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. :)