Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

OK, I have a friend who I introduced to things like UF, paranormal romance, and some of the funny romantic suspense/mystery books.

She likes:

Jana DeLeon - Mudbug and Miss Fortune series

JB Lynn - Hitwoman series

Loretta Chase - esp, Mr Wonderful and Lord Perfect

Molly Harper - Half Moon Hollow

Darynda Jones - Charlie Davidson (and she LOVES it!!!!)

Shelly Laurenston's - Pack and Pride books and her Dragonkin books written as GA Aiken

The Accidental Series by Dakota Cassidy


Now, I need some good contemporary, historical, paranormal suggestions for someone with those tastes. Must have humor and a strong heroine, no fainting miss types. She's a doctor and likes sharp dialogue and well written books. Reads a lot of epic fantasy and non-fic.

I have more of the UF suggestions for her, but she's on a romance kick and is especially interested in a hero really having to work to win one. She loved The Rook by Daniel O'Malley with it's clever dialogue and really well executed premise for UF. She also likes the Iron Druid series. So anyone who crosses over into UF with humor, you know the style I'm looking for.

Come on - I NEED HELP!

ETA: She specifically asked for anything that had a plot like Taming of the Shrew where the hero really had to work at winning the woman.

She may enjoy -



It's historical, funny, has a strong heroine, there's romance and a story.

Yup, had her read that already, but that's just her style. Any others?

are you willing to suggest indie authors?

Here are some authors known for their humor!



In the last one, the hero wins over the heroine. He's not exactly a romantic though, LOL. ;)

Jen - Indie would be fine, better if available in ebook. That's her preferred format.

New_user, I think I suggested all those except Marcy Janice Davidson, so I forgot. Thanks.

Any more suggestions?

is hilarious, and a little reminiscent of the Darynda Jones series.

OK, I even bought that for me since the ebook was only $0.99 for today. Thanks!

Reacherfan wrote: "OK, I have a friend who I introduced to things like UF, paranormal romance, and some of the funny romantic suspense/mystery books.

She likes:

Jana DeLeon - Mudbug and Miss Fortune series

JB Lynn..."

I'm currently reading a PNR/UF by indie author Amber Darke that may fit the bill. Humorous 1st person POV of a feisty heroine and a hero that will def have to work for her; she's upset with him from pretty much the beginning of the story. ☺

The book is .

(Enjoying it so far, BTW.)

Passed that suggestion along and bought a copy for myself. Thanks!

No problem!

Fright Court by Mindy Klasky (really reminds me of the Half Moon Hollow series for some reason despite more urban setting)

Last of the Demon Slayers by Angie Fox

Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson (loved it but avoid if allergic to chick lit humor)

Dead End Dating by Kimberly Raye (again, heavy on the chick lit themes/humor if that's not her style)

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (I enjoyed but the humor could get a bit unrelenting in places).

Girl's Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky (again, beware of chick lit. This author has series I love and others I loathe. I enjoyed this one, Fright Court, and her Glasswrights fantasy genre series [which sounds like could appeal to her also]; I loathed her As You Wish series and the Jane Madison Academy series which actually follows the series I just recommended. Multi-genre author so check what getting into when looking at her books.)

Loved Demon Slayer books and she's already hooked on Charlie Davidson. The Enchanted series I have mixed feelings on. A couple of others look possible. Thanks a lot

Reacherfan wrote: "Loved Demon Slayer books and she's already hooked on Charlie Davidson. The Enchanted series I have mixed feelings on. A couple of others look possible. Thanks a lot"

There's a new Demon Slayer's (7th in series) coming out next month -- Night of the Living Demon Slayer in case you missed.

Very often around the time a new one releases Ms. Fox puts the first one for free on amazon and Barnes and Noble in case anyone wants to check out the series.

Reacherfan wrote: "...Now, I need some good contemporary, historical, paranormal suggestions for someone with those tastes. Must have humor and a strong heroine, no fainting miss types. ..."

Reacherfan, do you know what types of CR (or authors) that your friend has already read? CR encompasses a huuuuuge range re: storylines, heat level, etc.--especially if one factors in CRS and NA (altho I get feeling that NA may not appeal to your friend).

For now, here are some 'reliable' (read: well-received) *mostly* non-erotic CR authors. Note that for some, heat level varies, depending on publisher. Good luck! :)

Anne Calhoun
Jennifer Crusie
Laura Florand
Laura Kaye
Ruthie Knox
Cara McKenna
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Penny Reid
Jill Shalvis

Karma

The 'heat' level doesn't bother her one way or the other providing the story is solidly written and fun. Not a fan of BDSM, but will tolerate some if it's done with panache.

I already have her reading Jennifer Cruise (she likes her), but have been a bit hesitant on SUsan Elizabeth Phillips and Jill Shavlis. SHe's not a 'chick-lit' type.

She loves the SHelly Laurenston Pack and Pride paranormals, and her GA Aikin Dragonkin books, SHe's enjoying the Lexi Carmichael books by Julie Moffett, she like Lilliana Hart's JJ Graves books and her Addison Holmes books.

I'll check some of the other authors you named and see if they work. Maybe it's not romantic suspense style that seems to appeal to here, even though she likes the Half Moon Hollow series by Molly Harper. She's CRAZY about Charlie Davidson - and I had to browbeat her into giving them a try. (She's a hardcore epic fantasy fan) I also have into stuff like Jim Buthcher's Harry Dresden and she enjoyed the Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger, so her tastes are getting more adventuresome.

I did, tentatively, suggest Bound and Determined by Shayla Black. That's probably the edge of her comfort zone, but also Wallbanger, which came up several times and looks kind of hot.

If a fan of Shelly Laurenston, she started a new series which released the end of last month:

The Unleashing (I haven't read it and actually am not usually a fan of the author but like some of her works.) It's one she may have overlooked because so new. Some Norse mythology which could be a good or a bad thing for an epic fantasy fan.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips cracks me up. Some feisty, sympathetic characters and hilarious plots. Check series order before starting one, some require reading previous books to really get a feel for the cast of characters. Avoids the usually annoying to me chick lit tropes like endless shopping and designer name dropping.

Karma, have you looked into the author Connie Willis? Fantastic idea behind her books. Her novel The Doomsday Book was... Well I can say I laughed, sniffled, cried, basically It felt like I was watching the events unfold. I also LOVED The Rook, read about five times now.