Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion
General Discussion
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What are you reading right now?
Kenjii, usually if I start a new series and I don't like it, I only continue if I think there's potential (e.g. a great premise but poor plot/execution), or if I've heard a great deal about it from people who have similar tastes. If the writing style's bad, it doesn't generally improve though. That's my biggest pet peeve. If the writing style's inept enough to kill the mood, I drop it.Now reading Alice at Heart.
Yz - yeah, I was distracted by other books and started reading Patricia Briggs Mercedes Thompson series instead of Posession. I don't like starting series' and not finishing them, but I just haven't been drawn in by Armintrout's writing.
I also haven't been able to get into L.A. Banks night huntress series. I think her writing is dragging down the plot line, there are too many long winded and detailed ridden paragraphs for my taste. I might have to abandon that series as well. bummer.
So far I haven't started a series that I didn't like. I hadn't read any Urban Fantasy/PNR for years until I read the Twilight series. After spending some time on Goodreads, I read the first books in the Anita Blake, Sookie Stackhouse and Rachel Morgan series. I liked the Anita Blake book the least and Sookie the best. I read all the Sookie books and loved them. Then I read a couple other series which I loved and finally came back to Anita Blake. Now it's my favorite series. It just took a couple more books to really get me hooked. Unlike some people, I love the direction Laurell took with these books and to me, they just get better and better. I'm reading the third Rachel Morgan book now and while I'm enjoying them and will continue the series, they are not my favorite. They are getting better though so sometimes you just have to give the characters in a series the time to develop. I loved Jennifer Armintrout's series and was really disappointed there wasn't going to be a 5th book. I don't think you should keep reading a series or even a book though if you're not enjoying it. I finally gave up on the Historian because I hated it. There are too many great books out there to waste time on something you can't wait to read.
Kenjii....I don't give series much of a chance. Either the first book works for me and I keep going or it doesn't and I don't. THe only few new (adult) ones I've stuck with are Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series, Vicki Pettersson's, Patricia Briggs and Carrie Vaughn. Wow that sounds like a lot but there are so many series out there.
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But now I have to decide what to read next... of course, I should be reading books for class, but composition theory is pretty boring, haha. I've got Patricia Briggs's Cry Wolf, Larissa Ione's Pleasure Unbound, a steampunk/fantasy novel, The Light Ages by Ian R. MacLeod, and books 4 through 7 of the Harry Potter series (which I need to re-read for a class I'm taking next semester). Too many choices!
I usually don't stop reading a series once I have started. But as I have said before I think I might stop with the L.A. Banks series.But I just wanted to mention that I picked up Patricia Brigg's Mercedes Thompson books and I blazed through them in about 2 days. I LOVED THEM! Just thought I would recommend that to anyone who hasn't read anything by her yet. I'm going to be starting her other books as soon as the library gets them for me.
I've had Stephenie Meyer's famous Twilight series on my large TBR pile and since I'm going to see the movie when it releases in two weeks I decided I have to start reading the series to find out what is all the crazy Twilight fans are so excited about.I started reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer on Thursday, Nov. 6 and finished and started New Moon by Stephenie Meyer yesterday Nov. 8 and I'm definitely hooked to this amazing series.
I'm currently reading Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer.
Karen - Swallowing Darkness definitely had more of a plot than the last couple Merry books. It was very intensely laden with political strife and heavy decisions. You will not be disappointed if you decide to go pick this one up from the library.
If an author can't pull me in completely by the end of the first book in a series, then I drop the series. I have way too many books in my TBR pile to waste my time forcing myself to read something I'm not enjoying. Face facts, the average fictional novel is at least 300 pages long; if an author can't hook me in 300+ pages, then they are either not a very good writer, or don't suit my tastes. If I'm not into it, then it's no use flogging a dead horse...
new_user: I've decided to make a few notes on what I like about writing, then comparing that (from now on) to the series I read. Then perhaps those that care to read my reviews will know how to help me pick out a series when I am looking for new ones. I stopped on yet another vamp romance series
b/c for me unless the pace moves along swiftly I don't like alot of hold up that doesn't seem to develope the characters. I don't mind the info overload of a first book but stopping smell and admire every naunce of this and that annoys me.Amie: I will definately keep searching for, and look back on, vampire/shifter series. I think the thing is I enjoy a bit of action with my PNR and so far the vampire based series I've started have been more about seduction and claiming thier mate. If I want that I can read a normal romance, lol.
Jess: I like LA Banks vampire huntress novels. Her view of the vampire is unlike any I've read so far. I think I have P. Brigg's listed on my WL.
Jennifer: My issue is sometimes with a new series/author I feel like if I don't stick with them through the first book I may miss out on a great series. A lot of books lately I've not made it past the first 100 pages. So do you always (or mostly always) give the first book a try or chuck it if it's bad?
=)
Kenjii
Reading:
Karen, I agree with Evy, Swallowing Darkness is IMO one of the best of the Merry Gentry books. It goes at a tremendous pace, lots and lots of plot (and plotting) and believe it or not, I think there's only one fully consummated love scene. (I really need to go back and look to be sure.) There are two love/sex scenes, but I think the first one keeps getting interrupted and distracted before anything really happens. But I may have missed something. Anyway, it is one of her best.Oh, and I started THE OUTLAW DEMON WAILS by Kim Harrison at lunch. I've had it a long time, but have been a little afraid to read it. Harrison puts poor Rachel through such hell that I really have to be in the right mood to be able to handle it.
Gail - I am TOTALLY the same way with Kim Harrison! I've had Outlaw on my shelf here for months! I too am waiting until I'm emotionally ready to dive back in. I also need to be sure that I've got an open schedule because once I start one of these books I can't stop!I just finished Swallowing Darkness, too. It felt like she ended the major storyline that she started the series with and that was actually a relief. I wasn't sure how much more I could take! I'm sure the next books will head in a different direction. I love these books so much. I was worried about Doyle the whole book because of the title. I was worried because of what happened to Frost in Lick of Frost that I thought something was going to happen to Doyle in this one.
Melissa, now I feel dumb, because I did not even connect Doyle with Darkness. Duh. But yeah, I had to think pretty much all night to decide whether she'd ended the series or not, because it does tie up that story arc so thoroughly. I finally decided she opened up new threads and left a number of others wide open, so she could move ahead in a different direction. I'm beginning to hope that somewhere in the future she will make a list--or even put out a side-book--where she lists the prophecies, or the "and something in faerie seemed to click when she said that" moments, and how they were fulfilled. I remember a bunch of them, but I know I've forgotten more.
And--I have a picture on my profile, but how do you get the little pictures/avatar-thingies to show up here? I haven't figured out that one yet...
Kenjii, it sounds like you may prefer urban fantasy to paranormal romance. If you haven't read them yet, try Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series (Halfway to the Grave, and One Foot in the Grave) and/or Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series. They're both more action and plot oriented. I will always finish a book. If I don't like the book, it could take me months to force myself to finish it, but I always finish it. I hate leaving a book half read. However, as I said before, I won't continue with a series if I disliked the first book.
I've recently read, in order:- Deadly Night by Heather Graham (paranormal romantic suspense) 'Flynn Brothers' trilogy Book #1
- One Silent Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon (DH novel)
- Deadly Harvest by Heather Graham (paranormal romantic suspense ) 'Flynn Brothers' trilogy Book #3
Currently Reading:
The River Knows by Amanda Quinn (historical romantic suspense - I was in the mood to shake things up a bit, LOL!)
I'm currently reading Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead. It's the 3rd book in the Georgina Kincaid series.
Kiss Of The Night from the Dark Hunter series. I am loving these books!
Jennifer: I'll add those to my WL. Thanks! I like the Dark Hunter series. I don't really know the difference with all the sub-genres but I am learning. I just know what I haven't liked so far. I am about halfway thru CONTACT and DARK EMBRACE. I still haven't cont. THE HUNTED from about a week ago. I started those other 2 and knew I'd prob. set aside L A BAnks.
=),
Kenjii
Viehl is a good choice if you like darker books, Kenjii. :)
I am reading the "Dark Hunters" series. I like a series where the author allows me to really get to know the characters and does not take them away completely. I like to know what is going on with them once the HEA has happened. I am so suprised by the way I am loving them all(especially Ash). Currently I am on "Seize The Night" I will read the whole series without stopping and I am so excited that there are so many. Highly recommend the "Dark Hunters" if you enjoy being involed with the characters in the books.
Kim, I'm working my way through this series and I couldn't agree more with you. I just finished Kiss of the Night and this one made my cry. I love these books!
I'm currently reading Mercury's War by Lora Leigh. Technically this is book 10 in the Breed series, but I've only read the ones published by Berkley Sensation in mass market paperback (in which it's the 5th, I think).A friend at work just gave me a disc with three Shelly Laurenston - Pack Challenge, Go Fetch, & Here Kitty, Kitty so those are in my near future. I've never read Laurenston so it'll be fun!
Martina - you are going to enjoy Laurenston. Her Magnus Pack series is great. I loved it.
Gina - What do you think of Heather Graham? I just picked up a book by her, which I haven't read yet, but her books sound so evily-delightful.
I finished Patricia Brigg's Mercedes Thompson series and am now anxiously awaiting the next book, but in the meantime I just started Kim Harrison's series. So far I'm really enjoying it. I haven't read all that many series about witches so I'm pretty excited. I find myself laughing out loud at some parts in these books which is always a good sign!
Ikiwiki, ei: Heather GrahamWell now, that depends on which book. Some are super great, others are so-so. Those so-so books weren't a complete waste, but if I hadn't picked it up, I would have really missed it. I can say, however, that there was only a couple of so-so's by her, otherwise I liked them all. I haven't really read her romance novels, cause I'm not one for straight romance (I'll read them if I have nothing else to read). If you look up her name on www.fantasticfiction.co.uk, you'll see the listing for Suspense. Those are the ones I've read, including her paranormal series by her pen name, Shannon Drake, that continued with her own name. I've recently read her new paranormal trilogy called Flynn Brothers. Deadly Night, Deadly Harvest and Deadly Gift. I've read the first two, DG doesn't come out until Dec 1st. If you want to check out the reviews I have on her so far, check out my blog at http://bookaholicsreview.wordpress.com. If the book you're looking for isn't there, don't hesitate to get in touch with me. My blog was only started in January and I haven't had the chance to post all the ones I still have on another site. Still, I've lost about 400 reviews when my computer crashed... anyway, let me know!@
I just started reading Elijah by Jacquelyn Frank, but I am having trouble getting into it.
Question to Mitabird: Have you read the first two in the series? Jacob and Gideon? I've read all 5 in the series and I think they're great - especially Noah's. Now that was an awesome book! I hope I'm not steering you in the wrong by saying so... *shrug*Since my last post, I finished Practical Magic, started and finished Suite 606, and am currently on page 81 of Bad Penny.
Just started Spectre by Phaedra Weldon. It's the second book and it has taken me quite a few pages to get into it. It hasn't been that long since I read the first one and I loved that book, but it seems my memory isn't what it should be because I'm finding myself thinking huh? A LOT. I hate that, but I love the concept of these books.
Hi Gina: I did read the first two and I liked them, but for some reason I just can't concentrate on Elijah. I think I need to set aside some quiet time.
I am currently reading "Games of Command" by Linnea Sinclair. I like her writing but with this book..eh. I'm feeling like I'm missing something. I'm probably going to read the 9th installment of the Stephanie Plum after that and then next week Jenna Black's new book comes out :)
I just read the first book in the Karen Chance Cassie Palmer series, Touch the Dark. It's pretty good and I'm excited to read the next books. I am a sucker for vampire books :)
Cj, I adore Janet Evanovich! Steph Plum and her family & friends constantly have me in stitches - especially Grandma Mazur! I don't know anyone who has read this series and not laughed at least once. I'm all the way to Lean Mean Thirteen (can't afford Hardcover, so I'm waiting for Fearless Fourteen to come out in MMP). Is this series one you enjoy as well?
Good morning, all.Received my ARC (that I won here on GoodReads, coincidentally) of New Blood by Gail Dayton in yesterday's mail, and read 1/2 of it last night. No vampires, just magic - quite a bit- and a plot that has taken me from Transylvania to Paris and shows no sign of slowing down!
I don't want to spoil this for those waiting to read it, so I'll simply say that this was reallly my first foray into the steampunk genre and I am having a terrific time with it. Gail is now a permanent fixture on my TBR list!
Wow--I was coming in to report that I finished THE OUTLAW DEMON WAILS, and can't decide what to read next. It's probably better that I'm not reading much right now, because I have a book to finish--preferably before the end of the year--but Wow, Kim--Thanks for the compliments. :)
Since Bad Penny, I've read a friend's first published book, Dead On Arrival by Karen Vaughan. I started I'm with Stupid by Elaine Szewczyk. However, tonight while at Coles (the bookstore - affiliated with Chapters and Indigo), I got my hands on The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts, which wasn't due out until next Tuesday. I've been waiting too long to not read it right away, LMAO!
I was just thinking about series that I have read, and I don't recall anyone mentioning Jacquelyn Frank's books. They are about Demons's(the good guys)who have elementally powers. I would not call her my favorite author(that's J R Ward) but I really did enjoy it and I think it is worth the read. Did anyone else enjoy it?? I am currently working on the Dark-Hunters I think I'm in love with.....(I don't know pick one).
Of the Dark Hunters I pick Julian, Valarius, Zarek, Sin, Kyrian. Alexion was hot but he wasn't a DH. I have read these in the course of over a year so I can really remember ever book. I am sure I enjoyed more DH's. I need not mention Ash but I will...Ash=)
Kenjii
The Darkest Kiss by Gena ShowalterI just finished the first in the Lords of the Underworld series and thought it was okay. I'm not really feeling the Lords of the Underworld, Black Dagger Brotherhood, and/or Dark Hunter series. The heroes tend to come off as clingy/needy to me. I prefer the heroes in Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark and Karen Marie Moning's Highlander series. Tender...yet they still retain their toughness.
I started and finished The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts (hopefully will post review soon) and I'm about halfway through I'm with Stupid by Elaine Szewczyk. As soon as I'm done that one, I've got to start on Heartsick by Chelsea Cain, as it's a November BotM for a bookclub I'm with.
I am actually reading 2 books at the same time: Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison & Undead & Uneasy both are great books
Kim Harrison... I love her books! I had picked up Dead Witch Walking after reading the synopsis. I ended up picking up the rest of the series and pretty much reading them back to back.I'm on page 220 of I'm With Stupid, and I'm literally forcing myself to pick up the book. I think if I was the same age as the characters I'd like it more, but I'm 31, they are 23, and I find them so bloody immature. I can't connect with the main character at all. But I got the book for free as a Top Book Reviewer at Chapters, and I'm part of the Top Contributors club, therefor there are perks: free books! Catch: you have to read them within 2 to 4 months and you have to post a review. I'm trying... the synopsis had me more excited, but I'm just not liking it.
I'm reading Maggie Shayne "Angel's Pain". I just started it so I don't have much to say about it yet. I've read all of Kim Harrison's books I liked them till they killed off one of my favorite vamps. The next book I will be reading is laurell K Hamilton's new book as it should be waiting for me when I go to work today. Ah working in a library is great.
I finished reading Nora Robert's Blood Brothers, a bit predictable but its hard not to like the characters. I have the other two books in the series waiting for me. I borrowed them from my boyfriends mom, haha. I have to read them quickly though, she's anxiously awaiting to read them as well
Finally finished I'm with Stupid. I'll post my review when I get the chance. I finally started Heartsick, which is one of this month's BotM's at Novel Ladies.
Gina- Love love the Stephanie Plum books! I buy the hardcovers when they're on sale in the bargain bins at B&N :DI laugh all the time when I'm reading that series. I'm up to "Ten Big Ones" and will start reading that shortly :)
Are you a Morelli fan or a Ranger fan?
Right now I'm starting Finders Keepers by Linnea Sinclair and then that tops off all of Sinclair's books until "Hope's Folly" (which I probably won't read because I'm not a fan of Philip from Gabriel's Ghost).
Before that though I read the mystery/fantasy anthology of "Unusual Suspects". That's a pretty good read, I recommend that.
I adore the Steph Plum series. I've read up to Lean Mean Thirteen. Fearless Fourteen is only out in hardcover, so I have to wait for that one. Now, I'm a fan of both, Morelli and Ranger, though if I had to pick one for myself, it would be Ranger, LMAO! Ranger accepts Steph for who she is. Morelli has to work on that. And he better. I think that if it keeps up, he could lose Steph to Ranger. I love watching that triangle.I got my hands on Gabriel's Ghost and Shades of Dark by Linnea Sinclair. I should have great GG about two months ago when it was a book of the month in a club I'm with. I'll be reading both in September - I'll keep in mind what you said about Philip.
Can you give me an idea of who the authors are for Unusual Suspects? There are just too many books with that title out there for me to know exactly which one you're talking about.
Me, I'm a fan of just about everything. All time fave is anything paranormal/supernatural. After that, there's romantic suspense, suspense, thrillers, mystery, horror, I like 'em all. I don't usually read straight romance - I find the all end the same and are too sappy for me. But, if someone handed it to me, I'd read it cause it's in my hands, but I won't go looking for it. I won't read non-fiction. I get enough with watching the news and Court TV(when I had Court TV). I'd rather read an author's imagination than the real thing, thanks! LOL!
Hey Gina - I'm a Morelli fan, I can't help it. The relationship between Steph and Joe seems real and fraught with so many issues that it's just fun to watch them go through it because to me it's clear that they love each other (however I love when Steph says that she is probably definitely in love with him lol). I like Ranger but he's too overprotective at times (like Joe) and like he says, there are different kinds of love and it isn't the same.But! It can be fun watching that triangle and I agree, as much as I love the Joe and Steph relationship, he needs to do some growing!.
Some of the authors for Unusual Suspects are Charlaine Harris, Sharon Shinn, Simon R. Green, Michael Armstrong, Carol Nelson Douglas and a few others. I started writing a review on it but I only did the first three stories. I need to post the others at my blog but I'm just being lazy lol.
I love Linnea Sinclair!. Philip isn't a horrible character, he's actually pretty nice and all that but I'd rather read another book about Gabriel and Chaz.
The number one rule with my romance is that there needs to be a plot and a decent one. It can't be all bodice ripping and 'enormous members'.
Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy
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Sometimes I am starting a new series based on reading a novella or single title of a new author (new to me, not brand new). And I think, "Well I am just not used to thier style yet." But sometimes I just give up b/c I've got over 200 books on my TBR pile and can't be stuggle thru books ya know?
Reading: