These are a few of my favorite reads…

I got a call from my friend Christiane France a few months back, and she said to me “I see that you’ve signed up to contribute to the orgy pax.” Then she congratulated me on being brave enough to try and push the envelope with my writing, as she’s been doing the last year.

They were encouraging words. I took on the story in that pax because I had a tale I’d been working through in my mind for a while, and thought it would fit. However – yikes! An orgy? I’d never written anything before that was wilder than a level 2 heat, and this has to be level three. And nothing more than heterosexual love scenes between two people.

So, where did I go for inspiration and ideas? Amber Quill, of course. While working away on my story, I’ve been reading away also. In the course of my ‘research’, I’ve come across some stories that I’ve really enjoyed. Since I know a lot of writers take a look at the blogs, I’ve also included a plotting book I’ve found particularly helpful.

So, for what it’s worth, here are a very few of some recent AQ stories I’ve particularly liked, in no particular order. What I’m hoping for are some suggestions from all of you, as I consider my research ongoing!

Inseparable, Christiane France. This wasn’t a ménage story – I just bought it because I wanted to read something written by my friend. I loved it! Nice quirky, plucky, down on her luck heroine, interesting change of pace first person point of view, fun ghost story (and ghost), great English setting. Lots of great sex – loved the sex in the woods scene.

All Four One, Caitlyn Willows. I’ve decided I’m going to just submit all my stories without titles and ask Caitlyn to name them, as I thought the title for this story worked on so many levels. It’s a light, short read, with a simple problem that leads the four main characters into bed with each other for reasons that make sense. Their hesitation and fear about getting into bed together makes the story believable. Once they do, the sex is wild. Hot and heartwarming is how I would describe this story – my favorite kind.

Armed and Amorous, Deirdre O’Dare. I’m a little plotting challenged, as my critique group can attest. I loved the page-turning tense plotting in this story and the tough law-enforcement heroine. I’m also a sucker for reunion stories, and this was one where the hero and heroine knew each other as teenagers.

Sache’s Consort, Isabella Jordan. While I adore reading and writing erotica, I’m a romance junkie first. This story has a wonderful love story where the hero and heroine have a secret, dangerous romance that seems to have no way of working itself out. But of course it does, with a ménage solving the problem (that’s why I love romance!).

Alliance, Galactic Affairs, Lyndi Lamont. A world far, far away, a devil-may-care womanizer who gets hooked by a complicated woman, a story in the middle of a series. This one had me checking for the rest of titles and getting my credit card ready!

Write Great Fiction: Plot and Structure, James Scott Bell. This is the best writing book I’ve read in a long time. Great encouragement, ideas, and exercises. Terrific for those dark moments when you need help.


So that’s my very small list of what I’ve been reading at night before I go to bed (my main reading time), in between writing. I’m looking for reader suggestions as to their favorite stories featuring multiple partners. Any recommendations?

-Kelsey Lewis
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