Bookgasm Day Seven
Nov
21
2008

Today’s book is the ever so lovely Cynthia Eden’s brand spanking new release, Midnight Sins!

Gorgeous blond nightclub singer Cara Firon doesn’t look like a monster. But a twisted killer is leaving a trail of bodies in seedy hotel rooms across town and right now, mysterious Cara is detective Todd Brooke’s only suspect.Cara knows it’s foolish to be drawn to a man who thinks she’s a murderer. She is one of the Others, a race of powerful, paranormal creatures who live among humans. Cara’s particular abilities make men putty in her hands – all except the rugged, sexy Detective Brooks.As uneasy trust gives way to mind-blowing desire, Cara and Todd will go head-to-head with a killer whose mission is deeply personal, and who’s determined to serve up revenge that’s hotter than hellfire, and just as deadly.

Cynthia Eden is a rising star in paranormal romance. Her books are really awesome and she’s super talented with creating three dimensional characters who have great chemistry. If you haven’t read her yet, I highly recommend her books. The first book in the series Midnight Sins is in, Hotter After Midnight, was in my top five favorite reads of 2008!

I’ll be ordering this one directly from Amazon so you’ll need to live wherever they deliver to win!

YOUR QUESTION: Paranormal romance spans the universe from zombies to succubi (and everything in between!) Do you prefer your paranormal romance to be dark and edgy or lighter? Give an example of what you like (because everyone needs to expand their tbr pile!) Winner chosen by noon tomorrow!

54 comments to “Bookgasm Day Seven”

  1. catie
    November 21st, 2008 at 6:19 am · Link

    I like both whether it’s the soul-depth darkness of Joey W. Hill’s vampires (so much psychological trauma to be explored there!), Sherrilyn Kenyon’s endlessly put-upon Dark-Hunters, Were-Hunters, and Dream-Hunters, Nalini Sing’s achingly hot Psy-Changelings, or the more humorous works of Mary Janice Davidson,Julie Kenner’s Demon-Hunting soccer mom, or Mark Henry’s snarky zombie fashionista editor. Sometimes I want to laugh at the undead’s perspective of us “silly” humans, other times I want to dig deeply into tortured psyches and journey into an emotional underworld. I’m thrilled to have top-notch writers in both sub-genres cranking out fantastic material. So long as it keeps up, I’m happy.



  2. azteclady
    November 21st, 2008 at 6:40 am · Link

    I don’t have a categorical answer to that–I’ve enjoyed, very very much, the Hell on Earth series by Jackie Kessler, but they are fun to read even as they explore dark themes.

    Then you have Meljean Brook’s Guardians or Lara Adrian’s Breed.

    Or the other side, Michele Bardsley’s Broken Heart, Oklahoma series are mostly just fun.

    😀



  3. Deidre
    November 21st, 2008 at 6:50 am · Link

    Most of the time I am much more into dark and edgy, for instance, I am reading Sherilyn Kenyon’s Acheron right now and loving it. It’s pretty dark with lots of bad things happening and can be difficult to read sometimes if you have a vivid imagination. Still, I prefer it mostly, but when I get burnt out, a comedic vampire story is good such as You Suck by Christopher Moore.

    Deidre



  4. LadyVampire2u
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:01 am · Link

    I’m going to have to side with majority here and say I like both the dark and edgy and the light. It really depends on my mood. But if I had to lean toward one or the other I think I’d take the dark and edgy type books first most of the time. Reads like Laurell K Hamilton, Kim Harrison or Karen Chance. And sometimes I want a balance in the middle and will read books by authors like Marjorie M Liu, Larissa Ione or Yasmine Galenorn. And then there are the lighter reads by MaryJanice Davidson, Dakota Cassidy or Gerry Bartlett.



  5. Danielle
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:22 am · Link

    I have to agree with everyone as well… i like both and it really depends on my mood and what my taste in reading is at the moment. Like right now my taste is more lighter, for example…

    Susan Krinard… im reading “Chasing Midnight”

    and there are some harlequin authors that i can’t think of off the top of my head…



  6. Brandy W
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:24 am · Link

    I’d have to go with dark and edgy. For me it is Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series. Though I’m not opposed to something a little lighter and with a smidgen of humor.



  7. Christine
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:29 am · Link

    I really don’t have a prefernce. I will give any author a chance if the back of the book sounds interesting. My tbr pile is all over the place from Erin McCarthy to Laurell Hamilton to Sherrilyn Kenyon to Yasmine Gornorn



  8. Dana
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:32 am · Link

    The perfect book has all 3 and then some. But there are a few Authors that are more on the light and humerous side that I adore as well.

    Lynsay Sands as well as Nina Bangs cover light and humerous, yet still keep the reader turning those pages.

    To me it’s like Wine Vs Liquer. Both are very good…but it may depend on how deep you want to take it.

    🙂

    Dana



  9. sara hurt
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:40 am · Link

    I have to say that I like it all as long as the story line is good and keeps my interests. I love Laurell Hamilton’s Anita Blake and Merry Gentry serieses, I did find some parts of the Anita Blake books a tad bit disturbing. Cheyenne McCray’s Magic series by far is my favorite, it was also my first paranormal book.



  10. Lori P.
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:44 am · Link

    I like both as well. Some of the lightest paranormal books I can think of are the Love At Stake series by Kerrelyn Sparks, and I really love them. Sometimes I just need a good laugh and a light read.

    However, I also love books by J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, and Lara Adrian. Those books really pull you into their world and I love that they have dark elements. Kresley Cole is one of the authors that can write both light and dark into the same book so much that I am alternatively laughing and tensed with anticipation that all will work out in the end.



  11. Crystal B.
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:50 am · Link

    I like dark and edgy paranormals more than the light. Some of my favorite authors are J.R. Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Nalini Singh, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione and Lara Adrian.



  12. Lea
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:53 am · Link

    Good Morning Lauren!

    Oh, I like my paranormal romance dark and edgy definitely. Larissa Ione’s “Demonica Series”, is a favorite of mine.

    I also wrote a recent review of Lynda Hilburn’s, “Kismet Knight Vampire Psychologist” series, which is awesome.

    A third favorite are Devyn Quinn’s, she writes dark goth paranormal romance and is an exceptional writer.

    Lastly, I just finished Jordan Summer’s “Red”, amazing dark paranormal romance / science fiction thriller.

    Then of course there are your wolves Lauren!

    Regards
    Lea 😀



  13. Violet
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:02 am · Link

    Nothing specific. I love Twilight which is pretty light and I love Immortals crossing by Joy Nash which is pretty heavy. So i guess it depends on how well it is written.



  14. Cynthia Eden
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:13 am · Link

    Wow, Lauren, top five? That is an amazing compliment–thank you very, very much. And I do like my stories dark…those are the fun ones!



  15. Tinab
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:15 am · Link

    ohhh this one looks HOT.
    I like edgey hot paranormals. Angst!! I need angst…. and a hot hero I need the imaginary eye candy 😆



  16. Kerry
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:18 am · Link

    I enjoy both the dark & edgy and the lighter too.
    My favorite’s for the darker side is Gena Showalter’s “Lords of The Underworld” I can’t wait until May for the next one-I have my “sticky notes” all over my desk for my favorite authors and when th next book is due to be released. My other favorite darker series is Kresley Cole’s “Immortals After Dark” series, again I can’t wait until February for the next one.
    On a more lighter note I have also enjoyed “The Sons of Destiny” series by Jean Johnson.
    Oh I just thought of one more darker side I have enjoyed-Brenda Joyce’s “Master’s of Time” series.
    There are so many I have enjoyed , I will also mention your series “Witches Knot”
    UGH-I want to read now !!! 😀



  17. Lee
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:20 am · Link

    I’ve just recently gotten into paranormal romance. I started with the Doomsday Brethern, but then tried out Erin McCarthy’s Deadly Sins and Vegas Vampires. Since then I have read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and am starting on some Sherillyn Kenyon……and your Cascadian wolves. I haven’t read any werewolf books yet.

    My final answer is: the darker the better. Kinda like chocolate.



  18. Jackie M (Literary Escapism)
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:28 am · Link

    I like my fiction to be both dark & twisted and light & funny. It all depends on what my mood is at the time. There was a while where I couldn’t pick up anything that was dark and twisty and was too intense. I NEEDED the light and quirky. Then after a few books of that, I needed to reset my mind and went for something dark and angsty. I love having the variety in my reading sets.

    One novel that I love going back to is the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. It can be both twisty and fun all at the same time.

    For something light, I tend to hit Katie MacAlister’s Aisling Grey/Silver Dragon series.

    For more dark and twisty, I head to my TBR pile since I seem to have more of those than anything else. Although, LKH’s Anita Blake series is always my backup.



  19. Christa
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:37 am · Link

    I haven’t read a lot of paranormal books and have one been starting read more of them in the last year. Right now I am enjoying Vivi Anna’s Valorian Chronicles series. I think I prefer the lighter reads



  20. Amy S.
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:43 am · Link

    I would have to go with dark and edgy. Delilah Devlin’s vamp books are good.



  21. Mel K.
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:50 am · Link

    I like my paranormal romance dark and edgy. I’m enjoying L.L. Foster’s SERVANT series.



  22. Eva S
    November 21st, 2008 at 8:50 am · Link

    I like my paranormal romances dark, not so much for the light ones. My favorites are Gena Showalter, Lara Adrian and Larissa Ioni.
    And I enjoyed very much my last read, Night Falls Darkly by Kim Lenox. I’m looking forward to next book in her Shadow Guard series.



  23. Barb
    November 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am · Link

    Hi Lauren! I had to think long and hard about this question because, I pretty much read anything that is paranormal. I think that I prefer my books be on the dark and edgy side. Actually Cynthia is one of my favorites and I can’t wait for Midnight Sins. Some of my other favorites are Lara Adrian, Jaci Burton’s Demon series and I also love Cherry Adair’s paranormal T-Flac series. ** YUM **. I am also salivating over the upcoming release of Jeanienne Frost’s new book. Happy reading!



  24. MsValerie
    November 21st, 2008 at 9:36 am · Link

    At the risk of sounding wishy-washy…it depends. I think I tend mostly toward dark, complicated paranormals, such as Delilah Devlin’s vamps, Lora Leigh’s Breeds, Lauren’s Cascadia Wolves, Kate Douglas’s Chanku wolves, Nalini’s shifters, and Shiloh’s Hunters…but sometimes I just need to lighten up.

    Then….gimme an historical paranormal or something a bit on the lighter side. Examples of “lighter” stuff that I enjoy are Dana Marie Bell’s Halle Pumas, Kerrelyn Spark’s Vampires, and G.A. Aiken’s/Shelley Laurenston’s incredible Dragon/Pride/Smith Pack books.

    This was tough…as I was listing examples, I kept thinking “oh yeah, can’t forget her books.”



  25. Fedora
    November 21st, 2008 at 9:39 am · Link

    I tend to prefer lighter, like Marta Acosta’s vamps or Erin McCarthy’s, but the darker, edgier books tend to have such intriguing storylines that they’re really hard to resist. *sigh*



  26. Lisa
    November 21st, 2008 at 9:40 am · Link

    I like to read both the light and the dark side of paranormal. I read everything from Michele Bardsley, MaryJanice Davidson, or Kerrelyn Sparks to J.R. Ward, Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh, and Lora Leigh (and of course Cynthia Eden!). It just depends on the mood I’m in and how deeply I want to dive into the worlds created by the authors.



  27. Blanche
    November 21st, 2008 at 9:47 am · Link

    I’ve not read a lot of paranormal books but I can say that one of my very favorite authors in this genre is Larissa Ione and her Demonica series!! I have a few Lara Adrian books in my TBR pile and I’ve heard wonderful things about Cynthia Eden’s books!! 😀



  28. Diane M.
    November 21st, 2008 at 10:07 am · Link

    I read all sorts but each author has a different voice.



  29. JP
    November 21st, 2008 at 11:06 am · Link

    Honestly? I like them both ways, but I do have one qualification: lighter is good, but not too chick-lit-y, if that makes sense. I like when paranormal authors can give readers a good blend of violence, hawt secks, emotion, and humor in one — Sherrilyn Kenyon and Kresley Cole excel at this, IMO. Also on the lighter side, I like Stephanie Rowe — her pouting, prancing Satan is a laugh riot!



  30. Jane
    November 21st, 2008 at 11:23 am · Link

    I like darker paranormals. I’m a fan of Christine Feehan’s Ghost Walker series and Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles.



  31. penny
    November 21st, 2008 at 11:44 am · Link

    I like the lighter paranormals. Nalini Singh Psy series & Shelly Laurenston shifter series are two of my favorites



  32. Lisa
    November 21st, 2008 at 11:52 am · Link

    I like to read both the light and the dark side of paranormal. I read everything from Michele Bardsley, MaryJanice Davidson, and Kerrelyn Sparks to J.R. Ward, Sherrlyn Kenyon, Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh, and Lora Leigh (and of course Cynthia Eden!). It just depends on the mood I’m in and how deeply I want to dive into the worlds created by the authors.



  33. Karen
    November 21st, 2008 at 11:55 am · Link

    Generally dark and edgy (but lighter can be well done), although some by even my favorite authors crosses the line into “not enjoyable’ now and then.

    Currently reading Swallowing Darkness by Laurell K. Hamilton. but also like Kim Harrison or Karen Chance.



  34. Greta
    November 21st, 2008 at 12:49 pm · Link

    To me a paranormal has to have elements of dark & edgy.

    Like Lara Adrian’s Breed series or Gena Showalter’s Lords of The Underworld. Colin from Cynthia Eden’s Hotter After Midnight.

    However Shelly Laurenston uses a lot of humor in her paranormal books. But she still keeps the dangers dark side intact.

    I so want this book. I love Cynthia’s books.



  35. Mieke Haveman
    November 21st, 2008 at 1:01 pm · Link

    I am more into dark. I like tormented characters. 🙂 Amongst my favorites are Laurell Hamilton and Sherillyn Kenyon, also J.R. Ward. But I am still finding new authors and new books. so much to read!



  36. Donna
    November 21st, 2008 at 1:31 pm · Link

    I really like both dark and edgy and light. I switch back and forth. I will go from reading one by authors like Michele Bardsley or Mary Janice Davidson to reading ones by authors like Laurell Hamilton and Christine Feehan. It depends on what I feel like reading but I will read just about anything paranormal.



  37. Nancy
    November 21st, 2008 at 1:35 pm · Link

    I love time travel as my paranormal genre which is lighter than most paranormal stuff but can be angsty, and my second favorite would be the ‘fallen angel or demon who wants to redeem himself’ which is definitely dark and angsty and so muchly yummy! 😀



  38. Natasha A.
    November 21st, 2008 at 1:46 pm · Link

    I think I like a bit more humour than dark. I do like some dark. The only thing that comes to mind right now (and I would say it is more towards humour than dark) is Laurell K. Hamilton. Man my brain isn’t working tonight and that is it for me…lol
    Thanks,
    Natasha A.



  39. Brandy
    November 21st, 2008 at 3:05 pm · Link

    I prefer lighter. *G* Michele Bardsley’s Broken Heart books and Nina Bangs books for lightness.But, then again, there’s Iiona Andrews, C.E. Murphy, etc for darker. *G*



  40. Estella
    November 21st, 2008 at 3:17 pm · Link

    I enjoy everything from Sherrilyn Kenyon to Terri Garey.



  41. Susan
    November 21st, 2008 at 3:45 pm · Link

    I like dark and edgy paranormals. I love a heroes with a dark side! Some of my favorite authors are Cynthia Eden, Larissa Ioni, Gena Showalter and Shiloh Walker’s Hunters Series.



  42. Karin
    November 21st, 2008 at 3:46 pm · Link

    I enjoy both aspects of the paranormal genre. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series. They definitely have a lightness in the humor that comes across in the hero and heroine’s interactions with each other in each of the stories in the series.



  43. Cathy M
    November 21st, 2008 at 3:55 pm · Link

    Most of the paranormal books on my keeper shelf have dark and edgier storylines.

    Just a few of my favorite authors:

    Kim Harrison
    Lora Leigh
    Karen Chance
    Vicki Pettersson
    Patricia Briggs
    Lara Adrian
    LKH
    Joey Hill
    Anya Bast



  44. april s
    November 21st, 2008 at 4:26 pm · Link

    I love my para romances to have a dark flavor to them.. I love Patricia Briggs and Karen Chance and Anya Bast and Lara Adrian and LKH-its hard to choose whom I love the best but what I am eagerly awaiting right now???… :mrgreen: I am dying for Patricia Briggs’s Mercy series 😛 how book three left off has me dying to see how Mercy is coping 😀



  45. Quilt Lady
    November 21st, 2008 at 5:31 pm · Link

    I like both but prefer the lighter side. I really liked The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox, but I also liked Blood Moon by Dawn Thompson.



  46. Pam P
    November 21st, 2008 at 5:32 pm · Link

    I like both dark and light, like to mix it all up. Some of my favorites – Nalini Singh’s Psy series, CL Wilson’s Fading Lands, Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series (dark antihero), Jeaniene Frost’s Cat and Bones, Yasmine Galenorn, just getting into Briggs, Shelly Laurenston. Lighter, Lynsay Sandsy, Jean Johnson’s is fund, like the humor in books by Michelle Bardsley and Dakota Cassidy. So many more, and, of course, Cynthia Eden, can’t wait to read this one.



  47. tea4444rose
    November 21st, 2008 at 5:32 pm · Link

    I think that a great paranormal romance has humorous, light periods as well as dark, sensual parts.

    My fav’s – the beginning of Laurell Hamilton’s Anita Blake series, anything by JR Ward, Christine Feehan, Jacquelyn Frank



  48. ThatBrunette
    November 21st, 2008 at 6:53 pm · Link

    I like my paranormal with ghosts. Although, lately, I’ve been enjoying the humorous paranormals. It doesn’t matter what type of ghoulie, as long as it is done with a sense of humor. I read a very sexy very funny werewolf short story recently. It made me want to read more from the same author. Annette Blair writes some good funny stuff.



  49. Sue A.
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:20 pm · Link

    The darker the better! I like dark, gritty, angst driven paranormals. And don’t forget to add a lot of lust. Author’s I like are Joey Hill, Lora Leigh, Gena Showalter, Jacquelyn Frank, Anya Blast …



  50. Debby
    November 21st, 2008 at 7:52 pm · Link

    I like both types of paranormal. I enjoy those that are light like Betsy but I also enjoy Anita Blake but must say I do prefer the beginning ones.