Favorites From... Amanda Bonilla

Amanda Bonilla

Thanks so much, Jen for having me as a guest today! I think it’s safe to say that I’m an urban fantasy and paranormal romance junkie. I love kick-ass heroines and tough alpha males. Throw in fangs, fur, wings, and magic and I’m sold! I could make a list a mile long of my favorite books and series, but in the interest of not boring you to death as I ramble on, here are five of my favorite series, and go-to reads.

Charley Davidson – Darynda Jones

 
I’ve yet to read anything by Darynda Jones that wasn’t sexy, funny, and entertaining. Her Charley Davidson series is a great palate cleanser, especially if I’ve been immersed in something dark and serious for too long. Charley is a P.I. and the Grim Reaper. How cool is that? And her hunky love interest, Reyes Farrow, is none other than the son of Satan. Can you say star-crossed lovers? Davidson blends mystery, comedy, and romance perfectly in this fun paranormal romance series. The covers for her books are gorgeous as well, an added plus! Great to display on a shelf. ;) 

Immortals After Dark – Kresley Cole 

Oh, how I love Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark! Her Valkyries are among my favorite fictional characters, Regan the Radiant being my all-time fav. Each book features a different couple from Cole’s world of the Lore and you can take your pick of sexy alphas ranging from vampires to berserkers. While humorous at times, the series is still dark and seductive, and I have to say that Cole writes THE BEST sex scenes. Like, ever. Seriously, I bow down to her. I’m sure to pre-order any book in this series and with every installment, Cole leaves me hungry for more.

 
Lords of Deliverance – Larissa Ione

My sister turned me on to Larissa Ione about a year ago. Wow. I’d been missing out! I enjoy her Demonica series, but I have to say, there’s just something about her Horsemen (and woman) of the Apocalypse that’s so, soooo great. These are characters with extensive pasts, burdens of guilt, and piles of secrets. Their flaws make them such multi-dimensional characters. The fact that the fate of humanity rests on their shoulders, and that they’ve chosen to do good makes them the best heroes and heroine. I’m dying to read the next book in the series, ROGUE RIDER.

 
Black Dagger Brotherhood – J.R. Ward

I am a J.R. Ward fangirl. Like, I’d seriously pee my pants and blather like an idiot if I ever met her. Vampires, life-long mates, hot sex, and eternal devotion…what more you could possibly ask for in a paranormal romance? Besides writing the best tragic heroes I’ve ever read, her story crafting continues to blow me away with each new release. Her ability to weave story lines with back story, and character development is truly amazing, and I’ve learned a lot about writing a cohesive tale from reading her books.

Mercy Thompson Series – Patricia Briggs

If Patricia Briggs wrote a manual about the care and maintenance of an air conditioning system, I’d buy it. About four years ago, a fireman who works at the hub’s station recommended that I read her series about werewolves and a coyote shifter. He’d been a fan of her other fantasy series and had just made the leap to urban fantasy. I put it off, and he pestered me every time I talked to him. “Did you read it yet? Did you read it yet? WHY HAVEN’T YOU READ IT YET?!?!” So when I came across MOONCALLED at the bookstore one day I thought, hey, why not? I devoured that book. I couldn’t get enough. I read until I’d caught up in the series and then forced (yes, FORCED) all of the readers I knew to buy her books. Briggs’s world building is amazing. Her style and voice pull you into the story from the first word. Mercy Thompson is a great heroine! She’s strong, devoted to her loved-ones, determined, and fierce. And Briggs’s secondary characters shine just as brightly as Mercy. I’ve yet to read anything by Patricia Briggs that I wasn’t completely in love with. Her Alpha and Omega series is just the icing to the Mercy-world cake, and don’t even get me started on her cover art. Dan Dos Santos is amazing! If you haven’t read the Mercy Thompson or Alpha and Omega books, what are waiting for?!? Get to the bookstore! Now! And get to reading. You can thank me later. ;)

Thanks so much to Amanda Bonilla for sharing her recommendations. I asked Amanda to be a part of the feature because her Shaede Assassin books are fantastic.  The heroine, Darian, is an emotionally stunted, immortal killer.  Isolated from her own kind for decades, she is just now learning who/ what she is.  And she is finally learning what it means to love.  Give Shaedes of Gray a try and you'll know why I swoon when I say "Tyler never disappoints."

In the meantime, here is your chance to check out one of Amanda's suggestions.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form and enter to win a hardback copy of First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones.  You can also enter win Amanda's latest book, Blood Before Sunrise. Both giveaways are international.

Be sure to check out all of the Favorites From My Favorites posts and giveaways this month, by clicking here.
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