Thursday, February 2, 2012

Guest Blog + Giveaway: Ann Mayburn




Only Perverts Read Erotic Romance

I have a few real life friends that I talk to on Facebook in a private group that we’ll call ‘The Secret Society of Smut Loving Sluts’. These are women that I dragged, kicking and screaming, into reading erotic romance and women who-gasp of horror- ended up loving it. Now I’m sure some of you out there have embraced erotic romance with open arms and would gleefully share your latest steamy read with your grandmother. On the other hand, I’m sure there are those of you out there that would die a thousand deaths of embarrassment if anyone ever found out that you so much even peeked at the cover of one of these sexy books.

That’s ok! Seriously, not everyone is going to be interested in the heat level of erotic romance just like not everyone is going to be interested in a very sweet romance where the most the main characters ever do is kiss with their eyes closed and no tongue. ;) But I’ve found that there is a lot of confusion as to what erotic romance actually is and I know that a lot of people are missing out on some great books that they would really enjoy because they think erotic romance is the same thing as sleazy porn.


It isn’t.

Originally I wanted to write urban fantasy and romance. As I wrote my first book, ‘Blessed’, I found myself giving much attention to the sex and the sexual relationship as the rest of the story. I’d always hated behind the door sex scenes. I mean, let’s be honest, even when it’s ‘just sex’ there are a myriad of emotions and growth that go on. I believe each sexual encounter changes a relationship, it is impossible to be that physically close and not have it effect you somehow. So, when my beta readers read ‘Blessed’ they all commented on how steamy it was and how they felt like it was erotic romance(I don’t, Blessed is sensual on my personal erotica scale) and they really enjoyed my sex scenes and the tension I built.

I always write what I want, how I want and for me accepting the label of erotica lets me explore so many fascinating ideas and relationships that I would never be able to do under the mantle of a traditional romance. I guess that’s what erotica is to me as an author, freedom.

Let me try and break it down for you in an example. I’ll do the same short scene in sweet romance, bodice ripper romance, and erotic romance.

Sweet

Jane gazed up into Jack’s face as he looked out over their land, pride suffusing the hard angles of his mouth. He looked down at her and love, pure and simple, surged through her. As the sunset over the home where their children would someday laugh and play he kissed her and she held him close. Her man, her life, her husband.

Bodice Ripper

Jane gazed up into Jack’s face as he looked out over their land, pride suffusing the hard angles of his mouth. He looked down at her and love, pure and simple, surged through her. As the sunset over the home where their children would someday laugh and play. Her body flushed and grew needy as his eyes grew darkened with passion. His lips brushed over her own and she opened to him like a rose unfurling it’s petals to the sun, moaning deep in her throat as he turned the kiss demanding. His manhood pressed into her skirts and the area between her legs grew damp with want. She held him close, her man, her life, her husband.


Erotic Romance

Jane gazed up into Jack’s face as he looked out over their land, pride suffusing the hard angles of his mouth. He looked down at her and love, pure and simple, surged through her. As the sunset over the home where their children would someday laugh and play. She smiled up at him as he held her close, one clever hand inching its way up her ribcage to gently cup her breast. Her heart beat harder as his gaze turned intense, the look on his face alone hardening her nipples into aching nubs. He ran lazy circles around her breast, never quite touching where she wanted, where she needed him to. She tried to grab his hand and make him touch her, but he easily dodged her grasp and instead drew her in for a kiss. Their lips met and she opened for him, groaning into his mouth as his tongue stroked against hers. He shifted so one of his firm thighs was between her legs and he pressed up, all that hard muscle rubbing against her clit trapped behind her jeans. She stiffened as he slowly rocked her along his thigh and delighted in the way that her arousal always drove him crazy. When she cupped his erection through his pants he muttered an oath under his breath and swept her up into his arms, carrying her back to their home. She pressed her cheek against his chest and thanked God for sending him to her.

Of course this was just the roughest example of the difference between the genres, but I hope it gives you an idea of what I’m talking about. Erotic romance is no different from regular romance except instead of the story fading to black once the main characters close the bedroom door to have sex, we go right through that door with them and the sexual act has as much emotion and detail as the other parts of the story. Simple as that.

I hope I’ve intrigued you enough to give erotic romance a try, and to sweeten the deal I’ll be giving away a book of your choice from my backlist to one lucky commenter. :)




Visit Ann's website to see what books on her backlist.




a Rafflecopter giveaway






15 comments:

  1. Hello Ann! I make no apologies for loving erotic romance. I think they make for much more intense stories. I think erotic romance has become more popular in the last few years. It doesn't seem to have the stigma that it had a decade ago.

    geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com

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  2. ---Posting this from my FB page as they were unable to comment here--Hi Ann, I tried repeatedly to post a comment and was unsuccessful, so I'll post it here for you: Good day, Ann. You did a terrific job in providing the readers an example of the different "heat levels" of erotic romance. Well done! I do, however, disagree that erotica and erotic romance are the same thing. I view erotica as sex for the sake of sex...graphic and explicit, weak story. Erotic romance, on the other hand, consists of solid romance story in which the sex is graphic and explicit. What do you think?

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  3. ^^see above^^
    Yes, I totally agree that erotica and erotic romance are two different things and your explanation sums it up really well. :) While erotica isn't porn, it is more focused on the physical rather than the emotional relationship/journey.

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  4. I think you did a great job explaining the differences. I love erotic romance.

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  5. I have been wanting to read erotic romance for a while now and I think you did an excellent job of explaining. I would love to read your books. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  6. I love reading erotic romance stories. Although I do not let most people in my real life know it. Many of my family are very judgmental about things they do not know about, and view these steamy romances as "Porn". The really funny part is that why they put down what they don't know, they have a long history of watching PORN movies and magazines.

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  7. This was a really good post explaining the differences. I have a different outlook now.

    www.21saraloves.blogspot.com

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  8. Great examples! I read just about anything from sweet to hot it makes no difference as long as the story's good:) Thanks for the giveaway!

    yadkny@hotmail.com

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  9. Ok I suck, I don't FB or tweet. But I still wanted to comment.
    I like to keep my life to myself and talk to my friends in person. That being said I am not that private or reserved in the bedroom, I love my romance sweet and all. But sometimes you just like to have a well written erotica, hard to beat. And if it inspires some new thing..well my husband isn't complaining =) Great post!

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  10. Fabulous blog post on the difference in the genres. I thought each was an excellent example.
    I love all types of romance. I've only read a few inspirationals and I think they are my least fav. I love to mix up my genres.

    I cant seem to enter my name in the rafflecopters.

    MichelleKCanada - @AnotherLookBook

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  11. This is the message I get when I try to like on Facebook.

    This page can't be seen by the current user. Please check page privacy and visibility settings.

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  12. Great post!! I am a huge fan or erotic romance.

    I have only come across one woman who was against it - she wanted a book recommendation and I mentioned a Pamela Clare book - seriously Pamela Clare is a sexy writer but it is relatively tame.

    A few days later I asked her if she started the book and she said "Oh no, I can't read that. It was talking about her breasts and rubbing against each other."

    She was mortified......

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  13. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I honestly learn so much from you guys and I really value your feedback.

    Jodie- that made me giggle because I know people like that. ;)

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  14. Ohhhh Mrs. Smutty McTitters, you already know how I adore you and the kind of romance I like :))) Hope you're having a great day!!!


    xoxo
    stacey jo <3

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  15. Great post!! I like reading all three!!
    Thanks for the giveaway!!

    When I tried typing my twitter name it wouldn't show!
    Twitter @ParaRomParty

    Samantha Dacier

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