In my quest to branch out and try new things, I’ve come upon a new-ish hybrid of PNR. What I fondly refer to as Chick-lit PNR. Authors Mary Janice Davidson and Michelle Rowen best en-vibe this genre as their books are light-hearted, extremly funny, and infused with paranormal romance of course! My one, itty-bitty, tiny complaint is the lack of… dare I say… sex? It’s sad when after reading this series I felt the need to raid my Red Shoe Diary DVD Collection. Have I become one of those people that can’t read a good story without sex? Should I be embarrassed that I am disappointed when an author skims on the steam…should I register for a 12-step program? When asking myself these hard introspective questions, I found that I am ok with needing to have a little spice in the story. If I’m reading a romance novel there are a few things that I expect to happen.
1. I want my happy ending!
2. I expect to have some love action in the boudior, or kitchen table…(at least somewhere). If I wanted to read romance without the steam I would stick to the Twilight series.
3. I’m ok, if you’re ok with my little literary sex addiction.
I know, I’m such a depraved soul novice critic, but I feel like this is a place of honesty (mimicking the frienship circle motion).
Why I Love Mermaids and am Diggin’ Paranormal ChickLit
I found that Mary Janice Davidson’s third and final book in her mermaid series, Fish Out of Water, is just as funny as her first. I started this series at a time in my life where I was very much into the moive Aquamarine (don’t ask). Needless to say, I was in an “Und’a Da Sea” mood and couldn’t keep from murmuring, ”We love you Aquarmarine”, after each scene with Fred the mermaid. Just another example of my random OCD’ness. This book is a nice refresher from the rather serious authors of the PNR world. If you’re looking for some other authors to explore in this realm, I also suggest Michelle Rowen and Stephanie Rowe.
The Scoop
Fred, (Ms. Fredricka if your nasty), is a sarcastic, grumpy, marine biologist who also happens to be a mermaid. Fred’s final adventure takes her to undersea politics with her current squeeze Prince Artur. In marches Thomas, aka romance novelist Priscilla D’Jacqueline and fellow marine biologist, who joins Fred’s in this comedy of errors love triangle. Who can say no to Thomas who likes Fred, ” just the way she is”? Finally, Jonas, Fred’s highly metro, appletini loving, BFF joins the current saga imparting wonderful one-liners and laugh out loud antics. Throw in Fred’s returning traitrous mermaid father and this turns into one Cluster F, all under one household.
Meet Jonas:
He was an exhaustingly cheerful blond taller than she – about 6’3 with the mind of an engineer ( he designed shampoo for Aveda) and a black belt in aikido. He was also the most metrosexual guy on the planet – continually being mistaken for gay (mostly because he insisted on drinking appletinis) – and a loyal friend…best friends since the second grade.
Meet Fred:
In a phrase, irratating beyond belief. She recalled a line from one of her favorite novles, The Prince of Tides. “Fuck the fathers. They should know better.”
Fred to Jonas: “Something nutball this way comes.”
Meet Thomas: BIHSY-DWTMW (Boy in High School You Didn’t Want to Mess With)
Thomas Pearson, M.D., Ph.D., marine biologist and bestselling romance novelist Pricilla D’Jacqeline. He carried Struck and White’s The Elements of Style. And a switchblade. Complicated fellow.
***Red Shoe Diary Trivia: Who was the begining narrator for every episode?
Answer Hint: First name starts with a D and ends with Duchovny
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For ME – I have learned I don’t necessarily need sex. I need romantic tension…and maybe the promise of sex to come if it is a book in a series. I love urban fantasy and many of those do not have heavy sex scenes. But like in fever series..(well the beginning of DF doesn’t really count) I am hoping for an HEA and a good sex scene at the end
I do like to mix up my reading though so I get some good juicy romance bits in between my UF. I’m not huge on chick lit.
I’m not going to lie, I read PNR because I love unrealistic sex. It’s hot, makes me tingle, and gives me something to think about in line at the grocery store.
For me, sexual tension without the act, if executed properly by the author (executed? all I could come up with sorry) can take me quite a long way in a book series. Take Karen Marie Monings’ Fever series. I adore it and have never felt sexually slighted four books in. That being said, I do look forward to a proper slap & tickle take me how daddy session between Mac and Barrons in the final book.
As far as a happily ever after ending…I need it. I’ve been known to slam a book shut and threaten to write nasty hate mail to the author if I’m caught off guard with a tragic ending. (Please note I have never actually threatened an author…yet hehe)
Have you read MJD’s Undead Series? I loved it! Check it out if you haven’t read it.
That should say: “slap & tickle take me HOME daddy session”. Why don’t I proof read BEFORE I click the button? WHY??????? *shakes head*
It’s not wrong to want more smut.
When reading romance, I want a romance darn it, not this fighting till the end of the book and barely a kiss that I’ve found in so many of the romances I’ve read lately. I didn’t know that MJD had a Mermaid series. I’m going to have to check it out. I’ve read one of her vampire books, and enjoyed it. Oh-I’ve been known to throw a book across the room if it has a crappy ending.
Mandi-
I so agree with the romantic suspense/tension. I can’t tell you how many books had numerous if not down right gluttonous amounts of sex but had little tension so you could care less about what happens between the characters. Although, a little sex can never really hurt a storyline in my book.
(I can’t help the lascivious smile I now have on my face). As always, spot on with your observations about what works and doesn’t work well for romance.
Fiction Vixen-
I tried to get into MJD’s Undead series but for some reason couldn’t. Her mermaid series spoke more to me (damn Aquamarine obsession). And I must, MUST, have a happy ending when reading a romance. My life is already to “real” enough, and if I need to escape to my ‘happy place’ every now and again, I want a fricken’ Happily Ever After! That being said I won’t ever say no to a ‘slap and tickle, take me home to daddy session either’. Kindred spirits we are on that note.
Colette,
Thanks for commenting! A fellow sister of the ‘more smut’ stance is always a plus! I will say that I found Stephanie Rowe’s Date Me Baby One More Time and Must Love Dragons are laugh out loud fun! To use a quote from the Office: She always left me satisfied and smiling.
Chick-lit isn’t my forté but sometimes I come across a book that is on the “tame side” of the smut, I will probably like it for a lot of other reasons but immediately after that I reach for an erotica. I really do need my dose of smut or else I dry up
I like the sex/sexual tension in a book but I read UF and straight up Fantasy for a variety of other reasons. Come to think of it (you so make my brain have its morning stretch KC LOL) I guess each genre that I read, I read for different reasons and try to mix them up so that the whole of me as a reader stays blissfully satisfied 
I totally understand what you mean. Sometimes I feel like: And that’s it?What happened? But I think it depends on the Author and the style of the book. I really enjoyed Bitten & Smitten by Michelle Rowen and didn’t miss something. But I read a few ones where I thought WTF?. Like Leontine said a good way to avoid deprivation is to mix the books up.
I totally agree with you. I don’t see the point in reading PNR if there is no smex (aka smutty sex). I started reading PNR because of it (hot and sexy vampires, demons, were-shifters and what-not..mmm) and I’m not ashamed to say it. I only read PNR books that have lots of hot, steamy, smexy action. The smexier the better. YA and any book/author that just hints at it, I avoid like the plague. Don’t toy with my emotions, let me read the smex!
I completely agree with you! I read PNR for the totally hot and steamy sex scenes and the happy endings and I’m totally okay with that!
Let’s talk about sex baby! LOL!
There is paranormal chick-lit
I would surely love that.
I since I grew up with barbara cartland I can live without the sex…well as long as they al leats kiss, i do need some kind of action
Leontine:
Such a great way to put it “tame side” of smut, I think when you are reading a light hearted Chick-lit PNR it misses some of the depth that UF or Fantasy has IMO. So I guess I need more cheap “sex” thrills
Hi Susi:
I’m going to mix it up next time I read Michelle Rowen and MJD back to back. I liked the stories, but I would probably have to reference my own post to remember what the story is. Not a bad thing, per say.
Ferishia
Your a woman after my own heart. Hence why half my bookshelf is filled with wonderful erotic romance aka smut *sigh*. If a PNR book is not going to give me some slap and tickle, then it better be a one awesome story with lots of action and characterization!
Hi Jenn
Now I have that song in my head * snaping finger, swaying my head* god bless the late 80′s early 90′s “rap”.
Hi blodeuedd
Shelly Laurenston, Kresely Cole, Gena Showalter are “top chef story masters” at combining humor and sex. Is Barbara Cartland agood author? I grew up reading Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Sandra Brown and Linda Howard my historical romance days
I’m not sure if I can “live without sex” personally and literally… but I agree if a book is well written I can handle the no sex aspect. But, if it’s a light hearted chicklit-PNR I do need a little more a-c-t-i-o-n of the sexy kind
I’m a moody reader. Sometimes I don’t want to read about sex other times I crave it. I’ve found I really enjoy reading urban fantasy which usually doesn’t have very much sex but usually has some sort of sexual tension running through the story. *shrugs* Everyone has there needs *clears throat* when they read. *g* I say to each their own! Read and let others read!!
I lurve Urban Fantasy! I’m fickle as well, sometimes I need more smut, other times I reach for my Jane Austin.