Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Guest Blogger Gail Bridges - Erotic Horror: Surprised Readers Chime In

I write something few people have ever heard of: Erotic Horror. My novel Inn on the Edge is Erotic Horror. The novel I am currently working on, Over the Edge, is also Erotic Horror. I have recently begun a third project, a co-authored Erotic Horror novel called Fever - and I must say I am enjoying every moment of all that horror, all that eroticism.

But my readers weren't sure what to make of it. They started out confused. Erotic Horror, what is that? Should I give it a try? Those who took the plunge and read Inn on the Edge ended up thrilled and surprised. The vast majority of them loved this exciting new combination.

Unfortunately, the reading public mostly has no idea what to expect from this brand-new genre.

I see it in the reviews my readers leave. Valerie, on Goodreads, writes: "It is the first of its genre that I have read and I was extremely happy that I did get the chance to read this." Rachael, also on Goodreads, writes: "This was an intriguing read for me. I was nervous about reading it because it is advertised as an erotic horror. I didn't really get the horror part. Yes it was frightening but I didn't think overly so."

On the contrary, Rachael—you did get it. "Frightening but not overly so" is exactly what I am after. I strive to create a new type of horror story. I want a story that is less blood-and-guts, less zombies with axes, less blood-thirsty maniacs than the usual horror fare. In my stories, I work to create an atmosphere of fear, and dread, and psychological manipulation, and combine it with erotic overtones.

Psychological manipulation involving sex. Now, that's scary.

Some reviewers very much understand my intent. April Dykes writes: "An erotic twilight zone!" and Kieri writes: "It was eerie and twisty..." A reader who goes by the username BookieLuv may have understood the novel best of all. In her 5 - Star Amazon review, she writes: "The characters were real and you felt their love for each other. You know something is wrong and the characters know something is wrong too but they can't do anything about it. Do you like horror? Do you like erotica? Pick this one up!"

It is my hope that more readers will give this new type of erotic horror a chance. My publisher, Ellora's Cave, is actively building their Shivers line or erotic horror, as are other publishers. I firmly believe that erotic horror is the new up-and-coming genre, and I am not alone.

Besides, they're fun.

Inn on the Edge Blurb

Angela and her brand-new husband Josh have just arrived at their honeymoon destination, a romantic bed-and-breakfast hotel on the breath-taking Washington coast – the Inn on the Edge.

But everything isn’t as it seems. The lessons that come free with the room aren’t for painting the lovely coastal scenery – the lessons are for better sex. Angie and Josh, shocked and titillated, immerse themselves in every sensual offering with each other and with the other newlywed couples at the Inn.

It doesn’t take long for things to go horribly wrong. They discover that the old man running the place is a sex demon, who has been stealing their sensual energy. Worse, he’s dangerously in love with Angie and he has plans for her – plans involving an heirloom wedding ring.

Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/inn-on-the-edge.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Inn-Edge-Gail-Bridges-ebook/dp/B00H2L3TSU/ref=la_B00HCRT8G6_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390281804&sr=1-1

Gail Bridges
I have three grown children. I live in Seattle, Washington with my husband and our five cats.

In the past I have worked in a variety of different artistic media. I have a BFA in painting from the University of Washington, and for over fifteen years I made award-winning Fine Art Jewelry (silver and handmade ceramics) and sold my work at local and regional Fine Art and Craft shows. My business, Vivid Arts, flourished – but always, I felt driven to write. Two years ago, no longer able to deny the writing muse, I took an open-ended sabbatical from my art shows. Since then, I’ve written two novels and a number of published and unpublished short stories.

website: www.gailbridges.com

blog: http://gailbridges.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @GailWBridges

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/gailbridges123

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