Many readers out there have already fallen under the seductive charms of the paranormal romance, and here I am, just swimming in the kiddie pool. But I have a feeling things are about to change....
The first time I really ventured out of the historicals or contemporaries was to read Sherrilyn Kenyon. I picked up "Fantasy Lover" and discovered the world of the hot and sexy vampire. I was definitely willing to be pulled to the dark side if this was what was waiting for me. Cold lips and dead hands? Ick. But a hot-blooded Dark Hunter with a raging sex drive? Yes, please.
Since then, I've slowly added to my collection, mixing it up a little with some futuristic books, some fantasy and science fiction, adding JD Robb's "In Death" series, Shiloh Walker's Hunters, Angela Knight's vampires, J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood, Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy. I've read Ann Aguirre's "Grimspace" and just got "Wanderlust". I have a couple of Meljean's books though her talent intimidates me. I've dabbled with Nalini Singh's series, and read one of Lara Adrian's books. I've experimented.
And I think I'm ready for more. Okay, okay, maybe my new infatuation with Patricia Briggs has lead me to act a bit impulsively, but I want what everyone else is having. It's time to step up to the buffet and find something new to try. I will always love my historicals, but in order to appreciate them, I need to stop taking them for granted as my fall-back plan and learn to appreciate what's new and exciting out there. Thanx to Shannon, I've picked up this gem by Kim Harrison. She has intrigued me with all her "villain" talk.
I've seen Jackie around the 'net, and now might be the time to discover what Hell is all about. I haven't picked this one up yet, but it's on my list of potential tbb books if/when my current list fails to thrill me. A day late and too many dollars short, nevertheless I'm intrigued by all of what's out there.
Calling all recs!
Tell me what some of your favorite books/series are please.
And I would be ever so grateful if you clue me in as
to whether there's an HEA, an HFN or a "don't hold your breath".
Labels: paranormals
posted by Stacy~ at 9/24/2008 04:47:00 AM
I think you need to add Kelley Armstrong to your list! Her Otherworld books are excellent. The stories aren't necessarily contained in just one book, but you do kind of get HEAs for most of the main characters.
byI was just about to say Kelley Armstrong, then I read that someone beat me to it! They're sorta more urban fantasy than paranormal romance, but the romance is there as a sublplot. I especially love the werewolf ones (Bitten, Stolen and Broken).
bySee, I prefer the later books rather than the earlier werewolves ones
byStacy, I love all the one's you recommended and always buy the next book in those series.
byI'm also really enjoying Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress Series. The first book does not have an HEA but the second book picks up four years later and does have an HEA and a kick ass heroine and the promise of more adventures with the H&H as they grow together as a team.
Kathryn Smith's new Nightmare Chronicles series has just one book so far - Before I Wake. I enjoyed the contemporary voice of this previously historical author and it does have an HEA - but you know the that the H&H will continue for a few more books and bumps along the road as they fight the evil that pursues them.
I enjoyed the first book in Jessica Andersen's new Final Prophecy Series -Night Keepers. It has a whole host of characters trying to save the world before it ends in 2012- the first book was the set up for the mythology, which I really liked, but it's a bit complicated. The H&H are great and a promise of each new H&H in the series to be interesting as all the characters that were initially introduced will be making appearances and trying to save the world.
How about the Shomi books? Have you tried any of them? I loved both Driven and Hidden by Eve Kenin and Countdown by Michelle Maddox. It's a genre that's taken my by surprise by how much I've enjoyed them. And *chuckling* I only read romance these days I can guarantee you there is a HEA.
byAnd I love me a good werewolf book too, though. I can recommend Rebecca York or Ronda Thompson who wrote a three book historical werewolf series. And I've enjoyed some of Susan Krinard's books
Hi,
byIf you haven't tried CL Wilson, her series is fantasy and fabulous! The HEA is there but the story line betweeen the h/h is spread out over four books. The third one comes out on the 30th! I can't wait. I LOVE the Black Jewels Trilogy. I read it years ago before I started reading romance when I used to only read fantasy. Nalini Singh is another wonderfully talented author. Her Psy/Changeling series definitely should be given a try. Quite hot and emotional!
I alternate my reading with historicals, paranormals and fantasy.
If you're interested I have the second and I think the fourth book in the Kim Harrison books, The Good, the Bad, and the Undead and A Fistful of Charms. They were given to me by a friend and are brand new but I don't read the urban fantasy type books. So they are yours if you'd like them :). You can email me your addy and I'd be more than happy to send them off to you. himscute@yahoo.com
Um, wow, looks like the party's starting early this morning! Morning everyone :) Off to work, but I'll respond when I get there.
byHave you tried Jeaniene Frost's Huntress series? The third book comes out in December and is a great take on vampires.
byAlso, I can't get off the BDB crack. Ward is evil, very evil.
Mornin' Stace!
byWow, well pretty much everyone has covered the recs I would have made. You didn't much enjoy Pleasure Unbound, so that's out.
I'll echo Marisa's recommendation of Before I Wake by Kate Smith. She's got a wonderful voice and I quite liked the heroine.
You said you'd read Lara Adrian, how many? I like her series, which is aging nicely. She's got a clear idea where the story is going, and it builds upon itself really nicely.
Have you picked up the Mercy Thompson series? I *love* this series, and it's what Cry Wolf grew out of. It's definitely urban fantasy, and for the first two and a half books, the heroine is kind of torn between two heroes. But she picks (correctly, I might add), and the world, as you know, is imaginative and interesting. She's a terrific writer.
Good luck with your search!
I burned out on paranormals awhile ago. Sherrilyn Kenyon is about the only one I read religiously anymore (although I still haven't read Acheron).
byGood luck on your search!!
Wow, Stacy, you're getting lots of recs! I'd add to your pile the Kresley Cole Immortals series. Gosh, I just love it!
byI just read Bound by Flame by Anna Windsor. It was pretty good. It's wiches and demons. I think I read the second book first though.
byYou HAVE to finish Lara Adrian's books. She's great.
I think you're already on the right track with those selections you mentioned in your post... and I can second everyone's recs here in the comments, too. These would be my recs:
byParanormal Romance (with HEA):
1. Larissa Ione's Pleasure Unbound.
You have that one, don't you??? Read it! LOL
2. Lara Adrian's Midnight Breeds
3. Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark
Historical Paranormal (with HEA)
4. Kathryn Smith's Brotherhood of Blood Series
Urban Fantasy (non HEA):
5. Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson Series
No definite HEA, but ongoing sexual and romantic tension... awesome world building and characters. LOVE it!
I can't wait to see what you read and if you like them. =)
I'm a huge fan of Kim Harrison, so I think that was a great choice. :) I'm so looking forward to reading the next one.
byThese books are considered young adult, but are so well-written, I'm going to suggest them anyway.
The House of Night series written by PC Cast & her daughter, Kristin are phenomenal. Book 1 is called Marked. I just bought Book 4 yesterday. :)
I second the Larissa Ione nod. I'd also recommend the Morganville vampires by Rachel Caine. They're YA, but I'm totally loving them and (a) I don't read YA generally and (b) I hate vampires, which should tell you how flippin' good they are.
byNo JR Ward recommendation? I'm sorry, but your readers are clearly slacking! (My excuse is I just got back from "vacation" -- visiting the grandparents cross-country with 2 small kids).
byIf you like Lara Adrian, you should LOVE JR Ward.
LOL Nicola!! I would have certainly mentioned J.R. Ward, but Stacy already mentioned her foray into the BDB in her post, so I didn't include it in my list of recs. Maybe she should reread them--especially the first three. =)
bymuah haha! My work here is done!
byOK, maybe not. I second the recs for Ward, Lara Adrian (book 2 was better than book 1), Harrison (of course), Briggs (duh!), Lynsay Sands is super fluffy paranormal romance, Meljean is amazing! I have heard that the Weather Warden books are great.
I'll have to see what I have lying around my apartment that I don't feel I need to keep. Perhaps I can pass a few books your way when we go to the Quinn signing.