Thursday, January 31, 2013

Happy Anniversary - Pride & Prejudice!


Okay. Anyone out there who doesn’t like Jane Austen may now be excused from the room.

Three days ago, January 28, to be exact, marked the 200thanniversary of the publication of what is commonly referred to as ‘the best book ever’ – Pride and Prejudice. In three hard-cover volumes, yet!

Probably no one who has ever seen the BBC/A&E filmed version will disagree with that opinion. After all, Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy created an entire spin-off conglomerate all by himself! We’ll talk more about that in a moment or two.

It’s so unfortunate that Jane Austen was unable to write more books, but under the circumstances in which she wrote, we should just be immensely grateful that she was able to produce the masterpieces with which she gifted the world. I’m sure she would have had a difficult time understanding the cottage industry that has arisen around her stories and the characters she created: good, bad, or indifferent. It’s so much fun to seriously dislike Mr. Wickham or Mr. Willoughby or Mr. Crawford. (boo! hiss!) Or, maybe you drool over Mr. Darcy or Colonel Brandon, especially as they were so dashingly brought to life by Colin Firth and Alan Rickman, respectively.

Actually, we should probably credit Mr. Firth with propagating the Jane Austen Industry – he single-handedly brought the UK to its knees during the six-week broadcast of Pride & Prejudice in 1995. For sure, the A&E/BBC film was epic, to say the very least. It is, perhaps, the most glorious reproduction on film of any literary masterpiece, ever. In my humble opinion, that is.

The proliferation of sequels to an already mostly-complete story that P&P did is truly mind-boggling. There are literally hundreds of books currently available (with more appearing all the time!) drawing on the beloved Jane’s characters for inspiration. They range from continuations of the Darcy’s story, to cousins or cousins, twice-removed, perhaps. There are straightforward fiction, romantic fiction (of varying sensuality levels) and mysteries, both contemporary to Ms. Austen’s time and our own.

Jane Austen is commonly credited with having given birth to the Regency Romance. However, she was writing contemporary novels, not historical fiction. And they weren’t really romance, either, but just…plain…fiction. That’s a minor quibble, however, for after all, it was Georgette Heyer and to a slightly lesser extent, Clare Darcy, who took the whole notion to a still higher level with their marvelous books. (But that’s an entry for another occasion.) Today, we’re all about Miss Jane—and her literary descendants. 

The Making of Pride and Prejudiceby Susie Conklin and Sue Birtwistle is the perfect companion to the 6 hour film version. In fact, it’s part of a lovely boxed set of three DVDs and book. You could read my review of the book here, if you’re so inclined. (It was the third review at this page last I looked.)

Let’s start with mystery. Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor: Being the First Jane Austen Mystery by Stephanie Barron burst upon the world on April 1, 1996. It was no joke, either, capturing high praise for the wit and meticulousness of the writing, the plotting, the language--everything. It was the footnotes which truly captivated me. Now, there are  now eleven books in the series. In these pages, you’ll meet Jane, her sister Cassandra, her Mother, and several dashing gentlemen, one of whom is quite definitely Jane’s cup of tea.

Another dandy mystery series is by Carrie Bebris, and to date, there are seven titles, each of which quite cleverly takes off from one of the original Austen stories. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are the Nick and Nora type sleuths, aided by her sisters, sometimes, and/or hindered by her mother. I think a good many of the characters wander in and out of these pages, whether their own story or not. They also have a good bit of humor. I found them delightful!

The first truly great series of Regency mysteries, however, were those by the late Kate Ross. These were superbly done and researched, true to the period, and with a believable crime but clever solution. Julian Kestrel was the hero in Cut to the Quick and four others. The premature death of Ms. Ross was indeed a great loss.

Another series that tends to look at the darker side of the Regency era features a very sympathetic wounded warrior as hero. Ashley Gardner bathes her stories in a realistic Regency atmosphere while her hero suffers the torments of the damned as well as unrequited love. But still he puts his intelligence to work by meticulously working out the mysteries in these well-crafted and enjoyable books.  Currently, there are seven books, plus a novella available, with the promise of two or three more to come. Hooray!

For a slightly different take on the Regency era, look for Death on a Silver Tray and three others by Rosemary Stevens. She won an Agatha Award and the Romantic Times Award for Best First Mystery for the first of these mysteries featuring Beau Brummell as the sleuth, along with the very first Siamese cat in England– Chakri – a gift from a Eastern potentate. They are witty as well as historically accurate, and are guaranteed to make you laugh!

A contemporary series that really has little connection to our Jane, other than a similarity of name is by Laura Levine. The female sleuth is a writer, Jaine Austen by name, and the books are very contemporary. Fun, though.

As to the romance side of things—we could spend a day here, and probably not get to them all, but you can make a good start on things by looking for the Darcy series here:

I can’t always get this site to cooperate, but you may have better luck. (If any of the links here don't work, please try to cut and paste the entire link into your browser.) This publisher also reissues older books by Joan Aiken Hodge and will soon have perhaps the best sequel of all, Pemberley Shades by D. A. Bonavia-Hunt.

We won’t even think about vampires and were-wolves and other such things. We’ll stay on the main road to Pemberley!

Finally, in honor of the occasion, there are multiple sites offering free downloads of Pride and Prejudice in e-book format. Considering the choices here, you have no excuse for not owning this book!



Happy Regency!  and   Happy Reading -- 

Hetty St James      (aka Kelly Ferjutz) 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

CAN A LEOPARD CHANGE ITS SPOTS?



One of the big questions that invariably comes up if you get a bunch of writers together is “Pantser or Plotter?” I have always been a plotter. Always. I put a ton of forethought into each book, chapter outlines, character sketches, plot points and themes…blahblahblah.

Until my current WIP, Moonwitched. I took off work between Christmas and New Year’s so I could FINISH the book. I only have four chapters left. And yes, as of today I still have the same four chapters left as back then. *sigh* I can make all the everyday-life excuses—overtime at work, getting the paperwork started for going back to college in July, becoming deathly ill with the flu, changing critique partners and webmistresses. That’s definitely cutting into writing time.

But that’s not it.

It should have been simple and straightforward—it’s all mapped out, chapter by chapter and scene by scene. I know where I’m going. I know who does what and where they all end up. I should have just been able to tear through the darn thing and had it on my editor’s desk just after New Year’s. I’m STILL on Chapter Twelve.

Because a weird thing happened. I started out rereading it from the start, just to vet it. And my evil muse whispers, “Valkyn’s a father separated from his sons—he’d miss them. He needs to think about them more…how about here…and here? Mari needs to cast another spell of protection for the children…here would be good. Matteo’s sick of Imani’s manipulation and needs to have it out with her…right about here—no, here’s better.”

And on and on it goes. It’s growing from the inside out. Getting fleshed out and longer—more character depth, stronger motivation—but no closer to the end. GRRR!

The book’s getting better, no question. But where the heck is THE END?

I’ve NEVER been a backloader before. I’ve always been a frontloader. My only rewrites usually come from critique partners’ comments (tweaking, never rewriting) and during edits. Until now. I feel like a cyberneticist, turning a human into a cyborg one bionic part at a time. Insert here, beef up there, clarify this, move that. Gene-splicing—to get a “new and improved” baby. My hardcore notes feel more like guidelines. Thank you, Captain Barbosa. What the heck happened to the diehard plotter? It feels like dithering. But this book won’t be rushed.

Is it some subconscious maneuver to stall b/c this is the LAST book in the Guardians of Light series and I don’t want to let go? Braeca’s story in the Daughters of the Guardians series is all ready to go—and I can’t get Moonwitched off the stage for the second act to start. (My friends will tell you I overthink everything—right, Adam? Chris?) I know I will finish this book, like all the others. And it’ll be great. Chapter Twelve can’t last forever.

It’s just weird. I am one cranky leopard…<LOL>

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Writers' Block's the Pits

If you've ever had it, you know how helpless it feels not to be able to put together a story from the synopsis you used to sell it! I don't often get stumped, but I am now--and I'm trying hard to blame the blahs on the nasty case of not-flu-bug that had me down most of last month!

Two competing story lines sit in my computer when I'm two days before deadline, and never the two shall meet! I've vacillated like a politician with a hot-potato issue, lobbyists on one side and irate constituents on the other--and only today have I managed to reconcile in my head that one of the story lines works marginally better than the other.

Why, you ask? Well, my initial story line called for my IR hero and heroine to be strangers, when the hot sex they want to have doesn't mesh with the idea of them just having met. Now I've added a prologue with them meeting, having incredible sex and parting ways because they're just too different and their worlds are totally incompatible.

Add to this the fact that the proposal for the story places it as a continuation of a long series with many characters and complex relationships--and a timeline that doesn't quite match up in the older stories, although the lapses aren't too bad considering that the series wasn't originally written as such--rather as separate books that somehow ended up as part of a loosely connected series!

The series: BLACK GOLD, where the Middle East and Texas merge in some steamy yet difficult-to-reconcile ways. The current WIP: SELENA'S SHEIKH, in which I'm trying to bring together an independent Texan heroine with a fairly traditional Kuwaiti sheikh for whom sex is the major glue that holds two improbable lovers together.

My hope: that when I finish SELENA'S SHEIKH it will bring a new and different set of conflicts to a nontraditional interracial/multicultural romance--and that readers will enjoy what's proving to be a very different yet highly erotic contemporary romance.

Meanwhile, check out my current book, #3 in the Caden Kink series, available from Ellora's Cave, Amazon and other online booksellers!

Ann Jacobs
http://annjacobs.net

Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnJacobsAuthor

Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/authrannjacobs



Sexy Couponing…in the Extreme: A Valentine's Day Challenge from Sabrina York



Valentine’s Day is coming soon.

It’s time to think about what we might do to show our sweetheart how much we adore them. I can’t think of a better gift for your partner than a sexy coupon book.

And not just because that’s the theme of my latest release. The fact of the matter is, a sexy coupon book is a lot cheaper than a dozen roses or a re-built motorcycle engine.

Plus, it’s a hell of a lot more fun!

In my steamy novella with BDSM themes, Extreme Couponing, sweet and sexy hubby Tae discovers that wife Bella secretly craves sexual submission but it too shy to ask him for it, so he designs a book full of sexy coupons to lead her down the garden path. The coupon he redeems first is for One Hour of Complete Submission. The result is a revival of their sex life, in a way that completely satisfies them both. (Please read on for the scorching excerpt…)

So here’s my question for you, dear reader: What would you put in your Valentine’s Day Coupon Book for your spouse? Would it be naughty and risqué? Or would you stick to a litany of household chores?

I’d love to hear your ideas for my coupon book. So would my dear husband!

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Coupons for Him
·         Good for one comment-free football game*
·         Good for one BBJ (Blindfolded Blowjob)**
·         I will act out a scene from your favorite porno
·         All right, I will play Halo/Portal/WOW with you
·         Lingerie. That’s it. Just lingerie.
·         Good for one Ellora’sCave for Men ebook

Coupons for Her
·         Dinner. In or out. Your choice. My treat.
·         I will change the oil in your car without complaining about it (much)
·         I will clean the garage (really, I’ll do it this time)
·         Good for bathroom duty for one week
·         I will actually complete any one chore from my Honey-Do list
·         Good for one spanking, whether you need it or not

Coupons that Go Both Ways
·         Good for one backrub*
·         Good for breakfast in bed*
·         Good for one foot rub*
·         Role reversal for one week
·         Good for one weekend away
·         I won’t complain about work for one whole evening. Promise.
·         I will give as good as I get.

*From Extreme Couponing
**Yeah, this is in one of my coming releases!
See how much fun this can be???

Please comment below and share your suggestions for a Valentine’s Day Coupon Book, and read on for information about my books, contests and the sizzling excerpt from Extreme Couponing, available now from Ellora’sCave.


About Sabrina York
Sabrina is an award winning author of erotic romance with over a dozen titles available, ranging from sweet & sexy erotic romance to BDSM to erotic horror. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york or Facebook.

Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on her web page (www.sabrinayork.com) or explore on Amazonor at Ellora’sCave.
·         Adam’s Obsession: Contemporary Erotic Romance  
·         Extreme Couponing: Contemporary BDSM
·         Folly: Erotic Regency
·         Pushing Her Buttons: Contemporary BDSM  
·         Rising Green: Steamy Erotic horror
·         Training Tess: Contemporary BDSM  
·         Trickery: Magical Domination  
·         Tristan’s Temptation: Contemporary Erotic Romance  

Coming Releases


Enter to win a gorgeous tiara by signing up for Sabrina York's Royal Hotsheet (new book and contest info only--no spam! Your e-mail address will not be shared). If you're already getting the newsletter, don't fret. You're already in the drawing. Send an email with "Enter Me" in the subject line (this is erotica, after all) to sabrina@sabrinayork.com. The drawing will be March 31, 2013.

One entry per person.

Refer Your Friends Bonus Entries
Tell your friends about Sabrina York, Her Royal Hotness. If they sign up for Sabrina's Hotsheet you earn another entry, plus a chance at a Referrals Only drawing for more bling. (NOTE: They must tell me that you referred them in the message box so I can give you credit).

Good luck!!!



Extreme Couponing

by Sabrina York

Bella adores Tae. He is sweet and patient and gentle. She would do anything to keep her handsome hubby happy—even pretend to be something she’s not. She ignores that niggling dissatisfaction with their very vanilla marriage. But secretly, she yearns for something darker.

When Tae discovers—quite by accident—about Bella’s secret desires, he is determined to fulfill her every fantasy—and his. He devises a wicked coupon book full of naughty commands and fiendish challenges. From spankings to bondage to erotic play with household implements, he tests her limits. 

With each coupon Tae redeems, Bella sinks deeper and deeper into the lifestyle she has always craved but never had the courage to demand. Can they find a place that allows her to be the strong independent woman he fell in love with and the quivering sub she is at her core?

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Ball & Chain Line


An Excerpt From: Extreme Couponing

Copyright © SABRINA YORK, 2013
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
If you’re under 18, it is necessary for you to stop reading now.

With a simmering glance at her, he slid a finger beneath the tape. A small booklet fell out onto his lap.

“What is it?” She scooted closer.

“Oh look. You gave me coupons.” He sounded excited. Thrilled even.

“Coupons?” She shook her head and took a sip of her coffee. What on earth was he up to? She was hardly a “coupon queen”. She was the kind of woman who used coupons as bookmarks.

In fact, he did all the grocery shopping. Well, if he wanted food in the house.

She wasn't very domesticated. Never had been.

He flipped through the booklet, oohing and aahing. The sideways looks he sent her set a fire in her gut. “Oh Bella,” he purred, pausing on one coupon in particular. “You shouldn't have.”

She frowned. “Let me see that book.”

Before he could protest, she snatched it from him and flipped through the pages. And she began to laugh. Clearly he’d printed out this booklet on his computer. “Good for one backrub. Hmm.” She flipped to the next. “Good for breakfast in bed.” Okay. There was the usual stuff. One foot rub, one blowjob, one comment-free football game…

And then she came to one that made the breath catch in her throat. She swallowed. Her pussy twitched.

It said, One hour of complete submission.

She froze. Every muscle in her body locked in place. Her heart pounded, her blood thrummed, her body liquefied.

He watched her intently, taking in every nuance of her reaction, his jaw tight, eyes glittering. His tongue snaked out to wet his lips. “I was thinking about redeeming that one now.”

She didn't even know how to respond, so she just stared at him. They’d been married for nearly a year but he’d never once suggested anything kinky. Never once tried to push the boundaries.

Never once suggested anything even remotely risqué.

Damn it all, anyway.

Bella had never been a wimpy woman. She usually just took what she wanted from life. But in this, especially with Tae, she was tentative, cautious. Nervous.

Usually she was never nervous. But this…

This was something so personal. So intimate. So secret. She’d never had the courage to admit it to him. She’d been scared to death of how he would react if he knew the truth. If he knew what she really craved.
That he was asking for this, now, made her woozy.

She cleared her throat, lowered her lashes. “W-what did you have in mind?”

He waited until she looked at him before he spoke. “I think the coupon speaks for itself.”

“All it says is complete submission.”

“I know. Are you game?”

An unfamiliar tension rose between them. Bella nibbled her lower lip as she contemplated the sudden urge to test his resolve. Or at least the depth of it. “For all I know, you’ll have me cleaning your man cave. Scrubbing the toilets. Doing your laundry.” Their marriage had become that, somehow. An endless list of projects and chores.

“I didn't have cleaning in mind.” He tipped up her chin. “Sexual submission, Bella. Total. Sexual. Submission. Are you game?”

She swallowed, swamped by the apprehension skirling in her gut, the lust dancing in her pussy. It was all she could do to hold his gaze. “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

He was right. She did. She bobbed her head, a tiny nod.

Oh yeah. She knew.

She wanted it.

Bad.

She’d always wanted it like that. Craved it. Hungered for it. But then she’d met Tae, a guy who adored her for being a strong woman, for taking the lead, for managing everything. She hadn't wanted to tell him the truth of it. She hadn't dared.

“Say it.”

She swallowed. “Say what?”

“Say, yes Tae. I want to be your slave for one hour.”

Her heart stuttered. She forced a laugh. “I can’t say that.”

“You can.”

Bella tried to sort through her conflicting feelings. She wanted this. Needed this. Had fantasized about this. And now he was offering it to her.

And damn it all anyway, it was only for an hour.

Shyness overcame her. She dropped her chin and whispered, “Yes Tae. I want to be your slave for one hour.”

“Sweetheart. Look at me when you answer.”

She did. “Yes Tae. I want to be your slave for one hour.”

His nostrils flared. A certain light glinted in his eyes and a raft of dimples exploded on his cheek. The stark beauty of his face snared her. It always did, but tonight, backlit by a crackling fire and the lights of the tree, he seemed even more intense. From the dark, dominant brow, to the high cheekbones, to those full lips…

He ripped the coupon from the book and gave her a look that sent a tremor through her body. Maybe it was the heavy-lidded heat he invested in the glance or maybe it was the way his body tightened, every muscle, as he gauged her reaction. She knew instinctively that something very different was about to…arise between them.

It was as though it was their first time all over again. Trying to make light of the electricity, the lust lashing through her, she accepted the coupon with what she hoped was credible aplomb. She cleared her throat. “Okay, Tae. What do you want me to do?”

He didn't hesitate. Not for a second.

“I want you naked.”

***

Oh yes! Get your copy now!

And keep it hot, baby!






Monday, January 28, 2013

Sexy Couponing…in the Extreme


Valentine’s Day is coming soon.

It’s time to think about what we might do to show our sweetheart how much we adore them. I can’t think of a better gift for your partner than a sexy coupon book.

And not just because that’s the theme of my latest release. The fact of the matter is, a sexy coupon book is a lot cheaper than a dozen roses or a re-built motorcycle engine.

Plus, it’s a hell of a lot more fun!

In my steamy novella with BDSM themes, Extreme Couponing, sweet and sexy hubby Tae discovers that wife Bella secretly craves sexual submission but it too shy to ask him for it, so he designs a book full of sexy coupons to lead her down the garden path. The coupon he redeems first is for One Hour of Complete Submission. The result is a revival of their sex life, in a way that completely satisfies them both. (Please read on for the scorching excerpt…)

So here’s my question for you, dear reader:
What would you put in your Valentine’s Day Coupon Book for your spouse? Would it be naughty and risqué? Or would you stick to a litany of household chores?

I’d love to hear your ideas for my coupon book. So would my dear husband!

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Coupons for Him
·         Good for one comment-free football game*
·         Good for one BBJ (Blindfolded Blowjob)**
·         I will act out a scene from your favorite porno
·         All right, I will play Halo/Portal/WOW with you
·         Lingerie. That’s it. Just lingerie.
·         Good for one Ellora’s Cave for Men ebook

Coupons for Her
·         Dinner. In or out. Your choice. My treat.
·         I will change the oil in your car without complaining about it (much)
·         I will clean the garage (really, I’ll do it this time)
·         Good for bathroom duty for one week
·         I will actually complete any one chore from my Honey-Do list
·         Good for one spanking, whether you need it or not

Coupons that Go Both Ways
·         Good for one backrub*
·         Good for breakfast in bed*
·         Good for one foot rub*
·         Role reversal for one week
·         Good for one weekend away
·         I won’t complain about work for one whole evening. Promise.

*From Extreme Couponing
**Yeah, this is in one of my coming releases!

Please comment below and share your suggestions for a Valentine’s Day Coupon Book, and read on for information about my books, contests and the sizzling excerpt from Extreme Couponing, available now from Ellora’s Cave.


About Sabrina York
Sabrina is an award winning author of erotic romance with over a dozen titles available, ranging from sweet & sexy erotic romance to BDSM to erotic horror. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york or Facebook.

Check out Sabrina’s books and read an excerpt on her webpage(www.sabrinayork.com) or explore on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or at Ellora’s Cave.
·         Adam’s Obsession: Contemporary Erotic Romance  
·         Extreme Couponing: Contemporary BDSM
·         Folly: Erotic Regency
·         Pushing Her Buttons: Contemporary BDSM  
·         Rising Green: Steamy Erotic horror
·         Training Tess: Contemporary BDSM  
·         Trickery: Magical Domination  
·         Tristan’s Temptation: Contemporary Erotic Romance  

Coming Releases

Win a Tiara From Her Royal Hotness!
Enter to win a gorgeous tiara by signing up for Sabrina York's Royal Hotsheet (new book and contest info only--no spam! Your e-mail address will not be shared). If you're already getting the newsletter, don't fret. You're already in the drawing. Send an email with "Enter Me" in the subject line (this is erotica, after all) to sabrina@sabrinayork.com. The drawing will be March 31, 2013.

One entry per person.

Refer Your Friends Bonus Entries
Tell your friends about Sabrina York, Her Royal Hotness. If they sign up for Sabrina's Hotsheet you earn another entry, plus a chance at a Referrals Only drawing for more bling. (NOTE: They must tell me that you referred them in the message box so I can give you credit).

Good luck!!!



Extreme Couponing
by Sabrina York

Bella adores Tae. He is sweet and patient and gentle. She would do anything to keep her handsome hubby happy—even pretend to be something she’s not. She ignores that niggling dissatisfaction with their very vanilla marriage. But secretly, she yearns for something darker.
When Tae discovers—quite by accident—about Bella’s secret desires, he is determined to fulfill her every fantasy—and his. He devises a wicked coupon book full of naughty commands and fiendish challenges. From spankings to bondage to erotic play with household implements, he tests her limits. 

With each coupon Tae redeems, Bella sinks deeper and deeper into the lifestyle she has always craved but never had the courage to demand. Can they find a place that allows her to be the strong independent woman he fell in love with and the quivering sub she is at her core?

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave
Ball & Chain Line


An Excerpt From: Extreme Couponing

Copyright © SABRINA YORK, 2013
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
If you’re under 18, it is necessary for you to stop reading now.

With a simmering glance at her, he slid a finger beneath the tape. A small booklet fell out onto his lap.

“What is it?” She scooted closer.

“Oh look. You gave me coupons.” He sounded excited. Thrilled even.

“Coupons?” She shook her head and took a sip of her coffee. What on earth was he up to? She was hardly a “coupon queen”. She was the kind of woman who used coupons as bookmarks.

In fact, he did all the grocery shopping. Well, if he wanted food in the house.

She wasn't very domesticated. Never had been.

He flipped through the booklet, oohing and aahing. The sideways looks he sent her set a fire in her gut.
“Oh Bella,” he purred, pausing on one coupon in particular. “You shouldn't have.”

She frowned. “Let me see that book.”

Before he could protest, she snatched it from him and flipped through the pages. And she began to laugh. Clearly he’d printed out this booklet on his computer. “Good for one backrub. Hmm.” She flipped to the next. “Good for breakfast in bed.” Okay. There was the usual stuff. One foot rub, one blowjob, one comment-free football game…

And then she came to one that made the breath catch in her throat. She swallowed. Her pussy twitched.

It said, One hour of complete submission.

She froze. Every muscle in her body locked in place. Her heart pounded, her blood thrummed, her body liquefied.

He watched her intently, taking in every nuance of her reaction, his jaw tight, eyes glittering. His tongue snaked out to wet his lips. “I was thinking about redeeming that one now.”

She didn't even know how to respond, so she just stared at him. They’d been married for nearly a year but he’d never once suggested anything kinky. Never once tried to push the boundaries.

Never once suggested anything even remotely risqué.

Damn it all, anyway.

Bella had never been a wimpy woman. She usually just took what she wanted from life. But in this, especially with Tae, she was tentative, cautious. Nervous.

Usually she was never nervous. But this…

This was something so personal. So intimate. So secret. She’d never had the courage to admit it to him. 
She’d been scared to death of how he would react if he knew the truth. If he knew what she really craved.
That he was asking for this, now, made her woozy.

She cleared her throat, lowered her lashes. “W-what did you have in mind?”

He waited until she looked at him before he spoke. “I think the coupon speaks for itself.”

“All it says is complete submission.”

“I know. Are you game?”

An unfamiliar tension rose between them. Bella nibbled her lower lip as she contemplated the sudden urge to test his resolve. Or at least the depth of it. “For all I know, you’ll have me cleaning your man cave. Scrubbing the toilets. Doing your laundry.” Their marriage had become that, somehow. An endless list of projects and chores.

“I didn't have cleaning in mind.” He tipped up her chin. “Sexual submission, Bella. Total. Sexual. Submission. 
Are you game?”

She swallowed, swamped by the apprehension skirling in her gut, the lust dancing in her pussy. It was all she could do to hold his gaze. “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

He was right. She did. She bobbed her head, a tiny nod.

Oh yeah. She knew.

She wanted it.

Bad.

She’d always wanted it like that. Craved it. Hungered for it. But then she’d met Tae, a guy who adored her for being a strong woman, for taking the lead, for managing everything. She hadn't wanted to tell him the truth of it. She hadn't dared.

“Say it.”

She swallowed. “Say what?”

“Say, yes Tae. I want to be your slave for one hour.”

Her heart stuttered. She forced a laugh. “I can’t say that.”

“You can.”

Bella tried to sort through her conflicting feelings. She wanted this. Needed this. Had fantasized about this. 
And now he was offering it to her.

And damn it all anyway, it was only for an hour.

Shyness overcame her. She dropped her chin and whispered, “Yes Tae. I want to be your slave for one hour.”

 “Sweetheart. Look at me when you answer.”

She did. “Yes Tae. I want to be your slave for one hour.”

His nostrils flared. A certain light glinted in his eyes and a raft of dimples exploded on his cheek. The stark beauty of his face snared her. It always did, but tonight, backlit by a crackling fire and the lights of the tree, he seemed even more intense. From the dark, dominant brow, to the high cheekbones, to those full lips…
He ripped the coupon from the book and gave her a look that sent a tremor through her body. Maybe it was the heavy-lidded heat he invested in the glance or maybe it was the way his body tightened, every muscle, as he gauged her reaction. She knew instinctively that something very different was about to…arise between them.

It was as though it was their first time all over again. Trying to make light of the electricity, the lust lashing through her, she accepted the coupon with what she hoped was credible aplomb. She cleared her throat. 
“Okay, Tae. What do you want me to do?”

He didn't hesitate. Not for a second.

“I want you naked.”