anal stuffer
I need to say this before some of you are tempted to smack me around. This is a FUN post – just take a look at the topic!! 😉
Are authors embarrassed by sex toys? Maybe some of them are because they have no idea why real people or fictional characters would need or want them, however, whatever their personal feelings they bravely include toys in their stories and hope like hell that their protagonists use them correctly. 🙂 Sometimes they guess right, but more often wrong, don’t realize it, and go merrily along. Perhaps they should quit while they are ahead. Readers’ tastes range from one extreme to another, whether it’s in books or real life, and the reason why M/M romances are so popular is that there’s a book for every fan – from kink to vanilla. What I’m saying is, if you’re not comfortable with toys you might want to give them a rest, because your lack of experience or knowledge might show. Also, toys for guys are different to those used by the female of the species, so the learning curve to get it right might be steep if you are of the opposite gender than the one you’re writing about. Even some male writers may not be as au fait as they may think they are about toys. LOL
When I read M/M romances with sex toys there are times I get the impression that adding dildoes, cock rings, nipple clamps, wands, handcuffs etc., (which a lot of gay men use), even mutually shaving their characters’ pubic areas, is outside of the authors’ comfort zones. If you’re an author and you’re going to write about sex toys perhaps a bit of research might be in order. Of course some writers do a good job on this theme, but not enough of them. I’m sure that a few readers wonder WTF? 
when they come across various sex toys in these books, and there’s nothing wrong with being vanilla which I understand is a very nice flavour. 😉
I was re-reading Sean Michael’s Secrets, Skin & Leather, one of my favourite kinky books (I admit that Sean’s writing is not a favourite of some readers because there’s lots and lots of sex in his books, but I’m a fan) and I was reminded why I love this book. It took me out of my comfort zone and right into the fetish scene, which a lot of readers and authors might consider total debauchery. The reason I mention it is that books like SS&L are great for research into this theme if you want to plunge head first into it.
vibrating cock ring
Reading SS&L again made me decide to do some new research in this area to save you the work 🙂 (I love this kind of research) just in case you wondered about them when you include sex toys in your stories. Many contemporary M/M romances feature cock rings. Have you ever seen one? They come in all shapes, sizes, colours and types. Why, you might ask, would someone in RL or books need sex toys? One reason might be to add a bit of colour or spice to his sex life, like different coloured condoms – I heard that hot pink is now ‘in’. 😉 Obviously not everyone needs spice and there’s nothing wrong with being into vanilla sex with no enhancements, but in case you don’t know what all the fuss is about and want to find out, there’s a whole world out there that might be worth exploring. For example, some authors may believe that wands are things used by the good fairy in fairy tales, but wands have more pleasurable uses apparently, 🙂 although inserting one seems painful, but like BDSM (which is a whole other topic), maybe pain and pleasure are part of the game.
silk dildo
If you’re shy you can order just about anything online, but if you want to touch the merchandise before you take it/them on a trial run, many shops that sell sex toys are located in high rent districts, not in some seedy back street where you might be attacked. In Toronto, the best known shop for sexual aids is Lovecraft and it’s located in Yorkville, possibly the trendiest area in the city, where all the beautiful people hang out. Hmmm….. I think what I’m saying is that if the sex play in your books include toys maybe you should do some research. I find research on some topics titillating, don’t you?
I wanted to include many more pictures but I was afraid of turning all of you off – some of you probably are already, but you must realize
leather cock ring
by now that if you write or read books about gay sex they are not going to fade to black like Harlequin romances, because M/M romances are not your grandmother’s romances. Realistic portrayals of sex between the protagonists might at times include toys, and I don’t mean Ken and Barbie.
Now that I’ve had my fun I’m interested in what you think about sex toys in M/M romances. Do you like them or are you ‘meh’ about the whole thing? Do you like kink in your M/M romances and RL occasionally?
LOL I agree “research” is fun. I like some of the sex toys I’ve read about and have used them in my book. I try to find a friend who’s used them and is willing to talk about it before writing. Fortunately, I have pervy friends over at Myspace willing to clue me in.
Hi Debbie
One of the reasons I love what I do is the fun I have with the “research” 😉
I can’t believe some of this stuff but hey, it expands my mind. LOL
Just for knowledge and safety sake, that crystal ice vibrator is not for males or any anal use. It doesn’t have the wide stopper at the base to keep it from being sucked inside the anus. The anal cavity has far more suction power than the vag. 🙂
~smooches~
Thanks for the info Jase. This was advertised on the “gay” section of the site. I will now change it. I’m learning so much through all this “research.” 🙂
BTW, since you know so much about the different toys, what do you think about them? A good thing or a lot of hype?
I think there is a bit of a stigma in both real life and books that the only people who use toys are:
1) single people who have no parterner to get the job done
2) people into serious kink
That if you find “twu wuv” your partner will be able to fulfill your every sexual need instinctivly and you won’t need any anal beads or vibrating cock rings (which you can buy at the drug store I found), or dildos, etc. because your partner will be big enough, skilled enough and with the recuperative powers of a 17 year old to keep you completely satisfied. I think in real life I hear about men (usually but probably not always) who if their wife said “Let’s try the randy rabbit” think “Oh god, I can’t satisfy her, she needs a B.O.B.”. So there is a bit of a stigma against toys in “normal” relationships.
Personally I like to read about toys in my m/m and NOT only in the context of BDSM or kink of some kind but to be honest, that’s where you find it 90% of the time. Lets get some vanilla boys with a butt plug. 🙂
Great post, Wave! 😉 I think Tam is absolutely right about where the toy stigma comes from, people’s worries about their sexual performance (not being able to attract or satisfy a partner). I also agree about how refreshing it would be to bring toys into mainstream m/m (for example, J. L. Langley wrote about it in The Tin Star and it was very hot!) and not just BDSM. I’m okay with reading about all toys except for anything that gets inserted into the penis — that’s just too outré for me! 😀
Ouch! Val, did you have to put that image into my mind? No penis insertion! Otherwise I’m good with toys in my stories and have read several that had them and were pretty hot. But yes Wave, authors need to do the research.
I think Tam and Val are also right about the big ‘ol stigma with toys. No one wants to think that they’re not enough for their partner. It has to be understood that it just adds to the whole experience.
Good post Wave!
Ouch! Val, did you have to put that image into my mind?
Ha, ha! Sorry, TJ. I can see that we’re having the same reaction to this particular sex practice. 🙂
I’ve actually read a couple of stories, a Sean Michael (Is anyone shocked by this? LOL) and Ally Blue did something once. I didn’t find it too bad. Not my thing but if the guy is getting off on it then I guess it works.
Tam
Sean loves toys (as well as BDSM and any other kink). I can’t recall the book that Ally wrote with toys, but she’s such a perv that I’m sure it was done well. 🙂
Where the Heart Is, perhaps? 🙂
Chris got it. There was also Babe the Big Blue Dildo in Ally’s Eros Rising
TJ
You’re such a chicken. I guess you won’t be reading SS&L because wands (are they the same as “sounds”? – I can’t remember) LOL are featured in the book. They come in different sizes up to extra large. 🙂
Wands are a type of vibrator that are thin with a vibrating tip used to stimulate the prostate gland or the g-spot. Sounds are thin rods usually glass or surgical steel for insertion in the urethra mostly for men, but could maybe be used on women as well.
Val
If people are comfortable about their own sexuality I don’t believe that they would worry so much about performance. Guys have a lot more to worry about than women because we don’t experience performance anxiety – at least not as much. LOL. We make such a big deal about failure that we forget to have fun, and toys are part of the fun. I wish more authors would do a better job of sex toys in their books when they bother to include them. Enough of handcuffs – that’s so yesterday. 🙂
Terrific post, Wave. I love using sex toys, both in real life and in my books 🙂 I’m proud to say that my first BOB was purchased for me by my SO because he thought it would be fun. It wasn’t because we “needed” it, just something to make things a little different.
I’ve used sex toys in a variety of ways in my books. Some of my characters use them when they don’t have anyone else. One in particular (Reese from Purgatory) simply loves to use them and Luc is more than happy to oblidge.
I agree with you, though. A little research is necessary to get the feel and idea of the toys right lol
Hi Jet
I forgot about Reese in Purgatory. LOL.
I do recall that he was very comfortable using toys and that’s because you are in RL. See what I mean? 🙂
More “research”. 😉
Chris
I think you might be right. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for the heads up.
Hi Wave,
before I started to read m/m I only knew sex toys from the other side of the counter, so to speak. I used to work in an ER, and well…if someone who doesn’t know how to do it right uses toys, they can do themselves (or each other, for that matter) pretty serious harm.
Yet reading about them is another thing. Some authors manage to get it across as an inspring thing. But I’m with you in the feeling that other authors might just add toys because it’s “the thing to do”. Writing outside your comfort zone may be challenging, but it takes serious author mojo to get away with it.
Feliz
I do understand that sex toys must be used with due care especially something like a wand, or serious injury could occur.
However, sometimes when I read M/M romances and the authors use toys I burst out laughing, because the way they use them is so funny. I notice that many of the regulars are not commenting today and maybe they recognize themselves even though I didn’t mention any names. 🙂
I write the toys in from time to time. I did several for Torquere’s Toybox line, including Sappho’s Chest, Piercings and Sounds.
Sounds were hotter than I expected.
I tend to include toys more in the kinkier stuff, but I do let my vanilla guys use them from time to time.
I enjoy reading about new ones in use as well. My comfort zone is pretty hard to get out of, honestly, and it’s a lot broader than most people’s, so I can read almost anything, but worry about the writing side.
Hi Angel
You can probably answer this – is the sound and wand the same or similar? I can’t for the life of me remember.
I think that M/M authors should come out of their comfort zone from time to time because there’s only so much interest to be generated with vanilla sex. I would love a bit more of the kinkier stuff. 🙂
Now that is so funny, since I was talking about this tonight with a friend and the lack of toys used in m/m story and when they are used they are very often used in kinky stories. I would love to see them more in regular stories.
We actually came to this when we were talking funny fanfiction stories and the use of toys in them.
And oh yeah, research is sooooooo much fun! Though I’d never heard of a vibrating cockring before.
Larissa
See, the things you learn on this site. LOL
Tam
You are so right about Eros Rising . I just pulled out the Hearts from the Ashes anthology, in paper no less, which has Eros Rising as well as With Love by JL. I’m going to have a good time tonight. LOL
My first reaction was, “oh, boy, it’s difficult enough to make vanilla sex fresh and new every time, now you want me to add toys to the mix?!” I have to admit, though, that the hottest thing I ever wrote had to do with a silk ribbon used in lieu of a cock ring.
So, yeah, I’ll be considering the use of toys in the future … 🙂
Nadja
Nadja
That’s the kind of attitude I’m looking for. Someone with an open mind who’s willing to try something new. 🙂 Just don’t injure your protags. LOL
Fabulous post! Add my name to the list as a fan of Sean Michaels’ SS&L. There’s several more really great books featuring toys on my hard drive, and I’m fascinated by stories that include sounds.
Sadly, I’ve moved, and can no longer spend afternoons perusing The Lion’s Den for what’s new in the adult toy line. Maybe it’s time to do some shopping… Oh, no! Plot bunnies are invading my living room!!!
Hi Eden
Glad to know that Sean Michael has another fan here. 🙂
Perhaps you could recommend a few good M/M books with toys since a lot of them that I had weren’t worth finishing. I’m looking for some really great recs so that I can build up my collection again. LOL
I already have The Tin Star and a couple by Ally and I’ll have to raid my older books to see if there are any gems there.
Whoot! I have a mission!!!
Eden
Think of it as a mission for your fellow readers who, like me, are starving for well written books that feature toys. Thanks in advance.
Research truly is a must. And boy, are there a varied number of topics and toys you can find online!
In fact, there was a bit of research I did today for a scene I wrote that involved heavy BDSM (for my upcoming novel “Catalyst” via Storm Moon Press). I’ve been writing such themes for a while now, and lord only knows how many hours I’ve spent sifting through sites to find more information on a certain kind of toy, restraint, or style of BDSM. The topics have ranged from basics of spanking and bondage all the way to bullwhips, elastrators, edging… you name it!
If I had to pick a personal favorite, as far as toys are concerned for BDSM scenes, I’d have to say that sounds are particularly erotic to me. (I guess I jive with you on that one, Angelina!)
To answer your question, Wave… To the best of my knowledge ‘wand’ can sometimes be synonymous with ‘sound’, but you’d have to be very careful, since there’s also a tool/toy called a ‘violet wand’, and that’s something completely different (electro-play instead of a steel rod that’s used to penetrate the urethra). I could almost envision a writer using ‘wand’ to describe a cane, as well… so ‘wand’ might be used a bunch of different ways that could be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the kinky stuff to begin with. XD
~K. Piet
Thanks for this information. I read a book where a wand was used interchangeably with sounds and I wondered if there were any differences. I’m guessing that there are different types of wands and sounds which have nothing to do with size. WOW.
Research, research, research. LOL
Whenever I read books with toys, as opposed to heavy BDSM play, I end up having lots of questions about the effectiveness (in terms of pleasure) of each toy, since the ones I read about are used mostly on men since I don’t read het.
You have been very helpful. 🙂
K. Piet
I have an idea that you might like. Could you email me at jessewave@gmail.com when you have a moment? Thanks.
“If you write or read books about gay sex they are not going to fade to black like Harlequin romances, because M/M romances are not your grandmother’s romances.”
Was this a slip of the tongue? You didn’t mean to suggest, did you, that all m/m romances are erotic romances?
I’ve nothing to contribute on the topic of toys except to say that, when I did research on Victorian and Edwardian gay prostitution a few years ago, I could not determine whether BDSM occurred among gay prostitutes and their clients. Has anyone here had luck in researching the history of gay sex toys in earlier centuries? (If you’re researching the history of gay BDSM sex toys from the 20th century onwards, the Leather Archives & Museum is an excellent source of information.)
Dusk
I wasn’t suggesting that all M/M romances are erotic romances and I have read books such as Captain’s Surrender by Alex Beecroft which is by no means erotic, but there is definitely sex in the story. What I meant was that 98% of M/M romances do have sex, explicit or otherwise, and Harlequin Romances certainly would not feature two men in a gay relationship, because homosexuality is a “sin” according to the “Romance” genre.
One of my upcoming posts is about the different types of M/M romances, including sweet M/M stories, because readers are not one dimensional – they love different types of books even though the ones with the hottest sex sell the most copies.
There are lots of wands.
My first thought was a wand-style vibrator, named The Wiggle Stick. It’s apparently not made anymore. It has a handle, a long slender stick portion and a vibrating egg on the end.
Then there’s the Hitachi Magic Wand, the single most popular vibrator ever.
And the Violet Wand for electrical play. That one is intense! And such a shame it’s limited to below the waist play.
There’s the Prince’s Wand, which is an L-shaped sounding rod that locks into the penis via the Prince Albert piercing. There are pierceless ones available.
I suspect sounding could be called “wanding” but a google is turning up nothing.
Hi Angel
I never realized there are so many different wands, as I mentioned to S. Piet. This should be a doctoral thesis. LOL
Thanks so much for all this valuable information. I’ve read about the Prince’s Wand. I should have just asked you guys rather than doing so much “research” – but then some of the research was quite interesting and funny. 🙂
*laughs* Yes. I’ve found that other people you know via the Internet can be even more valuable than a whole evening spent researching a kink topic. It’s always great when you know someone in the community. ^_-
~K. Piet
B.A. Tortuga wrote a hilarious book about vanilla guys trying out toys called Cut Bait. Evangeline Anderson’s The Assignment series has toy play in in them, though in the 4th book they are used to torture via a situation the heroes get in. Lee Benoit’s Paulo & Preston stories have toy play, but they are a Master/sub couple not vanilla though the toys are used in a unique way because Preston (the Master) has progressing debilitating arthritis in his hands and he has to accommodate this handicap. Be warned though…there is much musical merriment with new lyrics to familiar songs. These stories appear in some of Torquere’s Toybox line of books. If I can remember more, I will post them.
Thanks CountrygirlXXOO. I always forget what a wonderful source of information you are. This is great stuff. I’ll be going on another buying spree.
I didn’t even think of the Magic Wand vibrators! Nice addition to the ‘wand’ list.
Just another reason the word ‘wand’ can be a little confusing in narrative of erotic scenes. ^_^
~K. Piet
K. Piet
And you wonder why I’m confused? LOL
Angel
I have a great idea involving you and K. Piet. 🙂 No, not having sex together. 😉 Could you email me when you have the time please? Thanks.
I could see Zane (from Pembroke Eve) really getting into the anal stuffer 🙂 Something I may use for the spin-off series as all of the others have been written.
Nice inspirational post, Wave.
*hugs*
Mark (and yes, toys are good)
Mark
>>Nice inspirational post, Wave.<< I love to "inspire" people to do their best. LOL. I have read lots of M/M romances with toys and most of them show the author's lack of knowledge on the topic. Maybe the next post in the Ins and Outs series on the site should be about how to write a story incorporating toys. 🙂
Okay, I was barely even online yesterday so I totally missed out on this conversation, dangit! LOL.
Ally doesn’t care for toys. (TMI, I know, sorry!) Ally’s characters, however, have occasionally played. As has been pointed out. Heh. Nothing too heavy or serious, really, just all in fun. They are called “toys” after all.
Wave, you gave me a plot bunny when you said “don’t injure your characters”. Now my crit partners (Jet in particular *g*) are probably going, oh hell, what’s she gonna do to her guys NOW??? Don’t worry, nothing horrible. LOL. I just thought it would be interesting to write a scene where the guys are playing and they use some household object as a toy that probably ought not to use, and it gets stuck somewhere uncomfortable and they have to go to the ER for removal.
Now that? Would be a realistic scene! Trust me, this happens ALL THE TIME. Some guys are even frequent flyers.
Ally, Ally, Ally
What am I going to do with you? 🙂 I will look forward to this book. As I recall, I gave you another plot bunny a couple of months ago – I think it had to do with a picture of one of the Friday Guys. You should pay me. LOL. Where were you yesterday? We saved you the young’un and you never showed up. Here’s a link to the post. No. 5 was the guy I thought would be wonderful for you. 🙂
http://www.gayromance.org/?p=29347
A friend who works in the ER of a local hospital tells me about all the little “accidents.” One recent one involved a guy who came in with a light bulb stuck you know where and it took some delicate finger work (LOL) to get the bulb out without breaking it. What I’d like to know is how he walked into the ER without smashing it. 🙁
We missed you these last two Fridays!
LOL Yep, my sweet, sweet pretty is all tucked away safe and sound, ready to star in his own book (eventually), so thank you for that, my Plot Bunny Queen 😀
Yesterday, OMG. Was HELL. Well, not all of it. Morning was hectic and work was hell. I hit the ground running at five a.m. and didn’t stop all day. School’s started back so had to make sure the boy-child had his ducks in a row and had actual FOOD in his lunchbox instead of, I don’t know, a bag of chips or something. And as soon as I got home from work, the hubby, the boy-child and me all went out to eat (which was AWESOME) then went shopping for some necessaries. So I didn’t even get online to check email until like 8:30 last night. And I had a scene to finish in my WIP, so no playing on cool blogs for me. Oh well. But you are correct, I would’ve picked #5. Soooo pretty.
**pets**
Well
I’ll be looking for you next week – no excuses, unless you’re out of town. 🙂 You know we miss you.
I suppose you have to do the work and parenting thing from time to time or you’ll get fired from both jobs. LOL
Have a great weekend Ally. BTW I’m sending you an email later today.
Cool! I’ll look for it 😀
I use toys in my stories – my newest release The Sex Ring (I wasn’t allowed to use the word cock in the title or blurb) came via a reader who told me a wonderful story. He’d modeled leather gear at an AIDS benefit and he bought a couple of the pieces and one of them was a leather jacket with a cock ring on the the epaulette.
Turns out the jacket belonged to a prominent artist who died thirty years ago. My reader suggested a story where the subject buys the jacket, uses the cock ring and becomes possessed by the dead artist.
That is the book I wrote. One of my faves!! I also have the Tenga in this story. That is a toy no man should live without! The instructions come with an awesome video with the words “Lock the door and moan softly” LOL.
Tengas are the best invention EVER.
I also emailed the Maesrto of Kink, Tony Buff and asked him if I could use him in the story and he said yes. He was quite excited by the idea 🙂
This is one of my favorite writing experiences ever!!
AJ
>>my newest release The Sex Ring (I wasn’t allowed to use the word cock in the title or blurb)<< I find that strange since there's a book out called "Beautiful C**ksucker" by Barbara Sheridan - I think there's probably a sequel as well. I guess it depends on the publisher.
Hi Wave…Paypal has clamped down on words such as cock in a book title according to my Publisher. I know authors who have also had their books slammed shut by Paypal for having ass cracks on them or um “jewelry”.
Tina was keen to publish the book and found an incredible photo that was perfect and the cock ring is there on the leather jacket…it’s just called a Sex Ring for the cover. Also many third party sites don’t allow words like cock and fuck etc. in the blurbs – the excerpts are fair game though – as is the book.
I wonder how Manna Francis got away with a title like “Mind Fuck” which is sold on amazon, B & N etc? I guess buyers used their credit cards rather than PayPal.
Just for kicks here is the funniest Youtube ever, the how-to guide for the Tenga – of course I gave it a lot of love in my book 🙂
Here is the Tenga Youtube vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vo7tBpT7T0&has_verified=1
Hi AJ
I checked the video and as Jet said, the Tenga looks awesome. LOL
Funny to read this! A friend just took me on a tour of the building /sets of Kink.com. Closets and closets of toys – dildos, vibes, plugs, crops, etc. – as well as stuff I had NO clue about. 50 gallon barrels of lube with pump attachment…
Kink will be conducting tours during the Folsom St. Fair so if you happen to be in SF you could check it out. It’s pretty mind boggling.
Hi Kel
It’s strange that you should mention The Folsom Street Fair because I read an M/M book several months ago which detailed most of what goes on during the Fair. For the life of me I can’t remember the name of the book – wish I did because it was an eye opener. Maybe it was a book by Bryl Tyne – not sure about that but it’s bugging me now.
I’m not planning a trip to SF soon and unfortunately when I was there years ago it wasn’t the right time of year for the Fair. 🙂 I can imagine what eye popping and mind boggling events would be at the Fair. LOL
Kel, one of my fave recent pics on Twitter was of Tony Buff sleeping with his flogger in his arms…lol
AJ – Oh, and did you see his pics from the Grabby’s? I never thought a priest’s robe could look like THAT!
AJ, omg! The Tenga looks awesome lol
Jet is AWESOME. Now that Proposition 8 has been overturned, I’ve asked my Tenga to marry me 🙂
AJ – sorry for the TMI question, but do you know if the 50 use limit is accurate? I’d love to get one for the hubs, but worry about durability…
AJ: LOLOL! Too bad it’s only good for so many uses. Otherwise I’d wish for many happy years for you both 🙂
Thanks, Jet!! LOL
You have mail.
And why can’t K. Piet and I have sex?
Oh right, because this isn’t the Slash the Slashers writing challenge.
Angel
You can have sex with K. Piet if you wish as long as you tape it and send me a copy. 🙂
*laughs* Something tells me that sex video would end up extremely kinky… which is perfect, considering the topic, right? XD
~K. Piet
The sex video should be part of the sekkrit project you and Angel are working on. LOL
Great post Wave! I too love Sean Michael, and possibly one reason is that the use of toys in Sean’s books read realistically. Having been with the hubs for 21 years, we have ventured out of MY comfort zone enough to know that the occasional (or frequent lol!) use of toys in our bedroom only enhances what we have already …….ahem….”perfected” so to speak. As you said, m/m is not “your grandmother’s romance book” and I know that many readers (myself included) has a whole new world open up when I discovered m/m. I think of toys as an extension (no pun intended) of our hands and words…so when I read about them, I see use of toys the same way. Just two (or three) people using what they both want/can to make their sex as good as possible.
Hi Elaine
I think what you said is the best idea behind sex toys. They supplement something that’s really great and make it even better. Once people have a comfort zone and realize that toys are an addition, not an “instead of” I think more readers and people in RL will embrace them.
Thank you so much for commenting.
I agree with this comment: “I have read lots of M/M romances with toys and most of them show the author’s lack of knowledge on the topic. Maybe the next post in the Ins and Outs series on the site should be about how to write a story incorporating toys.”
In addition to the technical problems (e.g., bad match between toy and what it does), the appearance of the toys sometimes seems forced, as if the author found a great toy and had to put it somewhere (pun intended), along with a lot of explanation.
I also agree with the point that toys are not just for the kinky crowd. My sample is a bit biased because I’ve been doing and teaching BSDM for 25 years, but I’m sure vanilla couples use them.
Hello Dilo
I’ve actually asked a couple of authors to write a piece – not for the Ins and Outs series, but a regular blog post. It will be posted in a few weeks. 🙂
It seems that a few authors feel that toys = kink and that shows in their writing. LOL