Sunday, July 24, 2011

Adult Read Blogfest hosted by Heroines With Hearts!



When I saw a few posts on my blog dashboard about this awesome little blogfest, I had to participate.  It's being run by the lovely ladies at Heroines With Hearts from July 24th /25th.  The rules for this blogfest are simple. All you have to do for this blogfest is fess up on the first adult book you picked up and read: whether a classic, a racy novel or that of unusual content, then post your entry on own blog July 24th/25th.  If you're interested in joining in the fun, please click the "Heroines with Hearts" link above.  

Let's see.  The first romance novel I read that had what could be considered "unusual content" would have to be Spoils of War by Kari Gregg.  The book involves a male/male pairing, so it won't be for everyone, but damn, is it hot!  I've read plenty of romance novels, but, despite writing my own M/M story, I wasn't sure which ones would make for good reading.  

I was lucky enough to meet Kari Gregg at the RWA 2011 conference at one of the workshops, and she not only gave me some fabulous recommendations but convinced me to check out her book as well.  I'm glad I did. 

The blurb is as follows: 

Enslaved during the invasion of the rival King of Herra, Micah cut off his emotions and adapted to his new life in servitude. Xerxes, the Herran King, abuses his captive to keep the neighboring kingdom of Alekia under his yoke, but after Micah nearly dies when plague sweeps Herra, the Alekian King sends Eli to bring his beloved son home. Institutionalized by his slavery, unable to cope with his freedom, Micah seeks to please the new master he's found in Eli throughout their harrowing journey to a homeland he no longer remembers. Eli protects the young man and introduces Micah to the pleasures denied him as a prisoner. Will Micah accept his noble birthright when they reach Alekia, and more importantly, can he accept Eli as the devoted slave his father has given him rather than the master he's come to love?

It's saved on my Kindle now, and though I'm sure I will enjoy reading many more romance novels of all kinds in the future, this one will likely remain a fun favorite.  

Do you remember your first romance novel?  Perhaps one that was racy, or had content a little out of your comfort zone?  Please share!

p.s. I suppose that if you define "adult reads" as any novel not geared specifically toward younger children or teenagers, then The Hobbit would likely take that prize.  I was about ten when I read that one.  

xoxo Sarah

15 comments:

  1. Wow, interesting choice, sarah, I've never read any m/m stories. Of course I accept the m/m love but not sure I could cope with the details.

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  2. Hi, Paula! That's okay. I know they're not for everyone. Like any other genre, there are probably good ones and not so good ones, and I lucked out with this one. I love all kinds of romance. I'm pretty eclectic in general about my reading, and will try everything at least once.

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  3. Hi Sarah...thanks for joining in today! I love 'fun favorites'. I have ones I read over and over again.

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  4. Hmm, I think my first adult novel was The Mummy by Anne Rice. I moved onto some of her other novels (witches, not vampires) until they honestly started freaking me out (I was maybe 14?) Thinking back on some of the weirdness within, it still kind of freaks me out, heh. Hardcore, but I love that she *went there*.

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  5. @Debra: Hi! I love fun favorites, too. I love a little bit of everything, so I have a good time finding new favorites as well.

    @Amber: I haven't read a lot of Anne Rice, but I probably should. I've heard such good things about her writing. I think I'll love that "she went there," too. :-)

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  6. That is an interesting choice for a first adult novel. Glad it was interesting though. Novels have a way of making life influences

    I loved The Hobbit. It started me on my Tolkein journey. I was lucky, I think, to have discovered it first and was able the read them all in sequence.

    .....dhole

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  7. Hi, Donna! The Hobbit is still one of my all-time favorites, as is the whole LotR trilogy. They're books I will always continue to go back to, over and over again. I'm just as excited to see the movie next year.

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  8. Hi,

    Intriguing choice of first read! But as you say, some m/m are really good. Though in my youth they were scarce on the ground, and only available from under-counter or from within a specialist bookshop in Soho London.

    I loved Anne Rice books, and often m/m kind of featured within some of those. A really good read by AR is Exit to Eden.

    Nice meeting you. ;)

    best
    F

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  9. It's interesting the diversity of choice in this blogfest. My parents would have gone ballistic if I'd read anything racey as a teen.LOL! :O)

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  10. @Francine: Haha, thank you! I've read so many different books that I decided to go out on a limb for this one. I haven't read Exit to Eden...it will go on my "to read" list! Thanks for the rec.

    @Madeleine: There have been so many different types of books on this blogfest, which has been amazing to check out. Yeah, mine probably wouldn't have been to happy, either. :-P

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  11. I have yet to read a M/M book. I'm a bit curious if I'd like it or just be bored/confused, unable to relate. Thanks for sharing this title!

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  12. Sounds hot, Sarah. Love is love, whether male female, male -male, or female-female.
    Thanks for joining our blogfest!

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  13. @Marsha: I know it's not for everyone, but give a couple a shot. Everyone likes different things, so you may find one you like. As for not being able to relate, I don't think you'll have that problem. Most are very similar to M/F stories, with love and a HEA. :-)

    @Ana: I couldn't have said it better! That's exactly how I feel. Thank you for running such a fun blogfest!

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  14. Good luck with your writing and submitting!
    You have a fabulous blog! I’m an author and illustrator and I made some awards to give to fellow bloggers whose sites I enjoy. I want to award you with the Best of Romance Blog Award for all the hard work you do!

    Go to http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/p/awards.html and pick up your award.
    ~Deirdra

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  15. Thank you so much, Deirdra! It's much appreciated. You do lovely illustrations!

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