Day: January 11, 2015

Five Books Everyone Should Read: Author Nalini Singh’s Picks

Posted January 11, 2015 by Holly in Features | 22 Comments

Five Books Everyone Should Read is a new feature we’re running in 2015. We’ve asked some of our favorite authors, readers and bloggers to share five books that touched them or have stayed with them throughout the years.

5 Books Project

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Nalini Singh: As a lifelong bookworm, it’s pretty much impossible for me to narrow any booklist down. Ever.

However I’ve given it a good go, and here are five books I think you should all try if you haven’t already. I’ve chosen a mix of old and new favorites, and tried to mix things up so there are different kinds of stories.

Here are my recommendations in no particular order.


“Here There Be Monsters” by Meljean Brook

I love Meljean’s imagination – she comes up with the most unexpected and innovative scenarios, and her Iron Seas series is no exception. Here There Be Monsters is a novella, but it’s a fantastic introduction to this astonishing world of hers.

*This novella is available on its own as an e-book, or as part of the Burning Up anthology.


Orchid, Amaryllis, or Zinnia by Jayne Castle

Okay, okay, I know that’s three books, but they’re part of a series. Each stands alone, so you can pick any one to try. I’m choosing this because Jayne Castle was writing futuristics/paranormals before either was a proper sub-genre. I remember finding her books and falling desperately in love with her worlds. If you’ve never read Jayne Castle, this trilogy is a great into.


Naked in Death by JD Robb

I adore this series. ADORE. I’m putting it on the list even though it’s well known because I think the length of the series can be off-putting to newer readers. Seriously, do not worry! Each book stands on its own in terms of the mystery involved, and once you start reading, you’ll be ecstatic there are so many others to go!


Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop

This is the start of the Black Jewels trilogy. It’s dark (really dark) fantasy with a compelling romance. It’s intense and raw and beautiful and it’s a series that leaves a serious impact. I still think about the characters years later.


The Pern Series by Anne McCaffrey

Yes, I’m sneaking in an entire series but go with me. If you’ve never read Anne McCaffrey, then drop everything and start now. This is a sprawling sf series that builds a world so detailed that I’m still not convinced I can’t visit it. In reading these books, I began to understand what it was to build a world that became real in the reader’s imagination, the characters friends.

A final note: I could easily keep going!! There are so many authors and books that I love and want to recommend!

About the author: I’ve been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There’s no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.

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Check out Nalini’s latest releases: Archangel’s Shadows, Shield of Winter, Rock Courtship.

archangel's shadowsshield of winter with shadowRock Courtship


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