Showing posts with label breaking stereotypes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breaking stereotypes. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Book Hooks: The Gazillionaire and the Virgin -- #MFRWHooks #BDSM #eroticromance


Welcome to the weekly Marketing for Romance Writers Book Hooks blog hop! Each week, a bunch of talented authors share snippets from their books for your pleasure.

Today I’ve got a bit from my contemporary BDSM erotic romance novel The Gazillionaire and the Virgin.

When you’re finished with my offering, I do hope you’ll visit some of the other authors participating in today’s hop. You’ll find links at the end of the post.



Blurb

Trust can’t be bought—it has to be earned.

When Silicon Valley entrepreneur Rachel Zelinsky meets reclusive genius Theo Moore, she finds him strangely compelling. Theo is both arrogant and socially awkward, but he has an aura of power that speaks to Rachel’s carefully-hidden submissive side. Disturbed and aroused, she tries to focus on her original objective—a deal to incorporate his Artificial Intelligence software into her company’s popular virtual world. Rachel’s not a woman who lets pleasure interfere with business, but for some reason, she can’t resist Theo’s geeky appeal.

Theo Moore can’t be bought. His past battles with poverty make him deeply suspicious of the billionaire CEO. Still, with her voluptuous curves and brilliant mind, Rachel embodies his ultimate sexual fantasy. Too bad his knowledge about sex derives from extensive research and a stash of kinky porn rather than real-world experience.

That doesn’t bother Rachel, however. In his bed—in his arms—in his bonds—she discovers the bliss of total surrender. Rachel may be Theo’s first lover, but Theo is Rachel’s first true Master—and the first man to truly touch her heart. It seems that love may harmonize their differing goals and values, until Rachel’s unwitting violation of Theo’s trust threatens to tear them apart forever.

The Hook

The minutes tick by, but there’s no sign of him. Should I climb up to his door and ring? Or wait for him to work up the courage to come out by himself? Does he realize I’ve arrived? Is he watching out his window? Or cowering in his room?

I get more annoyed by the second. I am considering honking the horn, which I know will embarrass him, when he appears on the second floor landing. I recognize him by his height and bulk. Otherwise, he’s transformed.

In the custom tailored tuxedo, he’s distinguished and elegant. The sleek black trousers cling to what are obviously powerful, muscular legs. The jacket highlights his broad shoulders and trim waist. Not fat, oh no! He moves with unexpected grace, as if the formal clothing bestowed a sort of gravitas to subdue his usual gawkiness. With his dark hair slicked back from his forehead, he looks like some international man of mystery. The spectacles just heighten the impression of intelligence and sophistication.

Holding the rail of the gallery that runs along the second floor, he scans the parking area.

Over here, Theo,” I call out of the open window.

He jumps at the sound of my voice. I think he’s about to bolt, to flee back into his condo and slam the door. I can practically see the struggle going on in his body. I hold my breath, waiting for the outcome. Finally he raises his hand in a feeble wave, and fumbles his way down the stairs. The strong, self-assured man of a few moments earlier has vanished. But I remember him. That’s the Theo Moore I need to cultivate.

He makes it to the car. I press the auto-release and the door swings open. “Hi, Theo. Come on, get in. We’re running somewhat late.”

He ducks his head, folds his long limbs and maneuvers his massive body onto the leather upholstery. After fastening his seat belt, he focuses his attention on the blinking, teak-inlaid instrument panel. He neither greets me nor apologizes.

With a shrug, I trigger the ignition and back out onto the road. “You look fantastic, by the way.”

I feel ridiculous. Like some performer in a circus. Or maybe a trained seal.”

I’m sorry you’re uncomfortable.” I swing the car out of his complex onto El Camino Real. “In a way, I guess this is a kind of performance. The tux really looks great on you, though. You’re going to impress the donors. And that’s what’s important, isn’t it?”

I suppose so.” He slumps into the bucket seat, sulking.

Buy Links (Ebook, Print, Audio)

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

iTunes

Google Books

Excessica





Take a couple of minutes to sample the other hooks on offer today!


Sunday, July 24, 2016

Sunday Snog 236: Calculated Risk (#erotica #sundaysnog #giveaway)

Sunday Snog lips


Greetings!

My snog this Sunday comes from an unfinished story entitled Calculated Risk. Like many of my books, I started writing this to challenge myself; I wanted to create an erotic romance in which the characters were the opposite of exotic. My heroine Laura is an insurance agent. My hero is a shy, awkward music teacher.

More than seven years ago, I wrote three chapters of this book. Then my motivation sputtered and died. Now I’m wondering whether I should revive the tale and try to finish it.

What do you think? Read the kiss excerpt below, then give me your opinion. Would you want more from these characters?

To energize you, I’ll give away a $5 bookstore gift certificate to one randomly selected commenter!

Don’t forget, by the way, to visit Snog Central, where Victoria Blisse will have lots more delicious kisses for you!



A knock on the door frame made me jump. "Laura, are you in there?" a hearty baritone voice called.

"Just a minute, Sam. I'm with a client." Laura scooped up my briefcase and dropped it into my lap, covering my still-open fly. She checked that all her buttons were fastened, and smoothed her hair. "Okay, you can come in."

The voice belonged to a tall, athletic-looking guy of about thirty, neatly dressed in a suit that even I could tell was expensive. "Hey, Laura, Beecham won't be happy if he finds out you're using his office."

"I'm sure that he wouldn't mind. It's so hot in the outer office today. He'd want me to make sure that our customers are comfortable."

Sam looked me over curiously. I wondered if the office smelled of sex.

"This is Mr. Rossini. His mother has a policy with us, and he came in to ask some questions about it." I noted her half-truth with some interest.

"Mr. Rossini, I'd like to introduce Sam Cooper, our top salesman."

The handshake was a bit awkward since I didn't dare stand up.

"Rossini... From Longmeadow, right?"

"Right. I'm impressed, Mr. Cooper. Do you remember every customer?"

"Pretty much. It's part of my system, the reason I'm the best in the business." Cooper laid a casual hand on Laura's shoulder. "Isn't that true, Laura?"

She smiled sweetly up at his chiselled features. I decided that I didn't like him. "There's no one who's better than you, Sam. At selling, at least."

Then she was all business again. "Did you need something, Sam?"

"No, I'm fine. Just got off the road and thought I'd check in, find out what you're up to."

"Just the usual. Doing my best for the company."

Cooper gave me a knowing smile. All the double-entendres were making me very nervous.

"Well, keep up the good work. See you at the barbecue on Saturday. Nice to meet you, Mr. Rossini."

"Shut the door behind you, will you please?" Laura called after him.

I didn't breathe again until I heard the latch click. "Do you think he knows?"

"I doubt it. He doesn't have the requisite imagination. It's too bad he didn't come in a few minutes earlier. He might have found the scene quite instructive." Laura read the shock and dismay on my face. She grinned like a mischievous child.

"Angelo, I'm only kidding." I wasn't completely sure that was true. "Look, you shouldn't worry so much. I was only having some fun." She stroked my thigh in a proprietary gesture. "It was fun, wasn't it?"

I zipped my pants, hiding my semi-stiff cock, and sat up straight. I struggled to reclaim some dignity. "That's not exactly the word that I would use."

"What word would you prefer? 'Thrilling'? 'Overwhelming'? 'Life-changing'?"

"I was thinking more of 'nasty' and 'obscene'."

"Oh, don't be such a prude! And don't pretend that you didn't like it. You can put on the moral purity act with someone else, but you don't fool me. I know you, Angelo. I know how to touch you, inside and out."

She slipped to her knees in front of me, took my face in her hands, and kissed me.

It was the last thing I expected.

The kiss was gentle, full of sweetness. I sensed her need, a vulnerability that was completely at odds with the Laura I had seen so far. Her lips melded with mine; they parted shyly. I couldn't resist the urge. I allowed my tongue to wander into her mouth, to explore her textures and tastes: minty toothpaste, black coffee, and a faint bitter tang that I knew was my own cum.

I gathered her in my arms and pulled her into my lap without breaking the kiss. Sudden passion erased her passivity. She seized me and crushed my body against hers. Our tongues tangled together. Now she was bold, vulnerability replaced by a different type of neediness. She gulped me down like water in the desert. I could hardly breathe, but I didn't care. My hands traveled over her luscious body, molding the curve of her hips, tracing the line of her spine through the thin crepe of her blouse, up along her ribs to where her soft breast was flattened against my chest. She shivered when I touched her there, and deepened her kiss.

I imagined lying naked with her, our limbs entwined. I was dying to feel her bare skin. I grabbed her blouse in the back and pulled it up, out of her waistband, then fumbled with the clasp of her brassiere.

She broke away from me. "No, not here, not now."

"I thought you got a thrill from the risk of exposure." Defiantly, I unfastened the second hook. I pressed my bare palms against the silky skin of her back, and tried to bring her mouth back to mine.

She managed somehow to extricate herself from my grasp. "Sometimes that's what I like. Sometimes it's not. Right now, I'm thinking that our first fuck should be more relaxed and comfortable than we could be in here."

I winced as the raw word tumbled from her sweet lips. She noticed.

"Oh, my poor Angelo! I'll cure you of the affliction of your innocence." Deftly, she reached behind her and refastened her bra, then tucked in her blouse. She kissed me lightly, pulling back before I could grab her again. "Don't be concerned, hon. You won't miss it."


So, what do you think? You can be honest with me! Your answer won’t affect your chances of winning... but you can’t win unless you leave a comment! Be sure to include your email, so I can find you if you win.