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The Bewitching Power of Magical Romances

March 9, 2017

For a lot of people, magic equals witches. While that might be a common assumption, magic and magical beings encompass more than just the witchy world. There are a phenomenal assortment of magical romances featuring complex witch and warlock characters, but there also a lot of extraordinary romances with many other varieties of magic users and abusers. Magic takes many forms and I love the variety that so many authors offer.

Alt bewitching series

The first books I read featuring witches and spellcasting were actually cozy mysteries – the Bewitching series by Madelyn Alt and the Ophelia and Abby series by Shirley Damsgaard. These mysteries intrigued me because the female characters were realistic, everyday people with run-of-the-mill jobs like that of shopkeeper and librarian, but they experienced the thrills and chills that magic brings. Since I’m a romance fan, I naturally started looking for some of the same fun witchy stories but with a bit more romance in the mix. Linda Wisdom’s Hex series is just as entertaining and lighthearted as her colorful covers would suggest. In addition to the tightknit coven of witches, Wisdom throws in all kinds of were-creatures, vampires, and finally – the devilishly mischievous, but fiercely loyal, magical bunny slippers Fluff and Puff. Saranna DeWylde’s 10 Days series has just as much humor as Linda Wisdom’s series, but with a smidge more action, world-building, and darker villains.

HOW TO LOSE A DEMON IN 10 DAYS by Saranna DeWylde

10 Days #1

How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days

GOT DEMON?

Grace does. She’s got more demon than she can saddle. In fact, she’s got a sinfully sexy Crown Prince of Hell named Caspian. She’s also got ten days to get rid of him or Bad Things shall ensue. See, her Russian mobster ex-boyfriend didn’t take kindly to her smutty Mephistophelean contract. It’s not that she’s conspiring with fiends; that was his idea. It’s that she’s conspiring against him with outrageous devilry that runs the gamut from embarrassing to a dead hooker turned dominatrix demon gunning for his soul.

One should never trust demons, let alone shag them. They don’t have hearts. Yet Grace is buying hers some slightly tarnished armor and hoping that once he’s been shoveled into it, kicking and screaming, he’ll find it’s just his size. This damsel in distress needs a dark knight for a Happily Ever After.

Romance Paranormal | Fantasy Urban [Kensington Brava, On Sale: August 1, 2012, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780505528674 / eISBN: 9780758279064]

My favorite book in the 10 Days series is HOW TO LOSE A DEMON IN TEN DAYS. HOW TO LOSE A DEMON IN TEN DAYS is a Faustian tale, with the bonus of a hellaciously hot Crown Prince of the underworld named Caspian. Caspian is sent to entice Grace after her man done her wrong. Strong female characters (whether they be witches or not), fascinating heroes, and unique situations make Saranna DeWylde’s 10 Days series a wonderland of witches, warlocks, and the magic they weave. Anya Bast’s Elemental Witches is a deeply sensual paranormal series with danger lurking around every corner. While I normally lean toward romances with a lighter touch, the “Elemental Witches” series is addictive for so many reasons. Anya Bast creates a kind of “magic-noir” atmosphere best illustrated in her book WITCH BLOOD. In WITCH BLOOD, the water witch heroine is haunted by her sister’s untimely death and faces danger from some shadowy unseen killer and a rogue warlock on the loose, all while debating with herself about whether she should fight the red-hot attraction to earth witch and coven leader Thomas Monahan. The magic, explosive chemistry between the hero and heroine, and the perilous attempts to catch a killer make BLOOD WITCH a must-read for romance fans who enjoy stories about magic or witches.

WITCH BLOOD by Anya Bast

Elemental Witches #2

Witch Blood

Lust burns hotter than revenge

Water witch Isabelle Novak must form an uneasy alliance with earthwitch Thomas Monahan to hunt and destroy a demon of tremendous power,even though Thomas’s very presence stirs deeper desires than she everknew she had.

Romance Paranormal | Romance Erotica Sensual [Berkley Sensation, On Sale: March 4, 2008, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780425220436 / eISBN: 9781101207062]

The lusty Elemental Witches prove to be as emotional and powerful as ever.

Sometimes a story isn’t centered around one particular type of magic user, but several. In THE WARRIOR VAMPIRE by Kate Baxter, Naya is a kind of Buffy the vampire slayer – except she acts as a watchdog for those who would seek to gobble up magic for their own nefarious reasons, chief among them being a lust for power. Magic is like a seductive drug in THE WARRIOR VAMPIRE and it takes a lot of inner strength to handle it without succumbing to any harmful effects. Jeaniene Frost‘s book INTO THE FIRE – the final book in her Night Prince series – takes a step away from the usual trappings of vampire vendettas and warrior-angst and has the main characters embark on a psychedelic trip through the world of magic. It’s a treat for readers to experience the illicit and fantastic world of magic, with bad boy vampire Ian as a guide. The dark side of magic in INTO THE FIRE, that balances out the Willy Wonka world-like amazing sights and sounds, is introduced through demons and cults. Demons and magic are at the heart of one of my all-time favorite paranormal erotic series – Carolyn Jewel’s My Immortal series. I often refer to the My Immortal collection as cerebral erotica, because it’s take-your-breath-away-sexy, but the stories also take a turn toward the unexpected and have a philosophical bent. When I first read MY WICKED ENEMY, I was instantly captivated by the world of witches, mages, and warlords. In Carolyn Jewel’s world, males and females are relatively equal – sexually, magically, and in their ability to fight or be enslaved. There is a zing and jolt of electricity as the major players in this series dodge enemies and find themselves seduced – whether by a lover, magic, or both. The My Immortal series may not be for everyone, but because of the way it is so different from every other series I’ve read, I highly recommend giving these books a chance.

MY DEMON WARLORD by Carolyn Jewel

My Immortals #7

My Demon Warlord

A Demon Warlord Bound by Dark Magic to the Powerful Witch He’s Desired for Years.

Kynan Aijan’s centuries-long enslavement to a mage left him borderline insane and bound to Maddy Winters, a witch he intended to kill in horrible ways. Though he’s sworn the bonds they share will never be completed, their very existence feeds his desire for her even as he accepts that Winters will never forgive him.

For Maddy Winters, the fight against evil magic users always takes top priority. But her bonds to Kynan give her intimate access to his thoughts and experiences, and she can’t always ignore their chemistry. Her insistence that she has no feelings for him is a deception she can’t afford to give up.

As Kynan and Maddy join forces to stop a rebellious and murderous witch, the dark magic that binds them locks them into forbidden passions and magic that could destroy them both. Will their fight for what’s right lead to a fight for each other?

My Demon Warlord is the seventh installment in the My Immortals series of paranormal romance novels. If you like magical supernatural tales, explosive chemistry, and irresistible passion, then you’ll love Carolyn Jewel’s latest breathtaking romance.

Romance Erotica Sensual | Romance Paranormal [Self Published, On Sale: January 31, 2016, e-Book, ISBN: 9781937823474 / eISBN: 9781937823467]

Divine cerebral erotica!

I love books about shape-shifters like werewolves, werebears, and others. I normally avoid books about the fae because of their tendency to trick and deceive using their magical abilities, but sometimes shifters and faeries collide and the results can be truly resplendent rather than tragic. One thing I love about werewolves, or other creatures that are half human and half beast, is how primal and at peace with nature they are. One thing I’ve always disliked about faeries and elves is how cold and removed from the natural world they seem. In Jennifer Ashley’s Shifters Unbound series, and Bonnie Vanak’s Werewolves of Montana series, the magical and the natural intersect. In the “Shifters Unbound” series, magic is how the fae enslave shifters and try to subjugate a species. Magic can be a dangerous thing that Shifters need to approach with caution. In Ashley’s world, there is the often corrupted and dark magic that the fae enjoy wielding, but there is also the healing and positive magic that is rooted in love and the mate bond. In Bonnie Vanak’s Werewolves of Montana, magic is something that can create beautiful things, but can also test a person’s character. Bonnie Vanak does a great job of playing with magical creatures and enchanted or cursed items – most notably with the Shadow Lands in THE MATING SEASON, and with other enchanted locales in THE WEREWOLF COWBOY. Although I don’t typically enjoy stories about faeries or books with them as main characters, two characters in THE WEREWOLF COWBOY who piqued my interest are both fae – Jaeden is Dark Fae and Thannach is a Fae shifter.

THE MATING SEASON by Bonnie Vanak

Werewolves of Montana #6

The Mating Season

In the centuries since he became immortal, Tristan, the Silver Wizard, has awaited the return of his long lost love. Nikita was his life and his heart, and when he died as mortal fighting for the freedom of Lupines and dragons, it was with her name on his lips. Now he has found her again, and Tristan is determined to claim her and fulfill his legacy – by impregnating her with his child. He will take her to his heavenly home in Tir Na-nog to show her the passion they once shared in another life. Before they can reach there, he must protect Nikita from his enemies, and he will fight with all his power to keep her safe from all harm.

The handsome, sensual wizard who saved her life from a lethal virus and swept her off her feet is no mere werewolf like herself. He is the Silver Wizard – the ruler of all werewolves, with the power to turn them into dust. Possessive and protective, he wants to recapture the love they had 900 years ago – a love Nikita cannot recall. All she knows are dreams of his passionate lovemaking and a burning desire for his touch. If she doesn’t accompany Tristan to Tir Na-nog, her mortal body will die, for the potion that saved her life will not last. But the journey ahead is filled with danger, and it will take all their courage and everything they shared in the past to endure the darkness that awaits them both…

Romance Paranormal | Erotica Paranormal [Self Published, On Sale: April 30, 2016, e-Book, ISBN: 2940158440793 / ]

A phenomenal paranormal romance!

HOW TO TAME A BEAST IN SEVEN DAYS, the first book in the Embraced series by Kerrelyn Sparks, is an example of an author using magic to weave a story with a timeless and fairytale feel. Lord Leofric of Benwick, aka “the Beast of Benwick, and the fair maiden Luciana both have special gifts that set them apart from others. Both magical gifts are something that they were born with. I love a story that utilizes ghosts in a fun way, so I enjoyed Luciana’s frequent ghostly visitors. The snarky and amusing commentary from Luciana’s late sister adds a lot to the story. Leo’s gift is kind of a double-edged sword and is reminiscent of the King Midas legend, and the character Rogue from Marvel’s “X-Men” comics. Luciana and Leo have an electric and instant attraction that grows as they build trust, and get to know each other better. As so many classic myths and fairytales do, Kerrelyn Sparks tells a story of how magical powers come with great responsibility and some degree of sacrifice. HOW TO TAME A BEAST IN SEVEN DAYS is a classic tale of intrigue, assignations, ghosts, and true love nudged along by unseen forces.

HOW TO TAME A BEAST IN SEVEN DAYS by Kerrelyn Sparks

The Embraced #1

How To Tame A Beast in Seven Days

From the brilliant imagination of Kerrelyn Sparks comes a bold new fantasy romance series in which passion and magic collide. Behold the Embraced…

As one of the Embraced—one born with magical powers—the beautiful, innocent Luciana escaped certain death after her father hid her away on the Isle of Moon. Now, nineteen years later, her father has returned with a frightening request. He will be executed unless Luciana returns to the mainland and marries a man feared throughout the land: a terrifying brute known as the Beast.

Luciana accepts her fate and agrees to wed the Beast—Lord Leo—in order to save her father. Soon she learns that her betrothed is also one of the Embraced. With the ability to wield lightning, Leo’s immense power strikes fear into the hearts of men. . .and his mere touch can put an end to a woman’s life. But Luciana cannot deny the passion that burns between them. How can she resist the man who scorches her soul and makes her feel intoxicated with desire—even if surrendering to him could destroy them both?

Fantasy | Romance Paranormal [St. Martin’s Press, On Sale: March 7, 2017, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781250108210 / eISBN: 9781250108227]

Fantasy Paranormal Romance with a Fairy Tale Vibe

Magic-themed romances:

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