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July 2014 BOM- Sunday by Kaia Bennet
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Jul 06, 2014 04:45PM
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Wow! Thanks for voting Sunday as Book of the Month, and thank you to those that are participating in the event! I'm just gonna back on outta here now and let you guys read in peace. Should you have any questions for me, my Ask the Author section is open for the month of July. Thank you for reading. :)Kaia Bennett
I read this one last week and really enjoyed it. Ms. Bennett has a bright future!
I tried to read this but couldn't do it. I thought this was about school kids but it seems more like an adult erotica. As soon as I saw the P word, I had to stop. This is a little too vulgar and the hero seems more like a zero and when does no become a yes? The relationship seems to be based on sex. I saw no emotional or any meaningful connection between the pair. There was sex, sex and more sex and in the most vulgar of ways.
I really thought it would be different because of all the high praise it got and really wanted to like it, but was very disappointed.
I loved Sunday. in fact I went back and have reread her book. Ms Bennett did a great job telling the story of 2 college students falling hard in love with each other. The person you sometimes can't stand is the one you fall madly in love with. Yes there was sex and those scenes were scorching HAWT! Great job and I hope she writes another young adult story. May even a continuation of Gia and Flynn their life in California?
I respect your opinion and I'm happy you enjoyed it, but the way I see it, they fell hard in lust. Reading about college kids, high school kid's sex life is just .. no. It should have been labeled adult erotic. Most of the reviews talked about the page after page of sex.
If HAWT is the best thing about a novel. I'll always pass. I need more substance I guess. My opinion shouldn't matter anyway, I'm only one person.
I respect your opinion but I still stand by mine.
By the way, when is molestation or cheating hot or sexy?
Liane wrote: "I loved Sunday. in fact I went back and have reread her book. Ms Bennett did a great job telling the story of 2 college students falling hard in love with each other. The person you sometimes can't..."I enjoyed Sunday as well when I read it awhile back. I keep checking Amazon to see if the author has written another book. Yes, please for an update on
Gia and Flynn. I love when there is a sequel and I can reread a book series from the beginning.
I need to re-read this because it is one of my favorites. But I agree I would love a sequel for Gia & Flynn. It really is kind of one of the downsides of reading a romance novel that features people in this age bracket because the liklihood that this in a HFN rather than an HEA feels rather high.
In my own mind, Gia and Flynn are shacked up in LA having copious amounts of fantastic sex and planning a walk down the aisle. But I think I need authorial validation, LOL.
LOL! Yeah, I think the only thing that bugs me about the New Adult novels is the not knowing if it's truly a HEA or just a HFN.
I just started reading it and was blown away by how good it is! Now stalking the author on her Facebook page looking for more books.
So I finished the book and loved it. Writing is terrific, sex is over the top good and wonderful characters. Though I can see why some might say this was a little much for college age kids, when I was in school (many years ago!) living in the dorms, some of this kind of stuff really went on. Though I don't usually pester authors for a sequel, I think in this case, we need a little more Gia and Flynn. Would love to know if they walk down the aisle, if they have any little Flynns or Gias running around, whether Flynn's movie took off. For those looking for more of her work, unfortunately someone stole a portion of her next book and fraudulently posted it on Amazon under her name.
I am so glad that Sunday is July's Book of the Month. It's one of my favorite books of all time. Bennett has a way of painting a picture so well that you don't know whether to smack Gia or Flynn at any given moment. I can't tell you how many times I've read this book. Looking forward to her others.
July is drawing to a close! I stayed out of the thread because I felt the least I could do was leave you in peace to discuss the book candidly, and I hope you were able to do that. But now that the month is almost over I wanted to make sure I let you know that I very much appreciate you reading, reviewing and commenting here. Thank you for the warm reception you've given Flynn and Gia's story. I will definitely take a follow-up into serious consideration, as I never thought people would ask for more. I never say never where writing is concerned. And I can never say enough kind things to you guys for your support. :)
Kaia get to writing Flynn and Gia sequel! I know all lol ok all but a few want to read what happens to them in California. I love Flynn and Gias personalities. Kaia girl keep writing HAWT sex scenes in your books. Newsflash, teenagers and yes when you go to college because of the freedom you now have, engage in sex. For the readers that get upset I don't know if you have blinders on but when authors write these stories they are believable why because eenagers/youbg adults are having sex. I definitely don't understand why people get upset over it. The author is telling a story and they are being realistic about it.
Thank you Lianne! I will definitely keep everyone posted if I do decide to work on a sequel. :)As for criticism, I always say different strokes. My work won't please everyone and I totally accept and respect that, because I write first and foremost the story that speaks to me, and then hope others enjoy it. So the mileage may vary, as is the case with sex itself. Some have different experiences in college, different taboos or deal breakers. I wrote what I felt worked for Gia and Flynn and their story (at the time I wasn't far removed from that life either, I was 24), and I really enjoy writing sex scenes, fight scenes, just physical action/response in general. So I don't think anyone has to worry about me cutting them out, lol. I have a couple of stories in the works where the scope is broader, less sexual/emotional character study, but eroticism will always feature candidly in my work. :)
I read it and then I stopped at about 60% in. To be honest, it kept my attention for the most part, but my problem was that it didn't really go anywhere.I don't mind the tons of sex but I also want substance. At one point I really just didn't even bother to read the sex scenes and I think shortly after that I just stopped reading all together. In the between them having the best sex of their lives I would have liked them to engage in conversations that went beyond how great their sex life was. I don't feel like I really got to know them as characters like I should.
At what point did it go from just sex to love? I think this is a difficult transitions for authors. Anyway, my main problem was that I just don't feel the story went anywhere, which was disappointing because the beginning hooked me.
Ren wrote: "I read it and then I stopped at about 60% in. To be honest, it kept my attention for the most part, but my problem was that it didn't really go anywhere.I don't mind the tons of sex but I also wa..."
I doubt I'm the right person to ask because this honestly depends on you and your desire to read, and what constitutes love for you in the context of this sort of relationship, one that starts off as pure sex and transitions to something else... but probably around where you stopped is where things transition. Again, it's not my place to say 'read on', because even if you do read on you may not feel the story gives you what you want. That's alright with me. Not every story I write is going to work for everyone.
This isn't me defending my work; I find that strange when authors do that and it usually ends with some problematic screenshots and blog posts about how they suck, lol. That and I don't think the story is defensible. It's just one in many, Gia and Flynn's, and I don't think there's a right or wrong, which is why I'm okay with positive and negative viewpoints. The only reason I answered is because you broached your criticism around the time when I made myself a presence on the thread. Glad you enjoyed the beginning, though. That's something, right? :)
ETA: When I say transition, I should say that the thought processes within the sex scenes change, but the sex itself is still there. Each scene was used as an allegory for their relationship, so I didn't tone them down to make room for love. Rather I used them as a physical representation of something they couldn't say. So I don't want to mislead you when I say the word transition, because it's still a heavily erotic novel. Hopefully that clarifies things, I was typing quick.
So in essence the love remains sexual, physical, no emotional transition at all.I definitely agree with most you said Ren.
Yes teenagers have sex, but as a grown woman that's something I don't want to read. I can imagine women with kids the age those two are wouldn't like reading that either or is it a book mother's or father would want to buy for their kids.
"Each scene was used as an allegory for their relationship." I'm not trying to be insulting but I don't buy it. It's your work and of course you'll defend it but no talking about their feelings, no emotional connections, using sex to do all the talking. It seems as though love and feelings have nothing to do with their relationship, they have mistaken lust for love.
I feel everyone has a right to their opinion, especially when you put your work out there to be judged.
I'm sorry but all I saw was an erotic sex book, love, romance and true emotional connection seem to be missing. They loved having sex with each other nothing else.
that's my opinion.
Personally, I liked this book, but I can see how it would be a turn-off for some. But that's ok, because overall, everyone has a right to their own opinion. Yes, teenagers have sex. I'm sure that some of us can think back to when we might have experienced those forbidden acts and emotional angst ourselves.
Now as far as our kids repeating our mistakes (or not following our set-pattern), we don't like that. But sometimes it happens.
Overall, I think that Kaia was just taking her readers back to a (fictional) moment in time when the angst was sweet, spicy, and seemingly overwhelming.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the characters (in this book) weren't teens, but in fact, young adults. In other words, they were not as stupid/rebellious as some teens, but still in need of some serious boundaries.
When it all comes down to it, I think that it's great that we can discuss this issue, but I also believe that we can all agree without being disagreeable.
Anino, I'm not sure if your reply was towards me, but I still understand what you're saying.As far as being a teen and experiencing that behavior, I never and would never allow the type of behavior from any boy/man, but that's me, The male character started out molesting her, and she seemed to enjoy it. It shows she has no self respect so she didn't seem to expect it from the male character, not just by words but by actions. I think they would have benefited from more talking and less actions.
Yes I know teenagers have sex, but that is something I would rather not have in my head, the only thing that should be in there when it comes to sex is the man in my life. Just saying.
I have to disagree, they may have been young adults, but their actions were immature. they depended on the sex to show how they felt for each other, so the raunchier the sex we're suppose to believe it means they're falling deeper in love.
Is the language used to prove a point also? I wonder.
I'm sorry but I saw nothing sweet or spicy in this, It was more raunchy and more in the line of porn. Sex tells me nothing of someones emotion, after all we all know almost anyone can have sex without it meaning anything.
Near the beginning of the book when it was written that the heroine was rubbing her P***Y against the edge of the chair when they were talking about how her boyfriend had been ignoring her.
To be honest I'm just tired of authors labeling their books young adult and it turns out to be another erotic sex books. There is a reason readers like me choose to read YA and it's to get away from the smut, from the author trying to turn sex into love.
If erotic sex is what the author likes to write, they should own it, no matter the genre, but don't write page after page of raunchy sex and try to make me believe that the raunchier the sex, the more their falling love. Be honest about it and stop trying to make excuses about it, because it don't wash with me.
I know I don't mince my words and tell it the way I see it, but I'm also glad we can discuss this. I guess I'm just fed up, I want to support all Ir writers and can't because I hate the direction this genre is going.
I hope you are having a good day and please don't take anything I say personally. I'm just fed up.
Yeah, IIRC Flynn was a senior and Gia was a Junior. So if they entered college at 17/18, then Flynn was at least 20/21 when the book takes place while Gia was at least 19/20.I got the impression Flynn was very much on his own.
So no these were not teenagers. These were young people yes, but well over the age of consent.
I do agree that this is unabashedly an erotic novel. The sex is explicit and plentiful.
But I disagree that it was not also an emotional romance. It was definitely not plot driven, but rather it felt more character driven where a lot that happens is internal and we witness their emotional gravitation toward each other.
I thought that Gia and Flynn's relationship felt authentic with all the angst and issues that early twentysomethings would handle it. It felt age appropriate. They hadn't yet developed the vocabulary talk through complex relationship issues that people 10 years older than them would have. They made all the right mistakes that come with that type of intense relationship of that age. Their break up scene for instance was devastating and well done and really rather stupid. But I am saying that from the perspective of a 40-something married woman who has had just this sort of all-consuming relationship in college 20-something years ago.
I think this is yet another one of those areas where how you define a work has an impact on how you receive it. I went into reading this book well aware that it was erotica. Every single review mentions the hot, plentiful sex. So yeah, I was prepared for the sexy times.
For me, that meant that in order for it to work, it not only had to have sex, but the sex had to be incorporated into the story in such a way that it highlighted, underscored and yes, acted as an allegory for, the relationship. IMO, this is what elevates erotica above simple PWP. In that sense, I think this book succeeded very well on that score and that is why I enjoyed it so much.
@Emotonal - Where was this book labelled YA? I am pretty sure the author never did so. As a matter of fact she pretty much stated in another thread she does not consider her work YA/NA. Also since she initially published this story on an adult Erotica site, I am pretty sure she would 100% agree with you that this is an erotica work. I honestly don't feel that she had tried to mislead or bamboozle anyone into reading something they thought was tamer than it was.
I guess we will all agree to disagree. I don't have a problem with the story, it's the way it was delivered I have issues with. so the language was vulgar and the sex was smutty to prove a point?It's funny how one minute they're adults who can make their own decisions and the next they're too young to make good ones.
You know I'd just like to see more books where the black or multiculture heroine have more respect for herself and demand it from others. I think all women deserve that. :)
anyway, someone said it was YA or I wouldn't have looked at it once. I just like my romance to contain romance not page after page of explicit smutty sex just doesn't do it for me.
money can always buy that kind of sex, true love can't be brought, so using sex, especially the way they went about it, doesn't say love to me and alot of other people who didn't even finish or review the book, because they said it was a waste of time, that and didn't feel like being attacked by die hard fans of the book. I am so glad there is no one in this group like that.
I appreciate the discussion but I'll never change my mind about this book, at least I know to stay away from this authors works in the future and advise ladies I know who don't like this sort of thing about the content, she's just not my cuppa.
Thanks for allowing me to rant without cursing me out, I know I can be a little blunt, oh and I am sorry for the YA thing, I was told that's what it was.
Thanks ladies and have a wonderful even now I'm going to get lost in the world of C.J. Cherry"s foreigner series, it's sci-fi and really very good.
Later Ladies:)
I quickly took a look at the authors site and quickly left. Yeah, not my thing.
Welp...Emotonal caught me. *wrings hands* Hi, everyone. My name is Kaia Bennett. And...I like to write about sex. Don't look at me. lol.Okay, I just wanted to clear something up and then I will be on my way. I think I may have kicked up some dust at the end of this thread by accident.
Emotonal, I'm well aware that you think my work is disgusting, and that there are several, whether into erotica or not, that didn't like the book specifically because they thought there was too much sex. I always hope people enjoy it, but if you don't I'm perfectly okay with that too, because I wrote something I would enjoy and then shared it. Being true to myself in that regard takes a bit of the sting out, whereas writing it for others and failing would have made your comments painful. I don't claim to be perfect and no one is going to be universally loved and approved of. It's your prerogative to dislike it, absolutely, and it's also your prerogative to express that distaste with my work, as long as you don't personally attack me (per the group guidelines). But IR isn't just meant for one type of reader. Romance as a whole has been dominated by emotional exploration and extended foreplay since...forever. Erotica authors aren't responsible for it's downfall, we are just a subset of the genre that explore certain themes you don't find intriguing. That too, is okay. Mileage varies.
I wish you the best of luck in finding and reading works that you enjoy. But I'm not dissembling about the subject matter, nor trying to make it philosophy, or a treatise on abolishing poverty and world hunger. I am quite frank about the fact that I enjoy immensely incorporating eroticism into my work. I don't believe I write just porn; if I did I wouldn't care about scenes, emotions, or anything else that would infuse the sex I write with character development. The words I choose, while not always tasteful, are accurate to the setting and themes I explore in my work as well. I don't believe in being shy if I leave the proverbial bedroom door open.
In the first page of the book I mention Gia and Flynn's professor for Psychology. While not explicitly mentioned, Flynn is 22 (he has a November birthday and started school a year later than his peers), and works 2 jobs, one as a bartender, so he is old enough to drink. Gia is 20 (she has a May birthday). He is a senior and she is a junior in college. I don't think a 20 and 22 year old can somehow handle work, rigorous course schedules, the death of loved ones, abandonment and abuse by their parents, friendships, committed relationships, violence, bills, the accomplishment of their dreams, breakups, re-locations...and yet somehow be unable to handle their sexuality, their own human vessels. Nor do I believe that anyone, this age or not, would be able to handle those things perfectly. Mistakes are always made. That's why I don't call my male and female leads hero or heroine unless they're saving someone. They are just the protagonists making mistakes and choices like all of us, within the confines of this erotic character study.
I have never labeled this story YA. When I started my Goodreads profile I listed myself as an *author* of romance because I didn't see the space where you could fill in your own genre; that has since been amended. But Sunday started as an IR story on Literotica. When it was published the first time it was labeled under the highest erotica rating offered. On Amazon it is labeled IR Erotica, Romantic Erotica, and Fiction. On Smashwords it is labeled as everything from college aged erotica to explicit. And my author profile on every social media outlet I use has me labeled as an erotica author. I have made it abundantly clear, and so have reviewers, that I write erotic fiction under the IR genre. And if that weren't enough to keep people in the loop, the first chapter gives you an idea. I am sorry that you didn't see this before reading, but I did not, nor would I ever, try to doop unsuspecting readers into buying/reading my work.
I get the distinct impression that you didn't read beyond the excerpt provided and your focus on the line about Gia being so horny that it was "*all she could do not to*" rub herself against the edge of a desk (which was a joke) seems to be the constant when you discuss this work. You don't like the language and you don't like the sex. That's fine. But this is truly a case of you not liking the genre of erotica period and critiquing -- and in some instances misquoting -- to suit your narrative about the genre in general, using this work as a baseline for horrible. I'm sorry, but I don't claim to be the second coming of erotic authors, so maybe it's my work that left a bad taste. But the genre as a whole is not devoid of feeling or beautiful prose. Anyone that hated it and likes erotica just shows what we all know, which is that everyone has different tastes. My plan is to get better so perhaps my next stories will be more to their liking. I simply aim to improve and work hard, to stay humble and appreciative of the kindness and critiques I've received.
Lastly, I will say this: money can buy many things, but it can't buy chemistry. It cannot buy passion, and it cannot buy great sex w/ someone you have fallen in love with. That's the crux. Love. It changes the flavor of sex. It can make dirty things beautiful. It can make mundane things exciting. It can make sane people crazy, make promiscuous people prudes and prudes unabashedly sexual. I write erotic *romance* because I like exploring how emotion and sex mingle, the same way I like exploring dialogue and portraying the way people talk honestly. Sex is just a conversation, and that can be boring small talk, or it can be the kind of conversation you have until the sun comes up.
But that's just how I feel about it. Arguing about the merits of sex in an erotic work with someone that thinks all sex is devoid of romance in such works...well it's kind of like arguing about which baseball team is the best with someone who thinks baseball is disgusting and shouldn't even be a sport. You could be right depending on who you talk to. But baseball can exist and it doesn't discredit basketball. The World Cup will still continue. The Olympics will still happen. Martial artists will still compete. I can write erotica and you can still find good IR works that you enjoy. In fact you mentioned one you're reading right now! I will check it out since I like all genres, so thanks for the suggestion.
I wish you the best in finding "your thing". I will be over here doing mine, and we will continue to peacefully coexist. I simply wanted to clear things up so you didn't think I was ignoring you simply because you dislike the book. But on the whole, this is a reader thread. I simply stopped in to thank the readers that participated, and I will now exit and check out whats going on with the other threads, the new BOM, all that good stuff.
So, I hope everyone can continue to discuss the book candidly, and that I didn't stick my nose in the way I have seen other authors rudely do on here. Thanks everyone for your time.
Take care.
I think that is the beauty of a Goodreads group. All avid readers with different tastes coming together and understanding that we may disagree. Thank you for your comment, Kaia. Well said!
Cosign Anita. Beautifully said Kaia.
You know, the only point I was trying to make was that the book went absolutely nowhere. I've read erotic novels that did a way better job at developing the characters and the story.My dislike of the book has nothing to do with the sex. My dislike has to to with the fact that their was no point to the book other than they met....had sex....had more sex...then happily ever after.
This is what I particularly dislike about IR erotic or not. Where is the substance? I've read erotic romances that were great, the story was well developed and so were the characters. Do I know anything really about the characters? No! I'm not asking for the great american novel but come on there has to be something to connect the reader to the characters....tons of explicit sex or not. I think IR novels are so geared towards sex sex sex that authors miss the mark on the story itself. Then you see these 5 stars and you're left wondering what are other people reading. I'm starting to believe that the quality of IR is so low that reading on that is a full length novel and half way decent will get a 4/5 star. You can have a great story that is erotic. It's been done.I
Kaia wrote: "Welp...Emotonal caught me. *wrings hands* Hi, everyone. My name is Kaia Bennett. And...I like to write about sex. Don't look at me. lol.Okay, I just wanted to clear something up and then I will b..."
Ok, I officially love the way you think and write Kaia. And I went on your website after I read Gabriel on literotica and clicked on every single box Lol! I like the way you describe sex as a conversation-- this idea conveys the way I have always viewed sex scenes in romance in general. Mary Balogh was a master at this IMHO. It can't be the only conversation between the characters, there has to be verbal forms of communication (dialogue and not info dumps) in order for me to buy what authors are selling-- the love between two characters.
I have to say that some of my favorite romance novels are books that don't necessarily go anywhere. They are the novels where two people meet and fall in love with all the ups and down that such a journey brings. Part of that process of falling in love for me includes sex, sometimes explicit, sometimes not.
Ultimately for me it is about balance-- a balance of different types of conversations and a couple I can root for.
Welp, I guess it pays to read the reviews. Several users noted in their review that this book had explicit sexual content and some had it tagged as erotica.Best wishes to you, Kaia.
Also pays to read the samples... Might have given a tip off as to the type of book it was. I like @Taida's description of "sex as a conversation." Very apt phrasing!!
I know that post was long but I appreciate you reading it! Thank you for the kind words and well wishes guys (Taida so glad to hear you liked the site). I'm glad to be a part of group that has varying tastes but can be respectful of those variances too. It's been great getting to meet all of you after so many years away and I hope I keep getting better and keep -- or start, depending on who you are, lol -- putting out work you enjoy. :)ETA: Wrote down Mary Balogh. I'm always thankful for suggestions and I've gotten so many since I started writing and publishing again. *does a little happy dance*
Though I don't read books with explicit sexual content, erotic, I have to totally agree with Ren, she makes alot of sense, there is no reason why erotic books can't have substance. What you wrote, Ren. was very nicely put.The reason I don't read erotic is I still think that's a personal area of someone's relationship and has I always say, I hope everyone around the world is having a fantastic sex life, getting your freak on the way you want, but it aint none of my business and mine is none of yours. I don't want the picture of anyone, fictional or real, getting their freak on in my head. I only need to have my own there. That to be is still special moment for a couple or whoever.
Anyway, very well said Ren:)
I will say, before I exit this discussion, IR is stuck in a mold, when someone thinks IR romance they mainly think sex books, because mainly what's given, a little story with very little substance and characters you can't care about, Not all IR romances but most. It's not growing or progressing, same actions but different story.It caters to one group of people and to hell with the rest. I guess it's a matter of staying in your comfort zone. I understand that,but when something becomes same old, same old and people need a change, most times it won't be found in the IR genre.
Harlequin stayed with the times but with quality and class.
This where I bow out of this discussion.
Emotonal wrote: "Anino, I'm not sure if your reply was towards me, but I still understand what you're saying.As far as being a teen and experiencing that behavior, I never and would never allow the type of behavi..."
Emotional, I was addressing everyone who posted something both positive & negative about Kaia's book. If I ever have a problem with someone, I'll pm them or better yet, let that unhealthy "stuff" go.
Life is just too short for negativity.
That's why I attempted to a Peacemaker and suggest that we all just agree to disagree.
Kaia wrote: "Welp...Emotonal caught me. *wrings hands* Hi, everyone. My name is Kaia Bennett. And...I like to write about sex. Don't look at me. lol.Okay, I just wanted to clear something up and then I will b..."
Kaia, you are an awesome writer with an incredible gift. Just remember that, and keep doing what you're doing. Readers like myself will continue to support you.
Taida wrote: "Kaia wrote: "Welp...Emotonal caught me. *wrings hands* Hi, everyone. My name is Kaia Bennett. And...I like to write about sex. Don't look at me. lol.Okay, I just wanted to clear something up and ..."
Sorry, I'm astounded by the love this book is getting, but really? You are comparing this book/writing to Mary Balogh?
I think we have already established that many of us agree to disagree about the merits of this particular book. To each his/her own. I am sure there will be more books that some of us will love and some of us will hate. As Anino said, life is too short for negativity....
Ren wrote: "Taida wrote: "Kaia wrote: "Welp...Emotonal caught me. *wrings hands* Hi, everyone. My name is Kaia Bennett. And...I like to write about sex. Don't look at me. lol.Okay, I just wanted to clear som..."
Uh no, I am not comparing Kaia's book to Mary Balogh's writing. Clearly Balogh writes Regency romances and not IR. If you read my comment carefully, I think it is quite clear that I believe that Mary Balogh is a master of using sex in strategic ways. Sex for her is a conversation between the characters as well as between the characters and her audience. Some books have little to no sex, others have more. But sex is always used to tell us something-- about the type of relationship the characters have or will grow to have. In particular, I was thinking of the Notorious Rake when I made that comment. The MCs have a fairly clinical act of sex in the beginning of the book and by the end the sex means something different, there is more emotion and more depth to it. Sex therefore becomes a conversation between and about the couple. I am stating that I agree with Kaia's comment that sex is a conversation and I believe Mary Balogh uses sex as such. Clearly she does not write erotica, but my face has been known to get hot after reading one of her love scenes LOL!
However, I admit that I have not read Mary Balogh for the past couple of years, perhaps her writing style has changed. I am particularly focused on her earlier works, many of which are out of print.
I don't know when criticism of a a book became negativity. If an author can't take constructive crisiticsm from people that actually read her book then something is wrong there.As well, I don't know when this thread became about sex vs no sex in a book. The problem is not the sex the problem is that there was nothing else. No story, no depth....nothing. Not even much about the characters themselves. If that is the way the author wants to write then fine. My point was I've ready many books that were classified as erotic and still had a story and depth. My other point is that is why IRR is the way it is because fans accept that and the authors don't move away from that.
@Taida....what I wrote was my point. Even if you can compare that. Mary Balogh wrote a story. People still complain about bodice rippers but guess what you knew the characters and there was a story along with the sex and more sex.
Ren wrote: "I don't know when criticism of a a book became negativity. If an author can't take constructive crisiticsm from people that actually read her book then something is wrong there.This is where you and I cheerfully disagree. I thought there was a story and it was a story that I liked. No, there wasn't a lot of action and this was definitely a character driven romance/erotica. The story, as I saw it was about falling in love with someone you least expect and all the struggle, confusion, and emotion that goes along with that. I interpreted the story to be very much about starting a relationship in one way, full of attraction and sexual conversations :), and the relationship developing into something deeper, more intense. There were a couple of scenes at the end between Flynn and Gia which were wonderfully raw and intense. I could feel Gia's sorrow, anger, and hurt when they broke up. Raw and intense are what I look for in young adult/new adult romance if I am going to read it (I generally avoid it like the plague because I am more interested in the stories of older women).
So I do think there was a story but I am ok if you disagree or did not like the particular story Kaia wrote.
I understand perfectly what Ren is saying.the books I read doesn't have to be totally no sex, I just don't read books that's explicit or where the body parts have a staring role and is more developed than the characters it's about.
I read clean to sensual and even then if the story goes no where, if the characters aren't developed and there is no substance. what's the point?
I am sure even die hard erotic readers wants more than page after page of sex. I'm sure they want characters they are developed and they can care about what happens to them.
Sex that starts that hot and fast can burn out very quickly with no substance or anything behind it.
Not every woman will accept sex as a conversation, cause really, how many women have he had that same conversation with. there has to be words and other things to make you different to him than the rest.
I don't read erotica as I said, but everything Ren has written makes sense.
I guess everyone has their own views of what is love and romance, but to me if a man wants to prove his love or want a romantic evening, he better have more than sex in mind, because sex can be gotten anywhere.
Anino, I am sorry if I misunderstood what you were saying. you're right, we all have our own opinions and we should accept that and move on.
@Emotional thanks! Yes it makes sense. I don't know what the big deal was. Apparently if you say a book is just about the sex and goes nowhere then you hate sex.Anyway, I wish the author (Kaia Bennet) the best and just hope that she can take what I said as not offensive but constructive criticism. As it seems she didn't agree and probably doesn't care what some readers like me have me to say, then that is fine too. Just know it wasn't to attack her or her work because as I said I enjoyed the beginning of the book a lot.
I don't think anyone said that just because you think the book is about sex and, in your opinion, goes nowhere, that you hate sex. I think it was the difference of opinion about how some interpreted the sex and the context in which it was used in the book. I think @Emotonal said - everyone has their views of what is love and romance. Like someone on the thread said, we all just cheerfully disagree!
Emotonal wrote: "Anino, I am sorry if I misunderstood what you were saying. you're right, we all have our own opinions and we should accept that and move on."It's not a problem. This has been a very interesting discussion.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
(last edited Aug 07, 2014 04:39AM)
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Wow, looks like I'll have to move this to the top of my TBR list just to see what all the fuss is about, lol. The conversation has been interesting to say the least.NA has proven a totally problematic genre for me but it's not the sex aspect that bothers me because college kids are having sex. They're exploring boundaries. Trying to figure out where they fit in and what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Some are quite active politically or socially. It's an exciting yet rather uncertain time.
What has turned me off is all the slut-shaming, virgin-worshipping, faux-angst/trauma and other overdone tropes. The author and I have already discussed my dislike of the "good girl/bad boy" trope and I loved her take on it. And seriously, there are a lot of NA who've already experienced the joys and heartbreak of that first crush/first love in high school, but those relationships and the lessons learned somehow never factor into the book (unless it's something horrific like rape, then we get massive doses of it). It's as if the characters go to college completely blind.
Ok, so nobody is going to comment about the really, deeply problematic scene that starts the whole story/"romance"? Nobody has been bothered, even the little, by it?
Hi everyone,I'm sorry to return with a long response, but I needed to clear up something, and I felt that maybe I would be irresponsible if I didn't do so, despite my desire to let this return to a reader thread. I promise after this I'm done, and if you have questions for me I will answer them in the Ask the Author space or elsewhere.
I've since amended the description of Sunday to include a warning for language, scenes of dubious consent and violence, that way there will be no more misunderstandings, whether about genre or content. I apologize for any confusion. I didn't label it with a warning because:
1. I'm still new to publishing and was somewhat naive about the transition from online work to published work in the realm of erotica. I'm very used to this genre exploring adult and complex themes. There is of course a difference between free online works and published works, and I am learning those differences and making my work as transparent as humanly possible from now on.
2. The strongest scene of dubious consent is in the free excerpt, which affords anyone looking to read the story the opportunity to decide if they like where it's going before purchase. I shouldn't have assumed that this would be enough, but I have learned from this beginner faux pas.
As for the initial scenes being viewed as problematic...I will have to let others speak to that, as I'm not in a position to speak on reader response to my work. And I'm not defending the actions depicted in the story at all. If I did my job then everything you need to know should be in the story, and if not then I will have to do better next time around as I continue to grow into my author shoes.
However, in response to Red's inquiry/review, I can speak on the broader issue of rape culture and my lack of complicity in it despite the scenes of dubious consent in my work. I feel it's important to do so here, and perhaps on my blog, so that future readers can hopefully approach authors of this content as people making conscious but contained artistic choices and not as unwitting or heartless purveyors of rape culture. This is in no way to change thoughts on the story, but to take responsibility for the content as the author and to show solidarity and support for victims of sexual assault.
I personally don't subscribe to the idea that I'm participating in rape culture or condoning rape because I am the ultimate gate keeper of consent when it comes to what is found in Sunday. Everything written in this work came from my head, and while Gia is reluctant in the early scenes, I wrote it with insight into both their minds, emotions and responses from start to finish. Both are infatuated with one another and express that infatuation with initial hostility, which they acknowledge and change throughout the course of the novel (whether that is to the liking of the reader is an individual matter). This can only be done in a fictitious work.
In real life we can't read someone's mind, or assume they are dissembling when they speak and that their bodies aren't. The crux of this is that any adult reading erotic works should understand this in the same way they understand you can't get into your car and start drag racing at high speeds like they do in Fast and Furious. Whether they exercise that discretion is another matter. I don't believe any morally abhorrent act in fiction or art gives adults license to behave in irresponsible or criminal ways.
If such works do cause them to indulge in criminal acts and blame their entertainment, then that person was irresponsible long before they read/watched/listened to such entertainment, and merely sought out an excuse. Otherwise they become the victim, and that seems to do a disservice to the actual victim, who didn't have the option of avoiding their assault the way the perpetrator could avoid purchasing entertainment.
This is a work of fiction, of erotic fantasy meant for mature audiences, despite its attempts at realistic depictions, and as such couldn't be written without my consent, and couldn't be read without the consent of those willing to pay for it, borrow it, and continue to read. No one is expected to read beyond their comfort level, and no one is expected to agree with the actions of the characters, anymore than you would be expected to agree with murder in a murder mystery. It is simply the catalyst that draws you into the story. If I did my job properly, it will feel like the characters are real, breathe on their own and make their own decisions. But in the end I am the woman behind the curtain and I'm simply hoping that while you are immersed in the story you're not paying attention to me. That's the magic of artistic expression.
Rape doesn't afford the victim that privilege and rape culture is more about the insidious ways in which those in power perpetuate rape as an acceptable practice by blaming the victim, holding the victim accountable for preventing it, shaming the victim into "complicity" and ultimately not providing the victim with justice when they seek it.
I don't condone that at all. In real life your body can respond to an assault and it in no way makes the victim complicit; it is simply a physiological response, perhaps even a defensive response when faced with the inability to flee. In real life consent can be withdrawn at any point and in real life I understand that even fantasies revolving around reluctance do not mean the victim is inviting rape.
I do not condone rape, I do not condone rape culture. But I do support artistic freedom and the right for adults to explore entertainment with mature themes in a consensual environment, i.e. I consented to writing this story and those that purchased it and borrowed it consented to read it until they were ready to be done.
Thank you Ren for the well wishes, and FountainPenDiva, you bring up some great points about life lessons gleaned from the NA age group, many of whom have been deployed to war zones in this generation and have experienced a great deal during their late teens and early 20s.
And thank you all for reading and discussing Sunday. Love it or hate it, I appreciate that my work has invited such thoughtful discussion, and I wish you all a wonderful Labor Day weekend.
@Red what scene are you talking about? I don't remember any rape scenes in the book???
@Taida your comment in my opinion says it all what this book was about. It was a great read. But I guess in this thread we are divided on that which is fine.
Liane wrote: "@Red what scene are you talking about? I don't remember any rape scenes in the book???"The very fist scene, when she go to his flat to do the project and he forces himself on her and finger fuck her against her will.
