When we think of erotica, most people automatically recall the same few titles. “The Story of O,” “50 Shades of Grey,”“50 Shades of Grey,”“50 Shades of Grey,” and “Kushiel’s Dart" are all mentioned time and time again. With the same titles constantly being mentioned, you may feel like you’ve read it all. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. I’m going to introduce you to five cross-genre erotic novels that will help expand your horizons - and keep you up all night long.
Women of the Bite: Lesbian Vampire Erotica
“Women of the Bite” blends the paranormal and the erotic. This collection of short stories runs the gamut from the relationship dynamic of a vampire couple looking to turn a human girl into a vampire and have a menage’ a trois to a succubus seducing an angel in church and gradually corrupting her. This collection of short stories is exquisite in it’s re-imagining of an old genre into something new and innovative
The Gor Series by John Norman
The Gor Series is a massive 12-book science fiction excursion into the world Gor, also known as Counter-Earth. In this novel, Tarl Cabot is a normal man who’s transported to Gor to learn the ways of the rigid Gorean caste system along with their strange customs. This book is well known for its controversial perspective on women’s roles: they are simply used as servants and ‘servicers’ of men who’ve been accepted into the highest castes of the Gor hierarchy. Although Norman’s first book came out in the '70s, the Goreans (as they call themselves) are a niche in the BDSM scene that thrives even today.
Cthulurotica
While it may seem like melding H.P Lovecraft-like horror with erotica would be…strange, but “Cthuluerotica,” an anthology edited by Carrie Cuinn manages to pull it off quite well without succumbing to any of the vulgarities you would expect from a genre of that nature. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, look at this picture of Cthulhu and imagine the things you could do with tentacles. Yes, there are who people into that. However, this novel is nothing like that. As a matter of fact, the author mentions steering clear of such stereotypes and instead tries to make the series as erotic and eerie as possible.
To understand this anthology in its fullness, I would recommend reading any of Lovecraft’s previous works. When I was first introduced to the novel, I‘d done no prior reading of any of Lovecraft's work. Regardless, if you like paranormal erotica, this should definitely be your first choice.
Savor Her by Zee Giovanni
Zee Giovanni offers a number of diverse, erotic short stories. She’s an up and coming publisher, but consistently puts out a number of innovative titles. In “Savor Her,” we encounter the seduction between Chef Cherise and Drea. After Drea sneaks into Chef Cherise’s cooking class, Chef Cherise demands she pay for her lessons. Drea can’t pay. Instead of paying with money (which she doesn’t have), Chef Cherise makes Drea her toy for the night. Cherise introduces Drea to everything from bondage to knife play. This is one story that you need to make sure you don’t miss.
Taste: An Erotic Fantasy Novel by B. Sharise Moore
"Taste" is an erotic fantasy novel set in the magical land of Ido. On this island, monogamy is prohibited and sexual freedom is the rule. The entire landscape is lush and fully fleshed fantasy realm. The Youth of the island of Ido have to perform the rites of Taste, a sexual ceremonial initiation that prepares them to find enlightenment and eventually become Ancestors of the island. This rite is interrupted by a mysterious man named the Prophet, who seeks to destroy the rites of Taste and thousands of years of tradition along with it.
These books should be more than enough to get you started on your journey to exploring alternative erotica. There’s so much more out there than the same titles we hear about day after day. If you’re looking for something new, these titles should definitely satisfy you. Happy reading!