Currently Reading - Honeymoon For One

 

 

 

 

Next up is Honeymoon For One by Chris Keniston  It's been a while since I've read anything by this author, and this one sounds like it will be a fun read.

  

To escape local gossip, jilted bride Michelle Bradford embarks on her honeymoon cruise —alone. Coaxed by a thrill seeking hunk she never expects to see again, she slowly sheds her good girl persona to have some well deserved fun. But unlike Vegas, what happens on the high seas doesn't always stay there.

 

Amazon 

 

Pushing Boundaries In Romance

 With the explosion of indie publishing over the last fifteen years, there's no longer a gatekeeper preventing an author from writing, and publishing, whatever they want. Today's authors are pushing boundaries, breaking taboos, and delving into uncharted territories like never before. If you have a niche you love, chances are you can find it somewhere out there in the author-verse.

Spicy and erotic romance writers no longer have to sugar coat taboo topics and controversial themes. Authors can delve into complex human emotions, challenge societal norms, and spark conversation about consent, power dynamics, and so much more.

I first published Slave (Finding Anna, Book 1) in July of 2011. Back then, it wasn't common to have a book where the heroine had been a victim of human trafficking. It wasn't uncommon for me to get reviews saying how unrealistic the premise of the story was because that didn't happen here (the United States).

Fast forward twelve years and a lot has changed. The truth of the matter was, and still is, that human trafficking happens everywhere, even in the US. It just wasn't getting a whole lot of representation in the publishing world.

The same can be said for many other more taboo topics. Would bully romances have been such a huge trope if not for self publishing? What about modern age gap romances? Reverse harem?

It's hard to say, but authors today are able to address sensitive topics and help open the doors of communication. Writers tackle everything from challenging societal norms to power dynamics to consent.

I recall a conversation on a forum not long after I published my first book. It stemmed around whether or not authors needed to include birth control in their stories. Today, I look at the books publishing and, if they're set in modern times, they all address birth control. I can't remember the last time I read one that didn't. But only a dozen years ago, it was a big question.

Another big turn in the publishing industry has been moving BDSM stories into the mainstream. Kink in spicy and erotic romance novels was rare two decades ago. Sure you'd maybe see the hero tying up a woman and having his way with her, but that was about the extent of it. Other than that, kinky romances were relegated to the dark recesses of the erotica section of the bookstore.

Writers today are pushing boundaries. They're showing sex as a natural part of human relationships, even for those who may veer out of the norm, whether that be because of their body types, desires, experiences, or career choice.

Most of the readers I encounter embrace this change. In fact, they love it. There really is something for everyone these days. You only need to look.

Consent and Communication in Kinky Romance

 Sometimes, as lovers of the romance genre, we take the importance of consent and communication for granted. Of course the heroine wants the hero to ravish her. Why wouldn't the hero want to be tied to a bed and rode like a horse? We assume these things to be true because we know there's going to be a happily ever after at the end.

But adding a little realize to your romance isn't a bad thing. In fact, I would argue it's good for the story. It helps to give a layer of authenticity to the book, and can be used to build the bond between the characters making their love story more believable.

Communication and consent are important in healthy relationships, both in real life and in fiction. I've always found having the characters talk about their relationship, both in and out of the bedroom, builds a stronger foundation for the couple. It often provides and opportunity to increase the emotional connection.

The key to building trust and understanding between characters is communication. Think about any real life relationship and the best ones have great communication. Each person, whether we're talking a romantic partnership or a friendship, listens and respects the other person, hearing their concerns.

In romance novels, it's no different. Characters should have open and honest conversations, sharing their fears, their desires, and their expectations.

This is frequently seen in BDSM, or kinky romances. Because the characters are going to be engaging in a more taboo relationship, making sure all the parties are on the same page is important. Boundaries can be set. Expectations expressed.

In more taboo romance novels, such as BDSM, safewords created. Even though boundaries are, and should be set ahead of any play, that doesn't mean signals that alert the other party something's wrong shouldn't' be implemented. Sometimes ropes are tied too tight, or sitting incorrectly. Or, it could be something medically going on with one of the participants. Anything can happen, more so depending on the nature of play, so having a way to pause or stop play is important.

While this might sound boring to read in a book, it doesn't need to be. Is one character new to this type of relationship? Share how they're feeling about the other person's desires. Are they worried? Excited? Unsure? All these emotions give the author an opportunity to dig deeper into their characters core needs and values.

In my novel, Claiming His Kiss, Ali was terrified of being gagged. Before they play for the first time, they discuss her fear. Is this something she is taking off the table entirely, or is it something she needs to build up to? What is it about being gagged that's a problem for her? All these things can be explored and used as the story progresses.

Getting clear consent through open communication is more than a simple yes or no once at the beginning of the relationship. It's ongoing communication throughout the story. I mean, how many romances are out there that use miscommunication as a plot device to separate the couple?

I can tell you, it's a lot, and to be honest, it's one of my least favorite things about the genre. The author has spent the entire book building the relationship. Building trust and communication. Then BAM! It's gone in a heartbeat.

For that reason, it's rare I use miscommunication as a plot device. There are so many other options such as family obligations, some sort of danger, an injury, or any other number of outside options.

Conflicts arise in relationships and that's great for creating a good story and miscommunication can and does happen, but that doesn't mean it needs to fester and grow. Addressing potential issues head-on allows character to grow, learn from their mistakes, and develop a strong connection.

Writing Sizzling Chemistry in Spicy Romance Novels

The one crucial element that keeps readers captivated in spicy romance novels is the electric chemistry between the characters. It's the tension, the fiery attraction, and the emotional connection that contributes to creating an engaging reading experience.Understanding this is essential to writing sizzling chemistry.

Creating well-rounded and compelling characters makes them relatable. Each character should have a distinct personality with a backstory that's relevant to their desires, goals, and flaws in their character. If a character is unable to commit to a relationship, then there needs to be a reason. If not, it makes them appear shallow and one dimensional. It's difficult for a reader to connect emotionally with character like this. And if they can't connect emotionally, if their not emotionally invested, then they'll have a hard time feeling a connection between the new main characters.

 

 

Having two well-rounded characters also helps move the story line along. It creates potential drama points, tripping points for the character or the relationship. And these 'hazards' can be used to set up passionate interactions between the love interests.

These conflicts can be anything. They can come from external sources like a family member who disapproves of the relationship. Or they can be internal, like one person doesn't feel worthy of love because of something in their past. Past baggage, external conflict, or even a heightened sense of danger, can create an opportunity to ignite passions and deepen the connection to push the relationship forward.

 One of the first things I heard when I was a newbie author was that you need to show, not tell and dialogue is a great way to do that. It's also a powerful way to build chemistry. Is your character a big flirt? Let the dialogue show that. Are they extremely independent? A dirty talker? Dialogue is the perfect place to showcase this. Some of my favorite scenes are those laced with lots of dialogue.

Using descriptive words that evoke emotion in the reader is another great way to amp up the chemistry. The word an author chooses to describe a situation can be a driving factor as to whether or not the reader cares what's going on or not. Saying a character walked into a room isn't an impactful as saying the ran, or marched, or stomped. 

The same is true when describing a budding romance. 

He saw her across the room.

Or

He watched at her from across the room, refusing to look away.

Those two phrases create two different images in a readers mind. One could be anyone noticing someone from afar. The other feels more intense. In a romance it could be used to create tension leading to some sexy times, or the same sentence in a thriller could be used to instill fear. Either way, it's ramping up emotion.

In spicy romance, building anticipation is key. Whether it's done in a page or half the story, teasing the readers and escalating the heat is an important element is grabbing and holding a readers attention. A sense of yearning keeps readers on the edge of their seats, waiting for the moment when the characters will finally come together...or come together again...keeping them turning the page.

Currently Reading - More Than Love You

 

 

 

 

 

Next up is More Than Love You by Shayla Black. This is the third book in the series.

  

I'm Noah Weston. For a decade, I've quarterbacked America's most iconic football team and plowed my way through women. Now I'm transitioning from star player to retired jock - with a cloud of allegation hanging over my head. So I'm escaping to the private ocean-front paradise I bought for peace and quiet. What I get instead is stubborn, snarky, wild, lights-my-blood-on-fire Harlow Reed. Since she just left a relationship in a hugely viral way, she should be the last woman I'm seen with. 

On second thought, we can help each other.... 

I need a steady, supportive "girlfriend" for the court of public opinion, not entanglements. Harlow is merely looking for nonstop sweaty sex that wrings pleasure from her oh-so-luscious body. Three months-that's how long it should take for us both to scratch this itch and leave our respective scandals behind. But the more I know this woman, the less I can picture my life without her. And when I'm forced to choose, I'll realize I don't merely want her in my bed or need her for a ruse. I more than love her enough to do whatever it takes to make her mine for good.

 

Amazon