Paranormal: things Out There, things that go bump in the night, things that you see out of the corner of your eye. Monsters and demons and creatures that aren't human but exist right here, right now.

Romance: True lurve. The guy and the gal meet, hook up, and have a Happily Ever After.

Paranormal Romance: Chances are, either the guy or the gal -- or both -- are Creatures of the Night, bwahahaha. Most likely, the hook up is going to be steamy (because paranormal creatures burn more passionately than humans, especially when they're demons from Hell). And although chances are good that the guy and the gal will have a Happily Ever After, there's the possibility that, well, they won't, especially in dark paranormal romance. (Bwahahaha.)

Looking to try a paranormal romance/dark paranormal story?

The lighter side of dark:
Marta Acosta: Come for a drink and stay for a bite in the hilarious Casa Dracula novels. Vampires, margaritas, and mayhem.
Katie MacAlister: A vampire series and a guardian series -- both very fun reads.
Michele Bardsley: Think it's hard being a parent? How about being a parent who's also a vampire?
MaryJanice Davidson: Creator of Betsy the Vampire Queen and Fred the Mermaid. Very funny stuff.
Michelle Rowen: The vampires are the good guys and the vampire hunters are the dudes who wear black and are evil.
Digigirl's Library of Paranormal Romance

Dark, humorous, and hawt:
Cathy Clamp and C.T. Adams: A completely different spin on lycanthropes and vampires--excellent world building.
Jaci Burton: Mix demons with a reality show, see what you get...
Elaine Cunningham: The Changeling Detective series is, simply put, AMAZING
Colleen Gleason: Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Jane Austen
Jackie Kessler: A succubus runs away from Hell, hides on Earth as an exotic dancer, and learns the hard way about true love. Sex, strippers, demons -- what's not to like?
Richelle Mead: You think your job is hell? Try being a succubus who doesn't want to seduce the good guys.
Gena Showalter: Read about the denizens of Atlantis, in all of their sexy glory...