The Challenge of Writing Erotic Fiction

When people ask what genre I write in, I tend to hesitate and giggle…

I know  the moment I say “erotic fiction” the person will start to look at me differently.  So I like to hold onto those final few seconds before I let the truth drop.  It’s fun to see the comprehension cross their face as they realize what the word erotica means.

Next question is usually something like, “So do you write porn?” or  “Isn’t that like smut or something?”

Both questions make me laugh. If you are an erotica fan, you know that there are all kinds of books that fall within this category. True, some of it can be pushing the envelope of being something else, but good erotica, the kind that gets your toes curling and your engine revving, is about creating a story where the sexual elements enhance the tale, drive the story even, but the end result is a well written book that keeps the reader’s interest.

One of my challenges as an erotic fiction writer is to show readers that the storyline is just as important as the sex! Without a strong narrative,  the sex becomes boring. We want an emotional investment in our erotic characters just like we do with any other genre of fiction out there.

I hope the books in my Naughty Shakespeare series manage to hook you emotionally and get you hot and bothered at the same time. Shakespeare wrote these characters 400 years ago. All I did was provide them with a back story and spicy sex life. Ophelia’s Lessons is the first book in the series and is a modern day prequel to the play Hamlet.  You may recall that Ophelia was a tragic, doomed character driven to madness by Hamlet’s treatment of her. Ophelia’s Lessons explains why she was so infatuated with Hamlet and the lengths she would go to in order to capture his heart. Gone is the innocent young ingénue! She is replaced by a sexually vibrant young woman ready to explore all the acts of love--even if it means sleeping with Hamlet’s best friend, Horatio.

This erotic book is definitely not the story you read in high school English class!

So what category of erotic fiction does my Naughty Shakespeare series fall under? Good question! Because of the name “Shakespeare” it may be tempting to think this is historical erotica, but actually it’s best described as erotic romance. However, there are certainly many subgenres of erotica out there like steampunk erotica, fantasy erotica, paranormal, etc. You get the idea!

I encourage you to dive in to the Naughty Shakespeare series! Start with Ophelia’s Lessons and then venture on to Ravishing Rosaline (a prequel to Romeo and Juliet). Round it all out with The Taming of the Prude (a retelling of Taming of the Shrew). Look for new titles to be joining this series soon!

 May all your nights be erotic ones--Esmae Browder

The Naughty Shakespeare Series--Literotica

Well, I've finally got my first two books in the Naughty Shakespeare series up and running! I'm pleased to announce that Ophelia's Lessons and Ravishing Rosaline are both available now. I'm absolutely thrilled and hope that you'll drop by and check them out. Ophelia's Lessons will be available for free today and tomorrow and Ravishing Rosaline will be free on Sunday and Monday. I love being able to offer freebies, but I would appreciate it if you wouldn't mind dropping a short review of either one at Amazon. After all darlings, that's how us writers find out what our readers desire and need!

Tempt you into my erotic world  of prequels to the Bard's most famous works, I've included a synopsis of both tales and their Amazon link! Enjoy!

Sweet, innocent Ophelia--she wants nothing more than to marry Hamlet Elsinore. But what does a simple virgin know about pleasing a man like the sophisticated and charming Hamlet? Not a whole lot, but when her seductive roommate, Portia, learns of Ophelia’s interest, she gets Horatio to “teach” the innocent girl everything she’ll need to know to seduce his best friend, Hamlet. 

Horatio is a hot, experienced lover who claims virgins are his specialty. He explains she has what every man wants--an innocent look, but the potential to be a whore in the bedroom. Hamlet has particular tastes and likes his women to be submissive and sexually open--something Ophelia, due to a lack of experience, is not. While she doesn’t completely understand what he means, Ophelia’s confusion is swept aside when her virginity is taken by Horatio’s expert skills, and her world is opened up to a whole new way of thinking. 

Set in modern day, this prequel to Hamlet is steamy enough to have even the Bard blushing! Enjoy this first book of literotica in the Naughty Shakespeare series. 


Ophelia's Lessons

Ravishing Rosaline...Romeo's first love or so the story of Romeo and Juliet tells us. But who was she really? In this sizzling erotic tale, we are invited in to Rosaline's world--a place where women are expected to be chaste and submissive. But Rosaline isn't like that. Her pleasures know no bounds, her need for revenge against a former lover consumes her. She will do whatever it takes to get her desires met--even if it means taking Romeo away from Juliet. 

Once again, Esmae Browder delivers a modern day prequel to one of Shakespeare's most timeless romances. Ravishing Rosaline is Book 2 in her literotica Naughty Shakespeare series.


Ravishing Rosaline




Turn learn more about me visit my website at http://www.esmaebrowder.com

Timeless by Daisy Banks--a review

Let's face it. Today's cover is hot, hot, hot! It almost made me blush. But then again, romance is definitely the topic this month at All Things and since Valentine's Day was just yesterday, that cover captures the current mood of many people.

Or it conveys all too clearly what you didn't happen to you on Valentine's Day.

Regardless, today's book is a good belated Valentine to pass along to the special someone in your life.

 

 

 

Here is the publisher's blurb for Timeless:

 

Their love will be eternal, the legend says...if they survive.

Lonely and forced into a life of secrecy, 400-year-old Magnus finds Sian--the sexy music film producer who's working in his house-- tough to ignore. As she resists his alter ego when he invades her dreams to seduce her, her innate powers astound him, and his need only grows. In dreams or reality, he’s determined to make her his. She is meant for him alone.

Independent, hard-working Sian has hopes and plans for the future that include the stately house at Darnwell. Not its aloof owner. She's there to acquire the home for a video shoot, nothing more. By day, each layer she explores in Magnus's grand old home with him leads her deeper into love. But by night, he seduces her in her dreams, gives her ecstasy like she's never known. Then she learns his secret: Come the full moon, she is the only one who can control his wolf curse. First though, she has to survive it.

WARNING: Highly sensual with intense sexual encounters.

A Lyrical Press Paranormal Romance

 

Did you read that part about the WARNING? Ha! While I read just about anything, it's probably best that it's on there. I would hate for some sweet old lady to pick up this tale and get heart palpitations!

 

I found Timeless to be a lot of fun! I really enjoyed Magnus and thought he was a well developed character--physically, as well as, emotionally. He's got the older man wisdom mixed in with a charm that makes him oh-so-sexy. I did think at times he was a little suffocating for Sian, but that's also part of what creates some conflict between them.

 

 

Sian is also a vivid character. She makes some interesting fashion choices that only endear her to the boss man, a deviant character called Franklyn. I liked that she was an independent woman who didn't immediately fall into the main characters arms. She went through a lot of internal struggles that fit her character and helped build the tension.

 

I must admit that I'm not always a fan of dream sequences. They tend to be an overused tool for writers in the paranormal romance genre, but I thought Ms. Banks did an excellent job of keeping the action moving forward and making the dream stuff work.

 

When I read the blurb for this book originally, I missed the part where it mentions Magnus turning into wolf. So I was surprised when the book took that turn. However, I again felt that it didn't keep with the traditional werewolf rules and offered some nice twists to the story.

 

Let's talk about sex!

 

There's some good stuff in there if you are into erotic reading. On the other hand, if that kind of stuff is not your thing, skip those parts and read the rest. I'm always impressed when a writer can write a strong sex scene that doesn't come across as cheesy or unrealistic.

 

Overall, this book lit my fire. I hope it lights yours too! Click on the links below to get your copy today!

 

AMAZON LINK FOR TIMELESS BY DAISY BANKS

 

 

Daisy Banks is author of

Your Heart My Soul with Liquid Silver Books to be released 25^th March 2013

Timeless with Lyrical Press

Fiona’s Wish with Lyrical Press 2013 CAPA Nominee with The Romance Studio

A Matter of Some Scandal with Lyrical Press

Witch’s Mark with NCP

For more information about Daisy and her books visit http://daisybanksnovels.yolasite.com/