Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
Anne wrote: "You know, I used to read at the pace some of you guys do, and I was always looking for the others like me so I wouldn't feel like such a freak. Now I've found you and what do I do? I stopped reading so much."I used to think I read a lot, until I got here, LOL!
Tell me about it! I still remember ns's April list!I've actually been reading a number of 'free reads' as recommended by the M/M group, and let me tell you, I am really impressed by some of them.
Cleon wrote: "I have no idea, but surely will buy if she writes more :D "Hopefully she'll read this and get inspired, right? :) I loved the Bellingham mysteries and would love to read more as well.
Finished
by ZAM. Quite angsty, but with HEA. The book is very character driven rather than plot driven though.
Mod
Hopefully she'll read this and get inspired, right? :) I loved the Bellingham mysteries and would love to read more as well."
I knew I should have kept the fact that I periodically lurk on this group a secret. :P
But to answer your question. I've already signed the contract for the next B'ham Mystery. It will be the last one and is supposed to be released near Earth Day 2012. (It's set in the Bellingham Farmer's Market, where I happen to have a Saturday job at the moment.)
Nicole wrote: "But to answer your question. I've already signed the contract for the next B'ham Mystery. It will be the last one and is supposed to be released near Earth Day 2012. (It's set in the Bellingham Farmer's Market, where I happen to have a Saturday job at the moment.) "Cool!!! ... though still a bit of a wait
Nicole wrote: "Merith wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I have no idea, but surely will buy if she writes more :D "Hopefully she'll read this and get inspired, right? :) I loved the Bellingham mysteries and would love to ..."
YAY!
Mod
Well, yeah. But I have to finish overseeing production for Ginn Hale's Rifter release before I can write my own stuff. (Thems the breaks when you are a writer-editor.)
Nicole wrote: "But to answer your question. I've already signed the contract for the next B'ham Mystery. It will be the last one and is supposed to be released near Earth Day 2012. "That's good news! I finished Black Cat Ink last night and loved it! Be looking forward for the next one! :-)
Nicole wrote: "Well, yeah. But I have to finish overseeing production for Ginn Hale's Rifter release before I can write my own stuff. (Thems the breaks when you are a writer-editor.)"Ah, the sacrifices one has to make
A month or a year, I'll still be reading it :) (though you might have to remind me closer to the release date)
Nicole wrote: "Well, yeah. But I have to finish overseeing production for Ginn Hale's Rifter release before I can write my own stuff. (Thems the breaks when you are a writer-editor.) "I'm still debating wether to read now or wait till December when the last instalment is out. What to do, what to do? ;-)
Calathea wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Well, yeah. But I have to finish overseeing production for Ginn Hale's Rifter release before I can write my own stuff. (Thems the breaks when you are a writer-editor.) "I'm still d..."
Ughh.. I can't wait until my paypal payment is in.. I am really itching to get my hand on the Rifter series, but I plan to buy paperbacks ( I hope I can find some Josh' works) with my credit card so the Rifter will have to wait.
Anyway, I just finished
by Willa Okati. This is the first book from her that I've read. It is such a beautiful and touching story about a mute pianist cum saloon owner and a former priest. I gave it 5 stars! However, if you're sensitive with religious issues (don't like negative portrayals of pastors/priests) this book might not be for you.
I've read some really good stories by her but then again some with... uhm, less quality. Never quite know what to expect...
Calathea wrote: "I've read some really good stories by her but then again some with... uhm, less quality. Never quite know what to expect..."Yeah, I understand. I am careful with authors who have published so many books. That's why I usually buy based on reviews when it comes to new authors and authors I am not sure of. And series that are longer than 3 books are turn offs for me, unless some people I trust recommend it to high heaven.
Cleon wrote: "Anyway, I just finished by Willa Okati. This is the first book from her that I've read. It is such a beautiful and touching story about a mute pianist cum saloo..."She writes some really great stuff, and some stuff that's almost PWP. It's hard to know what to expect.
I left comment at Ellisa Rolle's review and she said that there were too little attention paid to the "small books". Strangely, I find that these "small books" are some of the best ones I've read lately, at least the most unique. I think it'd be awesome to promote these overlooked books. I mean, practically everyone in this genre knows Adrien English, Cambridge Fellow Mysteries, or similar popular books and series. Hm... I might start a blog just for that purpose...
Cleon wrote: "I think it'd be awesome to promote these overlooked books. ... Hm... I might start a blog just for that purpose... "When you start, let me now! :)
I added it to my to-read shelf and I've added it to the m/m romance group bookshelf. Sometimes I find these books when looking for a challenge for a particular category. Adding them to the listopia lists might help. Talking about it here too. Liking reviews too, because they have an echo effect. Reviewing and tagging on Amazon may have a good effect. I'd do anything for books I liked :)
Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I think it'd be awesome to promote these overlooked books. ... Hm... I might start a blog just for that purpose... "When you start, let me now! :)
I added it to my to-read shelf an..."
I am still considering the best place to open a blog. Livejournal? Blogger? Opinion?
Anyway, lately I've been thinking why I am looking for obscure titles rather than popular ones. Sure, I buy some popular titles, but end up read the more obscure ones instead. Perhaps it's a rebellious side of me? lol.
Cleon wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I think it'd be awesome to promote these overlooked books. ... Hm... I might start a blog just for that purpose... "When you start, let me now! :)
I added ..."
Blogger has had problems lately, and so has Wordpress. Do people really use Livejournal much any more? Sorry, that's probably not so helpful. Blogger and Wordpress are both pretty easy to use and customize for the tech wary (like me).
Becky wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I think it'd be awesome to promote these overlooked books. ... Hm... I might start a blog just for that purpose... "When you start, let me now..."
I have an LJ account because I still follow many fandoms, but I intend to keep my original fic pen name separate from my fandom one. Many have migrated to Dreamwidth, but Dreamwidth is still not as popular as LJ.
As for Wordpress, I am kind of worried because my blog will certainly meant for adult. Will the mods take it down from their server for adult content? At least I know we can post adult content at Blogger and LJ as long as we properly label our blogs.
Cleon wrote: "I left comment at Ellisa Rolle's review and she said that there were too little attention paid to the "small books". Strangely, I find that these "small books" are some of the best ones I've read lately, at least the most unique. I think it'd be awesome to promote these overlooked books. I mean, practically everyone in this genre knows Adrien English, Cambridge Fellow Mysteries, or similar popular books and series. Hm... I might start a blog just for that purpose... "
That is a great idea. I'd visit for sure.
mc wrote: "I've actually been reading a number of 'free reads' as recommended by the M/M group, and let me tell you, I am really impressed by some of them."I agree. It takes more effort and sifting, but some of the free stuff is really good. Some of it is better than the average published book, and some of it just needs a little editing to be publishable (some of the published stuff needs a little editing to be publishable for that matter.)
Cleon wrote: "I am still considering the best place to open a blog. Livejournal? Blogger? Opinion? "I have accounts both on blogger and wordpress. I think blogger is very easy to use while wordpress has more functions.
Like always it depends on what you want to do with your blog. In my opinion wordpress is great for collaborative use together with other (blog-)authors. I think rightsmanagement is more differentiated. If you only want to write articles yourself and let others comment blogger is sufficient. What I miss in blogger is the possibility to add files to your article (e. g. pdf, doc).
If you want to be on the safe side you can set 'Archive Frequency' to daily and export the whole blog to your HD every now and then.
Mod
Well actually now is a really good time to jump into the series. 3 installments are out and that's about the length of an average paperback. So you can read a good chunk of it but still have the fun of subsequent installments as they are released. The point of serializing the story was to generate conversation, after all.
Mod
Ah, the sacr..."
I'm sure I'll be telling everybody in the world when the final B'ham book comes out. :)
Mod
That's good n..."
Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!
Cleon wrote: "Emanuela ~Zstyx~ wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I think it'd be awesome to promote these overlooked books. ... Hm... I might start a blog just for that purpose... "When you start, let me now! :)
I added ..."
I know authors can start blogs on Goodreads, maybe you could too, for something like this?
Nicole wrote: "Well actually now is a really good time to jump into the series. 3 installments are out and that's about the length of an average paperback. So you can read a good chunk of it but still have the fun of subsequent installments as they are released. The point of serializing the story was to generate conversation, after all. "You have a point there.
I'm already lurking in the background of the "Rifter-Group"... and I want to be able to read what they are talking about over there without fear of spoilers. *sigh* The way things are going I'll be caving in come weekend. :-)
re: JS Cook's Inspector Devlin/Inspector Raft series.Some of you read and responded to my rant about Cook's "redo," lifting the Devlin characters and their story lines and placing them in a new series, the Raft series. It's still the wierdest thing I've seen a writer do, and some kind of warning wd have been nice--in the prologue maybe.
However.
I did say that the first Raft book, though it gave me fits for the reasons already explained, was better than the previous first, the Devlin first. It was much better, a good and interesting ride on its own. --In fact I don't recommend the Devlin series. It was like some other things she's done where you're saying, Wow, she has so much talent, yet her work often disappoints. And you're just waiting for her to come into her own.--On the other hand, Willing Flesh, the first Raft story worked beautifully and is very easy to recommend.
I just finished Rag and Bones, though, the second Raft mystery, and I couldn't get on this thing fast enough to tell you. This book is absolutely un-put-downable. Every minute I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it, and waiting to read it. (Add to that, for those of us who read Devlin, Cook toys w/us without pity. She's mean. It was wonderful.)
Please, though, read Willing Flesh first. Get to know Raft and Freddie. And let me know, if you will, anyone who has read the Raft stories, or when you do, what you think.
Candice wrote: "re: JS Cook's Inspector Devlin/Inspector Raft series.Some of you read and responded to my rant about Cook's "redo," lifting the Devlin characters and their story lines and placing them in a new..."
What is the order of reading for this series, Candice?
Cleon wrote: "Candice wrote: "re: JS Cook's Inspector Devlin/Inspector Raft series.Some of you read and responded to my rant about Cook's "redo," lifting the Devlin characters and their story lines and placing..."
Willing Flesh first; then, Rag and Bones. I'm so glad you're thinking about reading them.
I'm working my way through Ghost Star Night. I'm liking it, but the world is a little confusing. But, the world is unique and the direction and characters are so very different. It's not easy to anticipate what's going to happen next. Which is rather a good thing.
Merith wrote: "I'm working my way through Ghost Star Night. I'm liking it, but the world is a little confusing. But, the world is unique and the direction and characters are so very different. It's..."Would you care to comment on this book, when you finished it? The blurb sounds interesting and I seem to have a Nicole Kimberling reading marathon at my hands since I read the Hell Cops anthologies.
I just finished The Red Thread of Forever Love an hour ago. I loved the Japanese setting. It felt familiar (most likely due excessive manga/anime consumption ^^) and exotic at the same time. The gay yokai was a hilarious invention and the love story was so sweet. Love it! :-)
Calathea wrote: "Merith wrote: "I'm working my way through Ghost Star Night. I'm liking it, but the world is a little confusing. But, the world is unique and the direction and characters are so very ..."Yes, I'll come back and update the story. I've read most all of Nicole's stories, but have maybe 2 or 3 more (I'll have to go see what she has left I haven't read yet). She's a fantastic writer, and I love her characters and settings.
Merith wrote: "I'm working my way through Ghost Star Night. I'm liking it, but the world is a little confusing. But, the world is unique and the direction and characters are so very different. It's..."I finished this story last night and enjoyed it immensely. About 50 pages in, I wondered why I thought the world so confusing to begin with. But the society is somewhat complex to understand being plunged into it from the start.
Fantastic story. A definite recommend.
Merith wrote: "Merith wrote: "I'm working my way through Ghost Star Night. I'm liking it, but the world is a little confusing. But, the world is unique and the direction and characters are so very ..."I just got it from ARe, will bump it up on my to-read pile.
Merith wrote: "Fantastic story. A definite recommend."
Put it on my TBR pile already and now you convinced me to go and buy it. Thanks for the recommendation! :-)
Mod
I just read Touch Me Gently by JR Loveless. It was good, reminded me of hurt/comfort in slash fanfic. So, that part was a little nostalgic and nice. But I did have some issues with it.
The author kept switching povs, which drove me nuts! She did it almost every other few lines of dialoge, so I never knew who's head I was in. I had to be on my toes, and go back and reread parts to figure out what was going on. Not fun.
I don't normally leave reviews, but I did on this one, so if you want to know what else I had to rant about... check it out.
Those were my biggest problems with it. Otherwise, I did enjoy the story. The romance was good, the plot was good. It was a sweet read. Just my type of hurt/comfort. I just think it could have been done even better than it was.
Mod
Thanks for the rec on The Cat in the Craddle! I'm always looking for good gay romance reads for our teen room here at the library, and they're so hard to find!!!
Jordan S. wrote: "The Pink Triangle is a good book. But, as I think I said, it takes a little time to get into it. Once I did though, I couldn't put it down!Thanks for the rec on The Cat in the Craddle! I'm alwa..."
Hi Jordan, I loved The Cat, glad you liked it too. Did you read other stories by Jay?
Jordan S. wrote: "I just read Touch Me Gently by JR Loveless. It was good, reminded me of hurt/comfort in slash fanfic. So, that part was a little nostalgic and nice. But I..."I read this one and it did smack of adolescent writing. I had some big problems with it and couldn't get over the unrealistic parts. I love hurt/comfort, but this story took it far too far.
Merith wrote: "Jordan S. wrote: "I just read Touch Me Gently by JR Loveless. It was good, reminded me of hurt/comfort in slash fanfic. So, that part was a little nostalgic and nice. But I..."I read this one an..."
Yup, I agree with you, Merith. I dropped the book after 2 chapters. The writing reminds me of the type of fanfics that many teens gush over. The characters are to 2-dimensional and over the top.
Merith wrote: "Jordan S. wrote: "I just read Touch Me Gently by JR Loveless. It was good, reminded me of hurt/comfort in slash fanfic. So, that part was a little nostalgic and nice. But I..."I read this one an..."
I couldn't get past the sample download. I can see the allure, in a sort of cotton candy kind of way -- lots of sugar, not a lot of foundation.
I am reading Trust Me by Jeff Erno. Not a light read because it deals with so many heavy issues from self acceptance, rape, family, rejections, growing up, finding one's sexuality, etc. I also think there are some parts that can be cut shorter. However, it is a very good book about Christianity & self recrimination. I can relate on many issues that Shawn faced, including self recrimination & shame for sexual thought that still haunts me even to this day even though I've known better and not a Christian anymore. I'm straight and I find these issues hard to deal with, I can't imagine how hard it is for gay men and women.
Jordan S. wrote: "Wow, so much reading while I was gone! I just read Touch Me Gently by JR Loveless. It was good, reminded me of hurt/comfort in slash fanfic. So, that part was a little nostalgic and nice. But I..."
I read Touch Me Gently a month or two ago, and I found the whole thing pretty unlikely. The kid had some extreme abuse and trauma in his past, and I just couldn't buy how easily he let that go once he got involved with the rancher. And while I enjoy a good GFY story, the boyfriend went from zero to gay in about 2.5 seconds. The end was kind of ridiculous, too. This one just didn't do it for me at all.
Mod
On a better note, I started reading A Taste of Love by Andrew Grey. Thankfully, the younger man is 21, though Andrew hasn't yet said how old the other man is. Most of this story is good, though there are some problems with it as well. He likes to state every step the characters are taking, literally, and at some points, especially the opening scenes, I think he takes it a little too far.
His older character is a bit odd, in that he had a very bad/odd experience when he was a teen. Psycologists tried to convince him he was a pedophile when he was 18, and I think the friend he was having sex with was either 16 or 17. He believed it after awhile and was too afraid to date his current lover because the guy was so young. But one phone call to his parents and suddenly everything's a-ok. That threw me off.
Otherwise, I'm enjoying it so far. And the little plot twist in the middle was interesting to read late last night. I can't wait to see what happens!
Jordan S. wrote: "Everything you guys have said is true about that book. I mean, yeah, I would have gushed over this in high school. lol, never mind that. I would have written this in high school. I always wrote stu..."Mmmmm, May-December romance, my guilty pleasure.
Just finished The Mirador by Sarah Monette and Reverb by Jet Mykles... both were excellent books; LOTS of angst, but satisfying.Thanks to a tip on the Montly Read group, got Conquest by SJ Frost for free at MLR Press :D
Also went on a shopping spree picked up quite a few, will start with KZ Snow's Visible Friend
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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I have not read The Cat in the Cradle, but it seems like it is very good. Though it is not romance. But I'll try not to be such a romance fanatic and giv..."
Oh, I thought it was romantic.
"
It wss :)
It might not be classed as such, but there's definitely romance in it.