Sex. It's on TV and in the movies. But now, the raciest stuff between the sheets--can be found between the pages.
Sunny, Author
"Romance is getting hotter. More frank. More bold."
Move over Fabio. The new rage in romance is steamy, sophisticated, and downright erotic.
Sunny, Author
"You can buy a book for seven dollars and get total satisfaction."
These books don't end when the bedroom door closes. Sex is described in very frank details. And little is taboo.
Cindy Hwang, Editor, Berkley Books
"Anything goes. It's as hot as you can make it."
While there's still a love story, most of the action takes place in the bedroom. And author Liz Maverick says the heroines are anything but damsels in distress.
Liz Maverick, Author
"They can be totally kick butt. Or maybe they're just more in control of their sexuality."
Erotic novels that once would have been back room buys are now on the front shelves of major bookstores--with Borders reporting double-digit growth since they introduced erotica two years ago.
Merry Cutler, Annie's Book Stop
"People aren't ashamed anymore."
Merry Cutler of Annie's Book Stop in Sharon says she can't keep the books in stock.
Merry Cutler, Annie's Book Stop
"They may come in, but they don't stay."
And mainstream publishers like Penguin Putnam say readers are begging for more books.
Cindy Hwang, Editor, Berkley Books
"Publishers are responding to it because readers are looking for it."
So who's buying these racy reads? Well, it's not just the Desperate Housewife crowd.
Cindy Hwang, Editor, Berkley Books
"Just average women, professional women."
Liz Maverick, Author
"Grandma's now reading the hottest stuff as well as her granddaughter."
And so are the authors. Sunny, a member of New England Romance Writers of America is a stay at home mother of two. But when she writes, her alter ego takes over.
Sunny, Author
"The words just poured out. I'm blushing, but I mean it's just pouring out of me. And my inhibitions went with them as well."
Sunny believes this believes this literary sex appeal is just a sign of the times.
Sunny, Author
"Women are much more confident with their sexuality. They dare more. They want more."
And publishers say: now that the bedroom door's open. They're not shutting it anytime soon.
Cindy Hwang, Editor, Berkley Books
"I don't think it's ever going to go away."
(Copyright (c) 2006 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
