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Sex Shops See Sales Spike Amid '50 Shades' Erotic E-Book Phenomenon

CONCORD (CBS SF) - A New York Times romance best-seller which has become hugely popular among female readers for its explicit sexual scenes is also having a noticeable effect at Bay Area sex shops.

50 Shades of Grey, the first in a trilogy of e-books about the young women's submissive relationship with a young business magnate, is noted for its erotic BDSM depictions.

The e-book has become so popular among women, who are able to read it discreetly on their e-book devices, that it has been dubbed 'Mommy porn' by some media outlets.

In the Bay Area, some women have formed secret clubs just to get their hands on a copy, and now even sex shops are seeing a spike in sales attributed to the book's popularity.

"I'm calling vendors asking about things that my customers are inquiring about," said Cara Butler of Sarah's Bare Necessities in Concord.

Butler said since the release of 50 Shades of Grey, products described in the book are in demand at her store. "I have noticed we are out of blindfolds and that was a part in the book."

Cara says boutiques like hers draw a curious crowd who want to feel safe exploring and a book like 50 Shades has rekindled an excitement within and touched a nerve that's been good for business.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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