6 Best Paranormal Romance Books To Pick Up [March 2023]

The best paranormal romance from Next Chapter [June 2022]

Paranormal romance is a subgenre of romance literature that incorporates supernatural elements into the story. This can include vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and other paranormal beings. The genre exploded in popularity in the early 2000s with the publication of books like "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer and "The Vampire Diaries" by L.J. Smith. Since then, paranormal romance has become a staple of the romance genre, attracting readers of all ages.

One of the defining features of paranormal romance is the emphasis on the supernatural. While the love story between the two main characters is still the primary focus, the paranormal elements often play a crucial role in the plot. This can create unique challenges for the protagonists, as they navigate relationships with beings who may have different powers, abilities, or even lifespans than they do.

Paranormal romance has also been praised for its ability to explore themes like identity, otherness, and the search for belonging. By using supernatural beings as protagonists, authors can examine what it means to be human and how we relate to those who are different from us. Ultimately, paranormal romance offers readers a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure that can transport them to other worlds and keep them turning the pages.

Below, we’ve collected some of our best paranormal romance releases, all available from major booksellers in eBook, paperback and hardcover (and some in audio as well). Some of the books on this page come with some steam, so please keep that in mind before delving in!

If you enjoy one of the books on this page, please don’t forget to leave the author a review :) Don’t agree with our choices? Please leave a comment and let us know which book is your favorite in the paranormal romance genre.

Books featured on this page

• Devilfire (American Hauntings Book 1) by Simone Beaudelaire

• Knowledge Protects (The Nememiah Chronicles Book 5) by D.S. Williams

• Salvation's Kiss (Tales Of Mython Book 1) by Kathryn Jayne

• Dream Angel (The Angel Series Book 1) by Jo Wilde

• Wolf Of The Past (Spirit Of The Wolf Book 1) by A.D. McLain

• The Ka by Mary Deal

Devilfire (American Hauntings Book 1) by Simone Beaudelaire

Book excerpt

“Are you sure about this?” Annabelle demanded. She set a teacup on its saucer before placing it on the table of a small parlor in the Fort Worth boarding house where she'd been living.

Gavin turned from regarding the dusty cityscape outside the window and focused on his bride, still clad in a blue gingham dress she'd borrowed from her landlady. He sighed. “Yes, Annabelle. I'm sure. Every town needs doctors. I can't see you being happy in a place that's treated you so shabbily. That means it's time for us to consider moving on.”

“Being treated badly is normal for me,” she reminded him darkly.

Gavin trailed his fingers along a wisp of blonde hair that had escaped her tidy chignon. She shivered. “That won't happen anymore,” he vowed.

Annabelle laughed bitterly. “Just because I'm a married lady doesn't mean I'm respectable, Gavin. Remember, no matter where we go, people will fear me because I'm different. I can't hide it, so I can't ever be truly accepted.”

“I hope, in time, we can find folks who won't be so narrow-minded. Maybe in San Antonio.” He paused, recalling what he knew about the city.

“What brought about the idea of San Antonio?” Annabelle demanded. “That's so far from here.”

Outside, a heavy wagon rumbled past, stirring up a choking cloud. Several cattle followed in its wake, mooing piteously. Poor beasts. They're not long for this world, and it almost seems as though they know it. Gavin scowled, realizing the thought was not his own.

That's enough of that, Mother, he thought back at the voice. After everything I've seen, a few cows can't stir me to sympathy.

The nagging voice fell silent.

He set his own tepid tea aside. It's too hot for tea. A glass of cool water would have been much more welcome in this blowing dust, not that there's any available. Annabelle's 'boarding house' doesn't have much to recommend it, given how it lies along the cattle trail. Even the water we drank at dinner last night was choked with dust.

Gavin watched as more steers meandered by, goaded by cowboys who shouted in Spanish, despite more than half of them being black.

Mind your wife's question, his mother reminded him.

“Sorry,” he said to Annabelle, “didn't mean to ignore you. It stands to reason that, since San Antonio is bigger than Fort Worth, we're more likely to find friendly folks there. Small towns aren't too fond of outsiders, as you know.”

“But Dallas is even bigger,” Annabelle protested, “and it's right next door.”

“Yes, but San Antonio is older,” Gavin reminded her, “much older. It's far more likely to have souls in need of your help there. Oh, that reminds me, how's your Spanish?”

“Passable,” she admitted. “Catholic churches attract everyone after all.” Her expression turned pensive. “You have a point, but won't you miss your practice in Wichita Falls? Hadn't you established yourself in the town?”

He shook his head. “It's a decent enough town, but nothing special, and since my wife…” the word elicited a grin. How I like saying that. “Since my wife has run afoul of the town busybody, and since it's so small and so new, there's not much for me to do, and for you, almost nothing. They can make do without us both. I say, let's follow your career, since mine can go anywhere.”

“What an odd man you are, Gavin,” she said. “Who moves to further his wife's career?”

He shrugged. “I married you, didn't I? What further proof do you need? Of course, I'm 'odd'.”

She grinned at last. The movement crinkled the suntanned skin around her eyes and set the green irises sparkling. “I hope you don't regret it.”

“Not likely,” he said.

In the background, he could feel his mother beaming. I'm so proud of you, son.

Knowledge Protects (The Nememiah Chronicles Book 5) by D.S. Williams

Book excerpt

My thoughts were far away as I toiled, the sketchpad resting against my bent knee and the charcoal moving steadily over the paper, despite my lack of attentiveness. The weather was glorious, azure blue skies and brilliant sunshine, yet I remained stuck inside, in a villa which was rapidly becoming a prison.

I’d cautiously requested permission from Archangelo to leave the villa five days ago, wanting only to venture as far as the grounds, to sit in the manicured gardens I could see beneath the windows. His response had been a resounding refusal. Feeling in good health, I’d disagreed, arguing that some fresh air and exercise would be good for me.

Archangelo’s reaction had been explosive, his temper erupting into a furious tirade because I’d questioned him. His outburst was terrifying, and I’d been left quaking in fear, unable to meet his eyes before he’d slammed through the villa door, tearing it from the hinges.

He’d returned a few hours later, deeply repentant. He blamed his fury on the pressure he was under, caused by the preparations for the final assault on Zaen. Holding me close, he kissed me repeatedly, whispering his apologies and begging my understanding. To keep the peace, I had offered him forgiveness, but I remained deeply troubled by his temper. Had he always been this volatile? Not for the first time, I questioned why I’d allowed myself to be bonded to him. If I was honest, I had no answers, couldn’t understand what I had found attractive in this man.

Sighing heavily, I turned my attention back to the sketchpad and gazed, wide-eyed at what I’d drawn.

I’d sketched a man – and I had no idea who he might be.

I traced over the face repeatedly with my eyes, trying to place him, where I might have met him. He was incredibly handsome, with intense black eyes and a well-defined jaw. I’d drawn a hint of dimples in his cheeks, and the muscle in his neck and jaw had been sharply defined with a few deft strokes of the charcoal. He seemed immensely powerful; potent and sensual and my eyes wandered across the lips I’d drawn. They were full lips, carnally seductive and I trembled when I imagined touching them with my own.

Startled by such an intense physical reaction, I dropped the sketchpad and stood up abruptly, stepping over to the window to gaze outside while I gathered my thoughts.

Was he someone I’d met? Did I know him in the past? He didn’t look as if he were Fae. He seemed to be human, although there was something rugged and wild about him, an almost animal-like slant to his eyes.

“You do know him.”

Salvation's Kiss (Tales Of Mython Book 1) by Kathryn Jayne

Book excerpt

Cryptobiology class had a scarce attendance on a Wednesday. Such was often the case, as many of the students optioning this as part of their studies found this was the only class of the day, and often just borrowed the dictations from someone in attendance. Many took this class to fill out a resume aimed towards research and development rather than a medical career.

Everybody knew vampires made the best surgeons, due to their aptitude for the body’s systems, being able to anticipate the chance of bleeds and complications, and their speed. It was for this reason the profession was being dominated by them. Whereas shifters and their sensitive noses were able to find trace changes in body chemicals and the scents accompanying ailments, which made them perfect doctors, able to find illnesses in their patients often before symptoms were shown.

That was not to say non-preternaturals couldn’t make the grade, but the employment records favoured those able to execute their role to perfection, and it was no secret that most preternaturals had an extended life and thus amassed more knowledge and skills during the course of their service. Of course, many who would go on to this profession tended to be privately educated in leading-edge medical academies, meaning most academies, while offering the course, found its students took it out of necessity since it was offered as an extra-credit course, which was favoured alongside the R&D Degree.

After an accident involving some over-enthusiastic chemistry students, the science wing had been closed, and the temporary classroom assignment saw them shifting from the front-facing science benches to standard desks. The seats and tables traced the room, creating a U-shape, with the digital board on the remaining wall. This was a classroom geared more towards participation than study, but it had been the only one available for their continual use.

Cryptobiology was taught by Adele. This sandy-haired woman was once rumoured to have worked in one of the leading scientific research facilities in all of Mython. Her hair was always tied back in a no-nonsense ponytail, complete with perfect ringlet at its tip, and whilst looking upon her conjured images of a strict school mistress, she was actually a rather soft-spoken, warm-hearted mentor to anyone who had the desire to learn.

Adele currently possessed a distinctive gait due to the recent upgrade of her cybernetic leg. The clipping of her heels was audible down the tile-paved corridor, instilling a ready silence within the class. Cryptobiology was one of the more popular topics for students hoping to be adopted by one of the top research and development companies that could be found on the outskirts of Overton. Since the revelation that preternatural beings existed, the frontier of science had changed, becoming barely recognisable, and everyone wanted to possess the upper edge.

Dream Angel (The Angel Series Book 1) by Jo Wilde

Book excerpt

The next morning started as a typical blistering day. West Texas was hot, but this place had Texas beat by a long shot. Then there were the insects. Folks talked about Texas mosquitoes, well, they ain’t been to Louisiana. These suckers here were gang bangers.

Sara left early for work. The missing uniform that once hung over the chair gave me a good indication she’d left for work. I didn’t hear the car’s engine roar over the hum of bugsville this morning. I presumed she hitched a ride with her new beau since our car was inoperable. I, the insignificant child, had to walk.

I didn’t want to leave my security blanket, but I had to face my pathetic life. I felt like I’d joined the dead. Still, I huffed out an infuriating sigh, I had to find a job.

I dragged my feet to the shower and then dressed for the day. I picked out something light, a white cotton top and a pair of navy blue cocktail shorts and to go with the ensemble, I snatched up a pair of strappy wedges out of Sara’s luggage. Most of her shoes were spiked. Since I was flat-footed, I figured strappy wedges would be a better choice.

The main drag was literally around the block. The town was exactly what I’d expected, run down and empty. I never got why Sara preferred the dreary, small towns, only a short stick from a ghost town, precisely like this one. I preferred the hustle and bustle of city life. Bus lines to travel, art museums to visit, and people to meet. A wave of sadness brushed over me. I knew my hopes of having a real-life might be a dream jammed in a pipe. Still, I hung on tight to my hope.

Wolf Of The Past (Spirit Of The Wolf Book 1) by A.D. McLain

Book excerpt

David unlocked and opened the large gate. It creaked noisily as the hinges protested many years of disuse. He’d hoped he wouldn’t have to come back here, and for years, that wish had been granted. Ever since those first couple of months after the plane crash, he’d stayed away.

He walked up to the front doors of the house and paused, remembering the first time he saw them. They’d seemed even larger to the young boy he’d been back then and this place had intimidated him. He was a lot older now, but he was surprised to realize it still intimidated him. So much was expected of him here. He couldn’t hide from his potential. He couldn’t hide from other people. After a while, he hadn’t minded so much, but all that changed when Richard died. David had fallen into the same old patterns, leaving everything he knew, again. He’d stayed away from everyone and everything. It was a lonely but safe existence.

Now, he was out of hiding and had to face the world again. Damn Richard. Even from beyond the grave, he was forcing David to face his demons. What if he didn’t want to face them? What if he liked them just fine where they were – hidden? Unfortunately, it looked as if it didn’t matter what he wanted, he wasn’t going to get it. He might as well get things over with.

David pushed open the large door with a sigh. The creaking sound it made echoed through the empty rooms. Dim, early morning light shone through the curtains and the open door, illuminating the otherwise darkened room. There was dust everywhere, even though he’d hired people to come in and clean the place a couple of times each year. It was nothing like it had been, Richard and Caroline had kept the place spotless most of the time. What would Richard think if he could see it now?

The Ka by Mary Deal

Book excerpt

A young boy strolled along the road at the periphery of the camp. He rang a bell that called the Islamic faithful to morning prayers in an area set up for the purpose lower down the hill. “Good morning,” he said, yelling up to her and waving.

Chione waved in return, curiously surprised that a young Egyptian child's mannerisms could seem so western. Something about him was gregarious and cute. He disappeared beyond the large airtight mud-brick shack that had been erected for the electronic equipment. She saw him again as he entered a portable toilet. It was also curious that he took such liberties using their facility.

Dr. Withers referred to the mud brick structure as the tech shack. He had paid a fortune to have a single phone line stretched from the small Theban village down on the flats to the south. The ancient village had sprung back to life due to the hundreds of Egyptian workers and families helping to restore various dig sites. Some of the line simply lay stretched across the rocky dunes. It was hoped no mangy jackals, starving dogs, or other animals might chew the line and knock out phone and fax capability at the CIA site. However, the FAX line transmitted only intermittently, if you had patience to keep trying. The single telephone might be used for emergencies since the connection was nearly nonexistent. The tech shack would also house the developing of film on site and save valuable monies and time wasted on outside film developing when still shots were immediately needed. Ginny McLain's cameras would electronically capture most of what they needed to document during their entire stay, no matter how long it took. The tech shack housed its own generator solely for the purposes of keeping her equipment charged and keeping the FAX machine running. Cellular phones were stored there as well, the team having learned that connections in the desert, and inside a tomb, to be non-existent.

There we have it: the best paranormal romance books from Next Chapter in 03/2023. We hope you enjoy the books on this page - and if you do, please leave a comment below, or a review in Goodreads or your favorite store. We’d love to hear from you!