by Katrina Latham
I’ve never been an erotic romance reader, but lately I’ve been testing my reading boundaries a little more and stretching out to read things that’re different from the contemporary and historical romances I usually choose.
I tell myself it’s because I want to improve my writing skills, but really it’s because I’m curious. (And a bit pervy.)
The first erotic novels I read turned me off completely and, I’m afraid, gave me a distorted view of the sub-genre. They were short books in my local library in London, and their authors had names that would make porn stars look clever. In fact, the books had a lot in common with movies you might find behind a curtain at your video store.
The storylines were no more interesting than the “Did-somebody-call-a-plummer?” plots in those videos. And the characters had more in common with dogs than with humans; they basically wandered around sniffing each other’s crotches before humping away – whether they liked the person or not.
Gross.
But then I “met” some friends online. Clever women who are strong, funny and creative.
Oh, and they write erotic romance.
So I gave their work a try. And guess what? I might be an erotic romance reader after all.
The first of those online buddies is Tiffany Reisz. She offered a free read, Daniel Part Two, on her blog last year, and who am I to turn down a free chance to test my boundaries?
Tiffany’s writing is powerful and entertaining. The witty, compelling characters in Daniel Part Two kept me returning to her blog as she posted a new chapter every week. Her stories are definitely beyond my comfort zone, as they involve a lot of pain (which apparently is pleasurable, though I’ll take her word for it) and sleeping around, but I’ll definitely read more of her work.
The second online friend is Amelia James. I bought Tell Me You Want Me in December and read it in an evening. The book is hot, with loads of sex (of the non-painful variety) and monogamy once the two main characters meet. For a good time, call Amelia James. (Or, better yet, download one of her books.)
The novel that really convinced me I could be an erotic romance reader is Roni Loren’s Crash Into You. *fans blushing face* Holy freakin’ hotness!
I confess, Roni Loren and I were critique partners for a short time before she sold this novel, so I got to read some early chapters. There’s nothing more vicious than a writer who’ll tempt you with an amazing story and then make you wait two years to read more. I ran (okay, drove) to the bookstore the morning Crash Into You was released, and once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down.
Crash Into You is my kind of erotic romance. Even though the focus is on the main characters’ developing sexual relationship, their emotional relationship is very much part of that, enhancing it every step of the way. There’s a deep bond (and a bit of bondage) between these two, and although it’s BDSM, it never scared me the way those early books I read did. Crash Into You is the thinking woman’s erotic romance.
Do you read erotic romance or erotica? What do you think of it? If you don’t read it, what turns you off about it? If you’re on the fence, like me, which authors do you feel are within your reading boundaries and write books that suit your tastes? Comment and enter to win a print copy of CRASH INTO YOU and a digital copy of SEVEN DAY LOAN!
Kat Latham has been reading romance for a couple of decades. With degrees in English lit and human rights, she loves stories that reflect the depth, humor and emotion of real life. When she’s not writing contemporary romance novels, she can usually be found blogging or tweeting overly personal information. She loves meeting other readers and writers online, so follow her on Twitter or check out her blog and say hello!
OMG I LOVE EROTICA NOVELS!!! I have one favorite author in that area. Which is Lora Leigh. Love her Breed Series! My favorite book has to be the first book out of the series I read, which is Megan’s Mark. Megan is a human and her mate Brenden is a Lion breed. Genetically engineered man who was created to be used as a weapon. Lora writings make me feel like I am right there in the thick of it. I can actually visualize all of the scenes. I own every breed book their is. And sometimes when I read them again, I wish I was mated to a breed. Just to feel over protected by a dominant male who can turn me into jelly! Try any of Lora Leigh’s books, they are too HOTT to put down!
I love Lora Leigh too! Love the breed series.
I love it and read it, it is hot and can have great plots just have t find the rite ones, great prizes thanks
I don’t read very much erotica, seems like I have found too many of them that are the “Did-somebody-call-a-plumber-” plot line. Can’t handle those, no story means I don’t read it. It has been a long time since I have read a good BDSM book, so maybe I should put Crash Into You on my TBR list. Sounds like a good place to start =)
So far the only erotic romance author I really like is Cara McKenna — she writes stories about how people feel about sex, not just about people having sex. If anyone can recommend a similar author, would love to hear it.
I’ve read Cheryl Holt’s stimulating books and one of Beatrice Small’s books with The Channel. I’d would like to be exposed to more erotica especially if you recommend a book(s).
Like you, I have started trying certain authors and types of erotica. What I have discovered is there are some wonderful stories out there and that erotica can be well done. (Alison Richardson has a trio of novellas I can recommend) But it’s very hit and miss (for me!) so I appreciate the new author recommendations. I have Crash Into You on my “watch” list so I’d love to win a copy! Thanks —
I’m very picky about who’ll read more than once if there’s not a story. I like Jaci Burton and Lisa Marie Rice and Bella Andre. Most are in trade size so second chances are rare for me if there’s not a strong characterization and plot with the action.
Knowing that my bed will be cold and empty at night, my steamy historical, paranormal romances, and those hot highlanders, is all I can handle right now. As for how I felt about erotic writers–by all mean, go for it. It’s not that I don’t love a book full of hot sex, I don’t want to go to bed miserable because there’s no one I can fulfill my own fantasies. :O Oops, I hope I didn’t over step the boundaries of discretion. Please forgive me if I did.
I don’t read erotic romance much. To me its all sex in them and not enough story line. I do read a few.
I read some but not often
I have been erotic romances for ages, I started with books by a certain romantica ebook publisher but they changed their guidelines for writing and sex became more important than the story. No fun at all. But there are many other great authors and publishers.
I did Her Christmas Pleasure by Karen Erickson. Loved it. It was short and sweet. I’ve always found this genre kinda scary because I assumed it would consist of thin plots and sex that I wasn’t ready for as a reader. Imagine my shock when the pleasure of Ms. Erickson’s novella was like a romance novel shrunk down to a nice tidbit to be read in an hour or so. I’ll def. be up to trying more in the genre…
I read erotica and I’m writing a book now that falls within the genre. What I like about erotica is that it pushes the boundaries of sexual exploration through writing, but it gives you a good foundation of a story so you care about these characters and the sexual journey they’re taking.
I am the kind of reader that likes all kinds of books. Some of the author’s I love are Lora Leigh, Diane whiteside, Cheryl Holt, Scottie Barrett and Shirl Anders. I haven’t read these two author’s, so would love to win.
I read both erotic romance and erotica.. My favorite authors are Lora Leigh, Loreli James, Bertrice small and Kate Douglas, to name a few.
I only wish that I had stretched my boundries when I was still a young adult! LOL BOY -oh-boy would life have been different. Some of my favorite Authors are: Kate Douglas, Cheryl Brooks, Diane Whileside, Charlotte Featherstone,Cheryl Holt, and many more. I am a very avid reader!!
I’m loving all the recommendations! For those of you who worry about the possible lack of a plot in some erotic novels, Roni Loren’s novel has a great story, with elements of suspense, too.
When it comes to novels I read many different genres. As far as romance goes, I’ve read historical and contemporary and some erotica. I would have to say that with most of the erotica that I’ve read its pretty samey with a very dominant male who has a very large d**k and is constantly cramming it in. With multiple sex scenes in every chapter I have a hard time believing the reality of the story. It feels like a porno, the main difference being with the man professing his love at the end.
Historical romances on the other hand expresses the sex scene in a very flowery language. For me the way the sexual act is expressed in a book can either be a huge turn on or a huge turn off. For example when an author uses the term “quivering member” it just grosses me out.
With erotica the author can be much more graphic and use terms that the reader can actually relate to which I think is cool (if the author doesn’t get carried away) One thing I do like about erotica is the sexual banter that the couple is allowed to have throughout the story, where as in historical romance novels its basically un heard of for the author to actually write out the words or sentences said during the act.
That being said I do enjoy a few erotica authors, but they’re pretty hard to find. I’ve read some Lora Leigh books and I didn’t think they we’re half bad. The only problem with Lora Leigh in my opinion is that all her books sound the same (which is also the case with other erotica authors I’ve read, even using the exact same line in each book)
I’ve only read one book so far by Jasmine Haynes but she is VERY good erotica author and I would recommend her books and read more of them. The one story I read seemed very realistic, Sex was interspersed throughout the novel which I think made it even better. Her writing style has depth and she expresses the emotions and conflict so well you almost feel like you’re there with her.
“Crash into me” looks interesting, I wouldn’t pass up a chance to check it out.
I pretty much read everything. I do enjoy erotic romance and erotica. They let me read things that I will never experience in real life. It’s good to fantasize. I can’t wait to read Crash Into You.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Four of us, online, were discussing vampire books (J.R. Ward’s series, actually). One member is an author and had published a book, which I purchased and read. Her book had some erotica and m/m and m/f/m interactions. This was all new to me but I enjoyed the book and the characters.
After that, I started reading more erotica, especially erotica romances made by this group’s suggestions.
I do like reading erotica, but I also like to have plot and character development, which doesn’t always happen in this genre. If the story sounds like a porn flick (as you mentioned above), then chances are I won’t pick it up, no matter how steamy it is.
I haven’t been a fan of most erotica because as others have said, it is almost as if you can hear the bad music playing in the background and alot of it has such poor plots and writing that it doesn’t seem worth the money to find something interesting enough to read – and honestly, it isn’t something I am comfortable asking a friend for recommendations on who they’ve found wrote a good book. I will have to admit, alot of the stuff being sold as historical romance books nowadays seem to be erotica (at least to me) but they have a way more interesting story somewhat going on in the background (though more and more I am finding these to have less ‘romance’ more ‘erotica’ or ‘heat’.
I enjoy reading erotic romance. Like with any subgenre of romance there are good stories and bad stories. I like that boundaries are pushed in erotic romance. Many of my favorite authors write erotic romance.
My favorite erotica authors are Charlotte Stein and Cara McKenna. They both write hot sex and interesting characters but there’s also a truthfulness to the interactions between the characters which is not often found in erotica.
I’m a non-fiction reader. My New Year’s resolution is to broaden my reading horizons. In looking for giveaways in different genres, I found Romance writers very generous and then stumbled on erotica. MY oh my…I was not ready for some of this hot, hot, hot stuff so I’m dipping my toe in. I’m not sure it’s my thing but I’m keeping an open mind. I appreciate all of the suggestions here.
My criteria for a good story, for me, means that if you take the sex out (and I mean the descriptive, moaning and groaning and gropping stuff), is there still a story. (LKH, for example. I love Anita Blake, but the last few books, were just not good stories. Short stories actually if you took all the sex out) If not, then it’s not a good story. Which is probably why I tend to avoid most erotica. But, like you, I have been stretching my boundries, mainly with free stuff from Amazon that I have downloaded to my Kindle Fire. I just haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. Just don’t think it’s the stuff to read at work, know what i mean?
I’ve been reading erotica for at least 10 years & it just keeps getting better. The sex is fun to read, but if an author wants to hook me into buying everything they write, there should be some substance there too.
drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com
I do read erotic romance and the authors which really caught my attention were Joey W. Hill’s books and Sarah McCarty’s Promise series. The reason that I loved it was precisely because of the build of the relationships along with all of that steam.
I have read a few erotic romances and enjoyd them.
Crash Into You sounds great!! I love erotica but it at least needs to have some semblance of a plot, not just sex…..