Jennifer Bene's Blog, page 14

Music Monday – This Life

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Honestly, I had to double-check that I hadn’t already used ‘This Life’ by Josef Salvat on a previous #MusicMonday because this song has been on my writing playlist forever. But, apparently, I have not which means you all definitely need to hear it. In general I just LOVE Josef Salvat’s voice, and music, but this is one that just always catches my ear and makes me fall in love all over again. From the alternate from spoken word style lyrics to him singing with a strong instrumental backing is … phenomenal. Of course, like most of my favs, the lyrics are phenomenal too. Enjoy, lovelies!

PS – I didn’t realize this but the last #MusicMonday was number 100! This is 101, but I just had to acknowledge that achievement. I’ve done this for over 100 weeks! Crazy! Fortunately, I still have many more songs to share, lovelies.

Favorite Lyrics

Let me get straight to it,

I’ve bit off more than I could chew.

I felt the sting and slap of failure, missed my due,

like a hard knife, cutting through a slice

of ego of ambition yeah put me off my mission.

I’ve been wandering alleys in a dirty shirt,

taking this and that ’cause I had so much hurt.

I’m not plying you with liquor

for your tongue to get a flicker,

I just need to tell my story,

if you’re drunk I’ll get done quicker.

Hey, hey, gotta keep the hope up,

gotta keep your eye on the prize.

Hey, hey, gotta keep the highs up,

I’m an optimist of the most dangerous kind.

There is more to this life,

I must believe there is more to this life.

There is more to this life,

I must believe that there is more to this life.

Let me get straight to it,

there’s more explaining I could do,

but I am here just for diversion,

as are you.

Don’t mean to jump the gun,

but we could have some fun.

There’s little sense in dishing,

since I’ve noticed you’re not listening. (Ohh…)

I’m feeling fairly lucky,

I’ve been surfing shadows of success in my dreams.

And, yes, I know my guard’s down,

but I don’t mind if you see.

‘This Life’ by Josef Salvat

Ask Me Anything: What is BDSM like from the Dom’s POV? (guest post!)

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I’ve got a treat for you guys today, lovelies! Two of my favorite people on the planet are Candice and Brandon Barrier. They’ve been reading my work since I was writing on Literotica and have supported me from Day 1 of my author journey. Not only would that make them special, but I’ve also met them in person and we’re all in the BDSM community and I fucking love them to death. SO! I was very excited when Brandon offered to write the Dom’s perspective on BDSM after I shared the Domme’s POV from another reader a few weeks ago. This is really special because they are letting us see into their private life, which is a real gift. Make sure to thank them if you enjoy this, because I know I’m grateful! over here.

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Q: What is BDSM like from the Dom’s perspective?

A: Hello all, my name is Brandon, and I am 37 years old. Jennifer is a dear friend who asked me to talk a little about myself and the D/s relationship I have with my wife, Candice.

We got started in BDSM about 6 years ago. Candice actually got me into it with her asking me to read 50 Shades of Grey. While reading the story, I started asking her if she wanted me to be more like Mr. Grey in that I start taking a more dominant role in the bedroom, and she admitted she did.

So, what did you do?

I started doing more research into the BDSM lifestyle and watching more videos that were on the BDSM spectrum. In doing some research, I found a local BDSM group that had a monthly demonstration of various aspects of the lifestyle; rope bondage workshops, whips and the proper way to use them, pet play, and various other aspects within the BDSM lifestyle. Candice and I started going to the workshops, and the play parties afterwards, and learning a lot about the lifestyle and ourselves. This was by far the best thing for us to learn all sorts of different aspects within the lifestyle. Plus they were in a safe setting where we could test out the instruments with the teachers and get expert advice on the proper way to use those toys.

It was at these play parties that I discovered that I am a very sadistic person. I really do enjoy inflicting pain on a masochist. I think these feelings really came to light when we were at a whipping demonstration. As I was watching the female take the whipping and slowly slip into subspace, it was like Pandora’s box opening up in my mind. I started thinking of all the different ways I could inflict pain on Candice. Lucky for me, she likes that!! It wasn’t long before we were playing at the parties as well and started collecting various implements. It has been 4 years since we started collecting toys and we have close to 50 different instruments we can use. We eventually want to redo our basement and make it into a dungeon. That way I can take Candice down there and really make her fly high into sub space without having to re-arrange our bedroom.

What was it like realizing you were a Dom/sadist?

One thing that I had to come to grips with about the sadistic mindset was that while I like inflicting pain on someone, that person also enjoys receiving the pain I am giving them. It was a hard thing to allow myself to feel those feelings and still not consider myself a psychopath. It is also a constant battle in my head when I am in a scene with Candice. Because she is my wife, I struggle with allowing my sadistic side to take things too far, but also still give Candice enough to send her flying into subspace. More often than not, I wind up holding back and not allowing my demon to fully have control. It is not that I don’t think Candice can handle it, it is the inner conflict of me loving her and not wanting to hurt her. However, I have topped other submissives at play parties we have attended and I have had the chance to release the demon completely and have made those women scream. It was very fun to co-top with a female switch where we had her tied up and were taking turns with various instruments on the sub until she was very deep into sub space.

What’s it like being a Dom?

It is a very unique experience when I tap into my sadistic side. It makes me become hyper aware of all the sounds and movements the submissive makes while she is tied up. I develop tunnel vision and everything else in the room sort of becomes white noise. I enjoy watching the pain blossom through the submissive when I hit them with whatever instrument I am using. I love seeing the skin get red and more dark with each additional hit. Hearing the sub make moans and take in a sucking breath, screaming out in pain – it’s the greatest soundtrack. Watching the sub take more and more pain and taking them into subspace is the ultimate pleasure for my sadistic demon. I get a high from watching the submissive float and ride the endorphins. I feel like it connects us in a way that few people will ever be able to achieve.

One of the things I like to do is breath play with Candice. It is such a rush to have one’s life in your hands, deciding when they can breathe in and when they cannot. It takes a tremendous amount of trust on each other’s behalf. The submissive has to trust their Dom with their life. They are allowing another person to decide when they can breathe. The Dom has to be able to read the signs of their submissive to make sure that they are taking them to the edge, but not going over to the point that their submissive passes out. The main instrument I use in this play is my hands. I like to feel her pulse under my hand, the way it quickens as I allow Candice just a little bit of air. The struggle for her to keep her submission or panic and start to fight back shows vividly in her eyes. It is such a rush to have someone’s life in your hands, but with such extreme play you have to make sure that you are hyper aware of the sub and any little signs that she may be in serious distress and not to injure her neck with the pressure you place there with your hands.

Aftercare is so important as well when doing extreme play, or any play for that matter. I think the aftercare portion of the play is just as important as the paying attention to the sub during play. Because the sub has such a rush of endorphins and is coming down from that rush, it is important to be there and take care of the sub. Sometimes the play can involve stuff that would make most people question if you actually love someone or not. So it is important to make sure the sub knows they are cared for and that your feelings have not changed for them in any way, shape or form. If nothing else, you are so proud of them for taking what you gave them and they gave you their submission seamlessly.

Thank you for letting me share this on your blog, Jennifer.

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Wasn’t that AWESOME, lovelies? I am so glad to have found so many amazing people through my writing, and Brandon and Candice are some of the best. They are so open, so wonderful, and such incredible examples of the BDSM lifestyle done right. They’re also a great example of what can happen when you’re open with your partner and communicate your wants and needs! (Something that I talk about in the “getting kink in your relationship” AMA). I want to thank them both SO much for sharing their lives with all of us so that we can have the Dom’s POV on this blog as well.

Until next time, lovelies!

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Teaser Tuesday! ‘The Shifter’s Big Surprise’ by Moira Byrne!

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I was having a great convo in an author’s group and mentioned that I love to share hot romance stories on my blog (and that my readers like the naughty snippets I get to share)! That led to me having the opportunity to share a few fun stories from authors you may not have heard of, that all have a penchant for writing sexy, fun books. Today’s is actually a co-author set who write under the name Moira Byrne and they are putting out these shifter stories like nobody’s business! So if you like hot alpha shifts, they are going to fill your kindle, lovelies! Check it out!

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The Shifter’s Big Surprise

He has a daughter now?

Wolf-shifter Ben Park wasn’t the type who had one-night stands. But then he met the beautiful, fiery cougar-shifter Alysse Addison. An unforgettable night before he left the country left him craving more. He tried to find her when he returned… but she had disappeared.

After searching high and low, he finally found her, but Alysse’s lukewarm reception leaves him guessing. Had she found someone else? Did he only imagine the spark of something special he felt between them?

For Alysse, that one night of pleasure left her with an adorable daughter and a missing baby-daddy. She figured she would never see Ben again after she had to run for her life.

Ben’s surprising return brought more than his charming smile. The dangers of her past followed him. Can Alysse believe that he didn’t lead them to her? Her body can’t resist him, but can she trust him with her heart?

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Teaser

Amusement mixed with the heat in her gaze. Her eyes roamed over my body as she lightly bit her lip. The sensual move was more than I could withstand. She smiled knowingly as I took her in my arms and pulled her body flush with mine.

Despite the fury of my desire pouring through my veins, my mouth was gentle when it touched hers. My control was holding on by a thread. All it took was a tiny, encouraging nip on my lower lip and that thread broke.

A soft purr poured forth as I deepened our kiss with a frenzy that took me by surprise. Her hand snaked down between us to brush and caress along the length straining against my jeans.

I broke our kiss as a groan tore out of me. It felt so good to have her touch again. I met her eyes. Flames of desire flickered in them as she looked at me with a challenging gaze. It was the sort of look that made me want to take her here and now, and she knew it.

I took a deep breath. The intoxicating scent of her arousal hit me. I dropped my head and clenched my jaw. Must. Hold. It. Together.

“Ben?” Her hand took on a gentle, teasing touch. I didn’t know if that was better or worse. I wanted her so badly I couldn’t even think straight.

“Aly,” I growled out, “I can’t . . .”

“You can’t what?” she purred.

“I can’t think with you touching me.”

Her hand moved but it didn’t leave my body. She trailed the backs of her fingers up my stomach. I shivered with a combination of desire and disappointment. I didn’t want to stop. I couldn’t remember why we should stop. All I knew was that we had to.

“Then why think?” Her response was husky as her fingers traced small circles.

“Aly—” Before I could finish, she took a step back and gripped the bottom of her shirt. She pulled it up over her head and my eyes devoured her. I ran my eyes over her body and a smile curved my mouth when I saw lace on the edges of her bra. Her full breasts begged for my touch and attention.

I raised my eyes and met her heated gaze. Her mouth was slightly parted and her breath hitched. She held out her hand and I took it. She led me down the hallway to an open door. I followed her in, only barely registering that it was a bedroom.

I pulled her into my arms, our bodies flush against each other. My lips crashed against hers. She kissed me as fiercely, her fingers locked tight in my hair.

We broke apart and I trailed kisses along her jaw, down to her neck and shoulders. It wasn’t enough. I needed more. I bent down and slid my arms behind her knees, picking her up.

She wrapped her arms around me and dropped kisses along my jaw. I pushed the door closed before moving to the bed. She looked up at me, the heat in her eyes glowing brighter as I placed her on her back.

“Aren’t you going to join me?”

“First . . .” I slid my hands along the waist of her jeans, my fingers moving to the button, then the zipper. Aly flashed me a smile as she helped by shimmying off her jeans.

“Your turn.” She tugged at the hem of my shirt and rose a brow.

I was happy to oblige. I reached down and yanked off my shirt, threads popping but I didn’t care. She laughed lightly in surprise. I dipped down and silenced her with a searing kiss. I cast my shirt aside as I kissed her, groaning against her lips when her fingers trailed over my bare skin.

I rested on one elbow to avoid crushing her and lowered my head to deepen our kiss. She met me with a feverish kiss. I moved my hand to cup her breast, the perfection of her body beneath the lacy cloth wringing a moan out of me. She arched her back in invitation, and my thumb brushed over the hard peak of her nipple that strained against the lace. A purr poured out of her in response.

I pulled back and met her gaze. I knew my eyes had gone wolf-silver. I wasn’t surprised to see hers were cougar-blue. Her chest rose and fell in a choppy rhythm, drawing my gaze to her breasts, and I couldn’t resist the temptation.

I pushed down the bra cup and lowered my head to pull the peak into my mouth. She moaned as I swirled my tongue around the tight bud. My hand trailed down her body in a gentle caress and slid down to tease the top of her lace underwear.

Her hands rhythmically opened and closed on my shoulders, then she arched her back, and her bra was gone. I gave a lick and gentle nip to the bud in my mouth, then pulled back to blow gently on the glistening tip. A low moan accompanied her purr.

“Ben,” she demanded in a throaty cry as her hands fiercely gripped my shoulders, “don’t make me wait. It’s been too long.”

I couldn’t agree more.

I slid off the bed to remove my pants. When I climbed back into bed with her, she gave me a little push and I rolled onto my back. She climbed on top of me and rubbed her lace-clad heat against me. Pleasure shot through me and my body grew impossibly harder. I let out a groan. I was so stiff it was almost painful. My hands played with the band of lace. I wanted her naked. I wanted her.

As if she read my mind, she slid out of her underwear and moments later she was back, flush against my body. Torturing me in the best of ways as her wet heat brushed against my swollen length. I couldn’t stop myself from thrusting against her.

I lifted my hands to cup her breasts. She sucked in a breath as my thumbs brushed over the tight peaks. Without warning, Aly slowly slid onto me.

The pleasure of simply being inside her shot through me and my sounds of pleasure mixed with hers. Every muscle in my body was tense as I fought not to move. I wanted to savor this feeling.

“God,” I groaned, “I’ve missed you.”

She watched me through heavy-lidded eyes, moving her hips in slow, deliberate circles. A challenge. If I wanted more, I had to take it. Challenge accepted.

I gripped her hips and slowly lifted her up, then back down again. A sweet whimper fell from her lips and a groan from mine. She closed her eyes and dropped her head back. I lifted her again, building an achingly slow rhythm between us.

I slid so easily in and out of her slick heat that I could hardly control myself. She was wet and tight and perfect. I wanted to take her hard—make it clear she was mine—but I also wanted to make this last. I never wanted it to end. I pulled her flush against me and stilled.

She picked up where I left off with a soft sigh, rolling her hips against me. I moved my hand to the juncture of her thighs and found her hidden spot. A faint gasp left her lips, then she leaned forward. Her eyes were hot on mine as her pace began to increase, matching the rhythm of my fingers between her legs.

I reached up to play with her breast, her moans music to my ears. I felt my own pleasure building, but I wanted—no, needed—her to find release first. Just thinking of her clenching around me made my fingers press harder and move faster. I took her taut bud between my fingers with one hand, softly squeezing, while coaxing her to the edge with the other.

She rode me faster, her lips falling open as a low moan escaped her. The sight made me grow even harder, something I would have said was impossible. She rolled her head back as an even louder moan tore from her. That arousing purr endlessly rumbled out of her, and it was almost too much for me to take.

She breathed in a sudden, trembling gasp as her body clenched tightly around me. A cry burst forth from her lips as her body bucked against mine. I sucked in air through my teeth and groaned as I moved my hands to hold tight onto her hips.

That was it. I couldn’t hold back any longer. I pressed my fingers into her hips and took over, thrusting into her hard and fast. She let out a final moan and collapsed against me. I hugged her tight to my chest and thrusted deep, a hoarse groan marking my own release.

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Hotttttt, right? The best part of these sexy shifter stories, they are ALL on Kindle Unlimited! I know so many of you use that awesome service, and so you don’t have to wait to find out what happens with these two. Go on, you know you want to.

AMAZON: 1-CLICK NOW!

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Want more of Moira Byrne?

Two friends who joined together to write fun, sexy Paranormal Romance stories. Happily ever after or bust!

Sign up for our newsletter for early news about upcoming books, sneak peeks, and more! Just click here!

Website: http://moirabyrne.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMoiraByrne/

Music Monday – Young God

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It’s #MusicMonday and I have one of my favorite artists ever on for it. Halsey’s ‘Young God’ is amazing (as is everything on the BADLANDS album, which I am known to loop in its entirety for days on end). There’s just something about her incredible voice, and the awesome music / lyrics that she always has, that make me an insta-fan for everything she does. If I ever get to see her in concert I might faint. #swoon Anyway! I am so busy in life I can barely breathe right now, but Roulette Redux is kicking ass, people are loving my story ‘Unrestrained’ and I am doing SO MANY THINGS that I will be able to tell you lovelies about soon. So soooonnnnn! We just have to be patient (which sucks) but at least we have good music to listen to in the meantime. Go on and enjoy! ^_^

Lyrics

He says, “Ooh, baby girl, you know we’re gonna be legends.

I’m the king, and you’re the queen, and we will stumble through heaven.

If there’s a light at the end, it’s just the sun in your eyes.

I know you wanna go to heaven, but you’re human tonight.”

And I’ve been sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool

for a while now, drowning my thoughts out with the sounds.

But do you feel like a young god?

You know the two of us are just young gods,

and we’ll be flying through the streets, with the people underneath,

and they’re running, running, running.

But do you feel like a young god?

You know the two of us are just young gods,

and we’ll be flying through the streets, with the people underneath,

and they’re running, running, running again.

He says, “Oh, baby girl, don’t get cut on my edges,

I’m the king of everything and oh, my tongue is a weapon.

There’s a light in the crack that’s separating your thighs,

and if you wanna go to heaven you should fuck me tonigh.t”

And I’ve been sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool

for a while now, drowning my thoughts out with the sounds.

But do you feel like a young god?

You know the two of us are just young gods,

and we’ll be flying through the streets, with the people underneath,

and they’re running, running, running.

But do you feel like a young god?

You know the two of us are just young gods,

and we’ll be flying through the streets, with the people underneath,

and they’re running, running, running again.

And we’ll be running, running, running again…

And we’ll be running, running, running…

‘Young God’ by Halsey

Ask Me Anything: Do book covers really matter?

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I’m actually really excited about this #AskMeAnything, because it’s a great topic AND I have a series of AMAs coming to the blog in the next few weeks where I will have guests either helping me discuss a topic, or sharing their own insight on them! This is awesome because not only does it strengthen the pool of information on here, but it also reminds me to turn things into AMAs when I get asked about it. ^_^ Today’s topic comes from my new cover designer BFF Laura Hidalgo of Beyond DEF, and we co-wrote this topic together. I hope you lovelies enjoy it!

Curious what the #AskMeAnything is? Check out the official AMA page on my site over here.

 

Q: When it comes to book covers, does the first impression really matter most?

This is a topic that spurs a lot of conversation, especially among indie authors who are handling a book from inception to marketing launch. Some authors feel that a strong story (and positive reviews from loyal fans) will carry the weight in “getting the word out” about a book. Others are so new to publishing their own books that just having a cover with their name on it can leave them starstruck and thrilled with a cover, and I can admit I was definitely that person in my early times as an author.

But, let’s be honest, authors are word people.

We love language, we love the story, we love the characters, and our knowledge of graphics tends to be… lacking. That’s why when it comes to having this conversation, and making the right choices, I wanted to write this post with my new cover design bestie Laura, so just know that her fingerprints are all over this conversation alongside me.

Don’t judge a book by its cover!

Or, actually, do, because you’re going to anyway. The saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ is often a mantra for many, but in the book industry the first impression does matter the most. Many people are drawn to attractiveness; whether it’s the beauty of a person, clothes in a magazine, or the decor in the HGTV Dream House – we are naturally inclined to appreciate the appeal they have on our senses. The same can be said for book covers and how readers respond to them.

This fact is even more important to the self-published author who is trying to stand out from the masses. Imagine – there are easily THIRTY THOUSAND books released in the Romance genre on Amazon on a monthly basis.

So how do you stand out?

This is exactly the question authors ask themselves all the time, especially when they’re first getting started. Unfortunately, we don’t always know how to stand out. Some people are naturally able to figure it out, or have experience in other ways to know the right look / feel / design elements to make a book pop for readers, but I didn’t. I had vague ideas, and absolutely none of the skill to make it happen. That doesn’t mean I didn’t find some success. I was able to build a reader base through word of mouth, through fans from my Literotica days, and by forming solid relationships with readers and other authors on social media.

But I wasn’t rolling in the money, and although I couldn’t have articulated (even with my love of words) exactly what my covers were missing, I knew they were missing something. I looked at the covers from top sellers in Dark Romance and I would just sigh and stare at them and wonder who made them, how much they cost, etc., etc., etc…

I had already said 2018 would be my year, and that meant I was going to invest in my books like I never had before. When it came time for me to release ‘Destruction’ I knew I’d spent enough time dreaming and asking questions, and I made the decision to put my foot down and throw everything into making that release stand out. And that’s when I was introduced to Laura Hidalgo (by my lovely friend Marissa Honeycutt). I had already been impressed by her skill in the covers I’d seen her make, and I was excited to see what she could do for me, but I had no idea just HOW amazing it would be to work with her.

What’s the difference working with a professional cover designer?

There are plenty of premade cover sites, cheap options on sites like Fiverr, and anyone can download Adobe Photoshop for $10/mo (or any other image editing software) and try their hand at it, but this is one of those areas where you truly get what you pay for. Designing covers is art, and if you’re not working with an artist that ALSO has their pulse on the book community, at the end of the day you will still sell books – but you may not sell them to the level you’re dreaming about.

Laura talked with me about the feel of the book, what I imagined, and then spent hours combing through stock photos with me. Then, because she already knew what she was capable of DOING with the stock photos, she got me to look at photos that I would have brushed aside before because they didn’t look right to me. And because she has the skill and the experience, she could see all the possibilities in different stock photos and describe them to me so I could imagine them too. That is how we worked together on ‘Destruction’, and the results speak for themselves.

[image error]While I also put more advertising focus / money on ‘Destruction’ in ways I hadn’t in the past, I really didn’t do that much different. I just had a really fucking amazing cover, and a brand that told people I was a dark romance author. Yet, the day that the cover reveal happened for this book, social media exploded with tons of people saying the same thing over and over and over.

“OMG that cover is gorgeous!”

People were sharing the book on social media just to show their friends the cover. It meant that people who may have otherwise scrolled past my book actually stopped and looked. Even with a catchy tagline, hot title, or lots of readers talking about how good it is, there are just so many books coming out all the time that a book needs something else to rise up out of the sea of covers and new releases.

This cover, and Laura Hidalgo’s talent, did that for me. To describe myself as shocked, blown away, amazed, and any other synonym you can think of would still be an understatement to how I felt as I watched the book climb the ranks on Amazon and then stay there.

I don’t like to discuss finances in public. Part of me thinks it’s just catty, and the other part just says that it doesn’t really matter, but I will say that my sales in December were incredible. Numbers aside, I think what matters the most is the question that Laura asked me…

Was it worth the investment?

My answer was a resounding YES! Fuck yes, abso-fucking-lutely yes. And the word “investment” here is really fucking important, because working with strong designers costs money. Probably more money than a new author is comfortable spending, but I’ve been wondering lately what a cover like ^that one^ could have done for me two years ago. What solid branding and a cohesive feel to my books could have done for the time it took me to get to where I am now, which is leaps and bounds from where I was this time last year. It’s why I turned around and begged Laura to do the ‘Imperfect Monster’ cover, and the results are speaking for themselves there as well.

[image error]There are very very few overnight successes, most of us are on the long-term grind at this gig. The people who hit it big with their first book are literally the one in a million (possibly even a worse ratio than that), and there are lots of extremely good books that just never get the attention they deserve. And, let’s face it, what we want / need / crave as authors is to have attention on our books. We spend weeks or months writing them, and a reader can make a decision with a passing glance on if they want to give you a try or not.

If the cover doesn’t draw their eye, they may never click to read your blurb.

If they don’t read your blurb, they’re probably not going to pick up your book either.

And if they don’t read that book, then how likely are they to read a future book if you don’t change anything?

Being an author is hard, lovelies. If you are an author, you’re probably nodding at the screen, or did a little snort laugh when you read that sentence, because this isn’t new information. Many of us do this in addition to a day job, in addition to our families, in addition to LIFE IN GENERAL, and that means that we’re already pouring everything we have left into these stories. Then we publish through a publisher, or on our own, and we stalk the book to look for reviews / reader reaction / ranks / shares on social media / etc. and just hope that we get any kind of return on OUR investment into that book.

So, why not do everything you can to get readers to click on it?

First impressions matter.

Before the reader gets close enough to learn anything about the book, the cover has probably already told them a lot about it, and as word people we may not be putting out the right vibes to draw in the right readers. You know who knows how to capture the right look and feel for a cover to make it connect to readers in the correct genre? Cover designers. You know who is more likely to make an emotion fueled decision? The author.

Working with a cover designer is a collaboration. It’s a partnership to walk a line somewhere between the book’s real characters / story, and the elements that make the book feel like it belongs in that genre and make it marketable.

What’s the bottom line here?

There are no guarantees when it comes to selling books. Sometimes books with average covers hit it big, and sometimes gorgeous covers still get missed. Bleh stories get big bucks, while incredible stories get ignored. But, we also know that when it comes to the controllable aspects of this insane job that we all signed up for – it’s always best to take care of what we can.

So, be ready to have your book judged by its cover. Find a great designer and make it the best damn cover you can. Make it fit the market, make it align with the bestsellers that are similar to your book, and get those new readers who don’t know your name to click on it. Draw them in with the visuals so you can wow them with your words.

And remember, for most of us, this is a journey not a sudden jackpot. Every incremental increase in readers / sales is a win, and it builds and builds.

Until next time,

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PS – Share your favorite cover designers in the comments here or on social media! Share the wealth, inspire each other with gorgeous covers, and remember that I’m cheering you on, lovelies (and Laura would love to work with you and help you get there).

Thankful Thursday

It’s #ThankfulThursday and RELEASE DAY for ‘Black Light: Roulette Redux‘ which I am so damn proud to bring all of you! It’s a hot boxset of BDSM novellas from some of the best authors (and some of my favorite people) in the romance genre! The reviews are already pouring in and we’re thrilled with how much people love it already. ^_^ Of course, my day job is out of control right now and so I didn’t have time to share this hottie until the kiddo was in bed, but now I get to share him and dream of the weekend. It’s so close… so close, lovelies.

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Teaser Tuesday! ‘Goldie’s Surrender’ by Felicity Brandon!

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Shit. It’s #TeaserTuesday and you know what I forgot? I forgot that it was fucking Tuesday because my kiddo has pneumonia, and I worked late, and in general my life has been a whirlwind of chaos lately. Also, I have Roulette Redux coming out in TWO DAYS and I have no idea how that happened. Time needs to take a chill pill so I can fucking catch up! Luckily, my friends are still putting out boiling hot books that let me distract you all with sexy scenes and fun tidbits so I can hide what a mess I am most of the time. Aaaaand now I’ve revealed my secret, so before you read that last sentence too carefully I’m going to share this hotness. So, come check out Felicity Brandon’s latest sinfully sexy release ‘Goldie’s Surrender’ and get your dirty fairy tale on!

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Goldie’s Surrender

What if the fairy tale is real?

We all remember the story of Goldilocks, the young woman who stumbles across the three bears’ humble abode while wandering through the woods. You’d always thought the story was make-believe, designed to entertain small children, but what if I told you that you were wrong?

Goldie Locks is very real, a spoiled young woman living in a bubble of her father’s wealth and indulgence. It is this Goldie who makes her way into the forest, losing her way and eventually seeking sanctuary in the small cottage she finds there. But little does Goldie know who really lives in the deep, dark woods and what they will do when they find her asleep in their home…

In this intensely erotic tale, beautiful, headstrong Goldie is left blushing crimson as she is sternly punished and thoroughly claimed by the three strict, ruggedly handsome owners of the cottage in which she foolishly dared to trespass. To Goldie’s surprise, the bold dominance of her captors arouses her deeply, but will she run for her life when their shocking secret is finally revealed?

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Teaser

I am on my feet again in seconds, anxiety ricocheting through my body. “Move out of my way!” I demand, my hands subconsciously landing at my hips. “I don’t know who you are, but you have no right to keep me here!”

He laughs gently at my words. “Oh, really?” His voice is soft and taunting, and I notice that one of his dark eyebrows rises into an unforgiving arch. “I am the master of this house, and as such, I would say I have every right to do so. You are the girl who has come here without my knowledge, entered without consent, and caused quite some trouble in the process.”

I find myself biting my lip at his accusations, an annoying habit that I have not fallen afoul of for years. “How dare you!” I cry out, my arms folding in front of my chest. “What are you saying? That I broke into your cottage?” Rage fumes within me, and I am barely able to contain it.

He leans against the edge of the bedpost, watching me with interest. “Precisely,” he replies with a smile.

“What?” I cry again, adamantly. “I’m no burglar!”

His expression changes, and I can see that my tone has shocked him. A flicker of fear resonates through me as I realize I have angered the beast, yet the old indignation resurfaces almost at once. He takes a step toward me, and despite my temper I flinch, jumping backwards to avoid his presence.

“Who are you?” he asks me flatly.

I purse my lips, knowing that I am pouting as I reply. “It is none of your business who I am, now let me out!”

With that I run at him, startling him with my agile reflexes. I make it past him, my heart pounding within my chest as I move, but I feel a large palm at my left wrist, and he catches me with ease. I turn, screaming at him as I struggle against his iron grip. “Let me go!” I shout, “let me go! You have no right to keep me here!”

“Settle down, girl!” he says, his tone unwavering as he holds me in place.

“I am no girl!” I screech, bringing my right fist smashing down against his torso. I had meant to target his chest, and yet he’s so tall that I barely even reach it.

He grabs the offending wrist in a heartbeat, looking down at me with a smile. “My, my, you are quite the unruly imp, aren’t you?”

I shriek in defiance, stamping my foot down on the floorboards below me.

“Settle down, or I will be forced to make you settle.” His warning is soft, but I recognize the threat nonetheless.

“Y-you… You can’t!” I stammer.

“I can,” comes the reply. “This is my house, and my rules are the law here. You came without permission, and took what you wanted without consideration. Now, tell me, who are you?” His tone is so low, that it’s almost a growl and for one long moment, I look up into his face. I am utterly terrified, but refuse to let this brute see it.

“I will not!” I snap, ceasing to struggle in his large hands, but turning my face away from his insistent gaze.

“Good grief, Logan!” A voice from the doorway sends my heart spiraling back into a frenzy once more. “It seems our little burglar is quite the petulant one!”

I twist to my right, seeing yet another giant looming over me. This one doesn’t seem quite as tall as the one who still holds me steadfast in his hands, and his blond locks are quite in contrast to the first.

“She is indeed!” comes the hearty response of the dark-haired one. What had he called him? Logan? “Quite the high-spirited girl!”

“I am not a girl,” I cry again. “I’m a rich, smart woman, and I will be missed!”

I blink at them both for a second, cursing the note I’d left for Harry. He’ll think I’m sunning myself in California by now. He won’t even be worrying about my absence.

The blond one moves in behind me, and although he stops just short of touching me, I cannot help but gasp at the sudden and close proximity. Now they both tower over me. I am completely helpless, and although I know it, the thought makes me wild with resentment.

“You are an intruder in this cottage.” It’s the blond one talking again, yet I cannot bring myself to turn and look upon him. “Nothing more, and nothing less. Whoever you are, you should be thoroughly punished for your deeds.”

Punished? Punished? The rage in me contracts, tightening until I can barely take a breath. “You shall do no such thing!” I spit at the dark-haired one. “No one has ever punished me!”

“Then,” says Logan, his tone quiet and contemplative, “perhaps someone should have…”

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Hot, right? This is just their introduction and it only gets hotter from here! (Trust me, I read the other teasers that Felicity sent me and… mrowr!) You’re definitely going to want to snag this if you’re into menage and hot shifters, which I know so many of you are! Enjoy, lovelies!

AMAZON: 1-CLICK NOW!

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Want more Felicity Brandon?

Felicity Brandon is a #1 international bestseller of erotic spanking romance. She’s been reading and writing for many years, and loves to delve into the psychological intensity of sexual submission. She has written erotic titles in contemporary, historical and fantasy genres.

Fancy a FREE book, updates about new releases, giveaways, and hot reading recommendations? Sign up for her mailing list!

Website –  https://felicitybrandonwrites.com/
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Author Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/felicitybrandonerotica/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/FelicityBrandon
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Music Monday – Ordinary Life

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It’s #MusicMonday and I know this one is really late guys, but my kiddo kept me up all night sick, and she has pneumonia and my brain is fried. Still, I seriously love this song, and it’s so badass! ‘Ordinary Life’ by Wild Wild Horses has great energy, awesome lyrics, and it’s a song I love. Better late than never, right? I’m posting this and then crashing because I’m running on almost no sleep but I hope you take a few minutes and listen, lovelies.

Lyrics

This is not a drill

Let your head empty and your heart fill

Hindsight won’t save us

Only catch us and cage us

I won’t be that bloke who lost hope and never spoke his mind

Fear is not the answer

‘Cos these kids aren’t sick

They are dancers

You can tell from their faces

They’re culture creators

With flags in our hands

Claim this land as our canvas now

It took a little dark to see those lights

Blood on my hands, sweat in my eyes

Walk me down the tunnel, but know that I

I know, I know

This is no ordinary life

This is a call to arms, sound the alarm

This revolution was born in our hearts

We are world changers in tee shirts and trainers

We are the heartbeats of the streets that raised us

Your dreams don’t seem so strange to me

Life without risk, that’s living dangerously

Passion’s contagious, hands full of aces

We’re calling it all in because…

It took a little dark to see those lights

Blood on my hands, sweat in my eyes

Walk me down the tunnel, but know that I

I know, I know

This is no ordinary life

Fear is not the answer

‘Cos these kids aren’t sick, they are dancers.(x2)

It took a little dark to see those lights

Blood on my hands, sweat in my eyes

Walk me down the tunnel, but know that I

I know, I know

This is no ordinary life

‘Ordinary Life’ by Wild Wild Horses



 

Thankful Thursday

How the fuck is it #ThankfulThursday already? I swear, this week is flying by TOO FAST and I cannot handle it. Too much going on, so time doesn’t feel real. The good news is that although my laptop tried to scare me, the lovely geniuses at Apple were able to restore it AND my TimeMachine back-up worked and so I am back in the swing of things tonight and (other than an adobe photoshop fail) it seems like everything came over smoothly! Fingers crossed for no more chaos because I want to tell you about a surprise later in February that is making my brain melt with impatience because I am so damn excited about it (and Michelle and Niki won’t let me talk about it until then!!!!!) #rude Anyway, we all need a hottie to give ourselves a few minutes of mental stimulation that has nothing to do with responsibility, so… take a deep breath and enjoy, lovelies. You all deserve it!

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Teaser Tuesday! ‘Tragic Beauty’ by Iris Ann Hunter!

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Look at that! It’s #TeaserTuesday again and I have ‘Tragic Beauty’ a delicious dark romance for all of you from Iris Ann Hunter, a new-to-me dark romance author, that apparently a TON of my readers are already in love with! Do I have your attention? I hope so, lovelies! Trust me, if you’re not already interested you will be after this excerpt from her debut release…

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Tragic Beauty

One beauty. Two beasts.

The one who owns her. And the one who wants her.

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I was sixteen when I made the deal.

When I put my fate in the hands of Shayne McAllister, a man determined to break me.

A man with black eyes and a blacker heart, who’s been obsessed with me since we were kids.

And now that my father has passed, he’s coming to collect his debt.

But before I become his, I see a chance to make a choice for myself, and I take it.

I slip away, for one night.

One dark, stormy night that goes horribly wrong.

Until a stranger crosses my path.

An angry stranger, with a harsh voice and menacing eyes, who grants me one night.

One messed up, beautiful night, that changes everything, and spares no one.

Because the stranger wants more.

More than just one night.

He wants me.

What follows, is darkness.

A darkness where secrets will be revealed, blood will be shed, and sacrifices made.

My name is Ava, and this is my story.

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Teaser

I’ve been walking maybe ten minutes when headlights approach, going fast. Really fast. I step as far over onto the shoulder as I can, hunched against the cold and the rain while the lights close in. The car whizzes by me, easily going over a hundred. I feel the spray of water and grime soak my legs, but I’m too numb to care. I start walking again when I hear the screeching of brakes. I turn and see the car fishtailing in the rain. It stops and reverse lights come on, then it’s backing up, fast. I look quickly to the left for any oncoming cars, but the freeway is empty. The car passes me and maneuvers onto the shoulder, stopping right in front of me.

The headlights are so bright I have to lift my arm to shield my eyes. The car just sits there, idling, black and sleek, the tinted windows masking whoever’s inside. It’s one of those new muscle cars, but it looks custom, and mean, and sounds even meaner. Heavy metal music blasts from inside and seeps into the night, mixing with the sound of the rain as it pounds on the car.

I stand frozen, not sure what to do, the fear still in me from the last time I came across a man on the side of the road. The longer the car sits there, rumbling, the more that fear wants to get a hold of me. I think of making a run for it, but then the music cuts and the door opens. A dark figure emerges, but I can’t see anything more than the outline of a body, the rain and lights choking my vision.

“What the hell are you doing out here?” a deep, angry voice shouts.

I shrink back when I hear the tinge of a beast. I’m already moving backwards when he slams the door, his car still idling, and storms towards me.

“I asked what the hell are you doing out here?”

He’s in front of me now, the fear so strong I can’t move, because through the glare of lights I can see he’s a big man, tall, with wide shoulders. Not a man I can likely get away from. I blink when I see what he’s wearing—a tuxedo. I’ve never seen a man in a tuxedo before.

Then I see a whisper of something else. Something that not even the shadows can hide. I see it in the hard line of his jaw, in the glint of his angry eyes. He’s handsome. The kind of handsome that has me staring, like I’m under some kind of spell.

He narrows his gaze, running it up and down my body, like he can’t figure out who or what I am. “What’s the matter, you fucking deaf?”

The spell is broken and I take a step back, but glare at him.  “My car broke down.”

“Fuck,” he swears, running a hand through is soaked hair. “You’re supposed to stay in the car. Call a tow truck. Not fucking walk on the side of the freeway, at night, dressed like a—”

He waves his hand at my clothes and I hug myself tighter. My dress is so short, you can barely even see it. Yeah. I know what I look like. That had been the whole point.

“Don’t you have a cell phone?” he asks.

I shake my head.

“You don’t have a—?” His mouth hangs open and he mutters something about his own cell being dead. “Jesus. Tonight of all fucking nights.”

He spins and marches to his car. “Get in!” he snaps over his shoulder.

I do nothing but stand there.

He turns around. “I said get in! I don’t have time for this shit.”

I ball my hands into fists and storm past his stupid fancy car. Through the heavy pounding of rain I hear a loud string of cursing behind me, but I keep moving, more determined than ever. Still, I can’t help the fresh tears that begin to fall.

Then he’s there, striding past me, blocking me.

“Go away!” I choke, my body shaking so hard I think I might fall.

The stranger stands there for a moment, our faces merely shadows in the dark. “Look, I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life, but I’m not about to add leaving a woman stranded in the rain on the side of the freeway, to the list. Now please, I’m asking nicely. Get in the goddamn car.”

Something in the way his voice has softened calms me down. I stare past him at the darkness that waits, then turn back to him, doing my best to size him up when all I can see is his outline. He isn’t happy at having to stop for me, so probably doesn’t have abduction or something worse on his mind. And there’s something in his voice…something I want to trust.

So I turn back. When I get to his car, he’s already opening the door for me. The dome light comes on and I notice the finely stitched, black leather seats. I look down at my wet clothes and hesitate.

“In,” he snaps.

I sink into the leather and he closes the door. Seconds later, he’s sliding into the driver’s seat. It feels intimate, nothing but the lights of the dash illuminating the interior. It smells of new car and expensive cologne. I hear him breathing, as though he’s trying to control it, slow it down. I force back the tears and sit quietly, shaking. He must notice, because he reaches over and turns on the heater.

“Where to?” he asks.

I look down at my hands. “I’m…not sure. I’m not from around here.” My voice is so small I wonder if he heard it, but I know he did, because his hand shoots to his forehead and rubs at his temple.

“The nearest gas station,” I say quickly, the only thing I can think of.

Without a word, he checks the side mirror and pulls on to the road. Moments later we breeze past the Lexus.

“That it?” he asks.

I nod.

We drive in silence while I stare out the window, catching glimpses of a stormy ocean as it blurs by. “I’m sorry,” I say.

“For what?”

I look over at his tux—his drenched tux.

He looks down at his clothes and shrugs.

“And now you’re late,” I say, knowing he probably had somewhere to go, all dressed up like that and as mad as he was at having to stop for me.

“Worse things have happened.”

I turn back to the window, watching the rain streak across the glass.

More silence.

“Where are you from?” he asks.

“A little ways north.”

I catch his gaze drift to my legs, almost obscene beneath the jacket. “Where were you headed?”

The implications of what he asks aren’t hard to miss. Dressed like that, is what he meant to add.

“Doesn’t matter now.”

Thankfully, he doesn’t press. The rest of the drive is quiet. Eventually, lights come into view and he takes an exit, where a rickety looking gas station sits at the end of the off-ramp. There’s nothing else in sight. It’s the very outskirts of Goleta, a northern suburb of Santa Barbara, and still mostly surrounded by open space.

He pulls in, the smooth low rumble of the engine purring as he brings the car to a stop beneath the overhang and out of the rain.

I’m surprised the place is closed, but when I glance to the clock on the dash, I see it’s a little after nine. He glances that way too, and I can tell by the pressing of his lips that he’s indeed late after all.

“There’s a pay phone on the side,” he says.

I nod and reach for my purse, then turn to him. The lights of the station illuminate the car and I can see his face more clearly now. I see a man maybe in his thirties, with sharp green eyes that linger on me quietly. Stubble darkens his jaw—a jaw that clenches tighter and tighter, the longer I look at him. But I keep looking, because I can’t stop. My eyes graze over soft lips and a scar along his left cheekbone and another over his right eyebrow. His hair is black, wet and slicked back, with a few strands hanging over his temple. That’s when I realize, he’s not just handsome, he’s beautiful. And for some reason, he seems familiar, like I’ve seen him before, but I can’t place it.

I watch him study me in return, his eyes lingering on my face, then darkening as they drift down my legs, then back up again. I can only imagine what I look like, with long wet hair plastered to my head and mascara trailing down my face. Even so, there’s a shift in his gaze, a subtle flaring of the nostril. The silence in the car becomes deafening.

“Thank you,” I whisper, unable to bear the quiet.

“You going to be alright?” he asks, his voice deeper than before. “You have someone to call?”

I nod and open the door, the cold wrapping its grip around me once more. After I shut the door and step back, the car lingers for a moment, then slowly pulls away until the tail lights disappear from view with a rev of the engine and a squeal of the tires. I hug my jacket tight and walk into the rain and over to the pay phone. I’m just about to reach for the handle when I see the little, white, slip of paper.

Out of order.

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Intriguing, right?! I’m so curious what happens next, especially after people in my reader group freaked out about how much they loved it! The warning about a DARK contemporary romance with scenes some may find disturbing from the Amazon page is always pretty much a sign that I need to read it. Maybe for you too? Definitely time to check out this chick!

AMAZON: 1-CLICK NOW!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37908268-tragic-beauty

Official Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIqQz59AwUQ&t=2s

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Want more of Iris Ann Hunter?

Iris Ann Hunter grew up with a love of books and a passion for writing, but it wasn’t until later in life, after working as a horse trainer, truck driver, and graphic designer, that she decided to pursue her dream to be a writer. Drawn towards the tortured, sometimes brutal side of human nature, she writes dark, twisted romance that explores the shadowy side of love and lust. Iris lives with her longtime lover in a seaside town along the Southern California coast. Tragic Beauty is her debut novel.

MAILING LIST – http://irisannhunter.com/mailing-list/
WEBSITE – http://www.irisannhunter.com
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/IrisAnnHunter
FACEBOOK GROUP – https://www.facebook.com/groups/HuntersOfTheDark/
INSTAGRAM – https://www.instagram.com/irisannhunter
GOODREADS – https://www.goodreads.com/IrisAnnHunter