Should a Writer Write at a Consistent Heat Level, Whatever the Story?

Please feel free to comment on the subject of my post this week. I'm offering a download of the reader's choice of my books to the commenter with the most interesting post. I hope you'll join the conversation!

~~*~~

As a reader, are you disappointed when an author writes a story that has a different heat level than the rest of his/her backlist? I've read more than a few reader reviews where the reader complained that the author didn't maintain the expected heat level in the story. I know one of the reasons readers do repeat buying of an author's work is because they know and like the writer's style and have an expectation for what they're getting.

I understand that. I'm a reader too.