First
novels are products of passion. No one pushes life aside and sits
down to generate thousands of words of prose without deeply personal
reasons. While many first-time authors deliberately weave
auto-biographical elements into their books, rookie novelists who pen
stories intended as pure fiction also tend to reveal more about
themselves than they’d planned.
We
write about what excites us, what moves us, what matters. First
novels often have a level of authenticity lacking in more polished
work. Passion compensates for failings in craft due to our
inexperience.
I
began Raw Silk on a whim, but it quickly became an obsession.
The immediate inspiration was Portia da Costa’s Black Lace title
Gemini Heat, which I found on the book swap shelf in an
Istanbul hotel in 1998. In those days, the Black Lace imprint
advertised itself as “erotic fiction for women, by women”. As I
closed the cover of Gemini Heat after my second re-reading, my
heart still pounding from arousal, I wondered whether I could write
something in a similar vein, capturing the intensity and joy of my
own sexual awakenings. If I did, might Black Lace publish it?
Breathless
with excitement, I pounded out the first three chapters of Raw
Silk in a couple of weeks and sent them off via air mail to the
Black Lace editor in London. Then I let go of the outcome, returning
my attention to the other aspects of my life—marriage, job,
friends, and so on. I received a formulaic post card from the
publisher a few weeks later, advising me that my submission had been
received and cautioning me that due to the large number of
manuscripts to be vetted, I might not hear from them again for
several months. I shrugged, not having expected more.
Two
days later I got an email from the Black Lace editor, offering me a
contract for an 80K word novel.
My
first reaction was astonishment, my second panic. What did I know
about writing a novel? Then I re-read my first three chapters, and
passion took over. The story of Kate’s erotic odyssey in the exotic
City of Angels poured out of me onto the page, almost without effort.
I finished the initial draft in a matter of weeks, producing
thousands of words with barely any revisions.
The
first edition of Raw Silk was released by Black Lace in
January 1999. The book has since been reprinted by several other
publishers including Blue Moon Books and Totally Bound. Over the
years, through multiple editing rounds, I’ve managed to smooth some
of rough edges off my original amateurish prose. With each edition,
too, I’ve deepened the romance elements, at least partially due to
changes in the market. (Even Black Lace rebranded itself as a romance
imprint.) The current edition is in many ways a typical erotic
romance, chronicling the development of a committed relationship and
offering a happy ending. Indeed, the bonus chapter included in the
latest edition serves up a wedding!
Still,
as Kate struggles to understand and accept her own desires through
experiences with multiple partners of both sexes, the focus is as
much on the journey as on the happily-ever-after. At the same time,
she learns that love and lust are not easily separable, one of the
most profound lessons in my own life. Depending on your inclinations
and disposition, you might categorize the book as romantic erotica or
erotic romance.
My
personal view? The category doesn’t matter. Read the book for what
it is, the very first of the fifteen full-length novels I’ve
produced so far: intensely emotional, exuberantly sensual, and
despite its explicitness, somehow innocent.
First
novels are acts of love.
If
you’re curious, the book is currently on sale, discounted from the
usual price of $5.99 to only 99 cents. I hope you’ll check it out.
Blurb
In
a foreign land, a woman discovers exotic new realms of the senses.
“You
were born to this. You may not understand, yet. You may not believe.
But I will teach you.”
When
software
engineer
Kate
O’Neill
leaves
her
lover
David
to
take
a
job
in
Thailand,
she
embarks on a sensual journey that will change her forever.
In
the glittering City of Angels, Kate becomes
sexually
involved
with
two
very
different
men—a
handsome
and
debauched
member
of
the
Thai
aristocracy,
and
the
charismatic,
dominant
proprietor
of
a
sex
bar.
With Anand Rajchitraprasong, she discovers her own almost unlimited
capacity for erotic pleasure. Meanwhile, Gregory Marshall shows her
what she has hidden from herself: a deep desire to submit, to
surrender herself body and soul to someone with the power and
compassion to master her.
The
Hook
It
was already past seven o’clock in the evening when she arrived back
at her house in Bangkok. Ae had left for the day. Kate found a note,
in the maid’s childish block-printed English.
Mr.
Marshall call 3 o’clock. Please call him 02 243 0657
She
felt a rush of pleasure. Gregory had never telephoned her before.
Still, she was annoyed to note that her heart was pounding and her
mouth dry with nervousness as she dialed the number and listened to
the repeated rings.
She
was almost ready to hang up when he answered. “Hello. Marshall
here.”
“Gregory,
it’s me. Kate.”
“Kate!”
She heard warmth in his voice, and relief. “Where have you been? I
was concerned about you.”
“I
had to get away, away by myself to think. The time at the hotel was
so—intense. And confusing. I needed to sort things out.”
“I
understand.” The voice on the other end of the line was
uncharacteristically gentle. “I pushed you hard the other night.
Maybe too hard. It seems to come so naturally with you that I forget
your inexperience.”
“No,”
she answered, almost whispering. “It wasn’t too hard. I see a
little more clearly now, how it is between you and me. I see myself
more clearly.”
“Ah,
Kate! You have so much to learn! If you still want this, of course.”
“I
do want it. I want you.” She found herself blushing at her
forwardness.
“And
I want you, Kate, in ways you probably cannot begin to imagine.”
She
recalled her night of lurid fantasy as he paused.
“Or
maybe you can. Still,” he continued, “I think I will give you
some time to recover. And next time, perhaps, offer a lesson that is
less physical.”
Kate
felt a stab of disappointment.
“Don’t
worry,” Gregory laughed, as if he had read her thoughts. “You
won’t find it easy. So, how about next Saturday night?” he asked.
“Will you make yourself available?”
“Of
course,” Kate answered, thinking that it would be a long week.
“I
will send you instructions. I will expect you to obey.”
Kate
was silent, wondering what new indignities he would contrive for her.
“Till
then, Kate, be well.” His liquid voice was like a caress.
“Goodnight, my eager little slave.”
Buy
Links
Ebook
is only 99 cents until May 9th! (Regular price $5.99)
Amazon
US: https://www.amazon.com/Raw-Silk-Lisabet-Sarai-ebook/dp/B0DF6Q2S2B
Amazon
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Amazon
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Smashwords:
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Paperback
(Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKJ2PW92
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sure to visit the other authors participating in today’s Book
Hooks!