Huge pecs, flowing hair, anger issues, and odd endowments...What do all these things have in common? They frequently appear in Paranormal Romance, not the Urban Fantasy that I normally read. In fact, I have only been delving into PNR for a few months now. Directed by fellow H&H bloggers Chelsea Mueller, Jessica Turner, and Tori Benson, one realization I have had is that PNR is SO MUCH MORE than HOT GUYS AND SEX!!
In addition to the requisite hot guys and sex, PNR offers fantastic storytelling and many examples of exceptional writing. Some of it is, in fact, so exceptional I thought I’d offer a PNR primer for people who might be on the UF side of the supernatural fence.
Like your Urban Fantasy with a bit of snark? Do you enjoy laughing between fights and death scenes? If you like Jaye Wells’s heroine Sabina Kane or Allison Pang’s A Brush of Darkness, then try Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series. Kenyon’s Dark-Hunters are full of snark, not to mention chock full of action, monsters, and the bitchiest goddess ever. These guys are Hot with a capital H! Even in when in the pit of despair, these guys can snark. One of my favorite quotes from the series is, “If wishes were horses, I would have been run over in childhood” (Acheron Parthenopaeus).
Dark Fantasy your thing? Do you enjoy gritty heroes with serious issues? Characters that believe kill first, ask questions later, or at the very least punch hard. In other words, do you love Stacia Kane’s Downside series?
Time to pick up J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood books. These books are dark, twisted, and extremely emotional. Ward’s characters are likeable and full of Rhage...(ha ha, pun intended). I was so sucked in (ha!) by these books that I read the first three in three days.
Want action? Fighting, killing and complete unpredictability? Like Vicki Pettersson’s Zodiac series? Time to pick up Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. These books are crazy dark, action packed, and seriously unpredictable. Oh yeah, and um....soooo sexy. Two words: Jericho Barrons! You’re not likely to read about a more charming and evil bastard. But lord save us, he’s fantastic.
Not sure you want to delve too deeply into the PNR pool? Then try Nicole Peeler’s Jane True series, which straddles the fence. Set in real time Rockabill Maine, this series is full of Paranormal creatures (selkies, vamps, gnomes and a barghest) and magic. Peeler doesn’t skimp on the sexy time either; it’s not the crux of the story but there is enough to carry the romance through.
Other Paranormal Romance Series:
Kresley Cole’s Immortals after Dark Series
Marjorie Liu’s Dirk and Steele Series
Larissa Ione’s Underworld Series
What PNR books would you recommend for the newbie reader?
Synde Korman talks music and books on her website Tombstone Tails, along with creating a line of literary jewelry on her etsy site Cemetery Cat Designs.
When she’s not herding cats or creating art, she works as a part-time bookseller. You can find her on twitter as @psynde.
