Baby Boomers: Unhappy with their Sex Lives?

Okay fellow Baby Boomers, it’s time to step up to the plate. Really? Boomers are less satisfied in their sex lives than the generations on either side of them? How can this be?

Here’s the headline, from the Journal/Gazette:

Boomers bummed about sex, poll finds

WASHINGTON (AP) – The generation that promoted free love has grown old and cranky about sex.

I’m not taking this lying down! (well, maybe that’d be a good place to start J). Here’s what I think – the peeps who are older than Boomers mostly never set the bar all that high in the first place. They were in their late twenties or more when the sexual revolution gathered steam and really got rolling, and probably lots of them were in the front lines of those who disapproved. I’m guessing they’re more satisfied with their sex lives because they have lower expectations.

But what about the peeps who are younger – those born after 1964? Are they happier than us Boomers because they’re having more and better sex?  Or do they, too, have different expectations – expectations that might be easier to live up to? Are Boomers less happy with their sex lives because they worked so hard to open all those doors, and later generations take it for granted and aren’t as focused on it?

Probably it would take a bunch of additional research studies to truly answer those questions. One clue, though, is buried deeper in the article: In addition to being less satisfied, Boomers are more likely to think they have nothing new to learn about sex. Really? Whatever happened to adventure, trying new things, being open to surprise?

So here’s my advice, for all you Boomers out there – and anyone else who doesn’t want to shrivel up as we get older: Take a chance! Try something new! Read an erotic romance – you’ll find lots to choose from, right here by the authors of Midnight Seductions. Just click on “Where You Can Find Us” in the right hand column. We’re writing hot steamy stories just for you! 

Adriana Kraft is the author of over twenty five erotic romance novels and novellas, published at Whiskey Creek, Extasy, LoveYouDivine, Torquere and Logical Lust.

Breaking Dawn by the Numbers by EM Lynley

When the Harry Potter books started coming out there was a lot of hoopla. Zillions of copies were sold, kids lined up for midnight release parties and JK Rowling was being hailed as some sort of literary super-hero, if only for the growth rate of her net worth. I didn't jump on the Potter bandwagon, suspicious of too much hype. It was only when a fellow writer friend of mine told me they were good stories, that I finally gave in and listened to the audiobook version of the first Potter book. I admit I was hooked on the performance by Jim Dare. He didn't just read the book, he was the characters and brought the story alive in a way that allowed me to overlook the usual niggles when I read words on a page. Some of the books were better than others, but I cannot deny that JK Rowling created an infinitely fascinating world, 4.6and I was glad I gave it a shot.

Fast forward to Stephanie Meyer and the Twilight series. This time around, nearly every single writer I knew had nothing but scorn and contempt for the books. I glanced at page 1 of the first book and put it down immediately. I'm not a fan of first-person and this one had every single thing that writing instructors, editors and agents tell you not to do.... so I gleefully ignored the entire phenomenon, choosing instead to stare at the trainwreck of Twihards and their ridiculous behavior.

Then the films began. Robert Pattinson became the David Cassidy of his generation. At a local event here in San Francisco, girls mobbed a mall and someone fainted or got crushed, a la The Who. The event got canceled, but the true effect of the phenomenon was clear.

Of course I didn't read or listen to any of the books, and staunchly refused to pay money to see any of the films. So, it was just a week ago when I happened upon Twilight on TV that I actually invested a couple of hours of my life to see what all the fuss was about. What's a better word than underwhelmed? Not disappointed because I had negative expectations, which were more than fulfilled. But even taking the ridiculous aspect of the story out of the equation (and yes, I am getting to the numbers, I promise!), I couldn't see why anyone was so gaga over RPatz. I was hoping for more sparkle though. Just the one scene and I had to watch for like an hour just to get to that? Now that was a disappointment.

A few days ago Breaking Dawn (Part 1) opened. Already it's breaking records and some Twihards have seen it multiple times. I checked out the numbers on IMDB which is my first go-to website for film ratings, because you can look at the real stats behind a movie's user ratings. At the top level, the film currently has a rating of 4.6/10. A failing score by almost every grading system, unless it's on the curve, in which case it's doing well compared to the other films in the franchise.

When you take a closer look, nearly half of the users gave it a 10. So, to get an average of 4.6 that means everyone else hated it. A quarter of users rated it 1. And the scores of 2-9 were fairly evenly distributed with more users rating it higher than lower. So, this is a love-hate film. It's also pretty evenly demarcated along gender lines. Female voters gave it about 7.5 on average, while male voters 3.4. And the trend was not distinguished by age group. Unexpectedly, the highest rating came from females aged 30-44, who I expected to be the most cynical females.

See the ratings here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1324999/ratings

The largest age group to vote was 18-29, and even those females gave the film a lower rating (7.1) than their older female counterparts. Men of all ages panned the film, but I still question whether more men aged 18-29 actually saw the film than females of that age group. Clearly, this is where the non-viewer voters are located. They vote just to drag down the scores. But the fact that every age segment had nearly the same score was very interesting. I guess some people actually enjoyed the film. And those who did enjoy it, loved it to death. Literally.

Which still surprises me since fandom aside, even the Twihards were saying it's boring..... so why did they give it such high ratings? Maybe they didn't want to diss their film by giving it less than 10. Or they were just so glad it was over? Whatever the reason, it's certainly fascinating to speculate about human behavior and thought processes simply by observing some statistics. On the other hand, as a trained economist, that's precisely what we do all the time. It's just much more fun to apply those methods to the Twihards than to consumers.

What do you think causes so many people (24%) to hate the film so much they just automatically give it 1 star? I know I won't go see a file I know I'll hate, but I won't go and rate it either. The low rating isn't keeping the Twihards away, so what's the point?

EM Lynley writes m/m erotic romance. Her latest release is RARER THAN RUBIES from Dreamspinner Press. Indiana Jones meets Romancing the Stone, set in Thailand. Find out more, read excerpts and free reads at her website or friend her on Facebook.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, Blah! What do I have to be thankful for? After all, in this time of massive turmoil, in the last four years I have witnessed the industry I once loved disappear and my business at, which I happily toiled for thirty-five years, dry up and die. Like so many, my income stopped completely and totally, as if it had driven off a five thousand foot high cliff into the Grand Canyon. Yet the mammoth bills I had accumulated remained, bills that I had agreed to pay, but couldn't.

I felt guilty as a barrage of daily calls began from people I barely understood, demanding and if that didn't work, begging that I make one payment as if their jobs depended on it—and maybe they did. I watched helplessly as friends, colleagues and competitors, alike were stripped of everything as if a swarm of locusts had descended on them. I wasn't exempt. I lost my two million dollar home, cars and was forced to file bankruptcy.

Recriminations started. How could I have not seen this financial tsunami coming? Why hadn't I slashed my prices so I'd at least have some money? Why hadn't somebody warned me, us, the public? How could something so colossal and debilitating—literally paralyzing our great country—materialize out of thin air, without someone knowing?

I grew bitter.

For what, I asked myself, do I have to be thankful?

But when I really thought about it, I had plenty.

Even though we'd lost everything, my loyal and beautiful wife of thirty years, stood by me. For that I'm thankful.

Our grown children also stood by us and we're thankful.

Hmmm. What else do I have to be thankful for?

My wife, who'd been a realtor, managed to find work after a year, as a Special Ed Director. We're thankful for that.

For the time being, our credit is ruined, but who needs credit when you have no bills. I'm thankful for that.

Health, I'm rarely sick and when I am it's usually for a short period. I'm thankful for that.

On the frivolous side, I have a thick head of hair and look young for my age. I'm thankful for that.

Fortunately, with no prior experience or education, I began writing as a hobby seven years ago and now it has become my career. I'm thankful for that.

Although I occasionally lose my train of thought and often forget names, my mind is solid. I'm thankful for that.

I'd like to see and hear better, but hey, it's not bad and I'm thankful for that.

Although millions are unemployed and suffering, we managed to find our niche and mine is in the growing robust field of digital publishing. I'm thankful for that.
Then despite the screwed up politics, I live in one of the prettiest states in the greatest country on earth. I'm very thankful for that.

WOW! Now that I think about it, I have a ton of things to be thankful for!

I feel much better now. I hope everyone who reads this has a lot to be thankful for. But even if you don't, if there is at least one bright spot in an otherwise dismal life, it's enough to build upon and be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

and while I'm at it, have a 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

 buy link

Amazon - Playing with the Band 

Blurb 

Location: Monterey Pop Festival, 1967.
Scene: A beautiful woman named Carol, a five piece band named Maidenhead, a motor home and desire.
Result: An incredibly, erotic, quinte-sexual experience.

After playing the set of their life, at the Monterey Pop Festival, the five members of the Maidenhead become mesmerized by Carol, a mysterious beauty who shows up at their motor home asking to use the restroom. As the night moves on they toke a little grass, shed a few clothes and get to know each other. It's the Summer of Love and they want her for sure and it's looking more and more like she wants them. Will she? Dare she?

Review

When I read Erotica, I mostly read one on one or a ménage. This was a full blown orgy, and I haven’t read an Erotica orgy so well played out in a very long time. It was hot, hot, hot, for a little book it managed to cover all the right parts, It was without a doubt worth reading, and once again the boyfriend faired out pretty good after I read this book. Enjoy…..I know I did.
Def a 5 star and it's so damn smoking hot, it'll burn ya!

Leatherfet appearance - welcoming authors of erotica

In two weeks I will be hosting a vendor spot at Leatherfet in Charlotte North Carolina from December 2nd-4th.
As an author of erotica sometimes cons and other events are hard to find. Romance and sci-fi authors are usually welcome but those of us that write explicit sex have harder times trying to find places that welcome us with open arms. The BDSM events have been an amazing find for me. They welcome writers of erotica. There will be several of us attending leatherfet this year. We'll be selling and signing books, hosting a reading and a Q&A event plus a meet and greet too.

At my booth, along with my books, I'll be selling extra goodies and scheduling reading and adult novelty parties too. Master Pam has made us feel like family and for that mere thanks isn;t enough.

For more info on Leatherfet and to get your ticket now visit:
https://www.leatherfet.com/

All the authors have put together an amazing gift basket and when you purchase from any of us you get a ticket for the drawing. Don;t miss this awesome event. I'll have special free goodies on hand too.
Hope to see some of you there,
Beth
www.bethwylde.com

Get your copy of Women Gone Wylde now at:
https://www.createspace.com/3577926

or email me direct for a signed copy and a free bethwylde.com tote bag at b.wylde@yahoo.com

New! My Series Based On "Feral Heat"

Have you read my novella Feral Heat, which is about the lives and antics of Sam Hightower and Grant Newsome, two bisexual werewolves? Those two work as lighting technicians for stage plays. That book has always been my best seller. Since many people have written to me telling me how much they like Sam and Grant I've decided to write more stories that include those two characters. The first story appears in the book Explicit Encounters published by Romance Divine. It's called Fluff The Master, and it's a FREE READ! Yes, you read that right. FREE! So pick up your copy today. You may find it at AllRomanceeBooks. You may also e-mail me at trishcwilson AT comcast DOT net and I will give you a PDF copy of the book.

AllRomanceeBooks – Explicit Encounters – Contains Fluff The Master.

Here's my Feral Heat page on my web site. It has everything you need: buy links, excerpt, blurb, reviews, and cover.

In Fluff The Master, it's Sam's birthday and he and Grant take on a new lover. The problem Sam has is that he shifts into werewolf form when he becomes aroused. Not only is that embarrassing, it's dangerous.

Here are two excerpts from Fluff The Master for your reading pleasure. This short story is a FREE READ with other short stories by Romance Divine authors in the book Explicit Encounters. So pick up your copy today.

EXCERPT ONE

Grant laughed. "That's the whole idea."

"What idea?" Sam asked.

"This one." He grabbed Sam by the collar of his t-shirt and pulled him close. His kiss tasted of beer and the chocolate chip cookies he snacked on in place of a healthy lunch. I have to remind him to cut down on the junk food. Sam wrapped one arm around Grant's back and squeezed him tightly in an amorous embrace. Tongues meeting and mingling, he lost himself in a heady and exciting kiss. Arousal tingled at his mouth and traveled down his chest to slam into his groin. In seconds he was hard. He shifted in the seat to make room for his growing erection.

EXCERPT TWO

"Oh, my God, that feels good! It's so cold!"

"It's the lube. We store it in the cooler in the summer. Makes anal much more fun. It's like getting impaled with an icicle."

Sam grasped Trent by his hips and thrust his cock in and out, in a steady beat of movement, neither too fast nor too slow. As his arousal overcame him, he felt his skin once again thicken and pulsate. Muscles in his legs grew, hair lengthened and coarsened. He felt his beating heart enlarge in his chest as his torso expanded. Be careful… Don't let it go too far or you won't be able to control it. And then Trent's life will be in danger.

His jaws popped. Vision brightened as his eyes adjusted to the darkened theater, changing into their feral night vision. He glanced at the box seat and saw the shadow move closer to the edge of the balcony. A handsome face with vintage features stared at the triad that moved in and out of each other's bodies with such passion and grace. Sam smiled and shook his head. Not tonight, Hugh. Four's a crowd. The stage and house brightened in his gaze, not unlike seeing the darkened theater through infrared lenses. Sam scratched Trent's back with his lengthening claws, wanting to caress like a breeze but also wanting to rend flesh to get to the bloody meat beneath. I need to come fast or I'll hurt him.

Giving Thanks to our Veterans

I write a lot of heroes and heroines in my books. From firefighters and police officers to military and special ops. Some are renowned for their heroism, and some quietly hide it away.

I know many people have commented on Veteran's Day today. While their service and sacrifices are honored just one day of the year, I would like to mention something else.

My father and uncles served in World War II. They all saw action, some received medals and special recognition for their service above and beyond. However, each and every one of them were the second kind of hero, who quietly put their service days behind them. They lived their lives without asking for much of anything, and yet they risked all to serve their country. None of them talked much about it.

Both men and women in my family have served, whether in the military or supporting it at home in some way or another.

I know there are the braggarts who demand recognition for every little thing they do, but I think the true heroes are the ones who just go out and do it—never expecting to be lauded for their sacrifice—and their loved ones who suffer an even greater loss when those heroes don't come home. It doesn't matter which country you come from, the feeling is still there.

So when you pass that little old man or woman on the street, just be aware that underneath their street clothes may lie the underpinnings of a hero.

Thank you Dad (recently passed), and all of those who have served or are serving now.

~Cassidy

Pets

I read AJ's post and was surprised to find that he'd been thinking about his own pet a lot recently. A few weeks ago we went camping and found two dogs that had been 'dropped off' in the woods. People we knew promised to take the dogs home and one of them actually did. We went camping four days later and found that one dog got left behind. Those are the saddest words ever- left behind. She slept under our camper and foraged for food. I bought her a bag of dog food and yes, she came home with us. She isn't really a good fit with our German shepard or our cats but she's here just the same. My husband said it takes time and I guess that's true about most things.

I have to wonder about a person who can throw something away when it's no longer of use to them. I can see 'things' but not animals or people. I'm a softie for lost and stray animals and yes, sometimes for lost and stray people as well. A lot of people in today's society see our older generation as lost or stray people. I embrace them myself and often mold my characters after them. All of that knowledge and lived life is a cache of stories that we should be honored to write.

In the midst of all this chaos I have a new release- The Last Waltz. It's a very short sweet romance published at Red Rose Publishing and for the month of November you can buy it for only 89 cents. You'll have to use this code RedRose10 when you check out. Yes, it does have older characters and it's what I would refer to as a tear jerker!

Find out more about The Last Waltz at Red Rose Publishing:
http://redrosepublishing.com/books/product_info.php?products_id=990

Passages

By A.J. Llewellyn

The past few days have brought about a huge change in California weather. We have gone from 90 degree temperatures of last week to 50-60 this week. Some people are grumbling...me, I'm singin' in the rain.

I love the changes of season and yes, we do actually get them here like I said. I'm like a kid in school who is happy to hunker down and write...not like the summertime when everybody else is out playing and I'm stuck doing homework.

Deadlines schmedlines. Bring 'em on!

Passages.

I'm observing things slowing down...my beautiful, aging dog is showing increasing signs of fragility. I hang on to every moment with her. I watch her death-like sleep, relieved when I see her chest rise and fall. She is like a falling leaf, a spectacular, dazzling, brilliant creature I cannot, will not give up on. I coax her every movement, willing her to go on. For me. I need her and I love her.

She still has her usual ebullience, wanting to go out in the rain. She wants to walk, but her body gives her aches and pains. She wants my attention. I give it. I watch her struggle to lie down and I learn so much from her. She does it all with no complaints.

And yet I hear adults moaning about clouds and a bit of rain.

People cancel lunches, business appointments and dates because of potential rain.

Passages.

I've lost so many people I love recently. My darling friend and neighbor, Gia, died in childbirth. Her death also took her baby son, Samson.

The grief still clings to me. I wish its leaves would fall. Nursing my heartbreak feels like a harbinger of doom.

I don't want to lose anyone else...especially not my dog. I find myself bargaining with God. I won't shop online. I won't play Diner Dash. I will take 30 days of non-stop rain. I will write longer days...I will do anything.

Just let me, please, please, have my dog.

Passages.

An old aunt died last week. I feel so guilty because my cousin and I promised her numerous times we'd go visit. We didn't. And now I will never know what wisdom, what wonderful tales she might have told us.

This season, about to bring my favorite times of the year - Thanksgiving and Christmas - reminds me to take the time to slow down. Savor each leaf.

Passages.

I wonder how soon I can start playing holiday music without my neighbors going bonkers. I love the sight and smell of warm spiced cider in the market stores.

These seasonal foods too are like falling leaves. I love them as I eat them, mourning the fact they won't come around until next year.

Oops... if the Mayan calendar is wrong and we don't all perish then.

Passages.

The rain has come back. My dog has lifted her head to the sound. Content to be inside, dreaming of...what? Mobility? I hear her happy sigh as she shuts her eyes, her head on her paws.

Passages.

A friend of mine tried to take his own life a few weeks ago. I've stayed in touch with him each and every day, trying to remind him of all his reasons to live. This is not his first attempt and I hope his leaves aren't falling.

I love my life. I love this weather. I will make a bargain with God. I'll sweep up leaves for the rest of my life if he lets my friend find joy.

And if he please, please, please...just lets me have my dog.

Aloha oe,

A.J.

Useless, but amusing trivia.

The Tie That Binds coming soon from www.romancedivine.com. Erotic/Contemporary/Western.

Also coming soon from www.romancedivine.com: Rock and Roll Fantasy (male-male, menage, hetero) Desire, Sex and Then Came Love Erotic, Lesbian, Menage, Hetero.



Useless, but amusing trivia.

Today, instead of the usual blog, I wanted to pass on some totally useless, yet amusing trivia about critters. So sit back and become enlightened. I’ll get back to seriousness next month. LOL

A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes. (O.M.G.!!!)
A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death. (Creepy, I'm still not over the pig.)
The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates sex by ripping the male's head off. (Honey, I'm home. What the .... ?)
The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It's like a human jumping the length of a football field. The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds. What do they find so tasty on the bottom of a pond?).
Some lions mate over 50 times a day. (I still can't believe that pig ... quality over quantity). Butterflies taste with their feet. (Something I always wanted to know.)
Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump. (Okay, so that would be a good thing).
A cat's urine glows under a black light. (I wonder how much the government paid to figure that out).
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. (I know some people like that).
Starfish have no brains. (I know some people like that, too).
Polar bears are left-handed. (Talk about a southpaw).
Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure. (What about that pig? Do the dolphins know about the pig?).
Now that you've smiled at least once, it's your turn to spread these crazy facts. (and God love that pig)!!!

http://www.mary-suzanne.blogspot.com
http://www.webspawner.com/users/Romancewriter/index.html
Check out http://www.myromancestory.com for a feature at bottom of page on Mary Suzanne, Judith Marzone and Jodi Olson.