Basically is there s3x in this book…

I get asked this and see this question a lot on Tiktok and in Facebook groups when books are recommended. I guess I never knew there was such a huge market for detailed steamy scenes in fantasy and fantasy romance books.

My spice scale. i.e.- How I rate my spice in books below

1-Being fade to black. Heavy kissing/ making out, implied s3x, no details. (Think Twilight)

2- Characters get it on but it’s not explicitly detailed. The moment is more described in a poetic/romantic way and is a couple of paragraphs at most, frequency is limited. (A Deal with the Elf King)

3- There are on-page s3xy times and it’s described in detail, and at least a page long, no explicit names of body parts, but actions are described well. (A Court of Thorns and Roses)

4- several detailed scenes. Intimate body part names are used. There is a plot but a big focus of the book is on spice and romance. (Outlander)

4.5- (there are books that are not quite erotica but more than Outlander.

5- erotica 

Okay, so MY books, and are they spicy?

In my RISE trilogy, there is spice in books 2-3, ranging from a 1-2. 

In the Allied Kingdoms Academy series which is YA and about older teens. There is no spice until book 3 and then it’s a 1, fade to black scene. 

In Born of Sky there is kissing, making out, and romance with all the feels but no s3x. 

Will I ever write really spicy books?

I have no plans of writing explicit spice in my books.

I do love romance in my fantasy, but I personally do not care for a lot of s3x in books. Even if I tried it would probably be so cringe because I’d feel awkward (yes, even as a married mom of 2 lol) When I read, I tend to skim or skip if it occurs a lot in detail. It’s just not my thing. I get bored of it. I’m here for a great story and characters, not the bedroom scenes. I’ve branded my books to be more on the sweet romance side.

I have nothing against books that do focus on that, or if you as a reader enjoy that. But I want to clarify since I find that people who like spice will read all levels of it, but people who don’t, will not read spice. it’s one thing that can make the reader uncomfortable and stop reading a book.

In my upcoming book, (not YA) there is more detail than my others but it’s still about a 2. Poetic, sweet, and romantic. 

Anyway, I hope this helps. Do YOU prefer spice? No spice? Medium spice?  

That’s all bookish stuff for now. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Last year I had covid and couldn’t taste anything so this year I’ll be eating my fill! 

Here’s me and my hubby and kids over Halloween. Not too much going on in my personal life. But I am going to paint and decorate my office. I will take before and after pictures! Everyone loves a good before and after, right?

Talk to ya later!

J.M Kearl