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I agree. I'm not really into erotica and making it wordy makes it even worse. There is nothing wrong with getting straight to the point.

In my experience, many authors struggle to write erotic scenes. It seems like that was the case in this book. Many times I skip these scenes when they’re too frequent or poorly written.

I guess we are on the same mindset about this. I did find them awkward to some extent or maybe it was just a failed writing style on the part of the author.

AliceofX wrote: ↑01 Sep 2018, 02:58 To me, that was the most cringe-inducing part of the book. I can't stand when writers try to be all literary and use phrases like, "openly displaying his manly attributes," and, "She was a tight bud opening to his heat." Just use adult words for goodness sake.

But maybe that's just me. Maybe that would have made the book too adult. What did you think?

I completely agree with you. Use your words and say things like they are. Don’t try to hide them because you are ashamed and don’t feel comfortable talking about it.

If the author does that, I’m skipping the scene.

My opinion consernig erotic scenes... Well, in short - too much. I always thought something must be left to imaginstion. This detailed descriptions only spoil books.

AliceofX wrote: ↑01 Sep 2018, 02:58 To me, that was the most cringe-inducing part of the book. I can't stand when writers try to be all literary and use phrases like, "openly displaying his manly attributes," and, "She was a tight bud opening to his heat." Just use adult words for goodness sake.

But maybe that's just me. Maybe that would have made the book too adult. What did you think?

I found it a little weird and was honestly hoping for some more spicy language! If I'm going to read an erotic scene it should give me the feels!

AliceofX wrote: ↑01 Sep 2018, 02:58 To me, that was the most cringe-inducing part of the book. I can't stand when writers try to be all literary and use phrases like, "openly displaying his manly attributes," and, "She was a tight bud opening to his heat." Just use adult words for goodness sake.

But maybe that's just me. Maybe that would have made the book too adult. What did you think?

I agree - I found those scenes to be awkward and distracting to the main story which was much more interesting

CommMayo wrote: ↑02 Sep 2018, 17:16

AliceofX wrote: ↑01 Sep 2018, 02:58 To me, that was the most cringe-inducing part of the book. I can't stand when writers try to be all literary and use phrases like, "openly displaying his manly attributes," and, "She was a tight bud opening to his heat." Just use adult words for goodness sake.

But maybe that's just me. Maybe that would have made the book too adult. What did you think?

I don't know about y'all, but I always think in terms of my husband's majestic, quivering, staff of steel entering my budding womanly depths of searing heat...

Isn't that normal for everyone?

I absolutely love your comment, CommMayo.

...my husband's majestic, quivering, staff of steel entering my budding womanly depths of searing heat...

It's poetic and detailed without vulgarity. Phrases such as this are reminiscent of the Victorian era, where women were considered delicate flowers.

My opinion on the issue of poetic phrasing vs. explicit vulgarity vs. simple adult words: They each have a place and purpose. Explicit vulgarity is for writings which are intended to excite and arouse the reader. Simple adult words serve the same purpose but are used to create a scene in a narrative which has a premise that is not focused on sexual activity.

Poetic phrasing is used quite often in historical fiction. Historically, and unfortunately, women were often portrayed as either innocent flowers or provocative whores. There was very little middle ground.

As for myself, I enjoy each style of portraying sexual activity, depending on the purpose and premise of the book. I have also found each style amusing at times.

In Apollo's Raven, the language used in the sexual scenes didn't make a lasting impression, so to me would have seemed appropriate in its context. Although when taking out and read separately, I have to admit that I found the phrasing humorous and had a little chuckle.

I cringe when erotic scenes are written with goofy cliched phrases. It throws off the whole scene and ruins the moment. I know it's difficult to find the middle ground between goofy and good, especially when readers' preferences are so vastly different, but scenes like this really need to have the perfect wording to work.

It is intriguing how such actions can be related in words, so most time I go through it.

I don't mind erotic scenes if they are written well. For me, this means they are not cheesily romanticized (like Harlequin romance) and not graphically more suitable for an anatomy lesson (like some dark romance books where the scene goes on through ten pages or more). Something in between and short enough to not lose track of the plot.
The author was probably trying to make it sound romantic, but I'm afraid it tilted too much towards Harlequin romance with depictions like "tight bud opening to his heat"... No, just ... No!

I believe readers follow you better & are more involved if they speak in “ever day speak” for the times their character is living in. A man in the Deep South talks differently about sex than a man from the Bronx or California. Sexual descriptive writing should be just as real as the rest of the book, but tasteful.

Sorry I'm late to the party! I just joined and this was the first book I chose to read and review. Having been an avid reader of various types of romance novels for over a decade, I was extremely disappointed in the "erotic" scenes in this book, especially the very first one when Catrin loses her virginity. I don't mind euphemisms too much, but it seemed like she totally just glazed over it, and the way she worded it honestly left me confused about whether or not they actually had sex. She also didn't tell much about Catrin's perspective during the experience. It was basically like okay, they're getting started and then oh, he's done.

I also have to mention that I don't think that overly religious or easily offended people should read romance novels...There are almost always "erotic scenes" in these types of books, so people who are uncomfortable with that should know what to expect and not waste their time if it's going to bother them so much.

Some of the lines were cringe, but the book was mostly well written

I just skip the erotic part. Not interested in such details.