Paranormal Romance: Do you like it?
By patgalca
@patgalca (18390)
Orangeville, Ontario
September 4, 2010 1:32am CST
I have to say I am pretty picky about genres. I won't read history or war stories. I have no interest in sci-fi or fantasy. Romance novels I could take 'em or leave 'em. I like general fiction, biographies, non-fiction, women's fiction, and mysteries/detective novels. I certainly had no interest in stories about vampires and werewolves. I have not read the Twilight series, nor do I plan to.
I was given the opportunity to receive an advanced reading copy of a new book in a new series of books by J.K. Beck. She writes a different genre under a different name. This new series is paranormal romance. When I got the book I realized what it was and thought "What have I gotten myself into? I don't want to read this." But I did.
I have spoken before about stepping outside my comfort zone of favored authors every once in awhile and about being glad I did. Well this time was no exception. I read a paranormal romance about vampires and werewolves and I actually liked it! You can find my review here: http://bookstove.com/romance/book-review-when-blood-calls-by-j-k-beck/
Do you read paranormal romance? I am not crazy about it, though I did enjoy this book. It wouldn't be my first choice of a genre to read but might check out the other books in the series.
Have you ever read a genre you had no interest in? Did it change your mind about the genre? Did you read more books in that genre?
4 people like this
9 responses
@babyimp (151)
• Estonia
4 Sep 10
It's not exactly paranormal romance I read. I read paranormal, period. I have nothing against paranormal romance as a rule but I prefer books from known authors who have an appealing writing style. For example I won't read L.J. Smith, because her heroine is a teen vamp? So that's a big no-no for me. Also I like paranormal if they have unique take on paranormal creatures (no mysterious creatures of the night who stalk the night for me please). So I select my books carefully. I enjoyed Anita Blake, at least the first 10 books, before Hamilton got too hokey.
Big surprise came when I happened upon C.E. Murphy and the Walker Papers series. There were no vamps or wolfies, just plain old gifted Joanne Walker. I really enjoyed the books and hope for a sequel.
I really really enjoy paranormal. I used to read suspense but that got boring real fast. Then I decided on epic fantasy like Robert Jordan and I still read fantasy. I can say with pride that I witnessed the birth of paranormal as we know it today, that was few years ago, and I haven't regretted my decision to try it out.
@patgalca (18390)
• Orangeville, Ontario
4 Sep 10
I think movies and television are what turned me off certain genres. If I don't want to watch them, why would I want to read them?
As I wrote in my review, J.K. Beck's vampire does not stalk in the night. It was the mystery aspect of the story that appealed to me most.
FYI, J.K. Beck writes another genre under the name of Julie Kenner. I read her book "Carpe Diem: The Adventures of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom" which is a series of books as well. If not paranormal I guess they would be considered fantasy. I don't know but I enjoyed that book and would read the others too.
@babyimp (151)
• Estonia
4 Sep 10
I know about Julie Kenner and I've been planning to read her books. I guess I'm in demon zone. And I agree, the mysterious part of every paranormal creature is the best thing about the book. All secrets out in the beginning ruins the fun of discovering them yourself in the reading of the book.
@amybrezik (2118)
• United States
5 Sep 10
One of my favorite paranormal books, was The Historian by Elizabeth Kordova. It has a unique take on the paranormal. (I like that too) Warning, its a very long book but it is definately worth checking out.
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
4 Sep 10
Just the cover of that book would put me off from reading it.
@patgalca (18390)
• Orangeville, Ontario
4 Sep 10
And that too. 
There is so much talk in author circles about hooking the reader during the first paragraph, even the first sentence. Publishers and agents say people read the first page before purchasing a book. I never do that. I always read the synopsis on the flap. That's pretty much all I go by when I choose a book. That and the cover.
There is so much talk in author circles about hooking the reader during the first paragraph, even the first sentence. Publishers and agents say people read the first page before purchasing a book. I never do that. I always read the synopsis on the flap. That's pretty much all I go by when I choose a book. That and the cover.1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47611)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
4 Sep 10
That's basically how I choose a book, too, not by reading the first page.
@Stiletto (4579)
•
11 Sep 10
I will have a go at reading most genres although I tend to stick mainly to history or thriller/mystery stories. I'm not a big fan of fantasy/sci-fi stuff and I'm afraid the word "romance" in the blurb on the book cover is enough to make me put the book back on the shelf! So I guess a paranormal romance is not something I'm likely to pick up and start reading. Having said that, I wouldn't necessarily rule it out completely. I mean, maybe Bram Stoker's "Dracula" would be classed as a sort of paranormal romance and I enjoyed that one. So I would never say never ... but it's unlikely!
@patgalca (18390)
• Orangeville, Ontario
11 Sep 10
Like I said in my review of Blood Calls, there are three aspects to this story - paranormal, romance and detective/mystery. I focussed on the mystery aspect of the story. Honestly, I think genre names can be misleading. That is why I call my novel General Fiction as opposed to Women's Fiction or Chicklit. I don't think men read my story, and though the story starts with a bit of a romance, the main aspect of the story is not about romance at all.
They keep coming up with new genres because some stories are just too hard to categorize. I find the term paranormal romance is two genres combined into one new genre. (Maybe not new to others, but new to me since I've never read either before).
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
6 Sep 10
I'm not much one for the paranormal... and I avoid romance novels like the plague. I really love fantasy novels, and I usually don't stray too far from that genre. I DESPISE vampires. I can't stand them. They're too darn popular for their own good. Give me a book about unicorns, mermaids, griffins, fairies, even DRAGONS as over-done as they are... but please! Take the vampires away!
But like you, I have some exceptions to my own rules. I like Twilight. So stone me. I read the series and I enjoyed it. But I'm hard pressed to enjoy any other vampires, and I gag at most romance novels anyway. It's not that I don't like romance... It's just that I don't like the way romance is often portrayed in romance novels. They're usually steamy and r-rated and even if they're not then they're still all about the physical aspects of a romance instead of about what really matters. But when a friend of mine screens a romance novel and deems it worthy, then I might venture out of my comfort zone and take a look.
@amybrezik (2118)
• United States
5 Sep 10
Most of the ones that I have read I really enjoyed. One of my favorite series is the Real Vampire Series by Gerry Bartlett. It is classified under Paranormal Romance, all though the romance part of it is not typical or cheesy like your traditional romance books. Its actually mostly about vampires trying to assimilate into the Austin, TX society. It has your occasional shape sifter thrown in, but it is whole different spin on the traditional types of vampire stero-types. I have to say I picked the first one up, Real Vampires Have Curves, simply because the title caught my eye. I loved it and have read the rest in the series, I actually can't wait for the next one to come out. And, I am like you, not really a huge fan of the romance novel. I would much rather read true crime. I don't have a lot of interest in Science Fiction either. I have tried repeatedly to read sci fi or fantasy, I even went so far as to take a literature class on it to try and gain some appreciation for it, and I have to say, I have not come across a sci fi book that I have enjoyed! You stated you liked Womens Fiction. Have you read anything by Chris Radish? She is great, The Fabulous traveling funneral of Annie Freeman (I think that was the title) was a great one, as well as The Sunday List of Dreams.
@iamjesca (185)
• Philippines
4 Sep 10
I would definitely read anything. I dont have any genre in specifics as long as the story would be so much interesting then Ill be curious about that book. The only thing that i don't read is history simply because i find it real boring to read. LOL!! i really do enjoy reading because it makes your imagination be creative as possible. And also it will boost up your learning about things. Paranormal romance is so common now a days, i mean with the release of Twilight and all those books. But i think that the most creative artist would win the hearts of their readers.
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
4 Sep 10
I read paranormal or Urban Fantasy as I like to call it. Werewolves, vampires and such. I like them when they are more story than romance and a few of the really romancey books I avoid. I like action, plot and a very strong female central character. I think it is always good to try books out of your genre, otherwise how will you know what you like and don't like. I have a very interesting assortment of books I read from the paranormal to biographies to what I call regular fiction like Memoirs of a Geisha. And I will give any book a shot. I don't always like them but all it costs me is the time to find out.
@CrisRodrigues (413)
• Portugal
20 Apr 13
Yes,I Kove Paranormal Books Specially,Vampires & Angels!!!
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