What appeals to me about these stories is the fact that the stories I most identify with are not just black ‘n white examples of gay romance; there are gray areas, just like in real life. One of my favorites is “The Assignment” by Evangeline Anderson, about two heterosexual men, best friends, who go through some life-changing events and realize how they feel about each other. There’s an openness to it, a feeling that here is one man who realizes that the most important person in his life – his police partner, his best friend, the man who was there when he got divorced – is a man. It was a wonderfully emotional story, and very romantic as well. I was so glad I took the chance to read it, and now to see so many authors writing m/m romance is just incredible.

As for the whiny, emotional characters, that bothers me whether it’s a man or a woman. A person can be emotional and sensitive without being over-the-top. I always think of Brockmann’s Sam Starrett, a heterosexual guy who cries rather easily and has a tendency to get violently sick on some of his missions. I love the dichotomy of him being this total alpha male but at the same time, having this softer side. It’s very appealing. I don’t always want a stoic, suck-it-up-because-only-women-cry kind of hero. I just don’t care for helpless, dependent, wishy-washy characters. Man or woman. Doesn’t matter.

Can’t wait to read the other posts!

P.S. LB, I heart Jules too

Kati: I think good stories with interesting characters with whom the reader can connect will do the trick. Good writing speaks for itself. Excerpts make a big difference to me. I spend way too much money on books already, so I need to be cautious when I try a new author or genre. If I can “try before I buy” it helps a lot. Author blogs as well as author collaborative blogs (like Fiction with Friction and Kiss and Tell Girls) expose me to authors I wouldn’t have heard about otherwise. Also, recommendations by bloggers, friends, and other readers whose opinions I trust. I think what you are doing here today and tomorrow is a perfect example of spreading the word.

I read my first m/m book after winning With Caution over at DIK (Thanks, JL! ) The day I finished Without Caution, I went online and bought My Fair Captain. (And have since worked thru JL’s backlist.)

Whenever I pick up one of Josh Lanyon’s books, I get it because I want a great story. I wouldn’t read the books if Adrien or Perry or Gabriel weren’t compelling characters, whose journey I wanted to follow.

When I write about m/m fiction on my blog, I try to have it in there with all the other genres , next to the historical romance, urban fantasy, spec fiction. I hope that maybe someone who’s checking on my Lisa Kleypas or Kim Harrison review, might see the Ally Blue BCPI review right next to it and get curious (and hopefully click over to her site!)

Thanks again for hosting!

I agree with Ally. If we can get them to pick it up, get an excerpt or a book in their hands, new readers will find us because the genre has strong stories and characters they can fall in love with. It’s great that we’ve been given this opportunity to reach a wider audience.

Heh. Seriously, I don’t know any other way than just to show people that good gay romance is just like a good book in any other genre: solid stories with characters you can care about. I think the best way to do that is to get ourselves out there, get those excerpts out there, into places you don’t normally find gay romance. Like this one, actually I’m grateful to Marisa and everyone at Romance Novel TV for bringing us over here!

Thank you all for your insightful comments. This is a great topic for discussion.

I hope you enjoy it. M/M has been very good to me — the readers, the reviewers, the publishers…I don’t know if it’s a publishing revolution or sexual empowerment. But I have no regrets moving into this genre. It’s proved to be one of the richest and most fulfilling from just a creative standpoint alone.

Deep, philosophical thoughts aside, I think you guys are doing wonderful things and I can’t wait to read Josh’s work since I’ve not had the chance to get into m/m from a truly male perspective. It’s kind of the reverse of the status quo from centuries ago. From what I’ve read of your work, Josh, it sounds phenomenal – it’ll be nice to have actually READ it for myself.