Colorful Reviews - Back Again For The First Time

Dear haters of erotic romance, and by association, haters of erotic romance authors and readers,

When I read comments like these by print authors it makes me even more diligent to get out the word about ebooks and erotic romance.

I have a little note I hope reaches every close minded, uppity, old school “traditional” romance writer who feels the need to bash erotic romance: Get the fuck over it. Erotic romance is here to stay, and has been around for a while. Ebooks have definitely accelerated the spread of erotic romance by introducing readers to different types of stories, but here’s a newsflash: many of those readers were looking for something spicier. I came upon ebooks through a PRINT author’s site. Yep, Emma Holly links to Angela Knight at EC in her recommended reads, and I’ll forever be thankful for that awakening in my young life. Before Emma Holly I gobbled up Susan Johnson and Robin Schone like candy. I gravitated toward the alpha males in Diana Palmer’s stories, and was pleasantly excited by Linda Howard’s more explicit scenes in Dream Man and the MacKenzie series. When my favorite authors lost their minds ventured into suspense and mystery, EC saved romance for me.

Erotic romance is not just about using four letter words and “kinky” scenarios. Many print authors who may not label their stories “erotic” still manage to write very compelling erotic stories without even using four letter words: Elizabeth Lowell’s earlier historical and western romances come to mind. And let’s not forget Dara Joy, a veteran in the game of paranormal, erotic and innovative romance stories who without a doubt has influenced authors like Jaid Black and Lora Leigh.

Wanna call it chick porn? You can call it whatever the hell you want, I don’t care either way, labels don’t scare me from picking up a good story or trying a new author. And they sure don’t stop my mother, who recently found one of my print EC books and demanded to know where she could get more, my sister who is now a regular Wednesday shopper at EC and who encouraged me to review so she knows which ones to pick up, my cousin who is bringing ISBN numbers to Borders to get her favorite ebooks in stock, and my friends who thank me as I email them about a new story I’ve enjoyed.

Given the already close-minded bias against romance within literary circles, I’m disappointed that writers and readers are turning on other members within our community. Print authors need not forget: all erotic romance readers were once and probably still are “traditional” romance readers as well. Don’t alienate your readership out of pettiness, spitefulness and jealousy because your books aren’t selling like they used to. You don’t want to write hotter, then don’t, but lay off the people who do. I recommend you spend your time a bit more productively, go write a novel or something.

Tired of having to defend her reading choices, it’s 2006 not 1886,
Solaine

Dear Ms. Hayes,

Since many readers are taking the brave steps to out themselves as rabid fan girls (aka RFGs) of particular authors, I’m gonna go ahead and admit to being one of your down-low Stans. This may have colored my review of your story but as long as you keep writing the hits, I’ll keep reading them!

When it comes to erotic romances I tend to shy away from the “funny” tales, so I was surprised to find myself laughing out loud while reading Miss October. This a good story of an uber Alpha male jerk, and a strong, independent woman who find love when they least expect it.

Tavia is a romance writer who became widely successful after a few books. Now, she’s looking to settle down with a man who wants her for herself, and not her money. When she meets Bolt, an overbearing, borderline Neanderthal, she’s horrifically attracted to his maleness, and a bit perturbed to find out that a strong man is good to have around.

Bolt is not what I’d call every woman’s fantasy. His features are grim, his attitude stinks and he’s a bit of an asshole — and I fell in love with him just like Tavia did. Bolt wasn’t afraid to love Tavia enthusiastically, and by the middle of the story I found myself looking forward to his inappropriately witty comments and outrageous behavior. This is a light read with some great social implications about women and appearances. Whereas many authors tend to draw out and harp on big(ger) woman’s insecurities, Bolt’s straightforward attitude toward Tavia’s size was refreshing. Bolt put new life into the cliché that actions speak louder than words.

You did a great job with this next installment of your Calendar Girl series, and I can’t wait to see what you have in store next. Will you be writing Alex’s story (I feel bad for him)?

Regards, Solaine

Dear Readers,

Yes, I’m a little late on this one, but better late than never, right?

I wasn’t able to attend this year’s RT Convention, and given the astronomical amount it costs to go, I’m not sure if I’ll ever attend one, but I love to see the pictures and put faces to names. Of course, Joy of Joyfully Reviewed was on top of her picture game! She has tons of great photos. My favorite one is of Dakota Cassidy giving Joy the tongue .Go check them out:

RT Pics at Joyfully Reviewed Chatting

Oh, and apparently Cheryl Holt named herself the reigning queen of erotic romance. Hmm, I feel a little miseducated since I’ve never read any of her books, is she really that popular?

Later, Solaine

Dear Readers,

Happy June! Damn, where DID the year go?

This is how things will be going down in June: I’m all about the quickies. I’ll occasionally review a full length story if a) I come across one that strikes me as either really bad or really good or b) it comes in as a review request.

To celebrate June, there are 3 themes for you to choose from (on the sidebar under Archives now at the top, under About Me).

Bitch, Please is my blue, centered theme. I like that one a lot. This one is for those who like the centered look because they browse at ridiculous screen resolutions (I see you, J!).

Check Yourself is the first theme to grace this site and will become the default. It’s appropriate because I think a couple of readers and authors really need to do some self-checking this month.

Glorify Me is the second theme you’re familiar with. A tan theme that’s a bit low-key but I felt didn’t necessarily have the vibrancy I was looking for. Didn’t want to trash it either so it stays as an option.

I believe if you have cookies enabled, your browser will remember your preference, but whenever you are looking for a change, you can go ahead and make it.

Now I’m going to take my own advice to check myself and do some work. I’ll have a new review for you by end of day (that just so happens to fall into category A of the quickie exception).

Peace, Solaine

Dear Ms. Linn,

I must admit, VP did you dirty with that horrendous cover for your Sexy Confession: Take Her Home. Praise Jah for excerpts, because if I judged a book by it’s cover, this one would have stayed right on the virtual shelf and it would’ve been our loss. I also know authors only get a minimal say on covers, so I’ll move on to the basics.

At 11 pages, Take Her Home worked very well for me. I was a bit skeptical at first (ugly cover aside) about the quality of VP’s stories, given what I’ve read about VP’s reputation among readers and authors, however I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by your short tale.

Take Her Home features a happy couple, at the height of a comfortable relationship who like being adventurous in their sexual escapades. Yet, Tierney is a bit reluctant when her lover encourages her to try a threesome with another woman. Eventually she’s persuaded by her curiosity and her desire to please Dane. It turns out that Tierney ends up on the most satisfying end of this ménage.

I liked Tierney’s personality, it was realistic: shy, but curious and willing. I also liked that her lover wanted her to experience the pleasures of having two people focus their attention on her. Of course men are visual creatures, so it was all good for him, but he wasn’t selfish in his actions, and I liked how he remained focus on Tierney. For me, this is one of those ménages between two women and a guy where the women’s connection is their appreciation of each other’s bodies, rather than just a show for a guy.

Good job telling a hot confession. One point I’d make about the blurb - it’s not her forbidden fantasy, it’s her lover’s very vocal fantasy which she indulges in and learns is yet another pleasure for her to enjoy. Sorry, that’s just the nitpicky Virgo in me. Keep writing!

Regards, Solaine

P.S. I’ll be picking up Sinful Touch, that excerpt on your site is scandalously delicious!

Karen Scott has blogged about how at times she’s bored with mainstream romance novels. In that vein, an interesting discussion occurred at the AAR board regarding why some readers are drawn to “sub-genre” of erotic romance. Here are some of my favorite responses:

1. I read them becaue they put me in the mood for sex. I have been a cold fish for over ten years. Hobby’s number one complain is not enough sex. Since I picked up reading romance, our sex life is great. I never had orgasm after being married for 18 years, now I tell my hobby what to do and I have orgasm regularly. Our marrage is much better now we are good in bed. - Julie H

2. I think that for me it touches a bit with both reality and fantasy. In many erotic romances, I think the sex is somewhat more realistic than in mainstream. In my lexicon a c*ck is a c*ock, not a manhood…If my husband refered to his anatomy as a manhood, I’d laugh my butt off. It’s messier, and sweatier in many erotic romances.

But it also has to do with fantasy. In mainstream romance, the s*x depicted is s*x I’ve had(blush). I’ve been there in my own reality. In erotic romance I get to “walk on the wild side” so to speak. Things that in real life I would never do, but my fantasy self has wondered about, are depicted. And when it works, it works for me very well. - Samantha

3. I’d like to read about more heroines who are in charge of their own sexuality, heroines who don’t need to experience their first orgasm or their sexual awakening at the hands of the hero. And I’m hoping that the popularity of erotic romance will lead more writers to take a chance on sexually confident heroines, especially in historical romance, where it is currently very difficult to find them. - LFL

4. I have enjoyed some titles from Ellora’s Cave. I know this sounds like a guy’s explanation for reading Playboy and all, but I read it for the story…with a whole lot of sex thrown in. Seriously, the book has to have a plot that appeals to me. Also, I have to be in the mood for erotica. I have quite a number of Ellora’s titles and some Black Lace that I have yet to read. On the other hand, I’ve tried to read The Sleeping Beautry Chronicles by Ann Rice and they were way too kinky and weird for me. There are many levels of erotica. The ones that appeal to me are still very close to straight romance…like Ellora’s Cave. - Rose

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Dear Readers,

Ok, so between the Extasy dramah and AAR funny cat fights, I’ve been diligent on my quest to find quickies to fill up the cold June months. So far I’ve I’ve got three (just enough to keep my Sidebar TBR category presentable). They are, in no order,

Malachi - Shiloh Walker , Samhain Publishing
Take Her Home - Tierney Linn, Venus Press
Wolf Dance - Ann Vremont, Changeling Press

I’m still taking requests - and you can email: colorfulreviews@gmail.com, if you’d rather submit suggestions that way.

Regards, Solaine