Brynne Bennett is living the good life. An American art
student at the University of London and part-time photographic model, she’s
putting her life back on track with school and lots of hard work. When ultra
successful London businessman, Ethan Blackstone, buys her nude portrait, he
isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. He wants Brynne in his bed and makes plans to
keep her there no matter what. His dominant nature captivates and ensnares
despite the demons she carries inside her. But there are secrets in this
relationship. Huge ones. Can Ethan free Brynne from the past that has marked
her? Will Brynne let him or will the specters tormenting her resurface to
destroy them both…
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The Interview:
1. When did you first decide to write erotica?
I started writing 3 years ago. I was home on a medical leave with lots of
free time and my husband and kids gone during the days. Once I started writing it became an obsession
and I could not stop. My first book
still remains unpublished but some day I hope to get it out there.
2. What was your inspiration for Naked?
I was looking on Shutterstock for an image
for a cover (for another book I was working on) and stumbled upon the image
that's on the cover for Naked. I thought
it was beautiful. I just got an idea of
what it would be like for the model to meet the man who bought her
picture. ...And Naked was born. I just started writing and got the first
chapter done in a couple hours. Then it
was onward and forward with the story.
It sort of took on a life of its own.
3. What are some of your favorite erotica authors?
Megan Hart is probably one of the first I
read. I love her and love her
books. JR Ward and Elizabeth Hoyt are
other favorites of mine. I admire their
storytelling skills and love every book they write. I know they are not considered erotica but
their books have very sexy, erotic scenes that touch the heart.
4. In the book, your main character is an art student and
nude model.
Have you ever ventured into the arts or modeling?
I studied Art History in college, so yes I
love the arts. I have the
painting/portrait theme running in most of my books. Paintings always look like there is such an
interesting story behind them. I want to
know, so writing a fictional account is the second best thing.
5. Martini or margarita?
That's easy. California girl, so
MARGARITA. Preferably with fruit, no
salt.
6. Chef salad or cheeseburger?
I love both but would probably go with the
salad (then I can have ice-cream)
7. What was the hardest scene you ever had to write?
Why?
The hardest scene, by far, is one
in my very first book. The hero has to
tell his grieving wife about the death of their premature twins, of how they
were born alive and then just went to sleep as he held them. She was not conscious during the birth and
begs to be told. He doesn't want to tell
her because he knows how much it will hurt her, but she needs to know so she
can move forward. I cried gallons while
writing that scene (The book ends happy
though).
8. The elements of D/s relationships are so electric! Tell
us more about Ethan and Brynne.
D/s is another thread I have woven in most of my writing. I write Dominant males. Period.
Ethan and Brynne just click for many reasons and the D/s element is a
BIG part of why they do. Brynne has
suffered some trauma that involved a sexual assault where she was tricked and
unaware of what went on until a video surfaced and just destroyed her. Ethan is very blunt and direct. He tells her from the beginning that he wants
to be with her and tells Brynne exactly what he wants sexually. She likes that a lot. The direct truth is very comforting to
Brynne. She knows what will happen and
can decide if she wants to do it or not.
She likes that Ethan is in charge because she has little confidence in
this aspect of her life. The sex with
him is explosive and by giving herself over to his care she can finally enjoy
something that had been traumatic for her in the past. Ethan is obsessed with Brynne. He cannot help his attraction, it just
is.
9. Do you have a playlist for the book?
I do not.
That's something I should set up though.
I listen to anything and everything when I write. From classic stuff like Jimi Hendrix to
Imogene Heep.
10. What are you working on now?
I am writing Part 2 of The Blackstone
Affair. It is entirely from Ethan's
point of view. The title is All In. I've also outlined a spin-off series to
follow this one. Brynne's roommate,
Gabrielle, will be the heroine in it.
Here are my links:
Twitter
https://twitter.com/Raine_Miller
Amazon Author Central http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005RHN54E
Excerpt:
“It’s a very bad idea, Brynne. Don’t risk it. Let me give
you a ride.”
I froze on the street. I knew who spoke to me without ever
hearing his voice before. I turned slowly to face the same eyes that had burned
me back at the gallery. “I don’t know you at all,” I told him.
He smiled, his lip turning up more on one side than the
other of his goateed mouth. He pointed to his car at the curb, a sleek black
Range Rover HSE. The kind that only Brits with money can ever afford. Not that
he didn’t reek of money before, but he was way out of my league.
I swallowed hard in my throat. Those eyes of his were blue,
very clear and deep. “Yet you call me by name and—and expect me to get in a car
with you? Are you crazy?”
He walked toward me and extended his hand. “Ethan
Blackstone.”
I stared at his hand, so finely elegant with the white cuff
framing the grey sleeve of his designer jacket. “How do you even know my name?”
“I just bought a work entitled Brynne’s Repose from the
Andersen Gallery for a nice sum not fifteen minutes ago. And I’m fairly sure
I’m not mentally impaired. Sounds more PC than crazy don’t you think?” He kept
his hand out.
I met his hand and he took mine. Oh did he ever. Or maybe
I’d lost my mind shaking hands with the stranger who’d just purchased a huge
canvas of my naked body. Ethan possessed a firm grip. And hot too. Had I
imagined he pulled me a little closer toward him? Or maybe I was the crazy one,
because my feet hadn’t moved an inch. Those blue eyes were nearer to me than
they were a moment ago though, and I could smell his cologne. Something so gawd
awfully delicious it was sinful to smell that good and be human.
“Brynne Bennett,” I said.
He let go of my hand. “And now we know each other,” he said,
pointing first at me and then to himself, “Brynne, Ethan.” He motioned with his
head toward his Rover. “Now will you let me take you home?”
I swallowed again. “Why do you care so much?”
“Because I don’t want anything to happen to you? Because
those heels look lovely at the end of your legs but will be hell to walk in?
Because it’s dangerous for a woman alone at night in the city?” His eyes
flicked over me. “Especially one as beautiful as you.” That mouth of his turned
up just slightly on the one side again. “So many reasons, Miss Bennett.”
“What if you’re not safe?” He raised an eyebrow at me. “I
still don’t know you or anything about you, or if Ethan Blackstone is your real
name.” Did he just give me a look?
“You have a point in that. And it’s one I can rectify
easily.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a drivers license
with the name, Ethan James Blackstone clearly printed. He handed me a business
card with the same name and Blackstone Security International, Ltd. engraved on
the cream cardstock. “You may keep that.” He grinned again. “I’m very busy at
my job, Miss Bennett. I have absolutely no time for a hobby as a serial killer,
I promise you.”
I laughed. “Good one, Mr. Blackstone.” I put his card in my
purse. “All right. You can give me a ride.” His brow shot up again, and I got
the sideways grin again too.
I winced inwardly at the double entendre for ‘ride’ and
tried to focus on how uncomfortable my shoes really would be for walking to the
Tube station and that it was a good idea to let him drive me.
He pressed his hand to the bottom of my back and led me to
the curb. “In you go.” Ethan got me settled and then walked around to the
street side and slid behind the wheel, smooth as a panther. He looked at me and
tilted his head. “And where does Miss Bennett live?”
“Nelson Square in Southwark.”
He frowned but then turned his face away and pulled out into
traffic. “You are American.”
What, he didn’t like Americans? “I am here on scholarship at
the University of London. Graduate program,” I tacked on, wondering why I felt
the need to tell him anything at all about myself.
“And the modeling?”
The second he asked the question the sexual tension
thickened. I paused before answering. I knew exactly what he was
doing—imagining me in my picture. Naked. And as weird as it felt, I opened my
mouth and told him. “Um, I—I posed for my friend, the photographer, Benny
Clarkson. He asked and it helps pay the bills, you know?”
“Not really, but I love the portrait of you, Miss Bennett.”
He kept his eyes on the road.
I felt myself stiffen at his comment. Who in the hell was he
to judge what I do to support myself?
“Well, my own personal international corporation never came
through like yours did,
Mr. Blackstone. I resorted to modeling. I like sleeping in a
bed as opposed to a park bench. And heat. The winters here suck!” Even I could
hear the snark in my voice.
“In my experience I’ve found many things here that suck.” He
turned and gave me an expert blue-eyed stare.
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