Otherwise titled...
Erotica vs. erotica?
Mrs. Giggles recently wrote an article (http://mrsgiggles.braveblog.com/entry/26544) and said that "we need more sex in romantic eroticas, romanticas, erotic romances, or whatever we call those books published by pretty much nearly every online publisher nowadays". The whole article has ideas I agree with or don't, and was an interesting read mostly because it got me thinking about...
There are different types of erotica, just like there are different kinds of romance. I read the whole spectrum of romance -- from mild romance to carnal erotic romance. I also read erotica and find stories that range from the character-driven erotica to sex-sex-and-more-sex erotica. (I hesitate to call hard-core erotica by the word "smut" because some people would insist that any story that involves more than a chaste peck on the cheek smutty.)
The book I'm reading right now is paranormal erotica -- House of Dark Delights by Louisa Burton. (This is the first in a series about the Hidden Grotto that sets the stage for this novel according to the author's website.)
It is definitely erotica. There is plenty of the "naughtiness going on" (from last line of Mrs. Giggle's article above). But, it is definitely a story that is meant to mentally stimulate.
HODD is written as stories within stories, with a handful of main characters that we get to know better while reading. All the stories have been interesting, but my favorite story has been the couple playing out their BDSM fantasies -- Darius and Charlotte. While reading I was so involved I found myself skipping ahead to find out what would happen. The sex was hot, but it was Darius and Charlotte that entertained me more than the sex they were having. Their story is definitely erotica and isn't romance, yet the ending was fulfilling and gave me hope for them in much the same way a romance novel would. Incidentally, Darius is a Djinni and the paranormal aspect intersted me greatly as well. (Another character Inigo the Satyr has his own myspace page.)
Anyway, thinking about this story and comparing to that article by Mrs. Giggles above struck me because I don't always read erotica because there is more sex. I read a story like House of Dark Delights because the book is an intersting read and the character's inspire emotion.
I have also read quite a few stories from the numbered series called Letters to Penthouse. No mental stimulation going on during those reads.
Erotica vs. erotica?
Mrs. Giggles recently wrote an article (http://mrsgiggles.braveblog.com/entry/26544) and said that "we need more sex in romantic eroticas, romanticas, erotic romances, or whatever we call those books published by pretty much nearly every online publisher nowadays". The whole article has ideas I agree with or don't, and was an interesting read mostly because it got me thinking about...
There are different types of erotica, just like there are different kinds of romance. I read the whole spectrum of romance -- from mild romance to carnal erotic romance. I also read erotica and find stories that range from the character-driven erotica to sex-sex-and-more-sex erotica. (I hesitate to call hard-core erotica by the word "smut" because some people would insist that any story that involves more than a chaste peck on the cheek smutty.)
The book I'm reading right now is paranormal erotica -- House of Dark Delights by Louisa Burton. (This is the first in a series about the Hidden Grotto that sets the stage for this novel according to the author's website.)It is definitely erotica. There is plenty of the "naughtiness going on" (from last line of Mrs. Giggle's article above). But, it is definitely a story that is meant to mentally stimulate.
HODD is written as stories within stories, with a handful of main characters that we get to know better while reading. All the stories have been interesting, but my favorite story has been the couple playing out their BDSM fantasies -- Darius and Charlotte. While reading I was so involved I found myself skipping ahead to find out what would happen. The sex was hot, but it was Darius and Charlotte that entertained me more than the sex they were having. Their story is definitely erotica and isn't romance, yet the ending was fulfilling and gave me hope for them in much the same way a romance novel would. Incidentally, Darius is a Djinni and the paranormal aspect intersted me greatly as well. (Another character Inigo the Satyr has his own myspace page.)
Anyway, thinking about this story and comparing to that article by Mrs. Giggles above struck me because I don't always read erotica because there is more sex. I read a story like House of Dark Delights because the book is an intersting read and the character's inspire emotion.
I have also read quite a few stories from the numbered series called Letters to Penthouse. No mental stimulation going on during those reads.
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ReplyDeleteCompletely weird! Sorry about the comment delete. I posted that first comment, and blogger ate at least half of it! It was simply missing. *_* So, here it is again, my post. (Hopefully!)
ReplyDeleteI have to say I am not typically a fan of straight up erotica, but I have read it from time to time - including Letters to Penthouse. Some straight erotica it is okay, but as it turns out I am a "romance chase" addict, and that element is often missing from those books. I can't help it. I like the emotional connection, and the thrill of the conquest. LOL!!
As for your observations on the sex and romance connection in many current ebooks and novels, and what drives a story... I guess it really depends which side of the fence a person stands on, and what they're looking for/expecting in a book.
I want my books to have steamy sex in them 95% of the time. If a book doesn't have it, or if it's filled with too much narrative backstory mush, I put it down and rarely get back to it. When I want romance, I want to read about a relationship.
And if I want that relationship to be sweet or sensual (mid range) in heat level, I generally turn to paper format books that are shorter in length rather than ebooks.
I've found quite a few folks complaining lately about books just stringing together one sex scene after another with no story and no plot. I am probably wrong in this, but I'm gonna say it anyway: I thought a true erotica was meant to be a sexual journey?? It's supposed to be about the sex.
Romance on the other hand, (for me at least) is about the characters and their interaction with one another. The plot can vary as far as I'm concerned. If the plot is great, that's wonderful, but it doesn't matter to me how great a plot is if the book ends badly for those two characters.
And finally, for plot driven novels... if I want a really heavy plot, I have to admit I usually skip the romance section altogether and hit the Classics or Horror section. The ones that are supposed to be romance but plot driven, typically don't contain enough romance to keep me interested.
GREAT post today, Annalee!!
Interesting that you'd blog about this book, Annalee. I just happened to see it today at Barnes and Nobles and picked it up due to the striking cover (I do judge a book by it's cover, so sue me).
ReplyDeleteI read the back and found myself fascinated. I didn't get to explore more, but it definitely stuck out as something special. I may have to give it a second shot, even though I dont read much erotica for the same reason as Cora.
I like the emotion, the conquest, the lurve... :) And erotica is definitely meant to be more of a sexual exploration. Either way, this was a great post!
Yeah, yeah everything that Cora said! LOL
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading all types of erotica/erotic romance but for the most part, I do want romance in my story. And sexual tension - I love sexual tension. Hee hee. :)
Mrs. Giggles' article was thought provoking and though I didn't agree with everything she said, she did make me think about my writing and how I can make it stronger.
Cora, That sub-story in HODD that I enjoyed was a "sexual journey". It was really interesting to see the character growth, as well as hot. I'm reading another BDSM-themed story now, Dangerous Games by Lora Leigh. Not really on purpose. Got it because the hero is a Navy SEAL.
ReplyDeleteIsabelle, That cover is great. I saw that it was paranormal and that got me interested. I haven't read a whole lot of paranormal erotica. Plenty of paranormal erotic romance. Glad I read the book, I enjoyed the read.
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteYeah, good article. I read it with interest.
I haven't read a whole lot of poor quality eBooks. I think it is because I am a much more picky when it comes to buying an eBook than a print book.
Last night I went to Wal-Mart and picked up two books according too...
1 - It had a great cover. I'd never heard of the author, so I checked out the back and it sounded interesting so I thought I'd take a chance.
2 - I oohed over the hunk of a Navy Seal's torso on the cover, and since I'd read the author before I didn't even bother reading the back cover blurb.
But, when it comes to eBooks, I tend to read the excerpts and blurbs, and make my decisions with more experience.
But, still, her discussion on eBooks got me thinking too.