M/M Books of the Year - Part 2

I did all the intro stuff yesterday, so let's just get down to it shall we?

I will just remind you that these are my pick of the books that I've read this year, they may not have been released during 2009, in fact quite a few today have been out for a while now.

Urban Fantasy
Utopia X series by KZ Snow

I spent a lot of time debating the winner of this category because I really wanted to pick this series, but part of me was thinking that I'd already given an award to a KZ Snow book and two awards might be seen as favouritism.  Then I thought, the hell with it,  I loved this series so why shouldn't I have it as my favourite UF?  I've also cheated a bit as I've included the whole series rather than just one book, but I just couldn't separate the story arc into a favourite book - although if I was forced to choose, I would probably pick book 2.  Besides you have to read the first book to understand what's happening.  Anyway, this series involving hybrid alterationists and their love interests combined with fabulous world building and attention to detail sucked me in, right to the last page.  Reviews HERE and HERE - no review of Looking For Some Touch, sorry.

Comedy
Somebody Killed His Editor by Josh Lanyon

OK, technically this is a mystery as well as a comedy but I really liked Kit and his reluctant partner JX.  I also liked the sly references to chick-lit inserted alongside the more obvious jokes.  The whole book is a riot from start to finish.  Review HERE.





Action/Adventure
Zero at the Bone by Jane Seville

A non-stop roller coaster of a book, this story of reluctant hit man D and Jack, the man he refuses to kill, grabbed me from the first page.  Lots of great action sequences interspersed with quiet reflective moments as both men face up their past and look to their future.  Fantastic.  Review HERE.




Historical
Transgressions by Erastes

Set during the English civil war, this book tells the story of blacksmiths David and Jonathan and how their forbidden love sets off a catalyst of events which sends them on their separate ways to a future of war, passion, obsession and religious extremism.  I was drawn in by the characterisation and the attention to historical detail which never seemed forced or preachy.  Review HERE.



M/M/M Menage
911 by Chris Owen

I've read 13 m/m/m menage books this year and this book about a fireman, a doctor and an EMT who start a menage relationship, is one of the few which really seemed to work well.  I liked that it wasn't just about sex but that we got to see to day to day running of the household and how they fitted into each other's lives.  It's been out for years, but I've only managed to get around to reading it this year and I'm so glad I did.  Review HERE.


Anthology
Sindustry 1 by Dreamspinner Press

I liked both Sindustry anthologies, but this was by far the best with nearly all of the stories being winners.  The anthology is made up of stories about heroes in the sex industry and surprisingly the stories weren't all about sex but a variety of different topics encompassing a whole range of emotions.  I also discovered a couple of great new authors from reading this anthology. Review HERE.



Short Story
Striking Sparks by Jordan Castillo Price

This spin off from the Psycop books involves Crash who seduces a very-soon-to-be-groom Andrew.  It's such a delicious blend of naughtiness and sexual tension as Andrew finds himself in Crash's flat and his bed before he really understands what's happening.  You don't necessarily have to read the Psycop books before reading this short story, but it helps if you have.  I've re-read it several times and it gets better every time.  Review HERE.


Overall book of 2009
The Elegant Corpse by AM Riley

There were several things which combined to make this my favourite read of 2009.  Firstly, the mystery kept me guessing all the way through the book; secondly, it gave me an insight into the workings of the somewhat secretive world of BDSM clubs; thirdly, I loved the relationship between the impetuous and outspoken Sean and the calm and controlled Roger; fourthly, the secondary characters were incredibly well drawn especially Roger's partner Mary Anne; finally, I really liked the whole old-fashioned feel to the book which contrasted sharply with the modern LA setting.  Beyond marvellous.  Review HERE.

And that's it folks.  In my opinion, if you select any of the books I've chosen over the last two days then you are not going to be disappointed.

On a side note, check out Wave's blog HERE later today where there will be my list of top ten books which I have reviewed for her this year, along with all the other guest reviewers.  It's slightly different to this list because I didn't review all of these books for Wave's blog.