When I read Wave’s post entitled, “M/M Romances That Resonate,” it seemed to me that paranormal books weren’t really on the list, except for the Irregulars anthology. And while that is a terrific set of novellas, I was looking for more traditional paranormal types recommendations. So when Wave urged me to write one, I thought why not? I love the genre and probably 80% of my reading list contains vampires, werewolves, ghosts or other such creatures.
Why do I love paranormals?
I love the world building, the potential for great angst, the backstory of many of the characters. I mean, as a history teacher I would have loved to have been around for the American Revolution, the Renaissance or World War II. And if you are a vampire whose lived for centuries you just might have experienced all of those events. Think of all the history you would have witnessed. That fascinates me…and I think it fascinates other readers who love this genre like I do. After all, sexy ghosts, angst-ridden vampires and alpha shifters are hot! Just look at Amazon’s Top 100 and you’ll see I’m not the only one with a serious love for men who sprout fur during a full moon.
Not to mention the many tropes that exist in paranormal books: alpha shifters, omegas, bonding, claiming, instant love, cursed vampires, mpreg, and knotting. (In fact when Googling knotting, I came up with this pic of Derek from Teen Wolf, one truly messed-up shifter…which led me to some Sterek knotting fanfiction…which led me to reading some Sterek mpreg.) The tropes are everywhere!
So when I decided to pick my favorite paranormal books — with some input from other reviewers at Jessewave — the only criteria was that they be written in the last three years, since Wave made this post.
Now, it was tough finding only fifteen books to put on this list, and I am sure readers will have many more suggestions here in the comments, but I (and others) felt these books represented the best in the paranormal genre that we’ve read. Most of them I have reviewed myself, or at least read.
1. A Reason to Believe by Diana Copland – A wonderful ghost story laced with a terrific romance. One of my favorite books from last year.
2. A Shadow of Wings by Linda Gayle – Reviewed here. So far, my favorite m/m paranormal novel of 2013.
3. Strength of the Pack by Kendall McKenna – Reviewed here. Great shifter book.
4. Bayou Dreams by Lynn Lorenz – Gay For You with a delightful twist. Reviewed here.
5. A Thread of Deepest Black by Finn Marlowe – An amazing BDSM shifter book. I re-read this one a lot!
6. Crying for the Moon by Sarah Madison – Unique shifters. Another keeper!
7. Midnight in Berlin by JL Merrow – Reviewed here.
8. A Boy and His Dragon by R. Cooper – Read Wave’s 4.75 star review.
9. Pocket-Sized Prince by Stormy Glenn – Reviewed here. The title says it all. *g*
10. Dead in L.A. by Lou Harper – Lloyd and a couple of other reviewers have this on their top five list!
11. Wake Me Up Inside by Cardeno C – Many reviewers loved this book!
12. Taming the Bander by Summer Devon – Feliz’s choice.
13. Natural Instincts by SJ Frost – I read this during a hurricane and couldn’t put it down even as the flood waters were rising.
14. I, Omega by Kari Gregg – You will either love or hate this book. No in-betweens. Intense and hot D/s themed shifter novel.
15. The Alpha’s Ardor by Rebecca Brouchu – If you like hurt/comfort, then this book will hit all your buttons. Utterly lovely.
If you are looking for a good book to curl up with on a dark, rainy night while praying your electric doesn’t go out as the wind howls against your door…anyone of these books is a great read.
Lasha I love many of the shifter books recommended by you and the other reviewers.
I would like to add one more to the list which I just finished yesterday. It’s called Winter Wolf: A Werewolf Romance on Snow by S.P. Wayne . I absolutely loved this book because it’s such an unusual story told from the were’s third person POV. There’s not much sex in the book but the worldbuilding and Axton’s characterization were phenomenal, and there’s one scene in the snow that will live with me for a long, long time. Even though some of the story moves a little slowly it’s well worth the read.
I’m hoping that other readers will recommend books with my favourite shifters – dragons – I can’t get enough of them.
Thanks for doing this Lasha – great job. 😎
Oh my goodness! I second the recommendation for Winter Wolf, which I got for free back in Valentine’s day thanks to a post here on this blog. Actually since then I have re-read that story one more time. I also checked the author’s site and there’s a sequel coming sometime in October she said. I can’t wait!
Thanks for your list Lasha, I just added some of these books to my TBR. If I were to recommend any I wold recommend:
A Ghost on my Couch by LA Gilbert. I loved this ghost story
http://www.gayromance.org/2011/04/09/the-ghost-on-my-couch/
For vampire stories: Immortality is the Suck and No rest for the Wicked by AM Riley http://www.gayromance.org/2009/10/03/immortalilty-is-the-suck/
For were stories: Blacque/Bleu by Belinda McBride http://www.gayromance.org/2010/10/15/blacquebleu/ or
Good Bones by Kim Fielding http://www.gayromance.org/2012/05/18/good-bones/
I don’t read these type of story too often but these I have loved.
Mercedes
I agree with the Belinda McBride rec. It was on my list, but didn’t make the cut. 🙂
I’m a huge shifter fan so I LOVE your list. If I could add a few more of my fave shifter novels published in the last 3 years they would be:
Blood Howl by Robin Saxon & Alex Kidwell (2011)
The Wolfman series by Brannan Black (2010 – 2011)
Good Bones by Kim Fielding (2012)
Silver/Steel (book 4 in Belinda McBride’s Arcada series) (2012)
Camwolf by JL Merrow (2011)
Lupa Garneau’s Children of Shairobi series (2012 – 2013)
Love Bites: A Feral Hearts Tale by D River (2012)
First Flight by Connor Wright (2011)
Let Sleeping Wolves Lie by Tielle St. Clare (2011)
And I second Winter Wolf too. That’s a great story.
I will have to check those other books out. Thanks.
I’m going to have to disagree with this one though, Let Sleeping Wolves Lie by Tielle St. Clare (2011), especially for readers who have triggers. Each book in the series either has past rape, dubious consent or on-page rape in it. Not for me, I tried, but cannot get beyond the violence in it.
Thanks Lasha, I really enjoyed your post and whoopee there are a couple of new books to check out 😀
I’m very pleased Killian made your list, still my favourite wolf.
One book I’m very fond of is Moon Shadows /Neena Jaydon and oh of course Good Bones / Kim Fielding. Away from from the wolves, Katey Hawthorne’s superpowered series starting with Equilibrium is excellent.
Oh got cut off in mid exclaim ….to continue-
Kaje Harper’s Secret Wolves
an amazing series Sirius introduced me to Sea of Stars by the fabulous Nicole Kimberling
and Rhys Ford’s Black Dog Blues is the first in a series with exciting world building and a great hero…….ok stopping now.
I’ve tried the Kaje Harper series – not my cup of tea, but the others I will have to check out. Thanks!