...How do you like it?
Of course, I’m talking about romance novels. What else would I be talking about? Do you like to read sweet stories where the lovemaking takes place behind closed doors? Or do you prefer hot books with lots of explicit lovemaking, or maybe really naughty books--ménage, BDSM, and anything else your imagination can conjure?
With the plethora of romance sub-genres and sub-sub genres, there’s something for everyone. In my totally unempirical research, I believe erotic romance and erotica dominate the market. Erotic romance continues to push the envelope with ever more daring storylines.
While I enjoy erotic romance, I don’t take it as a steady diet, but it’s a nice treat now and then. I recently read a very, very hot erotic romance novella while I was exercising on the bike at the gym. As the story got hotter, I pedaled faster and faster. It’s a wonder the bike didn’t come off the stand and break through the window. I got quite a workout that day. If the story had been a full-length novel I would have been at the gym until they closed. I could not stop reading. Now, that’s hot. Um--reading erotica as a weight loss and fitness program. Might work.
My usual preference is sensual with varying degrees of hotness--to read and to write.
There are times I get tired of writing love scenes or even reading them. With all the choices out there, I can always find something to suit my mood. I wrote my novella, “Loving Or Nothing,” as a semi-sweet story because I wanted a break from writing love scenes, and some storylines cry out for sweet. The really heavy lovemaking in “Loving Or Nothing” happens behind closed doors. I enjoyed writing that story. It was refreshing. It finaled in a contest and has sold well, so I guess readers like it too.
I read recently that sweet romances are making a comeback. Harlequin started a new line called Heartwarming that will publish romances very like their Love Inspired line but without the spirituality. I know Inspirational romances are as hot as erotic, but I don’t believe sweet romances in general are making a comeback. I think readers still want the hot stuff. But maybe I’m wrong.
There are times I want to read a hot novel and times not so much. After writing my semi-sweet “Loving Or Nothing,” I was ready for some hot. I wrote “Storm of Desire,” my steamiest story yet. I loved writing that and I fell in love with hunky, sexy Aiden Rourke, my hero, and in my opinion, every woman’s dream--incredibly sexy, but loving and kind too.
So now you know my romance tastes run the gamut from sweet to hot to sizzling. This inquiring mind wants to know--Do you read only one type romance exclusively--sweet, sexy, erotic? Or are your tastes more eclectic?
13 comments:
Hi Cara--
I like to read a variety of romance novels, both hot and sweet. I'm a big fan of mysteries and thrillers, too, which often contain little or no sex.
I had to laugh at your encounter at the gym and can only hope it was my book you were reading!
Fun post. Good luck with your new release. Got it and will read it soon.
Best--Adele
Thanks, Adele. I realized after this was posted that I put in the wrong title. It should be "Hot Or Sweet." Oh, well, I think everyone will get the gist of it.
Glad to hear your tastes are eclectic like mine. I like mysteries and political thrillers too. And they contain little or no sex, as you said.
I read a little of everything, so it just depends on my mood. I've discovered in the last year or so I've been reading the first sex scene, then skipping over the rest in order to read more of the plot, so maybe I'm simply in the 'sweet romance' mode at the moment? But a good story will pull me in every time:)
I'm all over the board in my reading. Right now, I'm reading a new author and its a paranormal with a twist. Very interesting and so far the sex has been erotic but for this reader, it borders more on highly sensual than erotic.
Great post Cara!
Marika
In Romance I read many genres and sub-genres. Writing style and voice will attract me to a genre I might not have picked as a first choice, but enjoy once I start the book.
Women are diverse creatures, we need a lot of choices to suit our mood.
XXOO Kat
I read across genres as well. I love mysteries and romantic suspense and everything from sweet to hot titles. I have a tendency to follow my favorite authors into whatever genre they're writing.
I had a giggle when I read about your gym experience!
If it's a good story, I'll read anything. But I prefer sensual with a strong plot.
I read four or five books a night. Obviously I prefer all kinds...
Cara, thanks for the post. I get tired very easily of the same thing, so I read across genres, too. I like hot erotic romance, but sometimes I get really sick of it, too.
Jean, you must be a speed reader to be able to read so many books a night. I wish I were.
Thanks for posting, everyone. I see I'm not the only one who reads across genres. And I'm amazed at Jean. As Sandy said, you must be a speed reader to read so many books a night. I wish I could do that.
OMG, Carolyn, I just got home from work and all I can picture is you bicycling out a window. LOL! I just change it up, personally. If I read all sweet, I get bored. If I read all erotic, eventually I get on overload. Have to hit a happy medium. But I agree with Molly. If the story is good, I'm there.
Thanks, Miriam. Your post made me smile. Yes, you're right, if the story is good, I'm there too.
I did get a serious workout that day at the gym.
Hi, sweetie. You know I read several things, just depends on the book and if I'm intrigued.
I write sweet stuff. My close friends were aghast at my erotica. But they love the sweet filled with funny.
And then there are the mysteries to delve in!
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