Debut author Lea Griffith has some erotic must-reads for you

Lea Griffith, whose erotic romance, Too Much, came out earlier this month, has some not-your-mama's-romance recommendations …

Lea: I might be in the minority but the average smexxy in romance isn't so average anymore. In fact, I think our mama's romance is a thing of the past. I cut my teeth on Woodiwiss, McNaught and Garwood. Don't get me wrong, I remember gasping when I read about turgid you-know-what and heaving bosoms. Bodice rippers were the way back then yet by today's standards those books are incredibly tame. Passionate kisses notwithstanding the sex in our mother's romance novels was nothing like what we find in today's reads. I would dare say that most of the sex scenes I read today, whether the novel is classified as "erotic" or not, are most definitely erotic in nature.

Webster's gives us related word such as: carnal, fleshly, sensual, sensuous, bawdy, lascivious, lewd, lustful, obscene (say what!), prurient, spicy, suggestive, smutty, titillating, and the list goes on and on, even throwing in a vulgar and perversive, you know, just for good measure.

I must be honest; none of these are deal breakers for me. I personally like smutty and carnal—yes, those are my favorites on Webster's long list and not something I would have ever classified Woodiwiss, McNaught or Garwood as having written. Though perhaps back in the day that's exactly what they were. So while my old-school favorites might not be erotic by today's standards, I do have some current favorites who would meet all of Webster's definitions then some.

Where should I start? The list is so long. I'm a writer now but I've been a reader since I picked up Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, in kindergarten. There are a lot of authors on my HBR (Have Been Read list) and my TBR (To Be Read list). It's hard to pick only a few.

I classify my reads as: Body Squirmer, Panty Melter, Panty Dropper, Find Your Significant Other Right Now, and Mind Blower. I've managed to narrow it down — one from each of my rating scale because sharing is caring, folks, and I've got your back.

• Joey Hill. If you haven't read Joey Hill, you're missing out. Natural Law shattered any preconceived notions I had about Dominance and submission and just how deep the dynamic between a Dom/Dominatrix and his/her submissive goes. One word to describe this read? Powerful. I think I squirmed more reading this book than I've ever squirmed before. Ever. Trust me. The entire Nature of Desire Series should be on your erotic bookshelf.

Rating: Body Squirmer

• Cherise Sinclair. You don't who this author is, you better get your stuff together right now. I would dare say she's one of today's preeminent erotic authors. Her books are filled with enough heat, kink and BDSM to rock your world. The thing I love about Ms. Sinclair's work is that she is descriptive. Not to the point you want to rush the read but in a way that grounds you in her character's dynamic. If you're relatively new to erotic romance, especially reads with BDSM, I would highly suggest you step into her Club Shadowlands Series.

Rating: Panty Dropper

• CD Reiss. Yes, I'm naming some of today's most popular but I'm no fool. If you want

smoking hot dominance and submission, CD Reiss is the author for you. I enjoy all of her stories but her most recent offering from Songs of Corruption Series, Spin, has a Mafia capo who will melt your panties off. No Lie. Alpha dominance for the win! Stop what you're doing and go get this book.

Rating: Panty Melter

• Lora Leigh. Anyone who thought this lady would be left off was mistaken. She's one of my all-time favorites — perhaps the reigning Queen of Erotic Romance in my opinion. Her Breeds series and Navy SEALs series straight rocked my world. Nothing puts me in a sexy mood like Lora Leigh's writing. Heat for days and emotion that will leave you gasping — she's one of my erotic author heroes.

Rating: Find You Significant Other Right Now

• Pepper Winters. I was introduced to Ms. Winters' writing via a book blogger on Facebook and let me just tell you … wow. Intense doesn't come close to describing this author's writing. It is most definitely erotic, definitely BDSM with an occasional emphasis on the sadism/masochism. Out of every author on my list, Ms. Winters' books are definitively NOT your mama's smexxy. But there is something very pure and darkly emotional about her characters and her story lines. It's refreshing to see an author not giving in to today's BDSM genre conventionality and forging her characters the way she damn well wants to. Her Monsters in the Dark Series should be on your bookshelf, but it is a darker read so beware.

Rating: Mind Blower

Of course, this isn't my entire list so here's a few more I suggest looking up and one-clicking because I wouldn't steer you wrong : Tiffany Reisz, Stacey Kennedy, Julie Kenner, Becca Jameson, Sidney Bristol, Eden Bradley, Joanna Wylde, Jodi Ellen Malpas to name only a few.

You want smexxy your mama only dreamed about? Hit up any of these authors. Oh, and you're welcome. ;)

Here's the blurb for Too Much:

In Lea Griffith's Loveswept debut, a novel that's perfect for erotic romance readers, two lovers who have shared exquisite pain and unforgettable bliss find solace back in each other's arms.

Jeremiah Copeland and Daly Edwards have a history. Even though he grew up a criminal struggling to care for two younger siblings, and she's the pampered daughter of a power-hungry senator, they formed a bond that nothing could break. Only a lack of trust ripped them apart.

Seven years later, Daly has reason to believe that Jeremiah's brother is in trouble. She reaches out to Jeremiah the only way she knows how: at his BDSM club, The Underground. But one look ignites a heat she thought had cooled forever. As Jeremiah takes control of her body once again, Daly quickly loses control of her carefully rebuilt world. Too much has never been enough between them, and as danger swirls in the shadows, Jeremiah forces Daly to recognize what has never changed: She still loves him. His command is that she return her heart—and he will make her obey.

Find out more about Lea and her books at www.leagriffith.com.