The best spicy paranormal romance novels you’ve (probably) never read

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve always loved both the fantasy and romance genres. (CS Lewis may or may not be directly responsible.) Discovering paranormal romance was the best day of my life. Since then, many years ago, I’ve read thousands of PNR books, both popular and less well-known, and love sharing my favorites with anyone who will sit still for five seconds. I even worked on a degree in English Literature for a while before switching to a more “practical” major. Blah. Because of those years of analyzing why some books are truly loved, I know you’ll enjoy these titles as much as I do.


I wrote...

Death & Chaos

By Cassandra Joy, G.R. Loreweaver,

Book cover of Death & Chaos

What is my book about?

As chaos swirls, she must find her allies... Prescilla just wanted a normal University life and a chance to meet the guys next door. But when dark, unnatural events occur, she’s going to need help to survive…The first of a five book series, Death & Chaos introduces Prescilla, her men, and her instructors, not all of whom are what they appear to be…

The series is a slow-burn paranormal reverse harem romance intended for readers over 18. If you like swirling mysteries in an academy setting, you’ll enjoy Death & Chaos.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Noctifer Magick

Cassandra Joy Why did I love this book?

I love Chosen One books. But I love them even more when, like Forsythia, they know why they’re chosen and what their destiny is. 

What Forsythia didn’t see coming was her fated mates. Between the three of them… can they bring all the factions of supernaturals together to defeat the Creatori? 

Yes, yes they can!

Loreweaver’s characters are hilariously real. They have deep emotions, wit, and sarcasm. What more could you ask for in main characters? Great sex? Check. Defeating the bad guy… check (though not in this book). 

This series has everything you crave from a great PNR.

MFM: Witch, Fae, Demon

By G.R. Loreweaver,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Noctifer Magick as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Saving the world would be so much easier without two left feet…

When her magick returns, Forsythia must face the creature that killed her mother. Fortunately, a yummy monster hunter offers to help. Too bad she got off on the wrong foot by breaking his nose…

The most powerful witch in a generation, she’ll need his help to survive. So maybe she should quit thinking about his cute butt.

The first of a series, Noctifer Magick is a slow-burn paranormal menage romance intended for readers over 18. If you enjoy competent but clumsy heroines and the men they love, you’ll…


Book cover of The Girl in the Sequined Dress

Cassandra Joy Why did I love this book?

This is an “episode”; three episodes make a “season”. Yep, this series is patterned off of a tv show. What else would you expect from a series that was inspired by two different monster hunting shows: Supernatural and Scooby-Do?

Humor. Epic levels of teamwork… and drama in the team. A revolving door of baddies. Moments that make you want to just wrap our hero/heroin up and hold them forever.

The Hunter Chronicles series has all of that. This first episode is an excellent introduction to Val and all of her guys… Some of whom aren’t human. The whole team’s delightful.

And sexy. Don’t forget sexy.

These shorter stories—that make a much longer one—are like rich little snacks that I love to savor.

RH: Monster Hunters

By Leslie Ayla,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Girl in the Sequined Dress as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Hunting ghosts was never so sexy…

So there I am, minding my own business, trying to exorcise a ghost who likes to take her unsuspecting victims for a joyride, when said ghost sets her eyes on me. Now I’m faced with fighting off an unwanted spirit and I have to deal with my four teammates, my four best friends, pushing for more.

Can we make it through to the other side unscathed or will our relationship fall casualty to the girl in the sequined dress?

The first episode in The Hunter Chronicles, The Girl in the Sequined Dress kicks off…


Book cover of Dark Spirits

Cassandra Joy Why did I love this book?

Jameson decided to make this series a slow-build harem. Each book shows just one of the lives of Alana as she does her best to fulfill an ancient prophecy that will determine the fate of the world.

I’m not sure what I love more: Jameson’s structure for the series, Alana’s sweet but sassy personality, or each of Alana’s guys as we get an in-depth look at each of their lives. (And why they’re all perfect for Alana.)

While the first four books can be read as standalone MF books, I don’t recommend it. Because the fifth book is when they’ll all come together in the same timeline and finally fulfill the prophecy. We hope.

I love absolutely everything about this series. Don’t skip it.

MF (for now): Witch, Vampire

By N.A. Jameson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dark Spirits as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

It’s the summer before my senior year in college and I had a plan.

Move to Atlantic City.

Bartender at the most popular bar in town.

The plan did not include vampires.

It did not include falling for my ridiculously hot boss, who happens to be one.

Nor did it include an ancient prophecy supposedly about my sister and I.

No, this was not the plan. Yet here I am expected to take my “rightful” place and save the world.

I just wanted to be a bartender. How is this my life?

Dark Spirits is an adult dark paranormal romance.…


Book cover of Blood Moon

Cassandra Joy Why did I love this book?

Nothing is ever truly what it seems. That’s certainly true for Delilah and the bar where she works with her uncle. But when her uncle sells to a new business partner, Delilah finds herself in much more trouble than she’d originally thought.

Because vampires are real… and one of them is now her boss.

I love the depth of background on these characters. All three of them have so much at stake. They’ve all lived very hard lives where nothing has gone their way. But maybe, the three of them together can find the peace that they’ve all been searching for.

My favorite thing about this series is just how much each of them grow. There’s nothing like a great character arc. And three is better than one.

MFM: Human, Vampires

By M.P. Starkweather,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Blood Moon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Two vampires want me, but they want to destroy each other more.

Now, I’m trapped in the middle.

After discovering there was more to the secret dealings in the back of Midnight, my uncle’s bar, I’m thrust into a supernatural turf war between two powerful men. Viktor and Strain—two sexy leaders of rival corporations—not only fight over the city, jeopardizing humanity, but they also want to claim me. Neither wants to share—the city or me—and this feud might be the end of life as I know it.

My trust in Viktor weakens as things stop adding up and secrets threaten…


Book cover of Dark Prince Rising

Cassandra Joy Why did I love this book?

This fantasy romance comes from a slightly different place than the rest of my recommendations. There isn't as much sex, but there's plenty of emotional angst... and growth.

Two young men meet and make a huge impact on each other's lives. But when one of them is beaten to death before the other can rescue him, the survivor gives up on ever being with his soul mate again.

Good thing he was reincarnated. Bad thing he forgot his previous life. The story begins 1300 years in the future when they finally run into each other again.

There is a lot of jumping back and forth between the present and past, but that only enhances the story. I cannot wait for the second book to come out.

MM Immortal, god

By Quinn Holt,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dark Prince Rising as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.


You might also like...

God on a Budget: and other stories in dialogue

By J.M. Unrue,

Book cover of God on a Budget: and other stories in dialogue

J.M. Unrue Author Of The Festival of Sin: and other tales of fantasy

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m an old guy. I say this with a bit of cheek and a certain amount of incongruity. All the books on my list are old. That’s one area of continuity. Another, and I’ll probably stop at two, is that they all deal with ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances—those curveballs of life we flail at with an unfamiliar bat; the getting stuck on the Interstate behind a semi and some geezer in a golf cap hogging the passing lane in a Buick Le Sabre. No one makes it through this life unscathed. How we cope does more to define us than a thousand smiles when things are rosy. Thus endeth the lesson.

J.M.'s book list on showing that somebody has it worse than you do

What is my book about?

Nine Stories Told Completely in Dialogue is a unique collection of narratives, each unfolding entirely through conversations between its characters. The book opens with "God on a Budget," a tale of a man's surreal nighttime visitation that offers a blend of the mundane and the mystical. In "Doctor in the House," readers are plunged into the emotionally charged moment when an oncologist delivers a life-altering diagnosis to a patient. The collection then shifts to "Prisoner 8086," a story about the unlikely friendship that blossoms between a prison volunteer and a habitual offender, exploring themes of redemption and human connection.

The heart of the book continues with "The Reunion," a touching narrative about high school sweethearts reuniting, stirring up poignant memories and unspoken feelings. "The Therapy Session" adds a lighter touch, presenting a serio-comic exchange between a therapist and a challenging patient. In "The Fishing Trip," a father imparts crucial life lessons to his daughter during an eventful outing, leading to unexpected consequences. "Mortality" offers a deeply personal moment as a mother shares a cherished, secret story from her past with her son.

The collection then takes a romantic turn in "The Singles Cruise," where two individuals find connection amidst shared stories on a cruise for singles. Finally, "Jesus and Buddha in the Garden of Eden" provides a satirical, thought-provoking encounter in the afterlife between two spiritual figures. The book concludes with "The Breakup," a nuanced portrayal of a young couple's separation, told from both perspectives, encapsulating the complexities of relationships and the human experience.

God on a Budget: and other stories in dialogue

By J.M. Unrue,

What is this book about?

Nine Stories Told Completely in Dialogue is a unique collection of narratives, each unfolding entirely through conversations between its characters. The book opens with "God on a Budget," a tale of a man's surreal nighttime visitation that offers a blend of the mundane and the mystical. In "Doctor in the House," readers are plunged into the emotionally charged moment when an oncologist delivers a life-altering diagnosis to a patient. The collection then shifts to "Prisoner 8086," a story about the unlikely friendship that blossoms between a prison volunteer and a habitual offender, exploring themes of redemption and human connection.

The…


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