It isn't often that I call a book a masterpiece. This unquestionably is one -- the best book I've read in many, many months, never mind the best gay book. If you read nothing else, read this. Stunning -- moving, funny, sad, consummately written, with an unexpected twist in the tail. A wonderful celebration of love and friendship, of the things that make life bearable despite loss and sorrow.

Soren is an apparently straight young man in trouble. Mason is a tough, cynical older guy. Soren needs protecting, from his father, terrorists and a potentially lethal former girlfriend. A gripping thriller and a touching and romantic love story -- nominated for a lambda award. More, please!

The first Tanya Huff book where she really started to write fluently and convincingly. Funny, moving, heart-warming, polished and satisfying. I reread it every few months, whenevr I'm feeling depressed. You can read my detailed review if you click on the book link. It has been reprinted as part of a Tanya Huff omnibus edition.

An extraordinary accomplishment -- fantastical, magical, marvellous, weird, enthralling. A mixture of post-apocalyptic SF and fantasy, it's the story of the love between Calanthe and Pellaz, though there are many love stories in the 3 volumes.

This was the first Joseph Hansen I read. He is an awesome author -- smooth, polished, accomplished, convincing and riveting. I wish I could write this well! Dave Brandstetter is a great Californian PI -- cynical, sharp, humane, with just the right touch of compassion. His loves are woven through the series, a human backdrop to the these classic PI tales. Sumptuous and perfect. Don't miss it.

This was the first book about gay men I ever read. The love triangle between Ralph, Laurie and Andrew is beutifully described and developed. Authentic, moving, humane, civilized. Marvellous. (I have to say, the cover of this edition is highly feeble)

He writes a beut story, subtle and clever with unexpected twists. I like the story and the protagonist very much. But it's the sort of quiet novel a gay Jane Austen might have written. Since she is my favourite author, that is high praise. And I very much like the unexpected ending.

An engrossing writer, romantic, humane, honest, and great reading.Read especially Ethan of Athos in this omnibus edition.From a planet of men,who reproduce themselves with 'uterine replicators'.When Athos's cloned wombs start dying,Ethan is sent off-planet to find new sources.A touching, warming romance, thought-provoking and really gripping. Read a more detailed review at www.wildeoats.com

An anthology of romantic gay cowboy love stories, contemporary and set in the classic cowboy heyday. They're all good, but my favourite is Parhelion's Dry Bones. Great anthology and Dry Bones alone is worth the price.

Perhaps not quite 'romantic' in the sense other books in this list are, all the same, it's 'romantic' in its view of teenage life and coming of age. More than just a 'gay book', there are some very poignant moments, and you get the feeling at the end that Kevin Doyle will be a nicer and happier person because of what he endures through this year.

This is a wonderful novel. I wish I'd written it. There are two apparently separate stories, one taking place today and one thirty years ago, and as the novel progresses you see how they link. About family and love and infidelity and forgiveness it is quite masterly. One of my favourites of his.

Beutifully written -- a heartwarming yet *utterly* convincing love story between a doctor and a male nurse. It's so very satisfying, so totally real it'll leave you pensive and moved for weeks afterwards.

This entirely satisfying and pleasing novel is really two stories in one: the love storey of Edward, a refugee from Nazi Germany, and Sally, his doctor who treats him for TB, and of his grandchildren, Jamie and Alison who both fall in love with a working class 'tough' called Sam. Sad, romantic, masterly, perfect. You MUST read this.

Jackson Poole signs a contract with a big name in the music industry. Whoop-de-doo! Except he must pretend to be straight. A first novel with all the flaws of a first novel, but still heart-warming and romantic.