Don’t you wish there were more historical paranormal romances out there? I do. I really do. Especially Regency-set paranormal romances. There have been some excellent ones, but they generally seem few and far between. So imagine my excitement when I discovered Alix Rickloff, who started her career with Kensington Publishing penning Regency-set paranormal historical romances.
Alix’s first two books, Lost in You and Dangerous as Sin, are part of her Bligh Family Series.
From the beginning, Alix was one of those talented newbies who got phenomenal reviews, including this one for Lost in You from Booklist, the prestigious review journal of the American Library Association:
“Rickloff presents a fascinating debut filled with sensory details and a deep sense of lore.”
Her second book, Dangerous as Sin, garnered this great review from the Chicago Tribune:
“Rickloff deftly blends equal measures of danger and desire into the intriguing plot of her latest paranormal-spiced, splendidly satisfying historical Regency.”
Now, big newspapers like the Chicago Tribune only occasionally review romance novels, much less paranormal romance novels, so I’m here to tell you how impressive that is!
I love the concept behind Alix’s books, where readers are introduced to the Other—mortals bearing the blood of the Fey, and who move in a world that lies beyond the glittering balls and scandals of the Regency that its inhabitants think they know so well. How utterly cool is that? Talk about Regency with a twist!
The first book in Alix’s new trilogy, The Heirs of Kilronan, is Earl of Darkness.
This book was a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews and got this tantalizing review from Publishers Weekly:
“Secret societies, baffling documents, monstrous stalkers—Rickloff has studied the textbook thoroughly, then added more sex.”
Oh, I am SO there!
Her next book, Lord of Shadows, will be released this month.
Here’s the blurb to give you a taste:
Who is working the demon arts . . .
Was it her murdered father? Her fugitive brother? It has been seven years since Lady Sabrina Douglas cloistered herself with the Sisters of High Danu, but the questions remain. She is Other—a mixture of Fey and mortal—quietly using her powers to heal. That is, until she saves a half-drowned man, his soldier’s body a roadmap of scars, his fathomless eyes filled with heartbreaking loneliness. The inexplicable connection overwhelms her defenses, touching her heart, mind . . . and body.
. . . and to what end?
A man with no memory, Daigh MacLir seeks his past, even as unknown threats fill him with monstrous rage and inhuman abilities. But as a desperate game of hunter and hunted is played out from ballrooms to bedrooms, what Daigh discovers is more chilling than anyone could possibly imagine. Defying death was only the first step in the task he has been set, and Sabrina his last hope. But dare he risk involving her? Daigh has been summoned to find an ancient king, and even the powers of love may not be enough to win the battle against the powers of darkness.
Yep. Sounds great, doesn’t it? You know you want this book!
You can read an excerpt of Lord of Shadows on Alix’s website, plus check out her other books and her latest news as well.
To celebrate her upcoming release, Alix is giving away a copy of Lord of Shadows. Just tell me if you like your historical romance straight-up, or with a paranormal twist. One commenter will receive a copy of this awesome book!
I love historicals, any way I can get them. As I review what I have been reading lately though, I have been sticking with just the straight-up kind. I think I need a little variety and these sound like just the ones to change it up, combines my love of historicals with my love of fey. I will definitely be checking them out (hopefully even winning one 🙂
Melanie, I think you’d really enjoy Alix’s books.
While I’m not a huge paranormal fan, I do enjoy the occasional paranormal twist added and since I primarily read historicals, that goes for them as well. This sounds like an interesting combination of the two.
It’s that combo of the glittering Regency and the darker paranormal that fascinates me.
I basically read straight up historicals, LOVE them! I was told by a friend to try reading some of Lynn Kurland books to start off with. It’s a bit of a change, mainly because they have Highlanders in kilts! She knows how much I love highlanders! 😀
She’s trying to break me out of my ‘rut’. LOL!! I don’t think I’m in a rut, I love reading historical romance books! My friend wants me to spread my wings, so to speak, to read something else now and again.
LORD OF SHADOWS does sound interesting. I have to agree with you Vanessa about Regency with a twist. I won’t mind getting my hands on a copy to see for myself. I wouldn’t mind a bit if I was to ‘win’ one! 😉
LOL! I’ll keep that in mind, Dalila!
It depends in what kind of mood I’m in…I love the basical straight up historicals and enjoy that…but my love lies in the paranormal genre…so if they can mixed that up with historical…yeah, you will have me over.
Lord of Shadows sounds interesting, I’m definitely going to check that one out.
Sounds like this could be right up you alley, Natasja.
It’s usually the regular historicals for me, but if there are kilts involved, I too am always happy to try it. Haven’t been disappointed by many. These look really good.
Sheila, we all love a man in a kilt, don’t we?
Either way, really; but hey, I’m always up for a little paranormal 🙂
Me too, Chelsea!
Either way is fine by me! Of course, I’d like a little warning beforehand – hate to be startled with paranormal bits in what I thought was a straight-up historical (which I had been in the past).
I hear you. Publishers can sometimes write some pretty inexplicable blurbs or package a book in a way the author never intended. It’s frustrating.
Honestly, I will take my romances any way I can get. I vary my genres so that my stories will always stay fresh. What excites me about LORD OF THE SHADOWS is that it is a Regency-paranormal. When I think of regencies, what comes to mind is a lot of wit and charm, a lot of marriage games, the scheming matrons and the gentleman caught in the middle of the crossfire, sometimes a bit shallow. Whenever the paranormal is involved, the stories and characters are darker, as such the emotions are deeper and there is the potential for a heart-wrenching read. I am looking forward to reading this book.
Well said, Na, as usual!
I love the idea of combining my favorite time period (Regency) with fantasy or SF or paranormal elements. Some of my favorites are Mary Jo Putney’s Guardian series, Patricia Rice’s Magic series, Hannah Howell’s Wherlocke series, and Lynn Kurland’s de Piaget/MacLeod series. Will have to give Ms. Rickloff’s books a try.
Lynn
Great list!
Sorry I’m a day late to the this party, but I spent all day yesterday (and I literally mean ALL DAY!)roller-coastering with the family at an amusement park. We had a blast, but I missed being here with everyone.
I’m going to second Vanessa’s praise of this great list of regency-paranormal authors. While I’ve read some of them, there are some I will definitely have to add to my TBR pile. Thanks for the reccos!
Historical romance is my favorite genres! Though I haven’t read that many with a paranormal twist, the once I’ve read has been really good.
Mariee, the great thing about historical romance is that there is so much choice and variety within the genre.
i love historical with a bit of paranormal…though i will not knock straight up historical. I just cant help to be drawn to one with a bit of secy paranormal edge
I love it to, Lindsey!
This leaves me very excited. I had a historical paranormal that I just loved, that my then-agent shot down several years ago. Not to mention a YA historical paranormal that I’ve been researching. I’m glad the marketplace is opening up to these. They are very fun to write (not to mention read – can’t wait to read Lord of Shadows. Sounds yummy.
Kelly,
Good luck with your historical-paranormal. I heard recently that h-p is going to be the next big thing in YA. Who knew we were ahead of the curve? 🙂
While I will always have lovers of historicals, who don’t like the fantasy aspects of my books and fans of paranormals who aren’t happy with my Regency setting, I believe readers are coming around to this mash-up of genres. And that’s a good thing because my well of story ideas is deep.
I usually read historical romance but I have read a few historical-paranormal books as well. After reading about The Heirs of Kilronan series I’ll definately be reading them again soon! I loved Lost in You and Dangerous as Sin because of the way Alix developed the characters. By the end of both books I really had developed a feeling of “knowing” the characters and was captivated from the first paragraph to the last sentance of both st
I love the regular historicals but I do enjoy the occasional historical paranormal espicially those set in Scotland. I like Allie Mckay and Melissa Mayhue.
I love historicals. Period. I think I’d enjoy the book as long as it has a good story & is well written. A yummy hero & heroine helps too 🙂
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