Since its beginning in 2005, J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series has enticed readers with bloody and brooding vampires. The ongoing series follows a secret society of vampire warriors who must defend themselves from soulless humans.
Dark, twisty, and dangerous, it’s no challenge to devour the entire series and still want more. Sink your teeth into these 20 spicy paranormal romances just like J.R. Ward’s The Black Dagger Brotherhood and fall in love with their brooding love interests and intriguing characters.
For more darkly seductive stories to tear into, check out these 20 paranormal romances like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
Kiss of Midnight (The Midnight Breed, Book 1)by Laura Adrian
Enter the glamorous and gritty world of vampires in Kiss of Midnight, the first of Laura Adrian’s The Midnight Breed series.
Gabrielle Maxwell’s wildest dreams of dark-haired strangers never included murder. Yet after a night of sensual dancing with Lucian Thorne, Gabrielle witnesses a brutal death outside a nightclub, spurring her entry into the realm of vampires. She falls under Lucian’s protection, yet as their attraction grows, so does the danger they’re in.
Fated (Dark Protectors, Book 1) by Rebecca Zanetti
A fate beyond her work and single motherhood seems unlikely for Cara Paulsen—and the unlikeliest of all is a shotgun wedding to a seductive stranger. Taleen swears he’s there to protect Cara and her daughter from forces beyond her understanding. It’s more believable than his claim of being a centuries-old vampire, or so Cara initially thinks.
Fast-paced and electric, Fated grips you from start to finish, leaving your heart racing.
You’ll want to devour this queer vampire anthology. Sharp and seductive, Pam Keesey’s collected series of stories is a quick read that entices you with the seemingly forbidden. If you’re a fan of strong-willed heroines and witty exchanges, you won’t want to miss this one.
King of Battle and Blood (Adrian X Isolde, Book 1)by Scarlett St. Clair
To kill a king, it takes a queen: Isolde de Lara is fated to marry vampire king Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev and murder him, all to end a sprawling war.
Yet when Isolde fails to kill Adrian, she’s faced with surviving in his bloodthirsty vampire court. To avoid joining the undead, Isolde must defy him quietly—and also defy her own desire.
Follow the merciless affair when you grab your copy here.
A Shadow in the Ember (Flesh and Fire, Book 1)by Jennifer L. Armentrout
For another murderous heroine, enter a world of flesh and fire with Jennifer L. Armentrout’s A Shadow in the Ember.
False maiden Sera has a mission: seduce the Primal of Death, become his beloved, and assassinate him to save her kingdom. At first, she’s ready to uphold her life’s purpose. Until the Primal of Death touches her, that is. Now, Sera finds herself unsure whether to kiss or kill him. No matter what she chooses, her life will never be the same.
Dark Prince (The Dark, Book 1) by Christine Feehan
Dare to enter the Carpathian world in this dark classic.
Telepathic hunter Raven Whitney rids the world of serial killers. Mikhail Dubrinsky leads an ancient race as their prince. Both Raven and Dubrinsky are desperately lonely, and fate brings them together. Yet as they begin a fragile affair, their respective worlds threaten to tear them apart.
Only time will tell if they survive it.
Grow enchanted with Raven and Dubrinsky when you grab Dark Princehere.
Angels’ Blood (Guild Hunter, Book 1) by Nalini Singh
In a world of controlling angels and sharp-toothed vampires, there’s beauty to be found in bloodlust.
Elena Devereaux receives the assignment of a lifetime when Archangel Raphael hires her not to hunt a vampire, per usual, but a rogue archangel. As she gives her all to the job, she finds herself tempted to give everything to Raphael, too. If the hunt doesn’t kill her, Raphael’s seductions just might.
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening (The Zodiac Academy, Book 1)by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti
As Fae princesses in Solaria, twins Darcy and Tory are heirs to the throne. To secure their destinies, they must graduate from the famed Zodiac Academy.
Yet their education is not as easy as it seems. Heirs from the four Celestial Houses seek to sabotage Darcy and Tory at every turn—but both find there is still fun to be had.
Obsession (The Mate Games, Book 1) by Meg Anne and K.K. Loraine
If Zodiac Academy sounds promising, check out Obsession for another delightfully dark, paranormal academy romance.
After Sunday rejected her fated mate, her family sent her to Ravenscroft Academy. She wants to start fresh, but her past haunts her. Plus, she has another problem: classmates who get under her skin and refuse to leave her alone. At every turn, Sunday flirts with danger—but really, is that so wrong?
Broken Bonds (The Bonds That Tie, Book 1)by J. Bree
Dive into a spectacular and steamy series with Broken Bonds, the first of J. Bree’s The Bonds That Tie series.
After Oli loses her entire family, she flees her fated mates—otherwise known as her bonded. She’s certain she’s better off alone, yet when fate returns her to the men she once fled for their own good, her certainty wavers.
Bite of Loyalty (Blood Oath, Book 1) by R.L. Caulder
Alina Van Helsing was never meant to live alone or become what she despised: a vampire.
As the only remaining Van Helsing, her quest for vengeance against Dracula takes her to the Dark Imaginarium Academy, where she must survive her bloodlust. But that becomes the least of her problems when a burning romance distracts her from revenge.
Half-Fae, half-human Bryce delighted in the nights she danced away until a demon slaughtered her inner circle of friends. Now, she’s out for revenge. She enlists the help of Fallen angel Hunt Athalar, who will do whatever it takes to find the demon and gain his freedom from the Archangels.
Together, Bryce and Hunt discover a dark power within the city—and a growing passion between each other.
Join their investigation when you pick up your copy here.
Taken by Fate (The Alpha Territories, Book 1) by Shannon Mayer
In Shannon Mayer’s Taken by Fate, Sienna schemes to save her friend from werewolves, but instead, ends up in a vampire lair.
Dressed in a corset and determined to do more than survive, Sienna must take part in a contest similar to the Bachelor called the Harvest Games. There, she draws the eyes of the Vampire Army’s General, and soon, questions if she wants to flee after all.
My Vampire and I (My Vampire and I, Book 1)by J.P. Bowie
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It’s all masquerades and mystery for Roger Folsom on his twenty-fourth birthday.
Marcus Verano captures Roger’s attention instantly and keeps it when Roger learns that Marcus isn’t only playing at being a vampire for his costume. Their affair begins passionately but sours when old enemies out for revenge appear at Marcus’s mansion.
See if their new love can survive old foes when you grab your copy here.
Keystone (Crossbreed, Book 1) by Dannika Dark
There’s evil hidden within our world, and half-vampire Raven Black has a hell of a good time hunting it. She suddenly has the chance to make a career of her hobby when she’s offered a job in a covert organization. One problem: she can’t stand her vampire partner, Christian Poe.
As Raven and Christian hunt a human killer, the lines between good and evil blur, and so do their lines of professionalism. Will the duo give in to the darkness within them?
House of Vampires (The Sons of Vlad, Book 1) by Samantha Snow
Destiny is complicated for nineteen-year-old Lorena Quinn.
When her grandmother dies, Lorena goes from her fast food job to learning of a startling fate: she is prophesied to bear the child of one of the four sons of Vlad. A.K.A, vampires. Before she chooses she lives with them—all of them.
You won’t want to miss out on this steamy and surprising series. Find the first book here.
Thirst (The Beast King Brides, Book 1) by Charlene Hartnady
Thane is a beast king looking for a bride, and Bellicent is half-human, half-vampire. Their families are rivals, yet when a one-night stand binds them, neither can help going back for more. Bellicent knows her brother would kill her if he found out. Still, as her once-enemy becomes her lover, Bellicent questions all she thinks she knows.
Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1) by Jeaniene Frost
Demons, look out: Cat and Bones are on the hunt.
Half-vampire Cat Crawfield plans to kill every vampire she meets until she finds her deadbeat dad. But when her quest for vengeance gets her captured, she’s forced to team up with a vampire bounty hunter, Bones. At first, she dreads the partnership, but together, they’re not only good—they’re incredible.
Follow the duo as they flee a pack of killers and face their feelings when you pick up Halfway to the Gravehere.
Demon’s Bride by Leigh Miller
When Allison Hawthorn is chosen to be a demon’s bride, she’s shocked. How could she be fit for a king when she hardly has any magic? Yet her new husband, Eren, is tantalizing and turns all his attention on her. He’ll do anything to protect her, even defy the age-old conflict between witches and demons.
Blood Signs (Blood, Moon & Sun, Book 1)by Amber Kell
Many broke students have considered donating blood for an extra buck, including medical student Randall. Except Randall’s donation comes with a twist—he’s giving to a vampire.
Immediately, Sasha knows he was destined to be with Randall. Now, all he has to do is convince Randall of the same.
Bold and full of betrayal, this story will keep your blood pounding until the last page. Find your copy here.
A Bloody Good Time
With these 20 irresistible paranormal romances, you’ll never tire of mystery and monsters. And you’re in luck—many of these books are part of a larger series, so there’s plenty to sink your teeth into.
FAQs
How many books are in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series?
Currently, there are over twenty books in the series.
Will there be new books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series?
The Black Dagger Brotherhood series is still ongoing. Keep an eye out for three upcoming titles: Lover Arisen, Forever, and Lassiter.
Do I need to read the Black Dagger Brotherhood series in order?
We highly recommend that you read this series in order! Some events or character relationships might not carry their full weight if you read them out of order.
Is J.R. Ward’s Fallen Angels series connected to the Black Dagger Brotherhood series?
These series are connected to some degree. The Fallen Angels and Black Dagger Brotherhood series take place in the same universe, and you may see some familiar faces, yet the storylines are not connected.
Morgan Spraker is a writer and graduate of the University of Florida. A lifelong love for books, storytelling, and fantastical settings inspired her to pursue her BA in English and Sustainability Studies.
Her academic work focused on the linked portrayals of gender and the climate crisis in 2010s young adult science fiction. While she hasn't encountered the elusive Florida Man or wrestled an alligator, she's a lifelong Floridian with a love for the beach.
When Morgan isn't creating worlds of her own, she's usually exploring others—namely, Star Wars's galaxy far, far away—and playing Taylor Swift's discography on repeat.
