Unusual locations for a sexual liason

Find me today guest blogging at Smutketeers where I am talking about unusual places to have sex.  Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Happy Birthday, Nancy Tobin.

Smutketeers

Non consensual sex in romance novels

Hi, everyone!  I’m KS Brown, and I’m so honored that Lillian invited me to be a guest on her blog!  You’ve never heard of me because none of my books have been published yet, but I’m working toward that goal every day.  I write steamy paranormal romances about weredragons and day walking vampires and the bad guy organization that wants to exterminate them.  But enough about me…

Lately, I’ve been wondering when rape became sexy.  Oh, I know there are people who get off on rape fantasy, and I get that.  No problem.  What I do have a problem with is when romance and erotica authors write thinly disguised rape as sex scenes.

I’m sure you know the ones I’m talking about.  Where the hero insists on sex despite whatever level of objection the heroine raises.  Then, the heroine either decides she likes it, or that he’s not really hurting her, or whatever, and goes on to fall in love with him.

It’s normally justified in some way, so the reader might not always see the hero as a rapist.  He’s from a different culture, so his standards of behavior are different.  He lost control, because he just wants her soooo much, or he loves her soooo much, or some other reason.

I’ve seen these scenes in everything from old historical romances, to BDSM erotica, and nearly everything in between.  The result for the reader can be as simple as being turned off by the story, to as serious as making them think that behavior is the norm and expecting it in their own relationships.  It also perpetuates the common myth that participants in certain kinks are either abused or abusers.  The debate on whether or not authors should bear the social responsibility to accurately portray such things is a subject for another time. 

Many authors, probably most, don’t resort to this kind of thing.  They do the work to ensure that both parties thoroughly enjoy themselves, and consent to the act.  In my opinion, these non-consensual sex scenes are poor, lazy writing, a way for the author to add conflict without working for it.  If the author cares so little about her characters, why should I as a reader care about them enough to read their story?

As a reader, I read romance and erotica to get lost in the story, the fantasy, of the relationship.  If the author includes non-consensual sex between the main characters, I don’t buy any more of her books.  If it’s in a newer book, I try to contact the author to let her know I was disappointed and why.

So, authors, please, take the time to make sure your characters enjoy the sex and consent to it. Your readers will thank you.

Find out more about my guest at her website and her blog

Guest Blogging

Today I am guest blogging at Inez Kelley's site.  Discussion has turned to strange names for the male member. Drop by a leave a comment to win a free copy of my book.

Inez Kelley

Visiting Today

Today the lovely Ali Katz has Nancy featured on her Love Songs website.  Ali delved into my innermost thoughts seeking out where the ideas for my characters came from.  She also has a new, never seen before excerpt from the book.  Why not check it out and say hi.

Love Songs

Find out all my secrets

Today I am being interviewed on Debbie Vaughan's blog.  Stop by if you want to find out all my deepest darkest secrets.

You can find it here.  Get bit by my free reads. 

Another Great Review for Happy Birthday Nancy Tobin

Joyfully Reviewed have given a great review of Happy Birthday Nancy Tobin.


Check it out here Joyfully Reviewed

A new free read on Some Write it Hot

Want some great free reads?  Then check out the following links to my group blog, Some Write it Hot.

Gato Negro by Ali Katz is a fantastic read.  If you like sexy shape shifters you won't be disappointed.

Read it here. 

And another fantastic read by up and coming Debbie Vaughan is also on the blog. If you love hot vampires then you simply have to read it. I love Tom and can't wait for her to post another update.

Read it here.

Lovely shiny and new

As you can see, if you had venture here before, my site has had a makeover.  I have a nice new header and lots of pretty colours.

Now the site is looking so good I intend to shift blogging over here and leave my website as a website.  So on the weekend I shall finish the tidy up and get this new blog on the road.