Book picks similar to
The Opal Blade: A Dark Urban Fantasy Romance by Kristy Nicolle
fantasy
urban-fantasy
romance
gr-recomends
Undertow
Michael Buckley - 2015
The world’s initial wonder and awe over the Alpha quickly turns ugly and paranoid and violent, and Lyric’s small town transforms into a military zone with humans on one side and Alpha on the other. When Lyric is recruited to help the crown prince, a boy named Fathom, assimilate, she begins to fall for him. But their love is a dangerous one, and there are forces on both sides working to keep them apart. Only, what if the Alpha are not actually the enemy? What if they are in fact humanity’s only hope of survival? Because the real enemy is coming. And it’s more terrifying than anything the world has ever seen.Action, suspense, and romance whirlpool dangerously in this cinematic saga, a blend of District 9 and The Outsiders.
Fledgling
Katrina Cope - 2015
Each day, unknown forces are taking over the human race. Evil is growing stronger, and innocence is the victim. If not stopped, the future of humankind is bleak. With current protection angels being stretched past their limits, a new wave of protection is being developed. A new breed of angel is being trained to fight. Fledgling is one of them. She did not ask for this life. After living three short lives as a human, she was chosen. With a mind of an eighteen-year-old, she struggles to adapt to her new life surrounded by angelic rules. All contact with her past life is ruled prohibited, and romance outlawed. Yet she still finds herself torn between her kind-hearted trainee friend, who has gorgeous blue wings with matching eyes, and the love of her human lives. Her human love is on the verge of either joining the angels or becoming lost to her forever. She is forbidden to intervene.Despite her qualms, she is passionate about saving the innocent. Will she be able to place aside her struggles in order to fulfil her passion and new life, or will she become exiled from succumbing to her temptations?
Lucifer's Bride
Skye Wilson - 2021
It’s a tale as old as time itself.Boy meets girl.Boy loses girl.Girl meets devilishly charming bastard who tempts her with everything she’s ever dreamed of—and the Devil doesn’t make promises he can’t keep.You see, darling, that boy never deserved you to begin with.You, my treasure, you deserved the entire world laid out at your dainty little feet—and so much more.No ungrateful, simple-minded boy could ever give you that.But I could.I will.My Evie. My eternal love. Only creature on God’s green earth, Heaven above it or even Hell below, who could ever stir the flames of desire into my my cold, sinner’s heart.I stole you from that pathetic moron you were calling a fiancé again, it’s true.But after the way he messed you over—frankly, this time, it was like he was asking for it.You were never really his, love. He might have put his ring on your finger, but he never owned your body. Your heart. Your mind.Your soul.No matter where you are, what you look like, the name you wear, or the color of that fire dancing in your eyes, you’re mine. Always mine.You’ve been mine before, more times than you’ll ever remember.You’ve been torn away from me more times than you’ll ever know.Now that you’re finally mine again, here’s a new promise for you:This time, it’s forever.I have an army of the damned at my beck and call, more gold to my name than even kings can fathom, the powers of a fallen angel at my fingertips and the command of the Inferno itself in the palm of my hand.Never fear, love. I’ll protect you. I’ll keep you safe.Whether you want it or not.And this time, if anyone dares to try and take you away from me again…This time, there’ll be hell to pay.
Flushed: A funny short story
Svingen and Pedersen - 2018
What’s the man to do? Leave the bathroom and say nothing on the matter? Or, take matters into his own hands?THE MEANTIME STORIES is a funny short read series that draws inspiration from Terry Pratchett, Monty Python, and Douglas Adams, all combined with a twist of Nordic Noir (human folly, abrupt and plentiful deaths, snappy dialogue, quirky deep thoughts, and absurd outcomes). It’s glittering darkness, and clouded light.Each story is a stand-alone, ready to be enjoyed when you yearn for 30 minutes of wacky, brainy, and laugh-out-loud entertainment. Longing for surprises, unexpected twists, and silliness with an edge? Look no further, because in the Meantime, anything can happen!
Fireflies
Melissa Koberlein - 2013
Things change when a close encounter of the third kind leaves a glowing mark on her shoulder, and a new boy shows up at school. A peculiar green glimmering in his eyes reminds her of fireflies, both captivating and scaring her right out of her boots. When he reveals that he's a host for alien symbiotes, it sends her running in the opposite direction…that is, until he catches her.Meanwhile…Will is entering yet another school midyear. He has all his usual problems: acclimate to a new school, deal with his assigned FBI agent, track a compatible human, all the while appearing the normal teenage boy. He can’t believe his luck when his search leads him to Marley, a girl more agile in the woods than in a mall. He reminds himself that he can’t let what happened to his last assignment happen in Pine Grove, not to her…
Eternal Bond and Brimstone
J.N. Colon - 2019
Wicked. Romantic.I’m Lena Raven, and I have a secret. A demon killed me. And an angel brought me back to life. But it wasn’t without consequences…I had a normal existence until my dad decided to uproot us and move to Podunk town, USA, population: one thousand. I expected to be bored to tears. What I didn’t expect was my shmexy neighbor or the supernatural freak show unfolding in Mystic Hollow.The name should have tipped me off, right?Jayson Casteel is infuriating, arrogant, and bossy. It wasn’t love at first sight. I can’t stand him. And I’m determined to find out what he’s hiding.Too bad that curiosity got me killed. Now Hell is coming for me, and Jayson is my only chance of escaping a destiny of fire and brimstone.But he’ll have to face a powerful demon and an ancient fallen angel to save my soul.
Witch Avenue Series
Karice Bolton - 2013
Every avenue has its secrets...Devastated by the loss of her mother, Triss throws herself into uncovering clues surrounding her mother's disappearance. When the Witch Avenue Coven turns their backs on Triss, she realizes she's caught in a world that is ruled by Lonely Souls. But who is controlling them?Recognizing the herbal lore she grew up learning will do little to fight against the underworld, she is relieved when her best friend from childhood, Logan, returns to help her find answers. When they begin uncovering secrets from her family's past, she learns her mother might not have been the only target.But as Triss falls deeply for Logan, she discovers her family isn't the only one with secrets and his may be deadly.Altered Souls (Witch Avenue #2)The realm of Altered Souls brings nothing but unrest, deceit, and pain forcing Triss to come face to face with heartbreak from her past.Facing a betrayal like never before, Triss questions everything she thought she knew about her family, coven, and abilities.With the help of Logan, she embarks on a journey enabling her to confront the dark side of magic and the person who controls it. Realizing Triss's ancestors have been seduced for centuries by the dark side, Triss and Logan must ensure no more in their world fall victim to the realm of Altered Souls, even if that means ending the ones they love.Released Souls (Witch Avenue Series #3)Triss and Logan's love is becoming stronger by the day as they harness the powers between them, but will that make them blind to the evil they're facing?After uncovering startling information about her family, Triss is determined to right the wrongs of her ancestors. Triss and Logan uncover who has infiltrated the covens across the globe, and they realize the plans of the dark side are far more sinister than they'd ever imagined.As the power of this hidden world is exposed, Triss learns her role in the covens. With Logan, Dace and Bakula's assistance, Triss is now able to fully realize the abilities her ancestors have given her.It won't be long until the dark forces regain their strength, especially as their leader, Eben, continues his quest for a power that can never be revoked. Triss must stop him before it is too late.Shattered Souls (Witch Avenue Series #4)The final installment of the Witch Avenue Series.A battle is brewing among the covens...As Triss prepares to defeat the Praedivinus, a new order rises, and this one is far more deadly. Navigating her way through mystic realms, and unknown portals it is up to Triss to recognize real from imagined and stop the two from colliding.
The Midnight Sea
Kat Ross - 2016
A girl of the isolated Four-Legs Clan, all she knows about the King's elite Water Dogs is that they leash wicked creatures called daevas to protect the empire from the Undead. But when scouts arrive to recruit young people with the gift, she leaps at the chance to join their ranks. To hunt the monsters that killed her sister.Scarred by grief, she's willing to pay any price, even if it requires linking with a daeva named Darius. Human in body, he's possessed of a terrifying power, one that Nazafareen controls. But the golden cuffs that join them have an unwanted side effect. Each experiences the other's emotions, and human and daeva start to grow dangerously close.As they pursue a deadly foe across the arid waste of the Great Salt Plain to the glittering capital of Persepolae, unearthing the secrets of Darius's past along the way, Nazafareen is forced to question his slavery—and her own loyalty to the empire. But with an ancient evil stirring in the north, and a young conqueror sweeping in from the west, the fate of an entire civilization may be at stake…
Shadow Witch Rising
Colleen Vanderlinden - 2015
When Sophie Turner finally returns home to the sleepy tourist town of Copper Falls, she imagines the kind of life she’d always dreamed of: calm, quiet, and peaceful. After years of having her steps haunted by a powerful and devious stalker, she is now living on land settled by her ancestors. She can feel the magic in her blood responding, and she feels like she finally has the chance to build a life. Until he comes along. All of her dreams of peace and calm come tumbling down the second Calder Turcotte enters Sophie’s life. The danger he brings threatens everything she’s worked for, everything she’s tried to build for herself. He gives Sophie an ultimatum: break the curse her ancestor set on his family, or lose the very land that’s allowing her to heal. And as much as she despises him, as much as she fears him, she’s equally drawn to his icy gaze, his strength. Helping him is the right thing to do. She never would have guessed how much she’d end up losing to save him.
Magic
Bobby Brimmer - 2012
So when the government forms its latest paranormal investigations team, they want his ninja skills on the payroll. His first case turns out to be much bigger than anyone realizes. Magical forces are gathering in DC and it's up to Bruce and his team to stand in their way.
Exiled
RaShelle Workman - 2011
DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER. ONLY LOVE WILL SAVE THEM.Venus isn't from Earth, she's from Kelari. On her planet she's next in line to rule, but there are those who will go to great lengths to make sure that doesn't happen. Including frame her as a traitor.Accused and sentenced, the gods of her planet exile her to Earth. They've given her one week to help a human find his true love. If she doesn't succeed, she'll die, but if she does she might lose her heart.
Praise for this series:
"Michael and Venus have probably been the best pairing/couple that I've read about this year! GO READ THIS BOOK! You will love it. Seriously." Nancy, reviewer Tumbling Books"Writing that moves readers to ponder their hearts is good writing, and that's what readers will find with Workman. Her protagonist is strong willed, her antagonist is easy to hate, and her mentor is easy to love." Kathleen Brebes"What a ride!" Taffy Lovell
Books in the Immortal Essence Series:
EXILEDBANISHEDDISPLACEDBEGUILEDTEMPTEDMERGEDUNITED
Blood's Pride
Evie Manieri - 2012
They forced the once-peaceful fisher folk into slavery and forged an alliance with their former trading partners, the desert-dwelling Nomas tribe, cutting off any hope of salvation.Now, two decades after the invasion, a rebellion gathers strength in the dark corridors of the city. A small faction of Shadari have hired the Mongrel, an infamous mercenary, to aid their fledgling uprising—but with her own shadowy ties to the region, she is a frighteningly volatile ally. Has she really come to lead a revolution, or for a more sinister purpose all her own?Set in a fictional quasi-Medieval Mediterranean region with a strong cast of male and female characters, the series "presents a striking world with civilizations similar to those of the Vikings and the nomadic cultures of the Middle East, and with the Mediterranean sensibilities of the ancient Greeks. Her characters are passionate and memorable, lending a personal touch to a complex tale of clashing cultures and philosophies. Fans of Sharon Shinn, Elspeth Cooper, and Gail Z. Martin should enjoy Manieri's approach to culture and drama." (Library Journal, starred review)
Mortal Secrets
Isa Medina - 2021
Occupation? Demon vermin hunter. Status in the human magic community? Rock bottom, basement level. And for a half-angel, that’s quite a feat.I don’t mind it—the less anyone pays me any attention, the better. Because if anyone in the mortal, angelic, or demonic realms learns I’m the reincarnation of the Red Angel, an ancient weapon that can end immortal lives, I’ll be the hunted instead of doing the hunting.So, when rumors about my existence begin to circulate, I must cover up my tracks, no matter what.Unfortunately, when you’re already scraping the bottom of the barrel, the only help you find is the one you probably don’t want. Like the magical black market, where backstabbing is more of a competitive sport than a hobby, or the infuriating nightmare that’s the angel Zel.But we don’t talk about him. Because murder is illegal, and I might just strangle him.Delve into the action-packed Urban Fantasy world of the Realms, featuring a down-on-her-luck, determined heroine, angels, demons, mayhem, and a slow-burn romance.Perfect for fans of Annette Marie, Helen Harper, Linsey Hall, K.F. Breene, and Ilona Andrews.
The City's Son
Tom Pollock - 2012
What she finds is Urchin, the ragged and cocky crown prince of London’s mystical underworld. Urchin opens Beth’s eyes to the city she’s never truly seen-where vast spiders crawl telephone wires seeking voices to steal, railwraiths escape their tethers, and statues conceal an ancient priesthood robed in bronze.But it all teeters on the brink of destruction. Amid rumors that Urchin’s goddess mother will soon return from her 15-year exile, Reach, a malign god of urban decay, wants the young prince dead. Helping Urchin raise an alleyway army to reclaim his skyscraper throne, Beth soon forgets her old life. But when her best friend is captured, Beth must choose between this wondrous existence and the life she left behind.
The Beautiful
Renée Ahdieh - 2019
But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans provides her a refuge after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent along with six other girls, Celine quickly becomes enamored with the vibrant city from the music to the food to the soirées and—especially—to the danger. She soon becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's leader, the enigmatic Sébastien Saint Germain. When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in the lair of La Cour des Lions, Celine battles her attraction to him and suspicions about Sébastien's guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.When more bodies are discovered, each crime more gruesome than the last, Celine and New Orleans become gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose—one Celine is sure has set her in his sights . . . and who may even be the young man who has stolen her heart. As the murders continue to go unsolved, Celine takes matters into her own hands and soon uncovers something even more shocking: an age-old feud from the darkest creatures of the underworld reveals a truth about Celine she always suspected simmered just beneath the surface.At once a sultry romance and a thrilling murder mystery, master storyteller Renée Ahdieh embarks on her most potent fantasy series yet: The Beautiful.