Sex should be sexy

Have you ever read a romance novel and absolutely cringed when you got to the sex scenes? I'm sure everyone has at some point. Either it was offensive or as I call it "clinical." I'm by no means perfect. However, I keep in mind as I craft a story, what is sexy and what isn't. Sure, this is a matter of personal taste to some extent.

I constantly ask myself and my writing partner, "Is this sexy or is it stupid?" Other people may disagree with the end result, but I don't put anything into my books that I don't think is hot. Ha. Ha.

I was just reading another blog where they asked the question what makes a book a "good read."

http://romancebooks4us.blogspot.com/2012/09/what-makes-good-read.html

Sex is the only thing I could add to the discussion. Wow. That sounded bad. You know what I mean. Yes, sex sells. It is also important in most romance stories, whether highly erotic or not. It's just like real life. If the sex is bad, why continue the relationship? In the case of a book, why keep reading?

For those unfamiliar with the romance genre, it's not all about the sex. But, like my example of a real relationship, it is very important.

I've started reading a few books by very well-known authors and had to put them down because the sex was so awful. One I recall had sex with no emotion in one of the opening scenes of the book. Um, what was the point? This guy hated someone so he wanted to have anal sex with her? What? Okay, so there was emotion, just not a good emotion involved.

Another that stands out as horrific (in my opinion) was a shifter story where the "hero" was obsessed with the way the herione's female parts smelled. Nasty, right? This was constantly on his mind AND he continuously said it out loud. I don't know about anyone else, but if a man had to announce how I smelled every time I walked into a room, I would slap the living shit out of him. That is gross! Every time we got a glimpse into this guy's mind he was breathing her in like he was snorting cocaine, and I might add, not even listening to her. All he could think was some crap along the lines of, "Ah, that sweet, hot, p***y." No, I'm not kidding. It was that bad. To make matters worse, he used this "sweet, hot" phrase over and over again. I had to stop reading because not only did I not find him attractive, but I wanted to murder him with an axe.

I kept thinking, "This is a NY Times Best Selling author? The whole book is about this woman's vagina. Is it actually a character?"

I never want anyone to feel that way when they read my books! As far as what is truly "sexy" I realize that is a matter of taste. However, some things are obviously NOT.

Another thing I can't stand to read is what I call a clinical description. I'm okay with the occasional use of words like vagina and labia. (However, using "vagina" in the middle of a love scene can only be pulled off by a few people and even then on rare occasions.) Those, I don't find off putting in any way. However, reading the word "penis" anywhere in a love/sex scene immediately takes me out of the moment. This word (to me) is cold and clinical. If a medical examiner is making note of someone's dead body and for any reason mentions genitalia, they would use the word penis. A doctor of any kind would use the word penis. But in the heat of the moment to hear a character say "penis" makes me laugh. I'm sorry, penis is a funny word. And to be perfectly honest, the clinical term (in my opinion) makes the hero sound less well-endowed. That's never a good thing, right? Ha. Ha. Ha.

I'm not suggesting that descriptions should be "flowery" by any means. Use frank language, just don't make it sound like your doctor is writing the scene.

I also think that getting overly descriptive with bodily functions is gross, whether during a sex scene or not. A mention once or twice, fine. But all the time? The stand-out example of this is a book I borrowed from a friend. The main character steals people's souls through sex by "swallowing" their essence. She later vomits them back up and stores them in a bottle. You heard me right. It was disgusting! Especially, since there was lots of kissing immediately after the whole vomiting up someone's essence part. No thank you. Oh, and a friend of hers dissolved into a squishy blob immediately after having sex with her. BLEH!

Okay, I'm done. Ha. Ha. Ha. I need to think about something else now or I won't be able to eat breakfast.

Red is on Fictionwise!

Red was released Monday on Fictionwise and is already #29 in the Romance category! I'm so excited:)

For those of you who haven't purchased Red yet, you can do so now for 15% off.

http://www.fictionwise.com/

Brain Dead has a face!

I was thrilled to see the cover art for this book. It will be released in August with New Concepts Publishing. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention (how awful of me) this is Luis. You can learn all about him and his wicked sexy French accent in August:) Don't worry, I'll post excerpts before then.

Writing Horny

That's right, this post is about writing horny. See, writing horny is a lot like going to the grocery store hungry. Sometimes, you just shouldn't do it. You always end up with something you didn't need, but it looked good at the time. Maybe you crave something sweet, so you end up with chocolate instead of fruit. Or, maybe you end up writing about a vampire foursome, like in my case. LOL

You know how it is. You're home alone, you're bored. You think, "Hey, maybe I'll write a little while I've got a minute." And the next thing you know, Dracula is naked.

The point is, when you write horny (just like shopping hungry) you always end up taking something home with you that you should have left at the store. There are times when the vamps should keep their clothes on and times when they desperately need to take them off. Then there are other times when I desperately need them to take it off.

Maybe the next time I write about vampires, I'll just get an ice pack instead of a glass of wine.

Want to see a hot half naked werewolf?

Then check out the new trailer to Object of My Affection!

Check out the wicked sexy trailer for Object of My Affection

I had a lot of fun making this video. Hope you enjoy it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykOgW1iB4ns

OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION IS OUT!

For those of you who have been eagerly anticipating book two in the Lilith Mercury Werewolf Hunter Series, the wait is over! Object of My Affection has been released early! I'm so excited. Once I finally calm down, I'm sure this will still be really cool:)

You can find book two here:

http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/objectofmyaffection.htm

Happy Reading,

Tracey

Drawing Inspiration

As some of you may know, I've recently completed a final read through of Book III before I submitted it to my publisher. In doing this, I came in contact once again with the character who most often haunts my dreams. You see, he is the same man who continues to appear in Lilith's dreams throughout the story. I didn't make him up entirely:) But the parts that I did ... my, my, what a work of ... fiction.

I decided a few days ago to do something I haven't done in a while, draw some inspiration. I saw a picture online, I don't remember where and thought to myself that my character would look good in that pose. So, if you recognize the pose, I'm not trying to seal anyone's idea or anything like that. I just took my character and put them in that situation. This was done purely for fun and my own entertainment. But since it turned out so well, I thought I would share.

I would tell you his name, but that would ruin the surprise:) For now, lets just call him my favorite vampire.

5 Ribbon Review for RED!!!

I cannot begin to express how pleased I was when I read the following review from Maria Shaink of Romance Junkies. What can I say? I'm still doing the happy dance:)

From Romance Junkie's Maria Shaink

BLUE RIBBON RATING: 5 ribbons (out of 5)

Lilith Mercury is a badass girl with the best intentions. She’s a werewolf hunter, born to the job by virtue of her father being part of an interplanetary police squad that exterminates the outlawed Lycan species. She’s great at her job and it’s never been a problem, until she meets Marco. He’s off—limits, being a werewolf and all, but their attraction is undeniable and unstoppable. Then there’s Alfred, the man who’s been her partner and roommate for years, and who she suddenly realizes is not just her friend but a very attractive man who’d do anything to warm her soul. Added into the mix is a very sexy police detective who knows how to show a lady a good time. So who’s a girl to choose?

The story of RED is a fast—paced and highly detailed tale of a werewolf hunter in a world much like our own, but in which werewolves are common knowledge on Earth. In an interesting take on the werewolf legend, the author introduces Lycans as a race created by a mad scientist whose virus infected scores of people on another planet. These first werewolves fled to Earth, and now the people of the original planet, Terran, have agents—hunters—placed on Earth to exterminate them. I really enjoyed this departure from the norm, this blending of paranormal and science fiction genres. Ms. Kitts also blends her debut novel with fantastic details of dream analysis, enchanted journals and psychic powers.

The characters of RED are the best part of the story. Marco is a consummate Alpha and deliciously sensual figure, a man who knows exactly what he wants and has faith that his patience will win the girl of his dreams. Alfred is just as striking—a romantic, patient man whose love for Lilith has been waiting for the right moment to give it voice. I can’t wait to read more about him in the next installment of the Lilith Mercury tales. All the characters in this story come together to create a terrific vignette of Lilith’s life, what she is like, who she really is beyond the sarcastic wit and carefully controlled emotions. The reader knows and comprehends Lilith by the end of the story, and this leaves the reader anticipating the next book for resolutions to questions posed, and new developments in the life of the huntress. Ms. Kitt’s skill in writing is something that very few debut writers are capable of. Her mastery in weaving an intricate storyline and keeping the reader enticed and on edge is what sets her apart in such a gripping way. I fully expect to see her quickly snatched up by some New York publishing house.
The loves scenes in this story were exquisitely tasteful and well—placed. This was not just some excuse to write a lot of hot sex with little—to—no story to balance it. The whole book was oozing with sexual tension and I loved every second of it! Ms. Kitts keeps a lot of tension going on the sexual side of certain interpersonal relationships, while adding humor and fun into other aspects of the book. Every secondary character was well placed and added depth to the story, keeping the plot multilayered and vastly compelling. The scenes featuring Lilith’s great—grandfather had me teary—eyed, while scenes in Marco’s nightclub had my blood running hot. Ms. Kitts is an extremely adept writer who knows how to play to her audience’s emotions, and the personal touches she gives to each character, from Lilith’s poetry to her analysis of dreams, lend credence and humanity to the people inhabiting the pages of this work.

RED is a book that really resonated with me, crawling up into my consciousness like silk—covered fingers. The stage has been set for the next in the Lilith Mercury Werewolf Hunter series, entitled OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION, and I cannot wait to read it when it comes out in October! Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton’s early Anita Blake stories will find a lot to love here. Ms. Kitts’ storytelling is some of the best I have read in a long time, and after finishing this novel, I felt that ache of withdrawal that only comes with reading that last page of a truly great story and cursing yourself for reading it too fast! Anita Blake fans— you have just been served!