Guest Author & Giveaway: Mia Marlowe featuring Improper Gentlemen
Friday, July 29
Today we're talking about improper behavior...ie sex in Historical Romance. Want to find out what author Mia Marlowe has to say about it and terms such as "ruddy tower of power"? Then read on my book loving friends!
IMPROPER BEHAVIOR
anthology (July 26, 2011) with Diane Whiteside and Maggie Robinson is not your grandmother's historical romance read. It starts right out with a couple's frantic, forbidden joining on a sultry Bermudan night. Not surprisingly, my topic today is about improper behavior. In straight talk--sex scenes. Writers work with nothing but ink on a page and somehow hope to breathe life into our characters. We play on their hopes and dreams. We exploit their triumphs and failures. Nowhere are these things more evident than in our character’s bedrooms.
My literary first time was not in a romance book. It was from a highly respected literary genius--John Updike. I was a junior in high school, an extremely naïve junior, when I read Rabbit Run. The scene where Harry Angstrom coerces a hooker into giving him oral sex while his wife is giving birth was a shock to me. First, because I had no idea people did such things. Told you I was naïve. And second, because the relationship in which the oral sex occurred was so cold and devoid of joy. But did it deepen my understanding of the characters and propel the story? Like a runaway locomotive.
It also convinced me that every scene—especially the sex scenes—should deepen my characters or propel the story. Preferably both.
It also convinced me that every scene—especially the sex scenes—should deepen my characters or propel the story. Preferably both.
If they’re so important, why are sex scenes so hard to write?
Probably because writers need to get over themselves. We worry that someone will think our sex scenes are autobiographical, sometimes with good reason. When I first started writing, my DH used to go to the Romantic Times Convention with me. One day a woman who’d read my work came up to him, gave him the once over and said, “You must really be something.”
The wicked man just smiled and said, “Thank you, ma’am, I am.”
Part of what makes writing a sex scene difficult is puzzling over what language to use. Which brings us to “purple prose.” If you’ve ever giggled over something as ridiculous as “the ruddy tower of his power” you know what I mean. Beauty of language is one thing, but let’s not lose our heads. There’s no room in any scene for, pardon the pun, flaccid prose. I need to keep it crisp or the story will be lost in Victorian silliness. Unless of course the story is set in the Victorian era, but even then it’s best to keep the euphemisms down. Or better yet, let the characters laugh over their verbal coyness.
I always try to call it what my characters would call it. When the plain sense makes sense, seek no other sense. Technical terms may not sing, but they don’t confuse anyone either. And it is possible to write a totally hot sex scene and not mention any body parts at all.
Mark Twain said “A successful book isn’t made of what’s in it, but what’s left out of it.” I promise to leave out purple prose.
What “purplism” frustrates you? My mother hates the word “groin.” Any time we write about body parts or sexual acts, someone will be offended by the words we use. What term do you wish your favorite author would leave out?
What “purplism” frustrates you? My mother hates the word “groin.” Any time we write about body parts or sexual acts, someone will be offended by the words we use. What term do you wish your favorite author would leave out?
Unsuitable. Forbidden. Oh-so-seductive. These gentlemen are hardly respectable. But they are the very, very best…“Talbot’s Ace” by Diane Whiteside
He rules Colorado’s most glittering, anything-goes gambling palace. And Justin Talbot never does something for nothing. But if daring Boston aristocrat Charlotte Morland needs his protection from a dangerous enemy, he’ll have no choice but to make her business his pleasure…
“To Match a Thief” by Maggie Robinson
Ex-pickpocket Sir Simon Keith can finally afford the best of everything. But London’s most-desired courtesan is his lost love Lucy. Now Simon will need his wits and his considerably large…wiles to win his way back into her bed—and into her heart.
“A Knack for Trouble” by Mia Marlowe
Lord Aidan Stonemere didn’t go from prison to a title playing by society’s rules. If he wants something, he takes it, and Rosalinde Burke didn’t object to being taken. Once. To keep her from marrying a staid viscount, Aidan’s about to remind her how deliciously good being bad feels…
Congratulations Mia! I have to admit that I love both proper and improper heroes, because I firmly believe that there is a time and place for everything...after all even rakes need to have some manners in the bedroom :)
Right now, Mia's publisher is running a special a Brava Kindle bundle
with IMPROPER GENTLEMEN, TO TOUCH A THIEF
, and MISTRESS BY MISTAKE
for only $16.49 which is an absolute steal on these fantastic romances, since it would cost you more than 33.00 if you bought them in print individually. That's a whopping off 60% of the cover price of $42.00 when you buy the Kindle bundle. That's the kind of deal that I LOVE! If I didn't already have two out of the three books I would be jumping on this in a major way...not that that should influence you at all (pssst buy it!)
Right now, Mia's publisher is running a special a Brava Kindle bundle
with IMPROPER GENTLEMEN, TO TOUCH A THIEF, and MISTRESS BY MISTAKE for only $16.49 which is an absolute steal on these fantastic romances, since it would cost you more than 33.00 if you bought them in print individually. That's a whopping off 60% of the cover price of $42.00 when you buy the Kindle bundle. That's the kind of deal that I LOVE! If I didn't already have two out of the three books I would be jumping on this in a major way...not that that should influence you at all (pssst buy it!)For more about Mia and her upcoming books, visit MiaMarlowe.com. While you're there, be sure to enter her contest and visit her very active blog, or you can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.
To celebrate the release of IMPROPER GENTLEMAN author Mia Marlowe would like to giveaway an ARC copy of the anthology to one lucky Musings follower. Here's how you can enter to win:
author Mia Marlowe would like to giveaway an ARC copy of the anthology to one lucky Musings follower. Here's how you can enter to win:Ways to earn entries:
- Mandatory: Answer the question Mia asked readers in her post and/or leave a comment or question for Mia (good for 1 entry)
- Mandatory: You MUST be a Google Friend Connect (GFC) follower in order to be eligible to win (unfortunately an email subscriber, or subscription in Google reader, and a follower are not the same thing so make sure you are signed up as a follower if you'd like to win this book)
How to enter:
- You can choose to enter as many different ways that you want, but please place all of your entries in ONE comment
Rules and disclaimers:
- This contest is open to US & International addresses
- You must be at least 18 years or older, or of legal age in your country
- The contest will end on July 30th at 11:59 pm EST and winner will be posted after they have been selected
- Winner(s) will be selected using Random.org
- EXCEPTIONS
- The book(s) will be mailed directly from the publisher or author and no substitutions are allowed
- Winners will be subject to one copy per household, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, that you will only receive one copy of the title in the mail
- Seductive Musings is not responsible for prizes that are not honored, distributed in a timely manner, lost, stolen, or damaged during transit
- All giveaways are subject to change/cancellation without prior written notice
Good Luck!
*Seductive Musings is an Amazon affiliate and receives a very small referral fee for purchases made via the links on the blog and through the Seductive Musings Amazon Store. Read the full disclosure here.
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and 
by Jill Shalvis. Who can forget 
with Kevin Costner. And now I can add Changing the Game to that list.
by Stephanie Julian
by Vivian Arend 
, which doesn't come out until October but I loved it because it is like a book mini movie
event. Did you visit last week and see the interviews with the Romance Husbands? I thought they were SO much fun!
. Read and enjoy!
will be FREE...funded entirely by my internet searches done on 
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