Is, of course, found in Masked Submission by Claire Thompson. If you've not yet read this book, then all I can say is "Boy have you missed out!!!" This is one smokin' hot read, babies. Consider this:
When Dylan Reese first sees Tomas, the sensual masked Dom at Club Chained, he instantly feels the connection between them. Falling under his dark spell, Dylan is unable to resist his commands, baring his body and his soul for his masked lover. In an intense exchange of sensual power, Dylan submits with an honesty and a passion he’s never known. He finds himself falling hopelessly in love with a stranger who can’t or won’t reveal himself.
Dr. Jack Marchand, a professor of medieval history, is smitten the moment he lays eyes on Dylan, the green-eyed PhD candidate he is mentoring. As their friendship blossoms, so does their trust—freeing Dylan to confess his submissive orientation while Jack admits his naturally dominant impulses. A tumble into bed after too much to drink convinces Jack he must possess Dylan on every level.
But just as Dylan is captured by a fantasy, Jack is held prisoner by a secret of his own creation. Jack finally realizes the only way to liberate Dylan’s heart is to confess what he has kept hidden from the world.
Wowza!! That's what I'm talkin' 'bout! The chemistry between Dylan and Jack is electricifying and will have you opting for iced coffee over a steaming cup because there's enough heat between these two to melt your ice cubes.
I was curious about the mind behind this and other great books and Claire was nice enough to spend some time with me.
Claire, tell me about yourself. How did you get started writing?
I started writing erotica and erotic romance back in 1996 as a way to explore my own sexual fantasies in a safe, secret way. At the time I wasn’t yet comfortable with my submissive, masochistic sexual orientation. When I dared to share my writing with a few close friends, they encouraged me to try and get my work published. Writing led to actual exploration in real life and boy, what a long, strange FUN road it’s been! Lately I’ve been writing male/male erotic romance and having a great time entering the minds and hearts of strong, sexy men who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable.
Could you tell me about your backlist.
I have published over twenty five novels. The novels at Renaissance.com primarily focus on BDSM erotica, not necessarily romantic, though a number of them are in fact romantic in nature with happily ever after endings. Please click on this link to see all the novels there. http://clairethompson.net/books/renaissance/index.html
Novels available in paperback can be viewed and purchased here: http://clairethompson.net/books/printbooks/index.html
My novels and quickies with Ellorascave.com can be viewed and purchased here: http://clairethompson.net/books/ellorascave/index.html
What genre do you write? What drew you to write in that genre? If you mix genres talk about that too.
I write BDSM both consensual and nonconsensual. This was my first love, as I find the passion possible in a loving D/s relationship to be combustible. It began as my own secret exploration. As I grew in my own life, experiencing the lifestyle I’d only dreamed of, that experience colored and enriched my work. I began to branch out with some science fiction (Pleasure Planet:Eros), vampire tales (True Kin Series) as well as a historical novel (Seduction of Colette) and my witch tale (Cast a Lover’s Spell). My latest passion is male/male erotic romance. I’ve written six male/male romances, three with a BDSM theme and three vanilla but sizzling hot. (you can check them all out at: http://clairethompson.net/books/ellorascave/index.html ). My latest venture is a ménage a tois between two bisexual men and a woman who signs up to be their submissive sex slave (Two Masters for Alex, coming out in Jan, 2008 with Elloras Cave). I had a lot of fun exploring the sexual tension, jealousy and difficulties that naturally arise when two become three, not to mention the super hot sex!
Do you like hearing from readers?
There is nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, more thrilling than getting an email from a reader! A writer creates a story in a vacuum. The editor is a good first barometer, but it isn’t until someone actually writes and lets me know what they thought that I can breathe easier. I also love to read reviews. I still can hardly believe people actually buy and read my stuff, much less take the time to write a considered review of my work. It’s the ultimate compliment and most certainly not one I take for granted. I don’t have any contests on my site at the moment, but I often post excerpts during chats and do giveaways at that time.
What are your plans for the future?
My dream is to write fulltime. Right now, with three children at home to support and a husband who is partially disabled and only works part time, I can’t quit my day job! But someday I hope to devote myself exclusively to my passion.
Have you ever started a book and then have it completely turn around and change course? Tell us about it.
That has happened a couple of times! For example, Island of Temptation began as a novel about a spoiled young woman, a driven professional guy and a bisexual laid-back artist who are stranded together on a tropical island. Instead it evolved into a story about a gay super sexy laid-back artist and a straight guy. As they struggle just to survive they develop the kind of close relationship men in combat develop. Their friendship evolves into something much more intense.
Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
Follow your heart and your passion. Don’t write for a particular genre or “craze”. Write what moves you—what matters to you. Before you submit anything, proofread the hell out of it! Print it out because it’s easier to catch errors on the page than on the screen. Once you complete the manuscript, let it sit a few weeks and “gel”. Come back to it with a fresh eye. Read the dialog aloud to see if it rings true. Stilted dialog throws a reader out of the story. Don’t get discouraged with rejections!! (Boy is THAT easy to say but not to do!). Remember, J K Rowling was refused by a number of publishers before her Harry Potter series found a home!
What is the hardest part of writing?
For me the hardest part is getting a good plot going with a hook that will capture the reader’s interest. The first few chapters are always the toughest for me. Then I get into a groove and just take off.
What was the release date of your first book? Why did you write it, who published it and can you tell us about receiving the “call”?
My very first book came out in 1996. It was entitled Sarah’s Surrender and it was released in print as a paperback with Masquerade Books (now defunct). I had wanted to call it Sarah’s Awakening, and when the rights reverted back to me, I changed the title accordingly. It was one of those flukes of good luck and timing that I managed to publish the first novel I ever wrote, and was offered a contract before I’d written more than three chapters! I wasn’t really serious about it back then, so maybe that’s why it worked out (beginner’s luck). Plus the market was much smaller and the necessity of an agent much less acute back then. Whatever the reason, I sent the first three chapters of a book about a young woman’s sexual awakening, specifically her fascination with D/s (Dominance/submission) to the publisher of Masquerade and a few weeks later I got a phone call from him. He said, “Okay, we got the first three chapters of your book. Where’s the rest?” It was the most thrilling phone call! He bought the book right there on the phone. I never made much money on it with them (having no agent to negotiate for me, I suppose) but it was my first advance and my first novel and from then on I had the bug!
Thanks, Claire, I appreciate you taking the time to answer some questions for us. Now, before we close, I want to mention another of Claire's books, Odd Man Out.
Attending a wedding with his ex-lover wasn’t the smartest thing Ben had ever agreed to do since Carl could really be a horse’s behind, but one look at David, the groom’s best man, and he was willing to change his mind. The man was sex personified and it was apparent he was used to conquering his lovers with his masculine appeal and confident, sexy manner.
David is an actor-model, happy to play the scene, definitely not looking for love. Ben is a New York stock research analyst, more than likely a man interested in a discussion of stock-market trends, the latest high-finance maneuvers or who was embezzling from whom. David was willing to play since Ben’s looks intrigued him but he didn’t see anything in the future for them. They were worlds apart, right?
Wrong. Ben and David fall for the intoxicating allure of hot, steamy nights neither can resist nor control. Too bad Carl decides he’s not ready give Ben up to David. If he can’t have him, no one will.
Again, I want to thank Claire for being our Must Read Featured Author and all the time she so generously shared with me. Claire, honey, you know I'll be eagerly awaiting your next book (so write fast baby!!)
Thanks for joining us here on The Hussies Book Slam Blog where you can read about exciting books and the luscious minds behind them.
This is Ciana for the Hussies saying have a great day and remember ... in the hussy zone it's all about the romance (erotic romance that is!)
Cheers :)
