Raise your hand if your tired of seeing this on Ellora’s cave m/f or m/f/m ,*raises hand*. I think it’s time, my fellow grasshoppers, to venture into uncharted (or maybe charted) territory that is Male/ Male romance. This genre isn’t for everyone, if you’re strictly a Nora Roberts kind of reader perhaps this isn’t your cup of tea. That’s a-okay with us! We all beat to our own romantic drum set. Mine just happens to be beating for two male drum sticks (bah-dumph-dumph).
Why I read Male Male Romance
As some of you know, I started off not really knowing what the m/m genre was all about. I clung to my man on man erotica virginity like a girl on prom night. I kept thinking, could I really read what was essentially gay fiction? Let’s face it, part of the allure of romance is the ability to picture oneself with the characters, since I’m not a guy (last time I did a self examination), how could I relate to the story? My curiosity got the best of me.
Fast forwad six months and 30 male male books on my ereader (aka Mrs. Easy Peasy) and a dozen more on my TBR pile, I dare say I fell hook, line, and sinker for man love. Why, you might (or might not) be asking yourselves? Well, to steal a line from a friend of mine, it’s two things you want, wanting each other. And that my friends is the crux of why man on man romance is so delicious. Two incredibly buff (maybe even waxed??), beautiful male bodies intertwined in passion. Yes please!
On the flip side of the physical nature of this genre, I also enjoy the relationship aspects to these books. I find that I can just as easily relate to the characters, as if I were reading a typical male/female story. I find that no matter what the sexual orientation of the characters is, a good author can draw you in word by word. I didn’t need vampires, succubi and demons.
Is this the end of my paranormal romance road? Ah hello, this is moi, paranormal will always be part of my reading diet.
That being said I’d like to celebrate 14 days of Man love!!!! This is your chance to win an Ebook for one male male book listed below. If you’ve read the titles below no problem, you’ll get a promotional code to buy a male male book of your choice. This contest is open to anyone that has access to email and a computer. That’s right my far away friends you too can enter.
Contest Runs Feb 1- 14th Ends 8:oopm PSD
This is your chance people, to win a ebook based off of the best male male romance books I’ve read to date.
Gobsmack by LB Gregg
Cover Me by LB Gregg
Don’t Look Back by Josh Lanyon
Andrien English Series by Josh Lanyon
Strongest Shape by Tessa Cardenas (m/m/m)
Broken H by JL Langley
Excerpt (Click on Right Hand Side)
Tin Star by JL LangleyExcerpt (Click on Right Hand Side)
Faith and Fidelity by Tere MichaelsExcerpt (Click on Right Hand Side)
Contest Question: Why are you interested in reading m/m? If you are not tell us why, really we want to know. If you already have been reading m/m, tells us what got you interested in the first place!
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Possibly Related Posts:
- Fair Game by Josh Lanyon – He’s Bringing Sexy Back!
- Lord of White Hell by Ginn Hale – Katiebabs Pic Best M/M Book So Far This Year
- More by Sloan Parker – Best M/M Book So Far This Year (Erotic Rom Reader)
- Manlove Books That’ll Rock Your Reading World
- M/M Life After Joe by Harper Fox
Testing ignore comment.
For me, my interest started with slash. For those not in the know, slash is Male SLASH Male fanfiction (stories written by fans of a tv show/movie/book, etc). Basically you take the ‘straight’ characters, see a connection between the two, and make them into a couple. That’s where my interest came from.
At this point, I have read so many slash/erotica stories, that I’m less interested in the sex, and more about the relationship. That’s what I want to read. I’m hoping that the m/m romance will have some relationship development, softness, love and not a rush to get their clothes off.
@Elaine R I’m with you. I really like the stories that focus on the relationship because I find that part most fulfilling. I tend to like m/m romances that are set in contemporary times vs paranormal aspect.
While I’m interested in the relationship. I can’t read a book where I don’t believe in the happily ever after. Two boys rubbing against each other doesn’t hurt either.
Sorry, wish I was more insightful. But intelligent thought flies out the window when I think of two guys together.
I agree with the above, it is all about the relationship, first I was just looking for a little spice since I had just started about a year ago with the m/f/m and it just seemed like a natural progression. A bad story is a bad story and love is love. So I am open to all!
@Lynette Boys rubbing against one another can cause my brain to shut down & make me feel all tingly.
@Book Junkie Do you notice that you would rather read m/m then m/f/m these days? It’s like get the girls out of the picture, lol.
I’m just plain curious. I don’t have any experience with m/m romances. I have no idea how it works. I will have to see how I take to them. I’m open to it though. It’s weird, when I see a m/m couple I always wonder about sex between the two, but I always stop my mind from going too far. I don’t know what I’ll feel about it. Anyways..I’m just plain curious.
I started reading M/M when I read a good story about M/F/M and kept thinking.. this would be really great if the M/M parts would connect/interact. It felt like it was missing something, because they kept glancing at each other, commenting on the feel of (well.. you know.. ;D) and talking about how much they love each other as friends. But nothing became of it and it made me sad. And so off I went to find out what it was missing and haven’t looked back.
I still enjoy the F part, but I now want my M/M with it as well…
And I’m totally with the group on the wanting a good story with my romance. Otherwise, it doesn’t do anything for me.. regardless of the who’s involved.
Oh.. And don’t enter me in the contest.. Because as much as I would LOVE to win a book from one of those fabulous authors.. I don’t have an e-book reader and my kiddos don’t allow me to sit at the computer long enough to read a book.
I SO want to read M/M books. I have only read romance/erotica with a little bit of man love but i’m ready for a lot more! I know i’m ready because the last menage book i read i was thinking about how much better it would have been without the girl in it LOL. Come on! Let the men play together
I’ve read so many amazing reviews of M/M books i’m craving to read some myself! The only thing i really require is a HEA in the end 
I retweeted this (@pattepoilue) and i’m a google friend
@KayAnna Kirby I admit my curiosity was how I got interested in m/m, I didn’t think I would connect with the characters…but boy was I wrong. Like every genre you have to find your niche of authors that you like and I think the idea of two men in a relationship, if written well, is really appealing to me. And yes the sex scenes are hot FYI.
@Pie and Cake We will work something out my dear. For those don’t have an ereader or a computer to read an ebook will get a promotional code (Amazon etc) go towards a print book.
@Caroline A I think it started for me in Laid Bare by Laruen Dane…ever since I’ve been downloading m/m books like crazy. I’m for man love!!!
I admit I’ve not read any M/M and would love to see what all the fuss is about if I’m honest x
I’m interested because I have never read a m/m book. I have been reading what everyone is saying about them and am going to one day. J.R. Ward’s scenes with Butch and V and with Qhuinn and Blay have got me wanting to read one too. I can’t wait for that book.
I just like different and exciting!!!
@SarahK that’s the spirit!
@Belinda B Was don’t forget Laid Bare *wiggles eyebrows* we all wanted more m/m scenes, right?
@Trin me too!
I’ve been thinking about my first m/m reading experience..and I always thought it was more recent but I just remembered – in Mists of Avalon by Marianne Bradley, there is a scene or at least it is implied (it has been a long time since I read it) where Lancelot and Arthur have feelings for each other. And I remember thinking..hot damn..I wish she would explore it. That was when I was a teenager and I kind of forgot about it. Then I read about Blay and Quinn doing the kissy kissy and thought – that is it. I need a pure m/m book. I don’t know why I like it but I think like you said – it is two men (I’m a girl) and I just like the dynamics of a relationship like that.
(don’t enter me:)
@KC Ohhhh YES, Laid Bare…*drools*
I don’t know where to start! So many books!
Great topic/contest, KC!
I totally agree with Book Junkie, “A bad story is a bad story and love is love. ” If the h/h are people I can relate to (regardless of gender) and the story is well written, it’s all good! I also love the relationship dynamics that 2 men can bring to a story.
If people want to “dip their toes in” m/m, one way to go about it could be through m/m/f stories. I love Samantha Kane’s Brothers in Arms series. They are extremely romantic, love and relationship-focused (and highly erotic) menage stories. Personally, m/f/m books don’t often work for me, because the lack of sexual contact between the men usually feels wrong. (Also, Sam Kane’s m/m story, Islands is awesome, too!)
Otherwise, the author’s you mention in your post are great examples of m/m writers who make the whole story work, including the hot m/m relationship!
@Mandi sometimes the romance heart beats to a different drum ours likes to beat to two male drums (bwuahahahaha). For me it was Ward then well I started to follow you and I found myself really enjoying m/m genre. I have you to thank for pimping Josh Lanyon and LB Gregg!
@Caroline A I think LB Gregg is a fantastic author to try m/m especially Cover Me and Gobsmack. There is m/m intimacy but it’s done really well and not so erotic. Josh Lanyon is also a fav as he writes mysteries and probably has one of the best character development I’ve seen for this genre.
@Renee I so agree the relationship dynamic of two men is really what captures my interest and I’ll be honest the sexy scenes. Hey at least I’m honest, lol.
Oh! I forgot to mention. An excellent paranormal m/m writer is Jordan Castillo Price. I first read Hemovore (a stand alone) and loved it, then had to read her PsyCop series.
*raising hand* I don’t know why but I find myself buying, reading AND enjoying M/M romance more and more. Just yesterday I went on a book binge and bought me 22 books of which 17 are M/M! It’s so much more exciting than the good old M/F stories! For me I think the attraction of this genre lies in the combination of the double male hotness, the slightly forbidden touch of the m/m sex and the more equal relationship of two males (none of the traditional male/female role issues play a part). But mainly I’m just drooling all over the place with all the sweetness and sexiness that comes with the M/M romances!
BTW, Great idea this 14 days of celebrating man love!
@Renee I’ll check out your recs! Thanks!
@Janna Exactly. I find myself getting irritated with the unequal aspect with some m/f issues, which is also why I like UF.
There’s no unequality in UF? Or just not that many m/f issuesn at all, because of the ‘lack’ of romance?
I must say I started reading M/M romance after seeing Brokeback Mountain – LOL how strange is that. I guess my mind had never even been opened up to the romanic side of things. BUT once I was in I was hooked… a view of something I will never experience first hand – the forbidden.
@Janna not really. I mean sure there are Alphas etc, but I like the way UF females are written, story etc.
@Miranda LOL! “I wish I could quit you” all time fav line. I love how via romance books, my eyes are opened up to new experiences, genres – I otherwise would never have been exposed to.
Mandi at smexybooks got me interested in m/m.
While it’s not my main genre, I love enjoy a good m/m romance. Great contest KC
While I’m not a m/m romance virgin, I’ve found that what I have read is unsatisfying. Something is always missing and I think its the female perspective. So, that being said, I think I’m of the Nora Roberts variety and I’d like to opt out of the contest.
Hugs, VFG
OHHHHH Manlove…be still be heart! For me it began with the gorgeous Qhuinn and Blay, their first kiss…O.M.G. i nevah thought i could be engaged with a M/M romance like i am with a F/M. Like you said KC when reading romance you put yourself in the postion of one of the charries, and with M/M i dont see it any different, im cheering them on to fall in love. How can anyone not like two alphas/Dom/sub bumping hips…C’mon, that shit is HAWT butter and all!!! BRING ON THE MANLOVE is what i say =D
I haven’t read any m/m novels, but I have some on my to be read pile. I have been meaning to buy one, maybe even today lol. I have read some reviews on some blogs, including yours. I’m curious. I have read some m/m fiction online. I think it’s just different from what I normally read and well… it’s hot!
@VFG really? I thought I might have an issue early on but either I’ve read really great m/m books or maybe inside me is a gay man wanting to break free? There is nothing wrong with being a Nora Roberts type of gal, Montana Sky is my all time fav book.
@Sparkly I can always count on you to make me giggle out loud, while at work.
@Sarah Honestly, I tried to go down the professional route, but hell, who am I kidding? Man love is hot for me. PS I also really like the relationship aspect.
Oh, KC – you have been teasing me with the m/m genre on twitter. I admit, I do want to read… But I’m afraid of getting something that is more pron or erotica without a solid story. SO I am leaving that up to you. If I win, please send me any of the stories you find worthy for the m/m virgin that is me!
@Twimom227 (Jen K) I would never steer you wrong! I can also probably remember page numbers of the intimacy scenes *blush* if you need to skip. LB Gregg and Josh Lanyon, Tere Michaels are not graphic or erotic, Grey’s Awakening was a little more erotic. Yes there are sex scenes but if you’ve read Lora Leigh I don’t think you’ll have a problem. I think.
What a m/m pimp you are, KC. I approve. LOL.
I started reading m/m about 2 years ago now. My gateway read was m/f/m erotica and then m/m/f erotica before I decided to ditch the chick because her hoo haa kept on getting in the way of the boys hooking up. The rest, as they say, is history.
(No need to include me in the contest.)
Erotic Horizon actually got me interested with her reviews… then Mandi… pimpin is their name… m/m sharing love is their game!!!
And I was very unsure… because some of the things they do… had a certain ick factor to it… but… Erotic introduced me to Jenna’s work… and the rest is history! So, manloving here I come… (haa haa… pun intended, that is funny I don’t care who you are, lmbo) slowly but surely… (another one, lmbo)!
I read my first m/m as a recommended read, Paul’s Dream by Rowan McBride. To start it had paranormal so it held appeal. I’ve since found many more. What I told a friend was it wasn’t the chromosome in the story, it was the emotion. Give me a story that bites back. (Hell, I just read one tonight that I cried the whole last third on. Still have the headache to prove it.)
I also find it endearing the way the male can be affectionate and open (mine isn’t). The battles are no less wrenching whether it’s m/f or m/m for the HEA. That’s all I ask from any story. Romance is about the happy ending.
MMmmm… I love Lora Leigh’s Breeds! I do love a good romp in the book (or 3 or 4)… I just didn’t want it to be all sex and no substance. Even I have to have some standards *snicker*. I know you won’t lead me astray!
I’m not a new-comer to the man-love genre. I have been reading m/m stuff off and on since HS. But it’s only recently that I’ve been consuming it on a regular basis. My push fully into it was preceded by my discovery of the man loving Japanese comics called yaoi manga. Yaoi is manga comics drawn featuring beautiful men loving each other. It ranges in how explicit it is, but basically anything rated 18+ shows EVERYTHING. So yea, since I am a self-proclaimed pervert, I have a HUGE collection of yaoi. Lol Later I discovered Yaoi novels, which are stories written about the m/m love with pictures. That started my interest in reading regular books of m/m (or m/m/m) loving. I find the story interesting and compelling and the sexy, smutty and sexy. Sometimes they are much better at expressing love to each other because it is considered a bit taboo and they still have other obstacles to overcome. And those things seem a bit more intense in a m/m book than in a m/f.
@Kris we have similar experiences. I started with m/f/m then a lil m/m/f and then I realized get the girls out of the picture let’s go all the way m/m. The rest as they say is history.
@Cecile OMG Mandi was my first m/m pimp I actually had to ask her what it meant. I thought it was an off shoot of sci-fi romance, lol.
@Diana Castilleja I so know what you mean. I think for me, a lot of the m/m stories I’ve read have such a rich emotional background. You are really invested in the characters. I just find it fascinating to see men in this way, hence why I’ve downloaded 30 m/m books.
@Twimom227 (Jen K) OMG LB Gregg and Josh Lanyon are my favs great story just the right amount of man love.
@Ferishia I haven’t read Yaoi yet, I follow Kris in Books bloggy to learn more about it. One of these days I will read one, I swears!
LOL Well, when you are ready to read one, let me know. I know ones w/teh smex! lol
@Ferishia You are my Yaoi Guide!
I remember it was V and Butch that piqued my interest but what really got my love for M/M going was Lauren Dane’s UNDERCOVER. There I got the first real taste of what M/M could be like. There is one particular moment that instantly made me investigate the genre…hold on, perhaps I’ve quoted it in my review…will look it up…
I knew I quoted a piece of how Ash defined his relationship with Brandt
Quote Ash about him and Brandt:
“I wouldn’t say we’re lovers. Not the way we are with you. We’ve given each other pleasure; he lets me use the cat on his ass and back. I like to make him come. He likes to make me come. It works out.”
This made me look further and that’s when I found Chris Owens BAREBACK and the rest is as they say history
Hey Girl….
You have really embraced your m/m loving side… Good for you…
Firstly please dont enter me in the contest …..
I read m/m fiction and non-fiction…
I started because I was brought up to read everything and find my own groove – and my father would not have had it any other way…
SO from my first Gordon Merrick book - The lord Wont Mind - I have not looked back….
M/m fiction has changed alot in the almosst twenty years that I have been reading it – I miss somethings about the early style of m/m fiction…
But I am loving the more erotic area that it has gone into….. and I am glad a lot more ladies are imaginig the checkout boys making out in the storage room…
If they aren’t – they should be….
E.H>
@EH my checkout boy sadly has pimples and is not someone I would wish to make out with George Clooney. Now my local fireman that wash my car for charity, oh yes. I do imagine a couple of ‘em rolling around on the hood of my car playing with one another’s suspenders.
@Leontine for me as well, although it was with Blay and Qhuinn in Ward’s BDB series. I must read Chris Owens!
I clung to my man on man erotica virginity like a girl on prom night. – This made me laugh, traditionally this is the “give it up night.” right? LOL!
Oh, I’m not entering, m/m doesn’t catch my interests. Maybe I have a malfunction? It seems I’m the only one not jumping on the m/m train. Iz sad…
@Donna I shook my milkshake on prom night but didn’t give up the goods, my dad would be so proud. M/M or erotica in general isn’t for everyone. Not to pimp out authors to you but Josh Lanyon is more about mystery/suspense has a very film noir feel to his books, not about the sex so much. I think for me, the relationship aspect and plot is really what draws me in.
hehe, you crack me up KC. I was first exposed to m/m more through reading books about menages (& seeing the movie Threesome =P) but I really REALLY got into it (read: hot, drooling, quivery mess) when I read JR Ward’s V & Butch interaction *PANT* it was SO unbelievable sexy & I wanted them to take that shit as far as my dirty imagination & their smokin’ hot selves would go. sadly, we were completely screwed out of the V/Butch lovin’ but I have high hopes for Qhuinn/Blay & some Blay/Saxton on the side (lord, I BEG you, do not forsake us dirty manlove sluts now.)
@Jaymzangel that’s so funny I think I would have thrown Butch and V’s book across the room if they ended up together. That was before, you know when I was sheltered and didn’t know any better. Let’s light a candle for Blay and Qhuinn!
I’m not afraid to say it the way it is: Ms. Smexy pimped m/m to me and I really enjoyed it.
I totally agree with you, it’s kind of strange to like it but I do nonetheless. I’m still at book one in this genre but that mostly cuz my credit card is still on a diet since XMas. Only book I can buy on the European way for at least another month. LOL
I stalk you on GFC and I tweeted for you!
@Susi Smexy was my m/m pimp as well. My poor credit card has been seeing so much action, I think it needs a little break.
I’m lovin’ this! I think for me it’s exactly like you said “two things you want, wanting each other”. Of course, thanks to Kris @Kris n’ Good Books and all her delicious cookies, I now have images to go with the manlovin’ …and I love it!
So far I’ve only read LB Gregg but I do have a few other authors I’ve recently downloaded for the M/M reading challenge. I’m looking forward to stretching my wings!
@Patti I lurve LB Gregg, probably one of the wittiest authors I’ve read in m/m genre. I also really like JL Langely if I’m in the mood for something more erotic. What authors have you downloaded?
I love reading m/m stories, such amazing power and intensity, and the dynamics of the relationship is so different from m/f. The first m/m author I ever read was Chris Owen, 911, Bareback and Gemini are still on my all time favorites list.
@Cathy M Many ppl have recommended Chris Owen’s 911 and Bareback. I will have to bump these up on my TBR pile.
I’m not sure exactly how I got into m/m, it might have been an offshoot from the occasional menage story where even if the men didn’t touch sexually, they were still naked together and had a close bond. I’d also read Anne Rice’s Beauty trilogy years before and enjoyed the scenes with Laurent and the other ponies or Tristan and Nicolas. Laurell K Hamilton’s Jean-Claude and Asher might also have something to do with it. And the kiss between Qhuinn and Blay in JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series blew me away — it’s second only to V in the penthouse for me.
But it encouraged me to read some purely m/m stories with a bit of BDSM, such as the Deviations series by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne and some of Ann Somerville’s work. It’s something I like to dip my toes into from time to time. There’s just something about nothing but sheer male strength that just works.
@Allison I do believe my first m/m introduction was with Rice’s Beauty Series. It shocked me so much that I didn’t read another m/m book till 6 months ago. I must read Chris Owen!
First m/m romance Standish by Erastes–she blew me away with a whole new take on the historical romance…
@Evanne I’ve yet to read a historical m/m romance, I’m a little ascared on what the mens would use for uh…well I’m sure you know what I mean.