Years ago when the movie The Bridges of Madison County first came out I watched it and thought, like many other women at that time, “Get out of the car and go to him. Don’t miss out on the love of your life.” When she didn’t get out of the car and she stayed with her husband and let probably the only man who would ever really know her go, I decided it was a dumb movie and I’d never watch it again. But I did, just recently, and being older and a tad wiser, I understood more what was going on. Just because you need somebody doesn’t mean they can ever be a part of your life. I get it. Life does not work out neat and pretty and you deny need because, at the time, despite the pain, it’s the right thing to do. Sometimes you can’t have the person you need. Life is not a happily ever after romance story. Maybe that's why we rely on the fantasy of them so much because the reality is hard. Yes, a profound thought considering there is no coffee in the house….
So, I saw this picture of a blond guy dressed in this nerdy looking 1970’s style silver space suit that appeared to have been made by his over enthusiastic Auntie Maud. I laughed my arse off when I saw it. I thought it was a joke – but nope - he was one of the models/dancers/strippers/whatevers at this years Romanticon book convention. I just don’t see a poor man’s Luke Skywalker as sexy but then everyone has a fantasy man and some women would possibly – maybe - okay probably not - get off on a man dressed in tin foil. Who am I to question them? Maybe I’ll take another look at Robbie the Robot and visualize him naked.
Yeah, the old ‘what if’ of life. What if I had of done X instead of Y? Turned left instead of right? Said yes instead of no? Of course they are questions that can never be answered because you chose a direction and you took it and looking back on what may have happened is pointless. What am I on about? Good question. It’s about the fantasy of a meeting a man that is so hot, so sexy that you know in a heart beat that you were going to throw caution to the wind and have sex with him. A charming of stranger. Someone you don’t know. A wicked man that your mother warned you about but maybe secretly hoped you would meet. Would you? Could you? And more to the point should you? Is it a moral dilemma or just being bloody lucky? Why do I bring this up? Have I met a man like this? Uh, no…too busy for that. Would I? ‘Been thinking about that after a non writer friend gave me some honest feedback on my latest WIP. Her words? "What? Are you out of your mind? Would you seriously do that? Have sex with a hot stranger? " Well, being the pure at heart person that I am I said no, you know me – as if I would do anything wrong. Of course I wouldn’t. But why is this such a popular fantasy with women? Why does it sell books or make popular films? Are we all a bunch of perverts or we closet risk takers? Or, more to the point and what I believe, is it just because it is so outside out normal scope of life that the fantasy, and not the actual reality, of it appeals to us? 
Look at the books where the pirate, highlander, sheik, werewolf, blue person, vampire, CEO, Lord, thief or whatever he is looks across the crowded room and the single, smart woman thinks ‘holy crap, the hot guy is looking at me.’ She then has this mad night of passion and the hero continues to pursue her with every romantic trick in the book. Now, come on, don’t tell me that’s not a fantasy that a lot of women would not like to dream about or read. And they do – hence why romance books make up half or more of the book market. We want to be able to live vicariously, if only for a moment, through a fantasy. And yeah, most of us know it may never happen or we would never do it but hell, for a couple of hours it’s fun to read about isn’t it? The people that tut-tut and say but the characters should have a relationship before they have sex are not wrong but you’re not reading an erotic romance for the hero and heroine to hold hands for half of the book are you? Erotic romance is hot and past paced. It’s like the thrill of sex. It’s fantasy and there’s nothing wrong with that. I also write mainstream romance where no one has sex until the end. It’s a balancing act between the two. It’s all about what you want the individual wants in a fantasy isn’t it?
What about the idea behind the movie Indecent Proposal where Robert Redford’s character offers Demi Moore’s a million dollars to spent the night with him? That’s a hell of a lot of money. Would you? If you were married? If you were single? If you normally considered yourself smart but $$ signs were dancing in your skull and you had bills up to your eyeballs? Could you turn that down? What point does it cross the line for you? And why is it a movie that so many people watched and wondered what they would do? It’s an interesting concept – and no, I’m not advocating everyone goes out and does it, but it’s something to think about isn’t it? And thinking, last time I checked, wasn’t wrong.
Knock Three Times – released July 18 through Ellora’s Cave
“You’re the guy who has been robbing houses.” Oh that smile. Down girl. The hungry look he gave her made Montie’s eyes snap open with surprise. Oh God. That was the look she craved. It was the one that she wanted from Adam—the I-am-going-to-fuck-you until-you-faint-with-pleasure look. It got her right between the legs. She closed her thighs tightly together to avoid temptation. “You won’t get anything here.”
“Won’t I?” He chuckled lightly.
Uh-oh, I am in trouble. He wanted her. Blind Freddie could see that and every fiber of her being wanted to hand him whatever piece of her he desired.
“I’m going to call the cops.” Yes, that was it. Stop drooling and call for help. Montie backed away from him and into the spare room that housed sundry crap like a never used treadmill, a pool table and a cordless phone.
“Go ahead, call them.” Ballantyne followed her into the other room. “Or call the guy downstairs to come up and defend your honor.”
“I know how to defend myself.” Well Montie didn’t exactly but she had read about aiming for the eyes, throat and groin. It seemed like a pity to aim for such areas of attraction. Maybe she would just stomp her spike heel into his foot.
“I’d like to see your moves, chère.”
Sexy and confident. Just the way she liked them. She looked at him quizzically. Why aren’t I frightened of him? Because your hormones are on red alert for incoming penis. God! Get a grip woman!
“Get out of my—” Montie stopped and thought back to what he said. “What do you mean it’s him? Were you watching us?” Great, her embarrassment at Adam’s obvious rejection of her was witnessed by another. Perfect. I am woman. Watch me crumble with embarrassment.
“Actually, I was watching you.” Ballantyne’s locked eyes with hers. “You are incredibly sexy, chère. You can hop on board and ride me any day.”
So, I got this phone call last night from a male friend…
R – Is this the famous erotic romance writer Amarinda Jones (said in a very husky, sexy voice)
A – Why yes it is
R – I want to come over to your house and do what you wrote on page 16 and 74.
A – All by yourself? That may be difficult and yet interesting to see.
R – No, with you.
A – Hmmm…it’s a bit cold…but I suppose so…what about page 92?
R – What’s on page 92???
A – Read, research and we’ll talk.
I have an unlisted number so I know whoever rings – like R - is a relative or friend. I have some very odd friends but I love ‘em. They keep me sane. This brings me to the topic of privacy. How much does it mean to you? It means a lot to me. I don’t like being bothered by telemarketers or people I don’t like, finding my phone number, then deciding they’ll ring to see if they can get some ‘free books.’ Ah…no.
As per the R example, I don’t want odd people tracking me down and ringing me and wanting to do what R was suggesting – crazy man. Yes, writing books puts you in a very limited spotlight but like everything I think you need to have boundaries. Fantasy is one thing but reality another. Knock Three Times has the heroine falling in love with a man she thinks is a bad boy. Male Me (below) has another heroine faced with making love to two men. Should she? Could she?
So fantasy is not always reality. Would I do anything of these things? Hmm…would you? What is your fantasy and what boundaries would you cross? Game to say?
Male Me – ménage - released August – can’t remember the date - at Resplendence Publishing
“What exactly is it you want?” It was a dumb question but Delaware felt she had to ask it.
“You.” Speed smiled at her surprise.
“Any way we can,” Templeton added.
Delaware looked from one man to the other. Was this seriously happening to her? Two Greek gods wanted her? She pinched her arm. Nope, she was awake. She leaned towards Speed and sniffed.
“Are you drunk?” That could be the only reason. 
He laughed out loud at her question.
“We’re both deadly sober and completely serious, darlin,’” Templeton responded as his hand slid under the table to rest on her thigh.
Two men wanted her. It was the ultimate female fantasy. Delaware would have been lying to herself if she did not admit that turned her on. She was wet with need just thinking about it. But how could she? It was against every rule in the good girl handbook. Not that she knew where her copy was, but she was sure it was written there in black and white.
“I’m not that desperate.” Horny, she was sure, was different than desperate.
Speed moved in even closer, so their hips and thighs connected.
“So why are you here, princess?” His voice was low and deadly sexy.
Good question. What was the answer again? Who could think clearly with all this body heat surrounding her? Delaware knew the shiver that shot through her body could be felt by both of them.
“To show you I’m not scared of you.” She was trembling but it wasn’t in fright.
“Liar.” Under the table, Templeton’s hands moved up her thigh, his eyes never leaving hers while he sought what he was after.
www.amarindajones.com
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?
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