This may come out sounding like a rant. If it does, I apologize. It's not my intent.

OK. With that disclaimer out of the way . . .

Erotic Romance. Erotica with an HEA (happily ever after). Romance with very explicit sex. With the growing popularity of e-books, Erotic Romance seems to be making a bigger impact on the romance market.

I'm a subscriber to the Romantic Times Book Club Magazine , a monthly magazine that, among other things, rates and reviews new romance releases. And I've noticed that over the past few months the number of reviewed Erotic Romance novels, and e-books in general, has increased.

I know I've purchased both e-books and Erotic Romance novels. I could say that I've purchased these novels as research -- my CPs are trying to break into this market, and how can I critique a manuscript effectively if I'm not familiar with the genre? -- but that's not entirely true. I admit I enjoy some of these novels.

Some of them.

And here comes the rant part. I just purchased and read a highly rated Erotic Romance e-book. The book wasn't bad, but I thought it received a better rating than it should have. And I'm wondering what that means.

As a writer, am I harder to please? Have my intense studies of GMC (goal, motivation, conflict) and character development -- among other subjects in the craft of writing -- made it more difficult for me to enjoy a book? Are the books that I say are "not bad", books that I might have enjoyed immensely, say, ten years ago?

Or are the standards slightly lower for this type novel?

Tough choice -- but I'm inclined to believe it's the former, rather than the latter.

There are certain authors I still read with great enjoyment. Authors who weave a story so engaging I forget all about the things I've learned and just enjoy. Sherrilyn Kenyon , the author I made a fool of myself (a charming fool, of course) with at the Moonlight and Magnolias Conference is one. Add to that list Karen Marie Moning, Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, and Stella Cameron, just to name a few. The actual list would extend for miles.

But I listed authors to point out that I really and truly do read for enjoyment. That, despite everything I've learned over the past couple years (and the amount I've learned is immeasurable), I can still read a book and not pick it apart.

So why have I really not been able to find an Erotic Romance that does this for me? Don't they exist? They must. I probably have just not yet stumbled upon them.

(Ooh. Just thought of two that came darn close, both by the same author: Jacqueline Meadows.)

And admittedly, there are a large number of Erotic Romance authors I've not yet read.

Honestly, I don't remember what my original purpose was when I started this post. Could be because of the fact that my kids are arguing not three feet away. Anyway, what I have managed to do with this post is talk myself into trying more Erotic Romance authors.

(BTW - BIAW starts Sunday. Wish me luck!)