Erotica That Doesn’t Suck

I originally wrote this post back in 2012, when I was still working at the Big Chain Bookstore, because all the hullaballoo over 50 Shades of Grey was driving me batshit crazy. Not because people wanted to read erotica, but because 50SoG is SO FUCKING BADLY WRITTEN. No kidding, you guys, I have a three chapter rule, and I could barely make it that far.

Anyway, so I’m re-running this because, in the almost four years since I wrote my original post, even more people are reading erotica and apparently I’m That Friend You Ask About Smut. If 50SoG is gateway smut, here’s some stuff you need to read that’s actually GOOD SMUT.

Erotica That’s Way Better than 50 Shades of Boring

It originally started as Twilight fanfic (yeah, I hated that too) only there’s no vampires and more bondage. However, it’s tedious, repetitive and boring – and yet I’m selling a zillion copies a day, because it’s publicly-approved erotica. Matt Lauer says it’s okay for you to read it, ladies! Here’s the problem. It’s erotica for people who have never READ erotica before. It’s lame. Anastasia and Christian Grey are so boring that I don’t care if they ever get laid or not. There’s SO much stuff out there that’s written at a higher caliber.

Obviously, everyone has a different list of stuff that arouses them or that they find appealing. And of course, everyone has things they find just plain UNappealing. This list is by no means a comprehensive one, but it’s a good starting point if you’d like to read some erotica that has a plot other than just “Golly! I’m submissive!”

That’s right, my friends, I’m reading smut so you don’t have to.

Authors to check out:

Maya Banks: Her KGI series is a lot of fun – it’s about a group of four brothers who run a paramilitary consulting agency. The guys are hot, the heroines are smart and sassy and generally don’t sit around waiting to be rescued, and the sex scenes are smokin’ hot. Banks also writes a series with titles like Sweet Seduction and Sweet Temptation, and they focus on relationships that have a dom/sub angle. WAY better stuff than 50 Shades.

Opal Carew: Writes some pretty hot, pretty graphic erotica. A number of her books focus on “unconventional” stuff, particularly menage (M/F/M) and swinging. Well written and believable.

Jaci Burton: Writes straight up F/M erotica with Happy Ever After endings. Reasonably good plot lines, strong female characters, and generally men who are not obnoxious. Pretty hot sex scenes.

Dominique Adair: Spicy erotica, typically F/M with occasional variations, some light BDSM, a bit of paranormal (vampires, etc). Pretty good stuff, and she lives around Columbus, too, so you can support a local author if you buy her books.

Lora Leigh: Lighter-weight erotica with Happy Ever After endings, but well written and strong characters.

Ann Herendeen: Writes historical erotica with a number of variations: F/M, F/F, M/M, and menage included. Entertaining, lots of humor tucked in among the naughtiness. Her Pride/Prejudice puts a whole new spin on the relationships between the Darcys and others.

Also, adding this in because since the original post, I’ve discovered:

Tessa Dare: Hot ‘n sexy Regency romance. I love the Spindle Cove series, and the Castles Ever After books are seriously hot – all of them feature sassy and smart heroines and leading men who are fantastic and believable at the same time.