Author Blog Crawl - A Letter to Nalini Singh

Dear Nalini -

A long time ago, when Squawk Radio was still in existence, Christina Dodd began raving about a book. It was called Slave to Sensation and was about some sort of psychic woman and a werecat who loved her. This was a book that I would have passed right by if it hadn't been for Christina's strong recommendation. But when I picked it up, I discovered a magnificently realized world full of a buttoned down society of powerful psychics, the Psy,  and a passionate group of Changelings, who were affectionate, hot headed and sensual as all get out.

The Psy/Changeling series is one that I recommend over and over to new readers of paranormal romance as one of the very best out there. And the most amazing part is there has been almost no let down in the story. It's a tremendous world, filled with fascinating characters, and a terrifying impending war between factions. The tension of the war brings unlikely allies and makes for fascinating machinations, particularly by the Psy. With each book comes new developments in the pantheon of this war, and the build up has been tortuous for we the readers. But what I love most about this series is that even as the tension builds, and you propel the story forward, you never lose sight of the fact that it's a ROMANCE. The main characters always receive a satisfying, sensual story that leaves the readers with that awesome "big sigh" that we read romance for. Never once have I not bought a couple's happily ever after, which is quite a feat in a long running series like this.

Then you began the Guild Hunter series. I've said before that if the Psy/Changeling series is a symphony with multiple parts, then the Guild Hunter series is rock opera. It's dark and violent, featuring characters with powers beyond imagination: Angel-kind and those that serve them. The main couple, Raphael, an Archangel of immense power and practically older than time, and Elena, a hunter-born Guild Hunter, meaning her senses are far heightened allowing her to scent vampires, are among my favorites. Raphael is as ruthless as they come, truly thinking of humankind as "ants" but Elena shows him that humanity has value and as she loves him, she humanizes him, which is so endearing to read. These stories definitely have an urban fantasy overtone, but to me, they are still romances, featuring a strong main couple whose relationship continues to grow and evolve as each book unfolds.

So what makes you one of my favorite authors? Well, it's the heroes. Don't get me wrong, I love that you write truly kickass heroines, but your heroes are to die for. They are all single minded in their adoration of their women, and are truly alpha in nature. They offer affection, support, and a ferocity of love that appeals to me as a reader. I know when I open a Nalini Singh book that by the end the hero will be jockeying for position in my favorite heroes of all time. In fact, two of your heroes: Lucas Hunter and Hawke Snow rank in my top 10 heroes of all time.

Don't get me wrong, I love other aspects too: your worldbuilding is unsurpassed in paranormal romance. Your mastery of it complete, with no continuity issues throughout your series, which I deeply appreciate. Plus your stories are tightly written, with each scene building upon itself. And the fact that both are now long running series means we get to see past characters who we've loved, or get bits and pieces of possible future couples. They are truly satisfying books, and ones that I recommend always.

So thank you, Nalini. Thank you for the hours and hours of enjoyment I've had in reading and re-reading your books, and thank you for writing stories that I am pleased to recommend and even more excited to get positive feedback on. Your books are among my most cherished keepers, and I have a feeling they always will be.

Much love,

Kati

Thanks to Kassa for putting together this year's Author Blog Crawl.

Stop by The Book Reading Gals tomorrow for their letter!