January 27th, 2010 | by Shelli Stevens |
Hello, all!
So I blogged about this the other day, but wanted to try and get more perspectives. So sex sells, right? I mean, Aphrodisia books are proof of that 
And there’s so many variations on what kind of erotic romances to read. M/M, cowboys, ménage, foursomes, tensomes, bdsm, capture, vanilla erotic…all of the above? The variety of erotic romances to read is across the page.
Well, in case you don’t know, I also write for Samhain Publishing and my newest release, an ebook novella called Four Play, just came out last week (and it’s been #1 at MBAM since last Thursday!) It’s the story of one woman who has to choose between three men…until she realizes maybe she doesn’t have to choose at all! There was something so fun and delicious about writing three different men, and wondering who I’d choose if I was in the heroine’s place.
So I certainly have my favorite themes in erotic, to both read and write. But I want to know what yours is. What type of plot do you tend to gravitate toward to when you’re picking up an erotic/spicy romance to read?
Leave a comment and I’ll draw a name for one person to win a copy of Four Play or any ebook off my backlist.
In the mean time, enjoy the excerpt below!
Shelli 
* * *
Duty required she choose one life mate. Her heart wants all three.
Mikayla kne
w this day was coming. News has come down from the planetary elders—now that she’s twenty-five, the law requires she pick her lifemate. She may be the planetary secretary, but when it comes to trying out potential mates, she’s inexperienced and nervous.
She only needs one man with whom she can trust her life. Luckily she knows three—all friends since childhood. Even if they’re not thrilled to be her potential lifemate, it’s the only way she can get through this process.
Mikayla couldn’t be more wrong about Cedric, Kyle, and Brett. They’re eager, yet resentful about the situation. Each one would kill to claim her, but they’re not too happy about having to risk their friendship to win her love. Yet, one by one, they set out to do just that.
Mikayla is stunned to learn all three men drive her mad with desire—and make her feel cherished. Loved. Choosing one seems impossible, until the one man she doesn’t want forces her hand…
EXCERPT
“That dress looks lovely on you,” Kyle murmured.
She flushed, even knowing he had always been skilled with flattery. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It makes you look taller.”
Mikayla threw back her head and laughed, a habit she was well used to when spending time with Kyle. “You lie. I’m petite at best.”
“Yes, you are, and always have been. It’s no wonder we always had difficulty finding you during our hiding games as a child.”
“Gods, stop it!” she laughed harder and slapped his leg lightly. “You make fun.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Kyle grinned and sank down next to her, then leaned back on his elbows, crossing one leg over another. The action drew his shirt taut over his abdomen, highlighting the muscles beneath.
A flutter occurred low in her belly and she bit her lip, shifting her gaze away. What was the matter with her? He was fully clothed and this was hardly the first occasion she’d spent time with him alone.
“Mikayla,” Kyle said softly and caught her hand. “What made you choose us?”
Her cheeks warmed and she shrugged. “Well, basically it was like I said. I suppose I hate the idea of making a strange man my lifemate. I know you three. I adore you and would trust each one of you with my life.” She lifted her gaze and searched his eyes. The unease hit again—was she forcing them into this? She whispered, “Am I being terribly selfish?”
His blue gaze darkened, flickered with heat. “No, kitten. Not selfish at all. Though you’ve put us in one hell of a predicament.”
“Have I? How so?” Her heart skipped and she ran her tongue across her mouth.
Kyle’s gaze dropped to observe the movement.
“Because all three of us would give our souls to possess you,” he said roughly and, with a light tug of his hand, pulled her so that she fell across his chest. He reclined fully onto the blanket and slid his hands up her waist. “To win your love.”
Surprise rushed through her. Truly? They all wanted more than just friendship from her?
Her pulse quickened and she wondered if she should feel guilty for acting so wantonly. But dear Gods it felt wonderful to lie across his hard body like this. Across Kyle. How strange…
“All of you? But Brett didn’t seem happy in the least.”
Kyle laughed. “He’s just infuriated that I was chosen to court you first. The man is more competitive than he likes to let on.” He slid his hand down to her ass, cupping her through the thin cotton. “But fortunately I am too, kitten. Do I have your permission to continue?”
Continue. Oh Gods, she could not even begin to comprehend what that entailed, but she wanted it.
Not trusting her voice, she gave a slight nod.
Triumph flickered in his gaze as he slid one hand up to cradle the back of her head, pulling her mouth down to his. His mouth was entirely too skilled, coaxing her lips apart before his tongue slipped inside.
She met his commanding touch, hesitantly flicking her tongue against his. Heat bloomed in her body as she let her weight rest fully on him. He threaded his fingers through her hair and tilted her head, deepening the kiss.
Warmth slid through Mikayla’s body, gathering heavily between her legs. She squirmed against him, needing more than the kiss, but not sure how to ask for it.
But Kyle seemed to know exactly what she needed, because he lifted one leg between her thighs so that she straddled him. His knee wedged against her pussy, sending all kinds of sparks of pleasure through her.
She cried out and lifted her head, bracing her hands on either side of his body, rocking back and forth on his knee in search of that ultimate pleasure.
“You need to slow down, kitten,” he murmured and slid his hands up her ribcage to cup her breasts.
“This is just the beginning.”
Oh Gods! Mikayla closed her eyes. If this was just the beginning of pleasure, then she was in a heap of trouble.
Congratulations! It’s an amazing feel isn’t it?
Well, for me my first choice of book would be a m/m paranormal, however I love menage as well. I think the blurb of the book influences the choice of reading it or not immensely.
by Leiland · January 27th, 2010 at 11:02 amI like menages, paranormal and suspense. It’s the blurb and excerpts of a book that pull me in.
by Connie T · January 27th, 2010 at 12:36 pmhi Shelli, thanks for the excerpt -nice! And I gravitate towards the reunited/betrayal/good hero grovel scenes. Like your story in the sexy beast anthology!!!
by Allison · January 27th, 2010 at 12:46 pmWell you’ll probably guess that I like reading a good menage story myself
Congrats on the new book, Shelli!
by Kate Pearce · January 27th, 2010 at 1:02 pmCongratulations! It sounds great!
by Estella · January 27th, 2010 at 3:50 pmWowza! I have a fondness for redemption stories, and also second-chance ones. I’m enjoying more menages, too–yours sounds like a hot one!
by Fedora · January 27th, 2010 at 4:50 pmCongrats Shelli, I really loved the excerpt for Four Play. I read erotic romance almost exclusively these days, in almost any genre. I look for a great storyline that is enhanced with some sexy lovin’. Recent favs are m/m and menage, plus, I can never pass up a friends to lovers storyline.
by Cathy M · January 27th, 2010 at 5:15 pmI like menages and first time stories – I tend to shy away from BDSM type storylines –
Good luck with this release!!! hugs!
by Colleen · January 27th, 2010 at 5:50 pmI like menage stories a lot(m/m/f or m/f/m). Especially if it’s paranormal or futuristic. If it has a little bit of BDSM that’s a plus, but I don’t like the hardcore slave or pain side of that.
by Beth · January 27th, 2010 at 6:21 pmFour Play is sitting in my TBR folder. I’ll probably get to it this weekend but winning one of your other books would be great.
Keep up the great writing and have fun while doing it.
Love reunion stories. Love a little bondage thrown in their.
Four Play sounds like a great read!
by Natasha Moore · January 27th, 2010 at 6:55 pmI like menages a lot. Paranormal is also nice. And BDSM.
by Maija A. · January 28th, 2010 at 4:26 amBut my ultimate favorite is scarred and tortures heroes.
Enjoyed reading the excerpt. Sounds like a good book. Congrats on the release.
by Larena Wirum · January 28th, 2010 at 11:25 amI LOVE a good hot Menage Story!!! This 4some sounds like a HOT read!!!!
by Aurora · January 28th, 2010 at 2:30 pmI tend to gravitate stories with a crime/suspense theme.
by Jane · January 28th, 2010 at 2:59 pmThanks everyone for commenting! The randomly drawn winner is: Maija
Please email me at shelli @ shellistevens.com and tell me which format you’d like this book in (ebook!)
by Shelli Stevens · January 28th, 2010 at 4:41 pmThanks Shelli! I just sent you an e-mail
by Maija A. · January 29th, 2010 at 9:16 am