Apr 26 2012
If You Like …. Fifty Shades of Grey
More and more people are landing at Dear Author looking for information regarding books like Fifty Shades of Grey. I’ve created this list for readers who enjoyed Fifty Shades in hopes that they will become life long readers of romance. Fifty Shades of Grey is a self published work by a British author using the pseudonym, E. L. James. It was originally published along with the two sequels, Fifty Shades of Darker and Fifty Shades of Freed, in its entirety, as Master of the Universe on ff.net, a site that hosts what is known as fan fiction. Master of the Universe reimagined the Bella and Edward love affair set in contemporary Seattle, Washington with Bella as the young college graduate virgin and Edward as the masterful billionaire with secret sexual predilections.
It is a novel length (or three novels long) story that centers around the sexual connection and emotional romance of two individuals. Fortunately for readers of 50 Shades, there are plenty of other books with those same themes. This list is designed to help you find your next great read.
- I might go out on a limb and guarantee that if you liked 50 Shades, Sylvia Day’s Bared to You will please you. BtY features a young recent college grad and a young, commanding and magnetic billionaire hero. Both come from traumatized backgrounds and feature a push/pull relationship.
- Beth Kery aka Bethany Kane has a couple of books featuring a strong male lead. Wicked Burn ( A | BN | K S ) under the name Beth Kery features a tortured/playwright director. Explosive features an ex-Navy explosives specialist suffering from a type of amnesia. ( A | BN | K S ).
- For dominant males like Christian who take care of everything you may like Blue Eyed Devil ( A | BN | K S ) and Smooth Talking Stranger ( A | BN | K S ) by Lisa Kleypas. These books feature wealthy men in a contemporary setting who want to take care of the heroine. Reader Ridley recommends the Lorelei James Rough Rider series beginning with Long Hard Ride ( A | BN | K S ) Another favorite is After the Night by Linda Howard recommended by reader Sarah. ”Gray has always been one of the more dominant and arrogant romance canon heroes for me. I haven’t read 50 Shades so I’m not quite sure just how erotic the sex gets but this book, particularly for when it was published, definitely has some very memorable love scenes. And while Faith is probably more strong-willed than the female lead of 50 Shades, there is definitely a part of her that is somewhat submissive to Gray.” (Not to mention the courthouse scene) ( A | BN | K S )
- For deep intense emotional angst you may like Passion ( A | BN | K S ) and Patience ( A | BN | K S ) by Lisa Valdez. The latter book contains BDSM themes as well. Sweet as Sin by Inez Kelly is another story featuring a lot of emotional tumult and a tortured upbringing like Christian. You can find a Review at Kati D’s site.
- If you have an interest in exploring BDSM further, other than the above recommended titles, you may be interested in Natural Law ( A | BN | K S ) by Joey Hill; Sweet Persuasion ( A | BN | K S ) and Sweet Temptation ( A | BN | K S ) by Maya Banks; Lean on Me ( A | BN | K S ) by Cherise Sinclair; Slave to Love ( A | BN | K S ) by Nikita Black
- For those looking for a short but sexy story with a dom try Victoria Dahl’s heterosexual, male-dominant novella, The Wicked West (Don Mills, Ontario: HQN, 2009) ( A | BN | K S )
- A more provocative offering recommended by reader Wendy would be Caressa’s Knees by Annabel Joseph ( A | BN | K S ). The heroine is in the position of power outside the bedroom as the hero is the PA of the heroine. This story is BDSM centered but the hero is domineering rather than dominant. It should be noted that other Joseph stories contain story lines that may be triggers for other readers including non consensual stories and the like. Please read any reviews carefully.
Send to Kindle
Apr 26, 2012 @ 08:11:20
I really enjoyed Bared to You after the DA review of it and am looking forward to the sequel. The resemblance to 50 Shades is actually uncanny.
I always suggest Eden Bradley’s (aka Eve Berlin) books for people curious about BDSM. The Dark Garden in particular stuck with me because it went into the psychological aspects of BDSM. A couple of pages in and I was stricken by how authentic her description of a BDSM club felt. I also love her voice.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 08:21:27
Thanks for this post and I hope others add more titles!
Apr 26, 2012 @ 08:32:34
I have a really great recommendation that is not on the list. The Realtor Series by Liz Crowe. It’s along the Fifty Shades line, but the Characters are in their 30′s not 20′s. I absolutely loved Fifty Shades, but became addicted to the Realtors! It’s romance for real life, not fantasy. Would love to see it on your list. Thanks :)
Apr 26, 2012 @ 08:39:33
I definitely second (or third, or fourth!) Liz Crowe’s Realtor series. It spans ten years of life, and is definitely true to real life. More mainstream, imo.
Natural Law is still one of my all-time favorites, though. :D
Apr 26, 2012 @ 08:41:21
I would add to this list Beth Kery’s Wicked Burn. I haven’t read 50 Shades (and probably won’t) but it really has that magnetic hero who has a troubled past of his own, issues to work through. Very scorching sex also!
Apr 26, 2012 @ 08:50:34
I am also a fan of Liz Crowe’s Realtor Series. I loved 50 Shades Trilogy but Crowe’s series is more down to earth and you get the perception that these are real people living real lives. This series takes you through an array of emotions that will delight all of your senses. I recommend this to everyone who wants hot romance and lusty thrills.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 08:59:35
Kim Knox has a series of 5 Quickies at EC called Planetary Bodies. Each of the stories is rich in emotion, angst, sexual tension and hot, hot sex. Great stuff if you like sci fi rom and couples with issues.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:09:28
@Dawn Montgomery: I love Natural Law and still rec it to people who want BDSM, especially if they’re interested in femdom.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:09:41
@Sarah: I am a fan of Beth Kerry’s “Sweet Restraint.”
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:11:49
Didn’t read 50 shades yet, but I’m glad to know Blue Eyed Devil has a little resemblance in some aspects. Is it possible to read it w/o read the 1st installment in the series, Sugar Daddy? (I only have Blue Eyed Devil on my TBR pile…)
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:18:00
@Lilian: Yes, I read Blue-Eyed Devil and still haven’t gotten around to Sugar Daddy. I can tell I missed some kind of backstory between the hero and some of the members of the heroine’s family, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book one whit.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:18:16
How about Molly Weatherfield (aka Pam Rosenthal)? Carries’s Story, which is BDSM, was named one of the 25 sexiest novels every written by Playboy.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:27:38
I second the rec for the Lorelei James novels (the series names is Rough Riders)
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:31:38
I think the Lorelei James reccomendation is a good one. Her books are much lighter in tone than some of the other suggestions but still have alpha guys and are no less erotic. Also, James runs through a lot of classic romance tropes in that series that I think would transitioning to more mainstream romance easier.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:42:56
Add any Annabel Joseph novels on there, she is an auto-buy for me. I wish she would receive the recognition that 50 Shades is getting.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:44:41
@maddie – I think Joseph’s books are pretty provocative and thus I would be reluctant to recommend them to any new readers, particularly those who enjoyed 50 Shades.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:49:08
@Isobel Carr – not sure I would rely on a recommendation from Playboy. Is this a romance? Because I’m trying to compile a list of romances here.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:49:46
@Lilian, I agree with @Ruthie, definitely you can start with BED. Sugar Daddy isn’t my favorite book in the series by a long shot.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:50:35
@Lex Valentine – I think the value of the 50 Shades story is a full length story filled with a lot of erotic tension. I don’t see that in a Quickie.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:51:40
@Pammie Sutten & @Ditter – I’ve never heard of Liz Crowe before other than right after @ditter followed me on Twitter and responded with a recommendation of the book immediately. I’m hesitant to put her on the list because I’m just not familiar with her at all.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:52:10
@Sarah – You are right. That book absolutely belongs on the list. Plus, it is just now being released in mass market.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 09:52:18
Informationally, the first Liz Crowe book is available on Amazon for $0.99. That’s enough to get me to click the buy button.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 10:59:19
Yes, it’s a romance (though you do have to read the sequel, Safe Word, to get the HEA), and while you may consider the Playboy nod questionable, she’s also a multiple RITA nom and winner as Pam Rosenthal. Her books are hot and VERY well written. Perhaps her Pam Rosenthal short, A House East of Regent Street in the Strangers In The Night anthology might be a better fit of the list?
Apr 26, 2012 @ 12:54:15
@Jia: I do too. There are so few femdom books out there. Natural Law was powerful.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 13:15:39
@Jane, @maddie, Annabel Joseph’s books are amazing, IMHO, and if you want to recommend one that is less provocative (meaning less intensely kinky) but still incredibly well written, engaging, and romantic, I highly recommend Caressa’s Knees.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 13:19:56
I feel very uncomfortable when three people who have never commented on DA before show up to pimp an author that we’ve never heard of. Somehow it feels like the readership is being taken advantage of.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 13:32:01
@Wendy – I appreciate your recommendation. I just don’t feel comfortable recommending Joseph as an author to new readers. Her content is very provocative, including some which include non consensual stories. Even I, as a long time romance reader and reader of erotic romance, find some of the themes in Joseph’s books troubling so I could not recommend them without content warnings given for each title.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 13:32:54
@Kati – you’ll have to let us readers know what you think.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 13:34:27
@Jane I am a long time reader of Dear Author, Smart Bitches, and many other review and author blogs, but I rarely post. Mostly, I am interested in what people have to say, enjoy reading posts, learn a lot from discussions, get many many many book recommendations that I follow up on and enjoy. I rarely post because it feels like the things I have to say have already been said better by others. I have no connection whatsoever to Annabel Joseph (or any other author). I am not an author myself. I am a voracious reader, stuck in the wilds of Alaska, and I promise you, there is no way in which I am taking advantage of your readership, except for the pleasure and enjoyment of the dialogue. For once, I thought I had something to add that might be of interest.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 13:36:09
@wendy – I appreciate your suggestion. I wasn’t referring to you and Annabel Joseph, but the recommendation for Liz Crowe’s books. We’ve read Annabel Joseph here and I do acknowledge her voice is engaging but the topics that she chooses to write on are really provocative. I’m not sure someone who just finished 50 Shades is ready for that content.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 13:49:53
I really like the Cherise Sinclair Shadowlands books. They all feature a very heavy BDSM theme, and the first couple of books feature a heroine that is not used to the scene but is eased into it by the very alpha hero. And they’re all very romantic and have a HEA.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 13:55:04
@jane—thanks for the feedback. Yes, I see now those comments were not directed at me. Sorry for over-reacting.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 13:56:59
@Wendy – Actually I am the one overreacting probably. I’m getting overly cynical reading all this stuff about fake reviews and street teams. Thank you for being patient with me.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 14:12:21
@Jill Myles: I really liked her first one! (Cherise Sinclair). I was recently introduced to her books.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 14:14:43
Another book that came to mind, and it’s fairly old school, is Linda Howard’s After the Night. Gray has always been one of the more dominant and arrogant romance canon heroes for me. I haven’t read 50 Shades so I’m not quite sure just how erotic the sex gets but this book, particularly for when it was published, definitely has some very memorable love scenes. And while Faith is probably more strong-willed than the female lead of 50 Shades, there is definitely a part of her that is somewhat submissive to Gray.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 14:17:54
@Sarah – After the Night is a great recommendation. I will add it.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 14:45:26
I apologize for posting such an excited message earlier. When a book and/or author pulls emotions out of me, I want to share it with the world. I’m usually a lurker, but BDSM is one of my favorite sub genres to read. I look forward to the list.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 14:52:03
@Isobel Carr: Ooh, I loved A House East of Regent Street! It’s my favorite thing by Pam Rosenthal. I need to read her Molly Weatherfield books but somehow the cover of Carrie’s Story always puts me off. That, and the fact that I didn’t love Almost a Gentleman and have really appreciated Rosenthal’s evolution as a writer since then.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 15:04:07
I just went on a big bdsm romance glom – reading recs from here and SBTB (Joey Hill, Kim Dare, Cherise Sinclair, among others). For someone new to reading bdsm romance, I’d say Cherise Sinclair’s Shadowlands series is a good place to start. I’d recommend starting with Dark Citadel (2nd book) instead of Lean On Me (3rd). DC is 2nd in the series but stand alone – the heroine is taking a beginning bdsm class at Club Shadowlands, so it’s a good intro, and the romance is both sweet and hot.
Joey Hill is more intermediate level, imo. Natural Law is great but it plays with expectations and gender roles – which is what I like about it, but it may be a stretch for someone more used to reading about dominant men. (And then, for the advanced level, you can read Kim Dare’s Duck – which is a shape shifter, m/m, bdsm retelling of The Ugly Duckling. It rocks.)
Apr 26, 2012 @ 15:12:37
I’d offer Explosive and Sweet Restraint by Beth Kery. Those are two of my favorites by her. Really all of her heroes are very dominant in the bedroom but that’s where the action stays. Sometimes the public or club scenes in books featuring BDSM can push my squick button which might be the case for some novice readers of the genre as well. I’m also a big fan of Lorelei James. Ben, from Cowboy Casanova, her most recent release, is a full-on Dom.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 15:23:09
As a bookseller at a national chain and long-time fan of Hill, Sinclair, Howard, Kery, James, etc., I gotta say the 50 Shades phenomenon is giving me leeway to make recommendations I wouldn’t normally have the chance to make. I should add, though, that the recs are subtle, since many of our customers walk around with their trilogy clutched to their chest so the titles are hidden and pay in cash. Seriously.
(One of my co-workers – older and a little more conservative – said she was glad she read the trilogy on her ereader so she could look things up right away if she wasn’t sure what they were talking about. My favorite 50 Shades moment, thus far.)
I do have 3 of Maya Banks Sweet series on our “If you Liked…” rec shelf, but I wish more of these books were available outside of e-format or print on demand so I could get them ordered and on display.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 15:27:08
@Jane: Actually Caressa’s Knees is the one recommendation for Joseph that would be safe. It’s sort of a very edgy Harlequin Presents.
And, since any chance to convert the casual reader or phenom follower is an opportunity not to be missed, HERE is a link back to the original primer with all of its suggestions, mine included.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 15:32:25
@Les:
Awesome.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 15:37:13
Well, I am wondering if I take a chance and read the Grey series. I like many of the suggestions already, but am put-off by the origination of the series and sudden fandom among the soccer moms my sister-in-law runs with. Are they worth it, or do I delve deeper into the more well-written erotics?
Apr 26, 2012 @ 15:51:22
@Lynn S – I did at Caressa’s Knees with a warning about other Joseph titles. I need to comb the comments for more recommendations.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 15:51:34
@Les – that is a funny story!
Apr 26, 2012 @ 16:12:13
Has anyone else here read “Knight” by Kristen Ashley? I loved that book. I believe she self-publishes as her books appear to need a bit of polish, but not nearly to the extent FSOG did! The hero (anti-hero?) reads to me like a combo of Terrible (from Downside Ghosts) and Rehvenge (from Black Dagger Brotherhood) although the story is a contemporary non-paranormal romance. It’s similar to FSOG as it has a Cinderella like aspect with the “hero” bringing the heroine into a world of wealth, also he is very dominant.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 16:14:28
I recently finished Beth Kery’s Release which contained some mild bondage scenes and had a dominant hero. Overall a good book with decent suspense plot. It was my first book by this author. I’ve read several of the Maya Banks book, and they’re okay. In the same vein as After the Night, one might try Sandra Brown’s Slow Heat in Heaven or Tami Hoag’s Lucky’s Lady.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 17:37:25
I’ve always loved Portia Da Costa for good BDSM stories with dominant, mysterious, svengali-type men. I think Entertaining Mr Stone, in particular, fits the bill. I like her stuff because I’m not a huge fan of really dominant alpha men doling out spankings, but her books never…scared me away, I guess? Plus they’re always very well-written.
I think Emma Holly has also written a few BDSM themed books…Velvet Glove was one, I believe. Though I didn’t love that as much as Menage and Fairyville.
Apr 26, 2012 @ 21:11:41
I don’t want to just slam 50 Shades and everyone who enjoys it. (Okay, I kind of do, but I realize it’s rude and terrible form and Angela James put it really well when she said that we should be supportive of people reading, period.)
That said, I’m trying to read 50 Shades. It’s so, so, SO very hard. And because of this, I’m left wondering if people who actually enjoy these books will have the capacity to appreciate something that’s so much better written (ie, anything that’s listed in this post).
I’m trying not to cry, y’all.
Apr 27, 2012 @ 02:24:33
@Jane Have you read any Cherise Sinclair or Nikita Black?
Apr 27, 2012 @ 07:24:03
@Kaetrin – I’ve read one book of both authors and reviewed them here. Cherise Sinclair and Nikita Black
Apr 27, 2012 @ 07:53:21
I also recommend Cherise Sinclair’s Shadowlands series and Joey Hill’s Natural Law.Thanks for all the other suggestions. After the Johanna Lindsey spending frenzy, my credit card hasn’t yet recovered but I’ll keep these in mind for next month.
And, Cara, REALLY? “I’m left wondering if people who actually enjoy these books will have the capacity to appreciate something that’s so much better written (ie, anything that’s listed in this post). ” If that isn’t the most absurd thing I have read in the whole 50 Shades craziness. And considering the nonsense spouted, that’s truly saying something.Just because you don’t enjoy a book, suddenly those of us who do have diminished capacity? Wow, get over yourself.
Apr 27, 2012 @ 07:57:59
What about Filthy Shames of Lame?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007WZHXYW
Apr 27, 2012 @ 12:07:47
@Kaetrin: I’m not a big fan of her paranormals, either, but I LOVE the BDSM series she has done and her contributions to the Doms of Dark anthologies. I would start with Master of the Mountain or Dark Citadel.
Apr 27, 2012 @ 14:13:57
Her Own Serenity leads a reader down a similar path.
The mystery and passion of following what the lovers do.
“A peek inside the door”
“Nice title, somewhat naughty.. intriguing.
The exposition is simply marv. I like the settings you have described. Your details. So heart felt. One sentence
put tears in my eyes. I loved your use of words and lines that are descriptive..”my heart began to beat a bit
faster” – “windowsill” – “key slid in like butter”.
I think you are VERY skilled in you narratives, very, very skilled. I haven’t come across narration so velvet like
in my whole academic life. You are a master. “I knew that one day someone would be sitting here and in this
very spot reading what she had written so long ago”. ” i opened the hard cover and began to read it”. This line
made me yell “OH SHIT” out loud. That’s how sexy your introduction was. Keep up this good work.
-Vincent A.”
Apr 27, 2012 @ 14:17:15
@Julia Becca:
Apr 27, 2012 @ 23:09:37
@Jane: Well, I read the review of the Nikita Black book and the comments and followed the various spoiler threads and I don’t think I’ll be reading that one !:) I’ll think about a Sinclair though – the BDSM club thing is something I can cope with if the rest of the book is okay.
Apr 28, 2012 @ 00:25:33
@LeeF: You’re right. It was kind of crazy of me to say that. What can I say – I’m pretty sure my IQ has dropped several points just by reading 5 chapters of Shades. Sorry. I still kind of wonder, however. Not as an arrogant thing, although I know it really sounds that way. I’m just really, really muddled by trying to read through this. I’ve seriously gone from snark to just – confusion.
Apr 28, 2012 @ 09:05:23
I’ve been see-sawing all over the place regarding FSoG; with all the hoopla surrounding it I was curious at first, but between here and some GR reviews, I got turned off. Later a friend started the series and she really liked the books and I put them on the “maybe” list again. But then I remembered she’s not a romance reader; while she’s not derisive of romances (they’re just not her thing) I didn’t think her opinion regarding FSoG would work for me, so I moved them to the “no” list again.
Now one of my sisters wants to read the series (a coworker recommended them to her) and I promised to do a buddy read with her when she’s ready. Unlike my other sister who’s an avid reader like me, she’s one of these people that read like one or two books a year so I’m always happy when she picks up a book and I’ll do anything to encourage more reading so, yes, like it or not, FSoG looks set to enter my reading list sooner or later.
I’ve always been curious about BDSM but reluctant to search out books on my own so this post is really helpful. I went with @cleo:’s suggestion and tried Dark Citadel and really enjoyed it. I was learning right along with Kari and the romance is sweet and well-written. Interesting secondary characters so I think I’ll read the rest of the series. Thanks all!
Apr 29, 2012 @ 19:09:48
My recommendations don’t bear much in common with 50 Shades but for will probably work well for people who are interested in reading BDSM romance/fiction.
I’ve been really luck to read some really excellent BDSM-ish romance/fiction. I’m currently reading one that is totally & completely blowing my mind because of its uniqueness and daring. Inside Bet by Katie Porter, its not out yet but its totally worth the wait.
Apr 30, 2012 @ 14:00:17
I’m reading FSoG for my book club selection and, honestly, I hate it. The only thing keeping me from throwing it at the wall is that it’s on my e-reader.
I did pick up Sylvia Day’s Bared to You (the first rec in the DA list) and loved it. The characters are both smart and messed up, the pacing is fast, the power struggle and power play is well-done, and the sex is hot. It’s not without faults BUT it is leaps and bounds better than what I’ve read of Fifty so far.
May 09, 2012 @ 08:32:43
@Loosheesh: I’m so glad you liked it – thanks for letting me know. That totally made my morning.
I have another bdsm romance recommendation for newbies (or anyone, really) – When in Rio by Delphine Dryden. I read it last week and it’s my new fave bdsm romance. It’s m/f with a male dom, it’s a friends/co-workers-to-lovers story over a one week conference in Rio – there are no club scenes, just hot sex and dancing and beaches and rainforests and hot sex and sweet romance.
May 09, 2012 @ 09:40:19
cleo – that is an adorable book. I thought the line “spanking with pretensions” was hilarious but so accurate. I wished that book had been shorter. I felt that it meandered and was a little self indulgent.
May 09, 2012 @ 10:50:03
@cleo: Thanks for the new rec; just bought it :-)
The club scenes in the Shadowlands series are a major reservation for me so I’m looking forward to this one, plus I love “friends/co-workers-to-lovers” stories .
May 25, 2012 @ 20:04:27
I would suggest the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy that Anne Rice which she wrote under the name A.N.Roquelaure. It’s been out several years and was definitely an excellent read. Very very loosely based on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, but erotic BDSM in a medievel fantasy world.
Also, an older book by Kathryn Harvey called “Butterfly” which isn’t really complete BDSM, but more of a book about a Beverly Hills brothel that makes women’s fantasies come true.
May 25, 2012 @ 20:05:48
@MJ:
Ugh…sorry about my typos. I should really re-read my stuff before I post.
Aug 10, 2012 @ 22:43:24
@Cara:
I Liked Fifty shades of Gray and I normally don’t read romance. Maybe you should try the dictionary next time.