Back in December, I’d attended my local library sponsored book club. After the main discussion about a Baldacci book with a romantic twist to it, the discussion turned to which genre of books we each liked. I knew this would be a varied answer because the group is varied. Most of the ladies – it’s all women – prefer mystery books. They want action and a whodunit story. That’s fine. We all like what we like.
It was the comment one lady made about not liking romance. I get that not everyone will enjoy romance. That doesn’t bother me. What kind of did bother me, or stuck with me, was her comment, though. “I don’t like romance. It’s too predictable and mushy. Just no substance for me.”
My first instinct was to get irritated, but I let it pass. Another lady there, whom I know loves erotic romance – we discuss Sylvia Day and other e-rom authors – was taken aback by the comment. I said, hey, everyone has their taste. My friend, I’ll call her Lydia, her response was, yeah, but that’s what you write. Lydia was correct, but I had to shrug. What can I say? I couldn’t argue.
Then this past week, I was at book sorting for the book sale. Someone had donated books that appeared to be at least 35 years old that concerned pleasing a man in bed, being a better lover and one book that was much newer – a collection of 20 erotica tales. I’ve read erotica and written plenty of it. Doesn’t bother me. So I put them together in a bag and didn’t think twice. The other ladies – this group is mostly ladies and only ladies were there at the time – were either appalled by the books or giggly and embarrassed. One said, “oh these don’t belong here. These aren’t for anyone to see.” Uh… yeah, they are. Most of us wouldn’t be here if someone hadn’t had sex. I doubt the locals want to read erotica, but you never know. There, as I know well, is a market for erotica and erotic reads. Another woman said, “oh I read those.” For a moment, I felt better. Then she said, “I read them to make me laugh. It’s so impossible. No one has love work out that way and all that…you know. It’s not probable.” Sigh. So much for thinking I had an ally.
I have to admit, of the books we’ve read for the coordinated book club, I’ve liked about 3 in the last 3 or 4 years. I’d like to say I’m discerning, but I’m probably just a particular reader.
Here’s the thing. Everyone likes what they like. I can’t make comments on anyone for their tastes in books. It’s no different than what they said. The cool thing about being in these groups is learning what others like and how to appreciate it. But the one thing I will mention, in the spirit of being positive, just because e-rom or erotica isn’t your cuppa, remember it might be someone else’s. Let’s celebrate our differences.
For what it’s worth, I love romances, e-roms and erotica, but I also love biographies, music biographies, history books and vintage ones. I like to read about celebrities and musicians. Like what you like in books and keep it in mind, not everyone else will share your choices.
Speaking of erotica and being particular, here’s a little bit about my latest release, Challenges
Challenges Boxed Set by Megan Slayer
Cover Art by Bryan Keller
Genre(s): Guilty Pleasures (Contemporary), BDSM, Box Sets, New Releases, Romance
Theme(s): Voyeurism and Exhibitionism, Dark Desire
Seven women. Seven Challenges. What each woman gets is beyond her wildest dreams.
Make Me: A crop, some rope, a sweet little plug — just what she wants, and all she had to say was “Make me.”
Show Me: Calen’s issued a challenge — her naked before the wall of windows in their sixth floor apartment. Will Elisha please her master or walk away forever?
Take Me: Talia wants nothing more than to shirk her duties on the set of her latest movie so she can be with her heartthrob husband. But she never expected him to kidnap her — or did she?
Watch Me: Kacey and Marc’s lives changed the moment the hunk moves in next door. Will they be willing to make all their fantasies reality, or will they have to live with the view through the window?
Film Me: Jinx has been around the world of adult films for more than five years. Leading man Wes Long challenges Jinx for more. He’ll accept nothing less than her total submission — on and off the set.
Capture Me: Dolly makes her living posing for pinup shots. She’s got the look — the tats, the piercings — but she’s not a size two. Some guys love a wicked hot challenge.
Caught Me: Trick’s offered his girl a challenge — simple, easy, and sure to be decadent. He’s going to make her wildest dreams come true.
Publisher’s Note: Challenges (Box Set) contains the previously published novellas Make Me, Show Me, Take Me, Watch Me, Film Me, Capture Me, and Caught Me.
Available from Changeling Press: https://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2517
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Challenges-Megan-Slayer-ebook/dp/B07BFHJMVY
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/challenges-megan-slayer/1124499576?ean=2940159169792
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/challenges-7
And iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/challenges-box-set/id1360022685?
This post is also up at the Dirty Birdies Blog: https://wp.me/p6bvcM-1NP
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