Is Sex Sinful? Not in My Books

View of two horses in nature by @freepik

I get mixed opinions of my novels. A third of the people who read my books have a tendency to dismiss them as unintellectual enough for their perusal. They still read the books through, however, which puzzles me. As though they are mesmerized by one thing or another, drawn into the stories and unable to escape them for reasons they can't (or won't) explain.

Another third titters at the notion that my books are pornographic. That judgment usually occurs when they see the words "erotic romance". Men blush and avoid me as though they are embarrassed just at the thought and certain that I carry a curse. Women who giggle generally aren't readers anyway. They don't even read the news, although they have strong opinions on things about which they apparently know nothing.

The last third keep pestering me for the next installment in the lives of Will and Chris Boone. They devour the stories like fine wine, rereading them after a short break in order to catch more subtleties. These are usually women between thirty and seventy with at least some higher education. They find themselves absorbed in the tension of the storylines no less than the tension in the sex. And sex with Will Boone is like popping Godiva chocolates.

He wasn't a typical prostitute. In "The Sons & Daughters of Life's Longing," you learn how he embarked upon that career. But in "The Last Solo Roller," he divulges his philosophy on eroticism. And he's offended by a Catholic priest who tries to impress upon him that hooking is a dire sin. I'll include here that conversation:

"If what I've done put Jesus on that cross out there, then I'm sorry to God for being part of the problem. But I'm not sorry that I enjoy sex and that I've made a whole lot of women happy. I never hurt any of them, not even the woman who claimed I raped her. I never cheated any of them. I never forced any of them to commit adultery--that was their choice, not mine. The only people I've hurt by my actions are Mae and Jay Burke, but they've forgiven me.

"I loved Dixie, and I came here to pay my respects. But everyone in this town is treating me with self-righteous sanctimoniousness. I know every man in Midland wishes he was me and every woman wishes she was under me. I'm not accountable, Father, for their thoughts and wishes. They're sinners too. I'm the prostitute they all want to throw stones at, but not one of them has the right to condemn me for the life I've led. If I remember the words right, even Jesus said he wouldn't condemn me. I wish all the pastors of all the churches around this town would tell their congregations to drop their fucking stones."

Will beguiled an assortment of women into hotel rooms across the Midwest--ones bored by their lives, ones frustrated by circumstances beyond their control, ones who wondered if their mates could please them, ones who felt ugly or repulsive. He spent many a night over seven years turning them all into goddesses, leaving them sure they had just slept with Eros himself and filled with a knowledge that empowers them.

Although it was his occupation, he saw it as a mission. Even a mission of mercy. In "The Sons & Daughters of Life's Longing", he expanded the consciousnesses of several women who had given up on happiness. That's when his landlady knew he had a gift.

And that gift became the singular joy of his bride, Chris. Will didn't scale back his skills because the sex was no longer a commodity. He threw himself into pleasing her like no other. This ability turns into a problem in "The Well of Tears & Laughter." Is that pornography? Is that attitude and the expression of it in my novels something to be embarrassed by, ashamed of?

Men could learn something very valuable from my books. Women aren't inanimate objects to penetrate for a few minutes and then discard. Women are complex social and sexual creatures who have far deeper erotic longings than most men. Will knew that. Well, actually, I knew that when I began writing his tale.

Step out from behind your propensity to intellectualize things that are not born and bred in the mind. Step out from behind your quickness to judge things that are more sacred than a man in a pulpit would allow. Step out from behind your attitudes that simplify longings and urges into a momentary physical act that does little for the one upon whom it is enacted.

Step into a world where the heart rules. Let Will show you the way. It seems everyone who has read my books is very attracted to him. Clearly, he has a gift and he wants to share it with you.