
Eliza Knight
Today is release day for me! The third and final story in my Highland Jewel Series, Love In A Box, released today with The Wild Rose Press.
Now that I’ve shouted my news, I’ll move onto today’s blog…
Sex. What is sex? What does S-E-X mean?
Dear Lord help me! I got the question last week in the car on the way to drop off my eight-year-old at school. So here’s what happened, they said “sex” on the radio. DD#1 pipes up, “they said a bad word!” I was very confused, I hadn’t heard any of the usual bad words, you know, shut-up, stupid, heck J but then again I was kind of in my own little world, which isn’t unusual for me…
“I didn’t hear a bad word.”
“They said, S-E-X.”
Oh no!
“That’s not a bad word, sweetie.”
“It’s not? What does it mean?”
Cue my lips to clamp shut, heart to palpitate…I am not prepared for this. What do I say? We’re almost to her school. Oh, heck! Stupid radio, they should shut up!
“Well, since we’re almost to school, how about we talk about it when you get home today?”
She agreed, but she never asked me when she got home, and I of course haven’t got the B-A-L-L-Ss to bring it up. Despite the fact that I’m a romance author, I talk openly about S-E-X with my hubby and friends, I shut-down when asked by my little angel. I’ve had eight years to prepare, but I’m a total wimp! I know, I know, I need to get over it and talk to her about it, but I’m so nervous. I don’t want to say the wrong thing. I want her to know that sex is a healthy thing between two adults who love each other (preferably married, but I am realistic too.)
I need advice! I know this is going to come up again, and soon. I’m actually surprised since I’m pregnant she hasn’t asked how the baby got in there. Maybe she already knows and she was just placating me.
Have any of you had this discussion yet?
And since we’re on the topic of sex, I’d like to know how you feel about writing and reading sex scenes. I am very open about it. I’ll read just about anything (as long as it doesn’t depict depravity and anything illegal of course.) And anyone who’s read my work knows my scenes go from sizzling hot to erotic. For me writing a sex scene is at first mechanical. I know how it plays out in my head and I write the bare bones of it (pun intended *wink*). Then I go back and add in all the emotion, how I want the story to progress from this love scene, what it means to my characters. To me the sex means something, even if it’s a quickie.
I feel the same way when I’m reading. I love a hot sex scene, but I always look for the deeper meaning. I do occasionally appreciate the gratuitous hook-up, but I’m still looking to see how the characters grow and change from it. Does their relationship progress or regress?
So tell me your thoughts? What does sex in romance writing/reading mean to you?
***
If you are a fan of my highlander erotic time travels, here is the blurb for Love In A Box, and if you answer my question correctly, you could win an e-book copy!!!
Colin MacDuff has grown up learning the ways of Highland warriors from his father Donell–but he’s never believed his parent’s fanciful stories of time travel, true love and a brooch known as the Highland Jewel. Until…he lands on his butt, literally, in the year 1648. Before him is the most beautiful, not to mention sexy as hell, woman he’s ever seen. The only thing is, she refuses to be his, or to believe in the power of the brooch.
Sera wishes she’d been able to escape the Highlands like her sister did, and vows she won’t marry for anything less than love, and refuses to be a pawn in a marriage deal. Until…Colin shows her what she’s missing. He takes her body to the heights of heaven and back, all while proving to her that true love is possible.
Now everything and everyone, depends on the future of these two lovers. Will Colin stay in the past to save the future, and will Sera succumb to passion and love?
Here’s the question for your chance to win!
In an interview with the hero from Warrior In A Box, Donell reveals his favorite food. What is it?
Cheers!
Eliza
Eliza Knight is the author of sizzling historical romance and time travel erotic romance. She is also the author of the award winning blog, History Undressed. She teaches various workshops on writing craft and history. Visit Eliza at www.elizaknight.com or www.historyundressed.blogspot.com



You’re giving me nightmares! I hope I have a boy and then I’ll just let hubby explain it all. When his grandmother explained sex to his mother, she got the picture encyclopedia out and went through the genitalia of men and women. Needless to say, his mother, who was 8 by the way, was completely grossed out and never asked again.
I love sex in my romances, and sometimes, I just like sex, no romance need apply. However, that is rare. Typically, I need a STORY and an interesting one at that. I also occasionally want just plain sweet. (I started reading romance with pure Regency. Of course, we all know the fiction there. Those people were just as active as we are today. Just rush me to the altar when I turn up pregnant!)
Congratulations on the release! I’m still have the other two in the series to read. Now if I could just find some time somewhere.
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Eliza – yeah, I think I mentioned that I flipped when my 5 year old informed me that she had a “boyfriend.”
The only thing I can say, is ask them what THEY think it means. That worked pretty good for asking what a boyfriend was, and why it was important to have one.
You might be surprised by their answer. PLUS, you can fill in what’s “age appropriate.”
good luck!
Ashley
Thanks Ashley!
Believe it or not, I did ask her what she thought, and she said I don’t know…she’s totally leaving it up to me!
She hasn’t had a boyfriend yet…I’m praying that doesn’t happen for awhile!
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Right – a boyfriend at 5 and a boyfriend when they’re older… TWO totally different thing. I’ve convinced DD#1 that kissing gives you cooties. I wonder how long that’ll last…. ?
CONGRATULATIONS on your release! I can’t wait to read it! Book shopping this weekend…
~Ash
I wish 5-yo boyfriend relationships lasted until they got married
I hate to tell ya, but I don’t think it lasts too long…She’s in 2nd grade, and plays fine with boys, actually like they are girls, lol.
Thanks Emma! I like pure Regencies too.
Hmmm not a bad idea! I have to buy an encyclopedia.
Crossing fingers for you! I have two daughters and I’m hoping this third one is a boy….
Ah…finding time…how do you do that again?
Hi Eliza! Wow, I do not envy you trying to explain what sex is to your kids. I don’t have any kids right now, but I can tell you that I am not looking forward to that as much as I love children. Congrats on your new release!
I believe the answer was spaghetti.
Eek! Don’t scare me! That means I only have 5yrs until I might have to give the s-e-x talk! lol
I love a romance with good sexual tension and a dynamic connection between the H/H. But I agree the book has to have a story behind it to showcase the lovers.
Congrats on your new release!
My daughter’s fifteen, and we’ve had several discussions about sex over the years. Each one getting a little more in depth, so she understands what’s what. One thing you don’t want is a child reaching puberty (and fertility) without knowing what’s going on. When I learned about sex, the worst that could happen was teen pregnancy or maybe an STD. The stakes are higher now.
Right now, I think a basic talk is probably all your daughter is looking for, and the ‘it’s something adults do when they love and respect one another’ might be enough. For now.
As for sex in novels, I used to be into reading it, but not so much anymore. I’ve never written a sex scene, and I’m sure if the stories I’m working on call for one. I’ll have to wait and see what the future brings.
Twitter: jeannieruesch
says:
Eliza, I’m a slacker!! I can’t believe I didn’t make it back here yesterday. I’m so sorry!! But I’m very excited about your release.
I did tell my husband about your post though, and we got a good laugh out of that. I imagine my son will ask me at the worst possible time, as well. LOL
Good luck with that one. It will probably be asked at the worst possible time.
Don’t those things tend to happen!
Ooh Oooh! I remember that blog post. His favorite food is spaghetti and meatballs!
Oh, and good luck with the S-E-X talk that is looming in your future.
Thank you all for advice and comments!
Since two people answered the question correctly I will send each of them an e-book copy of LOVE IN A BOX! Congrats Denisse and Bobbi!!!
Please mail me at writer@elizaknight.com so I send your copy!