scandal on the pages

 Here’s something you may not know: my book Make Me Blush is scandalous! Its the book series people told me not to write. Its a series people told me no one would want to read.

But, here's the thing, the collection of linked stories is one of my top 5 books and has been for years. Nearing 100K reads on Radish and its been in the top five of several different top read lists on Wattpad for for about 9 years. It sells well on Amazon, and I still get letters of appreciation from readers even though the book has been out for a while.

Do I think the book is scandalous? No, of course not. Its a work of fiction. I write fiction. I try to write unique stories that I think readers will enjoy. 

How did the series come to be? My editor wanted a new series concept from me. At the time, the market was flooded with BDSM books. So, BDSM as a hook was out for me. Why do what everyone is already doing? BDSM is boundary pushing, so apparently readers were into boundary pushing reads. So I needed something to fit that niche. I did research on boundary pushing lifestyles. I read personal and community blog posts and scholarly (peer-reviewed) journal articles. After some time, I arrived at a concept. I did some more research to be sure I had the elements correct and then off I went to the keyboard. You can read my post publication thoughts here.

So, why do readers like this "unlikeable" book? My guess is that people like to read about lives they'll never live and lives they don't want to live but are curious about. After all, isn't experiencing something new and different from the safety of our favorite chair what fiction is all about?

Curious? Want to read this scandalous read? Get an ebook or paperback on Amazon.

Need a taste? Here's an excerpt:

“I’m sure we can help you, Edward. I just want to you be certain you understand the risks.”

Edward Dean, who’d been sitting casually with his legs splayed and his arms behind his head, straightened, pulling himself in and moving his gaze across the chrome and glass of the Santa Monica bar. A nervous sheen of sweat coated his neck and back, and he reached up to shove his hair off his forehead.

Winona, the woman seated in front of him, was completely calm and in control. Her cool-blonde hair was wrapped into a complicated hairstyle that Edward had seen before but never understood. Her gray silk suit was tailored; her delicate shoes the only thing that hinted at her sexuality. But given that they had just spent the last two hours talking about nothing but sex, he was certain she knew her way around a bedroom. And many other places as well. 

She took a sip of her white wine then set the glass down gently on the crisp tablecloth before speaking again. “Do you need more time to think things over?”

“No. That’s the problem.” Edward picked up his half-empty bourbon and spun it, watching the golden liquid swirl. “All I do is think about it. Over and over. Nothing changes. And then I think some more.” He took a sip, felt the liquid burn down his throat. “I tried. I can’t change anything. I can’t do anything.”

“You are doing something. You came to me. All I’m going to do is put things in motion. The rest, what happens afterward—” She lifted her palms. “Will be up to you.”

He nodded, but remained silent, looking beyond to watch the cars on Santa Monica Boulevard roll past. March in southern California, gorgeous as always.

“The risks, though. Those are something to consider. Once my man begins nothing can be undone.”

“But she’ll be given a safety word—violet. And she—”

“It’s isn’t the risks to your wife Kelly that I’m talking about now.” Winona leaned forward, her brown eyes clear and focused. “It’s the risk to you.”

 

Get an ebook or paperback on Amazon.