Of course you’re curious about erotic romance…but perhaps the thought of asking questions has you turning fifty shades of red. Fear not: Harlequin has the perfect primer for newcomers to the naughty stuff. (We are romance experts after all, offering erotic reads that run the gamut from the boudoir to the dungeon!) So read on! You know you want to…
If You Like Hot Romance…
You’ll fall in lust with these tales of unbridled desire.
New to Erotic Romance
Sensual stories for readers looking to turn up the heat a little.
Editors’ Picks
A steamy sampling of the genre’s best—the A-list of the NC-17s.
BDSM
Recommended reads for those who want to work out their kink.
Mènage á trois
Sizzling stories for adventurers who know that three is never a crowd.
Historical
Indulgences for readers who like their corsets unlaced and their nobles naughty.
Quick Reads
Sultry short fiction for those who are always up for a quickie.
Glossary of Terms
24/7:
Describes a kink relationship where the rules are in effect all day, every day. Can make phone conversations awkward, so yay for texting!
Aftercare:
An important period of downtime following a BDSM scene, during which partners communicate their physical and emotional reactions.
BDSM:
Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadism and Masochism. An umbrella acronym for the kink lifestyle.
Bondage:
Acts involving physical restraint—everything from wrists tied with silk scarves to full-body binding.
Dom/Domme:
The dominant partner in a BDSM scene or relationship, aka the best boss you’ll ever have.
Exhibitionism:
A sexual fetish for being seen, whether you’re performing for a crowd or simply doing things you really want in places you really shouldn’t!
F/F:
A scene or relationship involving two women.
Hard limits:
The absolutely non-negotiable limits of sex play, unique to each person.
Ménage à trois:
A threesome involving any combination of male and/or female players. (The French have a term for everything good!)
Monogamous ménage:
An exclusive relationship involving three people. Standard relationship rules apply—it’s just more difficult to find appropriate Valentine’s Day cards at the local mall.
M/M:
A scene or relationship involving two men.
M/F/F:
A scene or relationship involving one man and two women. Think Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
M/M/F:
A scene or relationship involving two men and one woman. Think Y tu mamá también.
Safe word:
An agreed-upon code word that a sub can use to stop a BDSM scene. Probably best to avoid antidisestablishmentarianism.
Sub:
The submissive partner in a BDSM scenario or relationship, aka the YES! man (or woman).
Soft limits:
A scenario or activity one partner is hesitant to try, but may be willing to experiment with given the right…persuasion.
Training:
A period during which a dom instructs a sub in correct behavior, aka Best. Homework. Ever.
Vanilla:
A term describing a person or sexual scenario outside the BDSM lifestyle. Not adventurous, but still pretty yummy.
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