Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

I wanted to start this thread in hopes of keeping talks about series in one thread. I got a few new series (one book only, haven't started reading them yet.)I wanted opinions and I wanted to be able to go to one thread =) Hope yall can help flesh this thread out.

New series I've rec'ed
Darkyn book 1
Darkness Choosen book 1
Dante Valentine book 1
Crimson Moon book 1
Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn (not sure what series names is)
Kitty and the... book 1

I've read the first two books. I loved both of them, but ironically enough, they're polar opposites. DC is better if you like a more romantic setup, Darkyn is better if you're in the mood for a darker, more gritty book (in romance and plot). They both have overarching plots, but the Darkyn one is a little more complex.

I am looking forward to the Dante Valentine series the most. I read the first few pgs to get a taste and went ahead and ordered book 2! I think they all sound good and from the posts they sound like they'll be enjoyable. I just like getting as much feedback as possible. Thanks.

I read Dante Valentine Bk #1 "Working for the Devil"; here's what I posted on my blog: And now I need the second book! I liked this novel. Different from the norm and excellent. Lots of action, excellent plot, and characters so different from each other in Powers as well as personalities. You learn a lot about Dante in this novel. Prefers to be alone, strong in mind, body and soul. She'd been through more than a person should - definitely different from other novels. For some reason, I grew very attached to her very early in the novel and felt so bad for her I cried with her. I love her personality and enjoyed her sarcastic nature. I do believe I'm really going to like this series. Rating: 4.5 stars

I also read Darkness Chosen Bk #1 "Scent of Darkness". Here's my review: A great 1st novel to her new series, I thought it was terrific! I thought Ann was an awesome female first character. Her personality is clearly written, you get a sense of what it would be like to be her. And Jasha... an awesome first male character. Both are perfect for each other, even if neither wants to admit it. And once admitted, one doesn't believe the other. The action, the excitement, the danger, the plot itself was truly well written. Stories of the past help the reader understand why what's what and why things are the way they are. You come to understand Jasha's family, even with one thing that's mentioned but not elaborated on, and I can't wait until that's brought to light. For the first book in the series, it was a fast-paced, excellent read. The next novel, Touch of Darkness, will be out in August ... and I can't wait! Rating: 5 stars.

Gina: Excellent! Thank you for ur input.

I can't believe I am almost all caught up with the Dark Hunter series. I am reading Acheron and so I don't have that many left to read.

That is y I am considering a few new series. I hate reading so many series (with forgettable characters) and they were all running together.

I am excited, the most, about starting Dante Valentine.

I love Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series. There's a nice arc throughout the series, but you get a different romance in each book as well. She keeps you on your toes with some good plot twists, and the characters are well developed.

I'll also recommend Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. Its probably my favorite PNR series. It has great characters and is action packed; never a dull moment.

Here's the correct order for the Immortals After Dark series by Cole. I loved this series so much that I started a group here.

2 A Hunger Like no Other
3 No Rest for the Wicked
4 Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night
5 Dark Needs at Nights Edge
6 Dark Desires after Dusk

The first story is in the anthology Playing Easy to Get. I have not read that one yet but didn't feel it necessary to start the series.

1. A Hunger Like No Other (The weakest of the series in my opinion.)
2. No Rest for the Wicked (My fav!)
3. Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night
4. Dark Deeds at Night's Edge
5. Dark Desires After Dusk

There is also a short story called The Warlord Wants Forever in the anthology Playing Easy to Get. Cole writes really fun, memorable characters.

I read a book from the Immortals but didn't finish. I don't like when books jump back and forth and don't establish a pattern. It's like "Ok lemme tell this story for a min. Now, lemme go over here, and now here. Ok back over here with something new." When stories intro too many characters or situations (and I am barely liking the book to begin with) I just don't like that type of storytelling. IMO Dean Koontz, over the many years I've read his books good and bad, is the only author that jumps left/right/up/down, but I still manage to read and finish his books. I don't understand this frentic need of book 1 in a series to be chalk full of everything. If we are going to enjoy the story. We will return for more. Don't have to put it all in there in one breath.

I did like the characters andstory idea of the Immortals book.That is what drew me but the structure turned me off.

What would you classify Cole's Immortal series as? Are they more considered a dark paranormal?

The plot's fast-paced and exciting, but I'd classify them as paranormal romance. Each book flows into the next, and the same characters pop in and out, but the main point is the relationship between the main couple of each story. There is a loose overall arc connecting the books though. There are tons of different paranormal characters, vampires, demons, witches, weres, and my favorites... the valkeryie. The characters are well developed, and their relationships develop very naturally, and the romance is hot!!

Hi Lori, I love the "Immortals Series" for me it's were paranormal meets a little fantasy. You said you did not read "Playing Easy To Get" it is a novella but it is worth the read. It really does start the series off. Not necessary but it is a good begining and it will be fun for you if you love the series.

Thanks! I think I'm adding the series to my Must Buy list for early next year! ;)

I love the Immortals Series!!
I have read both the all of the Kitty series and I just started Witchling I think the series is called Sisters of the Moon and so far I like it just fine. The thing I like about the Kitty series is that you can really watch her grow and I will not say anything more because I would ruin it for you

Can someone tell me more about the kity series. Who are they written by and who is kitty? Just curious... I've been lurking around today reading the discussions....I know I'm a dork...

Welcome Heather, asking book questions is rarely dorky!

Kitty is a werewolf who has a talk show on the local radio station. The series begins with Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn, and has several sequils with another due out soon.

Most of my favorite series fall into the UF category rather than the PNR one, but as they've got some romance in them, I think they count for the sake of the discussion. So, series not already mentioned:

Black Dagger Brotherhood - J.R. Ward
Night Huntress - Jeaniene Frost
The Maker's Song - Adrian Phoenix
Women of the Otherworld - Kelley Armstrong
Mercy Thompson - Patricia Briggs
Nocturne City - Caitlin Kittredge
Midnight Breeds - Lara Adrian

Black Dagger Brotherhood series by JR ward is great. I loved it! I am currently reading Lara Adrians Midnight Breed series which I like so far. It's very similar to the BDB series.

Now I didn't like the Black Dagger books. I'm not sure why--but I didn't. I read about 1/2 of the first one, couldn't get into it, tried the second, again, couldn't get into, so I just gave the set away.

But I LOVE THe Mercy Thompson series. I have all of the books in it so far. I've read some of the Kitty books, liked some, didn't like others. And I'm not sure why.

How is the Crimson Moon series? I was thinking about trying that one.

Rae, is that L.A. Banks? Those who didn't enjoy the jargon in her Huntress series, will like the new series better. Features shifters and a kick-ass heroine. The writing style is becoming more polished and I enjoyed the first book.

I have not read anything by her yet she is on my tbr pile but I did hear that Bite The Bullet was excellent and better than the first Bad Blood

Cool, 'cause Bad Blood was no stinker. It's wonderful when a series improves instead of disappointing.

Anyone read Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood? I think it's a debut? Almost finished and haven't decided what to think, exept I will most likely read a sequil. Any thoughts?

Denni wrote: "...Anyone read Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood? I think it's a debut? Almost finished and haven..."

I have it in my pile to read for March. It looks good, so I'll be curious to see what you think of it. It will probably be one of my early reads for the month, so maybe we can start a thread to discuss it.