I love science fiction romance. I love the unlimited possibilities, the fantastic worlds, the clash of cultures and the sense of adventure.
Space really is the final frontier. That’s what attracted me to both reading and writing sci-fi romance. I wanted to recreate the sense of adventure of the explorers, seafarers and adventurers of old — crossing uncharted seas and unknown desert sands. And of course with a little romance thrown in!
Here are my Top 10 Best Science Fiction Romance books — all action-packed with a satisfying happily ever after at the end:
1. Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair – I love this book and it’s hero cyborg Kel-Paten.
2. Finders Keepers by Linnea Sinclair – another Sinclair winner.
3. Warrior’s Woman by Johanna Lindsey – an oldie but still a goodie.
4. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb – Nora Roberts’ foray into the futuristic, this is the first book in a long series that is a little bit sci-fi, romance, mystery, thriller and police procedural. And Roarke is one of my all-time favorite heroes.
5. Moonstruck by Susan Grant – I very much enjoyed this enemies-turned-colleagues story.
6. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh – this is the first book in the Psy/Changeling series. It’s marketed as paranormal romance but has all the hallmarks of sci-fi romance including a futuristic Earth and a powerful psychic race.
7. Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh – another Psy/Changeling book that I love with another delicious hero. There are other books in the series I love but that feature two shifter characters (giving the books a more paranormal vibe, so I haven’t included them in the list but Branded by Fire and Play of Passion — starring some strong heroines — are also among my favorite in the series).
8. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook – moving away from space and the future, this is a steampunk book and filled with action and adventure goodness. This is the first book in the Iron Seas series.
9. Heart of Steel by Meljean Brook – the second book of the Iron Seas featuring a very strong heroine and a charming hero.
10. The Kraken King by Meljean Brook – another Iron Seas steampunk. I originally read this as a serial (exciting but frustrating) but it is available now as a single book. This book overflows with adventure and has a great hero.
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More Science Fiction Romance
And if you still want more, I have a few other science fiction romances worth checking out as well:
– All the other books by Linnea Sinclair
– Mercenary Instinct by Ruby Lionsdrake (aka Lindsay Buroker) which is the first book in the Mandrake series.
– Razor’s Traitorous Heart by S.E. Smith which is part of the Alliance series.
– Escape from Zulaire by Veronica Scott
– The Beyond series by Kit Rocha – these are post-apocalyptic erotic romance
– And a free sci-fi romance anthology — Tales from the SFR Brigade — which also includes a short story by Linnea Sinclair (a follow on to Games of Command!)
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Science Fiction Romance Websites and Lists
For more great info on science fiction romances, you can check out:
– The Express has a list of free and bargain sci-fi romances
– This is from 2010, but the Express also has a Must Read list of sci-fi romance
Smart Girls love SciFi and Paranormal Romance
Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly – a free quarterly digital magazine filled with sci-fi romance goodness
The SFR Galaxy Awards – annual awards for some standout sci-fi romances
Amazon has a Science Fiction Romance bestseller list
Goodreads Science Fiction Romance list
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Nebula image by NASA Blueshift
Lego Han and Leia image by Kennymatic
Stormtrooper image by JD Hancock
Great list! So, Games of Command is your favorite Sinclair book? It seems like it’s most people’s favorites, but I keep going back and forth between Accidental Goddess and Finders Keepers being my favorite. I’m wondering if I like Finders Keepers so much because it was the first sci-fi romance book I read, and my first Sinclair book.
I need to try Nalini Singh’s books again. I read one ages ago, but don’t remember if I liked it.
Hi Sandy! I usually hear those 3 Linnea Sinclair books debated as her best. Finders Keepers is a really close second for me. Accidental Goddess was good…it just had a bit of a fantasy feel and the romance didn’t work quite as well for me, but I still enjoyed it.
Definitely give Nalini Singh’s books another go. Her Psy-Changeling series and her bit darker Guild Hunter series too.
And congrats on your sci-fi romance release this month! I *love* that cover.
Thanks so much for the recommendations! I’m always looking for great sci-fi romance stories I haven’t read. There are several on your list. Three of my top favorites are “Games of Command” and “Moonstruck” and “Finders Keepers”. Between the two authors (Linnea and Susan), I tend to favor Susan Grant. Have you read any of her other books? http://astore.amazon.com/susangrant-20?node=1&page=1
Hi Jill! Sounds like you and I have similar reading taste (-: I think Susan Grant was the author who really got me into sci-fi romance (I didn’t discover Linnea until later). I’ve read all Susan’s later books but missed a few of her earlier ones. I just picked up Star King (which I think she re-released recently). Looking forward to reading it…after I finish writing my latest book!!
What’s a good sci fi fiction without a little romance! Thanks for the list Anna! I just flew through an awesome book called The Evolution of Robert Carr by author Paul K. Lovett (screenwriter for the Wahlberg movie 4 brothers). Check him out here: http://www.paulklovett.com/. This book was a nonstop joy for me. In my opinion, if while reading a book, 4 hours can go by without me noticing…that is definitely a winner. Science fiction, presented in a way that is thoughtful, intelligent and also full of heart is rare in my opinion. This book is not only written in a way that makes it extremely believable (maybe even prophetic, we’ll see!), but also has amazing character development. It’s funny and intense. There is romance too, but it is done in a very subtle way. A must read for sci fi fans.
Hi Steve! I am so happy to hear you like a little romance with your sci fi. I know there are a few hard core sci fi fans who get a bit twitchy at the slightest hint of romance (-: And thanks for the rec, I will definitely check it out. I completely agree that any book that makes the hours whizz by is a winner.
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Even as this list is from 2015, thank you for leaving it upon the web, as today I went looking for, “romantic humorous science fiction” as I get frustrated with Amazon’s genre listing categories as their “romantic comedy” category seems to be filled with over 50% non-funny books. Although I am familiar with the humorous writing of most of the included lsted writers, i note that they are some of the very top of the genre and don’t publish as quickly or numerously as those slightly lesser ranked. (Likely due to silly little things like good editing!). Writing humor as an adjunct to any genre seems to be particularly difficult and finding writers whom do it well, is like winning the lottery; you have no idea how giddy I get when I fall into a new writer whom has a long catalog of previously published books thus finding you via “A Galactic Holiday: How the Glitch Saved Christmas\Galileo’s Holiday\Winter Fusion”, well it was a nice clue in a maze full of twined lines. You do write humorous sci-fi; and for that, I thank you; and now I know to look to this site for needed insight.