Paranormal Fiction/Romance

Sizzle and Burn  by Jayne Ann Krentz


Raine Tallentyre has made a distinctly uneasy peace with her psychic powers, using them to help solve violent crimes. She has long despised the Arcane Society, a community designed to protect those who possess paranormal talents, believing that they murdered her father and destroyed her aunt’s life. When she meets handsome, charismatic Zachary Jones, and is drawn into a frightening murder investigation, she must reconsider all her previous assumptions as she begins to fall deeply in love with a man even more psychically gifted than she.


Read-alike authors include Christine Feehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon. In addition to the other books in the “Arcane Society” series, the author’s other titles, written under the pseudonyms Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle, would obviously appeal.


Jayne Ann Krentz is a very popular, and prolific, author: each year she publishes three new titles in her genres of contemporary romance, paranormal or futuristic romance, and historical romance.


Suzanne McGuire, Commack Public Library




Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen


Sisters Claire and Sydney have been estranged for the last 10 years, since Sydney left small-town Bascom, NC to live a wild life like her mother before her. However, her abusive relationship worsens, and Sydney must retreat back home where she and her 5-year old daughter will be safe.


Claire warily welcomes Sydney and her daughter into her home, turning her organized and regimented life upside down. And new neighbor Tyler's infatuation for Claire does nothing to settle her. Long ago Claire had
closed her heart after being abandoned by both her mother and Sydney. But now, she is falling in love with her sister and niece and possibly her neighbor. Can she let them in and chance the hurt? Or will she continue
to hold them off?


Read-alikes:
Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton
Madapple by Christina Meldrum
My Best Friend's Girl by Dorothy Koomson
Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen
Time of Angels by Patricia Schonstein


Lori Ludlow, Babylon Public Library




The Séance by John Harwood


In true gothic fashion, Harwood weaves an intricate suspense thriller complete with stormy nights, dark forests and a “haunted” mansion. Constance Langton has inherited Wraxford Hall, but is warned to “sell the Hall unseen; burn it to the ground and plough the earth with salt, if you will, but never live there (p.48).”


Told in five different narratives spanning over twenty years, The Séance relates the ominous story of Wraxford Hall and the mysterious disappearances of its former inhabitants. Magnus Wraxford, a charming mesmerist, brings his clairvoyant but fragile wife, Eleanor, to live in the Hall. However, she soon begins to feel that her husband isn’t what he seems. She fears for her life and the life of their infant daughter and they both disappear after the suspicious death of a houseguest. Convinced that his wife had murdered their guest and their child, Magnus leaves behind a letter stating this before he also disappears without a trace.


Wanting to uncover the mystery surrounding her inherited estate, Constance delves into dark corridors and unsavory characters, risking her own life in the process. Reminiscent of The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, The Séance is more than just a ghost story; it is a descent into true evil.


Read-alikes
The Woman in Black: A Ghost Story by Susan Hill


Catherine Nashak, Deer Park Public Library


Casting Spells by Barbara Bretton


A striking female tourist drowns mysteriously in an icy lake in remote Sugar Maple, Vermont.


Authorities send a Boston Homicide cop, Luke MacKenzie, to investigate. Luke soon realizes this is no ordinary town. What he does not know is Sugar Maple was originally a haven for witches who fled the Salem witchcraft trials three centuries earlier and is now home to witches, vampires, fairies and trolls plus Chloe Hobbs, the half-human owner of Sticks & Strings, a knitting shop. Chloe must find Mr. Right to preserve the spell that sustains the town’s unusual residents. Their romance and the continuation of the picture-perfect life in Sugar Maple hang in the balance.


Read-alikes:


Angels by Gwendolyn Morris
Shifter by Angela Knight, et al
Pooka the Paranormal by Larry Carter
A Guide to Magic, Witchcraft and the Paranormal by Sax Rohmer (non-fiction)


Marie T. Horney, Cold Spring Harbor Library


 
18 Seconds by George Shuman


Sherry Moore, blinded in an accident when she was very young, has the ability to see the last eighteen seconds of a deceased person’s life if she touches him. With the help of a detective with the local police force, Sherry visits crime scenes, funerals, etc. to help solve the mysteries surrounding suspicious deaths.


Although an interesting premise, Shuman’s first novel lacks focus due to multiple story lines being thrown at the reader. Had Shuman focused on one or two of these aspects then brought the others into his novels as the series continued 18 Seconds would have been more fluid and readers would then be less confused.


18 Seconds was a quick read once getting past all of the distractions; however, it’s not a good recommendation for someone just starting out with the paranormal fiction genre and looking for something similar to the TV shows The Medium or Ghost Whisperer. This book is probably best for someone already a fan of the genre who is willing to overlook the first time writer’s stumbling to give the series a chance to improve.


Read-alikes:


Nuala McGrail Series by Andrew M. Greeley
Noah Bishop Series by Kay Hooper
Abby Cooper, Phychic Eye Mysteries by Victoria Laurie


Azurée Agnello, West Babylon Public Library




The Iron Hunt by Marjorie Liu


Maxine Kiss is the last of her line of demon hunters. The Hunters protect the rest of mankind from demons that reside on the other side of the Veil, which separates them from humanity. Maxine inherited her own personal demons from her mother, the previous Hunter. Once the demons believe that the daughter is strong enough to carry them, they leave the mother and transfer to the daughter. Unfortunately this usually serves to kill the mother. Maxine feels responsible for her mother’s death, but she also knows that the same fate awaits her someday. “The boys” as Maxine refers to them, reside on her skin as tattoo body art during the day and make her invulnerable. At night however, they come alive as living creatures, which serves to make Maxine vulnerable to some nasty enemies, even though the “boys” still watch her back. In the past the Hunters have always lived in isolation. However, in The Iron Hunt, Maxine, lives in a Seattle homeless shelter with Grant, a former priest who seems to have the ability to perceive demons and heal people. Maxine wants the love and support of Grant and her other friends.


One day the police come to the shelter asking for her. This surprises Maxine as she never reveals her true name or identity. It turns out her name was found by the police written on a scrap of newspaper in the possession of a dead detective. In trying to clear herself, Maxine soon discovers that her “boys” are not the only demons in the world, and that the Veil is in serious danger of breaking down completely, leading to lots of trouble. Maxine finds that she has to look in the darkest depths of her heart to find the way to defeat the new demons and restore the Veil.


The book starts off slowly, but it does pick up the pace as it goes on, and is by and large an interesting read. There are a lot of unanswered questions about Maxine, Grant, and the origins of the Hunters, so further volumes in the series seem likely. The book contains some romance elements and a few sexual situations.


This book would probably appeal more toward fans of urban and dark fantasy than “traditional” paranormal romance. Readers of the latter genre who like harder edged stuff would probably go for The Iron Hunt though.


Suggested Read-alikes could include:


Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series) by Laurell Hamilton
Urban Shaman (Walker Papers series) by C. E. Murphy
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels series) by Ilona Andrews
Moon Called (Mary Thompson series) by Patricia Briggs
Dead Witch Walking (Rachel Morgan series) by Kim Harrison
Greywalker by Kat Richardson


Bruce Silverstein, Patchogue-Medford Library




In the Tenth House by Laura Dietz


Set in 1890’s Victorian London, In the Tenth House is an intriguing glimpse into the opposing realms of science and clairvoyance. At the Victoria Rail Station, Dr. Ambrose Gennett has a chance encounter with a woman who utters phrases that sound like prophesy. Her cryptic message and urgent departure stir the Doctor’s curiosity. He is attracted to her in a sensual and most unusual way. He embarks on a fanatical pursuit to find her, redeem her, and ultimately discredit her purported psychic abilities. His obsessive quest is further fueled by the realization that his own mother, sister, and aunt have been absorbed into the unsavory realm of séances and superstition. Threatening both his personal and professional life, Gennett’s endeavors lead the reader through a maze of intriguing characters and suspenseful situations. The budding of Freudian concepts, the role of asylums, the disparity of social class, and the role that spiritualism plays in the lives of both believers and non-believers is core to this engrossing novel.


Florid and extremely descriptive, In the Tenth House is not an effortless read. The author’s background in Victorian literature is readily apparent and dutifully employed. While the passages may be verbally complex, they are equally engaging. Characters are painstakingly flushed out, and the story’s plot twines to a surprising conclusion. Laura Dietz’s debut work will appeal to any reader that enjoys an historical novel that delves into the dark side of society with intrigue, romance, and precisely-articulated characters and situations.


If you enjoy In the Tenth House, you may want to try reading The Medium by Noelle Sickels, Affinity by Sarah Waters, or A Death in Vienna by Frank Tallis.


Deborah Formosa, Northport-East Northport Public Library


 
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs


Mercy Thompson lives in a world of humans, but she is very aware of the supernatural creatures that also exist- the Fae, Vampires and Werewolves. She is part of this world because she is part Native American- a coyote shapeshifter. Mercy was raised in a werewolf enclave and tries hard to stay out of the clashes and power struggles in the supernatural community. This becomes difficult after her neighbor Adam, the head werewolf for the area, gets attacked and she rescues him.


The book follows Mercy’s adventures in trying to solve the mystery of why Adam was attacked and rescuing his human daughter Jesse. It can be read as a stand alone book, but it is part of a series following Mercy’s adventures.


The book is fast paced and action packed. It is possible to fall completely into this world and shows romantic suspense at its best. The character of Mercy is the most developed but secondary characters are well drawn and plausible.


Read-alike authors: Kim Harrison, Maria Snyder, Kelley Armstrong


Elizabeth Reade, Mastic Moriches Shirley Community Library




Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson


Undead and Unwed is the first in a series of books about queen vampire Betsy (Elizabeth) Taylor. Betsy, an unemployed secretary wakes up in the morgue after being hit by a car. She discovers she is a vampire when she notices her unusual desire for blood and her inability to keep down any solid food. Betsy refuses to give up her old life because of her untimely death, much to the chagrin of the other vampires in town. Now Betsy finds herself in the middle of a war between two rival vampire factions and is forced to defend herself from an untimely elimination.


Mary Janice Davidson is as normal as a person gets. She was born in a small town in the Midwest, her family moved around a lot. She started writing when she was 13 and publisher her first book when she was 29. She has been said to talk exactly like the characters in her books. In addition to the Undead Series, which she dubs Paranormal Chick Lit, she is the author of the Mermaid Series, The Wyndham Werewolf Series, The Gorgeous Series, The Royal Series and several YA and Sci-Fi titles. Undead and Unwelcome, the 8th book in the Undead Series is due out this June. There is also an Undead movie in the works.


Read-alikes


Charlaine Harris: Dead until Dark, Sookie Stackhouse Series
Kim Harrison: Dead Witch Walking
Julie Kenner: Carpe Demon and California Demon
Kate MacAlister: Dark on Series, Guardian Series
Michelle Rowen: Bitten and Smitten


Pamela Wells, Lindenhurst Public Library


Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O’Neal


Elena Alvarez is hired as an executive chef for an Aspen restaurant that has lost its appeal. She works hard even though she is in constant pain as a result of an accident that killed two siblings, a cousin and her husband-to-be. Both the ravages of the accident and the ghosts of the family members that died are constant reminders of that fateful day.


This novel chronicles both the creation of a new restaurant and Elena’s emotional healing process. The demanding physical work of a restaurateur is realistically portrayed as is the process of coming up with menus, music, and décor before the doors even open. Though the ghosts of her family play an integral part of the story, this book is not paranormal in the way that a book about witches or vampires is but does have a bit of magic to it.


An appropriate read-alike with both magic and food is The School of Essential Ingredients.


Michelle Epstein, East Northport Library