J.L. Langley: Five Faves

After doing my Five Faves for Jessewave I decided to ask some of the best writers out there in Gay Romance land to pick five. I asked these authors what five books got them started writing OR were their absolute favorite reads when they started out and then I asked them what their favorite book was that THEY had written and WHY. So here is my best buddy who I wrote to shortly after reading The Tin Star and started chatting with because she is such a cool person and who I think shortly after that sent me this first chapter of what later turned out to be My Fair Captain and asked me what I thought. Uh wild, well written and ultimately wonderful but that’s something I have learned to take for granted about J.L. Langley…

J.L. Langley ~ The Englor Affair
From: Samhain

The Englor Affair do I have to say why? LOL! ummm, because I really like those two main characters.

1. Ally Blue ~ Forgotten Song This was the first gay romance I’d ever read. I was asked by our mutual publisher to give a quote for the book. I remember at the time I had put aside my very first MS because I had a gay character and he took over. I couldn’t concentrate on the main characters because he wouldn’t leave me be, so I continued to work on the Moon series (as Jeigh Lynn). I wanted so badly to tell his story but thought no one would want to read it. Then I was asked to give a quote for a brand new author. I read Forgotten Song and not only did I fall for Ally’s wonderful voice and style I realized that yes people would want to read gay romance. After that Ally and I became friends and a year or so later critique partners and to this day she remains one of my favorite authors (and favorite people).

2. Willa Okati ~ A Year And A Day After Ally got me hooked I went on a search for all the gay romance I could find and found Willa. I don’t remember what my first Willa book was and I had a hard time picking a fave because so many of Willa’s novels are among my favorites, but I had to add Willa to the list because she was so important to my writing and in particular writing The Tin Star. Without the nudge from Willa It would have taken me longer to get in the game. I remember when Willa was added to my Loose Id editors stable of authors and I was absolutely star struck. Well Livy, my editor, told Willa I had a serious case of admiration and Willa and I ended up becoming friends and eventually CP’s.

3. Laura Baumbach ~ A Bit Of Rough Again, when I started reading gay romance there wasn’t much around. When I found Laura I knew I’d found an addition to my autobuy list. I’ve always loved the rougher sex in books and finding this one was WOW! Not only was the sex hot and the story wonderful but it was well written.

4. John Jakes ~ North And South The North and South trilogy… This was the very first series of books I’d ever read. Somehow I’d managed to get through school with only Cliff’s Notes…not sure if I should admit that. o_O Anyway, I can remember reading the last book in the series, or maybe it was a reread of one of the others, while I was 8 months pregnant sitting in the computer room while Andre played Final Fantasy on the Playstation. I remember bawling my eyes out and Andre telling me to “put it down for crying out loud.” I didn’t. I kept reading. And yes it got better. There is indeed a HEA. ***Teddypig ~ No eBook Available***

5. Judith McNaught ~ Whitney, My Love I am a huge historical romance fan so I couldn’t not list at least one. I know several people have a problem with the alpha hero in this story, but you know what? I ADORED him! I felt his actions fit the time period. This isn’t a modern man and you can’t judge him by modern standards. Judith McNaught does her research and really puts you into a story. I really wish this book would release in ebook because I prefer ebooks nowadays and would love to reread it. ***Teddypig ~ No eBook Available***

Tags: Five Faves, J.L. Langley