Gemini Heat (34 page)

ISBN 0 352 32925 4

VELVET CLAWS

Cleo Cordell

It's the 19th century; a time of exploration and discovery and young, spirited Gwendoline Farnshawe is determined not to be left behind in the parlour when the handsome and celebrated anthropologist, Jonathan Kimberton, is planning his latest expedition to Africa. Rebelling against Victorian society's expectation of a young woman and lured by the mystery and exotic climate of this exciting continent, Gwendoline sets sail with her entourage bound for a land of unknown pleasures.

WE NEED YOUR HELP . . .

to plan the future of women's erotic fiction -

- and no stamp required!

Yours are the only opinions that matter.

Black Lace is a new and exciting venture: the first series

of books devoted to erotic fiction by women for women.

We're going to do our best to provide the brightest, best-written, bonk-filled books you can buy. And we'd like your help in these early stages. Tell us what you want to read.

THE BLACK LACE QUESTIONNAIRE

SECTION ONE: ABOUT YOU

1.1 Sex
(we presume you are female, but so as not to discriminate)

are you?

Male □ Female □

1.2 Age

under 21 □ 21-30 □

31-40 □ 41-50 □

51-60 □ over 60 □

1.3 At what age did you leave full-time education?

still in education □ 16 or younger □

17-19 □ 20 or older □

1.4 Occupation

1.5 Annual household income

under £10,000 □ £10-£20,000 □

£20-£30,000 □ £30-£40,000 □

over £40,000 □

1.6 We are perfectly happy for you to remain anonymous; but if you would like us to send you a free booklist of Nexus books for men and Black Lace books for Women, please insert your name and address

SECTION TWO: ABOUT BUYING BLACK LACE BOOKS

2.1 How did you acquire this copy of
Gemini Heat

I bought it myself □ My partner bought it □ I borrowed/found it □

2.2 How did you find out about Black Lace books?

I saw them in a shop □

I saw them advertised in a magazine □

I saw the London Underground posters □

I read about them in_

Other_

2.3 Please tick the following statements you agree with:

I would be less embarrassed about buying Black Lace books if the cover pictures were less explicit □ I think that in general the pictures on Black Lace books are about right □

I think Black Lace cover pictures should be as explicit as possible □

2.4 Would you read a Black Lace book in a public place - on a train for instance?

Yes □ No □

SECTION THREE: ABOUT THIS BLACK LACE BOOK

3.1 Do you think the sex content in this book is:

Too much □ About right □

Not enough □

3.2 Do you think the writing style in this book is:

Too unreal/escapist □ About right □

Too down to earth □

3.3 Do you think the story in this book is:

Too complicated □ About right □

Too boring/simple □

3.4 Do you think the cover of this book is:

Too explicit □ About right □

Not explicit enough □ Here's a space for any other comments:

SECTION FOUR: ABOUT OTHER BLACK LACE BOOKS

4.1 How many Black Lace books have you read? □

4.2 If more than one, which one did you prefer?

4.3 Why?

SECTION FIVE: ABOUT YOUR IDEAL EROTIC NOVEL

We want to publish the books you want to read - so this is your chance to tell us exactly what your ideal erotic novel would be like.

5.1 Using a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = no interest at all, 5 = your ideal), please rate the following possible settings for an

erotic novel:

Medieval/barbarian/sword 'n' sorcery □

Renaissance/Elizabethan/Restoration □

Victorian/Edwardian □

1920s & 1930s - the Jazz Age □

Present day □

Future/Science Fiction □

5.2 Using the same scale of 1 to 5, please rate the following themes you may find in an erotic novel:

Submissive male/dominant female □

Submissive female/dominant male □

Lesbianism □

Bondage/fetishism □

Romantic love □

Experimental sex e.g. anal/watersports/sex toys □

Gay male sex □

Group sex □

Using the same scale of 1 to 5, please rate the following styles in which an erotic novel could be written:

Realistic, down to earth, set in real life □

Escapist fantasy, but just about believable □

Completely unreal, impressionistic, dreamlike □

5.3 Would you prefer your ideal erotic novel to be written from the viewpoint of the main male characters or the main female characters?

Male □ Female □

Both □

5.6 Is there one particular setting or subject matter that your ideal erotic novel would contain?

SECTION SIX: LAST WORDS

6.1 What do you like best about Black Lace books?

6.2 What do you most dislike about Black Lace books?

6.3 In what way, if any, would you like to change Black Lace covers?

6.4 Here's a space for any other comments!

Thank you for completing this questionnaire. Now tear it out of the book - carefully! - put it in an envelope and send it to:

Black Lace FREEPOST London W10 5BR

No stamp is required!