Recs

The Adrien English mysteries Josh Lanyon. These are four books: Fatal Shadows, A Dangerous Thing, The Hell You Say and Death of a Pirate King. Each book is a mystery, but the series also follows the ups and downs of a troubled yet intensely romantic relationship between amateur sleuth Adrian English and closeted cop Jake Riordan. Extremely good writing.

Untamed Heart Ally Blue. We get romantic suspense, Alaska, assassins, damaged characters and healing. It’s all told in one hero’s point of view, which allowed us to learn about Grim as Leon learned about him. I totally loved the connection between Grim and Leon. It was sexual, of course, but more than that. I couldn’t put it down and the pacing was excellent.

The Charioteer Mary Renault. This was just a gorgeous book. There’s sadness and joy in it. Set during World War I, it’s hard to see these young men having been sent off to war and the aftermath of it. The slowly developing relationships are fantastically done, and I found it very moving.

Collision Course K.A. Mitchell. This story is told through the sex scenes and they’re hot, relevant, moving, and develop the relationship. I loved the two heroes. A gripping, involving read.

Mexican Heat Laura Baumbach and Josh Lanyon. This book grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. I won’t get into spoiler territory, but this is an extremely emotional story that begins with two men involved in rival drug cartels whose relationship develops in shocking yet convincing ways.

Havemercy Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett. There are two main storylines, and one is essentially a romance between an older man, Roynston, who’s been burned by a relationship gone bad, and younger, naive man from the countryside. Roynston has to fight his attraction while both men fall in love. Lots of wonderful dialogue. I thought the authors balanced a lot things well, going quite deeply into the personal while still moving the plot forward. This is definitely fantasy with a romance subplot.

Swordspoint Ellen Kushner
Marketed as fantasy, Swordspoint is less explicit than today’s m/m epub romances. The worldbuilding is exquisite. Set in a Regency-like city where lives are worth little and self-interested nobles betray each other at a drop of a hat, the details of Kushner’s world and her characterization are wonderful. At the heart of the story is a romance between two men, Richard a swordsman and Alec a noble who has run away from his family and is now slumming it with a death wish.

Hot Sauce Scott Pomfret and Scott Whittier
Engaging and fun, with appealing characters, though perhaps not quite enough conflict, the writing carries you through. As does the sex which is hot and, at times, sweet. I zipped right through this one. Recommended.

Hot Target Suzanne Brockmann
I didn’t just read this book, I lived it. If, less than halfway through the book, I start daydreaming scenarios for the characters, I am absolutely and completely hooked. The primary romantic relationship is m/f but the book belongs to Jules—FBI, gay, hot, and part of a doomed triangle. I can’t wait until Jules gets his HEA.

Willow Bend Ally Blue
I like angst stories and Blue’s books are very readable. We have Paul, who is recovering from his lover’s death in a car accident, and Cory who is barely holding it together with his two jobs and a sick mother. They meet—it’s quite a lovely first meet—sparks fly and while they both want to be with each other, they have to work to get their HEA. Sweet, fun manlove.

Cagebird Karin Lowachee
I mentioned angst above, but if you want angst galore and intense story, try Cagebird. I ripped through it. Set in a dark world full of pirates and aliens and very pretty boys, there is rape, child abuse and sex trade, as well as redemption and the decision to do what is right.

Crossing the Line Stephanie Vaughan
Well-written and well-paced, what did it for me was the emotional throughline. The love story is a little heart-breaking at times, but in a good way.