Stevie MacFarlane's Blog, page 11

Amelia, Move Over Sweetie, Grace is Coming

This is probably the last time I'll promote Amelia for a while. Next week, Grace, Book Two in The Marriage Market series will be out.  I'm pretty excited.  It's such fun writing about these women and the men who try to tame them.  Effie, is next and let me tell you, she's giving Samuel a run for his money. 

So here's the info on Amelia.  If you haven't read it, now would be a good time to give it a shot.  The reviews have been good.  It's been on the best seller list in Victorian Erotica from the very beginning, but in general is a very sweet spanking romance.  Scroll down for a sneak peek at Grace.


Amelia, Book One in The Marriage Market Series

 Fresh out of Mrs. Pettigrew's School for Young Ladies, Amelia Westcott and her two best friends are ready for adventure.  Suddenly a life filled with social obligations and meaningless gossip seems unappealing.  On a whim the girls investigate the phenomena of young women heading west to marry, and Amelia is captivated by the freedom such a decision offers.

Hugh Jordon needs a wife.  The severe shortage of women in the Pacific Northwest makes advertising for a bride seems reasonable. As long as he finds a wife who is the exact opposite of his tempestuous mother, he’ll be well satisfied. Studying the applicants, he chooses one that seems to best fit his needs, and delegates his head clerk with the critical task of sending polite rejections to the others. Unfortunately, most of them never get the letter Hugh anticipated and soon the brides descend, all expecting to marry the same man!

 Amelia is horrified, and realizes that the adage "marry in haste, repent at leisure" has never been more true. How could he do that to her? What sort of man was he, to propose to so many women? She simply must have their wedding annulled and return to Massachusetts at once.

Hugh has other ideas. In his opinion, the perfect place for his bride to learn about faith, loyalty and commitment is in his home and over his knee!

Excerpt:

Her feet barely skimmed the gently sloping, verdant lawn as she hurried to a destination she had been to thousands of times.  Reaching the iron gate, she sat the basket down momentarily as she took a small key from her pocket.  It only took a moment to unlock the barrier the fathers had insisted on.  Seconds later she was through and could see the bright sunlight past the thick hedge.

“I’m here,” she called out gaily, nearly skidding to a stop.  “Oh,” she sighed dramatically as she dropped to the ground, the brim of her hat flopping up and down.

“What took you so long?” Grace demanded.  “I’m starving and I almost had to go to the dressmaker with mother.” 

Effie turned up her nose and gave a delicate shiver.  “How horrible,” she drawled as she took the quilt from Amelia and spread it neatly on the ground.

“Don’t make light of it, Effie,” Amelia said with a laugh.  “When mother died, father asked Mrs. Wentworth to take me along to the dressmakers with Grace.  I’ve never been poked so much in my entire life.”

“Sorry,” Effie offered, sitting on the quilt and watching Grace unpack the basket.

“It’s all right,” Grace replied, picking up a pickle and taking a big bite.  “You just have no concept of how exacting my mother can be,” she continued, chewing as she spoke.

“Wouldn’t Mrs. Pettigrew have a fit if she could see us now?” Amelia asked as she sat cross legged, her bare legs showing as she reached for her own pickle.

Effie straightened and placed her hand on her hips.  Looking down her nose she began a perfect imitation of the woman they’d all grown to hate.

“Young ladies, young ladies,” she spat out crisply as she clapped her hands.  “It is not proper to show your lower extremities,” she scolded, eying Grace who was sitting on her heels.  “When a lady sits, she does so gracefully, gently sweeping her skirt to the side. She does not cross her legs, nor does she allow anything more than a glimpse of her ankles,” she continued, hiking up her pink dress and pointing her toes inward, giving her backside an inflated appearance.

Grace and Amelia howled with laughter.

 “Ladies, a well-bred young woman does not bellow with mirth,” Effie informed them, wagging her finger.  “She quietly titters behind her fan or a lace handkerchief.  Observe,” she continued, plucking a small lace square from her pocket and holding it to her mouth as she giggled and rolled her eyes.

Grace and Amelia began clapping, yelling, “Bravo!”

Buy Links:

Amazon

Amazon UK

Barnes & Nobel

Blushing Books



The Marriage Market, Book Two, Grace

Grace Wentworth and Effie Lane were cautiously optimistic when their dear friend Amelia decided to travel west to become the bride of a man she'd never met. Despite their misgivings they were stunned when Amelia wrote informing them she'd made a dreadful mistake in marrying Mr. Jordon.

Determined to rescue her dear friend from the clutches of a scoundrel, Effie made plans to leave for Seattle immediately. Grace would follow when she could get away from the ever watchful eye of her mother. Everything changed when Grace was forced to accept the proposal of a cruel and violent man. Suddenly her mother's wrath could not compare with what she would face as Horace Remington’s wife. Throwing all caution aside, she fled with Effie even knowing her mother would most likely hire a Pinkerton man to find her. However, she never expected to fall for him as they played a game of cat and mouse from Chicago to Seattle.

For Jonah Blackthorn, apprehending a runaway socialite seemed like an easy assignment. Locating two young, inexperienced women would take him no time at all and the five thousand dollar reward offered by the frantic fiancé would go a long way as Jonah had plans to leave the agency to begin a new chapter in his life.

What he didn't plan on was being outwitted by the brats or the fact that Effie Lane wasn't relying on her wits alone to get them safely to Seattle. He also didn't expect to come to care for the redhead traveling with her gun-toting friend. When he finally caught up with them he was going to give Grace the spanking of a life time or kiss her senseless. Maybe both.


Thanks for stopping by.

Unexpected Fireworks, A Short Story. Happy 4th of July

She was a tease, a flirt, a tormentor of any male old enough to notice, and some said a tramp.  It wasn’t true, of course, but when you looked like Cat, jealousy and spite were something you got used to.  They said the boys flocked around her because she ‘put out,’ ‘gave it away,’ but in fact she was still a virgin, something she hoped was temporary.  
It was only recently that she came to this decision, wanting to get rid of her hymen.  Maybe then she’d fit in again.  Maybe the friends she’d had in junior high wouldn’t avoid her as they did now, as though she was a Venus fly-trap, waiting to snatch their boyfriends and devour them.  In her mind she pictured a sign flashing above her head.  ‘Used Goods’ it would say in bright neon lights, and that should take care of some of boys dogging her every move, wanting to be ‘the one’ who popped her cherry. 
Despite all the hoopla on TV about the sexual revolution,  free love and the hippies taking over a farm in New York for three days, south of the Mason Dixon line, some boys still wanted a ‘good girl’ and would scatter like roaches caught in a bright light once she was no longer prime.
It was silly really, she thought as she smoothed on her pink lipstick.  All this fuss over a little scrap of tissue and the lucky winner of this dubious prize would likely melt away like a sidewalk chalk drawing in the rain once he’d bragged to all and sundry. 
Taking a long necked Pepsi from the ice box, Cat popped the cap using the bottle opener on the side of the kitchen cabinet and went through the screen door, letting it slam behind her.  Plopping down on the porch swing she gently set it in motion, thankful for the slight breeze. 
Lord, it was hot, and he was late.
She’d chosen Wendell Culpepper last week when her 18th birthday party had been basically boycotted by all but two of her girlfriends and she suspected the only reason the Spiller twins had shown up was because their Mama was best friends with her Mama.  The young men had come in droves, everyone she’d invited and some tag-a-longs besides.  It was embarrassing, dancing under the Chinese lanterns her Daddy strung up in the back yard with one boy after another.  Cat pretended to have a good time and ignored the girls casually strolling up and down the sidewalk in front of her house whispering.  That was when she knew she has to do something.
She chose Wendell for a few reasons.  He was older, 23 to her 18, he had a real pretty pick-up with loud mufflers that sounded cool and he was cute, in that country boy sort of way.  His hair was brown with blonde streaks from working everyday on his Daddy’s farm.  He was strong, not excessively tall and she liked the way he looked in church on Sundays when he was all cleaned up.  But the main reason she chose him was his reputation.  It was said around town that Wendell could charm the panties off a nun if he put his mind to it.  With his easy smile and sharp wit, Wendell was the kind of man your Daddy would shake hands with and clap on the back, as though he personally had something to do with the boy’s prowess and your Mama would snap open her fan, quickly cooling off her face as she pulled you behind her.  Yes, if she was going to give it away, and she was, Wendell would at least know what to do with it.  It never occurred to her that his reputation might be as fabricated as hers.
Wendell pulled into Cathleen O’Brian’s driveway just as the last of the sun’s rays were sliding behind the trees.  Jumping out of his truck, it was his intention to walk to her door, speak with her Mama and Daddy and escort her to his vehicle, but she was already coming across the lawn.  Swallowing, he realized it was a good thing he didn’t have to speak.  Her perfectly straight blonde hair hung nearly to her waist, shinning in the fading light.  Frayed blue denim cut offs showed her tanned legs almost to her crotch and the white gauzy peasant blouse she wore moved with each step.  He knew women were burning their bras, but he never expected to see Cat’s breasts swaying freely as she moved in that loose hipped way.  She was artless, totally unaware of how perfectly proportioned and beautiful she was.  Her sweet, innocent face and wide blue eyes were angelic, almost too perfect to be real.
“Hi Wendell,” she said sweetly as she reached him.
“Hi Cathleen,” he replied thickly.
“It sure is hot, isn’t it?” she asked, tipping the bottle she still held to her lips, exposing her neck above the untied strings of her top.
“Um, yeah, it sure is, are you ready to go?”
Nodding, Cat moved to open the door, but he got to it first, unable to take his eyes off her ass as she climbed onto the seat after handing him her soft drink.  The platform sandals on her feet, the swell of her sweet cheeks showing below her short shorts and the way she smiled at him over her shoulder as she crawled in, her hair fanning out around her, gave him an instant and painful erection.
“Hell’s bells,” he sighed as he closed the door and walked around to his side of the truck and got in.  It was going to be a long night.
“Is everything alright?” she asked nervously, peeking at him from under her lashes.
“Fine.”
“Are we still going to the fair?”
He had a moment when he wondered if taking her to a movie might be a better idea.  She was sure to attract plenty of undesirable attention at the fair.  Then he pictured her next to him in a dark movie house, his hand sliding over her shoulder, grasping her nipple through the thin fabric of her shirt.
“Yes.”
“Okay,” she said smiling and relaxing in her seat.  “I love fairs.  I haven’t been in ages.”
And to the fair they went.  Surprisingly he had a good time, when he wasn’t sending scowling stares to overeager admirers.  For the next several hours they laughed and talked about everything and anything.  She was funny and smart and he came to realize why she’d always been more to him than a pretty face in the pew across the aisle at church.  He was just biding his time until she graduated, that rite of passage into adulthood couldn’t come fast enough for him.
They rode the Ferris wheel, and the bumper cars, ate hot dogs and French fries and Cat consumed an enormous amount of cotton candy.  Looking at her sweet, sticky lips, Wendell reminded himself over and over that she was really just a child in a lot of ways.
   
They played many games with Cat cheering him on as he filled her arms with stuffed animals and Kewpie dolls.  When they approached the test of strength, Wendell picked up the mallet with one hand and rang the bell three times in a row, amazing Cat with his power and scattering the latest group of young boys following their steps.   Sticking the cigars in his shirt pocket, Wendell was surprised when she took one out and held it to her nose.
“You’ll don’t smoke, do you honey?” he asked frowning.
“No, my Daddy smokes a pipe though and I like the smell.  Why would it bother you if I did?” she asked.
“It damn sure would,” he replied sternly, taking the cigar and putting it back in his pocket.
“Why?” she asked, genuinely curious as she looked up at him.
“I just don’t like it, is all.  A lady doesn’t smoke.  It’s not proper.”
Cat laughed.  “What makes you think I’m a lady,” she teased, smiling over her shoulder as she walked away.
Wendell took her arm and pulled her closer to his side, slowing her steps.
“I know you’re a lady, despite how you’re dressed tonight.  How’d you get out of the house and past your Daddy in that getup anyway?” he asked, scowling.
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” she demanded, stopping dead.
“You know damn well what’s wrong with it without me having to tell you.  For one thing you’re not wearing a bra and I can see clear through that top in the right light.”
“So.”
“So it looks like you’re…looking for something besides a good time at the fair,” he continued, pulling her along gently.
“Maybe I am,” she drawled.
Wendell snorted.  “You think I believe all those rumors about you?  I know better.”
“You don’t know anything, Wendell Culpepper!  I’m very experienced.  Ask anybody,” she sassed.
Wendell let his frustration win and began leading her to the parking area.  “Just why did you ask me to take you out, Cathleen?”
“Because I like you,” she snapped.  “Why are we leaving?” she demanded as he towed her across the hay field.
“I think I better get you on home.  I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’ve got a hunch I won’t like it.”
“Why bless your heart for being such a gentleman and worrying about me,” she drawled sweetly.  “It’s really not necessary.  If you want to go home, I’m sure I can find my own ride later.  Don’t you give it another thought,” she said, turning back toward the fairgrounds as soon as he released her arm at the truck.
“Oh no you won’t, I brought you and I’ll be taking you home before you get yourself in trouble.  What’s gotten into you tonight?”
“Nothing!  Nothing’s gotten into me and that’s what I aim to fix,” she shouted, stomping her foot and marching away.
“Cat, get back here,” he called as she stumbled on the uneven ground.
“No, and you can’t make me,” she yelled over her shoulder.
Wendell watched her for a few minutes as she wove her way back to the lights.  Finally he set off after her, swearing fit to burn the ears on anybody who might be listening.  It didn’t take him long to catch her and on the thick hay she never heard him coming.  One second she was headed in one direction and the next she was over his shoulder being carried to his truck and she struggled to hang on to her prizes.
“You put my down this instant, Wendell Culpepper,” she cried, kicking her feet.  “You’ll be lucky if I don’t tell my Daddy about this,” she warned direly.
“No, you’ll be lucky I don’t tell him,” he replied, eating up the distance and yanking the passenger door open.  Stooping he plopped her on the seat and pushed her kicking feet around.  When Cat tried to jump down he looked her right in the eye, his head bent close to her.  “You put one toe out of this truck missy and I’ll tan your hide but good.  Do you hear me?” he asked darkly.
Cat pulled her foot back and nodded, her eyes wide with shock.  Wendell waited until she lowered her gaze before slamming the door and walking to his side.   Once inside he didn’t start the vehicle immediately and Cat watched him out of the corner of her eye.  This may have been a bad idea from the beginning.  Wendell was obviously trying to get control of his temper and it was taking a while.
Finally he turned in his seat until he was facing her.  It was dark, the lights and the music seemed very far away now in the small quiet space.
“Alright, out with it and I want the truth.  Why did you ask me to take you out?”
“I asked you to take me out because I…want you,” she stammered out, hiding behind her hair.
“You want me?”
“Yes.”
“In what way?” he asked, confused.
“You know what way,” she hissed.
“No, I don’t think I do.  You’ll have to be a bit more specific, Cat,” he sighed.
“I want you to take me,” she whispered.
“Take you where?”
“Oh for the love of God, take me!  You know, fuck me!”
“You watch your mouth,” he shouted.  “Of all the… why would you…you’ve never kissed me and all of a sudden you want me to make love to you?” he said, stunned and maybe a little bit flattered.
“That was my plan,” she sighed.
“Well it’s a stupid plan,” he said, starting the truck.
“No, it’s very well thought out,” she insisted.
“Okay, then explain it to me,” he snorted as he followed the tracks to the road.
“I wanted someone who knew what he was doing the first time.”
“And you figure I know what I’m doing?” he asked.
“That’s what they say,” she admitted.  “You do, don’t you?” she asked, suddenly nervous and wondering if she had made a major miscalculation.
“I have a pretty good idea,” he said, hiding his smile.
“Just an idea?” she choked out.  “You mean you’ve never…”
“Listen, this conversation is about you, not me and a gentleman never tells.”
“Some do” she said sadly, “and some just make things up.  I figure if this town is going to treat me like a whore, I may as well have some fun.  It is fun, right?” she asked hopefully.
Wendell was tempted to tell her some real horror stories about the deflowering of a virgin, but he restrained himself.  There was no sense in scaring her and he had something else entirely in mind.
“Sure it’s fun, but if you have some feeling for the other person it’s more than fun, it’s amazing.”
“So will you?  Do it I mean?” she asked softly.
“Gee, I don’t know Cat.  I’ve never even kissed you and I still think it’s a pretty stupid idea.  Who cares if people gossip about you?  That doesn’t mean it’s true and the folks who really know you and care about you won’t believe it anyway.”
“I care and I’m sick of being groped and touched every time a boy thinks he can get away with it.  I’ll let you kiss me, if you want to.”
“Who’s touching you?” he demanded.  “Tell me who and I’ll take care of it, honey.”
“How you gonna fix it, Wen?  You’re at work all day and I’ve got another year before I graduate.  I don’t think I can stand it.  It’s like I’m some kind of contest or something, like whoever gets to do it wins a trophy,” she said angrily.
“What if we start telling everyone that you’re my girl?  I’m pretty sure most of those guys will back off if they don’t want me breathing down their necks, or worse,” he suggested, reaching for her hand.
“No, I’m going to do this,” she insisted pulling her hand away.  “If you don’t want to help me, I’ll find someone who will.”
“So if I don’t take your virginity, you’ll just find another guy.  Is that it, huh?”
“Yes,” she said, leaning against her door completely embarrassed.  He didn’t want her.  The one guy she trusted and actually respected, didn’t want her.  It was nearly unbearable.
Wendell slowed, hit his brakes and spun his truck in a 180.  Hitting the gas hard, he headed back down the highway.
“Where are we going?” she asked, feeling his anger like a fog around her.
“I’ve decided to give you what you need Cathleen,” he said, “and I know just the place.”
Wendell drove for several miles in silence before slowing and turning onto a dirt road.  He continued to follow the narrow track for another few miles.
“Where are we?” Cat asked, trying to control the quiver in her voice.
“On the farm.  This leads back to a swimming hole the local kids use during the summer.  It’s a little cool tonight and hopefully with the fair running there’ll be some privacy back here.  Are you scared?”
“No.”
“You should be,” he said under his breath as he pulled into a clearing, lit by millions of stars.  The sound of water trickling over rocks and the chirping of crickets was the only thing that broke the silence as he got out of the truck and pulled a blanket from behind his seat.  “Stay put,” he said before he closed his door.
Wendell let down the tailgate and hopped onto the truck bed, spreading the blanket out.  Jumping down he strode to Cat’s door, opened it and plucked her out as though she weighed no more than one of the stuffed animals he’d won for her.   Carrying her to the back of the truck he set her on the open tailgate and stepped back.  She was lovely, lonely and very fragile looking and he almost changed his mind.  She was also foolish and frustratingly determined to have her own way.  So be it.
“Kiss me,” he ordered, pushing her legs apart and stepping between them.
Cat looked at his face, shadowed by the moonlight.  He was nearly eye to eye with her sitting on the back of his truck and she closed hers and leaned forward, touching her lips to his.  They were surprisingly warm and firm and he gave her free rein to nibble and deepen the kiss, which she did with a sigh.  Her hands rested lightly on his shoulders for balance and after what seemed a suitable amount of time she pulled back, licking her lips.
“You’ll have to do better than that,” he said firmly, keeping his hands at his sides, fists tightly clenched.
Somewhat embarrassed, Cat leaned closer, determined to do a better job.  Pressing her mouth to his firmly, she slid her tongue along the seam of his mouth and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Wendell was lost.  His hands cupped the cheeks of her ass and brought her flush against his erection.  Holding her in place with one arm he buried his other hand deep in her hair, anchoring her head in place as he took possession of her mouth.
 
Breathy little sighs escaped and she began to tingle all over, feeling dizzy.  Warmth flooded her limbs and she felt hotter than if she were in full sun at high noon.  When his lips moved to her neck she let her head fall back and pushed her breasts against his hard chest.  Oh yes, this was fun, she thought as she shivered in his arms.  She was in high cotton.
It surprised her when he reached to unhook her arms from around his neck and she swayed slightly as he stepped back.  His hands gently traced her collar bone on both sides before sliding slowly down, brushing her nipples and stopping to grasp each one and worry it gently.  The moan startled her and she looked around, making sure they were still alone. 
“Was that better?” she asked breathlessly.
“Much,” he replied as he lifted her down, and took her place on the tailgate.  “Take your pants off.”
Cat gripped the tailgate with one hand and froze.  This was it, the moment she’d been hoping for.  She was nervous, exhilarated and terrified all at the same time, but she straightened her spine and let go of the truck.  Reaching for the snap on her shorts, she shucked them in a smooth motion, dropping them to the ground.  Her hands flew to the hem of her blouse and began lifting it over her head, but Wendell stopped her.
“No, leave that on for now and come here,” he said hoarsely.  After all, a man could only stand so much and at this point he had no idea how long his will power would hold up.  Cocking his hips to one side he let one of his long legs dangle from the back of the truck.  Cat slowly came to him and he caressed her cheek softly before reaching under her arms and hauling her up and straight over his knee.  Her pretty white panties with the little red hearts stayed up long enough for him to admire them before he whisked them to her knees. 
“Wen?” she said in alarm.  “I don’t think this is the way it’s done,” she whimpered, beginning to get a bad feeling about the whole thing.
“This is exactly how it’s done.  Haven’t you ever had you backside paddled?” he asked with a smile as he tucked his strong arm around her waist.
“Well sure I have, when I was a little girl,” she said, wiggling a bit and fighting down a sudden feeling of panic.  “Only if I was naughty though and you said the kiss was good.”
‘Oh honey, the kiss was perfect.  Too bad that’s not how we’re gonna end this date,” he sighed, rubbing her bare cheeks and wishing things could be different.
“It isn’t?  Why not?  Let’s just kiss a little more and you can take me home.”
“I can’t do that honey.  Not while I’m worried about what you’re planning.  It’s time you and I had a little talk.  I’ve had my eye on you for a long time, and don’t think I haven’t noticed you batting those lashes at me on Sundays when your Mama wasn’t looking.  I figure we’ve got two options here.  We can either get in the truck and head on over to Buford, wake up Reverend Watkins and put an end to this tonight, or we can have us a little set too and maybe you’ll rethink this whole crazy idea of yours.  It don’t matter much to me either way, but your Mama will surely be disappointed if she doesn’t get the chance to give you a big fancy wedding. 
“Of course if we get married you’ll have to drop out of school, which would be a shame since it’s your last year and there’s the senior ball and all.  I guess if you’re in such an all fired hurry to be a woman, it won’t bother you none,” he drawled, patting her bottom.   “The way I see it if we get busy, by the time you’re class graduates you can have a baby or two.  Did I tell you twins run in my family?  Well they do.  I can’t afford a house of our own right yet, but I’m sure we can all fit in my bedroom at the farm.  It will be a little crowded, what with a crib and all but we’ll manage.  You’ll likely be too tired to have much fun, what with diapers and being up half the night with the baby, ya’ll probably …”
“Wait!  I never said anything about wanting to get married and I sure don’t want a baby,” she cried.  “Where’d you ever get an idea like that?”
“What’s a man supposed to think when a girl comes to him and asks him to take her virginity, huh?  You answer me that.”
“I don’t know,” she whispered, hanging her head.
“Well I’m about to tell you.  He either thinks she loves him something fierce to be willing to give up something so precious, or he thinks she’s a foolish little brat who’s gotten too big for her britches.  So which is it Cathleen O’Brian?”
“Well, I don’t love you,” she said, “I mean I like you a lot and it’s true about the flirting,” she admitted softly. 
Wendell’s big hand waited on her bottom.  Funny she wasn’t so much embarrassed being over his knee nearly naked as she was that this man thought she was a foolish brat.
“So it’s option two then,” he said calmly.
“I guess it is,” she replied, knowing what was coming.
“Then we are in agreement finally,” he sighed as he began to spank her.
Wendell didn’t hold anything back, he just plain wailed away on her tender bottom until she was fighting for all she was worth to get away.  All her pleas for forgiveness fell on deaf ears as his hand moved from cheek to cheek, leaving fiery hand-prints that overlapped each other.  When he began to spank the area where her cheeks met her thighs his slaps were fast and furious and she prayed he wouldn’t go lower the way her Daddy did that one time she swore at her Mama.  Red thighs would be hard to explain and she knew how painful they could be.  It wasn’t until all the fight had drained out of her and she was quietly sobbing over his knee that he slowed down.
“Do you have any idea what kind of danger you placed yourself in tonight?” he demanded, smacking both cheeks, hard.  “If you had asked this of someone else you could be lying in a ditch somewhere.”
“I wouldn’t have asked anyone else,” she cried softly.
“You wouldn’t?”
“No, only you Wendell, only you,” she sobbed.
Wendell stopped.  She cared.  “Well, it’s a good thing!” he shot out, giving her another five blistering smacks when he remembered what he was about.  “And you better not pull another crazy stunt like this, if you know what’s good for you.  I won’t have my girl acting like a complete ninny just because of some cheap talk.”  Smack.  “Are you going to behave?”
“Yes, oh yes,” she promised, wiping her nose on the sleeve of her blouse.  “I’ll be good.”
“You better be,” he warned as he pulled her up and set her on her feet behind the truck.  Keeping his hand on her shoulder he jumped down, pulled a bandana from his back pocket and dried her tears.  She looked so cute standing there all soft and sweet, her hands framing her well-spanked bottom, her panties still around her calves.
After pulling up her panties, he picked up her shorts and helped her into them.  She was still sniffling, the occasional tear sliding down her cheek when he opened his arms to her.  Cat looked at him, her watery big blue eyes uncertain for a moment and Wendell figured it was the longest moment of his life. Then she launched herself at him and all was right with the world as he cuddled her against his chest.
“Am I your girl, Wen?” she asked.
“Honey girl, you’ve always been mine,” he whispered into her hair, kissing the top of her head.  “I was just waiting for you to grow up.”

Ever Lasting Hope by Maggie Ryan

Everlasting Hope Corbin’s Bend Season 3

Everleigh has waited for weeks for her fiancé's return. Rob had been overseas for six weeks and his absence was almost more than Ever could take. Even knowing that he was going to take her over his knee for ignoring his instructions didn't dampen her desire to have him home. After a few weeks of constant togetherness, Rob sees a change in the woman he loves. As their wedding draws closer, his sweet Ever was threatening to turn into one of those horrid Bridezillas. He decides she needs a different project, one that captured her artistic spirit. Ever is all for following this order but finds her original plans change when she learns of a project that will allow her to honor the men and women who serve their country. The residents pull together to help these injured soldiers. Tory's husband, John, needs more than his wife's love and as a fellow resident of this special community, Rob takes on a project of his own. Ever finds that art takes many forms and hope is everlasting as long as there are people in the world that reach out to help their fellow man.

Excerpt:
“Spanks your ass?” Violet suggested, in her typical blunt fashion. “And, as you so eloquently put it, seriously, Everleigh Harris – you do remember exactly what sort of man you are engaged to, right? Don’t tell me you expect Rob, the very stern, very dominant, very alpha male Officer Robert Montgomery, to forget that he promised you a good spanking?” As Ever just groaned, her head against the back of her seat, her eyes closed, Violet grinned and reached out to place her hand over her best friend’s. “Besides, as much as I love you, I agree this is one spanking you deserve.”
Ever’s eyes popped open as did her mouth. “What? What sort of friend says something like that?”
“A best friend who would like to keep you around for a very long time. Ever, you’ve got to admit it, you are taking a very cavalier attitude about your health. If you didn’t get the message that we all love you and are worried about you after your first collapse, well, perhaps you’ll get the message when your butt is vermilion.”
Ever shook her head but had to giggle. “God, only another artist would say vermilion when she means red!” Violet’s smile and exaggerated eye roll told Ever that her friend understood but wasn’t about to back down. “Okay, I get it. I screwed up big time, but don’t you think he could wait for a bit? I mean, all I want to do is hold him and feel him holding me. I’ve missed him so much. I just feel awful that he has to come home and tend to his ‘bad girl’ instead of just coming home and relaxing.”
Violet squeezed Ever’s fingers. “Honey, you and I both fell in love with men that can’t relax or just let something go when we’ve been less than truthful.” She gave Ever a stern glance until Ever finally nodded. “You told everyone you’d tell Rob and well, sweetie, you didn’t. Everleigh, you are not a bad girl but you have to admit that you did make a bad choice in being dishonest.”
Ever groaned again. Nodding, she turned her eyes back to Violet. “I know, but, God, I just want to cuddle.”
“Honey, you will cuddle, I promise. But, if we are honest with ourselves, we wouldn’t like it if they didn’t follow through on their word. We need the structure, need the rules and most especially, need the discipline when we step out of bounds. You’ve stepped out so far as to endanger your health. We all know where that leads."

Buy Links:

Amazon
Blushing Books
Barnes and Noble

Please feel free to contact Maggie at: maggie.ryan.writes@gmail.com
Visit Maggie’s Website
Check Maggie out on Amazon

From the Author:
I have been writing stories as long as I can remember. I am an author with Blushing Books. I enjoy writing both contemporary erotica as well as historical books set in ages past. I love developing characters that are able to tell their own stories. My heroines are multi-faceted women who are strong, intelligent and capable in their own right but find a deep need to share their lives with those strong, sexy and dominant alpha males that capture their hearts. My heros recognize the gift of submission for the gift it is, loving and protecting the women that offer that gift. I enjoy sweet, romantic stories with just a taste of domestic discipline as well as one that explore the harsher D/S lifestyle. I also enjoy writing age-play stories set both in Victorian era where women didn't have a great deal of power in their lives as well as in today's present time where women still find their happiness is greatly enhanced in offering the gift of submission. My hope is that you settle back in your favorite chair and allow my books to entertain you and let you escape into another world.


Please feel free to contact me at: maggie.ryan.writes@gmail.com as I'd love to hear from you.


I'd appreciate it if you'd leave a review on Amazon as well as reviews not only help inform other potential readers about books that you have enjoyed, they serve to help me strive to become a better writer. I so appreciate every reader and wish you Happy Reading!




The Marriage Market

If you still haven't gotten your copy of The Marriage Market, Book 1, Amelia , now would be a good time.
Book 2, Grace, has a release date of July 10, 2015.

Grace Wentworth and Effie Lane were cautiously optimistic when their dear friend Amelia decided to travel west to become the bride of a man she'd never met. Despite their misgivings they were stunned when Amelia wrote informing them she'd made a dreadful mistake in marrying Mr. Jordon
Determined to rescue her dear friend from the clutches of a scoundrel, Effie made plans to leave for Seattle immediately. Grace would follow when she could get away from the ever watchful eye of her mother. Everything changed when Grace was forced to accept the proposal of a cruel and violent man. Suddenly her mother's wrath could not compare with what she would face as Horace Remmington's wife. Throwing all caution aside, she fled with Effie even knowing her mother would most likely hire a Pinkerton man to find her. However, she never expected to fall for him as they played a game of cat and mouse from Chicago to Seattle.
For Jonah Blackthorn, apprehending a runaway socialite seemed like an easy assignment. Locating two young, inexperienced women would take him no time at all and the five thousand dollar reward offered by the frantic fiancé would go a long way as Jonah had plans to leave the agency to begin a new chapter in his life.
What he didn't plan on was being outwitted by the brats or the fact that Effie Lane wasn't relying on her wits alone to get them safely to Seattle. He also didn't expect to come to care for the redhead traveling with her gun-toting friend. When he finally caught up with them he was going to give Grace the spanking of a life time or kiss her senseless. Maybe both.

I'm thrilled to say, Amelia has been  a Best Seller in Victorian Erotica for five weeks and is currently #2 in Amazon's Top Rated Victorian Erotica.

You can pick up you copy at:
Amazon
Blushing Books
Barnes & Noble

Burning Desire by Ravyn Rayne

Saving people is FBI Agent Kaitlyn Rivers drug of choice. That’s not the only thing she loves about her job. The sexual tension is mounting between Kaitlyn and her alpha boss, Agent Joel Connor.
Assigned into an undercover operation to stop a serial child abductor with the pathetic Cole Sommers, Kaitlyn is silently thrilled when Cole is forced off the case and Joel steps in.
Intense romance, steamy sex scenes, and a nail-gripping case that will attract fans of crime dramas and thrillers. This action-packed erotica is sure to leave you pleased three times over!



Excerpt:
I swallow anxiously, my heart racing at lightning speed in my chest. "I never do as I'm told. You should know that." We've had our own share of disagreements and butting heads in the past. This feels different, hotter, sexier. I feel my insides ache for release. Will he give it to me or tease me into submission?
Joel's hand slides beneath my back. His warm touch startles and arouses me. I feel his leg move between mine and his knee climb closer to my groin, adding enough pressure to elicit a moan. I don't know what will happen tonight and for the moment I don't care. I want him, more than I've ever wanted anything in my life.
"Bad girls get spanked," Joel whispers into my ear and flips me onto my stomach. Before I have time to respond or fight back, I feel his hands at my sides pulling down my pants and underwear, just enough to expose my bare flesh.

Buy Links:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble 
Blushing Books
Add to Goodreads


Ravyn Rayne also writes as Ruth Silver

About the Author
Ravyn is a sassy, fun-loving, and adventure-seeking young woman. She loves to travel and can’t wait for her next vacation, wherever it might be.
Ravyn writes romantic erotica. She began writing romance novels in college, spending her down time either reading a book or writing fiction. Please don’t make her choose between the two, she loves them equally.
Although BURNING DESIRE is her debut romantic erotica novel, it is not her first published book. She has been published professionally since 2013. You can find her other books here.

Follow Ravyn:
Blog 
Facebook
Twitter

For less steamy reads, you can follow her here:
Blog
Facebook 
Twitter

Strength In Submission, by R. R. Greaves

While I typically write sweet spanking romances, I know many readers also enjoy more explicit BDSM novels.  Today I'm sharing a book from fellow author, R.R. Greaves.

In the first book of this series, From Seduction to Submission , Natalie, a confident, intelligent and independent lawyer, had given herself to the enigmatic and dominant Mr. James, eventually begging him to take her as his slave. Since that momentous decision two months previously, she has never looked back and spent much of her non-working time being taken on a series of erotic adventures that would have been beyond her comprehension a few short months before.

Despite her initial misgivings, her Master turns out to be benevolent, encouraging her to push her limits, let herself go and enjoy the freedom of being led by another. Giving him total trust, she submits to and partakes in adventures that seem so incongruous—but which deliver such erotic outcomes and mind-altering pleasures that she finds herself wanting more and more of what only he can offer.

In a seemingly antithesis of her submission, she thrives in the workplace as her submission makes her even stronger and more assertive; resulting in her becoming a full partner in her firm. Eventually she finds herself in a situation she would not have expected in her wildest dreams, wondering where this latest twist will take her.

This story includes detailed depictions of BDSM and control as our heroine explores this underworld of love, eroticism and kink. If such material offends you, please do not buy this book.

Excerpt:

Natalie looked sideways at her friend. "It was only a few weeks ago that I didn't even know that people did these sorts of things. In my compressed education, I have now seen Clair receive the cane, I have received it myself, and I have spent more time than I would like to admit thinking about it. I have seen the stripes left by the cane on Marc's butt. However, have I seen a man receive the cane? Short answer—no!"
"But the idea appeals to you, doesn't it?" Jo-Anne asked, laughing.
Natalie thought about it before answering. "Actually it does. Not because I am a sadist or that I want to dominate or punish someone. I guess it's because I can empathize with him knowing pretty much what is happening inside his head. It would be a buzz to help enhance that. Does that make sense?"
"It makes perfect sense. I think it's also a valuable part of your ongoing education. You know that James is going to expose you to this, don't you?"
"I am sure he will expose me to all sorts of things that I can't even begin to imagine. The mere thought of it boggles my mind."
"How do you think you'll feel when you watch him do some of these things to others, especially other women? You may find it difficult."
"I imagine I will, but I guess we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it."
"You will, but I am just trying to raise some of these issues so that you can consider them early and not feel you have been slapped in the face the first time they happen. You are going to be confronted with some pretty difficult situations. Forewarned is forearmed."
"Thank you, Jo. I really appreciate everything you've done for me so far. God knows where my mind would be now if I didn't have someone to discuss all of this with."
Jo-Anne stood and smiled down at her friend. "Come. A butt awaits its appointment with the cane. Come and get some more education." She held her hand out and when Natalie took it, she helped her to her feet.

Buy Links:

Blushing Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble

About R.R. Greaves

R. R. Greaves was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1958. Having lived in many parts of Australia and overseas, Greaves now resides in Sydney and she writes for fun.

With a lifelong interest in her subject matter she finally decided to put some of her experiences and fantasies into words, toning them down somewhat for public consumption. Her first book was released in mid 2014. This was followed by a new release in Feb 2015 and there are a number of new stories in different stages of production.

With a particular interest in specific forms of erotica, the stories have a lot of explicit detail that comes from years of "hands on" experience. All have a strong element of power exchange between consenting parties. While most involve a key female character submitting to a powerful male, they have a mixture of dominant characters with women submitting to other women, men submitting to women and men submitting to other men.

A key part of the exchange of power between the characters involves the use of consensual physical and mental force, BDSM and spanking.


Check out these other titles by R.R. Greaves

From Seduction to Submission

Reluctant Submission: Educating Meredith 

R.R, Greaves Erotic Stories Blog

Today I'm Sharing, Owning His Bride by Sue Lyndon

After enduring the first two years of a life sentence for a crime she didn’t commit, there is one thing Becca fears more than spending the rest of her days behind bars. When their five-year terms of service on the frozen prison planet of Kemmius are up, guards are allowed to choose a bride from among the prisoners, and the warden himself has set his sights on her.

Hunter has hated the warden from the moment he met him, and he’ll be damned if he is going to let the vile man have a sweet, beautiful girl like Becca. Not when his own term as a guard is almost up and he’ll have the chance to claim her first and make her his own.

Following a thorough, humiliating medical exam—standard procedure to ensure a potential bride’s suitability as a mate—Becca finds herself bound to Hunter forever as both his wife and his property. While her new husband quickly proves to be nothing like the cruel warden, he is still a man who expects to be obeyed, and she soon learns that defiance will be dealt with firmly.

Though she is left blushing each time Hunter bares her bottom for a sound spanking—and sometimes for other, more intimate punishments—what truly shames Becca is the way her body responds to his dominance. But even as her feelings for Hunter grow stronger and her future seems brighter than it has in many years, Becca cannot help wondering if she will ever truly be free of the chains of the past.

Publisher’s Note: Owning His Bride is an erotic romance novel that includes spankings, sexual scenes, medical play, and more. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

Excerpt:
“What is your name?” he asked.
“B-Becca.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
She flushed. “Thank you, sir.”
His visage reflected sadness, as if he regretted what he must do. Except that wasn’t possible. None of the guards seemed to harbor any pity for the women who were incarcerated on this Godforsaken planet.
“Did you really not clean the tables properly?”
Becca’s eyes went wide and she looked down, even though he continued to hold her chin up. Contradicting the warden wasn’t wise, even if his reason to whip her was entirely manufactured. “That is correct, sir. I failed to wipe all the tables in the cafeteria down. I’m very sorry.”
His eyebrow shot up, and her mouth went dry at his sudden stern demeanor. Did he really want her to confess the truth? It was bad enough that the warden planned to make her his bride. The warden would check the camera feed later, and if she spoke out against him in any way he would make her pay, even if he had to wait thirty days to exact his revenge.
“I suppose I must punish you then, Becca.” The guard’s expression softened. “However, I feel a whipping as the warden planned is too harsh a punishment.”
Before she could ask what he meant, he clasped her wrist and guided her over his lap. She trembled. Her heart thudded and her face heated. The closeness of his body to hers sent her head into a spin. She soaked up the physical contact, reveling in the feel of his firm thighs shifting beneath her. Tears of relief and even joy threatened to spill from her eyes.
Yes, he was preparing to punish her, but he was holding her, and nothing had ever felt so right in all her life. Since her arrest almost three years ago, she hadn’t felt such a tender touch.
Officer Makin cupped her bottom with a warm hand, moving from cheek to cheek as he caressed the area he would soon spank. Her breath caught and a tingle raced down her spine and heat pulsed in her core. She was suddenly breathless, as if she’d just returned from recreation time after running laps around the gym.
“I think, for an offense as minor as not wiping down the tables, a hand spanking should suffice, don’t you, Becca?”

Thanks for stopping by Sue.  Are you working on a new book right now?

Yes. Right now I’m working on Boss Alien, the fourth book in my Reestrian Mates series, written under the name Sue Mercury. Sue Lyndon is still thinking about what she’s going to work on next, but it will probably be another sci-fi spanking romance.

Sounds exciting.  I wish you great success with Owning His Bride.


Buy links for Owning His Bride:


Amazon US
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
All Romance

Author bio: Sue Lyndon is a multi-published author of erotic BDSM romance and spanking romances. She enjoys a good book in any genre, loves Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica, and runs on coffee and chocolate. She also writes “vanilla” sci-fi romance under the name Sue Mercury.


Author links:
Sue Lyndon’s Amazon Author Page
http://www.suelyndon.com
Twitter @SueLyndon
Facebook
Goodreads

Reunion, Hunter's Ridge Book 3

I'm thrilled to have my dear friend, Maggie Ryan, here today sharing Reunion ,the third book in her Best-Selling Hunter's Ridge Series.  For those of you who don't know her, Maggie is one of the nicest people in the business and I adore her.
I also love this cover.  Look at those eyes!  Simply beautiful.

Maggie, tell us about this book:

In this, the third book of the best-selling Hunter’s Ridge series, twin sisters, Louisa and Lucy, are looking forward to reuniting after several months apart. Though they correspond regularly, letters are nothing compared to being together, sharing their lives, and whispering their secrets to one another.
 
Anticipation has caused both to be naughtier than usual—but their husbands, who are also very strict Papas, have no hesitation in reminding them what happens when their Little brides test the rules.
 
After a very educational evening visit to Miss Eleanor Summers' school, Louisa’s eyes are opened to what might be if she continues her bratty ways—and her attitude is quickly adjusted. Lord Edward Wintercrest has not only taken possession of an intriguing box from Eleanor to share with his best friend and Lucy’s Papa, Lord Lucas Huntington, he has also ensured that the long carriage ride to Hunter’s Ridge will offer his precious little lady comfort and distraction from boredom.
 
Lucas’ family is excited about the upcoming visit as they prepare for the holidays and the final ball of the season. And Lord Stefan Northbridge is not one to sit idly aside when there is a chance to do a bit of matchmaking. Will Franny be able to trust another suitor after her narrow escape from the clutches of Lord Drakemore?
 
Is Ettie ready to put away her childhood toys as she enters the grown-up world, or is she looking for a man far more like her brother than Lucas realizes?
 
Only a few things are certain: no matter what the future holds for the others at Hunter’s Ridge, both Lucy and Louisa will continue to be cherished and coddled by their husbands—and their Papas will always be there to remind them of their vows to submit. With their unwavering love for these precious women, and unfaltering attention to their backsides whenever they step out of line, this reunion exceeds both sisters' expectations.

Once again, Maggie Ryan, the queen of Victorian ageplay erotica, combines love, friendship, humor, and delicious scenes of discipline and lust to tell a story that is as heartwarming as it is sexy.

Here's an excerpt:
"Do you not wish to eat any cake?" Edward asked, transferring the fork to his own mouth. "I assure you it's quite delicious." He ate another large bite.
"I can eat by myself, Papa," she whispered, the closeness of other diners making her afraid they'd hear her words.
He didn't speak; simply lifted his eyes to hers as he took another bite. The cake was almost gone as he continued to enjoy it, and she squirmed on her chair. Louisa finally nodded, "Please, Papa, may I have a bite?"
A forkful was presented to her mouth and she took the bite. It was delicious, and when no outcry of improper table manners was screeched by the other diners, she accepted another. Edward bent forward and wiped her mouth, where a bit of icing clung to one corner. Before sitting back, he spoke softly. "Who are you?"
Confused at the question, she shook her head. "You know I'm Louisa."
"Your full name, please."
"Um, Lady Louisa Michelle Wintercrest."
"And who am I to you?" he asked.
"Lord Edward Wintercrest, my husband and my Papa."
"Are you ashamed of either your roles or mine?"
"No, Papa, I'm not ashamed. I just—no, Papa, I'm proud to belong to you."
Nodding, he sat back and gestured with his hand. "These people are strangers, Louisa. They do not know you, nor do they care about you. I suggest you remember who does care, and who has promised to take care of you in all ways. It hurts me to think the woman I love is embarrassed when her Papa wishes to share a treat."
"I'm sorry," she said, feeling properly chastised. She had a chance to prove her words when he produced a bottle from his pocket and asked their server to fill it with milk. Though the woman slid her eyes to where Louisa was sitting, she didn't question the request, only nodding to Edward.
Louisa sat and waited while her Papa enjoyed a snifter of brandy. True to his word, no one was paying them any mind. Other than a few glances and a few nods, the others had their own lives to lead and their own conversations to hold. When the woman returned with the bottle, he thanked her and finished his drink.

My Advice:
Buy it!
Amazon
Blushing Books
Barnes & Noble


From the Author:
I have been writing stories as long as I can remember. I am an author with Blushing Books. I enjoy writing both contemporary erotica as well as historical books set in ages past. I love developing characters that are able to tell their own stories. My heroines are multi-faceted women who are strong, intelligent and capable in their own right but find a deep need to share their lives with those strong, sexy and dominant alpha males that capture their hearts. My heros recognize the gift of submission for the gift it is, loving and protecting the women that offer that gift. I enjoy sweet, romantic stories with just a taste of domestic discipline as well as one that explore the harsher D/S lifestyle. I also enjoy writing age-play stories set both in Victorian era where women didn't have a great deal of power in their lives as well as in today's present time where women still find their happiness is greatly enhanced in offering the gift of submission. My hope is that you settle back in your favorite chair and allow my books to entertain you and let you escape into another world.
 
Please feel free to contact me at: maggie.ryan.writes@gmail.com as I'd love to hear from you.
 
I'd appreciate it if you'd leave a review on Amazon as well as reviews not only help inform other potential readers about books that you have enjoyed, they serve to help me strive to become a better writer. I so appreciate every reader and wish you Happy Reading!
 
Visit Maggie’s Website:
http://maggieryanauthor.blogspot.com/
 
Check Maggie out on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Ryan/e/B...

Reunion is ranked in Amazon's Top 100 Best Selling books in Victorian Erotica and has an overall ranking of 4.9 out of 5 stars. 

Congratulations, Maggie.  It's a keeper.

Realizing Her Dream

Best-selling author Maggie Ryan and newcomer Laurel Jane have put their heads and their pens together to come up with this, an exciting tale of romance, lust, love, spanking and adventure.

When Casey Reeves loses her husband to an unexpected heart attack, she gives herself a new mantra: To live life as if it were an amazing adventure, as every single day matters.
Unfortunately, one of the things on her bucket list looks far better on paper, and when Casey finds herself up in a plane, strapped to a tall, handsome man, about to undertake her very first parachute jump, she realizes that she'd do just about anything to be able to back out.

Paul Jackson has been a parachute instructor ever since he retired early, and has seen his fair share of terrified women, but when Casey hysterically promises to do anything he asks in return for being able to return to solid ground safely—even let him spank her—he's amused, and not a little intrigued. He's also more than willing to accept her bargain.

Casey finds herself taking a leap of faith—in more ways than one. The two begin their journey together, spending some time on a luxurious yacht, in a tropical rainforest and even in a ranch in outback Australia, as they work their way through her list.

What they discover is that life has a tendency not to follow carefully designed plans. With Paul beside her, Casey quickly learns that living every day to its fullest entails far more than she’d ever imagined. And by her side throughout the action, danger and laughter is a man who not only has no hesitation in reddening her bottom when she deserves it, but can send her soaring into ecstasy with a single look or a touch of his hand.

Finding a new love to equal—or even exceed—her old one was not even on Casey's bucket list but now that she has, can they make it work? Is Paul really the man of her dreams?

Note: If the subject of domestic discipline or explicit erotica offends you, please do not read this book.

This promises to be an exciting read and I can't wait for it to hit Amazon!  Maggie Ryan is already a star in this genre and I have a feeling Laurel Jane is going to give the rest of us some stiff, (no pun intended) competition.  Congratulations, ladies and best of luck.

Hugs,
Stevie

His By Design by Helen Karol

New from #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of The Rancher's Woman and Her Keeper !
Today please welcome, Helen Karol with her new release, His By Design .

Hi Helen. I'm so happy to have you here today.  What's the scoop on this hot new romance?

Hi Stevie,
Thanks for having me over today! I’m so excited about my new release, HIS By Design available for sale today.  This is a great read.  It’s a friends to lover’s romance and I just love the banter this creates between the lovers.  Julian and Claire have been friends for seven years and Julian has been secretly in love with Claire for three of those years.  He was able to maintain a pretense because she was away carving out her career niche in New York.  When she returns to Los Angeles, he blows his cover and reveals his feelings on her very first night home.  Claire welcomes his feelings and they embark on a romance that includes domestic discipline.  My extract below joins them near the beginning of the book.  Claire is interviewing Julian for her magazine in his profession as a Hollywood haute couture dress designer.  She’s afraid she’ll lose her objectivity and not remain professional so she overcompensates by adopting a chilly demeanor.  Julian is having none of it and soon takes her in hand.

Sounds wonderful.  I'm thrilled you're sharing this with us.  Let's have the extract.

    Just as she had for her previous lapse, she compensated by becoming more impersonal and efficient. She thought she was succeeding quite well.  Julian had seemed to accept her setting of the mood, because he maintained a distance between them and kept his answers as short and as professional as her questions.  However, later, as they were observing the model some distance in front of them who was displaying one of Julian's prototypes, he broke off his explanations of how this was the final test of his garment when Claire favored him with a particularly cool look. 
    Moving around to stand behind her, he switched off her recorder and at the same time kissed her ear, employing his tongue in a particularly erotic manner that turned Claire quite red.  She heard his low chuckle, the sound of it disturbing her composure even more. 
    When he spoke, satisfaction was evident in his voice.  "Now that's much better.  Come on, Claire, we're hardly strangers, so why act like it?"
    Recovering her composure, she fixed him with what she hoped was a frosty glare, and said.  "I'm aware of that, but I'm here in a professional capacity, kindly remember that."
    The irritation in his eyes was very slight, mixed as it was with amusement.  "I know you are, but you're overdoing it and it's quite dangerous."
    She attempted to straighten further, but found it impossible. She was already ramrod stiff.  She had to be content with increasing the frostiness of her gaze and tone.
    "Dangerous?"
    "Yes, dangerous.  I'm tempted to take steps to shatter your image completely."
    He walked away from her, not giving her the chance to reply.  An action for which Claire was quite grateful, considering she was speechless.  Julian picked up where he’d left off in his explanations as if the incident had never taken place. Claire followed his cue, switching her recorder back on, but she ignored his warning, carrying her act so far that in the next few minutes she called him Mr. West.
    She felt like biting her tongue as soon as it was out, Julian's look telling her she’d gone too far.  She swallowed as he immediately dismissed the model, escorting the young woman to the studio door.  Allowing her to make her own way across the hall to the storage and dressing room on the other side, he closed and quite deliberately locked the door after her.
    To her dismay, Claire found it impossible to stand her ground as he advanced, purposely, towards her.  He made no move to stop her as she backed away from him, but he moved steadily closer until they were only inches apart, Claire's retreat cut off by the drafting table pressed against her back.  His hand reached up and she couldn't stop the exclamation that passed from her lips.  "Julian, you can't!"
    Instead of touching her, he reached behind her and flicked off the fluorescent light.  His voice held the impersonal tone she’d struggled to maintain throughout the past few hours.  "Oh, so its Julian now?  He mocked with a quirk to his lips. “Can't what?” He continued conversationally.
    Claire swallowed.  Her gaze followed his hand as he lifted a flexible plastic ruler from the table.
    Bending it, he looked squarely at her.  “Well, Claire?  Can’t what?  Just what do you think I have in mind?  Hmm?”
    She winced when he began slapping the ruler rhythmically against his palm.  It was pretty obvious what he had in mind. Trying unsuccessfully to avoid his fixed stare, she shrugged and lied shamelessly. “I don’t know.”
    He shook his head.  “Fibbing too? As well as trying to freeze me out?”  He leaned in slightly and spoke in her ear.  “You’ve been a very naughty girl, Ms. Fitzpatrick.”  He straightened and gave his palm one final smack with the ruler.  “Turn around.”
    Claire stared at him open mouthed and challenged him with a shocked whisper. “Seriously!  Julian, get real!  You can’t.  Not here.” She turned and looked furtively at the door to the reception office.  “Delia will hear.”
    “Nice try.  Delia might hear if I used my hand.”  He waved the ruler a little.  “Hence this. It’s quite quiet, I assure you.  Stingy but quiet.  Just as long as you’re stoic and don’t squeal, no one will be any the wiser.  Now do as you’re told and turn around.”
    Claire glared at him and flounced before obeying him.  “Fine!” 
    The quirk in his lips and amusement in his tone told her this was not going to be anything like the horrid punishment spanking he’d given her for leaving her keys in the apartment door.  They were firmly back in the fun and erotic zone now.  More erotic than fun if his tone and the slickness of her thighs were likely indicators.
    “Pull down your panties and lift up your skirt, good and high.”
    So much for staying professional.  Claire emitted a strangled protest.  “Julian!”
    “Now, Claire.”  His voice was stern, but its husky tone betrayed his desire.
    Muttering to herself that she was only doing this to put an end to his nonsense, she reached under her skirt and lowered her panties to her upper thighs.  Looking over her shoulder, she glared at him mutinously before lifting her skirt to high above her waist as he’d instructed.
    “Wise choice sweetheart.” Then he snapped the ruler across the middle of her bottom three times in quick succession, each blow directly one on top of the other.
    “Yikes.” She yelped and clutched her cheeks at the unexpected sting, annoyed at having reacted more than she wanted.
    “Hands on the table.  Bottom out.”  Julian ordered to her deep humiliation.
    She wanted to tell him to shove it, but knew that would only get her in deeper. Better just to take her licks and get this over with.  Said licks landed swiftly.  Three across her lower bottom and another three where buttocks joined thigh.
    “All done.” Julian compounded her humiliation by running his hand over her glowing backside and squeezing her smarting cheeks before giving her permission to set her clothing to rights.  Pulling up her panties and lowering her skirt with as much dignity as she could muster under the circumstances, she tried to ignore the insistent sexual pulse his calling her out on her cool behavior had aroused.
    “I hate you.  You’re a brute!” She threw at him as she turned to face him.
    “That’s more like it,” he told her with a sexy smirk. “Good to see my sweet tempered woman back to normal.”  His tone was sardonic as he moved to the side, extending his hand in a gesture that indicated she should precede him.  "Shall we go to lunch, Ms. Fitzpatrick?"
    Claire nodded curtly before walking quickly across the room to collect her purse.  She tried not to flounce, fully conscious of him only a few steps behind her.  She reached the door the model had left through, yanking at it, cursing herself for forgetting it was locked when it wouldn't budge.  She heard Julian stifle a laugh behind her before she clicked the lock open and exited without as much as a backward glance.
    The door passed only inches from his face before it slammed in front of him separating him from her.  She was surprised when he didn't follow her out, hearing instead the click of the lock. When he didn't appear in the next few minutes, she began to wonder if she’d annoyed him in earnest.  She hadn't even looked to see if he was close to the door or not. She supposed she could have hurt him.
    Her guilt disappeared when he came out of the reception office. Silently fuming, she stabbed at the elevator button as he joined her.  Lounging with one shoulder against the wall, he eyed her quietly while they waited for the elevator.  Claire stabbed at it again when it didn't arrive at once, refusing to meet his gaze.
    "You know your trouble, Claire, you can't take your own medicine."  His voice was still amused holding no reproach.
    She looked at him quickly.  “What do you mean?"
    "If you had come here today determined to flirt, you would have expected me to play along, but because I'm the one who initiated it, you're annoyed."
    Claire refused to accept his assessment of the situation.  "That's not why.  It's because I'm here to work, not play.  Besides, why should you bother to flirt with me when you're pretty, little secretary is so good at it?"  The comment slipped out before Claire could stop it and she was grateful the elevator arrived at that moment, so she could step in to avoid his deep, knowing amusement. 
    He followed her in, leaning against one wall, pulling her towards him, telling her.  "Honey, she's not even in your league when you put your mind to it," and then his lips came down on her own.
    His comment and his slow, drugging kiss dispelled her annoyance and she participated equally in the embrace.  The hand that didn’t hold her purse moved up to his shoulder and then to his hair, her fingers encurling the waves she’d wanted to touch in the studio.  She was so immersed in the kiss, she didn't hear the doors open and she didn't part from him until she heard an embarrassed cough.
    Blushing furiously, she walked between the two men who’d observed the kiss, Julian following.  They were out on the street, the heat of the day hitting them, before she looked up to find him completely unperturbed.  "You're not the least bit embarrassed, are you?"
    "Why should I be?  It was only a kiss.”
    "You really don't mind being caught in a clinch like a couple of teenagers?"
    He stopped and looked down at her face from which the flush was only now beginning to recede. "Foolishness is acceptable in others as well as the young. It's forgiven in three categories.  Youth, fools...and lovers."

HIS By Design - Special Introductory Price of $2.99 for pre-order only! Will revert to $4.99 upon release.

The year a mutual friend introduces Hollywood haute couture designer Julian West to feature reporter Claire Fitzpatrick they are both grieving the loss of a loved one - Julian his film star wife and Claire her adoring father. Regardless, it is the start of an enduring friendship. A friendship where both comfortably forget the sizzling attraction that flared between them when they first met. Now, six years on, that attraction has re-emerged and Julian and Claire discover that the compatibility they share as best friends is echoed in their erotic preferences. When Julian spanks Claire on her first night back in L.A, she is surprised at how much his short, swift discipline arouses her. As there romance blossoms, it is not long before he takes her across his knee to deliver lengthier bare bottomed spankings both erotic and disciplinary.

However, after years of schooling the passionate nature that brought him such pain at the loss of his first wife, Julian is determined to make Claire his in a way designed not to lay himself open to the vulnerabilities of his first marriage. Likewise, Claire hopes to base this relationship on a firmer foundation than her past one. But neither of them is prepared for the deep love and hunger that grows between them. When Claire's ex-lover reappears on the scene and Claire suspects Julian has never stopped loving his late wife, their doubts and fears ignite passions that will either bind them irrevocably together or tear them apart. When they are finally faced with the release of overwhelming emotions Julian has spent years repressing, the couple must decide if they will go their separate ways or if theirs will be a love designed to last.

HIS By Design is an erotic romance with explicit sexual content. It has an independent woman, a hot alpha male Hollywood designer and a determined ex-lover. Expect hot sexy shenanigans, spanking, cuffing with leather restraints, domestic discipline, elements of BDSM including anal sex and punishment. All wrapped up in an exploration of grief, fear and the power of a love that has been brewing for years!

Thanks for stopping by, Helen.  Folks, don't miss out on this great read by Helen Karol.

Stevie