Welcome to the Erotic Romance Party!

Ice buckets at the ready - this is going to be one steamy party :). If you're a fan of erotic romance, this is the place to be over the next week. If you haven't yet discovered the genre, the party will be a great place to dip your toe in, and discover what erotic romance is all about.

In a little while, we'll be joined by the wonderful Anne Rainey. On Tuesday, Sloane Taylor drops in, on Wenesday Desiree Holt, Thursday, Angela Knight and on Friday, Lila Munro.

Like today's romance in general, Erotic Romance covers all the sub-genres: contemporary, paranormal, historical, fantasy, suspense etc. And like all romance it focuses on the relationship of the main protagonists and ends happily ever after - or at least happy for now. Erotic romance only differs in the more graphic detail - and possibly the quantity! - of the love scenes.

And of course, it pushes the boundaries of what consitutes a relationship, covering just about all you can think of from a "straight" couple, to menage a trois - or quatre, cinque, six or whatever :). The main characters can be heterosexual, gay, bi, lesbian. The sex is imaginative and hot, and it can include elements of BDSM, voyeurism, and fetish. However, no matter how far the boundaries are pushed, the basics remain - everything takes place between consenting adults and is as much an expression of love and romance as the kisses of old style romances.

So what does Erotic Romance mean to you? And why do you think it's so popular with today's readers?

Marie