SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

A few days ago, I saw an author ask everyone in her blog post if she should introduce an M/M book into her M/F series. The responses she received suggested it might upset those that don't like M/M and will either get an unwanted surprise or will avoid buying that book altogether, the author possibly losing readers in the process.

I also just witnessed a heated discussion about J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Now I'm not up-to-date with these books but apparently some fans want, or are going to get, an M/M book.

What do you think? Is it good business to introduce M/M or other things like menage or BDSM to a vanilla M/F series?

It depends. What kind of series it is? Are the M/M couple introduced out of the blue or are they characters that you have been cultivating for a while? Does their relationship/characters fit the theme overall of the series or is the author doing it to add controversy?

I think M/M books in a predominantly M/F series need some buildup and any author that like Ward, introduces an M/M couple in a series and teases her fans for 5 books with their relationship, needs to be prepared to pay off and write the book.

Obviously they are not appropriate for all kinds of series.

Personaly I don't mind M/M reads,It's just another kind of love story and I think everyone should get their HEA but I do think that to introduce something like that into a already established M/F series might cause some problems with long time readers who aren't as open minded to other kinds of love stories. I For one say bring it on any story is worth telling as long as it's told well and tastefully.

I agree with both DG & Kat. In regards to Ward's boys, I'm one of the many that have been anxiously awaiting their HEA book. I'm thrilled she's made it a full-length novel. She initially stated that they'd have a novella because she wasn't sure how the M/M aspect would be received. I think she's realized, through fan feedback and such, that we want it. It's time, really. The characters have grown, we've gotten to know them through previous books and we all want them to have their very own book. I hope that's what we get with Lover At Last and not a splash of M/M with a lot of other characters' stories. We'll see. She has a tendency to throw in multiple storylines (HEAs) in some books.

Out of the blue M/M in a M/F series would surprise/shock loyal fans, I think. I also think it depends on the level of hotness. Like with Sylvan's Shadow World series, there are M/M relationships, but they are pretty tame.