Torn over whether to let my son read JR Ward

So, back in October, my son surprised me by asking if he could read Dark Lover. Apparently his girlfriend recommended it. I automatically said no.

But now I'm rethinking my position. He's going to be 17 next month. He watches R-rated movies that are full of sex and violence. He's read the Sookie Stackhouse books, which I was hesitant about at first (thank you Shower Scene in Book 4), but we didn't let him watch True Blood until this season.

I'd like to think we've raised him right so far, and I remind him A LOT that the relationships he sees on TV and the movies are not necessarily true-to-life and I expect him to respect women and not view them as sex objects.

And, from what I read in the blogosphere, many of you started reading romance in your teens (I only started less than two years ago), so am I pulling a double-standard because he 's a boy? I know it sounds weird, but I don't want him to view Dark Lover as a sex manual, if that makes sense.

I know there was some sort of kerfluffle recently about a teen reviewing an erotic book for a site, but I think that was mainly over the fact that he wasn't presented as a teen when he did the review? Or that it wasn't his parents that gave him the book?

I've decided to let him read it, but I'm curious about what other romance readers think or what you've done if your teen expresses interest in reading romance. And, is it different because he's a boy, or is it just different because for me it's not a hypothetical kid?

An Embarassing Moment, a Non-Apology, and a Random Giveaway

Okay - First up, the Non-Apology: I haven't done many reviews of late. I usually like to keep a few in the can, and at this point I think I have two. No es bueno. I don't know, I just haven't felt like reviewing. I've been tearing through books (I am going to do a "Slacker" review of the Morganville Vamps soon) but have wanted to just read, not review, so that's what I've been doing. I was going to feel bad about it and apologize, but I've noticed quite a few bloggers in the same slump, if you will, of non-blogging. I'm choosing to think of it like catching a cold. Everyone gets it and it will be over soon. In the meantime, I'm just rollin' with it.

Next up - the embarassing moment. You may or may not have noticed on my left sidebar that I'm listening to JR Ward's Dark Lover on audiobook (thanks Hannah!). I was listening to it when I picked up my 16-year-old son from work, I'm at the part where Butch and Wrath go at it over Beth and then Beth leaves with Wrath (near the beginning). So I start the car and the book comes on and it's okay for a minute, then comes this line: "He reached for her before she even sensed he'd moved. She was walking along and then she was in his arms. One of his hands clamped onto the base of her neck. The other pulled her hips tight against him. His erection was a thick rope on her belly." As I hurry and hit the Off button, he looks at me and I look at him, we're both blushing, and he says "Really Mom? Really?" and we burst out laughing. March seems to be full of Parenting Fail for me this year.

And lastly - a random Giveaway. I happen to have a like-new copy of Megan Hart and Lauren Dane's Taking Care of Business. Just leave me a comment telling me you want the book (you must be a follower) by Friday midnight and I'll announce the winner over the weekend. If you don't mention you want the book in your comment you won't be entered. And yes, it's open to everyone.