Monthly Archive for November, 2010

Merry Kinkmas Chat

Join us for a LIVE multi-author chat at Night Owl Romance to celebrate the launch of the Ellora’s Cave “Merry Kinkmas” Quickies!

The chat begins at 8pm Eastern on Monday, November 29th and will run for 2 hours, so stop in and say hello!

Here’s the link: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Pages/Chat.aspx

The authors participating in the NOR “Get your Kink On for the Holidays” chat on 11/29 are:

8:00pm Eastern Time (USA) – Tammie  King – Welcome and “Merry Kinkmas” intro overview
8:05- 8:20pm Eastern Time (USA) -  Shannon Emmel “Noelle’s Gift” First release in the series on 11/29 (same day as chat)
8:20- 8:35pm Eastern Time (USA) -  Charlotte Stein, “Closer”  -  Release date: 12/7
8:35- 8:50pm Eastern Time (USA) -  Marilyn Campbell, “Start Your Engins”  – Release date: 12/20
8:50- 9:05pm Eastern Time (USA) -  Gail DeYoung, “Please Me, Tease Me” – Release date: 12/2
9:05- 9:20pm Eastern Time (USA) -  Christine D’Abo, “Firm Touch”  – Release date: 12/6
9:20- 9:35pm Eastern Time (USA) -  Emily Ryan-Davis, “All he Wants”  – Release date: 11/30
9:35- 9:50pm Eastern Time (USA) -  Kele Moon, “Beyond Eden” – Fetish
Here’s wishing everyone a “Merry Kinkmas” and we hope to see you at our chat on Monday, 11/29 at 8pm!

I’m looking forward to talking with everyone on Monday.

Special Reviews

I think it’s pretty obvious that I love reviews. Good or bad, I value the feed back a reader provides as I always try and learn something from it. When I get a review from another writer, it makes me very excited and nervous. Especially if they are authors who I admire.

Both the amazing Delphine Dryden and Michelle Polaris gave Commanding Acquisitions fantastic reviews recently. These are both ladies who write some of the best BDSM romance I’ve ever read, so getting their thumbs up on a story means a lot.

Michelle said:

It gives us two characters, intelligent, intriguing, sexy and enjoyable, places them at an important pivot point of their lives, drives the sexual heat high between them, and makes them face important decisions about taking the risk of relationship and coping with the fears that get in their way.

And De’s review makes me sound like I knew what I was doing! LOL!

Christine does a wonderful job keeping the pace flowing in this short but intense book. She makes great use of the 1-800-DOM-help setup to get Simon and Gavin together, but then lets the setting fade to background as they work their way into this relationship. The sex scenes are scorchingly hot and surprisingly sweet for a m/m BDSM tale. I enjoyed how the sex kept the emotional story rolling, as the steamy interaction became another form of communication between the two heroes.

If you haven’t checked out either of these two ladies, you really need to do so. Amazing story tellers and I’m privileged to know them.Thanks to both of you!

Still here!

I love doing NaNoWriMo…I really do. The sucky think about it though, is how it consumes your life. I haven’t had time to read, bathe (kidding (sort of)), or generally hang out. I also haven’t been blogging very much.

The good news is that I’m 37k into the story. I’m going to aim to hit 60k by the end of the month. I’m really enjoying the story and I love how things are working out for the characters. Let’s just hope you’ll all have a chance to read it someday. :D

I also have not had a lot of time to start telling everyone about Firm Touch! It will be coming out on Monday, December 6th and is part of Ellora’s Cave’s Merry Kinkmas series. If you haven’t had a chance to look, you should check out the Coming Soon pages to see what some of the other awesome stories are.

Blurb

Max has a secret. Max used to like to play on the wild side. Even though those days are now behind him, Max occasionally gets an itch for a particular fetish—one he would trust only Leo to scratch.

Leo would do anything for Max. One night after several rounds of tequila, Max confesses his desire to have Leo fist him. Though he is uncertain and concerned, Leo can’t get the thought out of his mind. He decides to give Max a Christmas present he won’t soon forget.

Well, I best get back to it. That NaNo book won’t write itself. :D

Oooh look!

Yeah, I’m a geek.

So I’m at a conference. And today I learned about how to make book trailers. After a grand total of 25 minutes, I made two trailers that I’m not embarrassed to put on the Internet. Well, maybe a little.

But only 25 minutes people!!

Here is one I did up for Commanding Acquisitions.

And here is one I did for my Eternal Bond series.

So what do you think? Don’t quit my day job? :D

Now Out – Commanding Acquisitions!

*does a snoopy dance around the room*

It’s out!! I am super excited to let everyone know that Commanding Acquisitions, the second book in the 1-800-DOM-help series is now available from Ellora’s Cave.

When we started talking about the series, a lot of ideas were bounced around. At the time, I was working at a conference for my day job, and as we chatted the idea for Commanding Acquisitions popped into my head. I wrote the synopsis on my BlackBerry in between conference sessions and then tore back to my hotel room to get started.

The end result is a story I’m very happy to call my own. :)

I thought I would share with you today our new group prologue, and a short excerpt from Commanding Acquisitions. I hope you enjoy!

The Magic

The magic begins with the appearance of the business card. Sleek black print on a pristine white background—unassuming in its appearance. Those brave enough to call the number will begin a journey that will explore their greatest desires.

Once the call is made, the Operator goes to work. Somehow he knows just what every caller needs, always able to find the answer the caller seeks.

Callers may be directed to Unfettered, a new club in town, one nobody has heard of. It provides a safe haven for all who enter. Members are free to explore their every desire…even those they weren’t aware of. Little do they know Unfettered will disappear once those yearnings have eased.

Submissives who don’t know how to handle their Dominants. Masters looking for the perfect sub. People who need just a little push to admit vanilla isn’t their favorite flavor. The card finds them all.

And once you dial 1-800-DOM-help anything can happen.

Commanding Acquisitions

Simon cocked his head to the side, looking at the man kneeling by his chair out of the corner of his eye. He hadn’t moved. The drink was still being offered, though Simon could see the slight shake in his arms. With a bored sigh, he reached out and took the tumbler.

The familiar, pleasant burn of the scotch made its way down his throat. Damn, that was good. He took another sip and held his glass out. The sub reached for it, taking it neatly from him.

A loud crack was followed by a sob. “One. Thank you, Mistress.”

Simon reached out and took the glass again. He ignored the tiny rush of electricity when his fingers brushed against the sub’s. Fuck, he hadn’t even looked at the man yet and Simon was ready to tie him up.

“Two. Thank you, Mistress.”

He knew he wouldn’t be able to put things off too long. If Simon wasn’t going to play with the boy, then he needed to cut him loose sooner rather than later. It wouldn’t be fair to waste the poor guy’s whole evening.

Crack. “Three. Thank you, Mistress.” Gasp.

“I bet his ass is red now.” Simon said softly. It could be brushed off as him speaking to himself, but he knew the man at his feet would hang on every word.

“Five. Thank you, Mistress.”

“I bet the welts are nice and white. He won’t be able to sit down for hours.” Simon sipped his drink. “I wonder if she’ll fuck him or if she’ll leave him to suffer.”

“Seven. Thank you, Mistress.”

Not wanting to wait any longer, Simon looked over at the man at his feet.

He didn’t appear to be much younger than Simon. He was shirtless, wearing leather pants and his feet were bare. Brown hair fell forward to cover his eyes, which Simon inexplicably wanted to know the color of. His long, lean arms were now resting at his sides, knuckles pressed to the floor. God, he looked like a swimmer or runner. Someone who took the time to exercise and look after himself.

In short, he was gorgeous.

“Nine. Thank you, Mistress.”

The sub at his feet was breathing a bit harder now. Simon liked that he was affected by the scene going on. Not that they would be able to do something like that now—not without setting limits at least.

“Think he’s going to make it? She’s been going pretty rough on him. Answer me.”

“Yes Sir. He will.”

Commanding Acquisitions and NaNo

Hello everyone!

So I haven’t been around much on the old blog as I was hoping. NaNo has been keeping me very busy. I’m now officially 19k into the story and I’m so far pleased with how things are turning out. The first novella is shaping up nicely and I should be ready to move on to number two by next week.

More exciting for me this week, is the release of Commanding Acquisitions tomorrow! Simon and Gavin are raring to come out and play! I’ll be posting over on the 1-800-DOM-help blog tomorrow and we still have a few contests running over there. Go check it out!

Ooooh and because I’m feeling nice, here’s a little naughty bit from the story!

Excerpt

Anticipation made Simon’s skin tingle. There were so many options for him to start with, things he could do as an opportunity to learn Gavin and his body. Yet, this wasn’t about him and his needs. Simon didn’t need to worry about the business, bills or anything else beyond discovering what made Gavin tick. What it was that would give the other man the release he needed?

It was something Simon could control.

“Get up. Come to the table and tell me three things you want. If I approve, you may be fortunate enough to have them used on you.”

Gavin kept his arms where they were as he climbed back to his feet. It was rare for Simon to find a sub who followed his commands so exactly. Even Russ would take liberties with him, obeying the spirit of Simon’s laws if not the letter. Sometimes it was intentional, the other man wanting Simon to punish him, the thrill of pain and pleasure combining.

As Gavin moved to the table, Simon watched his gaze flow across the straps, dildos, gags and other toys. Smirking, Simon slid his leather jacket from his shoulders. “I want you to use your teeth, bring each one to me.”

The hitch in Gavin’s breathing told him it was the right thing to say.
Simon made his way over to the three quarter lounge in the center of the room. The soft fabric felt good under his touch. Spreading his legs wide, he waited until Gavin bent deeply at the waist to pick up his first selection.

The dark leather of the bridle straps were a contrast to the fair skin of Gavin’s face. It took Simon a moment to recognize the design, a slightly unusual one, but well within his realm of knowledge.

Pressing his index finger to his lips, Simon sat back further in his seat. “Why?”

Gavin leaned forward and dropped the bridle into Simon’s waiting hands. “Sir…it’s been a while.”

The admission strangely made Simon feel better. “Coming without permission certainly wouldn’t put me in a good mood.” He held it up, rubbing the soft leather between his fingers. “Come forward.”

It took some work to maneuver the leather over Gavin’s rock hard cock and around his balls. The ties dangled free to tickle the tops of his inner thighs. That sensation alone would be a continued tease in addition to what Simon had in store for the man.

“You are not to come until I give you permission. If you feel you are getting close, you will pull this tight to prevent it. If you are unable to, tell me. Do you understand?”

Gavin nodded.

Simon slapped Gavin’s thigh. “What was that?”

“Yes Sir,” Gavin said on a gasp.

The picture that the black leather against the angry red skin painted pushed Simon dangerously close to the edge.

“Go get your second item.”

Gavin moved faster this time, but still possessing all the grace Simon had begun to associate with him. The second selection took a little bit longer, but Simon wasn’t disappointed when the item fell into his lap.
Holding up the butt plug, he couldn’t keep the smirk from his face.

“I’m not sure if this is sufficient.” He turned the item around in his hand. “It’s much smaller than I am. While I want you tight, I don’t want to…damage you.”

The look in Gavin’s eyes wasn’t one of belief.

“Get the next size up. Quickly!”

NaNo Update and a Blog Post

Hello peeps! Yes, I’ve survived another NaNo day with my word count intact! I didn’t get as much written yesterday due to the craziness of my life, but managed just over 2k, to take me to over 6k total. With luck I’ll get another 2k written today as well.

I’ve also posted a blog over at the 1-800-DOM-help site talking about what it means to be submissive. I’d love for you to pop over and check it out.

NaNo Day One – Head-Desk

I love the frantic pace of NaNo. Normally, I have a pretty good idea where I’m going with a story, so as long as I keep plugging away I do fairly well.

Yesterday was the first push and I was pumped! Day one is an exciting and scary time for most writers, though I tend to lean to the bouncy-excited end of the spectrum. On my lunch hour I bravely opened up a blank word document and begun…to stare. I had no idea how to start the book.

So I just typed the first thing that came to mind. I kept going even though I wasn’t comfortable with the first bit. I continued to push through even though there was something bugging me about the story.

In the end I managed to write 4100 words, a new day one personal best (yes I have a spreadsheet that tracks my word count for the past five years).  I turned off my computer and went to sleep, happy with what I had done, but still unsettled with the overall story.

I woke up promptly at 5:23am and realized I’d started the story in the wrong spot. Totally, utterly wrong.

The good news is that I can keep everything I’ve written and simply push it back a chapter. I worked out what I needed for chapter one while trying to not wake up my husband, and am ready to get it down on paper today.

Now I just need to find the time to write LOL!

I hope everyone else made out well with their NaNo Day one.

Let the Games Being

Here it is…day one of National Novel Writing Month. I’m excited to get started today and am itching for my lunch hour. Actually, that could simply be the Halloween candy.

I’m going to be pondering my characters while I work at the day job, then I plan on tackling the first chapter on lunch. I’ll keep you posted on how I make out.

Let me know if you’re doing NaNo as well. And don’t forget to follow me on the site. I’m there as Christine99.