How to Tell If a Romance Is Paranormal

A bit of background. Twice a year, one of our local libraries has a huge book sale. Last sale, they had a new section for Paranormal Romance. I was asked to help the people who sort book donations to tell the difference between a Paranormal Romance book and a standard Romance.

I sent the following advice. (Pulled Authors are authors to be pulled out from the regular books and featured.) :

“Tips on distinguishing Paranormal Romance (PNR) from Romance/Fantasy/Sci-Fi

    Take a closer look and read the blurb:

• If there’s a wolf or a pentagram on the cover. Or a bear. Usually in one corner.

• If the word Witch, Mate, Moon, or Undead is in the title.

• If there’s a shirtless chest and the book involves Vampires, Witches, Werewolves, or Time Travel. Same if there’s a heaving bosom, although that’s been less common since about 1986.

• If there’s a shirtless chest and the title has a bad pun about Time. Including “About Time”.

• If the title contains a bad pun involving the word “witch”. Dad jokes are a staple of Paranormal Romance titles.

• If anybody has fangs. Especially if there’s a shirtless chest.

• If the hero is blue. Or possibly green. Or has his tentacles on a woman. (Shirtless chest optional).

• Triple points if there’s a shirtless chest, a wolf in one corner, and the title contains the word “Mate”.

Some Publishers:

• Avon

• Harlequin

• Changeling Press

• Obsidian

• Lovespell

• Evernight

Major PNR Authors include: (pulled authors have * by their names)

• Lara Adrian

• G. A. Aiken

• Ilona Andrews

• Kelley Armstrong*

• Keri Arthur*

• Jennifer Ashley

• Michelle Bardsley

• Anya Bast

• Annette Blair

• Patricia Briggs*

• P. C. Cast*

• Kresley Cole

• MaryJanice Davidson*

• Christine Feehan*

• Jeanine Frost

• Yasmine Galenorn

• Laurell K. Hamilton *

• Charlaine Harris (not Aurora Teagarden)*

• Thea Harrison*

• Kim Harrison*

• Larissa Ione

• Julie Kagawa

• Sherrilyn Kenyon*

• Jayne Ann Krentz*

• Shelley Laurenston

• Lora Leigh

• Marjorie M. Liu

• Katie MacAllister

• Richelle Mead

• Karen Marie Moning*

• Amanda Quick

• Lynsay Sands* (keep in mind that Sands also has standard romance books. Check the blurb.)

• Gena Showalter

• Naline Singh

• Kerrelyn Sparks

• Carrie Vaughn

• J. R. Ward*

Before the sale starts, I’ll stop by and double check the Romance section for any you may have missed. If you have any questions, drop me an email.

Yours Truly…”