Can there be too much sex in a romance?
My thinking is - not really - if the sexual gymnastics have an awesome amount of tension leading up to 'the moment', and if the writing is fresh and inventive.
Trust me, as a writer of erotic romances I know how difficult it is to write these scenes. To me, they're the most challenging part of any book. Give me dialogue any day. However, since readers want those intimate moments, I have to find new ways to bring them about.
In my latest erotic romance Take Me Away, Kyle and Lexi are in his small cabin in Northern California. While it may seen that the locale wouldn't leave a lot of room for invention, believe me - it did.
Take the sex scene by the creek. And the one in the kitchen after she made him a surprise dinner. And what about the one when he was trying to teach her to throw a football? (He's a former NFL quarterback, so the football just had to come in).
By using the locale, his background and hers (she's an actress), I was able to create memorable moments that weren't only hot but had heart.
It wasn't easy. But it's what I do. :)
She's everything he escaped...and all that he desires
Three years ago, Kyle turned his back on a pro-football career and being the target of tabloids or gold-digging groupies. Craving privacy, he gets it at his roadhouse in Northern California until Lexi Sands invades his life. Indulged and surely phony, she’s exactly what Kyle fled.
An actress since childhood, Lexi’s fresh out of an anger management program, court-ordered when she lashed out at a badgering paparazzo. Weary of the press’s harsh scrutiny, she sees Kyle’s secluded cabin as the ideal place to hide out and him as a damn-near perfect alpha male. Deliciously virile. Protective. Principled. She offers him serious cash to let her stay for two weeks, assuring there will be no complications or touching.
Yeah, right. Passion flares, along with tenderness. Kyle recognizes how lonely Lexi really is, while she’s falling hard. Through intimate days and impassioned nights, they explore their most shameless needs, until a cruel betrayal exposes their growing love, forcing a choice neither anticipated.
I agree if the story calls for it, then there isn't too much sex. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, Amber - so true. The challenge is making it fresh, relevant, and having it fit the storyline at that point.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more--as long as the story hits those three major points then you've made me believe the characters would be having sex. "Take Me Away" sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI've read your work several times Tina and you have a way of making all the senses come to life with your writing. I admire you as I don't typically care for erotic, even though I'v written a couple that bordered it. Playing sensual is a hard act and to pull off several sex scenes in one book is no easy feat for the author and make it believable. Good job.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings
Rita
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ReplyDeleteThanks, Paris!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rita. Even though you're not a huge fan of erotic romance, I am glad you like my writing. :)
ReplyDeleteSex is a part of life, but not everyone likes it. lol My sister called the sex scenes in one of my books raunchy, and she didn't consider it a love story either. Grin.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but wonder what she would think of erotica romance or erotica. Smile.
I believe if the characters call for a love scene you can't possibily omit it. Sex is hard to write, but I've read some scenes that made me horny as hell. lol
Your book sounds like my kind of read, Sandy - what's the title? :)
ReplyDeleteSex is part of life - the premise of this story would call for sexual encounters as a natural conclusion. You clearly have an excellent grasp of what drives a story. I certainly plan on reading this one.
ReplyDeleteHey, Kay - thanks for your kind words. Writing a good sex scene and the events leading up to it is very difficult, but rewarding when it turns out right. :)
ReplyDeleteFor erotic scenes to work they have to move the plot forward and reveal news things about the characters. Love scenes are the "Action" scenes of romance and as long as they add to character development and plot, keep them coming (so to speak! lol)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Tina on the terrific 5 star review for "Sensual Stranger"!
XXOO Kat
I agree also. Believe it or not, I have written stories with very little sex... LOL
ReplyDelete:P
This sounds like a goody Ma'am. Wish you a lot of success!
Hey, Kat - that's very insightful - love scenes are the 'action' scene. Wow. Never thought of it that way, but you're so right!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. :)
Hey, Michael - I've written books with practially no sex - romantic comedies. That's how I got started in the biz. Thanks for dropping by. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't mind sex in a story as long as it is tastefully done. Well, as tastefully as sex can be. lol
ReplyDeleteI have a few sisters that would go crazy if they knew that I read erotic romance books. My older sister and I thoroughly enjoy them. It's the only action we get. ha ha
I would love to read this book, it sounds awesome.
dpd333 at aol dot com
If love makes the world go around, sex is the engine keeping things humming along. Romance without sex is unrequited and frustrating. So I don't read romance books with a PG rating. I'm an adult, and I know what I like!
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