Amazon like any good master gives us Erotic Romance authors both pleasure and pain. But unfortunately because of the stresses of it's masters i.e. Master Card and Visa, they have really put the clamps down on authors who write steamier books.
Why? Well it's a long story and I'd rather you read it from the person who really has her finger on the pulse of the matter Selena Kitt. An Erotic Romance and Erotica author, she has seen and felt the good and bad side when it comes to the woes of dealing with Amazonian censorship here or if the link fails here's the link in text:
http://selenakitt.com/blog/index.php/2013/05/29/corporate-fail/
But what if you read 50 Shades of Grey and you want more, except there's so much to choose from you're not exactly sure what you like.
First-- Erotic Romance is a sub-genre of Romance with the sex scenes being more explicit. Okay but what is Romance? Typically in the Western market, especially in America, the Romance book genre can be defined as a novel containing a story about the evolving or ongoing relationship between two or more people that (and this is the important part as categorized by the Romance Writers of America) contains a HEA or Happily Ever After. So no dying from a terribly tragic disease like in the movie Love Story. Nope, ain't gonna happen cause that's in a different genre altogether.
Now granted there are authors who write HFN or Happily For Nows meaning all is okay right now but trouble is looming around the corner. These type of endings fit within the Romance category but in a slightly different sub-genre.
In both cases, if the sex scenes are taken away all together the romance part of the story should still hold its own.
Now granted in Erotic Romance, sex is not there for sex sake but is a part of the intimacy in which the characters form and is integral to their relationship. They are often sensual and draw the reader allow him or her to experience it through the character's eyes.
Okay but what about Erotica?
As the blogger in Sexy Romance stories puts it Erotica is actually quite different–although it has a sexual arc, or journey, there is often no romantic arc. And there is rarely a ‘Happily Ever After,’ much of the time the ending is either sad or ironic. ( Or as I might add, satisfactory for those involved. No tears needed. Just a good time had by all.)
And their definition of Porn?
"Although Porn typically has a loose plot line, it does not require any sort of character arc or personal growth on the part of any characters."
Not sure I would agree with that but I go more towards Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Potter Stewart when he said and I'm paraphrasing, "I can't define it but I know it when I see it."
Mind you that is not an extensive explanation but it should help for now. I know it did wonders for me when I first started reading romance.
Enjoy and remember, we're all adults here. The decision is up to you. Just do it responsibly!
Have fun! And Sexy Reading!
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