Day # 29 Birthday Bash with M/M Author Libby Drew

Welcome to Day #29 of JoJos 30 Day Birthday Bash.Today I am so excited to introduce you to an author I met through Goodreads, Libby Drew. I won her book State of Mind for Review, which is M/M, and was my very first M/M read. And now I am totally Hooked!!! June 4th was Libby's Birthday, So don't forget to wish her a Happy Birthday too! So help me welcome Libby, and hope you enjoy her Interview on M/M Romance!

Libby Drew

Thanks for the invitation. I’m excited and honored to be here. JoJo recently read and reviewed my novel, State of Mind, and has kindly asked me here to talk about writing M/M romance.

What is M/M romance?
It’s a subgenre of romantic fiction. In M/M stories you’ll find men who fall in love, just as they do in traditional romance books. The difference is that they fall in love with each other.

Don’t let the term ‘subgenre’ fool you. The market is growing every day, and within it, you’ll find regency and historical romances, as well as stories about vampires, werewolves, and ghosts. You’ll discover modern day love stories, mysteries, and books about spies. There are political thrillers, science fiction novels, and fantasy epics. The plots range in complexity, the settings are rich and diverse, and the protagonists come from all walks of life.

The main characters find love against all odds. Their stories are exciting and romantic, sexy and funny, and even make you cry. See? Not so different.

What sets M/M books apart from traditional romances, besides the gender of the romantic pair?
Many intelligent, informed people have weighed in on this issue. Most agree that one of the biggest differences – and a welcome one – is the inherently equal power dynamic between the main characters. These men balance their relationship in more roundabout ways than a couple in a traditional romance might. They struggle for that balance. Sometimes they fight for it. The strength of their bond rises from this process.

Who reads these books? Who writes them?
M/M romances are written primarily by women, for women, but that’s not the whole picture. Recent polls show a rise in readership among gay men as well.

So you’re writing your stories for women?
No, not really, which is why I hesitated before answering the above question, even though it’s statistically true. Above all, I write to tell a story. I work to bring a set of characters to life, put them through the wringer, and give them a happy ending. I want to do what all authors strive to do: entertain.

Are there any special challenges in writing M/M romance?
Writing any book is a challenge. Create unique, moving plots with memorable characters, then crafting those elements into a seamless, readable manuscript is tricky. But yes, I have personal challenges that I try to meet whenever I sit down to write a M/M romance.

Above all, I want the emotions to feel true and believable. I’m a woman, so delving into the male psyche is a challenge. “I love how you write ‘real’ men,” a reader said to me recently. She clarified that she enjoyed how my characters are strong and independent, aren’t overly emotional despite their passionate natures, and, frankly, are rough and tumble. That’s largely true of the characters I create, but the bottom line is, I don’t set out to write about ‘real’ men; I set out to write about men. It’s not as easy as it sounds, and that is probably my biggest personal challenge.

Tell me about your stories…
I currently have one novel, State of Mind, and one novella published with Dreamspinner Press. But I also offer a host of free fiction at my website and LiveJournal, for anyone interested in examples of the M/M romance genre or of my writing style. (link below)

Beneath Lake Redemption is my newest release. It tells the story of a man determined to debunk the supernatural aspect of some strange goings-on, and how the truth of those strange happenings changes him.

Thank you, JoJo!

Don't forget to check out Libby at:

Website:
http://www.libbydrew.com/

My page at Dreamspinner:
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/index.php?cPath=55_229

Blog:
http://libby-drew.livejournal.com/

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3381921.Libby_Drew

Beneath Lake Redemption

Fascinated by a rash of unexplained events on Lake Redemption and undeterred by the locals’ warnings or talk of “people in the lake,” Syd sets out to uncover the truth. Soon he’s experiencing the terrors of the lake for himself, and he’s not alone: he rescues David Cooper from the mysterious waters. Trapped with his attractive and willing companion, Syd begins a fight for his life and sanity that can only be won with secrets from beneath Lake Redemption

State of Mind

Grier Crist works for the Organization—a group of Gifted “agents” who use their powers to keep peace, help those in need, and combat criminal influence around the globe. When a suspicious bombing drives Grier to break his ties with the group and go into hiding, the head of the Organization sends model agent Alec Devlin after him, claiming Grier is a murderer and traitor to their cause.

Grier manages to turn the tables and take Alec hostage long enough to convince him that the Organization is lying and hiding something sinister. The two strike a bargain: amidst enemies who want them dead, friends with their own agendas, and the growing passion between them, they'll work together to bring down the Organization in order to protect the world… and each other.My Review of State of Mind HERE

 

 

 

Thank you so much Libby for being here today

and for helping me Celebrate my upcoming 30th Birthday!!!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

*throws confetti*

But wait don't go away! Libby is stopping by

throughout the day to chat with

her lovely fans AND Libby is also offering you awesome commentors

the chance to win some wonderful prizes!!!

Prizes:

1 signed copy of State of Mind (US Only)

2 e-books of State of Mind (World Wide)

2 e-books of Beneath Lake Redemption (World Wide)

Is this not soooo generous of Libby!!!

 Rules:

** Must answer 1 of the Questions:

~Have you read any M/M ? If so, what are your thought on it?

~ NO, have you ever thought of trying it?

***please include an e-mail address so the winner can be contacted

*Open WW AND US / Ends June 18th*

Read more...

State of Mind By: Libby Drew

*** May contain Spoilers ***

State of Mind

By: Libby Drew

Grier Crist works for the Organization—a group of Gifted “agents” who use their powers to keep peace, help those in need, and combat criminal influence around the globe. When a suspicious bombing drives Grier to break his ties with the group and go into hiding, the head of the Organization sends model agent Alec Devlin after him, claiming Grier is a murderer and traitor to their cause.

Grier manages to turn the tables and take Alec hostage long enough to convince him that the Organization is lying and hiding something sinister. The two strike a bargain: amidst enemies who  want them dead, friends with their own agendas, and the growing passion between them, they'll work together to bring down the Organization in order to protect the world… and each other.

TRUST IS GIVEN FREELY ONCE

My Thoughts

This was my first M/M Romance i have read. I can finally say i am no longer an M/M virgin! And State of Mind was the perfect book to loose it too!!!

 

Libby's writing is informative, detailed....Yet she gives you just enough detail to keep you begging for more. The relationship she creates between Grier and Alec builds to an incredible passion. A Passion Built on trust. She has a great mix of sacasm, humor , and take no shit additude.

 

Grier Crist - Grier was an organization lifer. Till a bombing took place that he was supposed to stop. Now he has suspision of the organizations involvment. He turns his back on the organization, so the only questions now are who's coming after him, and when.

 

Alec Devlin - Alec is a tough organization agent, sent to take down Grier. With a horrible childhood, Alec fights many obsticles in his life to overcome his past. Now he has to decide if he should believe Grier about the organization and stand by his side and fight, or if he will bring him to his end. Nobody "leaves the organization".

I have to be honest, i was very nervous on how i was gonna take the sex scenes between Grier and Alec. But the intimate scences Libby has created are detailed, but done tastefully.She shows struggles one must overcome, and the worry's one must let go of.

The only thing i would have liked that i feel is missing is a little bit more of a glimpse into Grier's past. You get flashbacks of Alec as a boy, and the troubles he has delt with through his life, but you don't get a lot of information on Grier. I think it would have built his character a little more. The relationship between Grier and Ethan was something special, and Ethan was at one point in time really attached to Grier before all the problems. But you never get to know why.

By far Libby has out done herself. I can't wait to see if we get more from Alec and Grier!

Read more...