PNR Burn Out, Looking For Recs

[Candy]

Hey guys, I've never posted before but I'm desperate for book recommendations so I'm turning to the experts!

First let me say that I LOVE PNR and UF, but I've tried to read several series lately and couldn't get through the first book. They all had me rolling my eyes and just not feeling interested at all and I think I've identified the common theme that has me looking for something more and it's this:

Where has the romantic/sexual tension gone in PNR books?

I feel like everything I've tried to read lately has the characters instantly lusting over each other and/or moving into a sexual relationship incredibly early in the book. There's hardly any build up and or any time for the characters to, you know, actually get to know each other. Here are examples from the last 3 books I've attempted (and I'm sorry if you like these books, they're just not for me):

#1 Heart of a Dragon by Gena Showalter - The most insane insta-lust/love I've ever read. All the main characters do for awhile is think about each other in intimate situations (while the heroine thinks her brother might be dead by the way) and then suddenly after knowing each other for a total of like 24 hours, the heroine declares she's in love with the hero. There's zero relationship building other than, "OMGZ he/she is so hott and I totes can't stop thinking about getting it on".

#2 (and I know some of you will hate me for this) Dark Lover by J.R. Ward - Ok, so I got through this one and actually kind of liked some of the characters. But the two main characters actually have sex almost as soon as they meet (while the heroine is basically under the influence). Then they decide to become "bonded" very shortly after this. Again, zero tension because they've already done it pretty much immediately. Also, I did try the second book and THAT one I couldn't get through.

#3 Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon - I just tried this one last night and I still have excerpts from it on my iPad. Things like, after waking up handcuffed to a stranger in an unknown location, the heroine has inner dialogue about how sexy she finds the stranger and has this thought after he pins her to the ground in panic: "For the first time in her life she wanted to raise her head and kiss a man she knew nothing about." Yes, because she apparently has no survival instincts what-so-ever. By page 33, he has already had so many fantasies about having sex with her that I started paging and on page 40, I almost stopped reading with this gem: "Her hand brushed his inner thigh (because they're handcuffed) and she thought she would moan." How thirsty is this girl??

Don't misunderstand me here: I expect sex in PNR. I even enjoy reading it (most of the time). I just want to feel like, "This is awesome, they're finally succumbing to their attraction to each other after all this time" instead of, "Oh really, already?". But I love paranormal themes so I just keep searching through the genre looking for those magic books that make me swoon.

Series I've loved include Richelle Mead's Succubus series (as well as Dark Swan to a slightly lesser extent, but don't talk to me about the ending), Ilona Andrews's Kate Daniels series (which people say is actually UF, but it does have romance and heat), Rachel K. Vincent's Soul Screamers series (which is YA, but has a kickin' romance and is fairly mature for its genre), Laurell K. Hamilton's EARLY Anita Blake books (pre-Incubus Dreams...they're a mess now), Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, Linda Robertson's Persephone Alcmedi series, and Kristin Callihan's Darkest London series.

Sorry for the lengthy post! I have no other qualifications, so if you could suggest some things it would be awesome and appreciated!

[Tracy T.]

All of the series you've mentioned that you love, with the exception of Darkest London, are generally considered to be Urban Fantasy. The difference between Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance is that Urban Fantasy usually follows 1 couple throughout all of the books, and is more plot driven than romance driven. Paranormal Romance tends to have 1 couple per book with a happily ever after at the end. The 3 series you've tried to read are all Paranormal Romance, so they tend to have insta-love and fall in love quickly because they only have 300-500 pages to do so.

If you're interested in Urban Fantasy, then I'd suggest the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost, and Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires, Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep, and The Hollows by Kim Harrison.

[Maddy]

I wonder if you might like Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling series? The first book is Slave to Sensation. The H/h develop a relationship before they get into bed, and that doesn't happen until the book is well under way.

Possibly Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series. The first book is If Angels Burn

Or Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series might be good for you. Very little sex, actually. Poor Jane. The first book is Skinwalker.

I hope you find things to enjoy! There are a couple of books coming out on Tuesday, and I'm jonesing to read them, but today? I got nada.

[Rachel]

I agree with Tracy, it sounds like you are in more of a UF kinda mood...

Two series with slow burning romance that I enjoyed are Deborah Harkness' All Souls Trilogy -- A Discovery of Witches and Elizabeth Hunter's Elemental Mysteries dystology -- A Hidden Fire

[Angela]

I would suggest looking at these series. I love them a lot. Argeneau Series by Lynsay Sands, D'Artigo Sister Series by Yasmine Galenorn, Psy/Changeling Series by Nalini Singh, and Sons of Destiny Series by Jean Johnson. If you need more let me know. I have over 5000 paperbacks/hard cover and 2000 on my kindle. I'm always looking for new ideas for the paranormal/urban fantasy genre. I hope this will help you out. Cheers!!!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

The Argeneau series is definitely PNR. And, while which ever of the 2 is a vamp, love/lust is instant, it isn't always like that for the other one. (And one of the books, which actually has 2 of the vamps in it, the male is resisting, for perfectly good reasons.) Some of the romances start as minor characters in other books and then graduate to their own books. And yes, the vamp in this series is almost always having those "s/he is so HAWT and I just want to jump her/him right NOW."

I would recommend that you also check out Patricia Briggs. She has several series out there, all good. Although a couple are straight High Fantasy as opposed to PNR or UF. But her 2 UF series DO have stable couples in them. For these 2, read Moon Called first and then the short story Alpha & Omega. These are the first 2 books/stories in 2 interconnecting series.

[Candy]

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions!

It's so hard for me to find a balance between UF and PNR because I've tried to go the UF route and found not enough romance and then sometimes when I go with PNR, it's over the top romance. So I figured I'd ask for some help! I do think that's the key though is finding a couple whose storyline spans multiple books, so that makes sense.

I have read Night Huntress and most of The Hollows and have enjoyed both series. I've heard lots of good things about Patricia Briggs. All the other suggestions are new to me, so I will definitely check them out!

[PepperP0t]

i'ad also suggest Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

[Dawn]

I do enjoy Patricia Briggs but her romance often leaves lots to be desired.

A few others I would recommend are

Nightcreature by Lori Handeland
Jane True series by Nicole Peeler
Downside ghosts by Stacia Kane
Sirantha Jax by Ann Aguirre
Alex Craft by Kalayna Price

[Esther]

Elizabeth Hunter's Elemental Mysteries was mentioned earlier, and I second that.

I also recommend Grace Draven. Her two books and are more fantasy romance than paranormal, but they're wonderful, with great romantic development, no insta-anything.

[Leslie]

Keri Arthur's Dark Angel series fits what you are looking for. There's one female MC throughout and some smoking hot sexual tension. First book is Darkness Unbound. The first one was my least favourite but I'm glad I kept reading.

You might also like JR Ward's other series. It has some new characters each book as well as some characters that are in all of the books. Covet

[Emme]

I completely agree with you and often times feel this way as well. I may try to make a more comprehensive reply but it's late and I can only think of one recommendation of the top of my head. Have you tried Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series? This is definitely UF rather than PNR, but it follows one couple through a finite-series of 5 books. There is a lot of science (as it's a steampunk fantasy), but there are also vampires and werewolves and a lovely romance. She fades-to-black rather than gets explicit with romance, but I found it to be very charming. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind explicit scenes, but this was a nice alternative.

[Ren Puspita]

Well, I feel your pain. 4 years ago when I start this genre (PNR) I don't mind with insta-lust and insta-love. But after I read another genres and broaden my reading experiences, those cliches are girrate my nerves and make me rolling my eyes.

Because you love Kate Daniels, I recommend another Ilona Andrews's series, The Edge. It's heavily on romance, but do have their trademarks like intense action, kickass characters and witty dialogue.



If you want your PNR sprinkles with humor and minus insta-lust, consider to read Pride series by Shelly Laurenston

[Debi]

October Daye series is a good one
Seanan McGuire

[Tammy]

You know a really good series that is a build up to romance if you can call it that is the Lux series by Jennifer L. Armstrong. I read 1st Obsidian but I think the Very 1st one is suppose to be Shadows but the main characters are starting in Obsidian. I think you would enjoy it, I myself laughed out loud many times during this series.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

If you like Darkest London you will really like this one too (I did)

Steampunk London by Bec McMaster

[Shelby]

I loved the Lux series

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