Before I start, I’d like to thank H.C. Brown for having me here today! And thank you all for reading along. And since it’s the holidays, I’m feeling the festive, giving spirit. Everyone who leaves a comment on this post between now and midnight Christmas Day will be entered to win a free copy of my debut novel from Noble Romance Publications, Sly’s Surrender.
Sly’s Surrender started off as a challenge by a friend who I met on a writing site. I had reached that point, where I think most of us do, that place where what we’re working on just isn’t enough. So I asked for a challenge. And, that’s exactly what I got. A week later I turned in a sloppy rough draft that held some potential.
The dynamic between Sly and Jake was one that I had fun exploring. Sly is this savvy business woman, a workaholic, someone who has to be in control while secretly yearning to let someone control her. Whereas Jake is more even keeled in the areas of business and romance and enjoys being dominated. I enjoyed exploring what a submissive person, like Jake, would experience if given the chance to switch because, to me, the ultimate sign that he was paying attention to his top in all of their previous relations would be to give her exactly what she wants most. And, for Sly, the tension in her mind about submitting to Jake was a testament of her trust in him.
The wax play scene was as fun to research as it was to write it, though it started off much darker with edge play. That got cut in the edits since this was my first try at publication. I have no regrets for dropping the edge play for something lighter, and I’m sure Sly appreciated it too.
One last little tidbit was something funny that came up after this piece was accepted by Noble Romance, during the editing phase. I wrote some of my characters with thick Boston accents. Since I’m from the Boston area, you’d think I could write the accent with no problems, right? Ha! Not so. I found out from my editor quite quickly that I royally messed their dialog up. A few emails flew between us and we came to realize that I grew up about 15 minutes (give or take) from where she did. Talk about a small world.
This story was a great experience for me. It was an experiment that expanded my boundaries and gave me an opportunity I didn’t know was possible at the time.
Thank you H.C. once more for hosting me today. And thank you all for reading; don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of Sly’s Surrender. Now, if you would like, allow me to leave you all with a blurb, an excerpt and buy links.
Blurb: By day, Sly is a take-charge, no-nonsense restaurateur, and at night she plays her hand as a demanding mistress. Sly has everything her heart desires: a successful business with loyal patrons, a gorgeous boyfriend and a flare for dominating in the bedroom. Everything she’s ever tried has gone her way, every decision followed to success, every goal achieved, and yet she yearns for more.
One night, she decides to try something new, giving up her customary control to the tall, dark, and sexy Jake. Jake is put in a position to prove to his lover just what he’s capable of, and Sly experiences the new pleasures to be found in letting someone else handle her reins.
Excerpt:
Jake had been waiting on his barstool for an hour already and had started to lose patience with his date. Oh, he knew she’d come eventually, she always did. Even with knowing Sly’s usual M.O., he never failed to show up on time, because he knew the one time he decided to be late would be the one time she’d be on time. He sighed and checked his watch again. How much longer would he have to wait?
He called Tony over with a hasty jerk of his hand. The bartender rolled his eyes and shook his head. Tony was a man in his mid-fifties with gray hair—what was left of it. He wore a white dress shirt under a black vest. The only thing he was missing was the black armband reminiscent of the style at the turn of the twentieth century. Sly told him once that Tony had been tending bar there for thirty years, which could explain his gruff attitude. Jake never had any problems with the old man but thought he had a funny way of treating paying customers. After a minute or two, Tony begrudgingly set a fresh glass of soda on a clean little napkin and sternly eyed his teetotaler.
“Hope she’s worth it, boy,” he said with a grunt and a little too much emphasis on boy, as far as Jake was concerned. Jake watched the back of the bartender’s shiny head as he turned to tend to his more lucrative patrons.
He sighed again and glanced at the door. Still no Sly. Yeah, she was worth it, but it didn’t mean he had to enjoy complying with all her demands. Abstaining from drink was one of them. He had to admit that her reasoning was sound; how could she be in control if he was drunk? And, of course, waiting for her late ass all the time was another.
The more Jake thought about her controlling nature, the more agitated he grew. Why the hell did he subject himself to this . . . this . . . her control? It’s not right that she makes me jump through all of these ridiculous hoops, he thought as he glanced at Tony, who, simultaneously, gave him another disgusted look and shook his head. Jake’s blood boiled. That’s it, Jake thought, I’m not going to take this anymore.
“Hey, sexy.” Sly’s smooth voice purred behind Jake, just as her fingertip caressed from his chin to his jaw in one long motion, ending up just behind his ear. Shivers ant-marched down Jake’s body. In that instant, Jake knew. This is why. All the anger, indignation, and embarrassment fled his mind as she wrapped an arm over his shoulder and down his chest. As her hot breath caressed his neck, her honeyed voice flooded his mind. “I hope you haven’t been waiting too long.”
It took everything he had not to swallow, to show no outward reaction to what she was doing to him with these miniscule teases. This was just another game to her. She’d make him wait until he’d be ready to walk out, until he was so mad he couldn’t stand it, and then she’d show up, making him switch gears. Just like that. He shot a quick glance at Tony, who watched this dance out of the corner of his eyes, pretending like he was too busy toweling off a pristine glass to notice.
When Sly’s tongue flicked Jake’s thick, silver-hoop earring, he lost what small shred of control he had, albeit for a fraction of a second. He could feel her smile as her cheek rested against his neck. A prickling flash of anger growled in some dark recess of his mind.
She moved to half-lean, half-sit on the vacant stool next to him, and he had to strangle a threatening gasp. If he hadn’t, his body would have given away just how badly he wanted her. This was a high-stakes game, and so far, the house was winning.
Sly wore a tight black corset. Though no doubt made of the finest and most sturdy materials, the bone-rib garment threatened to break under the flood pressure of her ample bosom. It must have been a custom piece because it slithered down her slim waist with precision. No department wares could hope to cope with a curvy form such as hers. He noticed the striking color contrast as the thick, black material lay against her flawless, smooth, ivory-colored skin.
As his sight drew down, he soaked in just how short her layered black and burgundy diaphanous skirt was. She couldn’t sit down without flashing her all to the world. Jake gulped, carelessly abandoning any desire to restrain himself. Seeing his reaction, Sly barked a throaty laugh. He refused to look up until he saw his favorite pair of strappy, black, four-inch stiletto heels. When he came up for breath he found her glossy crimson-colored lips snaking a Cheshire pattern across her gleaming teeth and humor glistening in her hazel eyes. Oh, how she loves this game.
Buy Links:
Noble Romance Publication: https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/364/Sly%27s-Surrender
To find out more about me, visit my blog: http://museampoule.wordpress.com/
HC; Thanks for dropping by.
Don't forget to leave your contact email with your comment to win a copy of Sly's Surrender.
Hi, Renee and Heather!
ReplyDeleteSeems I also remember a certain Padawan who nearly had a nervous breakdown at the idea of publishing a certain story. ;) You've come a long way in the year since I've known you, and I can't wait to see what you come up with next year!
Happy Holidays, Renee!
*Hugs H.C. on the way out*
Thanks for dropping by J.S. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThanks my friend! A year from now...wow, who knows! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks again for having me H.C.!