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with the romance industry, although their image, in some eyes, has given the romance industry a bad name, mostly because of their covers. These covers usually show a man and a woman, his hands grasping her with desperation, his touch usually just barely this side of acceptable to general audiences. Her clothes are in disarray her bodice hanging precariously from one shoulder, a breast almost, but not quite, fully disclosed. Not always, but usually, these stories are set in historical eras.

"Tabitha's heart raced as Simon's tongue delved deep into her mouth, and his fingers grazed the tip of her breast. . . ."

Some of the masters of this genre are: Kathleen Woodiwiss, Janet Dailey, Jo-Ann Power, Patricia Gaffney.

Erotica:

No longer expect pretenses when you read a book qualified as erotica. They usually have defined storylines, developed characters, researched settings . . . and graphic sex. Plots and characters are driven by sex. No apologies given. This term, "erotica," has come to mean quite a number of things to a vast audience. In its purest term, it is sexual writing created for nothing other than to physically turn on its reader. In recent years, the genre has evolved somewhat, and storylines have become important. Characterizations are integral, the catalyst to move from first to the last page; without good characters, there'd be nowhere to develop sexual situations. Body parts are, of course, freely and generously mentioned; sexual activity explicit. Depending on the writer's sensitivities, terminology ranges from sensual to graphic, with graphic being the predominant choice. The idea appears to be that the more graphic a scene, to include physical attributes and activities, the more heightened the sexual reaction of the reader . . . readers of erotica know what they're getting into, and expect no less.

Check out these writers: Kit Tunstall, Lee Emory, and, for an intriguing look into the life of an erotica author, check out the novel, "Authors in Ecstacy," by Bella Andre.

There are so many variations to the romance/erotica industry these days, and I don't even pretend to cover them all. I suggest that you visit: http://www.theromancestudio.co m for a great introduction. It's a fantastic site for all types of sexually-oriented literature as it relates to today's market!

Learn more about this author, Linda Alexander.
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