Paranormal without the romance?

[Kay]

Anyone have any recs for paranormal books with little or no romance? The genre seems swamped with paranormal romances and, while they can be good, I'm getting a bit bored of every blurb including "and then she met the dark, mysterious and handsome [insert name here]" and that being the main focus of the book. Anyone feel the same somtimes?

[Tracy]

I know what you mean Kay. Romance is in everything now. I am fine with it, like yourself, I would like to see it not being the main focus.

[Tasula]

There are lots of good paranormal books without romance as the focus. Here are some suggestions- they vary from light to gritty.

These have a little romance, but nothing syrupy, are pretty light:
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Halfway to the Grave
Working for the Devil
Moon Called
Fated
Midnight's Daughter
Magic Bites
Bitten
Skinwalker
Hunted by the Others
Night Life
Kitty and the Midnight Hour

These are more gritty, little if any romance, usually male leads:
Already Dead
The Nymphos of Rocky Flats
The Last Werewolf
Child of Fire
Blood Engines
Anno Dracula

for sheer hilarity:
My Life as a White Trash Zombie
Undead and Unwed
Practical Demonkeeping

Hope you find something you like.

[Grace]

I would suggest





Also this has a bit more of a romance than the others I mentioned but the overall story is the focus.

[Krysta]

I love Kim Harrison's Hollows series (which starts with Dead Witch Walking) and Rachel Vincent's Shifters (which starts with Stray).
Both have some romance in them, but they're not what's driving the story.
Shifters gets more romance-y as the series progresses, but it's a slow developing romance. Also, the books are just sooo good!

[Marsha]

It is hard to find paranormal without romance. I can recommend my newest release, Shadows of Serenity. Plenty of ghostly and witchy suspense without romance.

Joyce Runsey spends her life savings to open a yoga studio in an historic Victorian St Augustine house, only to discover the property is haunted. A female ghost’s abusive and very much alive husband still tortures her by using dark witchcraft. The disruptive energy thwarts Joyce’s ambition to create a special environment to train students to become yoga teachers.

Joyce engages in a deadly battle with not only the tormented spirit, but also the dangerous husband. To protect her students from harm, she must overcome mounting obstacles. An unknown swami pays an unexpected visit to give advice on how to free the anguished ghost. Can Joyce comprehend and follow the wise man’s guidance in time to save everyone who depends on her?

[C.D.]

The first book in my series has a little romance. If you'd like to try it let me know

[Greg]

I just uploaded my first ebook on Amazon. It's called Supernatural Family: The Path Less Taken. The pen name is under Greg Tom. The price is $1.99. There's a little romance, but not much. Romance definitely isn't the main focus of the plot. I agree with you. I also get annoyed when there's too much romance in any series or TV show. Cough, cough, Vampire Diaries. I like the plot of that show, but it gets dragged down by who's dating who.

Since the demons lost the war, they've been hiding, waiting for their chance to take over Heaven. Now, that moment has arrived. Demons and angels are recruiting supernatural creatures to aid them in the upcoming battle. The Nicks family seems like your ordinary family, but they're far from it. When Ethan goes to college, he learns that a nest of vampires are residing on campus, and he must fight them in order to save everyone. When Chelsea goes to Washington, D.C., she finds that supernatural creatures are prowling the capital. Chad learns that demons are trying to create chaos in order to possess students at his high school. In order to survive, they'll have to face their fears, and learn what being a family really means.

[K.]

I sooooo feel you in that. Romance has its place and everything, but it seems to have completely taken over the paranormal realm here of late, and it made it hard to try to find a home for our novel before we decided to self-publish. I know this isn't a promotion group, but my co-author and I have a paranormal novel with nothing but the very faintest of hints of romance. Here it is in all its ghostly goodness.

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Just browse Urban Fantasy. While the may have romance, the stories a usually not driven by romance.

[Victoria]

I've just finished 'Of Saints and Shadows' by Christopher Golden, was great with no romance.

Shera is right though, just look for urban fantasy, even if there is a romance, it is secondary to the main story.

[Chiara]

Kay wrote: "Anyone have any recs for paranormal books with little or no romance? The genre seems swamped with paranormal romances and, while they can be good, I'm getting a bit bored of every blurb including "..."

hmmm The Ghost Files

[BR]

My Telepathic Clans series has some romance, quite a bit of smexy stuff, but the novels are more action oriented and the romance aren't the main plot lines.

The first book is

and the whole series is now available as a bundle

There is also a side book (included in the bundle) that doesn't have romance or any sex scenes at all (Unfortunately, I can't get GR to update the cover on this one)

[Elizabeth]

I'd search for urban fantasy over paranormal too if you want a better balance between plot and romance. I'm as much a sucker as anyone when it comes to rooting for 2 characters I like to get together, I just don't like being hit in the face with it. Especially if the plot doesn't go beyond 2 physically perfect people's struggle to getting over what would probably be a relatively minor misunderstanding if they ever bothered to talk to about it until the last chapter and realise that they are perfect for each other. Grace suggested some great options. The Oversight by Charlie Fletcher is also good and so is the Rivers of London series, the first is Midnight Riot. I think Soulless Gail Carriger parasol protectorate series probably counts as something else but I just think it's fun, even the romance bits. And before anyone asks yes I am a Brit, so potentially biased :0). Now I'm off to try Of Saints and Shadows thanks to Victoria! Cheers

[Madison]

Hi there, I'm like yourself and a tad bored of the whole supernatural romance thing. My humble recommendation would be The Showman And The Shade.
I found it dark and clever.
Regards,

[Danielle]

Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Just browse Urban Fantasy. While the may have romance, the stories a usually not driven by romance."

What exactly do you mean when you say "just browse urban fantasy"? Where are you talking about? In the book store? No bookstore I have ever been to has shelved UF separate. Half price books near me has a section of serial PNR separate but puts fantasy and UF together. B&N lumps sci-fi in with fantasy and PNR. Not that B&N stocks much locally. My local library does not have a feature to differentiate fantasy from UF and they stock more YA than anything else. Online if you search for UF you get tons of PNR. I am finding it difficult to find it too. I have seen other posts on goodreeads where people are asking for UF minus the romance. It is hard to find right now. If you have a way of weeding out the romance please share.

Thanks

[Danielle]

I will second the recs for






And add

[Lindsey]

Danielle wrote: "Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Just browse Urban Fantasy. While the may have romance, the stories a usually not driven by romance."

What exactly do you mean when you say "just browse urban fantasy"..."

Danielle,
I'm guessing what was meant was browsing urban fantasy on Goodreads, here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/genres/urba...

[Elizabeth]

Kay wrote: "Anyone have any recs for paranormal books with little or no romance? The genre seems swamped with paranormal romances and, while they can be good, I'm getting a bit bored of every blurb including "..."

I don’t know if this is what you are after but if you would like a copy to give some Urban Fantasy a go you’d be very welcome, actually anyone here would be. I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s recommendations and opinions, so I’d be very happy to get any comments anyone was willing to give. Plus I now have a very extended reading list to be getting on with.

Like a lot of Urban Fantasy it’s based around a mystery rather than a romance, in this case series of murders and a missing girl. There are some dark bits but some humour to. Losing it

Also I forgot to add Storm Front and Rosemary and Rue to my previous recommendations. In both cases the first books aren’t the authors strongest work but they really ramp up in quality from there. I hope that helps.

[Danielle]

Lindsey wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Shera (Book Whispers) wrote: "Just browse Urban Fantasy. While the may have romance, the stories a usually not driven by romance."

Danielle,
I'm guessing what was meant was browsing urban fantasy on Goodreads, here is the link: https://www.goodreads.com/genres/urba...

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately there is a ton of PNR there too. And I am not talking about books where there is some romance but the main focus is an actual plot. I am talking about a new couple for each book in the series with some sort of mystery to solve as the couple realize that they are soul mates. Those books are great when you are in the mood for them but when you are not it's not so great.

[Madison]

Funnily enough the book I recommended a few posts up just had a full page feature in the local papers in Essex as he is a local author to where I live in Essex apparently, and I never knew. It really is a very good read for anyone who loves ghost stories. The person who wrote the article couldn't praise the book enough, loving the characters in particularly the vile character of Jack.


He wrote "So the two halves of this partnership one vile but alive, the other decent but dead, take to the road"

"The gripping narrative is made all the more intriguing by the mystery voice of the narrator with some sort of stake in proceedings"

He says of the author "a stylish storyteller with strong ability at creating characters, he shows considerable promise for the future".

According to the article the price is quite low at the moment on Amazon as an e-book, its such a clever story and I hope that there is a follow up.

[Marie]

"The Short Life of Sparrows" has romance, but it is meaningful relationships so the scenes are limited as the characters and the plot are important.

[Amyiw]

I'm going to second both Grace and Danielle as they are all popular UFs and I've read over half

Grace wrote: "I would suggest





Also this has a b..."

Danielle wrote: "I will second the recs for






"

Elizabeth wrote: "I think Soulless Gail Carriger parasol protectorate series probably counts as something else but I just think it's fun, even the romance bits. And before anyone asks yes I am a Brit, so potentially biased "

I really liked and the parasol protectorate. The main couple get together in the first book but it isn't the main focus. I would classify it as Steampunk Urban Fantasy... with a very little romance though it is British dry humour. I thought it very fun and I'm American.

As for it centers around the relationship of the main couple about 1/2 of the time in the books; and there is graphic sex so... no I wouldn't say little romance, too much sex to call it little romance. Still it is UF. Right on the line between the two since the book revolves both around the relationship and the plot. I was sad to see that one end, as it was one of my favorites, and her Vlad spin off just doesn't do it for me.

I'll also second

How many books can you second? One? I may have gone overboard.