What Turns You On? by J Perry Stone
It is no secret that in the business of romance, sexuality is a very individual thing. What turns me on may make you snooze while what turns you on may make me scared. Sexuality is complicated and always in the eye of the beholder. It’s no wonder people who’ve been married for eons say the sex only gets better. Uh yeah, because after 40 years, he or she better the hell know what the other likes! Even Wikipedia defines human sexuality as “how people experience the erotic and express themselves as sexual beings.” If that doesn’t sum up how case-specific sexuality is, I don’t know what does.
That said, every person is the expert of their own sexuality. The act of sex itself, however, is pretty basic. Even in the world of Romancelandia, it’s become cliché to say, “put tab A into slot B.” There’s nothing new under that sun. We all have the same parts. We all know where to put them. But it is the other things--the words, the movements, even the settings--that flavor sex to a person’s individual tastes.
As I am the expert of my own sexuality, I write what I like. But I might not have such a clear picture of what I like had I not first read what I liked. I can’t tell you how many titles of books I’ve forgotten, how many characters’ names—even authors’ names—but I have never, EVER forgotten those few situations where the writer happened to tap into my own personal brand of oh la la. Those scenes are branded on my brain. Of course, some of my favorite authors aren’t that strong when it comes to the heat, but I’m not talking about character-development here. I’m talking about what turns people on.
As for me, I like to read situations where the characters skate that fine line between traditional and oh my God. Don’t mistake me. I am not one of those people who wears rubber and owns a ball-gag and I’m not too keen on reading about characters who do either. I believe in a couple falling in love and pursuing their happily ever after together. But I also don’t want to read traditional June Cleaver sex. This is my escape, after all. I’ve bought this book and I want the fantasy I paid for. The missionary position is fine as long as there is some sort of umph in the scene. And by umph I could mean something as minor as a salacious little line of dialogue the hero whispers into the heroine’s ear--something that makes me squirm a little, but not feel oogy.
As for the authors whose sexual prose I can get on board with, here’s my list:
Gaelen Foley
Christina Dodd
Lisa Kleypas
Judith Ivory
Elizabeth Hoyt
Now it’s your turn. Tell me what turns you on and which authors help to get you there.
Books by the Crew
141 comments:
Naughty girl! Hmmmm. Emma Holly, lurv Emma! Allison Tyler...editor Violet Blue for collecting tales that truly titilate...
Common themes? Unusual settings, domination, multiple partners, mild kink...Being swept away by lust, no matter the consequences. Mildless fucking... Humor. Love humor!
How I love being first! I may not be checking much today, ladies...and blast! What a wonderful topic for the day.
Don't exhaust everyone, J! My blog is tomorrow!
I'm addicted to all books by Lora Leigh :) I love her level of heat.
Emma Holly
Nicole Jordan
Stephanie Laurens
Toni Blake
Lisa Kleypas
Gaelen Foley
Keri Arthur
Anna Campbell
I buy all those authors not just for great stories but for their scorching heat index.
It wasn't my idea, 2nd. It actually came up at the family dinner table. I gave my husband a panicked look, told him I had no ideas for this blog, he shrugged and said, "Write about what turns you on."
Well, shit. Plain as the nose on my face.
I'm adding to my own list now.
And Tiff, I totally forgot about Anna Campbell. She's uber hot. Dammit, and Toni Blake too. As for the others, my TBR is going skyscraper today.
2nd, domination by whom? Or doesn't it matter?
"personal brand of oh lala." LOL, but you nailed it, so to speak. It is a very individual thing. I am also a big fan of Elizabeth Hoyt's historicals, btw. The writers I like tend to do great characterization (and often a fair amount of humor) and bring that to the bedroom. I don't want to read a biology report or even a sex manual. What makes it hot for me is the chemistry between the two characters. One author who, IMO, totally excels in this area is Kresley Cole. I am utterly addicted to her Immortals After Dark paranormal series. Yeah, the sex scenes in those books are fantastic, but I wouldn't care if she hadn't written such compelling, engaging characters and unique plots.
PS I read a book one time that, if you had described to me, I would have probably said "pass." The unique sexual dynamic between those characters was not--or I guess I should say wouldn't usually be--my cup of tea. And yet the author carried it off in a way that stuck with me for a long time: Laura Kinsale's Shadowheart. I believe it won the RITA.
It's true, Tanya. As much as I've tried to imply, you can't really isolate the heat factor without characterization. It's a funny thing. The ability to do great character-development is certainly a prerequisite when it comes to the heat, but character skills alone don't guarantee the sizzle either. There is something more I can't quite verbalize. Some sort of sexual rebelliousness that translates onto the page, but doesn't go too far ... at least for me.
Writing down Kresley Cole right now.
Great blog, J. I too need good characterization and a well-written story to be turned on by the sex. Insert Tab A into Slot B just doesn't work for me. The heat has to make sense within the framework of the story. I just finished a review book by a new-to-me author that had me squirming in the best possible way. ;-) It was LUCAN by Susan Kearney and I loved it! In one particular scene she took the sex in a direction that typically wouldn't do it for me but because that encounter was so critical to the growth of the characters, the strength of their relationship and the eventual outcome of the story, it totally worked for me.
I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Hoyt's historicals. That woman knows how to write a love scene!
J--Great post. I really had to think about this entirely too hard. Maybe I should try my hand at inspirational! Seriously, I think the character development stands out moreso than the scene that's why I loved Vicki Lewis Thompson's first two nerd books and then quickly got scared after that.
I still remember my very first "oh la la" scene in the first Regency I ever read. It was a corny line about his sword and her sheath, but I was 12 and had led a very sheltered life. Cut me some slack!
Great blog, J! :)
Huh, own personal brand of oh la la, huh? I like a lot of those referenced above. Lisa Kleypas. I love Sherrilyn Kenyon and JR Ward (though Ward's few excursions into bondage--particularly Vishous' book--left me a little meh).
I've heard some readers say, even some on this ship, that they skim over the sex scenes in some books, but I can't imagine doing that. A sex scene is just as important, if not more important, than every other scene in a book. Or should be anyway.
I was surprised the first time I read Lora Leigh that I really liked her stuff. Though maybe not as surprised as Tiff was that I read it. LOL! Not every one of her books works for me, but some of it does.
Chance brought up the Dom/Sub stuff. That one doesn't interest me as much. I've found I like more equality and give and take rather than the imbalance there. But to each her own.
BTW - I opted out of some photos I could have added here. Yes, I considered the ball gag, but decided against it. :)
I find that Toni Blake is plenty hot enough for me!
I'm heading for the beach and hills later, so a really highbrow intellectual discourse is just the ticket for prep *grin*
Seems to me that sex and sinful lust are areas best not analysed. You have to feel, experience and dream.
Talking of dreams, sex in zero G is fascinating. Everything sits up perkily with no gravity and anyone can adopt the most outrageously acrobatic postures. Y'all should try it! :lol:
Nuf said. :oops:
Have I missed something or are they sending quantum physics professors to the space station these days?
My newest favorite writer is Elizabeth Hoyt. She brings it. I think her writing is as sexy as Lisa Kleypas', but her historical voice is much deeper--and we know what I think about the importance of historical voice!
However, it's not like I'm shunning Kleypas books. (That Scandal one aside. And don't razz me about it, Sin, even Island Girl agreed with me that it was a dirty trick! She asked me what happened to the gypsy boy. I didn't even bring the topic up.) I love Kleypas books--esp her contemporaries because we're so fully in POV, I'm right there...with Hardy Cates. And I *so* want to be with Hardy Cates.
Laurell K. Hamilton's Blake series are pretty hot. I enjoy them much more than I care to admit, considering the hostilities that arise upon bringing up that series. *LOL* ("It's nothing but pornography!" Perhaps. But really nicely done pornography, and I still believe the characters' motivations and actions--so it's okay.)
terrio Says:
Have I missed something or are they sending quantum physics professors to the space station these days?
Terri, I believe that there are some cheaper earth based simulators, but time is fully booked with boring experiments like growing semiconductor crystals with no defects.
Thats why the dream bit is necessary at present!
Lord, I knew I should have read the comments first. I cannot believe I forgot to put Sherrilyn Kenyon and Anna Campbell on my list--they're both hotter than two dollar pistols and do great characterization. Gah!
Some people on this ship skip the sex scene? That's okay. I make up for them. I sometimes read the sex scene twice if it's really good. (Although I did skip one once--but that was because the H/H had the chemistry of a brother and sister and you do not want to read about your brother and sister having sex!)
Oh hell, I forgot Toni Blake.
Lara Adrian
JR Ward
Keri Arthur
Lisa Kleypas
Cathy Maxwell
Andrea Kane (back in the day)
Linda Lael Miller
I notoriously skip sex scenes in books. In my defense, I'm a speed reader. If I don't see something that catches my eye, I pass on it.
Who says you have to have zero G force in order to get into crazy positions... *raising eyebrow*
Anita Blake has had her fair share of awesome sex, I must agree with that Hellie. Laurell K. Hamilton is a great sex scene writer.
Totally agree, PJ. And isn't it interesting that if the character-development is top-notch, the author can stretch their readers' sex-comfort-zones??? I'm tucking that little bit of knowledge away!
Sally, bull caca! You count yourself out too quickly. If you remember your first Reg. sex scene from all those years ago, it obviously made an impression. Impression-making is key!
Marn, yeah. I've liked a lot of Ward's work too but she did go a little far for in that one. As Ter says, "That one doesn’t interest me as much. I’ve found I like more equality and give and take rather than the imbalance there. But to each her own."
To each her own is the most important thing I can stress.
Quantum! Quantum! You've got ME speechless. Your thinking isn't only out-of-the-box...it's out-of-this-world.
Ter, I was surprised you didn't go with the ball-gag, but I think the pictures you chose more accurately compliment the point I was trying to make. I'm not trying to shock. I just want to discuss. Gorgeous job, as always.
Hellie, why? What didn't work for you with Kleypas' last historical because I adored it.
And what is it about Hoyt?? Why does she "bring it"? What does she do, specifically?--because I agree.
Why is Laurell K. Hamilton a great sex scene writer?
What does she do that's different?
Sin, I admit to sometimes skipping a sex scene, but I never skip THE sex scene. By that I mean the first one. The others authors sometimes add feel to me like token sex ... a scene inserted just to get a HOT rating on RT.
Q - Makes perfect sense.
Sin - Some of us would need anti-gravity is all he's saying. We're not all as limber as you.
As to LKH, I think the question is more "What doesn't she do?"
For me, LKH pushes the envelope in her sex scenes. Not so much of the random sex and the multiple partners but by how Anita deals and feels about it. I know Hellie's head is spinning right now (I did say that I gave up the books because for a while they were nothing but sex) but I gave up because before it was all about just sex, there was a lot of story that went into the sex. So if I do read a sex scene, that is why I read it, the story within the sex scene. Not just the sex. Reading just about the sex is like having a one night stand with someone you went downstairs to the bar looking for and aren't really attracted to, it's just sex.
When I think of hot writers, I think more about the sexual tension they create in the stories. Elizabeth Lowell writes incredible sexual tension. Steams pours off those pages.
I remember when I was 17 and read a book by Nan Ryan, the sex scene was so incredible, I called my mom and said, "I don't think I'm a virgin anymore."
LOL!
Ter, LOL. I can't imagine calling my mother to say that. LOL
You don't have to be that limber. Just inventive. *g*
And I agree that many writers seem to be including more sex for sex sake. Make it hotter! Make it sexier! How about make it a really good story!?
I'll remind you of that in 10 years when you're whining that you slept wrong and can't move your neck.
That happens to me now. In ten years, I'm going to have a name tag on my boob that tells me what my name is.
I could do that. But the name tag would keep getting closer and closer to my waist. I don't need that kind of reminder.
Me either. Thanks for reminding me. Now I'm depressed. LOL
*grin*
Sin,I could remind you if you put my email address on the name tag.
Though I might be in space by then! 8)
*wg* Q, you are so wicked.
Hellie, why? What didn’t work for you with Kleypas’ last historical because I adored it.
Oh, I loved the last historical. It was the Scandal in Spring I didn't care for. But that was just me. And Island Girl. Everyone else loved it. *LOL*
When I was working as a CP with Haleigh, her sex scenes were untouchable. If you're out there Hal, I mean that as the highest compliment. You know how it is, when you critique (or are supposed to critique) but totally forget to comment? It's because the writing is so seamless. Especially, in the sex scene, the writing has to be seamless - - it's the last place you want to jar the reader out of the story!
The actual sex scene (not the leading up to it) is still difficut for me to write. It's one of my top three reasons for writer's block! When I'm at that part, I go on a "research" binge and drag out a box of books looking for the "how'd they do that?" I know it has to fit with the characters, MY characters specifically, but it at least gets me past the "now what?" and sparks some ideas.
The range of sensuality is of course all over the place. I want to be a coward sometimes when writing and just go with the leave it to the reader's imagination (the door closes, etc.), but not if it leaves the reader feeling cheated.
Hal is the bomb.
Great blog, J Perry!
I'm on board with Lisa Kleypas, Elizabeth Hoyt and Anna Campbell. I would also add to my list Madeline Hunter, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and maybe some early Mary Balogh (her angsty stuff).
I think what these authors do as I'm reading the story is make me extremely uncomfortable and then make it okay in the end. I'm not making sense... okay it's like they take the hero or heroine and make them go in a direction they really don't want to go in (not necessarily sexually) or put them in a situation that is their worst nightmare and then they resolve it beautifully. And all of this intensity just flows into the sexual tension and usually the sex scenes. Does that make sense?
(Sorry, I was a little clearer the first time I wrote it and hit the wrong button and lost it all. UGH!!) I'm also running out the door so I'm in a hurry. Check back in later!
Oh! I have to add Teresa Medeiros to the list of favorites. Her sex scenes have a lot of imagery and I can think of the occasional prop or two! lol It's from a while ago, but I recently re-read ONE NIGHT OF SCANDAL, and the love scene on the piano...now that made an impression.
Hit send before I was done. Grrrrrrrrrrrr
Anyone read a sex scene set somewhere and then thought, "Hmmmmm....I wonder what that would be like?"
And we have to exclude the beach and shower, I'm talking a *different* location.
Melissa brings up a good topic.
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
Again, I'm re-reading older books (bad, bad, me not to be supporting authors and buying new in the book store!), but in Amanda Quick's RAVISHED, the hero and heroine first make love in a cave when the tide came in. Besides being a different setting, it accompished many things, when I think about it. By trapping them together in the cave, they were cold (how do they get warm?), she was afraid (how does he comfort her?), and when they are able to get out in the morning, because it was a historical setting, the heroine was compromised. They had to marry. Loved it!
What about bent over the bureau? There was this lovely visual in Lily & the Major (which I got done re-reading and had forgotten they had done every where, all the time, and never the same place twice)--where Caleb cut down the walls of both their houses (their walls are right next to each other) and she shoved up a bureau to block the hole. She climbs over the bureau into his house while he's gone, steals his chicken soup, then climbs back over--and he catches her--and takes her against the bureau.
And there is some banter and alpha male territorial pissing...all great fun.
And the LKH books again--I was rereading Blood Noir--and the opening sex scene was interesting. It was where I realized, "Hey I do enjoy M/F/M sex--huh."--but as Sin says, it has more to do with how Anita deals with the sex that makes the sex so hot. Because Anita's not real comfortable about the M/F/M and more sex that goes on...*LOL*
Oh, the compromising sex. That's always good in Historicals. And common. Do you think it was that common in real life? LOL! Though I liked that in Eloisa's latest, the compromising did not lead to a forced marriage. Though technically, is a woman compromised if she's done it but they weren't caught? Then, she's de-flowered, but not necessarily compromised.
Or is she?
I wrote a scene where they are bent over the kitchen counter, but I'm not sure how well that worked. Not all that believable on the comfort scale, ya know?
Oh, your kitchen sex was believable. *LOL* Don't you worry.
I think compromising sex was pretty common. *LOL* VERY common. And even at some church revivals. :)
Good to know. LOL! And the irony, the kitchen sex is NOT in the chef story. ;)
I knew I could count on Chance today.
All great suggestions. LOL!
Locations...aboard a sailing ship at night against the railing. In a dark club, in a corner, against a wall. In a changing room at a boutique. In a booth at an exclusive restaurant that caters to kink.
Domination..."I'm gonna take you and you are going scream out my name."
Gulp. "Yes, sir."
While holding hands above head, pressed up against the wall, eyes locked, mingling breath.
*gotta go now! ;)
At the Renaissance Faire, in custume, behind the stage, midnight.
Back seat of a limousine, broad daylight, one man watching.
Cruise ship, dark corner, in the rain...
I really gotta go now!
Talk later!
Terri says, "technically, is a woman compromised if she’s done it but they weren’t caught? Then, she’s de-flowered, but not necessarily compromised.
Or is she?"
That's a great question. In RAVISHED, the heroine isn't caught (by Society), but in the hero's mind, because he is honorable, she is compromised. HE acknowledges it to himself the minute he knows the tide is coming in and they are going to be trapped. But it's not that simple. He proposes, but because Society doesn't think the hero is honorable (his dark, misunderstood past), her family tries to cover it up. And later, the heroine is actually kidnapped by some other guy who tries to compromise her by dragging her off to Gretna Green. She's rescued by the hero, but the point is it's all about what Society thinks happened.
"aboard a sailing ship at night against the railing."--
ABSOLUTELY NOT. No railings. Dumb bastard might let go and then what would happen? That's right, fall back off the railing to my death. No thank you. *pauses* UNLESS...we're front to back...and I'm bent over the railing rather than depending on his ass to make sure I don't go flying off it. I might go for that one.
Anyone ever read Kasey Michaels' Indiscreet--HILARIOUS--and best opening hook ever. Railing sex. Both die.
I take that back, the hero, doesn't actually "propose" but TELLS her they are going to be married. Asking, would be asking too much of a hero. lol
Now we're cooking.
Chance - I've read one where it took place in a limo and two other guys were watching. I must not be the exhibitionist type, that didn't do much for me.
Though I notice you never mention whether any of these are real life or in books. LOL!
Melissa - It was all about perceptions and not so much reality, wasn't it? You could have been a saint but if people *thought* you were a whore, you were a whore. And of course, no alpha hero *asks* for anything. LOL! Until he grovels.
Hellie - Interesting picture you've painted. What if the seas are calm? LOL! Though if one or the other gets seasick, that could be really bad.
I think it depends on how high the railing is. And we're talking about a historical--how many people knew how to swim? You'd be amazed by the number of sailors on a ship who couldn't swim.
The people who died off this railing was because they hit the ground below. However, I think if you fall from a high enough spot, it doesn't matter if there's water below--you're creamed.
Just from the books I've read recently I really loved Victoria Dahl's sex scenes in her contemps. Start Me Up is a perfect example.
Kiss of a Demon King from Kresley Cole was a bit different for me. To that point I'd only read a few hints at some super steamy stuff and i did enjoy her scenes in that book and it *might* (LOL) have started my interest in the steamier writers. *grins wickedly*
LKH - I enjoy her Merry Series but not always all of her sex scenes. Sometimes I'm like "umm...no" but I do keep reading.
I find that its according to how much I love the characters as to how hot a sex scene I appreciate. If they spar a lot and I love their banter, I'll find I enjoy a little bit of naughtier sex with them. If I'm not as invested, I'd rather keep it sweet.
Oh, and its all according to whose writing the scene! Some authors just do it better! HAHAHAH!
Sabrina, is there something you're trying to tell us? LOL!
Hellie - You could always tether yourself to the ship. And at least the Caribbean waters are warmer.
Hellie said...Anyone ever read Kasey Michaels’ Indiscreet–HILARIOUS–and best opening hook ever. Railing sex. Both die.
OMG, yes! That's a classic! Also why I'd never consider a railing! lol
I do skip a lot of sex scenes. Many of them seem to me to have little to do with advancing story or developing character. They are just affixed to the book the way a kid puts seals on a Christmas package. Most of my favorite writers write at the warm or subtle level of sensuality rather than hot. Exceptions to this general preference are Jennifer Ashley, Adele Asworth, Anna Campbell, Christina Dodd, Jo Goodman, Elizabeth Hoyt, Judith Ivory, Laura Kinsale, Lisa Kleypas, and Julia Ross. For contemporaries, Toni Blake, Jennifer Crusie, Christina Dodd, Rachel Gibson, and Julie London.
But some of the scenes that would make my best list are writers who typically write warm--Mary Jo Putney in Thunder and Roses and Shattered Rainbows, Julia Quinn in When He Was Wicked, Loretta Chase in Lord Perfect.
I'm going to throw in here that I love Haleigh's sex scenes as well. She rocks them out. Sorry I've been away a big portion of the day.
I do go with people on the skip if they don't have something to do with the plot/story. And that I'm more for sexual tension than sex. Frankly, I've read some books where there's only one or two sex scenes but the book is so sexy that I don't even notice.
I know you read a lot, Janga, but that's a really long list of exceptions. LOL! I'm not a fan of the closed door, but as Marn mentions, if there's only one or two love scenes in a book but the story still sizzles, I have no problem with it.
In fact, I'm pretty sure my WIP is only going to have a couple of sex scenes. Maybe three at the most. I guess I better make sure the tension is there.
So, if the couple has sex several times, but the author sort of shuts the door on a couple of them, does that still work for everyone?
Ter - I only have three sex scenes scheduled in my WIP. But there's a lot of other stuff.... And I think it's pretty steamy, at least some parts of it are.... I hope....
And I'd like to throw my hat in now to be one of Hal's beta readers. LOL! When can I get a glimpse at these scenes?
LOL! Hal has this scene against a bureau in her latest WIP. And the hero hates the heroine at that point but it's sooo hot between them. Really. I was supposed to be critting but I hit the end of the chapter and I was like, crap! I need to make some comments here... LOL!!
LOL! Sometimes "Aaaaahhhhh" is the only comment necessary.
That's the hard part, Marn. I can't tell if what I've written is actually hot. I send it to Hellie and she tells me. LOL!
We need some hot-o-meter in Word or something.
Ahhhhh is fairly complimentary, I'd say.
LOL! I'd buy that app.... LOL!!
And I can't tell either. Hal reads it and tells me it's hot. And she writes hot stuff so I think I'm doing ok...
lol!!
Terri says, "So, if the couple has sex several times, but the author sort of shuts the door on a couple of them, does that still work for everyone?"
I think if it follows the long, hot sexy scene then the "shut the door" is almost necessary. Even the hero and heroine aren't taking a break, maybe the reader needs a break? lol
I was thinking along the lines of the H/H can have sex often, but not every encounter is going to move the story forward. Sometimes it's just great sex.
I see this often in Nora's books or in Historicals when the couple is happily married and boffing away before the big black moment comes that ruins everything. I remember in Sugar Daddy where Liberty first has sex with Gage and though we get the first time, the next morning she says something about him doing things to her that must be illegal in some states. We didn't actually read those things, but we can fill that part in with our imaginations. LOL!
Terri, that sounds like a perfect balance; to fill parts in with our imagination but not skip the first time!
Terri, my exceptions number 15 out of a list of 145 authors. That's roughly 10%, so I think of them as exceptions. :)
My own writing is absolutely in the subtle to slightly warm range. But I remember once you read a snippet from what qualifies as one of my sexy scenes, and your response was, "Nipple! I can't believe Janga used the word "nipple,'" LOL!
That was my reactions? LOL! Was I drinking? You never know with me. LOL! And there is plenty of steam between Dory and Max. No worries about that!
I bet I have that many authors' books in my house. It's just that 100 of them are one I've yet to read.
Melissa - I think there's something to be said for giving the reader what they need and letting them take over the rest. Plus, that scene totally upped Gage's sex appeal. With that one sentence!
Okay, everyone has such great picks! ALL of those authors are AWESOME! I JUST(few days ago) discovered Maya Banks. Then I found Lauren Danes. I've liked Megan Hart since reading Stranger a few months ago. And Jackie Barbosa and Emma Petersen AND Victoria Dahl know how to write a terrific love scene. And then there's Kresley Cole and Meljean Brook. SO MANY good ones!
Great post, J Perry! I love characters exploring their sexuality. I think that's a HUGELY important part of the story. I feel unsatisifed if the author closes the door or describes minimally.
I'm back. Kids are downstairs doing homework and I'm upstairs blogging about sex (and feeling much like a John with his whore).
Ahem.
Not really though.
So Hellie said: "And there is some banter and alpha male territorial pissing…all great fun."
That made me wet myself. And SO true.
I have a problem with sex scenes where the heroine is pretzel-ized or in any other situation that might be physically uncomfortable. That second bout after she lost her virginity in a 9 hour span?? Makes me mad.
Lots of sex does not hotness make.
Good sex, however ....
Janga wrote "nipple"?
And Hal, do share.
Sabrina, I haven't read Victoria's contemp yet, but I will now.
Seriously. I have the Chrysler Building of TBR's.
Melissa, Ravished you say? Okay. And I love it when a hero tells rather than asks. Demands, however ... well, then he's just a prick. There's a fine line between prick and hot.
Kelly, I'm with you. I've read a few romances where the author closed the door on the sex and I felt like I was mugged or something--like I bought candy and they forgot to add the sugar.
I remember listening to a Susan Wiggs on a road trip not long ago. I'd never read her before. I loved the story but there was this great foreplay, all hot and bothered, and then it was the afterglow. It was like being dropped off a cliff and landing a foot in a half down.
I nearly drove off the road. LOL!
That is so wrong, Terri. You were left with the aches and no ahhhh.
Exactly. It was like premature page turning only the pages weren't there.
Did you contract a case of blue-eyes?
Unfortunately, I always have those. ;)
This convo made me think of something I saw the other day where in a review of a Lora Leigh book, the reviewer made some comment about "give us more vagina." LOL! Lora does tend to go for the back door quite often. At least in what I've read. LOL!
Not that anyone on this ship knows anything about that.
Geez, one flippant joke about anal and the convo comes to a screeching halt.
When did we become Puritan Pirates?! LOL!
I think it's a matter of taking the 5th.
*ROTF* "Did you contract a case of blue-eyes?"--ALL THE TIME.
And I'm also shocked and delighted that Janga used the word "nipple"--you go JANGA! (And I'm sure your scenes are more sensual than you give credit for.)
I think it's hilarious readers are asking for more vagina. Seriously.
Terri, some of us Puritan Pirates have day jobs--as much as that might be difficlut to believe with my constant stream of comments--and it's registration week, so it's a bit busy. I can't turn to the student next to me and go, "I'll be right with you as soon as I post my comment about anal sex!"
But you can tell your boss you're practices dance routines? Yeah, sure.
J - Parlay!
I always have to work when the good stuff gets talked about.
Contract a case of the blue eyes. LMFAO
Yeah, I don't think I've ever been considered in the same conversation as being a puritan pirate. LOL
I've not read Lora Leigh, not that it bothers me about the back door sex, but just because I tried to read one and I just couldn't get into her voice. *shrug*
LOL! :)
I haven't read Lora Leigh so I don't know what we're talking about... *whistling softly*
Sin - I've only read a couple of the Navy Seal ones. You know me, no para stuff. Avoid that like, well, I could go with so many metaphors here.
It's not the cleanest writing, but I was totally fascinated by the Prince Albert.
Had to google what you were talking about, Terr, and then when I did, I was like, "AAAAHHHHHH!" Run away!
Where's your sense of adventure?
Welllll, I'd do pretty much anything once--no bungee jumping--but mostly the "Aaaaaahhhhhh" is "OMG! Didn't that hurt, idiot? WTF were you thinking?"
I mean that pretty much sets a standard of pain tolerance or like I don't think I could match. I like rainbows and kittens in my sex.
I'm guessing it would REALLY hurt to have it done, but in the book I think it's explained away as "gotten on a drunken binge in Singapore years ago." But don't you think that could hit some interesting spots?
No idea why this fascinates me, and I'll never have the option of answering this question in real life, but still. I can't help but wonder.
I'm sorry but it kinda fascinates me as well. Which probably comes as no shock. I love guys with their nipples pierced too. Still trying to convince the DH to do it. He's probably got the right idea though by not. We'd never be able to get out the door to go to work. *laughing*
I've always wondered if it would be a bit like the whole girl getting her tongue pierced business. You know with the Prince Albert and the sensation and the sensation they get with the tongue being pierced. Hm.
I'm still cracking up over Hellie's response. “OMG! Didn’t that hurt, idiot? WTF were you thinking? LMFAO I can just see you saying it.
“OMG! Didn’t that hurt, idiot? WTF were you thinking?
My thoughts exactly!
But don’t you think that could hit some interesting spots?
It's not always a matter of "can it hit the interesting spot" but "can it vibrate while it does it?"--so if it vibrated, I'd be all over it. Literally, figuratively, metaphorically...
Nipple piercings I can kinda live with. Belly button ring, okay...but bling below the belt makes me wonder, "What is so *ugly* about your junk, you thought putting a ring and some diamonds on it would make it more attractive?"
WTF were you thinking sums me up completely.
Just Ouch. Ouch, for crying outloud.
I'm not sure I would have wanted to spend time in the sack with a guy stupid enough to do that to themselves.
Hellie says: “What is so *ugly* about your junk, you thought putting a ring and some diamonds on it would make it more attractive?”
LMFAO!!
PS, a couple of my old BFs/flings were kinda into piercings and tats and stuff and I never saw/heard legend of one of these (because clearly that would make it around in a circle of acquaintances, ya know). I think it takes a special sorta fellow. Like, special needs.
LMAO!! That is a special need, i guess....
Like, special needs.
Yeah, like oooo-glie junk.
And I'm definitely turning down a bedroom romp if the guy has his navel pierced.
Seriously.
He could have the same stud as me.
OMG
LMFAO
This whole conversation is just killing me.
And there is an equivalent piercing for women. I don't think I could do it and it's not the pain tolerance issue. I think it's a matter of cleanliness.
Not to mention there is a piercing named after me *shudder* That was an accidently find.
He could have the same stud as me.
That's just nightmare waiting to happen.
"OMG! Where did you get your ring?" he exclaims, flapping his hands. "I got mine at Hot Topic!"
I do not want my men to discuss jewelry with me. No. And I don't want to discuss football with them. It's a fair trade.
One named after you? What's it called and more importantly, WHERE is this piercing located?
Seriously it's more like, "This person LIKES pain. I so cannot deliver on that." *LOL* I mean a little nail scratching is not going to cut it.
I think that's where my squeamish comes from. No way anyone comes at that area of my bod with a needle. *shudders* I like it just fine the way it is. It needs no decorative touches.
I like it just fine the way it is. It needs no decorative touches.
That's because your junk's not ugly. Just keep saying that.
If anyone comes with a needle to do that, you better make sure I'm strapped down to the table because your head will be decapitated from your body with one of my donkey kicks if you try, don't think I won't.
LMAO A little nail scratching is not going to cut it. LMFAO. Maybe a little hair pulling should be in order as well. With a leather crop whip.
And it's only a 14 gauge needle. It's not that bad.
Think about what my actual name is. And it's located south of the equator.
"“This person LIKES pain. I so cannot deliver on that.” *LOL* I mean a little nail scratching is not going to cut it."
No joke. LMAO!
Hellie, you're killing me. LOL
And if a guy flapped his arms around and told me about his belly button piercing adventures, I'd push him out the nearest window.
Not that I have to worry about that now.
Seriously, that's why you feel a guy up before you get into the bedroom.
Terri worries we're not being chatty enough, then she drops a PRINCE ALBERT into the conversation and leaves. Gah.
She's probably paralyzed in front of her computer, scrubbing her eyes to see my name all over this convo. LMAO!!
Part of me is surprised to see me in this convo too... LOL!!
Well, if Janga can say "Nipple", I think you can have your name all over this convo. *LOL* You're both in the kittens and rainbow territory.
I'm not surprised Marn. I always knew you had it in you. Not the Prince Albert... of course. LOL
You know, I still think Janga wins the scandalous award today for the nipple.
One short drive home and you all take off without me. LMAO!!! My kitten is getting worried. Both of them. ;)
Considering we've made an artform of adding glitter to our hoohas, this conversation is especially hysterical.
Marn - I was so sure you were going to say you dated a guy with one of these. I was on the edge of my couch cushion reading that comment.
If nothing else, this stream of comments could get me a date. I should put a link on all my social site pages. LMAO!
And I can't imagine dating any man who shops at Hot Topic. My little brother shops there. I'd feel like a total cougar.
I dated a man who shopped (shops still, I'm sure) at Hot Topic...and he flaps his arms.
Yes, but you dated him when you were both in your 20s. That's different. And my other brother, the arm flapper, shops somewhere else. Wherever the guys in Judad Priest used to shop.
Shit. And I have to follow this blog tomorrow? I hate you J.
It wasn't me. It was your dirty ship-mates!
You started it!
All I said was, "What turns you on?"
That coulda been anything from candlelight dinners to sweet nothings.
Yeah, I started the running but YOU were the spring board.
Direct 2nd Chance quote (and also the first comment, I might add):
"Common themes? Unusual settings, domination, multiple partners, mild kink…Being swept away by lust, no matter the consequences. Mildless fucking…"
Sorry. I'm sitting here laughing my hoo off about you all discussing sweet nothings.
The Pirates are anything but G-rated!!
Well...you asked! You ask a Californian girl what turns her on, she tells you!
Love the discussion about genital piercing...hee, hee. So sorry I missed this... My Blog is going to echo in silence tomorrow after this...
I know I'm totally innocent in all this.
PS, my DH caught a peek at this earlier and was all, "you guys talked about the Prince Albert today?" And then he rolled his eyes and shook his head.
I smiled innocently and sashayed into the other room.
:)
I bet you did, Marn. I bet you did. LOL
LMAO!
Well, we've got to be notorious, or what would be the point?
This conversation was almost as good as the one I had with my student worker who said, "I live near a strip club and some porn shops."
"Yeah, I said, the strip clubs can be a bit much, but the porn places aren't. Get drunk and go with friends."
"I hear that a lot."
"Yes, don't go alone--though I did go alone once, but it was strictly emergency."
And like ten minutes later my boss comes in and asks what we're laughing about--and I said, "Well we were just working on our dance routines." Which in innocence I showed her how to do a U-step for step class (because I finally learned it and was proud) and she showed me the OU fight song dance. He asked where the stripper pole was--and actually reference Miley Cyrus. (And if you met the guy you never would have thought he'd *HEARD* of Miley Cyrus.) I mean, this has been an odd day for conversation all around: my boss talking about stripper poles; Janga talking about nipples; Marn talking about piercings...
Where's the kittens? Where's the rainbows?
I must say J that I totally agree with what you wrote on " What Turns You On" When you read a romance novel it's not just about the sex! It's about the story and the emotion that leads you to the sex! You summed it up when you said that sex is pretty strait forward it is! But when you read about it you want to be able to feel what both the heroin and the hero are feeling you want to be able to put yourself in the story!
I love to read the old period romance better than the modern one for the sheer fact that there is more suspense that leads you into it! The more modern writers tend to give you more of a "wham bam thank you mam" approach which I hate because there is no romance just Sex for that you could just turn the t.v. to any prime time show see people have at it! But thats not the point you read a good romance to get lost in the story so that you can leave the every day crap behind, even if it's just for a little while.
For myself, I want to be able to relax and enjoy the time spent in the character's world and the sex has to be believable and the more romantic the better!
Some of my favorite writers include:
Johanna Linsey
Lisa Kleypas
Stephanie Laurens
Stephenie Meyer
Nora Roberts( some of her writing)
Jude Deveraux
Candace Camp
Amanda Quick
Robin Dehart
Norah Hess
Paulylbl,
Very well said. The escape, for me as well, HAS to about the romance first.
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