Do You Remember The First Time....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Our holiday was spent with my mom and the rest of my side of the family as we laughed and shared memories of all those who have gone before us. It's been a rough year as we lost two: my dad and one of my uncles. Some were worried it would be a very sad occasion, however it turned out to be a fun way to remember all the things we remember and love about them.

The last two weeks have been extremely busy for me with the holidays and with wrapping up the edits on my upcoming romantic suspense novel, Behind Closed Doors. Thankfully, I just sent the final edits back to my editor. All I will have to do is sign off on the formatting and it will be ready for its February 9th release date.

I've also spent the last two weeks working on Book 2. It's been somewhat slow going as I've had to stop and start with finishing Behind Closed Doors, however, I'm hoping now that thing are coming to a close with that one, I can spend more time with Stephan and Brianna. She threw me a curve ball yesterday in writing. As happens so often in my writing, what I'd planned got sidetracked by what the characters want. You really never know the journey they'll take you on.

My unexpected turn with Brianna made me think back and made me wonder what other's experiences were and do you remember? Thinking back, I'm not sure I can pinpoint that moment. What moment? The moment you first saw the male anatomy live, in person, and...awake. ;)

So do you remember?

The Playroom - The Beauty of Shibari, Japanese Rope Bondage

This week we are welcoming author Kallypso Masters, author of the Rescue Me series. While researching her next book, Nobody's Hero (which I will be reading the minute I can get my hands on it), she delved into the world of Japanese Rope Bondage otherwise known as Shibari. Today she is going to share with us a little of what she's learned about this amazing art form.

Welcome!

~ ~ ~

In researching scenes for my Rescue Me BDSM erotic romance series, I delved into Shibari (rope bondage; known as Kinbaku in Japan) for a character who is a master at this skill. Shibari originated in Japan as a form of martial arts and was used to restrain prisoners and as a method of torture back in the day. Today, it is most often associated with the BDSM community as a form of intense and artistic bondage.

 

I find Shibari to be an art form that is beautiful to watch and looks as if it would be very erotic to participate in, although I haven't done so (yet). For a lovely introduction to the art of Shibari, you might like to view this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4VCuI2k6J8. (They're advertising the book, The Art of Shibari (Kinbaku) and its History, by Master K.

Some rope masters are more skilled than others, but for the submissives, bottoms, or models who are restrained by the ropes, I am told it leaves them totally vulnerable and at the mercy of whatever the Dom/Master wants to do. *shivers* Please don't allow yourself to be tied like this unless 1) you are in a safe place where others can intervene if necessary (such as a fetish club) and 2) you trust the person tying you up without reserve. But they also say the experience of being restrained by ropes is very freeing when the submissive "embraces the rope" and surrenders completely.

Of course, there are many inherent dangers to rope bondage, including permanent nerve damage, sprains, broken bones, and even death. Even the simple tying of a submissive's wrists can lead to nerve damage, so it is imperative that those wanting to explore this type of bondage learn all they can—preferably at the hands of another master. (Not virtually online or in videos, although I will be showing you some videos here, just to give you an idea of what this form of bondage can entail.)

A guide for rope bottoms and bondage models (http://rope-topia.com/downloads/tutorials/rope_bottom_guide.pdf), by "Clover," is an excellent guide telling of the precautions to take, especially with bondage of wrists, armpits, and neck. Please read this fairly short tutorial before you proceed even with simple rope bondage.

 

For a scene in Nobody's Angel (Rescue Me #2), Master Adam, my Marine Dom who is my Shibari master in the series, performed the Teppou technique, which means "gun," seen in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gy2JyfHFfs. I used this video to inspire the scene, although I wrote more about the emotions of the act rather than a "tutorial."

In a scene in Nobody's Hero (Rescue Me #3), I am sharing an inverted suspension Shibari scene. (Inverted means the sub will be suspended upside down—this is extremely dangerous and not for amateurs to attempt). I'd love to share an excerpt, but that scene is still being reviewed by my rope master to make sure it's safe and sane before I share it with readers later this month. The video that inspired this scene is very long and breaks up a lot, which can be frustrating to watch—but the expression on the model's face in the early part of the video shows how sensuous Shibari can be. http://vimeo.com/30842482 (Warning: Some nudity in this one and wax play.)

I also found this video of a woman who suspends herself. This is the first time I've seen this done, but it seems more like a rope trick to me. I like watching the play between the master and the sub/bottom/model. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Torrg5yjBd8&feature=related.

To read two connected blogs I wrote with back-to-back excerpts of the Teppou scene from Nobody's Angel, go to http://kallypsomasters.blogspot.com/search/label/Teppou. There's also a video posted in the second blog—scroll way down—showing how to do a hair corset with rope, which Master Adam also does on Karla to get her hair out of his way. (Warning: Master Adam was in the Marines for 25 years and he does use the F word, but only to himself in this scene.)

I hope this gives you a bit of an idea of the possibilities of Shibari with the right rope master. (There also are other forms of rope bondage that are equally beautiful, but my research has been focused on the Shibari type.)

You can find me as Kallypso Masters on Facebook (personal and author pages), Twitter (@kallypsomasters), and Goodreads. Thank you, Sherri, for inviting me to share some of my Shibari research with your readers!

Revisiting Old Friends

If you're following me on my other blog, www.sherri-hayes.blogspot.com, then you already know that I've been hard at work again on Book 2 in my Finding Anna series while I wait for the second round of edits to come back to me from my editor for Behind Closed Doors.

This past weekend, I spent most of my time with Stephan and Brianna. The first eleven chapters are written and tweaked.

It was great spending so much time with these two again. I love the connection they have, and the way they relate to each other.

One of the things I've found in people not understanding BDSM comes in relation to the D/s. Many can't understand why someone would willingly give up control to another. What does the submissive get out of it?

 

If we take this question and apply it to Brianna, we find that she, in fact, gets a lot. In Slave, Stephan provides her with a safe place to live. He is her protector. Her shoulder to lean on. He makes sure her needs are taken care of while helping her to grow emotionally in an environment where she doesn't feel threatened. Isn't this what most Doms provide for their submissives?

Mind Reader

This week I've come across a few posts and situations where I've begun to wonder if all subs think that Doms are mind readers. Do they really think that just because a Dom prefers to be in control of a given situation that they can reach into the recesses of a subs mind and know what it is that's bothering them? The funny thing is that I've heard men say this of women for years, but I'm finding that it doesn't matter the gender.

Let me give you some examples of what I've seen/encountered this past week. First a female sub who is upset because her Dom wasn't able to spend their scheduled time together because she has been having a bad month and needed him and their time. A male sub who gets upset when his Domme instructed him to stretch out his arm before starting work because it was hurting, but he had already done so without her knowledge. And the most jaw dropping one I read this week was from a sub who was questioning whether or not her Dom has raped her because he had had sex with her after a punishment and she wasn't into it nor did she want it, but she never used her safe word. From what I gathered from the post, she didn't even attempt to stop him in anyway.


In all three of these examples I am left with the perplexing question of why these three subs did not open their mouths and communicate with their Doms. Good Dom/mes want to know what's going through their subs heads. It helps them to not only understand, but also plan for other situations they both may encounter that this new information could effect. It may be as simple as staying in for the night rather than going out into a crowd or just the need for a long conversation so that everyone is on the same page with expectations. The worst thing a sub can do is not talk to their Dom about things that are bothering them. That means that even if they are in the middle of the scene and something isn't right, they use their safe words so that it can be addressed.

I'm not saying that Doms are always the best communicators because I've met a few that were horrible at it. But I will say that those Doms who truly do try to be good Doms at least make the attempt.

Have you had any experience in this, from either side? Have you seen it happen?

The Playroom - Saint Andrew's Cross

Crack!

THE ART OF THE ST. ANDREW’S CROSS

Cassandre Dayne

     I’m an erotic romance author and have done copious amount of research for my books because I write a lot about BDSM. I’m not going to try and tell you I’m an expert but in my research I’ve spent time with several true Dom’s and Masters discussing the lifestyle and they’ve allowed me into their worlds in eye opening ways.

     Many people enjoy a bit of kink and while couples of all types may indulge in a little vanilla spanking, purchasing and using sex toys and even shackling your partner every once in awhile, few people truly engage in the art of BDSM. Or do they? The practice is more widespread than you think however. Domination and submission has been around for centuries and with the explosion of the internet you can find almost anything and anybody you’re looking for. I caution anyone who may be thinking about doing this and don’t have a partner, be careful. Many say they know what they’re doing and they don’t. Remember that trust is the number one aspect of engaging in any sexual games. If you and your partner are curious of course you can learn and read and there are also Masters who will provide training for you as a couple.

     One of the aspects of BDSM is restraining and disciplining subs. What many people don’t understand is that whipping, caning, flogging and spanking are not simply used in methods of punishment. For those who engage in the lifestyle subs often crave being flogged and even some enter what is known as subspace. Don’t get me wrong, in talking with several Dom’s they do punish but typically certain methodologies are reserved for playtime or as the Dom I speak with most – the time for “using” his sub.

     That’s where spanking benches and other apparatuses come into play and one of the favored pieces is the St. Andrew’s Cross or more popularly know as the “X” Cross because of it’s simple design. Whether in polished wood or steel the oversized piece is in the shape of an “x”. Subs are restrained at their wrists and ankles in various ways from leather straps to chains and are whipped with various selected tools.

 

     That sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? But in truth the playtime does or needs to go further. Meaning – you really need to have someone who knows what they’re doing before they pick up a whip and start beating their sub. That’s not what this is about. Don’t get me wrong, there are true sadists out there who enjoy nothing more than flogging or beating a sub with zero regard to their welfare or their enjoyment. Sadists get their pleasure from giving pain. That’s it. They don’t care if they harm you at all.

     As my Dom has said – if I would consider moving into the lifestyle or even for measured playtime he would hurt me but not harm me. His pleasure would be seeing me getting pleasure from the whipping and of course other aspects of playing. That’s not to say that there won’t be welts and bruising. Depending on your skin and how the implement is handled – of course the sub is going to have marks. That’s part also of what this is about. But if the Dom or Domme knows what they’re doing they can tell almost instantly when it’s time to stop. It’s been said that as some subs enter the heightened state of pleasure they beg for more. This is what is known as subspace – the moment of pure ecstasy where the dichotomy of pain and pleasure is at its pinnacle.

     For the cross itself there are things to look for when considering purchasing. First of all there are companies that specialize in the design and built and many places offer custom designs. There are those who practice the art who build them but I caution those who don’t know the building industry etc as many of the crosses have been known to topple over. Some of these are free standing while others are attached to walls. I’ve even seen some that if vanilla style friends would come over would not be noticed at all – almost like a dazzling piece of art on the wall.

 

     The shackles can be custom made or purchased through many online sites. Now the cross isn’t just used for whipping either. Imagine the possibilities of using toys on your sub. Mmmm…  For those of you who might be considering moving into the realm of BDSM I will always tell you to do your homework thoroughly. If you either allow yourself to get into a situation with someone you don’t know or if you try something with your partner you haven’t researched and its not what you expect, you probably won’t try this again. But for those of you who do enjoy, it’s a lifetime experience.

    

Kisses   xxx

Cassandre

WHERE TO FIND ME

http://www.cassandredayne.com

http://cassandredayne.wordpress.com/

Email:  cassandre@cassandredayne.com

http://twitter.com/bethanyhalle

GET A SIGNED COPY ON KINDLEGRAPH

http://kindlegraph.com/authors/bethanyhalle

FIND MY BOOKS AT

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Cassandre+Dayne

Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Pubit, Bookstrand and Coffee Time Romance

    

BDSM in the Vanilla World

I was surfing through a BDSM forum last night and a submissive posted about a situation she and her Master encountered recently. It got me to thinking about how I would have reacted both now and before I started writing and reading BDSM.fiction.

For a little background on the situation...

The couple was at a fair viewing a stage presentation, and actor on stage asked for audience participation. When the submissive was one of the ones selected, a few things happened, meant to be in jest due to the content of the show, and she and her Master put on a little display of their own in the form of their D/s dynamic. Most of the people in the audience, including those on stage, just rolled with what was happening and some of them chuckled and just went with it. There was one lady in the audience, however, who felt the need to speak up. Throughout the remainder of the show, she continued to made rude comments about how she'd never bow down to a man or be controlled by a man, etc. Eventually the sub had enough and turned to address the woman, defending both herself and her Master.

That leads me back to my original thought. What would I have done? How would I have reacted both now and then?

To be honest,  I have no idea to either of those questions. I've never been one to heckle, and unless I felt the woman was in distress, I couldn't see myself saying anything even before I knew what BDSM was. And even though I've witnessed a few BDSM relationships now, I'm still not sure how I would react. It is something to ponder however.

The upside to this tale is that after the show, one of the other actors walked up to the submissive and her Master, placed a necklace of beads around her neck and told her that she knew what was happening and that the submissive had made her Master proud by her actions.

So what would you do? Would you be the heckler or the woman who came up after? How would you react if you'd witnessed a situation like that out in public?

Guest Post and Giveaway - Scorching Book Reviews

Yesterday had to be one of the best days I've had as an author to date. It ranks right up there with getting my first novel in my hands.


It started with a radio interview on The Hollis Chapman Show. If you haven't gotten a chance to listen to it, it is available on the show's site archive. The interview went really well, and I was able to share some of my tips on writing and marketing with listeners.

Then, last night, Scorching Book Reviews posted what can only be described as an amazing review of Slave. The review was so wonderful I was nearly in tears reading it. According to the reviewer, Slave is 'one of the best books I've ever read and I can't wait to read more'.

In conjunction with the review, I also wrote a guest blog post on her site telling why I chose to write Finding Anna. There is also an ebook give away attached to the post, so if you haven't read Slave yet or know someone who might be interested in reading it, hop over to Scorching Book Reviews and leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy.

Reader Question - Why...?

*Spoiler Warning* If you haven't read Slave yet, read the below at your own risk. 

My readers have been rather quiet lately with questions, but as I was scanning through reviews on Amazon I found a comment listed under one of the reviews. The reader posed a question and although I doubt they will ever make it here to see the answer, I thought it was a perfect topic for this week's blog post.

I am about 35%+ through the book and I had put it down. At the part where he takes her books away. I don't feel this is about a submissive woman, but an abused, broken girl. GIRL. She was a minor when Ian acquired her, for god's sake. I keep asking myself, why didn't Logan and Stephan rescue her, take her to a hospital, and turn that jackass Ian over to authorities? I love well written BDSM (about adults!), but I just can't get past the fact that I don't see her as an adult. I makes me squirm. Comments? 

Let me start by saying that this reader isn't the first to pose this question. I knew when I started this story that some would not like it because it doesn't follow the 'traditional'.

The reader's main issue here seems to be that they view Brianna as a girl, one not old enough to make such decisions about her life. But what I've found through talking to many Dominants and submissives is that most knew that they had this inclination between the ages of 16 and 25. You may not feel that an 18 year old is capable, but I know many that would disagree. I am not disregarding the fact that Brianna was 17 when Ian got hold of her, or that she was there against her will. If you've read the book, you know this is spelled out clearly. That does not appear to be what the reader is addressing.

The second part of this reader's question has to do with why didn't Logan and Stephan take Brianna to the hospital and turn Ian over to the authorities. First, this is a series of books and we do not know what will happen with or to Ian at this point. As for the first part of the question, the simple answer is that I didn't want it to happen that way. lol. The reasoning behind it, however, is pretty simple. Stephan lives a fairly high profile life, which we will get a little glimpse of in Book 2. Think about what the media can do with information. Do you think they would have left it at him being the hero and rescuing a girl from an evil man? Doubtful. They would have wanted to know why? What made this girl special? How did he find out about her? It is possible that they would have dug far enough to find out about him being a Dominant. How would that have affected his life, his family, his business? These are chances that Stephan was not willing to take.

So, I throw the ball in your court readers. What do you think of what the reader said? Do you agree? Disagree?

Guest Blog post on BDSM Book Reviews

I'm blogging over at BDSM Book Reviews today. Stop by and check out "The Evolution of Finding Anna". http://www.bdsmbookreviews.com/2011/10/26/guest-blogger-the-evolution-of-finding-anna-by-sherri-hayes/

'Real' BDSM

Today I find myself in the mood for a little rant. lol.

While doing research and exploring the BDSM community, you see a lot of comments about being a 'true submissive' or a 'true dominant'. If you talk to those who've been in the lifestyle for any length of time, however, you will find that they hate those terms. There is no such thing. You either are a submissive, or you're not. You either are a dominant, or you're not. Just because you don't submit to every dominant personality, or Dom everyone around you, doesn't make you any less of what you are.

The same holds true with BDSM. I've found many, especially those outside of the lifestyle, who feel that if pain or bondage is not involved then it isn't BDSM. That just is not the case.

First, let's define BDSM. Bondage & Discipline. Domination & submission. Sadism & Masochism.

What do these terms mean and why are they broken down? Because anyone of these things, or combination there of, fall under BDSM. A person does not have to enjoy pain. They don't have to like being tied up either. There are also those who want to be tied up and flogged, but have no desire to be dominated in any way. Fetishes take all different forms, and they all fall under the BDSM heading.

There is not 'real' BDSM. Wants and needs in a relationship are what you make of them.

So what does this have to do with anything you might ask? Where is the rant? Something I've noticed in a few reviews Slave has received is the disregard or the lessening of the BDSM element in the story. There is no impact play, pain, or bondage in Slave. There is, however, a clear domination and submission dynamic. This is BDSM. Yes, it is a milder form than seems to find its way into many BDSM novels, but it IS BDSM none the less.

Slave has gotten some really great reviews, and I'm grateful to everyone who has taken the time to do so. However, I'd like your opinion. How do you feel about it? Should a novel be deemed 'less than' because it lacks what is the norm in the mainstream?

Flash Fiction Friday

Flash Fiction Friday. What can you do with only 100 words?

He had been waiting all week for this. His nose skimmed the flesh of her spin, inhaling her scent. No one smelled like she did.

His hands gently moved down her sides, worshiping her body, showing her how much he’d missed her.

She stood still, allowing him his exploration. It was one more thing that he loved about her.

Slowly he moved lower until he’d reached her ankles. His hand fell gracefully to the floor as she began to turn, looking down at him. “It’s good to be home,” she said.

Yes. It was good to have his Mistress home.  

 

Interview with Stephan

Today I'm over at The Playroom for a guest blog. It's an interview with Stephan. Stop by and say hi, leave a comment, or ask a question.

http://bdsmauthorsplayroom.blogspot.com/2011/10/interview-with-stephan-coleman-dom-from.html?zx=f37bf716fd40d0cf

The Playroom - Fireplay

Today I'm welcoming our first guest blogger, La Crimson Femme. I met her over at Goodreads, and she's agreed to share with us a little about her favorite thing in BDSM: Fireplay. 

I am a deviant little girl who enjoys being taken to task and disciplined. ~ La Crimson Femme.

I LOVE FIREPLAY

Since the first time I read about fireplay in a BDSM story, I've been curious. Are you curious about fireplay? I experience fireplay at a party once and I was hooked. It was a great as I imagined. I had to learn more about it and I attended a class. For those who haven't heard of fireplay or want to learn more, here's my notes from class. I will also relay my personal experience. I hope you will relay your experience too!

Safety

Let's get this out of the way before we get to the good stuff.

Fireplay is considered edgeplay. It is best to have your safety gear all laid out and in easy reach.

1. Always have a fire extinguisher handy. Know where they are located.
2. Always have water within reach. Water in a spray bottle is recommended.
3. If the players have long hair, make sure it's out of the way.
4. Blanket on the face to protect and for the hair too. Fire fumes can burn the lungs. The blanket or towel on the face helps this out.

Now, the above safety items are dull to talk about in a fictional book, so rarely do authors mention it. These are for those who want to play. For those who skip these safety items, it doesn't mean that death or burns are imminent. All it means is that there is higher risk of injury. (Do you all wear your seat belt every time you are in a car? Do you force passengers in the back to wear their seat belts too? Do you wear seat belt when you are in a cab? I do only because I enjoy the restraint of a seat belt. ^_^ )

Back to the topic at hand.

Tools

Fire wands are 100% cotton. There should be no polyester. Polyester bad.

The only type of alcohol to use is 70% isopropyl. 90% will burn too hot. 50% doesn't have enough alcohol and won't light up as easily. Ethanol is oil based and BAD.

Some people like to use Vodka, Whiskey, Tequila, etc. Not recommended. I'm only going to provide the safe ones. If you want to experiment, go ahead. Let me know how it goes. I will not accept any medical bills.

There are multiple kinds of fireplay?

YES! There are. I've only experienced fire tickling, fire wanding and fire cupping. I would like to experience fire kissing and fire knife.

Fire wanding is the standard using a fire wand dipped in alcohol and then lit on fire. The flaming wand is rubbed across the sub's body. The flames appear on the body. Fire tickling is more like drumming on a sub's body with a flaming wand. Fire cupping doesn't actually involve fire on the sub's body. Instead, it's using the Chinese cupping technique to heat up the air in the glass cup and then sticking it on the sub's body. The hot air when cooled, will cause a suction to pull the skin into the cup. The intensity depends on the size of the cup and the heat of the air in the cup. This one will leave bruises that look similar to a huge octopus attacking with its suckers. Does it hurt? Very good. Feels soooo goood.

I'd like to thank La Crimson Femme for posting today. This is a subject on which I was absolutely clueless, and I can now say I at least know what fireplay is! :) 

I am still looking for a guest blogger for next month's 'The Playroom', so if you'd like to share you favorite BDSM toy, piece of equiptment, etc. please leave me a comment along with an e-mail address. Until then...play safe!

It's Official!

A lot has been going on since I posted last week. First, and perhaps most important, I started work on Book 2 in my Finding Anna series. :) I know. I'm excited too.

I started work on chapter 3 on Thursday, but have had to put it on the back burner for a while until I am through the edits for my next romantic suspense novel, Behind Closed Doors, that comes out in January. Hopefully I'll be able to get a few worked while I'm going through my January novel, but after November 19th, I will be moving full speed ahead with book 2 of this series.

A few other things have been going on this past week I'd like to tell you about. I'm now a contributing author to a blog titled 'The Playroom'. It is a collection of authors who write BDSM themed stories. We are just getting started, but there have already been some great posts so far. I hope you will all stop by and check it out. http://bdsmauthorsplayroom.blogspot.com/

As my first contribution to 'The Playroom' blog, I've been working on an interview with Stephan. It is planned to post Tuesday of next week. I've had a lot of fun putting it together, and I think it will give you more of an insight into Stephan's character.


I am also still open for suggestions on who you see as Ian. Is there an actor or model out there that you can see as that character? If you click on his tab at the top of the blog, you'll see some of his specifics. This is your chance to contribute. Don't be shy. :)

Reader Question - Inspiration

This week I'm answering another readers question via formspring. If you have a question for me or one of my characters, hop over to formspring or leave it here.

Question from trilby97:
What inspired you to write this story; the BDSM path and freeing someone from it?

Great question, trilby97.

This story was an evolution of sorts. I'd been reading some BDSM stories on-line. That alone didn't really trigger the story making juices so to speak, but then a story about a young girl that had been kidnapped and enslaved for years flooded the news. With that came 'in depth' stories of human trafficking, etc.

One day my mind just started to mingle the two. I began to wonder how a Dom would go about helping a woman who'd been enslaved against her will without using traditional means.

The story rattled around in my head for about a month before anything ended up on paper. But even then, I was too nervous to put it out there, so I sent the first four chapters to a friend. She read them and begged me for more.

As they say, the rest is history. I continued writing the story until it became what it is today. Stephan and Brianna have taken on a life of their own, and I can't wait to continue to share their journey with all of you.

The Playroom - Nipple Clamps

I was pondering what to talk about this month for my 'playroom' posting when I thought back to a conversation I was involved in last week regarding nipple clamps. It started with someone who was interested in trying them, but had no clue where or how to start.

So first of all, what are nipple clamps?

There are many different types of nipple clamps, but they all basically do the same thing, they restrict blood flow to ones nipples.

For someone who wants to try nipple clamps but never has before, going he adjustable route is a good option. There are a few different types of adjustable clamps, but all of them allow the user to have control over how tightly their flesh is being held. You want the experience to be enjoyable, not so painful that you never want to see the clamps again. Even with the adjustable ones common sense needs to hold true. If something doesn't feel right, stop!

If you find that you love nipple clamps and want to get more hard core, there are Japanese clover clamps, mini clothes pins, and talon clamps. Not for the faint of heart, mind you, so again, use your head if you are going to try them.

When I started this blog, my goal was for it to be interactive and educational along with sharing information on my books. To that end, I'm opening up 'The Playroom' posts to guest bloggers. Do you have a favorite toy, etc., that you like to use? Want to share what exactly it is that makes it your favorite? If you are interested in taking part in future guest 'playroom' posts, leave me a message with your e-mail address.

Next month I've had someone offer to share some information with us on fire play. This is something I am totally clueless about, so I'm looking forward to what she has to say. Until then...play safe. :)

Book 2

With Slave finally in the hands of readers, I've had quite a few questions regarding the next book. I thought this would be a good time to answer them. :)

The most common question I get is when will the next book be out. I know that I'm an indie author, but I'm going traditional on this. One book in this series will be released per year until it's done. So unfortunately, that means that book 2 will be available next year sometime in the summer months. I don't have an exact release date from my publisher yet.

Have you started writing the second book yet?
Yes, I have. Roughly a quarter of the second book is written, although it is in draft form and is subject to any number of changes that flutter through my mind between now and when I hand it off to my editor.

What can you tell us about book 2?
lol. Not much. I don't write from an outline as many authors do, so a lot of my writing is a surprise to me until just before it finds its way on paper. I know where the book will start and where it will end. I know some of the basic themes that will be in there...but that's about it.

Does book 2 have a title, yet?
No, it doesn't. I've been throwing some ideas around, but so far nothing had really hit me as feeling right yet. When I thought of the title for the first book, Slave, it just settled in and felt right. I'm sort of a 'know it when I see' it type of a girl. ;)

Why was Slave listed as erotica when it is more of a romance?
What does this have to do with book 2, you may wonder? Everything! lol. My publisher is listing the 'series' as erotica, not the individual book. It wouldn't have been fair to list Slave as romance and then all the additional books in the series as erotica. And yes, I do think that book 2 will earn the erotica rating. Things should be heating up a little between Stephan and Brianna in the next one.

Hopefully this answered some questions out there. Remember if you have questions for me, Stephan, or Brianna, click on the Formspring link in the left column and leave me a question.

Reader Question

For this week's blog post, I'm answering another question posted on Formspring. If you haven't read Slave yet, proceed with caution. Both the question and answer this week contains spoilers.

***SPOILER ALERT***


Was the decision to not have Ian illicit orgasms from Brianna as part of his kink a conscious decision?

Thank you IslandWoman for the question.

When I began thinking about the world Brianna was coming from, the one in which she lived in Ian, I saw it as one full of strict rules. From Brianna's point of view we learn that she never lived up to Ian's standards enough to earn a warm shower. No matter Ian's sadistic tendencies, he is a Master and he lives by the philosophy of reward and punishment. Orgasms, for him, fall into that category. Brianna never earned them, therefore, he never pushed that upon her.

So, yes, it was a conscious decision. Even though Ian obviously has a different set of moral guidelines he lives by, he, just like all Master's, love their rules. It is one of the reasons they are what they are.

Have a question for me or one of my characters? Click on the Formspring link on the left and leave me a question.

 

 

The Play Room - Rattan Cane

Before we get to the topic of today's blog post, I want to thank everyone who has left a review for Slave. Every review on Goodreads, Amazon, etc. helps to spread the word and let others know if the book is worth their investment. 

I have been trying to compile the reviews together until the 'Reviews' page here on the blog. If you know of one that is not listed, please let me know and I will try to get it posted. 

Also, I hope you will come join me this Friday over at Mindreaders where I will be doing a guest blog post for her August Adults Ahoy series on modern day slavery. 

Now. On with today's post. :)

In Slave, we see Stephan improvising with the materials at hand to make a make shift cane to help walk Brianna through her past.

Canes come in many different materials. This one is made of rattan, which is similar to bamboo. Because it is made of a natural product, there are often minor variations from one cane to another.

I was lucky enough to have a friend send me a video demonstration regarding the use of a cane in BDSM. It isn't a piece of equipment one wants to just pick up and start using on a whim. Using a cane in an incorrect manner can cause a lot of damage to ones partner. It is also very easy to break a cane if you are using it improperly. 


One of the things that struck me in the video is that it does not take a lot of force when using a cane to get results. Often when those outside of the lifestyle think of canning they think of someone being punished, left with huge welts on their body. Can that happen? Of course. But as with most everything, the end result depends largely on the person behind the equipment. Using a cane on a specific area will increase the sensitivity of that area, which can lead to more enjoyment for both Dominant and submissive alike.

Surprise

Today's blog post is another Formspring Question. This one is from fellow TWCS author, Lindsey Gray. Thank you Lindsey for the question.

What was the most surprising aspect of the BDSM world that you found out while researching for the series?

There are a few ways I could approach this question. A lot of things 'surprised' me about BDSM. I went into writing this story with very little knowledge. I had no friends in the lifestyle, no Doms or subs that I could go to with questions. My upbringing was also rather conservative. I had very limited knowledge of any other types of relationships other that the one I was exposed to. 

I'd have to say the most surprising thing I found, however, was the diversity. There are basic guidelines in BDSM, but after that, it's pretty much up to the players involved and their particular fetishes. There are those who only practice the D/s side of BDSM with no corporal punishment or play. On the flip side of that, there are those whose relationship entails intense pain play.  

Most people outside of the lifestyle seem to have a singular view of BDSM and those involved in the lifestyle, I was one of them. That just isn't the case. The different ways to live BDSM are as varied as those who live it. No two couples are exactly alike and neither is the way the practice the lifestyle. 

So now I throw the question out to you. What is the most surprising thing you've learned about BDSM?

 

Slave, Mind Reader, and Blog Hop

I thought this was a perfect opportunity to sum up everything that has been going on and what I have planned.

Slave Released!

This past Thursday Slave was released by my publisher, The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House. I was lucky enough to receive my copy in the mail that afternoon.

TWCS Publishing House hosted a virtual release party for the four authors whose books released this past week. It was a great time, and we had a steady stream of people in and out of the chat throughout the day.

If you've never been to one of TWCS' release parties, you are missing out. Several of the publishing house authors usually stop by even if they do not have releases that month. It's a great way to have a relaxing conversation with the authors, ask questions about their books, and find out what's coming up at the publishing house. The authors also share teasers from their newly released books. Readers can get a taste of the authors and maybe find a new book they never considered picking up before.

Mind Readers

On August 19th, I will be over at the Mind Readers Blog doing a guest blog post for her Adults Ahoy series. The topic will be 'Modern Day Slavery'. A series topic to be sure, I'll be touching on both consensual and non consensual slavery today. Hopefully you will all stop by and not only check out my blog post, but also the other guest bloggers that will be participating throughout the month.
Blog Hop

With Slave's release, my marketing manager will be orginizing a blog hop in the near future. If you have a book blog, or you know of a blogger who might be interested in reviewing Slave, interviewing mem for their blog, or having me as a guest blogger, leave a comment with your e-mail and I will forward it on.

Reviews for Slave

Another Formspring question from a reader.

I just got the book and I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to tell you what they think of it once it's done. Could you post a place in the blog for us readers to do that?

So if you have a review of the novel you would like to share, please post it here in the comment section. I'm going to add a 'Reviews' page to the top and list them there to make it easier for people to find and read.

Slave, Finding Anna Book 1
Released: July 28th 2011
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House

Slave, Chapter 1

Stephan

Geno’s was a small Italian restaurant about a mile from my office. They had good food and a cozy atmosphere, which made it a great place to have an informal meeting with an old friend.

The hostess greeted me at the door and let me know that my party had already been seated. She escorted me through a maze of tables to a corner booth in the back.

The restaurant was busy, but not packed. Still, getting the back corner booth with no one sitting at any of the immediate tables surrounding it told me either luck was with Daren today or he’d pulled some strings. My bet was on the strings.

Daren, my college roommate for two years, had called out of the blue this morning, asking if we could have lunch. He introduced me to the lifestyle I’ve lived for the last five years. Although he’d graduated a year ahead of me, we’d kept in touch through e-mails and the occasional phone call. Until I ran into him last month at a BDSM party, I hadn’t seen him since his graduation day.

My Mentor was always more social than me, so seeing him at a party wasn’t exactly a shock. I just wasn’t aware that he had moved back to Minneapolis. It had been a pleasant surprise.

Sitting down across from my friend, I took the menu from the hostess.

“Kelly will be around to get your drink orders in a minute.”

Thanking her, I set the menu down without looking at it and faced Daren. He was nearly my exact opposite. Where I had brown hair, he had blond. His eyes were a baby blue, whereas mine were a vivid hazel. I was tall and lanky, even though I’d buffed up some since college. Daren, on the other hand, was four inches shorter and could have easily passed as a body builder.

Today he looked nervous, which was rather unusual for him. Not unheard of, but definitely not common either. Needless to say, it piqued my curiosity.

“So do you want to tell me what’s up?”

“I will in a minute,” he said, looking over my shoulder. His behavior gave me a negative feeling. “Do you know what you want, Stephan?”

“Yes. I come here all the time.”

“Good.” He sounded relieved.

And then Kelly was there asking for our orders.

As soon as she left, I raised my eyebrow in question, but he ignored me. “You’re still running the family business, I see.”

“Yes,” I said, not sure what he was getting at. I doubted it had anything to do with why he’d called me. “I’m still head of The Coleman Foundation, but since it’s a not-for-profit, I’m not sure you could say it’s the family business.”

He waved it away. “Same thing.”

I waited, but he didn’t continue so I decided to play along. “You’re still consulting?”

Daren released a sharp breath. “Yeah.” He leaned toward me. “Are you still looking to collar a sub?”

So that’s what this was about? “If I find the right one, yes.” I noticed his shoulders relax, and he sat back a little. “What does that have to do with anything?” I asked, truly confused.

The subject that I did not currently have a submissive came up during our conversation last month at the party. I hadn’t played with anyone in the last six months. No one had struck my fancy, and most of them reminded me too much of Tami.

Daren had been with his submissive, Gina, since college. They were well matched in likes and dislikes and were much more open in their relationship than I personally preferred. I did not share my submissives, nor did I play with others when in a relationship. Many did, like Daren and Gina, but I’d never found it to be appealing. What was mine was mine.

 

Kelly came back with our drinks, so Daren waited for her to leave again before answering. “Because I found a girl for you.”

“Daren,” I warned, shaking my head. This was another no on my list. I didn’t enjoy being set up. Logan, my best friend, and his girl, Lily, had tried to set me up more times than I could count. I wasn’t interested.

“Hear me out. She needs your help.”

This aroused my curiosity. “What do you mean she needs my help?”

“I know how much you like to help people, Stephan. I mean, look at what you do.”

I was in complete disbelief. “Helping fund medical care for those who can’t afford it is a little different than taking on a submissive. Is she already a trained sub? Is she looking for a Dom?”

“She’s a slave.”

A slave. I didn’t have a problem with that, fundamentally.  It was a complete power exchange. Slaves gave up all control of their lives, their bodies, to their Master or Mistress. Some women, and even some men, choose to be slaves. For most slaves it was a comfort to have someone else make the decisions in their lives for them, to give up complete control to someone else. That didn’t sound like the case here if she needed my help.

“Okay,” I said, drawing out the word, still not quite sure where Daren was going with this.

“I was at a party Saturday night. She was there. Her name is Brianna, and she belongs to Ian Pierce.”

I knew of Ian solely by reputation. I’d never met him personally. He was well-known in the community, but from what I heard, he was into pain and humiliation. And he already had a slave. “What happened to his other one?”

“Oh, she’s still there. Alex was at the party as well. Brianna is a new acquisition.”

“And you don’t think she wants to be?”

“No,” he said firmly. “I don’t.”

“Maybe she’s into what Ian does.”

“Trust me, she’s not,” he said, shaking his head. Then he added, “I wouldn’t have come to you otherwise. And if you had seen her Saturday night, you would know it, too.”

I considered this bit of information. There was no doubt in my mind that Daren believed what he was saying. If this girl didn’t wish to be Ian’s slave, I couldn’t sit by and do nothing. How to help her was the problem. My options were limited.

“What do you want from me exactly? It’s not like I can call the police and have them storm the place just on my word. Or yours for that matter.”

He leaned in again, clasping his hands in front of him, but then had to pull back when our food arrived. Daren took a bite, and then looked me straight in the eye. “I have a collared sub, or I’d do it myself. Plus,” he said with a smirk, “you have more money than I do.”

It was then I got it. “You want me to buy her.” It wasn’t a question, and he didn’t deny it. The thought of “buying” a woman turned my stomach, but if what Daren said was true, I couldn’t just leave her there.

I needed more information and ignored my food as it grew cold on my plate. “What makes you think he’d be willing to part with his property?”

Daren gave me a devilish smile. This was the Dom I knew. He could be quite twisted when he wanted to be. “I asked,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders. “In fact, I told him about you. Said you might be giving him a call.”

“You what?” I nearly shouted. I couldn’t believe he’d told this man I might be interested in anything without talking to me, let alone the purchase of another human being.

Daren looked around us, and I followed his gaze. Everyone in the restaurant was looking at us. That was something we definitely didn’t need, so I lowered my voice to almost a whisper. “Explain.”

“Look, when I saw the girl, I thought of you. She has brown hair and blue eyes. I know how much you like brunettes.”

I scowled, but he ignored me. “She’s really pretty, and scared to death from what I could see,” he said pointedly before continuing. “So I simply asked Ian if he was planning to keep her now that she was fully trained. He asked if I was interested. I told him no, but that I knew of someone who might be.” He shrugged. “I didn’t tell him you’d be looking for a submissive, though, Stephan. If you do this, you’ll have to go in acting like you’re looking for a slave.”

My mind raced. If I did buy her, what would I do with her? What would she be like?

I couldn’t just leave her there that was certain, not if she was there against her will. It just wasn’t in me. If I could help, then I had to.

Could I do what needed to be done? Could I treat a woman like a piece of meat? Buy her?

But how could I not, given the alternative?

“Okay.”

Books - Finding Anna Series

I can't believe in less than two weeks Slave will finally be released. It feels like it has been a long time coming although it has been less than a year. Everything has now been formatted and signed off on. Slave is now at the printers!

If you haven't already, you can pre-order your copy of Slave direct from my publisher at http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.blogspot.com/.

Now, here is another question from Formspring. This question was anonymous.

How many books will there be in the series?

This is a great question. Unfortunately, the answer is going to be rather vague.

The way I write is rather nontraditional. I only work with a rough outline in my head, therefore I can't tell you for sure how many books will be in the series. My philosophy with the stories I create is that I write them until I feel they are complete. It is one of the reasons this is a series rather than one book. I didn't feel I could do their story justice in one novel.

Stephan and Brianna have a long journey ahead of them. Healing from any trauma does not happen over night. Neither does a romance when one of the individuals has gone through what Brianna has.

As of this moment, I can say that there will be at least four books, however, I will not rule out more.

Do you have a question about the series you'd like for me to answer? Something you'd like to ask Stephan or Brianna? Click on the Formspring link to the left and ask!

The Playroom - Leather Collar

My apologies for this post being late. I had it scheduled to post on Sunday, but blogger is obviously not with the program.


July is finally here. Slave will be released in just a couple of weeks. I can't wait. Hopefully, neither can you. :)

So I mentioned that starting this month I would be adding a new piece of equipment to The Playroom. For the month of July, I selected a leather collar.

 

Collars are important in BDSM relationships for several reasons. There are many different types and some are cuffs or bracelets rather than a traditional collar. I'll be exploring some of those in later posts, but no matter what it physically is, the meaning is the same.

For Dominants, collars are a symbol of possession, ownership, and commitment. Giving a collar to a submissive is not something they take lightly. By presenting a collar to a submissive, by marking them as theirs, they are taking a vow to be that persons Dominant, to look after their needs. There are good Dominants and bad ones. The good ones take this commitment very seriously and do not enter into it flippantly.

For submissives, collars are also symbols of ownership, possession, of safety. A collared submissive always has someone they can go to, they are never truly alone. Their Dominant has committed to always be there for them whenever they need them. Submissives take comfort in knowing that someone accepts them for who they truly are and will help them to achieve their maximum potential.

There are so many different types of collars, even leather collars. The one I choose this month is an inch and a half wide. It happens to be a fairly simple design with a d-ring at the front. There is also a place for attachment at the back according to the retailer. 

I like the simplicity of this collar. It isn't flashy or overly cumbersome, but you know it's there. 

This is what I have in mind that Brianna is wearing the first time Stephan meets her in chapter 2.   

Freedom

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

For those in the US, this weekend is full of BBQ's, fireworks, and a whole lot of red, white, and blue as we celebrate the birth of our nation and our freedom.

Freedom is such an interesting concept when it comes to BDSM. Most outside the lifestyle see submissives as having no, or very little, freedom whatsoever. It is ironic that most submissives, however, find submitting to their Dom/Domme to be a freeing experience.

I asked a submissive friend of mine to share her feelings.

"You are free to let go of every burden that society throws on you. You are free to let go of every mask you usually wear for many reasons. And you are finally free to be only yourself. No fear that someone will bother you or attack you because of who you are. You can let go everything and just to be yourself."

I mentioned a website in a previous post where I have done research for my story. It gives information on so many varying subjects including male submission. I thought I'd share a section with you that I feel is relevant to the topic at hand.
"Submitting to a dominant female allows me to drop my "maleness" at the door and become a sometimes fragile human being.

The daily stress of my professional life can become overwhelming at times. I have to make decisions that affect others; some positive, often times, negatively . As a heterosexual male, I am expected to wear a persona of "masculinity".

Submission, by and large is considered by many a weakness. In my opinion, submission is not a symbol of weakness, but rather one of strength. It takes almost inhuman strength to let go of the pain and the humiliation and anger and all the other emotions that we face every single day of our lives. My release oftentimes comes in the form of tears. Remember, we are raised as children to believe that tears were for "sissies" and were not allowed to shed tears. One of the reasons that I submit is to surrender to my need to cry. To shed tears that would otherwise be considered "unmanly". My Mistress calls them her "gift".

Submission does not mean I have a low opinion of myself. It does not mean I crave humiliation or embarrassment at the hands of every person, or dominant female I cross paths with. What it does mean though, is that I am free to "let go" of the daily stresses where I am in charge. Where I am in control. I can safely let another guide me while soaring within"subspace"."                                                                                  http://www.seekers.org.uk/mistress.htm

Whether male or female, submissives feel a sense of freedom when they are submitting to their Doms/Dommes. It is a release, a way for them to be who they are without judgement from society.

Pre-Order your copy of Slave

You can now pre-order your copy of Slave direct from my publisher's website www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/publishinghouse/. The book is set to be released July 28th.

Stephan has lived the lifestyle of a Dominant for five years. After several rebellious teenage years, it gave him the stability and control he had been seeking after his parent’s death.

As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Daren, leads him to buying a slave.

Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how.

Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing.

Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave?

Research

I received this question from Ena via formspring...

I was wondering if you would post some of your research on  your blog. I know you did a lot of research for the series and how much would you say had to be 'trimmed off' because there was too much--or the opposite, expanded.

This is an excellent question, Ena. Thank you. :)

When I first started doing research for this story, I was somewhat frustrated. I would type in BDSM and most of what would come up were porn sites. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

Finally I stumbled onto a few websites and blogs of submissives/slaves, which helped a great deal. One of them was about collars and their meanings.  That site is where I got the idea of a collar of protection for Brianna. I was going to post the link here, but apparently the website is no longer active.

At the beginning, I really just tried to think back to some of the other BDSM stories I'd read while taking in the personalities of my two characters. I was also reading a story written by a switch in Germany, so I sent her a few e-mails asking questions regarding the lifestyle in general. She was very helpful in getting the wheels turning in my head and pointing me in the right direction.

It wasn't until I befriended a slave on-line, however, that my access to knowledge began to expand. My friend, pointed me to a great informational website.

http://www.seekers.org.uk/home.htm

I found this website extremely helpful. It breaks the lifestyle down for those who are interested in knowing the basics of submission, Dominance, play, clubs, etc.

As I continued writing, I also met more of those who live the lifestyle and was able to get some real life answers to my questions. I can't tell you how many hours I've spent picking the brains of both Dominants and submissives. There is one chapter that will be in the second book of this series that I spent eight hours hashing out with my friend's Master to get the correct level of realism and what I wanted. We finally called it 'done' at three o'clock in the morning.

I would have to say that I've done more expanding than trimming off, but both have occurred at one point and time; it's just a natural part of the editing process. For example with the chapter I was referencing above, I cut about 1,000 words from that chapter, however, I add almost that much in its place. In Slave, I've definitely done more adding than trimming. In fact, the entire third chapter is new material. I've also added some content throughout for various reasons.

To say that my research for this series is completely would be a total lie. I learn more about D/s every day through my research, through talking to those in the lifestyle, and just through casual observations. It has been a rewarding experience for me where I've met some wonderful friends and gotten to know more about myself as well as my relationship with others in the process.

Pre-sales start next week...

With pre-sales for Slave going on sale next week, things are moving full speed ahead. My editor and I have been working frantically to get through the edits and get Slave ready for its July 28th release date. Slave will contain twenty six chapters. I am currently working through the edits for chapter 18, and am hoping to finish going through the remaining eight chapters in the next few days. We've had a few set backs over the last few months, but it finally seems to be coming together.

Hopefully some of you have visited the playroom page on this site. Starting next month, I will have a new piece of equipment up there every month. Some will be sexual in nature, others will have a more psychological purpose. That section will be more about education than anything else, and I am hoping that people will participate with both questions and answers.

That brings me to my next bit of news. I have set up a formspring account for my readers to use in order to ask questions. Ask me anything my Finding Anna Series. http://formspring.me/SherriHayes Have a question you'd like to ask Stephan or Brianna? How about Richard or Ian? I am hoping to be able to answer some of these question on the blog itself in a sort of 'ask Stephan/ask Brianna' type format. You can also ask question about the playroom section of the blog there as well. Again, this is meant to be fun and educational at the same time. :)

Editing

With 19 days left until the pre-orders of Slave go on sale, we are in full swing with the second phase of edits. I'm currently working on the first 15 chapters and should have the remaining 11 chapters soon to go through.

Editing is a very detailed process. It is very different from writing, at least for me. When I write, I try to get caught up in the emotion of the story. You can't do that when you are editing; everything is about the details.

For that same reason, however, Slave is proving more of a challenge to edit than my first novel, Hidden Threat. Slave is a very emotional story and it is hard to detach myself in order to just concentrate on what needs to be adjusted to make it the best story it can be.

This is why editors are so important. If you are an author and have a good editor helping you with your stories, take a moment to make sure they know they are appreciated. They really are there to make us look good. Our stories wouldn't be the same without them.

A Lunch Conversation

For those in the US, this past Sunday was Mother's Day. I knew I would not be able to make it over to see my mom that day, so I decided to take her out to lunch Thursday instead. We got to talking about my books, including Slave.

Fist of all, I have to say that my mother is a very conservative person, she always has been. The first time I brought up Slave months ago my mother's first question was to ask if it was set during the time of the civil war. Since then, I have had several others ask me the same question and have had to explain that no, it is a modern tale about a girl here in the United States.

Over lunch this past week, I shared with my mom some of the comments that were left on this blog after my first 'Welcome' post. One of the many things that came up was her wanting to know what BDSM stood for. I explained that it meant 'Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and submission, Sadism and Masochism'.

I got a blank stare in response.

Honestly, I figured she would have at least heard of BDSM at some point in her life, even if it was only in a vague sense. It seems, however, that that isn't the case.

My first exposure to BDSM was through TV. There was a show on years ago called Silk Stalkings. The homicide detectives were investigating a murder where the woman was found bound and gagged. The investigation led to a fetish club, etc. I don't remember much more, however, I do know that since then I have watched a number of other cop dramas with similar story lines.

It wasn't until I started reading a few stories that I began to look beyond the leather so to speak.

Given my mothers complete lack of knowledge on the subject, I am rather curious as to how she will handle the D/s themes in Slave.

Welcome

This story is very special to me for so many reasons and, through writing it, I fell in love with my two main characters Stephan and Brianna. They have taken on a life of their own in my mind, and I am I glad that I get the opportunity to share them with you.

A little over two years ago I got an idea for a story involving a Dom rescuing a non consensual slave, but honestly I had no idea how such a story would be received. I didn't want the story to take a more traditional therapy route. I wanted to, instead, explore how BDSM could help my non consensual slave find herself again.

I had little knowledge of BDSM so I set out to do some research. The web did help get me started with this story, but it also left me with more questions than I ever began with. Eventually, I started to converse with some who live this lifestyle. Their knowledge and help have been invaluable to me and has helped to make this story much more realistic.

Finding Anna was never meant to be a how to manual for BDSM. I have found through research and through talking to Doms, subs, Masters, and slaves that each relationship is as different as those who participate in it. This series of books is about Stephan and Brianna. It is about their lives together, their families, and their friends. Hopefully you will come to know and love these two as much as I do.

http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/publishinghouse/books/detail/30

Stephan has lived the lifestyle of a Dominant for five years. After several rebellious teenage years, it gave him the stability and control he had been seeking after his parent’s death.

As president of a not-for-profit foundation, he knows what his future holds and what he wants out of life. All that changes when a simple lunch with his college friend and Mentor, Darren, leads him to buying a slave.

Thrust into a situation he never thought he’d be in, Stephan can’t walk away. He is compelled to help this girl in the only way he knows how.

Brianna knows only one thing, she is a slave. She has nothing. She is nothing.

Can Stephan help Brianna realize that she is much more than just a Slave?