Erotic romance vs erotica

[malime6]

I am reading Dare to be Dirty by Savanna Fox and in the book the female characters had a brief discussion on a possible difference between the two. I always thought that they were the same.
So, is there a difference between erotica and erotic romance?

[Acwoolet]

I never really thought about it! My guess would be that erotica is just a bunch of steamy scenes put together to make a novel while erotic romance has more of a relationship level with some steamy bits thrown in.

[jonre+]

I want a lot of romance in with the erotica. I want plots, suspense and maybe even a fight or two. Too much erotica can be a little boring.

[murdockswoman]

I would have to agree with Acwoolet and jonre+. I would assume that erotic romance has more of a relationship behind the steamy scenes as opposed to erotica which would probably be more steamy scenes then a relationship. I definitely prefer to have a good story line behind the steamy scenes. It just makes for a more realistic approach to the story and well developed characters.

[LMR]

I wonder if erotic romance would be like a relationship book, where as erotica is more not just sex scenes, although it could be, but more the one night stand/numerous different partners etc. no real relationship/ongoing happy relationship endings?

[bortelsr]

I like erotica but it has to have romance...I want to hear the dialogue between the characters and watch their relationship grow.

[Danielle B]

I agree with bortelsr .I need to have some kind of romance in the story in my opinion without it has no chemistry .

[Deee]

I think there is a definite difference between erotica and erotic romance. An erotic romance can have a rich storyline with a nice plot and well developed characters and of course romance, while erotica is more or less just sex stories.

[RussetDivinity]

I'll mostly be echoing everyone else, but they're right, after all. Erotic romances are basically romance novels that have sex scenes; erotica is, to my understanding, basically written porn (it also sounds nicer than calling it porn). There can be a plot to erotica, but that comes secondary to the sex, just as the sex in erotic romances comes secondary to the plot and the romance itself.

[LittleXwillow]

I think erotic romance has more of a story line then down right erotica. The best way I can explain it is erotic romances are really good romance rated r movies and erotica are like XXX films for the brain.

[nadjahughes]

Hi, I've just registered to become a reviewer and can't wait to start. I love hot paranormal romance in particular shifter romance. Not too fussed about vampires! The difference I see between erotica and erotic romance is that with erotic romance there is an effort to put a believable storyline together and develop the relationship between the characters. Erotica on the other hand, seems to be non-stop shagging and very explicit. Not that I am dissing it, depends on what mood you are in for reading!

[lee_jeanjean29]

I was going through some of the forums and came across this discussion. I have to say I have always loved reading romance novels but I have never really thought about the distinction between erotic romance versus erotica. Although I have to say, new romance novels out there seem to have more erotic romance scenes within the plot; which is fine because in my opinion sexuality is part of a romantic relationship. I think erotic romance is a balance between the development of the relationship between the characters while erotica just emphasize the sexual scenes between the characters of the story.

[msmail12]

So this is an ongoing debate between me and my brother-in-law who was previously convinced that the romance genre was porn for girls and was unaware that erotica existed and or was different. I told him it definitely was not the same thing and that he could no longer spout off about it until he had read some of what I considered to be both. My choices were Sandra Hill's "A Tale of Two Vikings" for the sexy romance and "Nauti Nights" by Lora Leigh. While Hill writes so sexy scenes, there is a lot of focus on story line and external things that happen. In "Nauti Nights" the main issue is sex. Dawg and Christa have been obsessed with each other for years but only did the deed once when Dawg was too drunk to remember, which cause all kinds of fallout. The external conflicts of the story are secondary and only fuel the sex as they try to determine where boundaries fall or don't and whether or not they want long term stuff. The point is, with the exception of a couple of scenes, all the conflict comes to a head and is sorted out during sex of some sort, which to me makes it erotica.

[Jamie fred84]

It's been repeated, but I have to agree there is a difference. Without the romance is just a wham bam thank you ma'am with no real story and no real point other than to excite. I need entertainment, storyline, love!

[andimignanelli]

I agree with most of you, erotica it's more like, you know, regular porn. Lacks a plot, little to none feelings involved and in the romance you have a story, a background, where the characters share a physical and emotional bond.