there on, Gates of Paradise and all other novels were finished by Neiderman, and inspired by Andrews.

Also in case you don't know it is her style to make a family saga of five books per series, prior to the ghost-written mini-series. So as a big fan of her work, I present you with my favorite books and series from the one and only V.C. Andrews. I will also list all five books for each series, for those seeking to learn more about her work!

1 The Casteel series was the second series of novels written by V.C. Andrews, and it will always be my absolute favorite series, or group of books by any author, ever. Books in this series include Heaven (1985), Dark Angel (1986), Fallen Hearts (1988), Gates of Paradise (1989), and Web of Dreams (1990). I am still holding out hope that this series will one day make it to film. It would make a fabulously interesting movie! If you are a fan of hers, this is the series that is a must-read!

2 The Dollanganger series was her first series of novels, and became the series she was most known for, due to the novel Flowers in the Attic turning from novel into film. The five books in this series are Flowers in the Attic (1979), Petals on the Wind (1980), If There Be Thorns (1981), Seeds of Yesterday (1984), and Garden of Shadows (1986).

3 The Cutler series was actually written by Neiderman, but under her name, but it is a most V.C. Andrews like story, and you cannot tell the difference in writing styles. The series covers almost 80 years of the Cutler family history. Books in this series are Dawn, Secrets of the Morning, Twilight's Child, Midnight Whispers, and Darkest Hour.

4 The Landry series saw publication between 1994 and 1996, with novels in the series including Ruby, Pearl in the Mist, All That Glitters, Hidden Jewel, and Tarnished Gold. I like the change of location in this series because the Louisiana bayou really adds to the story, and series.

5 The Logan series focuses on the Melody Logan, who moves from a Virginian trailer park to Cape Cod. Books in the Logan series are Melody, Heart Song, Unfinished Symphony, Music in the Night, and Olivia.

6 The DeBeers series tells the story of Willow DeBeers and her family. This series oddly, and interestingly enough, contains feature letters from characters in other V.C. Andrew's novels, from Annie Stonewall and Ruby Landry! Books in the DeBeers saga are Willow, Wicked Forest, Twisted Roots, Into the Woods, Hidden Leaves, and Dark Seed.

7 My Sweet Audrina was published in 1982, as a stand alone book, this novel was not made into a series, unlike most of V.C. Andrews' work. Matter-of-fact this is the only stand alone novel that was published in V.C. Andrews' lifetime. This Gothic horror novel focuses on character Audrina Adare who claims to be seven-years-old when the novel starts, but the story also reveals her memory to be unreliable. Family secrets spill forth and this novel will keep you glued to it's pages. My Sweet Audrina contains 416 pages and is a must-read, and a story you will never forget.

V.C. Andrews' novels have been translated into Greek, Dutch, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Turkish, Hungarian, Finnish, Portuguese, Swedish, and Hebrew.

She left behind a huge legacy of publishings and works that will never be forgotten, and she was one of the best authors ever! RIP Mrs. Andrews, here's to you!

Article Sources:
My opinions on her work after reading all of the books published under the V.C. Andrews name.

Publishing dates a facts come from my personal collection of her novels, and from my opinions from years experience of having read the novels.

Additional Facts were found at www.completevca.com and www.vcandrews.com.