Author Guest Post + Giveaway: Cari Quinn
September 27, 2010 
38 Comments
I’m pleased to have author Cari Quinn on the blog today. Take it away Cari.
Big thanks to Sophia for allowing me to guest blog here today. I love her reviews and her blog! 
When I tried to come up with a topic for my guest blog, I wasn’t sure what to talk about. The first thing that popped into my mind was the heat level in books. Not too surprising, since I write erotic romance, right? But I did an interesting, unintentional comparison recently about what works for me as a reader, one that will inform my choices going forward as a writer.
Some authors jump right into the hot stuff as soon as possible. Makes sense, since when a reader opens a thriller, they expect heart-pounding suspense right off. I’ve done that before too though I usually try to give a bit of a set-up first. I know my preference is to get to know the characters a little bit first before watching them drop their drawers. In the two stories I read back-to-back, the first gave us a bit of that setup. This is an author I’ve read before and her style of telling a story really resonates with me. I had an idea who we were dealing with, then learned a lot more about them as they explored themselves and their growing relationship through sex. In the second story, we were thrust, quite literally, into discussions of a threesome right off the bat. The writing was crisp, pulled you right in, and I…didn’t care. This book’s gotten great reviews so I kept going. I read through the first chapter, which was hot, and yep, still didn’t care. I have a long ways to go in the story yet and I’m going to keep reading, because ultimately the author did everything they were supposed to do. Great opening hook, sharp writing…and it just didn’t work for me. And that’s because I didn’t know who these people were before they decided to do the nakey tango.
I’ve fallen into the trap too. If I’m being honest, it took my awesome CP Taryn Elliott (who’s going to have books filling the shelves soon) to remind me that hot sex does not a good erotic romance make. I’ve written several books and several novellas and I sorta thought I had a handle on what ingredients were necessary. But I forgot. It’s not just enough to have perky breasts and quivering ripped abs. It’s not enough to have your characters performing tantric sex acts explicit enough to make someone’s eyes cross. It’s also not enough to TELL us these people are close, are in love, are – fill in your adjective here. The reader needs to see it, be part of the journey. Not just a witness to an inventive show that would earn a spot on middle of the night cable.
So what about you? Do you like your erotic romance to be full of emotion or do you like it heavier on the action, less on the feelings? I’m curious about others’ opinions.
I’m giving away an e-book copy of my first erotic romance with Ellora’s Cave, Personal Research, to a random commenter. To enter simply answer the question from above: Do you like your erotic romance to be full of emotion or do you like it heavier on the action, less on the feelings?
Briefs are Elena Thomas’s life, whether they’re legal at her day job or on the men in the erotic novels she writes. She’s just fine with saving her imagination for her books until temptation appears in the form of Nunzio, the smokin’-hot office IT guy. When he discovers one of her scorching books shooting out of the printer, Elena’s not sure if he wants her because she’s inventive or because he thinks she’s desperate. That doesn’t stop her from taking advantage of his “services”.
On her desk. On the copier. And, oh yeah—in her boss’s chair.
Nunzio’s shocked to learn Elena’s wall-hugging persona hides a wildcat of a woman with delicious fantasies and an enticing wit. She’s exactly what he’s been looking for in an adventurous lover—and girlfriend. He knows she enjoys their sexual research. Now he just has to convince her that sizzling sex is only the first chapter of their blazing-hot romance.
Read an excerpt of Personal Research
Purchase link: Ellora’s Cave
Visit Cari Quinn: Website | Blog
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Hi Cari. I like a good balance of both plot & smex. I have to connect with the characters-especially in erotica-or the book bombs for me. Humor plays a huge part with me. Make me laugh and I'll read about them dropping drawers all day.
Thanks so much to FV for having me on her blog today.
Tori, I agree completely. I love humor in books, especially erotic ones for some reason. Because, let's face it, sex can be funny. I like characters that have a sense of humor about themselves too. But I'm with you…it's hard to be into the scene if you're unclear about why it matters so much to the character. Thanks for the comment!
A strong emotional connection is a must for an erotic romance to work for me. If it's not there, I have to move on.
I happen to love that I know there will be hot smex in an erotic book, I mean that's why it's called erotic, right? But, if there isn't some kind of emotional connection between the two characters, at some point, I find myself flipping pages without really reading.
I kinda love romances that have two characters that do the things friends would do, and spend time as lovers. The ones that talk over coffee, and discuss their careers, or cook each other dinner, as well as burning up the sheets. I like a real story behind and around the sex, too.
This was a great idea for a post, Cari, and congrats on Personal Research. I've added it to my wishlist!
I need the emotional connection. All action with nothing else just makes it a porno in my opinion.
Lillie and Marq, thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's funny how it took reading two stories back-to-back for me to see what really worked for me and what didn't, but Lillie, what you mentioned really made the difference for me. In the first story, the characters spent time together outside the bedroom. It wasn't like they went on dates, but even those small moments over coffee or in the car showed more about who they were individually and together. It seems so obvious but I'd never really thought about it until I saw it played out how much I need that extra bit of connection.
I like a balance of both where the intense feelings don't overwhelm the reader and the action doesn't bore you to death because there is so much of it. Thanks for the great post!
No emotion=no erotic romance – erotica possibly, but not erotic romance as far as I'm concerned.
I've read books where the instant smexing worked and others were it didn't. I think it's all in the author's skill whether or not they can get me emotionally engaged enough with their characters that I'm willing to follow them into the bedroom immediately.
I want it all!!!! A erotic romance book without emotion is just sex and reading 100+ pages of sex can get rather tiresome.
I am with smokin! I want it all too! I don't want just smexin and no plot or emotions. The emotions, tension AND the sex is what I'm talkin about! I've read so many good things about this book.
I definitely need the emotional connection. If you can't turn my mind on, you won't get my panties off! That's my motto!
Great post, Cari it got me thinking. I don't mind if the characters jump right into the sex part at the beginning if the emotion is in the rest of the book. I like an emotional read so I definitely want the emotion to be in the story at least somewhere.
Congrats on your first EC release.
Awww.
She loves me….she really does.
AND listens to me!? I don't quite know what to do with myself.
Lurve you darlin'. =)
Yes, I need the emotional value to really get into the story. And like Cari, it doesn't have to be a traditional way to drag me in. I just really need to connect with the characters. Even if the emotional part might come a little later, there needs to be a spark from the beginning or it's just not going to work for me.
My favorite stories tend to have a balance between emotions and action. I definitely need the emotional connection between the characters to be strong, though not angsty, with the zing of some great dialogue and humor.
I really enjoy suspense storylines with my romance. They are just more satisfying to me when the action plot furthers the relationship, and doesn't take over the storyline.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Hi, Cari! I like feelings and plot in a story no matter if it's an erotic romance or not. If I don't care about the characters and their connections to each other, then it just doesn't work. Otherwise, instead of a romance, it's just friends-with-benefits. Also, the characters need to grow during the course of the book (ideally anyway) and, if I care about the characters, then I will follow them on their journey.
Of course, if it's only a short story, then by all means make it as hot as possible, no need for too much exposition.
cories119[at]yahoo.com
I definitely need the emotion!
I want it all. I have to have the emotins to really love the book, but I love the action too the more the better! But without Love and feelings It wouldn't matter.
I'd love to win a copy of this book!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I think there definitely has to be a balance of actions and feelings. As much as I like the actions, it's nothing without emotion behind it.
cwilliams127 at gmail dot com
For me there has to be a little of both. There needs to be an emotional connection and some action to keep the plot going. They work well together and without one the story feels lacking.
I definitely need a good, strong emotional connection.
Then give me lots of the dirty dirty.
Hey Cari-
I like both, it really depends on my mood. But I have to say I usually end up liking the book better in the long run if there is a deeper connection between the main characters. It just means more to me. Now, that doesn't mean I don't like them getting down and dirty!
I like the slow build. I want to see them dance around each other and the topic of sex a little before they dive right into the good stuff. I want to be invested enough that I care about where they are going with the relationship or whatever it happens to be. Jumping right in can be the right thing in some cases and I have enjoyed those kinds of books but as a general rule I like to see a little emotional connection first.
Oh wow, what a hot book!
This is a great opportunity! Thanks!
I love full blow emotion in my erotic romance novels… but hot and heavy are awesome too! I mean, who does not want to see the guy on the cover of the Personal Research cover getting hot and heavy! **Raises her hand**
Thanks for the chance!
Thanks so much for all the incredible comments! Like most things, I imagine it's all in the execution…sometimes going right for the hot stuff works perfectly, and sometimes it doesn't. But adding in more emotion outside the bedroom probably never hurts.
I appreciate everyone's thoughts!
I need a balance of both to make a book work for me.
I definitely prefer emotion to smex. Nothing wrong with the hot scenes, but if I don't feel a connection to the characters, then I don't tend to like the book.
jen at delux dot com
I like to a story to start with some feelings (lust), and move to lots of hot action and finally to return to feelings (love).
d.septer at insightbb.com
I'm here to gush some more about Personal Research! Loved it to bits, it's an awesome hot read with loads of emotion – a perfect balance!
Congratulations, Cari, on another winner!
For me the thrill is in the build-up. I love loads of conflict and emotion going in first, the sex thereafter is just that much hotter. Yes, I want both emotion and sex and they each must compliment the other.
I think it'd be a little of both, because without either one to balance the other the book would seem rather 'dead' in the sense that we could just kiss the awesome story plot so far goodbye (of course it could never be truly dead
). There must be an emotional connection otherwise the few pages are hot, heavy and meaningless (to a certain extent).
Thanks for such a great giveaway and the chance to enter!!
I like a little of both. I guess it depends on where the story is headed. For the most part, a lot of action is good for me. If I'm on the edge of my seat, I'm likely not to put the book down. I also like a lot of emotion too.
Do you like your erotic romance to be full of emotion or do you like it heavier on the action, less on the feelings? My erotic romances need to have alot of emotion and actions. There needs to be an emotional connection. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book.
I like both. I wouldn't want action without emotion. This looks like a very HOT book.
Sometimes I'm in the mood for more action… sometimes more emotion.
Generally I like a good balance of both. I want to feel the emotion throughout the action.
ciara at ciaradallas dot com
I definitely go for the feelings. The more feelings, the better.
I can't wait to read your book to see where I'll fall on my feelings about it. I think I want it all!! I want Hot hot hot sex but with out the emotions the book is useless to me. I have to feel the love or at the beginning the infatuation. But don't get me wrong, I read a lot of books and only come across one book with to much sex and I just thought it might have been a bit much. I'd never said that since though. But I kept the book to re read sometime and see if I still feel that way. I'm also picky about how many pages my books are. I really perfer closer to 200 pages. Those short stories and novellas I have a hard time enjoying, them you don't get to know everyone enough and there's definately not much time for sex! lol
Absolutely HAVE to have emotion with my sex! Conversely, I feel robbed with emotion and no sex. I just want it all, damn it.
Thanks for the post, Sophia and Cari!
I have to have emotions or the book falls short for me.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like a good mix of feelings and action. I don't think I could really enjoy if there was little to no emotion between the characters.