As an author, one of the single greatest joys in life is seeing your latest book on the shelves of your favorite local bookstore. Even better, when it is a Staff Pick at Powell’s Books. To have your story out and in the world is a remarkable thing.

However, there are new stories to be told. As I am savoring the sight of Sweet and Dirty on the shelves, I am also hard at work crafting the next story. I have a deadline rapidly approaching, and this next story is taking nearly every moment of my time.

And yet, there are also reviews still coming in about my latest book. There have been books to sign, and other matters needing attention. Finding a balance is critical; for the latest work, for the new work, for critique obligations, for everyday chores, for fun, and for filling the creative well.

Soon this deadline too will pass, and I’ll have more time to fill that well. I have my own favorite ways, and every writer is different. I do have to say that as hard as I’ve been working lately, I may need a fairly significant fill-up.

I may even plan a trip to a romantic coastal cabin. The kind with wood beam ceilings and a fireplace and a jacuzzi bathtub. I’d like to watch a spring storm come rolling in and simply indulge the senses.

Christina

My debut paperback, BDSM romance Sweet and Dirty, is now on store shelves! This is a first, and it’s tremendously exciting. I’ve gone in to visit the local Barnes & Noble and Powell’s Books, signed some stock, took some pictures, and basically beamed.

It’s a delightful first. But got to admit. I’m not entirely innocent.

In the past I’ve enjoyed the experience of seeing published an anthology of which my short story’s one small part (Kensington’s Hot Blood #13, a paperback containing anti-vampire romantic horror “Care and Feeding”). I’ve also enjoyed the experience of seeing my hardcover contemporary romance, Thrill of the Chase, carried at libraries. Books in Motion has picked up Thrill to create an audio book out of it. That feels awesome.

But this is different. Better. This is the first paperback that’s all me (two long novellas!) and in stores. Libraries are great, but, stores! It’s a first, and a gratifying one.

Sweet and Dirty is all about firsts. In each of its two stories, an innocent woman enters the wicked world of BDSM and is never the same again. Each woman experiences many first times. First caning. First D/s scene. First aftercare. First extreme play. First romantic betrayal. First happily ever after.

Here’s an excerpt from Sweet and Dirty.

Tell me about a first time of yours. Anything that brings a smile to your face when you remember it. I’ll give away a copy of Sweet and Dirty to one winner out of those of you who leave a comment.

Christina

It’s a busy month. There’s so much to do in the time sandwiched between major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years. With all the holiday season demands, time is short. For me, a losing round with the flu, a big writing deadline fast approaching, not to mention my first Kensington Aphrodisia title Sweet and Dirty being released the first of January (yay!), makes me about as busy as I’ve ever been.

For these six weeks, reading a full novel is a challenging time commitment — next year will be less impossibly packed, since this is ridiculous. I miss novels. Story is like air to me, an addiction I don’t ever want to break. So I compromise. I read shorter. Many good short stories are available to read, such the ones at Aphrodisia author Susan Lyons’ website. (I found her free story “Finders Keepers” very romantic.) Another Aphro author, Lacy Danes, has an excellent scorching story, “The Invitation,” in an anthology called Naughty Bits.

I occasionally write short too. Here you can kill a short amount of time with my free Choose Your Own Romantic Adventures, and short-short story “Play Money.”

Do you ever read shorties? What are some of your favorite short stories?

To celebrate the impending release of my first Kensington Aphrodisia title, I’m giving away a copy of Sweet and Dirty to one winner out of those of you who leave a comment. Sweet and Dirty has just received 4 stars from RT Magazine Book Reviews. I’m seriously happy about this review, so let me copy it in full here: “Crooks’ two stories explore the world of BDSM, and the author has clearly done her research. The characters reveal the psychological as well as the physical components of D/s sex, which makes the stories that much more real. Fans who like a BDSM twist to their happily ever after should be completely satisfied. Extra kudos to the author for one character’s refusal to buy into the ‘dominance’ theory of dog training.”

Christina

People are into some interesting stuff. Fetishes from flesh hooks to flashing to French maids to feathers to figging… and that’s just under “F.” Assuming it’s Safe, Sane, and Consensual, that’s great by me! To each their own.

So, I’m curious. What’s hot, what’s boring or gross or humorous, what’s frightening to you in a kinky erotic romance story? Is electroplay intriguing or scary, or does it completely depend on the circumstance? Is vanilla (a.k.a. non-kinky) lovemaking acceptable in a BDSM story, or does the eye skim past it to the more twisted stuff? Does domination, or a flogging, or a skillful spanking or rope bondage work for you, or not, or is it all about context? Is consensual nonconsent play a total dealbreaker, or a secret fantasy? I have a few of these things in Sweet and Dirty — yep, including vanilla.

Here’s a new excerpt from Sweet and Dirty.

I’d love to hear what you think about kink. What kinky scenes have you read that worked for you, or didn’t work for you?

I’m giving away a copy of my January release, Sweet and Dirty, to one winner out of those of you who leave a comment. Sweet and Dirty contains two long novellas, or “two books in one!” as Terri from Night Owl Romance puts it. But fair warning, these stories “both explore the edgier side of BDSM, going further than just a little bondage.”

For a SECOND chance to win, feel free to visit the Goodreads giveaway of Sweet and Dirty. The giveaway opens today and goes on all month. Goodreads will pick a winner of Sweet and Dirty on December 10th.

Christina

A little about Sweet and Dirty, which contains two contemporary BDSM stories:

Embrace your most illicit desires…

“Baring It All”

From her relationships and her home life to her job as a dog trainer, Michelle Gray is too often the obedient one. So when she crosses paths with Ro Kaliph, the owner of an S&M nightclub, she decides to take a few lessons in being more dominant — but discovers instead that surrendering to Ro’s every command brings her the most intense, satisfying pleasure.

“Forbidden Heat”

Workaholic Nora Sabine has finally made time for a vacation with her fiance. And she’s pleasantly surprised to learn the B&B where they’ll be staying is actually a Bondage & Breakfast. Indulging in every blissful sexual punishment, Nora can’t seem to get enough. But when she meets the inn’s owner, Sylvester, he takes her over the edge as he introduces her to a fantasy world where ecstasy has no boundaries…

To read an excerpt, enjoy some free short fiction, see current giveaways, or to check out Coffee Time Romance’s full pre-publication review of Sweet and Dirty, please drop by my website.