Favorites: Paranormal Romance

Paranormal Romance is my drug of choice, people. It's not the only thing I read. I love Urban Fantasy, Historicals, a little Erotica... But at the end of the day, when my brain needs a little comfort food, PNRs are where I turn. They are the beloved french fries of my book-diet. Here's a look at my favorites in the genre.

Immortals After Dark

by Kresley Cole

This series has it all. It's funny. It's sassy. It is so damn sexy, it rocks my world. The series features a wide array of supernatural characters that mix, match, and interact over the course of several installments. For me, the band of feisty Valkyrie makes up the heart of the books. Powerful, greedy, strong, beautiful women who are more than a match for any man willing to try and win their hearts. But there are also the sexy Lykae, who have a brogue to die for... hot, horned demons (see how I resisted the urge to call them "horny?")... vampires, witches and more. My favorite in the series so far has been Demon From the Dark, but if you haven't read this series, start at the beginning.   Go read these books.  Right now.

Click to purchase: A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, Book 1)

The Black Dagger Brotherhood

by JR Ward

Dark. Gritty. Urban.  These books are not light reading.  But the series boasts my favorite tortured hero of all time and my favorite PNR book, Lover Awakened.  There is violence; there is scorching hot sex; there are vampires; and there are very stupid character names.  But the early books in the series are simply unparalleled. Not every installment is as strong as the others, but there are so many amazing characters and secondary plots, that there is something worthwhile in every one of these books.  The basic premise surrounds a band of warrior vampires who defend their people from the soulless villains who wish to destroy them. And they fall in love... and have superhot sex. Start with Dark Lover.  Don't let the glossary intimidate you.  And before you know it, you'll be thinking of your husband as a "male of worth" and counting the minutes until the Qhay novella... just like the rest of us.  

Click to purchase: Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1)

Dark Hunters

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

I read through these books like a starving man at Thanksgiving dinner.  Sherrilyn Kenyon has concocted a strange blend of vampire legend and Greek mythology that just somehow works.  The Dark Hunters were all human once. But each was done a terrible wrong; their souls called out for vengeance --and they got it, in exchange for an immortal lifetime in service to the goddess Artemis. They protect humanity from a breed of life-sucking vampires.  And they fall in love. And have superhot sex.  For me, the series has lost its footing a little in the wake of the epic Acheron. But the early books are not to be missed.  In addition to Gods and vampires, there are also shapeshifters of several varieties.  Plus, it's set largely in New Orleans, with great landmark mentions and even a female lead from the suburb where I grew up. (Shout out to Kenner, everybody!)  Be sure to check out Kenyon's website. It puts all others to shame.

Click to purchase: Night Pleasures (Dark-Hunter, Book 1)

Night Huntress

by Jeaniene Frost

Unlike the first three series I talked about, the Night Huntress books do not feature a new couple in every installment.  All of these book center around half-vampire Cat and her sexy vampire partner Bones.   And believe me, they are worth reading for the cocky allure of Bones, if nothing else.  There's a great band of secondary characters, some of which have scored their own spinoff books.  The series is easy reading... sexy, funny and it has a lot of heart.

Click to purchase: Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1)

Lords of the Underworld

by Gena Showalter

I've heard some people say this series is kind of a derivative of the BDB books.  A bunch of supernaturally enhanced warrior guys, living together, fighting the good fight. Plus (say it with me) they fall in love and have super-hot sex.  But really, the similarities end there. The tone of these books is totally different.  While I wouldn't call it "light," there are some funny moments. The characters are irreverent and quirky.  And the heroines are each unique and worthy.  These warriors used be guards of Mt Olympus, until they opened Panadora's box, unleashing demons on humanity. Now each Lord houses a demon inside of him... which provides special gifts and drawbacks.

Click to purchase: The Darkest Night (LotU, Book 1)

So which PNRs are YOUR favorites? Everyone tells me that I have to read Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling books and I swear they are on my TBR pile. Any other suggestions?