Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Hi. Ny name is Bjorn Street, a new author working on my first novel, an epic adventure/ romance set in ancient Egypt, due out toward the end of summer. Soon, I'll be working on the romance segments, and was wondering how to portray them. Here are the options I am considering:

1. I can make the scenes steamy [trying to avoid outright porn].

2. Make the scenes tasteful like in the movie Titanic [less graphic].

3. Make the scenes more poetic, suitable for a YA and more modest adult audience.

What do romance readers in this group prefer? Please be honest. If you prefer graphic, or vice versa, let me know. Am I thinking that YA readers are too sanitized?

I'll probably wind up just WRITING the romance segments and seeing how they come out, but possibly opinions of the group will give me a better focus on the approach to take, or things to consider.

Thanks for your help - Bjorn

There will be an audience no matter what heat level you write it at, but I think you'll get a broader audience if it's spicy without being overly erotic. That said, it will probably depend to some degree on what heat level you're comfortable writing. FREX, I've tried to write super hot (full out erotica) and I'm just not comfortable at that level. If I dial it down to something like Toni Blake's more recent books (which are still pretty hot), I'm happy there. You might want to check out some romance best sellers and compare heat levels to see what works for most readers.

Ok Suzie, thanks for the feedback. Heat level? I'll have to check with my characters! (: Like an accomplished actor, I should say as an author, I should be able to "get into character" regardless of the content. Maybe this will be a "writer's challenge" for me. Hope my mother doesn't cringe too much when she reads it! hehehehhe

Really? You're gonna tell you mother you're writing smut, er, ah, romance? This is what pen names are for. ;)

I prefer the sweeter side of romance. Not big on reading about limbs flailing about and body parts mentioned copiously, definitely can do without hearing about roosters and kitty cats (if you know what I'm sayin').
Bottom line, write what you're comfortable with, and what seems true to your characters nature.
For example, my Walter is a true Southern Gentleman, regardless of the fact that he's a werewolf...:P

Suzie wrote: "Really? You're gonna tell you mother you're writing smut, er, ah, romance? This is what pen names are for. ;)"

DID YOU THINK BJORN STREET IS MY REAL NAME???? (:

My mother can take it [I think]. She's an avid reader & reads all genres.

Anne wrote: "I prefer the sweeter side of romance. Not big on reading about limbs flailing about and body parts mentioned copiously, definitely can do without hearing about roosters and kitty cats (if you know..."

Uh oh... if you don't like limbs flying about, you're not going to like the mummies in the book!! (:

Ok, thanks for the feedback Anne!