
Genres, Spice & Tropes


Contemporary Romance tags indicate that there are maybe one or two sex scenes or none at all.


Crime Drama tags indicate that there is some kind of crime that happens in the story, either committed against the protagonists or by the protagonists. This tag is primary when paired with the romance tags, as most of the stories have the dark romance tag.
Genres


Dark Fantasy indicates a fantasy world that is darker than most others. There are many dark elements to the world, which may include extreme violence, violations, war, torture, and other dark events. Characters may be morally gray and making their way through this world.
Dark Romance is a popular genre these days, but I wanted to give my definition of the tag here. Dark elements are present, such as rape/non con, violence, forced proximity, fuck or die, Stockholm, and enemies to lovers. These tropes are not presented romantically, and even when there develops romance between characters, there are consequences to these actions.


Paranormal stories dabble in the supernatural. This could meant there are mythological creatures, supernatural or extraplanar beings, or there could simply be elements of the supernatural experience like reincarnation and gods and goddesses.


This tag is often used with the Dark Fantasy tag. Romantasy is all the rage right now, and it basically is a romance set in a fantasy world. There are many variations on this tag, but if you read my work, know that my take may be different.
Spice


Sci Fantasy is basically a futuristic world with magic and other fantastical elements. There may be alchemy, magic, or some sort of powers that make it sci fantasy.
























This story contains no spice at all. This does not mean there is no romance, simply no graphic sexual encounters. These stories may fade to black if there are romantic scenes, or they may simply omit the sexual content. Stories that feature no spice are going to be rare, as I like spice.
Level 1 spice is pretty tame. It may feature 2-3 sex scenes, usually vanilla sex with no kink, and more focus on the romantic part of the scene. This level of spice is what would be considered "soft core" and is not super descriptive of the acts. If there are multiple acts, they are quite tame and require little warning.
Level 2 spice is getting warmer. Here we are less likely to have vanilla sex, and may be incorporating mild kink and BDSM into the scenes. Vanilla scenes are more detailed, and may be longer, with a lot of focus on the physical sensations. Light BDSM play may be included, such as spanking, sex toys, or sensation play.
Level 3 spice is definitely turning the heat up. Moderate levels of BDSM play are being used, more kinks are also available at this level. This level may include highly details scenes, but no more than 5-8 sex scenes at most throughout the book, though this level is given just for the presence of kinky sex or moderate levels of BDSM like flogging, strap, bondage, and confinement.
Level 4 spice is definitely getting into the heavier BDSM and kink area. These kinks may include care giver/little, master/pet, and master/slave, as well as total power exchanges. These stories will have frequent, graphic sex scenes, and even the vanilla scenes will be hot and heavy.
Level 5 spice is what I consider the highest level. At this level, you will see the most extreme kinks (pain play, gun play, edge play in general, as well as things like extreme size differences, multiple partners at one time, etc). You will also see the most detailed BDSM scenes. This level also can indicate a lot of different scenes throughout the book.


Level ? Spice is one of two things. Either the book is still being worked on and the level of spice has not been determined, or the book has been written and the level of spice would be considered a spoiler, therefore it is not indicated. More often, this will simply be a placeholder until I have finished a book.
Tropes


Story contains elements of BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Domination and submission, Sadism and masochism). Can be light or heavy. BDSM may include kink, fetish, and other things. Be mindful of the specifics on what is contained in each story.


This story has a significant age gap between characters. This is generally more than five years, but depending on how young the main character is, it may be less. Different things constitute an age gap. Eighteen and twenty five is more significant than twenty five and thirty five. Note: There will be no underage age gaps in my works.
Story contains characters who are enemies in some fashion at some point in the story. These may be on opposite sides of a war, or they may be perpetrator and victim. These may be combined with other tropes, like Stockholm, non con, and other issues like that. The enemy that becomes the lover may never become a good guy, and this trope is guarantee of a redemption arc.
Story is centered around or features a friendship that turns into a loving romance. This may be a quick friendship or it may be a long time friend that becomes a lover or romantic partner.
There are no multiples in this story, as it is simply romance between a pairing. This relationship may be tested, and there may be other pairings, but the main relationship is between two characters.
One main character has messed up somewhere along the way, either with the other main character or with others. These stories allow this character to have a chance at happiness even though things didn't work out the first time.
These stories feature romantic encounters between multiple characters. These threesomes and moresomes take many shapes and forms, and may depict many different sexual acts, kinks, and fetishes.
Why Choose? stories are a specific type of polyamory where the main character has multiple partners that do not have romantic relationships between each other. This may be mixed with BDSM and other tropes, but the hallmark is that the group who are involved with the main character do not have other relationships with each other.






One of the characters is a person of power. They may be the CEO of a successful company, or they may be a person who has inherited billions from an influential family. This could be the dominant character, but it just as easily could be the submissive one in the situation. There are certain dynamics that come with this trope, and money is often a huge factor, either gaining or losing it.


Where a female protagonist is romantically involved with multiple male love interests simultaneously. Unlike traditional love triangles, she does not have to choose just one partner, and the relationships often develop with mutual acceptance among the characters. This trope is popular in fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary romance genres.
Revolves around motorcycle clubs and their rugged, often lawless lifestyles. These stories typically feature strong, alpha male bikers, fierce heroines, and themes of loyalty, brotherhood, and danger. The subgenre blends romance, action, and dark, gritty elements, often exploring the blurred lines between right and wrong.


In romance and erotica, the swingers trope involves couples or individuals who consensually engage in partner swapping, group encounters, or non-monogamous relationships, often exploring themes of trust, jealousy, and sexual freedom. This trope can add elements of drama, personal growth, and deepened emotional or physical connections between characters.