What Are you Reading? Showing 9,251-9,300 of 16,523

[Mtsnow13]

Just finished listening to Lonely Hearts so NOW I'm gonna crack open Sloe Ride too!!

[Mtsnow13]

Ame wrote: "Mtsnow13 wrote: "Susinok wrote: "Just started Sloe Ride. I've been looking forward to this one!"

You just reminded me I needed to grab this one! I'm listening to [book:Lonely Heart..."

I'm hoping she won't leave us hanging with loose ends. I do like the idea of the Morgan family, even though it does seem interesting she was able to press the number of gay brothers to 3 in this large Catholic family! I guess it all comes down to where one might be on that Kinsey scale (lol) and I love that books don't always have to reflect reality. I need my escape!

[Steve]

Loretta is correct about the final Sinners book. I'm looking forward to it, and especially the novella.

[Judy]

tearing through Felice Stevens' books, and reading the Through Hell and Back series. Sigh. I've put everything on hold, which is a darned shame because my to-do list is huge. Absolutely no self control.

[Ame]

Mtsnow13 wrote: "Ame wrote: "Mtsnow13 wrote: "Susinok wrote: "Just started Sloe Ride. I've been looking forward to this one!"

You just reminded me I needed to grab this one! I'm listening to [book:..."

Interestingly though. I do know 3 families who each of them have 2 sons and both of them gay. So if going by that % Rhys could make all of the Morgan boys gay ;)

[Steve]

Sammie - Rhys has a couple shout outs to Jordan L. Hawk's 'Widdershins' in 'Sloe Ride.'

[Mtsnow13]

Steve wrote: "Sammie - Rhys has a couple shout outs to Jordan L. Hawk's 'Widdershins' in 'Sloe Ride.'"

I thought it was fun when you think they are actually in a historical series, but we all knew exactly who she was referencing, AND that they just so happened to be in Egypt! Wouldn't time travel be fun?!

[Steve]

My TBR list is very long these days, but I'm currently beta reading 'Dirty Heart' - the final book in the Cole McGuinness series. I swear this book is going to break me.

[Susinok]

Steve wrote: "My TBR list is very long these days, but I'm currently beta reading 'Dirty Heart' - the final book in the Cole McGuinness series. I swear this book is going to break me."

No spoilers! Can't wait to read that one! I love the Cole McGuinnes series.

[Steve]

Oh no. I've been threatened upon pain of life to not reveal anything!

[Haldis]

Just finished Charmed and Dangerous: Ten Tales of Gay Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. Ten mostly solid stories. Sometimes I found it hard when I finished one story to move on to the next. I got so wrapped up in such a short time. Jordan L. Hawk's story was one of my favorites and I hear she will do more in this universe. :-)

[Jordan]

So far, KJ Charles' story and Ginn Hale's are tied for top spot followed quickly by JCP's and Jordan Hawk's. But I still have several more to go and there's no telling what will happen next!

[Ije the Devourer of Books]

I have just finished reading What We Remember by Michael Thomas Ford. I thought it was excellent. I also read Dream Boy which has a melancholy feel to it. Yesterday i finished reading Mad About the Hatter which is YA and although I dont generally read YA this was entertaining. At the moment I am readingMen of the Mean Streets: Gay Noir which is an anthology with some dark murder mystery stories.

[Steve]

That anthology is like a gold mine!

[Antonella]

Jordan wrote: "So far, KJ Charles' story and Ginn Hale's are tied for top spot followed quickly by JCP's and Jordan Hawk's. But I still have several more to go and there's no telling what will happen next!"

I totally agree, just add Astrid Amara's story.

[Antonella]

Ije the Devourer of Books wrote: "I have just finished reading What We Remember by Michael Thomas Ford. I thought it was excellent. I also read Dream Boy which has a melancholy feel to it..."

You manage to read a lot: great for you!

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "I probably shouldn't have posted a comment to her review, but I couldn't help myself. I had to explain romantic attraction to her. I'm probably going to get my head chewed off for it. She makes me want to read the book just from her review alone.
..."

This is troubling to me.

I totally understand why writers have to keep out of book discussions, but the fact that readers seem to increasingly have difficulty just cordially disagreeing with each other--it seem to reflect a greater problem, a society-wide problem--with dissent.

IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ME YOU ARE MY ENEMY.

Say what?! Maybe I just...disagree with you about this particular subject. :-D

[Josh]

Ame wrote: "This reminds me of a review I read of one of Amy Jo Cousins books, her series Off Campus, where one of the books is about MF couple. And one of the reviewers said she skipped out on that one becaus..."

I don't either. It's just as narrow-minded as those RWA ladies who fought so hard to keep teh gay out. Get over it.

Granted, I say this as someone who mostly skims the sex scenes now days.

[Josh]

Ame wrote: "Also, maybe it were the words that bothered me the most. The "eeeww, straight sex" thing. I mean you have have a preference on what you like to read. That doesn't mean that other things are "eeewww..."

Maybe she was being ironic. ;-)

[Judy]

Finished reading the Through Hell and Back series by Felice Stevens. Sigh. Loved them.

Started reading THE LIGHTNING-STRUCK HEART by TJ Klune this morning. It's a good thing I was alone because I was laughing my butt off from the very beginning and I didn't want to get WTF looks!

[Josh]

Kirsten wrote: "Ame wrote: "Also, maybe it were the words that bothered me the most. The "eeeww, straight sex" thing. I mean you have have a preference on what you like to read. That doesn't mean that other things..."

I guess...I'm in favor of warnings for books where I think certain elements might be psychologically damaging to some readers: rape, child molestation, incest. But sex in a romance novel? I feel like that should be easy enough to skim over -- whereas wouldn't a warning in that case end up being a spoiler for you?

[Ame]

Steve wrote: "My TBR list is very long these days, but I'm currently beta reading 'Dirty Heart' - the final book in the Cole McGuinness series. I swear this book is going to break me."

I have to admit that I am green with envy, right now.

[Haldis]

Jordan wrote: "So irritated. Just found someone's very uninformed self-righteous review for a book with an ace character, aptly titled Ace. She refuses to read the book because she believes that there can't possi..."

So I just finished both The Alpha and His Ace and My Alpha and His Cake. I enjoyed them. Very cute even though I don't normally do shifter stories. I think the author did a pretty good job with the asexual character especially since Aidan's feeling are very close to my own in that with the right person, an asexual is capable and even willing to engage in intimate activities. It's just getting sexual people to understand that there is a difference between sex and intimacy.

[Judy]

Haldis wrote: So I just finished both The Alpha and His Ace and My Alpha and His Cake. I enjoyed them. Very cute even though I don't normally do shifter stories. I think the author did a pretty good job with the asexual character ..."

Thanks for sharing. Haven't read The Alpha and His Ace, but it's on the teetering TBR pile. Only three reviews for My Alpha and His Cake and they were all over the map. The only verified purchase review weighed in at one star. The person was disappointed in the sexual intimacy. I'm going with your recommendation and buying this puppy!

[Haldis]

Judy wrote: "Haldis wrote: So I just finished both The Alpha and His Ace and My Alpha and His Cake. I enjoyed them. Very cute even though I don't normally do shifter stories. I think the author did a pretty goo..."

I can see where people might have a problem with the sex scene, or more accurately the reason for the sex scene, but it didn't bother me. But that's just my opinion. :-)

[Jordan]

Antonella wrote: "Jordan wrote: "So far, KJ Charles' story and Ginn Hale's are tied for top spot followed quickly by JCP's and Jordan Hawk's. But I still have several more to go and there's no telling what will happ..."

:-D I haven't gotten to her's yet.

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I probably shouldn't have posted a comment to her review, but I couldn't help myself. I had to explain romantic attraction to her. I'm probably going to get my head chewed off for it..."

I just checked her review again to see if she responded to my comment. And my comment wasn't even there. Hmmm... I reposted it, with a suggestion that she read The Invisible Orientation: An Introduction to Asexuality, at the suggestion of a friend of mine.

I'm just so confused by her review for Ace:

(view spoiler)[Edit 7/20/15: Wow, not amused with the author's profile/behavior. Seemed nice when he offered to give me a copy of the book (I refused), but seeing some stuff below and that profile, I'm done. Will not read this book, will not read this author.

---

I'm always on the lookout for asexual stories, but this one has a couple of red flags that make me hesitant to pick it up:

One, you can't have a gay asexual. Asexual is not feeling sexual attraction. Gay is sexual attraction to men.

Two, that last bit, 'turn Jake on without turning him off' sounds a little close to 'fix the asexual' for my taste.

Like it literally makes me sick the entire summary is about basically how much Damien wants/needs to fuck Jake. It's not about them finding a middle ground, it's about Damien getting laid.

Definitely going to wait and see on this one. (hide spoiler)]

I see where she's coming from regarding the blurb. It really doesn't do a story about an ace character justice, but figuring the publisher it's coming from, I'm not too surprised.

My real problem is that she thinks she knows what she's talking about regarding the ace character, but is very misinformed, or her own life experiences are aromantic and she has not done research to know that there are romantic orientations out there. I don't know, it just didn't sit right with me that she was so negative about something she didn't fully understand. And since she was so negative, I was fearing she would try to lash out at me for correcting her. But I just can't let her go on not knowing important stuff! So, we'll see if she says anything.

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "Ame wrote: "Also, maybe it were the words that bothered me the most. The "eeeww, straight sex" thing. I mean you have have a preference on what you like to read. That doesn't mean t..."

Exactly. If I pick up a het romance novel, I go into it knowing full well I will most likely run into het sex. And I have picked up a het romance in recent times. Uhhh... maybe two years ago? lol. Unless you read Amish romance and nothing else and expect other romance novels to be similar. *shrugs*

[Jordan]

Haldis wrote: "Jordan wrote: "So irritated. Just found someone's very uninformed self-righteous review for a book with an ace character, aptly titled Ace. She refuses to read the book because she believes that th..."

:-D That's so good to hear!

It is hard too, because every ace is different, and what they bring to each book will be different. I can't wait to get into this one at some point. I've got so many books to read!

[Jordan]

Haldis wrote: "Judy wrote: "Haldis wrote: So I just finished both The Alpha and His Ace and My Alpha and His Cake. I enjoyed them. Very cute even though I don't normally do shifter stories. I think the author did..."

Yeah, for this one, I would like to read it for myself before making any decisions about the scene. Because it's one of the very few ace romances out there, I can do that. :-)

[Josh]

Haldis wrote: "Judy wrote: "Haldis wrote: So I just finished both The Alpha and His Ace and My Alpha and His Cake. I enjoyed them. Very cute even though I don't normally do shifter stories. I think the author did..."

Well, I do think--we have often discussed--that for some readers it really is about the vibrator effect. But for most readers--MOST--it is about The Romance. The emotions. The feelings. The emotional, spiritual, mental connection with another human.

Which is one reason why sweet romance continues to chug along its way, healthy and happy and not particularly concerned with the engine's hawtness levels.

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "Josh wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I probably shouldn't have posted a comment to her review, but I couldn't help myself. I had to explain romantic attraction to her. I'm probably going to get my head chew..."

But. But. But this is all reviewing. Nearly all reviewers (in the era of social media) respond from their own perspective, their own experience, their own emotional or visceral reaction to what they read. Reviewing has become a very personal thing. An outpouring of self.

I don't/do agree. This is/is not my experience.

You're reacting because your experience is different, but your experience is also subjective. :-)

[Marge]

Jordan wrote: "I'm just so confused by her review for Ace: .."

Hi Jordan, I tried to send you a private message, but couldn't figure out how. Jack Byrne is a Facebook friend of mine, so I saw some of the early unflattering reviews for Ace as they appeared. I don't want to belabor the point, but several people (from another publishing house with a competing book) posted mean reviews as soon as the book came out. Jack, being a new author, tried to explain asexuality a bit better in comments and on his author notes. They reported him as a misbehaving author, but Goodreads actually saw through it and removed most of the mean reviews. This one remained--actually a non-review of a book she doesn't intend to read. This woman could be totally innocent and not a friend of the the offending posters, but....

My review of the book is probably a bit more flattering than it might have been, in reaction to all the drama. But I DID like it: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jordan]

Marge, the only comments I saw from him did exactly as you just explained. I just don't get why people are so mean when he's trying to explain. Knowing what you just said though, will make me buy the book that much sooner and read it sooner too, hopefully. Thanks for your insider knowledge.

I found out that the reason my comment wasn't posted was because I'm not friends with her. I don't understand why we have to be friends to post comments to reviews, but, oh well. I'm guessing she's one who just doesn't want to get it. *shrugs* nothing I can do but go on about my life and enjoy a good book.

[Susinok]

Marge wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I'm just so confused by her review for Ace: .."

Hi Jordan, I tried to send you a private message, but couldn't figure out how. Jack Byrne is a Facebook friend of mine, so I saw some..."

Poor guy. Some readers give lip-service to wanting more diversity in romance and yet when it is offered the book is eviscerated. Alex Beeton wrote a book with an Ace character and it got lack-luster reviews too.

[Karen]

Susinok wrote: "Alex Beeton wrote a book with an Ace character and it got lack-luster reviews too.

I read Blue Steel Chain, the Alex Beecroft book, (third in her Trowchester Blues series). I didn't rate it, which is what I do when the content and/or delivery of a story isn't my cup of tea. The book was well-written, and it wasn't the asexual MC that put me off; it was the graphic abuse, and some plot niggles. I will continue to buy/read this series.

[Jordan]

I heard that about Blue Steel Chain. I was going to read that last week except that my nano novel is about a similar character going through a similar situation, so I thought I'd better wait until after nano to read it.

[Jordan]

Susinok, I'd heard that about Alex Beecroft as well. I'm gonna blame autocorrect on your spelling there. :-) I have yet to read hers too, but I did purchase it.

In fact, I just bought Ace tonight. Hopefully I can start it, and a few other ace books soon!

[Marge]

Jordan wrote: "I found out that the reason my comment wasn't posted was because I'm not friends with her. ..."

Huh, I didn't know that. I don't comment on reviews often, but I have done so. Hmmm, I guess it must have always been a friend. What an odd policy.

I hope you will enjoy reading Ace. I'd be interested to know what your opinion of it is.

[Marge]

Susinok wrote: "Poor guy. Some readers give lip-service to wanting more diversity in romance and yet when it is offered the book is eviscerated. Alex Beeton wrote a book with an Ace character and it got lack-luster reviews too. ..."

I know. I don't know why people aren't content to say, "Not my cuppa, but it's not my business what other people want to read." I'm never going to read Shades of Gray, but I won't go around writing public reviews saying how awful I think it is. (My friends and I have had conversations saying the same, but those are conversations, not reviews. LOL)

[Ije the Devourer of Books]

I don't think you need to be a friend. I have commented on someone's review before and the comments showed up. Maybe the person deleted your comments because you can do that.

I think reviews are very subjective. I don't mind reading them because it is interesting to see how people respond to a book but I don't buy books based on reviews. I have a couple of friends who recommend books to me and I tend to follow their recommendations but a swathe of five star reviews will not convince me to buy a book.

[Susinok]

Karen wrote: "Susinok wrote: "Alex Beeton wrote a book with an Ace character and it got lack-luster reviews too.

I read Blue Steel Chain, the Alex Beecroft book, (third in her Trowchester Blues ..."

Yeah the abuse and subsequent rather quick recovery of same bothered me, too.

[Idamus]

Charmed and Dangerous: Ten Tales of Gay Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy woohoo

[Josh]

Marge wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I'm just so confused by her review for Ace: .."

Hi Jordan, I tried to send you a private message, but couldn't figure out how. Jack Byrne is a Facebook friend of mine, so I saw some..."

This is such a peculiar phenomenon. But I know it's true because it's something I hear consistently.

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "Marge, the only comments I saw from him did exactly as you just explained. I just don't get why people are so mean when he's trying to explain. Knowing what you just said though, will make me buy t..."

I don't get it either. There's a certain type of mentality that actually gets meaner if you try to explain (or--God help you--apologize).

Thus the rule about never explaining or apologizing. Which is not exactly a grown-up way to live.

[Josh]

Susinok wrote: "Marge wrote: "Jordan wrote: "I'm just so confused by her review for Ace: .."

Hi Jordan, I tried to send you a private message, but couldn't figure out how. Jack Byrne is a Facebook friend of mine,..."

Once upon a time I used to pay attention to reader comments about "always writing the same thing," but first of all, that wasn't true. And secondly, if you try and mix it up too much, holy moly you get hell (often from the same people!) for not sticking to what you know. :-D

I admire Alex for writing what interests her even when it means pushing reader boundaries. But it does result in that damned if you do and damned if you don't.

[Josh]

I finally gave up on Murder at Pirate's Head. I mean, I like to fall asleep reading, but if just the idea of the book makes me weary... :-D

I've been reading Publisher Weekly and trying to catch up on industry news.

[Idamus]

Josh wrote: "I finally gave up on Murder at Pirate's Head. I mean, I like to fall asleep reading, but if just the idea of the book makes me weary... :-D

I've been reading Publisher Weekly and trying to catch u..."

Heh, I hope it's not a heavy book if it makes you fall a sleep :D

[Ame]

How can asexual person not be gay? Being asexual in short means you want to have emotional relationship with someone but not sexual (that's how it's been explained to me, right?). Being gay, bi, pan etc also means emotional relationship not only sexual.

I don't want to offend anyone, if I'm misunderstanding things, but saying someone can't be gay if he doesn't want to have sexual relationship feels kind of narrow minded to be honest.

[Ame]

I finished quite an interesting story by Ann Gallagher Lead Me Not. I'm atheist so stories that have to do with religion never have much appeal to me but I do like her as a writer (writing as all her other alteregos) which is why I was curious and decided to give this one a chance. There's a lot of faith in this story but it's also very interesting and different. I really liked it a lot, though I'm not sure how people who are used to L. A. Witt explicit sex scene will take to this one which has no sex in it at all.

It's funny how she can write this super sweet story with lots of faith and God in it but her previous book published was kind of a sex fest from beginning to the end. Lead me not is a much, much better story.