Vaginal Fantasy Book Club discussion

So I really want to feature this subgenre, I have a few ideas, but want to see if there are any undiscovered gems you guys know about to consider!

I love Kaitlyn O'Connor's books. Most of them are funny, a few serious and only one was a stinker IMO. I've read everything written by her and given a lot of them high ratings/reviews.

I really love Octavia E. Butler's Sci-fi books. Not hard core into the romance side, but she has strong female leads, a very interesting take on family structure and relationships, plus the worlds she creates are amazing. I highly recommend Lilith's Brood.

I just ordered that book from the library - thanks for the recommendation Kathryn!

A few other series that I really enjoy are S.L. Viehl's which does have a romance, just not in a lot of detail if you know what I mean.

Also Elizabeth Moon's is good, there's a heartbreak in the first book, but I'm starting book 3 and there's yet to be romance although very slight flirting going on. Really good series.

And last but not least Ann Aguirre's series. So good! There is a romance but it has all sorts of problems which surprisingly aren't irritating.

I read Octavia E. Butler's Fledgling not to long ago. Its really good. It made me laugh and cry and really think about things.

I've always wanted to read Octavia Butler but didn't know where to start. Ordered!

If you want HEAVY romance with a touch of (sometimes) believable sci-fi, Linnea Sinclair is the only one that doesn't make me LOL. Not that it's a BAD thing to have something so cheesy you have to laugh even though they didn't mean it, but her stuff is pretty interesting most of the time plot-wise around the romance.

Fledgling is a good starting point. My scfi book club picked it as a read ages ago, and I wasn't sure about it, but as I said I enjoyed it and it made me think.

I hope you enjoy it to.

I agree that Fledgling is the right starter book (it's a bit lighter and more self-contained than her others), but Lilith's Brood is where it's at for romance/love/sex that is initially alien to the point of being creepy, but becomes something you feel oddly attached to and appreciative of by the end.

Also, how about the Hyperion series? I don't think anyone would call it 'romantic', but Dan Simmons certainly spends a lot of time developing the complex relationships of the characters and provides ample sexy time.

C. J. Cherryh (Chanur series), Tanya Huff, and Sarah Hoyt (Darkship Thieves) were all recommended by a friend as some potential authors. No info on romance levels, although apparently Darkship Thieves annoyed her with a lot of "handsome hero" talk.

I second the Sirantha Jax series! It's like my crack now, I started the first book and now I can't stop.

Octavia Butler is a great writer. I enjoyed reading her tremendously. When approaching a new author, depending on how long they have been writing, I usually pick an early work and continue to the present.

This is copied from my post in the other thread:

A great stand alone Sci-Fi VF book was Shannah Jay's (aka Anna Jacobs) Envoy.

Shannah Jay, Envoy

Kimberly wrote: "my husband keeps telling me the Sirantha Jax series is amazing - definitely a vote there."

This a smart woman. Another vote for Sirantha Jax :)

May I suggest the M.K. Hobson (The Native Star series) or Kameron Hurley (Bel Dame Apocrypha series).

There is also a nice little one-off by Tim Akers (The Horns of Ruin)

If you want something crazy romantic but heavily sci-fi I recommend Lisanne Norman's Sholan Alliance series! They are fabulous and weird. Not for everyone (cat people, weird!!!) but so so good! They really pick up in book two romance wise, but the first is an easy read.

The Host by Stephanie Meyers is a really interesting Sci-Fi with some romance to it. There are three out, but I've only read the first. Much better written than her more well known Twilight books.

Gini Koch's (Katherine "Kitty" Katt,) is one that I really enjoyed.

Jenna Starborn by Sharon Shinn (Jayne Eyre in space! Romantic but not dirty.)

Dark Stranger by Susan Sizemore (Romance with vampires in space! Good sf building as she used to write regular fantasy and SF and more recently switched to paranormals.)

A little more mystery than romance: Retrieval Artist series by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Most of the Sci-Fi I have read is not romance centered so I'm quite intrigued by this thread...

Anonymoose wrote: "Jenna Starborn by Sharon Shinn (Jayne Eyre in space! Romantic but not dirty.)

Dark Stranger by Susan Sizemore (Romance with vampires in space! Good sf building as she used to write regular fantasy..."

I just started the retrieval Artist series last night. REALLY REALLY enjoying it!

Heather wrote: "If you want something crazy romantic but heavily sci-fi I recommend Lisanne Norman's Sholan Alliance series! They are fabulous and weird. Not for everyone (cat people, weird!!!) but so so good! The..."
Cats have barbed penises. In real life. Do the cat men in these books? Because I couldn't go for that.

I've read all the Octavia Butler books except for Fledgling. They were good, but if I remember correctly, they struck me as more sociological than romantic per se (but I read them when I was in grad school so that may be why!)

The Sirantha Jax novels sound interesting to me.

Bree wrote: "I agree that Fledgling is the right starter book (it's a bit lighter and more self-contained than her others), but Lilith's Brood is where it's at for romance/love/sex tha..."

Bree mentions Hyperion by Dan Simmons, but if your after romance the the sort-of-sequel Endymion is probably more suitable, the whole thing is essentially a love story.

William wrote: "Gini Koch's (Katherine "Kitty" Katt,) is one that I really enjoyed."

I loved this one, although the sex scenes were...enthusiastic...to say the least and the love interest occasionally a bit on the creepy/smarmy side. I keep trying to get my library to order the rest of the series. Next month's book budget, maybe?

Lais wrote: "While not sci-fi, per se, Nora Roberts has penned the "In-Death" series under the name JD Robb. It's a crime/mystery series set in the future. They are super fast, very engaging reads. Nora Roberts..."
I've read all 32 of these. I definitely wanna do this series as a monthly read down the line.

Felicia wrote: "Lais wrote: "While not sci-fi, per se, Nora Roberts has penned the "In-Death" series under the name JD Robb. It's a crime/mystery series set in the future. They are super fast, very engaging reads...."

There is a new one coming out tomorrow, Celebrity in Death

I just finished watching the first Vaginal Fantasy hangout and I want to recommend Catherine Asaro for Vaginal Sci-Fi. So far I've only read Primary Inversion, but it was really good.

Lais wrote: "Maureen wrote: "Felicia wrote: "Lais wrote: "While not sci-fi, per se, Nora Roberts has penned the "In-Death" series under the name JD Robb. It's a crime/mystery series set in the future. They are ..."

Sounds like an interesting plot for a story!

Caitlin wrote: "I want to recommend Catherine Asaro for Vaginal Sci-Fi."

Okay, I'm guilty of not actually getting around to read her work yet, but I heard her speak years ago. She was really interesting and super smart! I've had her books on my To-Read list for years... Not sure why I've not read them yet, TBH.

I just wanted to chime in and mention Tanith Lee's Don't Bite the Sun and Silver Metal Lover and their respective sequels. I think of them as emotive sci-fi.

They're both a few decades old, but I think they're still very readable. They don't have quite the in-depth description in the love scenes that a lot of current books in the genre, but I think for the theme of female empowerment with no shame of sexuality they fit the bill.

S.A. wrote: "

I just wanted to chime in and mentio..."
OOOOO Silver metal Lover was one of my FAVES as a kid. And don't bite the Sun is on my all-time list, soo amazing. There was a period of really interesting and relatable Sci-Fi back then, not as much of it now, right?

Lots of good rec's on here already. I'll add Greta van der Rol to the list. She is very similar to Linnea Sinclair, IMO. I'd start with either Conspiracy or Morgan's Choice to get a taste of her style.

A Civil Campaign and Komarr

These are two of my favorite books from Lois McMaster Bujold which are both Scifi and feature romance.

I just finished Dust by Elizabeth Bear, which came off as a surrealist experiment in genre fiction, those genres being moderately vaginal sci-fi and fantasy. Love is portrayed in all different types of ways, among friends, family, strangers, and omnipotent AIs. It's also very queer in both the GLBT way and the broader alternate relationship way. I feel like this book left me with a lot to think about . . . But I'd recommend it for those who enjoy putting their brains through some sci-fi calisthenics.

I adored A Civil Campaign. Such a fun read, although it helps a lot if you're already half in love with Miles.

Felicia wrote: "Cats have barbed penises. In real life. Do the cat men in these books? Because I couldn't go for that."

Don't read Lora Leigh's wolf/feline breeds books then!

Also, wanted to add Sara Creasy and her book of a duology, Song of Scarabaeus. I've only read one book of Susan Grant. Moonstruck was pretty good.

i really like Celta's Heartmate series by Robin D. Owens. they don't have much smut, but they're great romances.

Angelfall by Susan EE http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11...

and Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews

Some great suggestions here; adding them to my wishlist!

I'll second Moon's Vatta War series.

There's also David Weber's Honor Harrington series.

Doc wrote: "A Civil Campaign and Komarr

These are two of my favorite books from Lois McMaster Bujold which are both Scifi and feature romance."

I just wrote about the character in these 2 books - Miles Vorkosigan. He's my favourite male lead ever, super quirky, awesome character!

http://www.silkandshadows.com/2012/03...

Thanks for the great recommendations guys! This is my favourite sub-genre and what I myself write. I've heard it called Romantic Sci-fi, but labels aside, I just want a great story, interesting gripping characters and some intensity between them.

Octavia Butler and Lois McMaster Bujold can not get mentioned enough. They are the divas.

Bree wrote: "I just finished Dust by Elizabeth Bear, which came off as a surrealist experiment in genre fiction, those genres being moderately vaginal sci-fi and fantasy. Love is ..."

I really liked Dust as well! Elizabeth Bear sometimes collaborates with Sarah Monette and their series is super hot! 1st book = A Companion to Wolves. I'm on book 2 right now - YOW! Fraught mano a mano viking-wolf-pack-soldier sex! (I know, the awesome homo-erotic set up is awe inspiring).

Gena Showalter's Awaken Me Darkly is a little more like Urban Sci-Fi than pure Sci-Fi--a slightly futuristic modern day world with aliens. I liked it.

Michele wrote: "Bree wrote: "I just finished Dust by Elizabeth Bear, which came off as a surrealist experiment in genre fiction, those genres being moderately vaginal sci-fi and fant..."

You had me at "viking."

Nylon Angel, Code Noir, Crash Deluxe by Marianne de Pierres. Cyberpunk genre, complete with a rough world the heroine survives in. I'd recommend it to people that enjoyed the Sirantha Jax and Scarabaeus series.

Hi...okay, please excuse this post if my innocent intention flouts group rules, please delete this and kick me out!

Despite being by far the most manly of manly men (pffft, yeah), I've joined this group just so that it shows up for anyone looking at my profile and leaves them confused and perplexed. In truth, the very thought of what you ladies (and gents?) get up to turns me a shade of red you usually only see in porn...

I couldn't find an introductions thread, so, since I'm a sci-fi reader/writer I just thought I'd stick it in here...so to speak.

Cheerio, and I hope I've not offended by posting!

Bree wrote: You had me at "viking."

LOL! Glad to hear that Bree! I'm in the long boat with you - wait is that what Viking boats are called?

Anyway, sweaty war-hardened Vikings who bond with wolves... it's yummm. (1st book = A Companion to Wolves. I'm on book 2 = The Tempering of Men)

I can only assume that the "tempering" pun (ie plunging and quenching) is not accidental. ;)

Sheilla wrote: "The Host by Stephanie Meyers is a really interesting Sci-Fi with some romance to it. There are three out, but I've only read the first. Much better written than her more well known Twilight books."

There is only one Host book. I do agree it is much better than Twilight.