The Animal In Us

Anyone who reads much of my writing will quickly figure out that I have a fascination with the animal in us. One of my first, and still favorite published stories was ‘On Keeping Pets.’ It appeared in Black Lace’s Sexy Little Numbers anthology eons ago. One of the bits of my first novel, The Initiation of Ms Holly, which I still get comments on for its level of heat takes place in ‘The Zoo.’ And no, that zoo has nothing to do with elephants and lions. My novel, The Pet Shop, is based on the original short story I wrote for Black Lace because the idea so intrigued me, and because my character, Tino, was such an endearing, powerful character that I knew I wanted him back again. And though he doesn’t appear in the Zoo chapters of The Initiation of Ms Holly, it’s his playful, curious nature that inspired me to write those chapters. 

One of the best parts of sex is that we can let our hair down and get back to our animal roots. It’s the one place where animal nature rules, and that’s exactly as it should be. Personally, I think the shame factor that dominates so many peoples’ lives, where sex is concerned, is rooted in the effort to separate us from our animal nature, an effort to take out the lust and the heat and leave in its place only the ‘getting in, doing our business and getting out again.’ 

There’s no cleaned-up, sanitized version of animals in rut, and ultimately we are still animals. I figure that’s why it’s a turn-on to watch the dog hump the chair leg. Sadly, we humans are supposed to act civilized – even where sex is concerned. Add to that a huge dose of shame from our Judeo-Christian roots in the Western world, and it isn’t any wonder that we’re neurotic about sex. While sexy lingerie, corsetry and fuck-me stilettos can be a huge turn-on, I find it much more arousing to think about ripping down the jeans in the woods and going at it loud and sweaty and nasty while leaning up against a tree. Such a scenario implies no forethought; such a scenario implies spontaneity and raw, driving lust. 

I think what we, as erotica writers do, is a testament to our own animal nature and to how much value we place on the biological fact that humans are every bit as sexual as any of our animal cousins. In fact, we may be more so because our urges have the power of imagination helping to stoke the already leaping flames of lust. That being said our playground, as writers, is absolutely writhing with primal, biological, animal down and dirty possibilities. We are the ones who get to write sex like we all WISH it was rather than how it more often than not tends to be. The erotic power of the written word stokes the fires of primal animal lust encouraging our civilized, tight-shirted selves, to loosen up and hump the chair leg, so to speak. 

Erotica reminds people that sex is a celebration of life and physicality in a way that absolutely nothing else is. It reminds people that button-down is no substitute for going down, and that the dirty, raucous wild mammal is still there someplace inside all of us just waiting to come out and howl at the moon and join in the rut. 

Erotica offers a peek at unabashed, unashamed, rock-your-world sex. It offers a safe and secret place to experience the wildest, darkest, nastiest of our animal nature, without giving up our civilized selves. It’s the best of both worlds, and even better yet, it gives permission to experience both. It gives a world that is too tight-laced permission to enjoy our animal heat, our urge to rip clothes off and rut hard and filthy. It reminds us that it’s all right to let the animal in us out to play. It’s all right to embrace that animal in and celebrate it.

The Pet Shop Blurb

In appreciation for a job well done, STELLA JAMES’s boss sends her a Pet for the weekend – a human Pet. The mischievous TINO comes straight from THE PET SHOP complete with a collar, a leash, and an erection. Stella soon discovers that the pleasure of keeping Pets, especially this one, is extremely addicting.

Obsessed with Tino and with the reclusive philanthropist, VINCENT EVANSTON, who looks like Tino, but couldn’t be more different, Stella is drawn into the secret world of The Pet Shop. As her animal lust awakens, Stella must walk the thin line that separates the business of pleasure from the more dangerous business of the heart or suffer the consequences.

An Excerpt from the Pet Shop Manual On Keeping Pets

SURE ENOUGH ON THE kitchen table was an instruction manual from the Pet Shop entitled, On Keeping Pets. 

She opened it to the first chapter and read. 

Get to know your Pet


Your experience will be more enjoyable if you take time to get to know each other, to get comfortable with each other before you initiate sexual contact. Pets, like people, have different personalities. Some may be shy and in need of some gentle coaxing before they get comfortable with their keeper. If your Pet is shy, do make sure he or she is comfortably acquainted with you before you initiate sexual contact. 

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f, however, your Pet is not shy, he or she may try to initiate sexual contact. DO NOT ALLOW THIS. It is the keeper who must choose when sex takes place. Your Pet must never be led to believe she or he is the alpha in the relationship. You must maintain control. No matter how aroused and uncomfortable your Pet may appear to be, do not allow even masturbation without your explicit permission. Your Pet is there for your pleasure. Even if your pleasures are voyeuristic, you must always be the initiator of the sex act. Permission is yours to grant or deny. 

All Pets arrive at their keeper’s highly aroused and ready for sex play – the males with erections, the females well lubricated and ready to accommodate a penis or a dildo. But they are also well-trained to control themselves. Make sure that they do. This will enhance your pleasure as well as theirs. 

Pets experience the world through their sense of smell, and they will get to know their keepers through that sense. Do not be nervous. Assume a relaxed position, preferably in a chair or on a sofa, with your legs open. 

Note: This should be done fully clothed. 

Command your pet to sit on the floor next to you then allow her or him to sniff you and touch you. Some pets will also want to lick and taste you. Remember, this contact is essential for your Pet to get to know you as PETS DO NOT TALK. Keep the mood light. Do not allow anything more than this initial contact until you and your Pet feel comfortable with each other. Only after this occurs should your interaction be of a sexual nature.