Fortunately, you can't see it from here...

[Doran]

...The blushing, I mean. http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/ashamed002.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. But, the other day I hung it all out there, like lingerie on the clothesline, and mentioned that I'd love to have recommendations for reading material that might help....um.....preheat the oven a bit for me. While I felt a tad awkward asking, I was nonetheless, quite serious about my request. I had hoped one or two Don Juan/ettes might be able to suggest just the collection I need. Or, if no such collection exists (I have searched, I'm equally embarrassed to admit), then what about specific novels, or passages in specific novels to which I might turn? I suppose I could go to the library and look for the books with the most tattered bindings and dog-eared pages, but you folks should be so much easier.


FWIW, here's the original (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10121) thread. But, c'mon, people! I'm brazen enough (or is that humility I'm choking on there?) to make this request a second time. I'm not looking for smut. Just classic, beautifully written "intrigue". Surely some of you are bold enough to post your picks for literary steam. Surely there are others, like me, who would love to have such a list. There's always private messages if you're not willing to post it here. :o


It's not impossible to create some pretty excellent flambe starting with a cold oven, but most recipes do call for preheating, do they not?

Doran

[abbeyej]

Well, another WTM poster (who's on a board break right now) had just the reaction you're looking for while reading Stephenie Meyer's Twilight books: http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-Book-1/dp/0316015849 They're technically "young adult" books, so very clean -- but also very... um... well... :)

I didn't respond *quite* as strongly as that other poster, but I sure did enjoy the escapism of these books. :)

[mrscopterdoc]

not sure exactly what you are looking for....in the romance section of any book store the "historical novels" are great for steaminess. {is that even a word?:)} They can be explicit, but use flowery terms to make it not too raunchy. It all depends if you like cowboys, pirates, etc. They even have supernatural and space ones.

If you would like some toys and games and that sort of thing, adamandeve.com is a good site. Be warned, you do not want little ones around when you check that out. They have some 'tame' stuff but you have to wade through some weird stuff unfortunately.

HTH

[PixieKris]

For good quick fun reading, I like Janet Evanovich.... her books have a bit of steam, but don't take me much more than an hour or two to read, which these days is all the time I have for 'braing candy.' I also really liked Aphrodite's Kiss by Julie Kenner (and the sequels....) who hangs out here I think! A Greek God in the Ladies Club was cute.

If you like things that are a bit darker, Laurell K. Hamilton wrote a vampire series starting with "Guilty Pleasures" that is rather steamy.... but they get progressively darker, and while it doesn't bother me, I like to forwarn people. Her writing is quite amazing - lots of literary references and great vocab and sentence structure; something I won't claim for Janet Evanovich. (though Evanovich's characters are so creative and colorful, they're fantastic.)

If you want some fun 'how to's' I love Lou Paget - there is a book for him and a book for her that are both a treat.

I think I've said too much. ;) Enjoy!

Kris

[Doran]

I'm not opposed to "toys" and wouldn't think myself beyond a "how to" guide, but that's not specifically what I was seeking this go around. Mostly, I was thinking of decent literature that happened to include some juicy scenes. The one I mentioned in the previous thread was Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer. I loved that book, so it's possible that's why I also loved the one passage where she describes the meeting of nature boy and girl. I can't tell you exactly why, I just know it did it for me!

The books mentioned here are a good start. (Thank you!!) I wasn't really targeting romance novels, per se, but more romance in the context of another great novel. Make sense? I had this idea that some smart person would have already compiled these "scenes" into a single book, but that was probably much too wishful. Hey, maybe that's my future writing project. :p One thing at a time, right?

Doran

[GothicGyrl]

Doran--I didn't respond to the thread because what I'd have to offer is really smutty (GOOD but would make you really blush, and not like you are now) and you'd have to have an open mind while reading them (not gay stuff, just really really kinky), so I didn't think you'd want something like that.

All of the stuff I would read has to be NC-17--R rated is just too fluffy bunny for me ;)

I'm sorry I couldn't help, but if you are curious I'll give you the names.. I just didn't think you would be.

If you like things that are a bit darker, Laurell K. Hamilton wrote a vampire series starting with "Guilty Pleasures" that is rather steamy.... but they get progressively darker, and while it doesn't bother me, I like to forwarn people. Her writing is quite amazing - lots of literary references and great vocab and sentence structure; something I won't claim for Janet Evanovich. (though Evanovich's characters are so creative and colorful, they're fantastic.)

Ok, you are like the I don't'nth person to recommend her.. Is she really THAT good? And just how "steamy" is steamy? (see above for my tastes--I'd bend for vampires)...

[Doran]

Doran--I didn't respond to the thread because what I'd have to offer is really smutty ...--R rated is just too fluffy bunny for me

But, I'd suggest that anyone else who is really itching to have those name (I am SURE there are plenty) should just private message you. :D

As for me, it's not that I'm turned off by what I think you're suggesting. It's just that I'm not turned ON. For me, it has to be more subtle...suggestive... with nuggets of detail sprinkled here and there, but not right out there flailing in the hot summer breeze. KWIM?

Doran

[JennifersLost]

trying to remember the name of a book and can't and it's killing me.

I think I found it in the regular adult fiction area of the library, even though it was about older teenage girls. The writing is fantastic. It's about a girl who grew up in India, but left when some evil thing killed her mother. She has to return to a girls' boarding school in England where she makes friends with two or three other girls and together they can transport themselves into another world.

It sounds totally hokey, but it was the quality of the writing that just makes you forget everyday life. There's little actual "action" but a lot of anticipation and I remember totally ignoring my kids for a few days while I consumed it, LOL.

I'm going to go keep searching...

[JennifersLost]

Prodigal summer totally did it for me, too. I love that book. (And it's where I learned you have to preserve the top predator in order to truly sustain an eco-system!) You gotta love books with a message that also get you going.

[JennifersLost]

It's "A Great and Terrible Beauty" and may not be at ALL what you're looking for, but it was a good read. Here's a link (http://www.amazon.com/GREAT-AND-TERRIBLE-BEAUTY-EBK/dp/product-description/B000FBJF28):

[PrairieAir]

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels (http://thepioneerwoman.com)?

Sorry, that's my only suggestion for reading material. That makes it sound like I don't read actual books any more. I swear I do.:D

[Hillary in KS]

A friend of mine read "Outlander," by Gabaldon and commented on that aspect of it. Her dh really appreciated the effect it had on her.... :)

I've read that series, but I had a different response. I was more along the lines of, "OK. We get it. You two like each other. Move the plot along, please." :rolleyes:

Also, my MIL enjoys Julie Garwood novels (the ones set in Great Britain). I'm almost sorry I know that about her....

[GothicGyrl]

But, I'd suggest that anyone else who is really itching to have those name (I am SURE there are plenty) should just private message you. :D

As for me, it's not that I'm turned off by what I think you're suggesting. It's just that I'm not turned ON. For me, it has to be more subtle...suggestive... with nuggets of detail sprinkled here and there, but not right out there flailing in the hot summer breeze. KWIM?

Doran
I LOVE books like that too, Doran--but for me, it has to be subtly smutty--if you get my drift. I don't want sugar coated words, I want out and out umm... yeah--anyway.. I think you get my drift..;)

[Deece in MN]

LaVyrle Spencer is wonderful! I am not big on romance novels, but hers are just what I need sometimes. They are stories that are deeper than just the romance. They are about life and they are touching. Yes, they are predictable because they have happy endings, but they are good reads.

My favorite is Vows. Here is a link that lists all the titles.
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/lavyrle-spencer/

HTH

[PixieKris]

Well, I really like her.... She's an excellent writer, but it isn't immediately obvious from the first book in the series - in that one she's just getting warmed up. I'd say her writing goes past NC-17 ratings.... Subtle - well, it starts out that way - a bite here, a kiss there... But one of the recent ones I finished I remember saying "I miss the plot." Luckily, the next book remedied that, or I'd have quit reading the series.... As it ends up, I can't wait until the next one comes out. I suppose I can; swamped in reading for grad school and all.... she's got a fairy series I want to start when I have time, but I can be a compulsive reader - unable to put it down, and I need to keep my priorities in order right now. Either she's that good or I just like her that much.

:) Kris

[mom42terrificgirls]

yes, Morning Glory is one of my favorites!

[Kay in Cal]

I was thinking of the Outlander series as well... fun historical adventure romance, with plenty of s*x. I quite enjoyed them, though it's been a long time since I've read the series.

[GothicGyrl]

Well, Pixie--I went and bought the first one today--Guilty Pleasures. The store didn't have book 2, but I ordered it. I'll start in order, according to the list she has in this book. So we shall see just how "piqued" I am.. ;)

[MelissaM]

The "Beauty" series by Anne Rice is racy. I would say they are more porn than "steamy".


I have to say that I remember them having an actual story line, but then again at the time I was 19 and overly hormonal.