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Winter Quotes from M/M Novels

swordspoint‘Let the fairy tale begin on a winter’s morning, then, with one drop of blood newly-fallen on the ivory snow: a drop as bright as a clear-cut ruby, red as a single spot of claret on the lace cuff’ – “Swordspoint” by Ellen Kushner

‘Alec’s smile disappeared. “Bilairy’s Balls, it’s nearly winter and you want me to take a bath?” – “Luck in the Shadows” by Lynn Flewelling

frost-fair‘Locking up, Gideon made his way through the narrow frost-lined streets, wincing as the bitter ice-chilled wind cut through the layers of clothing right through to his bones. He couldn’t remember when it had been as cold as this; icicles hung from every roof and the frost hung around in the streets long after daylight broke’ – “Frost Fair” by Erastes

a-companion-to-wolves‘The frost lay heavy on the swell of the earth; man and wolf left footprints like dark pearls in silver as they ran across it side by side’ – “A Companion to Wolves” by Sarah Monette and Elizabeth Bear

‘Snow was falling on Riverside, great white feather-puffs that veiled the cracks in the facades of its ruined houses; slowly softening the harsh contours of jagged roof and fallen beam. Eaves were rounded with snow, overlapping, embracing, sliding into each other, capping houses all clustered together like a fairy-tale village’ – “Swordspoint” by Ellen Kushner

Luck in the Shadows cover‘Seregil woke first. It had snowed heavily the night before. Luckily, Alec had spotted an abandoned burrow just before sunset and they’d spent the night inside. The hole still stank of its former inhabitants, but it was large enough for the two of them to stretch out in. With the pack and Seregil’s saddle jammed in the opening as a windbreak, they’d managed to keep warm for the first time since they’d come down onto the Downs. Cramped but warm, Seregil was tempted to let Alec’s soft, even breathing lull him back to sleep’ – “Luck in the Shadows” by Lynn Flewelling

‘As he drifted off, he seemed to see a series of white images, scenes carved in snow. Frosty gardens, their branches lush with white roses and crystal thorns; ladies with floating spun-sugar hair escorted by ivory gallants; and, for himself, opponents with long, bright swords of clear and gleaming ice’ – “Swordspoint” by Ellen Kushner

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.

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”