Halloween is almost here, and apart from the candy for the kiddies, what makes Halloween memorable for you? Scary movies are playing on every channel. But there is nothing like a paranormal book to enjoy that lingering feeling of dread, with goose bumps on your skin as you read about something horrific. Take a peek a these 21 Must Read Paranormal Books and tell us which ones are your favorite.
If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I avoid reading the Paranormal genre. I did review some books like The Skye in June and others that turned out to be about psychics, ghosts or reincarnation, but that just happened by chance. With Halloween round the corner though, it is the time to have some fun getting scared. So let’s get into the mood and look at some of the top chart busters from the world of witches, wizards, vampires, psychics, demons, ghosts and zombies. This is my Halloween Special list of the 21 most talked about and scary books featuring creatures from other realms.
21 Must Read Paranormal Books
I have chosen these from Amazon’s top lists. But that is just one factor. I have also considered the story, user reviews and the number of reviews to come up with this list. So dim the lights, light some candles, and enjoy!
1. Priceless by Shannon Mayer
“When children go missing, and the Humans have no leads, I’m the one they call. I am their last hope in bringing home the lost ones. I salvage what they cannot. I’m on the FBI’s wanted list. I have a werewolf for a pet, a Witch of a best friend, and I have no need for anyone else in my life. But when a salvage starts to spin out of control, help comes from a most unexpected direction. One that is dangerously dark, brooding, and doesn’t know a thing about the supernatural. One whose kisses set me on fire.”
2. The Wolf Gift by Anne Rice
“The time is the present.
The place, the rugged coast of Northern California. A bluff high above the Pacific. A grand mansion full of beauty and tantalizing history set against a towering redwood forest. As he resists the paradoxical pleasure and enthrallment of his wolfen savagery and delights in the power and (surprising) capacity for good, he is caught up in a strange and dangerous rescue and is desperately hunted as “the Man Wolf” by authorities, the media, and scientists (evidence of DNA threatens to reveal his dual existence) . . .“
3. Dark Witch by Nora Roberts
“Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends. Ireland.
Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated.”
4. Lover at Last by J. R. Ward
“Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has found an identity as a brutal fighter in the war against the Lessening Society.
Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn.
Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions, but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn learns the true meaning of courage, and two hearts meant to be together finally become one. ”
5. Captured by Erica Stevens
“Captured, taken from her beloved family and woods, Aria’s biggest fear is not the imminent death facing her, but that she will be chosen as a blood slave for a member of the ruling vampire race.
Though hoping for death, Aria’s world is turned upside down when a vampire named Braith steps forward to claim her.”
6. Dark Lycan by Christine Feehan
“Tatijana of the Dragonseekers spent centuries encased in ice with her sister, trapped in limbo between life and death, never speaking to a soul other than those who tormented her. Now, she has been freed from her frozen prison by an unknown descendent.
Fenris Dalka has returned to the Carpathian Mountains after a long absence to be with his brother.
In time Tatijana and Fenris will discover all that unites them—their secrets and pasts, their predators, and the hot flush of passion that stirs their souls. ”
7. Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
“On highways across America, a tribe of people called the True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless—mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and spunky twelve-year-old Abra Stone learns, the True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the steam that children with the shining produce when they are slowly tortured to death. ”
8. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
“Harkness’s much-anticipated sequel, Shadow of Night, picks up from A Discovery of Witches’ cliffhanger ending. Diana and Matthew time-travel to Elizabethan London and are plunged into a world of spies, magic, and a coterie of Matthew’s old friends, the School of Night. As the search for Ashmole 782 deepens and Diana searches for a witch to tutor her in magic, the net of Matthew’s past tightens around them, and they embark on a very different—and vastly more dangerous—journey. ”
9. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
“Bella Swan’s move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear. ”
10. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
“Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading “soul” who has been given Melanie’s body, didn’t expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.
As Melanie fills Wanderer’s thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she’s never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.”
11. Ryan’s Return by Barbara Freethy
“Famous photojournalist Ryan Hunter has come back to a family torn apart by mistrust and resentment — to the father who disowned him, to the brother who betrayed him, to the little boy who shares his features.
Kara must join with the enigmatic, misunderstood Ryan — to discover the truth that will save their families…. and to explore a dangerous, irresistible love as mighty and enduring as the onrushing river. ”
12. Loose Ends by Terri Reid
“Dying is what changed Mary O’Reilly’s life. Well, actually, coming back from the dead and having the ability to communicate with ghosts is really what did it.
Now, a private investigator in rural Freeport, Illinois, Mary’s trying to learn how to incorporate her experience as a Chicago cop and new-found talent into a real job.”
13. Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost
“Leila’s psychic abilities have been failing her,and now she isn’t sure what the future holds. If that weren’t enough, her lover Vlad has been acting distant.
Though Leila is a mere mortal, she’s also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won’t admit that he loves her. ”
14. The Strangers on Montagu Street by Karen White
“Psychic realtor Melanie Middleton is still restoring her Charleston house and doesn’t expect to have a new houseguest, a teen girl named Nola. But the girl didn’t come alone, and the spirits that accompanied Nola don’t seem willing to leave…”[/box]
15. Witchful Thinking by H. P. Mallory
“Jolie thinks she’s seen it all, but life continues to spring surprises. The latest shocker? She’s just been crowned Queen of the Underworld. Jolie may possess a rare gift for reanimating the dead, but she doesn’t know the first thing about governing disparate factions of supernatural creatures. She can barely maintain order in her own chaotic personal life, which is heading into a romantic tailspin.”
16. Wicked Cravings by Suzanne Wright
“For years, wolf shifter Jaime Farrow has harbored a not-so-secret crush on gorgeous Dante Garcea. But the time has come for Jaime to face facts: despite her best efforts, Dante just isn’t interested. And that’s probably for the best. The last thing Jaime needs is for anyone—particularly Dante—to find out about her little “problem.” The one that haunts her past and threatens to destroy her and everyone she loves…”
17. Stone Guardian by Danielle Monsch
“Gryphons flying past skyscrapers? Wizards battling it out in coffeehouses? Women riding motorcycles with large swords strapped to their backs? All normal sights since the Great Collision happened twenty-six years ago.
Gargoyles trust no one outside their Clan, but due to a cryptic prophecy, Terak, Leader of the Gargoyles, has been watching over the human woman for months.”
18. Destined by Brenda K. Davies
“Terrified of becoming mated like her parents, Isabelle has locked herself away in order to avoid their fate.
Despite her determination to remain alone, her world is rocked when a person from her parent’s past arrives at their door, bringing with them the powerful, and stunning vampire Stefan.
Though Stefan is not expecting to arrive at a nest full of vampires, he is immediately drawn to the vibrant, often defiant, and willful Isabelle. To his surprise, Isabelle does everything in her power to avoid him, and her desire for him.”
19. Marked by Elisabeth Naughton
“THERON – Dark haired, duty bound and deceptively deadly. He’s the leader of the Argonauts, an elite group of guardians that defends the immortal realm from threats of the Underworld.
From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn’t exist in real life–silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.”
20. The Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter
“Having endured weeks of torture in the bowels of hell, Kane wants nothing to do with his beautiful rescuer, Josephina Aisling. The half-Fae female threatens to awaken the demon of Disaster inside him—a beast he’s determined to kill, no matter the price.
Josephina is hunted by a brutal enemy—her royal family—and Kane is her only source of protection.”
21. A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest
“On the evening of Sofia Claremont’s seventeenth birthday, she is sucked into a nightmare from which she cannot wake.
A quiet evening walk along a beach brings her face to face with a dangerous pale creature that craves much more than her blood.
She is kidnapped to an island where the sun is eternally forbidden to shine.
An island uncharted by any map and ruled by the most powerful vampire coven on the planet. She wakes here as a slave, a captive in chains.
What’s Your Pick?
So! Have you read any of of my Halloween Special books yet? Maybe you read all of them if you’re a paranormal buff. Please share and let us know which ones you liked most and why from these 21 Must Read Paranormal Books. And maybe add a line about why you like this genre?