Hello
I admit it; I'm a book junkie. If it's romance--any genre--I'll read it. I love romance. I love parnormal and urban fantasy even more than traditional romance these days.
So, when I'm not writing--I'm reading. I read a lot. Probably a book a day. I generally leave a book review on Amazon of every book I buy there, as all authors know that reviews are important. And not just the professional reviews. The reviews of the readers are every bit as important, if not more so.
The pro reviews are what let the reader know to buy the book--but the reader reviews are what let us, the authors, know what is like and what might need work.
As an author, I tend to look at reviews as learning tools. What could I have done better? Did I make the plot involved enough? Are my characters three-dimensional? Is my story entertaining?
Those are the things that make me a better writer. We learn, hopefully, and grow as writers.
I write full-time now. My daughter does, too. It's what we love. If you can do what you love, why not, right?
But, I also want to give back to other authors. So, with that in mind, I'm going to start doing a series of reviews and author interviews. Different genres, but mainly focusing on my love--romantic books. I like that HEA. I also love YA novels. I never thought I would. Authors like James Patterson are the ones that started me on the YA Love journey.
So, if you're an author and want a review, just drop me a line. If it's in my preferred genres, I'll likely read it and review it.
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Friday, January 28, 2011
Ah, the end of the week....
It's Friday! Wait--that means January is almost over. Where did it go? Anyone ever notice the older we get--the faster time goes by? I sure did!
Got a fantastic review of Linked. Here it is if you haven't read it.
LINKED Review Check out the review and the book if it sounds good.
So, what are YOU doing this weekend? Me? I'm going to work on my Valentines story....need to finish it by Monday!
Have a good weekend and happy reading
Got a fantastic review of Linked. Here it is if you haven't read it.
LINKED Review Check out the review and the book if it sounds good.
So, what are YOU doing this weekend? Me? I'm going to work on my Valentines story....need to finish it by Monday!
Have a good weekend and happy reading
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Win Signed Copies of Linked
I discovered GOODREADS a while back. Thought I'd do a contest!
There is nothing required to win the Goodreads contest. Just follow the link.
I'm going to have another contest here! More to come in the next couple of days.
I'll be offering copies of all my books, and some other fun prizes.
There is nothing required to win the Goodreads contest. Just follow the link.
I'm going to have another contest here! More to come in the next couple of days.
I'll be offering copies of all my books, and some other fun prizes.
Friday, January 14, 2011
What Defines Porn from Erotic Fiction?
I saw a post on Joe Konrath's Blogthat inspired this post.
Here's the gist of it: "Everyone knows that erotic is just another way of saying porn"
Anyone that has ever had the occasion to read porn should have noticed one thing:
PORN is basically sex for the sake of sex. If there is a plot--it's very weak.
EROTIC Fiction is a STORY with a PLOT with (sometimes) very graphic sexual scenes.
Personally, there are a few lines I won't cross. Not because I'm necessarily morally against them--but because I personally don't like them.
I dislike the word *C*nt* I won't use it. Period. Not in anything I write. I won't use the word "p**sy* in a story I write. I dislike the word *f**king* when it comes to sex. Personally, when I see those words--I'm pulled right out of a good story. Maybe I'm a little bit of a prude?
But I enjoy romantic fiction with very sensual scenes. What I write, by most publishers, is considered erotic fiction. My stories have a plot. They are, in essence, a love story.
Erotic fiction does not need a HEA (happily ever after) Traditional romance does. But, most publishers want their erotic fiction to have a HFN ending (happy for now)
For the sake of argument, read the following scene from my work in progress. Is it 'porn' or 'erotic' or 'steamy'
A little set-up--this is a dream sequence that begins the book--as the dream plays into the day of the police officer having the dream.
Her eyes were the color of the summer sky with a darker band of almost purple at the edges. He couldn’t quite make out her face, but her hair was a glorious auburn with several different shades running through it. He laid over her, his hips between her silken thighs. If he wasn’t inside her soon, he knew he’d go mad.
Nothing mattered but burying his cock inside her liquid heat. Nothing mattered but mating with her. She was his .
There was a tightness in his belly as he felt her moist heat enveloping his penis. He sunk inside her with a groan, then held himself still above her. The muscles in his arms were corded as he tried to see her face, but he couldn’t make it out—just those mysterious eyes and that beautiful hair that he longed to run his fingers through.
Later.
Right now, he needed to be where he was—deep inside her. Her inner muscles clenched around him just as her thighs did. He felt her heels against his ass as she wrapped herself around him. With a groan he began to move.
He should kiss her. He knew he should kiss her, but all he could do was thrust hard and look into those fathomless eyes.
No words were spoken, but he could sense she was pleading with him. She wanted something of him, but he didn’t know what.
He ignored it and continued to move inside her. When he heard her soft moan he thrust faster, driving so deeply that he’d have sworn each powerful stroke was reaching her womb.
So, is that erotic or is that porn? The story is about a woman who sees her own death. The dreamer--is the male protagonist in the story--and the police officer that will work tirelessly to keep her alive. And, yes, it's a romance.
If you're just total anti-romance, please just don't even respond. I read it, I enjoy it--but I also read and enjoy many other types of fiction. I'm really tired of the "romance bashing" I've seen on Amazon lately.
(Why won't Blogger INDENT?????)
Hope Welsh
My Amazon Page
Here's the gist of it: "Everyone knows that erotic is just another way of saying porn"
Anyone that has ever had the occasion to read porn should have noticed one thing:
PORN is basically sex for the sake of sex. If there is a plot--it's very weak.
EROTIC Fiction is a STORY with a PLOT with (sometimes) very graphic sexual scenes.
Personally, there are a few lines I won't cross. Not because I'm necessarily morally against them--but because I personally don't like them.
I dislike the word *C*nt* I won't use it. Period. Not in anything I write. I won't use the word "p**sy* in a story I write. I dislike the word *f**king* when it comes to sex. Personally, when I see those words--I'm pulled right out of a good story. Maybe I'm a little bit of a prude?
But I enjoy romantic fiction with very sensual scenes. What I write, by most publishers, is considered erotic fiction. My stories have a plot. They are, in essence, a love story.
Erotic fiction does not need a HEA (happily ever after) Traditional romance does. But, most publishers want their erotic fiction to have a HFN ending (happy for now)
For the sake of argument, read the following scene from my work in progress. Is it 'porn' or 'erotic' or 'steamy'
A little set-up--this is a dream sequence that begins the book--as the dream plays into the day of the police officer having the dream.
Her eyes were the color of the summer sky with a darker band of almost purple at the edges. He couldn’t quite make out her face, but her hair was a glorious auburn with several different shades running through it. He laid over her, his hips between her silken thighs. If he wasn’t inside her soon, he knew he’d go mad.
Nothing mattered but burying his cock inside her liquid heat. Nothing mattered but mating with her. She was his .
There was a tightness in his belly as he felt her moist heat enveloping his penis. He sunk inside her with a groan, then held himself still above her. The muscles in his arms were corded as he tried to see her face, but he couldn’t make it out—just those mysterious eyes and that beautiful hair that he longed to run his fingers through.
Later.
Right now, he needed to be where he was—deep inside her. Her inner muscles clenched around him just as her thighs did. He felt her heels against his ass as she wrapped herself around him. With a groan he began to move.
He should kiss her. He knew he should kiss her, but all he could do was thrust hard and look into those fathomless eyes.
No words were spoken, but he could sense she was pleading with him. She wanted something of him, but he didn’t know what.
He ignored it and continued to move inside her. When he heard her soft moan he thrust faster, driving so deeply that he’d have sworn each powerful stroke was reaching her womb.
So, is that erotic or is that porn? The story is about a woman who sees her own death. The dreamer--is the male protagonist in the story--and the police officer that will work tirelessly to keep her alive. And, yes, it's a romance.
If you're just total anti-romance, please just don't even respond. I read it, I enjoy it--but I also read and enjoy many other types of fiction. I'm really tired of the "romance bashing" I've seen on Amazon lately.
(Why won't Blogger INDENT?????)
Hope Welsh
My Amazon Page
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