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Popular M/M Horror Novels

"Interview with the Vampire" by Anne Rice

Anne Rice is both a best-selling author and the queen of horror novels. Not all her books have major gay characters but most do and her 11-book ‘Vampire Chronicles‘ series has been loved for decades.  The first book in the series, “Interview with the Vampire“, featuring the characters of Louis and Lestat, was made into the 1994 film starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.

Poppy Z Brite is another popular writer of gay vampire fiction. Her first five novels – “Lost Souls“, “Drawing Blood“, “Wormwood“, “Exquisite Corpse“, “The Crow: The Lazarus Heart” and “Are You Loathsome Tonight” – are all horror novels. (Her latest two novels still feature m/m characters but aren’t horror.) The characters are often extremely dark, sometimes showing no conscience, so the books won’t be liked by everyone.

Sacrament” by Clive Barker – a surreal gay horror novel by this best-selling author about a wildlife photographer who experiences strange visions while in a coma.

All Jordan L Hawk‘s novels tend to have a supernatural and horror element, particularly the ‘Widdershins‘ and ‘SPECTR‘ series. The plots are exciting and, at times, scary and the characters and romances are loveable. Anyone who has read a few of my articles will know that I’m a big fan of this author and I’d like to take this chance to once again recommend all her novels!

A Reason to Believe” by Diana Copland – a detective has a shocking vision where a ghost leads him to her dead body. Confused by the experience, he turns to medium Kiernan Fitzpatrick. Passion grows as they investigate the murder together.

IM” by Rick R Reed – a gay detective hunts for a serial killer who may not even be alive.

 

 

Festive M/M Books

festive-humbugHere are some stories that are great to read over the winter.  I like my books full of drama and angst, so the following stories have great characters (who tend to suffer a lot!), complex plots, likeable romances and either a festive or a snow-filled setting.

Humbug” by Joanna Chambers – wonderful novella based on “A Christmas Carol” about a workaholic man who discovers love over Christmas but has to overcome his own flaws before he can embrace it. No ghosts but a real Scrooge of a main character!

swordspointSwordspoint” by Ellen Kushner – beautifully written novel which combines a gay romance with political intrigue, duelling and a regency-style fantasy setting. When George R. R. Martin says “an unforgettable opening… and just gets better from there” it has to be good. It is set during a snowy winter, with the weather brought to life in memorable descriptions.

Frost Fair” by Erastes – enjoyable novella with likeable characters and a romance between a broke printer and a wealthy aristocrat. It’s set in 1814, with convincing historical details and atmospheric scenes of the Thames freezing over and the fair that took place on it.

news03-christmas-hexA Christmas Hex: Winter Wonderland Collection” by Jordan L. Hawk – this is a short winter novella but it fits in lovable characters – a witch and a wolf familiar – and a clever plot.  It’s part of the Hexworld universe but can be read as a standalone.

Snowmancer” by Olivia Helling – I got a copy of this novel for free – it was still available on Amazon for free when I just checked – and didn’t have any particular expectations of it, then ended up loving it. It’s a fantasy set in an icy kingdom with compelling characters, a lot of angst and plot-twists, and a poignant romance. Also a magician who can make creatures out of ice.

Merry Chrfestive-mr-migglesistmas, Mr Miggles” by Eli Easton – this novel has everything: wonderful characters, humour, mystery, drama and a Christmas romance. Toby works in a library and has a bit of a crush on the head librarian, Mr Miggles, so when Mr Miggles is arrested on a trumped-up charge, Toby is determined to help him.

M/M Halloween: The Monster in the Bed

Luck in the Shadows coverScary just got sexy’ is the tagline for the show, “Supernatural”, but certain monsters have always had an erotic side. From Dracula onwards, vampires have often been as sexy as they were dangerous. Werewolves, too, have a similar ethos, with early versions of the Red Riding Hood tale – such as Charles Perrault’s 17th century story ‘Le Petit Chaperon Rouge’ – having the wolf represent the Seducer who will lead sexually innocent girls astray.

freebooksarticle-hunter-of-demons-spectr1In the M/M world the supernatural creature is often one – or more – of the protagonists. Jordan L Hawk’s SPECTR series has a demon as a central character. Gray is powerful and dangerous but also irresistibly attractive to exorcist John Starkweather, the twist being that Gray exists in the body of a third protagonist, Caleb, so sometimes Gray has takes control of the body and the rest of the time he lies dormant with Caleb in control.

Melusine coverIn other M/M novels, the supernatural creature or monster is the obstacle stopping the heroes have their happy ending. In Lynn Flewelling’s Nightrunner books Alec and Seregil have to do battle with necromancers and a resurrected god. In “Melusine”, the first book in the series by Sarah Monette, Felix has dark magic performed on him that makes him see ghosts others can’t.

Coexistence_WebMonsters are also a theme in my Human Hybrids books: the cannibal wendigoes are the obvious monsters, but there are also hidden monsters pretending to be good people and those, like werewolf Brand, who have faced so much prejudice that they feel like monsters.

So why is it sexy to be afraid? Perhaps it has something to do with confronting the fear of being vulnerable during sex or, in first time sex, a fear of the unknown. Maybe we like to imagine ourselves having supernatural powers that help make us desirable to others. Perhaps it’s just an inexplicable allure of danger. Whatever the reason, novels that let us explore these contrasting feelings have an enduring appeal and I look forward to reading many more.

The Best of Free M/M Books and Stories

Here are a few free novels and stories that I’ve found and enjoyed.

freebooksarticle-hunter-of-demons-spectr1Hunter of Demons (SPECTR Book 1)” by Jordan L Hawk is currently free at Amazon – this is a wonderful paranormal series so, if you haven’t already got this, I highly recommend it. It involves a romance between an exorcist, John Starkweather; a paranormal, Caleb; and Gray, the demon who inhabits Caleb.
US link     UK link

freebooksarticle-nor-iron-bars-a-cageIf you check out Kaje Harper’s author page at Amazon, she has a number of free books, some full length novels and some short stories, in different genres. I read and really enjoyed her free fantasy novel, “Nor Iron Bars a Cage”, about a sorcerer coaxed out of his self-imposed prison by a man he once loved. The download royalties for this book help raise money for the Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project.

freebooksarticle-something-sweetMegan Derr has a couple of wonderful free short M/M fairytale stories at Amazon – “The Stableboy” and “Blood in the Water” (based on “The Little Mermaid”) – as well as a couple of contemporary stories – “Something Sweet” and “Delivery with a Smile”. The proceeds for the downloads go towards a scholarship foundation for LGBT students.

freebooksarticle-the-foxhole-courtThe Foxhole Court (All For the Game Book 1)” by Nora Sakavic isn’t my usual kind of genre, being about a teenager who’s on the run because of his crime lord father and joins a sports team. (I should probably also mention that the romance doesn’t develop until book 3.) However, I loved the whole series so I really recommend trying the free first novel. US link   UK link

K J Charles has some great free stories, that are part of her published paranormal and historical series (including one co-written with Jordan L Hawk), at http://kjcharleswriter.com/free-reads/

J L Merrow has a number of entertaining free stories in a variety of genres at https://jlmerrow.com/free-reads/

M/M Paranormal Novel Quotes – “Widdershins” by Jordan L Hawk

Widdershins new coverHere are some quotes from one of my favourite M/M paranormal novels.

‘I was late for my appointment with a dead man.’

‘Before Griffin had come along, I’d been living inside a photograph: just a facsimile of life, without either color or depth.’

“I will not surrender my profession simply because men throughout history have been unduly enamored of their penises!” – Dr Christine Putman

‘The Guardian raced across the hall toward us, running on all fours in a horrible, loping gait neither human nor animal.  Its claws scrabbled for purchase on the slick marble tiles of the main hall, which was the only reason it hadn’t yet caught up with us.’

Widdershins cover

‘It was madness; it was folly; it was sheer selfishness.  I was delusional, misguided, wrong, out of control.  I needed to pull back, to say something sane, to re-establish mastery over myself.  I could not do this.  I could not take this risk.

‘Later tonight, I’d relive this moment in my lonely bed and wonder if I’d done the right thing.  But at least that would be familiar, would be something I knew how to cope with.

‘And yet the very thought felt like dying.

I surged forward, crossing the final, tiny gap and pressing my lips to his.’

The shadows of the labyrinth-library seemed suddenly deeper. I hurriedly gathered up my things and left the room. The interconnected chambers and oddly-angled halls were lit only by moonlight streaming from the irregular shafts set into the ceiling. My footsteps echoed strangely, almost as if someone followed behind me. I quickened my pace, which only made it worse.  By the time I reached the entrance to the library complex, my heart thumped hard enough to make me light-headed, and it was everything I could do not to break into a run. Glad beyond words to be quit of the place, I shut the door behind me, turned, and tripped over the body of the night watchman.’

‘A suffocating cloud of stench rolled out of the open trapdoor: wet fur, mildew, fish slime, and above all the putrescence of rotting flesh.  A swarm of horrors boiled out behind it, ever one of them howling like damned souls vomited up from the bowels of Tartarus itself’.

‘Outside, the snow piled up against the windows, but our bed was warm and safe.  Holding Griffin against me, I let myself slip away into sated sleep.’

Must-Read M/M Authors

Fantasy, Supernatural and Historical Genres

My favourite authors have interesting complex characters, fast-paced exciting plots, a detailed background world – particularly important in fantasy or supernatural novels – and a strong romance.  They write books that I re-read again and again.

Luck in the Shadows coverLynn Flewelling’s Nightrunner series is one of my all-time favourites.  Alec and Seregil are lovable characters who grow and change over the novels.  Their romance is slow-burn over the first couple of novels but that Continue reading “Must-Read M/M Authors”