I talk a lot on Twitter with Nicole (who also blogs at The Book Pushers) about books. After a little pushing (me pushy? No way.) she tried the m/m romance genre…and she has found some great books. We wanted to do a post exploring just what it is that draws us so emotionally to certain characters in this genre.
Mandi: First of all Nicole, we know you tweet and blog. Give us a little more background about yourself.
Nicole: Oh dear, I’m not very interesting… Let’s see – I’ve been married for 5 years now to my college sweetie whom I met while manning the jewelry counter at the department store we both worked. (I sold him a watch he never wears.) We have two dogs and one cat, and they make the rules of our house. I work full time as an office manager and I’m insanely addicted to Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream, or Cold Stone’s cake batter ice cream with cookie dough chunks, or just cookie dough in general…
Mandi: How long ago did you discover m/m books and what was the first one you read?
Nicole: I just started reading m/m books in November of 2011, just a few short months ago. I was in a bit of a reading funk, not really looking forward to anything specifically, needing a bit of a change. I remember you and a few others talking on Twitter about the Cut & Run series, and then later that week you went on and on… and on… and on (I’m seeing a pattern here) during the Friday Top Ten about one of the books. I figured it might be a good time to pop my m/m cherry. I was lucky enough to have downloaded a copy of Cut & Run a year ago or so, and was immediately hooked on the series and genre as a whole.
In just November and December, I read over 20 m/m books and keep looking for new suggestions.
Mandi: I often say I am “wrecked” after I read one of Urban & Roux’s books because I am completely emotionally drained. It takes me a few days to stop having that jittery feeling (I also realize I may be slightly insane). Explain to me why this happens! LOL.
Nicole: You are so totally NOT insane. I get the exact same way! I think it’s a combination of so many things with that series… The suspense and high octane action that keeps us on the edge of our seats as Ty and Zane work to solve whatever case they are working on. Then there is the passion between the two of them, the stress of keeping their relationship a secret, the uncertainty of the future, the depth of feeling that neither of them expected to have. It’s all just so… emotionally draining and uplifting at the same time.
Plus, Roux and Urban have a way of just pulling you into the story so deeply, it’s hard for me to pick up any of their books and NOT read it cover to cover without looking up.
Mandi: I think everything in this series is totally revved up. Ty and Zack are both FBI agents, but every book there is a life and death situation. But on top of that, their emotional intensity with each other skates a fine line of being too over done. But for me, it hasn’t crossed that line yet. I find it very interesting that after four books, it still feels like they are climbing that hill to reach for that ultimate trust and love. I wonder how many more books that level of intensity can be sustained.
Have you found other books/series that have a similar feel to these books?
Nicole: You know, I haven’t. I don’t know if it’s just because of the dynamic between Ty and Zane, or the suspense aspect or what, but to me – Ty and Zane are one of a kind. I’ve yet to find another m/m story that encompasses all that the Cut & Run series seems to offer. I’m not sure if it could also be to the HUGE slow build-up to an actual trusting and loving relationship. But there really just isn’t that has even come close to comparing Ty and Zane!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve read some other great m/m books, but they are usually more “romance” orientated – especially in that most get their HEA or HFN within just one book.
Mandi: Another author we both have discovered recently is K.A. Mitchell. I think her books are also very emotional, although each one portrays two new protagonists. Her books also are very erotic, filled with many, many, pages of sex (no complaints here *ahem*). But with her, I feel like the sex is tied in so tight with the characters’ romantic journey that it feels like it should be there.
Do you tend to sway towards m/m books that are heavy on the sex?
Nicole: No, I don’t seem to favor one or the other. At first I was a little hesitant about reading the more erotic m/m books because I didn’t know if I would find it sexy… but I do. =D Mitchell is probably the most erotic m/m author I’ve read, and while there have been a few instances I felt as if the sex was a little much, I tend to agree with you. With her writing, the sex seems so relevant to the overall story, to the couple, and to the development of the relationship. Plus one of the things I really like about Mitchell’s writing is that she isn’t afraid to add a little (or sometimes a lot) of kink to her stories as well. Who knew a daddy kink would actually work in a story? Not me… But now I’m a believer…
Mandi: The daddy kink in Bad Boyfriend threw me for a few pages. But then I sort of dug it. Don’t tell anyone, okay? *grins*
Nicole: (Whispers, your secret’s safe with me!)
Mandi: When I think back to all of the books that truly made me emotional, so many of them are m/m. There is the Fever series where the cliffhangers about killed me. And I became very emotional while reading the Tairen Soul series by CL Wilson. But otherwise when I reflect, I think of Cut & Run, Adrien English series by Josh Lanyon, Cole from Strawberries for Dessert by Marie Sexton, Zero at the Bone by Jane Seville, Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy. (Nicole takes notes for the TBR pile) These books affected me so deeply. In your opinion, do you think m/m books are more emotional in general? And if so, why? What makes these characters tug at your heartstrings so much? And I’m not saying that the intensity of their relationships is always totally realistic, but it sweeps me away and sticks with me for such a long time.
Nicole: I do think that m/m books tend to be more emotional overall, but I think a lot of it comes from the emotions and feelings that come with living with a homosexual partner in a world where it’s not the norm. That alone adds to the drama and problems and angst that really tugs at my heartstrings, pulls me further into the world that the author created, the characters’ stories. Once all the other stuff gets added in – the mystery, the family drama, the dealing with past experiences, etc – I’m already invested in the characters, already cheering for them to make it through whatever obstacles they encounter. I’ve always hated the idea of people living in shame of who they are, and most of the m/m books I’ve read touch on that. Just knowing that a character doesn’t feel like their can be themselves out in society, that just kills me even more!!
Mandi: That is such a good point. In a lot of these books the external conflict is so prevalent that it adds that layer of emotions over top of the budding romance.
So Nicole and I will continue to be on the outlook for those super emotional reads. Make sure you pass them onto us if you discover any! Until then, what books have you read (any genre) that have hit you hard emotionally?
If you like emotional, please read Faith & Fidelity by Tere Michaels. I’ve read it 3 times and picked it up again today during lunch but had to stop on page THREE because I was about to cry. It’s just fantastic!
Also, Life Lessons by Kaje Harper and its sequel Breaking Cover – a little lighter in weight than F&F, but simply terrific!
I just got Life Lessons thanks to Goodreads recommendations. Can’t wait to read it but if it’s similar to Tere Michaels’s books it should be good.
How could I forget F&F?!?! That was an amazing emotional read!!!
I’ve heard good things about it, and put it on my TBR shelf. Might have to go buy it!
I loved F&F. After reading this I feel like I need to do a re-read. :)
I love this post! Any excuse to talk m/m.
I think Harper Fox is the queen of emotional m/m. She deals with topics like PTSD, the death of a partner, abuse, etc. But she also has a unique voice that’s almost sleepy. That, plus the settings, give her book a deep and serious quality that helps the overall emotional aspect of the stories.
A Note in the Margin is another quite intense and emotional read, the author is Isabelle Rowan. One of the leads is homeless and well, this one is drama at its best.
The first book I read with m/m themes, although it isn’t really an m/m book, was Butterfly Tattoo by Deirdre Knight. That was the book that got me into the genre and is the book I recommend to people weary of m/m book. I think that if you read that book and don’t cry then you’re heart is made of ice.
Another author famous for her emotional reads is Amy Lane. Anything by her, and The Locker Room in particular, are deep and sensitive books. I’m not a huge fan of hers, but I think you will enjoy them.
There are so many authors that write deep m/m stories, I need to keep better track of everything I read, but these are the first ones that come to mind. If you’re just barely starting to read the genre then you’re in for a treat because there are many great stories and a lot of quality writing out there waiting to be read.
You know, I read The Salisbury Key by Harper Fox. That was an extremely moving read. The grief expressed in that book, was so dark and emotional. I love that each of her books are so different, and affect me in so many different ways. I love that you say it is almost “sleepy” – that is such a good way to describe her.
Noting down – A Note in the Margin! Have never heard of that one.
I read Butterfly Tattoo this year. OMG. Amazing. A favorite. So dark and intense.
I haven’t read hardly any Amy Lane but I will. I know my review partner Helyce loves her.
Oh, Amy Lane is amazing! The Locker Room is probably her best, but her “fairy tale” books, Hammer & Air and Truth in the Dark, are so beautiful and both VERY emotional. You get that heart-ripping-out-of-your-chest-in-a-good-way feeling with those :)
ZOMG! A Note In the Margin! Been meaning to tell you about this one. I just discovered it a few weeks ago. Amazing.
I’ve only read one story by Harper Fox, but liked it. I think I’m going to have to look into Butterfly Tattoo, I’ve read lots of good things. I read the first of Amy Lane’s Talker books, I liked it ok, but it wasn’t my favorite.
Amy Lane is fantastic. I read her Talker Books too and they are good, but her Promises series is what drew me in. Lane’s stories deal with things in an extremely realistic manner and I applaud her for that. Makes her books more real and everything I’ve read by her has been an emotional ride. There are always tears!
I might have to look at the Promises books. Like I said, the first Talker book didn’t really move me in any huge way, but I liked her writing.
*writing down all these book titles* I discovered m/m last year and F&F was my first! OMG, I was bowled over by the intensity of the love story and have been hooked ever since. Adrien English is one of my favorites and I am currently reading Fish & Chips.
I think what adds that extra depth to m/m is the forbidden aspect of the romance. I love forbidden romance and adding the gay aspect brings in a whole new level of forbidden! And like you mentioned it also adds so much more external pressures. I find I can’t go very long without putting an m/m romance into my TBR pile. They are addicting :)
Oh Adrien English is definitely a favorite of mine too.
I hope you are enjoying Fish & Chips. The gay cruise is fab! Plus their love scene somewhere in the 60ish% is the best ever!
Oh the gay cruise! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
I might have to go reread that book now :)
*blush* I might have done a “Mandi naughty word look-up” with that book the other day. *sigh*
Amy Lane isn’t for everyone, but she is one of my favorites for good, angsty reads. I love her Promise Rock series, and Clear Water was adorable, lighter on the angst than Amy usually does, fun, and so sweet!
And the title is horrible, but one of my very favorites is I’ll be Your Drill, Soldier, by Crystal Rose. It sounds like some cheesy porno movie, but it is SO not,it is wonderful. It’s about friendship and family and love and loss and I just love it, re-read it often.
I think the only Amy Lane I’ve read is Talker and the sequel. But I really want to read the Promise Rock series.
Thanks for the Crystal Rose rec! Never heard of that one!
*giggle* That title is awesome! I’ll have to look into those books!!
I do think that m/m books tend to be more emotional overall, but I think a lot of it comes from the emotions and feelings that come with living with a homosexual partner in a world where it’s not the norm. That alone adds to the drama and problems and angst that really tugs at my heartstrings
Very perceptive! I feel the same way. There is so much potential for conflict and emotional turmoil in that situation.
Would you believe I haven’t yet read the Cut & Run series? I have it, and need to get to it. I second the recs on KA Mitchell and Tere Michaels. A really outstanding mm author who writes less-explicit historical romance is Tamara Allen. I’ll read anything she writes. :)
Thank you! You must read Cut & Run, and like ASAP. SO GOOD!
I will do that! I will move it further up the TBR. :)
Yes, you must read Cut & Run :)
Tamara Allen – another author I’ve yet to read. Thx!
You’re very welcome. Her Whistling in the Dark is a wonderful book. It’s going to be a classic.
Try STRONGMAN by Denise Rossetti (fantasy M/M romance) & ROUGH CANVAS by Joey W.Hill (contemp.erotica) – both are incredible reads.
Thanks for the other author suggestions. :-)
Thanks! I’ll have to check those out.
ooh..I need to try the Joey Hill. I like her stuff
Hit me emotionally hard..well the Time Traveller’s wife, i cried and cried and still do this day despise that book
gasp – I did too!!!!! The book killed me. One of the few books where I really cried. SOBBING. :)
(not the movie though..LOL)
I did, too. Very sad book. Didn’t see the movie.
I haven’t read that book yet. I’ve been meaning to and have even tried picking it up a few times. BUT I suck when it comes to reading stuff that doesn’t grip me the first time I try reading it.
You guys, this is an awesome post. I agree with everything you’ve said. I was discussing this topic with a friend of mine recently, as she blew through Marie Sexton’s Promises books-we were trying to figure out what it was about the m/m genre that got to us on such an emotional level. I think it’s because sadly, even today, people have to fight for the right to love who they want to love. In these stories, there is angst and conflict, but they get their HEA eventually, but because in ‘real life’ that isn’t always a forgone conclusion, it hits that all the warm and fuzzy places in our hearts that we wish were true in everyday life.
Don’t forget Tigers and Devils, Sean Kennedy. Mandi rec’d that one to me. Super good!
Great point Helyce! I couldn’t agree more!! :)
Also, Finding Zach by Rowan Speedwell. Some people might think this one is a bit over the top and not realistic, but I loved it. Hot Head by Damon Suede was one of my absolute favourite m/m books for 2011.
And reiterating the kudos for anything by K.A. Mitchell (really loved “Not Knowing Jack” and “A Regularly Scheduled Life”), Marie Sexton, Harper Fox and Josh Lanyon, as well as the Cut & Run series. And I also absolutely loved The Butterfly Tattoo.
For something a bit more lighthearted on the m/m side, I loved both Cesar and Romano books by L.B. Gregg. I’m also really liking the Psycop series by Jordan Castillo Price.
Finding Zach – noting!
Love all the other authors you mention. LB Gregg and Price I def turn to for light reads.
I really hope Gregg writes another Cesar and Romano book!
I forgot about Cesar & Romano! I hope she writes more too. It’s been a long time though.
Think I meant Romano & Albright series by L.B. Gregg… (oops). Also, some of Z.A. Maxfield’s stuff can be pretty emotionally satisfying.
I’ve had St. Nacho’s forever…need. to. read.
I read Hot Head, but I had a hard time believing in those two. Don’t get me wrong, it was HAWT, but it just didn’t pull at my heart strings like most other m/m books.
I love the two stories I’ve read by L.B. Gregg, I need to get more of her stuff.
Hot Head didn’t do it for me…It was just okay.
You should read her Smithfield series!
Hot Head didn’t do it for me either…
Yes, LB Gregg! I remember you recommending her books to me a few years ago, Mandi. :)
I think Hot Head worked for me because of Griffin. I loved him. Also, a lot of the gay-bashing stuff and the fears of revealing their sexuality seemed really believable and heartbreaking to me. And maybe it’s just me (and not sure whether I’m sticking my neck out here), but I really liked the fact that it was written by a guy. Sometimes I wonder when reading m/m stuff written by women whether the perspective is really true to how relationships between two men would work. I’m not saying that it detracts from the overall experience for me because obviously, a LOT of the m/m authors I read and LOVE are women (maybe all of them except Josh Lanyon and now Damon Suede?), but it does make me pause sometimes and think. I’m not intending to open any kind of can of worms here, or even to say that women can’t write from a male perspective (or vice versa). But it was nice for a change to read something like this written by a man.
I did like the aspects of the gay-bashing and dealing with the bigotry that went along with that story, but everything else just didn’t work for me.
That’s interesting. :) For me it makes no difference if a m/m story is written by a woman or a man. I actually heard a rumor that Josh Lanyon is not a man. I’ve met Damon Suede IRL and as far as I can tell he is, but you can never know for sure in this genre… ;)
No…I agree. I think men write different from women. Period. And when it comes to a m/m issue, if it is written by a gay man – I think he can bring something different to the book. (And I am not assuming that all the male m/m authors are gay…) I really don’t care if the author is male or female, but I understand your point.
Have you tried Tigers & Devils by Sean Kennedy? One of my all time fav books :)
I definitely recommend Hot Head by Damon Suede and Bear, Otter, and the Kid by TJ Klune. These are two of my favorites. My daughter read some of Hot Head and thought the characters were jerks, so I guess they aren’t for everybody. But I don’t see how you can’t love two hot firefighters. Bear, Otter, and the Kid has kind of silly title and I was reluctant to read it at first because of the cover (there is a kid on it and that does not scream romance to me) but the book ended up being one of my favorites. Both books are very emotional and leave you thinking about them when you are done or wanting to read them again, IMO.
I love M/M. So thank you all for recommending some others I haven’t had a chance to read yet.
Someone was rec’d Bear, Otter and Kid to me…and yes, I hesitated because of the cover. Which is awful for me to do! LOL. It is in my tbr.
I didn’t love Hot Head – I didn’t think the characters were jerks, but I didn’t believe in the “let’s pretend to make out for a porno but I’m not really gay” I don’t know..it just didn’t work great for me. I hope that author writes more though!
Hope you enjoy our recommendations. :)
Awesome post ladies! Love! Nicole – I can’t believe you haven’t read the Faith and Fidelity series yet. Get on that!
And I give high praise for A Note in the Margin. The subject matter is handled really well….and I’m not talking about M/M.
I will look for it tonight! Anytime a book gets that many glowing recommendations, I have to check it ou!
I second Tigers and Devils and the Amy Lane and Marie Sexton recs!
And you should definitely try Heidi Cullinan’s Double Blind as well.
And for a combination of the action, Gay For You and emotions like in the Cut & Run series, you can also try the Taking the Odds series (three books) by James Buchanan, especially when you like a little bit of wicked rope bondage. ;)
Okay, one more rec and then I stop: Breathe by Sloan Parker. Very emotional. :)
I’ll have to look into the James Buchanan books. Emotions like Ty & Zane with some action? SIGN ME UP!
I enjoy James Buchanan Taking the Odds series!!
I loved James Buchanan’s Taking the Odds series, it’s nicely sexy, and I’m a sucker for a goth guy, which one of heroes is.
I also really enjoy Andrea Speed’s Infected series, but the main hero is truly a tortured hero. Start with Infected:Prey, and then be prepared to bawl your eyes out with Infected:Bloodlines.
Oh and Kaje Harper is also excellent, dunno if she’s been mentioned yet!
I just looked up Infected: Prey. zomg. It looks so good. Buying it right now :)
Fantastic post, ladies!! I’ve yet to read a M/M and I think mostly it’s because I am so sensitive, I’m afraid of it being TOO emotional. My heart, it hurts easily! But I still find it appealing and intend on starting SOMEWHERE. Just never know where. This helps out!! Thanks!
I always suggest – Tigers & Devils by Sean Kennedy OR Fatal Shadows by Josh Lanyon.
Both don’t really have sex in them..and both are amazing. T&D is a stand alone, where Fatal Shadows is a five book series…
But I like sex… hee hee I just wanted to say that. Thanks Mandi!
LOLOL.
Fine – go read Cut & Run by Urban & Roux. ;)
I hope you can find something you love Pam!
I know I will, thanks MC!
Here is a helpful post for readers new to the m/m genre with ten recommendations for people with all sorts of different preferences. :)
Thank you, Janna!! *goes to check out link*
It is nice to know I am not the only one on this ride. I have enjoyed m/m books over the past few years, but nothing reached down and pulled me by the boot straps like the Urban and Roux books did. Thanks to your review Mandi! I started with Cut and Run moved onto the Adrien English series by Josh Lanyon and finished with the PsyCop series by Jordan Castillo Price. All of them are to die for.
I would also like to mention Uncommon Whore by Belinda McBride. This is a fabulous scifi m/m romance.
Thanks for all of the tips. I opened fictionwise while I read this post and just started adding to my cart. Looking forward to finding some new authors.
Jody – I hope you enjoy some of our suggestions as much as we did! :)
Ty and Zane are the BEST m/m series I’ve ever read. Hands down. I got onto Madeleine Urban’s website to see if they’d posted any sninppets of the next book, and apparently Madeliene Urban has made the decision to stop writing the series. So now Abigail Roux is doing it all by her lonesome. I’m nervous about Ty and Zane and I hope this doesn’t change them! *bites her nails*
Yeah, that news was a big shocker!! I hope that Roux will be able to continue on and do a wonderful job with both Ty AND Zane. :)
This was a great chat ladies. Lots of great recs too. :)
I’m another who recommends the Kaje Harper Life Lessons books, Faith & Fidelity by Tere Michaels, A Note in the Margin by Isabelle Rowan, Life After Joe by Harper Fox and the wonderful Tigers & Devils by Sean Kennedy.
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Ugh! So many authors! Welp, looks like this page is being bookmarked for future reference.
Someday , someday by Emma scott is super emotional. Red, white and royal blue.
Love ME Whole , Follow the river , He Made Me Stay, Lock & West