Ladies who love Laurell discussion

Can I ask what you ladies read when there are no LKH books around? I have finished Blood Noir and am anxiously awaiting Swallowing Darkness, but I am always looking for some new vamp/were/faerie/shifter books. I have read a few but I haven't been able to find ones as good as LKH. What do you suggest?

I went into withdrawl after reading every Laurell K. Hamilton novel I could find too. Sherrilyn Kenyon has a wonderful Dark Hunter series which would keep you busy for a while. It has everything you'd want in a novel---action, erotica, and a bunch of sexy men with issues. Try it out and let me know how you like them.

I am reading the Kim Harrison "Hallows" Series which is great. Also the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris, these are fun easy reads. The Harrison series is a bit more complicated. Great reads, but you need to put time into them. Sookie is just fun fun fun!!!

I have been reading Christine Feehan's "Dark Carpathian" series and it is great!

Also, many people have recommended J.R. Ward's "Black Dagger Brotherhood" to me, although I'll probably wait to finish Feehan's series first.

J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series is also AWESOME---how could I forget to mention it?! There are only about 5 books out, but a sixth should be coming out soon. LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!

totally agree with J.R. Ward being awesome her new book came out this last tuesday. YAY! Even though she's young adult stephanie Meyer's eclipse series is awesome. Also I completely love Sherrilyn Kenyon I can't wait for ASh's book to come out in August. Love Charlaine Harris and Christine Feehan is the one who got me started with this whole paranormal romance thing. I love Christine. Maryjanice davidson's books are fun. I love Betsy the vampire queen she is funny. OOOO oh yeah Kim Harrison's books are fantastic I completely agree with that. Hmmm who else
Angela Knight's Mageverse series is great. ooh you know who is kinda new but the books are pretty good. Alyssa Day. The books are about warriors from atlantis totally good. Well ofcourse Anne Rice I will always love Anne Rice's books.
lets see
oooh the book I'm reading now is by Kerrelyn sparks she's pretty good. Her characters are funny sometimes. Kerri Arthur is good. She is pretty steamy. Oh the kitty the werewolf series is super good. I think that persons name is Carrie Vaughn I might be wrong though.
I used to like Kelly Armstrong but not so much anymore. Her fist few books about Elena the werewolf are pretty good.
Nina Bangs is always fun to read.
Hmm the paladin series crap I can't remember the authors name, is good, not amazing but pretty good.
oooh Nora Roberts circle of seven trilogy was awesome. I'm not a huge nora roberts fan but that was a fun trilogy.
um well lets see there are a ton more but I wont list them all. I read alot of books. I just can't seem to help it. If you are having Anita or merry withdrawls try rereading. You never know what you might have missed the first time through. Oh and the comic books are great too try those.
ok yeah I think I typed enough.

JR Ward is AWESOME!!! Just thought I'd add my two cents...

Wow Stacy! You covered all my fav's and then some!! Looks like i have to make a trip to the book store!

what can I say cat I really have some problems heehee. I had to buy a whole new bookshelf after I started working at borders five years ago. I swear they might as well keep my pay check.

maybe i should get a weekend job at the bookstore.....

Lynsay Sands' Argeneau series is great.
I've also heard good things about the following:

Kerrelyn Sparks
Kresley Cole
Karen Marie Moning (Highlander and Fever series)
Erin McCarthy
Kathy Love
Nalini Singh

I also liked Jeanine Frost, as well as backing up Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, Keri Arthur, etc. If you like Hamilton, you'll most likely enjoy Arthur.

omg, girls, thank you sooooo much!!! I can't wait to put some of these on hold at my library!

I have read Meyer's books which I have enjoyed and am awaiting the last in her series.
I liked Kim Harrison's books, but I petered out after the third or so one. I liked the series but not enough to invest more time into it.

I have never tried the MJ Davidson Undead series or the Sookie Stackhouse books. I think I am a little afraid that they weren't going to be that good.

NOT a big fan of Anne Rice. I don't know why. I obviously love the subject matter. But for some reason, I just cannot get into her books. And I feel that life is too short to waste on struggling through a book when there are so many other good books out there.

I also read (and for the life of me I cannot remember the name) a book about a girl who was in some kind of band and just discovering her powers to hunt vampires. Something like that. Does it sound familiar to anyone? I didn't particularly care for it although the author has a series of books with this character.

Anyway, thank you for all the recommendations!! I can't wait to keep busy while waiting for SD!! ;0

Ok, I remember now the name of the author in the series I didn't like. Her name is L.A. Banks...

It's funny that you mention LA Banks, I couldn't get through her first book. I did absolutely nothing for me either.

I'm in the 2nd book of a trilogy that is really good. Try out Libba Bray. I love them. The first book (A great and terrible beauty)was so good I finished it in less than 24 hrs. I have them listed on my book list.

Off all the books people have said to read, there has been a major consensus about JR Ward. I can't wait to pick these books up.

I have tried reading Kim Harrison and it was NO LAURELL K HAMILTON. My problem is that LKH is brain crack and all else is just candy!! Though I am excited for Breaking Dawn...part four of the Twilight Series.

heehee brain crack thats awesome Yeah I have Breaking Dawn reserved I'm excited. I love Edward and Bella.

I just finished Eclipse and I cant wait for Breaking Dawn... I have it pre-ordered too!! I love Edward Cullen... jeez Im a dork ;-)

Hey Heather, I am a much bigger dork! I got all giddy about the Twilight movie releasing near by b-day. Nice of Meyer to give me a present! You can see the first movie scene and a trailer on Meyer's website, if you haven't already. Not sure how I feel about the first scene. I don't remember it from the book. Might have to reread Twilight.

I am reading Christopher Moore right now -awesome humor- also just finished Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry PRatchett - just hysterical!!

I just finished the first book in the "Blood Ties" Series by Jennifer Armintrout. I really enjoyed it and recommed to anyone looking for a new series to get into! :-)

OK, I just read my first Keri Arthur book (Riley Guardian series) and I REALLY liked it!!! I can't wait to devour the next 5 books in this sereis and begin on another one! I have a Kelley Armstrong novel waiting for me...

Aliya, let me know what you think of Kelly Armstrong. I haven't been able to get into "Bitten" but there are some other books of hers that look really good. "Bitten" has a lot of internal dialogue but it's not as, I don't know, endearing or entertaining as Anita's dialogue. Curious what you think....

The Twilight series is pretty enjoyable, albeit straight-forward and somewhat predicatable. Oddly, it's like ice cream in book form, and I've found myself addicted despite the fact that I'm not a big romance fan, and I usually don't like books with uncomplicated plots.

I've been told that I must read "Midnight Never Come" by Marie Brennan. A friend said that it was something Merry Gentry fans will really enjoy, and she's usually a great judge of literature. Of course, as I haven't read it yet I can't vouch for it, but it might be worth checking out.

There are soooo many authors that I like that it's hard to put them all down or even remember their names sometimes.

Here are a few...

I've read all 10 of LA Banks' the "Vampire Huntress" series and it's really good (yes, I know it's hard to get through the first one, but after that everything starts picking up and it's a great series).

Lilith Saintcrow (Dante Valentine series is AWESOME!!)
Kelly Armstrong
Kim Harrison (although she's not my favorite)
Patricia Briggs (the Mercy Thompson series is good)
Nora Roberts - Like Stacey (I think it was her) said....the Circle Trilogy is an great series.
Anne Rice (of course)
Karen Marie Moning
Christopher Moore

I've read the Twilight series and although at first, I felt kind of silly reading a young adult fiction...I was greatly surprised with how well the story flowed and can't wait for the new one.

I love, love Charlaine Harris' "Sookie Stackhouse" series and Sherrilyn Kenyon's "Dark Hunter" series is a GREAT series.

I couldn't ever get into Christine Feehan's "Carpathian" series for some reason, although, knowing me....I'll pick it up some time down the line and try again. I've found that it sometimes helps to try again later with something that didn't catch my interest the first time.

I've only read "Full Moon Rising" (The Riley Jenson series) by Keri Arthur, but I loved it and I'm checking out the other ones for sure.

I've never read any JR Ward books (at least I don't think so) or Libba Bray, so I'll have to check them out.

For your "faery fix" have any of you considered reading some YA? Melissa Mar's Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange are dark, interesting looks at the urban world of faery. Holly Black isn't bad either. Valiant and there are some others in that series that I can't think of, but they are dark.

I agree with some comments about the Mercy Thompson series being good. It blends faery, witch, vampires and werewolves much more sucessfully than Kim Harrison's series.

The Mercy series has some humor to it - it felt lighter. My Faery reccomendations are pretty dark, mostly teens escaping bad situations by jumping into the world of Faery.

For those of you who don't like all the sex in LKH novels, you really might want to consider Twilight. Stephenie Meyer writes well for both adults and young adults.

I am sooooooo excited about Breaking dawn coming out. I am going to buy it at midnight that night. Happy dance time. Oh I feel like such a traitor. I'm sorry Laurell I am such a book hoe.

I’m reading Halfway to the Grave by Jeanine Frost right now, and I’m loving it. It’s about a girl who is half human and half vampire.

Oh, Stacy...we are all book hoes! I know I can't wait for Breaking Dawn either. I pre-ordered it, so I am constantly checking my mail - like it will come early or something just for me!

heehee Yeah well I have to see them in the warehouse everyday I go to work. I swear I'm going to steal it. sigh I'll be good I'll be good. I swear to goodness if Bella doesn't end up with edward I'm going to assasinate Stephanie Meyer. Yeah I'm mean I know.

Ok, so I just got introduced to the Bloodrunner series by Rhyannon Byrd, and all I can say is...OMG I LOVE IT!!!! Has anyone else read the series? I think it's a fairly new series, but with sexy werewolfs running all over the place saving the world it's definaely worth the read.

Does anyone have any thoughts on Breaking Dawn. I heard alot of people didn't like it. I can see where there coming from but I did mostly like it.

Hey! I found thist list of vampire authors online, and thought i'd share. Most i'm sure everyone has heard of already...but hey, you might get lucky and find something new and awesome! So here ya go....






Here are some recommendations for vampire fiction…

Ashley, Amanda After Sundown A Whisper of Eternity
Bennett, Nigel His Father’s Son
Banks, L.A.
Drake, Shannon Deep Midnight
When Darkness Falls
Elrod, P. N.
Farren, Mick
Feehan, Christine Dark Melody
Golden, Christopher Gathering Dark
Gresham, Stephen
Hambly, Barbara Traveling with the Dead
Hamilton, Laurell K.
Harbaugh, Karen Night Fires
Harris, Charlaine Southern Vampire Mysteries (series)
Harrison, Kim
James, Dean Faked to Death
Kalogridis, Jeanne
Kenyon, Sherrilyn ”Dark Hunter” books
King, Stephen Nightmares and Dreamscapes Salem’s Lot
Kramer, Edward Dark Destiny III
Laymon, Richard Traveling Vampire Show
Lumley, Brian Necroscope series
Mendelsohn, Jane Innocence
Merz, Jon F.
Miller, Linda Lael Out of the Shadows
Mosiman, Billie Sue
Newman, Kim
Pratchett, Terry Carpe Jugulum
Rice, Anne Vampire Chronicles New Tales of the Vampires
Romkey, Michael
Saberhagen, Fred Dracula books
Sands, Lynsay Single White Vampire
Shayne, Maggie Edge of Twilight Embrace the Twilight
Sizemore, Susan Laws of the Blood (series)
Spruill, Steven G. Daughter of Darkness Rulers of Darkness
Stoker, Bram Dracula
Thompson, James M.
Wilson, F. Paul Midnight Mass
Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn Saint-Germain (series)
Yarbro, Chelsea Quinn Sisters of the Night (series

you definitely should try gens showalters Lords of The Underworld series.

I have an Excel spreadsheet where I've kept track of all of the PNR/Urban Fantasy books that have been recommend by people here in my groups. There's a tab for erotica which you can just ignore if you're not into those types of books . If anyone wants it, I'd be happy to email it to you. Just send me a message with your email address.

You'll also need to ignore my notes. I keep track of my library transfers on the spreadsheet too.

Starr wrote: "Hey Heather, I am a much bigger dork! I got all giddy about the Twilight movie releasing near by b-day. Nice of Meyer to give me a present! You can see the first movie scene and a trailer on Meyer'..."

Neil Gaiman is one of my favorites. If you get a chance check out American Gods and Anansi's Boy.

About LA Banks. Admittedly It took me a year to finish the first book and I skipped the second.
HOWEVER, the 3rd boook The Hunted, is like it's own start to the series. I couldn't put it down! I just finished the last one "The Thirteenth". I'd end of typing for days if I talked about it how I want to but less just suffice it to say...I highly recommend it. You can skip the 1st and 2nd books though, truth be told.

She also has a werewolf series that is absolute fire!! Nobody does werewolves like this...I promise you and the lady write the hell out some crazy hot sex scenes. It's called the Crimson Moon series the first book is "Bad Blood". I'm telling you...it's good.

Lori wrote: "I have an Excel spreadsheet where I've kept track of all of the PNR/Urban Fantasy books that have been recommend by people here in my groups. There's a tab for erotica which you can just ignore if..."

oooo...mother may I?? Wow, an actual spreadsheet?That's impressive.

heehee it is hard to keep track goodreads is helpful with that to with the to read section you can put books in.

Cat wrote: "Hey! I found thist list of vampire authors online, and thought i'd share. Most i'm sure everyone has heard of already...but hey, you might get lucky and find something new and awesome! So here ya g..."

*groan* i am so far behind! i had no idea...

If you're still looking for something in between Laurel K hamilton books I have a couple other authors you might like that are somewhat similar:
Sunny, books about the Monere Queen. or the Charlaine Harris, Sookie Stackhouse paranormal series( now an HBO series called True Blood)Agree that Jeanine Frost is good too. Check her out too.
Lisa

Sorry forget one to read in between Laurel K hamilton books:
Didre Knight: Red Fire and Red Kiss about shape shifting immortal soldiers lots of action and great romance.Michelle Bardsley, more on the comedy side also about vampires, shapeshifters. Christine Feehan ( probobly thought of that one already) Teri Garvey ( more about ghosts, humor)also lighter, magic, Candace Havens. Jean Johnson, Mage series,Karen Marie Moning ( I prefer the the first 7 in the series), Katie Macallister ( prefer the vampire and Dragon ones), Lynsay Sands ( lighter vampire books), Shanna Swenson ( more magic, alittle lite), Christine Warren ( vamps, werewolves, magic etc) Rebecca York, Maggie Shayne.........should find something here you might like!!
Lisa

They've been listed before, but here are a few series that I read in between LKH books.

Lilith Saintcrow (Dante Valentine series is AWESOME!!)
Kelly Armstrong
Kim Harrison (although she's not my favorite)
Patricia Briggs (the Mercy Thompson series is good)
Nora Roberts - the Circle Trilogy is an great series.
Anne Rice (of course)
Karen Marie Moning (Fever series are GREAT)
Christopher Moore
Charlaine Harris' "Sookie Stackhouse" series
Sherrilyn Kenyon's "Dark Hunter"
Keri Arthur - The Riley Jenson series
JR Ward - The Black Dagger Brotherhood series
Maggie Shayne


I have also run across a few others, I can't think of the names of them right now. I'll have to hunt them down and post them later. They aren't series, but they are some really good good vamp books.

Love Christopher Moore, though his vamp books aren't my favorite. Dirty Job and everything else is awesome.

Mercy Thompson is great. Lynsay Sands and MaryJanice Davidson are hilarious. The first Teri Garey book was really good and quite creepy and I have the second and third on the TBR.

I love Karen Chance, both the Cassie Palmer series and the related Dorina Basarab book. The first Cassie Palmer has about 60 pages of info dump, but after that the entire series is awesome. Vamps, Fey, mages, ghosts, demons...it's got it all. I'm completely obsessed with it at the moment.

I adore the Dark Hunter series.

I also really like Sookie Stackhouse. Sexy Eric Northman makes my day every time.

Vicki Petterson's zodiac series is interesting--it's very different from anything else I've read in terms of world building.
And yes, Jeaniene Frost is also great. Hers is another series that started off with a rocky beginning--the first couple of chapters of book one were eh, but after that it's great.

Hey, just wondering, has anyone heard of or read the books by Sunny? I read them, liked them, and I really thought they were similar to Laurel K Hamilton. wanted to know what you guys thought about these???
Lisa

Something about Sunny's writing style rubs me the wrong way.

Michelle M. wrote: "Something about Sunny's writing style rubs me the wrong way."
I've noticed that what people like is really individual from person to person. That's how it should be, thanks for answering.

As they say, to each their own!

I haven't read anything by sunny what are her books about? I'm reading katie macalisters aisling grey series now I'm on the first book only on the first couple of pages but it seems good so far.

Category wise: erotic paranormal with some intrigue.
They are based on the Monere, an alien race that has females that are the queens and males are shapeshifters of all types. The queen has control over a territory and an entourage. Plenty of guards, lovers etc. They can gain powers from the queen. Then there are struggles, battles etc between territories, demons etc. Suggest checking out some of the editorial reviews. (Should give a better idea if it sounds good or not.) Maybe on amazon, The personal reviews tend to be overly critical.
By the way, I was really thrilled to hear about the new Anita Blake in progress, very cool!! Excited to see what happens next!

I've read all of the Sunny books except for the last one which I have on tap to read this month. I like them. It's not my favorite series but I do enjoy them.

I read a lot of M/M stuff. The Soul Mates series by Jourdan Lane is really good. Another good gay vampire series is The Master Chronicles Series by Jamie Craig. I've only read the first book but really enjoyed it.