October 4th, 2009 | by KateDouglas |
I’m scheduled to blog on the 4th, and while it’s only nine p.m. on the 3rd here in Hawaii, it’s already 3:30 a.m. on the East coast, so guess I’d better get my groove on! I’m over here babysitting the grandkids and having way too much fun, though I’m reminded by every ache and pain in this old bod that motherhood is definitely for the young. I’ve got our daughter Sarah here with me, along with her five year old, Gracie, and believe me, I could not do this without them.
Sarah chasing Gracie and Ella around the trampoline--and yes, the girls ARE wearing wings. Probably why she can't catch them!
Sarah’s got three of her own–eight and under–and watching her handle her three year old niece and one year old nephew along with Grace is truly impressive. I wasn’t that good when I was a mom, and I only had two. Obviously I raised her right–either that, or she’s got more of her dad’s genes than mine! Anyway, while Sarah and the girls are off seeing the sights of Oahu, I’ve been watching Owen sleep (two naps a day doesn’t leave much room to go play!) and working on HellFire, the second book in my DemonSlayers series.
It’s coming along well, though I’ve not gotten as much written this week as I’d hoped. I have done a lot of editing on the bulk of the story that’s finished, and I’m at a point where I”m working down toward the end of the book which is always fun, since I never have a clue how they’re going to end until they do.
DemonFire, the first one that comes out in March, totally threw me for a loop. Things happened in the end of that one that were totally unplanned, but they definitely set the tone for the rest of the series. I’m really enjoying working in two worlds–the one with my sexy Chanku, and the one with the sentient crystal swords and a demonic invasion of Earth.
I know that fans of Wolf Tales are going to love the next in that series–Wolf Tales 9 is all the “how we met” stories I haven’t covered yet–Jake and Lucien Stone, Mik and AJ in prison, Anton’s early years with the circus and how he met Oliver, and how Anton and Stefan first met. Again, I discovered things in the writing that I didn’t know before, and I think you’re going to be as surprised as I was!
Anyway, I do hope my Wolf Tales readers will also be willing to give DemonFire a shot. It’s my first mass market release, and while it is paranormal, it’s not erotic–though I have to admit, it’s definitely sexy. I don’t think I can write a romance without a really sensual side to it.
So that’s my question tonight–how important is the really graphic sex in your romances? Can you get just as involved in the book when the pairings are only heterosexual without any kink or twists? Let me know what you think!
PS: Leave a comment for a chance to win a book, and if you already have the series, I will hold your name and send a copy of Wolf Tales 9 when it releases in December.
I have all your books! Can’t wait for number 9.
by Laura McShea · October 4th, 2009 at 4:20 amI am actually looking forward to the new series. It is the chemistry between the characters that matter not how many kinks they can come up with during sex that hook me on a series.
by Chris Roberts · October 4th, 2009 at 7:28 amHi Kate,
can’t wait to read your new series! Have a great time in Hawaii
by Danny · October 4th, 2009 at 7:37 amIn LOVE with your Wolf Tales series! At 52 it’s my first series ever to read OBSESSIVELY! Please hurry with 9!
by Linda Bucci · October 4th, 2009 at 7:53 amI love Hawaii (I hope to retire to Maui one day:). Congrats on your new series. Looking forward to it! And enjoy the grand babies (which I know you are).
by Denny · October 4th, 2009 at 7:57 amHi Kate!Woo-Hoo, a trampoline- what a fun grandma you are…..and making the sacrifice to go to Hawaii is way beyond the call of duty, LOL. Although I love reading erotic romance, there are times when I go back and read more “mainstream” stories because I want the sexual tension to be there, or I want to concentrate on the story, or I just want to read about a regular guy and a regular girl meeting and falling in love. It really is all about the story, no matter what genre~
by Cheryl McInnis · October 4th, 2009 at 9:19 amCan’t wait for the new series, I’ll definitely be checking it out!
Hi Kate, I love your stories. I think the amount of sex depends on the stories/characters. I read both “erotica” and “regular” romance. When the storyline is good, the sex adds to it. I’ve read some books where it was all sex and very little story. Needless to say, I tend to skip those authors when they have new books out.
by cyndi welding · October 4th, 2009 at 9:40 amHi Kate,
I have to admit that the majority of what I read today is Erotic Romance. However, I still have several series I keep up with that are not. I love good writing, great stories, & characters that stick with you. I do prefer series & I love it when old characters show up.
Have a great weekend!
Best wishes, Susan
by Susan · October 4th, 2009 at 10:03 amI have always loved reading romance. It was wonderful to see it reach a point where the bedroom door was “open”. And we have now gone far past that to see that the physical relationship in books is not limited to the bedroom or to heterosexual relationships, not to mention lifestyle choices being depicted more openly. But what has always drawn me into romance is the relationship and the evolution of it. An author who introduces me to characters I can care about, shows me the attraction between them, and the development of their relationship has my complete attention. This ranges from the “sweet” to the “erotic” and can depict our world (as well as, a version of it) or any other.
Hope you are having a smashing time in Hawaii.
by Little Lamb Lost · October 4th, 2009 at 10:11 amI always love sex in my books but I DON’T HAVE TO HAVE IT in the stories I read. What is most important to me is the content. Does it grab my attention and hold it throughout the story? Can I get “lost” in the drama as it enfolds and will I want to read the next installment/book of that series or even that author? Those are the questions that have to be answered to my satisfaction for me to enjoy a book.
You have the gift, Kate, and I KNOW that your readers and the new ones you’ll get with the Fire series will love them as we all love the Chanku series. Piece of cake. ;> D Mo
by Mo · October 4th, 2009 at 11:56 amHi Kate, As you know I really love the Wolf Tales series and all of it’s spicy, eroticism. I do however, read lots of other ,not so explicit , books also. It just depends on the subject matter and it helps if I am already familiar with the author. Since I am very familiar with yours, I will definitely be reading Demonfire. Can’t wait!!!
by TAMARA HOLBERT · October 4th, 2009 at 12:45 pmI have all the Wolf Tales and Sexy Beast novels up to date, and have started to re-read them. Can’t get enough. I will be reading ALL of your novels as long as you keep writing them and am anxious to read your new series’, too.
by Barbara Hansen · October 4th, 2009 at 12:52 pmLaura–if you’re the winner, 9 it is! Thank you!
Chris, I’m the same way. If a story hooks me, the level of sexual content isn’t important at all.
Thank you, Linda! I’ve got LOTS of readers in their fifties–I’m a couple months shy of sixty myself–which is why so many of my characters are older. Ulrich is in his mid sixties, and Millie in her late fifties, and I love their story!
Denny–I’ve never been to Maui, but it is just beautiful here! But when it rains, it RAINS! Came down in buckets last night!
Cyndi–I’m not into books w/o a good plot, either. I have to care about the characters and you can’t get involved if there’s nothing more than sex…
Thanks, Susan! We’re here until Tuesday, then it’s back to grim reality…
LLL…there’s been a huge evolution in romance, and I do like what I’m seeing. I especially love the fact that we’re seeing stronger women. No more fainting maidens! (Thank goodness!)
Mo, it is SO GOOD to see you back. Been thinking of you, my friend. I hope life is getting better.
Thanks, Tamara! It won’t be that much longer!!! I can’t wait for it to come out. It’s already showing up at Amazon for pre-order!! (but not at Barnes and Noble yet)
Barbara–I love the fact that folks re-read my stories! I do that with a lot of authors. I just re-read Joey Hill’s entire Vampire series and it was even better the fourth (or was it the fifth?) time!
by Kate Douglas · October 4th, 2009 at 1:07 pmI have read both types of romance novels and if the plot of the story is very good the sexy scenes become second fiddle at times for me. It all depends on the book…
I have all your Wolf Tale and Sexy Beast books you have out now and they were very good. I like how you keep all the characters moving through the different books.
by Janice Robert · October 4th, 2009 at 1:27 pmTo me it is the chemistry between the characters that matters not how much sex there is or what kind of kinks they can come up with during sex. It has to have a good base. I have all the Wolf Tales and Sexy Beast novels and I do re-read them. I read both “erotica” and “regular” romance. Can’t wait to read your new series or get my hands on #9. Keep them coming
My hubby loves when I read a HOT book 
by Yvonne · October 4th, 2009 at 2:34 pmHi Kate, I agree with the other readers. I need the story to snag my interest first, then I like some great chemistry between the characters. The level of sensuality doesn’t have to be erotic, but since I tend to read more romance stories than anything else, I want the sensuality to be pretty intense and to make sense with the storyline.
by Cathy M · October 4th, 2009 at 2:53 pmI agree, the story is definately more important. I can’t wait to read whatever you write!
by szra · October 4th, 2009 at 3:16 pmI just love your books can’t wait for your new series to start to.
Annette
by Annette Woods · October 4th, 2009 at 4:49 pmI do not choose a book by the amount of sex it contains. It all depends on the writer and the interaction of the characters. There can be an underlying sizzle between the characters that means more than a sexual encounter. I would read anything written by you Kate, as I am mesmerized by your writing skills. Your descriptions of scenes and characters are so good, I can picture them in my mind. This is like a small get-away for me and this is what I look for in a good book. In addition, I must say I’ve been very disappointed with some of my favorite authors books of late. I just finished one, that literally had me shaking my head at the end. There were so many typos and grammatical errors in the book and the last chapter seemed to confuse characters so I wasn’t sure what character the scene was about. Rest assured I’ve not found anything like this in any of your books and will continue to read them ALL!!!
by Suzanne · October 4th, 2009 at 5:22 pmGreat blot. I would have to say as long as there is some really great romance/ hot sexy moments envolved I will be reading from cover to cover. I don’t need it for every other page but I like strong chemistry with the character whether it’s a pack kind of love or just one on one.
I can’t wait for Wolf Tales 9 and all ready have your DemonFire on the March calendar for our book club.
Tracey
by Tracey · October 4th, 2009 at 6:03 pmOops meant Great Blog. LOL
by Tracey · October 4th, 2009 at 6:04 pmHi, Kate! As for hot sex, as much as I do enjoy reading a great erotic book, I don’t think it’s necessary to a romance for me to enjoy it. I think the most important parts to me are that I like and relate (in some way) to the characters and that I find their chemistry and building relationship believable and buy into it–if I care about them and the plot, the sex is just gravy. So to speak
by Fedora · October 4th, 2009 at 7:09 pmthanks, Janice. My characters are so real to me that when I sit down and write, it’s like catching up on what they’ve been doing! probably what keeps them fresh for readers, because it’s all news to me, too!
by Kate Douglas · October 5th, 2009 at 2:18 amI’m going to respond tomorrow, guys. I’m EXHAUSTED tonight! Owen was a pill from the time he got up from his afternoon nap until I finally put him to bed. I was ready to go sit and cry with him!
by Kate Douglas · October 5th, 2009 at 2:19 amDemonfire sounds great! I can’t wait to read it! I don’t mind to read books that aren’t erotic as long as there are some hot scenes. To me it’s the feelings and the chemistry between the characters, that I enjoy reading. Awesome cover for Demonfire!
by Amy S. · October 5th, 2009 at 9:02 amHI Kate,
For me it’s all about the heat and chemistry between the hero and heroine and not necessarily the detailed description.
Congratulations on having such a wonderful family.
by lynne Roberts · October 5th, 2009 at 11:46 amI like to read both erotic and non-erotic books. It’s more about picking the author whose style of writing connects with me emotionally. The sex no matter how explicitly written can leave me cold if I can’t connect emotionally to the author’s style of writing or her characters.
by Sue A. · October 5th, 2009 at 1:16 pmI think it kind of depends on what the story line is and how well it would work in the story. Sometimes really hot sex just doesn’t fit in the story line so it would be really out of place. For me it is all about the story line and characters in the book not necessarily how hot the sex is.
by Larena Wirum · October 5th, 2009 at 2:10 pmDont’ give up on me! I’ve got Ella and Owen this morning while my daughter and her daughter go have a mommy/daughter day for their last day in Hawaii, and I need to chase kids! Will definitely answer questions when I can get back to this. Have to pick son and daughter in law up at the airport in a few hours and then I should have some time!
by Kate Douglas · October 5th, 2009 at 3:34 pmYep, as long as there is chemistry, and a really good story, it’s all good! I’ve read a few (not yours) where you can tell the sex was just thrown in to be there….ugh. I don’t NEED it to just be there if the story is good enough, but when it’s written right and fits the story, I enjoy it!
by JonettaC · October 5th, 2009 at 8:51 pmHi Kate,
I love the Wolf Tales series! To answer your question I love my romances to be sexy and sensual with lots of heat and emotion, but that does not mean they need to be explicit.
I read all types of genres from traditional historical romance to erotic romance….and I know what to expect from each based on the genre. Knowing that Demonfire is a paranormal I would not expect the same thing as your erotic romances, but I would still expect a great love story no matter what.
Good luck with the new series! Can’t wait to give it a try
by Booklover1335 · October 5th, 2009 at 8:54 pmI’m all for kink and twists, but it’s the writing that counts. If a story draws me in, it doesn’t really matter about the heat of the sex.
Deidre
by Deidre · October 5th, 2009 at 9:19 pmYvonne–chemistry is so important! Not just between the protagonists, but between the reader and the characters as well. You have to have that emotional connection for the story to work.
Cathy M, that’s it exactly!
thank you, Szra!
Annette, thank you!
Suzanne, thank you so much, though you can’t always blame teh author for the typos. Things happen during the editing process that are totally out of our control, which is so frustrating because it’s the author’s name on the cover, so she’s the one who gets blamed.
I do appreciate your very generous praise! thank you so much!
Thank you, Tracey–blot/blog, whatever! LOL…we’ll set up another call when 9 comes out!
Fedora, I agree. You’ve got to have that connection first and foremost!
by Kate Douglas · October 6th, 2009 at 3:18 amthanks, Amy, and I SO AGREE on the DemonFire cover! It’s perfect!!
Thanks, Lynne. And I agree on the family–we’ve got great kids and they’re raising great kids. I couldn’t ask for better.
Sue, I agree, and that connection is totally necessary to having a book work or not.
Larena, I’ve read books like that, where all of a sudden you’ve got a hot scene thrown in that doesn’t fit. Not good!
Jonetta C, the thing is, when you come to a sex scene that’s obviously an “add on,” it’s NOT sexy. It has to be part of the romance, and you as the reader have to want it to happen.
Thanks, Booklover! I can’t wait for Demonfire to come out so I can see what my readers think of it! I’m really proud of this series!!
Diedre–the kink and the twists are fun when they belong–then it’s just another lay to the story, and that’s all good.
Thanks for you patience! I’m headed back to the mainland tomorrow and should be able to get back into some sort of schedule–I don’t know how women with small children manage to write!!!
by Kate Douglas · October 6th, 2009 at 3:25 amGood morning–well, it’s morning in Hawaii, anyway! I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be choosing the winner after I get home, so if you’re a “late poster,” you have just as good a chance to win. I’m flying back to the mainland later today, and will be home by tomorrow, so check back on Wednesday to see if you’ve won.
by Kate Douglas · October 6th, 2009 at 1:23 pmI don’t have to have graphic sex in a book. The sexual tension is enough in a lot of books.
by Estella · October 6th, 2009 at 3:42 pmI love reading many different types of romances, from sweet to spicy hot… and honestly, it doesn’t matter to me, it’s the story and the chemistry between the h/h that draws me in.
by Ali · October 6th, 2009 at 4:16 pmI love the wolf tales series.. I have all the chanku books and cant wait for the next….
You are the best author I have found in a long time… I picked up the book by mistake and now I am hooked…. thanks Kate….
by Laurie · October 6th, 2009 at 4:17 pmI read sweet to spicy and beyond. Sometimes the sweet seems tame when you know what goes on behind the closed door but not every story calls for the door to be wide open. I am working my way through all the books so hopefully by January I should be all caught up and ready for the new story.
by Lindsey Ekland · October 7th, 2009 at 7:49 amI have found that since I started reading the really sexy book that I have to have that to enjoy the book. If I don’t get the dirty describtion on what is going on, the book goes really slow for me and it is hard for me to stay with it.
So far I am only up to book 4 of the collection. I know I need to get on top of getting more. Now that I have a new job and money is coming in again, I get to buy more books.
by Gina · October 8th, 2009 at 4:13 amEstella and Ali–you appear to be in agreement with most readers. Thanks for your comments.
Thanks, Lindsey. I actually reread my own series last year and was amazed by how much I’d forgotten! I need to do that on occasion to make sure I don’t leave out anything in future stories.
Thanks, Gina, though I will say, I don’t think of any of the sex in the series as “dirty.” The scenes are very explicit, but always part of the story and the characters are so deeply involved with one another that I prefer to think of them as an expression of their emotional commitment to one another.
by Kate Douglas · October 8th, 2009 at 11:27 amGOT A WINNER! Finally had a few minutes to choose a winner for this week’s blog and I’ll be contacting Diedre (comment #32) to see which book I need to send. Thanks so much to all of you for stopping by!
Kate, back home and back to work on HellFire!
by Kate Douglas · October 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am