When I saw these words written on a professional review site: “Many multi-cultural books are cliché and use a lot of slang and stereotypical behavior to make up for the lack of plot.â€
I knew I had to right this horrible misconception. My first thought? Write a blog response. But instead of a long-winded post about why romance novels with multicultural/interracial couples are NOT clichés filled with slang or stereotypical behavior, I thought I’d let the stories speak for themselves.
Below I present 13 romance smart and sexy “must-reads” for 2013.
These stories are varied and unique and come in many tempting flavors. There are werewolves and jackals, blind dates and ballplayers, bad boys with motorcycles, Japanese hotties and alpha submissives. There’s old love and new. There’s romance in placed from Trinidad to Venice. There’s scarred hearts looking for love and wounded heroes searching for redemption.
The one thing these stories all have in common is that they’re filled with a love that go far beyond color…
   
   
1. WOLF’S HAVEN (Caedmon Wolves, 1) by Ambrielle Kirk
Paranormal Romance
She learns to trust the wolf, but has yet to trust the man.
2. THE BLIND DATE by Delaney Diamond
Contemporary Romance
Now that he’s found her, he’s determined to rekindle their love. Will one night change everything…again?
3. SEDUCTION’S CANVASÂ by K.M. Jackson
Contemporary Romance
Her gaze flipped back from him to the big hunk of metal between his legs and then back up to him again. He grinned.
   
   
4. SKIN DEEPÂ by Dez Burke
Contemporary Romance
Beauty is only skin deep…so are scars.
5. LYON ON A LEASHÂ by Erosa Knowles
Contemporary Romance
Every woman should experience the love of an Alpha Submissive, at least once.
6. SEDUCING THE JACKALÂ by Seressia Glass
Steamy Paranormal Romance
When jackal shifter Markus kidnaps Isis witch Tia to heal his men, he gets much more than he bargained for.
   
   
7. CRIMSON FOOTPRINTS II: NEW BEGINNINGS by Shewanda Pugh
Contemporary Romance
Love links an unlikely pair, even as the world around them disintegrates.
8. CARNIVAL TEMPTRESSÂ by Michelle Monkou
Steamy Contemporary
Carnival Temptress, The Revelers series novella, takes you to the wonderful, sunny island of Trinidad for Carnival fun, light suspense and hot, steamy romance.
9. HER VENICE AFFAIR (The Albury Affairs series #1) by Christina OW
Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Erotica
Tired of always being the good girl, Riana takes a billionaire up on his offer to go to Venice with him for a two week affair—what could possibly go wrong?
   
   
10. SCAR by Kassanna
Paranormal Romance
For her, he would start a war.
11. FINDING DIVINEÂ by Eve Vaughn
Contemporary Romance
To Err is human, to forgive is Divine…
12. SILLY GIRLÂ by Michel Prince
Contemporary Sports Romance
Knowing he existed gave her hope. Discovering her gave him purpose.
1
3. HOLDING UP THE WORLDÂ by Shirley Hailstock
Contemporary Romance
Empty nested, Lisa Russell has plans. It’s her time and she is going to make it all about her. Then she gets the call. Surprise! Your child is waiting.
Want more great romance stories with multicultural/interracial couples? Thirteen is only a sliver of the amazing multicultural/interracial books available so check out these lists for more and fall in love all over again!
**Amazon Best Sellers in Multicultural & Interracial Romance
**All Romance eBooks Best Sellers in Multicultural & Interracial Romance
A secret prize + an ebook copy of Finding Divine by Eve Vaughn will be given away to one lucky commenter. Simply leave a comment below and let us know what multicultural/interracial romance book you’ve recently read or plan to read. The lucky commenter and prize will be announced on December 1st.
Also, don’t forget to join the Scavenger Hunt!
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Thursday 13 is a great way for you to meet other authors and readers who do Thursday 13! Check these blogs out and post a comment to say Hi!
- Coffee Time Romance & More
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- About the Author
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Lena Hart writes sensual romances with a hint of mystery and suspense. A Florida-native, Lena currently lives in the Harlem edge of New York City. When she is not writing, she’s reading, researching, or conferring with her muse.
Thanks for having me on today. I’m honored to be in the top 13 IR romances.
Great list, Lena! Thank you for including The Blind Date on it. Unfortunately, what you saw on that review site is not unique. I’ve heard similar comments regarding books that feature diversity. That’s one of the reasons why I started Romance Novels in Color, so that we could bring awareness to the many romance novels that feature people of color.
What you’ve done is one way to get the word out and let people know that “many” of these books have interesting plots and themes just like any other romance novels.
I think Seducing the Jackal should have been first on the list. You should read all of Seressia Glass’s books! But I would love to get the prize!
I Plan on Reading The Blind Date. It Sounds Like A It Will Be A Captivating Read. I Already Have It Downloaded And Ready To Read.
Thanks for sharing! Great List!
What a great list and thanks so much for including me.
I would add to the list some of my favorites , No Commitment Required by Seressia Glass and Close Encounters by Sandra Kitt, Against the Wind by Gwynne Forster, Delaney’s Desert Sheikh by Brenda Jackson, and From the Ashes by Kathleen Suzanne and Three Wishes by Seressia Glass.
Thanks for including Carnival Temptress. I grew up in the Caribbean and my world included people of all cultures, backgrounds and lots of gumbo mixtures. My stories will always include the demographic realities rather than someone’s small minded views of love and community.
Thanks everyone who’s stopped by, commented, and shared this post! This is indeed a great list of wonderful romance books with diverse characters. And as I mentioned in the post, this is just a sliver of the MANY great IR/MC books out there so please keep spreading the word!
Lena ♥
Delaney, it’s unfortunate to think that some have this misconception about IR/MC books but RNIC def helps spread the word about our subgenre and I’m happy to do my part. =)
Thank you for creating the list. As for the narrowminded reviewers, it’s obvious that they are not reading multicultural romances.
I have read Lyon on a Leash, Skin Deep, and Blind Date. I can’t wait to read all the books on the list but Wolf’s Haven, Scar, and Finding Divine are at the top of the TBR list.
Great list, Lena! And what a baseless misconception. Thanks for including Wolf’s Haven 🙂
I recently enjoyed DIRTY KISS by Rhys Ford (the first of an m/m suspense/romance series featuring a biracial detective and his Korean love interest). Rawiya’s SMOOTH LIKE LATTE is still a favorite of mine, too!
What a great list. Thanks for sharing it. =)
Great list! I have close to half of these books already and they are great!
thanks for including Her Venice Affair on your list.
Thanks for the great list. I will be adding those that I have not yet read. I think the next up on my list will be Seduction’s Canvas.
You asked: Let us know what multicultural/interracial romance book you’ve recently read?
I just finished My Daddy Is a Hero,Book 4 and SWAT Chronicles: Wicked, both by Dahlia Rose. I like them both. The stories kept me engaged to the end! I recommend them.
Belinda G
belgre at comcast dot net
Haven’t read any yet; not sure what to buy
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Congratulations Nikki! You’re the winner of the 2nd secret prize, which is a copy of BECAUSE THIS IS FOREVER and FINDING DIVINE!
I love the list, the wolf’s Haven, the blind Date,skin deep, scar, finding Divine, lyon the flesh are all books I have read the others others are a must read.
Most of these books I’ve read, I would also add S.W. Frank’s Alfonzo series because it’s diversity is awesome.