tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post6136172728045922485..comments2023-05-11T05:27:38.755-04:00Comments on Naughty Author Chicks: Girls' ClubCindy Spencer Papehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01583236494759465431noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-85180540648428551562010-02-05T11:31:42.710-05:002010-02-05T11:31:42.710-05:00Thanks for mentioning my blog, Cara!
I found you ...Thanks for mentioning my blog, Cara! <br />I found you on Twitter, so I see you overthere :)Jannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08097232237827106033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-90896995731772423622010-02-05T08:38:22.162-05:002010-02-05T08:38:22.162-05:00At the risk of sounding a little wild, my husband ...At the risk of sounding a little wild, my husband likes the long hours I spend writing romance. The kids have left for college, so it's like a second honeymoon. All for a good day's work! :)Kathryn's bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16735494906056546712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-9216757420765195902010-02-05T08:30:36.567-05:002010-02-05T08:30:36.567-05:00That's so cute about your husband.That's so cute about your husband.Kathryn's bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16735494906056546712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-55863049744423202192010-02-05T08:26:20.748-05:002010-02-05T08:26:20.748-05:00Kathryn said: "[M]ostly it seems to be a very...Kathryn said: "[M]ostly it seems to be a very recent innovation to have frontally, ripped men on the cover."<br /><br />I'm definitely not a historian, but the first romances I read in the nineties came from this box of ancient donated paperbacks, mostly from the seventies and eighties (I volunteered at a teen suicide hotline in Maine and we didn't get many calls, happily, so I toggled between reading The New Our Bodies, Ourselves and moldy old romances—quite the bipolar sexual education.)<br /><br />Anyhow, those romances from the seventies and eighties in ye oldie discarded romance box definitely had torsos. Typically, a slice of torso, peeking from the open billowing shirt of a pirate or duke. So the trend isn't that new, in my experience. That said, I don't believe the contemporaries in that box featured much naked flesh—the men were usually wearing an ensemble that told you what they did for a living.<br /><br />I'm with you though, Kathryn. I think the whole headless ripped horseman look is new. My husband likes to steal the Romance Writers Report before I can read it each month, so he can dog-ear the most ridiculous and torsotastic book ads for me to giggle at.Cara McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654280974490334457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-40452236828452709152010-02-05T08:06:41.412-05:002010-02-05T08:06:41.412-05:00Hi Cara, I happen to have Harlequin books from 200...Hi Cara, I happen to have Harlequin books from 2002, 2004, 2008, and 2009 and 2010 in Historical, Temptation and Blaze. <br /><br />The 2002 and 2004 Temptations - about 20 of them featured a couple on the cover, 2 of them the man was shirtless, but his back or side was on the cover and he was NOT ripped, sadly.<br /><br />The Blaze from 2003 has couples, (this is 3 books). <br /><br />About 8 Blaze from 2008 with couples or men with shirts on or mostly on.<br /><br />About 8 Blaze from 2009 2010 with increasingly frontal, ripped men. <br /><br />The Historicals I have from 2002 - 2008 Harlequin and other publishers do not have frontally, ripped men. <br /><br />So I think it depends on line, publisher, but...mostly it seems to be a very recent innovation to have frontally, ripped men on the cover.<br /><br />I have also noticed a plethora of ads on websites for ripped men. <br /><br />On my blog <br /><br />katechampagneromance.blogspot.com<br /><br />A friend of mine (not named) graciously consented to let me post two very ripped photos of him (torso only, no head to ID him by. <br /><br />At the current time, my blog is in service for a character of mine who is a culture writer. How about that for an innovative use of blogging? Not blogging for me, but for my character.Kathryn's bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16735494906056546712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-82001194008986383932010-02-05T08:05:09.369-05:002010-02-05T08:05:09.369-05:00Quick aside on the topic of eyeballic infidelity.
...Quick aside on the topic of eyeballic infidelity.<br /><br />I was watching The Bachelor the other day (I don't own a TV but I still manage to have atrocious taste in programming—thanks, Hulu!) and Jake, the bachelor, was having a conversation with his date of the moment. He came out with a statement roughly to the effect of:<br /><br />"The woman I marry will be the last one I look at."<br /><br />Oh, honey [pats Jake on his adorable head]. You're so cute when you're delusional.Cara McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654280974490334457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-86629723059346558612010-02-05T07:33:35.033-05:002010-02-05T07:33:35.033-05:00Hi, Kate / Kathryn!
I'd love to know the answ...Hi, Kate / Kathryn!<br /><br />I'd love to know the answer to that last question, actually. When exactly did torsos become the cover mainstay for romance novels?<br /><br />I'm thirty, so for about as long as I can remember romance novels more often than not have had torsos (or at least a blatantly sexy man, perhaps in a middling state of shirtlessness) emblazoned on them. <br /><br />Does anyone remember a time when that trend was a new phenomenon, or even a scandal? Or does anyone know why and when that shift began? Maybe I'll ask Smart Bitches, Trashy Books to consider posting on the topic. They'd got scads of romance and history experts lurking in their commenty crevices.Cara McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654280974490334457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-1384516922728305402010-02-05T05:34:55.359-05:002010-02-05T05:34:55.359-05:00Jina Bacarr, I think either women or men on the co...Jina Bacarr, I think either women or men on the cover - or both - sell books. I think it depends on...a lot of things...If women fantasize themselves as the sexy heroine, then seeing a sexy woman on the cover of an erotic novel is great. Are hot male torsos rather new in the last few years? I am not sure. I actually like two on the cover, both sexy and semi dressed. Make that semi undressed. I think either works as well as another.Kathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656476299646283089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-34063367710970048622010-02-05T05:27:44.008-05:002010-02-05T05:27:44.008-05:00My comment posts as my pen name, rather than as Ka...My comment posts as my pen name, rather than as Kathryn Esplin, the name you know me by. My Google account is set up that way.Kathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656476299646283089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-60031872221496290942010-02-05T05:26:28.283-05:002010-02-05T05:26:28.283-05:00Great post, Cara - and from the guys I know...my h...Great post, Cara - and from the guys I know...my husband and various guy friends of mine, they actually like or love to be 'objectified,' though some are shyer than others about admitting to liking it.<br /><br />Men and women are different, though, in that men do get a lot of direct sexual excitement from looking at women (it's in their reptilian hindbrains) and women get a similar kick from their (our) reptilian hindbrains - our basic instincts, animal and otherwise - we love to strut our stuff in front of men. <br /><br />That said, hell yeah, we also love looking at men, but I do think that it is not identical to what men feel - looking at paper or film or a dancer or their girlfriend/lover/wife is just so incredibly hot for them. <br /><br />I think the way that women are with Chippendales is partly out of fun. <br /><br />I have been to both Chippendale clubs for women and years ago I had my husband take me to strip clubs so I could see. (Not in this state and it was really a top-notch one, not the low-down grungy kind usually shown on TV. That said, I think female strippers probably have a very hard life. <br /><br />The women were having fun and yes, it is fun to look at torsos and more on a hot guy. But it is not identical to what a man feels.<br /><br />I probably shouldn't post comments at 5 a.m. after staying up all night writing. Sense begins to elude me.Kathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656476299646283089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-90663084652164632732010-02-05T01:28:47.408-05:002010-02-05T01:28:47.408-05:00Cara, awesome post, and great comments. For me it&...Cara, awesome post, and great comments. For me it's very simple: men are beautiful, I admire that beauty and I like sharing it (Hey! I didn't undress them!) Wish I could say it's because of what I write but I can't. I liked looking at them before I started writing. ;-)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18260154515411993887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-13716601263300887352010-02-04T22:19:06.138-05:002010-02-04T22:19:06.138-05:00My husband has a thing for Hispanic women. Now unl...My husband has a thing for Hispanic women. Now unless I put in a weave and learn something other then one through ten in Spanish, I'm not going to suddenly wake up a voluptuous Puerto Rican beauty...I can actually do the voluptuous part...hee-hee-hee! Point is some of the women he thinks are hot I agree with him because they are. I don't feel threatened by it at all. At one time in my less secure youth I would've been, but not now. The point is we can admire beauty without it being synonymous (did I spell that right??) with wanting to jump somebody's bones. It's not the same thing.Naima Simonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12269175037270984886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-32330592860199919382010-02-04T21:51:33.012-05:002010-02-04T21:51:33.012-05:00I remember when I was about 23 I got royally, inwa...I remember when I was about 23 I got royally, inwardly pissed at a boyfriend for discussing Scarlett Johansson's hotness with a male friend in my presence. I kept thinking to myself, "If she's what he's attracted to, why's he with me? What frigging chance do I stand?" <br /><br />Now I wish I could go back and shake my stupid younger self by the shoulders and shout, "Honey, he ain't Jude Law, but you still love him, don't you? Right. So relax, bitch!"Cara McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654280974490334457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-73425007005780367442010-02-04T21:44:09.862-05:002010-02-04T21:44:09.862-05:00My husband and I used to watch the tv show "R...My husband and I used to watch the tv show "Relic Hunter" because he loved him some Tia Carrere. I would even remind him when it came on! LOL!Naima Simonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12269175037270984886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-11195710572501678572010-02-04T21:21:44.262-05:002010-02-04T21:21:44.262-05:00Amen, Stephanie!
After spending about a decade f...Amen, Stephanie! <br /><br />After spending about a decade feeling hurt by a boyfriend—or even a male friend—commenting about an attractive woman who wasn't [God forbid] me, I'm so fucking relieved to be done with the insecurity of my teens and early twenties. <br /><br />Actually, these days it's like pulling teeth trying to get my husband to admit to finding any of the ladies who might cross our screen during a movie or TV show sexy—he's respectful of my feelings nearly to a fault. I actually ask, "So what about her?" Maybe he thinks it's a trap… He puts up with so much of my poorly-hidden attraction to on-screen men (not on purpose, I just have an atrociously bad poker face), I want a chance to give him the gift of being cool and unbothered right back.Cara McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654280974490334457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-57029486411505747332010-02-04T21:03:08.257-05:002010-02-04T21:03:08.257-05:00"I'm also willing to bet we're not as..."I'm also willing to bet we're not as condemning of our partners finding other women attractive." << THIS! Maybe I'm totally screwed up morally (imagine that), but I really don't mind when my husband finds another woman attractive. I admire beauty in all it's many forms - including men AND women. We've been out on dates before, and I've pointed out several women to him that I thought were beautiful, and it didn't bother me in the least bit if he thought so too. And I LOVE to make him blush when I point out some gorgeous woman with beautiful breasts, and I say to him "Yeah, I'd hit that". LOL!!! (Not really, but I love the expression on his face when I make comments like that). <br /><br />Great post, Cara! :)Stephanie Adkinshttp://www.stephanieadkins.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-47740520744390091862010-02-04T20:55:35.739-05:002010-02-04T20:55:35.739-05:00Just wanted to share the link to Janna's blog ...Just wanted to share the link to Janna's blog (it's dripping with the topic at hand):<br /><br />http://erotromreader.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Thanks for stopping in, Janna! See you around the Twittersphere.Cara McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654280974490334457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-52606066225993676352010-02-04T20:16:48.285-05:002010-02-04T20:16:48.285-05:00Hi, Cara!
I so enjoyed your post. Thought-provokin...Hi, Cara!<br />I so enjoyed your post. Thought-provoking and hilarious...even as I was being called a purveyor of flesh! LOL!!! <br /><br />Everybody's comments were right on point! Finding pictures for my photo gallery is no hardship, believe me. And the comments could definitely be considered sexist because if a man had them under pictures of women I would suspect him of oinking instead of speaking. LOL! SO, yes, I guess I could be a sexist pig but strangely, I'm okay with that. I like admiring sexy men. And to me a man can be sexy in a 3-piece suit or a loin cloth. Older like Sean Connery or younger like Jacob on Twilight. As blonde as Halle Berry's man (Whew! That man is fine!) or as almond-y as Denzil Washington. I just love admiring beauty. And I'm not ashamed of it. <br /><br />So if that's construed by some as a double-standard or sexist so be it. Oink!Naima Simonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12269175037270984886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-7699630636310212932010-02-04T19:54:15.127-05:002010-02-04T19:54:15.127-05:00Cara--I celebrate beauty on my blog with unabashed...Cara--I celebrate beauty on my blog with unabashed appreciation and lighthearted enthusiasm because beauty is rare and fleeting. If everyone were beautiful we wouldn't know it existed. <br /><br />I don't personally lust after the models and actors posted on my blog. In many cases, I view them as colleagues. Their pictures are presented merely for the pleasure they bring to the women who read my books and follow my blog. As Michelle correctly pointed out, it's a way for women to have fun together in a safe, though sensual environment.<br /><br />Our erotic novels are the ultimate safe sex experience. My blog is an extension of my books and my author persona. I don't take myself too seriously, and I think that's reflected in my posts. <br /><br />Jina--Your covers are beautiful. They make women imagine they are the heroines in your stories.<br /><br />Dita and Michelle--I appreciate the back up. LOL.<br /><br />Best--AdeleAdele Duboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01975297711548126595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-32834683029311428652010-02-04T18:24:58.113-05:002010-02-04T18:24:58.113-05:00Thanks for stopping by at my place :) I responded ...Thanks for stopping by at my place :) I responded to you overthere! I love this post, you made some excellent points on this topic and I sure have to do some self research ;)Jannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08097232237827106033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-31265041468680166332010-02-04T17:15:05.336-05:002010-02-04T17:15:05.336-05:00That's rather fascinating, Dita—I hadn't b...That's rather fascinating, Dita—I hadn't bothered to think beyond my own culture's attitudes, I'm ashamed to admit.Cara McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654280974490334457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-75040223096772418412010-02-04T17:03:04.259-05:002010-02-04T17:03:04.259-05:00Great post, Cara, and great comments, ladies! What...Great post, Cara, and great comments, ladies! What a hot topic, pun intended. <br /><br />I’m with Adele on this. I grew up in a very sensual culture (Brazil) and lived on the coast so weekends spelled beach. Not that many clothes required on other days either. <br /><br />People of all shapes and sizes parading pretty much half-naked half the time was the norm. Everyone and everything being out there, who’s looking and who is being looked at becomes a nonissue since everyone is. <br /><br />It’s also the country where I’ve experienced zero sexual harassment, of any kind. Admiration, yes, but without any aggression. The less free or egalitarian the society, the more pronounced the fact that I’m a woman first and a person second has been, and the more aggressive and invasive men have acted. So in my mind and experience all that nudity not only made it natural but a natural outlet for and expression of sexuality. It’s only deviant if it’s repressed.<br /><br />I’m an ardent admirer of the human form, of men and women alike. People are so very beautiful when they’re comfortable in their own skin and when they can acknowledge the beauty of others without feeling threatened by it or feeling a need to conform and when they can actually celebrate it like Adele does.<br /><br />Am I making any sense at all? Way past bedtime, I tells ya, here where I won’t be needing a bikini anytime soon or feasting my eyes on all the lovely people out there. So keep the galleries up and running, please! Now, if you’ll excuse me, Hubby just walked by in his birthday suit looking mighty fine, must go take a closer look…Dita Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05039918848860500428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-19026808205841134062010-02-04T16:59:01.841-05:002010-02-04T16:59:01.841-05:00Cara, you've opened a Pandora's Box with y...Cara, you've opened a Pandora's Box with your fabulous post!! Excellent discussion.<br /><br />I have had five erotic romances published and all five have sexy females on the cover! On one of them (Cleopatra's Perfume), the heroine is nude to the waist save for a strand of pearls...<br /><br />What do you guys think? Do sexy females on the cover help sell a book (erotic romance) or not?Jina Bacarrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07858018049423464275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-26809968350277882352010-02-04T14:31:13.030-05:002010-02-04T14:31:13.030-05:00Posted on behalf of author Frances Stockton:
I...Posted on behalf of author Frances Stockton:<br /><br />I'm the first to admit to picking up a book on the basis of a sexy cover. And, I happen to like whole faces shown, but will certainly buy a book with a hot torso and a kilt or button fly jeans only…lol…is that sexist?Cara McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654280974490334457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-295035878432187803.post-45293709752279452952010-02-04T13:22:37.217-05:002010-02-04T13:22:37.217-05:00Thank you, Adele. You bring up a very important po...Thank you, Adele. You bring up a very important point that actually says a lot about me, for better or worse.<br /><br />I penned this post without questioning my own assumption that the person making available or viewing sexual images of the opposite sex is, in essence, in a position of power, and the person being shown is somehow being exploited (whether they mind or not.)<br /><br />Adele's post totally turned my brain sideways. She made this whole phenomenon sound like celebration, not objectification. Or rather she's saying (apologies if I'm actually way off, Adele) that objectification may not only be fair, but also positive and flattering.<br /><br />Duh.<br /><br />Objectifying versus celebrating… Have I penned a fundamentally flawed post? I must go mull this over a while.Cara McKennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654280974490334457noreply@blogger.com