**MAKE UP POST ~ ENTRY 3**
**Awakening by Cassandra Carr**
ZOMG! I have missed
you all so much! I cannot even begin to describe how much I have missed all of
this … the blog, reading, reviewing … EVERYTHING!!! I though the best way to
mark my come back would be to make good on several posts that I missed when everything
seemed to go downhill. I had every intention of getting these posts up, but
life interfered big time and I feel like I should honor my word, even if it is
rather late in the delivery. Sometimes posting information from several months
back can be a bit tricky because sometimes the information changes. Covers may
change, and book may have been re-released, a new publisher may come into play
… basically a lot can happen in a matter of months. I believe that I have
correct information in all of these posts, but if I missed anything, feel free
to shoot me a note and I will be more than happy to update. With that said,
these books and authors have waited far too long for their spotlights on the
blog, so let’s get started. Without further delay, please allow me to introduce
to the blog, ONCE AGAIN:
**CASSANDRA CARR**
**BIO**
Cassandra Carr is a multi-award winning romance writer.
When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out online. Cassandra's
books have won numerous "Best Book Of" awards and her novella
Unexpected Top was nominated in the E-book Erotic Romance category of RT's
Reviewers' Choice Awards.
She thinks the best part of being a writer is how she writes about love and sex while most others struggle with daily commutes, micro-managing bosses and cranky co-workers. Her inspiration comes from everywhere, but she'd particularly like to thank the Buffalo Sabres, the hockey team near and dear to her heart.
To
find out more about Ms. Carr, please visit:
**AWAKENING**
By
reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age.
If you
are under the age of 18, please exit this site.
You are all in for a
heck of a treat because I have a fun interview. At the time of this interview,
Awakening was a new release. As far as I can tell, everything seems the same.
However, if you notice anything that needs to be updated, please let me know.
Following the interview is all of the information about the book. So be sure to
check it out. Enjoy!
**INTERVIEW**
Thank you for joining
us today, Ms. Carr. Let me start by asking, how has your life changed since
becoming published?
It’s
gotten SO MUCH BUSIER. There are a ton of things to do besides writing the
actual book. You need to keep up websites/blogs/social media. Promotion has to
be done for every book.
I was just talking
about that with another author. Part of her advice was concerning how much
happens behind the scene that ends up being the author’s responsibility. A lot
of people don’t understand just how much goes into the process of a book. It is
so very much more than writing a book. What is your typical day like?
I don’t
have a typical day since my DD has to be picked up Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday, but on Tuesday and Thursday, I get her off to school, check out email,
FB etc and then start writing or doing promotions. I don’t listen to music or
watch TV while I write. I find it’s a distraction. I’m usually working from
about 8:30am to 6:30pm on those days.
Sounds like the life
of a busy mom and author. J Tell us a little
about your current release Awakening.
Awakening
is about a girl named Vanessa who’s doing research into BDSM and along the way,
discovers she really likes it. Then the man who’s been mentoring her, Will, is
injured, and the tables get turned.
Innnnnnnnnteresting!
Any upcoming projects you would like to tell us about?
*takes deep breath*
On May 1st a bundle of sports
romance books called Heart of a Champion releases.
On May 6th a trilogy of dark
erotic (the Payment series) will come out.
On June 1st another bundle –
the Occupational Hazards boxed set, will come out,
as well as Scorin’ on the Fourth of July,
which is part of a series of shorts called Red Hot & BOOM.
On August 1st my Decadent
novella, Burning Love, will release as part of their Calendar Men series.
On the 15th a male/male
bundle, tentatively titled Boys Will Do Boys, is due out.
There’s another MM bundle too, not sure
of the release date.
There are other things too, but I think
that’s enough to give you all a starting point. ;-)
(These should all be
released now. I included links that I could locate for each. Some I could not
find.) You are crazy busy! How do you keep in contact with your readers?
Mostly
through Facebook, though I do get some interaction through Twitter and various
blogs.
What is your
favorite thing about this book?
I love
turning tropes on their heads. This could’ve been a trite book about a woman
discovering her sexuality, but it’s more like a woman realizing she can be
strong when she needs to be.
Nice! Any special
quirks or habits when writing?
I know
a lot of authors who have to do certain things when they write. I’m more of a
“sit butt in chair, put words on paper” kind of girl.
I wouldn’t say that
is a bad thing. Sounds like a determined to get it done thing. How do you
celebrate when you finish a novel?
*snort*
I wish I celebrated. Usually I have to move on to the next one immediately, so
there’s really no celebration. Though I did finish the first draft of my
upcoming dark erotica. Can I have a cupcake?
Cupcakes are
definitely allowable. What about the hero and the heroine made you want to put
them together?
I like
doing the familiar in an unfamiliar way. The chance to turn a Dom into someone
who couldn’t be strong was compelling.
I don’t think I have
ever read a switch like that. It definitely sounds intriguing. What is one
thing you know now that you wish you had known when you first started writing?
Write,
write, write. Because after you publish, you won’t have enough time to write as
often as you’d like to.
Good advice and one
I hear echoed a lot. Salty or Sweet?
Both,
or either, depending on my mood. Right now I’m eating kettle chips, so
apparently I’m in a salty mood. Oh wait, I just remembered I have ice cream. Be
right back…
Ha! I agree. I mean
whoever came up with salted caramel is a genius! Alcoholic or Non-alcoholic?
I do
enjoy the taste of alcohol. Things like interesting cocktails are fun to try.
But obviously you can’t drink alcohol all the time. I also like large
quantities of orange juice, diet raspberry Snapple and regular Pepsi.
You could drink all
of the time. I wouldn’t recommend it, but you could. The diet drinks have a funny
taste to me. Not sure how you drink that one. The others I am down with. What
is your favorite drink?
Alcohol:
Cosmopolitan; non-alcohol: Pepsi
Cosmo – huh. Seems like
that gets mentioned a lot. Haven’t tried one. Maybe I should. Do you have a
favorite inspirational quote?
The
only thing that matters is how you see yourself.
That might be my favorite
one shared so far. M&M’s or Skittles?
Why choose? Both are delicious. I wonder if I have any of those
around here…
My kids like to
squish skittles up together and mix the flavors before they eat them. It looks
horrifying. But yes. Why choose? Good point. I might just delete that question
now. *gins* E-reader or Paperback?
At this point, ebook. So much more convenient. I like being able
to carry 200+ books so I can read what I want, when I want.
I still like the
feel of the book. The convenience of an E-reader is unarguable. But I also know
how easy it is to make the TBR pile bigger because of it. *cries*. I need more
time to read. Favorite meal?
Pizza.
I could eat it, all kinds of it, morning, noon and night. YUM
I just had some
yesterday. I wonder if I have any left … dang it! Now I am hungry! That was
totes fun! How about getting to know more about this awesome series? I thought
so. Here you go my lovelies!
**AWAKENING**
**BLURB**
Vanessa Clark is doing a research paper for one of her
last classes – Psychology of Sex – before receiving her Bachelors’ degree. Once
she discovers the topic of BDSM, everything else pales in comparison. But where
will she learn about it? The Internet has its limits, and Vanessa needs to talk
to real-life practitioners of BDSM to really understand the lifestyle and write
about it.
Will Astin, who serves as a dungeon master at a local
BDSM club, doesn’t expect to find a gorgeous, irresistible young woman when he
agrees to a meet and greet with a college student as a favor to the club’s
owner. Even better, she’s interested in learning about BDSM for what he
suspects are more than scholarly reasons, and Will decides he’s just the man to
teach her about it, hopefully claiming her for his own.
Will and Vanessa begin a journey which teaches both of
them there’s more to BDSM than meets the eye. In the process, they grow closer,
but when Will’s job puts him in the line of fire – literally – their roles are
reversed and Vanessa has to take charge. Can they handle the rapid shift in
their burgeoning dynamic, or is their relationship doomed?
Buy Links
- Amazon
- Amazon - Print
- Barnes & Noble
- Barnes & Noble - Print
- Kobo
- Smashworks
- All Romance E-books
- iTunes
**EXCERPT**
Moving back just a half-step, as if he was afraid to
lose physical contact with her, Will made short work of the fleece she wore and
then swept her t-shirt over her head, tossing both on the old, ratty couch
behind her and baring her to his hungry gaze. “Fucking beautiful. I want to see
it all. Take off the rest of your clothes. Please, baby.”
Vanessa hesitated, knowing if she gave in now she’d
lose a little piece of herself. At the same time, the possibility of what she
might gain could very well outweigh anything that was gone. With a deep breath,
she made a decision and pushed both her panties and yoga pants to the floor.
Will groaned as she stepped out of them and then reached back to unclasp her
bra. He sank to his knees in front of her, but she knew he was in no way being
submissive. No, this Will was in charge, both of himself and of her. A little
thrill stole through her.
“Put your foot up on the couch so I can see your
pussy.”
No one had ever spoken to her in such a primitive,
carnal manner, but damn if she didn’t like it. Vanessa did as he bade and he
immediately slid two fingers through her slick folds before pushing them inside
her. Consumed by sensation, she shuddered. When he began to fuck her with his
fingers before leaning forward to take a long lick, she held his head, begging
him not to stop.
He chuckled against her. “I’m not stopping until you
fall apart all around me, until your bones liquefy.”
“Oh God.”
Will steered her closer to the couch, where she
collapsed before he pulled her legs over his shoulders and continued plying her
with his fingers and mouth from his position on the floor. “That’s it.” Taking
her engorged clit inside his warm, wet mouth, Will sucked as he continued to
pump two fingers in and out of her, rubbing over something delightful inside of
her over and over. A few moments of exquisite torment later she exploded, her
back arching as a cry was wrenched from the depths of her. Vanessa panted as
her walls continued to constrict around his marauding fingers. It was the first
real, full-fledged orgasm she’d ever had and now she knew what all those people
raved about. Orgasms were fucking awesome.
“Yeah, baby, that’s it. I love the way you come for
me.”
She looked down at him as he placed little butterfly
kisses on her inner thighs. Once she’d recovered her breath, she asked, “How do
you do that?”
He glanced up. “Do what?”
“Just…” she gestured in his general direction, “know
what to do? How to get me off?”
Grinning, Will told her, “I pay attention.”
She felt her face grow hot at the thought of exactly
what his attentions had done to her. “But to what?”
“To what you don’t react to. To the things that make
you arch your back, or pull in a breath. It’s not that hard, really.”
Vanessa had a tough time not snorting. “Then why aren’t
more guys able to do it?”
“Because they focus on their own pleasure. Was I
focusing on my own pleasure?”
“No. Not at all. You’re still fully dressed, too. But
you’re right. Especially the guys my age just care about themselves. That’s,
um, actually the first time I’ve ever had what I’d call a really good orgasm.”
She pulled an afghan off the back of the couch and
dropped it over her naked frame, suddenly feeling very exposed.
Will seemed to sense her discomfort and didn’t ask her any
questions about what she’d just revealed. “Cold?”
“A little,” she lied.
“I’ll warm you up.” He rose and scooped her off the
couch. Vanessa shrieked, surprised he could even move that fast. “Where’s the
bedroom?”
“Not hard to find in this shoebox apartment. Down the
hall.”
Will strode in that direction and she just held on, her
arms stretched around his neck.
“Ah, this must be it, since the other one was filled
with art supplies.” He walked into her bedroom and dropped her on the bed
before following her down and covering her with his larger body. “Hi.”
Vanessa giggled. “Hi.”
“You have no idea how much I want you.”
“I think I might have some idea,” she countered,
glancing pointedly at where their pelvises came together.
He laughed. “A fair point.”
His bulk pressed Vanessa into the mattress, and she
realized she didn’t feel claustrophobic or antsy like she had with the few
other lovers she’d had. Instead, she embraced it. She reveled in it. Will
wasn’t huge, but no doubt stronger, and yet he handled her with the utmost
care. Of course, that explosive orgasm might have something to do with her lack
of interest in moving. She couldn’t believe that while no other man she’d slept
with had been able to bring her to orgasm, Will hardly had to try and she was
going wild. Vanessa had never been a masturbator. The few times she’d tried
with her own hands it had reminded her of trying to tickle herself.
Just…nothing.
Will tapped her temple with his index finger. “Hey,
where did you go just now?”
“Nowhere. Just thinking.”
“What did I tell you about that?”
“I know, I know. It’s just hard to turn off. My brain
is always whirling with stuff.”
“Hmm,” he mused. “Either I’m doing something wrong or
you need to be distracted in some way so you can focus on the here and now. I have
a couple of ideas. Are you game?”
“That depends. What ideas?”
“I was thinking maybe we could explore a little. Maybe
a blindfold and having your hands tied? I know you’re a little wary of bondage,
but I can tie you so you could free yourself at any time if you wanted to. It
might be a good way to ease you into it, show you it doesn’t have to be scary.
Would you try it?”
Vanessa swallowed around the combination of excitement
and anxiety building inside her. “Yeah, I can try,” she whispered. He leaned
down and gave her a quick peck on the cheek before leaning back to kneel
between her still-spread legs. Squirming, she asked him, “Could you undress
before you blindfold me? I feel a little weird lying here naked while you’re
still fully clothed.”
“Well, right now you’re submitting to me–in a very
loose manner, but you are, particularly if I blindfold you and bind your hands.
It’s not uncommon for the Dom to be dressed while the sub is naked. It shows
you have trust in me that I’m not going to injure you, humiliate you, or
whatever else your fear might be.”
“Okay. How about this? I want you to undress so I can
see that gorgeous body you’ve been hiding under all those clothes. Are you
going to deny me the pleasure?” She raised one eyebrow and waited for his
reaction.
“You drive a hard bargain, lady. But after this I’m
going to blindfold and bind you and then have some fun.” He grinned and
Vanessa’s breath caught. Will was totally hot.
He stood and then reached for the buttons on the front
of his shirt. As his chest was revealed just an inch or two at a time, Vanessa
squirmed again, but for an entirely different reason. She’d never been a fan of
muscle-bound guys, but the lean frame Will possessed was perfect.
He had just the right amount of what looked like soft,
curly chest hair, and that hair narrowed to the so-called “treasure trail”.
After he pulled the shirt over his head and then started on his pants, Vanessa
agreed with that description. It truly was a treasure trail. Yum. Strong legs
showed sinewy muscles that suggested he exercised regularly, and his cock,
already at full staff, curled up toward his navel.
“Very nice.”
Will barked out a laugh. “I’m glad you approve.”
Copyright 2014, Cassandra Carr
Wow! So what do you think? That was a crazy hot way to
start the day, yes? Good lawd. This book is definitely interesting and sounds
like something I would read. But I really want to know what you guys thought.
Is this series something you would read? What did you like best about the
featured books? Have you read Ms. Carr’s before? I welcome all comments. Your
feedback is always welcome. And what
about that interview? How fun was that? I love being able to glimpse into the
life of an author beyond the books. I hope you all enjoyed your time here
today.
As always, buy links are included in the post. If you are
so inclined, purchase the books for yourself. There is no better way to support
an author. I would like to thank each and every one of you for joining us
today. I would also like to thank the wonderful Sizzling PR, the company that originally
scheduled this interview. I hope you all
had a blast getting to know a bit about Ms. Carr and her book, Awakening.
Wishing you all a fabulous day. Until next time …
HAPPY READING!!!
Thanks for having me on today! :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! It was my pleasure!
Delete