Bianca Sommerland's Blog, page 19

Self-Pub VS Traditional Pub Series#1: Free Fall into the Trash Bin and NOBLE ROMANCE PUBLISHING

So you want to publish a book? After dealing with a situation that made me feel powerless, I've decided to create a series of posts which will include warnings and advice for aspiring authors, as well as information for my beloved readers who need to know what's going on. Please check the bottom of the post for links to other Noble authors for more information.

~~~
This is a wonderful time for authors! There are so many options out there to bring your work to your readers. Literally hundreds of ebook and traditional publishers (which will both be lumped into trad pub in these posts just to simplify) are looking for authors, going through thousands of emails every day, and they are not just looking for the next EL James, Stephenie Meyer, or Amanda Hocking (yes, the last is self-pubbed, but I'm making a point! :^P ). Publishers know there are many wonderful authors out there that won't sell bazillions, but whom readers will love.


To top it off, if you're the type who likes to go it alone, who wants complete control of your work and has the confidence to step into the big bad publishing world bare ass to the breeze, then you have the power to do so! And it's never been easier! As long as you have the money for an editor, a quality cover artist, a formatter, and some to spare for promo, you're good to go. It's hard work, and it could take years before you make back your investment, but if you're good at networking and have some experience under your belt, you might get lucky and make it back within a few months. Kallypso Masters proved it can be done. I stopped being afraid, took her advice, and managed to do the same. I'm not as big as she is, but I've made back my investment and am now making as much money as my SO who gets paid 20$ an hour (and does LOTS of overtime).

**note** MAKING not getting. I'll be getting that money in September, but I'm doing decently for myself right now. Just had to add that for full disclosure.

Now, let's start with the warnings. Why? Because there are things you need to know before you take your first steps. I will give a few warnings about self-publishing before I bring up traditional  publishing because that will tie in with the situation with Noble Romance.

Self-publishing seems easy. With next to no effort, you can publish a document of almost any length with any picture--maybe even one you took yourself. You just need to upload it. There you go, you've got your own ebook. But who cares? You are one unknown amongst thousands of authors and you probably don't have the first clue as to how to get noticed. And if you didn't spend a whole lot of time learning your craft and polishing up that book, the few people who do pick up the book probably won't be impressed. Which ruins any chance you have at getting a jump start from the word of mouth train. This is one of the reasons I suggest most authors publish at least one book with a publisher before trying to go it alone.


There are exceptions, and you may be one of those who have the life experience to make a go of it so I won't say don't go directly to self-pub, but you must make sure you know what you're getting into.

Okay, so you want to go with a publisher. Now I need to give you a great BIG warning-and yes, I'm about to get to the part most of you have been skimming over everything else for <g>


DO NOT send out a single submission until you know everything you can possibly learn about a publisher. I say this because once you send out those emails, you will be so excited to hear back from anybody that you might just take the first offer. You may get rejected so many times that you think no one wants you and then OMG! Someone does!

I am with 2 publishers right now. Total Ebound and Noble Romance Publishing. Total Ebound is a publisher that I can personally recommend. Their covers are beautiful. Their editing process is excellent. Their royalty reports are detailed. I have had very good experiences with them.

As for Noble Romance Publishing, I could have made this entire post about my experiences with them, but I've given them enough of my time and will no doubt be forced to give them more as the situation continues to deteriorate. I would, however, like to take a moment to lay out the facts.


-Royalties are now a week late. Cover artists and Editors have not been paid. In the letter we received which has now been made public, this is the explanation for the delay:



The royalty payments which usually are sent out around the 20th to 25th of the month have not yet been sent out this month ONLY due to the fact that Jill did not provide the necessary royalty reports prior to her resignation.


This will mean that these royalty reports, unfortunately, will have to be compiled by others who do not have the same experience doing them and it will take until possibly the end of next week to have them completed properly, particularly with Sara's vacation schedule.


READ FULL EMAIL HERE: http://erastes.dreamwidth.org/710792.html


-Communication has been an issue for a very long time. Emails were consistently ignored. 


-The author's loop where the authors should have been free to discuss their concerns was closed.

There is more, but I am avoiding bringing up anything that may be speculation or hearsay. These are the things I know. These are the things you need to know before submitting to a publisher.


Some publishers may be very new and it may be difficult to find any information on them. However, there are a few ways you can inform yourself. Connect with other authors. Ask questions. I would even suggest bringing your contract to a lawyer who has experience in the business before you sign it. 


Most importantly, find out who the owner is. A majority of publishing houses are run by people with experience in the business. If they've been involved in a publishing company with issues in the past, find out how they handled it.


I am sharing my experiences for that very reason. To make sure aspiring authors are given the tools needed to make informed decisions. I do not know what will happen with Noble Romance Publishing in the long run, but several red flags have gone up that authors in the submission process, now and down the road, need to be aware of.


I will let one public comment made on Facebook speak for itself:




I know some may think it unwise to share this, but my silence in the past has cost myself, and others, enough.


For more information about the situation with Noble, please visit these posts (more will be added as they become available):

http://erastes.dreamwidth.org/710394.html
http://jswayne.wordpress.com/2012/07/26/an-ig-noble-letter/

Moving on.


For the next week or so, I will be putting up posts with information and links that you may find helpful in starting--or expanding--your career. I will be opening up the blog to guest posts for anyone who has information they'd like to pass on. This will include positive experiences authors have with their publishers and posts from self-pubbed authors. If you'd like to be included, please email me biancasommerland AT gmail DOT com. 

To finish this off on a positive note, I will be giving away a book on each post to commenters. I think comments are very important because we all have different experiences that may be invaluable to someone. This series is mostly about passing on information, but a little incentive never hurts ;)



**NOTE** The image in this post is from Morguefile
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morgueFile free photo:You are allowed to copy, distribute, transmit the work and to adapt the work. Attribution is not required. You are prohibited from using this work in a stand alone manner.

Quoted with permission:

**Although the term has come into the mainstream now, it originally was designed by PublishAmerica to differentiate themselves from standard New York publishers. Of course, it's also tough to come up with a different term, because there are so many models out there. If you're contrasting electronic publishing with self-publishing, you may wish to be a bit more specific than "traditional". With publishers moving into new outlets (such as Harlequin's vanity press), who is to say what's "traditional" anymore?

Mary

A better word may be 'standard' or 'commercial' publishing. I used the term familiar to me, but I thought I'd clarify. ;)

**edit** I have been informed that there was an issue because the screenshot contained pictures of people not involved. I have edited the image to removed those pictures. Thanks.

BDSM UNLEASED & HOT JOCKS IN JULY BLOG HOP

**NOTE** A scheduling mishap on my part made it so I my blog is in 2 hops at the same time. The only way I could think to fix this is by doubling up the prizes! The First Blog hop ends July 17th, so I will announce the first winners then. Thanks for your understanding :) 

This is so the perfect Blog Hop for the Dartmouth Cobras! What makes it even more fitting is that these particular Cobras develop a very different relationship through the course of the 3rd book in the series, BREAKAWAY. I could tell you more, but I think I'll let the excerpt speak for itself! ;)  
Check out the bottom of the post for prizes and don't forget to comment for your chance to win! 


Rubbing his lips as he shook his head, he moved towards a bookshelf and picked up the first familiar book, Strangers by Dean Koontz. On another shelf he found a bottle of Jamaican rum and a tumbler which he filled before bringing the book and the glass to the chair. Not like he'd be able to sleep anyway.
"I have sports books."
Luke arched a brow as Seb slipped into the room and gave him a dry smile. "No picture books? With real big words?"
"I'm afraid not." Seb came to stand in front of him and lifted the book to see the cover. "I wouldn't have taken you for a fan of Koontz. This isn't one of his best."
"It's my favorite. All those people trying to piece together the weird shit that's happening to them. Lots of suspense. Couldn't put it down once I picked it up. Shocked my mom and read it in just three days."
"So you haven't read it recently?"
"Naw, when I was thirteen." Luke took a sip of rum, then gestured to Seb with the glass. "I hope you don't mind that I helped myself?"
"Not at all. I'd tell you to make yourself comfortable, but you've done that already."
"Yeah, sorry, bad habit." He grinned. "Bunnies hate it when they bring me home and find me checking out their Vagisil and shit in the bathroom. I figure, once I've had my tongue up your ass, 'privacy' is kinda a mute point."
Seb's eyes widened. Then he chuckled. "Well, since I haven't had that pleasure, should I assume you won't invade my privacy?"
Choking on a mouthful of rum, Luke stared at him. "You had your hand on my balls—aaannnd, umm, yeah, let's not talk about that. Want to talk about the playoffs? Think Mason's knee is solid enough?"
"I never discuss the playoffs until twenty-four hours before the game. It's superstitious nonsense, like—" He grazed Luke's scruffy cheek with his knuckles. "Not shaving during the playoffs. I noticed you started early."
"Yeah, well I shaved twice as often before, hoping it would help my beard grow faster once I stopped." He swallowed, unable to help leaning into Seb's touch. "You think it will work?"
"It's hard to tell." Seb crouched to eye level and traced Luke's jaw with his fingers in a way that made him shiver. His thumb brushed his bottom lip. "The growth is pretty even, no patchy spots that I can see. I doubt you'll make the rankings for worst playoff beards."
"Thanks."
"So, why was your mother so shocked that you finished the book quickly?" Seb straightened and leaned a muscular forearm on the back of the chair. "She must have seen you read like that before?"
Luke grinned and shook his head. "Nope, not unless it was for school, and I grabbed the movie for reports every chance I got. My grades were sucky and my mom threatened not to let me play hockey anymore if I didn't get them up. My English marks were the worse, so I made her a deal. I would write an extra report, and if I got an A, she'd let me play. My English teacher agreed, under one condition. I had to choose a book over four hundred pages."
"You took that as a challenge?"
"Damn straight I did. And I got my A. My mom was so happy, she nagged my dad until he got me two new sticks. And not the cheap ones." He thumbed the pages of the book and smiled, recalling how every single one of Koontz's books had sat in a box beside the sticks on the kitchen table. "You see, my dad played hockey most his life—only made it to the minors though. He didn't finish school and had no other plans. So when he got injured, he couldn't get a good job. My mom was scared I'd do the same thing. She cried when I graduated high school, and cried some more when I got a scholarship to the University of Minnesota. Made her happy that she didn't raise a dumb jock."
"And your father?"
Finishing off his rum, Luke shrugged. "He didn't care whether or not I was dumb, so long as I played good. He showed up when I was drafted—five years after filing for divorce to chase some young tail, walking out on my mom and me—telling me he was so proud. I wanted to deck him. My mom worked her ass off as an orderly in a local hospital to pay for all my shit. Me making it had nothing to do with him."
"But you had your mother's support. Which is all that matters." Seb squeezed his shoulder. "Would you like another drink?"
Lips pressed together, Luke handed over his glass. "You gonna get me drunk so you can take advantage of me?"
Seb laughed. "I will never take advantage of you when you are drunk, semental. Whatever we do, you will have to face sober."
"Remind me to keep a flask on me at all times."
The dark look Seb gave him stilled his heart. He inched back into the chair as Seb returned, glass in hand, and loomed over him. "You may drink tonight. And tomorrow night. After that, you will be sober, niño. At all times. To be otherwise will disappoint both me and the team and you are better than that."
Yeah, I am. But I don't need you telling me what to do. Luke took a long, burning gulp of rum and scowled. "Are you under the impression that I give a fuck what you think?"
Placing his hand over the glass, Seb leaned over him, lips close enough to kiss. His accent thickened his tone as he spoke. "I know you care what I think, Luke. And I know you are fighting, very hard, not to. When you're done fighting it, let me know."
A brief, hot brush of lips and Seb moved away, leaving the room without looking back. Luke pressed his fingers to his lips and ground his teeth.
I. Don't. Care.
It took an insane amount of effort to choke down what would no doubt be one of his last drinks for awhile.
But that doesn't mean I care. Just means he's right.
 * * * *
Now for the prizes! Those who comment about the excerpt with their email in the comment will be entered for one of 4 chances to win a copy of their choice of one book from my backlist OR a copy of BREAKAWAY in the format of their choice the day of its release. Out of these 4 winners the 2  best comments will win Puck Bunny t-shirts. 

For even more awesome chances to win, click on the badges below. And GOOD LUCK!

HOT JOCKS IN JULY BLOG HOP

This is so the perfect Blog Hop for the Dartmouth Cobras! What makes it even more fitting is that these particular Cobras develop a very different relationship through the course of the 3rd book in the series, BREAKAWAY. I could tell you more, but I think I'll let the excerpt speak for itself! ;)  
Check out the bottom of the post for prizes and don't forget to comment for your chance to win! 


Rubbing his lips as he shook his head, he moved towards a bookshelf and picked up the first familiar book, Strangers by Dean Koontz. On another shelf he found a bottle of Jamaican rum and a tumbler which he filled before bringing the book and the glass to the chair. Not like he'd be able to sleep anyway.
"I have sports books."
Luke arched a brow as Seb slipped into the room and gave him a dry smile. "No picture books? With real big words?"
"I'm afraid not." Seb came to stand in front of him and lifted the book to see the cover. "I wouldn't have taken you for a fan of Koontz. This isn't one of his best."
"It's my favorite. All those people trying to piece together the weird shit that's happening to them. Lots of suspense. Couldn't put it down once I picked it up. Shocked my mom and read it in just three days."
"So you haven't read it recently?"
"Naw, when I was thirteen." Luke took a sip of rum, then gestured to Seb with the glass. "I hope you don't mind that I helped myself?"
"Not at all. I'd tell you to make yourself comfortable, but you've done that already."
"Yeah, sorry, bad habit." He grinned. "Bunnies hate it when they bring me home and find me checking out their Vagisil and shit in the bathroom. I figure, once I've had my tongue up your ass, 'privacy' is kinda a mute point."
Seb's eyes widened. Then he chuckled. "Well, since I haven't had that pleasure, should I assume you won't invade my privacy?"
Choking on a mouthful of rum, Luke stared at him. "You had your hand on my balls—aaannnd, umm, yeah, let's not talk about that. Want to talk about the playoffs? Think Mason's knee is solid enough?"
"I never discuss the playoffs until twenty-four hours before the game. It's superstitious nonsense, like—" He grazed Luke's scruffy cheek with his knuckles. "Not shaving during the playoffs. I noticed you started early."
"Yeah, well I shaved twice as often before, hoping it would help my beard grow faster once I stopped." He swallowed, unable to help leaning into Seb's touch. "You think it will work?"
"It's hard to tell." Seb crouched to eye level and traced Luke's jaw with his fingers in a way that made him shiver. His thumb brushed his bottom lip. "The growth is pretty even, no patchy spots that I can see. I doubt you'll make the rankings for worst playoff beards."
"Thanks."
"So, why was your mother so shocked that you finished the book quickly?" Seb straightened and leaned a muscular forearm on the back of the chair. "She must have seen you read like that before?"
Luke grinned and shook his head. "Nope, not unless it was for school, and I grabbed the movie for reports every chance I got. My grades were sucky and my mom threatened not to let me play hockey anymore if I didn't get them up. My English marks were the worse, so I made her a deal. I would write an extra report, and if I got an A, she'd let me play. My English teacher agreed, under one condition. I had to choose a book over four hundred pages."
"You took that as a challenge?"
"Damn straight I did. And I got my A. My mom was so happy, she nagged my dad until he got me two new sticks. And not the cheap ones." He thumbed the pages of the book and smiled, recalling how every single one of Koontz's books had sat in a box beside the sticks on the kitchen table. "You see, my dad played hockey most his life—only made it to the minors though. He didn't finish school and had no other plans. So when he got injured, he couldn't get a good job. My mom was scared I'd do the same thing. She cried when I graduated high school, and cried some more when I got a scholarship to the University of Minnesota. Made her happy that she didn't raise a dumb jock."
"And your father?"
Finishing off his rum, Luke shrugged. "He didn't care whether or not I was dumb, so long as I played good. He showed up when I was drafted—five years after filing for divorce to chase some young tail, walking out on my mom and me—telling me he was so proud. I wanted to deck him. My mom worked her ass off as an orderly in a local hospital to pay for all my shit. Me making it had nothing to do with him."
"But you had your mother's support. Which is all that matters." Seb squeezed his shoulder. "Would you like another drink?"
Lips pressed together, Luke handed over his glass. "You gonna get me drunk so you can take advantage of me?"
Seb laughed. "I will never take advantage of you when you are drunk, semental. Whatever we do, you will have to face sober."
"Remind me to keep a flask on me at all times."
The dark look Seb gave him stilled his heart. He inched back into the chair as Seb returned, glass in hand, and loomed over him. "You may drink tonight. And tomorrow night. After that, you will be sober, niño. At all times. To be otherwise will disappoint both me and the team and you are better than that."
Yeah, I am. But I don't need you telling me what to do. Luke took a long, burning gulp of rum and scowled. "Are you under the impression that I give a fuck what you think?"
Placing his hand over the glass, Seb leaned over him, lips close enough to kiss. His accent thickened his tone as he spoke. "I know you care what I think, Luke. And I know you are fighting, very hard, not to. When you're done fighting it, let me know."
A brief, hot brush of lips and Seb moved away, leaving the room without looking back. Luke pressed his fingers to his lips and ground his teeth.
I. Don't. Care.
It took an insane amount of effort to choke down what would no doubt be one of his last drinks for awhile.
But that doesn't mean I care. Just means he's right.
 * * * *
Now for the prizes! Those who comment about the excerpt with their email in the comment will be entered for one of 2 chances to win a copy of their choice of one book from my backlist OR a copy of BREAKAWAY in the format of their choice the day of its release. Out of these two winners the person with the best comment will win a Puck Bunny t-shirt. 

For even more awesome Hot Jocks and chances to win, click on the badge below. And GOOD LUCK!

Third and Final Deadly Captive Book

Yesterday I posted about books coming out within the next few months. Today I'm going to answer a question that's been coming at me a lot lately. 

When is the next Deadly Captive book coming out? 

Some may recall that I was hoping to get it out some time this summer, but those plans have changed.


Why, well, because the Deadly Captive books take completely changing my mindset from the way I write my other books. I have to push myself in a whole new direction and basically convince myself that things that are painful and repulsive to some is erotic and fascinating. Why? Because I couldn't write that way convincingly if I didn't believe it. For those that have read Collateral Damage, you know there's a needle play scene. That was particularly difficult to write, and still might not seem pleasurable to some, but to others it has exactly the impact I worked so hard to get across. It is a sensual scene that connects the characters in a way nothing else they'd done together could accomplish.

For the last few books I've written, I've had to pull myself away from that way of thinking to some extent, because while it is okay to spice up sex with a bit of pain, it's generally assumed the the person receiving the pain has given consent. That their limits will be respected. 


In the Deadly Captive books, there are no limits. Right and wrong are, for the most part, irrelevant. And this being the last one makes it special. I have a few ideas that makes me cringe even as I consider writing them. One of those ideas is writing part of this book from Cyrus' POV.

 

That doesn't really answer the question though, right? When am I going to write this story? How much longer will you have to wait?
Honestly, I don't know. I won't rush it. But I can tell you that once my next two books, TOILE (which as I mentioned yesterday will be released this summer) and BREAKAWAY (The 3rd Dartmouth Cobras book coming late summer) come out, I will allow myself to go back into that dark, disturbing mindset that made writing Deadly Captive and Collateral Damage possible. I will pick up the pen and bring my nightmares to life. Let my characters take me on a dark, horrific journey that will arouse me even though I know it shouldn't.
And, hopefully, by the end of the year, I'll be able to take you along on that journey. Just don't forget . . . you're not supposed to like it either. ;)
For more information about Deadly Captive, go to http://www.im-no-angel.com/deadly-captive.html 

Defensive Zone Blog tour WINNER! And some news...

This is VERY late, but I've finally gotten to put all the entries together and pick out the winner, who is . . . .

Joanne B!



You will be contacted for your details shortly.


In other news, as those who follow me on facebook know, I have been working on the 3rd Dartmouth Cobras book, BREAKAWAY, which I hope to release near the end of the summer. I have also been working on another book which will likely appeal to the fans of DEADLY CAPTIVE, but it will not be Urban Fantasy. It will be dark and it will push your limits in new ways. I can't wait to share it with you!

For now, for those who haven't seen it, I will share the cover:

 
To give you an idea of what you're in for, here's a snippet from TOILE:
Copyright Bianca Sommerland 2012


Goosebumps covered my naked body as Solvent circled me, slowly, measured steps almost soundless. Despite the brisk temperature outside, he had his air conditioner on full, stirring the air with a winter cold bite. My nipples hardened and my fingertips and toes froze. He said nothing until I began to shift uncomfortably."How long has it been since you were fully aware of your body?"The strange question had me staring at him. "What?""I've known for awhile that is part of the problem. You're taking part in scenes and detaching yourself from your body. You enjoy pain, but after the first few times it just didn't seem like enough . . . ." He paused and his lips slanted with amusement as my lips parted. "Am I close?"Yes, but I'm not about to fucking admit it. I hiked up my chin and smirked. "No. I have a high pain tolerance and most men are afraid to—""Bullshit. You're getting bored because the pain is predictable. You've learned to anticipate it and that takes away the thrill." He moved behind me and grabbed a handful of my hair, wrenching my head back so hard I yelped. His lips covered mine, drinking in the sound. His teeth closed on my bottom lip with enough pressure to make it throb with hot pain. My eyes watered. He smiled against my mouth. "You felt that."
 ~~~~
Stay tuned for more info on both books! And if you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments and I'll get back to you sometime today. My inbox gets very full sometimes, so I might be slow in answering your emails, but this is a quick way to find out whatever you want to know!

DEFENSIVE ZONE Blog Tour 2nd Stop

Second stop in the tour! Under the Covers Book Blog PUNISH ME: (Some Insight into punishment in BDSM) 


Stop by and comment for your chance to win a copy of DEFENSIVE ZONE or the Dartmouth Cobras Prize Pack!

First stop! Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews-Dean Interrogat...

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First stop! Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews-Dean Interrogates Ava and Rhayne Comment for your chance to win a copy of Defensive Zone (The Dartmouth Cobras book #2) and for an entry in the tour Grand Prize!

Sinful Sirens Giveaway Hop WINNER!!!!

Mel Bourne!
You will receive an email regarding your book(s) of choice shortly.
For everyone else, thank you so much for participating in the blog hop. And don't forget to check out the Defensive Zone blog tour from May 23rd to the 31st for more chances to win!

Sinful Sirens GIVEAWAY Hop and Last pre-release Excerpt

So excited I don't know what to say! lol! Hopefully this last share will be enough! Comment for your chance to win your choice of 2 books from my backlist OR a copy of DEFENSIVE ZONE on release day!



"I wish you didn't have to go." Silver came up behind him and hugged his waist. "I was looking forward to—"
 
"I won't be long." He turned and angled her chin up with a finger. "But there is one thing I need from you before I leave."
 
She gave him a sly smile. "Yes?"
 
"The truth. You wanted to speak to me about Bower, didn't you?" He frowned when she pulled away and shook her head. "Maybe I shouldn't go. I won't tolerate lies and making that clear is more important than anything I need to discuss with the team."
 
"Not talking isn't lying."
 
"And you think not talking is an option?" Without waiting for her answer, he hooked his arm around her waist and dragged her to the sofa. He sat with his thighs spread and pulled her between them, using his feet to open her legs wide. "Lace your fingers behind your neck, pet."
 
She quickly obeyed, which shocked the hell out of him. Chest rising and falling with her quick little breaths, she leaned into him and whispered, "I thought you had to go?"
 
"I do, but Tim can start without me." He slid one hand around her throat and dipped the other down the front of her bright pink boxer briefs to cup her pussy. "Talk to me, Silver."
 
"There's nothing to—Oh!" Her pussy clamped around his finger as he thrust it in deep. She fought to close her thighs as he forced them further apart. "What are you doing?"
 
"Interrogating my naughty little sub." He slicked her moisture over her clit, rubbing the little nub until the tip swelled from its tiny hood. Her hips jutted forward and he tightened his grip on
her throat until she gasped and went perfectly still.

 ~~~~

Check out the rest of the blogs for more chances to win check out the other blogs on the hop! And good luck!

Defensive Zone Cover Share and Sexy punishment scene with Dean

I've shared the cover on facebook, but I neglected to share it with my blog followers! I'm sorry! To make it up to you, I'm sharing a sexy punishment scene. Less than two weeks left until the release of Defensive Zone and I plan to tease you mercilessly until then!

~~~~~

She wiggled off his lap and winced when her butt hit the tiles. "Ouch! How hard did you bite me?" 
He grinned as he stood and held out his hand. "Hard enough to leave a mark. Does that bother you?"
Surprisingly, it didn't. She wouldn't be doing nude shots anytime soon and, as her body adjusted to the lightly throbbing bruise, she found she kind of liked it.
Weird.
"What was that look?"
No way. Do not tell him. "What look?"
"Like you're savoring something." He covered her ass cheek with a hand and squeezed. "This, perhaps?"
She yelped. Then bit back a groan as the throbbing intensified. "No. I was thinking about that shower."
"I'm sure." He sighed. "We'll work on this truth thing. I would punish you for lying now, but I'm pleased with you."
"Why?"
"Because you took what I gave you and didn't ask me to fuck you once."
Holding her tongue between her teeth, she picked up her jeans and moved to put them on. "What's the point? You already told me you wouldn't."
He put his hand on her wrist before she could pull her jeans on. "Strip here, Silver. I want to see you. I think I've earned the pleasure."
Dropping her jeans, she straightened and gave him a sly smile. "I think you're right."
Her hips swayed to a sultry song in her head as she pealed off her t-shirt and tossed it aside. Unlatching her bra, she turned away from him, backing up until her butt rubbed against his erection. She let her bra fall and arched to look up at him, moulding her breasts with her hands as he stared.
"Don't you wish you didn't have to wait?" She smirked and sauntered away from him.
He yanked her back by the wrist and bent her over the table.
Whack!
"You cockmunching son-of-a-bitch!" She howled as he smacked her again. "Stop! Ow!"
"Behave, Silver." Another hard slap struck her inner thigh when she tried to kick him. "I would have stopped at one for the sass, but I do not tolerate insults."
"You better get used to it, limp-dick!"
"Limp-dick?" He laughed and ground himself hard against her already sore ass. "Sweetheart, I am never 'limp' around you."
Ohohoh! Sore as she was, her insides clenched at the idea of having him inside her again. Maybe another verbal shove would do the trick. "Well you're a fucking asshole anyway."
He sighed. "I think you enjoy being spanked too much for it to be a very effective punishment. Don't move."
For a few seconds, she stayed in that position, facedown on his table, staring at the bowl of sliced apples which for some reason hadn't turned brown. Just as he returned, she realized she'd done what he'd told her to and tried to fix that by skirting away.
Something hit her, hard, and her breath caught in her throat. That wasn't his hand.
He laid the flogger on the table. "Don't make me use it again, pet."
Something wet squirted between her ass cheeks. Her eyes went wide. "No. Oh hell no!"
"Brace yourself."
Cold. Hard. Big. Pressing against her asshole. "I said no!"
Dean's big hand massaged the sorest spot on her butt. "Have you forgotten your safeword, pet?"
"No I haven't fucking forgotten."
The flogger disappeared. Crack! She grunted through her teeth as her body absorbed the sting.
"Manners," Dean said.
"I haven't fucking forgotten, sir!" Really? Then say it!
So twisted, but she really didn't want to. Her eyes teared as the big thing—probably a butt plug—was forced into her. Burning, burning, then a plop as it was seated snuggly.
"There we go." He pulled her to her feet. "Take your shower and leave it in. I may take it out before you sit down to eat if you tell me how sorry you are."
"I'm not sorry."
He frowned as though frustrated with her response. "You know what, I believe you. I may have been very wrong about you. Do whatever you want."
Fine, I will. Not like it mattered what he thought. She laughed in his face and scampered to the bathroom before he could use the flogger again. The plug was just big enough for discomfort, but nothing she couldn't handle. He should have gone for a bigger size if he really wanted to punish her.
Size didn't much matter as the heavy plug weighed on the snug ring of muscles. Irritating, but worse, a constant reminder of how things had shifted from their talking and then their lusty play. Under the hot spray she felt her defiance wash away. Part of her wanted to push him, to test him, but . . .
But what?
The way he'd looked at her, that disappointment, which only darkened after she'd laughed, ruined everything. Maybe she'd pushed him too far. She didn't want him to stop caring.
Why? He's not your Master. You don't want a Master.
Well, playing with one once in awhile might be interesting.
Find another one. Shouldn't be that hard.
But, she didn't want another one.
She wanted Dean.~~~~~
Another thing I forgot to share here is that GAME MISCONDUCT is on sale for this month only at .99. If you don't have it yet, or if you know someone who might be interested, now is a good time to grab it! 


Amazon
Smashwords Code: FK28X
All Romance Ebooks (It's 1.02 here)