Here are my favourite books for 2008. Some of them are debut novels, others have been released in prior years and a few of them I had read previously. But none of that matters because these are all books I reviewed in 2008. My favourite reads for this year from among the 200+ reviews posted on the blog are:
# 1 – Death of a Pirate King by Josh Lanyon. On the surface this book was about a murder and the investigation to find the perpetrator, but it was much more than a whodunit. It was also a story about love and one man’s redemption after 4 books which kept fans of the Adrien English series on the edge of their seats. Death of a Pirate King is a tour de force of this series and the author’s eloquence is more evident here than in any of the previous books. The personal relationships took center stage in DOAPK and this quote by Lanyon at one point in the story ” …. sweet in the way crack must feel hitting the bloodstream of an addict after years of staying clean” — is exactly how I felt about the book and why it’s my #1 pick this year.
#2 – The Draegan Lords series by M.L. Rhodes is the epic story of the long battle between the draegans, a race of dragon shapeshifters and their mortal enemy the diabolical ruler of Velensperia. It is also a story about the love between two men, one a draegan, the other half human. Writer M.L. Rhodes opened her imagination full throttle in this book to give readers a veritable feast of all the elements expected in a fantasy including magick, sorcery, love, great battles, adventure and amazing secondary characters . To date this is the best paranormal series I have ever read.
#3 – Bareback by Chris Owen is a story about two cowboys who fell in
love and the emotional mine field they had to navigate when one partner cheated on the other. The characters in Bareback did what many men and women do; they cheat and sometimes they get caught. This story ignited a firestorm when it was first released and still does today. Tor and Jake were probably two of the most memorable characters – tough, uncompromising hell raisers – and they made each other work for every wonderful moment in the book. Kudos to Chris Owen for a brilliant and insightful story which is a powerful testament to how we, as people, always manage to screw up despite good intentions. I have been hooked on gay cowboy stories since I first read Bareback in 2003!
#4 – Soul Mates: Bound by Blood by Jourdan Lane. I read all 4 Soul Mates books this year and BBB is the first story in the series. Jourdan Lane penned an extraordinary story about vampires, werewolves and other species that took my breath away. This book destroyed all my preconceived notions about paranormals and Jourdan approached the series on a scale I have never experienced before – it was like being exposed to a wrecking crew that never let up. I was totally blown away as the author gave it to the readers with both barrels right between the eyes. Bound by Blood is the crown jewel of the Soul Mates series
# 5 – Wicked Gentlemen, Ginn Hale’s debut novel is next. Who 
didn’t love the story of Prodigal Belimai Sykes, and Captain William Harper, a member of the Inquisition? The story is about the search for and apprehension of the culprits responsible for multiple gruesome murders, including Captain Harper’s sister, and the deal that Harper made with his own personal demon, Belimai Sykes.The book is also about religious extremists who make up a corrupt authority that stopped at nothing to achieve its ends. This novel was a true masterpiece – the characterizations were flawless and the world building was extraordinary. There are countless other reasons why I loved Wicked Gentlemen but the best one is that Belimai’s and Harper’s story really moved me.
#6 – Untamed Heart by Ally Blue is an outstanding book about redemption and starting over. This is a story about two men who appear to be beyond salvation – one is an executioner and the other is almost damaged beyond repair, yet they rise above their human failings to love each other deeply, passionately and unselfishly. Ms Blue always gives her readers complex characters in her books but this time I think she outdid herself in Leon and Grim – I was so emotionally moved by them that they broke my heart. Using the savage and stark terrain of Alaska and the natural habitat all around as the setting for this book was a stroke of genius. Untamed Heart rocks!
#7 – The Englor Affair by J.L. Langley is the second book in her sci 
Regency series about the continuing adventures of the two Royal families that govern different planets in a futuristic society. The characters made this story come alive as Colonel Simon Hollister and Prince Payton Townsend, those brilliant protagonists, showed their stuff when a major tragedy threatened planet Englor. The plot is intricate, riveting and exciting and the pacing sometimes seemed to be at breakneck speed as would be expected of a story that included political intrigue and espionage, fueled by murder. J.L. Langley is a gifted storyteller who has written stories about many genres, all of which have entertained me this year, but in my opinion The Englor Affair is her best book this year and maybe her best book ever.
#8 – The Assignment by Evangeline Anderson is another memorable book that I read sometime ago but only reviewed this year and as is the norm for all my unforgettable books, while the plot is important it’s the characters that made this book special. Detectives Sean O’Brian and Nicholas Valenti had been partners and best friends for six years and their latest undercover assignment had them posing as lovers at a gay resort to catch a drug kingpin, but in the process the faking became real and they fell in love. The Assignment continues to be one of my favourite all time M/M stories. It has everything – two charismatic characters, heightened emotions which add to the suspense, danger, a terrific story with excellent dialogue, wonderful pacing and a plot that held my interest until the very end.
#9 – Paul’s Dream by Rowan McBride is an extraordinarily complex story with two completely different protagonists. Paul is a lawyer who is a dream walker at night, solving puzzles or resolving problems of the people he meets in his dreams. Kian is an incubus imprisoned by a cruel Master who uses his life force to enhance his own sexual potency. When Paul shows up in Kian’s cell and frees him there’s a coldness about him that Kian cannot fathom. The emotionally charged story takes Paul on a journey which ends in a warm and caring human being as he realizes at last that without Kian everything is cold.
#10 – The Mercenary’s Tale (tie) by Lynn Lorenz is about the evolution of Lord Drake, and it is one of the most delightful and emotional books that I have read this year. Lord Drake is a mercenary who falls in love with his apprentice and when Ansel loses his life in battle the setting, as expected, is poignant and moving as Drake searches for him on the battlefield among the bodies of men and horses. After 2 years of depression and alcoholism he meets the Duke of Marden, his new love, and his life starts over. The Mercenary’s Tale is the first book in the series In the Company of Men and it’s a wonderful book in a historical setting.
#10 – Standish (tie) by Erastes is another debut novel, this time a historical book that in my opinion represents the cream of the crop in this genre. I can’t say that I “loved” the story because I found it grim, dark, intense, and horrific in parts and the author made no apologies for exposing the reader to the seamier side of the Regency era. Most of the characters had no redeeming qualities but the writing was brilliant and Erastes did an outstanding job of drawing me into the story despite my reservations, which is, in itself, a tribute to her excellent prose. Erastes is an exceedingly skillful writer and this is her first book so I can only imagine what heights she will achieve as a writer in the future.
Honourable Mentions (in no particular order)
Captain’s Surrender by Alex Beecroft
Collision Course by K.A. Mitchell
Soul Mates: the series (Deceptions, Sacrifice, Secrets)
Dark Needs by Mychael Black and Shayne Carmichael
Mexican Heat by Laura Baumbach and Josh Lanyon
My Fair Captain by J.L. Langley
Man Oh Man! Writing MM Fiction for Kinks & Ca$h by Josh Lanyon
The Tin Star by J.L. Langley
Adrien English Mysteries by Josh Lanyon
Crossing Borders by Z.A. Maxfield
VGL Male Seeks Same by Rick R. Reed
With Caution by J.R. Langley
The Protector by N.L. Gassert
Lessons in Love by Charlie Cochrane
And The Two Shall Become One by Mychael Black and Shayne Carmichael
Leased 3: The Lion’s Share by Jet Mykles
In the Company of Men: Jackson’s Pride by Lynn Lorenz
Strongman by Denise Rossetti
Mahape a ale wala’au by Paul G. Bens, Jr.
*********
It was really tough to come up with a Top 10 from all of the books reviewed on this blog over the past 8 1/2 months. There were so many deserving books that I wish I could have included. The top 5 were a lock in my mind but I had difficulty with the rest, not with their inclusion but with the ranking, which is an indication of the talented authors who continue to entertain readers, and the number of excellent books that I read this year. Of course I read a number of fun books that I thoroughly enjoyed as well – the Heaven Sent series and One for the Team by Jet Mykles, the Calendar Boys series by Jamie Craig, Check Point by Kit Zheng, Sex, Lies and Celluloid by Chris Owen and Jodi Payne, On Fire by Drew Zachary, and Forgive and Forget by A. Steele come to mind. This list only covers the books that I read and reviewed this year and I’m sure that everyone has his or her own list. What is your Top 5 or Top10? Post a comment on the blog.
That is a really good selection of books!
Must make up my end list as well!
Do you know how many book you’ve read this year?
Hi Larissa
I might have read almost twice as many books, but some of them were tiny Sips from TQ about 15 – 20 pages each. I reviewed about half of the books I read this year.
Good Morning Wave,
I can imagine that after reading so many books it was hard to list just a few. I couldn't keep my list short so I went more for authors and my favorite books of theirs.
Listed in alphabetical order:
Anah Crow – Uneven
Carolyn Gray – A Red-Tainted Silence
Chris Owen – Bareback
Drew Zachary – On Fire Series
J. L. Langley – The Tin Star Series, SciRegency Series & With or Without Series
Jourdan Lane – Soul Mates Series
K. A. Mitchell – Regularly Scheduled Life
Kiernan Kelly – Riding Hearbreak Road
Laura Baumbach – Rough Series
M. L. Rhodes – Never Let Go Series
Sean Michael – Hammer Series, Between Friends Series, Bite/Bitten, Jarheads
LOL, even trying to keep it short doesn't work for me 😀
BTW, if you haven't read Carolyn Gray's – A Red-Tainted Silence yet, I highly rec it. Just read it couple of weeks ago (although it's from 2006 and it was awesome.)
Have a Happy New Year!!!!!!
Lily
Aw crap, you want me to choose? That's like saying "who's your best friend?" You're afraid to hurt someone's feelings by leaving them out. LOL But I'll try but any authors here, don't be hurt if I don't say you. I can safely say there are no books I "hated" and I'm new to the genre so some may be older books that I'm just reading now. So out of the 65 or so books I've read recently (damn, my credit card is freaking) 10 of my faves (some are shorts, some longer) in no particular order are:
1. Crossing Borders by Z.A. Maxfield
2. With Caution by J.L. Langley
3. The Heaven Sent series by Jet Mykles (can't pick just one)
4. Hot Ticket by K.A. Mitchell
5. On Fire 1 & 2 by Drew Zachery
6. Catching a Buzz by Ally Blue
7. Miss Me by Mel Spenser
8. Hot Weather by Matthew Haldeman-Time
9. Rush in the Dark by Lynn Lorenz
10. The Tutor by Sean Michael
I could go on and on. There are probably 10 more that I REALLY enjoyed.
Hi Lily
You’re almost as bad as me with the number of books. I had one criteria for it to be on my Top 10 list – the book had to have been reviewed on the blog. Consequently I deleted a number of those I had read but not yet reviewed. I did read A Red Tainted Silence about a year ago – loved it but have not reviewed it.
Most of those you mentioned are books that I have read or are on the list but I just couldn’t get into Uneven and decided to put it aside for when I’m in a different frame of mind. I have been trying to find someone who read Regularly Scheduled Life and loved it b/c I wanted to buy it but everyone I talked to suggested that I get The Elegant Corpse instead, so I did.
Of the rest of your choices, I’m halfway through Forged which I love. I bought Bent but haven’t read it b/c someone who’s a fan of Sean’s told me she wasn’t too keen on it. I will read it eventually. Some on your list like Riding Heartbreak Road I have scheduled to read in early 2009. I probably have about 400 books right now in my TBR pile – really daunting.*g*
I read a lot of “regular” books this year *g* but Josh Lanyon is at the top of my list. I caught up with Adrien and Jake over the summer and it was delightful. Laura Baumbach is right up there on top as well (incidentally, I had lunch with her this summer and it was delightful, too).
Hi Tam
You have a pretty good list for someone new to M/M. You even have 2 on your list that I haven’t read – Miss Me by Mel Spenser and The Tutor. So you’re up there!! Love your choices.
Hi Nadja
Laura never offered to take me to lunch *g* I love her books and have probably read them all but I haven’t reviewed them (except for Mexican Heat) which is on the list. I had to take so many books off b/c I was out of space.
This is not because I’m talking to you but I had computer problems early this morning and 3 books were deleted, including The Protector and a couple of historical novels so I have to make a few additions.
Have a great New Year.
Good choices! Apparently, I have the same number 1 spot as yours 😛
As I’ve mentioned, Erastes is my new discovery this year. I am really looking forward to his next full-length novel.
I haven’t read Wicked Gentlemen (you know I am always slower if it’s not an ebook), but I am definitely getting it.
Happy new year!
Hi Eve
Happy New Year to you too. I figured that we would have the same #1 choice *g* Wicked Gentlemen is a different kind of book and I really loved it, and Erastes is a brilliant writer which is why I chose Standish.
Thanks, Wave! That’s a great list to be part of. Actually, both lists — very happy you enjoyed so many of my stories.
Hi Josh
It was my pleasure to read so many books that you wrote this year, and your fans and I wish for one thing – can you please write faster? I’m looking forward to the new books that you will be releasing next year.
Thank you for so many hours of reading pleasure.
Wave
That is such a tough list to make Wave! I’m not even going to try. *grin*
Ditto, especially as I only started reading m/m romance in 2008. For me, I think it would be more like my top 20-50… and definitely in no particular order. Way too hard.
Thanks for another terrific post, Wave, and best wishes for the New Year. May you never get tired of reviews and author interviews in 2009!
Hi Kacie
It was a lot of work but they made me do it and eventually I did come up with my Top 10 or 11 *g*
Kris
At the end it was fun. So far I still like the author interviews and reviews so we’re good to go 🙂
Have a happy New Year both of you.
Happy 2009, everybody! Wave, I just want to say 1) how honored I am that Untamed Heart found a place in your top 10 of the year, and 2) what a great blog you have! It’s become one of my favorites, one I visit regularly (even though I only open my virtual mouth to drool on your Friday boys *G* ). Thanks for everything, and I hope 2009 is a fantastic one for you!
Hi Ally
Thank you for the kind words about the blog (although we all know why and when you visit)*g*
Seriously, Untamed Heart was definitely one of the best books I have ever read and the guys are the type of men you write about with such great insight. As I said before, you always create complex characters but Leon and Grim really tugged at my heart. Now I’m off to get Easy and Forgotten Song.
Have a great New Year and much success with the new books being released!
I have a really tough time rating my favorite books, but I think Death of a Pirate King has to be at the very top for me. I almost missed my own deadline because I was up re-reading that book.
Ginn
Thank you for coming by. Death of a Pirate King was a true ‘keeper’ but so was Wicked Gentlemen which I also loved. I can’t wait for the return of Belimai and Harper this year (you did promise). *g*
Thank you, JW. You are the best.
Paul
You are so welcome. I did tell you how much I enjoyed Mahape, didn’t I? I read it too late in the year to include it in the Top 10, but it was definitely “up there” for me.
Wave
You know, I looked at this post and agreed with every choice, except I haven’t read the M.L. Rhodes book yet! New Books, YEAH! What a great list, and then after, about the third time through I saw my name mentioned as an honorable mention, and I was floored! Thanks so much! I was already going to bookmark the page because it’s such a great list of my favorites, and there are some I haven’t read yet.
I completely agree about Josh. I couldn’t love his books one bit more than I do! Ginn Hale and Erastes are so fine they make me squee, and I love everything by K.A. Mitchell, I’ve been following K.A. since Custom Ride and Hot Ticket, and Collision Course was just amazing! Everybody on every list is just awesome and I’m thrilled to be part of it, thanks a lot for your support Wave, and er… you know. The guys.
But I might admit, if only here, and only once, that I liked The Hell You Say, maybe, even more than Pirate King. I wanted to hug that book, ingest it completely, throw it against the wall and sleep with it. (Hey, I was conflicted.) It provoked a very big response, and I haven’t yet gotten over it.
Thanks for a great blog and a lot of good information!
I never remember what my name’s going to be from which email account, that was me, Z.A. Maxfield
Lauralyn
I really agonized about my Top 10 list. A lot of my ‘regulars’ on the blog kept asking me if I was going to do one and I thought, how hard can this be? Well, it took days and days. As I said, the first 5 were a lock but the rest gave me heartburn. I even went back to reread passages in some of the books. 🙂
I did love The Hell You Say but I thought the characterizations in DOAPK were much better and Jake’s “evolution” was what tipped the scales. Plus I enjoyed the story and the prose much more and the dialogue was extraordinary – also, that touch of “old” Hollywood in the story. I thought of putting THYS as an “Honourable Mention” but I had several books by Josh already on the list – he and J.L.Langley dominated it but this is because I read so many of their books this year!
PS. I did know it was you but the other people who frequent the blog don’t, so thank you for clarifying your secret identity.
PPS. The boyz asked me to say hello 🙂
Hey Wave,
Thanks for mentioning The Assignment in your top ten. I promise there will be one more Valenti and O’Brian story sometime in the future. Just have to get around to finish writing it. (It’s about half done right now.)
Anyway hugs and happy new year!
Evangeline
Hello Evangeline
The Assignment has always been in the top 10 in my books. The fans can’t wait to meet Valenti and O’Brian once again – we’re waiting patiently …. one month …. two months …three…. How long did you say? :DDD
Hi Wave,
I’m honored that The Draegan Lords is in your top ten list! Thanks!! As you already know, I’m working on the third book in the series. 🙂
In the meantime, I’ve also been toying with an idea for a cowboy story, which is something you asked me about last month. Thought you might be interested. LOL!
Hugs,
ML
Hi ML
You already know how much I love this series and I can’t wait for the next book, The Fires of Ballian.
As for the cowboy story – how fast do you think you can write? *g* Oh, when is In Too Deep being released 🙂
Okay…Finally moved my lazy ass enough to check which books I read in 2008 and which were before that, so here's my top 10 for 2008 (I didn't have as big as a pool to choose from given that M/M is about a quarter of my total readin g :D)
1. Death of a Pirate King – Josh Lanyon
2. Caught Running – Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux
3. Cut & Run – Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux
4. Ransom & Winds of Change – Lee Rowan (read Ransom at the very end of 2007 and book 2 in the first days of January 08…so since they're sequels I include both of them together :-D)
5. Heroes & Ghosts – S.A. Payne
6. Corazon – Jamie Craig
7. Adrien English series, the rest ( I reviewed them together, so I count them as 1 *g*)
8. Tinder – Tory Temple
9. Agreement among Gentlemen – Chris Owen
10. Heaven Sent 2 (HELL and FAITH) (together in the paperback, so counts as 1 too *g*)
Special mentions for Ally Blue's FIREFLIES, James Buchanan's The Good Thief, Pepper espinoza's SURRENDER'S Edge (ménage) and Madelynne Ellis's GENTLEMAN'S WAGER & PHANTASMAGORIA (M/M/F). I also really really liked ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE by Steve Kluger which I unfortunately read in 2009.
I want to point out that in an all-time, I'd need to add Evangeline Anderson's ASSIGNMENT at the top and Chris Owen's 9-1-1 right under it. (big SQUEEEEEE at idea of another Valenti/O'Brian story!!!) Also SNOW ANGEL by Sonia Marie Bidwell and NEVER LET GO from M.L. Rhodes somewhere in the middle :).
Wvae, thanks for taking the time to make that list`:-D I can feel your pain 🙂 I went crazy enough making mine and it's nowhere as public as yours 😀 All the books on your list that weren't on mine are somewhere on my wish list, except for the Dragons story. Dunno. M.L. is great so I'm sure it's excellent, but shapeshifter come at the top of my list we it comes to paranormals. No reason, really, I've read some great books with shapeshifters, yet they just don't interest me as much a priori. I’ll probably give that series a try someday 🙂
Mary
I’m so impressed! I really can’t believe the time it must have taken you to compile your list b/c it took me days. I’ll have to be specially nice to you (I’ll take back my comment on the blog after you told me that Cut and Run is 380 pages)*g*.
My only rule for my list was that the book had to have been reviewed on the blog so even though I had read and loved Caught Running and it probably would have made the list, I couldn’t include it in the Top 10 for the year.
I still have to read Ransom and Winds of Change in addition to Eye of the Storm.
Tinder, Heaven Sent and Corazon – read and loved but not reviewed; same with Heaven Sent although I did sneak them in. Haven’t read Agreement Among Gentlemen or Heroes and Ghosts. I have a whole bunch of M.L. Rhodes’ books that I have to review and your other choices, most of them I love including Fireflies. If you ever win the lottery I know where your money will go. *g*
Great job Mary!
Actually I started to compile mine before you even posted yours 🙂 I knew you were planning to do it so I justted down titles of my favorite M/M books and separated them in 2 categories: books read this year (from what I could remember) and the rest in “all-time”. Some were in both. I looked at the lists from time to time, added titles as they came back to mind, and yesterday took an hour to check them against my list of total books read in 2008 (which badly needs updating) and took a little hour to finalize the 2008 M/M list. So voilà. No big deal.
Although, if you wish to be even nicer to me, hey, no way I’m going to object 😀 I’m sure we can think of something LOL
I can already say that Bareback is going to be on my 2009 list, as are probably going to be the Soul Mates series and Wicked Gentlemen, which I’ve had for months and not read. Mexican Heat will probably be there too – it’s one of my top 5 books-to-buy-next. Aside from that… I’m waiting for good surprises 🙂 There are a lot of authors I’m following for new books.
I’m glad a lot of other people posted their lists as well. I gathered quite a few new titles for my wish list ;).
And what was that about LJ? I sure hope it’s not bein shut down, I was going to use that platform to keep track of my books reads, for resolution purposes 😀
Last first – Did you read my post which I revised about LJ? I’ll send you something that was posted yesterday – no they are not out of business, at least not yet.
What do you mean I should be nice to you? Haven’t I been nice to you? What about all the books you scammed? What about the link I just sent you? What about all the nice things I say about you and defend you to Bev who thinks you put bullets in books? What more can I do?
You did a great job on the Top 10 books – I’m getting a few off your list that I hadn’t heard of. Thanks Babe.
Now you should check out my latest poll – here’s the link
http://tinyurl.com/a8ofup
Hey, YOU were the one to say “I’ll have to be especially nice to you!” Third line of your previous post ;-p I wasn’t asking for anything. never fear, you are already doing an excellent job of being nice to me my dear *pats Wave on the back*
Late to the party as usual. *sigh* But double thanks from me. First, I’m so proud to be given an Honorable Mention – or any mention at all, really. *g*
And second, I love, love, LOVE lists of recommendations like this. Yeehah! I’ve worked my way through a lot of m/m in the last year or so and I purely hate being disappointed. So it’s great that our tastes seem to coincide. Love Josh Lanyon, “The Assignment”, Jet Mykles and J.L. Langley. Z.A. Maxfield is a newer discovery.
And now – wowser! – so many more guaranteed great reads. Thanks heaps.
Pity about the deadlines and the day job. *chuckle*
Denise
Hi Denise
Thank you for dropping by the blog and no thanks are necessary from you for Strongman being included on the list as an Honourable Mention.
The list is by no means complete since there were many books I could not include, but I’m glad it was helpful in spending your money. 🙂 You’re welcome!!
I’m already compiling this year’s list and I hope to see you on the blog then, if not before. I don’t check out Ellora’s Cave much these days so have no idea of your new books. Maybe you could send me a link to your website since I really enjoy your writing.
A link to my website is my pleasure. Here you go – http://www.deniserossetti.com/
I’ve also written a free epilogue to Strongman, in which Griff gets to turn the tables on Fort and achieves his heart’s desire. Ah… It’s available to subscribers to my Yahoo group. A taste and more details at the link just above.
I now have a contract with Berkley to write an erotic fantasy series. The first book, The Flame and the Shadow, Came out last November, the second, Thief of Light will be this October.
In the meantime, I have a whole cast of characters for the next in the Phoenix Rising series at Ellora’s Cave screaming and kicking to get out of my head. So much madness, so little time…
Denise
PS Did you know Joey W. Hill has written her first m/m, Rough Canvas? From Ellora’s Cave. It’s awesome, stunning…
Hi Denise
Sorry I didn’t see your comment until this morning. As you may or may not be aware, we celebrated the blog’s first birthday by throwing a hell of a blog party and consequently my inbox is jammed with over 400 new emails on top of the others.
I linked to the Strongman episode and as soon as I can catch my breath I’ll be reading it. Thanks also for your website link which I’ll put with my favourite links.
Yes I was aware that Joey W. Hill had written a M/M story (Rough Canvas) and I have been meaning to get it to review.
In the meantime, I have a whole cast of characters for the next in the Phoenix Rising series at Ellora’s Cave screaming and kicking to get out of my head.
You are aware, I’m sure, that Ellora’s Cave is no longer accepting new M/M manuscripts? They sent out this information to all their authors sometime ago. You’ll have to find a new publisher for these stories I’m afraid. Let me know when/if they are published somewhere else.
Thanks again for writing.