This might sound like a bizzare question, but I'm looking for a few paranormal romance titles that, while are romantic, aren't full of tons of sex. While I'm not a prude, I don't really want to read a book with a lot of sex scenes.

I just finished the Twilight series and really loved them. I know they've gotten criticisms from the lack of sex in the novels, but I kind of liked that there was a deep romantic bond without, "...and then she felt his pulsing manhood"... ;)

I think part of the reason comes from the fact that I'm married, and if I found my husband reading some erotica story I would not be pleased, so it goes both ways.

Anyway, I wonder if anyone has any rec's? I'd really appreciate it!!

Hey Carolyn,
Under the mainstream favorite authors topic one of our members posted something that you might find interesting. It's message number 75: by Nlydia.
She lists a whole mess of books that she likes that while not romance has fantasy. I hope this helps.

I just finished Dead Girls Are Easy and found it to be PG rated. There were references to sex scenes, but they were all "off camera". Succubus Blues and Succubus on Top (in that order) feature a slowly-building romance with a lot of creative ways to not quite consumate the relationship. There are a few sex scenes though - I'd rate them between PG-13 and R.

Try Colleen Gleason's the Gardella Vampire Chronicles. The Rest Falls Away is the first, it has one short heavy petting scene and a brief marriage consummation scene - both are PG-13.

Michelle Bardsley's vampire series. It is about a group of parents that get turned. Some sex but not tons of sex. I think the first one had 3 pages of sex in the whole book.

First one is I'm The Vampire, That's Why? and second is Don't Talk Back To Your Vampire.

There are two very good YA series I would recommend, though the romance in both takes place over the course of several books. They're the Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine and the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.

The Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine has a strong romantic element. There are sex scenes, but they're more along the lines of what you expect to find in fantasy; short and glossed over, instead of the blow-by-blows more common in romance.

The Lupi series, starting with Tempting Danger, by Eileen Wilks. Quite good, and the sex is maybe a bit more graphic than in the Weather Warden books, but it's not frequent.

Working for the Devil and the following books by Lilith Saintcrow. There's a romantic plot that follows through the course of the series.

That's all I can think of right off the top of my head. Hope this helps! :)

Patricia Briggs' Mercedes Thompson series is more paranormal than romance. Start with Moon Called, then Blood Bound, then Iron Kissed.

Kim Harrison has less sex than most in her series starting with Dead Witch Walking.

Charlaine Harris has a series about a ghost whisperer type woman that is pretty good. Start with Grave Sight, then Grave Surprise, then Ice Cold Grave.

Thanks so much for the recommendations!!! I was slightly afraid my post would be met with boos and hissing... lol.

Carolyn, I really appreciate you saying that you like romance without a ton of sex because that's exactly how I feel. I'm trying to decide to continue with Laurell K. Hamilton because I know the series turns raunchy. It might be apart of the story but again, if you want to write erotica, it should start out that way and not just pop out at you.

I've always read the Twilight series and since it's YA, I expected it to have no sex scenes. I liked the series and I liked the love they had for each other.

Some sex in books can be find but if it's an overabundance, I'm sorry but I can do without all that. I'd be pretty pissed if I caught my husband (don't have one) looking at erotica so I'm glad that you won't do the same. I hope you find what you're looking for here!

To add on about Charlaine Harris, there is a mind reader named Sookie Stackhouse and the series begins with Dead Until Dark. It has some sex scenes but there are not at all very graphic. I think you'd enjoy them!

Ranata, I'm in the same boat. I've been reading more YA and fantasy recently because it doesn't have a lot of sex. There's a greater value put on sexual tension... which used to be the case in romance. I've read way too many books where the sexual tension has been lost and instead, it's just characters humping like bunny rabbits.

If you're gonna do it, do it right. Dammit. :P

Carolyn, I close the door or fade to black a lot in my books. I enjoy writing the "chase" far more than the "capture" ;-) though my books do include intimate scenes. However, they're done more with what the characters are feeling about each other rather than graphic physical descriptions.

To give you examples:

…and suddenly I love you beyond all measure is not just words but a heart, a soul bursting open, a stripping raw of all pretense. It is Sully, it is Gabriel, it is his tears on my face, his body in mine, our minds seamless. It is hopes and dreams and failures. It is apologies and a prayer for redemption. It is heaven and damnation.

All that I am is yours pales beside it.

It is everything.

It is love.

SHADES OF DARK, the sequel to Gabriel’s Ghost, coming July 2008 from RITA award-winning author, Linnea Sinclair, and Bantam Books: www.linneasinclair.com


I also love to use humor:

Sully sighed. “Chasidah, your emotions run very deep. When you get in that angry-but-protective mode, it’s such a mixture of the masculine and the feminine properties. An invincibility. A belief in what’s right. You have that like no one else I’ve met. And it’s...don’t laugh at me, but it’s exciting. Arousing. Your entire aura just shimmers. I call it your ‘captain in charge’ mode.”

“You get hot when I play captain?”

Hooded eyes met mine. “I get very hot when you play captain.” He moved closer, draping his leg over my thighs, showing me just how hot he did get.

“Well, in that case, I may have to ask for a raise.” I lifted the sheet. “Oh, look. I already got one.”

I made it onto the bridge with barely three minutes to spare before the start of my duty shift.

(also from SHADES OF DARK)

You can find sneak peeks of all my books on my site.

I'd also recommend Robin D. Owens HEART series (HEART MATE, HEART THIEF, etc.) as having very tastefully yet wonderfully done love scenes. Susan Grant's books are a little steamier but still very well done. We all write science fiction romance for various publishers. ;-) ~Linnea

If you don't like a lot of sex scenes, try Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series. The sex scenes are few and far between, and there's plenty of story and action. Thefirst in the series is: If Angels Burn.

I can't stand explicit sex scenes in my fiction, so I totally understand. I also read a lot of YA, which is weird for me because much of the YA shelf is more explicit than the SF/F shelf!

Almost anything in the Luna line is pretty sex lite. I especially like Snyder's series; it starts with Poison Lore, one of the best I've read in a while. The fantasy story is good and the romance storyline builds extremely slowly, believably, and compellingly (if I can use that as a word). (After its critical acclaim and strong sales, Snyder's series has been moved off the Luna line to an imprint with more marketing clout.) I just re-read the earlier posts and the Poison/Magic/Fire Lore are more traditional fantasy than paranormal, so that may not work for you.

On the Luna line, the Retrievers series by Laura Anne Gilman isn't as romance heavy as most; it's an interesting take on the genre because it focuses more on romance as connections between people ("love" as opposed to "passion"); the most recent book is especially strong on that point (and has an author's forward mentioning how odd it is for the Luna line).

The Kim Harrison series (Dead Witch Walking, etc.) has very few sex scenes, although they are a bit more explicit than I like. The series is more action oriented, but the romantic plotlines are always present and drive the bulk of the action. Over the first 6 books there are maybe 3 or 4 sex scenes: one in book 2, one or two in book 4, and maybe another in book 5.

Harrison is my new favorite author and this series is fabulous.

Do be aware that one of the plots around the main character in the Harrison is the slow seduction (across 6 books) of the main character by her female roommate; no sex scenes with them (and none likely to come), but the romance and pursuit are very strongly written; if the female/female element of that would bother you, factor it in. Having said that, it's certainly not a "lesbian story" in any way and I can't imagine it bothering most people with the way it's written.

I'll second the Charlain Harris recommendation. The Sookie Stackhouse books are fabulous and the (few) sex scenes are mostly off-camera (although there is one with a were-tiger that takes place on the kitchen counter....)

Harris' newest series all have "Grave" in the title and are about a stepbrother-and-sister team using her ability to find and "read" dead bodies/graves as a business (more of a detective vibe); the romantic plot is slightly icky in that it's between step-siblings, but it's still a great read.

I'll also second the Morganville Vampires series. I found it because I loved the Weather Warden books, but those (Weather Warden) are drifting down in quality in my opinion. Morganville is a YA series, so you won't find it on the SF/F or romance shelf.

The Mercy Thomson books are very good, but I wouldn't say that they have a strong romance element. If it has enough for you, also check out the Kitty series by Carrie Vaughn. Better writing, more "internal" story, and loads of fun. The first is Kitty and the Midnight Hour. I like both series.

Anyone know a good vampire story that is almost like twilight? Girl falls in love with vampire type of thing? Message me if you know of one!!!

What about Jennifer Rardin's Jaz Parks series. Starts with Once Bitten...not a lot of sex but plenty of romance and action.

P.C Cast's House of Night series: Marked, Betrayed, Chosen (in answer to Hilary).

Oh, thanks a lot! I will check those ones out! Did you like them? :)

I'll have to agree with member Summer - PC Cast's House of Night could be good (I’ve only read the first book in the series so far). I also enjoy a good romance story that is all about the "chase/anticipation" and less about the "gritty details". I’ve been on the quest and may suggest the following:

1) House of Night Series (by P.C. Cast) - a little language and references to sexual acts – nothing terribly graphic but for a YA book – I was shocked.
2) Mortal Instruments (by Cassandra Clare) – Excellent series, romance with a twist and absolutely no gritty details (a lot of anticipation). I’m rather bummed that the 3rd installment isn’t available till 2009 as I am extremely attached to Jace and Clary.
3) The Vampire Diaries (by L.J. Smith) – There are 4 books in this series however I read all 4 in a weekend and I feel it could have easily been one long book. Characters were likable and identifiably flawed which made each one relatable. No sex scenes but fun romantic twists. Terrific “beach read”……

For anyone who has read my suggestions – I would love to hear your opinions on additional series along the same line.

Although I love the Mortal Instruments series, the relationship between the 2 main characters may not have sex, but it is deeply disturbing. Depending on your sensitivity level, possibly more so than detailed sex.

Lisa Shearin's goblins and elves don't have sex.

I second the recommendation for Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series. I ADORE these books. No sex, but lots of fabulous world building and fantasy and a growing lovely relationship between Mercy and her beau.
Technically the series is Urban Fantasy, but Patricia Briggs has promised a HEA with Mercy and her hero at the end of the series.