A double negative first thing in the morning. How about that?
I woke up so tired. There is no reason for me to be tired. We had a nice relaxing day yesterday and went to bed around eleven. I didn’t wake up during the night. You think I’d be all chipper, but instead I’m so soaked in fatigue, it’s dripping from me. My eyes are closing despite me being two thirds through the first cup of coffee.
And just as I typed that, I had to get up.
A few days ago a big cardboard box with Amazon logo on the side arrived to the house. It was really heavy. Much heavier than if it was filled with books. The label said it was addressed to my husband, so I didn’t open it.
Finally the box was opened and Gordon extracted this:
This morning Amazon invited him to leave the feedback on the seller and he left the following:
The product arrived quickly and it was well-packaged. I ain’t got no pancakes yet, but I reckon it ain’t their fault.
So I had to go and make the man his pancakes and bacon.
Okay, where was I? I was complaining that I was tired. I’m still tired. Oy. Let’s see, this weekend I’ve written two guest posts, one on cover creation of e-books for GraveTells, and the other on wallpaper historical for Thea Harrison. I’ll post links when they’re up. Read three interesting books.
The Heretic by Joseph Nassise
I’ve been struggling with edits, and when that happens, I usually start really hating all things in my genre. I’ve tried a couple of PNR books, and for some reason both turned out to be very much paint-by-numbers. He is a big well-hung uber alpha male. She is vampire/werewolf/hybrid/angel. He must have her. They bang. They bang some more. Snoozefest.
So I wanted something different and this is different. It has absolutely no romance. It follows the modern knights Templar, who are battling paranormal threats, and like the knights themselves, the prose style is very sparse and almost severe at times. Although the main character is a tragic, tormented figure, the character development is minimal and the narrative concentrates on the supernatural mystery and action. There are horror touches to it and the world building with demons, necromancers, and revenants is neat. For me, it really hit the spot.
I would recommend trying a sample before buying, because the book contains no humor and no romance. Also if you try a sample and intend to purchase, Joseph has a collection of the first three on Amazon at around $10.
Author’s website: http://josephnassise.com/
The Border Lord’s Bride by Bertrice Small
Gordon is a very funny man. I’ve expressed once that I really disliked reading overblown Scottish brogue -all the nae hae bairn lairds make my brain hurt – and he made it a point to buy me anything with a Tartan on it. I mean, he’d go to the grocery store for some milk and come back with Rabid Highlander’s Witchy Bride or something like that and then laugh at my face, because once he buys me a gift, I will read it, even though some authors make poor Scotsmen sound like a pack of drunk D&D dwarves. This was the latest one and I finally got around to reading it.
It is about 70% historical novel and 30% romance. It’s well researched and the few details I recognized were correct. It’s very brutal at times. The heroine, a highland girl, witnesses murders of her family, is almost raped several times, kidnapped, and imprisoned, and as you read the novel, there is a real sense of danger. All bets are off and you don’t know if she is going to come through it unscathed or not.
The sexuality in the book is raunchy. There are no gentle euphemisms. It’s all “I’m going to f’*** you, wife.” There is also a wooden dildo at one point. I’ve since read some reviews of the other books by the author and saw that the dildo makes a few more appearances in other titles.
I’m not sure what to think about this book. On one hand, I read the whole thing. It grabbed me and pulled me in. On other hand, I’m not sure I’m willing to read another one, because the brutality of it kind of got to me.
Author’s website: http://www.bertricesmall.net/border_chronicles.shtml
When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
I am so clearly on the Eloisa James kick.
People complained that this series is not historically accurate. It’s called Fairy tales. ;) That’s a clue. This was so much fun. Light, funny, witty, it’s a story of a beautiful girl who, through unfortunate circumstances, is unable to find a suitable match. Her only hope of matrimony is being married to the Earl of Marchant, who is a grumpy, lame, brilliant doctor with deep dislike of his father, society, and the idea of being wed. He’s basically a hot version of House, reimagined as an English lord and she is the kind of woman who won’t tolerate any of his nonsense.
She is shipped off to his castle. Hijinks ensue.
Author’s website: http://eloisajames.com/bookshelf/main.php
While we’re on the subject, if you have any awesome recommendations, I’d totally love some. Maybe not as much romance, unless it’s really awesome, but something along the lines of an interesting SF or thriller?
Thriller – with enough twists and turns it kept me enthralled. I enjoyed it because of its originality.
Diamond Eyes (Mira Chambers #1)
by A.A. Bell (Goodreads Author)
4.25 · rating details · 97 ratings · 25 reviews
Blind, institutionalised and frustrated by her loss of independence, Mira has been driven to the brink of insanity by medications that make her life unbearable. When she astounds two medical scientists by “seeing” the impossible, they begin an exploration of Mira′s strange perspectives.
Together with Bennet Chiron, an enigmatic ex-con, Mira becomes entangled in a dangerous adventure of self-discovery that leads them to a killer—and exposed to a manipulative sociopath whose own unique talent is more than a match for Mira’s.
Layers of secrets are about to be peeled away… and no one will be safe from what is revealed.
Old School Sci-Fi – I enjoyed it alot and I have started collecting the rest of the series.
Dauntless (The Lost Fleet #1)
by Jack Campbell
3.87 · rating details · 3,798 ratings · 321 reviews
The Alliance has been fighting the Syndic for a century–and losing badly. Now its fleet is crippled and stranded in enemy territory. Their only hope is Captain John “Black jack” Geary–a man who’s emerged from a century-long hibernation to find he has been heroically idealized beyond belief. Now, he must live up to his own legend.
This is a fantasy novel and I know you didnt ask for that genre but it has to be shared. I went through a huge Fantasy phase when I was in my teens and I read everything on the market. Then it seemed to me that there was nothing much new coming onto the market for about 8 years. Then I cam across this series and it restored my faith in the genre.
Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera #1)
by Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)
4.06 · rating details · 15,601 ratings · 956 reviews
In the realm of Alera, where people bond with the furies-elementals of earth, air, fire, water and metal, fifteen-year-old Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. But when his homeland erupts in chaos-when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies-Tavi’s simple courage will turn the tides of war. (blurb doesnt do it justice in my opinion)
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Oh, I totally second Furies of Calderon. It’s a lot of military fantasy at some points, but it’s greatly written, you kind of fall in love or like with all of the characteres and there’s also some romance… It’s just not the main focus.
Here’s a 3rd for Furies
Great author, great series & not his only one.
As for hard sci fi, here’s an interesting one: Dragon’s Egg by Robert L. Forward. Good story about what, who, how intelligence might come to evolve on a neutron star.
I LOVE Kevin Hearne’s series The Iron Druid Chronicles. I recommend the books for so many reasons:
1. Main character’s name is “Atticus”
2. “Oberon”, Atticus’ dog, is hilarious!!!
3. Witty, lots of action, the gamut of supernatural beings.
4. I recommend the audiobooks. Luke Daniels does an amazing job narrating and does justice to all voices (especially Oberon’s). He really makes them come alive.
I also recommend Darynda Jones’ Charlie Davidson series (begins with First Grave on the Right). Pure entertainment. There is romance, but it’s not over done.
Let me know what you think!
I second the Atticus nomination, if nothing else you should read them for the man humor. He does such great man humor:) And the world is quite interesting.
Thirding the Iron Druid Chronicles, really good and I agree with the audiobooks, I usually complained about them but these are amazing just like the audiobooks from In Death series, the narrators are great.
Yep, another hand up for Atticus O’Sullivan. The books are really good fun (I want a dog like Oberon!), and the audiobooks are brilliant.
Um, not to be redundant but I agree! This series doesn’t have the romantic fluffy-ness and it is hilarious!
well, i’ll put in a foot since there’s plenty of hands already
Iron Druid series is wonderful. Good stories, good humor & fun to read.
Mira Grant’s Feed/Deadline/Blackout trilogy. Very science-y with zombies.
Old sci fi that I simply adore: Tara K Harper’s Wolfwalker series (first book is Wolfwalker).
Also, YA lit in the urban fantasy genre but not super romancy: Silence by Michelle Sagara.
Have you read Grant’s other series? Mira Grant is her pen name; Seanan Mcguire is her real name, and she has two series under that name that are wonderful.
Whoops. Just read the other reply giving the same information. Sorry!
The Wolfwalker book is very good. About the fifth book, she lost me as a reader, but, still very nice series.
I’m not a big fan of SF nor thrillers, so I’m afraid I can’t help you with them, but if you ever want to read something light and very funny I recommend “Spud” by John Van de Ruit.
!
I have to confess that I’m in a highland phase, and I really liked Mary McCall’s books. No brogue in them, just a good humorous romance! I know it’s not what you want to read at the moment, but I couldn’t resist the tip
I’ve not read Feed or any of “Grant’s” work but I LOVE Seanan McGuire who, conveniently, is Mira Grant. She is a great writer.
The WondLa books rock. They are YA but still amazing with amazing illustrations. Good SF for budding readers as well as the hardened ol’ hats like me.
Atwood’s “The Blind Assassin” is a mix of SF and…just pure brilliance. Worth the read.
“A Man Called Thursday” is worth looking at too. I can’t say more about it because it’s just too cool to mess anything up.
Sometimes a change is as good as a rest… or just goes back in time, and read one of the old guards. Andre Norton’s; Witch World is always a good read and it always help me relax while waiting for the next book.
Fantasy recommendations–really enjoyed Rachel Aaron’s Legend of Eli Monpress series– new one (Spirit War) is out now; I also recommend Michelle Sagara’s Cast series. And for fantastic science fiction I totally agree that you should read the Sharon Lee / Steve Miller Liaden series. Sharon’s Carousel Tides (fantasy) is also worthwhile.
2nd the praise for Lee/Miller, Try Fledgling. for a different twist Nathan Lowell’s Solar Clipper series very nice read or do the pod books.
I second Mr. Lowell’s Solar Clipper series podcasts. For a character driven Sci-Fi series they are great. I have a long commute and more than once I ended up with a “driveway moment” where I couldn’t stand to get out of the car because I would have to stop listening.
OMG! The new one is out!??? Off to the Nook store!!! ^_^
Well, I tend to like my stories with a little romance. (And usually YOU are on any recommended list!) But here’s what I’ve got that’s at least different than what you’ve mentioned, or what you write. I’ve included some descriptions, but figure you will probably heard of some of them, or can get better descriptions (and samples, love me some samples) on the eReader.
Georgette Heyer. Yes, she wrote romance, but old school romance you could share with and then discuss without anyone blushing. I love the language and the descriptions.
I always recommend the Princess Bride. Can’t remember if you have read it or not, but I like the book so much better than the movie. And there’s talk about the romance, but its’ a very action based story really.
Gail Carriager and her Parasol Protectorate is steampunk and funny. (again, there’s some romance, sorry! but I still think it’s worth recommending as a change).
Moving on to suspense: Elizabeth Lowell, Julie Garwood or Linda Howard (they’ve been around a while for a reason, and their more recent stuff tends to suspense/mystery). Also Nora Roberts when writing as JD Robb in her In Death series.
My hubby likes Fred Saberhagen (fantasy), Kevin J Anderson (Sci Fi) and Robert Parker (mystery).
Hope this helps.
Love the Parasol Protectorate. She is currently one of my favorite authors.
Diana Gabaldon. Anything and everything by her. A-freakin-mazing. Start with Outlander.
You may actually enjoy a little Scottish brogue once you have traveled through the stones.
I was going to recommend Ms. Gabaldon as well. Also, her close friend and writer Sara Donati. She has a series called the Wilderness series… First book is as she says, a “retelling” of part of James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking tales. I loved it.
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The Informationist by Taylor Stevens. Freaking amazing thriller about Africa. The main heroine is someone who is paid to extract information no matter what, and she is androgynous looking enough to take on a man identity from time to time. She is also brutal and very very clever. Best book I’ve read in 2011.
I second recommendations for Mira Grant and Kevin Hearne.
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Lindsay Buroker steampunk author Emperors Edge 1st in series and free on kindle
James Rollins he has several stand alone books ie Amazonia or Sandstorm or the series Sigma Force
Robin Hobb Farseer trilogy
Robin Hobb’s books are very good. With the exception of the Soldier Son Trilogy, her trilogys are inter-related. I loved the Live Ships Trilogy. I happened to read it before the Farseer trilogy, they just touch on each other.
Both these series I am going to recommend have romance in them, I rate these series as my favorite right up there with your Kate Daniel series.
GA Aiken
Dragon kin
Action, fantasy (sort of) hilarious as in laugh out loud and have to reread the content as its so funny, romance, sex scenes.
CL Wilson
Tairen souls series – A MUST READ!
Fantasy, adventure, romance but that’s secondary to the character development.
5 books in series but needs it due to the incredible story. 10/10 every book. Countless times I had the shivers as the story unfolded. You immerse yourself in the books, so make sure you don’t have to do anything important.
A swell product review by Gordon.
You might try the followings books.
Fantasy :
Lois McMaster Bujold’s – “Sharing Knife” series;
Megan Sybil Baker’s – “To Call the Moons”, “Wintertide”;
David & Leigh Eddings’ – “The Belgariad” series;
Marjorie M. Liu’s – “Hunter” series;
Linda Mooney’s – “Battle Lord” series;
Robin D. Owens’ – “Celta”, “Summoning” series;
Maria V. Snyder’s – “Study” series;
Elizabeth Vaughan’s – “Warprize” series;
Susan Krinard’s – “Kinsman”, “Loups-garous” series.
Tina St. John’s – “Heart of Flame”;
Dara Joy’s – “Charl-Familiar” series;
Jayne Ann Krentz’s – “Arcane” series, “Crystal Flame”, “Shield’s Lady”, “Sweet Starfire”;
SF :
Julie E. Czerneda’s – “Trade Pact”, “Web Shifters”, “Species Imperative” series;
Ann McCaffrey’s – “Doona” series;
Linnea Sinclair’s “Finders Keepers”;
Susan Grant’s – “Vash”, “Borderlands” series;
Janet Miller’s – “Gaian” series.
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I need to go back and reread the Doona series.
I love SF/Fantasy, and while I like a romantic sub-plot, I get you on the cliches the genre seems to be racking up lately….
However, I do have a couple of go-to authors in the fantasy genre: Patrica Briggs, Mercedes Lackey, and Patricia C. Wrede. I can’t say they are DEVOID of romance all together, but these ladies write an awesome fantasy.
For Briggs…well, I read all of hers. Multiple times each. Actually, I first read your books cause Briggs was mentioned on a review for one. But since you want a romance break, I’d recommend her high fantasy: “Steal the Dragon” “Where Demons Walk” “Masques”and the Raven Duo-logy.
For Lackey, I love her 500 Kingdoms, but they do have romance. For less of a romance focus, her Elemental Masters series have an awesome magic system and are really well done.
And for Wrede….Well, I’ll be honest – the woman can do no wrong in my eyes. I’ve read all of her books at least 6 times each. I’ve read “Searching for Dragons” over 40 times. (I lost count thereabouts. Read it twice in one day once….) Her novels (originally in the regular fantasy) were recently re-printed in YA. I’d have a really hard time picking ONE, but “The Seven Towers” is an AMAZING stand alone fantasy book, and her Enchanted Forest series (of which “Searching for Dragons” is #2) is hands down the funniest fairy-tale fantasy I’ve ever read. I keep a copy with me where ever I move – those books got me through going away to college, more than one finals week, and moving to Japan.
LOL, after all that, I do have have to say that I LOVE your novels. I read my first Kate novel around 2 months ago, and have since read everything you’ve written -SSs, novels, POVs – all of it. Thanks for giving me a FOURTH go-to author
. Can’t wait for Gunmetal!
All three recomendations are great. The Seven towers is a book that I read every couple of years. I found Wrede by buying the book “It’s Wise to be Polite When Talking to Dragons” for the title alone. I then hunted out everything else that she has written. Talking to Dragons is #4 in the Enchanted Forest series.
Starting in Scotland, written by a Scot, a masterful sprawling series of adventure, romance, action, drama, poetry and suspense – it has to be The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett. A blazing trail of intrigue across 16th century Europe.
I know that sounds like PR from one of the less scrupulous publishing houses, but I read those books in my twenties and was deeply impressed. At the time I was heavily into Robert Heinlein and sci-fi, so they were a complete change for me, but forty years later they are still on my book shelves
And as has been mentioned above, for something light, frothy, historical and easy to read there is always Georgette Heyer!
A book of those two genres doesnt come to mind….i m reading lisa shearin’s raine benares series….it kinda has the thrill factor to it though its more of a fantasy …
Oh and some of julie garwoods books might give u a different opinion on scott larids…..they are not any less arrogant….but its hard not to love them
Some recent reads: Wen Spencer’s Ukiah Oregon series (reminded me of Rob Thurman’s Cal Leandros series, which I dearly love) and Jean Johnson’s A Soldier’s Duty (the heroine is perhaps a bit too perfect, but an interesting start to a series).
I’m sure you’ve already read Ann Aguirre’s Sirantha Jax series. I’m filled with mixed emotions about the upcoming final book.
An old favorite is RM Meluch’s Tour of the Merrimack series.
So many other good ones…
Oh, these are fantasy, not SF, but have you read Lynn Flewelling’s Nightrunner series? The books get better and better.
Have you heard of Stuart MacBride? He’s a good thriller author. I recommend his Logan McRae series.
My recommendation isn’t SF or thriller, but I thought you might like it nevertheless.
The series has four books yet and centres around a boy/young man, Gen, who is clever, loyal, cunning and stupidly underestimated by almost all who don’t know him. The first book, The Thief, has no romance at all, but that changes a bit in the second one.
But despite my great love for ROMANCE, I didn’t care a fig for its absence in this one. Try it? (And if you have read it already, can you enlighten the ignorant masses about it? I love Megan Whalen Turner’s Quenn’s Thief series, and it astonishes me that so few know about it!)
http://www.goodreads.com/series/43514-the-queen-s-thief
I was just going to recommend this. One of my favorite series. I’ve reread it many times.
Drebra Geary’s witch series.
*Debra
Hmm you might like this one: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
It’s a dystopian Japanese Steampunk with a telepathic sixteen-year-old heroine, who wields a sword and oh…there’s a griffin. By the way the US cover is totally badass. Check this out: http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/13538816-stormdancer
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My favorite new to me author this year is Martha Wells. I was totally enthralled with The Cloud Roads and The Serpent Sea. Fantasy books, extremely interesting world building. Loved them both! And the Kevin Hearne books, as mentioned numerous times above, totally rock, especially on audio. Also, anything by N.K. Jemisin, also a great world builder.
Second Martha Wells. I just started reading her, and she has been out for years… I do love to find an author with a backlist! I especially enjoyed her series about the Valiarde family and Ile-Rien.
Solidly in Fantasy land, little to no romance anywhere, fantastic world building, great character development, but *long* story arcs – Michelle Sagara / Michelle West (The Sacred Hunt / The Sun Sword / The Chronicles of Elantra). Some of her earlier work can be a bit hard to find but I think Riven Shield (the hardest title to find) was just re-released as ebook.
I’ve found PNR/UF kind of hit and miss for me lately. I’ve read so much of it that it really has to be standout for me to not be kind of meh about it.
I rarely read historical romance so it’s all relatively new and therefore interesting. I enjoyed Silk Is For Seduction and A Kiss At Midnight. I’ll probably continue the Fairy Tales series.
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I can’t say enough about Daniel O’Malleys ‘The Rook’. It’s a completely original fantasy novel with interesting characters and a fascinating new world. No romance, but plenty of snark. Besides, how can you resist a novel that begins with – “The body you are wearing used to be mine.”
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi. This is a post-apocalyptic novel set on our Gulf Coast after global warming melted the polar ice and the seas rose, drowning the coasts and our way of life. I loved it. It is young adult, but no one of any age should have to live like these kids live or face their problems. I’m not sure I was old enough for this book, but I’m glad I read it. Actually, I listened to the audio book first (from the library). I’m buying a print copy of the book next.
Copied from Barnes and Nobles:
In America’s Gulf Coast region, where grounded oil tankers are being broken down for parts, Nailer, a teenage boy, works the light crew, scavenging for copper wiring just to make quota—and hopefully live to see another day. But when, by luck or chance, he discovers an exquisite clipper ship beached during a recent hurricane, Nailer faces the most important decision of his life: Strip the ship for all it’s worth or rescue its lone survivor, a beautiful and wealthy girl who could lead him to a better life. . . .
In this powerful novel, award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi delivers a thrilling, fast-paced adventure set in a vivid and raw, uncertain future.
Winner of the 2011 Michael L. Printz Award
My go to read and one I reread at least once a year is The Faded Sun trilogy by C.J. Cherryh.
I’m actually on my 6th copy because I wear them out. This is a universe that you cannot imagine and I still get caught up in the main characters journey, so much so I forget to eat, miss appointments and generally drop out while rereading it every single time.
A few thriller/suspense choices:
The Expats by Chris Pavone.
Kate Moore has kept a big secret from her husband and kids – she is a former CIA assassin turned analyst. When her husband is offered a lucrative job with a bank in Luxembourg, she resigns from the agency and reinvents herself as an expat housewife. After a new American couple joins their circle of friends, Kate becomes suspicious that these people are not who they say they are. Terrified that her past is catching up with her, Kate begins to dig – uncovering layers of deception surrounding her. The plot twists kept coming
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. The buzz about this book is justified. I can’t say much about the plot without spoilers other than the book kicks off with a wife missing and presumed dead (hence the title) and her husband as the prime suspect.
Fallen by Karen Slaughter (released last year, now in paperback) or Criminal (released today, I’m a third of the way in). These novels feature detectives from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and have a ton of emotional depth.
Happy 4th!
I’ve been reading Sofie Kelly’s mystery series about a librarian and her 2 cats who just happen to have “supernatural powers”, which leave her totally flabergasted. Love the series and I hope she continues.
My recommendations:
Jaye Wells – The Sabina Kane series (vampire assassin)
HP Mallory’s – Dulcie O’Neil (fairy police officer) and Jolie Wilkens (a witch who is gonna save the world) books
Amanda Quick’s – Looking Glass Trilogy
Catherine Coulter’s FBI series which are a little thriller/a little paranormal
and from a friend’s recomendation- The Reluctant Dom..Tymber Dalton…it’s a BDSM love story that is just fantastic.
I just finished Taming Fire by Aaron Pogue (I think I spelled that right). Was $.99 on Amazon and I was feeling burnt out on the PNR. I wanted dragons. And I wanted them MEAN. Happily this book delivered that. It’s a trilogy but I was fine just reading the cheapo one. I may or may not continue on but there was some great character development and lots of “IS HE GOOD? IS HE BAD? OMG IS HE DEAD????” moments.
Vickie Bliss or Jacquline Kirby novels by Elizabeth Peters if you haven’t run across them before as a Mystery category suggestion.
oh and I love Elizabeth Peters.
DD Barant’s series about Jace Valchek. It’s sort of UF. The heroine is an FBI profiler who is pulled into an alternate universe where humans are an extremely small minority (vampires, shapeshifters and golems, oh my) to catch a serial killer. Lots of humor, no romance really, and Charlie is one of my favorite side kicks.
The Liaden series by Lee and Miller is one of my all time favorites!
Well, my top recommendation is you or Jeaniene Frost or Devon Monk or Patricia Briggs. Those all fall into the paranormal category in my mind, with varying degrees of UF, SF and romance. Something important to me is HUMOR.
For contemporary romance, no paranormal, with some humor, I would go with Jill Shalvis or Julie James.
I believe you have read these series but I will recommend them also. They are both more fantasy/adventure.
Lisa Shearin’s Raine Barnes series. It reminds me of traditional fantasy but is told with a more UF voice.
Michelle Sagara’s Chronicles of Elantra is a good fantasy/adventure also. It is set in a VERY different world with a totally unique class structure. The magic is one of a kind, I can’t think of another series that is anywhere near it. Of course all of Michelle’s stories are unique.
Faith Hunter’s Rouge Mage series. Good story, focuses on the character and not her sex life.
If you haven’t read Angelfall by Susan Ee yet, go read it! You will be blown away. It is one of those books that came out originally for like .99 on Amazon and now it is selling for a lot more. I haven’t come across anyone who has read it that wasn’t blown away and rendered speechless for a little while.
My last one is one you have probably read, it does have romance but it isn’t the same story you have read over and over again. Stacia Kane’s Downside series. Fair warning, it is gritty, the main character has major issues, but she is complex and you will find yourself cheering for her. The world building is also unique, and the magic is very different.
Hope that helps!
I believe you have read these series but I will recommend them anyway. They are all more fantasy/adventure than UF.
Lisa Shearin’s Raine Barnes series. It reminds me of traditional fantasy but is told with a more UF voice.
Michelle Sagara’s Chronicles of Elantra is a good fantasy/adventure also. It is set in a VERY different world with a totally unique class structure. The magic is one of a kind, I can’t think of another series that is anywhere near it. Of course all of Michelle’s stories are unique and complex.
Faith Hunter’s Rouge Mage series. Good story, focuses on the character and not her sex life.
If you haven’t read Angelfall by Susan Ee yet, go read it! You will be blown away. It is one of those books that came out originally for like .99 on Amazon and now it is selling for a lot more. I haven’t come across anyone who has read it that wasn’t blown away and rendered speechless for a little while.
My last one is one you have probably read, it does have romance but it isn’t the same story you have read over and over again. Stacia Kane’s Downside series. Fair warning, it is gritty, the main character has major issues, but she is complex and you will find yourself cheering for her. The world building is also unique, and the magic is very different.
Hope that helps!
So I was trying to fix my grammatical craziness and ended re-posting the whole thing? Man do I have talent. lol. Sorry for my apparent lack of intelligence! I didn’t mean to re-post the whole thing.
For really good Sci-fi, with a heavy dose of romance, I’d suggest Linnear Sinclear.
I think very few authors can pull off sci-fi romance, but she’s one of them.
And like #8 I’d recommend Elizabeth Lowell, Julie Garwood or Linda Howard for romantic suspense.
Angel Fall by Susan Ee. It’s indie YA but don’t let that put you off, it’s also amazing AU, gritty and politcal with a very slight hint of romance.
I recommend Harry Connolly’s “20 Palaces” novels.
Firstly they are written from a male perspective and secondly there are no traces of romance whatsoever
The books are “Circle of Enemies”, “Game of Cages” and “Child of Fire”.
I think the books are best described as Urban Fantasy..the gritty, bloody kind.
Have you ever read Robin D. Owens? Her Celta series is very good, Heartmate starts the romance series.
Anne Bishop writes the Black Jewel series, very good, very different. Daughter of the Blood starts that series.
Her Tir Alainn Trilogy is also very good, a nice romance that is secondary to the story. The Pillars of the World starts that trilogy.
Go to F series. The ancient future by Traci Harding. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1961495.The_Ancient_Future
have to say that I have reread her books at least 10 times each. Bit of romance but no sex scenes.
And then action adventure would def have to be matthew rielly books. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/144790.Ice_Station
I think Gordon will love his books All the guys I know just eat them up. Its very fast paced and they are making one of his first books into a movie. Think Indiana Jones meets die-hard.
The Vampire Shrink by Linda Hillburn was a good read. I mean you really have to love a book where a shrink has to go see a shrink for her own issues.
Sorry if I repeat or state the obvious but I could not ignore your call for reading help.
Patricia Briggs — anything and everything she writes but particularly her mercy series starting with “Moon Called”
Karen Chance. — her irreverant heroine Cassie Palmer keeps her sense of humor even though the paranormal community wants to either kill her or own her in “Touch the Dark” Throw in her issues with authority, her ghost sidekick no one else can see and Dracula’s older brother and we have a winner!
Tanya Huff — a great author of both fantasy and sci/fi, but I love her sci/fi series starting with “valor’s choice” The 1st one is heavy on the military, so no romance, but I guarantee you’ll love staff sgt. Kerr our heroine (think Raidar from M.A.S.H only kick***) who even in the middle of war keeps her dry humor.
Orson Scott Card. –”Ender’s Game”……….Amazing….(where was child protective services, that’s what I want to know)
Also there is this really great husband and wife writing team that puts out this great UF ………….
Hope this list helps
C J Cherryh’s Chanur books – there are as compelling as the aforementioned Faded Sun books but more character driven and less bleak. Incredible world-building. (I actually own everyone of her books except one about Superman…yeah.)
Agree on Jim Butcher’s Dresden books. Very different – and little to no romance. Lots of humor. I own everyone of these too. (I’m a bit obsessive okay?)
Patricia Briggs, Georgette Heyer, Marjorie Liu, Nalini Singh – but almost all are romances.
Dick Francis – my favorites are “Decider” and “To the Hilt”. Sadly, he passed away a couple of years ago and his son is writing under his name – boring.
Reading this thread I’ve added about 20 books to my wishlist – your fans are readers of discernment and taste!
My sister and I have already ordered and eagerly await “Gunmetal Magic”.
Live long and prosper!
Would suggest the Cast In Series by Michelle Sagara and the Toby Daye series by Seanen Maguire.
They are both ‘Paranormal’ series but the romance is an underlying issue in both with the charectors evolving as the series progress and the romance developing with them as they learn about each other.
I guess what i’m trying to say is they are not a ‘wham bam thankyou mam’ type of romance.
I have two recommendations that are a little off the beaten path.
Myke Cole’s Shadow Ops: Control Point – Paranormal military book. Interesting concepts and has potential.
Molly Harper’s Jane Jameson series. Starting with Nice Girls Don’t Bite their Neighbors. Its vampires and werewolves but very funny and light.
Karen Marie Moning’s fever series. The first book is Darkfever, and it’s AWESOME.
I’m a little late to the party but am recommending some mysteries as well.
Will Thomas- Cyrus Barker is a Private Enquiry Agent and Llewellyn is his assistant in 1880′s England. IMHO, Barker reminds me of Holmes: he’s intelligent, secretive, multilingual, possesses rare/odd talents/skills and is also keenly observant.
Carol O’Connell’s Mallory series. Functional sociopath working as an NYPD Homicide Detective. She works with Ryker, who was her foster father’s partner, and Charles, a genius private consultant. Seriously can’t recommend them enough.
I also love the Sebastian St Cyr novels by CS Harris, but evidently she (Ms. Harris) has turned off readers with her behavior towards reviewers (I know nothing of this directly, only that I’ve read comments where people have said they would no longer buy her books. I say compromise, and get them from the library). But the books are really good.
Jane Jakeman’s Lord Ambrose Malfine. Excellent 3 book series. He’s dark, scarred and tortured. He ends up solving the mystery surrounding the murders on a neighboring property in 1830′s England. 1st book is Let There Be Blood.
OK, this post is getting too long, so I’ll sum up the rest:
Sandra West Prowell- PI Phoebe Siegel, only 3 books, also excellent &may be hard to find
Michael McGarritty- Police Chief Kevin Kerney
Edna Buchanon- Britt Montero/Cold Case Squad
Toni McGee Causey- Bobbi Faye’s Very (Very, Very) Bad Day. One of the funniest things I’ve ever read.
Deanna Rayourn- Anything because she writes so well; however, all of it contains romance
Maureen Ash- mysteries featuring Templar Bascot de Marins
Katie MacAlister- The Trouble With Harry. Straight up romance but is LOL funny.
Justina Robson- Lila Black, Quantum Gravity (sci-fi)
Rob Thurman- Trickster series, not quite as dark as the Cal Leandros series (which is great)
Sharyn McCrumb- the Ballad novels featuring Sheriff Underwood & Nora Bonesteel are well researched & written. The Elizabeth McPherson novels are good but lighter fare.
Tim Maleeny- PI Cape Weathers & Sally Mei (an ex-assassin)
Lisa Lutz- the Spellmans, crazy funny dysfunctional family of investigators
Faith Hunter- Jane Yellowrock
Alan Bradley- Flavia de Luce mysteries, h is a precocious 12 year old girl in love with science, determined to perform forensic tests to solve crimes.
Deborah Chester- several fantasy series
Tess Gerritsen- Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles (hint: books are better than the series)
Lois Greiman- Christina McMullen/Lt. Jack Rivera. Pure fluff, funny but still fluff.
Leslie Glass- Det. April Woo & Det. Mike Sanchez
Sharon Kay Penman if you’re in the mood for historicals
I’ll go away now…
Check out Wen Spencer’s Tinker series, her books are awsome, Urban Fantasy
Also some great Scifi/Fantasy author’s I haven’t seen in the comments
Octavia E Butler’s Parable of the Sower
S. M. Sterling’s Island in the Sea of Time and the Domination