Cover reveal, and a sneak peek!

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How pretty is this cover? Faith has certainly gone up in the world since she turned up at the home of the Duke of Buckingham, looking like a drowned rat! When we left her, though, she had bolted at the end of her trial week as the duke’s paid submissive. However, Faith has a change of heart and decides to return to the duke’s demanding embrace. She’s falling in love and she knows it, although she also knows that no good will come of it. The duke has been very firm on the matter – he wants a slave, not a wife. Yet as the Ruttingdon Club house party approaches the duke realises that Faith must be entered in The Hunt, the hedonistic chase that ends every Ruttingdon party, and he is not a man who likes to share his toys. Will the duke turn his back on the rules he lives his life by, and protect Faith from the depravities of his invited guests? Or will Faith be forced to run to escape the wicked clutches of one man intent on making her dance at the end of his whip?

 

Find out on September 3rd 2016! Available from Blushing Books, Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo and iBook.

Read the first chapter for free here!

Guest author – Juliette Banks, The Artist

Rachel de Vine has released a new book under the name Juliette Banks – The Artist!

 

TheArtistCover
As an artist he was good with his hands – where it mattered.

 

Theo  (short for Theobold) is the son of a viscount, but rebelled against his stuffy, predictable aristocratic family, and left home as a young man to become an artist. He cares little what society thinks of him, enjoying his somewhat bohemian lifestyle, and particularly enjoys painting nude women.

Lizzie  is from a large, poor family, who is persuaded to marry Lionel, a man who turns out to be a rogue. When Lionel tries to force Lizzie into prostitution she runs away. Sleeping in a barn and destitute, she finds it impossible to obtain ‘respectable’ work, because Lionel has spread false stories about her moral character. She hears that Theo is looking for a model for his paintings and, much against her better judgement, is forced to seek employment from him. It seemed like the only alternative to starvation or crime.

Excerpt:

Theo rose earlier than usual the next morning, having turned in early the night before. He regretted telling Lizzie not to come until mid-day now, anxious to make use of the bright morning sunshine, but could do nothing about it, as he had no knowledge of where the girl was living. He decided to take a walk instead.

It was pure chance that he picked Oak Lane to stroll down. It was a pretty walk, with magnificent, fully-grown oak trees that gave it its name, and a stream meandering in the dip by the side of the road amongst the trees. Just before he reached the farm entrance, he spotted movement below him. Creeping a little closer he realized it was Lizzie, having her morning wash in the stream, and he darted behind one of the trees to watch without being seen. It was foolish to hide, he told himself, when he could look at that wonderful body all day while he painted her. But there was something wonderfully erotic in spying in secret his little flame-haired model, performing her morning ablutions. She clearly thought herself completely hidden from prying eyes, for there was not a trace of inhibition in her movements.

Lizzie was standing ankle deep at the edge of the water, and had tucked her skirt up on either side of her body to avoid it getting wet. The blouse she wore on the top half of her body was unbuttoned halfway down her chest, and the soft roundness of the top of her breasts were peeking out through the gap. She had a rag in her hand and pushed it down the opened buttons and under her arms. The dampness from the rag caught against the front of the blouse and made the material stick to her breasts, causing her nipples to stand to attention. That was not the only thing that was standing to attention. In his trousers, Theo felt his cock expanding and straining against the rough material.

A bird chirped on one of the branches above Lizzie’s head, and she raised her face to look up at it. Her pose, with her mass of auburn hair flowing backwards down her back, lips open and breasts pushing outwards against her blouse, made the artist in Theo want to paint her in such a pose, and made the man in Theo want to fuck that woman so badly he was afraid he might come in his trousers.

Having washed her upper body, Lizzie now concentrated on the lower half. Theo was unsure whether he could safely watch without giving himself away by a sigh or a groan. She bent forwards to rinse the rag in the water, away from where Theo was hidden, and he caught a glance of her perfect, shapely bottom peeking out from the bottom of her skirt. What a glorious arse, he thought to himself, and what he wouldn’t give to bring the palm of his hand down on that soft, creamy flesh, leaving the imprint of his hand on her behind.

 

To continue the story:

Lizzie accepts Theo’s offer to be his model and, within a short time, they succumb to temptation and become lovers. Lionel, however, hears of this and, in a jealous rage, he kidnaps Lizzie while Theo is away.

Theo chases after the pair and in a fight Lionel is killed. Theo and Lizzie are forced to flee for Italy, or face a possible hanging for the crime. Can the love between a son of a Viscount and an illiterate country girl survive after such a troubled start? And will they have to face justice for the murder of Lizzie’s husband?

 

Buy Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada

Contact the author:

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/juliettebanksauthor

Email:  www.juliettebanksauthor@gmail.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/juliettebanksuk

As Juliette Banks is a new pen name for Rachel, go to www.racheldevineauthor.com for information about The Artist and other books written by Juliette Banks and Rachel de Vine.

Visit Rachel’s Amazon Author page at http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-de-Vine/e/B00N58ULQW

Guest author – Tabitha Black, Restraint

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Bondage. Dominance. Submission. Masochism. Love.

Love. Lust. Limits.

Sir Simeon Harvey has realized his lifelong ambition: to build a BDSM resort on a private island off the Australian coast.

At last Nox Oasis, with its grand apartments, exclusive membership, and very own kinky theme park, is opening its doors to guests for the first time.

George and Faye have been especially invited by Sir Simeon himself to celebrate the official opening. Having lost the spark in their marriage, they hope to rediscover their one time passion. What they don’t expect is for Simeon to make them an offer they can’t refuse.

Hazel Jenkins can’t believe her luck when she lands the plum job as head receptionist for the Oasis. While she has no experience in the BDSM realm herself, she’s fascinated by the whole idea.

Her initiation into Sir Simeon’s world is as shocking as it is arousing, and when she meets his godson, Dain Wilcott, the handsome American Dom, she knows just whom she wants to explore her kinky side with.

The question is, does he feel the same way about her?

Publisher’s Note: This book contains explicit sexual and BDSM-related themes, including MFM ménage, and mild breath play. If such material is likely to offend you, please do not purchase.

Buy Link: Amazon

Excerpts:

“Fuck, this is a hot sight,” George breathed. “I’m already so hard it hurts, and I haven’t even started spanking her yet.”

Simeon chuckled knowingly. “That was the intention. Imagine you’re a Top currently without a partner, and you’re in the mood to deliver a nice—or nasty—little spanking… you can come in here and indulge yourself on a naked, perfectly presented backside, no strings attached, anonymity guaranteed.”

Faye suddenly found breathing impossible. Even with the knowledge that it was her husband on the other side of that curtain; the man who had spanked her so often and in such a variety of ways that she’d lost count, she was apprehensive. She couldn’t imagine how much worse it would be if those behind the curtain were nameless, faceless people intent on one thing; using any implement they chose on her defenceless, exposed bottom.

“And how do you feel right now, little one?” Simeon bent down, his hand settling warmly on the back of her neck.

“Terrified,” she admitted.

***

“Nox Oasis is no place for wallflowers, Miss Jenkins,” Simeon went on in his deep, gravelly voice. “As my head receptionist, you’re going to be confronted by all manner of things on a daily basis. I built this place because I wanted to create a kinky playground; somewhere for people to come and be themselves, no matter what form that may take. There’s still far too much prejudice against BDSM out there in the vanilla world—people think it’s all whips and chains and nothing else.” He sighed. “I can’t have prejudiced staff—”

“I’m not prejudiced!” she blurted out before she could stop herself.

He smiled. “I know that, sweetheart. I hadn’t finished yet.”

“S-sorry, Sir.”

“I also can’t have anyone on my team who is easily shocked, or overwhelmed by what they might see or hear.” He frowned. “I’ve been to too many BDSM clubs where sex isn’t allowed. It’s ridiculous. Everyone buggers off before midnight; a man gives his girl a flogging and they’re turned on so much they have to rush home to fuck instead of being able to do it right there, while they’re still in the moment, while their juices are still flowing, so to speak.”

“I understand,” she said.

“Good. So the idea behind this place is that anything goes, so long as it’s all within the principles of R.A.C.K.”

“Rack?”

“Risk aware, consensual kink. It’s also why we have such an involved and arduous vetting process. Means that, once they get here, our visitors can relax and have fun knowing that everyone else is on the same page.”

There was a pause. Hazel wasn’t sure what to say, but she was glad the conversation had turned away from what was going on between her thighs.

***

I wonder if I can get through this entire dinner without looking at him? Sitting down, deliberately staring at the silverware, Hazel was only just able to suppress a squeal when someone squeezed her bare knee.

“Try to relax, sweetheart,” Simeon whispered. “These are all very friendly, open people. I just want you to have a good time. Do you think you can do that for me?”

She gave him as genuine a smile as she could muster. “Of course, Sir.”

“Good girl.”

So intent was she on staring at the polished brass candlesticks that it took a moment before Hazel realized that wine was being poured into the huge silver goblet beside her plate. Glancing down the table, she saw that everyone else’s goblets were also being filled, by an assortment of waiters and waitresses.

Naked waiters and waitresses.

Not one of them was wearing a stitch of clothing other than their shoes.

And, even more extraordinarily, not a single guest was giving them so much as a second glance; as though being waited on by a youthful, attractive, stark naked person was an everyday occurrence.

Noting that the hand currently pouring her wine was most decidedly masculine, she bit her lip. She didn’t dare look behind her. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

***

X-Rated

She was suddenly all too aware that this was real; that she really was lying naked on Dain’s bed and that he was an extremely experienced Dominant, whereas she had never even been spanked.

He settled himself down beside her, leaning up on one elbow, his free hand trailing down her stomach, sending sparks of arousal skittering up her spine.

“Hush, sweetheart,” he said gently. “You don’t need to be afraid of me. I know you’re new to this, which is why we’ll be taking things slow.” Even as he spoke, his hand moved down between her thighs, seeking the hot, wet core of her. “But believe you me, sooner or later, I will have you over my knee… or bent over a desk, a chair or my bed, and I will be spanking that adorable round butt of yours until you’re begging for me to stop.” His fingers found her clit and began to play with it, around and around, up and down, driving her almost to madness. “And we’re not gonna stop there,” he went on, his husky voice consuming her thoughts. “I’m going to bring you to extremes of both pleasure and pain… I’m going to make you cry, make you scream, make you beg, I’m gonna play your body like it’s my own personal instrument, and I’m going to show you that even your orgasms belong to me from now on.”

Hazel was almost delirious; she was vaguely aware that she was rocking her pelvis in time to his stroking fingertips, her entire being was focused on the sensations his voice and his touch were invoking. “Please,” she whispered.

“Please what, baby?”

She was so, so close… “I want to come.”

 

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Tabitha Black has been writing erotic spanking fiction for over a decade, mostly in the ageplay and historical genres. More recently, she’s discovered the joys of writing more contemporary, edgier books with a greater emphasis on BDSM – one of which, Sharing Silver, has been nominated for a Golden Flogger award and won the Spanking Romance Reviews award for best ménage 2015.

Having lived in four countries on three different continents, and been an active participant in her local kinky communities, she likes to “write to discover what she knows”. Her own personal kinks include anything and everything to do with spanking, fireplay, edge play, scarification, age-play, and too many more to count. Some girls like wood, some adore leather, but Tabitha is partial to big, shiny, ornate knives… nothing else makes her quite as weak at the knees.

She lives in Europe with her Daddy/Sir, and a lilac cat who likes to sneeze in her face. She has a weakness for great cappuccino; strong, dominant, kind but brutally sadistic men (and counts herself amazingly lucky to have found one in real life); brilliant books, and tattoos.

Tabitha loves getting mail, so if you want to drop her a line, please do so at tabitha_black@hotmail.com. You can also check out her blog here, follow her on Twitter @BlushingTabitha, Instagram, or join her Facebook page. Thank you for reading!

 

Horrific! 


This blog post is going to be about constructive criticism, as a person who is bafflingly anonymous has accused me of not being receptive to it. I think that this person doesn’t actually understand what it is, so, the blog post. Hope you find this helpful, anonymous person! 

Constructive criticism is when you offer advice to somebody to improve their work. You point out what is done well, identify areas of weakness and suggest ways to improve them. Often such criticism is written in a positive-negative-positive structure, so that the recipient doesn’t feel that they’re being bombarded by negative messages.  

An example of this would be something like “I really liked the way that Ms Taylor showed us insights into both of the characters’ minds in Having Faith. That helped me understand why the duke was behaving as he was. I think that the author made a mistake in not having so much of her trademark humour in this book. It made it much darker than her previous  Ruttingdon books, and I found it jarring. It wasn’t in keeping with her other books.  The focus on the BDSM elements was too harsh. However, towards the end of the book there were hints of that humour. If Ms Taylor was to write so large a book again and split it, I would suggest trying to even out the tone of the book so that her readers aren’t so surprised.”

Positive, negative, positive. That’s how you do it. That’s not just me saying that; as an educator, this is how you give feedback to pupils to encourage them to redraft and improve. Google “constructive criticism” and the first definition is from Wikipedia. I know, I know, not the most reliable source in the world, but their definition is the same as mine, and the same as the definitions underneath it. 

Writers need to accept constructive criticism of their work. How on earth will you ever improve if you don’t? Trusted beta readers, often other writers, know how to deliver constructive criticism. Reviewers often don’t, and that’s the problem that I’ve had this week. 

The release of a new book is always stressful. This is something you’ve worked on and redrafted and edited and then redrafted and re-edited again for months. It’s gone through several versions, you’ve handed it over to your editor for their pass at it, you’ve gone back and changed it again. Every word has been agonised over. Every comma has been contentious. Then it gets a pretty cover, it’s released to the general public, and somebody gives it a one star review. 

It’s disappointing, to say the least, but you’re a big girl. You know that not everybody is going to like your work. Hell, you don’t like everything that you read, either. But one star? How did you mess up so badly? What can you do to improve? 

And here’s the thing, anonymous one star reviewer: the original review you left was not constructive. You didn’t like the book because the BDSM was too harsh. It wasn’t what you wanted or expected. That’s completely fair as a personal opinion. You’re entitled to it. You’re entitled to say it in an Amazon review, if you like. Not a problem. But “I didn’t like it” isn’t constructive criticism. Don’t get your knickers in a twist when I groan to other writers about the bad reviews I got! Just as you have a right to your opinion of my writing, I have a right to an opinion about yours. 

Now, the original review (which has been deleted, folks, because when you’re an anonymous Amazon reviewer that’s an option for you, while we authors stand by the words with our names on) annoyed me for two reasons.  The first reason was that the person too shy to even give herself a nom de plume  claimed that in Having Faith the duke chokes Faith nearly to unconsciousness. That is blatantly untrue. The duke does squeeze Faith around the neck. He does it as a form of breath-play, which when done properly, can be highly erotic to some. For others, it’s about as sexy as Donald Trump oiled up like that Tongan Olympic athlete dressed in nothing but a g-string. The thing is though, at no point does he squeeze until she almost passes out. Several times I stress that he removes his hand the second she registers distress. 

To claim that I wrote something that I didn’t means one of two things: you’re either lying, or you didn’t read the book properly. If you’re lying, or exaggerating to make a point, shame on you. If you didn’t read the book properly, why on earth are you reviewing it?  

The second point that prompted me to make the public Facebook post where I despaired of your review was that you stressed that your review was done out of friendship. To say that I disagree is an understatement! Friends don’t leave friends one star reviews. If you hated it (which of course, is completely your right to do!) then a friend would have messaged me privately and said I’m sorry, this book isn’t my cup of tea and I can’t leave a review. Not a problem. Someone did that and we’re still friends. Or, you could have just not reviewed it. Simple. A variant on the adage “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”.

I think the confusion set in when you assumed I knew who you were. I don’t. Sorry! That’s the thing when you write anonymously and won’t communicate in private. I don’t know who you are. My psychic skills are limited to being able to predict when the cat is about to throw up. You objected to our friendship being joked about. I think you and I have a different understanding of the word. Shall we blame Mark Zuckerberg? Although I very much enjoy interacting with people on Facebook, I don’t consider them friends unless I’ve known them a long time and built a relationship with them. It’s the same way I deal with people in real life. 

So, you deleted  your review. Then you replaced it with another one star review which simply says “Horrific.” Again, your right. Not complaining! But when another reviewer points out that you’re not reviewing constructively you throw your toys out of the pram and accuse me of being a prima donna! To quote the ever-quotable The Princess Bride, I don’t think that word means what you think it means. 

I honestly don’t mind that you hated the book. I honestly don’t mind people giving me constructive criticism. Did you see the three star review? It stings to read, but the writer has a point. Every criticism is valid. That I consider constructive criticism, even if it doesn’t follow the positive-negative-positive model that’s recommended. If I had a chance to go back and correct the issues they pointed out I would in a heartbeat. But deleting your original review, re-issuing it with one word and then getting into an argument with another reviewer? 

Sounds a bit prima donna-ish to me.

Having Faith

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Faith has already fallen, but how far is she willing to go?

Never trust the wrong man, especially with your heart. But how does one know ahead of time he is the wrong man?

In the case of innocent vicar’s daughter Faith Halstead, governess to a middle class family with a marriageable son, one only finds out he is a cad after it is too late. Now she is alone in the world, a fallen woman, facing a bleak and uncertain future.

While leaving London in disgrace, a chance encounter on the train lands Faith in front of the darkly dominant Duke of Buckingham. He is in search of a woman to serve as his slave at an upcoming Ruttingdon Club house party, and the shy, modest young woman has unaccountably captured his attention.

Desperate for any excuse not to return home to her harshly judgmental father, Faith rashly promises to serve as the duke’s absolute slave for a week, alone with him at secluded Ruttingdon Hall.

Will his dark and brutal desires and the oftentimes sweet pain he inflicts upon her ripe body drive her away, or will the awakening desires in her heart seduce her into staying longer with him – perhaps forever?

Amazon.com  |  Amazon.co.uk  |  Blushing Books

Read Chapter One for free here!

Guest Author – Jaye Peaches, Viola’s Heart Strings

Enjoy a brief snippet of Jaye Peaches’ brand new book, Viola’s Heart Strings !

Viola

After a chance meeting, young Viola Pritchard finds herself married to the enigmatic Sir Anton Valise. The innocent Viola falls fast for her new husband. She loves him and only wishes to please him and be the wife he wishes her to be. She’s surprised to find that she craves Anton’s passionate and dominant lovemaking, and even lusts for him to take her in more erotic ways.

Determined not to repeat mistakes from his past, Anton tries to keep Viola at a distance. Her sweet submission and unflagging loyalty prove to be his weakness. The baronet introduces rules to ensure his new wife will remain obedient, not trusting that her intentions could be so pure.

When Viola discovers a series of secret rooms and a diary left behind by Anton’s late wife, she unearths a chilling mystery. With tension between the couple rising, Anton and Viola’s relationship reaches a crisis point. Can Viola crack the armor around her baronet’s safely guarded heart?

***

 

Here’s an excerpt:

“You imply… punishments,” she stammered.

“You were never spanked by your redoubtable governess?” The corner of his lips curled into a smirk.

Viola closed her eyes for a moment, briefly allowing shameful memories to re-appear. “She struck my palm with a strap occasionally.” She opened her eyes, waiting for his response.

“I see.” He crossed his arms, pursing his lips. “I would consider spanking you, but… I have decided to suspend that approach and withhold the use of the rod. In the meantime, I shall concentrate on lecturing and other… disciplinary measures.”

“The rod!” Nobody, not even her father in the days before he travelled overseas, had caned her. “I’m a lady. You treat me as if I am a child.” She clenched her fists.

Anton sprang to his feet. “Most certainly not. What is important, Viola, is that you will grow, become a better person and wife, and through your love for me, you will flourish.”

She had touched some raw nerve, something sparked in his dark eyes. “You’re very confident of the powers of love. What of you, sir. Your love for me?”

He swept her up onto her feet. “Why, Viola, I will cherish you and protect you—can you not see that? Protect you from strangers and unwanted attention. I will make my love with you and you will have your rewards too. Your body is mine, my dear sweet girl. You should not fear that. You will not worry about anything. Managing this house will be easy with help of servants. You’ll have much leisure time to partake of your embroideries, poetry and other activities. You should learn to ride. All I ask is that when I need you, you are available and ready to serve me. Serve me, Viola, as a good wife.”

“By spanking me—”

“Don’t dwell on the negative. Already you assume the worse. I might never be required to seek such a harsh method. My pleasure comes from teaching you, watching you grow and mature, and become a woman, who will excel in many ways. You’ll be my princess in the bedchamber. You should be proud of what you are going to achieve for me.”

Anton’s tone of voice kindled strange sensations in her loins—a fizz of expectation. “Many ways?” she murmured.

“Think of our bed as a playground, a place of pleasure and delight. You will be surprised at what gives a woman pleasure.” His mouth twitched and he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand.

The tender moment helped placate her nervous energy. “You’ll be patient with me, please, Anton?”

“Things might be hard for you, some days, but don’t be afraid. I’m your husband and you are mine to cherish. You must be patient too. Both of us must be.”

“You will look after me? You do have integrity, don’t you? I have to trust you. What you require of me must be matched by my faith and trust in you, Anton.”

“I will honour your trust, Viola.”

He lowered his lips on her upturned face and kissed her. “You won’t want to disobey me. You’ll see. You will please me.”

Throughout his discourse, his labouring of expectations and discipline, she battled with mixed emotions. She needed to understand her husband’s reasoning—his desire to discipline her, but also the impact it would have on her own freedom as a woman, a wife, and perhaps one day, a mother. Each time he spoke of her service and obedience, he countered them with those speaking of pleasure, his desire to cherish her. She vacillated, then, when he kissed her, she dismissed her concerns.

***

Buy Links

AMAZON

Author Bio:

I’m an author of erotic D/s romances including Amazon bestsellers. All my books contain an element of BDSM, spankings or erotic games of sensual exploration. If you desire a little thrill, something to entice, then please take the time to read one of my books. Thank you!

When not writing, I’m busy spending time with her family, enjoying music, sometimes drawing and if the weather allows, gardening.

 

Author Links:

 

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