Recently, we’ve had a couple emails and comments about different types of erotica and erotic romance that stray from the rich billionaire formula. The first request is for books that have an extra element of sex in them without being overtly in the BDSM camp:
Though it’s contemporary, I’d say all of Tessa Bailey’s Broke & Beautiful series have some sort of extra thing – sex in public or at work, light makeshift restraints from the heroine’s clothes, beach sex.You’ve reviewed a lot of books with non-traditional sexualities or BDSM themes, which I appreciate. However I rarely seem to find my personal preference – very mild kinkiness, vanilla with a twist etc, although I don’t think my tastes actually very uncommon. I was wondering whether you could recommend anything where the BDSM is not central to the characters’ identity or plot – just that the sex scenes aren’t all vanilla.
The closest I’ve found is Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt, where the hero likes bondage but it doesn’t dominate the plot or relationship. I’d prefer books where the category is clearly still romantic suspense or regency or paranormal rather than BDSM as a category in itself or a major theme such as with the Kushiel books. Something where the couples could indulge in bit of light bondage or hammy roleplaying or similar kinkiness without being tortured about it, but I haven’t really seen any? Given that power dynamics are clearly a huge thing in so many romances I’m kind of surprised. I usually read urban fantasy, paranormals or regency/Georgian and maybe I’ve overlooked or missed something.
Wolf Bride ( A | K | G | AB ) was erotica even though I didn’t like it. The characters felt so…wooden (and not stiff in a good way) and then Sarah McCarty has a series with the first book being Caine’s Reckoning ( A | K | G ), though it’s American Historical. This is one of those series that gets better with each book.
Carrie: The Highwayman has a little bit of kink.I can’t remember if anyone gets tied up but because the hero doesn’t like to be touched there’s a little kink factor. I know she’s not looking for contemporary, but the big sex scene in Bet Me ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) involves Min being tied to a couch while Cal eats donuts in front of her, that’s pretty kinky and hilarious, especially when afterwards they discuss it.
I checked The Windflower ( A | BN | K | G | AB | Scribd ), and while Merry doesn’t tie Devon up, she does take advantage of his weakened state to try to undo his clothes with a kitchen knife. It’s hilarious and just a teensy bit kinky. Of course, that whole book has a lot of edging up on the boundaries of consent and sex or foreplay on pirate ships, on beaches, covered with sugar…
Redheadedgirl: Beyond Seduction by Emma Holly! ( A | BN | K | G | AB )
Sarah: Oh – Robin Schone! The Lover – ( A | K | G | AB )
Our next request comes from a comment made by Reader Cecilia on a previous Books on Sale post:
I just finished Off the Clock by Roni Loren and though BDSM is mentioned, that’s more for setting up characters in future books. The hero and heroine are sex therapists and I really liked it!One of the things I wanted to ask SBTB, sooner or later, were some recommendations for erotica romances that didn’t dwell on BDSM, or D/s, paranormal or billionaires: erotica between normal people. D/s does nothing for me but turn me cold.
I also hesitate to call Christina Lauren’s Wild Seasons series erotica, but there’s definitely quite a bit of hot sexing happening. Sweet, Filthy Boy – ( A | BN | K | G | AB | Au )
Sarah: Delphine Dryden’s Theory of Attraction trilogy for sure. Loved those! I featured the first book in a previous Books on Sale post:
I didn’t review this book (I could have sworn I did – what the hell?) but I really, REALLY liked it. I’m really finicky when it comes to erotic romance, especially romance with BDSM, and I thought this story was an excellent blend of erotic tension and character development. Plus the hero is really fascinating. This is a terrific read – I hope you’ll give it a try.
What books would you recommend to these two readers? Any other authors who write some amazing “vanilla with a twist” romances?
Great requests which often go through my mind too. I am not particularly keen on BDSM or paranormal or billionaires either so that cuts out a lot of books featured here (or in the genre as a whole). For erotica without BDSM I would say any Judith Ivory books. For contemporary erotica between “normal” people I would say some Megan Hart books (Perhaps Dirty, Strangers, Flying- not sure if I have got those last titles right). Julia London wrote a cute novella about 2 office workers who get stuck at the office when there is a snowstorm …. I think it’s called One Mad Night or something like that. Also Crazy For You and Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Cruise have some cute sex scenes which while probably not full on erotica are still kinda nice. But yeah, it’s annoying that there are so many paranormal and billionaire type stories out there. And just another annoyance of mine …. when I am searching for a science fiction story with romance, all I get in my search results is paranormal. That’s not science fiction!!!
For the second request, Vivian Arend has a great erotica series with small town ranchers called Six Pack Ranch that I really enjoyed.
Jaci Burton’s sport series is another really hot one.
My favorite contemporary erotic romance is Cara McKenna’s After Hours. She does a great job of capturing people with relatable jobs and lives and concerns. There’s some spanking and bossiness, and the characters have a safe word, but not really anything that would be considered BDSM.
Another favorite is Anne Calhoun’s Uncommon Passion. The characters are mostly regular folks, although the heroine is somewhat unusual in being a former member of a conservative religious group who lived in a commune. There’s some light bondage (one scene with scarves as restraints and another with handcuffs), but that’s all.
I’d recommend Uncover Me by A.M. Hartnett for anyone who likes a quick romp (Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.) It’s a novella, and it is light on plot and character development, but I really enjoyed it in spite of that. The sex is really hot, and there is an impressive variety (that really only skirts the edges of mild BDSM, if at all), so even though there is a lot of it, it never feels repetative.
The two things I loved most about this is that for one thing it is really sex positive and all about owning your kinks, for another the hero and heroine take turns being in charge of the scenarios. (He more so in the beginning of the story, she more so towards the end.)
And since we’re on the subject, if anyone has any recommendations for erotic romance (no matter the sub-genre) where the hero is into being tied up (without it veering into outright BDSM) please let me know. I have a really hard time finding those.
Oh jeez, where to start!
For erotica without BDSM, I’d second Anne Calhoun, especially the “Irresistible” series. Lauren Dane writes a lot of erotic romance that includes multiple partners & some bondage – I’d start with “Brown Siblings” and move on to “Delicious”, “Hurley Boys”, and “Ink and Chrome” series. Jodie Griffin’s “Bondage & Breakfast” series has a suspense base. Lorelei James’ “Rough Riders” series runs the gamut of erotic romance themes. Stephanie Julian’s “Salon Games” series. Beth Kery’s “Glimmer & Glow” duology has an interesting riff on the billionaire theme. Kaitlin Maitland’s “Boston Avant-Garde” series. Cara McKenna “Curio” series. Jane O’Reilly “Indecent” series. Kit Rocha’s “Beyond” series.
For very hot contemporary, I’d suggest Christine Bell’s “Dare Me” series, Tessa Bailey’s “Line of Duty” series, Jaci Burton, “Play By Play” series, Lexxie Couper’s “Heart of Fame” series, Victoria Dahl (pretty much anything), HelenKay Dimon’s “Holton Woods” series, Cathryn Fox’s “In The Line of Duty” series, Lorelei James’ “Blacktop Cowboys” series, Cat Johnson’s “Studs in Spurs” and “Hot SEALs” series, Crystal Jordan’s “Destination Desire” series, Elle Kennedy’s “Out of Uniform” series, Katie Porter’s “Vegas Top Guns” and “Command Force Alpha” series, Cari Quinn “Love Required” series, Carrie Ann Ryan’s “Montgomery Ink” series, Shiloh Walker’s “Barnes Brothers” series.
For Historical erotica, I’d suggest Kate Pearce; her “House of Sin” series does feature a sex club and BDSM in a historical setting, but her “Diable Delamere” series may be more up the LR’s alley. Jess Michaels’ has a number of series. Charlotte Featherstone’s “Addicted” and “Sinful”. Lavinia Kent’s “Bound and Determined” series. Viveka Portman’s “Regency Diaries” series. Unfortunately, there are quite a few good Historical erotica series from Ellora’s Cave, but I’m waiting until their authors gain their rights back to recommend them.
Egads. I have to stop. Happy reading!!
For contemporary I’ll second Lauren Dane’s Brown Siblings. I consider the first two, Laid Bare and Coming Undone to be comfort reads. Emma Holly is also a go to for erotic romance. I think her Personal Assets is a perfect example of the genre, and it’s a twofer!! Jasmine Haynes is also great for people with normal lives, normal jobs (office managers, project managers, school principals) and really hot sex. Yes, some of it is B/d, but it’s not what the books are about.
For historical erotic romance: Susan Johnson, the previously mentioned Robin Schone and Evangeline Collins – and where did she disappear to? Two books and nothing. I probably shouldn’t ask because it inevitably leads to someone posting that she has passed or is deathly ill, and then I feel small and selfish about whining about the lack of books.
Sylvia Day also does some great historicals. I like them better than her contemporaries.
Since I am not good at recalling titles/plots/authors (I should keep records or something), I guess I’ll mention the book I just finished: the audio book of “The Hooker and the Hermit” by J.H. Cosway and Penny Reid. The characters have a complicated emotional journey, and there is some tying up and safeword conversation, but it is very believable in a “just a little different” sort of way.
If I think of any others, I’ll comment again soon.
For historical, absolutely The Slightest Provocation by Pam Rosenthal! Kink isn’t the focus of the book but in the sex scenes we get a little roleplay, crossdressing, bondage, etc.
Another historical suggestion is the League of Rogues series by Lauren Smith. In the second book, His Wicked Seduction, the hero is known for his tricks with a piece of red silk. The story takes place during the holiday season on a country estate.
More votes for Anne Calhoun (esp. Liberating Lacey and The Muse) and Cara McKenna (After Hours was fantastic, and Unbound was also good). Cara McKenna also writes as Meg Maguire.
Big seconds on “The Theory of Attraction” by Delphine Dryden… it’s very sexy, but also has an interesting power dynamic going on because the hero gets to introduce the heroine to her kinkier side while the heroine is helping the hero navigate social situations at his job. It kept it from feeling like the hero was a jerk, which is something I usually have a problem with in hotter books. Thumbs up!
Just sneaking in to agree with Andrea D – the 2 books she mentions are my absolute favourite romances. I love the very last sentence in After Hours – it’s a lovely end to the story. Anne Calhoun has also written 2 other stories published together as “Uncommon Pleasure” which I enjoyed as well, but Uncommon Passion is the most striking of the 3 stories.
I just read the Innocence trilogy by Alessandra Torre (starting with Blindfolded Innocence) and I highly recommend it for erotic romance. I’m so sick of BDSM being thrown gratuitously into just about every erotic romance (and many of the regular romances also), to the point where I pretty much just skim the sex scenes in most romances. In this trilogy, the hero’s kink is that he likes to watch other people pleasure his partner. There isn’t an excessive amount of sex in the trilogy but what there is of it is pretty darned hot. There’s also a good plot and a great romance in there also. The only thing is that the hero is in his mid to late 30’s and the heroine is 21. However, she is strong, gives just as good as she gets, and totally keeps him on his toes, so I didn’t feel that typical power imbalance.
I’d also second Victoria Dahl’s contemporaries. She writes great stories and characters and there’s something about her sex scenes – I can’t put my finger on it, but they are just fun to read. In historicals, Jennifer Ashley’s Mackenzies series doesn’t have much kink, but she’s another author that writes sex scenes where I will actually read every word. I’ve also really enjoyed Kate Pearce’s Simply series – they were the first erotic historicals that I read and they’ve got a little of everything – straight sex, exhibitionism, multiple partners, m/m, and a bit of BDSM, but not an overwhelming amount.
For historicals that have a little bit of kink, there are a couple by Liz Carlyle, “The Earl’s Mistress” and to a lesser degree, “Tempted All Night”. Her books are not erotica, but the sex scenes in many of them have a certain intensity and she does it very well. One of them, I think it might be “One Touch of Scandal” the H teaches the h about tantric sex(he spent a lot of time in India). There is also a scene in “A Woman Scorned” where the hero tries a bit of dominant role-playing, but can’t take it seriously, he ends up bursting out laughing. I love that one because the hero is a cleric and a scholar, and the heroine is rumored to be an adulterous femme fatale. I’m sorry to say Carlyle has apparently gone into retirement and is not writing any new books, but she’s got a great backlist.
I can’t believe no one mentioned Charlotte Stein. Remember Deep Desires? They were neighbors whose windows overlooked each other and one night she notices he’s doing something naughty through the window. She can’t resist watching and keeps peeking nearly every night. Then one night he slaps a note on his window that reads “Your Turn”. Good times. Her Sweet Agony is also great and features real people with kinks. For Historical do you remember “Passion” by Lisa Valdez? Public sex! Non of these have BDSM but they do have “kinks”. Also I think it was the Judith Ivory “Untie my Heart” that had sex tied to a chair? Am I recalling that right?
I absolutely love Delphine Dryden’s theory of attraction series. They’re so great.
Don’t quote me on this, but I’m pretty sure that Her Husband’s Harlot by Grace Calloway has a bit of kink. The hero doesn’t want to consummate his marriage with the heroine (he is a large man and she is pocket-sized, so he’s concerned about hurting her, and maybe something about him feeling soiled?) so the heroine ends up masquerading as a harlot in the club he goes to for sex. I can’t recall if there is anything else kinky, but they definitely do the deed for the first time in what is basically a brothel with the hero unknowing that he has sex with his wife.
Another vote for Cara McKenna and Anne Calhoun. I can’t decide if After Hours or Uncommon Passion was the best erotic romance of 2013, but both are excellent and the two of them also have nice backlists to go through. Bonus points for Calhoun’s Liberating Lacey having a heroine who is more affluent than the hero, and she’s making all that money on her own.
Given that both requests were for no BDSM/light on the BDSM, I am very surprised that Theory of Attraction has been recommended. Did I read a different book from everyone else? To me the BDSM was totally central to Ivan’s sexuality and to the plot.
As for something that hasn’t been mentioned yet, I will recommend Jill Sorenson’s Shooting Dirty. Very working class h/h, lots of hot sex, some bondage (mostly improvised). I don’t even like MC books, but this was great.
I loved Evangeline Collins’ books. She commented in 2012 on Goodreads that she was writing another book, so I hope she is well.
People seemed to like Alison Richardson’s trilogy as historical erotica. Here is where I read about it. It’s part of my enormous TBR pile.
http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2011/05/what-ever-happened-to1/
http://www.ffadultsonly.com/r/alison-richardson/
I’ll echo the Anne Calhoun recommendations. My favorite is “Liberating Lacey”.
Agree on Liberating Lacey by Anne Calhoun. Also would add Sabrina York – she has a lot of books out, so there will definitely be something there that is not billionaire erotica. Tryst Island? A bunch of people have a beach house they share, etc.
And I really enjoyed Indecent Exposure by Jane O’Reilly (heroine takes ‘couples’ photos, as well as regular studio portraits). It’s part of a loosely connected series which were all very good, but that was the one I read first, so it sticks with me the most.
Beth Kery has a variety of series out there – some are billionairy (but I liked them). Try the One Night of Passion series – I really liked the one where the heroine is hiking, gets spooked by a guy she also sees in the woods who is trying to tell her NOT to hike where the sinkholes are … you can guess what happens next. And there’s a Lassie scene where the dog rescues them! And sex in a cave that seemed believable. Sort of.
Thank you @Hannah, but still not reassured.
I know others have recommended Victoria Dahl already, but IIRC, one of her contemporaries, Talk Me Down, specifically involved a little bondage action. Nothing that dominated the entire relationship, just something the heroine wanted to try out and the hero was all too happy to indulge.
Yeeh thank you for all the suggestions! I’m glad you posted an article about BDSM-free erotica (or mostly so) as it’s something I positively avoid. All erotic novels should include a content warning for BDSM 😉 Thank yoU!
@kera re: hero likes being tied up
Check out “Unbound” by Cara McKenna. The hero has a rope fetish which is incorporated into the sex between the hero and heroine. It’s pretty kinky (involves teasing and role pay), but not spanking/whipping/pain, etc. It’s very heavily focused on bondage. I’ve recommended it here before–it’s probably my favorite erotic romance I’ve ever read.
Seconding the Delphine Dryden books, although they most certainly are BDSM. But if you’re into BDSM without millionaires, it’s an excellent series (the characters are all academics living in Austin, TX). The first two books in the series have men as the Doms, but in the third, the hero is the sub. Great books all around.
I’m another one who likes the Delphine Dryden Theory of Attraction books. BDSM, but not asshole “turn your entire life over to me” heroes. People who have lives, and enjoy the other things in their lives; they like their kink but it doesn’t define them.
Also, someone suggested Vivian Arend’s Six Pack Ranch books. I like those, but even more for this topic I’d recommend her trilogy that begins with High Risk. Set in a search and rescue team in Banff. The books are more romantic suspense, but with some kink in the love scenes. Search and rescue, park rangers, etc., are my catnip, but I think I’d like these anyway.
Surprised no one has mentioned Alisha Rai. Her characters are racially diverse and she writes thoughtful relationships. Her Serving series is really good, but while A Gentleman On the Street has a billionaire in it, it’s the woman who’s a billionaire instead of the other way around.
I am hooked onTessa Bailey’s Line of Fire series (although Matt and Lucy’s book may be a little too intense). I’m currently reading Christine Bells Dare Me series and looking for more… Fabulous books! My two favorite authors right now.
@ Jen
Thank you so much for the rec, and sorry it took me so long to come back to this post. Work is the devil.
Unbound sounds right up my alley. Bondage and Scotland? Definitely one-clicking that.
“The Girls Guide to (Man)Hunting” by Jessica Clare is two people on a camping trip with others, trying to hide their sex. The sequel, “The Care and Feeding of an Alpha Male” by Jessica Clare involves some semi-public sex, and lots of sexy talking. She also has a bunch of billionaire books.
“Fantasy Island: Mya’s Werewolf” has slightly kinky scifi/paranormal sex, although it’s a novella/short story.
I think that An Indecent Affair by Stephanie Julian involves no actual billionaires (the heroes handle kidnapping and hostage situations and the heroine is a wealthy lawyer), but does involve a 3-way relationship, some voyeurism and some ordering-around (“take off your dress” etc). The story in the series before this one is An Indecent Proposition and involves the lawyer’s scarred billionaire brother, his billionaire best friend, and a waitress.
I second “Her Husband’s Harlot”, although it does push my BDSM buttons when I’m looking for that. The heroine watches some kinky sex at a club, and the sex with her husband tends to be a little rough. There is quite a lot more plot than sex, but there are a solid 3 or 4 hot sex scenes.
I also adore Nalini Singh as the only author I know who writes both hot sex and great plot/character books. These are not really erotica. There’s “Branded by Fire”, which is about two dominant shapeshifters. They’re hot for each other, they wrestle, he pins her and fucks her (very consensually). “Caressed by Ice” also has paranormal, hot tie-up sex scenes. Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series also has some great slightly-kinky sex (including angel-flying sex), but there’s also some descriptive memories of various kinds of abuse that I find mildly triggering, and again, very plot heavy.