The Happy Hedonist
I just finished reading a romantic erotica novel by a well-known author in this genre. To say it was a disappointment is an understatement. Yeesh! I don’t know about you, but I’m not fondof what they call the "kick-butt heroine" in paranormal romance. Unfortunately, that’s what this heroine was.
Maybe it’s the Southern Belle in me, but I have no desire to talk like a man, fight like a man (horrors!), or act like a man. Much to my dismay this heroine also thought she could live without romance and sex (horrors!). Yeah, I’m still trying to figure out why her publisher classified this novel as an erotic romance. Huh?
Anyway, the heroine kept doing things that drove me nuts. Every time she could have chosen pleasure (romance and sex) with a totally yummy hero, she opted for misery and loneliness. Huh?
Finally, she gives up the struggle in the last three paragraphs of the novel, and that’s when the romance begins. But that’s also the last page of the novel. Yeah, too little too late. Waaaaaaay too little for me.
The entire time I was reading this novel the hedonist in me was jumping up and down, screaming, "What’s wrong with this woman?!!" That’s because I’m a selfish lover. I know I always say that, but it’s true. I want what I want, and I want it NOW! *lusty grin*
Actually, I’m just your basic hedonist. I mean, what’s wrong with always choosing pleasure if it isn’t hurting anyone, ya know? Life is short. Every day should be filled with as much fun as you can stand. And that goes for sexual pleasure too. Nothing wrong with obsessing about sex, overdosing on sex, making it the primary focus of your life. It’s FUN! And it certainly keeps you from worrying about anything negative or depressing like the economy or flip-flopping gas prices or the election, etc. Instead you’ll sleep better at night (hopefully not alone *naughty grin*), live longer, and have more fun. What’s not to like, right?
I know, I know. I’m the wickedly sinful woman your mother always warned you about when you were growing up. In fact being me should be a sin. Actually, it is. Don’t you love it?!! *naughty grin*
xoxo
Laura Stamps (c)
Author of Paranormal Romance and Erotica Novels
http://www.LauraStamps.blogspot.com (to read excerpts from my novel series)
http://laura-stamps8.livejournal.com (my naughty Author Blog/updated daily)
Laura Stamps (c)
Author of Paranormal Romance and Erotica Novels
http://www.LauraStamps.blogspot.com (to read excerpts from my novel series)
http://laura-stamps8.livejournal.com (my naughty Author Blog/updated daily)
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October 29th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I grew up on a steady diet of my nana’s Barbara Cartland books. Yes. Well. Um. Passive heroines like that are not my cup of tea these days, I hasten to add. I like my heroines with balls, metaphorically speaking, if you get my drift. Meaning that she’s not going to deny herself pleasure with a totally gorgeous guy, or walk around like a martyr, long face going, ‘oh woe is me.’
Whether I’m reading just straightforward romance, or erotica, I like them to have a spark about them. A streak of feistiness. Maybe a bit prickly, even until she meets the right bloke. I love arguments; she pushes him a bit far, he pushes back and the making up afterwards is invariably devine.
Probably because feisty and prickly at times is also me. Square peg in a round hole and that’s fine. But I like to finish a book with warm glow inside and not feeling as you did…
Thinking about it, it’s even something I’ve incorporated into my own writing. My heroine isn’t perfect, she’s flawed. But she’s not passive or week and learns from her mistakes.
Mind you the bedroom scenes are always fun and so was the finding of my hero…But still. I’m primarily writing for me, having fun with it and then seeing if what I have at the end of the day is publishable. That’s the goal, but not my be all and end all if that makes sense.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
ARGH! I WAS RUDDY SIGNED INTO LIVE JOURNAL BEFORE MAKING THE LAST POST! Will y’all excuse me whilst I disembowel this infernal machine with a blunt spoon???? Thanks.
October 29th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
YOU ALWAYS CRACK ME UP!!!!! I always read the anon comment and think, “Who is this person who acts like she knows me, but doesn’t sign the comment so I haven’t the foggiest??” Then comes your comment about your computer, and I am belly laughing for five minutes!!
I totally understand what you’re saying. The erotica novel I read after that one was too passive for me. But the one I am reading now I am LOVING. The heroine is a walking hormone 24/7 and scratches that “itch” several times every day. No wonder I like her…what a hedonist! Sound like anyone you know? Now I’m cracking myself up! ROFL
xoxo
Laura Stamps
Author of Paranormal Romance and Erotica Novels
http://www.LauraStamps.blogspot.com (to read excerpts from my novel series)
http://laura-stamps8.livejournal.com (my naughty Author Blog/updated daily)
November 1st, 2008 at 2:34 am
What book was this that you read? And you’re right, HORRORS to the fact that she didn’t want sex…
Silly little girl.
But it is Halloween (or Samhain – did I spell that right?) and you’re supposed to be “horrified”. lol!
I hate that I missed the signing, I hope you had a blast!
November 2nd, 2008 at 1:46 am
I don’t have anything against a lady who can kick ass, but they can come across as colder, harder, because they tend to inhabit a male-dominated world.
But still, just because they’ve chosen a field that’s filled with men doesn’t mean they have to be immune to said men. Yeesh.