Question #2
Hardhats and Silk Stockings is a hot romance but tame compared to some others. Yeah, this basement room isn’t so tame, and handcuffs do make an appearance…but my question is: are there some sexual situations you just don’t need to read about in your romance novels? Anything make you say “whoa, that was the one step too far” or is anything fair game as long as it’s well written?
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
April 15th, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Well….I think werewolf in wolf form having sex with guy in human form squicked me out and was a bit too far for my comfort level. So I used to think that nothing was too far, but that got me.
And I’m sure there are other situations that I just can’t think of that would make me say “that’s too far”.
As far as the basement room goes, for awhile there I was more mad at Whit for what he did, but I got over it. Helped along with your scene of him in the handcuffs and the unvited guests.
I laughed SO hard at that. it was perfect.
Err…I hope that was vague enough that it’s not spoilerish.
April 15th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
I dont care for anything on the violent side, or s & m or demeaning. Handcuffs and blindfolds are fine as long as it is not on the dark side. I like humor in my stories. That is just me. To Each his own.
I agree with Nicole, that werewolf thing would not be my cup of tea.
April 16th, 2006 at 11:11 am
I can’t think of any story that I read that gave me the hebee-jebees and went too far. I don’t want to read about the character being harmed during the sexual act. I also don’t want to read about sex in any other form other than human. That just doesn’t sound romantic at all.
April 16th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Yeah, most BDSM books are beyond my comfort level. I tend to always avoid those ones, yet I did like Cheyenne McCray’s Wonderland series.
April 16th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
Hurtful or just down right cruel bugs me. The sex scenes with mixed breeds was a bit out of my comfort zone.
Whit was to die for.
April 16th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
I’m not into the heavy s&m stuff, so I don’t like that in a romance, but other than that…yeah pretty much any thing goes!
April 16th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
I am not a big fan of anything violent or cruel or the real heavy or extreme S&M stuff. I am not big on infidelity sex scenes either. Even if the hero and heroine are not together at the time (you can assume that they will be eventually in most romances), it kind of disappoints me to actually see either of them sleeping with someone else, but not always…I guess it depends on how it is written and the plot.
April 16th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
Nicole - I’m thrilled to hear that you found the scene funny. I wanted to make him suffer a bit but not be nasty. I did snicker a few times writing it.
Judy - Thank you!! I love Whit, too. I’m writing his brother’s story right now and trying to dream up ways of punishing him…all in the name of love, of course.
I’d have to agree with the anti-pain crowd. I think of S&M more as an erotica thing, but wherever it is, it doesn’t really do anything for me. And, yeah, I like the intimacy to be between humans - no animals please. Of course, as soon as I make up a rule about something that shouldn’t be in a romance novel, I read a book where the issue is handled well, and I have to reassess. However, in general, the no-pain and no-animals principles work for me.
Reminds me of a discussion on Smart Bitches about 6 months ago. Candy (I think) was talking about a book she read where the guy had more than one penis. He had something like three. See, if I tried to read that, I’d spend the entire time focusing on how he bought pants (or something…) and would miss the story. Let’s keep the basic body parts the same and not confuse me with extra.
April 16th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
BDSM, vampires, werewolves having sex are not my cup of tea. Part man, part animal does not do it for me - or the changing from one into another.
April 16th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
The 3 penises thing wouldnt interest me as well as vampires, werewolfs, violence, anything demeaning and the sex has to be with humans. But I guess you could figure that out from my above remarks. So I agree with Robyn above.
April 16th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
Three penises?!?!? Like you, that would totally distract me from the scene. I agree…let’s stick with the basic body parts.
April 17th, 2006 at 12:05 pm
not a fan of menage or ropes. not fan of werewolfs eithers. a litte handcuffs is ok.
April 18th, 2006 at 3:51 am
Rape, pure and simple. As long as it’s consentual, anything’s fair game, though there are things that make me personally want to gag, but I don’t have a moral or ethical issue with it. Sex is great in all it’s forms and have fun, eh. But, I absolutely draw the line at rape. Read a book once that I thought the author was headed in that direction and was so relieved when she didn’t, cuz that book would’ve hit the flames fast and I never would’ve bought from her ever again. Might’ve flamed her on my blog, even, I dunno. Not too fond of the beastiality thing, either, so I wouldn’t read a book like that, however, if it was a sci-fi and the “beast” was a humanoid alien, that’s different. Basically, I want to see two equals fall equally hard for each other and if she says no and he still cocks the gun, then I’d like to see her stomp on his you know what or do something to cause permanent damage to him and I’d want him to suffer good and long and hard forever. Get it? lol How’s that for subtle and diplomatic, eh?
April 18th, 2006 at 3:52 am
Oh, and handcuffs are great as long as she can get out if she wants. Whenever there’s bdsm, there should be a signal they discuss so the participants will feel safe.
April 18th, 2006 at 6:54 am
So, is there a difference on where that line is depending on what type of romance you’re reading - hot romance, erotic romance or erotica? Does your tolerance level change? I won’t pretend to know the definitions of these caegories, but I’m thinking acts that readers might find acceptable in erotica would not be okay in romance. For example, when I read a romance I have certain expectations - no S&M, fidelity between hero and heroine, etc. My expectations would be vastly different for an erotica title.
Early historicals were fond of rape-disguised-as-sex scenes. Bad, bad, bad. I’m trying to think of a recent romance that tried to cross that line. I can’t think of one, which is probably a good thing.
April 18th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
The same things that I wouldnt like in romance would be the same things I dont like in erotica - violence, s&M, sadistic behavior, demeaning behavior, werewolves, shapeshifters and other fantasy unbelievable things.
April 18th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
I am not a big fan of those rape-disguised-as-sex-scenes either and have read a couple of old ones. Isn’t that where the term “bodice rippers” (used to describe romances) came from? I think many people who don’t read romance tend to lump all of them into this category, which they are not.
I read a variety of subgenres and like you I have certain expectations when I pick up a certain subgenre. When reading an inspirational…no sex. When reading a romance…no S&M, etc. When reading erotic romances…a little more steamy than regular romances. I do not know the difference between erotica, erotic romance, and (a new one I heard recently) romantica.
April 18th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
I could be wrong, but I think Sylvia Day had an explanation of the term “romantica” on her blog a few months back. It is a copyrighted term used by Ellora’s Cave. I think I have that right… If so, it’s not so much as a category as it is a label used by EC that is legally protected which, in turn, limits the ability of the rest of us to use it however we please.
Helen (and everyone else) - Is there anything you would find okay in erotica that you wouldn’t in romance, or is the difference for you really just a case of how steamy the book is? Just wondering. I haven’t fully worked this out in my mind and am trying to see what others think.
April 18th, 2006 at 2:49 pm
Thanks for explaining HelenKay…I thought it might be, but wasn’t sure.
To answer your last question: I am not sure…Although I am not a big fan of them, the more extreme S&M sex scenes would probably be okay in the erotica (or at least expected). Anything can work if it is well-written, but I would be a bit surprised to find an extreme S&M scene in a book labeled or considered a “romance.”
April 19th, 2006 at 3:20 am
If you put it in first person I probably wont read it. HAHAHA I know that’s not what you ment but it’s my pet peave.
I didn’t have a problem with Wolf Tales so guess that makes me a little kinkier than some of the others chatting here
Don’t mind a bit of bondage, menage occasional gay/lesbian love paranormal. Hate blood and gore, if I’m reading romance, romantica or erotica I shouldn’t have to be horrified. And I’m always disapointed when there is no happy ending.
April 19th, 2006 at 5:24 am
I don’t really have any expectations on erotic romance versus just a romance book other than a great story. haha! Many of what is considered regular romance now includes some steamy scenes and I have read some books labeled erotic but didn’t seem very erotic to me.
April 19th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
I like contemporary romance - no menage, gay/lesbian, werewolf, sadistic, demeaning, violent scenarios; or unbelievable plots like the 3 penis deal. Like Kim said, I am looking for a good story with believable characters also.
April 20th, 2006 at 6:18 am
If I were to pick up “erotica” I would expect more explicit details, kinkier exploits … sexual tools/toys…even pain.
Romance…. If I’m looking for “hot, even steamy” in Temptations..Blazes.
If I want tamer …more the “normal” sexual experiences.. I’d choose a Super Romance ,American Romance style book or Inspirational.
The whole “Romance” line has exploded with different variations Paranormal ,erotica … different levels of exposure to sex vs explicit sex. Lorie O’Clare has examples of many different types: shift shapers, werewolves, humans. Lori Handleland has “normal romances” to paranormal. Sherilyn Kenyon too. It’s all out there … you just have to choose your own individual comfort zone.
I’m personally not interested in the gay/lesbian theme or sexual violence. So I won’t buy those types of romances.
April 20th, 2006 at 11:02 am
I am personally not into gay/lesbian themes or stories with infidelty and more than one partner.
April 21st, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Lots of Helen here. LOL.
Pardon my ignorance. what is bdsm? ??sadomachosim????
I like a nice normal story with nice normal characters. No violence, demeaning or sadistic acts. Normal body parts, no animals, vampires and the like. Believable storylines. Guess I am just boring.
April 21st, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Back again.
I read a book recently where there were male and female prostitutes who worked for an organization who also had boyfriends/girlfriends/spouses. Found it hard to believe their counterparts would tolerate the working girl/guy profession of their mates. Cant emember the author or title, but there are 2 or 3 other books in the series.
April 21st, 2006 at 11:38 pm
I agree with Laurie G. My epectations change depending on what “type” of book I’m reading. If I picked up a Blaze and it was a sweet romance, I’d be surprised and maybe disappointed - not because the story is bad, but because I went into the book expecting one thing and my expectations weren’t met. It reminds of when I was trying to get published. I heard Brenda Chin speak a few times. She talked a lot about reader expectations in relation to certain Harlequin lines. It all blurred together for me at the time. Now, I get it - to the extent I actually “get” anything relating to writing and publishing…
Erotica, for me, is a different thing from romance. I expect erotica to push some boundaries. That’s part of the reason I don’t read all that much of it. It’s not what works for me in a steady reading diet. With Avon Red, Harlequin Spice and all the others, I may feel differently. I’ll have to see.
Helen, BDSM= bondage, dominance, sadomasochism. And, prostitutes with spouses etc? I’m guessing this wasn’t a romance. See, to me, that’s not a romance. That falls into the infidelity column Crystal is talking about. Others probably see it another way.
Megan - Your comment made me laugh. As a divroce lawyer, I’m constantly amazed at what people do in real life. Most of it is not romantic and would horrify readers if they were reading along and came across the stuff in the middle of a romance novel.
I agree with those saying they want a good and believable story. But, Kim, do you really not have different expectations when you pick up a romance v. erotica? I want both to be great books, but I have to say that there are acts I would say do not work in romance (ex., threesomes) but aren’t outside the norm in erotica.
April 22nd, 2006 at 8:02 pm
As a foreword, my definition of romance includes erotic romance. My tastes run from sensual to downright hot but I don’t like too much D/S overtones where the heroine is placed in demeaning or humilitating or painful situations. I think non-politically correct fantasies in romance work when it’s done to enhance the heroine’s pleasure.
April 22nd, 2006 at 9:36 pm
I expect more spice in a romance than you’d get from say Barbra Cartlin or Barbra Neils, great for their time of course but even in regular romance nowdays I expect some sex. Erotica generally pushes a few boundries even if it’s just slightly cruder language then you’d get in general romance. One things for sure if the sex is so dull that you skip past it then it’s not written right hehehe.
April 23rd, 2006 at 9:12 am
Helen - That book Was labeled Erotica. I would not consider it romance either; even tho the couple wound up together in the end.
I dont read a lot of them either as a rule, every so often. And I prefer the light erotica ones.
April 30th, 2006 at 11:26 am
” But, Kim, do you really not have different expectations when you pick up a romance v. erotica? I want both to be great books, but I have to say that there are acts I would say do not work in romance (ex., threesomes) but aren’t outside the norm in erotica. ”
I suppose since I read all types of books from sweet to erotic, I don’t think about that much. I’ve picked up books that I thought were sensual that actually turned out to be erotic romance. (ex., Bound and Determined by Shelley Bradley) I’ve also read books labeled erotic romance that were very mild in comparison to a Bertrice Small or Cheryl Holt story. Lora Leigh wrote a series called Men of August which has several threesome scenes in the books. Those stories, to me, are definitely romance stories.