Stories: Single Malt or Blended?

For me, romance & erotica are at opposite ends of a continuum, starting at "sweet romances" and ending with pure erotica.

In the sweet romances, Boy meet girl, Boy loses girl, Boy gets girl back and they live happily ever after. Steamy scenes happen behind closed doors, and the reader doesn't see them. 

Next we have romances that include the sex scenes with varying amounts of frequency and detail. Things other than sex, however, take up most of the story.

In erotic romances, the main story is the love story, but the reader is also treated to plenty of graphic sex and the sexual relationship is really integral to the story line.

Next, there is what I think of as romantic erotica. The story isn't a love story in the classic sense. The main thrust (pun intended) is developing and exploring the characters' sexuality. In romantic erotica, an emotional attachment or fondness exists between the characters. And while you may not know whether the characters will live happily ever after, you know they'll live happily or contentedly for at least awhile.

Finally there is pure erotica that usually focuses on a character's erotic journey and an exploration of her sexuality. Power dynamics and sometimes dark and toxic relationships come into play, but not always. There is no love story. Sometimes I think the character will find peace and happiness. Sometimes I hope she finds a good therapist.

I personally love erotic romances and romantic erotica. I like to see characters struggle; their conflicts are interesting. But I also want them to have at least a "happy for now" ending. It doesn't mean they have to be living the life I would want to live. In some cases, they're definitely not. The unconventional lifestyle just has to work for them.

One author whose work I love is Emily Tilton. Her story, the very hot Shared by the Billionaires, explores a girl's complete sexual submission and willingness to be the prized possession of a wealthy and powerful--though not particularly likable--man. Her owner shows her off and provides her for use to his equally powerful friends. And at the basest level, the girl likes it. Being a desirable object turns her on. In the story, she meets a much more appealing man who is interested in using her for pleasure and then in buying her. I suspect some readers might object to the premise, but I enjoyed the story so much! Ms.Tilton is so skilled at making difficult-to-pull-off stories fascinating, titillating, and entertaining. Frankly, I think she's amazing.

So for me, yes to blending. Erotic romance & romantic erotica are my reading materials of choice. And yes, yes, yes to the work of Emily Tilton.