Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

There are authors that simply does it for me--the way they describe the settings/people, develop their characters, deliver their story--I get sucked in before I know what's happening and find myself in the world that he/she created...

Let's face it Stephenie Meyer will not win a pulitzer for her Twilight Saga, but somehow women, girls and gay men thought that Edward was hot from a description that consisted of "He's so hot", "...cold", "... feels like stone", "...smells good", etc

So who just does it for you and why?

Richelle Mead - I get totally sucked into her stories and can't put her books down. The three series that she writes are all amazing. I don't know how or why, but the flow of her stories are great. I will be at the book store as soon as it opens, finish the book that night and be freaking out waiting for the next one all in less the 24 hrs.

Yes, I know I have issues.

Nalini Singh...I am addicted to her Psy-Changeling series. Her character development and the fact that we get to revisit characters in subsequent instalalments. I am alwasy sucked in to the Psy Changeling World and dont want lot leave :)

(I admit I loved Twilight..not because Edward was "hot" but because of his feelings and absolute uncondtional love and acceptance of Bella. Don't we all want someont that like? LOL)

I love everything by Richelle Mead and Nalini Singh, I truly cannot get enough of either.
The anticipation of the books being released gets me fired up.(problems I know. LOL)
This is my crack. LOL

I love sherrilynn kenyon and her hark hunter series. I can't get enough! The same for richelle mead's vampire academy series, is it December yet? And Karen Marie moning's fever series, how about January? And I'm totally hooked on Suzanne Collins, ginger games trilogy. Brilliant characters and worlds all of them!

I haven't read any of the Psy-Changeling books. Should I start at the begining? I really do love the Guild Hunter's series.

ஐAndreaஐ wrote: "I haven't read any of the Psy-Changeling books. Should I start at the begining? I really do love the Guild Hunter's series."

Andrea,

start at the begining, the first one is Slave to Sensation.
you will love them! let me know

Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, KMM and Suzanne Collins, just to name a few..

Thanks Deanna, I'll add it to the list :)

Deanne wrote: "ஐAndreaஐ wrote: "I haven't read any of the Psy-Changeling books. Should I start at the begining? I really do love the Guild Hunter's series."

Andrea,

start at the begining, the first one is ..."

Just ignore the covers Andrea, some of them are awful, but the books are really good.

Actually I think that's why I haven't picked any of them up yet

J.R. Ward. I can really "see" her stories and I can identify with the characters and their emotions & issues. Once I start one of her books, its like I become part of it. Its almost like a lost a best friend when I finish one of the books. I feel kind of lost after it.

Ok, I love Andre Norton--have ever since I was 13. Also Anne MacCaffrey. And Patricia Briggs, Tanya Huff, Mary Stewart, Georgette Heyer. . . They are all writers that I've loved for years and years.

J R Ward!! She really knows how to spin a story. Her writing is superbly polished and her characters live and breathe and pretty much jump off of the pages.

Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson series) and Karen Marie Moning (Fever series). They're the only ones I buy on release day.

Mollie wrote: "J.R. Ward. I can really "see" her stories and I can identify with the characters and their emotions & issues. Once I start one of her books, its like I become part of it. Its almost like a lost ..."

Mollie, you are so right, Ward drags you into her stories and leaves you wanting more. Jilly Cooper is also one of my favourite writers, not PNR though, just normal people. Riders and Polo are the best.

I discovered Andre Norton when I was about 17 (a very long time ago), and she's still one of my all-time favorites. I also love just about anything Jayne Ann Krentz/ Jayne Castle/ Amanda Quick writes, especially her Ghost Hunter books. Gotta love those dust bunnies!

Diana Wynn Jones. Ah, the quirkiness! Her fantasy worlds are entirely fresh, and you never know what will happen next.

Also, Stephenie Meyers. I read Twilight before having ever heard of it, so I was completely unbiased by all the hype and just happened to love it.

And of course, who can resist Neil Gaiman, Rowling, C.S. Lewis, or Tolkien?

And you forgot Terry Pratchett. Sigh, LOVE that man's sense of humour.

lol Sandra--you aren't that much older than I am. Altho I DID find Andre at a younger age than you did. But that was thanks to the kid that sat next to me on the bus. We traveled over 60 km one way to get to school, so we had a LOT of time on the bus to chat. He loaned me his copy of Witch World and after that, we started taking it in turns to buy new ones by her.

My faves are Karen Marie Moning (Fever), Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson), Stacia Kane (Downside), Chloe Neill (Chicagoland Vampires) & Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels).

I have both BDB & the Psy-changeling books but for some reason start everything else on my list before them - after reading so many positive reviews, I must get on to them soon.

Kim Harrison, Hollows Series!

I have only read one J.R. Ward book so far but I'm hooked already, she really knows how to pull you into a story. I love the Study series by Maria V. Snyder and the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. Oh, and I can't forget the Chicagoland Vampire series by Chloe Neill.
Another author I love is Charlaine Harris...I can't get enough of Sookie!

i'd have to say that my absolute fav authors are:

1. Richelle Mead
2. J.R. Ward
3. Chloe Neill
4. Larissa Ione

love their styles, their wit, how clever they are, and their creativity, storylines, and world building are just amazing. they wrap me in everytime, without fail.

1. JR Ward
2. Kresley Cole
3. Lara Adrian
4. Nalini Singh

Excellent writing and great storytelling!

I have many favorite authors, but the one that captivated me the quickest and most instensly was Adrian Phoenix and her Makers Song series. Simply Brilliant!!!

I adore Karen Marie Moning..her Highlander Series, although I do admit to being on tenterhooks to see the read the last installment of the Fever series. I can't believe how they keep ending! Ugh! Making me crazy!

Sherilyn Kenyon is amazing, as is Patricia Briggs. I also adore C.E. Murhpy, her Urban Shaman and the House of Cards series, great writing!

Crystal wrote: "Kim Harrison, Hollows Series!"

I second that. Kim Harrison got me into urban fantasy :)

My favourites (in no particular order)

Fantasy/UF/PNR:
Patricia Briggs
Jeaniene Frost
Nalini Singh

JD Robb (altho she is more futuristic romance)

Romantic Suspense:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Catherine Coulter
Kay Hooper
Suzanne Brockmann
Nora Roberts
Andrea Kane
Sandra Brown
Linda Howard
Roxanne St. Clair
(too many more to name)

Historical Romance:
Amanda Quick
Stephanie Laurens
Julie Garwood
Julia Quinn
Arnette Lamb
Victoria Alexander
(new to me: Meredith Duran
Jennifer Ashley

Contemp/Romance:
Christina Dodd (also her historicals)
Jennifer Crusie
Julie James
Carly Phillips

I have lots and lots of new authors which are fast becoming favourites too... but these are the ones I would automatically put reserves on their latest books.

...other than creating irresistible men...the follow authors just give the 'it' factor for me.

Sherrilyn Kenyon: I've enjoyed every series I've read that she has written. Favoring DH and League series. She has a way of writing that draws you in with amazing character and amazing dialogue - especially if its doused in sarcastic humor! The way she revolves the story around past and current characters and somehow strategically make them have a connection further into the series! (Example: DH series - Conversation between Talon and Wulf, closer to the start of the series. The relationship between Leta, Delphine and Jericho/Cratus. Kat! Tory! Nick! Ambrose!)
How she develops the characters. Like, squire Nick to....the Nick we know now. Acheron - Part 1...heart wrenching!
...I can go on with the reasons why she's my favorite author.

Chloe Neill: Having a strong - both mentally and physically - leading woman as the main character. Some books tend to be the 'damsel in distress being rescued by the drop dead gorgeous prince', this series does have that - Ethan rescues Merit - its just that the girl bites back! The relationships between the characters and how each character has their own personality that either compliments or contradicts other characters. (Catcher and Mallory, Ethan vs Morgan) The amount of teasing that goes on! It's such a tease!!! ...duh.

Jeaniene Frost: Once again a strong female, but this time she gets her man early in the series and how their relationship unfolds. From their sexual experiences (Ch32!) to their bickering, even to life or death situations. Similar to any couple would have....just saturated with PNR. The dialogue in the series does have 'sarcastic humor' infused into it.
I have to admit though, sometimes the endings in her books seem a little anticlimactic...a little cut here. a spark there.

Karen Marie Moning: Cliffhangers. Its a love/hate relationship. The anticipation and mysteries she creates totally draws you in! Makes you want more! Makes you wait till January of 2011 to know the whos and whats!

J.R. Ward Brotherhood. The interaction. The side stories. Qhuinn and Blay!!! How the men are totally willing to do practically anything for their women! (Contradicts my like of the 'strong female' - but I like reading about both! Keeps reading fun!)
However, I do have some quirks about her writing style.

This post is getting too long and im running out of reasons why I like the authors I like....so the following are other authors. Most likely they have similarities with the ones noted above, but include their own twist

• Cassandra Clare
• Kelley Armstrong
• Gena Showalter
• Larissa Ione
• Diana Gabaldon

I'd like to toss L.A. Banks (Vampire Huntress series) and Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series) into the mix.

My top 4:
1.J.R. Ward
2.Jeaniene Frost
3.Charlaine Harris
4.Nalini Singh

Well, if we're tossing in humourous series--Shelly Laurenston's series. The Linda Wisdom's series, 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover is the first, and then Christine Warren's The Demon You Know series. And who can forget the Bronwyn the Witch series by Candace Havens (heck, who could forget ANY of her series?) And then there's Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom. And, and, and (my head is starting to spin. Must calm down funny bone and stop giggling so hard.) :oP

lol, I too loved that Song. And using her heels to stake vamps. Hey, death by Ferragamo might make some of those really evil vamps re-think their careers. I mean, how embarrassing is it to be killed by a high heel. :oP

I Have a lot of favorites but the ones I cannot put down are , I absolutely love the night huntress series.. her demonica series is the greatest, I particularly enjoy her new Guild hunter series, gotta love her Dark hunters ( especially ACHERON ), Shelly Laurenston, and There are a lot more that I enjoy reading but these are my absolute favorites...they are full of humor, intrigue, romance, hot sex, hot men, adventure, so what's not to love huh?

Michelle wrote: "I Have a lot of favorites but the ones I cannot put down are , I absolutely love the night huntress series.. her demonica series ..."

Exactly like I would said it. That would be my choice for the top 6 of my writer!!!

Diana Gabaldon (Outlander series)/time travel-historical

Juliet Marieller (Sevenwaters series/ Bridei Chronicles.....) historical-fantasy

Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments)YA Fantasy

Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead)Romance - political

Note: Juliet Marillier is so undiscovered and could be the best author I have ever read.

Jeaniene Frost - Night Huntress Series (Book #2 Ch. #32!!!)
JR Ward - BDB series
Lora Leigh - Breeds series
Larissa Ione - Demonica series

Ward and Leigh just wrties the sex scenes so well that they have me sweating while I'm reading them. LOL

I love the way Ione and Ward uses sarcasm in their books.

Malena wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I Have a lot of favorites but the ones I cannot put down are , I absolutely love the night huntress series.. her..."

LOVE LOVE both authors! CHAPTER 32!!!!

I absolutely MUST thank so many of you that I couldn't start to name everyone.

I found my love for reading through "Twilight", but once I finished it and needed "a fix", I branched out to Cassandra Clare's, "Immortal Instruments" series; Suzanne Collins', "Hunger Games" series; Sherrilyn Kenyon's, League and Dark Hunter/Werehunter/Dreamhunter series; ...etc...I'm currently reading J.R. Ward (thanks to Goodreads)...OMG...and realized (quickly) that it's the writing style that steals my heart and keeps me addicted to reading.

I sincerely appreciate your responses because--I know that you each have similar taste as I do (PNR)...and I honestly never know what to read next when I either finish a series or while waiting for the next book in it.

Kind regards and many thanks,

Rae

LibraryLass wrote: "My favourites (in no particular order)

Fantasy/UF/PNR:
Patricia Briggs
Jeaniene Frost
Nalini Singh

JD Robb (altho she is more futuristic romance)

Romantic Suspense:
Jayne Ann Krentz
Catherine Co..."

Library Lass,

You broke them down in catagories...(sniff, sniff)...I LOVE U...sigh

LOL, that's the librarian in me coming out! One of the most satisfying moments in a librarians job is getting new authors into ppls hands. LOVE that part of my job.

(giggling) Well, I've been a good crack dealer today. I provided someone I met at the Y with a list of about 20 of my fav PNR and UF writers. She was reading one of KMM's Highlander books in the whirlpool when I went into it. We started talking about the Fever books, then from there, well it just kind of GREW. Er--and making it worse--I never got beyond the Bs on my Nook either.

But hey, you should always pass on your love for PNR/UF right?

Right now I am loving Richelle Mead and Maggie Steivater.

Great thread, I have found few new author for my list. I can't just do top 5...

1.J.R. Ward
2.Jeaniene Frost
3.Nalini Singh
4.Sherrilyn Kenyon
5.Gena Showalter (Lord of the Underworld)
6.Lara Adrian (Midnight Breeds)
7.K.M.Moning
8.Cassandra Clare
9.S.Meyer
10.S.Collins

I'm reading Mockingjay right now and just savoring every word. I hate to see this series end. What a smart, courageous, inspiring group of characters. I've heard much about M Steifvater and can't wait to get my hands on them ...but heard it has a bad cliffhanger too. I might wait until next May or June to read the trilogy. Thanks.

My top three favourite authors are Jeanine Frost, JR Ward, and Larissa Ione. You ladies Rock!

LOL! I'm afraid to even start my list - it would probably look a lot like what Library Lass and Ann already wrote. :-)

I'm so sad that MaryJanice Davidson isn't already on here. I get the Betsy's annoying the first few books, but it was originally just chick-lit with a vampire. Later in the series, though, she starts developing as a character, and I adore every one of them. Also, I was blessed with getting to hear the author give a talk, and it just makes me love them more.

Also, Rachel Caine did a terrific job of world-building in her Morganville Vampires series, and the characters are fallible and I really enjoy that.

Third, Katie MacAlister is phenomenal. It's less dark and more funny, but her characters are sarcastic and strong-willed and you love them for it.

Carrie Vaughn Is one of my favorite urban fantasy authors. I love Kitty to death.

Charlaine Harris Her Sookie Stackhouse books have been really good for me, but are slowly starting to taper off. I haven't really care for her other series though. >.<

C.S. Friedman Her Coldfire Trilogy is bloody fantastic. I cannot get enough of the series, and keep rereading them.