Inspiration versus The Rules ( #pnr #bdsm #MFRWAuthor)

By Lisabet Sarai

I didn’t start out as a romance author. My debut novel Raw Silk (first edition 1999) had romantic elements and an unequivocal HEA ending, but the book was marketed by its publisher Black Lace as “erotica for women, by women”, not as romance. In fact, I wasn’t particularly familiar with the genre. I’d heard of Harlequin, Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele, but that was about it. My notion of “romantic” tended to be emotionally intense but tragic stories like Wuthering Heights and Romeo and Juliet.

It was not until 2006 when I began working with Totally Bound Publishing that I encountered Romance with a capital R, with all its conventions and constraints. I tried to satisfy my editors at TB, to follow their rules. To be completely honest, I sometimes found it hard.

Portraying love in a developing or committed relationship was never a problem, but I struggled with sexual fidelity. My characters, both male and female, tended to be erotically adventurous. I quickly learned, however, that many romance readers won’t tolerate a hero or heroine who gets involved, or is even attracted, to anyone but the main love interest. They view this sort of activity as “cheating”, hence unacceptable.

Meanwhile, I’ve written several books where the heroine really doesn’t know which of her lovers is her soul mate until quite late in the story. Kate, the heroine of Raw Silk (now in its fourth edition and solidly branded as romance!) has three men competing for her affections. In my BDSM ménage The Ingredients of Bliss, master chef Emily finds herself in the middle of a complex, confusing, but thrilling relationship in which she is submissive to one man while dominating the other. Strongly drawn to both her lovers, she doesn’t make a clear choice until at least three quarters of the way through the novel.

Almost every time I sit down to write a new book, I find myself torn between inspiration and the “rules” of romance. My latest release, Damned If You Do, was no exception. My heroine Wendy falls under the spell of a charismatic stranger who promises her both financial success and the surrender she deeply craves. Only later does she realize that Mister B is not the true master of her heart.

Needless to say, inspiration almost always wins out. For me, that’s what it means to be an author. I have to be true to my vision, even at the expense of popularity. I might never have a huge following. Meanwhile, my dedicated fans know that when they pick up one of my books, they might be surprised, even a bit shocked—but they’ll find plenty of love and erotic heat.

What about you? Are you willing to read a romance that breaks the rules? Leave me a comment on this post (don’t forget to include your email address!), telling me your opinion, and I’ll enter you into a drawing for a print copy of my best-selling BDSM erotic romance The Gazillionaire and the Virgin (which breaks some rules, or at least overthrows some tropes, but does feature an exclusive relationship).

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this sample from Damned If You Do.

[bctt tweet=”Leave your comment and #win  BDSM erotic romance The Gazillionaire and the Virgin by @lisabetsarai ” via=”no”]

DAMNED IF YOU DO Blurb

Sometimes romance can be hell

Wendy Dennison is tired of being a starving author. The royalties from her critically acclaimed romance novels barely pay her bills. Her devoted agent Daniel Rochester may be smart and sexy, but he can’t get her the sales she needs. Then a charismatic stranger appears at her coffee shop table, promising her fame and commercial success, as well as the chance to live out her dreams of erotic submission. But at what cost?

Nothing you can’t afford to lose, my dear.

Seduced by the enigmatic Mister B, she signs his infernal contract. He becomes both her Master and her coach, managing her suddenly flourishing career as well as encouraging her lusts. Under her mentor’s nefarious influence, she surrenders to temptation and has sex with Daniel. The casual encounter turns serious when she discovers her mild mannered agent has a dominant side. As the clock ticks down to her blockbuster release and Mister B prepares to claim her soul, Wendy must choose either celebrity and wealth, or obscurity and true love.

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT (PG)

Noticing her attention, Daniel reached across the table to capture her hand.

“I’m so very proud of you, Wendy. I always knew you’d be a best seller.”

She gave a self-deprecating laugh, but she didn’t pull away. Pleasant warmth flowed from his skin, along her limbs and down to her center. “Let’s not count our chickens. We haven’t even signed the contract yet. And when we do, there’s no guarantee the new series will be a hit.”

“It will. I know it will. Radical Restraint’s the best thing you’ve ever written, and I have the feeling that your next book will be even better.”

“It is going well,” she admitted. Fuelled by plenty of kinky sex with a master who’s part tyrant, part coach, and part personal assistant. “I shouldn’t have any trouble finishing it by August.”

“I can’t wait to read it,” he said. “I’m excited just thinking about it.”

“Doesn’t it—um—embarrass you to read my stuff?” She tried to extricate herself from his grip but he just held her more tightly. “Given how explicit it is? I mean, I know most of your other clients write mysteries or suspense…”

“Your books turn me on, Gwen.” He trailed his thumb along her wrist while staring into her eyes. “That’s how I know they’re good.”

Electric pleasure shivered through her. Her breasts felt suddenly heavy. Her pussy clenched.fo“Dan…”

“I read your luscious, filthy prose, and imagine myself in the scenes you create. I picture myself as your hero, dominant, in charge, taking what I want from the heroine—what she wants so badly to give me.” He raked his gaze over her. Her cheeks burned as a flush of heat swept over her. “And in every book, in every scene, it’s you I see kneeling before me.”

Wendy gave a strangled cry, half lust and half despair, as she finally managed to break free of his clasping hands. “You’re drunk, Dan,” she said, trying to keep her voice even and rational. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”

“You’re right. I am drunk. You are, too. If I weren’t I wouldn’t dare tell you all this. And you wouldn’t stay to listen. But I mean every word, I swear I do.”

Buy Links for Damned if You Do

• Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0727RZ39B/
• Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0727RZ39B/
• Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/damned-if-you-do-lisabet-sarai/1126292735?ean=2940157395711
• Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/th/en/ebook/damned-if-you-do-10
• Excessica: https://goo.gl/dZN3dr
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35009284-damned-if-you-do

 

MEET LISABET SARAI

I’ve been addicted to words almost since I was born. I began reading when I was four. I wrote my first story at five years old and my first poem at seven. Since then, I’ve written plays, tutorials, scholarly articles, marketing brochures, software specifications, self-help books, press releases, a five-hundred page dissertation, and lots of erotica and erotic romance – more than fifty single author titles including nine full length novels – in almost every sub-genre including BDSM, gay, lesbian, paranormal and scifi. I’ve also edited a number of acclaimed erotica anthologies, including volumes for the charity erotica imprint Coming Together which support causes such as Amnesty International, Planned Parenthood, and Doctors Without Borders.

I have more degrees than anyone would ever need, from prestigious educational institutions who would no doubt be deeply embarrassed by my chosen genre. Aside from writing, travel is one of my most fervent passions. I’ve visited every continent except Australia, though I still have a long bucket list of places I haven’t been. Currently I live in Southeast Asia with my indulgent husband and two exceptional felines, where I pursue an alternative career that is completely unrelated to my creative writing.

For more information about me and my writing, visit my website (http://www.lisabetsarai.com) or my blog Beyond Romance (http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com). Join my VIP mailing list here: https://signup.ymlp.com/xgjjhmhugmgh. Follow me on Twitter as @LisabetSarai. I also hang out at Goodreads, (http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83387.Lisabet_Sarai) because I adore the idea of a social network focusing on the love of reading. I’m not on Facebook, because I don’t trust it.