Well, this topic seems rather apropos, as almost all of my books are spicy at about the 4-4.5 level (I guess depending on who’s reading it). And I have to say, As Long As You’re Mine may have a record number of love/sex scenes of all the books I’ve written, mainly because in the very first chapter my hero and heroine are in bed together. So they literally have the entire novel to have sex in. I even toyed with the idea of taking one of the love scenes out, even though I liked it a lot, because I thought there might be too much sex. But in the end, I left it in and I think readers will find it one of the sexier of the H/h’s encounters.

This doesn’t always happen in my books, however. In my second novel, Only Scandal Will Do, it’s an enemies-to-lovers trope, and the heroine hates the hero so much they don’t actually share a bed until three-quarters of the way through the book. And I believe, depending on the characters and the circumstances, the slow burn can be every bit as thrilling and sexy as the actual sex scenes. Because we all know sex just for sex’s sake doesn’t make for a very satisfying romance. The characters have to develop their relationship and use the sex scenes to further the relationship, not just for titillation. And in As Long As You’re Mine, the characters actually use sex as a way to get to know one another, to show that they care for one another, and have a good time into the bargain.

Now as to just how hot historical romance sex scenes can get, well, I can tell you mine do get pretty steamy. The language isn’t contemporary, but there are period appropriate words that leave the reader with nothing to the imagination about what’s going on on the page and in the bed—or chair—or table. In one of my books the couple got inventive with a jar of honeyed pears!

Just remember, there’s nothing new under the sun, including sexual positions, sexual preferences, and sexual prowess. Historically, gentlemen were told by physicians that in order for a woman to conceive she had to have an orgasm, so they were often very diligent about pleasing their wives.

And historical romance authors take full advantage of that piece of medical advice!

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BLURB:

A scandalous mistake…or a wicked way to happiness?

Hoping to compromise herself, Lady Amantha Easton sneaks into the bedroom of her would-be suitor only to find a total stranger there—a totally handsome, charming stranger to be sure—but not at all the man she plans to marry. She leaves his room with her reputation intact—barely—only to fall victim to the gentleman’s charms in a public place. Now Amantha must face the fate she’s tried to avoid—marriage to a man who will never love her.

All Rafael Beauregard wanted was a warm bed and a good night’s sleep…but what he got was an unexpected romp with a beautiful vixen and a fiery kiss that left him wanting more. An excellent trade, except now he’s got to marry Lady Amantha, one of the most willful women he’s ever met. So Rafe’s challenge is to persuade her that marriage to him might be the best thing for them both…once he convinces himself.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GS54DPYB/

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Excerpt:

“What is it, love? What’s wrong?”

“Father,” was all she could get out at first.

“You went to see him? He didn’t agree to grant your request?”

Amantha nodded and sniffed. Rafe reached into his breast pocket and produced a handkerchief. “He g…gave me a choice. Marry you or…or be put in p…prison.”

“Prison!” What kind of monster would threaten his own daughter with prison? And what kind of power did such a man wield? “He’s going to send you to Newgate? On whose authority?”

“His own authority.” She wiped her eyes and nose then clenched the square of linen in her fist. “And not Newgate. Not a real prison. But he will turn his northernmost property, Woolston Lodge in Northumberland, into a prison. He will send me there tomorrow, with no clothes and no friends, just a jailor and armed guards for the rest of my life.” Tears threatened again and Rafe pulled her head back to his shoulder.

“Shh, love. Don’t think about it. We won’t let that happen, will we?” She shook her head and nestled deeper. The small movement of acquiescence shot straight to his heart. He could fix this. “I am afraid, though, that I’m going to have to change my mind about our marriage.”

She sat bolt upright, terror widening her eyes as she stared at him.

Damn. He hadn’t meant to frighten her even more. His own fault for drinking that second brandy.

“Shhh.” He ran a gentle thumb down her delicate jaw line, cupping her chin and pulling her face close enough that she had to look into his eyes. “Amantha, I just meant I now want to marry you more than anything in the world.”

*****

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Jenna Jaxon is a best-selling author of historical romance, writing in a variety of time periods because she believes that passion is timeless. She has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all these elements into her own stories.

She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets–including Olive, an almost silent cat, Earl Grey, a very curious bunny, and a Shar-pei mix dog named Frenchie.

Blog:  http://www.jennajaxon.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jenna.jaxon

Instagram: @passionistimeless

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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@passionistimeless

TicTok: @jennajaxon1

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenna-jaxon

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jenna-Jaxon/author/B005CHPBD2

Twitter/X: @1jennajaxon

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GIVEAWAY!

Jenna Jaxon will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Be sure to follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here.