A Lid For Every Pot...

Romance Novels That Will Make You Swoon…

If you're a reader of Paranormal Romance like me, I have some news for you. We're rule breakers. Rebels. The magnetic-eyed eccentrics of the Romance genre who won't accept society's stifling and conservative demands! We want sex, we want scandalous behaviour, and we want hot, superhuman characters to have it with. A LOT of it with. All we're asking for is a supernaturally beautiful and badass being who is powerful beyond mortal means and will protect, and consensually, ravish us to a degree no mere human could conceive of…Is that really too much to ask? And for the icing on this yummy cake, sassy and snarky banter is a must. It's not rocket science, honestly.

Books in this niche genre can remind us of love’s inherent strangeness. And illustrate this strangeness in vivid, extraordinary ways. They are cast with lovers of unusual pairings: human and mythical creature, human and monster. They can take place in curious and unknown worlds. They can take us wholly out of our head, and who among us doesn’t need such a respite.

So, read these books to remind yourself that love is weird. Read them to console yourself if you’re lonely, if you’re sadly remembering a love lost. Read them if you find yourself pressing your nose to the glass of other people’s relationships and wondering…is it really like that? Read them to feel that special tingling. Whatever your particular appetites, read them.

Oh, So Smitten…meet my new crushes

Long Live Evil – Sarah Rees Brennan

When her whole life collapsed, Rae still had books. Dying, she seizes a second chance at living: a magical bargain that lets her enter the world of her favorite fantasy series. She wakes in a castle on the edge of a hellish chasm, in a kingdom on the brink of war. Home to dangerous monsters, scheming courtiers and her favourite fictional character: the Once and Forever Emperor. He’s impossibly alluring, as only fictional heroes can be. And in this fantasy world, she discovers she's not the heroine, but the villainess. So be it. The wicked are better dressed, with better one-liners, even if they're doomed to bad ends. Expect a rogue’s gallery of villains and swoon worthy romance!

Apprentice To The Villain – Hannah Nicole Maehrer

NOTICE TO STAFF: There has been a disturbing increase in cheeriness, sprightly behavior, and overall optimism of late. Please resume your former dark, ominous terrors at your earliest convenience. —Mgmt. Evie has never been happier to be the assistant to The Villain. Who would have thought that working for an outrageously handsome evil overlord would be so rewarding? Still, the business of being bad is demanding, the forces of good are annoyingly persistent, and said forbidding boss is somewhat…out-of-evil-office. Now it’s time for Evie to face her greatest challenge: protecting The Villain’s lair, his nefarious works, and maybe the entire kingdom. No pressure. Second in a charming, mischievous and absurd series, with romantic cliches peppered throughout that the author slants in hilarious ways!

Bloodguard – Cecy Robson

  Everything in the Kingdom Of Arrow is a lie. Leith thought coming to this new land and volunteering to fight in the gladiator arena would earn him enough gold to save his dying sister. He thought he had nothing left to lose. He was wrong, they took everything. His hope, his freedom, his very humanity. Then he meets Maeve, an elven royal who is everything he should hate, until she offers him what he wants most: a chance to win the coveted title of Bloodguard and his freedom. Full of intrigue and chemistry with just a hint of spice.

Spark Of The Everflame – Penn Cole

  In a mortal world colonized by the gods and ruled over by their cruel, magical offspring the Descended, Diem yearns to escape. Her mother’s sudden disappearance and the discovery of a dangerous secret about her past offer her an unexpected opportunity to enter the dark world of Descended royalty and unlock a web of secrets and lies. With the dying King’s handsome and enigmatic heir watching her every move and a ruthless rebel alliance badgering her to join, she will have a lot to navigate. Including, and with zero surprise, an unwanted attraction to the heir.

Wild Magic – Alexandra Ivy

There was a time when demons reigned. Before they were forced to retreat to the shadows. Today, in hidden corners across the globe their evil blood still pools, and the authority of their new rulers, the Vampire Cabal, must never be challenged. Leave it to a Jersey girl to change ancient history . . .When Peri’s wild magic first appeared, she was forced to flee her home, and her suddenly murderous family. Her new life, tutored by mages who run the Witch’s Brew bookstore-cafe, seems magically tranquil, until her estranged mother and a coven of witches are slaughtered. Now, to solve the violent mysteries of her past, she must put her trust, body and soul, in a sensual immortal who is every woman’s darkest fantasy . . .This author guarantees a healthy dose of all consuming passion.

Leather & Lark – Brynne Weaver

Contract killer Lachlan wants a quiet life working in his leather studio and forgetting all about his traumatic past. But when he botches a job for his boss’s biggest client, Lachlan knows he’ll never claw his way out of the underworld. At least, not until songbird Lark offers him a deal: use his skills to hunt down a killer and she’ll find a way to secure his freedom. The catch? He has to marry her first. And they can’t stand each other. Very sexy sexy!! And not to spoil anything, but is there really any question they will end up together? I think not.

The Last One – Rachel Howzell Hall

Thrown into a desolate land of sickness and unnatural beasts, Kai wakes in the woods with no idea who she is or how she got there. All she knows is that if she cannot reach the Sea of Devour, even this hellscape will get worse. When she sees the village blacksmith fight invaders with unspeakable skill, she decides to accept his offer of help. Too bad he’s as skilled at annoying her as he is fighting. Forbidden love, quippy one liners with complex and flawed characters, what’s not to love.

A Fate Inked In Blood – Danielle L. Jensen

Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband’s back. Freya’s dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region’s jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: she possesses a drop of a goddess’s blood, which gives her magic capable of repelling any attack. And it’s been foretold that such magic will unite the fractured nation. Believing he’s destined to rule as King, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her from their enemies. Can he protect her from himself? Captivating and sexy!

Lost And Lassoed – Lyla Sage

What’s hotter than a manly cowboy? Not much…Teddy doesn’t have a plan, she’s always been the go with the flow type, but that’s not working for her anymore. When she signs on to help out on the ranch of her sworn enemy, she thinks she may have bitten off more than she can chew. And Hayden, the enemy in question is not happy to have her there. Tempers flare, sparks fly, and the chemistry is hot to the touch! Filled with sassy and strong women and hot cowboys…yum!

Bite Me, Please…romance with a dash a bloodlust

This Princess Kills Monsters – Ry Herman

Someone wants to murder Princess Melilot. A sadly normal state of affairs. She is sick of being ordered to go on dangerous quests by her stepmother. Especially since she always winds up needing to be rescued by her more magically gifted stepsisters. And now, she's been commanded to marry a king she’s never met. When hideous monsters attack her on the journey to meet her husband-to-be, she is once again rescued, but this time, by masked huntsmen. Soon, she must contend with near-constant attempts on her life and a king who can't recognize his true love when she puts on a pair of trousers. And all the while, she must fight her growing attraction to not only one of the huntsmen, but also her fiancé’s extremely attractive sister. A grown-up fairytale? Count me in!

The Wrong Bride – Gena Showalter

Vacationing in Scotland, schoolteacher Elle anticipates picturesque landscapes, castles of old and kilt-wearing charmers, not awakening in someone else's body. Worse, that someone just married enigmatic billionaire Callen Bruce. Though that’s not the biggest problem. To the rest of the world, her new “husband” runs an elite empire. But behind his public persona, he’s a king of berserkers locked in an ancient, supernatural war with wolf-shifters. Determined to reclaim her normal life, Elle will do anything necessary to switch back with Callen’s real wife. First, she must ditch the disciplined warrior. An impossibility when he refuses to relinquish the bride chosen for him by fate, even though he despises her. Or does he? Not that it matters. There’s no way this temporary queen will fall for the moody, broody secretive warrior who belongs to another woman. Nope. Not Elle. Not ever. Probably.

Phantasma – Kaylie Smith

Welcome to Phantasma. There are only two rules to the game: Stay alive. And don’t fall in love. When Ophelia’s sister disappears, there is only one way to save her. Ophelia must enter Phantasma, a deadly contest inside a haunted mansion, and claim its prize, a single wish. Ophelia will face nine challenges, each more dangerous than the last. Facing a maze of twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, demons and temptations, all while knowing there can be only one winner. Every day the house creates new monsters. But just as Ophelia’s fears threaten to overwhelm her, a mysterious stranger offers her a bargain. A deal with the Devil perhaps? Can a simmering hot romance be far behind? I think not…

Dreadful – Caitlin Rozakis

It’s bad enough waking up in a half-destroyed evil wizard’s workshop with no eyebrows, no memories, and no idea how long you have before the Dread Lord Whomever shows up to murder you horribly and then turn your skull into a goblet or something. It’s a lot worse when you realize that Dread Lord Whomever is… you. Gav isn’t really sure how he ended up with a castle full of wizards and goblins, or why he has a princess locked in a cell. All he can do is play along with his own evil plan. A blend of wit and whimsy that turns those romantic fantasy tropes on their head!

The Beloved – J.R. Ward

Nalla, the blooded daughter of Zsadist, has led a sheltered life. Protected by her father and the Brotherhood, she is chafing against the walls of the very safety that has ensured her survival. One night, she gives in to her restlessness…and finds herself face-to-face with a male whose inner darkness rivals even that of her sire’s horrific origins. Nate is a fighter with nothing to lose and nothing to live for. Tortured in a human lab as a child and then cursed with immortality, he is all about vengeance. When the two find themselves fighting side by side, daggers aren’t the only things that fly. This series has it all, spicy romance, mated love and deep connections!

Fang Fiction – Kate Stayman London

Tess is no stranger to the dark. An assault survivor and grad school dropout, Tess spends her nights managing a chic Brooklyn hotel and her days reading her favorite vampire novels, Blood Feud. She even dabbles in online conspiracies claiming Blood Feud is real, it’s fun to let her imagination fly. But deep down, Tess doesn’t believe vampires actually exist . . . until one walks through her door. Turns out the sexy villain of Blood Feud is trapped and only Tess can rescue him. To do that, she must enter the world of her favourite story, what could be more fun! At least until she finds everyone is very…thirsty. Full of camp and heart!

Immortal Dark – Tigest Girma

The Cruel Prince meets Ninth House in this dangerously romantic dark fantasy, where a lost heiress must infiltrate an arcane society and live with the vampire she suspects killed her family and kidnapped her sister. Orphaned heiress Kidan grew up far from the elusive society of vampires she was born into. She is obsessively protective, willing to do anything to save her loved ones. When her sister, June, disappears, Kidan is convinced a vampire stole her, the same vampire bound to her family bloodline, the cruel yet captivating Susenyos. To find June, she must study an arcane philosophy, work with four enigmatic students, and survive living with Susenyos, even as he does everything to drive her away. It doesn’t matter that Susenyos’s wickedness speaks to Kidan's own violent nature and tempts her to surrender to a life of darkness. A tale of love and fury in equal measure.

Fan Service – Rosie Danan

Ever since his show went off the air, Devin and his career have spiraled, but waking up naked in the woods outside his LA home with no memory of the night before is a new low. It must have been a coincidence that the once-in-a-century Wolf Blood Moon crested last night. The claws, fangs, and howling are a little more difficult to explain away. Desperate for answers, Devin finds Alex, the closest thing to an expert that exists. If only he could convince her to stop hating his guts long enough to help. A witty love letter to the supernatural tv shows we all know and love. Even if we pretend we don’t.

Wolf Gone Wild – Juliette Cross

Unable to shift for three months, Mateo knows all too well the worst thing that can happen to a werewolf. His wolf has taken up residence in his head, taunting him night and day with vividly violent and carnal thoughts. Convinced he's cursed, he needs the help of a powerful witch before he literally goes insane. Evie has always obeyed the house rules of her coven, no werewolves. They're known for being moody and volatile. So, when a distempered, dangerous werewolf strolls in the bar and almost strangles one of her late-night customers, she's ready to bounce him through the door. But the desperation in his eyes when he begs her to help him softens her heart and convinces her to bend the rules. Enchanting!

Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places…

A Serial Killer’s Guide To Marriage – Asia Mackay

Hazel and Fox are an ordinary married couple with a baby. Except for one small thing: they're ex-serial killers. They had it all. An enviable lifestyle, five-star travels, and plenty of bad men to kill. Not many power couples know how to get away with murder. Then came the baby and they gave it all up for life in the suburbs, dinner parties instead of body disposal. But recently Hazel has started to feel that itch again. When she kills someone behind Fox's back and brings the police to their door, she must do everything she can to protect her family. Even if it kills her… Wildly original and razor sharp!

Village Library Demon-Hunting Society – C.M. Waggoner

Librarian Sherry keeps finding bodies and solving murders. She’s concerned by just how many killers she's had to track down in her quaint village. None of her neighbors seem surprised by the rising body count...but Sherry is becoming convinced that whatever has been causing these deaths is unnatural. When a close friend ends up dead and her cat becomes possessed by an ancient demon, Sherry thinks an exorcism is the only course of action and forms a society of misfits to get the job done. A riotous blend of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Murder, She Wrote. That’s a good time I’m on board for!

Between – L.L. Starling

Sasha hasn’t had a single dream since she was a child…until she accepts a substitute teaching position in the charmingly witchy village of Old Middleton. Her first dream in twenty-five years ought to be enchanting, but her wonder quickly turns to shock when she realizes that it’s not a dream at all but a sort of magic. Catapulted into the fairy tale kingdom of Between through an ancient portal, Sasha’s astonishment is swiftly upgraded to panic when she accidentally performs a supposedly impossible feat and is declared the True Queen of Between … and betrothed to its infuriatingly handsome sorcerer-king. And she’s not interested, not in the crown or the husband. Doth she protest too much? Feisty and savvy heroines and swoon worthy sorcerers, I’m in!

Serial Killer Games – Kate Posey

  The new office temp is definitely a serial killer. Dolores, a true crime obsessed office working has been dying to meet a real-life serial killer and Jake Ripper fits the mold perfectly. Strangler gloves, dashing good looks and expert wordplay. When he takes an interest in Dolores, it’s not what you might think. Has he finally found someone who really sees him, skeletons in the closet and all?

Sounds Like Love – Ashley Poston

  Joni is living the dream, until she isn’t’. She’s one the most coveted songwriters in LA, but she can’t seem to write. She decides that going home, where her family runs The Revelry, a music venue, will spark her inspiration. But when she gets there, everything has changed. Then she hears an alluring voice belonging to a musician with hangups of his own. Turns out this is melody that’s been stuck in both their heads for a while. And there might be a reason for that.

Love Of My Afterlife – Kirsty Greenwood

If she wasn’t dead already, Delphie would be dying of embarrassment. Not only did she just die by choking on a microwave dinner, but now she’s standing in her ‘shine like a star’ nightie in front of the hottest man she’s ever seen. And he’s smiling at her. As they start to chat, everything else becomes background noise. That is until someone comes running out of a door, yelling something about a huge mistake, and sends the dreamy stranger back down to earth. And here Delphie was thinking her luck might be different in the afterlife. Imagine meeting your soulmate in the afterlife waiting room…the banter recalled The Good Place tv series.

Love And Other Conspiracies – Mallory Marlowe

Hallie’s life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries. As they investigate the unknown together, the sparks are flying! Delightfully offbeat!

That Time I Got Drunk & Saved A Demon – Kimberly Lemming

All she wanted to do was live her life in peace, maybe get a cat, expand the family spice farm. Really, anything that didn’t involve going on an adventure where an orc might rip her face off. But they say the goddess has favorites, and if so, Cin is clearly not one of them. After Cin saves the demon Fallon in a wine-drunk stupor, Fallon reveals that all he really wants to do is kill an evil witch enslaving his people. And who can blame him? But now he’s dragging Cinnamon along for the ride whether she likes it or not. On the bright side, at least he keeps burning off his shirt.…Sweet, steamy and funny as hell!

The Irresistible Urge To Fall For Your Enemy – Brigitte Knightley

When Osric, member of the Fyren Order of assassins, falls ill, he realizes he needs the expertise of a very specific healer. As fate would have it, that healer belongs to an enemy faction, the Haelan Order. As Osric and Aurienne work together to solve not only his illness but the mysterious reoccurrence of the Pox, they find themselves ardently denying their attraction which only fuels the tension between them. Can they find the cure before they kill each other? Only time and a few hundred pages will tell.