Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
Lil Grogan wrote: "Anne wrote: "If you like the subject matter, I can rec a list of books dealing with homosexuality and the church. Most of them seem to be YA, though."Thanks would appreciate that. YA is good."
OK, first, I have to plug Screwed Up Life of Charlie The Second because I think it's one of the best YA books I've ever read. Although it's excruciatingly embarrassing at times, and it has nothing to do with religion.
Thinking Straight by Robin Reardon -- her other books are great, too
Common Sons by Ronald L. Donaghe -- has sequels (this is first book) and 3rd in series is focused entirely on homosexuality v. religion. I haven't read that one.
Jude in Chains by KZ Snow -- not YA
The God Box by Alex Sanchez
The Preacher's Son: A Southern Coming-Out Story by Kevin Backer -- didn't actually like it much, personally
And then a lot of the "Gay Youth Chronicles" by Mark A. Roeder have theological arguments and discussions in them. It's a long-ish series (about 20 books), but there are lots of places you can start it.
Lauraadriana wrote: "OMG Mariana, I LOVED this book!...By far my favorite Amy Lane book, and I absolutely love all her stuff...this book killed me...I LOVED it...Xander and Chris are gonna be on my mind for a long time..."Still definitely thinking of Xander and Chris... I just wanted to hug them :)
Mariana wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "OMG Mariana, I LOVED this book!...By far my favorite Amy Lane book, and I absolutely love all her stuff...this book killed me...I LOVED it...Xander and Chris are gonna be on my..."
Me too Mariana...I loved that couple *sigh*
Me too Mariana...I loved that couple *sigh*
Anne wrote: "Lil Grogan wrote: "Anne wrote: "If you like the subject matter, I can rec a list of books dealing with homosexuality and the church. Most of them seem to be YA, though."Thanks would appreciate th..."
I bought Jude in Chains, thanks for the rec! And I put the rest of the books on your list to my wish-list.
Today is really really NOT my day, so I am gonna curl up with Strange Fortune I bought yesterday...
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So, yeah, that's what I'm currently reading.
Jordan S. wrote: "Yesterday, I finally chose my next book. Sadly, it was my bad mood that had me needing a comfort book. And, I have to say, if you haven't read any of Andrew Grey's farm series "Love means..." they ..."Hi Jordan, Just wanted to chime in and say I really like your new avatar!
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..."
I think it's the characters that determine things for me. I have to find the characters sufficiently interesting. I don't need to like them, although that helps in a romance novel, but I do need to find them interesting enough. I don't know many plots that can sweep me along if I don't care about the characters.
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I've read books with some lame characters because the plot was really engrossing. Hmmm... I guess that means it's more plot than character for me. Ah well.
Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "Character is important to me, too. I'll read a book I think is hopelessly boring just because the character is well-developed. OTOH, I'll read crappy characters if the plot is gripping..."I started reading Fish & Chips last night, and as usual I find it very interesting, but I can't figure out if it's character or plot. I'm thinking chraracter, since the plot is kind thin.
Here's the thing, though: I sometimes hate these guys. And yet, I continue to read....
So maybe it's how complicated the character is that sucks me in? IDK.
Okay, so I had a kid home sick from school today, and what did I do? Laid on the couch and read all day. I finished Fish & Chips and I have to say I'm happier with it than I was halfway through. I am taking back what I said about thin plot, earlier.I still find them frustrating characters, though. Sometimes I think I should go back and start over with Cut & Run, but I was so annoyed by the end of that one, I can't really put myself through that again. But I was coming off a lot of painkillers then, and I can't help thinking it might have been me....
Nah, I'm gonna go read Adrien English again, I think.
Ann do not get me started on Ty and Zane but yeah there is no plot in fish and chips so it is all character development that made it enjoyable
Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "Character is important to me, too. I'll read a book I think is hopelessly boring just because the character is well-developed. OTOH, I'll read crappy characters if the plot is gripping..."Yup, interesting characters are very important to me too. They can just sit in a room and talk for all I care and I will read them. And no, I don't have to like them. I can even hate them, but as long as they're interesting, I can enjoy the story.
Bubbles (Dane) wrote: "Ann do not get me started on Ty and Zane but yeah there is no plot in fish and chips so it is all character development that made it enjoyable"And honestly, the character development is sometimes questionable. Men are not this emotionally dense, I'm not that big a misandryist (yes, I think I made it up, from the Greek for hate -- misos -- and man -- andros) as to believe that. Jake Riordan was more in touch with his emotions than these guys.
But still, fascinating to read about them and wonder if they will ever pull their heads out.
ETA: I should not make comments, though, because they way my current WIP is going, Urban and Roux are way ahead of me in the character development department.
Cleon wrote: "I can even hate them, but as long as they're interesting, I can enjoy the story. "It's a weird sort of enjoyment, though, at least for me. Like eating preserved plums or something.
Anne wrote: "Bubbles (Dane) wrote: "Ann do not get me started on Ty and Zane but yeah there is no plot in fish and chips so it is all character development that made it enjoyable"And honestly, the character d..."
I think it's definitely about the characters with the Cut & Run series. Ty & Zane are fascinating in a human train wreck kind of way. In reality, Zane with all his baggage, would not be cleared for any kind of undercover work. But I think you're supposed to suspend belief for most of this series. I did like Fish & Chips & the personality switch gimmick.
Yvonne wrote: "Ty & Zane are fascinating in a human train wreck kind of way. In reality, Zane with all his baggage, would not be cleared for any kind of undercover work. But I think you're supposed to suspend belief for most of this series. I did like Fish & Chips & the personality switch gimmick."I suspended a lot of belief. :)
So glad you liked Mahu, Jordan-- and the romance quotient does get higher as the books go on!
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And it looks like next month, as a group, we're reading Three Wrong Turns, which looks fantastic. I can't wait! If it's as well written as Mahu, it's gotta be good.
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In this book there are other gay couples who don't live on the farm as well. Now there are so many guys I have a hard time remembering who's who! I have to stop and think each time a name comes up, even though I've read all the books. But that's a minor issue.
The biggest thing that's hard to believe is the way Preston changes his attitude so quickly. All his life he's been an arrogant prick and all of a sudden his best friend gives him a good talking to, and he changes, almost instantly. Sure, he keeps thinking arrogant thoughts at times, but he's able to control himself a little too well too soon.
Aside from that, though, the series is still good, and still a heartwarmer, especially when one is in a bad mood. lol. This is one of those books where you might have to suspend belief, but it's not too hard to do so.
Though I did catch a mistake that seemed to be pretty obvious. Joey says Belle is already saddled and ready to go. But as soon as Stone is done mucking stalls, he's brushing Belle, and then getting her saddle... whoops! Don't know how that one got past the editor.
But, even so, I'm still enjoying it. It's only too bad it's a skinny book. I'll have it finished in no time and then I'll have the hard task of chosing the next book to read from my coffee table. Hmmm...
Jordan S. wrote: "So I'm halfway through Love Means...Freedom by Andrew Grey, and I'm having to suspend belief for a few things. Of course, in each book a gay couple comes together fall in love, and usually stay to ..."Actually, I think the farm is in Ohio, about 4 hours from Chicago. So, not the 'west' as in hardcore homophobic cowboy country.
But, the series is sweet that way. It's not reality in the way everyone is so accepting, but the books are nice and comfortable reads. I don't think Andrew tries to make his work pillars of realism.
Jordan S. wrote: "Of course, in each book a gay couple comes together fall in love, and usually stay to work on the ranch. Basically, this is the largest gay family ever. lol."Heh. This is one of those suspension of disbelief situations, like non-LEOs running across and solving crimes repeatedly. :-)
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Finished
, it's funny and sweet, at 300+ pages I think it was still 300 pages short. I am FINALLY reading
, I've been waiting to read this book for months!!!
I'm trying out a new author (for me-- this is probably why I was surprised to find horses in it--I guess I should read the blurbs more) Kate Sherwood
It's good so far.
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Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Finished , it's funny and sweet, at 300+ pages I think it was still 300 pages short. I am FINALLY reading , I've been wai..."I loved Tigers and Devils, I wished there was a sequel.
Just finished
and I think it's a wonderful story and a fantastic debut by Jay Bell. Beautiful cover & chapter pictures too (Andreas Bell)
Yvonne wrote: "I'm trying out a new author (for me-- this is probably why I was surprised to find horses in it--I guess I should read the blurbs more) Kate Sherwood It's good so ..."I think Kate really likes horses. Just about everything I've read of hers, or have heard of hers, she has horses in it. :D
Yvonne wrote: "I'm trying out a new author (for me-- this is probably why I was surprised to find horses in it--I guess I should read the blurbs more) Kate Sherwood It's good so ..."I loved Kate Sherwood's Dark Horse. It was a wonderfully emotional read. Not angsty, because I when I think angst I think histrionics and overreactions and characters that are generally TSTL. Dark Horse had real emotion and was beautifully written and you will definately need a box of tissues to read it.
Sylvia wrote that she'd just finished Cat in the Cradle.This book keeps slipping in and out of my shopping cart. Can you tell me a little more? What about it was especially satisfying or enjoyable for you?
Yvonne wrote: "I'm trying out a new author (for me-- this is probably why I was surprised to find horses in it--I guess I should read the blurbs more) Kate Sherwood It's good so ..."Let me know what you think. She's been on my list to look into for a long time.
That Jordan Castillo Price woman, she can write, eh?Loved Body Art, Sympathy and Sleepwalker. The thing about JCP is that her stories and characters are so unique and different that you immediately know you're reading a JCP novel. You can't imagine any of her main protagonists in someone else's novels...
Jordan S. wrote: "Just finished Andrew Grey this morning and at some point later today or tomorrow I'll be starting St. Nacho's by Z.A. Maxfield. This will be a new author for me so my fingers are crossed, though I'..."
St.Nacho's was the first ZA Maxfield book...and that series was enjoyable...I have some real favorite of hers specially these three
St.Nacho's was the first ZA Maxfield book...and that series was enjoyable...I have some real favorite of hers specially these three
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Actually started St. Nacho's last night and her writing is really great! Nothing annoys me yet, and the characters are well drawn out too. So far so good!
Jordan S. wrote: "I keep looking at Crossing Borders but isn't there a huge age difference in that book? I think that's the hang up that keeps me from buying it. The other two I haven't checked out..."Not that huge. Tristan is 19; Michael late 20s. The cover is really bad.
Jordan S. wrote: I keep looking at Crossing Borders but isn't there a huge age difference in that book?"
Ahh the age difference is not so huge...I think Tristan was 19 and Michael was like 27 or 28...I think the stages of life they were in was what made the age difference a little more of a gap, and I liked that their age difference was not taken lightly by the families...I loved their story...really sweet
Ahh the age difference is not so huge...I think Tristan was 19 and Michael was like 27 or 28...I think the stages of life they were in was what made the age difference a little more of a gap, and I liked that their age difference was not taken lightly by the families...I loved their story...really sweet
Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Jordan S. wrote: "I keep looking at Crossing Borders but isn't there a huge age difference in that book? I think that's the hang up that keeps me from buying it. The other two I haven't checked out..."
Cover's AWFUL...like Life in Fusion...It's like did they even read what the characters are supposed to look like?...E you have got to read Just Hit Send
Cover's AWFUL...like Life in Fusion...It's like did they even read what the characters are supposed to look like?...E you have got to read Just Hit Send
Lauraadriana wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Jordan S. wrote: "I keep looking at Crossing Borders but isn't there a huge age difference in that book? I think that's the hang up that keeps me from buying it. The other ..."That cover has really kept me from buying the book. I thought there was some huge age difference. I'm surprised it's only a few years.
Yvonne wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Jordan S. wrote: "I keep looking at Crossing Borders but isn't there a huge age difference in that book? I think that's the hang up that keeps me from ..."
No...it's really not a huge age difference and the whole thing is handled pretty well by the families...this is actually one of my favorites couples...I's definitely worth reading...
No...it's really not a huge age difference and the whole thing is handled pretty well by the families...this is actually one of my favorites couples...I's definitely worth reading...
Yvonne wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Jordan S. wrote: "I keep looking at Crossing Borders but isn't there a huge age difference in that book? I think that's the hang up that keeps me from ..."It's actually significant, I thought. Also, the older MC has known him as a boy growing up. To me, there were certainly shades of yech. He's the cop whose beat the kids playground is on. I wasn't able to finish the book, quite honestly, for other reasons, too -- mostly not compelling enough, and the fact that this cop comes on to this kid in a library was a little too deterring for me to like either of them, however precocious the kid (and yes, it was difficult for me not to see him as a kid -- if the author hadn't compounded the problem with having the kid get around on a skateboard). I know a lot of people liked it.
ns wrote: "Yvonne wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Jordan S. wrote: "I keep looking at Crossing Borders but isn't there a huge age difference in that book? I think that's the hang up that..."
Yeah I liked it a lot...There really was not much creepiness for me...but then again it's all about what you're comfortable with...I really liked them and REALLY likes were they were at the end.
Yeah I liked it a lot...There really was not much creepiness for me...but then again it's all about what you're comfortable with...I really liked them and REALLY likes were they were at the end.
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I think I was also getting that "kid" feeling from what I've read about it, that the one guy is always seen as a kid, and it makes sense if the older guy watched him grow up. To me that's a little weird. I dunno. I used to be able to see a 17 year old kid with a 26 year old woman when I was writing fanfic for an old TV show years ago, but now I can't see that so much any more.
Speaking of botched covers: The Assignment by Evangeline Anderson botched the cover too. The one cop was described as a bear, but neither of the guys on the cover had an ounce of body hair. Granted, I'm not into bears, so the cover description worked better for me, but still, it wasn't realistic to the story and that's not a good thing.
Lauraadriana wrote: "E you have got to read Just Hit Send."It's loooooooooong. Major copy-and-paste :-(
Over at MLR they are giving away Deadly Nightshade by Victor Banis free! This is a great series and has four other books out and he will be releasing another one in June.
Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Lauraadriana wrote: "E you have got to read Just Hit Send."
It's loooooooooong. Major copy-and-paste :-("
Nahh Babe I already did that...send me your email and I'll send you the PDF file!!
It's loooooooooong. Major copy-and-paste :-("
Nahh Babe I already did that...send me your email and I'll send you the PDF file!!
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Anyone else read those?
Josh wrote: "So in preparation for this anthology I'm doing with Astrid, Nikki and Ginn, I read the two Hell Cop anthologies from Loose Id. I really enjoyed them. Anyone else read those?"
Yep. I did like them. Not quite thrilling wow, but competent and readable (sorry, that sounds rather lame, I know). I'd certainly buy more.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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I see sexuality as one aspect of the character, and BDSM with it's dark nuances tends to draw me in. "
Character is important to me, too. I'll read a book I think is hopelessly boring just because the character is well-developed. OTOH, I'll read crappy characters if the plot is gripping.