“How did you get started in gay romance?” That’s a question I am asked quite often, so I figured now would be a good time to answer it.

I didn’t set out to look for a gay romance when I was browsing amazon for a new book to read. In fact, I didn’t even know those kinds of books existed. I’d just finished reading a book in a series and was looking to find something to tide me over until a new one was released.

I used go spend hours devouring Harlequin and Silhouette romances before moving on to Twilight, Harry Potter, Fifty Shades of Gray, and The Blackdagger Brotherhood series. Then I was gifted an e-reader and ebooks changed my life…and that’s not being dramatic in the least.

As I said, I was looking for a new book to read when a particular book was recommended to me via amazon. The cover was sexy so I clicked on the blurb to read what the book was about. The book seemed interesting, and it wasn’t like anything I’d heard before. Honestly, I was looking to find something different than the books I’d been reading, and from the first page I was hooked. It was refreshing to read something out of my usual norm, and as soon as I was finished I bought what was available in the series.

So what book was it, you might ask? It was Try by Ella Frank. I am so thankful I tried (haha see what I did there?) her book, because in doing so, so many doors opened up for me. Doors that I might not had even been tempted to test had I not read that book.

I began to read more m/m books, and I became immersed in the most amazing community of readers and authors that I never knew existed. I’ve met some wonderful friends who encouraged me to write one of my own, and as of yesterday I released my 13th title—something I don’t think would’ve been possible had I not been recommended Try through amazon.

I’ve been able to explore different sub-genres from paranormal to suspense, to find out which makes me happy. I’ve met friends who’ve become like family to me, and I’ve continued to learn daily from different amazing authors I admire. And because of that, I am extremely grateful for that recommendation.

How about you? Do you remember your first m/m?