Liz Everly's Blog, page 148

Giving it Away for our Anniversary

By Liz Everly

As you all know, the month is Lady Smut’s one-year anniversary. It’s been a wild and fun ride. Getting to know all of you you has been an unexpected pleasure of blogging. We think we have something special here and hope you do, as well. We can’t wait for our new bloggers to join us this month and know you’ll love them as much as we do. To celebrate one year of sexy blog bliss with you, our lovely readers, I’m giving away my e-Kensington books. SAFFRON NIGHTS is already published and CRAVINGS will be out in November. (I’ll just pre-order it for the winner.) My books are hot culinary romantic suspense novels.  Just say hi, introduce yourself, or give us a virtual wink.  And we will choose a random winner. Don’t forget to “follow” us. You don’t want to miss a post. Believe me. So here’s a bit about my spicy e-books.

Saffron Nights

Wherever they travel, there’s an aphrodisiac waiting to whet their appetites…

Brazil…Hawaii…India….As a food writer, Maeve has just been handed the hottest opportunity of her career. She’s being sent on an international research tour for an aphrodisiac cookbook. The downside is she’s got to travel with rock star photographer and womanizer Jackson Dodds. And the upside is she’s got to travel with Jackson Dodds. Because once they meet, Maeve understands why he’s been named “America’s Most Eligible Bachelor”—and despite her best intentions, all she can think about is putting their arousing recipes to the test…

Sexy and talented, Jackson can have any woman he desires. But lately, the thrill is gone—until he lays eyes on Maeve, who exudes sensuality like no one else. She’s determined to keep things professional, but he knows the attraction is mutual. And as they travel the world, sampling warming saffron, juicy papaya, silky avocado, rare herbs and teas—and a mushroom whose very aroma sends women to heights of ecstasy—both discover a hunger they’ve never known, and don’t want to resist, even amid unexpected danger…

Cravings

A change of scenery can unleash the wildest hunger. . .

Sanj has come to Ecuador ready to enjoy food and fun with his good friends Maeve and Jackson. Only his friends are nowhere to be found. Instead, he meets a stunningly beautiful woman who asks him for help. A man of discriminating tastes, Sanj can’t wait to enjoy her luscious lips, savor her sultry curves, and indulge in his desire for sexual ecstasy. . .

On the run from a troubled past, Sasha will do whatever is necessary to survive. That includes cozying up to the enigmatic Sanj, a darkly handsome man who seduces her like the richest chocolate. Hungry for more, she gives into the sweetest temptation, craving the feel of his hard body and longing for exquisite carnal pleasure. . .

Rules for Hunting & Fishing, Or How to Bag Mr. McDreamy

Great title–but has little or nothing to do with the book. If you are interested in the book–it’s good. These connected short stories are whimsical, bitter-sweet tales of estranged love with an older man.

by Madeline Iva

Hello my romantic darlings.

I wrote last week on Mr. Unattainable, and  I started thinking about two figures. Let’s call the first one McDreamy.  Or McClueless. This is the guy who just doesn’t get that he’s a crazy gorgeous man.  Who can also seem utterly indifferent to the heroine–which makes him all the more appealing.

He wanders around in an intellectual cloud–an artistic cloud–or he’s completely absorbed in good works.

Maybe he even likes someone else.  (Yes, Mr. Edmund Bertram, esq. of Mansfield Park, I’m talking to you.)

This is the guy who is sort of amazed to discover long after the fact has  been apparent to everyone and their cat, that oh, she likes him.

What can you do about a guy like this? You hunt him down is what.  You bag your kill with great sex, and as he slowly wakes up to how much you have in common, how he can’t possibly conceive of living without you, you wind up living happily ever after.

Which brings me to our heroine.  The Heroine Who Knows What She Wants.  I will tag her Ms. Awesome.  It’s a story that happens in reality a lot more than we’d like to admit.  Yet what I want to know is: are we growing more comfortable with the idea of a heroine who bags her guy in romance novels?

Because for some reason Ms. Awesome is deemed very un-romantic.

Repellent to some, catnip to others–The Rules inspired controversy in the 90′s.

Around the time that GIRL’S GUIDE TO FISHING AND HUNTING  hit the best seller lists in the 90′s another book came out that was called THE RULES.

People loved The Rules.  People hated The Rules.  The Rules tried to explain to women why:

a) they needed to put some effort into snagging a man and

b) why some women were putting in the wrong kind of effort.

The book upset feminists everywhere.  They proclaimed  the book advocated feminine deception of a repellant, stereotypical, old-school variety.

Yet I say that in the same way a mysterious, ellusive woman is catnip to men, that the distracted, complexicated McDreamy is catnip to women. And sorry angry feminists, but you’re never gonna get him in his dream cloud unless you DO something about it.

I think, duplicity aside (for that may be true) that feminists really just hated the idea of a woman bagging and tagging a man using any kind of camouflage.

Feminists were challenging the assumption that anyone ‘should’ want a man. (Yet, the simple fact is that many, many, many of us do.)  They also seemed to indicate that anything less straightforward than a woman asking for him/sex in a straightforward way was reprehensible.

Why anyone would assume that just putting it out there works is beyond me.  I mean, do hunters stand up in the open bogs waving their arms and saying Here ducky, ducky–I’m over here! No they do not.   They are subtle.  They use blinds, they make engaging calls out over the romantic foggy air.   Then they sit huddled on the cold rock of their hope to wait.

That’s not to say the blatant frontal attack doesn’t work with guys.   It does–for sex.  A lot. But not always for a relationship-first kind of thing.  Some guys just feel weird about being obviously chased by a woman.

Also, just putting it out there probably won’t work for McDreamy.  He requires tactics.

On the other side of the feminist barricades, millions of desperate, single women  decided to take a look at The Rules and the resulting CHA-CHING!  noises drowned out angry protests.

And many people STILL think a woman going after a man is repellant–even if they bought the book for their sister, etc.

Not me.   I like watching women who hunt.  Fanny Price aside, I’ve seen how many seasons of The Bachelor?

Perhaps people assume  if a woman is going after a man that she’s ‘acting like a man’, i.e. being overly aggressive.  She’ll see a guy she wants, approach him, and put it out there on the table with all the appeal of a gynocological exam.

Thus, the appeal of The Bachelor.  And yes, some women are overly aggressive.  It’s like a car wreck—we just can’t look away.   But this is just a less familiar version of men approaching women and trying the “hey let’s go back to my place and get freaky tonight.” Sure, a few times it may work, but in general…not so much.

Talk about catch & release! The Lady Eve is all about Mc Dreamy & Ms. Awesome.

So let’s talk about tactics that actually work.

My bold hypothesis is that “The Rules” is actually a by-product of mating evolution.

If we called these tactics “The Best Hunting  & Fishing Tactics Ever!” maybe they would get the respect that they deserve.  After all, we appreciate a guy who pursues a woman with both skill and charm and then f***s her into heaven—isn’t it time that Ms. Awesome can do the same and get her due?

Metropolitan is a great retelling of Mansfield Park –played out with NYC’s Upper East Side Preppies.

But the book is a bit of a distortion.

See, real-life masters of The Rules don’t actually need duplicity.  She doesn’t answer his text for a follow up date immediately because she actually IS busy–and she doesn’t automatically drop everything in her life just because a guy comes along.

In this version, Audrey goes hunting and snares two guys–not just one

Meanwhile, sorry conservatives–you’re wrong in assuming that a woman going after a man has to be repulsive and overly aggressive.

Anyone with half a brain knows that 97% of the time, for both sexes, the aggressive approach is just a little too intense.

Also, it displays a lack of imagination.  Aside from a bold admission of horniness–where’s the fun & creativity? Where’s the marvelous sense of building tension and the unexpected that comes into play when you’re reading a great romance?

Hunting down a guy with subtlety is where Ms. Awesome can display her wit, charm, and intelligence.   It’s the peacock’s plume of mating display–showing off her delicious talents.

The movie Amalie would never have it’s happy ending if Amalie didn’t step up.

A woman who behaves this way will never make a guy think she’s chasing him.  (I say she isn’t chasing.  It’s not like a dog blindly lurching after a passing bike–she’s hunting–a much more active, empowered, and skilled project).  She conveys the impression that any man would be oh-so-lucky to be included in her next plan to do something inspired/fun/interesting.

This doesn’t involve duplicity–it involves brilliance.  Ms. Awesome hunting down a McDreamy feels no sweaty insecurity about proffering up her invitations–the events she is engaged in will actually be fun–so he’s lucky to be invited.  The other thing that happens to a woman in this state is that with all that fun confidence and open-ness other guys will flock to her like moths to the flame.

Usually at this point Mr. McDreamy wakes from his state of being.  He speaks up, concerned that  if he doesn’t do it soon, and do it right, Ms. Awesome Heroine will no longer be available.

Is it so wrong for a woman to show that she’d be a great potential partner in this way — or is this the man’s job?

The women traditionally shows her competence in a romance novel by taking care of others.  Can Ms. Awesome lead the hero into adventures instead? If so — have you read any romances like this lately?

Call Me Irresistible has a guy-chases-girl dynamic BUT the guy is the town’s caretaker (okay Mayor) and the girl is the wildcard.

Have you read a romance lately where the heroine uses  hunting & fishing skills and the GUY is the caretaker–or is that just way too crazy?

Thanks for reading our blog.  Hope you follow us if you haven’t already — it’s the button there on your right.

Sexy Saturday Round-Up

Hello, Sexy! I hope you’re having a wonderful Saturday. I’m out of town–so the other bloggers are taking over. Ta!

From Elizabeth:

So you think you know your man? Not so fast!  Essence magazine lays down the top 9 myths.

Office love can be fun – or not. 

How to have the perfect one night stand.

Blogger Gennifer Albin’s insightful post on why women shaming other women is so harmful.

From CMK:

From The Onion, the kind of headline that makes most writers cry.

Because it closely mimics the real thing  over and over

Would you invest in a “smart vibrator”?

From Madeline:

Are you creeping? The problem with facebook post-break up.

Aimee Bender talks in Oprah Mag about a contract to write every day.

Skeezy or just cold hearted? Ask Men lays down the rules in these tips for having sex with an ex.

British Toys-R-Us stores are phasing out gender categories for toys.

Stay Hungry,

Liz

P.S. Please follow us! You don’t want to miss anything, do you?

Beginnings and Endings

The third Chastity Flame thriller

by C. Margery Kempe

I recently finished writing another novel, the third sexy espionage thriller starring my James Bond-like character Chastity Flame, A Cut-Throat Business. As usual, I experienced once more the incredible relief and joy that typing the very last words of a book brings. There’s such satisfaction in finally reaching that point after the long haul of chapters. This was a relatively short process,  (some novels have taken me years), so the beginning was still fresh enough in my mind to feel a genuine sense of wonder that I had reached the end.

It’s satisfying to have created something out of nothing. That’s the magic of writing.

I find it especially gratifying when it’s on the scale of a novel. You’re conscious of juggling narrative threads, characters and locations with manic energy throughout, so when you can finally set them all down neatly in a row, the sense of accomplishment is worth savouring—and celebrating.

But then comes the inevitable sadness; with luck, you get to enjoy the happiness for a while before you realise that the people with whom you’ve spent so much time have gone away. You miss them. They’ve been talking in your head for so long and now the voices are silent. Fortunately, I will in all likelihood be seeing many of these characters again.

However, the only real solution is to find yourself typing those other words that have as much thrill as “The End”—those words, of course, are “Chapter One” or any other start up phrases. Think of the thrill inherent in the phrase “Once upon a time”.

Begin again—writing is an endless cycle. Stories only end so new ones can begin. The magic is always waiting to be reborn.

Make some magic today.

Q: What’s your favourite first line?

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LADY SMUT!

Happy Anniversary, us!

We’re one year old today!

And there’s a lot to celebrate dearest readers.

Not only have we brought you the sassy sexy goodness you so richly deserve multiple times a week, but with maturity we’re just getting better.

To celebrate the news we’d like to announce:

OUR SEPTEMBER BOOK GIVE AWAY!

Today and tomorrow I’m giving away books.

You–yes, you reader–could be the lucky one to win a free read of your choice if you leave a comment for us.

Tell us what you like about Lady Smut as a reader and what you’d like to see more of–and tell us what book you’d like to win. ;>

If you win, I’ll contact you to get your address.  Below are the all books I’m giving away.  (I interviewed editor Kristina Wright here about these two anthologies she edited.)

Attention! And this anthology has you begging for it.

We like a little fairy tale fun. Do you?

Meanwhile, in addition to the books above and below–look for more giveaways from our other authors throughout the month. (Liz Everly interviewed Katana Collins here.)

Liz Everly interviewed Katana Collins recently on this new erotic mystery genre.

While Virginia Kantra inspired my post on bad mommies and how we occasionally adore the totally selfish lady.

Ask for this book and I’ll throw in the sequel that was just published: Carolina Girl.

You’ve heard the buzz on indie authors.  Jennifer Armentrout swings both ways enjoying both mainstream and indie publishing.  You’ll be seeing more reviews of indie work at Lady Smut next year.

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We’re obsessed at Lady Smut with exploring New Adult. “The hot alien living next door marks me.” Whoo-cha!

In addition to giving you sexy, fun blog posts, Lady Smut is pleased to announce that

Kiersten takes a break from blogging bliss.

TWO NEW BLOGGERS are joining us!

You’ve already met Kiersten Hallie Krum on our pages when I interviewed this pre-published author here.  We’re incredibly lucky to have her join us on Mondays—starting at the end of September. Along with Kiersten–

The divine Alexa Day will begin posting at Lady Smut for us every Sunday as well.  You might have seen Liz Everly’s Sexy Saturday Round up links to Alexa’s blog in the past — here’s a link to more of her blogging brilliance.

Think about it readers: now you can enjoy the Lady Smut experience 24/7.

They have great chemistry. Literally. Click on this photo to check out Alexa’s first book.

We’ve enjoyed walking the line between romance and erotic romance with you this past year.  We’ve shared our obsessions, passions, and some of the fun authors and interesting reads out there.  You meanwhile, have given us the love and we thank you for it.

Smootchies all around!

Here’s to a grand new Lady Smut year! We couldn’t have done it without you, readers.

xo,

Madeline

Fantasy Football, Lady Smut Style

By Elizabeth Shore

Happy fall, everyone! Temperatures are falling, leaves are falling, and tomorrow the 2013/14 football season gets underway. Like it or loathe it, football’s here to stay. For some gals it means fleeing their homes on Sundays like it’s a barn on fire. The games are long and never seem to end. When one’s over, another one begins. It’s a seemingly endless marathon of big grown men clashing into one another and analysts dissecting their every move. Plus, there are now games on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays. How’s an anti-football gal to cope?

Have no fear, Lady Smut is here. If you like the game, great. Enjoy! But if the idea of watching an entire football game holds as much appeal as trying on swimsuits when you’re bloated and retaining ten gallons of water, we’ve got a way to cope with that. It’s fantasy football, Lady Smut style. We present for your viewing pleasure our starting lineup of Gridiron Gods.

Quarterbacks are like the lead singers in a band. They’re the ones on whom the spotlight shines. When they’re great they’re worshipped, when they fall short they’re villified. Talk about pressure! But last year’s Super Bowl winning quarterback, Jay Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens, seems to be taking it all in stride, especially since he triumphed over Tom Brady, QB for the New England Patriots. Tom might be the most well known of this hot NFL bunch, helped in part by his incredible prowess on the field as well as his relationship with supermodel Gisele Bündchen. Together they’re a super couple, but we prefer looking at Tom on his own.

We need a running back on our team, so bring on Reggie Bush. Yes, he’s got that association of having a relationship with Kim Kardashian, but we’ll leave it in the past where it belongs. Reggie’s starting a new season this year with the Detroit Lions, and he and his girlfriend Lilit Avagyan welcomed the birth of their baby girl last May. Things are looking good for Reggie and Reggie’s looking good to us.

No team is complete without its defense, and who better to defend us than the uber sexy Jason Taylor. To be clear, Jason actually retired two years ago and now works an a football analyst. But he still look to me like he wouldn’t have any trouble defending whomever he needs to protect. Besides, if he’s not running all over the field it’s a whole lot easier to keep an eye on him.

We’ve got two wide receivers on the Lady Smut fantasy football team. First, sink you eyes into none other than Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys. Miles is a talented player who also gives back to his community. With the help of his family he started a foundation that helps provide character development to kids from lower income families. He also bears a striking similarity to Vin Armani from the TV show Gigolos. For our fantasy team, we’ll consider that a plus.

I’m also putting in Eric Decker from the Denver Broncos. After all, there a couple of wide receives in every lineup – one for each side. So Minnesota boy Eric Decker gets the call. I’m loving the sturdy jaw and far away gaze. I’d sit under that tree with Mr. Decker anytime.

Lastly, just in case either of our two quarterbacks start feeling under the weather, I’m adding Jay Cutler to the list. He’s QB for the Chicago Bears and husband to reality TV gal Kristin Cavallari. Apparently there was some kerfuffle about them getting engaged, and then not, and breaking up, or something or other. I’m not sure what the deal was (perhaps Madeline can fill us in!). But looking at Mr. Cutler’s all-American good looks (he was raised in Santa Claus, Indiana!) makes me want to grab some pom poms and start leading cheers.

What do you think? Will our fantasy team make the playoffs? Let me know if I’ve left off you fave, and don’t forget to follow us.

Sexy FBI Agents, Prostitution, and Forensics: All in a Day’s Work

By Liz Everly

The last time I held a gun in my hand I was ten-years-old and shooting my father’s 22 rifle. Of course, I fell back onto the ground when the shot went off and my dad stood there laughing and help me up from the ground. He knew that was going to happen. Even though I nagged my father to let me shoot that gun, I grew up to hate them. I don’t own any guns. But I write about them—not in great detail—or rather, I write about people who use them.  I’m not sure I’d ever really need to know a lot about guns in my romantic suspense writing. I’m really more concerned with the romance part of the plot. But knowing more about your subject can only add to the story, even if you never use it. This is why I’m heading out of town on Thursday to attend the Writer’s Police Academy in North Carolina. I am so excited that I’m about to burst.

Every year, a group of police and crime experts gather for the academy to help writers as we craft our stories—after all it benefits them, of course, as well as us. Clarity and correctness serves us all, particularly when we write about crime or legal issues. I’ll be participating in a  couple of special hands-on sessions—one is a jail tour and the other is a building search. These are the buildings they use to train police how to do a search. Should be informative. In this case, I can definitely see one of my characters using this skill.

Along with the hands-on stuff, there will be sit-down classes.  I’m looking forward to the classes about gangs, human trafficking, street prostitution. I’m going as my other self—my mystery writer self, but much of this pertains to my romantic suspense books, as well. After all, in book number three in my series, LIKE HONEY, the male lead is an undercover agent. You can do a great deal of research these days on-line, but nothing beats meeting these folks in person to ask them your questions and to add them to your contact list for future reference.

Also, a conference like this offers a ton of inspiration—dontchya think? I’m not just talking about “criminal” and “mystery” inspiration. But I will be surrounded by police, Secret Service, FBI agents, and so on. I’m betting my  set of naughty wheels will start to spin. (It doesn’t take much, really. Grin.)

Arrest me, officer. Wink.

Photo by Mikamatto.

What kind of things have you done for research?

Please don’t forget to follow Lady Smut. You don’t want to miss a post!

Mr. Unattainable: Icy Emotionally Withholding Heroes—& Why I love Them So

Darcy. Need I say more?

By Madeline Iva

Last Friday’s post by CMK (check it out here) reminded me of my favorite kind of hero: Mr. Unattainable.  There are many wonderful things to explore about this guy in his icy shroud of utter indifference.  Today, let’s take a look at why you, like me, might thrill to that emotionally withholding hero.

1)  We gals like a challenge. 

It is a known fact after umpteen seasons of The Bachelor that women like to chase men.

As someone who found herself being unexpectedly brilliant in

luring DH to his doom over four months, I speak from experience. I had moves plotted out like the battle of Dunkirk–but they came forth effortlessly from whence in my soul I know not where.  It was like I was possessed.   Once I saw the one guy I really wanted it was game on.  He was a challenge and after 20+ years (I married when I was 5),  I still think he was worth ever bit of effort.

He’s no Prince Charming…in the book he DOES kill her with that famous glass of milk.

2) BEWARE! Mr. Unattainable in classic books and movies is in actuality a cautionary tale for women – so listen up and learn something.

What did we really learn from JANE EYRE? The same thing we learned from SUSPICION: if he’s too good to be true, then he’s too good to be true.  I love SUSPICION.  Joan Fontaine is no Cinderella, so why does she think she can snag Prince Charming?  She comes back from her honeymoon to learn That ain’t Prince Charming.  Just like plain Jane does.   Without the spooky Gothic edge Charlotte Bronte added to JANE EYRE what you have here is a cautionary tale about just exactly why the nanny should watch out for her interesting, stimulating employer.

3)    He’s emotionally frozen icy out side, with a soft chewy center inside.

It’s not you.  You’re not messed up, and he doesn’t have an icicle lodged up you know where–it’s just that he’s emotionally frozen and icy on the outside.  Yet with enough work you get to that dark soft chewy center inside.  The outer shell is from past emotional hurt.  You intuit that and all your nurturing genes stand up alert. Let me make it better! your hormones scream.

Yet sometimes it’s not the hero that creates the barrier.  Sometimes it’s just women picking the wrong guy or behaving in such a way that they’ll never get the guy of their dreams. Why do they do this? Why?

Mr. Big. Carrie can’t have his heart, so naturally she wants him.

4)    You and your f—-d up standards: This is so NOT my problem – but given my recent S&TC addiction this summer, I got an eyeful of the problem many ambitious (dare I say shallow?) women face.

Sex & The City had a constant ‘I could do better’ theme.  And the reality (as many forth self help books advise) is that you can no-compromise yourself right into living alone for the rest of your life.  At a certain point, the fact is that some women want Brad Pitt—but they’re not Angelina Jolie.

Now, there’s also a corollary to this: the woman who seems overly-picky until she’s not.  Sex & The City seems to show this side too with Charlotte.  At any rate, that’s fiction, I had a friend in real life who seemed to have

Aidan loves Carrie, so naturally she breaks his heart. (Forehead slap!)

perfect boyfriend after perfect boyfriend but wanted the guy who inspired her with his work, as well as his looks , blah, blah, blah.  She found her Mr. Perfect and did compromise in huge aspects.  Nor to my eye was he the best looking, most charming boyfriend she’d ever had.  Shrug.  She’s truly, madly, deeply in love with him and says she was never before in love like that.  The take away is not to compromise–when it comes to your heart.

The sad truth is that Loving Someone Who Loves You Back in some perverse way seems wrong to some women.  They have a hard time riding the bumps in a romance- the dips and swells of feeling, the uncomfortable times when they’re not in control.

Old Spock was classically unattainable.

So they love the one who won’t love them back – and some romances, movies, and TV provide wish fulfillment that yes, give him time and he eventually will love you back just the way you want.

5)    You and your f—-d up childhood cause you to want someone elusive and withholding.  Like your father? Like your entire family?

I want to say this is not me—that I’ve overcome my ridiculously messed up youth and in my actions I have.  Yet emotionally, I still resonate with this theme.

Some women do secretly loathe themselves or way deep down feel unworthy – it’s much more comfortable to be a worshipper of an ice god for them than it is to be loved fully and equally by a partner.

Bond & Moneypenny

Being the focus of the love as I know can feel ish at first.  Unconditional, supportive, healthy love is a strange feeling when you come from a sad youth.  It can also stir up deeper, more dangerous feelings of abandonment, neglect, and sorrow that were never fully processed.  Many women avoid that land mine because they’re afraid.

I shake my fist at you Dear Author–this book rocked!

Kristin Higgins hits the nail on the head with this theme in MY ONE AND ONLY.   While this romance got excoriated by Dear Author here, I had to roll my eyes at the review.  The hero is a hot guy.  He’s not Mr. Perfect—but he’s Mr. Pretty Perfect and is very very worthy of admiration.  The heroine can’t handle it – and what the reviewer at Dear Author didn’t seem to realize is that the reason the heroine couldn’t handle Mr. Pretty Perfect is that his love made her resonate with the emotional memory of how she was abandoned by the mother she adored.  Those scars ached when it came to letting herself be loved again and handle how out of control that feels.   It’s not until she’s much older that she can face those feelings and put them to rest.  (I’ll admit it, I sniffled.)

6)    Desire is the art of withholding.  I don’t know where I read that – but boy is it often true.  This is the most dangerous hero of all.  The one who gives you just a little at just the right time can plant his hooks in deep.  He’ll make your toes curl with sex, but a meeting of the minds? Not so much.

On the other hand there’s the least dangerous guy–

7)    Mr. Hands Off.  If he’s withholding physically chances are he’s not a man-whore, a lip-slut.  He’s the opposite of the guy who can’t be with the one he loves so loves whomever he’s with.

Don Draper: an expert at withholding.

This guy presents a challenge like  #1 – only it’s a physical challenge we’re talking about here.

I like to think about this unique kind of guy.  I mean, what’s it all about? Well, he’s displaying a sort of guy-purity.

Think about it. The locked up private guy in our minds equates with someone who’s not out plowing the fields every night with his dick.

It’s just not super-fun for some women to contemplate the super-experienced man slut.  The guy who’s  who’s swapped spit and assorted fluids with countless others comes off even

Go through 80 years of virginity? Sufferin’ succotash!

worse in this age of STD’s.

So this no-touching, locked up guy is our masculine version of chaste.

Yet he’s an old school version. The 2.0 version for young ladies out there now is…

8) The Virgin Guy. (Even if he’s also a hundred year old vampire)

There’s Virgin/religious/virtuous guy and then there’s…

9) Sensitive/Choosy Guy He’s had experience–but he treasures love n monogamy.  This guy loathes sexually predatory women who want to bump and run.  He will take the masculine punch to the gut these rejected women land when he Just Says No.  I find both completely adorbs.

And you, dear reader? Got any secret hankerings for that unattainable hero? Do tell.

Mr. Unattainable isn’t emotionally available to you–but he is to his best friend.

Don’t forget to follow our blog!

Sexy Saturday Round-Up

Photo by Dollen

Hello Sexy. It’s been a busy week with our Lady Smut bloggers. We have some exciting changes heading your way and can hardly wait to tell you about it. In the mean time, we hope that you have a relaxing, fun holiday. To celebrate, I’m offering, my sexy, shortest story “Pie for Teacher” for free through Monday.  Enjoy! In the mean time, check out these blog posts, hand picked by us.

Sex scenes for women by Trudy Doyle.

On the art of editing.

One Handed Writers seems to doing a theme these days on damaged and scarred characters. Good stuff.

From Madeline:

Do you ever worry about Revenge Porn?

Three pillars of selling more books online.

Julie Bindel sets us straight about polyamory.

Want to make money from your blog? Here’s a great infographic I found out about from Alma Katzu.

From Elizabeth:

26 notable TV series to lose yourself in over the long weekend.

Pakistani government deems condom ad “unconstitutional.”
Oh, the problems with having a big rack!

Listen up, ladies. It’s time for us all to become more cliterate.

 

 

From CMK:

30 Things to Tell A Book Snob (Revisited)

HP Lovecraft Fans gather in Providence for Necronomicon

Ebooks continue to take a bigger slice of the market

Stay Hungry,

Liz

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Be More Eyre

Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens

by C. Margery Kempe

My sweetie and I watched the 2011 Jane Eyre the other night; he’d not yet seen it, though I’d seen it in the theatre and maybe once or twice since. It’s not like I was going to be tired of it! The script by Moira Buffini reconfigures the story in a fascinating way, bringing out nuances even a seasoned fan may notice for the first time and emphasising the Gothic nature of the story.

This is the one with Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. I know a lot of people find him hot, but his appeal eludes me. I liked him in it and thought he did well, but really, he’s no comparison to my fave Rochester, Toby Stephens (who is after all, McGonagall’s son!).

But the chief appeal of the story is of course Jane herself; I love how Ruth Wilson plays her (and of course love Wilson, especially in Luther, where I always refer to her as ‘Jane Eyre, Serial Killer’ which somehow makes her even more wonderful). She gives the heroine a more whimsical side (it’s too easy to make Jane seem grim). In our easy-going culture, we tend to be suspicious of people who hold themselves aloof from pleasure.

Jane isn’t so much someone who denies herself pleasure as one who knows how much it costs — and how much she has to lose. She has the possibility of happiness handed to her twice: once by a man she loves, who would cost her all her self-respect, then again by a man who would give her respect but not love (who cannot understand the passions of real love).

“I can live alone, if self-respect, and circumstances require me so to do. I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give.”

Jane rejects both. She is not willing to marry unless she gets the same return of true passion she offers. But she’s not willing to lose herself for it either. Receiving an unexpected inheritance, her first thought is to share it with the two women closest to her in order to offer them the same independence she achieved with her work.

While she yearns to know the world and fly far from her little corner of it, Jane always keeps a sense of self-preservation. Not for her the wild abandonment to love (in contrast to the tempestuous Cathy Earnshaw of her sister’s Wuthering Heights); she knows it would come to nought if she paid too great a price to obtain it.

What heroine inspires you?