In need of a new series, but I'm picky!

[Jan]

Sigh.
I'm suffering from readers meh. You know, when you browse trough your TBR and nothing really speaks to you anymore? I swear, lately I spend more time deciding on what to read than on actual reading.
I miss the frenzy of starting a new series and rushing through them because you just can't stop.
Instead, I keep rereading Psy Changeling books while I'm waiting on Kiss of Snow. But I'm running out of them again, so I figured it's time for something new. Only, I have no clue what to start, so I need help!

Alas, I'm a bit picky. I prefer PNR over UF, but if you really want to recommend UF that's okay, as long as there's no love triangles, they drive me crazy and unhappy.

I prefer shifters over weres, and I definitely prefer shifters over vampires. I absolutely dislike anything Fae related. Demons and Angels and the likes don't really work for me either, but maybe.

I like elaborate worlds and overarching storylines. I don't have a steamyness boundary, but I do prefer stories with a plot.

Things I love: the Psy-Changeling Books, The Iron Seas series by Meljean Brook, Alpha & Omega books by Patricia Briggs.

Things I don't like that everybody else seems to love: the BDB books, the Nighthuntress series, Outlander (not a time travel fan).

Anyone have inspiration on what I could read? I'm in a pickle!

[Stacia (the 2010 club)]

Have you tried Georgina Kincaid? She's a soul stealing succubus. There are angel/demons in the book, but they're only side characters and not the main focus. Her love interest is a human. It would be UF, but there is a fair amount of steam in the books. In book 1 you think there might be a love triangle, but it gets stamped out quickly and by book 2 there is only one man in her heart, so don't let her brief fling with another man in book 1 scare you off. It's definitely not a love triangle series.

Since you prefer PNR, I wonder if you would like The League by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Each book does have a HEA, but the books almost read like a sci-fi/pnr hybrid. They do have a few similarities to BDB and I know you weren't crazy about those, but aren't as all over the place with the side stories like BDB is, so you might be okay with that if you don't mind the romance being a slower build and the hookups happening a little later in the book.

You might also want to consider Sentinel Wars, but I've only read 1 book in the series so I hate to give a rec without having finished it.

[Terry (Ter05 TwiMoms/ MundieMoms)]

If you read YA, the Mortal Instruments series is my favorite of all of them. It has every supernatural and then some. No love triangle although there is a male friend it never is a real triangle.

It's fantasy and Fey but not like any Fey you have ever read about before - not the faery kind - The Tairen Soul series by C.L. Wilson is my favorite romance with a great storyline and writing.

First book: Lord of the Fading Lands

[Nita]

Have you tried the Dirk & Steele series by Marjorie M. Liu. There are shifters in this series, though not in every book. Some involve humans with extra powers, like reading objects. I love the world building in this series. Tiger Eye is the first book.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Shifters and nothing else? Sorry can't think of any. How about

PNR/UF
Skin Game, Ava Gray
A Tale of the Sazi series by C.T. Adams, Cathy Clamp
Shifters Unbound by Jennifer Ashley
Immortals After Dark by Kresley Cole

Paranormal- Female heroines

Keri Arthur (vamp, were)
Kelley Armstrong
Karen Chance (vamp, were)
Karen Marie Moning (Darkfever series)
Jocelynn Drake

I see that you liked the Iron seas series which is steampunck romance...have you considered:

The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger
The Blades of the Rose by Zoe Archer

Alternate reality
The Bloodhound Files by DD Barant

[Jan]

Stacia, I've never heard of Georgina Kincaid, so I'll check it out, though I'm not sure if succubi are my thing. I did read the first one of the League series, and really liked it, but the other characters didn't really speak to me, so I've still got the second one lying around here somewhere.

Terry, not a YA fan at all alas, but the Tairen Soul series has been recommended to me a couple of times, so maybe it is time I try it.

Nita I'll bookmark Dirk & Steele, but the premise of the first book doesn't really lure me.

Thanks all for jumping in!

[Jan]

Valerie wrote: "Shifters and nothing else? Sorry can't think of any. "

Oh, it's not that I only like Shifters... I just prefer them. I like people with extra abilities as well, like the ACRO series, or Skin Game which you mentioned. And it's not that I haven't enjoyed my share of vampire books, I'm just a bit over them at the moment.

From the other books you've mentioned I loved the Shifters Unbound books, and I adored the Blades of the Rose series.

The Immortals After Dark series never really managed to pull me in though. There's a couple of unknown names on that list of yours though, so I'll check them out.
Thanks for your input.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

That's ok Jan....I'm in the middle of reading the Rachel Morgan (Kim Harrison) series and may have too much UF on the brain right now.

[[deleted user]]

Try the Kate Daniels series by Illona Andrews. Urban fantasy, with a bit of a love story that progresses with the series, no triangle in sight. REALLY well written.

Also, the Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill is very good.

Magic Bites Some Girls Bite

Two series that are PNR, funny, and HOT are Shelly Laurenston's Pack/Pride series and Mary Hughes' Biting Love series.

Pack Challenge The Mane Event Bite My Fire Biting Nixie

[Lynz]

What about Dragon shifters??? I really like the Dragonfire series by Deborah Cooke!

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Lol! Next we'll push the Lords of Satyrs by Elizabeth Amber....just kidding.

[Lisa M]

Stacia ~ bite is worse than her bark wrote: "You might also want to consider Sentinel Wars, but I've only read 1 book in the series so I hate to give a rec without having finished it. "
The Sentinel Wars is an excellent series, though it's unusual. The antagonists are demonic monsters and the heroes are superhuman warriors who are dying out.

[Jan]

Smut Bitch Kate Daniels has been in my TBR forever, and at one point I'm sure I'll delve into them, but I need a specific frame of mind to get into the 1st POV. It's one of the reason I prefer PNR over UF, I like multiple POV's.

I read something by Shelly Laurenston before, and it's not entirely my writing style.

Lindsey This is going to sound silly, but somehow I can't suspend my disbelief when it comes to humans shifting into dragons :p

Valerie I've been intrigued by that Satyr anatomy for ages :p

Lisa M. I've heard some mixed reviews over that series, so I'm a bit wary to buy them, and my library doesn't have them.


I'm sorry I'm so picky! It's the readers meh, or maybe the spring blues... I can't help it!

[Larry]

I've read Son of Eden by Brianna Merrill recently and loved it!. PNR with no fangs and no fur! Introduces a whole new world. Very cool! Sorry no shifters. The series isn't all out yet. Sorry Jan. I know that you want to read right through them but I hear that book #2 comes out at the end of May and #3 will be available by Thanksgiving.

[Mlpmom (Book Reviewer)]

Have you tried the Rachel Morgan/Hollow Series by Kim Harrison at all? I have read the first one and am now on the second and so far they are pretty good. They are in the first person point on view though but lots of people really seem to like them.


Have you tried the In Death series by J.D. Robb at all? They are futuristic (but very believable) and they have mystery, action, romance and a little paranormal side to them. It is an excellent series and lots of people who don't like Nora Roberts love her In Death series. Plus it is one of those rare series that even though the books are in the 20's is still fantastic and hasn't lost its edge.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

How about the Lords of the Underworld by Gena Showalter? Gods and Greek mytho. The protagonists are warriors keeper of demons, a caste of humans wanting to rid the world of them. Nice PNR, the first book with Maddox is the keeper of violence, Torin the kepper of disease, Amun the keeper of secrets...check it out.

[Gemma]

Valerie wrote: "Lol! Next we'll push the Lords of Satyrs by Elizabeth Amber....just kidding."

I LOVE these books. Just Reading Dane just now and man..... Amber seems to be coming into her own.

I'd like to suggest the Signs of the Zodiac series by
Vicki Pettersson

[Sandra J]

Have you tried any of the Arcane Society books by Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick/Jayne Castle? She writes PNR in third person POV about people with various psychic powers. The books can be read as stand alones and are more than likely in the library. JAK's first Arcane contemporary is , the first Quick historical Arcane is , the first futuristic Arcane is Castle's . She's a very prolific writer and has lots of romances out in all three names-not necessarily PNR.

[Melissa]

I would defintely try the Midnight Breed Series by Lara Adrian. They are about vampires. There is great romance and they even have plots. LOL. No love triangles. Each book is about a different Breed Warrior but they all flow together nicely. You should check them out.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Gem H aka *Dhelirious* wrote: "I LOVE these books. Just Reading Dane just now and man..... Amber seems to be coming into her own...."

I have to get Bastien sometime later this month.

[La La]

Don't let the premise of dragon shifter's fool you, the Dragonfyre series is a really good PNR series. Deborah Cooke makes the whole men shifting into Dragons seem pretty believeable.

-Carolyn Jewel has a great series about witches and demons.
-Anna Windsor has a series about witches, it's like a sexier Charmed.
-Pamela Palmer Feral Warriors series is good. It's about all manners of shifters.
-A lot of people seem to like Lora Leigh's Breeds series.
-Gena Showalters Alien Huntress series is pretty good.
-Nancy Gideon's Moonlight series is really good even though it's about a were shifter and a human woman, but the whole series is about the relationship between one couple.

Some others to look into are Jessa Slade, Annette McCleave, and Cheyenne McCray.

[Melissa]

Have you tried

Dark fever by Karen Marie Moning Darkfever

or

Stray by Rachel vincent (shifters seriessStray

[Laura]

I agree! The Fever Series by Karen Moning is excellent!Although may be a little more UF than you are looking for.

[Tamara]

Pamela Palmers Feral Warriors series is great! They are shifter books. Lora Leighs -Breed series, Lori Handeland - Nightcreature series, Angela Knight - Mageverse series- they are vampires who also shapeshift into wolves and "witches" called Maji, a race created by Merlin (who is an alien) and the original Magnus are the Knights of the round table and King Aurthur himself! Christina Dodd - Dark Chosen and Chosen series. Love jacqulyn Frank, but they are Demons, so maybe not your thing. One I just found and read the whole series, Deidre Knight - Gods of midnight- They are immortal protectors of mankind created by Ares at Thermopoli, King leonidus (of 300 fame) and 6 of his men, they are hawk shifters - awesome stories!

[new_user]

Here are a few for you to investigate, Jan:

*

If Angels Burn is the first of the Darkyn series that precedes the Kyndred series (for which Shadowlight is the first book), but they do not strictly need to be read in order. It does improve the plotting, etc. though. Honorable mentions: Maggie Shayne, Susan Krinard, Lori Handeland, and Vicki Taylor. All of the above are PNR, not UF. (Although the Darkyn series wanders back and forth across that line.)

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

How about the Shadow Wranglers series? the third book just came out. It starts with Caleb, vampire and werewolves shifters,religious zealots...

[Lauren]

I can second the Darkness Chosen series by Christina Dodd. It has a really fabulous plot that incorporates a mythology surrounding a pact with the devil, heroes who can shapeshift into animals and some really steamy scenes if you like them.

[☽ Rhiannon ✭]

Jan, your situation and taste sounds similar to me. You might find some use in looking at my "read" shelf at the books I've given five stars too. I really should write reviews, sorry there isn't more info.

[Duchess Nicole]

Lauren wrote: "I can second the Darkness Chosen series by Christina Dodd. It has a really fabulous plot that incorporates a mythology surrounding a pact with the devil, heroes who can shapeshift into animals and ..."

I loved Christina Dodd's Darkness Chosen series. One of my first PNR series and still one of my faves. She has another series, a spinoff of Darkness Chosen called the Chosen Ones, but I didn't like it as much. She is a really great author.

[Lauren]

Nicole R. wrote: She has another series, a spinoff of Darkness Chosen called the Chosen Ones, but I didn't like it as much. She is a really great author.

I'm looking forward to reading the Chosen Ones as well. I've also heard good things about her historical romance books.

[Dawn (Kat N Hat)]

Jan, have you tried Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series? I know it is usually a love it or hate it series. I happen to love it. Kenyon has created a rather detailed fantasy world of not quite vampires (Damons), Hunters, and several breeds of shifters. Each book is a stand alone HEA, but they reference back to each other a bit so you get to see how past characters are doing now. There are assorted demons in the later books, but no angels. There is quite a bit of Greek mythology mixed in as well.


The first book Fantasy Lover doesn't really delve into the whole world. I almost didn't continue after it but am glad I did. You can skip this one and come back to it with out missing much.

Night Pleasures is a good place to start but it focuses more on the vampire side. It does give you a good overview of the world she has created.

Night Play is book 5 but it is where the shifters really jump in and is one of my favorites in the series. You could start in here, but may want to go back to read the rest.

[Elizabeth]

If you are looking for a good shapeshifter book try Christine Feehan's leopard series. My favorite of all her books(I have read all of her different series) is the Burning Wild book!! It is her best I think!! I have read this book multiple times.

[Katrina]

I'd recommend Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, first book is Magic Bites, it's pretty hard to get into at first, but the series gets better with each book.

You can also try Carolyn Crane's Mind Games, and the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. first book is Darkfever

[Jan]

Ok, I tried the Kate Daniels series this weekend, and once I got used to the POv, I was sooooooo smitten and hooked! Finished the four books by monday :) And started rereading right after. I love the whole slow build-up with Curran, and think the whole magic system and back story is wonderful.

And lo behold! Magic slays comes out the same day as Kiss of Snow!! WHAT WILL I READ FIRST NOW???

Anyways, thanks for the new recommendations, will check them out tomorrow!

[[deleted user]]

new_user wrote: "If Angels Burn is the first of the Darkyn series that precedes the Kyndred series (for which Shadowlight is the first book), but they do not strictly need to be read in order.."

Am I too late to subtly sway you towards this series also? It is the shizzbomb.

[Brittney]

http://www.paranormalromancewriters.c...

This site will give you titles and authors based on topic so then you can choose which you want to look at.

[Christy]

Hey, Jan have you tried the Crimson Moon Series (LA Banks)or Guardian Series: Riley Jensen (Keri Arthur) ? Were.. sort-of series but with a twist. Enjoyable stories, interesting characters...I have read multiple times.