by Katrina Latham
I’ve never been an erotic romance reader, but lately I’ve been testing my reading boundaries a little more and stretching out to read things that’re different from the contemporary and historical romances I usually choose.
I tell myself it’s because I want to improve my writing skills, but really it’s because I’m curious. (And a bit pervy.)
The first erotic novels I read turned me off completely and, I’m afraid, gave me a distorted view of the sub-genre. They were short books in my local library in London, and their authors had names that would make porn stars look clever. In fact, the books had a lot in common with movies you might find behind a curtain at your video store.
The storylines were no more interesting than the “Did-somebody-call-a-plummer?” plots in those videos. And the characters had more in common with dogs than with humans; they basically wandered around sniffing each other’s crotches before humping away – whether they liked the person or not.
Gross.
But then I “met” some friends online. Clever women who are strong, funny and creative.
Oh, and they write erotic romance.
So I gave their work a try. And guess what? I might be an erotic romance reader after all.
The first of those online buddies is Tiffany Reisz. She offered a free read, Daniel Part Two, on her blog last year, and who am I to turn down a free chance to test my boundaries?
Tiffany’s writing is powerful and entertaining. The witty, compelling characters in Daniel Part Two kept me returning to her blog as she posted a new chapter every week. Her stories are definitely beyond my comfort zone, as they involve a lot of pain (which apparently is pleasurable, though I’ll take her word for it) and sleeping around, but I’ll definitely read more of her work.
The second online friend is Amelia James. I bought Tell Me You Want Me in December and read it in an evening. The book is hot, with loads of sex (of the non-painful variety) and monogamy once the two main characters meet. For a good time, call Amelia James. (Or, better yet, download one of her books.)
The novel that really convinced me I could be an erotic romance reader is Roni Loren’s Crash Into You. *fans blushing face* Holy freakin’ hotness!
I confess, Roni Loren and I were critique partners for a short time before she sold this novel, so I got to read some early chapters. There’s nothing more vicious than a writer who’ll tempt you with an amazing story and then make you wait two years to read more. I ran (okay, drove) to the bookstore the morning Crash Into You was released, and once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down.
Crash Into You is my kind of erotic romance. Even though the focus is on the main characters’ developing sexual relationship, their emotional relationship is very much part of that, enhancing it every step of the way. There’s a deep bond (and a bit of bondage) between these two, and although it’s BDSM, it never scared me the way those early books I read did. Crash Into You is the thinking woman’s erotic romance.
Do you read erotic romance or erotica? What do you think of it? If you don’t read it, what turns you off about it? If you’re on the fence, like me, which authors do you feel are within your reading boundaries and write books that suit your tastes? Comment and enter to win a print copy of CRASH INTO YOU and a digital copy of SEVEN DAY LOAN!
Kat Latham has been reading romance for a couple of decades. With degrees in English lit and human rights, she loves stories that reflect the depth, humor and emotion of real life. When she’s not writing contemporary romance novels, she can usually be found blogging or tweeting overly personal information. She loves meeting other readers and writers online, so follow her on Twitter or check out her blog and say hello!
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