I don’t read romance. Nor do I read erotica.
I should, though.
You read the work of, say, Delilah Dawson?
Or Karina Cooper?
Or Tiffany Reisz?
They’re damn fine writers.
And they’re writing damn fine books.
Books that are, by genre taxonomy, romance or erotica.
See, it’s starting to occur to me that in a lot of ways even books that are “one genre” should really have labels where the genre components are broken out like ingredients. Horror is a genre. So is mystery. And yet, so many books contain both horror and mystery in some percentage. Further, some books contain romance and erotica (love and sex, baby) in some percentage. These aren’t mere categorizations; these are storytelling components.
Anyway. So.
I’m writing the second book in my YA trilogy.
And it has a lot more romance than the first book.
It even has some sexytimes.
So, I want to read more romance. And erotica.
And you’re going to tell me what to read.
Make recommendations. Excellent writing. Good story. Romance and/or erotica.
Make with the books. *slaps own ass then feels embarrassed about it*
Wendy says:
Last year, I did the same thing–read more romance and erotica so I could write it. After doing a fair amount of research, I found a writer named Megan Hart. I learned a great deal from reading a few of her novels. Megan on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Hart/e/B001IGNWW8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
April 8, 2013 — 12:09 AM
Claire Andress says:
Read Emma Holly’s work. Her stories are fun and emotional and sexy too.
April 8, 2013 — 12:10 AM
Mozette says:
Jeez man… I’ve written a book of erotica and it puts ‘Fanny Hill’ to shame! I’m not game enough to publish it anywhere! But it was fun to write 😀
I have written quite a few erotic vampire stories though – no, not that Twilight crap, I mean Bram Stoker kinda vampire. Most of my stories are on my blog – along with the flash fiction you challenged us to do…
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/?zx=69c390da071958a3
Then, there’s Fry Nelson: Bounty Hunter. This is another book I’ve written. It’s sci-fi action with romance and sex in it (well, as they say; sex sells!).
http://bountyhunterbrisbane.blogspot.com.au/?zx=b00b540523858ab0
Just start at Chapter One – Initiation – book 1 and follow the story from there… you can’t get lost. I’m currently writing book 4 (the final book) and it’s taken me almost 3 years to get to this point.
Unfortunately, I don’t read much romance… just vampire romance (not Twilight). Or I watch ‘Supernatural’ and read Stephen King’s older works to get my ideas for my current work.
April 8, 2013 — 12:10 AM
LaMishia Allen says:
Christine Feehan: Ghostwalker Series, Dark Series & Drake Sisters Series (Equal Parts Romance & Sexy as well as Kick Ass)
Laurell K. Hamilton: Anita Blake Series & Merry Gentry Series (Erotica and intense relationships between characters)
April 8, 2013 — 12:11 AM
Tami Veldura says:
Ditto on Anita Blake!
April 9, 2013 — 12:15 PM
Betsy says:
Hmm, well here’s an assortment of fantasy novels with romantic storylines involving teen or new adult characters. Try Ice by Sarah Beth Durnst (a modern version of East of the Sun, West of the Moon), Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’engle, which was my favorite book when I was 14.
April 8, 2013 — 12:22 AM
Ruth Dupre says:
If you can get ahold of anything by Remittance Girl– read it. Her erotica is pure literature.
Lauren Gallagher, Scarlet Parrish, S.A. Meade…
April 8, 2013 — 12:25 AM
Amanda Corlies says:
I’m a huge fan of JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I’ll admit to being skeptical when I first saw these books. I actually read the first one as part of a joke among several friends, then we all got totally hooked. Now, we suck these books up like we’re starving for them. I got the lastest release last weekend and literally didn’t sleep to finish the damn thing in one twenty-four hour period. It’s kind of ridiculous.
April 8, 2013 — 12:50 AM
LaMishia Allen says:
I concur about J.R. Ward. How did I forget my Black Dagger Brotherhood. Sheesh. Add them to my list as well. And yes they are book crack. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with staying awake 24 hours to complete reading her books. Done and done.
April 8, 2013 — 12:58 AM
Melinda VanLone says:
Another vote for JR Ward!
April 8, 2013 — 9:17 AM
Tami Veldura says:
Three for JR Ward!
April 9, 2013 — 12:16 PM
amanda hadley says:
I won’t make the JR Ward suggestion (cuase everyone will) I vote Elizabeth Hoyt, who writes truly erotic historicals.
April 8, 2013 — 1:01 AM
lizlincolnwriter says:
Anything by Karen Rose. Fabulous writing, pulls no punches. Villains creepy enough to keep you up at night, and sizzling romance. I second the recommendations of Megan Hart and Emma Holly for erotic romance. Also Roni Loren.
April 8, 2013 — 1:02 AM
Deborah O'Neill Cordes says:
May I shamelessly plug my publisher and fellow authors at Crimson Romance? Crimson is fairly new (June 4, 2012 debut of the line), and our editor, Jennifer Lawler, has chosen wonderful novels that push the boundaries of traditional romance, including romantic suspense, contemporaries, historicals, and paranormals. I am honored to be part of this warm, talented, and “thrilled beyond measure to be published and not taking any of this for granted” group. Thank you. I will now get off my soapbox. 🙂
April 8, 2013 — 1:04 AM
Sofia Zappi says:
I don’t think it will ever ever get more romantic than War and Peace. Tragedy and suffering is a must-have ingredient for the romance to grow. Like baking powder
April 8, 2013 — 1:55 AM
Angela McCallister says:
I feel like the romance genre has many more subgenres than most other genres and a wide range of heat levels. This makes recs a bit trickier without knowing what the reader’s looking for. So here’s some of my favs, depending on sub-genre.
For unique or paranormal historicals: Jillian Stone, Anna Randol, Georgie Lee, Zoe Archer–Pamela Clare for American historicals. For erotica: Cherise Sinclaire (esp. Masters of the Shadowlands) and Joey W Hill. Also love Lorelei James Rough Rider series. I love Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series, Darynda Jones’ Charley Davidson series, and Jeri Smith-Ready’s WVMP series. For contemp, there’s too many to name, but Ruthie Knox is an auto-buy for me, and I just read a few novellas by Natalie Anderson that I devoured like crack to an addict, including Melt (set in the most incredible location). I’m not the best to rec contemps since I don’t read many unless they’re shorter lengths. I’ve been pretty hooked on Entangled’s Brazen and Indulgence lines, but I’m a bit biased because EP is my publisher. I do read about 300 books per year, though.
This is a lot to list, but maybe you’ll find something in here that interests you 🙂
April 8, 2013 — 1:55 AM
Lisa Kessler says:
Oh I’m jumping in to second the recommendation of Jeri Smith-Ready’s WVMP vampire series!!! Very clever writing and awesome world building around the radio station! Love! 🙂
Lisa
April 8, 2013 — 8:22 PM
Katrina T. says:
Oh don’t feel embarrassed, there are guys out there who read romance too. Check this out:
http://theromanceman.com/
Try Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost or Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead or anything by Kristen Ashley.
April 8, 2013 — 2:02 AM
AFOdom says:
+1 to Jeaniene Frost. She has a great balance of power between her characters, which can be hard to find in much romance and erotica.
April 8, 2013 — 8:33 AM
RavenBlackburn says:
Yes, Jeaniene Frost and Richelle Mead are awesome! Totally love them both.
And then, if you don’t like the fangers, try Kendall Grey and her Just Breathe series.
April 8, 2013 — 8:49 AM
Cristina says:
For erotica ones Lora Leigh too is great.
April 8, 2013 — 2:21 AM
Susan says:
Love Sylvia Day’s Crossfire series. And of course you’ve gotta try the mother of the erotica genre (who made it mainstream, in my opinion)–the incomparable Bertrice Small.
April 8, 2013 — 2:43 AM
birgitkluger says:
In my opinion the master of romance still is Susan E. Philipps :). As to the best romance in fantasy that is for me Katen Monings Fever series and the Chicagoland Vampire series (forgot the authors name for that one)
April 8, 2013 — 3:19 AM
AFOdom says:
Chicagoland is Chloe Neill. For me, Neill knocks the build up to consummation out of the park. However, she seems to struggle with what to do with the couple after that. Rather than figuring out how to make them a pair that grows together, she just keeps ripping them apart and repeating the “sexual tension until we love each other” plot. But I tell you what – that first book in the series is one of my favorite urban fantasy titles.
April 8, 2013 — 8:37 AM
Aliyah says:
I think if you are looking for romance you should start with Nora Roberts (which one is a debate that is regularly had but I think the ladies at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books sum it up quite nicely http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/blog/classic-romance-which-one-first-nora-roberts-recommendations). I think Dani Worth’s the Kithran Regenesis Series, Victoria Dahl’s Talk me Down, Meljean Brook’s the Iron Duke and Riveted, anything by Nalini Singh, Shannon Stacey, Something About You by Julie James and everything by Sarah Mayberry is worth trying. Good luck and I hope that this helps.
April 8, 2013 — 3:29 AM
Virginia Chickory says:
You want Romance? Read the poetry of Linda Marie Van Tassell. If she doesn’t inspire you to UNDERSTAND and FEEL romance and erotica no one ever will.
April 8, 2013 — 3:52 AM
Jessica says:
Tease by Mina Kelly. It’s erotica with actual plot, interesting characterisation and selkies. She’s got a new one coming out (called Inescapable – I think) that I read an early draft of which I think is even better. Again, it’s a story with plot and interesting characters – but it also has a lot of sex and an unusual application for a sonic shower.
April 8, 2013 — 4:05 AM
Angela Pearce says:
The Italian Inheritance by Louise Rose-Innes. Great description. Sizzling hotness factor, but not erotica.
April 8, 2013 — 4:27 AM
pheasentsong says:
For Romance, I can recommend Freya North (‘Sally’, ‘Chloe’, ‘Pip’, any of them). Beautifully written modern love stories. They are not erotic as such, but they do have some very nicely written sex scenes in.
I always think reading Freya is like sitting down with my best friend for a gossip over a glass of wine. Thats the kind of feel they have.
April 8, 2013 — 4:38 AM
Georgie Tyler says:
You can’t go past all Kylie Scott post apocalyptic erotica and Sami Lee’s Erica’s Choice also an erotica. Just don’t read it in a cafe, as I did once! Also Running Scared by Caitlyn Nicholas is a pretty good romance. 🙂
April 8, 2013 — 5:33 AM
zeros83 says:
Just one title: “Strangers”, by Barbara Ellsborg. It has a lot of romance, deeply hurt characters and interesting minor characters, and a huge chemistry between the protagonists, which leads to a lot of smoking hot sex.
April 8, 2013 — 6:08 AM
Mary Ivy Noone says:
Anything by Lauren Dane. She writes across many sub genres and is always excellent. Jaci Burton is always wonderful. My favorites are the Wild Rider series. Julie Ann Walker’s BKI books are a current favorite. Lastly, Mya Banks, who writes both true erotica and romantic suspense.
April 8, 2013 — 6:50 AM
Jaime says:
I agree with Lauren Dane. I just tore through her Chase Brothers series (a little more romance than erotica) and now I’ve moved on to her Brown Siblings series (more erotica).
April 8, 2013 — 9:36 AM
lynneconnolly says:
I write in three romance subgenres – paranormal romance, historical romance, contemporary romance. I’m far from alone in that. Writers like Elizabeth Naughton and Monica Burns are there, too. Thing is, it’s a huge, huge market and the only requirement is that the emphasis of the story is on the romance and it has to have a happy ending. Either a happy ever after, or a happy for now.
And because it’s a huge market, we’re not in competition.Plenty of room for all of us. There’s everything from kisses-only to all-out ten-in-a-bed orgies. Whatever you want.
Joey W. Hill writes the best BDSM you’ll ever find. I do non-kink BDSM in contemporaries. I’m currently engaging in “writing back” the dirty bits in Fielding’s “Tom Jones” for Clandestine Classics. Sarah Morgan writes some of the best “category” romance you’ll ever come across. She takes tropes and turns them upside down. Fabulous books.
A lot of the big authors are in the process of going indie, because as seems to be the norm in an industry where women dominate, the money is lousy in the trad market. Now they’re actually earning what they deserve. The big thing right now is “hybrid,” a trad contract to reach the parts other markets can’t reach, and indie for the fun and the money.
Don’t forget to drop in on the biggest erotic romance specialist publisher of them all, Ellora’s Cave (yes, I write for them, but they publish damn good books). They were on CBS Sunday the other week, if you want to check out the clip.
April 8, 2013 — 7:21 AM
Karen Rought says:
There’s a book called Forest of the Forsaken by Joanne Brothwell. Excellently written, interesting concept (a spin on the Hansel and Gretel story), and a splash of erotica. Now, erotica is not my thing, but the sexytimes in this book do not overshadow the story. It comes as a five-star-highly-recommended-book, by a self-published author no less. Hope you’ll check it out.
April 8, 2013 — 7:43 AM
Natalie says:
Jacqueline Carey for S&M in fantasy alternate-Earth. Kushiel’s Dart, Kushiel’s Mercy etc. Political thrillers with the heroine a prostitute really into pain (men, women, anyone as long as they treat her mean and pay her enough), and in love with a celibate Paladin-type.
April 8, 2013 — 7:51 AM
AFOdom says:
+5000. I can’t believe I forgot this one in my post. This may well be the best erotica I’ve read in any genre. It’s not just the sex that’s hot, but the whole sexual culture of the world. I think, at minimum, all my fellow Americans should read this book to get over their sexual hangups.
April 8, 2013 — 8:40 AM
Beth L. says:
I second this recommendation! These are great stories with a strong romantic line that’s anything but typical.
April 8, 2013 — 8:46 AM
Imelda Evans says:
I see no-one has mentioned the very lovely (NYT bestseller) Nalini Singh, whose Psy/Changeling series is incredibly popular. My friend Kylie Scott writes steamy erotic romance with zombies (which seems right up your alley). Denise Rossetti is another very good Australian erotic writer. For classic regency romance, with beautifully handled sex (not erotica, just nice) Anne Gracie is an all-time favourite. I write contemporary romance at the sweet end (meaning, not a lot of sex and none of it explicit) of the spectrum. I’m published by Destiny Romance, a digital-first imprint of Penguin Australia and their list is a developing into a very good cross-section of modern romance sub-genres.
April 8, 2013 — 7:54 AM
Imelda Evans says:
I should also have said, if you want some great YA romance, you must read Kaz Delaney (Dead Actually) and the Ondine books by Ebony McKenna. Both come highly recommended by the girl.
April 8, 2013 — 8:16 AM
Megan M. says:
I’ve heard good things about Tiffany Reisz. Also the “50 Shades of Alice” books by Melinda Duchamp are funny and sexy! You mentioned you’re writing YA. I don’t know how explicit you’re wanting to get, but here are two books I’ve read recently that I thought were well-done (I would call them steamy but not too explicit): “Easy” by Tammara Webber and “Flat-Out Matt” by Jessica Park. “Flat-Out Matt” is actually a companion book to “Flat-Out Love” and so may not make much sense unless you’ve read it, but what you’re after is the last chapter of “Flat-Out Matt” which tells you what happened AFTER the first book ended and actually contains the sexytimes.
April 8, 2013 — 8:05 AM
AFOdom says:
If you want some good YA samples, try either of these:
* Kelly Armstrong’s “Dark Powers” series – urban fantasy, not afraid to put the kids in truly frightening situations. The romance develops slowly, over several books, and with confusion, an experience most youth are likely to have. Armstrong takes youth seriously, and it shows most elegantly in the sincere writing of the relationship development. Written for middle-school agish kids, these characters don’t move much beyond kissing, and it takes a while to get to that first kiss. Because you pretty much can’t publish a book for middle schoolers through a major publisher and have anything more than kissing on your pages. (denial is what that is).
* Parker Blue’s “Demon Underground” series – also urban fantasy. Target audience for this is actually young “adult” — 16-20ish maybe? The main female character is an incubus, and she has to deal with overwhelming sexual urges. (wow! almost like real life!) Definitely more than kissing in this one and all handled well.
For adult romance/erotica, I’ll +1 J.R. Ward. Just ignore the characters’ ridiculous names. Ward is a best seller, so you’ll be getting a brainful of what’s popular out there. She falls under urban fantasy romance, but comes the closest to real erotica (literary porn) than most other best sellers of this genre.
Kelly Armstrong also has a “Women of Otherworld” series for adults that I recommend. Also urban fantasy.
I’ve not read much full on erotica that I like (and I confess I’ve read a lot) — mostly because much of it goes straight to the sex with no character development. For me, things are sexier when there’s more than a physical connection between characters. Otherwise, it’s just more sex. I know all those physical mechanics, it’s getting the intangible “what makes this hot” element that matters.
April 8, 2013 — 8:29 AM
AFOdom says:
Doh – also J.D. Robb’s “In Death” series. She nails the “what to do after the couple gets together” plot. Sex is a little more handwavy than I’d like, but many people feel differently.
Elizabeth Peters’ “Amelia Peabody” series also nails the “how committed couples stay romantic” plot. No sex in these, just fade-to-black, but Peabody and Emerson are so damn awesome together it doesn’t matter to me.
April 8, 2013 — 8:44 AM
cscullywriter says:
I also recommend Kelley Armstrong, both the ones listed here and the “Men of the Otherworld” book, which is a series of shorts from the men of the otherworld’s POV instead.
April 8, 2013 — 9:16 AM
Kastil Eavenshade says:
I’d shamelessly like to say pick up one of my books but instead, I’ll recommend Lila Shaw. She’s even got a Steampunk one.
April 8, 2013 — 8:45 AM
fredhicks says:
I hear there’s a pretty good love triangle in the Dinocalypse trilogy by somebodyorother. 🙂
April 8, 2013 — 8:45 AM
Toni says:
“Daughter of Smoke and Bone” by Laini Taylor is a beautifully written YA fantasy novel with a heartwrenchingly conflicted and erotically charged romance. There is YA-appropriate sexytime activity too. It was the main selection of the Vaginal Fantasy book club for this March and it was a smash!
April 8, 2013 — 8:45 AM
Melinda S Collins says:
BLAZE by Joan Swan. Excellent writing, strong characters, smexy love scenes. 😀
April 8, 2013 — 8:52 AM
Mike Arsuaga says:
My wife Cynthia and I co-wrote a charming little tale titled “Top Dog”, a paranormal romantic comedy thriller about a very special shape shifter.
PITCH for TOP DOG
Shape shifter Drake Martin has a problem. FBI agent Kady Hartley loves him. Both sides of him, but she doesn’t know he and the eight pound Yorkshire terrier she named Precious were one and the same. Kady’s latest assignment further complicates the situation. Drake follows her to New Orleans where she and a team are in for more than they realize against human traffickers. Taking down the bad guys while keeping her safe means walking a tightrope between lover and beloved pet.
During the adventure, he has her back, her heart… and her lap.
April 8, 2013 — 8:57 AM
Vicki says:
I just read “Eleanor and Park” by Rainbow Rowell. It’s YA romance and, I thought, quirky, original, and beautiful. Its sexytimes were deftly handled.
April 8, 2013 — 8:59 AM
Wendy says:
I completely agree. I read this book last week and it has stayed with me since. So beautiful.
April 8, 2013 — 10:39 AM
delilahsdawson says:
The two YA writers who really knock romance out of the park for me are Cassandra Clare and Stephanie Perkins. Cassie’s books are seriously incredible, with great worldbuilding and adventure and ferocity and hot kisses and then make you cry, while Stephanie’s are quirky and contemporary and truly capture the way teen love and almost-love and drama and woe fit together.
Thanks for the mention, dude. That totally made my morning!
April 8, 2013 — 9:00 AM
AFOdom says:
The “Wicked As She Wants” scene where Crimini’s just killed the blud stag/doe(?) is one of the best erotic scenes I’ve read, and I’m no stranger to erotica. Read your book right after DragonCon, still think about that scene often.
The characters in Madame Morpho wormed into a special place in my heart, and I’m looking forward to your upcoming releases. Thanks for all you write!
April 8, 2013 — 9:27 AM
Wendy says:
No Gayle Forman? “If I Stay” was an epic book and a beautiful story.
April 8, 2013 — 10:41 AM
Diane Nelson says:
I highly recommend Poppet: edgy erotic paranormal romance. http://www.amazon.com/Poppet/e/B0046MYVO4/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1365426275&sr=8-2-ent
She writes intelligently, raw and elegant and captivating.
April 8, 2013 — 9:06 AM
anninyn says:
Scarlett Parrish is pretty good. Very, erm, effective.
April 8, 2013 — 9:12 AM
Sessha Batto says:
Nya Rawlyns writes wonderful, non-traditional heroines and believable romance with a plot – well worth a look!
April 8, 2013 — 9:13 AM
Rebecca T. Dickson says:
Selfishly speaking, give Say My Name a whirl. It’s a novella.
http://www.amazon.com/Say-My-Name-ebook/dp/B0091GZ8VA/ref=la_B0091LZE00_1_1_title_1_kin?ie=UTF8&qid=1365426869&sr=1-1
April 8, 2013 — 9:15 AM
Lauren Beukes says:
I’m pretty excited (as it were) about A Girl Walks Into A Bar, a choose-your-own-adventure erotica written by the three-headed Helena S Paige aka brilliant South African genre superstar, Sarah Lotz (aka half of YA zombie writer Lily Herne and half of horror writer SL Grey) + my kick-ass editor, Helen Moffett + columnist/copywriter Paige Nick. Out 15 July. http://www.littlebrown.co.uk/Books/detail.page?isbn=9781405529068
April 8, 2013 — 9:15 AM
Andrea Phillips says:
Jennifer Crusie, man. She’s got hot relationships, compelling plots, and is also incredibly hilarious. (She also writes about writing, and I think is teaching a romance course at Dartmouth.)
Bet Me is my favorite but Agnes and the Hit Man is also fantastic. Actually I love all of them, but I admit some of ’em are better than others.
April 8, 2013 — 9:15 AM
Andrea Phillips says:
FWIW — I think Crusie isn’t just a fabulous writer, I think her work would be pretty immediately helpful to your current work because her voice isn’t so far off from yours — wry and funny, not particularly sentimental, and with a very contemporary sensibility.
April 8, 2013 — 9:19 AM
Imelda Evans says:
The Jenny Cruisie/Bob Mayer combo is fun. I enjoyed Don’t Look Down. Good mix of romance and adventure (she writes the romance, he writes the adventure). My favourite quote from a workshop I did with her once about this partnership is when she told him that he had to stop killing people (in the story) and he retorted that she had to stop giving them names!
April 8, 2013 — 9:19 AM
Misa Buckley says:
Lauren Gallagher writes the best romance and erotic romance there is: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lauren-Gallagher/e/B0047R467A/ – while her alter-ego writes really hot M/M romance: http://www.amazon.co.uk/L.-A.-Witt/e/B0047R0AOS/
April 8, 2013 — 9:18 AM
Laura Szafranski says:
Read the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole http://kresleycole.com/books/immortals-after-dark-series.html
or
Anything by Jeaniene Frost http://www.jeanienefrost.com
It’s Paranormal Romance with definite sexytimes in them.
Between the 2 authors, 21 books of romance and sexytimes.
Sylvia Day’s Marked series fun too.
For YA romance Kresley Cole’s new Aracana Chronicles series is great, Poisoned Princess is the first book out.
Cassandra Clare with her Mortal Instruments series is awesome too. Started reading it so long ago.
April 8, 2013 — 9:18 AM
jakebible says:
The wife, uh, right, yes, the wife, uh, stumbled across this one. Not bad at all. http://www.amazon.com/In-The-House-Candy-ebook/dp/B00BPEOCVI
New writer. First novel. But looks like a fun series is about to begin.
April 8, 2013 — 9:20 AM
crossedstars says:
Shannon Butcher. I’m personally more of a fan of her Sentinel Wars series, but her writing is tight and her characterization is good.
Diana Gabaldon. Her books, initially sort of a time-travel historical romance sort of thing, have come to defy genre categorization. Outlander is the first of her series and a classic, but she’s written other branch series as well. I really highly recommend all her books.
April 8, 2013 — 9:21 AM
serendipitousmc says:
My favorite recent books of any genre, though they happen to be romance-erotica, are Gabriel’s Inferno and Gabriel’s Rapture by Sylvain Reynard. They’re beautifully written and literate, and the author proves you can craft a damn fine love scene without being overly graphic.
If you’re going for straightforward erotica, no one does it better than Anais Nin, in my opinion. Delta of Venus is a true classic.
For paranormal erotica, I second/third JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, which a few commenters have already mentioned. They’re a fun read. I also highly recommend Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark books. Vampires, werewolves, daemons, witches, faeries and more – all tangled up with each other in more ways than one. I particularly like how she writes strong, smart, capable women.
April 8, 2013 — 9:22 AM
Abby says:
So maybe I’m completely out of place here, but I generally read “inspirational” romance, so that’s probably not what you’re looking for.
HOWEVER
I really like some of the romantic parts of Kathy Reichs’s books, particularly some of the earlier ones, because the later ones don’t have as much romance in them.
April 8, 2013 — 9:22 AM
Ellie Di says:
Francesca Lia Block does a good job of balancing romance with YA. I’d recommend looking at The Elementals, a newer book for adults, and Ruby.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13538834-the-elementals
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63952.Ruby
April 8, 2013 — 9:23 AM