The best paranormal books that take a fresh approach to a story that has been told before

Why am I passionate about this?

My name is Tyeshia Sturgis, aka T. L. Sturgis. I’m an American author of horror, thriller, and fantasy. In the fantasy genre, I wanted to write something that I enjoyed reading about, and who doesn't like vampires right? My passion came from both newer and older authors and I wanted to write my vampire series but with a new world. Through hard work and dedication, I believe that I've accomplished just that. I knew it would be a challenge… but it helped me become a better writer. I write/read 6-8 hours a day and love what I do and also help mentor other authors and try to motivate people to read and write more. 


I wrote...

Flirting with Darkness

By T.L. Sturgis,

Book cover of Flirting with Darkness

What is my book about?

Flirting with Darkness is a whirlwind adventure stretching to the darkest reach of night. Amara’s life is thrown into turmoil the night she is attacked and unwillingly turned into a vampire. She comes to embrace her new life and use her powers to get revenge on those who have wronged her. Unfortunately for Amara, it is a game she isn’t prepared to play.

While she struggles to control her blood lust and fights for something she fears she’ll never have: life eternal with the people she loves, she tries to escape a world that may never let her go. Will she follow the underworld's rules, leaving her human friends behind? Regardless, Amara must control what she has become before it ruins everything in her path.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Dark Lover

T.L. Sturgis Why did I love this book?

Jr Ward is an amazing author. She was one of the reasons why I decided to start my vampire series. You got to read this series it will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

Why? Vampires of course! I was looking for a series that wasn't the same traditional story and I found it in this series.

I felt passion when reading this book. You could tell the author put a lot of hard work into this series and it helped me by showing me it’s okay to switch up the rules on a story told a hundred times over.

By J. R. Ward,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Dark Lover as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There also exists a secret band of brothers like no other - six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Among them, none relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood...

The only pure-bred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed - orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage…


Book cover of Interview with the Vampire

T.L. Sturgis Why did I love this book?

I know it is an older story, however; It’s a well-written book. I loved how Anne Rice opened her reader up to an old world and the conflicts that a vampire may go through. Heartache, pain, compassion, anger… this book had it all. Believe me, the book is way better than the movie. I went through many emotions when reading this book. Sometimes I was upset, other times I felt sorry for some characters, and at points, I even cried. Guarantee you will too.

By Anne Rice,

Why should I read it?

15 authors picked Interview with the Vampire as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Anne Rice, this sensuously written spellbinding classic remains 'the most successful vampire story since Bram Stoker's Dracula' (The Times)

In a darkened room a young man sits telling the macabre and eerie story of his life - the story of a vampire, gifted with eternal life, cursed with an exquisite craving for human blood.

When Interview with the Vampire was published the Washington Post said it was a 'thrilling, strikingly original work of the imagination . . . sometimes horrible, sometimes beautiful, always unforgettable'. Now, more than forty years since its release, Anne…


Book cover of Underworld

T.L. Sturgis Why did I love this book?

You're seeing I'm a vampire fanatic right? This is just another one of my favorite books and author. It's also another book made into a movie but trust me when I say the book is so much better than the movie itself. I loved the descriptions in this book and how another talented author created a brilliant world of vampires. It was thrilling and exciting. Another book that put me through a whirlwind of emotions. Not only was it action packed but there was romance topped with unbelievable betrayal. It will keep your interest just like it did for me. I recommend you don't watch the movie before you read the book.

By Greg Cox,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Underworld as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The centuries-long battle between vampires and werewolves has reached a new intensity under the streets of New York City. One young werewolf called Michael is determined to end the conflict, but high-ranking vampire Selene has the strength of ten men, and plans to use it to destroy the werewolves.


Book cover of Vampire Academy

T.L. Sturgis Why did I love this book?

This book was more fun for me. Not as serious as most vampire books but it still was very entertaining and kept my attention from beginning to end. I loved the plotline of this story and once again you could tell the author put a lot of thought and effort into the world-building. And the characters. More of a Harry Potter-type feel with a lot of scandal and backstabbing. This book had me interested in the romance between the characters, and it’s a book that keeps you guessing. I'm not much of a romance reader so even recommending this book says a lot. I was reading his book while writing my first vampire series. 

By Richelle Mead,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Vampire Academy as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 14, 15, 16, and 17.

What is this book about?

Now a major TV series on SKY & NOWTV

ONLY A TRUE BEST FRIEND CAN PROTECT YOU FROM IMMORTAL ENEMIES . . .

Lissa Dragomir is a mortal vampire. She must be protected at all times from the fiercest and most dangerous vampires of all - the ones who will never die.

Rose Hathaway is Lissa's best friend - and her bodyguard.

Now, after two years of illicit freedom, they've been dragged back inside the iron gates of St. Vladimir's Academy. The girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night-time rituals. But above…


Book cover of The Queen of the Damned

T.L. Sturgis Why did I love this book?

Yes, I'm recommending the same author and another book in the series but I had to. I have a thing for badass female vampires. This book gave me just that. Anne Rice is by far my greatest writer when it comes to vampires. The way she describes things puts you inside the character's minds and the way they feel. It’s seductive and spicy. Another book part of a series that will have you wanting more. Love, horror, and suspense. Again this is another book that had me feeling emotional. I even caught myself yelling at the characters (as if they could hear me). Outstanding book and series altogether and I highly recommend it. Rest in peace Anne Rice, you are truly missed.

By Anne Rice,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked The Queen of the Damned as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

***The Vampire Chronicles is soon to be a major TV show***

After 6,000 years of horrifying stillness, Akasha, mother of all vampires and Queen of the Damned, has risen from her sleep to let loose the powers of the night.

But her monstrous plan for ruling the worlds of the living and the undead must be stopped before she destroys mankind, and it falls to the vampire Lestat to fight her all-encompassing evil - for it is he who challenged her power by waking her from sleep.

Also in the Vampire Chronicles:
Interview with the Vampire
The Vampire Lestat
The…


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The Strange Case of Guaritori Diolco

By Bill Hiatt,

Book cover of The Strange Case of Guaritori Diolco

Bill Hiatt Author Of Different Lee

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Why am I passionate about this?

Author Insatiable reader English teacher Life-long learner Hiker Webmaster

Bill's 3 favorite reads in 2023

What is my book about?

Guaritori awakens from a coma to find that he's lost twenty years--and his entire world.

Fiancée, family, and friends are all missing, perhaps dead. Technology has failed, and magic has risen, leaving society in ruins. Most survivors are at the mercy of anyone who has strong enough magic. Guaritori has none. He finds a protector, but his troubles are far from over.

The new society in which he finds himself is superficially friendly but surrounded by enemies and full of secrets. Guaritori doesn't know it yet, but the biggest secret is his. If his protector knew who he truly was,…

The Strange Case of Guaritori Diolco

By Bill Hiatt,

What is this book about?

Coming out of a coma after twenty years, Guaritori--Garth to his friends--discovers that the world he knew no longer exists.

Advanced technology has failed. Magic, which he didn't know even existed, has become much more powerful. Supernatural groups battle for supremacy, forcing human beings to seek shelter wherever they can find it.
Garth's only hope for survival lies with a varied group including a shape-shifter, an alchemist, a tarot card reader, a blacksmith with a flaming sword, and others. But a prophecy foretells that he will bring about the downfall of their leader, the mysterious Ms. M.

Even worse, Garth…


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