R.N. Jayne's Blog: Inq Idly, page 2
March 5, 2022
Free Reads + Excerpt from Primer 2: Masking
Book blurb: Carmen’s close to concluding her college career, but one major obstacle stands in her path: Sizemore, her pervy professor. Sexy IT tech Stefan offers Carmen the perfect distraction—until an unexpected twist of fate restricts their interactions.
Throughout lockdown, Carmen searches for creative ways to keep herself occupied while she waits out the pandemic. Stefan can handle her when she’s hot to trot, but will he stick around when she’s down and out? During their first post-vax soirée, a jaw-dropping blast from the past flips the script on Carmen’s expectations of a steamy reunion with Stefan—and pushes their f*ckship into uncharted waters.
Primer 2: Masking is the standalone sequel to short story Primer. It releases on digital platforms worldwide 3.11.22.
Warning: This book contains explicit sexual content and offensive language. Reader discretion is advised.
Editor: Kayla Griffin
Cover Images: Jochen Schönfeld and Volodymyr Tverdokhlib
Illustrator: Steven Amoxès
Excerpt: "Liger's Den"
A reedy electronic drum, interspersed with succinct taiko accent hits and the occasional beep of what sounds like a life support machine, enhances Liger’s Den’s ambiance. I’m not sure what to expect, but the mystery’s keeping me agitated.
Like a whiny kid, I tug on Stefan’s sleeve, beseeching him, “C’mon, let me see,” with little kitty-cat meows and purring promises of sexual fulfillment to be paid in full once he removes the blindfold.
He sweeps his fingertips over the electric-blue lightweight polyester of my low-cut, kimono-sleeved cocktail romper. “Mystery is part of the experience.”
Even the tiniest hint would earn him a hummer…but he won’t budge on his “sworn secrecy” stance. He’s the only person I’ve dated whose stubbornness exceeds my own. Gotta say, I love riling him up—I go wild for his disapproval (jungle noises included).
Ever the reaction-seeker, I pout and mumble as he keeps his hand on the small of my back, and the blindfold-facemask lace-and-leather combo he ordered from some kink website that claims to “put the safety of its players first” stays put. Damnit! Since my nose is obscured by two layers of fabric, plus one layer of fusible lining, I can’t smell as well as I’d prefer; nevertheless, I detect the odor of fresh fish. Clean, just-caught, still-flapping-on-the-deck-gasping-for-breath-until-it took-a-hammer-blow-to-the-head fresh. Also: spice. Salt à la soy sauce. Sweet, dark fruit. A hint of amber incense, though not enough to overpower the odor of food. The urge to tear off my blindfold is stronger than ever.
“Ugh,” I mutter. “I must look the fool.”
“If fools looked like you, there’d be fewer crazy people in the world.”
Corny, and somewhat nonsensical, but his compliment totally wins me over. I stick out my chest, peacocking a bit.
“That blindfold is sexy,” a random person opines, seemingly from a height above Stefan.
“Take good care of her, man.”
I want to point out that the stranger’s statements are neither grammatically nor logically consistent (is “her” supposed to mean me, or the blindfold?), but I let it go.
“She takes pretty good care of herself,” I say in a loud voice, raising my chin. “But it’s nice to have an escort.”
Stefan chuckles. “I love it when you’re sassy.”
“When am I not?”
He leans down to whisper, “When you’re begging me to come.”
I blush. It’s totally true.
“Stefan, party of two?” (I presume Stefan nods during the pause.) “Right this way,” our flute-voiced hostess directs.
The chatter of patrons dims and the pervasive odors morph into a distinctive perfume that’s difficult to place. The scent is familiar—I’ve probably sampled it before at a department store or caught a whiff of it in the beauty catalogs that arrive via snail mail. Exotic, citrusy, classically feminine. As I’m attempting to identify it, Stefan guides me to a seated position. This chair’s not the most comfortable place to rest my derriere, but I don’t mind a hard bottom. (Or a sore one, depending on what/who makes it ache.)
“You’ll wait here in the anteroom until it’s time for the main course. Per your reservation request, we’ve prepared your drinks to enjoy beforehand,” the hostess says. “Is there anything else you need at the moment, sir?”
“We’re good, thanks,” I hear Stefan reply.
“Your server Angelica will be right with you.” I hear her leave. “Now can I take off the blindfold?”
“Almost.”
“I want to see.”
“You’ll see when the time is right. Just be patient.”
“Boo.” I squeeze my hands together. “You’re having too much fun in the driver’s seat.”
His tone turns playful. “I promise I’ll let you drive me later tonight.”
I huff. “You’d better. And I get to pick the position.”
“Ladies’ choice.” His voice sounds clearer, like he’s removed his mask. “Ready to see where we are?”
“I was born ready.”
“Take off your mask. I’ll handle the blindfold.”
After I comply with his order, I feel his hands loosen the visual restraint.
“Voilà!”
My eyes need a moment to adjust; but when they do, I notice we’re in private room with Japanese tapestries decorating the walls and soft glowing light fixtures suspended from the ceiling.
I whistle my approval. “Classy.”
The table, low to the ground, is long enough to accommodate a party of ten. A carafe of heated sake and two glasses of ice water rest upon it. Stefan hands me a one-page, two-sided menu. Skimming the front, I notice there aren’t many meal options. I flip it over, expecting to see more choices; instead, there are headshots of a gorgeous young women vastly different in appearance, like a cornucopia of ethnicity. I’m not exactly comfortable with the spread, so to speak.
“What the hell kinda place is this?” I demand.
Stefan indicates the model line-up. “Which one do you like?” He caresses my knee under the table. “I’ve been trying to figure out your type.”
I put down the menu. “Why?” Gulping the sake he poured for me, I say, “What are you plotting?”
“Nothing much.” He squeezes my lower thigh as he drinks sake. “I’ve seen you check out girls before.”
“Bah!” I drain my cup and replenish our drinks.
“I’m not here for the scenery.”
“But it’s fun to window shop.” Stefan shifts in his seat. “I like the brunette with the flower in her hair.” He taps her picture with his pointer finger. “She has great posture.”
Is this what we’re doing now? Browsing “merchandise”? Window shopping for women? Hello, confusion!
“I was under the impression you were already satisfied with your choice in decor.” I’m trying super-hard not to sound huffy. But seriously, what the hell? Is he trying to make me jealous?
It’s not exactly working, since I’m all for checking out hot women; at the same time, he’s never overtly mentioned his wandering eye before. Maybe he’s testing me—he does get off on pushing boundaries.
“Hello, how are you both doing tonight?” says a female voice near the now-opened door. “It’s my pleasure to serve you.” A lovely young woman with slicked-back hair comes to stand beside the table. She gives us a welcoming smile. “Have you decided, or do you need more time to look at the menu?”
“We’ll have the Immersive Experience with Number Eight, please.” Stefan hands her our menus. “And another round of sake.” He examines her name tag. “Angelica.”
“Certainly.” She sweeps the menus under her arm. “You’ve made a wise decision. Number Eight is a popular choice.”
He smiles. “Great to hear.”
“You’re pretty confident you know what I want,” I say after Angelica’s out of earshot.
“What’s the ‘Immersive Experience’ anyway?”
Tipping the remainder of the sake into our cups, Stefan explains, “An opportunity to sample every dish the menu has to offer. You love trying new things, Carmen. Trust me”—he clinks his jade-green porcelain cup with mine— “I have a good idea about your likes and dislikes.”
“There’s still a lot about me you don’t know.”
He takes my hand. “Lockdown’s been rough. Let’s enjoy our freedom.”
His touch calms me. Bonus: he looks super-dapper—sartorially yummy—in his bespoke royal-purple threads. This is the first time I’ve seen him wear a suit and tie, and I like it.
“Agreed. To unfettered enjoyment.” My sake cup’s now empty, so I lift my glass of water.
“And to our first getaway since the influx of COVID madness.”
“Cheers.”
Angelica reappears to drop off our fresh round. She hands us piping-hot towels to steam-clean our hands, followed by our own personal mini pump of Purell.
“Please remember to sanitize in between courses.”
My smile falters. Her necessary reminder of caution is a killjoy.
Stefan catches my eyes. “It is what it is.”
“Enjoy your drinks.” Our sleek-haired server bustles off to the adjoining room.
I must admit—having our own private nook to dine in is a luxury. I feel thoroughly fancy-fied.
“I heard they have restaurants like this in Japan,” I say after Stefan serves me another cup of sake. “You get your own room and cook your own food.”
“We won’t be cooking our own food, but I think you’ll be glad for the privacy.” Stefan winks.
“Absolutely. Don’t want anyone to witness my transformation into a human composter. I’m hungry enough to—”
There’s a polite knock on the closed sliding door. At the same time, Angelica returns.
“Your model is ready.” She gestures to the door leading to what I assume is the dining room.
“Would you care to take your drinks and follow me?”
“Model?” I look to Stefan for clarification.
“You’ll see.” Standing, he picks up the sake carafe and his cup. “Are you ready for a feast?”
***
Like what you read? Sample and purchase Primer 2: Masking on Google Play or Smashwords ahead of its 3/11/22 release.
Speaking of Smashwords, all of my titles are on sale tomorrow from 3/6-3/12. Here are the freebies and the deeply discounted:
Smashwords Sale
The MASTER Series
Crimson FREE
Luna$2.99 $1.49
Naomi$2.99$1.49
Deux$2.99$1.49
The POISON Series
Poison FREE
Poison II: Spring $0.99
The PRIMER Series
Primer$1.99 FREE
Primer 2: Masking$2.99 $1.49
Additionally, you may download Crimson, Poison, and Primer free on Google Play.
Happy reading, and please leave a review for each title that pleases you.
Cheers,
Jayne
December 31, 2021
Artist Spotlight: Steven Amoxes
During an abbreviated stay on DeviantArt, the biggest social media platform for artists and art aficionados, I encountered Steven Amoxes, an incredibly gifted and prolific painter. Amoxes’s decades-long pursuit of artistic expression has resulted in a multifaceted career of staggering variety. Through detailed portraiture and abstract character art, visual snippets of quotidien life and sweeping mystical journeys, captured moments of subtle sensuality and overt eroticism, Amoxes expands...
December 16, 2021
New Release: DEUX
Available for purchase at online bookstores and in paperback on Amazon 12/17/2021.
Cover image © George CotronisBlurb:
He dropped pretenses like fake smiles and bared his fangs.
The scent of fresh death fills LA’s streets as celebrity bloodsuckers Raiden and Gabriel begin production on Luna Sunset, Gabriel’s cinematic labor of love (and lust).
At the same time, Raiden’s estranged maker Justus and his wife/prisoner Naomi covertly track the costars’ location.
Unaware of ...
December 24, 2020
December Releases
Winter has arrived, and I come bearing news of three re-releases from my heyday as former pseud Jane Bled: “Poison,” “Poison II” Spring,” and Naomi , the third installment in The MASTER Series. Jane Bled has long since left the premises, but I remain in her stead. Her spirit is intact inasmuch as her bones are safely in my keeping. Since Autumn, I’ve only published works in my new name; it is my intention to keep J.B. b...
December 1, 2020
Book Review: My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My Dark Vanessa explores the trope of middle-aged-man-seduces-young-girl through the abused party’s perspective. Narrator Vanessa, deliberately blind to her own mistreatment, scorns and rejects the common labels of “victim” and “survivor.” Instead, she chooses to see herself as a complicit party in a mutually desired relationship. The novel evokes inevitable comparisons to Lolita; however, it does not try to recreate Vladimir ...
November 26, 2020
Book Trailer: Luna
If you celebrated Thanksgiving, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. Today I come bearing news of another new release right on the heels of “Primer.” Luna, the second installment in LGBTQ vampire series MASTER, is officially back online. When I first published Luna back in 2014, it was embarrassingly riddled with typos, format issues, and the occasional grammatical error. Since I enlisted the services of Reedsy freelance editor Beth Dorward this time around, I’m confident the second edi...
Special Sale, New Release, & Luna Book Trailer
If you celebrated Thanksgiving, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. Today I come bearing news of another new release right on the heels of “Primer.” Luna, the second installment in LGBTQ vampire series MASTER , is officially back online. When I first published Luna back in 2014, it was embarrassingly riddled with typos, format issues, and the occasional grammatical error. Since I enlisted the services of Reedsy freelance editor Beth Dorward this time around, I’m confident the second ed...
November 25, 2020
New Release + Book Trailer: “Primer”
Free for Amazon Prime members.
I’m bustin’ out the Cook’s champagne (don’t judge—it’s going in the turkey my husband insists on preparing for Thanksgiving) to celebrate the release of my commissioned erotic short story “Primer.” Speaking of giving thanks, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout-out to the folks who have added my stories on Goodreads, reviewed my works, or engaged in positive interactions with me since I restarted my writing career. I am tha...
November 13, 2020
Excerpt: “Primer” (Erotica)
This tasty nugget of naughty student/teacher RP erotica began as a commission and took on a life of its own when I merged it with snippets of a lesbian romance simmering in the margins of my story scraps. I completed “Primer” last year; like a fine wine (or in this case, a wine that gets you uber-drunk), I let it breathe until I felt ready to share it. “Primer” marks my first foray into erotica told from the perspective of a female character. Up to this point, I had mai...
November 9, 2020
Excerpt from Luna (MASTER, Book 2)
As I gear up to release Luna, the second book in my LGBTQ vampire series MASTER, I’m grateful to have the expertise of inestimable editor Beth Dorward and the artistic vision of cover artist George Cotronis. Getting my feet wet with indie publishing via Reesdy hasn’t been easy, but I’m ultimately glad I decided to go this route. Sink or swim, I’m here for the long haul.
Today, I come bearing fruit from Luna (release date 11/27/2020). The following brand-new excerpt follows singer-cum-vampire...
