erotica vs. erotic romance

I really think the difference between erotica vs. erotic romance needs to be explained. To me, romance in the name defines the story as a love story...be it between male and female; male and male; female, male and male; werewolf, vampire and stripper or what have you. Erotica is a sex story in which sex is the goal and motivation and there need be no conflict unless they disagree on positions.

Confusion is what keeps us from being recognized as a romance genre. This is what conservative judges "see" when they read graphic language even though some national bestsellers, use it. And you should know that "pure" erotica (pardon the oxymoron) venues, like the stores with blacked-out windows, want nothing to do with us and would probably appreciate our making the difference known too.

I once ventured into one of these stores with my paperback, promo matchbooks, and a press release for the manager. I was practically thrown out. “Our readers don’t want those books,” he said. “They want ranchy porn. Your books aren’t.” So, there you go, right from the erotica experts. Our genre isn’t pornography no matter what some people will tell you.

And just to be sure, I read one of these badly written books. A man on a motorcycle comes up beside a beautiful blonde in a convertible at a stoplight. She looks him over and cocks her head, inviting him to follow her. Of course, he follows her to her penthouse and they do it all over the sofa about half a dozen times. This is described in what would be graphic detail except the writer needed an anatomy lesson.

The only secondary character was the maid who walked in and walked out, disgusted. The woman mentioned her husband would be home at 5 o’clock so they carry on until about a quarter to five and the biker left. End of story. Would you call that guy a “hero?” I wouldn’t. Is the woman a “heroine?” Hardly. Would I rather read a story with a plot? A conflict to overcome? Some three dimensional characters? Absolutely! Give me a good erotic romance any day.

Now, since we’re talking about good erotic romances, I should absolutely recommend my newest one, Love Cuffs, releasing this Wednesday, Sept. 17th! It’s a BDSM comedy. Yes, you read that right. A BDSM comedy! I co-wrote it with Dalton Diaz. I had no problem writing the heroine’s voice or saucy attitude—but when it came to writing the Dom hero, well… I was in trouble! Dalton to the rescue!

It’s a unique set-up in that each chapter is in first person. Chapter One is Hope’s point of view and Chapter One and a half is Dorian’s. The book continues with whole and half chapters throughout where you get the benefit of both characters relating the adventure as they see it in their own words. I’m fairly sure you’ve never read anything like this before!

Love Cuffs
Ashlyn Chase
Dalton Diaz

At thirty-eight, Hope Daniels is a Jersey cop with superhuman hearing, a controlling mother, and she’s about to marry any sane woman’s last choice of a groom. Right before she walks down the aisle, she hears distant screams. Figuring someone should be rescued, she bolts from her mother’s vision of a royal wedding. But when she busts down the door of a BDSM club, she’s the one who winds up in handcuffs.

Dorian Markoff is intent on using a hypnotist to wipe the beautiful cop’s mind of his—and his club’s—existence. But the hypnotist is in Vegas so a mad romp ensues, involving lots of hot vanilla-ish sex that turns his BDSM lifestyle upside down.
Neither guesses what an adventure it will be to find the hypnotist, avoid one unintentionally snubbed Dominatrix, and explain it all to Hope’s mother. All while falling in love.

Available 9/17/08 from www.ellorascave.com
Visit us! www.ashlynchase.com and www.daltondiaz.com

If you’d like to read some excerpts or talk to Dalton and me, come to our chat at Ellora’s Cave yahoo group on 9/17 all afternoon! (Eastern time.)

And the following afternoon you can play with us at Fallen Angels Reviews yahoo chat group!

Ash