Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
Lauraadriana wrote: "Blaine D. wrote: and I really need to get over this dot dot dot obsession I love dot dot dot!...SEE!! It's my thing, I think it gives pause for thought and consideration :O)...I bet you just thou..."
I often don't even realise I'm doing it. But I do need to cut down on it.
Sometimes it gets so bad, I insert it into my writing as well ...
Blaine D. wrote: "Thing is ... most of those all knowing Dom stories are often from the Dom's pov.Often the scenes in the sub's pov are mostly in scene and not during the bordering on abuse scenes ...
So ... is i..."
It is perfectly understandable, I guess, since many of us identify with the sub more than with the Dom.
Josh wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I wonder why readers are so permissive of abuse in an M/M relationship. Imagine if the other partner (I can't label him as a sub because he hasn't given consent to be a sub) is a woma..."Well, perhaps many of us women have dark fantasy of being dominated and often don't realize it. lol. When our rational minds come to realization what exactly we have read, we become ashamed and the trend fades only to be repeated in slightly different form in the future.
Cleon wrote: Well, perhaps many of us women have dark fantasy of being dominated and often don't realize it."
I think so, it's amazing that stuff that gets your heartrate up that you never thought would...books are a beautiful thing...and a much safer place to explore those darker areas we have inside:O)
@Blaine I think I'm hopeless with the dot dot dot...I can't stop! :O)
I think so, it's amazing that stuff that gets your heartrate up that you never thought would...books are a beautiful thing...and a much safer place to explore those darker areas we have inside:O)
@Blaine I think I'm hopeless with the dot dot dot...I can't stop! :O)
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Blaine D. wrote: "Josh wrote: "You guys have my head spinning. :-DSo Anna is Jordan
Anita is Blaine
And Megan is Anne
Is that right? Has anyone changed to or from a variation on "Ann" in the last week or so? "
I..."
LOL :)
Okay, for anyone who wants a kinder, gentler Dom, I reccomend "Bad Case of Loving You" by Laney Cairo. Actually, it's barely D/s.And for an interesting and intense discussion of the bodice ripper, I recommend "Beyond Heaving Bosoms" by Sarah of Smart Bitches (www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com). Can't remember her last name right now.
As far as my secret fantasies? Well, the 'not being in control' thing is pretty seductive, and I own it. But not so much in reality -- it's much better in a book. And for the characters in my head.
Josh wrote: "You don't want to overdue it, but yes, I think it's great for comic timing and dramatic beats and indicating pause for thought, that groping for the right word."
Well, I am absolutely desperate with using them...Thankfully for the world at a large, I read not write :O) My use of dots and smiley faces are entirely too much.
Well, I am absolutely desperate with using them...Thankfully for the world at a large, I read not write :O) My use of dots and smiley faces are entirely too much.
Anne wrote: "Okay, for anyone who wants a kinder, gentler Dom, I reccomend "Bad Case of Loving You" by Laney Cairo. Actually, it's barely D/s.And for an interesting and intense discussion of the bodice rippe..."
Absolutely! Some things are just better left in imagination.
Anne wrote: "Okay, for anyone who wants a kinder, gentler Dom, I reccomend "Bad Case of Loving You" by Laney Cairo. Actually, it's barely D/s.And for an interesting and intense discussion of the bodice rippe..."
I think I'll add your suggestion to my ever growing tbr pile.
I never got the appeal of bodice rippers or rape fantasy books. I just love more equal relationships & I'm not into humiliation of any kind. But except for the humorous romance novels like Jennifer Crusie & Stephanie Plum stories or mystery/detective stories, I stopped reading most m/f romance novels years ago.
Yvonne wrote: "Anne wrote: "Okay, for anyone who wants a kinder, gentler Dom, I reccomend "Bad Case of Loving You" by Laney Cairo. Actually, it's barely D/s.And for an interesting and intense discussion of the..."
Sometimes I read stories that I don't identify with just out of curiosity sake. Even though I sometimes like fantasizing being out of control, I never ever get the appeal of 24/7 relationship. But I want to understand why people do. Sometimes the author managed to make me understand, well, sort of, like Dr Fell series. Other times, well...
I also think curiosity is part of why people like to read about serial killers. One of my favorite series is Criminal Minds. I don't think most people have fantasy to be a serial killer. We just want to know what make them tic.
Cleon wrote: "Yvonne wrote: "Anne wrote: "Okay, for anyone who wants a kinder, gentler Dom, I reccomend "Bad Case of Loving You" by Laney Cairo. Actually, it's barely D/s.And for an interesting and intense di..."
Now I'll have to add Criminal Minds to my pile. Sigh.
Josh wrote: "You don't want to overdue it, but yes, "Emphasis mine. Deadlines are on someone's mind, eh? :) :)
Seriously, this reader at least would like you to cut back your schedule. Wouldn't mind if you did take that year off. Anything to keep you from burning out.
Your current schedule (even with the seeming axing of some projects) is still insane. Whatever you have to do to still be writing ten years from now, twenty. More importantly, whatever you have to do to continue to enjoy the writing of said books .
And if you never wrote another word, that would be ok, too. OK as in "if that's what you need." Not OK as in "OK with me" because, well, the mind recoils in horror at the thought. But yes, it would be OK.
Anne wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Yvonne wrote: "Anne wrote: "Okay, for anyone who wants a kinder, gentler Dom, I reccomend "Bad Case of Loving You" by Laney Cairo. Actually, it's barely D/s.And for an interesting ..."
Criminal Minds is a TV series. ;)
Cleon wrote: "Anne wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Yvonne wrote: "Anne wrote: "Okay, for anyone who wants a kinder, gentler Dom, I reccomend "Bad Case of Loving You" by Laney Cairo. Actually, it's barely D/s.And for an..."
Oh... I don't really do TV. I guess I'll put it on my netflix queue.
Darn it, now I'm doing that dot dot dot thing. Not that I didn't do it all the time before...
Yes, what can we do to ensure you continue to want to write, Josh? I can offer baked goods, useless crocheted thingies, my children. Whatever you need.ETA: Okay, maybe I didn't really mean "whatever" exactly. Within reason. But remember, my children are always available.
Mod
I do need to get better at balancing my work schedule. Even cutting back doesn't seem to have made the difference I'd hoped.
Anyway, life is always a work in progress. Thanks for the kind thoughts, all of you.
Josh wrote: "I do need to get better at balancing my work schedule. Even cutting back doesn't seem to have made the difference I'd hoped."Yes, balancing work shedules is tricky. Mine's leaning away from writing too much at the moment ... *sigh*
Of course, you could always ask your SO to tie you down, refocus your attention :p
Josh wrote: "life is always a work in progress"
Definitely.
Josh wrote: "I'm sure I'd be bored to tears within three months tops if I tried to stop writing. Even if I take a few days off, before I know it I'm running dialog in my head, so the idea of a year off is prett..."I can't offer my children, but I live not too far from Bali and there are many surfer boys to ogle there. Perhaps I can pack them and send them to you? ;)
Anyway, I am sure your readers *coughstalkerscough* will understand *coughstalkyoucough* if you need to take time off from writing for a while. So, no pressure, Josh. No pressure at all! :)
Just KIDDING! I don't want Jake to shoot me. lol
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I read Sean Michael's Best Friend's series (I think that's what it was called) and stupidly bought all three books at once. And they were pretty terrible, in my opinion. There was no plot and the sex was boring, same old, same old, over and over and over again. The characters weren't acting like real people when their best friend's lives were in danger. The last book was the best one, I thought, and that actually had BDSM in it. But, the Dom was a loving Dom an wasn't about to do anything his sub was't ready for. And he made sure his sub used his safe word.
And I'd gone through Sean's other titles and picked Bent to read, thankfully I didn't get it. After I read this other series I decided to skip the others I thought looked good. And it seems like I made a good decision there!
I'm reading Mahu by Neil Plakcy right now, still. And I'm really enjoying it. It's not so much a romance novel, but I would still highly recommend it. It's one cop's coming out story (and figuring out who he really is) while solving a murder investigation that involves friends, other cops, and a gay bar where he witnessed part of the murder. This is the first book in the series. If I wasn't working on my own book, I would have spent my entire day yesterday finishing this awesome read for sure!
Mod
Josh, I'm not sure if I could take that much time off. I've been writing since I was like, five, and it's impossible for me not to write. But, if you ever do pause for any length of time, good luck! You just might need it what with all these rabid *coughstalkerscough*. lol.
Jordan S. wrote: "Josh, yep, I was once known on here as Anna. But I'm now Jordan. ... MUCH better! lol. I read Sean Michael's Best Friend's series (I think that's what it was called) and stupidly bought all thr..."
Thank you for being thoughtful enough to change your name. :)
I've wondered about Sean MIchael for a long time -- I think I might have read something by him once and been underwhelmed -- and I'm kind of glad to hear (read) so many opinions on here that steer me away.
I've also been thinking about Mahu, and you've convinced me to put it on my list.
I really enjoy the psychological aspects of a good BDSM story and have read quite a few. Often the plots are mostly relationship oriented, but certainly not always. For me, slave and captured fit into this category as well, because there is a D/s mentality to it. Three titles I enjoyed that fit these categories were Counterpoint captured/slave, Victorious Star captured (menage) and Duck! light slave D/s.
Finished
I bought on FW sale before. This story is just so damn romantic and sweet. A perfect read when you need something comforting like you're ill. KZ Snow's writing is very beautiful and can be funny to. I laughed out loud several times. A new author to follow. lol. The end is a bit rushed though but overall, a very enjoyable read. Warning: there is a foursome scene, but in the end the couple realized that they preferred sex only with the person they love.
Dee wrote: "I really enjoy the psychological aspects of a good BDSM story and have read quite a few. Often the plots are mostly relationship oriented, but certainly not always. For me, slave and captured fit..."
I really enjoyed Duck!, and according to the author's website, there will be more stories in that universe.
Lou wrote: "I like reading BDSM, or at least would, but there's not a whole lot of good examples of out I could find. Special Delivery is a very good read, even if on the light end of BDSM. Rough Canvas is pre..."I don't read too many BDSM books (almost never) but I've heard lots of good things about "Bound by Honor," by SE Jakes. It's about an army ranger, Jesse, whose dying request is that his fellow soldier, Tanner, spend one night as a sub with his boyfriend Damon. {this one may be more BDSM themed than an actual BDSM novel)
"Bound & Determined" by Jane Davitt also get lots of good reviews as well as "A Thread of Deepest Black" (this one is a shifter story). Kim Dare has written some BDSM books that people appear to like, like Duck & The Mark of an Alpha.
If those are too lite, some people appear to like Uneven by Anah Crow which is a harder edged BDSM book that's probably not following all the safe, sane & consensual rules. This is too hardcore for me, but I've enjoyed other Anah Crow's books so I'm betting it's a well written story.
I've already said I loved a "The Elegant Corpse" by AM Riley which is a really good mystery with a detective who is in the closet regarding his BDSM activities who is investigating murders of victims with ties to BDSM.
Mod
I'm also going to put the rest of the Mahu series on my to-read list. This was one I found by accident in Borders when they were having their going out of business sale and I haven't regretted it yet. The writing is superb. And it kills me just knowing where I left off this morning. I just have to get back to it!
Jordan S. wrote: "I'm writing all these titles down that get good comments. I need some more (hopefully good) BDSM books. I'm also going to put the rest of the Mahu series on my to-read list. This was one I foun..."
If you're curious about 24/7 BDSM lifestyle, I recommend Dr Fell series by Syd McGinley. It has more realistic portrayal of everyday life of people in this lifestyle. I believe that the short stories have been compiled to 3 books for easier reading.
Yvonne wrote: "Lou wrote: "I like reading BDSM, or at least would, but there's not a whole lot of good examples of out I could find. Special Delivery is a very good read, even if on the light end of BDSM. Rough C..."I really liked Bound and Determined. Very nice 'teaching a sub' type story... rather more loving and tender with angsty plot thrown in. If you're looking for BDSM, Mark of an Alpha isn't quite there. It has some BDSM scenes in it, but it's not like DUCK! (or some of Kim's other BDSM stories).
I really liked An Elegant Corpse as well.
Lou wrote: "The first two of Chris Owen's Deviation books are decent, even if light on plot."After everyone's been talking up Chris' Deviation series, I bought the first two. I started reading the first book, but am reluctant to go any farther. I don't want to get drawn into a series that will lead me to something I'm going to really hate (like pulling a third into a couple). Just reading the story summaries for the other books, it seems that making the two a threesome will happen. It's a rare story about multiple partners I like. So, I probably won't read them. Just not worth the emotional investment.
Lil' Grogan wrote: "Candice wrote: "Yeah, I couldn't like A Demon Inside anywhere near as much as I wanted to. To be honest, I think I can say the same for most of Reed's work. It just doesn't connect with me the wa..."I remember being dissatisfied with what he'd done even while respecting much about how he'd done it. (It has been awhile.) But I think I missed a good love story. In fact, let me be a little more honest.
As a straight woman, I don't find a man who is noticably homosexual sexy/attractive. I'm attracted to straight guys. So when I read, I want my gay guys straight. If I didn't, there's a ton of gay lit out there by gay guys that I'd be reading and never going short. But I don't want reality. I want romance and the illusion of reality. That is one of the things that makes Josh Lanyon's work so unusual for a gay, male author (especially a good writer) and so appealing to me. His guys are gay, but minus a lot of the paraphenalia with which one associates or stereotypes gays. So I don't, for instance, have to, figuratively, spend a lot of time at gay bars while I'm looking in on his characters' lives. They have pursuits and pov's that are easy for anyone to identify with. He manages to make his gay guys sexy to straight women (not to mention he's a wonderful storyteller which helps just a little bit, too.)
I think Reed might offer a more realistic view of his gay leading men than I really want.
After being wowed by Tamara Allen's "The Only Gold," I picked up "Whistling in the Dark."Oh god, oh god, oh god. Her writing induces absolute lust in me. It's so damn gorgeous! Lovely, lovely, lovely. She's luminous, I tell you. If at all you have some form of sentence synesthesia like me, stop torturing yourself with that Dingo book, drop Neil Placky and do yourself a favor, pick up Allen. Oh god, she's lovely. Why, oh why can't more people write like she does? AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.....
ns wrote: "After being wowed by Tamara Allen's "The Only Gold," I picked up "Whistling in the Dark."Oh god, oh god, oh god. Her writing induces absolute lust in me. It's so damn gorgeous! Lovely, lovely, lo..."
That's a high praise indeed if she can induce such a bookgasm! lol. Let's put her on possible book list for upcoming month!
I have a favor to ask this forum, if you'd be so kind. Could you please go to this page and please, please tick the box that requests this book to be made available on the Kindle? It's the only other Tamara Allen book out there (sadly, oop, too). I'm having dreadful withdrawal symptoms already...
Cleon wrote: "That's a high praise indeed if she can induce such a bookgasm! lol. Let's put her on possible book list for upcoming month! "Er, that she did. I went and had a cup of tea but my head is still spinning, and pheromones are still firing away in an electrical feeding frenzy in my brain...
I'd love to have either of her books be the discussion read for the month. So far, I've struck out on every single one of the books selected. In fact, my feedback was so negative that I couldn't get myself to post it publicly in the April thread (and what will be the May thread). I'll be interested to see what others have to say on these in the discussions coming up.
ns wrote: "I have a favor to ask this forum, if you'd be so kind. Could you please go to this page and please, please tick that box that requests this book to be made available on the Kindle? It's the only ot..."For what it's worth, I'd have been happy to even buy a print copy (not that I ever do that any more) but the cheapest one I could find was going for $122 (seriously). So it's out of even my reach, irresponsible spender that I am.
Lou wrote: "I've read Downtime and it's fantastic. Emotional, romantic, beautifully written and evocative of the time period. That book has been through a few publisher and is currently out of circulation. I believe it's now the question of her new publisher, Dreamspinner picking it up. You should bombard them with emails."Well, of course I promptly went and did just that, and it turns out they (DSP) will be releasing it May 9th in both ebook and paperback formats. So might not be on the Kindle, but at least it's going to be available. Thanks very much for the info!
As a straight woman, I don't find a man who is noticably homosexual sexy/attractive. I'm attracted to straight guys. So when I read, I want my gay guys straight. While I like reading about straight acting gay guys, I get frustrated when that's all I can find to read. It just doesn't seem realistic and starts to get a little boring.
Mod
Cheryl wrote: "As a straight woman, I don't find a man who is noticably homosexual sexy/attractive. I'm attracted to straight guys. So when I read, I want my gay guys straight. While I like reading about straig..."
There's such a wide spectrum in the gay community, I don't think writers & readers should limit themselves. I loved the character of Caesar in L.B. Gregg's Catch me if you Can & he is a bit flamboyant. Good & funny book if you haven't read it. I also really liked Perry in The Ghost wore Yellow Socks. He was not flamboyant but came across as a more artistic type, less macho gay man (instead of a girl in disguise, some writers can't tell the difference). I wish the writers in this medium would include more variety.
Hello - isn't there a new JL book out shortly or have I got it wrong - aslo there is a new discount code - fictionwise on the freebie thread.
Mod
Josh, I'm not sure if I could take that much time off. I've been writing since I was like, five, and it's impossible for me not to write...."
I was looking through proofs last night and it suddenly occurred to me that I hate my writing voice. :-D That's probably a sign I need time off, except I'm already on a reduced schedule, in theory, so I don't know what the fix is.
Stop reading proofs, probably. :-D
Mod
I first became aware of Neil and PA Brown through a major mainstream mystery list we both belonged to. I highly recommend both their work.
Neil's series is not romantic -- I don't think his protag gets a regular boyfriend until three or so books in. In fact, I remember when he wrote me and said the success of the AE books was making him reconsider his decision to keep Kimo single. :-)
Mod
I think an ongoing and (I find) fascinating problem for men writing in this genre is the fact that they forget fiction = fantasy. Especially romantic fiction.
They are convinced their audience (which consists fo straight women or guys and gals who already know) want the "real" scoop.
You also find this with cops or private investigators writing mystery. There's a tendency to believe that the reader wants reality. Thus pages and pages of dull procedure and protocol.
When readers want reality they buy non-fiction.
What readers of fiction, especially romance readers, want is a blend of reality and romantic fantasy. WHY is this so hard to understand?
If romance fiction was about real life, then all heterosexual romance novels would be about mundane details of making breakfast and car pooling to the office and figuring out the paperwork on your divorce and taking the kids to soccer practice and etc. And while some of that makes for great fiction, it is not, in itself, the stuff anyone wants to focus on.
Mod
After everyone's been talking up Chris' Deviation series, I bought the first two. I started reading th..."
I think my main problem with BDSM is I have trouble with authority and rules and expectations in general. I don't respond well to these things just as I don't respond well to organized religion (which is what BDSM reminds me of).
Mod
Oh god, oh god, oh god. Her writing induces absolute lust in me. It's so damn gorgeous! Lovely, lovely, lo..."
Wow! Now that is just the highest praise!
Reading
today and enjoying reminds me of that film "The Blindside", sweet, funny and angsty...Amy Lane.
Also reading
short stories on the lives of gay Latino men written by gay Latino authors, an interesting and heartbreaking read...but can always switch back the Lane's hotties :O)
today and enjoying reminds me of that film "The Blindside", sweet, funny and angsty...Amy Lane.Also reading
short stories on the lives of gay Latino men written by gay Latino authors, an interesting and heartbreaking read...but can always switch back the Lane's hotties :O)
Mod
In fact, I'm reading -- and enjoying -- the whole Bellingham mystery trilogy. I started backwards with Black Cat Ink and then I realized I'd never finished the first books in the series. Anyway, I'm really enjoying. It's not exactly madcap although it teeters very close to it much of the time. I just find it very funny and such a great picture of Washington state.
It's great when you find the exact book you want to read at the very moment you're in the mood for it.
I've finally started Luck in the Shadows.I've had it sitting on my harddrive for a while, but kept forgetting about it.
I just reached chapter ten and I LOVE it!!!
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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I love dot dot dot!...SEE!! It's my thing, I think it gives pause for thought and consideration :O)...I bet you just thought and considered right then :OP