Overly Specific Rec. Needed

[Bryony]

(I *just* got here, so please attribute any missteps in protocol to ignorance, not stupidity, or incivility.)

I have a fierce desire to read a book with an overly specific premise, and all the internet searching I've done has been fruitless.

I am looking for book/book series that has a middle ages setting, with magical elements, adventure, and romance (of the explicit variety.)

The trick is, I would like the main elements... magic, adventure, and romance to be balanced. I can find fantasy books with a fluffy romance flair, or a questing adventure book with a few steamy scenes, or even something steamy, with some spellwork... but, everything seems to miss the balance that I seek.

*Sigh*

Can you help me?

[T.S.]

Good news: Yes. I know a book with erotic descriptions, an adult, low-magic setting (parallel to our Renascence period), exciting adventure (sword fights, torture, exploring an ancient labyrinth full of traps and shadowy guardians) and great characters who struggle against impossible odds to achieve goals you care about. No elves or dragons. Magic that is interesting and makes sense. Villains that do more than twist their thin mustaches and laugh maniacally (you understand why they do what they do and you wonder if you would do any different.)

The bad news: It's not out yet. It's my book and I hope to have it self-published in April or May.

[Bryony]

Shadyia wrote: "Good news: Yes. I know a book with erotic descriptions, an adult, low-magic setting (parallel to our Renascence period), exciting adventure (sword fights, torture, exploring an ancient labyrinth f..."

Aaaaaaaahhhhh! <---- (Mixture of happiness and despair)


....and, now I wait.
Ha!

That you for your response, Shadyria.

[Tracy]

I think you may find what you are looking for in the Deborah Harkness All Souls Trilogy. I have read the first two and am loving the third novel. Hope you find what you seek.

[Michele]

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey has pretty much all you are asking for - it's a trilogy, plus another two trilogies in the same world. Some of the sexy times are BDSM though, just FYI.

[Alana ~ The Book Pimp]

Have you already tried Outlander, by chance?

[Bryony]

Alana ~ The Book Pimp wrote: "Have you already tried Outlander, by chance?"

No, I stopped reviewing it as a possible match at 'time travel' in place of a magical element. Perhaps I need to expand my parameters. I just feel like there is some hidden gem buried somewhere in the Fantasy genre, leaning into Romance.

[Manda]

I second Kushiel's Dart. The protagonist, Phedre, is essentially a courtesan who trains to be a spy. It's very well-written and the world is rich and nuanced. One of my favorite Vaginal Fantasy picks of all time.

[Felicia, Grand Duchess]

We did that Elf book last year that had some of that didn't we?

[Bryony]

I have now read Entreat Me and Master of Crows both by Grace Traven and I am currently reading The Curse Giver by Dora Machado, but it is going slowly.

@Felicia, I will do some digging through the archives.