Erotic author Rory Sheriff has been weaving a tale about a character that may seem as if it’s him, but readers take note, Sheriff is not Dontae "Serious" Moseley. Sure, they share a radio background, but the rest is just the author’s imagination at work.

And if you liked what Serious did in “Get’n Serious,” which was released in 2006, then get ready for part two.

Sheriff spoke with Creative Loafing about erotica, fans and his upcoming releases.

Creative Loafing: Introduce us to your work.

Rory Sheriff: My first book [Get’n Serious] is about a radio personality and he’s trying to find his way in life. He’s a bachelor, he’s financially stable. He has everything, but he just doesn’t have love. It’s one of those things where there’s this one girl in his life and he over looks her. She’s actually the one and he goes through a lot of trials and tribulations and women just to find out that love was right there in his face.

Where do you find inspiration to write erotic novels?

I pull it from a lot of my fantasies. I’d like to say Dontae is my alter-ego. If I am fantasying about something, I just write it down and I’m just blown away by some of the stuff. I’m afraid to share it with somebody and tell them, so I just turn it into a book. It keeps me out of trouble and keeps me from looking like a perv. (Laughter)

What has the reaction been to your book?

It’s been great. My core audience is women. Erotica is something that is flying under the radar, it’s so big – yet so taboo. But the response to it is so incredible.

Why do you think so many of your fans are women?

Well, women are expected to act a certain way in public, thus the term a lady in the streets and a freak in the bed. It’s a taboo for women to openly be sexual and embrace their sexuality. So, for women to read our books [erotica] it pacifies that want and desire.

Want more from Sheriff? Log on to his web site www.brandnewsheriff.com and look for Get’n Serious 2 this summer.

Boudoir is French for bedroom, so boudoir photography is those sexy pictures of women in a bedroom setting. You’ve probably seen stars take these photos, now you can too.

Charlotte Boudoir is here to take your sexy photo. Photographer Jeremy Igo spoke to Creative Loafing about why women and couples want to take these pictures. (Hey, it’s classier than making a sex tape Kim Kardashian.)

Jeremy Igo: The idea is some sort of photography that is typically risqué and revealing. It’s more of a sensual nature.

Do you have to be a certain type to take these pictures?

No, we get customers of all shapes and all sizes. It helps if they feel good about themselves and are comfortable in their own skin. About half of the women who do this, do it for themselves. They don’t do it for a boyfriend or husband.

How long have you been taking Boudoir pictures and what do people say once they take the picture?

About five or six years. The vast majority say it’s an ego boost because they see how good they can look in pictures. So, it’s uplifting and empowering for them. And that’s for them. If they are doing it for the husbands or the boyfriends there is always happiness on their end as well. I’ve gotten cigars and drinks sent to me from husbands and boyfriends.

Have you had men come in and take Boudoir photos?

I have, but it’s not as common. Also, couples will come in or the husband will like to attend the photo shoot and that’s absolutely fine.

How popular is the type of photography?

It’s been happening all over the country for years. In Charlotte, it’s becoming more and more popular now. It’s getting more and more accepted. Charlotte is a little more of a conservative town so it takes a little more time when it comes to things like this. But each year you can see an increase in business.

You have to be 18 to get your Boudoir photos taken. Want to get more information, log on to www.charlotteboudoir.com.

In his latest book, Big Girls Do Cry, Weber takes a look at sexy plus sized women who get the love they want and need. There's drama, sex and did I mention drama in these pages?

Weber talks to Creative Loafing about his writing and the women in his book.

Creative Loafing: Why should reader pick up Big Girls Do Cry?

Weber: Well, a Carl Weber book is an experience. It's like reading a movie in book form. You have emotional highs and lows and you get lost in it.

Why did you decide to bring the Big Girl's Book Club back?

I guess it was the popularity of the previous book. It stayed on the best seller's list for a couple of months.

What is the difference in writing about plus sized women and non plus sized women?

After the initial physical description, you don't know if the characters are plus sized or not. In [the African American community]there isn't much difference in a plus sized women other than she has a little meat on her bones and a size six. They love men, they love women -- depending on what their sexuality is. In some cases when they are around other people, they let you know, look, I'm big and I'm not wearing a little behind bridesmaid's dress that's all tight up on me. But that comes with giving a character personality. . . And really, when have you seen a big girl who doesn't have a man?

What is some feedback that you've gotten on the book so far?

People are loving it. I'd like to think of it as revisiting old friends.

Can people learn real life relationship lesson from your fiction?

Definitely. Every book has some type of social message. You may not realize it. That's where the story pulls around.

Want to get a copy of Big Girls Do Cry? Check out the author's web site, Carl Weber.net or head to your favorite book store.

Dr. I. Major isn't Steve Harvey.

That's why you should listen to him. As a clinical psychologist, Major's information on dating, love and life is a lot more complete than the pop culture books on the shelves these days. Because, you're really going to trust someone named Superhead to give you relationship advice?

Major spoke to Creative Loafing about his book and gave some advice to women who are sick of being lied to and cheated on. Seem fitting that he shared all of this information right before Valentine's Day.

Creative Loafing: Why did you decide to write this book?

Major: A couple of different reasons. The big reason is because as a psychiatrist, I see a lot of patients and most of them are female patients. When they are coming in the most common complaint is depression or they feel like they are at the end of their rope. When you start asking the questions as to what got them to that point, it usually goes back to some form of a failed relationship with a guy. At some point in time, some guy lied to them. That was one of the big reasons I decided to write it.

With your book, you lay out red flags women should look for. How did you come up with them?

A lot of it has come from the patients I have seen in the office and in couple’s therapy. A lot of it has come from friends and family and a lot of it came from interviews I did in doing the research for the book.

What is the biggest mistake women make after finding out they've been cheated on?

The most common thing is getting mad at the wrong person. They usually get mad at the person the guy was cheating with and they should be focused on, number one the guy himself. And number two they should also be focused on themselves. I tell people all the time that it takes two people to be in an unhappy relationship. People cheat because they aren't happy. If you're the second half of that equation, then you have to turn the microscope on yourself and say — what was I missing? What could I have done differently because everyone has to take responsiblity.

But, that's hard to do — especially when you want to blame the other person in the relationship.

It is hard, because we don't like to do it. It hurts. It requires a lot of work to fix that type thing. But we're so overwhelmed with life stuff, with bills and work and family. It's hard to take that time and adjust on a very personal level.

What advice to you have to someone trying to heal from cheating?

You have to give yourself time. Take time to really think about the relationship. Go back to the beginning of the relationship, what was it that really attracted you to the guy. What made it so special to be with him and from there, think about what made it get off track. Something went wrong down the road. Something went unsaid and something went undone. There was something he felt was missing and he may or may not have given you a chance to correct it. Then the next decision the woman has to make is where she wants to go with this relationship. Is there something to salvage or is she done and ready to move on?

Want a copy of Little White Whys? Log on to Amazon or Major's website, www.littlewhitewhys.com

Remember your first wedding and how you focused so much on every detail of the ceremony that you forgot about the marriage? So, you and the first husband are over. Time has passed, and you're ready to get married again, but this time you're going to do it your way; despite the fact that some wedding planners still want to put you in a princess gown with a tiara as if you're 12.

You need to meet Cheryl Mayfield Brown, the owner of Twice is Nice bridal consulting and author of the book Cook'n To Keep Him. Mayfield Brown talks to Creative Loafing about love the second time around.

Creative Loafing: Tell us about Twice is Nice.

Cheryl Mayfield Brown: We are wedding planners for second or third marriages. With the first-time marriage, you are concerned with the actual wedding. Whereas when it is an encore marriage, if you will, you have a different set of issues. You're probably trying to combine families, you're trying to combine incomes and you may be dealing with situations where there are aging parents. Your situation is a little different. So, when clients come to us, there are things that need to be handled before you plan the wedding. People are more concerned with the union rather than just a celebration of one day.

You also wrote a book, Cook'n To Keep Him, where you give tips about how to keep the passion in the marriage going. Do you share things like this with the encore brides?

Yes. That's where the idea for the book came from. They wanted to know my secrets for keeping passion in a relationship. It's not a good stigma to have when you have been in failed relationships — especially marriages. When you find that you are going into your third marriage, you're going to try and do something different. If you stick with the basics, you will be OK. The basics are, men are very visual. When they met you, you were all dolled up and when you become complacent and you don't put on that red lipstick and you don't send him a sexy text message or a naughty gram, via the e-mail, there are women out here who don't mind taking your place. You have to keep things exciting for them at all times, I think.

So, do you think it's the complacency that kills a lot of relationships?

Of course it is. You know, I've said this time and time again. And with what's going on with the economy. Say for instance that your husband has lost his job. It is very hard for you to be sexy for someone when you have all of the responsibility on your shoulders. It's very difficult, but if you're going to make it, you have to do.

What do you tell someone in the situation to keep the fires burning at home? Even when she's working longer hours and doing more?

You just have to make it work. If you are serious about your wedding vows, you have to make it work. I think when some people take the vows, they don't listen to them. When they repeat them, they are just words without meaning — and it says for better or for worse, and it's not going the be good times all the time. The longer you're here on this earth, things are going to happen. And you have to be prepared.

Planning your own second (or third) wedding?

Call Twice is Nice at (704) 509-0702.

When Valentine's Day rolls around, you should give the man in your life something he really wants.

Flowers, you think? Hell no. Chocolate? Nope.

He wants the panties. He wants to know that he's going to score, and with a Pantygram, you can tell him and make his friends and coworkers jealous at the same time. Score one for you for making your man look like the man and score one for him for pulling out a sexy pair of panties in front of people who probably haven't scored since 1910.

Debbie Augustine knew 20 years ago that she had a hit on her hands when she sent her then boyfriend a sexy poem and some panties. Now, with her Web site, www.sendapantygram.com, Augustine is making sure men all over get just what they want for Valentine's Day: some action.

Creative Loafing: What is a Pantygram?

Augustine: The thing is, there are a lot of gifts to get women for Valentine's Day. But not so much what to get men and we all know what men want. (Laughter) Why not do something creative and clever to let them know, you get what they want? The way it works is, you go online and you can personalize a message that will be attached to the panty that he will receive. He can receive it at work or anywhere that you want it delivered. We've even had a lot of women send them to their boyfriends and husbands in Iraq. When he receives it, he has a message that can be like a little tease — you know secret admirer or something. Then it has a code where he goes online to get the rest of the message.  It's really engaging and a lot of guys who get it at work, it's like a pride thing because he's pretty much the envy of the office because some woman sent him panties.

How is it delivered, and what does it look like?

It comes in a black envelope with a gold label that says "personal and confidential." So, it gives him a heads up that he might not want to open it in a conference room or something. He opens it up and inside is a pair of red lace panties with a note attached and that note is whatever the woman wants to say. It can be customized or we give examples of what you can say.

So, how many Pantygrams have been sent?

We've sent 15,000. This is our fourth year and they've been sent all over the world. And we've had a lot of stories come back. There was this one woman, and her boyfriend at the time wasn't getting off the dime to propose to her. So, she sent him one of these, and he proposed the next week. Then there was this one guy who had a roommate and he was on the phone with him and the roommate said, "you have a package" and he asked him to open it for him. So, his roommate said "Oh my gosh, you're the luckiest man on the planet because the girl you're dating just sent you a pair of panties." Men love it.

Where did the idea for the Pantygram come from?

Well, I used to kind of specialize in long-distance relationships. I guess it was a fear of commitment or something. But I lived in California, and I had boyfriend who lived in New York. I was always trying to think of clever things to send him. I thought about Cinderella and the slipper. So, it was like here's a pair of panties, and I'd written a poem and attached it to the panties and sent it to him. So, years later, I always thought it would be a great Valentine's Day gift for whatever reason. When I thought about starting the company, I called him up and I said, "Do you remember that Pantygram I sent you?" And he said: "Remember it? I still have it." And this was 20 years later. I thought, "Oh my God, I am on to something."

Some people say author Zane took Erotica mainstream. Here's what she did do:

• She made it cool to read the word dick on a train.

• She turned Internet short stories into New York Times best-selling books.

• She launched the careers of other erotic writers with her imprint Strebor Books through Simon and Schuester.

• And she has a hit series, Zane's Sex Chronicles, on Cinemax.

Now, Zane talks to erotica, TV and sex with Creative Loafing.

Creative Loafing: What do you think of the response to your latest novel, Total Eclipse of The Heart?

Zane: The response to the novel has been overwhelming. As a writer, the greatest thing that can happen is for people to comprehend the messages that you are trying to relay. With Total Eclipse of the Heart, I have received numerous e-mails from people who are disabled or have loved ones who are disabled. They can appreciate how the main character, Damon, accepts his disability and is determined to move on with his life in a positive way. A lot of people have also expressed that they realize that toxic relationships are to their detriment and not worth hanging onto. Many women have decided to hold out for that one good man, instead of settling for a bunch of strife and drama. I am pleased that the book has touched so many in such a short period of time.

Have you had readers tell you that your books spice up their sex life?

Every single day. That is why I decided to actually publish my work in the first place, instead of simply doing it via the Internet. Women have told me that they have let go of all of their inhibitions and now understand that they have a right to equal satisfaction instead of being a vessel for a man's pleasure. I have also had tons of men thank me for making their women open up to them.

Speaking of sex, your Cinemax series Zane's Sex Chronicles starts its second season in March; tell our readers about the show and why they should watch it.

The second season begins on March 5th and the DVDs of the first season will be available on Feb. 2nd. Cinemax will have a sneak preview of Episode One, "Curveballs" on February 13th after the premiere of the film Miss March. The show is loosely based on my real life, meaning that the main actress portrays me. It is about me and several of my friends, living in the big city, and struggling with every day drama, love, and relationships while maintaining a strong friendship. Readers should watch it because it is cutting edge and portrays women — particularly African-American women — in a light never seen before on television. Unlike other erotic series that do not reflect women in positions of power, the women on Zane's Sex Chronicles know what they want and expect out of life and accept nothing else. They are human, and thus have flaws, but each one of them has a totally different personality. I believe that everyone will see something of themselves in at least one of the female and/or male characters.

How involved are you in the writing on the show?

I write every single word of the show. I am also the creator, main subject, and executive producer. I am very hands-on with everything that I do because no one understands my market more clearly than me.

What do you want people to gain from your work?

I hope that people will be inspired to live their lives to the fullest without feeling that they have to put on pretenses, have to sacrifice their happiness for the sake of others, or have a fear of being judged.

You've seen Dancing with The Stars and how good people look doing those sexy shimmies. And you've wanted to know: Where can I go in Charlotte to learn how to do that?

Rodrigo Jimenez, owner of Charlotte Salsa — a local dance studio that teaches Latin-inspired dances, among other disciplines — recently talked to Creative Loafing about the sex appeal and the benefits of learning to shake your tail feather.

Creative Loafing: What makes salsa so sexy?

Rodrigo Jimenez: I would say, pretty much the music itself. It's very hyper, and it's music that has a lot of feeling. And when people listen to it, it's like they get into a trance. But it's a good trance. It's something that frees yourself, and your body becomes the way of expressing these feelings. Since it's a partner dance, when you dance with your partner, you always try to become one and communicate with your partner. The main point of that conversation makes the dance so unique. And if your partner is your significant other or you care about that person, it makes it a lot ... stronger and that makes the dance [sexier] and passionate.

Are your Wednesday Salsa Socials a good place to meet new people?

This is the perfect place to come in. It is a free event that we do for the community. It's a really good way to be introduced into salsa because at 8:30 [p.m.], we start with a free lesson. We teach the basics, then from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., it's just dancing. And most of the people that go there are students of ours, and they bring their friends. We create an environment where people don't feel uncomfortable, it's very welcoming and very friendly. A lot of times, people don't want to go to the club because when they come to the studio, it is a more friendly environment.

Do you have to have a partner to attend?

No, you don't have to have a partner, and that's pretty much the point of having the socials. So people can come in and they meet. A lot of people that are students, they come in and meet each other and practice together. But we all dance with each other. A lot of people ask that when they call us. The point is to go out and socialize and meet people.

Why do you think more people are getting into dance?

Dancing has a lot of good effects on people. It's very strong if people want to release stress. It is something that can fill them up. A lot of the people that take classes, they need something . They need their friends; they need to interact with people. They need to feel better about themselves. Dancing can be therapeutic. A lot of the people who take private lessons are going through a divorce, so when we meet privately, it's a lot of talking and not just dance. Sometimes when couples take private lessons together, it makes them stronger. And because of these times and there is a lot more stress, we have more people come in. The people come in, they dance and they relax and they forget about all the problems and they just have a good time.

So, do you want to join in and have a good time dancing or meet some new people like to salsa? Log on to Charlotte Salsa and check out the classes and the Wednesday Night Social.

Amy Spurlock is the founder of Lake Norman Over 45 Singles Club and she spoke with Creative Loafing about her group and the special needs that folks over 45:

Creative Loafing: What's the difference in being 45 and single — as opposed to being 25 and single in this area?

Spurlock: There is nowhere for folk our age to go. Most of the restaurants and places, whether it's dancing or what have you, are younger. Usually if you go to a restaurant, after 9 p.m. everybody turns 20 years old. So, that's why I've chosen to do this so people could have a place to fellowship. Whether it's girls meeting other girls to find new friends or possibly finding someone that they cared about. It's for people our age to find a place to go and meet people our age.

What were some things that led you to starting Lake Norman Over 45 Singles?

Well, there is just nowhere to go. There are a few Christian singles groups. Other singles groups seem to be younger or older. There was no one in that middle range of 45 to 55. There was quite a bit younger. Of course you could go to a movie or go out to a restaurant, but there was no where to go to meet others unless you want to do a dating service. I think a lot of people are afraid of that.

What are some of the activities that your "Over 45 Singles" look for?

We have done some dances and we've gone to a few vineyards and toured the vineyards where there are hors d'oeuvres. It's a new group, so we're really open to any type of things, whether it be bowling or karaoke or picnicking. We're just trying to get the group going and asking everyone what they would they prefer.

How many members does your group have so far?

I have about 300 members and I had an event Friday night where I had about 150 people. So there is a need.

If you want to join the singles group, you can do that for free, Spurlock said, by logging on to Meetup.com.

And if the member comments on the site are true, this is probably a fun group to join.