Howdy folks who watched WPIX 11 news this morning and saw me give a very (very) quick run down of a list of erotic romance that might appeal to those of you who liked 50 Shades of Grey. If you'd like to watch the clip, PIX11 has it on their site now.
They asked for a selection of books that might appeal to readers who found 50 Shades erotic and compelling, so if you're looking to go book shopping, here's some shortcuts and shopping links for the books I mentioned this morning:
Bared to You is an erotic novel that has been called “the heir to 50 Shades.” It's erotic romance, emotionally intense, and features the innocent heroine and the dominating and charismatic hero – only in this book, both characters are strong. There's a lot of emotional and physical drama, and it's engrossing. Seriously, save yourself a few hours to read this book. Jane from DearAuthor.com says she “might go out on a limb and guarantee that if you liked 50 Shades, Sylvia Day’s Bared to You will please you.”
You can find more about this book at : Goodreads | Amazon | BN | Sony | Kobo
Joey W. Hill writes in many sub-genres of romance, including paranormal and contemporary erotic romance. This is the first BDSM romance I ever read, and it blew the top of my head off. The hero is the submissive and the heroine is the dominant – and it is one amazing story in addition to being very eye opening.
If the bondage and domination elements of BDSM appealed to you in 50 Shades this book portrays BDSM far more accurately, and discusses the training involved for both parties. And it's scorching hot.
You can learn more about this book at: Goodreads | Amazon | BN | Sony | Kobo
Cowboy Casanova is the 12th book in Lorelei James' series about Wyoming ranchers and rodeo stars, and all the books in the series feature varying levels of bondage play, erotic tension, humor, emotional depth and, in a word, chaps.
They're not all as darkly emotional as EL James' book, but they're very fun books – and there's more than enough to read for the whole summer.
You can find out more about this book and the Rough Riders series at: Goodreads | Amazon | BN | Sony | Kobo
From the cover art, you can tell that this book is about gardening in the northern plains, right? Of course!
Megan Hart is one of the most powerful writers of erotic romance because of the emotion she can pack into her characters. These are not always easy books to read as there's a lot of empathy for the people in each book, her romances are sexy and intelligent and well worth trying.
You can learn about this book and Megan Hart's other books at Goodreads | Amazon | BN | Sony | Kobo
If you like alpha heroes and seriously creative sex, Maya Banks' Sweet series will make you quite a happy reader. In this book, there is a very strong dominant hero, and a strong and sexually submissive heroine – and a mystery.
You can find out more about Sweet Surrender and Maya Banks' other books (there are many!) at Goodreads | Amazon | BN | Sony | Kobo
Emma Holly is one of the pioneers of the erotic romance genre, and is among the first authors I read when I asked a friend for recommendations. Her books are scorching hot, and this one is about sexual discovery, erotic play involving some domination and submission, and multiple partners.
You can find out more about this book and Emma Holly's other books at Goodreads | Amazon | BN | Sony | Kobo
And finally, at the end of the segment I mentioned novellas, which are smaller in length but, when written well, pack a huge amount of narrative and erotic content into a very satisfying short story. One of the best erotic novella writers I've found is Anne Calhoun, but you can also find a list of great erotic novella suggestions here in the comments to that entry. There are other 'If You Like” lists for 50 Shades out there, and one of the best is at DearAuthor, compiled by Jane Litte.
We who read romance have been aware of erotic romance for more than a decade, but if you're just discovering erotic romance, welcome! There are many, MANY great books to choose from.
The Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey also contains a lot of BDSM, very lyrically written, if you like paranormals/fantasy.
You know, you need to stop doing this. I had my reserve list at the GBPL under control and now, shot to hell again because, luckily, I do not live in Florida.
I really have to ask this question: For some odd reason I’m contemplating on trying out Fifty Shades of Grey, but the thing is, I couldn’t stand Twilight’s first book and felt drained after reading it. Is the writing style or plot very similar to Twilight’s? That is does the female heroine go on and on obsessively talking about the male hero nonstop? And does the author use “big” words in context or appropriately? (I felt that Meyer was using certain words in a wrong way, or was trying to sound too intelligent.) It would really help if my questions are answered… thanks in advance 🙂
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Cherise Sinclair for BDSM (that is actually BDSM unlike 50 shades)
Honestly, Sveta, I thought so, yes. There was a lot of the narrative style from Twilight that is echoed in 50 Shades. The obsessiveness, the hyperfocus on tiny details, all of it. But you can try a sample, and if it floats your boat, then awesome.
It honestly amazes me that most of these books that were published before FS, the exception being Bared to You, and IMHO are far better written, have to dwell in the shadows of this upstart wannabe, BDSM lite trilogy. I’m kinda insulted for these and other authors that have been writing for years, waiting for this kind of exposure, but lo and behold, Twilight fan fiction extraordinnaire grabs the spotlight immediately upon hitting the shelves (or ereaders). What next… wait, I really don’t think I want to know.
Update: I only read two paragraphs of Fifty Shades of Grey yet…how do I say this nicely? I hadn’t written this way since, well, maybe I was in elementary school thus I doubt that I’ll enjoy this book. The writing style most likely will drive me nuts.
http://sveta-randomblog.blogsp…
Let me first state, I’m not a huge fan of BDSM. Ok, Now saying that…
Emma Holly – LOVE< LOVE<love “corrupted”=”” “s”=”” -=”” 1980’s=”” a=”” after=”” although=”” an=”” and=”” at=”” author,=”” author.=”” auto=”” back=”” banks=”” bdsm=”” be=”” because=”” being=”” big=”” bit=”” book.=”” books=”” boring=”” burned=”” but=”” buy=”” by=”” can=”” can’t=”” chance=”” characters.=”” collected=”” cool.=”” cowboy=”” day=”” day.=”” delivers=”” doesn’t=”” e-books=”” early=”” emma=”” emotionally=”” every=”” experienced=”” f=”” fan=”” few=”” for=”” form=”” gets=”” goes=”” good.=”” gripping=”” had=”” hart=”” has=”” have=”” heavy=”” her=”” hill=”” holly=”” holly!=”” home=”” honestly=”” hot=”” i=”” i’ve=”” in=”” innocent=”” is=”” it=”” james=”” joey=”” l’amour=”” lorelei=”” louis=”” loved=”” m=”” mainly=”” man.=”” many=”” matter=”” maya=”” maybe=”” me.=”” megan=”” minnesota=”” my=”” not=”” of=”” ok=”” on=”” one=”” one,=”” only=”” or=”” out=”” own=”” phase=”” polyamourous,=”” pretty=”” queen=”” read=”” remember=”” say=”” series=”” she=”” side=”” sizzle=”” so=”” some=”” started=”” state.=”” stories=”” story=”” sylvia=”” that=”” the=”” them=”” this=”” though=”” time.=”” times=”” to=”” too=”” trope=”” vampire=”” w.=”” was=”” what=”” which=”” while.=”” whopping=”” with,=”” wrong=”” yet.=”“></love>
I don’t know why that messed up my message, sorry.
Emma Holly – LOVE< LOVE<love “corrupted”=”” “s”=”” -=”” 1980’s=”” a=”” after=”” although=”” an=”” and=”” at=”” author,=”” author.=”” auto=”” banks=”” bdsm=”” be=”” because=”” being=”” big=”” bit=”” book.=”” books=”” boring=”” burned=”” but=”” buy=”” by=”” can=”” can’t=”” chance=”” characters.=”” collected=”” cool.=”” cowboy=”” day=”” delivers=”” doesn’t=”” e-books.=”” emma=”” emotionally=”” every=”” experienced=”” fan=”” few=”” for=”” form=”” gets=”” goes=”” gripping=”” had=”” hart=”” has=”” have=”” heavy=”” her=”” hill=”” holly=”” holly!=”” home=”” honestly=”” hot=”” i=”” i’ve=”” in=”” innocent=”” is=”” it=”” james=”” joey=”” l’amour=”” lorelei=”” louis=”” mainly=”” man.=”” many=”” matter=”” maya=”” maybe=”” me.=”” megan=”” minnesota=”” my=”” not=”” of=”” on=”” one=”” only=”” or=”” out=”” own=”” phase=”” polyamourous,=”” pretty=”” queen=”” read=”” remember=”” say=”” series=”” she=”” side=”” sizzle=”” so=”” some=”” started=”” state.=”” stories=”” story=”” sylvia=”” the=”” them=”” this=”” though.=”” time.=”” times=”” to=”” too=”” trope=”” vampire=”” w.=”” what=”” while.=”” with,=”” wrong=”” yearly=”” yet.=”“></love>
I want to second the recommendation for Cherise Sinclair! She has been steadily writing romantic, responsible – yet engrossing and wonderfully intense – BDSM for many years. I would start with “Master of the Mountain” if you are new to BDSM, or the first of the Shadowlands Club series. The Shadowlands books lately has been quite involved, with the club helping an FBI investigation. So I would definitely read those books in order.
I tried Maya Banks’s “Sweet” series but in the first/only book I read of hers, the dominant male said he wouldn’t use a safe word and that put me in “wtf” mode immediately. Joey W. Hill is a bit hardcore – some of her books work for me, but definitely prefer Cherise Sinclair’s tone.