What’s your favorite kind of erotic romance? by Susan Lyons
Thanks to the Naughty & Spice ladies (I use that term loosely!) for inviting me to visit.
I hope all you Americans had a fantastic Thanksgiving and you’re now replete with yummy food and warm memories of a great time with your loved ones. Me, I’m Canadian – we had Thanksgiving a long time ago. So I don’t get a long weekend. Not that writers get holidays anyhow.
I write erotic romance for Kensington Aphrodisia and my current release is Touch Me, the 3rd book in my 4-book Awesome Foursome series. Think Sex and the City, set in Vancouver, BC. Sex and romance, issues and personal growth, food and booze, and lots of girlfriend banter and bonding.
Have you noticed how much range there is within erotic romance and erotica? Shapeshifters and vampires, historical and contemporary, futuristic, Goth, BDSM, ménage – pretty much anything you could imagine. Definitely something for everyone.
As a reader (and a writer), I’m on the “lite” side. Basically, I like a good romance that’s character-driven, where both the heroine and hero change and grow into better, stronger people because they met each other and fell in love. I like to see them struggle for happiness, and win it in the end – with some very spicy sex along the way! I’m interested in contemporary issues (some of the ones I write about are: interracial relationships – in Champagne Rules and Hot in Here; career versus home life – in Champagne Rules, Touch Me and She’s on Top; the weight of parental expectations – in Hot in Here, Touch Me and She’s on Top; and female body image – in She’s on Top).
What else? Well, female friendship always appeals to me as a theme. And I like humor rather than dark intensity. Oh, and poignancy always grabs me – there’s nothing like a few sniffles along the way, so long as the heroine and hero get a happy ending. Put all those things together, and that’s my idea of a memorable book. The kind of book I like to read – and, hopefully, the kind of book I write.
How about you? As a reader or a writer, what’s your favorite kind of erotic romance (or erotica) and why does it turn your crank?
I’d love to give away a book, but I’m going to make you work for it. You have to pop over to my website at http://www.susanlyons.ca/ then go to the Contest page and enter my contest (which will also subscribe you to my newsletter). Be sure to tell me you came from Naughty & Spice. On November 24 I’ll draw a winner and email to ask you which of my books you’d like. (You’ll also remain in the draw for the monthly contest prize, which includes a firefighter calendar!)
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:20 am
When I write a book, I need it to be about so much more then lust and the HEA. I want a journey of discovery. I love lost souls and I love it when finding love brings about healing of deep wounds.
When I read, I want to be moved, I want to cry and feel it in my own heart when the hero and heroine fall in love. I’m finding myself getting a little tired of the fun frothy sex romps that don’t have any real depth to them. I think I OD’d on them over the summer. lol
November 23rd, 2007 at 7:59 am
I tend more to the erotica side of things rather than erotic romance. Just the way I write as I prefer short stories.
Reading or writing I’ll do just about anything. Except the usual stuff warned against by publishers. Oh, and gay male and the fetishes involving human bodily waste.
I’m really not wired that way.
My favourites are vampires and D/s without all the paraphernalia and rituals.
But if it’s got strong, rich emotion in it I’ll like it.
November 23rd, 2007 at 10:08 am
[…] LA MANSION wrote an interesting post today!.Here’s a quick excerptWhat’s your favorite kind of erotic romance? by Susan Lyons Written by admin on November 23rd, 2007 [IMG whats-your-favorite-kind-of-erotic-romance-by-susan-lyons] Thanks to the Naughty & Spice ladies (I use that term loosely!) for inviting me to visit. I hope all you Americans had a fantastic Thanksgiving and you’re now replete with yummy food and warm memories of a great time with your loved ones. Me, I’m Canadian – we had Thanksgiving a long time ago. So I don’t get a long weekend. No […]
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 am
Samantha and Rob - yes, here’s to deep emotion. Without it, a story may be entertaining and offer a nice escape, but it won’t be memorable. It’s kind of like going out for coffee with a friend, and all she/he talks about is the superficial stuff. You may laugh and have a good time, but tomorrow you probably won’t even remember what you talked about. As compared to going out with a friend, and discussing something emotional and meaningful that’s happening in her/his life. That’s a conversation you’ll remember over and over.
I do think there’s room for both - especially when I’m feeling kind of “down” myself, it can be nice to read a more frothy story. But a steady diet of froth is like a steady diet of chocolate - in the end, it’s not so satisfying and you start to long for substance.
As for bodily waste - yeah, I have to admit I don’t get that one at all. But that’s an interesting thing about erotica - what turns one person off turns another on.
So here’s another question for the writers. If something grosses you out personally, can you make it erotic when you write about it? And for the readers - if something turns you off personally, can you identify with a heroine or hero who is turned on by it, and can you “feel” their arousal?
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I like a little paranormal with my erotic romance. I also like BDSM (like Joey W. Hill). But I love it all. I do prefer it a little darker than my contemporary romance.
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Susan, thanks for the great post!
The question you ask regarding being able to write something that does not appeal to you personally is a good one. For me the answer is a definite yes. For example, I can write well from a sub POV, but (for the most part) I am a total dom. And I love reading books about subs, too. So, for me, the answer is a definite yes.
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Lillian, that’s interesting. Seems to me, if you’ve experienced an emotion, you can take that emotion and apply it in a different context, if that makes any sense. So, if you feel turned on by one sexual practice (say, having sex with someone watching), you can bring that feeling into writing about something that for you personally wouldn’t do the trick, but does for your character (say, being tied up). And then the rest is writerly imagination!
But I think each of us writers is a little different re the level we have to identify with our characters. For some of us, it’s hard to “make” our characters do, say or feel something we don’t feel ourselves.
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Susan, nice to see you here! Sorry you didn’t have a second Thanksgiving yesterday with the rest of us. I love to read erotic romance, but have a harder time writing it. I’m so conscious of every word and phrase I use that I think it does me in! And I do enjoy adding the paranormal aspect to an erotic romance as well. There’s nothing like a ghost to spice up the night! Patti
November 23rd, 2007 at 1:54 pm
LOL, Patti, re the ghost. Actually, I’m okay with just a real live man.
As for being conscious of every word or phrase - well, I don’t think you should be when you write. Not for the first draft. Just get in the mood (candles, wine, music, whatever works!) then let go and have fun. Afterwards, you can edit. But writing sex is like having sex: if you think too hard about it, you spoil the fun!
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Exactly, Susan. Like there are some things that may turn us on when we read about it, or think about it, but in reality it may do nothing for us. That is always strange to me, how something can be erotically exciting in fantasy but not reality. But sometimes experimenting with what we think turns us on can lead to interesting discoveries.
For example, I always loved to read about pain play. But in reality it doesn’t do much for me. Well, it doesn’t if I’m on the receiving end, ayway.
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:28 pm
Fantasy versus reality is always an interesting contrast, isn’t it, Lillian?
Sometimes you fantasize about something and it seems so wonderful, but when you try it it’s not so great. Other times, you can’t imagine a particular thing being too wonderful, then you try it and it’s fabulous. I think a lot of it has to do with mood, setting - and of course the right partner.
November 23rd, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Hi Susan! Thanks for being here today! On Black Friday! The biggest shopping day of the year!!!!
Hmm for erotic romance, what do I like? I tend to like your average contemp romance with really hot sex. I’m not big into BDSM. Though a little of the dom/sub is okay. I love the ‘kidnapping’ premise and tend to do it. Hee hee.
November 23rd, 2007 at 3:51 pm
Hi Shelli,
Thanks for inviting me. OK, I have to ask — does she kidnap him, or vice versa??? (Inquiring minds need to know.)
November 23rd, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Heh. The one I’m working on now, he kidnaps her. But only because he’s been lusting after her for awhile and he’s convinced she’s about to break up the wedding of her ex-boyfriend. She’s a hair dresser, he’s a forest ranger. He takes her camping and needless to say, she ain’t pleased.
My sci fi he kidnaps her too. Only it’s more aggressive and hot, and not so funny. Quite controversial
I wanna write a she kidnaps him one. I have one in mind. Hee hee.
November 23rd, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I prefer the basic male/female erotic scenes, but I sometimes like a little light bondgage. I guess I’m kind of bland, nothing to extreme. Toys are definitely appreciated.
November 23rd, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Hi Susan, interesting conversation!
Until recently, I read paranormal erotic romance almost exclusively. But lately, I’ve been reading a lot of contemporaries. Mostly BDSM, some menage.
Writing-wise, I don’t have problems writing about things that don’t do anything for me in real life. Whether it’s watching two men be intimate together or pain play.
BTW, after reading about your books, I’m thinking I need to head over to Amazon…
November 23rd, 2007 at 5:57 pm
Jane, every woman can appreciate a good toy.
Shelli, I like the camping idea. Poor woman, I can really identify with her. What a shock! Hopefully he’ll build a nice warm fire for her.
And yes, you should definitely do one where the heroine is the kidnapper.
November 23rd, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Hi Tawny,
Yes, definitely head over to Amazon. After all, it’s the biggest shopping day of the year! You have to do your bit.
November 23rd, 2007 at 6:48 pm
HI SUSAN!
Oh, sorry I was shouting! Nice to see you here, happy belated Thanksgiving to you! It was so nice working with you at ECWC, and I was really bunned when I went thru my ‘book haul’ and discoved I’d missed picking up one of your titles. *pout*
I’m new to erotic romance and erotica. I’ve read one of Shelli’s ebooks (which I loved) and can’t wait to buy more. I have a hard time knowing where the line is, between really hot sex in contemporary romance, and erotic romance. One of these days I shall have to figure that out. (Shelli - I hear a work shop in there somewhere! HINT!)
I find that I like hot sex, and bondange doesn’t seem to bother me so long as everyone is comfortable with the concept. Bordering on rape for me, even in play, is a little (lot) too much. It’s interesting, and I would think if done right, that discovery for either him or her of the joy of Toys or something other than the missionary position would be fun indeed.
I’m really facinated by the differences between what’s pharanormal erotica and pharanormal romance. If someone has a suggestion on somewhere that helps define the differences, I would LOVE to read more.
Thanks ladies!
November 23rd, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Interesting question, because I love reading romance and erotic romance… and my tastes for the two are very different.
With romance, I love character-driven books full of witty banter and strong secondary characters. I want to think “I’d love to live there” about the setting or “I wish I had a sister like that!” (Note: I don’t actually have a sister at all.” I like humor. I like my characters to grow and change.
With erotic romance: bring on the paranormal, bring on the tortured souls, and bring on the enemies-as-lovers tension! I want to go to the dark, sexy place! I like it elemental. I like it raw. Every time Kresley Cole comes out with an Immortals After Dark book I’m very happy. Especially if the lovers start out as mortal enemies. And especially if the book stars a werewolf hero. Cole’s wolves are so wild. Yum.
November 23rd, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Hi Dragon - good to see you too. My gosh, did I really let you escape without buying one of my books? I must be slipping. Oh well, maybe you’ll win one today. Someone has to!
As for the question re where you draw the line between erotic romance and very sexy romance — hey, no-one knows the answer to that question. Seems to me, the publishers slot the books wherever they have room at the time, or think they may do best. My Aphrodisias are no hotter than some Bravas I’ve read - but then, I’m on the “lite” end of the Aphro line, whereas the spicy Bravas are on the “hot” end of that line.
It would be a fun workshop. Shelli, maybe we should put something together. We could have a lot of samples and ask people if they’d rate them “very hot” or “erotic”. We could get all hot and bothered and have a whole lot of fun!
Which reminds me, this spring a few of us did readings at Babeland in Seattle (for those who like sex toys, not to mention bondage stuff, the store has lots!). It was lots of fun. They’re probably going to repeat the event early in 2008 - I’ll have details on my website as things get finalized.
November 23rd, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Kate, that’s really interesting about your tastes being different for romance versus erotic romance. I’m the opposite - I like pretty much the same kinds of books, just that if it’s erotic romance there’s more of a sexual premise, or maybe a sexual awakening (like in TOUCH ME - and no, I don’t mean she was a virgin, just that she’d never truly discovered her sexuality) - or maybe just that the sexual part of their relationship is particularly significant for them. In ER I want lots of sexual/sensual details, emotion in the sex scene, and humor’s great too. Toys, candlelight, whip cream, baths and showers, sex outside and in different places (I did lots of that in CHAMPAGNE RULES - I dont’ think that couple ever made it to a bed) and so on. (And so on, and so on.) Or acting out fantasies, which is what my characters did in HOT IN HERE.
November 23rd, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Susan wrote:
“We could get all hot and bothered and have a whole lot of fun!”
That sounds like a blast! We might consider having a little liquid courage on hand for those of us that are a little more “shy” face to face than we are at the keyboard.
Ohhh, Babeland. That would be awesome. I’ll make every effort to come up for that one!
November 23rd, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Hope you can make it to Babeland, Dragon. It’s so nice seeing friendly faces.
Well, I have to head out to meet a friend who I haven’t seen in ages. And drink some wine, of course. I’ll be back later to catch up.
I’ll keep the contest open until midnight PST and email the winner Saturday morning.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:04 am
Looks like everyone else took off for the evening too. Hope you all had great food and great company. Thanks for dropping by today to chat.
November 24th, 2007 at 2:33 am
I prefer contemporaries. But I do enjoy reading some good BDSM and menage too.
I want the emotion to be there and the HEA is a must. Add some humor, and it’s sure to a hit for me.
November 24th, 2007 at 3:17 am
Hi Susan,
Thanks for popping into see us.
I’ve found myself taking up the job of reviewing books this year and since then I’ve had such a wide variety pass my eyes I’ve no longer got a favorite.
I love the fact that you’ve written a story set in Oz and I’ll be searching it out. I’m from there but living in Singapore, so any book that takes me back home is a must have.
I agree about Shelli’s idea to have the heroine kidnap the hero. Get writing Shelli.
We’re seeing so many new and different genres popping up, with authors combining new and old to come up with new things, it’s my idea of heaven. Can’t wait to see what comes out next year.
Great website too, I popped over there before leave a comment here.
‘See’ ya.
Rachel.C
November 24th, 2007 at 3:27 am
i most contempory erotic romances, twosomes or threesome is ok but not m/m for me
November 24th, 2007 at 11:05 am
Jodi, Rachel and Kim, thanks for dropping by. Rachel, reviewing sure must open your eyes to the range of what’s available. That’s a good thing, because so often we tend to get stuck in our own little ruts rather than trying new things.
I had great fun with “Hot Down Under” - the story set in Australia. I actually visited a firehall in Queensland and spent a couple of hours with the firefighters. They dressed me up in turnout gear - and I promptly toppled over (yes, they caught me). I think the gear wears more than I do!
November 24th, 2007 at 11:06 am
THE WINNER!
My contest winner is Jodi. Congrats, Jodi, I’ll email you right now and ask you which book you’d like.
Thanks to everyone who chatted with me.
November 24th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Susan, thanks so much for coming to our blog! This was a great discussion!!
BTW, I did go to Border’s yesterday and I happened to see your book on the shelves! I was like, “Hey! I was just talking about pain play with her!”
November 24th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
LOL, Lillian! We are one crazy bunch, aren’t we?
November 25th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Yes, that’s why I like it here.