POLL UP FOR DECEMBER PICKS: SCROLL DOWN TO BOTTOM OF PAGE!

[Claire]

My first choice would be Bayou Moon. It's technically the second in the Edge series by Ilona Andrews, but I think it works perfectly well as a standalone. A little longer than some of our recent picks, but great romance, fast-paced plot, good sexytimes and a strong heroine.

I also second Siren's Call as a pick, and say "Please, no!" to a holiday-themed pick.

[Katie]

I'd also like to go with Outlander and here's why:
Excellent sexy times
Time travel
ghosts
witches
loch ness monster

A story that stands even without all the sexy times! It's a higher class of fantasy, like Kushiel's Dart. Not that there's anything wrong with fluffier urban fantasy, but we do read a LOT of that ;)

[Mouettesheridana]

I second (or third or fourth or) the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.



I'd also nominate Iced, since it just came out. If not Iced, than Darkfever. Both by Karen Marie Moning.






Though I don't know if the Fever series can really be done with just one of the books - it's one of the few series in UF/PR that feels like a true series. It is a complete, five-book arc, and reading just one of the Fever books wouldn't really give the whole flavor and depth of the series... I don't know.

On the other hand, Iced (starting a new series in the same world, after the Fever series) does not have the direct sexytimes scenes, because the protagonist is still 14 for this particular book.

[Sarah]

Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson. It's a fun fast read with one serious sexy time at the end!

[Eliste]

I'm going to throw my voice in for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander and Richelle Mead's Succubus Blues.

Both are excellent.

[Lizzy]

Remembrance - there's a whole time travel/soul mates trying to find each other thing going on.

[Chuck]

Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I really liked this book. Lots of magic and romance. Written very beautifully. Plus, it was a NaNoWriMo novel! Which is awesomeness.

[Elzibub]

Anna wrote: "Leah wrote: "Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10... "

Woops, sorry Leah... I see now that you had mentioned it before I did... I like your taste!"

That's definitely a fun one, with lots of juicy bits!!

[Elzibub]

Brittany wrote: "I'd also appreciate an non-holiday alt book. I think it'd be cool if we could break up the heteronormativity with some LGBT fiction, too. Anyone have any recommendations?"

I seem to recall "Tipping the Velvet" by Sarah Waters being good. I think there was romancy stuff in there, but can't recall if it was at all smutty. We need some serious smut! :D

At any rate, here's the link. I think Sarah Waters seems to have several period books out there with lesbian relationships.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1573...

I'd love to hear lots more suggestions. My LGBT* romance/smut reading has been limited & I think it would be wonderful to hear more voices represented. :D

[Elzibub]

Chuck wrote: "
Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I really liked this book. Lots of magic and romance. Written very beautifully. Plus, it was a NaNoWriMo novel! Which is awesom..."

That was a good book as well. Romance rather than smut, though. ;*)

[Julie]

I feel like I'm one of the only people who didn't like Outlander. I found the heroine super annoying, she just grated on my nerves!

[Malin]

On the Edge, the final book in the series is out at the end of November, and this is one of the best books they've written.

Moon Called is also the start of an excellent vaginal fantasy series.

What if Buffy lived in Regency England? The Rest Falls Away

Dead Witch Walking - the first in the Rachel Morgan books, and a really fun read.

[Ivy]

how about some sexy times to the max?!

[Brittany]

sexy times to the max, please!

[Myra]

I also agree with the ptevious posts for Dragon Actually by GA Aiken. Incredible series, dragons! and a formindal (if a wee bit crazy) female. Or her other series as Shelly Laurenston, the Magnus Pack, starting with Pack Challenge (which should be read before the Pride series imo).

[Ashley]

Anna wrote: "I'm surprised Outlander (by Diana Gabaldon) ... hasn't been suggested yet, at least I think it hasn't. The fantastical element is less at the for-front, but there are some themes that have come up ..."

I was thinking that about Kiala too!! I was coming on here to suggest Outlander as well. Jamie and Claire's relationship is hot AND sweet

[Ashley]

Brittany wrote: "I'd also appreciate an non-holiday alt book. I think it'd be cool if we could break up the heteronormativity with some LGBT fiction, too. Anyone have any recommendations?"

I just finished listening to "saints astray" which is the second book in a series by Jacqueline Carey (first one is Santa Olivia). The love story between two pretty awesome ladies isn't in the forefront as much in the first book, but just get to the second book and their love story is a huge part of the book. I enjoyed both books a lot all around

[Anna]

Ashley wrote: "I was thinking that about Kiala too!! I was coming on here to suggest Outlander as well. Jamie and Claire's relationship is hot AND sweet"
I know! Wakes up in another place and has to fight off bandits, check. Sexy grotto hotsprings, check (although i can't remember whether that's the first or second book). Only thing it's lacking is the groovy castle with sub-floor heating :)

[Brittany]

Ashley wrote: "Brittany wrote: "I'd also appreciate an non-holiday alt book. I think it'd be cool if we could break up the heteronormativity with some LGBT fiction, too. Anyone have any recommendations?"

I just ..."

I will check that series out! Thanks Ashley

[Kristen]

So calls for smut... I think I know one. Anita Blake writer Laurell K Hamilton does a series about fairy and the fey as if they existed in modern america. I really enjoyed the series and the smut starts easy but ramps up through the series. We are talking eventual orgy yet still not erotica. Start with "A Kiss of Shadows."

[Justine]

Ivy wrote: "

how about some sexy times to the max?!"

:] and the characters are very well written in this one. I think we could do a later one in the series, one about Con/Sin (nr 5) or Shade/Runa (nr 2). They seem a bit edgier, darker and have non-vanilla sex scenes in them.

[Elzibub]

Justine wrote: "Ivy wrote: "

how about some sexy times to the max?!"

:] and the characters are very well written in this one. I think we could do a later one in the series, on..."

Non-vanilla sounds good to me! :D

[Sheri]

I think anything written by Erin McCarthy will have some great VF action. The blurb mentions "a night of rock and roll debauchery," which is a good sign.


Heather wrote: "Just found out there is a new Erin McCarthy book coming out this month called The Fangover.

The Fangover

I feel like that cover has VF written all over it."

[Dajinxed1]

I'm good to read Outlander again. On a side bar has anyone else read 'The Exile'? It's the graphic novel of the first book from Jamie's POV.
AWESOME!

[Leah]

Anna wrote: "Leah wrote: "Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10... "

Woops, sorry Leah... I see now that you had mentioned it before I did... I like your taste!"


Thanks Anna! ;)

[Amanda]

Though I would love to pimp my own paranormal romance, Diaries of an Urban Panther, I don't know if it's sexy enough to make Felicia blush (but will make all laugh). But Karina Copper's Blood of the Wicked is an awesome postapocolyptic, sexy witchy series with a HOT romantic lead.

[David]

Here's my suggestion. Lots of sexy times.

A Kiss of Shadows

[Emily]

my 2 cents:



alt:


both have beautifully crafted fantasy worlds, steamy scenes and authors of an indie persuasion. Yes, there are vampires in "A Hidden Fire" but I still love the book--just as as I love "Lolita" despite the Humbert the pedophile.

[Christine]

How about The Host by Stephanie Meyer. Not technically fantasy, more Sci Fi, but a good choice IMO.

[Jules]

Throwing in another vote for Dragon Actually...wasn't sure about it at first...have read them all and it is one on my favorite series!! :D.

Outlander is great, although long...I LOVED it at first, but stopped reading after book 3 or 4.

[Christine]

What about The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, not a lot of sexy times in this book but AMAZING strong female characters!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40...

[Evelyne]

I also agree with Outlander, totally. One of my favorites.

I also suggest Rhapsody by Elizabeth Hayden. Main character is a reformed prostitute, and it just get's better from there.

My third choice would A Kiss of Shadows by Laurel K. Hamilton. Tentacles in this series too. Just saying.

[Suzette]

Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks is a great book for Vaginal Fantasy. It's got various Supernatural characters, a great Heroine, and a pretty good mystery. Plus- Grandmother!

[Cherise]

Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton. It is the first of her Merry Gentry series. There is lots of sexy time, but with multiple partners.

[Lizzy]

I also suggest Rhapsody by Elizabeth Hayden. Main character is a reformed prostitute, and it just get's better from there.


I love the Rhapsody series! Not sure it's widely available at the moment though.

[Jenn]

Mouettesheridana wrote: "I second (or third or fourth or) the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.



I'd also nominate Iced, since it just came out. If not Iced, than Darkfever. Bot..."

Add me to the list for The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms. I've had it on my to-read list for ages, but I've resisted starting new series before I cull out some of the ones I'm already into. But this would give me an excuse to start it. XD

[jillz]

alt:



I would rather not have this series as an alt. It's definitely deserves to be a main pick one of these months.

[Ivy]

Elzibub wrote: "Justine wrote: "Ivy wrote: "

how about some sexy times to the max?!"

:] and the characters are very well written in this one. I think we could do a later one i..."

i think some VF readers prefer not to read books in a series out of order... :-/ which is an attitude that understand, but i don't necessarily agree with because some series get better over time... for instance: Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series or Thea Harrison's Elder Races

[Amy]

Sexy times to the max? Awaken Me Darkly by Gina Showalter. The first in her Alien Huntress books:
http://www.amazon.com/Awaken-Darkly-A...

[Lyri]

I recommend The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy or Would-Be Witch by Kimberly Frost

Both are pretty cute!

[Elzibub]

My "to-read" section is growing by leaps & bounds!! Thanks for all the suggestions, whether or not we get to them in VF! :D

[Lyri]

Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop is good too, and very dark.

[Laurel]

A little of topic:

Felicia, would you and the other ladies ever consider each giving a list of favorites from the genre? I don't know that I would have ever read or without your suggestions. I've since read the entire Lady Julia and Iron Duke series, considering them amongst my favorites for the year!

Edit - I also read J. D. Robb's book from your suggestion. Great book!

[Tegan]

Lyri wrote: "Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop is good too, and very dark."

We did that one a few months back.

I'm not sure if Mists of Avalon would work so well simply due to its size. That's a tall order for most people to read in a month, and its not light reading.

[Tegan]

I've got a suggestion possibly out of left field, but what about Even Cowgirls Get the Blues by Tom Robbins?

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75...

[jillz]

Tegan wrote: "Lyri wrote: "Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop is good too, and very dark."

We did that one a few months back.

I'm not sure if Mists of Avalon would work so well simply due to its size. That'..."

Kushiel's Dart was a long book. I don't think books should not be considered because of page length. Truth is, we have readers of all kinds and some can (and do) read longer books and some can't. We have an alt book so that people can read one or the other or both if they choose.

[Tegan]

Fair enough Jillz.

Where I was coming from is I consider Mists a heftier tome than Kushiel's Dart, as well as just as full of politics and family, however the ladies also provide an alt which could address the issue of the book being more than a months read for some members.

[Evelyne]

Lizzy wrote: "
I also suggest Rhapsody by Elizabeth Hayden. Main character is a reformed prostitute, and it just get's better from there.


I love the Rhapsody series! Not sure it's widely available at the mome..."


That would be a total bummer if it's unavailable! I bought it so long ago, and it never occurred to me that people would have a hard time finding it!

[Sylvia]

Bitten by Kelly Armstrong as well as Dime Store Magic by her as well.
They both have some good sexytimes and good storylines too. They're both set in the same world, but stand alone, Bitten is the first in the series though, and my personal fave. Maybe Moon Called by Patricia Briggs too, though it is popular so it may not be new for people.

[Lizzy]

J D Robb was mentioned above and I think the first of those might be a good pick too - and if people enjoy them there's about 25 more in the series already out!