Steamy urban fantasy recs?

Escape Artist · Jan 13, 2012

Looking for book recommendations in the urban fantasy genre - the steamier, the better! I'm hooked on Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series and it's just about right as far as "heat" levels go, though I could definitely go hotter.

I'm interested in reading Jeaniene Frost's Cat and Bones series as I've heard it's pretty graphic, but has anyone here read them? Are the plots interesting? I like all kinds of subjects, as far as plot goes, so no limits there.

The kind of books I'm not looking for? Well, although I found a Mercy Thompson book interesting as far as the storyline went, the sex was just glossed over. I was bummed, especially since Adam seems like such a sweetheart - I'd like to have known how he was in bed.

On the flipside of books I'm not looking for? Laurell K. Hamilton type stuff (later Anita Blake series, I mean) where there is very little plot, if any. No amount of steamy sex in the world can make up for that.

Thanks, guys! You're the best!

Jamiekswriter · Jan 13, 2012

I can definitely recommend Cat and Bones. The first book will scorch your face off with not just the sex, but the intensity. I'm a huge Bones fan. Just don't get the audio books, the woman that does Bones voice makes him sound like Bert from Mary Poppins on Helium. His voice is soooo much more sexier in my head.

Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series is also really good, but you're going to have to wait for teh sex. It's worth the wait.

I just finished Thea Harrison's Dragon Unbound, which was pretty smokin'.

Jill Myles Succubus Series is one of my favorites too. I like her stand alone ebooks too for a quickie.

Nalini Singh's Archangel series is also very dark, and intense.

I'm sure I'll think of some more, but these are my favs off the top of my head.

elmoie · Jan 13, 2012

Richelle Mead's Succubus series is brilliant - ticks all the boxes on great plot, characters, steam...I highly recommend.

Jess Haines · Jan 13, 2012

I second Thea Harrison's DRAGON BOUND and Jill Myles's books.

Have you tried looking in paranormal romance? Those are the ones that tend to be steamy. Urban fantasy tends to be grittier (Thea and Jill's books would fall under the paranormal romance umbrella).

I'm not sure if Nicole Peeler's Jane True books would fit the bill for you, but you might give the first one a whirl (TEMPEST RISING) and see if it does it for you. It's more comedic than sexy, but it's still quite good.

ChaosTitan · Jan 14, 2012

I'll second reading Jeaniene Frost's books (read the spin-off novels, too).

If you want serious steam, and don't mind wandering into the paranormal romance side of things, check out Gena Showalter's Playing with Fire/Twice as Hot duology.

CAMueller · Jan 14, 2012

I'll join the "read the Night Huntress books" bandwagon.

I'd also suggest trying Blood of the Wicked by Karina Cooper. It's technically paranormal romance, but very gritty with some heavy world-building. Really brilliant.

If you haven't tried the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, it's a must. It's always incorrectly shelved in the romance section, but it's pure urban fantasy.

Silver-Midnight · Jan 14, 2012

I'm definitely going to have to check some of these out.

bearilou · Jan 15, 2012

Silver-Midnight said:
I'm definitely going to have to check some of these out.

*agrees and starts making a list*

Jamiekswriter · Jan 17, 2012

CAMueller said:
If you haven't tried the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning, it's a must. It's always incorrectly shelved in the romance section, but it's pure urban fantasy.

OMG!!!! Yes, Yes, Yes!

*ahem* That being said, buy them all at once because she ends them on &#$*##&% cliff hangers.

Escape Artist · Jan 20, 2012

Thanks for all the great recs! I've got a good list going now. And no, I don't mind wandering into paranormal romance. I don't know why I narrowed my request to urban fantasy in the first place. Either would be good.

Truth be told, this is kind of a return to reading for me. I read a lot all through my school years, but when I had kids it kind of went by the wayside. I'm trying to figure out what I like as an adult reader, so I'm open to trying lots of different things on my way to figuring that out.

CAMueller · Jan 20, 2012

Fever series

Jamiekswriter said:
*ahem* That being said, buy them all at once because she ends them on &#$*##&% cliff hangers.

Understatement of the century. Evil-but-brilliant cliffhangers. (And all five books are available, so you won't spend months being tortured as you wait for answers.)

Silver-Midnight · Jan 20, 2012

CAMueller said:
Understatement of the century. Evil-but-brilliant cliffhangers. (And all five books are available, so you won't spend months being tortured as you wait for answers.)

So, you can buy them all at once, like a huge package of them? I can't really find the right word right now. Sorry. :ROFL:

bearilou · Jan 20, 2012

Silver-Midnight said:
So, you can buy them all at once, like a huge package of them? I can't really find the right word right now. Sorry.

I'm not seeing them being sold as a bundle but I haven't looked very hard.

That said, I have them on my wishlist now.

CAMueller · Jan 20, 2012

Silver-Midnight said:
So, you can buy them all at once, like a huge package of them? I can't really find the right word right now. Sorry.

I don't think it's offered as an official bundle yet, but I could see the publisher producing a box set or an omnibus in the fall. She has a spinoff series set to debut in late October.

Jess Haines · Jan 20, 2012

There's a sneak preview of KMM's ICED on her FB page... *whistles*

CAMueller · Jan 20, 2012

Jess Haines said:
There's a sneak preview of KMM's ICED on her FB page... *whistles*

I've been scared I'd hate ICED. Not exactly a fan of Dani, but the teaser has me curious.

Also, that teaser has quite the spoiler for SHADOWFEVER.

Silver-Midnight · Jan 20, 2012

CAMueller said:
I don't think it's offered as an official bundle yet, but I could see the publisher producing a box set or an omnibus in the fall. She has a spinoff series set to debut in late October.

Thanks a lot.

Silver-Midnight · May 18, 2012

Does J.R Ward also write steamy novels? So far, I've read Jeaniene Frost and part of the one the Fever series. I still have to try a few more of the recs on the list though. Does anyone have any others they want to add to the list?

CAMueller · May 19, 2012

Silver-Midnight said:
Does J.R Ward also write steamy novels? So far, I've read Jeaniene Frost and part of the one the Fever series. I still have to try a few more of the recs on the list though. Does anyone have any others they want to add to the list?

J.R. Ward writes very steamy books. Expect long and graphic sex scenes. That said, also be warned that her Black Dagger Brotherhood series can be incredibly addictive.

Silver-Midnight · May 19, 2012

CAMueller said:
J.R. Ward writes very steamy books. Expect long and graphic sex scenes. That said, also be warned that her Black Dagger Brotherhood series can be incredibly addictive.

Thanks.

I had a feeling she wrote that but I wasn't sure.

CAMueller · May 19, 2012

Silver-Midnight said:
Thanks. I had a feeling she wrote that but I wasn't sure.

Just know that J.R. Ward's novels are paranormal romance. While there is fantasy world-building, the main plot is about a hero and heroine coming together and each ends with a HEA or HFN.

Silver-Midnight · May 19, 2012

CAMueller said:
Just know that J.R. Ward's novels are paranormal romance. While there is fantasy world-building, the main plot is about a hero and heroine coming together and each ends with a HEA or HFN.

I'll keep that in mind. I still may read some of J.R. Ward's books though.

Steamy urban fantasy recs?

Escape Artist

Plotting her escape...

Jamiekswriter

USA Today Bestselling Author

elmoie

Jess Haines

Boldly going nowhere in particular.

ChaosTitan

Around

CAMueller

Part-time ninja

Silver-Midnight

bearilou

DenturePunk writer

Jamiekswriter

USA Today Bestselling Author

Escape Artist

Plotting her escape...

CAMueller

Part-time ninja

Silver-Midnight

bearilou

DenturePunk writer

CAMueller

Part-time ninja

Jess Haines

Boldly going nowhere in particular.

CAMueller

Part-time ninja

Silver-Midnight

Silver-Midnight

CAMueller

Part-time ninja

Silver-Midnight

CAMueller

Part-time ninja

Silver-Midnight