This article was written by Penny Crane.

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Let’s talk about spice.

The first time I picked up a ‘naughty novel’ I was seventeen (almost eighteen) and had just finished the entire Twilight series in one month, followed by some sweet YA romances by Sarah Dessen. I was at my local library and my friend at the time was working there. She recommended that I get into some sexier paranormal romances since I devoured Twilight. I picked up the first three books in a vampire erotica series and was enthralled by the dirty scenes and the way the books had my stomach fluttering about. It was at that point that I never looked back, and in those moments when I started reading some spicy scenes about these strong, male figures that would walk to the ends of Earth to make their true love happy—that got me addicted to reading and writing. The question is, what makes for the best smutty reads?

Everyone Loves a Bad Boy

Draco Malfoy, Hardin Scott, Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Eric Northman (True Blood).

What do they all have in common? They’re the bad boys that you’re not supposed to fall in love with! Yet… for some reason you do. Why do we like the bad guys? The bullies? The toxic men that hurt our MC over and over and over again? Because they end up always redeeming themselves, duh! Let’s be honest, if your boyfriend IRL treated you half as bad as Hardin treats Tessa in the After series, you’d kick him to the curb for good (I hope!) But in fiction, you know that they mean well. You know that by the end of the book or series, they’re going to come out on top and show just how much they love the MC.

Who Hurt You?

Speaking of bad guys that break our hearts and put them back together again… What about those fictional men that pretend like they don’t give a damn about our MC, but the moment he finds her crying or in pain, he instantly becomes protective? I believe this stems from the fact that we all grew up with those fairytale princes that are supposed to ride in on their white horse to save you from all the pain in your life. Deep down, I feel like no matter how strong we try to be, we’re always waiting for someone to take the hurt away. The moment the love interest utters the phrase, ‘Who hurt you?’ we know he’s about ready to burn the city to the ground until he fixes the problem. Gotta love an alpha male that makes all your spicy fantasies come true.

Move Over, Christian Grey, there’s a New Dom in Town

Yes, I know, Fifty Shades of Grey wasn’t a realistic portrayal of the BDSM lifestyle. However, it did open doors in the erotica genre for exploring kinks a little deeper. It was one of the first books that women across the world were talking about to all their friends and one of the first sexy books women admitted to reading and enjoying. In college, I had a boss who literally gushed over Christian Grey to me. Women were no longer afraid to show their kinkier side. It made the use of toys less scary for women, and it allowed them to embrace their sexuality. Honestly, what’s spicier than a dominant who wants to spoil his submissive? Thanks, Mr. Grey, for expanding all of our interest in writing or reading about a dominant/submissive relationship!

Empowered Women Empower Women

I’ve never felt so in control of my sexuality until I began reading smutty books. And the moment I started writing those books (early 2020) I felt even more empowered. At first, I was afraid. What would my family think? My friends? My partner? It was a big risk to switch genres, but I’m so glad I did! Reading and writing things that some might consider pornographic, taboo, or too dirty is so empowering. You get to decide what you like, what you don’t like, your boundaries, and how it turns you on. Reading what other smutty authors write has made me feel better about my own fantasies, making me realize I’m not the only one having these urges. Spicy books are an outlet for women (and men of course!) It’s a safe way for you to explore kinks that you might be into and learning what you might not be into.

The Forbidden Fruit

Some of the spiciest novels I’ve read have included a taboo relationship. Whether it’s step-sibling, age-gap, reverse harem, etc., it’s usually the unexpected relationship that has me blushing the most. I find these stories the most realistic and raw. Seven Rue is an author that pushes boundaries left and right (so much so that her books have been banned from Amazon). But she’s one of the most successful taboo authors out there. Honestly, she’s a big inspiration for me because she writes what she wants to write, not the current fad in the romance community—and it works! Have a crush on your dad’s best friend? Taboo as hell. Can’t stop thinking about your step-brother? Your step-brother and his three friends who are constantly hanging out together? Is it getting hot in here? Taboo books are probably my favorite for spice because they’re so real and raw compared to all the other tropes I’ve read.

If you’re interested in exploring some taboo or spicy reads, go check out my books over on Amazon! Until next time, go let your fantasies run wild!

Let’s Talk About Spice