Friday, October 31, 2014

A Taste for Kylie, Jackson and Four - Three Book Set by Erika Foxx

I want to take a moment to welcome back Erika Foxx! Last time I hosted her thoughtful guest post: Try this 12-step process to build a crescendo of sexual tension in your characters! This time she's back with a spotlight and review of her erotic series, A Taste for Kylie!

Genre:
Swingers

Synopsis:
These are the first three books in my Seductive Couples: Interracial Romance Menage series. The books tell the journey of Kylie and Jackson McCann, a happily married couple that have fallen into a comfortable rut in their lives. They are deeply in love with each other.

But Jackson has a secret fantasy to watch another man make love to his wife, and that leads them into a hot interracial relationship that pulls them even closer in their marriage.

In Book 1, "A Taste For Kylie," Jackson's fantasy comes true as they ask a gorgeous Jamaican man to come home with them.

In Book 2, "A Taste for Jackson," the tables are turned and Kylie gets to watch Jackson with a hot young black woman.

In Book 3, "A Taste for Four," the McCann's and their two new friends spend an unforgettable night together!

Excerpt from A Taste for Jackson:

“This is delicious.” Kylie commented as she ate another prawn. A bit of the rich garlic butter that they were served with dripped down from the corner of her mouth, and Jackson wiped it away with his napkin. The Wharf was famous for its delicious, fresh seafood dishes. The restaurant’s decor was upscale, with modern lines, soft colors and dim lighting. Kylie wore the green silk sheath dress with elegant silver heals. She was easily the best dressed woman in the restaurant. Jackson had called ahead and reserved an intimate, small, circular booth in the back corner of The Wharf.

From their position, they couldn’t see or be seen by any of the other diners. They had cozied up together when the food arrived, and they took turns occasionally feeding one another. She loved the feel of Jackson’s lips as he sucked the sweet and salty garlic butter from her fingers. Kylie was surprised that Jackson had passed on the cocktail menu. He ordered a bottle of red wine with the meal, saying he didn’t want anything stronger. She decided that now was as good of a time as any to share her idea with Jackson.

“Baby, there’s something I want to talk to you about.” Kylie began slowly.

“Honey, I know what’s been on your mind. And I promise, if you want to be with Tristan again it won’t bother me. It won’t bother me at all.” He whispered and moved her hand to the stiff bulge in his pants.

“It’s not that, Jackson,” Kylie said as she traced tiny, firm circles on Jackson’s cock. “I watched you, watching me and Tristan last week. I saw how hot it got you, and I’ve been wondering why ever since.”

“Kylie, I’ve tried to explain…” Jackson began but Kylie cut him off, putting her index finger against his lips.

“I know you’ve tried to explain it to me…and I still don’t completely understand what you got out of watching us. I was thinking maybe there’s a way I could try to understand what turned you on so much by watching me get fucked by another man…a black man. Maybe to celebrate your promotion, you should be the one to have sex tonight with another woman. A black woman. While I watch.”

She felt her husband’s cock jump in his pants at the suggestion, and her cheeks flushed red. “You like that idea, don’t you baby?” She whispered, and squeezed his cock. She felt a twinge between her legs, and her belly fluttered with the thought of watching him this time.

“Yes,” Jackson replied in a breathy whisper. “If that’s what you want.” He reluctantly removed Kylie’s hand from his crotch and held it in his. He took a minute to compose himself, pulled in a deep breath and looked into her eyes.

“I want you to really think about this baby.” Jackson said. “Watching you with someone else had been my fantasy since the day I met you. But you’re new to this, and until last week you’d never even thought about it. I’d be happy to be with someone else while you watch…but I want you to take some time to really think about it, and be sure that it’s something you really want.” They pulled apart slightly when the waiter brought them their check.

Kylie looked at Jackson as he paid the waiter, and her mind drifted. Was this something that she really wanted to see? Would this ruin the spark they had found, or would it ignite something even more passionate? She knew that she would never leave Jackson for another man, but would something like this make him fall out of love with her? Her mind swirled with the questions she had been asking herself all night, and they were mixed with the visions that she had played out in her mind, seeing Jackson’s ass humping away on a sexy black woman.

“Kylie? Honey?” Jackson asked, his words bringing her out of her daydream. She looked into Jackson’s eyes, and they bored into him. She smiled and put her hand back on his cock.

“Jackson, there’s nothing I’d love more that to see you with a sexy black lady tonight. I don’t know where this might take us, but I do know that I want to understand why it turns you on so much to see me with another man. And there’s only one way for me to do that.” She leaned in and kissed him, pushing her tongue into his mouth until it found his. Her hand squeezed his cock again, and he pulled her closer. Their kiss was molten. He pulled away for a moment, but she wanted more. She pulled him to her, and they licked and nibbled and sucked at each other’s necks until they were both squirming with lust. Jackson broke their embrace again.

“So, to Trinidad?” Jackson asked, breathing hard.

“Sounds good.” Kylie agreed.

Author Interview:

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? 
Probably the most influential author in my writing might surprise you! It's Steven King! I never read any of his books until I was an adult because I'm not a big fan of that genre. But I decided to read "Hearts in Atlantis" and I was totally blown away at how great a story teller he is. Then I picked up his paperback book "On Writing" in a used book store and I fell in love with his concept that every story is already written. We as authors have to unearth them like an archaeologist unearths a buried fossil. I always try to keep that concept in mind when I write.

Do you ever experience writers block?
Of course! But I usually find that when I do, it's because I'm not being true to the nature of my character. I think it's my muse's way of telling me that I'm not paying attention to what the character would do or say in the scene I'm writing. That leads to the question of how to get past it, and I usually just walk away for a while and do something fun to take my mind off the story I'm writing. And most of the time it becomes obvious to me why I'm stuck, and I go right back and keep writing.

Where do you get your ideas/inspiration for your writing?
For me, it's my muse. She's somebody that lives in my imagination, yes, but she's very real and keeps me flush with ideas! And she throws them at me when I least expect it. The other day I was sitting at a stop light in traffic, and looked at the car next to me and saw a couple just staring straight ahead, and BOOM! A vision pops into my head about what they're doing below their window. I see him with one hand on the wheel and jerking off with the other, and she's got her skirt hiked up with her fingers strumming away between her legs. I might end up using that as an idea for a whole book, or just a scene somewhere.

Do you work with an outline, or just write? 
I just write. I may make some notes as I write for the sake of continuity later on in the story, but for me I just tend to follow the characters around as they do their thing and write down what I see. I've tried writing with an outline, but it just doesn't work for me.

What made you want to write erotica? 
Two things, really. First, it's an outlet for the fantasies that I think we all have. Would I ever in real life want to have three men fill every hole in my body? No, but it's sure fun to fantasize about it! Second, and don't cringe here...the profit motive. Yes, I love to write erotica, but it also happens to be a very lucrative Indie niche market, so why not get paid for what you love to do?!

Your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad. 
I think the first thing I learned about reviews is that not everyone is going to love your story as much as you do, period. And that can be a harsh experience! As an Indie author, reviews are absolutely necessary. I need reviews to help in my marketing and promotion. I use Amazon primarily, and how your book ranks is based in part on your reviews. I try to take honest criticism for my future writing, take honest praise to heart, and try to ignore the rest!

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Yes, and it's summed up in two words: read and write. No matter what genre you want to write in, you need to read--no, devour--books in that genre. Learn what's good and what's not. Pay attention to how authors develop characters, etc. Next, start to write. Set aside some amount of time every day and just write. Get in the habit of writing every single day, even if it's just for 15 minutes a day to start.

What is the hardest part and the easiest part of being an erotica writer? 
For me, the hardest part is weaving the sex into the plot so that it seems natural and not forced. My favorite erotic stories are those where the sexual tension builds slowly through the story and culminates in an amazing climax for all involved. And that's hard for me to do well, to get the mix of story and sex just right. The easiest part for me is actually writing the description of the sex itself.

What does your writing area look like? 
I use a laptop when I write, and I can be comfortable writing just about anywhere. My favorite place to write is on my patio, where I can enjoy the outdoors, surrounded by the fragrances from my flowers, the birds chirping, feeling a gentle breeze...aaahhh!

Will you have a new book coming out soon? Can you tell us about it? 
I do have a couple of new books in the works right now. I'm working on the next book in the Kylie and Jackson series that I plan to publish in late summer or early fall, with the series finale to follow by the end of the year. I continue to write my blog of short-short stoires, and I plan to compile those stories into an anthology in early 2015. I'm also working with some other erotica authors on an anthology of stories to be released for New Years 2015. Write, write, write!

My Review:
A young couple vying to spice up their marriage don't have to look far when they decide to enact husband Jackson's most secretive fantasy. Together, this couple discovers the intimacy that can be gained by trusting, sharing, and accepting their wildest dreams. This trilogy has just the right mix of plot and sex leaving the reader engaged with the story while at the same time not wanting for the sex! Instead of falling prey to the "sequel syndrome" the spice in this series gets increasingly more exotic with each installment.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Spotlight: Taking Courage by S.J. Maylee

Synopsis:
Janna’s ready to make over her life and get out from under the controlling thumb of her father. She doesn’t want another failed arranged marriage. She’s ready to do whatever it takes for the career she wants, enter the lifestyle she craves, and to earn the trust and love of the man that has captured her heart, but heartbreak and career hiccups seem to be her destiny.

Simon’s still recovering after his last submissive lied her way into his life. He’s not ready for Janna and how she pushes against his prejudices. He needs to decide if he’s willing to lose her or if he’ll fight for her love and submission.

Excerpt:
“Head up now.” Something was agitating the tender bundle in his arms. Simon wanted to help her through it. He may have taken a step back on his training responsibilities since his last experience, but Janna felt perfect under his hand. He’d have to find out if she’d be back.

“Yes, Sir.”

“What’s troubling you, pet?”

“I forgot to mention something earlier.” She tucked the blanket under her chin.

“Oh?” He rubbed in big circles around her back. “Why don’t you tell me now?”

“This was my first time, Sir.”

“Your first?” His confusion was thick. She tried to hide her eyes from him, but he saw shame. Sometimes newer submissives struggled with firsts. “Is this your first time being a guest?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Is your home club much different?” The safe rules of BDSM clubs were pretty universal, a real gift to traveling kinksters, but sometimes a scene in a different setting could be unsettling.

“I don’t have a home club, Sir. Well, not one that I physically visit.” She rubbed the edge of her blanket. “I’m an active member of their chat rooms.”

He hadn’t heard her right. No. She felt like an experienced submissive. Was she just playing the part? Anger ticked a quick pace up his spine.

“Are you telling me I just gave you your first scene?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Why did you withhold this information?” When she didn’t answer he added, “Why weren’t you honest with me?” He pushed her slightly, in part to get some distance and to keep her safe from him. “Answer me, now.”

“I forgot. It all happened so fast, and I forgot one of my lines.”

“Lines.” He finished shoving her from his lap and stood. “I hope you had fun tonight.”

“I did, Sir,” she said as she stood to join him. She tugged at the edge of the blanket that had stuck in the couch. “Please, let me thank you for tonight.”

“There is no need. You lied to me, and you had your fun.” He scratched his brow. “Go home now.” He took two storming steps away and stopped. He forced himself to return to her, disgusted by how good it felt to see her face once more. He stopped within an inch, forcing her to look up. “Do yourself a favor. Enter that club at home, get yourself in a training program, and do not ever lie to a Dom again.”

He wanted to hit something. What was it with submissives and their lies? The lie might have been smaller this time, but it was still a lie.

He thundered past the scene areas and kept walking, increasing his speed. Folks saved themselves and moved out of his way. Fury radiated down his arms curling his fingers into fists, almost there.

Some members thought Keller was crazy when he’d installed the small gym next to the club. When the roster quickly filled, it was Keller that was laughing all the way to the bank. Simon had a regular date with the bag hanging in the corner. He may no longer enter the ring, but the regimented workouts kept him strong and centered.

A couple more steps and he’d entered the gym and saw the innocent bag hanging right where he needed it to be. He slammed his fist into the bag. Pressure reverberated from his hand straight to his heart, but it didn’t release the revulsion.

“Damn her.”

He needed to get this out and get back on the floor. One of his best friends was about to collar his sub. The bag swung around. He walked around it and rolled his shoulders back. He wanted to witness the happiness a pair could have when things worked out and no one lied.

It was just a scene, something he could shake off, and she was just a guest sub. There was no possible way she could have felt as right as he thought. The anger was tricking him. She was just another lying sub. A sub to forget. A sub he would never see again.

“Damn her.”

An image of her regret filled face tugged at his resolve. His fingers flexed as he remembered her velvet channel. His cock twitched, and he hit the bag again.

About the Author:
S.J. Maylee fell in love with storytelling at a young age and with it came a deep-seated desire for everyone to find their happily ever after. She’s finding the happy endings for her characters one steamy story at a time.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her caring for her garden, laughing with her two young sons, or dancing to her husband’s music. She’s a PMP (Project Management Professional), Nia instructor, and coffee addict.

As a writer she has a tendency to break hearts, but she always glues them back together.

Find Taking Courage at These Locations:

Connect with S.J. Maylee:
Blog   Twitter  Facebook  Amazon

Friday, October 24, 2014

Zara's Second Chance by Mya Larose


Zara

Genre:
Romance

Synopsis:
Curvy Zara Miller always knew something or someone was missing in her life. She needed a man who could appreciate her figure and who she could rely on to be there for her. Slowly she fell under Peter Adames's spell and soon her body burnt with a need she thought she didn’t have.

She knew only he could satisfy her deepest desire. However, she hid her love for him until she could trust him. After suffering through a bad relationship where her ex picked on her "weight" issue. She didn’t know he was already determined to make her his own.

His desire to have Zara’s curvy body beneath his reached the breaking point. The uncertainty in her eyes tugged at Peter's heart. He had to convince Zara that he was the right man for her. When he had her in his bed, he planned to keep her there until the past evil struck.

Could Peter convince Zara his feeling towards her was true? Or would the tragic event kill their last chance for love?

My Review:
The different plot lines within Zara's Second Chance all escalate quickly. The romance has a quick start and culmination, the sex is fast paced, and the jealousy of a past lover quickly escalates as well. Perhaps the story felt fast because I was turning the pages so quickly. Zara lost all her self confidence during a verbally abusive relationship, and is fearful to enter a new one. However, her luck takes a turn when her attractive neighbor who is genuinely interested starts a courtship. Your arousal will build as the flame is ignited between these two lovers. 


Find Mya at these locations:
facebook  twitter   Blog ♥ Google Plus   Goodreads   Tumblr   LinkedIn   Pinterest

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Spotlight: Todd Michaels - Erotica Author

About Todd Michaels:
Todd Michaels’ love for self-expression through creative writing, combined with his fascination of human sexuality, found a mutually beneficial outlet in erotica. Always one to question, his stories explore many darker (and often taboo) themes in Western culture. He enjoys “watching the movie in his head,” and writing the story as it unfolds.

In addition to his family, writing, and his day job, Todd seeks self-improvement and enrichment. He believes although we may never reach true perfection, there is no excuse for the lack of pursuit. He also enjoys sailing, water skiing, classical guitar, and teaching music.

Author Interview:
Can you describe Taking Benji in one sentence?
This short story takes a potentially disturbing look at what can happen between semi-competitive young male cousins when sexual tension is high.

For those who might consider reading Taking Benji, what would you tell them to expect?
This story deals with two taboo themes: incest and non-consent. It also has a dubious (non-HEA) ending.

Tell us about your writing process.
My ""process"" isn't really a process, per se. The best way I can describe it is to say, ""I watch the movie in my head"" and pen what I see.

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
Writing in general, and composition specifically, has always been endeavors I excelled in. In school (including college), my rough drafts were generally A's. I always assumed (my mistake) my career would involve writing in some form, and dreamed (from high school) of being a novelist.

What made you want to write erotica?
I've always been fascinated by sex, especially taboo sex. Erotica seemed to be the perfect fit for me.

What does your writing area look like?
My favorite place to write is outside at dusk, sitting at my patio furniture. Living on a farm, I love sounds and mystery of the nocturnal orchestra.

Do you work with an outline, or just write?
Although outlines are suggested and recommended, I don't use one. I simply free write and generally don't need to restructure. However, I may need to use an outline for longer works.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
First, Edgar Allen Poe. Then, Stephen King. Their content and writing style influenced me equally.

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for erotica?
Sadly, I'm very new to the "self-promotion" thing. I'm learning, but I'm afraid I'm not very proficient. My primary goal is reader engagement. I use social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google+) and my site/blog. I also have profiles on the retail sites.

Will you have a new book coming out soon? Can you tell us about it?
Yes! :) I'm currently working on a re-write that deals with taboo themes (incest, non-con). It's a M/M tale and will be my longest work to date (under 10K). Getting this story into production will allow me to pursue several other projects in various stages.

Find Todd Michaels at these locations: 
Twitter ♥ Facebook  Amazon ♥ Blog ♥ Goodreads

Taking Benji Synopsis:
Trevor and Benji, cousins and recent high school graduates, attend an end of summer lake party before they and their friends head off to college. The sun is hot, the beer is cold, and the girls are on the way. Nothing goes according plan and things take a dark turn when Trevor decides to see how far he is willing to take his rivalry with Benji. (M/M)

Excerpt:
“For the past week, Benji was constantly around. I tried to beat off in the shower while he watched TV, but couldn’t come. I thought I was going into pussy withdrawal. I needed to get laid tonight…badly! If I didn’t score tonight, I didn’t know what I’d do.

We’d planned to arrive early at the lake and get a head start on drinking. There was also the matter of room choice for the highly anticipated events later in the evening. Mike and Kelly, of course, would take the master. The house was his parents and the master offered the biggest bed. When I learned John and Brian would take the remaining bedrooms, I was shocked. I was really hoping Kelly would bring Zoey, one of her slutty cheerleader friends. She was rumored to not only be easy, but a little freaky, if you could get her alone. If she did show, I was hoping to get a shot at her freaky side. That meant having a bedroom.

“What about us? I mean, there’s only three bedrooms! If Zoey shows, what am I supposed to do?”

“You guys will have to take a couch. Just don’t spill beer, and don’t leave any peter tracks!” Mike cautioned with sarcasm.

“Why don’t we get a bed? I mean, I helped plan this thing. You know how Zoey is!”

“Hey, you guys got here last. John and Brian called the rooms. You shoulda gotten off your asses and got here earlier. We’ve been here most of the day! Now, if one of them strikes out…”

“Hey, that’s bullshit, man! We’re all gonna get laid tonight…even John! You guys will just have to fuck on the couch. Or, you can use my bed when I’m done. Just put a towel down!” Brian laughed.

Find Taking Benji at these locations:

Begging For It Synopsis:
Once again, he watches as she parades near his window, scantily clad on the hot summer’s eve. Once again, she entices him by bending over while pretending to walk her dog. She knows exactly what she’s doing and precisely how to excite and frustrate him, teasing him with the body she would never before share with him. Now, he’s prepared, he’s ready. Tonight’s the night. (M/F)

Excerpt:
“I feel pretty confident. I’ve read tons of articles and stories online. Even though they were fantasies, I’ve gotten some pretty good ideas. I’ve collected my “tool kit,” everything I’ll need for my task.

I leave my apartment, careful not to lock the front or back door. I walk across the parking lot and pretend to check my mail. I can see her disappearing around the corner. Perfect. She probably won’t come back unexpectedly. I leave the junk mail in my box as I take a slow pan around. I feel a faint and unmistakably dark smile on my lips.

The sun is fading, the long shadows clearly winning the battle against daylight. No one is leaving or pulling in. No one is sitting on their porch or conversing in the common area.

I walk to my car, continuing my slow survey. I feel my pulse quicken as the adrenaline rush hits. It’s now or never, I think to myself as I retrieve my tools from the rear seat. I leave my keys under the driver’s floor mat, in case I need to make a quick exit.

I slowly walk in the general direction of my apartment, but duck quickly behind the thick shrubs leading to her porch. From my concealment, I scan the area again, just to make sure no one’s noticed me. My breathing has quickened as the leaves lightly scrape against my shirt.

I still have a few minutes before she returns. It’s a warm night, but I’m sweating more than I should be. I crouch and shift quietly, trying to find a position I can hold and still provide enough force for my initial attack. My tools are in my nylon fanny pack around my waist.

I hear her coming, but can’t see her yet. She’s talking to her dog. I can’t quite make out her words. Air conditioning units cycle relentlessly. A car horn blows somewhere across the complex. It’s darker, now; the streetlights are beginning to flicker to life.

Wait. What the hell am I doing? Am I really going through with this? My joints begin to signal their discomfort. My entire body feels aglow with adrenaline and anticipation. Am I ready to become a rapist?

Sure, I’ve read hundreds, maybe even thousands, of rape fantasy stories. Many of these were written by women. I’ve even read how rape fantasies are one of the most common sexual turn-ons.”

Find Begging For It at these locations:

Monday, October 20, 2014

Morsel Monday: Seven Lovely Things

One Might say I'm paraphrasing Reed James in this introduction segment.  

I’ve been tagged by Reed James to participate in the Seven Lovely Things Blog Tour! You can read his Seven Lovely Things Blog Post here! In the past Reed made an appearance on my blog when I wrote a review on his book, Roleplay Gone Wrong.

The rules are simple, share 7 Lovely Facts about myself, nominate 15 blogs (or as many as possible) that I enjoy reading, and nominate those same 15 blogs to the do the same, linking back to my post.

So now you get to learn seven lovely things about the allusive pseudonym, Christina Harding:


  1. I am heads-over-heels in love with my hubby! I'll be a bit cliche and say he's my other half, and he makes me a better person. Every day I feel like one lucky girl because we managed to find each other.
  2. I am a graduate student, but I am also jack of all trades with talents in many areas. And so, despite reading and writing clearly being activities I enjoy, I am not studying the humanities!
  3. I am a guest blogger for Romance at Random of Random House, which makes me feel incredibly honored.
  4. I released my first erotic novelette in August, and (..........drumroll......) 
  5. I'm looking to release my next one in January 2015!! (yay for writing during Winter Break!)
  6. At the time of writing, I have ~10,000 followers on twitter, and I've only been on twitter for seven months!
  7. If you saw the real-me walking down the street, you probably would never guess I'm the brains behind Christina Harding. Encompassing this pseudonym has been strangely liberating for me.

And now for my nominations (in alphabetical order by first name):
  1. Angelica Siren: Author of Learning to Ride
  2. Billierosie: Author of Fetish Transcendence
  3. Bree Guildford: Author of Georgia Restrained, Zoe Spanked, and Guest Blogger
  4. Celia Dunroy: Author of She Craves the Satyr
  5. Henry Corrigan: Hosted me in a soon-to-be released author interview!
  6. Janey Rosen: Author of the Sebastian Trilogy
  7. Jeanie Grey: Hosted a guest post that I wrote. 
  8. Karena Marie: She is another erotic author who has helped me out a ton (behind the scenes). 
  9. Moctezuma Johnson: Author of The Book of Real and Imaginary Girlfriends and Triangulum Stain: Attack of the Replicating Alien Dildos
  10. N.C. Simmons: Author of The Chronicles of Staffordshire and Guest Blogger
  11. Roxy Hart: Hosted me in a soon-to-be released guest post!
  12. Roxy Katt: Author of The City Pony
  13. Roy Station: Author of The Cuckold Game
  14. Sarah Michelle Lynch: Author of A Fine Profession
  15. Storm Chase: Author of The Maid in the Cupboard and Pandora

    Friday, October 17, 2014

    F*ing Scott, Fitz, and Gerald by H.P. Xachariah

    Today I am reviewing a story from H.P. Xachariah's KafkaRotica:

    KafkaRotica’s Mission:
    The internet has plenty of porn—too much by some estimations. For those of us who want to get off (either alone or with a significant other) but also want to preserve our self-respect, there aren’t many good options. In porn and most published erotica, women are portrayed as weak, silly, and stupid—objects of male sexuality and nothing more.

    But great love (and loving) involves more than just the raw act itself. KafkaRotica is a clear, intelligent, and sexy voice in a sea of grunts, fake-orgasms, and unsexy stereotypes. We want our readers to explore their minds as well as their bodies, chuckling all the while.

    KafkaRotica’s content is comprised of original works by the site’s creator, H.P. Xachariah, and guest authors.

    F*ing Scott, Fitz, and Gerald

    Genre:
    Gay Threesome

    My Review:
    I was delighted to see the ways in which F*ing Scott, Fitz, and Gerald was inspired by The Great Gatsby. In only ~3000 words H. P. Xachariah manages to capture the essence of this great literary classic all the way down to using a similar voice for the narrator. However, as a piece of erotica, what really set F*ing Scott, Fitz, and Gerald apart in this genre is that it described gay sex. Until this story I’ve seen plenty of lesbian, but no gay, erotica. As promised in KafkaRotica’s mission, H. P. Xachariah clearly takes the time to create intelligent erotica, which takes the “path less traveled” within this genre.

    About the Author:
    H. P. Xachariah was born of cum, as so many are. At a young age, she discovered the beautiful prose and soft verses of poetry that have enabled her to be the prurient literary magnate that she is today. Some claim that at the age of 13, on the night of the autumnal equinox, Poseidon imbued her with the fearlessness of a shark, the grace of a dolphin, and the good taste of a jeweled umbrella squid. Deft in discourse, sublime in reason, skilled in all the arts of seduction, H. P. Xachariah takes it as well as she gives it.

    H. P. Xachariah was also born of the fires of a mighty dragon. Masculine, bold, intrepid—he battles the demons of our sexually repressed culture. Rumor has it he is a time traveler, hopping through the millennia to ensure human civilizations embrace their erotic urges in a responsible way. In the present day, he wields the pen as the sword, slaying those beasts that would enslave your minds in false chastity. He also enjoys gummy bears.

    Wednesday, October 15, 2014

    One Hot Night by Daisy Mae Jones


    Genre:
    Consensual Heterosexual

    Synopsis:
    Brie's never been the kind of girl that has one night stands, but when she meets Drew in a night club she finds that she wants to despite knowing she shouldn't. The attraction between the two of them leads to Brie wanting, and enjoying, a passionate night and having some new experiences...helped along by Drew.

    What starts as a one night stand now has the potential to be so much more...

    My Review:
    Brie and Drew barely know each other when they have sex for the first time. Even so, they are quick to discover they have strong chemistry. But this chemistry goes beyond screwing. They understand how to read each other’s wants and desires. They are genuinely attracted to each other. While this is a story of what typically would end as a one night stand, instead it’s a story of a romance growing out of very unlikely circumstances. One Hot Night is a sexy read for those who like their taboo as well as those who like their erotic romance.

    Friday, October 10, 2014

    Zoe: Spanked by Bree Guildford

    I would like to welcome Bree back to my blog! Last time I reviewed the first book in her series: Georgia: Restrained. Today, let's welcome Bree back for a review of her second book in her Georgia & Zoe series!

    Genre:
    Lesbian BDSM

    Synopsis:
    It is Georgia and Zoe's first official day as wife and wife. While Zoe sleeps, Georgia reflects on the night beforehand, and the way Zoe teased her until she really couldn't handle any more. Deciding it is only fair to get a little pay back on her beautiful, but naughty wife, Georgia takes matters into her own hands.

    Literally.

    After carefully tying a sleeping Zoe's hands to the headboard, and then waking her up in a rather vocal manner, Georgia proceeds to give Zoe the spanking of her life...

    My Review:
    In Zoe: Spanked Bree does an excellent job of catching the post-wedding glow of a newly married couple. Georgia and Zoe have a special spark and express their love selflessly and with ease. But that’s not to say this is a “soft” erotic story! Far from it, these two girls like their BDSM, and they enjoy pushing their limits. In some regard, this is intimate and loving in itself, for it’s clear these two women completely trust each other. This intimate aspect of BDSM is often lost in the erotic stories I read, but was particularly striking (no pun intended!) in Zoe: Spanked.

    Wednesday, October 8, 2014

    Fetish Transcendence by Billierosie

    I would like to welcome billierosie back to my blog. Last time I hosted her guest post, Incest: Keeping it in the Family. Today she's with us for a review of her book, Fetish Transcendence, and an author interview!

    Genre:
    Short Stories

    Synopsis:
    I am so pleased and happy to announce that my new book is out! Fetish Transcendence; the dark side of desire. The new collection of erotica from billierosie. Twelve stories; each story celebrating the magical, mystical diversity of human sexual experience. Those secrets and lies that we keep well hidden; that we dare not admit to ourselves, but make their presence felt through our fantasies and dreams. Dark desires that arouse in the heat of the night when our darker side cannot help but give in.

    There’s a potpourri of fetish within these pages; it’s a collection that will impress the connoisseur of erotic fiction and the new reader, whose only experience of erotica is Fifty Shades of Grey…You’ll find Dominants and their submissives in strange, unexpected places in Fetish Transcendence. The opening tale tells of Freddie, the security guard in an exclusive London store, who has a very creative way of dealing with shoplifters.

    Lovers, Allen and Clara elope, but there are dangers on the road to the little church where they can legally marry. In Fruits de Mer you’ll learn of Josiah’s exotic, erotic taste for les moules, while in Sherlock Holmes and the Curse of the Moonstone, Sherlock Holmes and Watson solve yet another intriguing mystery through the powerful force of outrageous sex.

    One dirty phone call precipitates another in Touch, while in Body Swap, Simon and Clarice turn their unique, extrasensory gift to their advantage; love and lust carries them through the generations. They have no fear of the tomb; they have defeated death itself.

    The rocky road to attaining sanctity is told through a terrible, sacrilegious confession to Father Abraham. It’s a confession of an abomination; an unspeakable sexual perversion that threatens the immortal soul.

    The heat of the crowd generates its own dark mood of erotica. There’s hardly any room to breathe let alone move. It’s hot and sweaty. Someone presses up close behind you; too close. You know exactly what is going on but you are powerless to stop it; to do anything about it. You can’t even turn around to confront your violator. Poor Julia! Will she ever get over the humiliation?

    And there’s a holiday romance; a romance with a difference for this submissive male and the Dominant woman who knows how he can achieve real pleasure.

    The two final tales tell of Anastasia; the lucky lady who inherits millions. You’d think she would be happy, but there is Marcus whom she adores, but who doesn’t want her. And driving the narrative there is a diary. A piece of pornography that teaches Anastasia about a long ago sexual awakening – an awakening worthy of the Marquis de Sade himself.

    Advance Praise:
    "This was my first read of a book by Billierosie, and armed with the knowledge that this lady pulls no punches I dived in! Each of the stories touch on edgy eroticism, blurring the lines in one or two places in a roller-coaster of a read. For those of you that like your fetish to be dark and dangerous you will LOVE this collection, and I would mark it down as a definite read as soon as you can! It's quirky, riveting, addictive and typical of the lady herself; VERY naughty!!"
    ~Dark Scribe reviewing at Amazon

    Author Interview:

    Can you describe your book in one sentence?
    I cannot possibly describe my book in one sentence! Fetish Transcendence is a collection of explicit, fetish themed erotic tales. The fetishes ranged from sexual power and control over another, necrophilia, food fetish – and there’s Sherlock Holmes and Watson indulging in outrageous Victorian depravity. There are 12 stories in all. Some of them are brand new; others have appeared in a few Sizzler Renaissance anthologies, but I must emphasise that none of them have appeared as “Free Reads” on Twitter.

    What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
    Oh, definitely the first story in the collection! “Security” is about a security guard in an exclusive store in London. Freddie, has his own unique form of justice for the shoplifters whom Freddie catches stealing from his store. There is one thief who has always eluded the security guards of London’s West End. They’ve named her “the Shadow” and Freddie would love to catch her. This tale first appeared in Sizzler’s “London” anthology – and it’s my favourite story because I was writing about a part of London I know well. Freddie’s depravity helped too – of course!

    CH For those who might consider reading your book, what would you tell them to expect?
    Well, lots of sex. I hope that they will enjoy my tales – I think that some of the stories will amuse, will certainly bring a smile to their faces. I think that quite a few readers will identify with the characters I’ve created – I’m thinking of two brand new stories here, right at the end of the collection – “The Diary” and “Anastasia,” the protagonist is a woman on the receiving end of a man exerting absolute power and control over her – it’s a situation that I can identify with – I think that some of my readers will too. Maybe not to the extent of the character in my story, but enough to have a resonance of how power and control manifests. And I think that some readers will identify with the character in another way -- the woman in the story is turned on by her situation. Being controlled sexually is, even humiliated sexually, is a fetish for many men and women.

    Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
    Just write…and write!

    CH What made you want to write erotica?
    I’ve always loved Romance novels…I think that the Victorian writers first introduced me to the genre -- Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte, I love their work. And more than that, I love their bad boy heroes. Rochester, Heathcliffe and Anne Bronte’s hero, Gilbert Markham. Men who know what they want, and get it, creating the rules as they go. After university, I fell into reading 21st century Romance novels, but they dissatisfied me. I wanted men, and women who are not afraid to be different as to how they express their sexuality. I read a Mills and Boon writer, Samantha Hunter, who was not afraid to call a cock a cock and I realised that there was a whole genre of Romance that I was missing out on. I Googled Erotica – and wow, it was like coming home! I read and read as fast as the post woman could deliver them – I discovered what I liked to read – power exchanges, particularly sexual power exchanges. Through those books, there was one writer who stood out – M.Christian. I checked out his blog and emailed him about one of his books. He responded, and we’ve been friends ever since. In fact, it was Chris who first encouraged me to write Erotica and he published my first story on his blog. Chris’ work is one of the reasons why I hate 50 Shades so much. There have been so many great writers of Erotica over the years. Not just Chris; there’s Patrick Califia, N.T.Morley…check out his Master/slave anthology, Kristina Wright, her short story, “In the Stacks” blew me away – there’s so many of them and they’ve never really gained much recognition. People who think that E.L.James’ silly book is Erotica should read some real Erotica – where the characters accept their sexual orientation as something special, not something to be “cured”.  And I am not talking about my books, before “Anon” begins penning hate-mail to my blog -- there’s some really great Erotica out there and you don’t have to do a lot of leg work. Just do as I did; type “Erotica” into your favourite search engine and be amazed.  But I was talking about 50 Shades; E.L James’ heroine, by the end of the first book, is determined to cure Christian Grey of his Fetish – I don’t know whether she succeeds; the book actually bored me, particularly that turgid contract, which has been duplicated from Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s Venus in Furs, published in 1870. I never got beyond the first book of 50 Shades, one book of drivel is as much as I can take. I think that the reason for E.L.James’ success is her background in marketing – ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know.’

    Where do you get your ideas/inspiration for your writing?
    Everywhere! Stories in the media; magazines, newspapers, television. You see power exchanges everywhere. But sometimes I just think, “what if?” What if a couple, who have been married for years are bored with their sex lives? This was the basis for my short story “Dissonance”. The husband tells his wife that he feels suffocated by the dull routine they have slipped in to. And their dialogue is what tells the story – it’s a free read on Twitter.

    What does your writing area look like?
    A disorganised mess. You’d think with all the sophisticated systems we’ve got these days – files that we can access with a click of the mouse, I’d have everything in order in my Desktop. But not so…I create files, then forget what I’ve called them. But what adds to the disorganisation is that I write things down on bits of paper. It might be a quote, or a phrase, or an idea – but when I want to get my hands on something, it’s nearly impossible, because of the piles of junk I have to go through.

    I’d like to be able to tell you that everything is immaculate at my work station, but it is not, my work station looks like something out of the TV show, Storage Wars!

    We see you on Twitter a lot – some of your Tweets talk about writing to arouse -- are you teasing future readers? Are you hoping that your readers will be turned on?
    Oh, it’s absolutely true – I do write to arouse and yes, I am teasing too. I found out, when I was reading Romance and when I discovered Erotica, I found out what turned me on. And I realised that if I can identify with a writer in that way, well it must be something that other readers want as well. But I’m still learning – I’ve only been a published writer for 4 years and I’ve got a lot to learn – I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning, and wanting to learn.

    So, do you get turned on by your stories?
    Yes, I do! I get very excited too, when I can feel that a story is going really well. Writing Erotica, for me, is about embracing my own kinks and dark, very dark sometimes, desires. Even as a small child, I could relate to masochistic ideas; my first fantasy was about being spanked, hard. I remember watching an old black and white film; I must have been about 8 or 9. I cannot recall the title, but it’s a cowboy western with John Wayne pursuing Maureen O’ Hara around the town. When he catches her, he puts her over his knee and spanks her. That was my first experience of sexual arousal and I would fantasise about being spanked at night when I was in my bed. And there’s an Elvis Presley film, Blue Hawaii, where Elvis puts a spoilt woman over his knee and spanks her. I was a teen when I saw that film and the spanking scene really did turn me on.

    Do you think it is necessary for an Erotica writer to be turned on by the events in a story?
    Well, I can’t speak for anyone else, but my own arousal informs my writing. I think that if I didn’t get turned on, my writing would lack authenticity and my readers would see through me and know that I was a fake.

    In your Fem/Dom tales, where are you in the stories? Your writing is often brutal; the men in the tales are completely turned on by the pain and humiliation. Are you the woman wielding the whip?
    No, I am writing from the submissive’s point of view. That is me in the story being punished and begging for release. Being controlled sexually, like being forbidden orgasm, is a big turn on for a lot of people – men and women.

    Anything you want to say to your readers?
    Thank you for reading me!

    About the author:
    People fascinate billierosie. What makes them tick; what are their secrets and lies. The effete guy in the bank; the blonde lady shopping in the supermarket, the elderly lady living in a care home. What stories could they tell? Perhaps erotic stories of sex, intrigue and fetish?

    And fetish is high on billierosie’s agenda. The strange, haunting stuff that informs our darkest desires. It could be fur or feathers. Shoes, silk stockings, or toes. Poop or pee. An amputee’s stump. If we made a list it would go on for ever.

    billierosie has been writing erotica for about five years; she has been published by Oysters and Chocolate, “The Wedding Dress.” Logical Lust accepted her story “Retribution” for their “Best S&M 3 anthology. She has also been published by Sizzler, in their “Pirate Booty” anthology. Also in their Sherlock Holmes anthology, “My Love of all that is Bizarre.” She is in Sizzler’s latest anthology; “Hunger” and she has been accepted for a new anthology to be published later this year by Sizzler, erotic tales of London town. She also has a collection of short, erotic stories, “Fetish Worship,” available as a download at Sizzler Editions and Amazon.

    She has two novellas, both published by Sizzler Editions in 2012. They are available now as downloads; “Memoirs of a Sex Slave”. And “Enslaving Eli. billierosie also has a bdsm book out Rebellious Slave; Fetish Transcendence is her most recent publication.

    billierosie lives in a pretty village in England. She doesn’t fit with village life; certainly not the Women’s Institute. billierosie loves the theatre, Art, film, books and all things eccentric. billierosie plans to have fun and stay young, writing pornography.

    My Review:
    Fetish Transcendence is a series of short stories depicting a wide variety of fetishes. These fetishes range from the mysterious, horror, obsessive, and criminal. For those who love their fetishes, and who are interested in discovering new fetishes, this is an enlightening read.

    Perhaps my favorite short within this series was the last one, Anastasia. This story gave an interesting peek into how psychology motivates a character’s actions. What’s truly fascinating Anastasia is she’s able to identify in other people the pitfalls of her disorder, but can’t recognize it for herself. In addition to including BDSM, Anastasia also gives the reader some “food for thought.”

    What an intriguing set of stories!

    Where to find billierosie:

    billierosie can be found at her blog – www.billierosie.blogspot.com
    She is Billierosie author on Facebook and @jojojojude on Twitter.

    Where to find billierosie's books:

    Fetish Transcendence (a collection of explicit erotica) is at Amazon U.K. http://alturl.com/ycc6c
    And at Amazon U.S.  http://alturl.com/5mb7y

    Memoirs of a Sex Slave; the confessions of a submissive woman is at Amazon U.K;

    Enslaving Eli, (A Fem/Dom tale) is at Amazon U.K.  http://alturl.com/sqs6t
    And at Amazon U.S. http://alturl.com/vb4p2

    Rebellious Slave (a Fem/Dom tale) is at Amazon U.K. http://alturl.com/32kvu
    And at Amazon U.S. http://alturl.com/94wcb

    Friday, October 3, 2014

    Dangerous Harmony by DM Cobray

    Genre:
    Short Stories

    Synopsis:
    Five grown women. Five different cities. Five hot stories. One grand conspiracy.

    Allie, a young widow, plays games with her very secret love in the backyard at night.
    Nichole -- after a divorce -- realizes she’s suddenly become a rock groupie once again.
    Kristi, the yoga CEO, rekindles with Julio as they fight for the return of her kidnapped son.
    Ashley must either have hot, satisfying sex or face sudden death by a rare illness.
    Jeanette the CIA chief is keeping an eye on all of them -- when she’s not in bondage.

    Through constant erotic adventures and dangerous thrills, they’re all gradually being pulled into a plot full of government spies, Mexican drug cartels, defrocked priests, rock bands and big money.

    It’s all building up to a shocking climax. Join in with the sounds of Dangerous Harmony.

    Excerpt:
    From “Rocky Point”, the third chapter in Dangerous Harmony: Prelude:

    “I never thought I’d see you back here,” he said.

    “I’ve been back a few times over the years,” said Kristi.

    “But you never looked me up until now.”

    “My life’s different.” A hint of tenderness crept into her voice–as though she wondered what she could still recapture from those wild days.

    “Mine’s about the same,” said Julio, laughing. His hands were folded behind his head.

    “I believe it,” said Kristi with a smile.

    “I haven’t changed much. Still just a hustler.”

    “Like you always were,” said Kristi. She knew he was still a hustler in more ways than he ever would admit to her right then, but she didn’t care. That was Julio.

    “Yeah, more or less,” he said with a shrug.

    “I hustle yoga pants now,” said Kristi with a little sardonic smile.

    “Like these?” said Julio, allowing his hand to stroke her thigh.

    “Yes .” Kristi smiled. She wondered if she should give in so willingly when her son’s life hung in the balance.

    She thought to herself that really, there was always a price to be paid. And Julio was helping her find her son. There was only a little conflict in her mind that she had to deliberately set aside–something about how it wasn’t really a price if she had been willing to grant it to him all along.

    “What do they call these?” he asked, gently stroking the fabric of the tight pants covering her hips, allowing the tips of his fingers to linger near her waistline.

    She smiled at this amusing opportunity to go into her sales pitch. “Well, I’m glad you asked. These are the RaRaRadish SuperLeggara tights. They’re available in a variety of colors. They wick moisture away for a cooling effect, and they’re odor-resistant. Did you want a pair for yourself?”

    “Well, Sirenita,” said Julio with a familiar, wry curl to his lips, “I don’t remember that odor thing being such a problem with you, but maybe, you know, that that you’re older and …” He laughed.

    “Oh fuck you, please. You’re the one with the fucking smelly feet! Your feet probably still stink like death.”

    “My feet smell fine, Sirenita! Here, smell them.” He acted like he was going to lift his foot to her nose.

    “Fuck you, you fucking cholo…” She pushed his foot away, but in grabbing his ankle, something happened.

    She rolled to face him. Their lips met. Her hand raced down his muscled chest. His hand covered her hip, then moved to her ass, sensuously squeezing her. She shuffled in closer to him, inhaling his scent, tasting his tongue. His hand traced a line up her side, lifting her tank top and revealing her breasts and pink nipples. He drew her close to him, panting as their tongues intertwined for the first time in fourteen years.

    Author Interview:
    Can you describe your book in one sentence?
    I sure can try. How about: “Dangerous Harmony is a cleverly intertwining combination of five separate erotic storylines all written to make your brain and various other parts of your body tingle.” Does that work? :-)

    What makes your book so different from all the books out there?
    Most of the erotica I’ve read has done a very good job of describing sex, and sometimes even does a decent job of developing character. But I’m into plot. I’m a plot person. I want the story to go somewhere and take me with it. And just like on a good vacation, I want to do something sexually adventuresome along the way. So when I started writing the individual stories, it occurred to me that it could be very cool and exciting to combine them into a single big storyline. It’s almost like a conspiracy work in that way. And I think that’s unusual in the genre.

    Tell us about your writing process.
    I start with a whisp of an idea. The first story to be written -- the first “part” if we’re going to go with the musical theme -- was the Allie story: The typical suburban mom having an atypical affair in her backyard after the kids get put to bed. From that grain of an idea, I do a synopsis. I write out a very rough description of what the story is about, as though I were describing it as a finishe product. Then I do an outline. I do them the same way now as I did them in 4th grade--separate stanzas for each “act”. Then I race to get a rough draft down on screen. I try not to stop until it’s finished. Once I have a first draft I have something to work with. Then the rewrites start, then the serious editing, then the proofreading and formatting. It’s fun but also exhausting.

    How did you bring life to your characters?
    Every character in the book is based on someone I’ve met, known, loved, and maybe even sometimes hated. I’m writing a blog entry on how difficult it is to write “strong” female characters that don’t all seem alike. I think of the women in the book, Nichole is strong in a different way than Kristi, who is different from Ashley. Allie the suburbanite will need to show her own strength in a different way. It’s important that each one be based on a distinct real-life model, and that all show flaws and weaknesses first, before their strengths. That’s how I tend to see people. When I meet someone new I look for the “flaws” not because I want to put them down, but because that’s how I know they are human. It’s much more interesting than being invincible all the time.

    Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
    Yes, since I was about nine years old or so. I studied it in college. I took a detour through the corporate world for about twenty years before I decided I had seen enough. Now, I’m living my dream.

    Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
    I remember my mother giving me a copy of “Delta of the Venus” by Anais Nin when I was about 18 or so. I’d say Anais is my great influence in the erotica world, though I can’t claim to equal her talent. My other influences include Faulkner, Walker Percy, and Phillip Roth. 

    Your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and the bad - 
    I am always very happy to get any review at all, even very negative ones. The only thing I care about is that my work get read. There are millions of words written each year with the best of intentions that will never be read by more than one or two people. If you buy my book and hate it, please share! Please tell me and the world why it was a horrible waste of time and money. I’ll try to do better next time if I can. I am just pleased as punch that you have me a few hours of your time and some space in your brain for a while. I know there’s a lot of competition for both. Good reviews are nice, too--of course.

    How do you feel about your life as a writer now? Do you regret any past decisions you’ve made?
    I am happy to wake up every morning to the sound of chickens somewhere outside, roll over, pick up my laptop, and go to “work”. It’s a wonderful life. My only regret is not writing constantly over the 20 years I was a prisoner in the world of cubes. I might not have left earlier, but I would have more of a back catalog by now.

    Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
    Write every day. Even if just a little. Don’t get blocked. If you run into a wall on one story, start another. Just keep writing. Most of your waking hours should be spent writing, rewriting, or reading. Also, have fun with what you do. If it wasn’t fun to write, it likely won’t be fun to read.

    About the Author:
    DM Cobray grew up in the wilds of southern Arizona: home of rattlesnakes, coyotes, cowboys, beautiful vistas, and vineyards. After a long career plying the halls of money and power, DM now brings you thrillers full of torrid action. DM lives on small ranch with kids, chickens, goats, and a dog or two.

    My Review:
    Dangerous Harmony is unique in that it reads like a series of short stories, but it seems clear that all these stories are related somehow. Perhaps all these people know each other, or somehow interconnected? It is clear that there’s more than meets the eye regarding everyone who lives in this community. Each person has their own dark secrets, which Cobray explores in depth throughout this series. By putting each story together, we get a well-rounded view of what’s going on in this community. Cobray gracefully switches between the perspectives of each character in order to create an action packed series of erotic tales. The connection between each story only begins to come into focus towards the end, promising more from this author. 

    Join Cobray on: Twitter  Pinetrest ♥ Facebook

    Wednesday, October 1, 2014

    Guest Post: Pushing the Erotic Edge by NC Simmons

    I want to welcome Simmons back to this blog! In the past I've reviewed her novels Guardian Girl, Wild Wild Wives, and hosted an author interview. Today Simmons is back for her second guest post on this blog! You can read her first guest post here. This article first appeared on Simmons' Blog Risque Reveries.

    Pushing the Erotic Edge: Truth in Labeling

    Sex is simple.  Insert Tab P into Slot V.  Plunge.  Retreat.  Repeat.

    Though we erotic authors are always trying to find new ways to describe the basic act – new positions, new kinks, new fetishes – the underlying mechanics are the same.

    Doesn’t matter.  As a sub-species, erotic authors are positively obsessed with coitus.  We can’t get enough of it.  We imagine it, research it, and write about it over and over and over.  If you’re like me, you push yourself to envision, invent, and experiment with new and ever more creative methods of seasoning that simple act; with ropes, whips, handcuffs, paddles, and such.

    With my series, “The Chronicles of Staffordshire,” I push the kinky edge about as far as I feel comfortable, not because I set out to shock people, but because that was where the story took me.  At times I tiptoe at the precipice of the taboo, not because I have a penchant for taboo-busting, but because that was where the story took me. In the penultimate conflict in my fourth book, I fell over the edge of that precipice and dangled from the taboo cliff by my finely manicured digits.

    But my favorite erotic author raised a good point recently as we were discussing “Staffordshire.”  What she said as we dished about our erotic writings made me pause and reflect about some of the sex scenes I wrote.

    Have I gone to far?  Have I adequately warned the reader that my books push the edge?

    Many of the sexual encounters in “Staffordshire” series are tainted by a single character’s youthful indiscretion, a secret she has kept from everyone for decades.  That single secret impacts her lovers and her offspring over and over and over again.  Her secret finally comes full circle in the fourth book in the form of a dungeon conflict.  It is a sexual conflagration that for some readers might feel a little too taboo.  Although I believe the scene resolves in a redemptive, loving way – (I love happy endings!) – the journey might be a little dark – perhaps disturbing – even for some aficionados of dark erotica.

    My friend’s squeamishness when she heard about the scene gave me pause.  When she shared her heart and why even imagining that scene made her cringe, I took a long, deep breath.  No matter how redemptive or healing the outcome, I can see why the subject matter might be a little too tender for her tastes, even though she otherwise likes her erotica dark and dominant.

    As erotic authors we use the grand genre of “erotica” to cover a multitude of pursuits, ranging from the hopelessly romantic to the endlessly debauched.  The way-stations we visit as we sojourn through books labeled “erotica” can range from the mildly titillating to the graphically excessive, covering everything from vampires to gender swaps to Sci/Fi to S&M to D/s and everything in between.

    Including the taboo.

    But with so many niches in the genre, if a person picks up your book, first seeing the “erotica” label, what do they really expect to see?  The cover might give a hint, but not enough of one.  After all, one person’s Japanese Kinbaku rope fetish is another’s bondage nightmare.  One person’s “innocent,” consensual sex between non-blood step-siblings might be another’s reanimated horror of a childhood abuse.

    I suppose I am just now realizing, after thinking about my friend’s reaction, that it is important to do a better job of forewarning our readers of the minefields ahead.  Is it sufficient to disclaim, “M/F/M sex, Group Sex, BDSM themes, Profanity, and such” at the end of the jacket, pat our hands clean, and just walk away?  Or do we owe the reader a better form of spoiler-free warning, something that does a more effective job of hinting at the journey without giving away the itinerary?

    I now know that I will do better next time, with some non-spoiling language that does a better job of warning the reader that the journey may take them to some disturbing places, perhaps even places known as, “The Taboo.”  I’ll do it because even though we’re all big boys and girls, I still want to respect the reader and be certain they are adequately prepared for the journey ahead.