Book Review: Hard-Pressed by Queenie Black, Club Hard Book 1

Rose works as Lucien’s personal bodyguard, keeping him safe from dangerous situations and taking control of his life, but on her first visit to Club Hard, Lucien is determined to turn the tables. He sees Rose as his perfect submissive, and tonight he intends to show her what it’s like when he’s on top. But how will Rose cope when she’s so far out of her comfort zone?

Hard-Pressed is a quick, hot read, outlining in exquisite detail Rose’s first ever punishment session. Though part of her very much desires everything Lucien does to her, she’s fighting against her preconceived notion that submitting means being weak – something she needs to learn is not the case. Lucien, for his part, is a stern and slightly enigmatic master, but he cares very much for Rose, which becomes obvious as the evening progresses. From having to display herself in public to taking a spanking, Rose explores things that until now have been part of her fantasises, and which excite her more than she could have believed.

An unexpected twist raises the stakes and makes this more than a simple tale of Dom meets sub. This part of the story comes out of nowhere and could have been explored in more detail as it’s barely given room to breathe before it’s over, but overall this introduction to the world of Club Hard will leave readers wanting to know more about happens behind the club’s closed doors.

Hard-Pressed is published by Evernight Publishing and available from Amazon US and Amazon UK. I was given a copy of the book by Writer Marketing Services in return for an honest review.

For Your Touch Alone – Guest Post By Constance Munday

Constance Munday is my guest at the Naughty Corner today, revealing the secrets of her new BDSM erotic romance novel, For Your Touch Alone. Please welcome her.

I’m delighted to be guesting here with news of my latest project, so many thanks to Elizabeth for having me.

For Your Touch Alone (Book 1 – The Belonging Series), is the result of my lifelong fascination with BDSM. It’s the culmination of my plans for a trilogy about an ordinary woman’s journey into the dark side. I also wanted to write a novel with a significant amount of twists and turns, so I’m hoping the background theme will be interesting to readers. I’m so delighted to see the birth of the first book in the series. It was quite a wait for my patient readers, and I’m delighted to be back in the saddle.

I love Etienne and Vera. I purposely gave Vera a non-glamorous name as I want her to be the kind of girl we all might meet in the street. She’s rather principled and that makes her journey into the bondage world of Etienne Fauve all the harder. Etienne may come across as slightly dislikeable initially, but as readers come to know him, I think they’ll get him. His personality is simply the sum total of a troubled past.

As Vera learns to unveil the strengths she never knew she had, she commits to a journey that is much more than a simple relationship. It is one of belonging, body, mind and soul to her lover.

For Your Touch Alone is available at Amazon, through Xcite Books and on various platforms.

I love chatting and connecting with you all, so please find me on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/constance.munday

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Touch-Alone-Belonging-Book-ebook/dp/B01N212NJL/

https://www.amazon.com/Your-Touch-Alone-Belonging-Book-ebook/dp/B01N212NJL/

Blurb:

Vera Laike makes a vow of submission and belonging to Etienne Fauve, the mysterious and enigmatic Frenchman she meets when her marriage hits the rocks. Vera seeks to explore her inner self and Etienne is a master of control. Within her naivety he sees salvation. Within his control she sees liberation. They set out on a rollercoaster ride of temptation, seduction and sin without realising they are on a collision course. Neither of them counts on falling in love. They will be together; they have to be together. But are they both strong enough to surmount what lies ahead?

Excerpt:

‘This is a milestone. Today you’ll see and taste your other life again and you’ll flirt with possibilities. When you come back to me this evening, you’ll come to me completely, and your old life vanishes. This is soon, so soon for me to be asking this of you.’ He smoothed her hair. ‘You’ll need to be ingenious to separate the layers of your life, but you’ll have to do it if you’re to belong to me fully.’

Through the window, she could see the by now familiar car.

‘So this is something like going out on parole, or a test?’

‘A bit, yes. It’s a test for both of us. I must trust you in order to prove something to myself. You’re not a slave in the true sense of the word. The slavery you choose will be because you crave Etienne Fauve and what he has to give you.’

His lips were centimetres from hers. He brushed them with his own, teasing her. The promise of those lips sealed Vera’s fate.

‘Surely, people don’t play games like this?’

‘You’d be surprised how many do.’

‘But I…’

‘But you what?’ He laughed. ‘I get it. Although you’ve played along fabulously well for the last few days, in the back of your mind you’ve been thinking this was a ridiculous charade you could walk away from.’

‘I suppose so. I don’t know. Well, I can walk out of it, can’t I?’

‘Despite what I said before, that’s exceptionally naïve of you.’ He turned her around and whispered in her ear as he began to walk her forward. ‘There are more efficient prisons than those with four walls. There are prisons of the mind and heart. I think you want this prison. I think you are made for sin.’

‘I am made for sin.’

They were now at the front door. He pulled the velvet blindfold out of his pocket and she stood obediently as he settled it over her eyes and rubbed his thumb across her lips in his familiar gesture.

‘You ought to watch what you’re saying, Vera. You might not be aware of it, but you can be so provocative.’ He planted a kiss beneath her ear, leaning further forward to pinch her nipple. Sublime delight surged through her from the tips of her toes to the roots of her hair. She realised she was an innocent standing on the railways tracks, and an oncoming train was about to run her down.

He continued by drawing spirals on her skin as he opened the door and led her down to the car, settling her in the backseat before climbing in beside her.

Vera felt more nervous than she had the day Etienne had picked her up and brought her to the house. ‘I’m not what you think, Etienne Fauve.’ She sat in a very prim and proper fashion with her knees locked together.

‘I understand what you are.’

‘You think you do, but you hardly know about me or my past. We’ve only touched on it. You don’t know what I’ve fought to control by covering it with this veneer of ordinariness.’

‘Yes, I do. Why do you think you’re still sitting here and I’m taking this unprecedented step? You’re Vera Laike. The ordinary girl with the black tarnish, and I’m Etienne Fauve, the man with the black heart.’

 

I’m At The ARE Cafe Today…

…talking about the dreaded writers’ block. I’m sharing some tips on getting past that barrier, as well as revealing how writers’ block affects the two hot rock stars in my Pride Publishing MM novella, Power Chords.

Click on the cover image below to go to the article, and don’t forget to leave your own tips on dealing with the block.

You Never Forget Your First Time – Guest Post By Lisabet Sarai

When the lovely Lisabet Sarai announced she was bringing out a new and expanded version of her classic BDSM novel set in Thailand, Raw Silk, I was intrigued. It’s a while since I reviewed the original version for Forum, but I hadn’t realised quite how long until – oh, but I’ll let Lisabet explain for herself…

I published my first erotic novel in 1999. I’ve had many releases since then, but Raw Silk holds a special place in my heart. I was so innocent when I penned this story. I’d never read any romance, and relatively little erotica. I knew nothing at all about the publishing world. All I had were my own fantasies and memories, which I burned to share. Although the book was not in any sense autobiographical, it drew heavily on my personal experience. It has always been one of my most popular works, partly, I think, because readers sense the emotional authenticity of the tale. Kate’s sexual journey mirrors my own, not in detail, but in spirit.

Now Totally Bound has given me the chance to revisit that book, revising and expanding it for re-release. It has been a thrill to follow Kate once more through the twists and turns of her adventures in Bangkok. Meanwhile, I’m delighted to have the chance to apply the accumulated knowledge from sixteen years of writing to polish the prose, making the tale shine even more brightly.

Excerpt: Gregory turned to Noi. “Help her get ready. I promised her that no one would know who she was.”

“Kate, put yourself in Noi’s hands. She’s an expert.” He bent down to whisper in her ear. “Remember, I will be watching.” She felt a hard pinch on her bottom. “Break a leg,” he said in a jocular tone, then was gone.

Noi took Kate by the hand. “Sit here,” she ordered, “and take off your shirt.” Kate stripped off the T-shirt. She was bare-breasted beneath, but the women around her did not give her a second glance. She sat at the dressing table that Noi indicated, looking at herself in the mirror.

She was flushed. Her green eyes seemed darker than usual, and sparkled with suppressed excitement. The few freckles on her pert nose seemed especially prominent. She looked pretty, alert, and very Irish.

Meanwhile, her nipples were red and rigid, perched high on her full breasts. Touch me, they almost screamed. Pinch me, suck me.

As if reading her thoughts, Noi caught her left nipple between a thumb and forefinger, and gave a little twist. Kate gasped. “You will be very popular,” observed the mamasan dryly. Kate couldn’t help blushing.

Noi began to apply makeup. Kate watched, fascinated, as her ruddy skin became pale, her freckles disappeared, her eyebrows darkened and arched, her eyes became shallow and almond-shaped. In a short time, she was looking at an Asian beauty, perhaps half-Thai, half-American, with moist, full lips and curly red hair.

“My hair…” she protested. Noi reached behind her and produced a wig of straight, black locks. She gathered Kate’s own ringlets into a tight ponytail then fitted the wig.

The transformation was complete. Black bangs cut across her forehead. Black tresses decorated her shoulders. She looked nineteen instead of twenty-eight. And, most assuredly, Thai.

The other girls gathered around. “Oh, madam, you look so beautiful.” Kate couldn’t help but smile, surrounded as she was by gorgeous female faces and forms.

“Here is your costume,” said Noi. “Gregory selected it especially for you.”

Kate grew a little paler. Was she really expected to wear this, in public? She looked at Noi in silent entreaty, but the mamasan just grinned. “Get dressed,” she said. “The dancing will start in just a few minutes.”

A corset of black vinyl, laced up the front, which cinched her waist and left her breasts bare. The briefest of G-strings, a tiny vinyl triangle that barely hid her bush plus a thong that settled deep in the crevice between her buttocks. Thigh-high vinyl boots with four-inch heels. And, finally, the leather collar she had last worn while Gregory had taken her from behind.

Fully attired, she checked herself in the mirror once more. A stranger stared back, a sultry Asian temptress. The body was more voluptuous than was typical for a Thai, full breasts and thighs that belied the woman’s youthful face. Her red-painted lips were half-open, luscious and inviting. Her skin shone already with a light sheen of sweat. Kate raised her arms above her head and swiveled her hips, as she had seen the other dancers do. The figure in the mirror moved gracefully, languidly, every motion beckoning the viewer to watch, touch, taste, possess her.

“Here is your number.” Noi handed her a plastic chip with a pin on the back. Kate had noticed all the girls wearing them. Apparently they served as a simple accounting mechanism, for tallying the tips the girls received whenever a customer bought them a drink. She smiled wryly, noting that Gregory had assigned her the number sixty-nine.

Blurb: When software engineer Kate O’Neill leaves her lover David to take a job in Thailand, she becomes sexually involved with two very different men—a handsome and debauched member of the Thai aristocracy, and the charismatic proprietor of a sex bar.

Each touches her in a different way, each teaches her different things about her body and her heart.

Then David comes to Bangkok, and Kate realizes that, finally, she must choose one of the three men who all desire her.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of M/M and F/F sex, sex with multiple partners, scenes of mixed ménage, scenes of dubious consent and forced cunnilingus, voyeurism, exhibitionism, sex in public places, pegging as well as the use of inanimate objects during sex scenes.

Review Quotes: “This is by far one of the best erotic novels that I have read and it fully deserves every one of the five ribbons I am giving it! But it does make me wonder what the characters could do with them.” ~ Maree Schuler, Romance Junkies (Five Ribbons).

“[Kate’s] character grows and she comes to realize her inner needs along with her deep sexual desires. Lisabet Sarai has a flair for sexy, sensuous romance with an edgy feel. I cannot wait to read more by this talented author.” ~ Dawnie, Fallen Angels Reviews (Five Angels).

“The Bangkok setting is fascinating and adds to the overall feeling of opulent sensuality. Lisabet Sarai deftly shows the country without ever letting the descriptions take over the story. Good BDSM novels are voyages of self-discovery, and Raw Silk is a journey you’ll enjoy taking.” ~ Kathleen Bradean, Erotica Revealed

“…this is one SIZZLING read (the ending was incredible) and should not be put on the back burner of your ‘to read list.” ~ Alyssa, Amazon review (Five stars)

Buy Links (Ebook and Print)

Amazon US/Amazon UK/Barnes & Noble/Totally Bound/All Romance/

Find the book on Goodreads

Until March 8th, Raw Silk is available for only 99c!

Fifty Shades Hotter – Totally Bound’s Valentine Specials

Hopefully the postman came staggering up the drive with armfuls of Valentine cards for you today, but if not, treat yourself to some pampering. Pour yourself a glass of something fizzy and head over to Totally Bound, where all BDSM and contemporary titles are 25% off this weekend. Try one of my BDSM-themed novellas, including Neil and Obey, Wagers of Sin and Away From It All, or simply browse the store by clicking on the image below

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Backlist Blast: His

Here’s some hot BDSM to start your week, courtesy of my Xcite novella, His. Sean is a novice who dreams of submitting. Dante is the owner of a men-only club where masters and slaves can interact. When they meet, Dante sees Sean’s potential, and invites him to view a room he only shows to a select few:

A single overhead light cast a soft red glow over the room. Arranged on the walls were racks of whips, canes and other instruments I couldn’t put a name to. A large wooden X-shaped cross stood in the far corner. Even though I was fairly sure I knew what I was looking at, I still asked, ‘What is this place?’

‘Some might call it a dungeon,’ Dante replied. ‘I prefer the term playroom.’ He wandered into the centre of the room, pausing by a high stool with a padded leather top. ‘This is where I enjoy my private time.’

I didn’t know how to react. I was aware people had these secret dungeons, and I’d heard about the type of games they played, but I’d never thought I’d actually find myself in one. Until tonight, dominance, submission and corporal punishment had just been stories I’d seen in magazines. Stories that had got me so excited I’d had to stroke my cock as I read about some young stud bending to the whim of his stern, arrogant master, but ones rooted purely in fantasy – or so I’d thought.

Now my mind was racing, trying the term “master” for size as I looked at Dante.
He took one of the implements down from the wall. Made of worn leather, it was about two feet long, and split into two halfway along its length.

I shook my head. This time, when the words came to my lips, I didn’t try to hold them back. ‘No, sir.’

‘It’s a tawse. They used them in Scottish schools, in the days when it was still legal to dish out corporal punishment to children.’ The way he spoke made it clear he thought it was a good thing that no longer happened. ‘A couple of strokes of this across the palm of your hand, or the seat of your trousers, and you were very unlikely to misbehave again. More than that, this is a genuine Lochgelly tawse, among the finest of its type in the world. It was acquired for me from a retired schoolmaster in Dundee. I think it’s seen as much action in the three years I’ve had it as it saw in its entire time with him …’

Dante stroked the tawse reverently, then put it back in its place. He came to stand close to me. Without thinking, I bowed my head, afraid of what I might see if I met his gaze.

‘It’s maybe a little harsh for a beginner like you, Sean, much as I’d love to see it raising welts on that tight arse of yours. We’ll start you off with something a little gentler, I think.’

‘Start me off?’ My cock twitched in my underwear.

So begins Sean’s journey into submission, which you can follow in His, available from Xcite and Amazon.

Going Beyond – Guest Post By Sierra Cartwright

The idea of taking a story farther than I ever have before intrigues me.

In Crave, my latest novel from Totally Bound Publishing, I take the plunge.

Many times in my books, my characters will consider collaring a next logical step, a way to express their love, devotion, and commitment to the relationship and to their way of life. I generally end my books before any sort of formality happens.

Honestly, I’ve often thought that a collaring ceremony would be the ultimate act of intimacy between my hero and heroine, and I know that decision would be fraught with ideals, expectations, agreements, promises. This commitment would be every bit as important to them as their wedding.

Sometimes, when we get married, we invite family and friends and have a grand celebration. It’s fun to be a princess for a day! In a BDSM relationship, a collaring is often more private, maybe between just the Dom and His/Her submissive or with a few individuals who grasp the significance.

But what happens when the Dom makes it clear that collaring will be part of the relationship? What if the sub isn’t ready or willing? What happens when a heroine finds a collar in her lover’s dresser drawer?

Those questions inspired Crave.

In the case of Sarah Lovett, she panics. She’s in love with Reece, the man she will likely marry. Though he’s a Dominant, she’d never really thought of him as her Dom. He’s introduced her to the seductive powers of D/s, but she doesn’t consider herself a lifestyler. She isn’t someone who yearns to submit. And when she finds the collar, she realizes he expects it.

Though she’s normally a clear-headed person, Sarah panics. There’s no way she could pass that massive, locking thing off as a necklace. She sees it for what it is, Reece’s desire to show the world that she’s his.

She knows that if she talks to him, confronts him, he’ll manage to reassure her. The man can persuade her to do anything. And if she gives in, he will consume her. Rather than risk giving him the opportunity to convince her to wear it, she runs away. She leaves no contact information. She rejects his calls and ignores his text messages and e-mails.

Sarah begins her life over again, lonely, but determined. She quickly discovers, though, that she does crave dominance, but not just anyone’s. The men she plays with leave her unfulfilled. More and more, her mind is consumed with thoughts of Reece. She dreams of him, wishes she could contact him.

Maybe, she thinks, one last night together would give her the closure she needs and desires. She seeks him out, only to be rebuffed in the same way she’d ignored him.

His rejection only fuels her determination. She enlists the help of one of his best friends, the wildly enigmatic Julien Bonds. Julien can resist almost anything except the compulsion to meddle in the lives of others. He and Reece have been friends since college, and no one knows Reece as well as Julien does. Julien knows Reece still has unresolved angst when it comes to Sarah. So after consuming a fair amount of red wine and making Sarah grovel a bit, he agrees to help out.

But Reece isn’t as happy to see her as she’d hoped.

She’d hurt him more than she’d believed possible, and this new Reece is harder, less trusting. In return for the one night together, he’ll demand more than she’s ever given.

She wonders if she’s strong enough to endure the harshness she helped create. Sarah realizes she’ll have to push herself, challenge her own expectations, express her needs, and be emotionally and physically vulnerable in order to have Reece and the relationship she craves.

Enter for your chance to win a Kindle Fire HD to celebrate the release of Crave: https://www.totallybound.com/competition/crave-kindle?utm_source=thereallynaughtycorner&utm_medium=blogtour&utm_campaign=crave. The competition runs from May 26th to June 4th, and the winner will be announced at the Facebook release party for Crave on June 4th.

Backlist Blast: Wagers of Sin

 Sometimes, we’re all in the mood to switch things around, and when that comes to the arena of BDSM play, it can be a very enlightening – and very hot – experience when the dominant becomes the submissive, and vice versa. That’s why it was so much fun to write Wagers of Sin, which is part of the Totally Bound Switch collection. It all starts with a bet between two dominants, Marcus and Selina. Marcus believes Selina will never be a perfect top until she discovers what it’s like to be the bottom, and when he wins the bet, he gets the opportunity to prove to her exactly what he means…

Grasping the heavy iron knocker, I brought it down against the blue-painted front door, congratulating myself on arriving just before nine. No chance of being in any trouble for turning up late—assuming Marcus was serious in his intentions to make me submit. He didn’t answer at first, and I wondered whether he was still in bed. A delicious image filled my mind. Marcus, barefoot and wearing only a short dressing gown, wiping the sleep from his eyes as he rushed down the stairs to open the door. I glanced up at the bedroom windows, but the curtains were drawn back. He was definitely up.

I knocked again, and this time the door swung open.

“That’s a demerit point,” Marcus said, ushering me inside. Not ‘Good morning, Selina’ or ‘How was your journey?’, and that’s when I realised this wasn’t a joke at all.

“I’m sorry?” I said, not fully grasping his meaning.

“I asked you to be here at nine o’clock exactly. It was two minutes to nine when you first knocked. We’re going to have to do something about that impatient streak of yours.” His lips curved in a smile that did nothing to soften the sting of his next words. “And in future you’ll address me as ‘sir’.”

“Yes, sir,” I stuttered in reply. I’d seen this side of Marcus so many times before—stern, brooking no argument—but always when he’d been disciplining Lydia or another slave. He’d never turned the full force of his dominant persona on me.

Had those other women felt the way I did now? Strangely guilty, even though I’d really done nothing wrong, and beneath the guilt and the uncertainty about what might come next, a fierce sexual excitement that made my pussy twitch and my nipples peak against the cups of my bra. And though I’d always been amused by the way women blushed and giggled in his presence, reduced almost to helplessness by his good looks, I couldn’t deny he looked particularly handsome this morning, relaxed and casual in a simple black T-shirt and black jeans, his silver hair still slightly damp from showering. Unlike some dominant men, he didn’t need the trappings of leather and steel to add to his aura. He simply exuded a quiet confidence that most women found hard to resist.

I thought Marcus might lead me into his living room, or maybe to the kitchen I could glimpse through the half-open door at the end of the hallway. Instead, he left me standing where I was while he looked me up and down, shaking his head slightly as though something else displeased him.

“Did you follow my other instructions?” he asked.

My cheeks felt hot, and I knew I was blushing, all too aware of what he meant. “Yes, sir.”

“I’d like to take your word for it, but given how you’ve already messed up a simple order, I don’t think I can. You’re going to have to show me. Undress.”

The command sent a thrill through me. I’d suspected Marcus might make such a demand, but not so soon. Not when I’d barely stepped through the front door.

When I hesitated, he snapped, “I haven’t got all day, girl. Be quick about it.”

With every word, every gesture, he was defining this new relationship between us. I was no longer Selina. I was his girl, to instruct and discipline as he pleased. If I hadn’t been happy with this arrangement, the domina who’d long dwelled within me would have risen up by this point, telling Marcus things had gone far enough. But she remained stubbornly silent, almost as though she was enjoying this abrupt switch to submission.

What will Selena learn from her journey into submission, and how much more delicious humiliation will she enjoy before that journey is over? The answers can be found in Wagers of Sin, which is available from Totally Bound and Amazon. Maybe it’ll inspire you to enjoy some switching of your own…