One, two three …
So if one guy is hot and two guys are hotter, three should burn up the sheets right? Actually I am right. :) Before I discovered m/m I had read some m/m/f which portrayed not only a sexual relationship between three characters (lord knows most of us have read porn with various numbers of m’s, f’s and who knows what else), but an emotional relationship and not “both guys loved the girl” but they loved each other too. Hmmm. How intriguing.
My first m/m/m was 9-1-1 by Chris Owen. Wow! An emotional journey with three guys; there was insecurity over their place in the relationship, close to cheating, painkiller addictions, family strife over having two partners, it had it all. I totally believed it could happen. Then I continued with Gemini also by Chris Owen. It is *covers Patti’s eyes and whispers* twincest *uncovers her eyes* but with three and again, I thought the double difficulty of not only being in a relationship with two which is frowned on, but having to hide the fact that two were siblings was handled well. I was truly hooked at that point. Oh yeah, and it’s freaking hot.
I’ve read many books since with three, and usually if I see a blurb with three I snap it up. Sometimes it’s simply a third for an evening, but more often than not it’s three together in love. It doesn’t always work for me, just as not every romance works for every reader in any sub-genre. My biggest peeve is when sex becomes the cure-all for everything in the relationship. Doesn’t matter if you’re sad, happy, angry, hungry - just have sex in all variations and everything is good. I need a bit more realism than that.
So why am I attracted to this sub-genre? I don’t know exactly. It’s not something I’d seek out for myself, but to be honest, I might be more open now than I was before I started reading m/m. Fifteen years ago if you’d asked me about a relationship (as opposed to fun) with three I would have scoffed that it’s not possible. And in my heart I’m not sure it really does work. I don’t know anyone personally – or who have revealed it to me – in that type of relationship, but I’d like to believe it could. We all say there is enough love in our hearts for as many children as we have, couldn’t there be enough for another partner?
I also take it as a bit of a challenge to see if the author can make me keep all the arms and legs and … bits in the right place. Nothing worse than reading and having to go back and figure out whose arm was where and wondering if one of them is a circus contortionist, because no way is that possible. If you can make the sex seem realistic, you’ve got me half-way there, give me sympathetic characters that I care about and you’ve got me for life. Then again maybe I’m just a perv, which is quite possible.
I know ménage is not for everyone. Some people really prefer their romantic pairings to be just that, pairs, but if you’re looking for something to stretch the boundaries I highly recommend 9-1-1 for a start. Maybe some other m/m/m readers can recommend some of their favourites as well.
Thanks for inviting me to participate in m/m month Patti. I hope we’ve managed to lure a few readers to at least try the cookies on the dark-side. ;-)
So, if I don't get my edit turned in today, I'm totally blaming Tam for making me go pick up 9-1-1.
ReplyDeleteAwwww. Sorry Heidi but some good three-way smexin' is always better than edits. :-D
ReplyDeleteThose were my first to m/m/m books as well. Only I've read Gemini first and 9-1-1 second.
ReplyDeleteAs for some more m/m/m stories I've liked a few that come to mind are Bound to Please by Kimberly Gardner (this one also has a bdsm theme so it might not be to everyone's tastes), Sleeping Stone by Alexa Snow and The Strongest Shape by Tessa Cardenas.
Hi Eva. We're like reverse twins. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I did like Tessa's and I got to meet her in San Francisco last fall (and got a signed copy). Lovely lady. I haven't read the others but I'll have to check them out. Thanks for the recs.
I also take it as a bit of a challenge to see if the author can make me keep all the arms and legs and … bits in the right place.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha! It IS a challenge! Great post, Tam.
LOL Thanks Val. Nothing worse than losing track of a leg or something more important when reading the sex scene. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this theme, Tam, for all the reasons you've given. One thing which draws me to romance is relationship dynamics and they don't get more complex as that in a ménage relationship.
ReplyDeleteMy first m/m/m was Snowed In by Madeleine Urban and Rhianne Aile. It's quite short too so a good taster for m/m/m. I've also read all the other suggestions here and my favourites are 911 and The Strongest Shape.
The only time m/m/m doesn't work for me is when it's only used as erotica, with little or no emphasis in the story as to the difficulties of maintaining a relationship - but that's the same for my m/m reading too :).
I came to M/M through M/F/M menage stories and when I fell for the M/M combo and dropped the girl things got so much better. ;)
ReplyDeleteMenage stories are very interesting, and hot, but as you said if it's all about the sex and not the relationship it doesn't work as well. In real life I don't see how it could work long term but kudos to those who are in a menage.
My first M/M/M were Gemini and 911 although I can't remember which was first. Loved them both!!
I agree Jen, when it's erotica it's "okay", I mean it is what it is and if that's what you're looking for it's okay, but adding in a real relationship is far more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Snowed In as well although it doesn't get too deeply into the relationship as it's only the start. Potential there definitely for a sequel.
I agree with a lot of what you said Tam. I like menage books but they're tricky for me. I don't inherently believe that a threesome could or will work out as easily as a random couple. There are so many more dynamics involved - not just the extra bits.
ReplyDeleteYet when I read a menage that gets me going, like Jen suggested The Strongest Shape I really buy into it and love it. I think m/m/m's that work for me are more angsty (because it's the only way I'll believe it I guess).
Oh and I totally agree on the sex cures all issue. Hate that! That can't work even in gay relationships. Great post and it does make me want to pick up a hot new m/m/m. Any suggestions?
Chris Owen appears to be the purveyor of m/m/m crack for many of us Lily. :-) I too wonder if it could work long-term but I guess the romantic in me likes to believe it could. There are likely examples but most people probably keep that kind of relationship quiet because of society's general rejection of anythig out of the norm.
ReplyDeleteStill haven't read one menage..oh wait I have, wohoo for me ;) But that guy was just there once
ReplyDeleteThanks Kassa, I think we all see how difficult a relationship is with two people, adding another just makes it seem that much moreso and I think the angst you mention is probably more realistic and most of us need at least a passing whiff of realism in our romance.
ReplyDeleteMost of the m/m/m I've read lately is shorts and are little erotic pieces or an established couple where the story doesn't revolve around the relationship so much as the mystery or whatever plot is happening. Oh wait, I checked GR and Sandpipers' Secrets by Jade ARcher was an m/m that I enjoyed recently. Have you read Fun with Dick and Shane by Gillibran Brown? Some people either seem to love it or find it annoying. I loved it, Kris hated it. LOL
LOL You need to read one with a guy who stuck around Blodeuedd. :-) Some good recs in the comments as well.
ReplyDelete9-1-1 was my first m/m/m too..and I liked it! I'm starting one today - Where the Heart is..and I believe it is m/m/m...they get stuck in a cabin in a blizzard..I wonder what they will get up to? LOL
ReplyDeleteHmm. I haven't read that one Mandi. You'll have to let us know how it is. Snowed In was similar with the guys stuck in a cabin, but it was a gay/bi/straight friends who decide to take it further. Oh and a hot tub was involved. :-)
ReplyDelete9-1-1 is such a good book. *sigh* I'm pretty sure my first m/m/m was a Carol Lynne book.
ReplyDeleteI do like m/m/m if it is done right; however, there are times when I can't figure out who's dick is in whom. That's when I wish I had some Ken dolls to help work out positions. ;)
LOL Ken dolls always handy. Oh hell, I did reac a Carol Lynne book with a trio back in the day. Also insta-love. Guy on a ranch with his older foreman and some young grad student looking for oil. Of course the foreman's mom thought it was just lovely and never blinked an eye. Realistic? Not so much. LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat Tam wrote. :D Seriously, if you can't convince me that it would work emotionally, it's probably going to be a DNF for me.
ReplyDeleteHi Tam - great post!! Thank you so much for coming over to play!
ReplyDeleteI read your post and it got me to thinking, I've read several books with 3m's and a f, but none just m/m/m... I believe I need to rectify this oversight!! Maybe I should start with 9-1-1 as opposed to Gemini, lol :)
If I remember Chris you wouldn't touch m/m/m awhile ago. :-) I can enjoy it as pure erotica but the emotional part just makes it that much better.
ReplyDeleteI have 911 you think I should read it soon? Probably. :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely like m/m/m better than m/m/f (except Samantha Kane's books) although it's not my favorite. I'm such a romantic that I just want the main couple to be the focus. I have read several threesomes though that were incredibly. Polar Reaction by Claire Thompson...scorchin. And then there was Snowed in by Rhianne Aile and Madeline Urban - very nice.
You should read 911 Tracy. It starts off as m/m and then goes to m/m/m. It's a reread favourite. I have read Polar Reaction as well, it was pretty steamy.
ReplyDeleteOoops. I missed your post Patti. Well personally I'm a fan of Gemini but yeah, if that's not your thing I'd pass. :-) 911 is great though and thanks for having me by.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read an m/m book yet let alone an m/m/m one. LOL. I am open to reading them though so after I read "His for the Holiday's" (yes I know its not Christmas any more, then I plan on picking up a few more m/m books and then it looks like 9-1-1 is next in line! :-) thanks for the great and honest post!
ReplyDeleteYou're quite welcome Deanna. I read holiday stories all year around. Less overkill that way. :-)Hope you enjoy 911, I think it's a classic and a nice way to ease in with very likable characters.
ReplyDelete"Then again maybe I’m just a perv, which is quite possible."
ReplyDelete*snort* It's 'quite possible' that I'm one too. ;)
I do enjoy a good m/m/m story where the love story works out for all three heroes, but I admit that an author has to do a bit of hard work to make it convincing enough for me. And like you, I'm particular about the position of limbs too.
*waves hand* Another perv here!
ReplyDeleteI can't help it, menage (or more) stories push all my buttons. I love the fact that there's so much potential for conflict both within the relationship, and with how it's seen from the outside too.
I enjoyed 911, as well as Sloan Parker's More and I'm currently reading the sequel to Kate Sherwood's Dark Horse which is interesting so far - although there is an awful lot about horses... Bring on the men!
Those extra limbs and pronouns make m/m/m scenes an absolute bugger to write, so I have the ultimate respect for authors who can write them without making me need to draw a diagram!
I think the first m/m/m story I read was a Carol Lynne? Maybe?? Too long ago to remember now.
ReplyDeleteI do like m/m/m, but I'm not a person who auto buys every story they see with this theme. One thing I don't like is the gratuitous m/m/m scene that ambushes you out of nowhere. Annoys the crap out of me.
Gee Janna, you know me so well. :-) You're right, it is much harder for the author to make it believable but there are some good examples out there.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the Dark Horse books yet Jo. I do like horses but not to the exclusion of boys. :-) It is a challenge to keep everyone straight and I hate when they start getting referred to as the blonde, brunette and older man. I don't need to be reminded. Trust me, I have them in my mind already.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it has to make sense Kris. Even if the couple just plays with others that should be fairly clear early on that it's their style and not be "boom" extra penis out of nowhere.
ReplyDeleteI think my first M/M/M novels were All Play & No Work and Open to Possibilities, both by Carol Lynne. I enjoyed both, and really like to read those types of multiples instead of M/F/M. Although I read those, I prefer M/M/M or M/M/F. I do have 911, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet, so I may have to move it up on my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely worth a read Tasha. I think Open to Possibilties was the one I read by Carol Lynne. It sounds famiilar anyway.
ReplyDeleteI heart the m/m/m stories and I actually read 9-1-1 after Bareback & sequel plus the DEVIATIONS series, which gradually works towards a m/m/m too. I liked 9-1-1 very much but there were a few moments where I got a bit run down by all the sexing <- Did I actually say that...stares in shock at typed comment...*grin*
ReplyDeleteChris Owen will forever hold a place on my M/M shelves though, I can't get enough of Bareback & the DEVIATIONS series is made of gold, save the last one though. That was a MacDonalds happy meal while every other DEVIATIONS book prior to that was made of 3 star dinner!