Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
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Thank you. That's one of the things I most enjoy about writing -- showing what's going on through the subtext.
Kit I can see being mishandled by a lesser author. His flare is bright and could easily become too bright.
It's part of the challenge of writing a series. You don't want to unveil everything in the first book -- that would sort of negate the point of other books and further exploration.
Kit has the big character arc in the H&M series and because the series is funny (as funny as murder can be) it's difficult to show what's going on beneath the surface without tipping too far one way or the other. All She Wrote goes a little darker in tone than I wanted, but I kind of knew that particular mystery was liable to take that particular turn. I hope the book is still mostly fun and funny.
I guess I'll find out soon enough!
Mod
Ah! Perhaps that's why Septimus was the guy for the job?
I did want to know more about Septimus and his story as I was reading. However, I'm always impressed that you can fit an entire story into a novella.
There's a lot more to follow up with in that world and with those characters, but that's one of those stories that I would hesitate to pursue if reader enthusiasm wasn't there.
There's just so much work involved in fantasy. I feel like the investment of time has to pay off.
Strange Fortune is next. :)
Hope you're enjoying it!
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I've just bought the first one, Lessons in Love, but haven't read it yet. I got distracted by the 3 volumes of shorts that Neil Plakcy has just released.
Josh wrote: "I confess to being puzzled by readers who "hate" Jake. I can see being angry with him, but hating him? The guy is in so much pain."With the risk of making myself unpopular with the Jake defenders (and Josh), I have to say I count myself firmly to team Adrien. I don't hate Jake - 'hate' is a very strong word I don't use often - but I don't like him much. I was satisfied with the ending of The Dark Tide for two reasons - I adore Adrien, and if Jake was what he wanted, then he should get him, and at some point I had realised that Adrien was more or less the only hope for Jake to be kept in line and become a halfway-decent person.
I saw that Jake was in pain, but my problem was that his way of dealing with it was inflicting the people around him even more pain (he himself said that to Adrien, and IMO he was not speaking only of physical pain) to compensate for his own, and I'm sorry, but at the end I felt more sorry for his 'victims' than for him. The victims in this case being not only Adrien, but also Kate, and everyone else he lied to.
- I have always wondered what would've happened if Claude hadn't been intimidated by Jake's threats to kill him in case Claude told someone from LAPD about Jake's involvement in the BSDM scene. Would Jake really have tried to harm Claude, especially if he's supposed to be such a following-the-law cop? I really wonder how Jake has managed to keep all his BSDM lovers from spilling the beans about him to anyone. I really doubt that Claude and later Paul Kane have been the only ones with an interest to reveal some details about Jake's private life to someone interested. Jake is a cop. Cops have more enemies than people with more common professions.
- I really was baffled about Adrien's downplayed (?) reaction to Kate's pregnancy. If a 40-year-old (i.e. an adult) man has unprotected sex with a woman, then he should know that she could get pregnant. It seems to me that Jake has wanted that pregnancy from the start, even planned it. Such handling is not only hurtful for the other lover (and Jake admitted in DoaPK he knew Adrien was in for more than just for sex), it's disrespectful and humiliating and I was not surprised of Adrien's unwillingness to give Jake another chance in TDT. In fact, I loved the last two books so much partly because Jake finally got see some consequences for his actions.
Josh said: There's a lot more to follow up with in that world and with those characters, but that's one of those stories that I would hesitate to pursue if reader enthusiasm wasn't there.There's just so much work involved in fantasy. I feel like the investment of time has to pay off.
Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, so I would be a very supportive reader! I'm sure what we've learned about Septimus is only the tip of the iceberg. He is much more interesting to me, right now, than Colin. And the fact that Colin has not been tested for his level of magick and was guided by the Fey in his quest- yes, I can see that there is the potential for much more in that world.
I did finish Strange Fortune. Just like The Darkling Thrush, I can see the potential for more in that world, as well. Aleister and Valentine heading off to the other side of the mountain leaves room for adventure. And there didn't seem to be an end to their relationship with Lady Hyde, either.
World building is such a skill unto itself. Then add the mystery element, fight scenes, internal conflicts of the characters. These 2 books must have stretched you in new and different directions.
Josh wrote: "Have you tried Charlie Cochrane's historical mysteries? They're on my TBR list. From everything I've seen she's done a good job with them."Charlie's Lessons... series is fantastic! I just adore Jonty and Orlando. They're so very British and proper but, not so much. The stories are such a fun read with a marvelous mystery attached.
Josh wrote: "Have you tried Charlie Cochrane's historical mysteries? They're on my TBR list. From everything I've seen she's done a good job with them."I've jotted the down and will go check them out as soon as I finish with my 'other' job ;o)
Just finished Immortality Is the Suck, very good and have started the second No Rest For the WickedAnd I bought the first three Lesson books by Charlie Cochrane and might read those on the plane
Antonia wrote: "Josh wrote: "I confess to being puzzled by readers who "hate" Jake. I can see being angry with him, but hating him? The guy is in so much pain."With the risk of making myself unpopular with the J..."
Antonia, I think discussion is a healthy thing. It's good to have an opposing view from which to consider new ideas. Besides, it's a wonderful tribute to any author when readers get caught up in the characters' lives as though they were real, living people.
It was hard for me to crawl into Jake's skin and understand his motivation for behaving and acting the way he did because 1) I'm not a man and 2)I'm not a gay man, let alone a conflicted gay man. But I could sure relate to hindsight being 20/20, and the fact that humans make the best decisions they can at the time with the experience and information they have. It was also helpful for me to consider that the story took place over at least 3 years.
Jake was always up front with Adrien about seeing Kate, wanting kids, and a "real" marriage. I don't think I would argue with the idea that Kate may have ended up pregnant because it was a way for Jake to extract himself from a situation with Adrien he found untenable. Maybe Adrien had it in the back of his mind that he was going to die young and the death of his relationship with Jake was the parallel of his own eventual death. Therefore his involvement with Jake, even though it was unhealthy for him, and he knew it, was inevitable.
Well. Since the 2 are together, and Josh is going to explore certain aspects of their lives together in the future, maybe he will consider giving Jake and Adrien the kids Jake wants. Adrien is learning to be pretty good with kids. ;)
Mod
I think fantasy is the hardest thing in the world to write. For me, anyway. Which is one reason why I think it's good for me to keep working at it. It does force me to think in different ways.
Mod
I'll leave the discussion to readers, though. I think that's more fun for everyone.
Josh wrote: "I confess to being puzzled by readers who "hate" Jake. I can see being angry with him, but hating him? The guy is in so much pain."Today I leant someone my copy of The hell you say (Im slowly bringing her to the dark side) with the words. "I cant wait till your finished, your gonna be SOOO Pissed off at Jake." XD but then I usually follow it it. "But by the dark tide, you love him..and get angry at Adrien." XD I always loved Jake, but augh! he pisses me off. In the best way. (Im a hopeless romantic, so anytime he went remotely smooshy to Adrien I squealed.)
Josh wrote: "Andy wrote: "I am reading Lord John and The Brotherhood of the Blade By Diana Gabaldon. I am going to be reading Sleepwalker very shortly by Jordan Castillo Price"I've been meaning to read the ..."
I really like them. They're a good mystery with usually a bit of a twist and I like the main characters. There's often some continuity with her other series with them - it's a richer read for reading both, in both directions.
Samantha wrote: "Josh wrote: "LOL. Lynn Flewelling"LOL.. Shush, so many books flying around I get too excited... *hides in the corner* Yeah Shadows return and the White road are her last two. (Such pretty cover a..."
I hung out for The White Road after that nasty foreshadowing cliffie like thing in Shadows Return. It was a satisfying read. I'm pleased this is shaping up to be a continuing series. I really like Alec and Seregil and the rest of the cast of characters.
Anne wrote: Yeah White Road pleased me very much - granted I was a little sad, but Shadows Return was so angsty it took me way too long to pick it up and read it because I was just DREADING the Emoness. Not that it wasn't amazing, it so was.Yeah White Road pleased me very much - granted I was a little sad, but Shadows Return was so angsty it took me way too long to pick it up and read it because I was just DREADING the Emoness. Not that it wasn't amazing, it so was.
I got mine!!! I just downloaded Fair Game, I had it pre-ordered. So excited to read it! Going to wait till I have had dinner so I can enjoy it uninterrupted...
One book I would recommend, and have on several occasions, is Changing Tides by Michael Thomas Ford. This is a story I rec'd to my mother and she's read and enjoyed (though I had to go through and flag the M/M sex scenes so she could avoid them).The story resonated with me for several different reasons:
1) I love most anything Steinbeck. I grew up in Steinbeck country and even worked for several months at the John Steinbeck library in Salinas.
2) The way Changing Tides is written, it lends credence to what Hudson is researching. I can just see the relationship on a different level that ever I had before.
3) The correlations between the protags and the 'silent' protags is amazing. Ben makes a fantastic Ed/Doc, and Hudson a younger more inspired John.
4) The setting is in an area I sometimes wished I still lived. There are days I'd give anything to live in a little scrub shack just off the ocean.
5) The developing relationship between Ben and his daughter. It appears hopeless at first, but page by page, chapter by chapter, it evolves. There's still room to grow, but for now, it's good.
There have been opposing and not so good reviews; several have stated this book is 'slow' and entirely too detailed. I likened it to how Steinbeck writes, how he draws the reader into elements not necessarily known or experienced before. In this, Mr Ford has done an excellent job. However, if you have no interest at all with SCUBA diving (and all that involves) or marine life along the Monetery Bay coastline, you might want to skim these pages. :)
Josh wrote: "Was that from Amazon, Cait?"Carina Press
Josh wrote: "Was that from Amazon, Cait?"Oh and HUGE congratulations on your new release :) Forgot to say that in my eagerness.
Mod
Josh wrote: "Thanks! I'm just relieved the downloads are starting to work. Whew!"I have been refreshing my link all morning and afternoon :)
I've been reading Bareback and I'm about 1/3 of the way through the book. I have to admit I'm having trouble with the story. Thus far it's been mostly sex with a little bit of plot. And I think the amount of sex is .... extraordinary. The stamina of the men and their ability to recover is super-human.
I've learned that I definitely prefer a book that is character driven, where the plot moves forward in a steady, logical pace. The love-making needs to add to the story rather than take it over.
Josh wrote: "Have you tried Charlie Cochrane's historical mysteries? They're on my TBR list. From everything I've seen she's done a good job with them."I've just finished Lessons In Love, it took me a while to get into the formal language, but by the time of the first murder I was thoroughly enjoying it. The mystery is well worked and Jonty and Orlando are likeable characters. I'll definately buy the rest of the series when I've finished Fair Game.
Merith wrote: "One book I would recommend, and have on several occasions, is Changing Tides by Michael Thomas Ford. This is a story I rec'd to my mother and she's read and enjoyed (though I had to go..."I read that a while back, it was very good. My local library had it.
Rob wrote: I'm trying to be nice, be vague, because I do realize that behind these books are real people with real emotions and fragile egos. The last thing I want to do is hurt or offend someone. "
Hi Rob, I'm sneaking on here with some mixed emotions :). But mainly to say “thanks for reading me”, and to reassure you that if an author's worth his/her salt, they should be able to take civilised discussion of their book(s). And this is a very civilised and enlightening discussion on all these books, thank goodness!
I'm as fragile as the next person, believe me, but I also love to share the *experience* of my books. I don't believe any author would turn down the chance to talk about their characters with readers :). Please feel free! (Plus I'm itching to know what 'Cops before breakfast' and 'a 2 assist game' mean :)).
And Charles in Blinded by Our Eyes? Basically, I realise there's an inherent risk in writing in first person POV. I love it best as an author, but if the reader doesn't connect - as you say - the story will never resonate. It happens to me a lot as a reader, so I can fully understand the effect.
My other emotional stake? I find it extremely difficult to enter into a discussion here *myself* because I'm an author as well as a reader. I don’t know if other authors suffer from this conflict. I'm not really famous enough (like Josh LOL) to have a thread for my books, I worry tremendously about mis-stepping with my fellows if I talk about their work, and I know I can be dismissive myself, when something doesn’t resonate. That’s not the sort of thing I want to share publicly.
Anyway, that's just beside the way. It's not a reflection on this thread, at all!
And in my current just-read-and-liked list?
Deadly Silence – Victor J Banis. I love this series and the characters. Readers who love their HEA may feel this episode is a ‘hiccup’ in the series, but I’ve never been as attached to that expectation. I think it explores a very realistic situation in relationships and I love it for that.
Loren’s Lashes by Dusk Peterson (being serialized on Dusk’s site and newsletter). Fascinating, complex, sympathetic characters, taking me into a leather world I have no personal experience of.
Petits Morts series (Josh and Jordan Castillo Price) – a lovely example of the art and talent involved in writing good, challenging, rewarding short(er) stories.
All or Nothing – James Buchanan. I love the conflict in this series, both between the characters, and from outside influences. I love James’ writing style, too, crisp and frank and with plausible dialogue.
Liquor – Poppy Z Brite. I’ve fallen for Rickey and G-Man in a very bad way! LOL It’s a long time since I rushed to buy paperback, and even longer since I went back to buy the rest in a series :).
(this is another fault of mine – no comments for ages, then huge ones…)
Mod
Clare, my feeling about Charles is -- granted, I haven't been able to read any further than when we last talked, but it's not for lack of wanting to -- is that we're initially *supposed* to find him a little difficult to connect to. He's devoted his life to the pursuit and capture of beauty, and that's an abstract -- meaning it's a little cold and a little removed. But then murder in all its vibrant ugliness forces its way into his perfect, ordered world -- and what I'm thinking is going to happen is that we're going to see Charles become grounded, come to life instead of this abstract of it it. And by then I think we'll very much connect to him.
Am I sort of on target here? At all?
It's always a risk when you give a main character a real character arc because it has to start with them being flawed or wrong in order to demonstrate any growth.
Clare wrote: "And Charles in Blinded by Our Eyes? Basically, I realise there's an inherent risk in writing in first person POV. I love it best as an author, but if the reader doesn't connect - as you say - the story will never resonate. It happens to me a lot as a reader, so I can fully understand the effect."I didn't have an issue connecting with Charles, but I can understand why he might not resonate with others. He gives off an aloof feel, but I noted that as shock. Charles felt to me as though he was like a survivor of a bomb explosion - that things around him were surreal, distant. As the story evolved, he 'woke' more and more, though his realization of who did it nearly sent him back to his fugue. It was only with Anthony that he seemed alive.
Over all, I enjoyed the story very much. Though, I have to admit, while I read part of my mind was working out just what and how would Clare write this story... I came close at one point, but sidelined that train of thought for another.
Oh, and I just love James' Inland Empire series! Nicky is the best, truly. (As a bit of a side note, I swear I spotted Brenden in Vinton Iowa this weekend! Full leathers (sans jacket), tattoos and the Harley. If the camera hadn't been in the car, I would have taken a picture of him.
Josh wrote: Clare, my feeling about Charles is... that we're initially *supposed* to find him a little difficult to connect to..."
Spot on! I love your description of the theme.
Yes, when the story starts, he's a little complacent, a little sheltered, a lot - in some ways - naive. And yet he has the potential to show real passion, to engage on a much deeper level. I aim to show that the shock of murder - and its impact on Charles' life and friends - shakes him enough to free up those emotions. And that he has the strength of will to pursue the real truth, over and above what he'd *like* to be true.
Fascinating point about developing a character from an initially unsympathetic place and into the readers' heart. I love that theme, and it's a particular challenge - and fun! - to write from a 1st person POV, or as an unreliable narrator. But as a reader, I wonder how often I've given up because I don't like a character's voice, without giving them a chance to win me around?! :) It's important to get balance, and it seems to me to be a thin line to tread - enough time to establish the character's starting point, but then timely and clear steps towards progress, before the reader despairs :).
To be honest, this character development is what I've always liked about your Adrien and Jake. I don't honestly see either of them as a clear 'hero'. They both have their good and bad and intolerant characteristics (I dodge the flying ammo from the die-hard partisan fans of both) - but what's engaging to me as a reader is the way they spark off each other and draw out elements of strength and maturity that gradually bond them together.
Merith wrote: "He gives off an aloof feel, but I noted that as shock. Charles felt to me as though he was like a survivor of a bomb explosion - that things around him were surreal, distant."Excellent analogy! I'm glad that came across. I did try to show that feeling through Charles' reactions, especially in his confusion and temporary withdrawal, losing his emotional way. :)
Mod
No, no. Anyone remotely familiar with my stories knows I don't write romancey characters. My characters are always flawed. Some more drastically than others.
And yes that does mean that I have people who hate some of my stories as much as others love them. That's the way it has to be. I have to write and explore what interests me. We all do.
Finished Last Night's Scandal, a regency period het romance, by Loretta Chase. This book is loosely connected to her Carsington brothers series. Like those books, it is well-written: witty dialogue, very romantic, builds up to a passionate love scene between the main characters. Very entertaining scenes provided by the old crones who are supposed to be the chaperons.
Josh wrote: "I do love a good Regency romance!"Chase's books are good, IMO, because they are written intelligently. The regency period is almost secondary to the characters. It's the banter and the wit of the dialogue that I enjoy most. She's almost a modern-day Heyer. There is quite a bit more sex, but even that is not over done. Two of the Carsington brothers' books, Mr. Impossible and Lord Perfect, are laugh out loud funny, while being cleverly written.
Patty--I'm partial to Lord of Scoundrels. My absolute favorite of hers and on my keeper shelf.
Patty wrote: "Finished Last Night's Scandal, a regency period het romance, by Loretta Chase. This book is loosely connected to her Carsington brothers series. Like those books, it is well-written:..."Patty, I'm so glad to hear the latest Chase is a good'un! I'm putting it on my to-buy. Mr. Impossible is one of my favorite historicals, but my record with Chase is spotty.
Yesterday I started Fatal Affaire by Marie Force - one of the Carina het titles - as a friend of mine recommended it and promised there was no alpha man vs. whiny and dumb heroine in it. I'm enjoying it so far, despite the POV switching that occurs very often and can be distracting.
L.B. wrote: "Patty--I'm partial to Lord of Scoundrels. My absolute favorite of hers and on my keeper shelf."Lord of Scoundrels tops a lot of lists for favorite romance. I liked it a lot, but interestingly, it wasn't my favorite of Chase's. I would have to re-read it to pinpoint exactly why, but I do remember that I read the first 3 Carsington books before L of S. I think I was just enamored of those men and found Dain to be too over-bearing even though Jess does a wonderful job putting him in his place.
L.B., I like the funny, witty romance novels. I used to plead with my mom to let me stay up late to watch the old Hepburn-Tracey comedies. I think they're similar in tone.
Josh wrote: "I do love a good Regency romance!"My favorite Regency romances aren't even traditionally historical. They're the space opera series written by the husband/wife team of Steve Miller and Sharon Lee. This pair have done a remarkable job creating a world based loosely on the Regency period but set in a future world involving different planets, peoples, cultures, and customs. There are 4 books involving the main couple Val Con and Miri, and several other adjunct books in the series.
Mod
Josh wrote: I do love the mix of Regency and fantasy."In another twist of *Victoriana* and fantasy, I recommend Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series -- Soulless, Changeless, and the upcoming Blameless.
Mod
Josh wrote: "Patty, those sound really interesting. I haven't heard of them before. I do love the mix of Regency and fantasy."I think it's more science fiction and Regency, although there are a few paranormal elements. Their road to publishing has been long and winding, but Lee & Miller are enjoying a resurgence of sorts. Their writing style can be somewhat challenging to follow; it took me several chapters to get the flow. The main couple, Val Con and Miri, are absolutely wonderful. One of my favorite romantic couples. Miri is a mercenary when they meet, an interesting place for a relationship to begin.
JPerceval wrote: "Josh wrote: I do love the mix of Regency and fantasy."In another twist of *Victoriana* and fantasy, I recommend Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series -- Soulless, Changeless, and the upc..."
I took a look at the books. They do look interesting; very unique. Thanks for the suggestion!
Patty and Josh, Carriger is one of the new-to-me authors I tried and didn't regret the money spent. Her writing is witty, her world-building is clever, and I really enjoyed spending time with her main characters.
My brain melted so I booted up Missy Welsh's My Summer of Wes that just came out yesterday...WOW. Very sweet, coming-of-age story, knocked my socks right off. Or it would've, I guess, if it wasn't too blasted hot to in fact wear socks. The deep POV just sucks you right in.
This week I finished reading:Somatesthesia- The fact that I couldn't pronounce the title probably should have been a tip-off for me. I didn't connect with the characters. The plot was choppy and didn't flow well. It was more like a comic book in a novel format.
The Men of Smithfield series by L.B. Gregg:
Gobsmacked
Happy Ending
Cover Me
In and Out
I thought the books improved with each title in the series. Every one of the couples are seemingly very different, and yet have a common need for acceptance and just maybe, love. I would thoroughly enjoy revisiting the couples; in particular, Seth and David in Happy Ending. Seth seemed to be more reserved and very prickly. I wasn't sure I always liked his abrupt attitude. I would like to see how he and David have grown together, especially as it seemed Seth was already being affected positively by their relationship at the end of the story. Of the 4 books, In and Out was my favorite.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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That would certainly be one of Adrien's questions. And something to be addressed in a future story.