Hello sexy friends,
I was recently part of an online Goodreads discussion about sex in romance novels, specifically of the paranormal genre. I was chatting with a variety of women, all who adore romance in one form or another. We had a rollicking time trying to assess whether the paranormal genre has become sexier and why that would be the case.
It was pretty clear that, as paranormal readers, we’ve all been somewhat programmed over the past while to expect a certain level of sex in those novels. Now, as an erotic author, I have no problem with this. I like a bit of hoochy-coochy in my books, both the ones I read and the ones I write. And with the advent of characters like Anita Blake and Sookie Stackhouse, we’ve certainly all encountered sex at one time or another, whether in book form or TV. There seems to be something about a vamp or shifter that just cries “Take me now!”
However, the question was posed: how much sex is too much? Several readers piped up and said they were absolutely not fans of wham-bang-thank you ma’am type books. They want a plot with their paranormal sex. They made it clear they do not want sex to drive the plots in a book about supernaturals. Werewolves and vampires and aliens dealing with emotional issues, yes. Supernatural sex, not always.
Tell me how you feel? Have you ever read a book that’s felt like one long titillating liaison? Did you get bored? Did you find yourself saying, “Enough with the boobs and ass already. Where’s the plot?”
Or, conversely, are you just fine with paranormal plots that are a little on the slim side? Does it depend on your mood? Do you skim the parts that aren’t sexual or anticipating that sex?
We’d love to hear from you!
Love, Lust, and Laptops 
ooo that is a really good question and my answer probably applies to all genres not just paranormal. but there is a point for me where there is too much sex and not enough plot i can give you specifics of what that point is but there are a few books that i have read that i skimmed the sex in order to get back to the plot because i just didn’t care about the sex any more. now whether it was the writing or too much sex or what but i know i do sometimes skim. for the most part though most paranormal books i read fall in the just right category for me. some of them i also wish they had more sex cause the hero is just so hot i want more 🙂
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I hear ya, Melissa. Sometimes you just want more of that hunk!! But I guess we need some plot too, huh? 🙂
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I absolutely want a plot with the sex. I think the sex should add to the story, not BE THE STORY! I am ABSOLUTELY a Paranormal LOVER but I have to have something more than sex to hold my interest. LOVE LOVE LOVE your work!!!! THANKS!!!
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Thanks so much, Julia, for your kind comments and your thoughts. So glad you popped in and I agree!
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Must have plot. Don’t care if it is paranormal, scifi romance, suspense, mystery, whatever. I need a plot — the sex should embellish the plot, heck the sex/romance arc should be a parallel plot line crossing over and intersecting with the main plot line — but there had better be a main plot line.
If there is too much sex, or it goes on for too long, I skim it. I find the lead up to the culmination — the teasing touches, the glancing kisses, the smoldering looks, the conversational foreplay — so much more interesting. But that is me.
One of the sexiest books I ever read was Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels. The back and forth between Jess and Dain was sexy, romantic, funny, and touching. When they did finally have sex, it was hot even though it did not go on for pages and pages. Chase created the perfect romance couple — they had chemistry.
A good example in paranormal romance is Thea Harrison’s Dragon Bound. The same kind of build up and when they did have sex — it was much more satisfying.
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I will have to check those ones out Monette. It’s true, what often sticks with me are the foreplay scenes. The sex is fun, but the anticipation even more so at times.
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Sex without the warm-up is a bore. I have no connection to the couple on the pages doing the wild thang. A heartwarming story that leads up to the great WAHOO moments keeps the reader in me coming back for more!
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And don’t we love those Wahoo moments, Sheri? I know I do, especially when the build up has been effective.
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I have read books where there was too much sex. But the reason I thought there was too much is it either happened at a point in the book that didn’t make sense or there was little sensuality to it.
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That is too true, Ella. Sex without proper context is wasted. Like being forced to eat a mountainous piece of cake when all you really wanted was a well-placed nibble!
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I’m all about the plot! I usually skim sex scenes, especially if there are a lot of them in a book. To me, once the characters have sex, unless you got some big huge conflict going on, the book is finished. I just skim until the end. It’s why I like to wait until at least 2/3rds of the book to have my characters knock the boots. I do make exceptions, but plot is still a major point for me!
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Absolutely, Robin! Knocking boots…I always liked that one. 🙂
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I have to admit that I am a mood reader. There are times where I can read stories with more sex than plot and others I need more plot and character building. If I really like the characters, I want to know more about them. I know what to expect if the book is labeled as such though.
Great post, Rosanna! 🙂
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Thank you Tina! Yes, it’s true, our mood can really dictate how sexy a read we want. As long as we’re happy, that’s the important thing! 🙂
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