#100BooksChallenge book #10! This is a FREE DOWNLOAD on Amazon as I write this, the first book of a three part series and wow! It was so enjoyable, as soon as I finished I downloaded parts two and three.
About the Book
Part black. Part Irish. Part Lumbee Indian.
Wholly determined to protect her family.
Naomi Jackson made a mistake. Born in the tumultuous years following the American Revolution, she embraced change, excitement, and adventure. So when the Devil Bill Williams swaggered into town, she launched into his arms, determined that her love for him could overcome all obstacles.
It couldn’t.
Now she has two young children, a life of misery, and a hopeless, desperate desire to escape.
Then David Oxendine arrives for a Christmas visit – and things will never be the same.
* * *
Across the River – an 1800s Black / Native American Novella is the first in a series of novellas about Naomi Jackson’s heartfelt, challenging life. These stories are based loosely on author Lisa Shea’s real-life ancestor, Naomi Jackson, who was born in 1784 in Guilford County, North Carolina. Naomi’s father had been taken from Northern Ireland as a child, while her mother was mixed-blood black, Lumbee, and Irish. Each novella has a cliff-hanger ending, much like Naomi’s life.
All proceeds from the Naomi Jackson series benefits local battered women’s shelters.
An important note for readers of my various series. Normally my content is quite “clean” with little to no swearing, violence, or physical intimacy. With this being based on the immense hardships my ancestor struggled through, I wanted to be authentic to the issues she rose above. This book therefore includes period-appropriate harsh language as well as several scenes of conflict. I gave a great deal of thought to including these and feel they are necessary to fully convey the trials she overcame. I apologize to those who feel uncomfortable reading that style of material.
Please feel free to contact me at my website if you have any questions or comments – I thrive on your feedback.
Five ‘wow’ stars!
This was a very quick read, around two hours a novella length story, that packs a real punch for the length. I found the author’s storytelling and writing style to be very engaging, it kept me turning pages. If there’s one thing I love, it’s a well crafted fearless female, stuck in a hard situation but determined to get out. Especially if there’s children involved. Naomi Jackson to me was exactly that as I read, and given the historical setting she’s in this made it even more powerful and interesting to read her story. I found Naomi Jackson really like-able from the start, I felt for her and the sacrifices she made to ensure simple things her children had. I also admire the way she had to be so smart with Bill (her partner). He may have ‘felt he was in control’ really Naomi was – manipulation, so she could do what she needed to do.
Across the River touches on an aspect of history not often spoken about, not only were people of colour used as slaves by whites, so were white Irish people. Of course, I knew this myself, this is often why people of colour and Irish people ‘bond’, because they both were mistreated by whites historically. I liked this, it’s not shown enough or even recalled in history that this demographic of people suffered too.
This for me was a very gripping story, I just knew I’d enjoy it and the author didn’t fail to deliver! As soon as I finished the book I downloaded the other two with a feeling of, ‘wow what happens next?’ Normally I don’t like cliff-hangers but if done well, and the book managed to grip me enough without a conclusion at the end then I don’t mind! It’s a hands down 5 star read from me. I recommend this series starter Across The River, if you love historical fiction, love reading strong females, or love to read about different historical experiences. Give Across the River a Try.
The Romance Writer’s Organisation of South Africa brings you an anthology of steamy stories that will leave you hot under the collar and your Kindle melting. These stories are brought to you by our authors, both published and unpublished.
Welcome to a collection of bite-sized, Kindle-melting stories that will leave you salivating for more from these authors. Each story is a short, standalone, and ends in a HEA or HFN. This is a limited time anthology, so grab it before it’s gone for good!
This is for sure one for young adult lovers! It’s a powerful story if you enjoy this genre. This is book #9 of my #100BooksChallenge
About the book
California always seemed like the great place to start over, or so I thought. But my broken past continues to haunt me, even in the City of Angels. Camden Carter, a mysterious law student, walks into my life and begins to shatter the walls that took my entire life to build. Somehow, I end up right in the middle of a replication of my past that I can’t escape. I was always fine being alone; I actually thrived in it, but I soon find out that Cam is the lover that I never knew I wanted.
Will I finally find the strength that I never knew I had?
4 lovely stars
From reading the blurb I had no idea the characters would be YA, so if you like your romance themes a little more mature, keep this in mind. Often I find it hard to connect with the female leads in this genre, being over thirty-five myself. However, Broken Past was a quick read, and it was enjoyable to see the trials and hardships of young love develop. Without giving spoilers ( I hate that), the story-line is one that will touch you. It follows a female lead who has been through a lot for her tender years. As I read and started to warm up to her, I did ‘feel for her’ and hoped she’d find her happy ever after with Cam. I would say the most enjoyable aspects for me in Broken Past was Cam, and the role he played in this young lady’s life. He’s a hero in every sense! I liked how he fraught for his girl, and really wanted to love her. I enjoyed the ‘wooing’ he did and how much he proved himself. It was also lovely to see the growth the main female character has, as she moves to a new city. It was a well-written story, if you love clean and sweet romance, enjoy following younger characters, and the different dynamics that this has compared to general romance, I would give this a try! 4 lovely stars from me. It’s free to read on Kindle Unlimited also.
I came across these two wonderful children’s books via Facebook. I thank the author for my review copies. All opinions are my own. I have to say they were both a very quick, good, and educational read for my son, and very entertaining there’s lots of activities thrown in!
About The Book: Join Pep Pep and Tara as they celebrate Tara’s first birthday!
This first book I’d give a solid five stars my son ( seven years old), loved it. We read through it together, well I read to him. He enjoyed listening to the party preparations and looking at the bold colour pictures. As well as the real life picture of a dog. The icing on the cake I think (for me as a parent) is that, this book has so many educational activities loaded at the back. From word-searches, spelling practice, and pictures related to the book to colour in. I really was impressed with the variety in the book, I didn’t expect it. Often I do see activities in the back of children’s books to help check a child’s comprehension, but this book is different. There’s a mixture of fun and education. Not just checking comprehension. I highly recommend the paperback version, so you can photo copy or use the activities directly from the book.
About the book: Join Tara and Pep Pep as they explore the local 911 academy and learn what to do in an emergency!
This book here, I’d give a solid four stars, I so wanted to give it five! But it’s the wider appeal that would have been lovely for both me and my son. This is because ‘911’ is the number used in the USA only, it would have been wonderful if there was reference to the different numbers used around the world. Or just a statement about this so children understand that. While my son was able to grasp the concept of the story and learn ‘what to do in an emergency,’ I had to change 911 to 999 for my part of the world. I understand that the author can’t reference the emergency number for every country, but reference to the difference around the world would be good educational learning , and easy for us parents to make the link that 911 is exclusive to the USA. However, this is a very educational book, and the serious concept of what to do in an emergency is well pitched to younger readers. There’s a wonderful variety of fun activities at the back. My son loved them all we printed them off. Overall four solid stars and I highly recommend this read also for children.
Again, I don’t share excerpts often, it’s #SharingSunday let’s take a look at suspect#2 while we’re at it. F**k knows where this character came from in me . The wife– Manisha Patel. Is her story plausible in this murder-mystery/ thriller?
The Loving Wife?
Manisha rolled her car to a stop in the parking area of the cemetery. She climbed out and loaded her arms with the flowers and fresh potted plants she’d bought and stored in the boot of the car. As she slammed the boot shut, she glanced around her.The overcast day brought a shadow over the cemetery.Her eyes moved over the fresh graves that had appeared since she last visited. She tried to come as often as she could, but it had been several weeks. In the time that had passed, she noticed five new graves.After locking the car, she slowly made her way up the gravel walkway, taking the time to read the fresh head stones.“Wow, not even forty.”The corners of her lips turned down sadly, and she read the headstone of the man who had recently passed away“Life’s too short.”She shook her head and moved forward up the walkway. Briefly, she stopped and struggled with her handbag that was balanced on her shoulder. Once situated, she continued her walk over to Tony’s grave.The leaves needed clearing, and some weeds removed. She sat the bags down on the grass, then pulled out her gardening gloves and set to work.Manisha knelt down on the grass, looked over the headstone, then ran a hand over her late husband’s picture smiling back at her.“You mean old bastard.” She laughed, then glanced around to make sure no one had heard her. “Sorry, where are my manners?”Manisha pulled up the dead weeds around the headstone.“So, how have you been, my beloved? Laughing at me from beyond the grave, no doubt?” Manisha glanced over at his picture.“I’ve not heard a word from Chelsea in a while, and as you probably know, they never found your murderer.”“Anyway, I guess it doesn’t really matter does it. I fought as hard as I could for what’s mine and the kids.”Manisha reached in her canvas bag, and fished out a plastic bag to put the weeds in. She stuffed them in with force, then turned her attention back to the headstone. She cocked an eyebrow at Tony’s picture.“Let’s just hope the kids are okay after all this is over. This is your fault, ya know that, don’t you?”She patted out the pot plants from the plastic containers, then dug some shallow fresh holes around the side of the grave. Here she pushed the new baby daffodils and geraniums into the soil.“There, that’s better.”A smile blew across her lips, then it faded away. She sat on her knees for a moment, staring off into space—into a daydream.“This is too difficult, Tony. I came here to try and do what’s right and expected of me. Tend to your grave, be the grieving widow everyone imagines I am.” She laughed again, then glanced up at the grey clouds.“Truth is, no one understands how hard it is to forgive you. Or even what it was like to be your wife.”Looking up into the sky, the heavens started to open.Light drops of rain landed on her face.“I guess that’s a sign from him upstairs. I’m forgiven?” She waved her arms around, then looked back at Tony’s picture.“Whatever.” She pulled off her gardening gloves, then stuffed them in the canvas bag.She tied a knot in the bag of weeds and gathered her gardening tools together.Once on her feet, she loaded her arms up with the tools and bag of weeds, then glanced around to check who was there. No one was around.The rain started to pour harder.Manisha looked down at Tony’s grave. She hacked up a mouth full of phlegm and spat right on the gravestone image of Tony, then watched it ooze down a bit.“Serves you right, you bastard.”She lifted her nose to the sky, and in the rain, she stomped her way back to her car, never looking back.
Oh what happens next?? Find out The Note is on pre-order for just ,99 cent until release day! Then full price (3.99) check out Amazon here https://bit.ly/TheNoteUnsolvedMystery
Everyone has a motive for murder when there’s money on the table. But whose story is more plausible?
In seventy-two hours, Detectives Idris Dunne and Josh McDonald close in on an unsolved murder case with the help of mysterious notes.
One of London’s wealthy entrepreneurs was diagnosed with cancer, and became estranged from his wife of thirty years Manisha. Unknown to her, his mistress Chelsea Jackson was slowly sinking her claws into her husband. But that’s not all his mistress was up to. Unexpectedly Tony’s mutilated body is found dumped in a park. Everyone has a motive especially when money is on the table, and his wife Manisha, and their adult children were cut out of his will and replaced by his mistress Chelsea.
Was this an act of kindness from Tony, toward his carer and mistress? Or was there foul play and pressure to change his will by Chelsea? What about his murderer? The case was left unsolved, with lack of evidence.
Mystery notes are sent by an anonymous tip off, Detective Dunne and McDonald re-investigate and piece together the mystery surrounding the entrepreneur’s death, and what led him to change his Last Will in Testament. The question is, from all suspects whose story is more plausible?
It’s sharing Sunday! Here’s a excerpt from The Note, meet suspect #1 Chelsea Jackson.
De ja Vu
Chelsea
Chelsea lowered herself onto the sofa opposite Dunne and McDonald, then covered her face with her hands.
“Not this again. I thought we were done. I’ve not done anything. I have no idea—”
“Look, Chelsea, we understand that,” replied Dunne. “His murder was closed and left as a cold case. But we have a few more questions for you. Something else has come to light.”
Chelsea’s gaze flashed back to meet Dunne’s dark brown eyes in an instant.
What? She gripped the hem of her skirt, then smoothed the fabric over her thighs.
Dunne’s words caused her pulse to race for a second, but she recovered and focused on getting her body language in check. She remained cautious, not wanting to appear on edge by the unexpected news.
Chelsea remembered all too well how observant Dunne and his little side kick were, especially during the last investigation into Tony’s murder. The last thing she needed was to be in the spotlight, again.
She didn’t relish being under the thumbs of the detectives or for Tony’s family to examine her life under a microscope.
Her mind briefly moved to Manisha—Tony’s estranged but very legal wife.
This can’t be happening! I bet she’s behind all this, she thought.
She tossed the situation around in her mind as if to try and place exactly what could have come to light that would send Dunne back to her doorstep. Her fear turned to rage.
A steady heat pooled in her stomach and made its way through her body, invoking her anger. The mere thought of Tony’s family, or anyone else for that matter, messing up her plans again didn’t settle well.
Chelsea took a deep breath, smoothed over her hair, then fixed the most innocent face for Dunne and McDonald she could muster.
She placed a hand over her heart and got into character as if to resume her delegated role to remain off Dunne’s radar.
“What do you mean something else has come to light?” She widened her eyes and glanced from Dunne to McDonald. “Do we have more information on who killed Tony?”
Her hand fell to her cheek, then she strained out a few tears. “I still can’t believe it. Who would have done such a thing?” Her words slipped past her lips through false sobs and tears. “He had no enemies as far as I knew.”
“We need to talk to you at the station.” McDonald scooted to the edge of the sofa, his knees pressing against the coffee table.
“Wait.” Chelsea shifted her wide-eyed gaze back to him. “Are you arresting me again?”
She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, playing the hurt, vulnerable lover, yet, inside, she seethed. The heat of anger threatened to explode and mess up the hard work she had done throughout the last investigation to claim her innocence.
Dunne’s stare roamed over her as if he were studying her carefully.
Chelsea ignored him, sniffled, dabbed at her tears, and then met McDonald’s ice blue eyes.
“More like an interview—under caution.” McDonald held her gaze.
“But I’ve not—”
“Just come with us to the station, Chelsea, then you’re free to enjoy the rest of your day.” McDonald moved a decretive pillow, setting it at the end of the couch.
Chelsea rose and looked around her home. She took in the luxury surrounding her and kicked herself for not booking a one way ticket to Australia sooner. Big plans were in the work that required the money sitting in her account. And they didn’t involve Lance, these detectives, or any of Tony’s surviving family members.
Holding back a smile, she felt it bubble within her. The thought of the vision board she had made and displayed in her bedroom kept her focused on the task at hand. Her goal was to set herself up with a nice little place near the beach somewhere in Australia, forget about working, and do something she enjoyed with her life. Like painting, it was her one true talent other than number crunching as an accountant. Numbers paid well, but not well enough for the life she wanted. Plus, London’s weather was nothing exciting. She figured she could more than afford to take some time out, work on her tan, and find herself a nice Australian hunk to pass the time.
She glared at McDonald and tried to steady her breathing. “This isn’t fair. We went through all this before I—”
“Let’s go.” McDonald rose to his feet, followed by Dunne.
Both men stood towering over her.
Peeking from under her lashes, she looked at them. They didn’t scare her. She only hoped her innocent act would wash with one or both of them. Sure, she had a motive for Tony’s death, but so did his wife—she reminded herself of this.
Focus on the here and now, she thought.
The heavy gaze of Dunne and McDonald thickened the air.
“Why can’t you ask me whatever you want here?”
“Interviews under caution need to be recorded—you know this,” Dunne said.
Chelsea sized him up, moving her eyes over his lean frame. Dunne seemed impatient to her, she sensed it. And if she wasn’t mistaken, he wanted to hurry up the process.
Only one issue made her skin crawl. At the station, the detectives could cross examine her, then playback her responses, searching for holes. She was well aware of this, and that made her nervous. The thought of her personal life put on display again, brought a sense of dread to rest heavy on her chest. But she didn’t want them to know how she felt or that she was trying to stay one step ahead. She must remain careful with all that she said and did, including her mannerisms and facial expressions.
“Recorded, yeah.” Chelsea threw her head back and laughed. “How can I forget. Give me a second, I’ll grab a jacket.”
Chelsea knew then that her hunch was right. He did want to speed up the process.
“Make it quick.” Dunne let out an impatient breath and shot a side-glance at his partner.
She turned to leave the room, contemplating what to wear—a coat, cloak, or wool wrap.
Footsteps tapped against the wooden floor behind her. Chelsea glanced over a shoulder just in time to catch sight of McDonald peeking into her kitchen.
Pausing for a moment at her bedroom door, she listened to the men’s conversation. Their voices remained low, floating out of the main living area.
“This is gonna be a headache, I can tell,” whispered McDonald.
“Yeah, but if we don’t at least follow up on the evidence, who knows what we’ll miss.” Dunne stepped into view. “Or what we’ve already missed.”
She crept forward, slightly, then watched Dunne, who now stood in front of the circular mirror, smoothing his tie.
Evidence? She covered her mouth to stem the gasp that almost escaped. What evidence? Her mind raced back and forth over the last investigation. There was no evidence, well not enough, anyway. Otherwise, they never would have closed the case, marking it unsolved.
She mused further over the information flowing through her thoughts, then backed into her room, gently closing the door. Back against the frame, she wrapped her arms around herself. A frown of frustration hit her lips.
She sighed deeply, chewing on the skin around her thumb nail.
Chelsea headed over to her dresser, grabbed her phone, then checked for messages—there were none.
On autopilot she pulled up Lance’s name and typed out a message. She thought twice about it, and then deleted the message.
Slowly, she turned around from her dresser and pondered her next move.
“Chelsea,” Dunne’s voice called out.
She jumped to attention. “Just give me a second, I’m coming.”
Tension tightened the muscles in her neck and back. She made her way over to the large wardrobe stuffed with designer clothes and shoes and freed a black jacket from a hanger. Quickly, she slid it over her frame and closed the door.
In the mirror on the back of the wardrobe’s doorframe, she looked herself in the eye. “You’ve got this!”
Prep talk over, she grabbed her handbag from beside the bed, shoved her phone inside a corner pocket of the bag, then made her to the door. She placed a hand on the knob, then paused a moment. Her shoulders sagged, rolling forward. A grieving expression masked her face, and she let out a calming breath, preparing for her role. Once in character, she made her way out to Detective Dunne and McDonald.
ohhhhhh what happens at the police station in the next chapter?? Find out The Note is out now on pre-order for just 99 cent until release day! (Then full price 3.99) after release on the 14th February 2021. Check out Amazon here!
Book Blurb:
Everyone has a motive for murder when there’s money on the table. But whose story is more plausible?
In seventy-two hours, Detectives Idris Dunne and Josh McDonald close in on an unsolved murder case with the help of mysterious notes.
One of London’s wealthy entrepreneurs was diagnosed with cancer, and became estranged from his wife of thirty years Manisha. Unknown to her, his mistress Chelsea Jackson was slowly sinking her claws into her husband. But that’s not all his mistress was up to. Unexpectedly Tony’s mutilated body is found dumped in a park. Everyone has a motive especially when money is on the table, and his wife Manisha, and their adult children were cut out of his will and replaced by his mistress Chelsea.
Was this an act of kindness from Tony, toward his carer and mistress? Or was there foul play and pressure to change his will by Chelsea? What about his murderer? The case was left unsolved, with lack of evidence.
Mystery notes are sent by an anonymous tip off, Detective Dunne and McDonald re-investigate and piece together the mystery surrounding the entrepreneur’s death, and what led him to change his Last Will in Testament. The question is, from all suspects whose story is more plausible?
Book #8 of my #100BooksChallenge! So I came across this book on Facebook, and if there’s one thing I love it’s nonfiction books! I’m a big memoir fan, no matter the subject matter, even if I’ve never had the experiences of the person in concern. I find memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies so interesting to read. This Life I Lived was no exception to this.
About the book:
Angelina shares with you, her life’s journey. She opens up about being a victim of molestation, rape and domestic violence. Speaking on such a sensitive topic is very difficult, but her main goal is to help and inspire other’s who were placed in similar situations. Breaking the silence of her past, she now lives by the motto, Speak up. After so many year’s, she was finally able to find her voice. With a tarnished past, she now hopes to have a brighter future.
5 eye opening stars
Now this is a very short memoir maybe around forty pages, that said don’t be under any illusion about the depth of it. The author does go into detail (graphically at times), about the experiences she had with her abuser. What struck me was the age she experienced this, and how far she appears to have come. She was under ten years old! But now a founder of an abuse survivor’s organisation. As I read through it was easy to place myself in the scenes she detailed. By the time I finished I could see how this memoir would really help others. People who need the support that she is offering now, for people who need to move forward after trauma, or who are still experiencing trauma. I enjoyed this memoir, I closed the book like ‘wow, my goodness.’ I mean this not to say I enjoyed reading about the abuse or heart-ache, I enjoyed seeing the author’s change of direction, journey, strength, and bravery to actually write about it. I would have loved details about how life took shape, and how she got herself together, once her abuser was sent to prison. That said it’s worth a read if you enjoy this genre and hearing people’s stories. 5 eye opening stars for me. Free to read on Kindle Unlimited at the time of this review.
Hi guys, super excited to scream that book #1 of my Unsolved Mysteries series is now out, and just 99 cent until release day. If you love a good ‘who-dun-it’ grab a bargain now on Amazon https://bit.ly/TheNoteUnsolvedMystery
All stories are stand-alone and set in different locations around the world. First stop London, UK.
Book blurb
Everyone has a motive for murder when there’s money on the table. But whose story is more plausible?
In seventy-two hours, Detectives Idris Dunne and Josh McDonald close in on an unsolved murder case with the help of mysterious notes.
One of London’s wealthy entrepreneurs was diagnosed with cancer, and became estranged from his wife of thirty years Manisha. Unknown to her, his mistress Chelsea Jackson was slowly sinking her claws into her husband. But that’s not all his mistress was up to. Unexpectedly Tony’s mutilated body is found dumped in a park. Everyone has a motive especially when money is on the table, and his wife Manisha, and their adult children were cut out of his will and replaced by his mistress Chelsea.
Was this an act of kindness from Tony, toward his carer and mistress? Or was there foul play and pressure to change his will by Chelsea? What about his murderer? The case was left unsolved, with lack of evidence.
Mystery notes are sent by an anonymous tip off, Detective Dunne and McDonald re-investigate and piece together the mystery surrounding the entrepreneur’s death, and what led him to change his Last Will in Testament. The question is, from all suspects whose story is more plausible?
Book #7 for my #100BooksChallenge, I’ve had this title on my Kindle since last summer, really glad I read it. I just love these bite sized novellas that you can read in a few hours, if that. I’ve never read anything by this author, when I finished I felt that this was a really good introduction to her style of romance writing.
About The Book:
Autumn I thought I had more time. I thought I was going to be different from my mother and her mother before her. I did everything right and still, all I have is six months left. After receiving the news that my short life was almost over, I made the decision to stop what I was doing and open up my notebook to the page of things that I wanted to do and see before I closed my eyes forever.
Jax I stepped up! I signed my name on the dotted line and bravely served my country. I did and saw things that no man ever should. When my time was up and it was time to go home, it hit me. I was not the same bright-eyed and bushy-tailed boy who left home. All I wanted to be some peace and quiet. I found it at Arrington Farms & Orchards with Old Gus and his apple trees. When these two broken souls cross paths will they be able to let go of the anger that consumes them and let in the love they both thought they would never have?
4.5 heart-felt and touching stars
I enjoyed the novella. It was such a heart-felt, touching, and very unexpected story. The latter I mean in terms of the actual story-line and journey Jax and Autumn go on. It was a smooth read, very easy to get into, and the characters stood out well. It was easy to place myself in the shoes of each character. Without giving too many spoilers Autumn has the world at her feet, she’s a young lady in her twenties living with her best friend. She finds out some life changing news, and decides to live her best life! She takes a trip away from her home town, based on the news she receives. (It’s not great by the way). There she meets Jax, and a whole new direction follows for them both.
This bite sized novella intertwined many aspects where the characters in the present day, are linked via the past. It almost felt like a ‘fated’ romance for her and ‘second chance romance’ for him. Overall it was nice reading, and very refreshing to read a story where bad news is delivered but it sets the characters on their true path, before fate really does take over. An interesting romance in many ways due to this unique spin. Life is not a bed of roses. I really liked it! My only wish list is, I would have loved to know more about Autumn’s mother and her relationship with her dad– the family dynamic here, why she fled away. 4.5 stars from me, I would read more from the author. I recommend this novella if you like contemporary romance, interracial romance, romance with a difference give E.S McMillan a try. Free on Kindle Unlimited too at the time of this review.
Well, in response to the #90DaysBlogChallenge in my personal view point, is there ever too much sex in romance stories? I feel that how it’s written can make it seem ‘too much.’ Rather than how much is written. Also, I feel if that (hot sex) is the main driver in a story that’s meant to be, or marketed as a romance, then it can come across as too much. I feel the latter as yes, I agree that there’s a massive difference between romance and erotica, in terms of genre, and the purpose they serve to myself as a reader and others. If the main driver is ‘hot sex’ as a selling point of the story, it really should be an erotica story. So, let me break this down.
Seriously, is it ever too much?
In romance sex may play a big part in the story, after all this is about people and their relationships. So sex will be normal, naturally for characters as it is for real people. It’s a way relationships develop you could say, so generally it’s to be expected in romance stories. Unless it’s a ‘sweet and clean’ type of story. Generally speaking for me as a big romance reader, and writer, I think that if romance writers think very carefully about where they place their sex scenes, what purpose it serves, and why their characters must get it on at that point in the story– this helps with reducing that cringe-worthy read feeling. Or the feeling a reader may have (myself included) of, ‘this is too much, shit I’m not gonna finish this book.’ This is what I mean by how sex is written rather than how much of it. Also, in addition to this if there’s pages and pages of it, that’s overly detailed, and leaves little to the imagination, and nothing else going on really in the story –yes as a reader I’ve felt it’s ‘too much.’ Again, that boils down to how it’s written. The main elements of what makes a romance a romance may also be missing, if sex is all that’s driving the plot. Which brings me back to the point I made earlier– maybe that’s an erotica story if that’s the case.
So what’s the difference between erotica and romance in your view, Kim?
I know that’s what you’re thinking, well what’s the difference? In all honesty for me erotica is sex drivennot emotionally or even plot driven. To me the genre from what I have read of it, and clearly I know of it as a writer the main purpose it serves is more: the sexual tension, the sexy acts the characters get into themselves (BDSM, threesomes, carrying out fantasies etc). The plot is not always as dynamic as romance as the sexy acts can be such a big part of the story, and reason why the characters are together in the first place. This seems to be (from reading) what the main emphasis is on, in a lot of what I’ve read. It’s about the thrill of the chase yes but–sexually. Maybe you disagree, but this has just been my experience. I’d also generally say this as a writer too, I (and I’d guess most romance writers regardless of their sub-genre), write stories that are emotionally and plot driven. The emotional build up, tension (not always sexual think of romantic suspense as a sub-genre), and the growth and development characters often experience are a big factor of a story. The latter should be a feature if the writer has done a good job! Readers can feel and see it. Generally speaking also, the latter is not always something that is a heavy focus in erotica stories. It’s the power that’s in the sex scenes, rather than the power in emotionally tugging at a reader.
What about ‘steamy romance’?
Yes, let’s not forget this. I am a ‘steamy romance writer’ to the core. I find it very hard to write stories where characters just hold hands and walk in the park LOL. Those that pen wonderful romance and keep it clean, I commend them. It’s something I can’t really do– or maybe I just don’t wanna! Deep down. Steamy romance in my opinion is again different from erotica. I’d go as far as say I believe that ‘steamy romance’ is romance–emotionally and plot driven with growth for characters, a clear bond for characters over and above sexual attraction, even if sexual attraction is a feature in a story. To me it’s a label you can give romance stories that have all the features of a traditional romance but, it’s not ‘sweet and clean’, sex may feature a few times, and yes it may well be written in detail but not over the top. It’s different as again the main driver is not how ‘hot’ the sex is like erotica. The hot sex, adds to all the other romantic elements focused on.
So in a nutshell for me, nope there’s never too much sex in a romance as long as it’s well written, and not just thrown in for the sake of it. A lazy writer who can’t developa romance, or romantically charged plot well, or feels that’s what’s needed to engage a reader (heaps of sex only), might fall back on this technique and call it ‘romance.’ To me it’s really not. Yes, there’s a massive difference between erotica and romance. No matter how steamy that romance is. The plot will always be over and above: ‘getting it on,’ having ‘hot sex scenes,’ or the thrill of the chase for characters is based on knowing what a sexual experience with another character might be like.
What do you think? Do you read either romance or erotica genres– is there a difference for you? Which one do you prefer?
. The wife– Manisha Patel. Is her story plausible in this murder-mystery/ thriller?
Author, Kim Knight 