Being on a bit of a 'supernatural' story bend lately following my completion of the first two Monster Hunter International books, I was forced to accept a sobering reality. While there are loads of serious horror books out there written by names like King, Koontz and Saul, the only source of lighter supernatural fare always seemed to be located a few shelves away, in the romantic fiction section. There also tons of it located on my wife's section of the book shelves at home.
I am not totally unfamiliar with the romantic fiction in the house...one can not live in a house full of these books and not occasionally pick one up to see exactly what your wife is reading about. Usually it's quite shocking.
From a Man's Man point of view, such books can be divided into two basic categories: 'Juicy' and 'Sweet'. Without going too deep into these categories,'Juicy' books usually have bare-chested men and women with split/slit dresses and long flowing hair on the covers, while inside there are rakes, rougues and harlots with lots of throbbing and heaving of body parts. The 'Sweet' books seem to have cute animated drawings on the covers, while inside there are scoundrels, play boys, and coquettish strumpets with varying amounts of throbbing and heaving of body parts with some deep sighs mixed in.
I have no real use for the 'Juicy' books, most of them being very formalistic products set in glamorized historical settings full of Lairds and Ladies who seem to be in a permanent state of rut.
Some of the 'Sweet' ones aren't bad...in the past I have read one or two of her Katie McAlistair books, as sort a palate cleansing experience in between such manly books as Unintended Consequences and Hunt for Red October. It's nothing I would seek out on my own, but Katie's writing is usually witty and well-paced. Yes...there is some nooky in them, but nothing like you could expect to encounter in some of the dirtier Stephen King novels.
All of which serves as justification for reading a complete one of my wife's series.
The Parasol Protectorate by Gail Carriger, is an interesting series so far, currently a trilogy, with another two books in the works and scheduled for release in the future. Historically set in an alternate1870's London, the story has a 'steam punk' feel to it with dirigibles plying their way through the aether. Werewolves and vampires have come out of the dark, and become respected members of high society. Along with the vampire hives and werewolf packs, there is a third group, the 'preternaturals'...human beings born with no souls, and the ability to neutralize the powers of werewolves and vampires with just a touch.
The main character is a spinsterish(Almost a quarter of a century old!) half-Italian by the name of Alexia Tarabotti, and yes, she is a Preternatural well past marrying age, with no real prospects due to her dusky half-Italian skin hue and too-large nose. Since this book is located in the romance section, I am sure you can guess that she must have SOME finer points, and her personality and curvaceous build eventually land her a man. Her rare soul-less condition makes her a scientific curiosity, and is what leads to the plot line of the first book, Soulless.
Book Two of the series is called Changeless, and deals with a now married Alexia helping her husband solve some problems, one of them being an apparent area weapon with the ability to neutralize supernatural powers.
Book Three is called Blameless, and follows Alexia's further adventures as she in on the run from upset vampire hives. Her travels take her across Europe to Italy, where she runs afoul of some Templars.
I can highly recommend this series. The writing is witty and full of spirit and sarcasm. The author makes the vampires and werewolves her own, sticking with much traditional information, but adding in enough to keep things interesting. Yes, there is some romance in them...a bit of snuggling, nuzzling of necks, and squeezing or rears and bosoms...but it's not overt. Enough for the women, but not too much a Man's Man like me.
The only negative thing, and she gets better as she goes along, is the authors tendency to hammer home Alexia's half-Italian heritage and too large nose...it usually works as the character comes to terms with her low self-confidence, but once or twice it comes across as too much.
If you are interested in reading this series, sticking to the order is pretty important...the stories build on each other.
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