Jan Bowles's Blog, page 15

A lunch date with fellow Siren author Jennifer Denys

On the very first day of September 2012, I travelled to Lincoln to meet with fellow Siren author Jennifer Denys.
Steep Hill, Lincoln © Copyright (Dave Hitchborne)
and licensed for reuse / CC BY-SA 2.0

As I walked up the long steep hill (yes, it is that steep!) to our meeting place just outside Lincoln Cathedral gates, I wondered how our lunch date would go. Would we get on? Would we even like each other?

I needn't have worried. We both felt at ease with each other, and found ourselves talking throughout the whole two and half hour lunch in the Magna Carta ~ A pub close to Lincoln Cathedral.

Like myself, Jennifer has done a lot of research, finding out what genre sells the best. I think the fact that we both write BDSM novels speaks volumes. Of course we're always on the look out for that elusive book that will thrust us into the limelight, big time. It happened to E L James with her Fifty Shades of Grey, so you never know. :-)

Jennifer Denys also writes for Evernight Publishing, and her latest book, Retraining the Sub has already reached bestselling status at ARE/ Evernight, and Amazon. I recently had the pleasure of reading Luke and Ann's story. It's a captivating BDSM book that re-unites long lost lovers, who at the time of their separation were not ready to marry. Now eight years later, they are totally different people, but before they can have their HEA, there's just the small matter of Retraining the Sub . It's available from Bookstrand HERE.

I love the cover for this book It really catches the eye and makes one want to read it!

Jennifer has recently celebrated her 1st anniversary since becoming a published author. All her books can be found HERE

I took my camera to Lincoln, but sadly the batteries refused to work! Luckily, Jennifer had a camera that functioned and she sent me a photograph of us both.

We both had a great time in Lincoln, and I'm sure we'll meet again. Jennifer lives in Yorkshire and I've heard York is a very lovely city, so watch this space.....

Guest Blogger: Nicole Morgan ~ Erotic Romance Author

Today we have guest blogger and fellow Siren author Nicole Morgan . She also writes for Silver Publishing, and has many, many Best Sellers. Nicole has provided some links which are all highlighted in RED for your convenience. Without further interruption, I'll now hand over to Nicole . By the way Nicole , I love your portrait.

Hello all! I’m Nicole Morgan and am so very happy to be a guest on Jan Bowles’s blog today! For those of you who don’t know me, I am a multi-published author of erotic romantic novels, which more often than not have a suspenseful back story. Picture erotic romance mixed with a good old-fashioned whodunit and you’ve got a Nicole Morgan story! While I’ve written everything from contemporary to paranormal my leading men will more often than not be wearing a uniform of some kind. From military to police officers, she has a love for writing about those who protect and serve. From her very first novel (which turned into a 4 book series) about Navy SEALs to my more recent releases you will be sure to find a few twists and turns you were not expecting. In additional to my books, I also have a recurring column called, " Sex and the Single Woman " in BT Showcase's online eMagazine.

Welcome Nicole, can you tell us what your daily life consists of? 

It’s funny you should ask. Every day my fiancé asks me what I’ve got on my agenda and every day it’s the same answer. It has turned into a bit of a joke between us because my answer is always the same. Among the many tasks of everyday life I always set out to reply to all my emails, do my promotion work and spend the remainder of my day writing. Now, remember I say that is always “the plan” but, it doesn’t always work out that way. I swear some days I have no idea where the time goes. LOL.


I think we can all relate to that. Time is a precious commodity. When do you squeeze in time to get some writing done what are you working on? Can you tell us about your work in progress? 

Absolutely! I would love to. My current work is tentatively called “Submerged In Desire” and is about a submariner who is on leave. The hero, Trevor, visits his girlfriend Emily in hopes that a few days with her will help him to forget about what’s been keeping him up at night. Despite their passionate interludes he can’t shake what’s eating away at him. As his problems progress Trevor is faced with the choice of holding everything in, or letting it out and becoming vulnerable to the woman he’s falling in love with.

Oh, you do love to write about Military men don’t you? I’ve noticed that pattern in quite a few of your books. 

I can’t deny that. I do love the military and all those who serve from law enforcement to firefighters as well. What? Don’t look at me like that… they’re very courageous! *sigh* Yeah okay…they’re damn sexy too! LOL

I won’t argue with you there. I notice you just had a book released yesterday. Can you tell us a little bit about it? 

You bet I can, but I warn you…it’s about a former Army officer. LOL. I can’t help it. I have an affliction. :-)

My latest is Entice Me , here is the cover and blurb:

Jace Walker served his country for ten years in the Army. Years of combat and war left him with invisible wounds which bring him to the lowest point in his life. In a moment of crisis, he meets his angel. 

After years of being an attentive and loyal wife, Alexis Foster catches her husband’s infidelity. Her life changes as she gets divorced and becomes a single parent. 

Years pass and Jace finds his angel once again. Only this time she’s no longer married. He vows to do anything in his power to sweep her off her feet and make the angel he remembered from all those years before become his. Despite her insecurities, the two find an attraction stronger than either of them anticipated. 

Will he entice her into letting down her walls? Or will she entice him into finding a true and unrelenting love? 

Well that sure sounds… enticing! 

Thanks, Jan! It was a lot of fun writing. But, then again I have a lot of fun writing all of my books!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the readers? 

Yes, I currently have a blog hop going on over on my blog and would love to have everyone stop on by. There are many authors giving away prizes so don’t be shy. Also, I have a new release coming up October 6th with Silver Publishing , and it’s currently on Pre-Order. Tempestuous is the 2nd book in my Incessant Passion series and the cover is just as hot as the story between Michelle and Brad. Here are some other places you can find me on the web:

Facebook
Twitter
Website
Blog

Thanks so much for being my guest Nicole . I've really enjoyed having you here, and good luck with your new release Entice Me!

Coming Soon to Siren

Coming soon to Siren

My latest release in the Guilty Pleasures series
Seduced By Her Texas Billionaire Boss
The Guilty Pleasures series features hot billionaires and their even hotter love lives!

Warning: Seduced by Her Texas Billionaire Boss contains, light BDSM, bondage, role play and a sexy hero to die for. Will Kyle Brannigan give Tess Morgan the happy ever after she desires, or will their relationship crash and burn?
Find out about the previous books in the series at my website HERE of at Bookstrand HERE

Coming soon to SirenMy latest release in the Guilty Pleas...

Coming soon to Siren

My latest release in the Guilty Pleasures series
Seduced By Her Texas Billionaire Boss
The Guilty Pleasures series features hot billionaires and their even hotter love lives!

Warning: Seduced by Her Texas Billionaire Boss contains, light BDSM, bondage, role play and a sexy hero to die for. Will Kyle Brannigan give Tess Morgan the happy ever after she desires, or will their relationship crash and burn?
Find out about the previous books in the series at my website HERE of at Bookstrand HERE

Guest Blogger: D'Ann Lindun ~ Western Romance Author

Today I have fellow Siren author D’Ann Lindun!  She's a very successful author with Crimson Romance and has just had her first book published with Siren.  Congratulations on your latest release, D'Ann . I've got so many questions to ask you.


Q. Where did you get the idea for, Vaquero?
A. Will you laugh if I tell you I don't remember?
Q. Tell us a bit about the hero and heroine in, Vaquero.
A. Cordero Ybarra just wants to make something of himself and live in peace when he becomes the target of racial prejudice. Aspen O'Hare has been abandoned by men all her life, starting with her father.
Q. What are you working on right now and what can we expect from you next? 
A. A story with no name about a young woman sheriff and the undercover FBI agent. Coming out next is Desert Heat, due on October 22.

Q. Where do you get the inspirations for your books? 
A. Everywhere! I can make a story out of anything and any one!
Q. Do you prefer stand-alone books or series (As a reader or a writer) ? 
A. I have always written stand-alone. The new story will be a series of three, maybe four.
Q. If you could change places with one character from your book, who would it be and why? 
A. Hmmmm...that's tough. I think maybe Jacy Gray, a character from an old ms. She was a rancher and so strong and tough.
Q. Do you listen to music while you are writing, and if so what music is it? 
A. Depends. I'm hard of hearing in my right ear, and sometimes it just irritates me.
Q. How do we find out about you and your books? 
A. On my blog http://dlindunauthor.blogspot.com/
Q. How may readers contact you? 
A. Through the blog, or on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/DLindunAuthor Q. Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers? A. Yes! Don't quit, don't give up! It took me almost 20 years and way over 200 rejections to become published!
Thanks D'Ann that's very sound advice to all aspiring writers. I too received many rejections, and had my first book published fifteen years after I first began writing.

Now let's have an excerpt from your latest release, Vaquero.
STORY EXCERPT
She abruptly pulled out of his embrace and fastened her dress back together. “I need to get back. Daddy will be looking for me.”
Swallowing his disappointment, Cord said, “I’ll walk you back, chica.” 
Her eyes were hard, or maybe it was just the moonlight playing tricks on him. “Chica? Don’t call me that. And you can’t tell anyone what happened between us. This was a mistake. I’ll see you around.” Before he could react, she vanished out the door.
“I’ll see you around.”Had she really just said that? He found his shirt on the floor and, after jerking it on, left the bunkhouse, slamming the door behind him. She teased him, got him hard as hell, then vanished? What the fuck had just happened here? 
Just a few feet into the dark, someone stepped in front of him. In no mood to talk, Cord started to push by when the other man grabbed his arm. “You too good to talk to me, Mex?” 
Buford LaDelle. Cord sighed. What was the guy’s problem with him? “No, just tired.”
“Worn out from work, or something else?”
Cord jerked his arm away from the bigger man’s grip. “Not that I feel like sharing my business with you, but yeah, I’m beat from roping all day.”
Another man moved out of the shadows. Buford grinned at him. “I think he’s worn out from that little joyride he just gave Shayla. How ’bout you, Spike? Think that’s it?”
“Yeah, I think that’s it,” Spike agreed. 
Buford got so close Cord could smell the alcohol on the other man’s breath. “That it, Mex?”
“Get lost.” Cord moved to step around Buford, and the bigger man slugged him. Hard. In the stomach. Not expecting it, he doubled over, fighting to catch his breath. Before he could suck in enough air, one of the men slipped a lariat over his head, pulling it tight against his neck. The other one grabbed his wrists and bound them with a slick leather strap, a rein maybe. 
What the hell? It was one thing to have a fistfight over a girl—all guys did it—but he’d never been attacked in the dark and roped like a wild steer before. Cord struggled, and the rope around his neck tightened until he feared passing out. Stars danced in front of his eyes, and his ears felt like they had cotton stuffed in them. He tried to speak, and his voice came out in a hoarse growl. “Let me go.”
Buford chuckled. “Not until you learn your lesson, son. I don’t know how things are done back where you come from, but around here, illegals don’t fuck our women.”
“I didn’t—” The rope dug into his neck, cutting off his words. He was as American as they were, the crazy bastards. 
Like a prisoner being dragged to the gallows, Cord was hauled toward the corrals. Every time he tried to speak, one of them jerked the rope around his neck, making it impossible for him to call for help. At the branding pens, Buford yanked Cord up tight against one of the corral posts, securing him like a trussed hog. His nose pressed against the rough cedar pole. He turned his face so his cheek rubbed it instead. Spike pulled Cord’s hands around the pole and tied them, rendering him helpless.
“What now?” Spike asked.
Buford held up something that flashed in the dim moonlight. A knife. “I say we geld him. Cut off his nuts and feed them to him.”
The buddy chuckled. “Good plan. That’ll teach him not to go between the legs of decent white women.”
Cord struggled against the rope binding him until it cut into his neck. Warmth trickled down his neck, and he knew it had to be blood. They were only trying to scare him. No one in his right mind would do something so crazy. 
Buford crowded up behind Cord, pinning him even tighter to the fence, and reached around and unbuckled his jeans. They slid down over his hips and thighs. He stood tied, half naked, his jeans and shorts pooling around the tops of his boots, as they discussed what to do next.
“We’re gonna need another couple of ropes to hold his legs apart,” the buddy said helpfully. “I’ll go get ’em. But you’re gonna have to do the cuttin’ ’cause I ain’t touchin’ no other man’s dick or balls.”
Buford considered that, turning the knife in his hands. “Yeah, you got a point about that. I ain’t no queer. But we gotta do something to teach this boy a lesson.”
Cord twisted his hands, desperate to get free, but the tie they’d used tightened with every move. He couldn’t catch a deep breath. Sweat beaded on his forehead and ran down his back. The joke had gone far enough. “Turn me loose and I won’t kick your ass,” he demanded in a harsh whisper. 
“Oh my God.” A woman’s voice. Shayla. Out of the corner of his eye, Cord saw her take in the scene. Horror filled her voice. “What are you doing? This isn’t Deliverance. Let him go right now.”
A rough laugh rumbled out of Buford. “Not a chance. Your daddy told us to take care of the problem, and we have it handled.”
“I never agreed to this,” she said stubbornly. “Pull up his pants and turn him loose.”
“We’re just scaring him a little.” Buford’s tone changed to vicious, and he stepped toward her with his fist closed.“Now get on out of here.”
She turned and fled. 
Vaquero available from Bookstrand HERE
Wow, that is one intense excerpt, D'Ann, Cord has made some serious enemies there. Now I'm desperate to know what happens next. Thank you D'Ann for being my guest today. 

Guest Blogger: Berengaria Brown ~ Erotic Romance Author

Today I have fellow Siren author Berengaria Brown visiting my blog. Berengaria has written over 50 books, and also writes for Ellora's Cave, Torquere Press, Evernight Publishing, Breathless Press, Whiskey Creek Press, and Silver Publishing. Wow, Berengaria , that is some list. I'm seriously impressed. Just how do you find the time? Now let's hear what Berengaria has to say on her latest series.

Q. What inspired you to write the “Wet and Willing” series?

A. For some years I’ve enjoyed swimming at a local, large Aquatic Center. One day as I was swimming up and down in my lane (the slow lane, sadly, not the fast lane, or even the medium lane), I started thinking that an Aquatic Center would be a mighty fine place to meet Mr. Right. After all, there’s plenty of brawny, naked chests, quite a lot of young, good-looking, ultra-fit life guards, and lots of sweaty, delicious muscles in the gym. The only surprising part of my decision was that I hadn’t thought of doing it long ago.


Q. Which element of story creation is your favorite and why?

A. When the ideas flow, the characters are talking to me, and I can’t type fast enough for all I want to say.


Q. What is your writing process?

A. I don’t begin writing until the characters are clear in my head and I know what they want. I need a beginning and an end, and some midpoints to reach on the way through. Then I begin typing.



Q. What’s next for you?

A. I’ve already written contemporary, futuristic, historical and paranormal. I have an author friend, Cindy Spencer Pape, who loves mashing genres together. I was thinking of trying something like that next time.


Q. What’s your advice to new writers?

A. Don't give up. Keep reading, keep writing, keep polishing your craft.

Q. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

A. Reading, hanging out with friends, eating chocolate.


"Cold Woman, Hot Men" blurb:


Melusine Carmichael mistakes the plunge pool at the Aquatic Center for a regular pool and almost drowns with the sudden shock of the icy-cold water. While underwater she hears a voice calling her "Melly," a name she never uses. Yehudi and Arlington are nearby in the sauna and rescue her, using their personal body heat and the sauna to warm her up. They keep in contact with her via Facebook, and finally convince her to let them teach her to swim.

But Mel hears the voice again and worries that they’re stalking her, so she cuts contact with them. Yehudi and Arlington try everything to see her and she prevents them, so they meet her parents after their swimming class. They learn about the voice saying "Melly" and that someone is stalking her.

But who is it? And how can they get Mel to spend time with them again so they can convince her of their innocence?

STORY EXCERPT

Yehudi was leaning back against the wall of the sauna, his eyes half closed, his brain counting the minutes until he could get Arlington out of his teeny tiny swimwear and his own cock buried in Arlington’s tautly delicious ass. If he’d thought to bring lube in his gym bag, he may have been able to convince Arlington to fuck in the shower, right here in the change rooms at the Aquatic Center. But with kids around, it was likely just as well to wait until they were back home. But that meant adding another twenty minutes onto a wait that was already stretching out to be way too long for the ongoing happiness of his cock.

Arlington was looking though the glass panel in the door, snorting and shaking his head.

“What’s so amusing,” Yehudi asked.

“There’s a woman staring at the plunge pool, like she’s never seen one before. She’s taking her towel off, so maybe she’s going to come in here. Oooh, nice body. I like those long legs. Nice tits, too.”

“That’s it? You’re not going to tell me her hair color and eye color, and her height to the nearest inch?”

Arlington turned to grin at him. “Five six, blonde and blue.”

Yehudi heard a lot of splashing. “What on earth is she doing?” he asked.

“Drowning!” Arlington opened the door so roughly it crashed into the wall as he raced out. Yehudi jumped up and followed him out to the plunge pool.

The woman—well, he supposed it was the woman—was definitely underwater, and this was not the kind of place to practice underwater swimming. The whole point of the plunge pool was that users of the sauna jumped into the icy cold pool, and climbed straight out again to cool off after the heat of the sauna.

Arlington had jumped in and dived under the woman’s body, using his broad shoulders and strong back to push her up to the surface and nudge her to the side of the pool. Yehudi kneeled down and leaned over, grabbing hold of the woman’s arm, which was very cold indeed, and pulling her higher out of the water.

Arlington pushed her some more, and Yehudi got a good grip on her waist and lifted her up onto the edge of the pool. He turned her onto her side and banged on her back. She coughed then dragged a rasping breath into her body.

Meanwhile Arlington had climbed out of the pool. “She’s breathing. Good.”

“Let’s get her—and you—back into the sauna to warm up.

“I like that plan.”

Yehudi picked her up and carried her the short distance into the sauna, laying her on his own towel, which was on the bench where he’d left it. Arlington followed him in the door then threw more water on the hot stones of the fire to make steam.

“Her skin is still icy,” said Yehudi. He was worried about her. Was this a suicide attempt? Why would she have deliberately jumped into the water if she couldn’t swim? “I’ll get her towel,” he said, wanting Arlington to stay in the sauna and warm himself up again after the cold water.

The woman was coughing again when he returned, and he gently wrapped her towel over her shoulders.

“Thanks,” she said then coughed again.

After a few minutes she sat up, hugging the towel around her body.

“What happened?” Yehudi asked, at exactly the same time as Arlington said, “Why did you get in the pool if you can’t swim?”

Buy Link HERE

Berengaria Brown
http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
http://berengariabrown.com/
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Guest Blogger: Tatum Throne ~ Erotic, Contemporary and Paranormal Author

Today I have opened my blog to my very first guest  Tatum Throne 

Today is a special day for Tatum because it is release day for her latest book Stolen Moment.  I really love the cover, Tatum. It's very sensual and erotic, and having just read the excerpt the premise of the story sounds very intriguing and HOT! I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of Tatum in the future. I love paranormal books. There's an excerpt below to tempt you. Now I'll hand over to Tatum ~

*Excited Waves* Thank you Jan for having me on your blog. I’m Tatum Throne, author of erotic, contemporary and paranormal M/F and M/M romance. I’m a stay at home mom of three school aged boys, all three have severe food allergies. I worked for years as a social worker before leaving the field to be a mom and full-time writer. 

Q. Tell us about your latest book.
A.  Stolen Moment [Enslaved & Enticed 1] is a M/F erotic paranormal set within the backdrop of Cincinnati and the first in a series about cursed objects. Each book centers around one cursed object and the group that hunts them. The first book follows a pendant that makes the wearer equally murderous and sexually excited. The second book, that I’m working on now, follows a cuff.

Q. What makes a great hero?
A. For me, a great hero is one that isn’t willing to give up on the heroine. He’ll go to hell and back for the woman he loves. He’s strong and follows his heart. Of course, he’s sexy, but flawed like the rest of us. He’s perfect for my heroine and isn’t looking for love when it finds him. He’s totally off his game when he meets the love of his life.

Q. Do you have anything in common with your characters?
A. I’m sassy and mouthy like my heroines. I have a wicked sense of humor and I love to laugh. I’m strong-willed and I don’t like the word NO. My characters are a lot like me. We’re feisty.                                                                                                    Q. What are you currently working on, or what’s on the horizon?
A. The cursed objects series will have many more books as long as Siren wants them. I’m also working on a series of fire fighter M/M stories. High Heat will be coming out in October. I hope to sell it as a series to Siren.  You’ll often find elements of forced seduction, spanking, and panty play in my novels.
Q. What’s the strangest (bravest, funniest etc) thing you’ve ever done?
A.  I once snuck into a bar when I was underage to see this band I wanted to see. It was a bar/Laundromat and I went in through the back of the Laundromat.  I was fifteen at the time and ran into one of my brother’s friends. He totally wanted to rat me out. I don’t think he ever did. My brother never said a word. I was a bit of a wild child. I ran around a lot with older friends who kept me out late.
Q. What do you do when you’re not writing?
A. I love to workout, hike, play with the guys, and visit with friends when I’m not working. I work a ton, so it’s often a challenge to balance work/life/family.
Q. How can you fans find you on the net?
A. I have three books out on Amazon now, One Hot Night, Hot & Humid, and Rock Hard. I’m on twitter. You can also find me on Facebook. I love hearing from my readers. You can email me at:  tatumthrone@gmail.com.
www.tatumthrone.comwww.tatumthrone.blogspot.com@TatumThrone on Twitter
Story Excerpt: Stolen Moment [Enslaved & Enticed 1]
Rylie Sawyer wasn’t a thief, but she was about to become one.
Her heart hammered as she stared at the pendant through the downtown store window. She was the archeologist that unearthed it in Jordan a year ago. The window vibrated as though it were alive. Rylie reached out and smoothed her fingers across the silky, wet glass. A shiver whispered across Rylie’s chilled skin. She smoothed the wetness between her fingers. It felt like her honey spreading over a man’s cock.
The sound of Cincinnati’s evening commute faded to a low rumble in the background. You’re mine.
The ruby’s deadly power to seduce was its charm, its envy. Even now, Rylie could feel the undercurrent taunt her closer. The force was so strong it had her opening the door to the high-end jewelry store.
Warmth blew down from the heating vent.
Everything came into sharp focus. She remembered the first time she put the pendant on. She had an orgasm as soon as the stone settled between the nook between her breasts.
      She licked her lips nervously as her nipples tightened into aroused, sensitive peaks from the memory. She was going to steal it tonight.
A shot of adrenaline pumped through her body. Rylie’s light-blue irises caressed the bloodred ruby pendant. Light caught the sparkling gem and danced. Diamonds circled the ruby and flounced romantically up the chain.
It was a mistake to go inside before a robbery. She’d be captured on their surveillance cameras. A worker took the pendant from the locked case and brought it to a private table for a couple to see.
Rylie took two steps toward that table before she stopped short. Fear raced over her skin. They were going to buy it before she had a chance to take it. Fuck me.
Darkness clung to the piece. The piece wanted to find another victim. The curse was still alive, and it knew she was here. Its power to allure was an intoxicating, sexual rush like no other Rylie had ever experienced. Even knowing what it was, she wasn’t immune to the power it had.
She headed toward the case nearest the pendant. A flutter rippled over her skin as she moved. Rylie glanced over her shoulder and saw a man standing at the end of the case. He was watching her closely. Their gazes locked. Surprise filtered through his gaze before he shut it down.
Another shiver moved through her body. It was as though she knew him intimately and always had. Who was he?
Find out more about Tatum Throne HERE

New Contract from Siren

I've just received word that Siren have accepted my latest submission.

It's called ~ Seduced by Her Texas Billionaire Boss and is part of the Guilty Pleasures series.

Guilty Pleasures is all about hot billionaires and their even hotter love lives! Check out the series page on the top of my blog.

Taming the Boss Lady now on Amazon

For those wishing to purchase Taming the Boss Lady from Amazon, here are the links.

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Thank you. Jan x

Read the 1st Chapter of Taming the Boss Lady Free

Read the 1st chapter of Taming the Boss Lady

Find out more from Bookstrand HERE


TAMING THE BOSS LADYMasters of Submission 3
JAN BOWLESCopyright © 2012




Chapter One
Kelly McCloud strode purposefully into the boardroom. Situated on the twenty-sixth floor of the McCloud Energy Building in Providence, Rhode Island, it boasted impressive views across the city. The inspiring sight from the huge bank of windows always delighted her as she moved further into the large purpose-built space.

Her twelve executive board members were already there. They stood around talking and drinking coffee. They turned in her direction when she entered the room.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It’s a wonderful Rhode Island day out there.”

“Morning, Ma’am,” they said as one, before taking their places at the table. As the CEO of McCloud Energy she demanded their respect.

Kelly took her seat at the head of the large corporate table. A seemingly never-ending expanse of finest mahogany stretched down the middle of the room, and shone with a rich, deep luster. Pitchers of water were evenly spaced and interspersed with clusters of glasses. In the center lay an impressive display of red roses and delicate baby’s breath. For more than forty years, powerful, life-changing decisions had been made around this very table. Its history went way back, and she breathed in the atmosphere.

Just three short months ago her father had been sitting in the executive leather chair she now occupied. He’d been flanked on either side by the very same board members she now controlled. How times changed. Her father had suffered a life-threatening heart attack, and was now unable to head the company he’d built from scratch. At seventy-three his days at the helm were over.


“How’s your father?” Eve inquired, sounding genuinely concerned.

“Thanks for asking. He’s doing just fine. It won’t be long before he’s back on his feet again.” She was aware that Eve had always harbored a certain fondness for her father. Kelly’s mother had died when she was five years old, and she’d often wondered if Dad would remarry, but it seemed Jed McCloud was a one-woman man. He’d loved her mother deeply.

Kelly dismissed her introspection, and turned her attention to the business at hand.

Her father had always wanted her to take over from him when the time was right. That time was now. As an only child, he’d taught her everything she needed to know about McCloud Energy. She was just twenty-nine years old, but had been attending board meetings as an observer since the age of twelve. Jed McCloud had given her one hell of an apprenticeship.

Although the board had accepted her position as the new boss of McCloud Energy, she was well aware that some of them didn’t like the idea of a woman having such control. However, her father was the majority shareholder, and had total faith in her ability to run the company. She looked across the table at the twelve smiling faces, and remembered his words. Treachery often comes with a smile on its face, sweet pea. She had no doubt if business was bad and the shareholders were displeased, there would be an organized coup to remove her. She didn’t give a damn about what they thought. She was Jed McCloud’s daughter, and that made her a woman to be reckoned with.

In the three months since taking the reins, she’d noticed a gradual decrease in cooperation. It was obvious some board members wanted her to fail. She knew exactly who they were. Failure was not an option. Her father had built this company with his own blood, sweat, and tears, and she wasn’t about to hand it over to some spineless assassin in a suit.

Kelly studied the individuals at the table. Eve, her private secretary had been rewarded with a place on the board for her long years of service. Now Eve wouldn’t give her any problems. She’d been with the company for forty years, and would back the new boss, just like she’d backed the old one.

Rachel, a woman much admired for her ability to win new contracts, had been duly rewarded with a place on the board. There wouldn’t be any trouble from this lady either. She’d just remarried. Was it the third or the fourth time? Anyway, by the dreamy look in her eyes, her thoughts were focused solely on her new husband.

Jacob, Noah, and David were all coming up for retirement, and it showed. They’d decadently succumbed to expanding waistlines and fine living. They offered no threat to her. She figured they were just counting down the days until they could be on the golf course—permanently. They could afford it, too. When they retired at fifty-five, they’d receive a lucrative golden handshake, courtesy of McCloud Energy. These men could be discounted, too. At their age, and with too much to lose, they didn’t dare rock the boat.

Ricardo Fiorucci was a different proposition. Aged forty-five, he was experienced, and slippery, too. He’d had the unfounded belief that her father would hand over the reins to him. Wrong. Jed McCloud was far too astute for that. However, because he was a major shareholder in the company, she had to work with him. Getting Ricardo Fiorucci removed from the board would be almost impossible. The guy was a real live snake in the grass. She’d watch her back where he was concerned.

Then there were her uncles, Harry and Joseph. They were her fathers’ younger siblings. By the disdainful look on their faces, she knew they didn’t approve of her elevated position. She was in no doubt they would conspire to turn other board members against her, in an attempt to undermine her authority.

Tom, Uncle Joseph’s eldest son, probably thought he was next in line. He’d been with the company for fifteen years, and was just a couple of years older than herself. Her father had balked at the idea of handing control to him. She could still hear Dad’s derisive comments ringing in her ears. The man has no gumption, Kelly. He’ll fold when times are bad. 

William, Leo, and Ron had been there at the start. They were loyal to her father and would remain loyal to her.

Kelly shook her head. Dad was right. None of these guys were suitable for heading McCloud Energy. Where were all the real men? Men who took life as it came. Guys who could step up to the plate and handle the pressure when the going got tough? Where were all the mavericks and risk-takers of this world? 

Her thoughts drifted to her private life. She needed a real man to share her bed with. Time was slipping away. She’d be thirty next year. A smile drifted to her lips as her fantasy surfaced once more. From the moment she was barely able to walk, she’d been groomed by her father to take over the company. She silently thanked him for his absolute belief in her ability. Yet late at night, in her quieter moments, she yearned for a real man to take control of her. Her mind focused on a BDSM club she’d found on the Internet. She’d read a book on the subject of discipline and dominance, and realized that it might be the answer to her sexual needs. The venue was just far enough away from Providence to visit discreetly. All her sexual fantasies could be fulfilled at Club Submission. Just so long as she had the courage to go there.

Yeah, I’ve got the courage all right. I’m a McCloud. I’m a strong, independent woman, but I need an even stronger man to take control of me. Being in charge all the time wears a girl out. I need a powerful man to make me feel whole. Club Submission may have just what I’m looking for.

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