Guest post written by Charming Devil author Rebecca F. Kenney
Rebecca Kenney writes spicy fantasy romance about sassy, strong women and hot guys with tragic backstories… pirates, warlords, demons, Fae, and royals. Her main series is the “Wicked Darlings” series (spicy Fae retellings of the Nutcracker, Wonderland, and Oz), the “Dark Rulers” series (standalone in a shared world), and the “For the Love of the Villain” series of gender-bent fairytales. Other books include a post-apocalyptic vampire romance trilogy (“The Vampires Will Save You”), a demon romance “Interior Design for Demons,” a dark mermaid fantasy duet, and other spicy retellings.
About Charming Devil: He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen…and the most dangerous. Eternally young and full of a brilliant passion that may ultimately be the end of me: my perfect Dorian Gray.
I’ve been crafting stories since I was a kid, and in 2018 I set out to make my author dreams come true! Now I’m traditionally published with Sourcebooks Casablanca and also a best-selling self-published author of multiple book series in the fantasy romance genre. I especially love writing spicy retellings with fun, unexpected twists or genderbent characters. I love sassy female characters and dark, broody guys with sad backstories. I’m excited about my newest release, Charming Devil, which is a retelling of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” with two queer leads, Southern gothic vibes, and a modern twist on Celtic myths and monsters.
As a mood reader, I recognize that sometimes you need just the right book to hit the spot. Here’s my list of book recs based on the vibe you’re looking for.
You need to be horrified… and horny…
Since I write so much, I often have a very short attention span when reading, just because I can’t DO WORDS anymore, you know? Meg Smitherman’s spicy sci-fi horror novella Thrum hit the spot for me. I loved it so much that I begged to be on her ARC team for Swallowed, another horror novella, and I was thrilled with that book as well. It’s got vibes from Stargate and the movie Annihilation, plus spicy romance and so many horny plants. Meg’s books are exquisitely written and startling in the best way, and they’ll stick with you.
You need a love that’s out of this world…
For super-hot alien romance, you can’t beat Tiffany Roberts. Try Shielded Heart or Saved by the Alien Crime Boss, and don’t forget to check Tiffany’s Instagram to see the incredibly gorgeous and deliciously steamy art of these women and their hunky love interests! This author team commissions some of the best character art I’ve ever seen. You’re welcome.
You want Pride and Prejudice but make it Fae…
Sometimes you need those Pride and Prejudice vibes, but you want it Fae and sweet and spicy and fun and charming and just ALL THE THINGS. If that’s you, jump into the “Fae Flings and Corset Strings” series by Tessonja Odette. This series will give you the most delicious vibes, like if a Jane Austen book and a Bridgerton novel had a baby. Start with A Rivalry of Hearts and then continue with My Feral Romance! Each book in the series has a guaranteed HEA and can be read as a standalone novel.
You’d like to banter with a brawny Scotsman in a kilt…
If you’re in the mood for a handsome, muscled Scottish guy and you’re a sucker for a bit of kink, check out Sara Cate’s recent release, Keep Me! I had the privilege of ARC reading this one too, and it was amazing. The book was chock full of excellent banter, and I could envision the male lead SO vividly. It’s a good time for sure, and as a treat, it has a marriage of convenience trope!
You crave dangerous trials and an epic romance…
I’m a sucker for books with trials and contests, and Trial of the Sun Queen delivers a stunning adventure with a strong female protagonist, a lush fantasy world, and a dramatic romance that unfolds throughout the four-book series. Lor has rough edges thanks to a tortured past, but her compassionate heart and love of justice shine through in each book. In addition to the political intrigue, magic, and adventure, there’s an enemies-to-lovers dynamic that will make you swoon for sure.
Charming Devil by Rebecca F. Kenney
He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen…and the most dangerous. Eternally young and full of a brilliant passion that may ultimately be the end of me: my perfect Dorian Gray.
The painting that’s kept Dorian Gray flawless for over a century is beginning to fall apart, rotted by his life of reckless decadence. Desperate, he seeks out the only person who might be able to save him: a talented young painter descended from Dorian’s first love.
Baz may have the same magical gift as her ancestor, but she’s vowed never to paint anyone’s likeness again. Haunted by the memory of the terrible price her talent can exact, she swears she will not be swayed―not even by the seductive words dripping like venom from the lips of the most beautiful man she’s ever met.
Yet as Dorian tries to persuade Baz by any means possible, they become aware of a darker, deadlier magic awakening around them. Dangerous forces, long dormant, have been stirred by Baz’s presence…and are determined to have her no matter the cost. As tensions rise and desire flares ever-hotter, Baz and Dorian become trapped in a complex web of conflicting motives, messy emotions, and a growing, desperate passion that may well consume them both.
