"River Road," by Suzanne Johnson, is one of the best, light prarnormal books I've read in a long time. It's apparently the first in a series, but this one is very new.

But---and this can be bad or good---the comparisons to Sookie Stackhouse books are inescapable, but this is a much better writer, and the female lead is much more realistic, and likable, than Sookie, IMO.

Set in post-Katrina New Orleans, there's a spunky young heroine, who's the local "enforcer" for the unreal community. And there's lots and lots of these---mermen and mermaids, wizards and Fae, shifters, nymphs, ghosts and others from mythology. No vampires, yet. Some magic. A terrific fun read!

THe worst thing is the cover, a doctored-up photo that makes it look like a really cheesy romance.

Thanks, I'm going to go take a look. Loved Sookie.

I think River Road is the second in this series.  I'm pretty sure Royal Street is the first in the series.  These have been on my wl for a while.  I have to disagree about the covers though.  I think it looks like a kick ass urban fantasy cover not a para romance.  The covers were the first thing to get me to put them on my wl.  Thats just me though ; ) 

Now I've read "Royal Street," and yes, that is the first one. It sets the stage for "River Road."

I had the impression from reading the blurbs that the first book was not related to the second, but that is not the case----the first is actually first in a series.