LOVE this super-cute commercial. Makes me want to drive a KIA, like, NOW :-)

Have a great night!

Nomencliture: Euphemism vs. Literal Description in Sex Scene Writing

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My First Interview

Thank you to Michael Scott, co-host of Bookmark Radio. I reprinted our interview here. My first one!
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Interview With Taryn Rose, Author of L World

Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of immersing myself in many genres of books. But none more intriguing than the lesbian romance category.

I was introduced to a book called L World through a Google+ feed and decided to take a much needed diversion from my normal staple of economics, sociology and Eastern religion reads. I was so intrigued with the book that I reached out to its author Taryn Rose. And I am happy to report that our friendship is rapidly blossoming.

So what was it like writing a book on lesbian romance?

I spent five years as an associate at a national law firm dreaming about writing novels as a opposed to legal briefs, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to delve into a genre that held a great deal of interest to me. It was fun to flesh out the characters and once I organized my plot, the words just seemed to flow.

Your two heroines Blake and Janie offer some interesting insights into lesbian relationships. Can you talk about this?

This books explores common challenges that all of us face, regardless of our gender preferences in establishing relationships. The story starts with a chance encounter in a salon between Blake, a high profile attorney and Janie, a top hairstylist. Both of their lives are turned upside down as a result of their attraction to each other.

So what are you attempting to convey to your readers through this book?

I believe in the importance of fantasy in terms of helping us awaken to who we are or have the potential to be. As women we should take time to deepen our understanding of self and desire, especially when that desire shakes up our whole world.

It appears that there are in fact many thematic juxtapositions throughout the book

Blake's encounter and ultimate relationship with Janie allows her to tap into a part of herself that she has long kept hidden. Despite being younger and newer in her career, Janie is further along in her personal development than Blake.

L World exposes the risky side of torrid affairs for women who are in high powered professional roles. Using Blake’s example, what lessons does this book offer to professional women in terms of the balancing act between one’s intimate needs and feelings and desire to climb the proverbial corporate ladder?

In Blake’s case, when she meets Janie, she is close to the top of that ladder–with a lot at stake. She’s a top corporate attorney, a mother of a teenage son, and has a relationship with her ex-husband. Coming out for Blake could change they way she is perceived by her  partners, clients and family members–and she knows that. I think Blake’s journey reinforces the need to be cautious and deliberate, but also brave and unafraid to live life to the fullest. Blake behaves immaturely and at times, selfishly and cowardly. But when she realizes she has more to lose by letting Janie go, her decisions become empowering and life-affirming.

What sorts of fears or vulnerabilities (if any) surfaced for you as a writer in Chapter 7 as you began to articulate the first deep physical encounter between Janie and Blake? What sort of message were you hoping to impart to your readers in terms of the often secret world of lesbian intimacy?

I was concerned with being completely in the scene, making it as visceral and passionate as I conceived it. It was equally important for me to capture both the emotional dynamics at play and the downright animalistic lust that overwhelms the two heroines. That particular scene is the culmination of the early stages of Blake and Janie’s courtship, and it had to work in order for the story to move forward.

What sort of impact did writing this book have in terms of examining your own life?

It helped me play out some of my own ideas and philosophies related to how complicated the journey of life really is.

There has been quite a bit of buzz of late with the release of the steamy Shades of Grey series. What do you think this reflects in terms of the proliferation of interest in these sorts of books?

I think that it’s a signal that women’s romantic and sexual fantasies are important and no longer have to be taboo.

And where do you see the whole world of lesbian romance books headed in ensuing years?

The market for lesbian themed e-books appears strong, especially among bi-curious, queer and lesbian identified readers. That said, I have been contacted by men who relate to the romantic challenges the heroines face in L WORLD and enjoy exploring those in the context of the physical intimacy involved between two women. I think that heterosexual women enjoy a powerful and well-written romance that explores the boundaries and complications that may arise when two women discover more than friendship. Because this is a subgenre that has appeal for all types of readers, I believe it will grow exponentially in the coming years.

Michael Scott is co-host of Bookmark Radio. Learn more here.
Order L WORLD here.

Erotic Author Lucy Felthouse Swings By!

I am excited to be hosting my very first guest author! It's not all about me and my adventures today and that feels strange, but I'm so glad to shine the spotlight on Lucy. I was so giddy about it, in fact, that I almost titled this post "Erotic Author Lucy Felthouse Swings Bi" (instead of "By") because then I'd get in a cute double entendre and feel all cool. But I was afraid you might think I was describing the author and not her work, so I'm explaining the pun instead of making it...(Real smooth, Taryn!)

Lucy's stories are so good that you may wonder about her sexuality. And that is why I found her account of a recent talk that she gave particularly interesting. Take it away, Lucy!

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Luscious Ladies

I did a talk for a local writer's group a couple of months ago. I was nervous beforehand, because previous appearances I've done have been at erotica-related places or events. This was a writing group with members ranging from 17 to 93, and although they knew the speaker was an erotic writer, I still wasn't sure what they'd make of me.

There was a great turn out – people were obviously curious enough to turn up and see what I was like. I don't know if they were disappointed by my normal appearance or not, but everyone was really friendly and interested in what I do.

Anyway, after I did my talk, I then had a Q&A session, and happily, lots of people asked me questions. One of them (from the 93 year old, in fact) was along the lines of, "If you have a boyfriend, how do you write lesbian fiction?"

I answered by saying that I can write about two women together, because I am a woman. I have the right equipment, I know what things look and feel like, and what feels pleasurable. As a writer, I have the imagination to duplicate that into two (or more) women in a story – and there you have it! Sexy lesbian or bisexual fiction.

My answer seemed to satisfy the group, though they couldn't quite get their heads around who reads lesbian fiction. I answered that I read lesbian fiction. I also read straight and gay fiction. Many people will read all kinds of fiction just because they love that type of story – it doesn't have to have any bearing on their sexuality or preferences. When I let slip that my lesbian fiction outsells my straight fiction, there were lots of raised eyebrows around the table. They weren't rubbishing my claims, or the genre, I suspect it was just something they'd never considered before.

This led the conversation onto gay fiction, and when I said it was mainly women writing and reading it, there was a great deal of confusion. But then I pointed out that it's similar to when straight guys (not all of them, of course, I'm not generalising!) say things like "Ooh, lesbians! Hot!" I believe their mentality is that they like women and women's bodies, so two women together is twice the sexiness. This brought lots of nods from the group – why wouldn't women think exactly the same thing about seeing two guys together?

Overall, it was a fun evening with a group of people who were very curious about what I do and the erotica and erotic romance genre in general, which prompted several discussions similar to the ones I've just mentioned. One comment that sticks in my mind is when I said that my luscious ladies outsell everything else, someone basically told me that I was obviously doing something right, and to keep writing it! A "go girl" if ever I heard one. So, with that in mind, I shall leave you in peace and go and write some more Sapphic sexiness, and smile as I think about the education I gave the local writing group. I suspect I was their most controversial speaker in a while!

Living in her remote cottage in the woods, Heidi doesn’t get many visitors. So when she spots a fox in her garden, she’s delighted. However, her joy quickly turns to dismay when she thinks the beautiful creature may be injured. Heading out to see how she can help, Heidi is astounded when something happens that makes her question her eyesight – not to mention her sanity. Once she gets over her shock and discovers the reason behind the peculiar encounter, Heidi is mighty glad that the fox chose her garden to visit.

More info, excerpt and buy links: http://lucyfelthouse.co.uk/published-works/the-cottage-in-the-woods/

Lucy is a graduate of the University of Derby, where she studied Creative Writing. During her first year, she was dared to write an erotic story - so she did. It went down a storm and she's never looked back. Lucy has had stories published by Cleis Press, Constable and Robinson, House of Erotica, Noble Romance, Ravenous Romance, Resplendence Publishing, Summerhouse Publishing, Sweetmeats Press and Xcite Books. She is also the editor of Uniform Behaviour and Seducing the Myth. Find out more at http://www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk. Join her on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to her newsletter at:              http://eepurl.com/gMQb9

Upcoming Lady Jane's Salon Reading!

If you're in New York City on Monday, June 4, I hope you will drop in to Lady Jane's Salon where I will have the honor of reading from L WORLD. 

Lady Jane's Salon is New York's first and only monthly romance reading series. Hosted by Hope Tarr, Leanna Renee Hieber, Maya Rodale and Ron Hogan and held the first Monday of every month at Madame X in SoHo, it's a real treat for fiction lovers and a great night out!


The Salon goes from 7 p.m. 'til 9, and I hope to see you there!

Expression of Pinterest

I don't know about you, but I'm Pinterested. When I discovered Pinterest a few weeks ago, I was sucked in by the array of eye candy that popped up on my screen. But it wasn't until a conversation I had with Michael Scott, co-host of Bookmark Radio, a popular internet-based radio show, that I felt compelled to curate and share my own interests. He suggested that I create a visual narrative for L WORLD using a Pinterest board. Image sequences and quirky backstory rushed into my head and I jumped right on. And, I found that many authors I admire were already doing it. I hope you'll check out my imaginary world and join me on my L WORLD Pinterest board! Click Here

Pinterest's goal, in its own words, is "to connect everyone in the world through the things they find interesting." Well, if you're interested in Lesbian Romance, I want to know YOU!

Sluts vs. Whores: The Case For Sluts

The terms are often used interchangeably. But what makes a slut different than a whore, really? Because there is a difference. The quick and dirty answer is that sluts enjoy sex for recreation and whores do it to pay the bills. Even Rush Limbaugh appreciated that when he called Sandra Fluke a slut for having a sex life so active as to necessitate a substantial contraceptive budget, and a prostitute (or, whore) for expecting the taxpayer to cover the cost, in essence, paying her to have sex. The conflation of insurance coverage with paying prostitutes to have sex was absurd, but you get the point.

Even though sluts and whores come in all genders, I’ll use the feminine form for this post.

Sluts are beautiful people. Truly the kindest among us. Sluts love sex and have no hang ups about giving you some if you ask nicely. Sluts enjoy being sexual with lots of people in their lives because sex is fun. It’s that simple for a slut. If a slut finds you attractive, you have a good chance at turning your relationship into a sexual one. If you feel sad, your slutty friend may even give you sex as a pick me up. A slut wouldn’t dream of making you dish out big bucks on fancy dinners or hotels in the hopes of getting laid.

That’s something a whore would do.

Whores are on a mission. 

A whore has sex with the expectation of getting something in return. It could be anything. Even sex. If a whore gives you oral sex, she expects hers in return. And you better deliver or you’re out. For sluts, the excitement is in the act itself.

So why do sluts get a bad rap? People label slut behavior as promiscuous (such an icky word) and don’t take sluts seriously when looking for a monogamous relationship. Why not? Because she’s "slept with everyone" is a common answer, and that’s a turn off to the insecure folks. But what if said slut is disease-free? Isn’t that the new sexy?

In closing, sluts are awesome. Where would we be as a society without them? Let’s face it, at least half of us would stay virgins into our thirties if it weren’t for the sluts who introduce us to our own sex appeal. Sluts empower ordinary people. They are nothing like whores. Thank heavens for sluts.

By the way, have you ever noticed that sluts smile a lot? Whores don’t.

Reviewphoria!

I am happy to report that in the same 24 hour window, two fantastic reviews of L World dropped. Good thing the weekend is almost here because I'm ready to celebrate!!


CherryGrrl.com, the lesbian entertainment and news website, had this to say:

Blake’s struggle to come out is one of the most realistic and heart-wrenching issues in L World. Taryn Rose found the perfect way to blend fear, love, and family into one of the most powerful scenes I’ve read in a long time. The relationship between these two women, the obstacles they must overcome throughout the book, and the internal battles both women face are all so real and so sincere. While there were a few times I found myself comparing characters or scenes to those in “The L Word,” the story Taryn Rose tells in L World goes beyond anything Ilene Chaiken could create.

To be compared to Ilene Chaiken, my hero and creator of The L Word, is quite an honor!

Read the review here!

AND...

Review Blogger Sarah Intidam writes:

Ms. Rose's writing style is hip and fun that keeps a reader interested.

"L" World is a very emotional coming out story with tons of delicious sex. Naughty sex scenes that leave you breathless.

Read the review here!

Why My 85 Year-Old Grandmother Thinks Everyone Is Bisexual

My grandma loves talking politics with me and since the topic of gay marriage has been the focus of widespread media attention lately, we sat down to discuss all the hype. She believes gay marriage should just be called marriage and finds it problematic calling it “gay” marriage because she doesn’t believe in classifying people based on sexual preference. Why not? Because, grammy suspects that all humans are bisexual by nature. “People can become gay, then they can become heterosexual.” According to grammy, it all depends on our stage of life, circumstances, and who we meet. She cited as an example her friend Fran, who had been married (to a man) for most of her life. The two of them loved the theater and would see every Broadway show that came out. After her husband died, Fran was extremely lonely. At her age, there were far fewer suitable, eligible men available to her than there had been decades earlier. She eventually met another woman who shared her interest in theater, and a few months and many shows later, a romance blossomed.

Grammy says that Fran needed a companion who appreciated theater as much as she did. The person she found a connection with was another woman, and voila! Her lesbian side emerges. If a suitable man had come along first, the homosexual part of Fran's nature would remain hidden, or untapped, she contends.

May the best man or woman win!

Hubba-WHAHHH???

I can be suggestible at times, so I’m nodding along, trying to follow her train of logic, squinting all the way through. But it didn’t sound right.

There may be some of us out there who value one trait above all others and will fall prey to the person, male or female, who best exemplifies it. For example, if you hold beauty as the highest ideal, you may fall for the prettiest guy or gal, whichever killer smile comes your way first. What if it’s sense of humor? Enter the wittiest male or female who seduces you with charm. In the story grammy related, it was the man or woman who most loved theater. Who can get to you first?

But in general, do we fall for a trait or is the elusive thing that causes us to be attracted to a person contingent on gender?

Most of my friends tell me they have a list of ideal traits, but in order to get in the door for consideration, the person has to be the right gender. I suspect that's how it is for most people, but who knows? One thing's for sure, though: I've got a hip grammy!

The SEXT!

I will admit that I was a tad tipsy during my Queer Adventure NYC (see first blog post). And during the least sober part of my night, I began texting my book cover to everyone I met. I know, hello? Business card?

It really was a great night. The music was hot and I was getting my dance on like a wild child. Let's not forget I had been holed up writing L World for many weeks and this was my first night out in a while. Mostly, I was acting silly and having a good time. I did manage to make a couple of friends. But I can't remember everyone I texted.

So here I am, back to writing in solitude when my phone signals a text. I pick it up. It's from a random Brooklyn area coded number and reads, "I just pleasured myself to L World. HOT". I was so excited, my first impulse was to call my mom and tell her about it! Then, I realized....yeah, you pretty much guessed it. So I called my good friend Amy. She was like, "What's wrong with you? Why are you giving out your number?" And I'm all, "That's not the point!"

Well, the point is that it's such a thrill to hear from readers. And I really am happy to know about your sex life, even if it's solo. Ain’t nuthin’ wrong with solo. There’s two O’s in solo, honey.

L World Making a Splash!

I'm so excited! L World received a silver star from All Romance eBooks, which means that it's a best-seller in the lesbian romance category. Check it out!


Also, Night Owl Reviews covered my novel, giving it 4 stars, calling it "visual and stimulating," with "incredibly sensual sex," and commending it for "exemplifying the many complexities of female relationships." You can see the review in its entirety here!

Girls and Cages

This is the cage that inspired the Bikini Night scene in L World where sexy chained-up girls behind bars hiss at Blake, titillating her. I had remembered seeing it at a lesbian bar once in New York and recently went back to check it out. Now, it's on display at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Kidding, kidding. It's still up at the same bar. Can you guess which one?

L Excerpt

In the following excerpt from L World, a disgruntled ex just socked our main heroine, Blake, a good one. She and Janie are in the ladies room afterwards:

     “I thought you were breaking up with her,” Blake said, icing her cheek.

    “She was supposed to come to my apartment today. She never showed. I'm so sorr—” 

     “I need to go home and prepare for my deposition tomorrow.” Blake started to brush past Janie. This whole scene—L World, she decided—was not for her. It didn’t fit in with the rest of her life and now she would have to show up at work in a suit with a black eye.

     Janie stopped her and stroked her arm. “Please let me take care of you tonight,” she whispered in Blake’s ear.

     Blake’s body refused to move and she froze. She felt Janie’s warm breath against her neck and lost her determination to take off alone. “I don’t know what it is about you, Janie. You’re like a magnetic force.” 

     Janie put her hand on Blake’s and removed the ice pack, replacing it with her lips. She made a trail of kisses down the cold bruising. The sweet dabs of Janie’s lips had a calming effect on Blake, and she inched her body closer to Janie’s bosom until they embraced.

     “Take me home,” Blake said, feeling vulnerable. Janie smiled and put her arm around Blake, squeezing her body into hers as they left the ladies’ room. 

     Blake still couldn’t believe that she commanded that smile from Janie, a woman whose smile alone could persuade a thousand men to go the supermarket at midnight. Being on the receiving end of a beautiful woman’s affection felt unreal—amazing.    
    

For a longer sample or to purchase L World, click on Amazon or Ravenous Romance!

Taryn's Queer Adventure

I recently became a published author of lesbian romance. My novel, L World, was released by Ravenous Romance two weeks ago. The title is (obviously) a play on "The L Word", and it refers to a Greenwich Village bar and club where six lesbian friends experience love and a whole lot of drama.

I decided, 

what better way to celebrate my release than to hit an all-girls night at a hot NYC venue and spread the word? And it turned out, I was right. But what does a square-slash-sexy lawyer-slash-author wear to such an event? I settled on a pair of Gap skinny jeans, a t-shirt and a temporary tribal arm band tattoo. I'll blend in, right?

I walked in.

To my right was an adorable, androgynous-looking DJ working her digital turntable. To my left was an attractive young woman with some eye-popping tattoos, who was eyeing mine curiously. We had some cliched convo about how everyone is somewhere on the Kinsey scale. Then I told her and her boyfriend (who's cool with her being queer) about L World. I gave them the pitch and they were hooked.

Reassuring. I'm having fun.

"Have you had a sexual relationship with a woman before?" the tattooed girl asked me. That initially struck me as way too intrusive a question, but after a minute I decided it was perfectly justified. She wanted to know if my writing would be convincing. If I could relate to her experiences. If I knew firsthand what it felt like to love a woman.

My response: "I went to college in the nineties, what do you think?" 

Stay tuned for an excerpt from L World.