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Baby, You’re a Firework

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Reader Fireworks Time!Despite having lovely reviewers who live outside the United States, VBC is still run from Texas. That means today is Independence Day and I have a big thing for fireworks. While I’m not allowed to do my own fireworks in Texas (boo!), I still have some serious love for sparks and the explosions that make us ooh and aah.

The last two years we’ve had fireworks posts on the 4th of July. We’ve covered character sparks and the heroes who make us see fireworks. I started to brainstorm what fireworks to feature this year. Epic breakups? Nah, that’s a downer. Explosive fight scenes? Maybe. Super sexy quotes? Well, that isn’t a bad idea.

Then I remembered I have the absolute best brainstorming friends around (that was a shout-out to VBC readers). So, I’m giving it over to you this independence day. Tell me what, as a reader, counts as a firework for you. Which books are the most explosive for you? Which characters ignite on the page? Tell us what books we should read for their explosive heat or crazy combative characters.

And, because, it’s a holiday, I’ll randomly select one commenter who posts on or before Monday, July 8, to win their choice of any book VBC has reviewed. Open internationally, provided the Book Depository ships to your county.

26 Responses to “Baby, You’re a Firework”

  1. Rebe says:

    I think the book with the most “fireworks” that I’ve read recently has to be Tessa Bailey’s Officer Off Limits. Very sexy and lots of sparks between the hero and heroine!

  2. Jillian B says:

    The entire Kate Daniels series. I really think it’s the utter badassness of Kate that really does it for me. Also, the humor in the books is so understated, it’s like they aren’t trying so hard to be “adorable” or “clever” they’re just being themselves and it’s hilarious. For example, the Underworld Detection Agency books, the main character is trying WAY too hard to be sweet and funny and it misses the mark in my opinion.

  3. Angela says:

    First thing that came to my mind was the last Kara Gillian book by Diana Rowland. I love this series dearly and the last one had so many twists and turns that it left me open mouthed (literally). So it was not the smexy or the fighting but the author’s genius which made me feel like celebrating.
    Have a nice 4th July, everyone! 🙂

  4. Laura says:

    The buildup in the Anita Blake series to the Book 6 bathtub scene was pretty intense. I think for me it’s usually a series with a lot of buildup and final “satisfaction” that are the most explosive. The buildup in the Jaz Parks Series by Jennifer Rardin and in Kim Harrison’s the Hollows Series are equally nerve-wracking. With Kim’s series I can’t tell exactly where she is going to send Rachel for her HEA and its killing me! I love the witty banter between Rachel and another character. I think authors who do the buildup well are my favorites!

    • Great picks, Laura. I agree, the ones when we’ve had to wait and wait and wait for that explosive union are the absolute best. Along those lines I think of Chess and Terrible from the Downside Ghosts series.

      • Laura H. says:

        I’m only on the 3rd book, there has only been a disappointing kiss so far and a near miss at a club! Guess I’ll just have to keep reading!

  5. Aly P says:

    I can’t choose between Nalini Singh’s Heart of Obsidian and Kresley Cole’s MacRieve! Both are so different, but ultimately so good! Nalini gives us lots of action and emotion and resolves some plot twists and adds other, but what sold me to it was the hero with his focus and determination to make everything perfect for his love. Kresley finally gives us one of the Hot and Hotter twins(they hate to be called that :D) and addresses the change of the crazy Commander. All in all both those books are fantastic!

  6. Athena W says:

    Oh definitely Mac and Barrons from the the fever series. Of course I also love Dory and Louis-Caesar from Karen Chance! Hmmm…have you tried to read RL Mathewson’s Black Heart. Funny, Sad and sexy although nothing beats the Bradfords.

  7. Liz S says:

    Any of the Breed series by Lora Leigh or the Mageverse books by Angela Knight is bound to set of fireworks. They are smoking hot!

  8. Jennifer says:

    Fireworks for me is almost anything by JR Ward
    Growl, me loves those dark, muscley warriors.

  9. Followthep says:

    Fireworks to me means brilliant, breathtaking and memorable.The PNR series with the most fireworks for me would have to be the Fever series by KMM. The push/pull of Mac & Barrons was addictive! The PNR series with the most fireworks for me would be the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews.

  10. Stephanie F. says:

    The first series that comes to mind when I think of explosive is the Black Dagger Brotherhood. That group of sexy alpha vampires is the definition of explosive. As for ones that ignite I’d say Immortals After Dark, phew does the sexiness in them really get the blood boiling.

  11. BookLady says:

    For explosive fireworks I recommend J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood and Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series.

  12. Laurie says:

    Reyes & Charley, Kate & Curran. I think the ones you have to wait for, when they do come together, it is fireworks after all those sparks!

  13. Shan a.k.a Book Pimp says:

    Joey W Hill’s Vampire Queen series *whimpers* Everything in this series just explodes and is an absolute firework in my personal library. Character driven stories that are felt soul deep, stay with you long after the final page is read and just get better and better. The build-up, intrigue, action, the back story that intertwines throughout the series, the Vampire Queen world and it’s dynamics and of course the swoon worthy characters, their interactions with one another and the panty-melting sex scenes *drool* I’m always fully satisfied when reading the VQ titles.

  14. erinf1 says:

    I’m also gonna have to put in my vote for the Kate Daniels series. The magical fight scenes are amazing and so visceral. A close second or even tie is The Iron Druid series by Kevin Hearne. He makes the magic and mythology real and believable. Joey Hill’s In the Company of Witches was so heartbreaking and engaging. Her characters were tragic and powerful. Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thompson series is also a great example of realistic characters with supernatural abilities and addictive twisty plots 😉

  15. dr susan says:

    I was just looking at my shelves…I have to emphatically agree with Dory and Louis-Cesare, as long as explosions can be hysterically funny; early Anita Blake fits, as does Rardin’s Jaz Parks, and, of course Kate Daniels. I would like to suggest Harrison’s debut Dragon Bound and Francis’s Max and Alexander (Horngate Witches).

  16. susana says:

    I personally love Larissa Ione’s Demonica series. They have the exact amount of action and romance, as well as humour and tragedy. I love the Seminus brothers. Right now I am into the Lords of Deliverance novels, and I am really loving them. These books are really explosive for me!!

  17. Susan says:

    While I have to agree with a few people on the Dory/Louis-Cesare match-up in Karen Chance’s books and also the Anita Blake books, I still think my favorite match-up is the Faythe/Mark relationship in Rachel Vincent’s Shifter series. It took 6 books to finally get them together, but it was well worth the build-up. I just wish she would consider revisiting these characters again!

  18. sienny says:

    eve and roarke from in death series are always explosive for me. so are charley and reyes from charley davidson series, ty and zane from cut and run series, anita blake and her whole men-harem.

  19. lais says:

    For me,the principal character has to be strong and with a mind fast for decisions!The Dark Swan series by Richelle Mead to me is full of explosions of senses! Best sex scenes I ever read in my life:in the begginig of book one with Kiyo and the power plays with Dorian! *hooot* Besides the great action that give these books my love!

  20. dr susan says:

    And thanks for the great fireworks pic! I had looked everywhere for one to use as a screen saver, and this one is best by far 🙂

  21. Mary Preston says:

    Love the tension between the hero & heroine & you just know that when they finally get their act together **WOW**. There’s your fireworks. Agreeing with the books noted.

  22. JenM says:

    When I think of explosive scenes, I always think of Jeaniene Frost. The interactions between her lead couples both in and out of the bedroom are usually pretty epic. Just say “Chapter 32” and everyone knows what you are talking about LOL.

    I’m also a fireworks lover! I’ll go to see them anytime, any place. Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.

  23. Theressa says:

    I would have to say pretty much ALL of the Anita Blake series…and the Merry Gentry one as well…LOVE Laurell Hamilton—she is my favorite author and you can always expect fireworks in any book by her 🙂

  24. Amber says:

    I think Mercy Thompson & Adam have some great fireworks & I agree with everyone else on Anita Blake. Props to Stacia Kane on the fireworks in the Chess/Terrible world.

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