What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed* Showing 1,801-1,850 of 13,523

[Cleon Lee]

Just finished Handcuffs and Leather thanks to free download from ARe (so glad I didn't buy). My review is on the book. It's the first time in my life I couldn't hold my desire to rant and rave. Perhaps I am overreacting, but.. sigh...

[Merith]

Cleon wrote: "Just finished Handcuffs and Leather thanks to free download from ARe (so glad I didn't buy). My review is on the book. It's the first time in my life I couldn't hold my desire to ran..."

What was it about the story you didn't like? Kim Dare writes in a certain formula, but I really enjoy (most) all her stories anyway.

[[deleted user]]

I just go this freebie, I loved so was looking forward to this one...not very good huh?

[Cleon Lee]

I don't like that she portrayed the psychiatrist's action in positive light. It is a severe breach of trust and code of ethic. He should never engage in intimate relationship with his client, at least until a few years the client stopped being his client. He should lose his license for this. It is a severe abuse of power.

In the book the psychiatrist clearly put his own needs (his need to be the master Master to his former client) above his code of ethic and what his client needs.

[Merith]

Cleon wrote: "I don't like that she portrayed the psychiatrist's action in positive light. It is a severe breach of trust and code of ethic. He should never engage in intimate relationship with his client, at le..."


Ah... I see. In some readings, I tend to suspend belief just knowing that that cannot happen that way in real life. I do that all the time when reading most all law enforcement, or doctor stories.

[Merith]

Lauraadriana wrote: "I just go this freebie, I loved so was looking forward to this one...not very good huh?"

Handcuffs and Leather is the start of her Rawlings men series. They are all similar in that one man recognizes in another their submissive side, and goes after them. Most of the time it's a mutual discovery. The BDSM is pretty lite and the story formulaic. It's not bad, but it will never win awards in literary writing.

[Cleon Lee]

Perhaps it is just very hard for me to suspend my disbelief because I was a counselor and received 5 years training in mental health profession. Perhaps I understand how susceptible a client is to his/her counselor/therapist' suggestion. Clearly the client was in a vulnerable state and instead of finding their relationship hot, I just feel so angry and sorry that he's been used like that. For me it's like reading some kind of dub con story wrapped in a happy story. It will not work for me.

Anyway, you know sometimes we just read stories that push our wrong buttons and this story happens to be one of them.

[Merith]

Cleon wrote: "Perhaps it is just very hard for me to suspend my disbelief because I was a counselor and received 5 years training in mental health profession. Perhaps I understand how susceptible a client is to ..."

Oh, I've done that more than my fair share. There are certain topics that will push my buttons if not handled fairly and respectfully.

If you want to try another Kim Dare, I would suggest . It has the feel of Duck! without the shifters and world building.

[Cleon Lee]

I think I am going to skip BDSM books for a while.

I don't mind and even enjoy BDSM scene as a part of an equal relationship, like in Special Delivery or Double Blind. But I can't enjoy books that depict 24/7 BDSM relationship, no offense to the practitioners, of course. It's just not for me. However, I don't know why but I like slave fics in a society where slavery is acceptable, so perhaps I'd enjoy Duck!.

[[deleted user]]

Cleon wrote: However, I don't know why but I like slave fics in a society where slavery is acceptable, so perhaps I'd enjoy Duck!.


Cleon, I really loved Duck! It was one the sweetest books I've read and one of the MCs was beyond adorable.

[Cleon Lee]

I'll put it on my to-read list. Tomorrow I'm going to get iPod Touch as my e-book reader. Now I am planning what to upload after I take home my baby. Yay! :D

[Charming]

Cleon wrote: "I think I am going to skip BDSM books for a while.

I don't mind and even enjoy BDSM scene as a part of an equal relationship, like in Special Delivery or Double Blind. But I can't enjoy books that depict 24/7 BDSM relationship, no offense to the practitioners, of course. It's just not for me. However, I don't know why but I like slave fics in a society where slavery is acceptable, so perhaps I'd enjoy Duck!"

I have decided the same thing about myself. I just can't relate to or enjoy the "lifestyle" version of BDSM. But actually it was Duck! that made me realize this, so I kind of doubt it will work for you either.

[Jordan]

Charming wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I think I am going to skip BDSM books for a while.

I don't mind and even enjoy BDSM scene as a part of an equal relationship, like in Special Delivery or [book:Double..."

See, I've got an entirely different problem with BDSM. I started reading the Deviations series awhile ago, and I'm loving it. It's a 24/7 lifestyle, but the characters are really great, totally believable, loveable, and adorable. I'm almost afraid if I read something else, it won't be quite the same. And that makes me laugh, because, who wants to read the exact same thing over and over again by different authors? But, I want there to always be a loving relationship in the story along with the BDSM and I'm almost afraid of running into something where that's not the case. Craziness. I know.

The only thing I wanted more out of the Deviations series was to see more of Noah's job as a police officer. I didn't get enough of that, and sometimes even forgot about it. I think seeing him in a tough role would be a really great comparison to him as a submissive. lol, I loved the scene where he pulls over his Master for speeding. I laughed so hard at that! But, of course, I haven't read the last book just yet. I just don't want the story to end!

Cleon, what you said makes perfect sense, and even though I don't have a background similar to yours, I think I would feel the same way about a councelor or therapist taking advantage. That doesn't sit right with me. At all.

[Susan]

Anna, I read the Deviations series years back and loved it UNTIL I read the last book. The authors did something in the final book that ruined it for me. If you read the reviews of the fourth book on Amazon before you actually read the book, you will get an idea of what happened. Some readers were OK with it; others weren't. For me it spoiled what could have been the best BDSM series ever.

[Cleon Lee]

I just can't relate to or enjoy the "lifestyle" version of BDSM.

Perhaps because sociologically or psychologically women are still struggling to find equal relationship, especially in Asian countries like mine. In domestic violence cases, some of the judges still blame the wives for not pleasing their husbands enough.

When we read fics, we want to read about our ideal relationship, where the partners are equal. In fact, this is one of the main reasons many women into M/M at all (I personally just think because it's hot. ;-) ).

It also alarms me to so many abuse possibility that I cannot enjoy it fully, particularly in stories where the subs are not respected or in weaker position and the dom sounds like he's taking advantages.


A while ago I read another BDSM book where the dom pick up a college student after he's been kicked out by his parents. The dom (a college professor) made an offer that the sub be his slave for 3 years in exchange for tuition and roof over his head. The sub will be in complete mercy of the dom, no talk of safe word, and he will be disciplined by the dom and older subs. The discipline methods are quite harsh, including caging, etc. The sub can walk away if he wants, but of course, he is not in the position to do that since he has nowhere else to go at all. To make matter worse, the dom refuses to have any feelings to any of his subs. If this is not abuse, I don't know what is.

Yet, so many people like it and no one has ever pointed out about the abuse of power and privilege the dom does. Am I the only one who cringe reading this?

I've read Dr Fell's series and I know I don't have the problem with the 24/7 lifestyle itself, provided they are safe, sane, consensual, and the most important thing for me: loving. (Will check into Deviation series later, sound promising)

[Cleon Lee]

Er... sorry, Josh, for derailing this thread.

[ns]

Cleon wrote: "Yet, so many people like it and no one has ever pointed out about the abuse of power and privilege the dom does. Am I the only one who cringe reading this?"

Flying cross country today, I got about 6-7 hours of very sleep-deprived catching up with my unread list.

I had read Chris Owen's Deviations series (first two) and a few titles from Kim Dare (I liked Duck, as well).

I also just read a strange little story by Anah Crow called Uneven. It's horrifying and yet very compelling reading. There are some flaws but all in all, it's a really fascinating story, despite the subject. I'm guessing I'll be in a minority here, most people will shudder and not be able to give it the trial it deserves (the start is a bit rougher than most of the rest of the book).

I recommend reading it if only because it does give you a window into a world that you would otherwise never have much visibility into, nor understanding of. And isn't that one of the payoffs of literature - to vicariously live through others, and perhaps gain some insight into these things we wonder about?

It's not a subject I knew anything about, or had much sympathy for, frankly. I couldn't fathom why someone would want to endure pain, and inflicting pain on others is even more hateful to me. I did (and perhaps still do) consider these dysfunctional people.

It's easier to understand the receiving pain end -- the human body releases endorphins to cope with pain. When all other typical delivery mechanisms or sources of pleasure fail it's not inconceivable your body rewires itself to resort to the extreme. It's certainly easier to understand the desire to submit, to have someone else drive the car, when your ability to cope with the real world has taken a beating.

It's harder to understand the payoffs when you are the one inflicting the pain. This is one of the things that fascinated me about Jake (as he puts it, it had nothing to do with love, in one of his best scenes with Adrien -- but of course, he never does answer what Adrien really wants to understand -- what did it have to do with?). Sorry, it's impossible to discuss this with any kind of brevity.

There's another pair of books - by Shayla Kersten - Thirty Days and Forever, which tackle the issue of abuse in this arena. It might be something that you'll find much more interesting reading.

[Cleon Lee]

This is one of the things that fascinated me about Jake (as he puts it, it had nothing to do with love, in one of his best scenes with Adrien -- but of course, he never does answer what Adrien really wants to understand -- what did it have to do with?).

Talking about Jake and Adrien makes me wonder, is it possible for a dom to build a relationship with someone who is not into the lifestyle? I guess I'll ask this question at the Adrien English discussion later. It'll be an interesting discussion. :)

[Merith]

Edina wrote: "Barb wrote: "But IMO you should read the Petit Morts in order .... Save WW for last!"

Really? I read JL Petits Morts and the order did not seem important... But maybe JCP Petits Morts is different..."

I don't think the other stories matter which order you read them in, but you should save WW for last. There's an unusual twist in that one.

[Josh]

Okay, I am officially NOT here (promised the SO that I would stay offline on the weekends -- HELLO, DO YOU UNDERSTAND I NEED MY CRACK?) however, in a conversation with an editor friend the topic of good m/m spec fiction came up.

So who are the best spec fiction (as in speculative fiction as in fantasy, SF, paranormal) writers working in m/m right now?

If you were an editor looking to invest in talent, who should you have an eye on right now? (This is m/m only.)

[Cleon Lee]

Okay, I am officially NOT here (promised the SO that I would stay offline on the weekends -- HELLO, DO YOU UNDERSTAND I NEED MY CRACK?)

;-D

I haven't read a lot of M/m fics compared to other fans, but the absolute best writer in this spec fics is Jordan Castillo Price.

From what I read of your writing in M/M group, you are also very good at writing fantasy. I am going to read the Darkling Thrush soon. (Just got my iPod touch today, YAY!)

Are shifter fics considered paranormal fics? Mya is a great author and I enjoy all her stories, published and free stories. I also love Joel Skye's werewolf series. Rowan McBride is also a terrific author. Belinda McBride's Blaque/Blue is also one of the my favorite shifter fics.

I've heard that Megan Derr is a fabulous fantasy/ paranormal author, but I haven't read her longer works.

I also love ZAM's Notturno, but she can write anything. ;)

[Susan]

Josh wrote: "Okay, I am officially NOT here (promised the SO that I would stay offline on the weekends -- HELLO, DO YOU UNDERSTAND I NEED MY CRACK?) however, in a conversation with an editor friend the topic of..."

Josh, I also agree that the werewolf series by Joely Skye is excellent. I have recently discovered an author who I think is a wondeerful writer with an good new paranormal series, PORTALS, Jade Archer.

[ns]

Josh wrote: "So who are the best spec fiction (as in speculative fiction as in fantasy, SF, paranormal) writers working in m/m right now? "

This should absolutely not be taken as a "best spec fiction working in m/m" list in absolute terms (I've read little m/m fantasy/scifi/paranormal) -- just the very rough rankings of who I've read (slim pickings).

Megan Derr
Chris Owen (the Apotrope world had a lot of potential)
Ferdinand Morgan
Sasha Miller
JC Owens
Mary Calmes
Jill Knowles
Kim Dare
Kate Steele
Madeleine Urban
KZ Snow
Sarah Madison
Mya
Alexander Voinov
Stephani Hecht
Sarah Madison
Ally Blue
Lisabet Sarai
JL Merrow

I've left off a few well-known names for obvious reasons...

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

I second KZ Snow (Mongrel is one of my favorite 2011 reads, I recommended it to everyone), Belinda Mc Bride, Kim Dare, Rowan McBride, Alexander Voinov and JC Owens. I thought Counterpoint by Rachel Haimowitz was terrific. I also liked Sebastian's Wolves by Valentina Heart very much.

I haven't read Megan Derr yet, looking forward to.

[Jordan]

Susan wrote: "Anna, I read the Deviations series years back and loved it UNTIL I read the last book. The authors did something in the final book that ruined it for me. If you read the reviews of the fourth boo..."

Oh dear... well, since the 4th Deviations book is already on my coffee table in my HUGE to-read pile, I think I might skip the reviews so I don't ruin any part of the plot. This might have to be my next read then. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Jordan]

Cleon wrote: "When we read fics, we want to read about our ideal relationship, where the partners are equal. In fact, this is one of the main reasons many women into M/M at all (I personally just think because it's hot. ;-)"

I have to say that for me, it's a mixture of both. I like the idea that both characters are on a more equal playing field. But, it's also very hot, romantic, and sexy. And yeah, there's that other element that there's still a lot of homophobia in the world, which does (sadly) add a little spice to it occasionally. I hate to say that, but it's true.

As for BDSM, yeah, I much prefer m/m over m/f because the characters are on a more equal field, as long as there's love involved, of course. I want the Dom to truly care about his sub, and vice versa. Of course, the idea of a female Dom and a male sub is very interesting. I haven't read any books with that dynamic in it yet, but in my to-read pile I have Natural Law by Joey W. Hill, about an undercover male cop who discovers his sub side with a Domme who's still relatively new to the lifestyle. Eh, it sounds interesting, so we'll see how it goes. But, even then, few books with that dynamic have caught my attention, and it's the only one I've purchased yet.

[Jordan]

Josh wrote: "Okay, I am officially NOT here (promised the SO that I would stay offline on the weekends -- HELLO, DO YOU UNDERSTAND I NEED MY CRACK?) however, in a conversation with an editor friend the topic of..."

You know, I honestly haven't read enough m/m in any of those sub genres to be able to say who's the best. But, my initial reaction to who's the best m/m writer in general ends up in a tie between you and Jordan Castillo Price. And, since she writes paranormal, well, there you go. lol.

I'm hoping to read more of that sort of thing though, so perhaps in the future I can give you a better answer.

[Susan]

Anna wrote: "Susan wrote: "Anna, I read the Deviations series years back and loved it UNTIL I read the last book. The authors did something in the final book that ruined it for me. If you read the reviews of ..."

Good luck! I'll be looking for your post after you finish the final book.

[Heather C]

I'm currently reading

[Josh]

I haven't read Megan Derr yet, looking forward to.

Megan Derr's name keeps popping up so maybe we should nominate her for a book club read one of these months?

[Josh]

Thanks for these suggestions of spec fiction writers. I'll pass them along!

[Mary]

Reading Tamara Allen's Downtime-I'm taking it slow since I've been rereading some favorites too.

[Cleon Lee]

Megan Derr's name keeps popping up so maybe we should nominate her for a book club read one of these months?

I think that will be great, and it goes with discussion about spec fic authors.

[[deleted user]]

Reading Edith Warton is an all time fave, forget Candece Bushnell and Laura Weisberger...Edith Warton was the original Chick Lit queen...

and incredibly sweet story, I'm loving it

[[deleted user]]

I'm half way through , skimming mostly. It's real bad, nothing happened so far besides running and a quick hand job. I'll probably drop it.

[Mariana]

I'm re-reading Rough, Raw and Ready by Lorelei James... one of my favorite books.

[Bubbles Hunty]

Suhi wrote: "I'm half way through , skimming mostly. It's real bad, nothing happened so far besides running and a quick hand job. I'll probably drop it."

Awesome! this is one of my challenge reads, i look forward to it. I love it when nothing happens in a book!

[[deleted user]]

Bubbles (Dane) wrote: "Awesome! this is one of my challenge reads, i look forward to it. I love it when nothing happens in a book! ..."
Well.. that's one big challenge for me.. too big. I dropped the book but if you tell me that they have sex somewhere later I'm gonna read the smut (the hand job was Ok)

[Bubbles Hunty]

lol i usually skip the sex but i will let you know if anything stand out

[[deleted user]]

Bubbles (Dane) wrote: "lol i usually skip the sex "
LOL

[[deleted user]]

I had to vent and wrote a review XD

[[deleted user]]

Just finished Snowball in Hell and The Girl For Mewhich were beyond awesome completely different, but with interesting similarities.

Starting Paris A to Z today...

[Mariana]

Just bought Paris A to Z... will be reading that right away :)

[Cleon Lee]

Just bought Paris A to Z (Coda Books, #6) Paris A to Z... will be reading that right away :)

I just bought it too! I am looking forward to read it!

[Heather C]

I bought it but not looking forward to reading it

[[deleted user]]

Edina wrote: "Just bought it too. I've been waiting for that. I like Cole and Jon. Cole is an original.

And thanks to Laura for recommending , I loved it!"

I loved Cole too...Angelo pisses me off sometimes.

I'm glad you liked The Girl for Me, it's an awesome one. Dani and Kev are the sweetest :)

[Becky]

Edina wrote: "Just bought it too. I've been waiting for that. I like Cole and Jon. Cole is an original.

And thanks to Laura for recommending , I loved it!"

Oh, Paris A to Z has Cole and Jon in it? I'm there. I'm currently reading Strawberries for Dessert for the third time, I think. I have Promises on my ereader, but I'm almost afraid to read it in case I don't like it as much as Strawberries.

[Norma]

Read Snowball in Hell yesterday and it's one of the best books I've read so far this year. Inredible, moving story that really made me think and feel. Not sure how else to put it.

Then, I needed something light, so I just finished Ethan Day's SnoHo. LOVED it. What a funny book. I'll be looking forward to LiF for sure!

Next up will be The Dark Horse I think.

[[deleted user]]

Norma wrote: "Read Snowball in Hell yesterday and it's one of the best books I've read so far this year. Inredible, moving story that really made me think and feel. Not sure how else to put it.

SiH was a fantastic read, it's in y favorites for sure now, and so good to do as a group :)

The Dark Horse is great as well.

[Mariana]

Becky wrote: "Oh, Paris A to Z has Cole and Jon in it? I'm there. I'm currently reading Strawberries for Dessert for the third time, I think. I have Promises on my ereader, but I'm almost afraid to read it in case I don't like it as much as Strawberries."


Paris A to Z was fantastic and it's about Jon and Cole's wedding...