5 Fabulously Different Romance Books You Need to Read

"Soooo much more than just a romance book!"

I had never been very adventurous in my reading habits. I liked the tried-and-true, formulaic bestseller romances. Historical Romance, Contemporary Romance, and perhaps if I was feeling really adventurous, a Paranormal Romance (and only when written by my favorite authors). 

Then I decided to write one of the books that had been bouncing around in my head for years. My employer ApogeeINVENT was doing some market research on an author marketing system, and I thought, what better way to learn about the market than to become an Indie author myself?

Initially, the story I wanted to tell was going to be a historical romance. But I couldn't find just the right time period to fit the story I wanted to tell - a story of an assassin and a free-spirited upper-class girl both trying to find where they belong. I decided to create my own world for my two heroes, and the dystopian world of Alba was born in my first book, Reaper.

I started reading other indie author's books. Books of all genres. I still found that romance is my passion, and the books I enjoy reading most all had romance. But they were MORE than just romance. I was thrilled when one blogger reviewed my book as being more than just romance: 
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"Yes this is a romance story but there is SOOOO much more to it ... the storyline/plot is beyond words. I loved this book and if you are looking to go outside the norm for a romance novel this would be one to try with."  Wicked Babes Reviews

5 Romance Books That are SO MUCH MORE

If you're stuck in a reading rut like I was, I've created a list of the 5 most fabulous romance books that are different from the norm. These books are mostly by Indie authors, although they are bestselling and phenomenal. If you've read them, or give them a try, please come back and tell me what you think!​

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The Sun Witch by Linda Winstead Jones

This is a fantasy romance. I love so many things about this series (the Moon Witch, the second book, is my favorite). You don't have to read them in order, as each book is standalone, but this is the first. 

The characters are amazing. Every character has so much depth and personality. I at times find myself feeling sorry for the villains, and hoping they can be rehabilitated. The romance is so moving and real. And the world that Linda has created is phenomenal, every details carefully thought out and it is so easy to imagine being there, right beside the characters as they battle or laugh or suffer. The world has witches and demons and soldiers and emperors, and even dragons although they don't play a big role in these books. But it is all done so masterfully that you feel like the world is not that unlike our world. It reads like a romance with a side of fantasy, and I love, love, LOVE LWJ's books. Give her books a try, I know you'll love them as much as I do!

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The Beautiful Dead by Daryl Banner

I believe we call this a post-apocalyptic romance, but there is a lot of mystery surrounding how the "beautiful dead" came to be, and where even they are. Regardless of the exact genre, this book is amazing. It is the first in a series, although it can read as a standalone. What I love most about this book: The unique concept, and the HUMOR! For such a dark topic, I laughed out loud more in this book than most!

Daryl creates great characters, and weaves a completely mystical and amazing world of the dead that somehow are still "living" in a Second Life. Winter, our heroine, tries to figure out how she fits into this strange new world of dead, living, and the horrors beyond. Her fleeting memories of her "first life" drive her do crazy things, all while she's hiding, and falling for, a man with a heartbeat.

I could rave on and on about this book, but just TRY IT yourself.  Then tell me what you think! 

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Gladiator by Anna Hackett

Gladiator is an Alien Sci Fi Romance. Ok, I know how that sounds. But you don't even think about the fact that these gorgeous gladiators are from another planet. There are a lot of great fight scenes, steamy romance, and exciting plots that keep you distracted from the whole alien thing.

I've always loved the romance of Ancient Rome and the Gladiators fighting in the arena. If you like strong warrior heroes and spunky heroines (who were scientists kidnapped from an earth space station) you will love this series as much as I did. Anna weaves an amazing inter-galactic world full of amazing tech and interesting species, while still telling a great romance between Harper and Raiden.

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Zinnia by Jayne Castle

This is a very old book. I read this as a young adult (probably one of the books I hid under my mattress because it was dirty word porn). Jayne Ann Krentz (writing as Jayne Castle) has written dozens of great Paranormal romance books since Zinnia, but this has always been one of my favorites.

In a time when people have colonized a new planet and begun developing physic abilities, Jayne writes an exciting story about a dangerous casino owner, a psychic consultant, murder mystery, and psychic vampires. Her characters are phenomenal, the romance steamy, and the mystery compelling. There is a reason she's been a bestselling romance novelist since the '80's! Grab this book if you haven't read it before, you won't regret it. Now excuse me, I want to get my copy and re-read it!

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Dragonstone Dance by Laura Winstead Jones

Yes, another LWJ book. What can I say, she's a fav of mine. Dragonstone Dance takes place in the same world as her other Fantasy Romance books (Columbyana), but this one has a new element that I avoided like the plague for years: Shape-shifting romance.

This always seemed a little too outside of the norm for me, but since I love LWJ and the world she created, I gave this one a try. I was not disappointed! A man that turns into a dragon and a demon princess? Yes, please. I love how Linara is bad, but the fierce dragon she's sworn to kill brings out the good her adoptive parents had taught her as a child. Another exciting adventure and beautiful romance by Laura. And the shape-shifting was not nearly as weird as I thought it might be.

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I could go on, but I'll stop at 5 for today. Now I want to know what your favorite, out-of-the ordinary romance reads are! If you've read a great book that has romance but so much more, I want to know! Tell me about it in the comments and I might read it myself and add it to my list. 

​And if you do try one of these, I want to know what you think!