Why do women like dark romance?

It's the holiday season, so the cats are looking forward to treats galore and Tom and I are planning outings to the pub to meet up with friends.

Hope you're having a great time!

If you're looking for an easy affordable gift, Helpless is discounted to $2.99 all December.

Find Helpless at https://books2read.com/disciples1

This month's video answers the question: why do you write dark romance and why do women buy it?

The video is less then three minutes but if you're busy, the transcript is below.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and wishing you a Happy New Year.

See you in 2023!

Love, AJ

Transcript

I'm often asked why I write violent bedroom scenes and why women enjoy it.

There's lots of research about this, with some theories suggesting:

In a society where sex is taboo, it may be a way to enjoy it guilt-free, 'cause they made me'

Could be related to evolution: mammals tend to have the male pursue and subdue the female

Could be that the stress is key: like roller coasters, it can be fun to be scared safely

Could be related to a dangerous world: if you live in a world filled with violence, it will turn up in your thoughts, OR it's a way to process, making us feel more in control and safer

I look at these studies and think male romance is all about cowboys who shoot people, police officers who shoot people, spies who shoot people - but it doesn't men want to go about killing people, does it?

I think we enjoy exploring exciting territory. Fiction isn't real, so we let our minds expand in a space where it doesn't matter.

Whatever powers this, studies show that violence is the most common fantasy with every community: doesn't matter who or where, dark romance is huge.

As for me, I write about bad boys and so they're not going to be woke in the bedroom. When your heroes are cartel men and bikers, the dark stuff is part of the package.

Speaking of which, at the start of Helpless, Caden is not very nice to Fracas, but it progresses to true romance.

For me that's what it's about: finding happiness.

Helpless is a fun read but as we've talked about before, not everyone is comfortable discussing their taste in dark literature.

So please gift friends with Helpless for Christmas but note that the thanks may be limited to a blush and a giggle.

Find Helpless at https://books2read.com/disciples1

Love, AJ

Comments

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