Porn vs. Erotic Romance by Brita Addams

Recently, I received a review, by a reader who felt my book, Serenity’s Dream was porn—a gazillion XXX- rated book of porn. I was amazed that my reaction was so, shall we say, gobsmacked, to say the least. As most adults of a certain age, I am aware of what constitutes porn and though I do write some rather hot sex scenes and granted the book has its share BDSM scenes (okay, more than its share, but that’s what the Sapphire Club is all about), PORN it is not.

I’ve read my share of historical erotic romance, which is one of my favorite genres for recreational reading. I love plot, characters, and an interesting story, along with tremendously hot sex. I wouldn’t read books that just detailed a jumble of body parts finding their counterparts and humping, sucking or well, you get the idea. Nor would I write them, especially under a banner that clearly states, Erotic Romance.

After reading the review, which was positive, by the way, I feared that possibly, just possibly, I’d had the wrong idea when I wrote the Sapphire Club series or that Jill Noble, senior editor at Noble Romance, had in some way mislead me into believing I had indeed written a set of erotic romances. With those fears in mind, I did some research, again, and decided to share my findings.

Porn is thoughtless screwing—the shortest path to the sofa, bed, floor or nearest wall. Now, certainly that can be hot, but when page after page is nothing but, with no story to tie the continual scenes together, you have, my friends—drum roll, please—PORN.

Never having read porn, I have only what my research has shown me by way of visual porn. There is no story, no plot, no characters, save the handsome, well-hung, long-haired, tattooed guy and the eager-to-please, not the least bit surprised when he’s climbs through her kitchen window—chippy, who seems to understand the look in his eyes the moment she sees him.

She opens her mouth, the scene dissolves, and the next thing you know, they’re hanging from the foyer chandelier, banging away for a time well past human endurance. Fast forward, because frankly all that banging away begins to look the same after awhile, and low and behold, the next vignette is exactly the same, save for a different well-hung, long-haired, tattooed guy and yet another eager-to-please, not the least bit surprised that he’s climbed through her kitchen window, chippy.

Therefore, logically, I must conclude that when a book is billed as porn, they are much the same as their counterpart films.

I’m here to say, that the erotic romances are far different. There is a story and plot, with characters you wish to see through to the end and ROMANCE. No doubt that’s why publishers call it erotic romance, but I’m just guessing.

In erotic romance, you have sympathetic, endearing, plot driven main characters, that have emotions and aren’t afraid to use them. Their lives are based on feelings that drive them to do the things they do, be it to please the one they love, place themselves in sexual situations with the one person who can fulfill their wildest fantasies or express themselves through sexual acts that might place them well out of their comfort zone.

Emotion and—wait for it—ROMANCE—drive an erotic romance.  Yes, there’s a lot of sex, more than the usual romance, but not all romances with sex are erotic and because a book has a lot of sex, doesn’t make it porn.

Body parts and little else, drive porn to the, ah, satisfying conclusion. The reason porn exists is sex, pure and simple. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with sex and in copious amounts. But any dummy can have sex. Caring, emotional, considerate people (characters) make an erotic romance and never the twain shall meet.

I am relieved to know, after further research, that I do indeed write character-driven, plot-driven stories that encompass the sexual beings my characters happen to be. My mother, God rest her soul, will continue to rest easy, as erotic romance is what I set out to write, and thankfully, I haven’t lost my way.

My latest erotic romance is Demands of the Heart, a Regency-era romance. Here’s the blurb and the purchase link. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

*****

In 1807, idealistic Richard Fanshaw and Victoria Bramhill are consumed with each other, their young love blooming amidst a series of carefree soirees and stolen moments.

But jealousy and greed turn what they have into something ugly and twisted. They’re wrenched apart amid vile lies and deceit when Victoria’s freedom is bought to pay her father’s debts.

Six years later, Victoria is widowed and a cynical Richard has just returned to England after years in India. Having been given the impression that Victoria’s marriage was a happy one, a chance meeting renews Richard’s anger over Victoria’s betrayal and sets in motion a plan for revenge.

One must answer the demands of the heart.

To read an excerpt and purchase, click here: Demands of the Heart

I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at any of these places:

Email address: britaaddams@gmail.com

Website

Blog

Twitter: @britaaddams

Facebook

Goodreads Page

*****

20% off To celebrate the release of Demands of the Heart, Noble Romance Publishing is offering my entire backlist at 20% off. This is for sales on the Noble Romance Publishing site only and only my titles.

There’s no limit. Buy one book, or all seven, you’ll get 20% off your purchase. The eligible titles are: Serenity’s Dream; Lord Decadent’s Obsession; Chocolate, Tea, and the Duchess; The Rogue’s Salvation; A Minute After Midnight; An Evening at the Starlight, and the book I wrote under the name Tina Ordone, Her Timeless Obsession.

The price you’ll see is the reduced price.

The sale will run from midnight, Pacific time, February 20 to 11:59 pm Pacific time, March 2.

This is a backlist sale, so it doesn’t include Demands of the Heart.

*****

I have several contests running during the book tour, ending at midnight, March 2.

Contest #1:

I’ll choose a daily winner from the commenters. I’ll will be giving away an ebook from my backlist at each stop. The only exclusion is Demands of the Heart. One book per commenter, please.

Contest #2:

Demands of the Heart T-Shirt Contest:

If you answer the three questions correctly, you could be one of four winners. The prize will be a T-Shirt with the cover of the book on it. The shirt also says that the cover is model, Jimmy Thomas’s 1500^th cover. There will be four winners, each winning a T-Shirt and other swag.

All answers are found on Brita’s website.

Please do NOT put the answers in the comments section of this blog or on Brita’s site. Email them to Brita, with T-Shirt Answers in the subject line.

1. What book did I write under another name?
2. Who is the character, Lucien Damrill, patterned after?
3. Describe the signature brandy snifter at the Sapphire Club.

Contest #3: GRAND PRIZE

This contest is about Demands of the Heart. Of course, you’re under no obligation to buy or read the book, but if you choose to, this contest is for you.

I’ve put three questions up on my website, all relating to my book, Demands of the Heart. Answer the questions and EMAIL me, with the answers, at britaaddams@gmail.com  Be sure to put GRAND PRIZE in the subject line.

You must have all three questions answered correctly to be entered into the drawing.

The Grand Prize is the entire Sapphire Club series in print, signed by the author. I’ll also include some other signed swag.

Good luck and I hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you for having me Lucy. I really appreciate your kindness.

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