L.B. Gregg ~ Gobsmacked
From: Aspen Mountain Press
So TPiggy ***That’s MC TPiggy please*** asked me to offer a quick list of books that encouraged me to write m/m–which isn’t the same as my fav five books (apparently). I’m supposed to also toot my own horn here about one of my books. Which book am I most proud of and how the below list contributed to my own awe inspiring m/m offerings.
Truly? I can’t. My books aren’t in the same league as Brockmann, Lanyon and Langley. (Does that sound like a law firm?) I think all of Josh’s books inspire me to be a better writer. That all of Brockmann’s books ask me to look more closely at the depth of my POV and the care in which I deliver a message. And all of Langley’s work reminds me to never ever forget the terrific tradition–the very foundation –that this genre was built upon.
(although do buy my books cuz you should) ***Teddypig ~ So I get to choose? OK fine the one with the snow…***
5. Elizabeth A. Lynn ~ The Dancers of Arun Not a perfect book by any means–and deals with brother love (not my bag, really)–but Lynn’s work ripped the door right off its tight little hinge for a young, impressionable flaxen haired fifteen year old beauty (so not the case) named Lisabea. What a wonderful portrayal of sexuality in this trilogy. Homosexuality, bisexuality, heterosexuality–it was all within the norm in the interesting and lush world Lynn create. Sexuality? Not worth dwelling on because the story was the thing. Still hot. Unprecedented (to 15 year old me). I cherish my memory of reading this trilogy.
Get this fantasy/sci fi from the late 1970′s over at Amazon or the like–and if you can find the original cover, DO IT.
Fictionwise has it, but boo what a hideous cover on that ebook. ***Teddypig ~ Follow link for Fictionwise eBooks of the whole series***
4. Josh Lanyon ~ Snowball In Hell Well, folks, I never knew it could be like this.
Snowball was given to me as a gift from TPig to make up for a not so hot read (sorry) he sent me for Christmas ‘couple years back. This book changed how I viewed an entire genre– period. Snowball in Hell is a rare and poignant mystery, at turns painful and loving, and in the end, sad but hopeful.
So typical of Lanyon.
I’m not sure if it inspired me (more like it terrified me into paralysis) but it sure did open my eyes to a new side of M/M that was more than just a festival of fuckery.
Not that there’s anything wrong with fuckery because….damn!
3. J.L. Langley ~ My Fair Captain I never knew it could be like this, boy. Mmmmm….Nate….
My (unabashedly enthusiastic) review is here and, uhm, I’m not ashamed to say that to date I’ve bought at least ten eleven copies of this book and placed it in the hands of reviewers. READ THIS, I said, IT’S FAB. JL Langley latches skillfully onto the tropes of traditional regency romance and brilliantly reinvents the genre in a space opera that smacked my ass. (Can I say that TPig?) ***Teddypig ~ Did I ever tell you one day I got an email from this certain author who shared a first chapter of a certain story she was working on and I knew right then and there it would be this awesome book? That’s the type of thing that makes me love Gay Romance.*** As wild as this book is, it still somehow lies in that safe zone for the long term, OLD school, traditional romance reader ( like me). Thank you JL Langley.
Ebook and paperback available from Samhain. Go now.
L.B. Gregg Post Edit Note ~ Put JR Ward’s Complete & Utter Let Down with the vampires Butch and Vishious and then Suze…
2. Suzanne Brockmann ~ Breaking Point It isn’t the case that our friend Jules has a relationship in this book–because this is Max (my favorite Brockmann hero evah) and Gina’s story. It is that Suze Brockmann takes an important and groundbreaking step with the story arc of incomparable Jules Cassidy. Brockmann proves to the mass market middle American Walmart shopper that Jules is worthy of love (she said this very thing at RWA). Simply a huge step for the romance world, and one that should be celebrated. She rocks. This book moved me, inspired me, and offered a wee beam of light in the homophobic darkness that is so often encountered in het romance.
Have I mentioned that I love Brockmann? I fear she recognizes me at signings now. Oh. Noes. ***Teddypig ~ I told you to leave the net at home but noooooo.***
You can buy this book, and all the Troubleshooter series from any bookstore in the nation because Suze is the Queen of teh Romance. ::bows and fawns:: Uhm. Also available in ebook.
1. Josh Lanyon ~ Death of A Pirate King (Hell You Say is right there, too–and that new one coming out) My black rook. Luminous. You can read my lack of review here, because to talk about this book still makes me a little wobbly inside. Thanks Josh. I love this book–that’s all there is to it. I can only hope to write half as well someday. ***Teddypig ~ Googles “signs of stalking” #3 A growing unhealthy dependence on…***
Thanks TPig and Merry Christmas.
LB (LBea, Lisabea, Hey-lady-your-dog-can’t-do-that-here) Gregg.
Tags: Five Faves, L.B. Gregg
Jen S. wrote,
Breaking Point is what got me interested in m/m romance. I thought, after I finished the book and practically ignored the other couple, there has got to be more romance stories between men, then I found The Tin Star and Caught Running, and I was hooked! Haven’t gone back to het in 3 years…
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Lbea wrote,
Weenie.
Yay for the one with the snow!!!!
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
It seemed appropriate.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Ally Blue wrote,
Ally likes the man-titty!
**licks**
Dang, chest hairs on mah tongue. Ptoooey.
Moving on… I’ve never even heard of Dancers of Arun. Or have I? Hmmmm. In any case, it sounds interesting. Might have to pick that up :)
The only one of the Troubleshooters series I’ve read is the one I got at RWA, Force of Nature. I liked it enough to read the rest, though. I just have to actually DO that, in all my copious spare time.
[/sarcasm]
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Wave wrote,
Most of my faves are on the list. Except I haven’t read Dancers of Arun. As I said to LB today, I have been re-reading My Fair Captain and as soon as I’m finished this time it’s off to The Englor Affair. :) Great list.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Kati wrote,
OMG! It’s LBea Gregg!
*blowing kisses*
Oh man, I loved My Fair Captain. Nate is so….manly and delicious!
And of course, Gobsmacked. Goes w/o saying. ;oP
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Lbea wrote,
Jen S- I didn’t see your comment earlier! I think there are a lot of us out there who crossed over by way of Brockmann. She gave a wonderful talk to the Rainbow Chapter at RWA this year about breaking down barriers—and the thing that stands out is how she changed things with such determination and with a PLAN.
Smart lady.
Ally~I know. I’m so far behind with my reading it’s shameful. ::shame:: And quit licking that man.
Wave~Thank you. :)
Katiebabs~ The world has gone mad because LBea came out of her cave and wrote a blog post. It’s a Christmas Miracle (with naughty bits).
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
I could have sworn LBea you said it was the whole Butch and Vishous “debacle” that turned you gay.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Lbea wrote,
Damn it. I forgot that whole incident because the pain…it cut so deep tpig.
OK so that had a HUGE impact on me, thank you for reminding me, but I’m still disgusted with that skinny assed blonde and I refuse (ever since the Penguin snubbing) to give her more press.
But man. Those guys were so hot.
::LB contemplates reading books 1-5 again because IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN::
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Lbea wrote,
Butch and V.
::cries into hanky::
You bastard.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Lbea wrote,
***Kati. I meant Kati. Oops.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Oh shit authors crying on my blog I don’t have insurance for this *think* *think*…
Well LBea, I have heard this same statement repeated over and over again by many fans. I think you should force her to relent and provide a book of alternative B/V lovin. Although it does seem to do the trick and get people reading the good stuff.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Dakota Flint wrote,
Oh man, Brockmann, for sure. I remember wondering (hoping!) when we were first introduced to Jules–in Over the Edge?–if he’d get his own romance someday, even if just in a passing fashion. I thought if anyone could do it, it’d be Suze B., and you’re right, she totally rocks. She opened my eyes to what “mainstream” romance could and should be. Love SB.
Would you still love me, Lbea, if I admitted I haven’t yet read MFC?
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
“I haven’t yet read MFC?”
*thud* *crash* *glass tinkles*
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Lbea wrote,
I don’t love you anymore. I abjure you.
::lbea continues to cry into hanky::
Also I want to amend my list–speaking of lawyers. Between two and three, no wait, between three and four–shit–put JR Ward’s Complete and Utter Let Down With the Vampires Butch and V. And then Suze sweeps in to show everyone how it’s done.
Does that work? I always cheat on these lists anyway.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Lbea wrote,
Also where it says ‘at least ten copies’ of MFC–scratch that and put ‘eleven’.
Thanks. Pleasure to be here as usual Tpig. Thanks for having me.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Dakota Flint wrote,
Oh man, now have to redeem myself in your eyes! What’s that song? You must love me!
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
TeddyPig wrote,
Dear L.B. Gregg Post Edit Notes now included.
signed Da Pig
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
josh lanyon wrote,
I have that copy of Dancers of Arun. I remember being slightly freaked at the ideas of brothers — but she convinced me, made me want it to happen.
Breaking Point — Brockmann is so enjoyable.
Hey, I am honored to be on that list not once but twice. I think this is the result of me hounding you mercilessly and marking up your papers with gobs of red ink. Inspiration or intimidation? YOU decide.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
josh lanyon wrote,
Oh — JL Langley. Whenever I see that cover I grin. A madly entertaining book.
Link | December 9th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Emilie wrote,
Okay. #4: I think I got it because of your review of it. Ever since, my description has been: “It’s so freakin’ good.” I’ve loaned out Partners in Crime 2, and given “Snowball in Hell” as a gift.
#3: I just said yesterday how your enthusiastic recommendations had persuaded me to try it.
#2: I started reading the series with “Hot Target,” and fell in love with Jules. I read “Force of Nature” shortly after that, then started working my way back through the series.
#1: Adrien with even worse health problems than usual, but so bright and curious and determined. He breaks the readers’ hearts, too.
Some great picks there. :)
Link | December 10th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Samantha Kane wrote,
LB! This list seems a little…familiar. :-) I do believe you have raved about your favs before. I love how supportive and enthusiastic you are about the books you love. It’s part of your charm. In spite of the, er, dog issues. Merry Christmas!
Link | December 10th, 2009 at 11:28 am
LBea wrote,
Tpiggy-Thanks. Now I have six too. Mwahahahahaha.
Josh-I don’t know what you mean. Red ink? Nah. It’s all smiley faces, idn’t it? Lots of LOL’s and such like.
Samantha Kane–Your list is frightfully familiar too, Missy Ma’am. I believe I’ve seen it on the DIK. 0_o.
Everyone’s a critic.
Except for me.
HE SAID “INSPIRED ME TO WRITE M/M”. Those were the instructions.
::flips hair::
Link | December 11th, 2009 at 10:00 am
LBea wrote,
Emilie~Thank you very much. :) Sorry it took me a day to respond. I’ve had a computer rebirth.
Link | December 11th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Samantha Kane wrote,
LBea ~ I meant no criticism! Mea culpa. I really meant it when I said I loved how supportive you were of your favorite books. And yes, my list is familiar, too. You’re gorgeous when you flip your hair that way. Glad to hear your computer issues have been cured.
Link | December 11th, 2009 at 10:42 am
LBea wrote,
:) I need more hair. I’m thinking maybe if I add one of those falls, you know? The kind you can buy at Claire’s? Then I could do some serious flipping.
Link | December 11th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
ShellBell wrote,
I have to say that I’m not particularly into reading m/m books (more into m/f or m/f/m along with the occasional m/m/f) but …. I do love Regency romances and I am forever seeing recommendations for JL Langley’s My Fair Captain. Just had to bite the bullet and buy the damn eBook. Absolutely loved it (I adored Aiden and Nate was so hot!) and had to also getThe Englor Affair! Loved that also – are there any more in this series?
Link | December 13th, 2009 at 2:08 am
TeddyPig wrote,
Not yet Shellbell Jen is hard at work on the next from what I hear.
Link | December 13th, 2009 at 5:57 am