Paranormal Reads for Halloween by Stacy Hoff

In honor of Halloween coming up next Friday, I’m reading books that are paranormal—the polar opposite of my own genre, contemporary romance. I’m finding paranormal books to be a big relief because I can finally read in “off duty” mode. For me, a published author, that’s mighty hard to pull off.

In fact, reading for enjoyment is often tricky for authors. The writer’s antennae  is always up, ready to learn techniques, have our muse sparked to life, and—sad to say—inevitably compare our work against others. (Why can’t my book be this good! Arrrgh! I’ll never write again!)

I struggle with “off-duty” mode in my day job, too. I’m a lawyer, so when I relax by watching TV at night, I try hard not to tune into any legal dramas. If I do, I’ll be “on duty” again, screaming at the set about the deposition techniques, or trial scene, or whatever else, being all wrong. Yuck. My bad attitude makes my family creep away to other rooms so they can watch either ESPN or Spongebob Squarepants in peace.

Selecting books and TV shows outside of my professional areas forces me to sit back, relax, and enjoy the entertainment. Being “off duty” leaves me with no distractions—enabling me to be immersed in another world. I hoard these precious moments to my chest like a miser would gold coins. Time off is plenty valuable.

Here are some of the paranormal books I’ve enjoyed, and maybe you will, too:

“Chicagoland Vampire Series” series by Chloe Neill (although I hate waiting for the next book to come out, despite her very short six month lag time.)
“Insatiable” series by Meg Cabot (yes, writer of the “Princess Diaries.”)
“Vegas Vampire” series by Erin McCarthy
“Sookie Stackhouse” series by Charlaine Harris (the inspiration for HBO’s “True Blood” series. Of course, everyone includes her in their paranormal list, but that doesn’t stop me from listing her, too.)
“Dracula in Love” (single-title book) by Karen Essex
“Twilight” series by Stephanie Meyer (sorry, I don’t care what anyone else thinks, I say the books are awesome.)
“Queen Betsy” series by MaryJanice Davidson (for vampire fun with some zombies thrown in for good measure, along with the occasional ghost.)
In addition, I’m going to pick up “The Vampires in Manhattan” series by Susan Hanniford Crowley, followed by her “Vampire King of New York” (Book 1 in the “Arnhem Knights of New York” series).  I hear they’re good, and I’m always up for something new.

What books, TV shows or movies give you your nightly “escape”?

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Desire in the Everglades available now. http://www.amazon.com/Desire-Everglades-Stacy-Hoff-ebook/dp/B00NFSMCYG/ref=r_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410289138&sr=8-1&keywords=desire+in+the+everglades

Photo 2014 copyright Stacy Hoff. All rights reserved.

Filed under: Halloween traditions, Stacy Hoff, Twilight, vampire books, Vampire King of New York, Writer's Life