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Heat Level Guide

 




I know people have preferences when it comes to heat levels in their books, and I do want to make it as easy as possible for people to find the right book/series for them. 

Why I write multiple heat levels

It's a good question, especially as most advice is to stick with one heat level per genre. There are two reasons: 
  • Portraying healthy relationships and consent-positive moments are both incredibly important to me, and some of the subjects and situations surrounding that are only fully possible when the door is open. But I also don't want to write sex all the time, so I have both low and medium heat series.
  • I write because I love it, and sometimes there's a trope, theme, or setting I want to explore that doesn't really work with low-heat as well. 
You'll find that the heat levels for series are listed on the page about the series on my website (here!) along with various other (hopefully helpful) information. 


My Definitions

Heat Level is completely independent of romance type when I'm talking about it, and is measured by the acts depicted on page in the book and nothing more. Other author's definitions may vary. 

Low (Closed Door): no on-page sex scenes. The low end of low is only on-page kisses. As it approaches medium, there may be more mentions of sex in general or implications that characters have slept together off-page.
Medium (Open Door): on-page sex using non-explicit language.
High (Open Door): on-page sex using explicit language.

The heat/steam level of a series will normally be consistent with book 1 in a series of standalone romances, and will be evident within two books for series that follow the same character all the way through.


What each of my series is

Please note there are minor spoilers ahead.


LOW LEVEL 1:
Other series at this level: Purple Oasis


LOW LEVEL 2:
  • The Apprentice Of Anubis: Ani and Nik discuss sex, have on-page discussions about contraception, and make multiple references to them sleeping together. There is no on-page sex, with one scene in book 5 & one scene in book 12 fading to black.
  • Amethyst's Wand Shop Mysteries: Amy and Ambrose do make occasional comments about sex, but it isn't shown on page.
  • Scales Of Justice: more details to come


LOW LEVEL 3:
  • Obscure Academy: the characters mostly only kiss, but there are some fade-to-black moments in some of the books (it depends on the characters and the situations), as well as several instances where it is clear that the characters have had sex the previous night. Characters also discuss subjects such as sex, contraception, periods, and sexuality.


MEDIUM LEVEL 1:
  • Forgotten Gods (currently in the process of increasing from Low Level 4 to Medium Level 1): the characters are immortal, they spend a lot of time in baths and are generally confident and have steamier kisses leading to more. The focus is still on the plot.
  • House Of Blood And Roses: the series is slow burn and will have some open door scenes throughout the series but the main focus is on the plot.
Other series at this level: Supernatural Retrieval Agency


MEDIUM LEVEL 2:
  • Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency: the characters have on-page sex which is descriptive but uses non-explicit language. Sex is important to the characters and their relationships. What happens in these scenes greatly depends on the characters themselves but remains focused on the emotions.
  • Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld (my books only, others are higher than this): the characters have on-page sex which is descriptive but uses non-explicit language. Sex is important to the characters and their relationships but remains focused on the emotions.
MEDIUM LEVEL 3:
  • Blackthorn Academy for Supernaturals  (my books only, others are than this): the characters have on-page sex which uses fairly non-explicit language, but it's monster romance, so there are some "enhancements" that are described. The sex is an important part of the relationships but remains focused on the emotions.
Other series at this level: The Paranormal Council, Firehouse Witches

HIGH LEVEL 
  • I have no on-going series at this level. 
Series at this level: Seven Wardens, Mountain Shifters

 

Important Note

I am not in any way, shape, or form, suggesting that any other heat level is bad. I've written several higher-heat series in the past. The reason I continue to write a range of heat levels because some tropes and set-ups that I want to write about just aren't as suited to lower heat. I do label things clearly on my website so people can make informed decisions, and I'm always happy to answer any questions!
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