LGBTTQ Fiction: Passionate About Plot discussion
Historical Romance
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Make Do and Mend by Adam Fitzroy
WWII, a conscientious objector in the heart of Wales can only be a source of conflicts. Inspirational story between two very different men trying to survive in a world in turmoil.
See review
When the Music Stops by John T. Fuller
A sublime Victorian novella that has a lot to offer : a Gothic and creepy atmosphere coupled with a very sweet and erotic love story!
See review
The Walled Garden by F.M. Parkinson
Wonderful prose and beautiful story about two men trying to cope very differently with their proclivity during the very rigid Victorian era.
See review
Solemn Contract by Morgan Cheshire
1720 Connecticut, James Bradley, who is a teacher, would do anything for his sister. When his brother-in-law fails to repay his creditors, 'Jem' has to sell himself into indentured service to pay off the debt. A lovely story, very detailed, realistic and written with finesse.
Oh, fantastic! What a wonderful place to share around my absolute love of everything Sarah Waters? :D
Who hasn't heard of this book, right? Not to mention that in the title is a very old way of talking about very erotic goings on between women. This was made into a BBC miniseries, but the book is better. (Isn't it always?)
I think when I read this one the first time, I liked it even more than Tipping the Velvet. This story is told first from one of the girls' points of view, and then the other. It's amazing to see how separate Waters keeps these two characters, and how broadly nuanced they both are. Also a BBC miniseries, though I haven't seen this one. 
This is a darker lesbian novel for Waters, and not really a happily ever after. Much more Gothic in nature, very intriguey. Not on the top of my list of her novels, but should be listed all the same :)
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Mod
Superb historical novella set on a Luftwaffe airfield near Berlin in the last days of WW2. unusually for Voinov the sex scenes are either off page or sketched over, but that in no way diminishes the power of the love story between a lowly mechanic and an ace pilot. the finale of the book had my heart in my throat. I can't recommend the book highly enough.
Heat rating - about a 2
Elin wrote: "Skybound by Aleksandr VoinovSuperb historical novella set on a Luftwaffe airfield near Berlin in the last days of WW2. unusually for Voinov the sex scenes are either off page or sketched over, ..."
I loved this book.
Mod
Such a satisfying read! Can't wait for the next WW2 one. I've just realised that I haven't reviewed it on Goodreads - I must copy my review across from Speak Its Name.
Nicole wrote: "Oh, fantastic! What a wonderful place to share around my absolute love of everything Sarah Waters? :D Who hasn't heard of this book, right? Not to mention that..."Thanks for these. On the list!
Kazza wrote: "
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
If we are to use sexual heat ratings this would be 0 from memory :) Very much plot driven.
Mod
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
If we are to use sexual heat ratings this would be 0 from memory :) Very much plot driven."
There are a couple of scenes but nothing too graphic - telling rather than showing Fun story, wasn't it?
Elin wrote: "Kazza wrote: "Kazza wrote: "http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
If we are to use sexual heat ratings this would be 0 from memory :) Very much plot dri..."
It really was. For the most part I enjoyed this series.
Promises Made Under Fire. (1 love scene, rated 3)Lieutenant Tom Donald envies everything about fellow officer Frank Foden--his confidence, his easy manner with the men in the trenches, the affectionate letters from his wife. Frank shares these letters happily, drawing Tom into a vicarious friendship with a woman he's never met. Although the bonds of friendship forged under fire are strong, Tom can't be so open with Frank--he's attracted to men and could never confess that to anyone.
When Frank is killed in no-man's-land, he leaves behind a mysterious request for Tom: to deliver a sealed letter to a man named Palmer. Tom undertakes the commission while on leave--and discovers that almost everything he thought he knew about Frank is a lie...
Mod
Blurb: Throughout the Roman Army, the Twelfth Legion is notorious for its ill fortune. It faces the harshest of postings, the toughest of campaigns, the most vicious of opponents. For one young man, Demalion of Macedon, joining it will be a baptism of fire. And yet, amid all of the violence and savagery of his life as a legionary, he realizes he has discovered a vocation - as a soldier and a leader of men. He has come to love the Twelfth and all the bloody-minded, dark-hearted soldiers he calls his brothers.
But just when he has found a place in the world, all that he cares about is ripped from him. During the brutal Judaean campaign, the Hebrew army inflict defeat upon the legion - not only decimating their ranks, but taking away their soul, the eagle.
There is one final chance to save the legion's honour - to steal back the eagle. To do that, Demalion and his legionaries must go undercover into Jerusalem, into the very heart of their enemy - where discovery will mean the worst of deaths - if they are to recover their pride.
And that, in itself, is a task worthy only of heroes.
I read this mostly because of the title - I'm a long-time Rosemary Sutcliff fan and thought the title was a bloody cheek - and was surprised to find that there's an important m/m relationship in the story between the POV character and one of the other soldiers. Romance readers won't enjoy the book but if you like hard edged and realistic military adventures, like I do, then it's very much worth reading.
The slight sexual content is neither explicit nor erotic but there is a scene showing the aftermath of rape.
Always With Us by Morgan Cheshire
Blurb :
Liverpool, 1896: Wealthy Harrison Calderwood has never given much thought to the poor of the bustling city until he accidentally runs into firebrand Daniel Harper. Through Daniel’s eyes he begins to see how much more could be done to improve the lot of the working people, and at the same time he begins to feel a very strong attraction towards Daniel himself. However this is the Victorian era, Daniel is believed to be a troublemaker, and Harrison has a position to maintain and a family who are expecting him to marry a well-to-do young woman and settle down to a conventional life …
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...
Morgan Cheshire's second novel. A very lovely, accurate and brilliant historical read !
End of the Trail (End Of The Trail)by Jane Elliot
Blurb :
Will Connors is struggling to hold together a failing farm; his wife has died, his son has gone, he's not without enemies and he's dealing with the after-effects of a debilitating accident. It's a life of toil which doesn't allow for very much pleasure, and he's in danger of becoming embittered until a chance acquaintance wanders back into his life and everything begins to change. The problem, however, is that John Anderson has a price on his head - and, very soon, Will and John find themselves desperately concealing more than one dangerous secret.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81...
Touching, intelligent, a good, solid and well written western story, romantic and full of adventure with two outstanding characters.
I loved how the author gives the time to the story to unfold ... everything is so believable and rings so true!
The Devil in Dead Horse (sequel to End of the Trail) by Jane Elliot
Blurb :
Will and John have a new life together, but unfortunately it seems as if their former lives are not completely behind them even now. What was supposed to be a leisurely journey west turns into a fight for survival when they discover that an old enemy has taken over an innocent town, and that it’s going to need a hero to stop him – or perhaps even a whole group of heroes, willing to stand up and be counted. It’s time for the real John Anderson, outlaw, to come out of retirement – but there’s still a price on his head, and now there’s a great deal more that he stands to lose…
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...
It was like watching a great Western - I like the fact that it's completely different from the first novel (but as good) full of adventure (action packed!), drama, danger, suspense but also love and tenderness, in fact, a whole range of emotions. And let's not forget a wonderful and colorful bunch of characters, males and females (unexpected and unusual females!) .... fabulous book!
Mod
Thanks for these, Misty. I must say that I'm very impressed with the Manifold Press historicals that I have read so far. I'll certainly add these to my TBR file.
Elin wrote: "The Eagle of the Twelfth by M C ScottBlurb: Throughout the Roman Army, the Twelfth Legion is notorious for its ill fortune. It faces the harshest of postings, the toughest of campaigns, the mos..."
This sounds like a great book. Must check it out.
I just finished "On a Lee Shore" by ummm our fearless leader here, Elin Gregory. Wonderful plot, loved Kit and the Age of Sail detail. Beautiful cover art.http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I...
Description:
"Give me a reason to let you live..."
Beached after losing his ship and crew, and with England finally at peace, Lt Christopher Penrose will take whatever work he can get. A valet? Why not? Escorting an elderly diplomat to the Leeward Islands seems like an easy job, but when their ship is boarded by pirates, Kit's world is turned upside down. Forced aboard the pirate ship, Kit finds himself juggling his honor with his desire to stay alive among the crew, not to mention the alarming--yet enticing--captain, known as Le Griffe.
Kit has always obeyed the rules, but as the pirates plunder their way across the Caribbean, he finds much to admire in their freedom. He deplores their lawlessness but is drawn to their way of life, and begins to think he might just have found a purpose. Dare he dream of finding love too? Or would loving a pirate take him too far down the road to ruin?
And "Brothers of the Wild North Sea" by Harper Fox.
Lush in detail and plot, another heartbreaker.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I...
His deadliest enemy will become his heart’s desire.
Caius doesn’t feel like much of a Christian. He loves his life of learning as a monk in the far-flung stronghold of Fara, but the hot warrior blood of his chieftain father flows in his veins. Heat soothed only in the arms of his sweet-natured friend and lover, Leof.
When Leof is killed during a Viking raid, Cai’s grieving heart thirsts for vengeance—and he has his chance with Fenrir, a wounded young Viking warrior left for dead. But instead of reaching for a weapon, Cai finds himself defying his abbot’s orders and using his healing skills to save Fen’s life.
At first, Fen repays Cai’s kindness by attacking every Christian within reach. But as time passes, Cai’s persistent goodness touches his heart. And Cai, who had thought he would never love again, feels the stirring of a profound new attraction.
Yet old loyalties call Fen back to his tribe and a relentless quest to find the ancient secret of Fara—a powerful talisman that could render the Vikings indestructible, and tear the two lovers’ bonds beyond healing.
Warning: Contains battles, bloodshed, explicit M/M sex, and the proper Latin term for what lies beneath those cassocks.
Hel
My new novel isn't strictly romance - it doesn't follow the usual romance structure (so I've been told). I hope it's okay to include it here anyway. Men of the Cross is set against the backdrop of Richard the LIonheart's Third Crusade. It is full of action, adventure, battles and blood, and as one reviewer wrote it is a story about "the effects of the brutality of the crusades on young Henry de Grey, and his struggles with his growing feelings for his fellow knight, Stephan."
Charlene wrote: " My new novel isn't strictly romance - it doesn't follow the usual romance structure (so I've been told). I hope it's okay to include it here anyway. Men of th..."Wow, that looks good. Just went on my TBR list :) Love Medieval...
Heloise wrote: "Charlene wrote: " My new novel isn't strictly romance - it doesn't follow the usual romance structure (so I've been told). I hope it's okay to include it here ..."Thanks. I hope you enjoy it. :)
I just read my first CJ Charles book, and I loved it. Think Of England Now I have to go buy the series she wrote. . .Lie back and think of England...
England, 1904. Two years ago, Captain Archie Curtis lost his friends, fingers, and future to a terrible military accident. Alone, purposeless and angry, Curtis is determined to discover if he and his comrades were the victims of fate, or of sabotage.
Curtis’s search takes him to an isolated, ultra-modern country house, where he meets and instantly clashes with fellow guest Daniel da Silva. Effete, decadent, foreign, and all-too-obviously queer, the sophisticated poet is everything the straightforward British officer fears and distrusts.
As events unfold, Curtis realizes that Daniel has his own secret intentions. And there’s something else they share—a mounting sexual tension that leaves Curtis reeling.
As the house party’s elegant facade cracks to reveal treachery, blackmail and murder, Curtis finds himself needing clever, dark-eyed Daniel as he has never needed a man before…
Warning: Contains explicit male/male encounters, ghastly historical attitudes, and some extremely stiff upper lips.
Hello - here's a lovely review for the 1st in my trilogy of novels set between 1919 and 1946 I think the group may be interested in as they all have a strong gay charactershttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boy-Love-comp...
The Boy I Love
Best wishes
Marion Husband
Mod
Perfect Score
Feckless, exasperating Alex Finch is a rich, handsome and talented singer/songwriter who longs for two things: a career as a professional rock singer, and to have his love for Sam Barrowdale reciprocated. But drifter Sam's two aims are simply to earn enough money to pay his sister's medical bills and to hide from the world his reading/writing and speech disability. At this time the word "dyslexia" is generally unknown so to most people he's just a "retard". From the severe knocks life's dealt him, Sam's developed a tough outer coating and he has no time for a spoilt, selfish guitar player.
Despite his defects, Alex's love for Sam never wavers and when Sam unexpectedly disappears, Alex begins a somewhat bungling quest to find him, only to discover that Sam has a fearful enemy: Alex's powerful and influential yet sociopathic uncle.
As Alex spirals downwards towards alcoholism, many questions need answering. Just why did Alex's evil uncle adopt him at age eleven yet deny him any affection? And what's the mystery behind Alex's father's death?
Both seem to face unbeatable odds. Are they doomed to follow separate paths forever?
LGBTTQ Fiction: Passionate About Plot
Books mentioned in this topic
Perfect Score (other topics)The Boy I Love (other topics)
Think of England (other topics)
Men of the Cross (other topics)
Men of the Cross (other topics)
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