Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
Thank you all. I just try and make it true to the characters and remember to concentrate on heart versus the sexy. I don't do the sexy as well as some, so I stick to what I do know.

What makes the sexy so sexy is emotional context. That's what is missing from sex scenes that get skimmed over -- heart. Was re-reading Fair Game last night and that book (& scads of your others) delivers the smexy, you're selling yourself way short, LOL, but what makes those sex scenes so meaningful & compelling is heart. :-)

Brilliant and modest, that's our Josh ;-). But don't exaggerate with modesty: just accept the general opinion that your sex scenes are awesome!

Lynn Flewelling's books were among those, yes. Aren't they awesome? I love Alec and Seregil :)

Brilliant and modest, that's our Josh ;-). But don't exaggerate with modesty: just accept the general opinion that your sex scenes are awesome!"
Agree!! :)

Hmmm, I'm going to have to check them out. :)

Luck in the Shadows, sister! :D

When I first started reading m/m for real, or r..."
I generally read samples and occasionally look at reviews. But I have a tendency to get a little too excited when the big Fictionwise sales come around and start chucking things indiscriminately into the shopping cart. I'm trying to tune out the sales a little bit, and to be more cautious in my book buying.
I'm reading so much these days, I'm not sure how much is retained. I loved J.C. Price's, The Starving Years. I pretty much love all of her work.
I got distracted a few chapters into Steve Neil Johnson's False Confessions and read about 20 other books, but now I'm back to it and really sad that there was no follow-up to the first two books.
I started The Rare Event, but back-burnered it — not quite up to the likely upcoming angst, but it's still in the queue.
I got distracted a few chapters into Steve Neil Johnson's False Confessions and read about 20 other books, but now I'm back to it and really sad that there was no follow-up to the first two books.
I started The Rare Event, but back-burnered it — not quite up to the likely upcoming angst, but it's still in the queue.

Me too.
I noticed that if I don't read reviews I manage to buy less books and read the ones I already own. The really good books will somehow crystallize after a while: if I keep finding different people here mentioning a title, I can assume it must be good (for ex. The Starving Years)
Antonella wrote: "Josh wrote: "I don't do the sexy as well as some"
Brilliant and modest, that's our Josh ;-). But don't exaggerate with modesty: just accept the general opinion that your sex scenes are awesome!"
No no! Well, thank you. But I just think it's best to know your strengths and focus on them. And then of course push yourself to do better in your weak(er) areas.
You all just happen to like the kind of thing I write.
Brilliant and modest, that's our Josh ;-). But don't exaggerate with modesty: just accept the general opinion that your sex scenes are awesome!"
No no! Well, thank you. But I just think it's best to know your strengths and focus on them. And then of course push yourself to do better in your weak(er) areas.
You all just happen to like the kind of thing I write.

As you taught us, Josh, happen to like? We effin' worship you ;)

As you taught us, Josh, happen to like? We effin' worship you ;)"
Yes, because what you write is so effin' good :)

I am going to cry. That's my favorite line of The Dark Tide. It made me cry when I read it.
Yes, Mr. Lanyon, I cried like a ninny reading The Dark Tide. You are the bees' knees.

I am going to cry. That's my favorite line of The Dark Tide. It made me cry when I read it.
Yes, Mr. Lanyon, I cried like a ninn..."
I lost count how many times I reread that sentence. It's not just the words, but who said it that makes the sentence has so much impact. It's said on the right time and place. Just... perfect. *sigh dreamily* If only more het romance are like this, I don't mind reading them. LOL.

I lost count how many times I reread that sentence. It's not just the words, but who said it that makes the sentence has so much impact. It's said on the right time and place. Just... perfect. *sigh dreamily* If only more het romance are like this, I don't mind reading them. LOL.
Yeah, I haven't read a piece of het romance that moving. I completely have lost any drive to read any het romance, truly... I don't know, I guess I like big guys (insert Jake/Tucker/Max) showing emotions. :P

I lost count how many times I reread that sentence. It's not just the words, but who said it that makes the sentence has so much impact. It's said on the right time and place. Just... perfect. *si..."
I second that, Vivian!

There are lots of positive things I could say, but I can't recommend these books. Not to people I like anyway.

There are lots of positive things I could say, but I can't recommend these books. Not to people I like anyway."
I have to admit you made me extremely curious now ;)

As you taught us, Josh, happen to like? We effin' worship you ;)"
I'll second that..lol.

Joining you on the Jordan C. Price bandwagon. Her work is amazing, unlike anyone else's. Unique voice, compelling situations, believable character development... she's one of my faves, right behind Mr. Lanyon. ;D

Joining you on the Jordan C. Price bandwagon. Her work is amazing, unlike anyone else's. Unique voice, c..."
Don't forget the absolutely amazing sex scenes. Sometimes I feel like I need a cigarette after one of her sex scenes, and I don't even smoke!

Don't forget the absolutely amazing sex scenes. Sometimes I feel like I need a cigarette after one of her sex scenes, and I don't even smoke!
True! That 3-way in the van with Michael, Wild Bill, and Damien... O.O

How yummy. *puts JCP on must buy authors*
Yes, I do like my romance with a little bit of kink. :P
A lot, actually... It's the ex catholic girl thing, I think. LOL

http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords...
(courtesy of Lia, I wouldn't have seen it on my own)

No! Not the last one! I wish she would hurry up and write six more.
(I think she's planing on a total of eight, which means two more)

I love everything by Sarah Black.
Cheryl wrote: "I think she's planing on a total of eight, which means two more"
Yes, JCP said so.
Antonella wrote: "I'd like to advertise a bit for another wonderful author, which is not widely read as she deserves. Here is a blog entry in praise of Sarah Black:
http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords......"
Yes indeed.
Wow! I was astonished to see how much Sarah has written. That's terrific.
http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords......"
Yes indeed.
Wow! I was astonished to see how much Sarah has written. That's terrific.
Let's see. I finished
Really lovely.
And I read Gail Carriger's male/male offering
I thought it was cute. It's my first introduction to Carriger (although I have a number of her Parasol Protectorate books on my kindle) so I'll reserve judgment. I think MB was probably just a throway for her.

And I read Gail Carriger's male/male offering


Scrap Metal Really lovely.
What did you think of the sex au naturel?
I thought it was hot, sexy and primal. Of course, I would never ever risk having dirt get into places it shouldn't get. But I loved reading about guys getting it on in the wild. Makes me think of cavemen. :D

Vivian wrote: "Let's see. I finished
Scrap Metal Really lovely.
What did you think of the sex au naturel?
I thought it was hot, sexy and primal. Of course, I would never ever risk having dirt get into places i..."
I think Harper is the quintessential m/m writer. Many of the most romantic and unrealistic tropes can be found in her work, but I don't think it matters becasue gritty realism is not what readers expect or want from her. She taps into romantic fantasy -- a kind of lyrical romanticism -- in a way unique and memorable and unexpectedly moving.
Scrap Metal Really lovely.
What did you think of the sex au naturel?
I thought it was hot, sexy and primal. Of course, I would never ever risk having dirt get into places i..."
I think Harper is the quintessential m/m writer. Many of the most romantic and unrealistic tropes can be found in her work, but I don't think it matters becasue gritty realism is not what readers expect or want from her. She taps into romantic fantasy -- a kind of lyrical romanticism -- in a way unique and memorable and unexpectedly moving.
Anne wrote:So no more books for me (at least not today...) But I know I can't stay away even if I know this is bad for me and my VISA card. This is true addiction ;)
Nice to know I'm not the only one. Kind of scary the time/money I'm spending, but I need the decompression after 10-hour workdays during the school year. Right? ;-)
Nice to know I'm not the only one. Kind of scary the time/money I'm spending, but I need the decompression after 10-hour workdays during the school year. Right? ;-)
Vivian wrote: "There was a threeway? What's the name of the book?
How yummy. *puts JCP on must buy authors*
Yes, I do like my romance with a little bit of kink. :P
A lot, actually... It's the ex catholic girl..."
The threeway is in Brazen, the sixth book of the Channeling Morpheus/Sweet Oblivion series. BUT... you HAVE TO start reading the series from the beginning with Payback, Vertigo, Manikin and so on... ;) And when I come to think of it, there actually is a threesome in the first book too... :)
Anyway, in my opinion, with Wild Bill and Michael the best scenes happened when only the two of them were together. :) I'm sure you will fall in love with them right away! I know I did.
How yummy. *puts JCP on must buy authors*
Yes, I do like my romance with a little bit of kink. :P
A lot, actually... It's the ex catholic girl..."
The threeway is in Brazen, the sixth book of the Channeling Morpheus/Sweet Oblivion series. BUT... you HAVE TO start reading the series from the beginning with Payback, Vertigo, Manikin and so on... ;) And when I come to think of it, there actually is a threesome in the first book too... :)
Anyway, in my opinion, with Wild Bill and Michael the best scenes happened when only the two of them were together. :) I'm sure you will fall in love with them right away! I know I did.

Nice to know I'm not the only...Kind of scary the time/money I'm spending, but I need the decompression after 10-hour workdays during the school year. Right? ;-)"
Of course you are right, of course you need it. And deserve it! :)

How yummy. *puts JCP on must buy authors*
Yes, I do like my romance with a little bit of kink. :P
A lot, actually... It's the e..."
And of course there's a three way in Starving Years
Dev wrote: "And of course there's a three way in Starving Years"
And that threesome was the best of those three threesomes. (Well, that didn't make much sense, did it.) *grin*
And that threesome was the best of those three threesomes. (Well, that didn't make much sense, did it.) *grin*

It's my favorite threesome ever.
Cheryl wrote:Don't forget the absolutely amazing sex scenes. Sometimes I feel like I need a cigarette after one of her sex scenes, and I don't even smoke!
On board with Cheryl, Anne and Lou regarding this. JCP and Josh write absolutely gorgeous sex scenes. No need to further address Josh's modesty re this, as so many others spoke up.
I read and really enjoyed Sarah Black's Marathon Cowboys recently. Otherwise, I have the story in the Scared Stiff anthology and Marlowe's Ghost. Suggestions on favorites?
On board with Cheryl, Anne and Lou regarding this. JCP and Josh write absolutely gorgeous sex scenes. No need to further address Josh's modesty re this, as so many others spoke up.
I read and really enjoyed Sarah Black's Marathon Cowboys recently. Otherwise, I have the story in the Scared Stiff anthology and Marlowe's Ghost. Suggestions on favorites?
Dev wrote: "Johanna wrote: "And that threesome was the best of those three threesomes. (Well, that didn't make much sense, did it.) *grin* "
It's my favorite threesome ever."
Yes. I second that. :) And I want to recommend that threesome (The Starving Years) to everyone. ;)
It's my favorite threesome ever."
Yes. I second that. :) And I want to recommend that threesome (The Starving Years) to everyone. ;)

It's my favorite threesome ever."
Agreed. ;D

There are lots of positive things I could say, but I can't recommend these books. Not to people I li..."
The writing was good enough and the idea interesting enough for me to take a chance on the second book when I had not enjoyed the first. A couple of problems for me: the 1st book talked at length about the Aztec gods throughout, and that was boring to me. The characters were hard or impossible to care about. One mc is a sort of sociopathic Billy the Kid w/mojo. His love interest (I use the word advisedly) is a Pinkerton man undercover. Why he switches allegiances is never clear to me. Pink's not in love w/the other Billy. (I've forgotten the characters' names.)
There are horror aspects, well done and creepy, but IMHO, too much come the second book, too many, too long the sequences involving creepy, god-made creatures and even repetitive.
Understand, there were some good reviews, of the 1st book anyway; I don't know about the 2nd. So, others may like them fine.
Let me add that Billy's true love is a former preacher/now goddess' husband and we're given precious little opportunity to like him until that improves somewhat about half-way through the 2nd book.
Also, Pink comes to care for Billy, but he's not gay and falls for a female character brought in in book 2.
So, if you decide to try it, I'd be curious to know what you thought. I confess, I did a lot of skimming in both books and might have cheated myself out of a better experience. Good Luck. PS-I have both the books in print, not ebook, but they're prob available in both.

There are lots of positive things I could say, but I can't recommend these books. Not t..."
Thanks for the reply Candice. It at least sounds like the author has a lot of ideas :)Considering the big pile of unreads currently on my Kindle and my bookshelves I will probably let these lie for now.


As with Scrap Metal, it's the quality of writing that makes it worth the read. I had to put the book down at least once because I couldn't read any further, and yet I couldn't wait to pick it up again because I needed to know how the story would be resolved.

I liked this a lot too, the writing sometimes is amazing. The only problem I had was that at the end the plot was too much, too complicated.
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But that's the beauty of ..."
I sooooooo agree. Too many times I find myself skipping sex scenes by other authors because they are either dull and just written poorly. Yeah, yeah, the cock goes in the hole and the spunk lands on the sheets. Been there, read that. But Josh has the ability to make his sex scenes so incredibly intimate. I end up losing myself while reading them. And I find myself immediately re-reading it AGAIN because I don't want it to end!