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How Do You Make A Baby Story...Sexy?
My latest offering in the Rough Riders series, Tied Up, Tied Down, is a secret baby/cowboy story.
Yes, you read that right—a secret baby/cowboy story. To be honest, it also has that kooky ‘mistaken twin’ plot device thrown in for good measure. And yes, I’ll admit I purposely chose what some readers and critics refer to as an old, tired storyline.
Why? Partially because I liked the challenge of mixing up those tropes and giving them a fresh twist. Partially because the vignette for this book fit not only these characters, but the entire scope of this series. Partially because I’d never written a story where the birth of a baby plays an integral part before the hero and heroine fall in love.
Since my books are erotic, I wrestled with the main question of how to make the story super sexy with the potential for coitus interruptus at any given moment. Which when you really think about it, can create that hot, hurry up kind of hard, fast sex before little precious starts bawling. Again.
As I was writing the book, I was thrown back into my early childbearing years. That first baby, while wonderful beyond imagining, can put a serious crimp on a conventional relationship, say nothing of a new relationship where there aren’t established couple or household rules. Female body issues after giving birth, postpartum depression, exhaustion, male financial fears, changing roles and changing diapers—all are part of the reality of that bundle of joy for new mothers and fathers.
I’ll admit trying to find the balance between fiction and realism taxed me, but in the end, I gave birth to a book I’m extremely proud of because it stretched me as a writer—without giving me actual stretch marks.
What are some of your favorites?
Lorelei James writes contemporary erotic westerns. Check out: Lorelei James Website for more info on her books and how to join the James Gang – Lorelei’s wild-anything goes yahoo readers group with prizes and exclusive sneak peeks
Well Lorelei, your books are my favorite of course!! I’ve never read another erotic romance novel quite like Tied Up, Tied Down. I applaud you for moving in that direction and taking a chance.
TU/TD was a very sexy baby story!
I think everyone could relate to Skylar’s feelings about her post-pregnancy body among other things. You got the balance right (as you do everytime).
Lorelei, you just sent me to my dictionary to check the meaning of tropes. That doesn’t happen too often. As for TUTD, I can’t comment since I haven’t read my copy yet. But from what you said it sounds like writing this was a real challenge and a half. I will be reading with an eye open for that in TUTD now.
With 5 kids of my own I understand exactly what you were wrestling with and I suspect that you won. LOL
sandie.
Lorelei
TUTD was great, I think every woman, mother or not, can relate to Skylar’s inner turmoil, and still the book was very Hot you struck a great balance.
Thanks for all that you do to keep us entertained!
Waving madly to members of the James Gang, Kristie, Joy, Sandie and Jeanine ;)
Well, I’m glad you all think I did good – YAY!
Thanks for coming by and commenting :)
Have not yet read Tied Up/Tied Down, but I rarely find a baby story that feels real. Karen Templeton does it well. It’s hard to hit the real emotions of love and also the insanity that goes with parenting. g
I think you did a great job of describing the feelings of a new baby with Kade. During parts of the book, I laughed so hard! I really enjoyed this book especially since I’m a mom to 5. You made the characters so real and you described the feelings to a T, not to mention, the love scenes were so hot! Keep up the great work.
High praise, coming from you Lisa, with 5 kids underfoot! Thank you, darlin’ :)
WHAT? You haven’t read it yet, Charli? For shame. You’d think you were under deadline or planning a big trip or taking care of your kiddos or something ;) I haven’t read Karen Templeton, might give her a shot.
Well as one of the “wild women” of your James Gang, you knew you were going to get a big thumbs up from me on Tied Up, Tied Down. I didn’t have any surprise pregnancies and thanks to the magic of international adoption, both my children arrived already sleeping through the night, but I still felt the baby blues and all the wild emotions that go along with becoming a card-carrying mother and full-fledged family. I think your heroines emotions were right on the money, and that poor lady had to deal with all that along with a hot, sexy cowboy sleeping next to her every night. ;-)
Keep writing Lorelei – we’ll keep reading.