Rape Culture in Romance, good or bad?

I asked my husband to read the first 5 chapters of my work-in-progress. It's an Interracial Romance set in Tokyo. 

This is what he said, "Wow. You're writing improves with each book. It's like I'm in Tokyo. However, you should make the hero less Rapey."

I was blown away. "What the fuck? Rapey? Please explain this."

So he did. "You have this guy, invading the heroine's space upon meeting her, running his fingers through her hair, saying things that no rational male would say to any female he doesn't know, and. . .the guy is just creepy."


"No." I laughed. "That's romance."

"Hell no! That's rapey."

"Look. I've read tons of books where the Alpha Hero is a bit more than the typical guy."

"Then you've read a lot of romance novels with Rapey guys."

I'm a hard headed person so I made my darling husband act out the whole scene right there in our living room.

I was the heroine. He was the hero. 

Boom. 

We're in a Tokyo soapland (a brothel that bathes and provides sexual services to rich men). My hubby is a suspected yakuza gang leader. I'm a fast-talking fiction writer. 

We say the lines and do the actions.

The Results?

THE HERO IS RAPEY!!!

I'm totally creeped out.

What did I learn?

1- I need to re-write the freaking novel.

2- I should act out all scenes with my husband! 

What do I need to learn?

Dear god why did I find the hero so attractive. He was perfect when he lived in black and white on my laptop screen? Out in the real world, not acceptable.

but why was this jerk off acceptable in the story?

I have no idea. . .maybe I'm a sicko. . .maybe Rapey is in now. . .maybe I should change that. . .maybe I should not. . .

However, I'm not alone.

If you do a google search of the words "Rape. Hero. Novel" what you will get are TONS of goodreads lists and blog posts on many romance novels with rape in it.

Here's some of the lists with a link for all you naughty readers out there:

Romances with Forced Seduction or Rape by the Hero

Popular Rape by Hero Novels


...and we can't just let the guys have all the fun, can we? No way. Check out this great blog post by HeroesandHeartbreakers.com.

Waistcoat Rippers: Heroines that Rape the Heroes

So where am I going with discussion? 
I have no idea. 

I was just forced to realize that somewhere deep within my creative soul, I enjoy writing Rapey Heroes. I'm vowing to change this.

Why? 

I'm supposed to be a freaking feminist! Can feminists love Rapey Heroes? I doubt it.

but before I beat myself up, I need to understand why these novels are so popular and why have they captivated even me

I mean there are a whole bunch of women and men out there who enjoy a Rapey hero from time to time.

So now I'm asking you all to help me understand this fascination with Rapey Heroes. . 

Are you one of those readers that love a guy to go too far? 
Why or why not?  
How far is too far for a Rapey Hero?  
Would it be better if the Heroine raped the Hero?
Is Rape culture in romance, good or bad?

An Inside Look into Chaos

***Dark Erotic Romance

Amazon      B&N

“Sometimes it’s okay to kill, if you’re saving someone else in the process, Rainbow.” Dad wiped my tears from my face with bloody hands. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Do it for Daddy. Pull the trigger.”


And I did.

This isn't your mother's romance.

It's a deranged adventure through twisted addictions that arouse the body and mind. . .

Swim at your own risk.

Rain: artist, mentally stable

Jude: future rock star, sober

Our bodies formed into one entwined link, one grinding sensual movement of skin upon skin. 

Laboring breath skimmed across shivering flesh. Sculpted muscle molded against stiff nipples. The area between my thighs knew no pleasure till that moment.

 We collided, and all I could do was hold on.

Jude dominated me, and he did it in the most delicate movements--tortuously slow. 

      
He took his time. 

The piano played, the notes mingling with the sweat of our sex, the crashing of the waves, and the sound of my cries. 

Dear God, he took his time, until flickers of an orgasm turned into a bomb of passion that detonated inside and exploded through me.

New Adult Erotic Romance is Women's Horror Fiction

I'm so going to get in trouble for saying this, but I've come to a realization that New Adult Erotic Romance at times is a sort of Women's Horror Fiction.

Now before we get into this. I need you to STOP,

Remember. . . 

I said New Adult EROTIC romance, not the whole New Adult category.

First of all, the term women's fiction is really an umbrella term for women centered novels that focus on our lives and tend to be promoted to female readers.

Then we have to understand how I'm defining horror.

According to good ole' Wikipedia:

Horror fiction is a genre of literature intended to frighten, scare or startle its readers by inducing feelings of terror. It creates a frightening atmosphere. 

Horror can be either supernatural or non-supernatural. Often the central menace of a work of Horror fiction can be interpreted as a metaphor for the larger fears of a society. 

So my concept of Women's Horror Fiction is that it's women-centered literature that startles or frightens female readers and provides a central menace that can be interpreted as a metaphor for the larger fears of women in society.

Horror for the feminist!

 

I'm not saying every New Adult Erotic Romance novel is Women's Horror Fiction.

That would just be plain looney.

But I do believe that the NA Erotic Romance genre has been getting a lot of glares, scowls, and middle fingers because readers are simply put off by the angsty plot-lines and verging on abusive (or at least creepy) heroes.

Plus, I believe more experienced female readers are just not sure how to swallow this new genre.

And that's perfectly fine. 

But, I think I'm able to enjoy these books because I read them like I would watch a horror film.

Here's an example:

In Beautiful Disaster, when Travis hooked up with you know who in you know where while Abby was you know what. . . (sorry, I don't want to give away spoilers), but when that happened I was like. . .

"Get out of there, Abby!! Run! Hurry!
There's a monster in your bedroom! This guy is an asshole. He'll cheat on and emotionally abuse you. Run!"

Isn't that what we would do in at a scary movie, scream at the heroine and hope that she gets to safety as well as far away from the monster?

The biggest problem in NA Erotic Romance is that. . .the heroine usually doesn't get to safety.

She falls in love with The Monster!!

and as if that isn't enough. . .

the book ends with a Happily Ever After scene. . .
with the heroine and the Monster!

"No, you two stupid people will procreate and have more stupid people!!"

More experienced women will read these books and think, "Uh oh. I know how this ends. I've seen this happen to my friend or. . .this happened to me. Leave him alone."

But the heroine doesn't listen, and somehow she ends up being happy with him, which is even scarier.

The ending shoves against our preconceived notions about men, women, attraction, and how relationships should work.

Is that a good or bad thing? 

I don't know. 

But for the few that are really starting to be disgusted by New Adult Erotic Romance. . .

just give it a try

one more book

one more time

and when you open it up

read it like it's Women's Horror Fiction.

Book Review: Magic Rises (Book 6 of Kate Daniel's Series)

I won't do spoilers! 
I'll just be so annoyingly vague to the point you (who haven't read the book) will feel stupid (which you should for not reading the book. . .Alicia W Brewster!)!

Before I get into my FANGIRL FRENZY. Let's do a moment of silence for someone dear to my heart who passed away in this book!

The person who passed away brought such great entertainment to the stories, and was one of the most unique characters in the urban fantasy genre.

                       You will be missed!!

I loved this book. Was it the best in the series?

Gosh, I really don't know. I tend to masturbate to them all pretty equally. 

I will say there was a bit of drama in this one. Curran and Kate's relationship was tested several times to the point where Kate's Pimp Hand itched a whole lot.

There were loads of interesting magic!

Hoards of great fight scenes!

And the funny. . .

Oh there was tons of funny! Check these lines out:


"When a joke flies past a sulking werejaguar, does i make a sound?"

"I'd signed six things and my stack wasn't getting any smaller. It was like the paperwork was breeding while I worked."

or this scene..

"Is it poisoned?" Saiman asked.
"It's Saturday," I said. "We only serve poison during the week." 
"Yes, we're not complete savages." Curran sat.


So to wrap things up. . . 

I laughed, cried, orgasmed, got pissed off, jumped in victory, cried some more, screamed, and then fell into a state of depression because the book had ended.

NOW WHAT DO I DO WITH MY LIFE????

Magic Rises Release Day Giveaway!

MAGIC RISES IS OUT, BITCHESSSSSSS!!!

Finally, Kate and Curran have come to my home to spend some time with me!

This is a series where I drop EVERY DAMN THING IN MY LIFE, buy the new book in the series, and devour it, immediately!

I'll probably finish the book in a day! It's that serious!

I just knock that Mofo OUT!

But here at Fantasy Floozies, we like to share Amazeball Experiences!!

So this week we'll hold a giveaway of TWO Magic Rises novels (Winners choice Print or ebook)

Two?

(that's right)

Here at Fantasy Floozies, Two is always Hotter than One.

Enter the giveaway! 

NOTE: The choice of Print books are only for US winners only. HOWEVER, International winners can have the ebook.

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Hot Redemption Cover Reveal, eBook Bundle & Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Today is an exciting day. D. T. Dyllin and I have  worked hard on our cyber punk erotic romance novel. 

We're so happy that Dragonfairy Press will be releasing it Summer 2013.

Join the Release Email List HERE. 

Don't forget the eBook Bundle and Amazon Gift Card Giveaway below!!!

Blurb: 

Epic and his brothers don’t rob strip clubs for fun or fame, but to use the electric currency to take care of their family. With androids and robots flooding the job market, it’s almost impossible for humans to find work. Besides, stealing comes easy to the gang, until Phoenix steps into their lives, snatching away their bounty and fogging up Epic’s mind with her seductive scent.

Shots blare. A chase ensues. Both sides refuse to yield. And the small compromise that comes is 

brought by chains and a promise for a bigger hit--

on a planet far away from earth. 

Can Epic and Phoenix work together to rescue themselves from poverty? 

Or will they find another type of redemption, one lathered in lust and warmth, pleasure, and the type of undemanding love that no human can live without?

About K. D. Penn

K.D. Penn is the pseudonym for the writing team of Kenya Wright and D.T. Dyllin.

D. T. Dyllin

Kenya Wright

Kenya Wright and D.T. eBook Giveaway

Book 2 of PJ Trilogy ARC

Book 1 of PJ Trilogy

BOOK 1 of Death Series

Book 1 of Santeria Habitat Series

Book 2 of Santeria Habitat Series

Book 1 of Vampire King Trilogy

BOOK 2 OF Vampire King Trilogy

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The Biggest and Baddest Boys of Fiction!

Well, my goofy friend and author Lauren has stopped by with the claim that she has the top Biggest and Baddest Boys of Fiction. . .hmmmmm you be the judge? Is she correct? Do you know some more?

I'm not sure if she's right, but three out of the list I've done naughty things to in my mind, which is big because I'm a very refrained un-humping-books-individual!

NOTE: Don't forget the Bad Boy Love ebook Giveaway begins today! Enter to win several ebooks BELOW!

Lauren's book Hyde will actually be in the mix! Woop Woop!

THE BIGGEST AND BADDEST BOYS OF FICTION!!!!!!!!

by Lauren Stewart

www.ReadLaurenS.com

http://readlaurens.blogspot.

com

@readlaurens

The beloved Floozies invited me to their blog to talk about, Mitch, the bad boy of my new novel Hyde, an Urban Fantasy. I thought I’d include a few other boys because I can’t get enough of in fiction.

JR Ward’s Vischous, Black Dagger Brotherhood series

 Not only does the guy have a magic hand and only one ball, he’s into the hard stuff—liquor and sex. Being tortured emotionally somehow makes him want to be tortured physically. Go figure. But OMG is he hot. Would I want to see him with a ball-gag in his mouth? Hmm…not sure about that one. But at least then he’d have two balls.

Karen Marie Moning’s Jerico Barrons, the Fever series

 Geez, even his name is hot. This guy is cold and intimidating, but we all know it’s just a defense. How many times does he say things that would leave most of us on our knees in a puddle of insecurity? But, then again, how many of us would kill to be in front of him on our knees, if you know what I mean? And then, when he finally shows himself, who he truly is, all of our suspicions are proven correct—he does feel, he wants, he loves. And we love him all the more for it.

EL James’ Christian, Fifty Shades trilogy

Though he’s not a paranormal bad boy (unless you consider his abnormally long fingers and superhuman ability to give a woman multiple orgasm with little effort paranormal traits *giggle*), I felt like he had to be included in the line-up. As of today, FSoG is still in the top spot on the bestseller’s list, so in terms of current popularity, he beats everybody else, hands (and fingers) down. Opinions on this guy and this book vary widely, but one thing is for sure—Christian is one messed up MoFo. Like Barrons, he’s cold and inflexible. And like Vischous, he’s into bondage and control. James never mentions how many balls he has, but his formative years were similarly horrific to V’s.

My very own, ultra hot, Mitch Turner, the Hyde series

Thankfully, I am not the only one who finds his bad behavior enticing. To control the monster inside him, Mitch uses biting sarcasm and cruel wit.  He pushes people away for their own safety, and he thinks that’s the way he likes it. His childhood was no picnic—killing your own father and being caged on a regular basis will do that to a guy. Oh, and just so you know—he still has both of his balls.

So many bad boys, so little time. We’d be here all day if I named them all. What is it about them that is so fascinating? That makes us sad to say goodbye to them at the end of each book? I’m sure your mother told you to stay away from men like these. So why do they begin to creep into our fantasies as teenagers and stay put as we become smart, independent adults?

While each of them have different amounts of damage in their pasts that make them who they are, and each has his own way of coping with that damage, they all share the same two enemies—themselves and the right woman. Doc Jane, Mac, Ana, and Eden.

One woman for each who brings these bad boys to their knees, breaks down who they always thought they were, and forces them to rebuild themselves. To be better men.

So, is there a part inside each of us that longs to be that woman for someone?

 To be able to control or exorcise the demons that haunt him?

To be the one, out of all the women on the planet, to make the bad boy realize he still has good inside of him?

I’ve dated a bad boy or two in my day. And it never ended well, or certainly not how it does in books.

But the dream is always there, isn’t it? The fantasy?

Have you ever tamed a bad boy? I’d love to hear about it.

What’s your take on why we love them so much?

Who is your favorite fictional bad boy?

AND NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY! THESE ARE THE BOOKS:

OR If you have already read Fire Baptized then you can get the (ARC) for The Burning Bush in September before everyone else!

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