Debra St. John!

Putting the Spice in Spicy Romance

My romances generally wind up with a rating of “spicy”. Reviewers and my publisher (The Wild Rose Press) generally use this moniker to describe the level of intensity of the love scenes in certain books. It lets the reader know what they’re in for.

 And while my love scenes definitely don’t happen behind closed doors (all of my books have at least three “fully depicted love scenes”), they fall far from erotica.

 So how do I keep the spice in my spicy romance? With each book I try to have at least one love scene outside of the traditional bedroom location. Don’t get me wrong, scenes in the bedroom can be hot, hot, hot, but taking a scene out of the bedroom seems to up the level of heat. These are the ones that when I’m writing them, I’m thinking, “I can’t believe my mom is going to be reading this someday.”

 Here are some examples of “outside the bedroom” love scenes I’ve written, and my characters’ thoughts about them! (I’m only giving tidbits, if you want all the details, you’ll need to pick up a copy of the books!) 

From This Time for Always: Logan and Sharlie have been reunited after twelve long years apart. After a night out filled with dancing and clandestine kisses and caresses, waiting until they get into Sharlie’s apartment becomes impossible for Logan. They make love on the front seat of his pickup truck.

            With a trembling hand, Logan smoothed a strand of hair away from Sharlie’s forehead. “That sure brings back memories.”

            Sharlie laughed. “Doesn’t it seem like we used to have more room?” Her uneven breath stirred the damp, tight curls on his chest.

            “Yeah, I guess we’ve grown up a bit since the last time we made love in my truck. Kind of a shame, don’t you think?” Logan chuckled in regret then kissed her before moving away in the limited space allowed. “I guess we’d better get in the house,” he added reluctantly.

 

From Wild Wedding Weekend: Noah and Abby wind up married because of a game show and a bizarre twist of fate. Soon, the honeymoon becomes all too real. While on an excursion to the beautiful Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, the sultry Caribbean air entices the lovers to find a secluded spot away from the throngs of tourists.

She lay entwined on the sand with him, her head nestled on his shoulder, tracing her hand down his chest and side, feeling the indentation of each rib. His hand stroked her shoulder.

She wanted to stay as they were for eternity. Loving the warmth of the sun shining down on them. Loving the heat of his body next to hers. Loving the way his fingers whispered across her skin.

Loving him.

No matter what the future held, Noah held a piece of her heart no other man would ever claim. Without a doubt the memory of their erotic lovemaking on the beach would always haunt her soul.

After a long while, Noah shifted. “We should probably be heading back.” He sounded reluctant.

Abby nodded, but didn’t move. She lay still, letting the feel of being tangled up with him on the sand under a wide, Caribbean sky burn itself into her memory.

She’d never forget this moment for as long as she lived.

 Finally, from This Can’t Be Love:  Jessica finds Zach taking care of her grandfather’s mountain retreat while he’s away. At first she can’t wait to get rid of the annoying, carefree house-sitter, but soon finds herself involved in a relationship she never meant to have. In one scene, they get creative with a jar of chocolate sauce. (Okay, this one’s not technically outside of the bedroom, but I did get the “Um, my, this book is certainly…spicier…than your last one.” comment from my mom, so I figure it counts!)

Zach grabbed the spoon again.

“Wait.” She stilled the movement with trembling fingers. “You’ll get it all over the bedspread.”

He raised a disbelieving eyebrow. “Jess, I have you naked and covered in chocolate. Do you really think I care about the damn bedspread?” He tilted the spoon.

Do your characters ever make love outside of the bedroom? I’d love to hear your spicy stories!