Assumed Calling: The Name Before The Masses Tour

Assumed Calling

by Lila Munro

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BLURB:

Like the beat of a primal drum whispering the rhythm of an ancient dance, the lifestyle calls…

At the seasoned age of fifty-six, Allen Bourke has resigned himself to the fact he’ll probably never find someone to top he can also love. While he’s had wives and lovers, none of them endured and he’s come to the conclusion the clock’s ticking and age is working against him. Then a very intriguing Nicki Cartwright pings on his radar at what Allen determines will be his last house party. He can’t help but notice while he and his friends are getting older, the players emerging on the scene are forever getting younger. Nicki's no exception. Determined to resist the vibes humming between them, he only agrees to service her after his old friend, Kyle Montgomery, convinces him it's entirely feasible. Then it’s brought to Allen’s attention who Nicki really is. Knowing their pasts are forever intertwined, as hard as he tries to ignore his heart, he finds himself yielding to the tides of fate.

Born to senatorial royalty, Nicki Cartwright has spent her entire life trying to shield her mother from her father’s wrath while drifting further and further into a world where panic is normal and anxiety is always on the edge of her reality. Tired of burning the candle at both ends and forever trying to live up to the picture of All-American perfection her father James Cartwright touts as his ace in the hole during election cycles, Nicki finds herself on the path of self-discovery in search of relief from the stressors continually swamping her mind. What she doesn’t expect is to find who she thought she was is truly just a shadow of the person she really is. And what scares her most is the fact Allen, the only person she thought she could trust, has been holding a secret since before she was born which could destroy her entire family.

When the urge to kiss Nicki had become unbearable, Allen had showed her where she could take a shower, provided her a pair of his old lounge pants and a t-shirt he knew would be three sizes too big, and slipped downstairs to get her a cup of hot chocolate. She seemed like the type of woman who would drink black coffee so stiff you could stand a spoon in it in public, sip tea while with other proper ladies, and needed a good cup of chocolate when in distress and in  complete privacy, perhaps with a healthy dose of something stronger than toilet cleaner splashed in it.

As he steamed some whole cream on the stove, he mentally ran through his list of reliable young Doms who were either looking for an available sub or were willing to train and service one until she could find a good match. One thing he knew for certain, he was too old to play this dangerous game with her feelings and he had to find someone else to help her through the initial fog of figuring out if she was cut out for this lifestyle or not. If he was being honest, and right now all he wanted to do was lie to himself, he already knew she was cut out for it and nothing would please him more than to be the service Dom she needed, but he wasn’t in the market for any more disasters and to take her on would be setting them both up for one of catastrophic proportions.

Guest Post:

No Matter Your Age…Beeee Yourself

Good morning everyone! I’m so happy to be here at Erzabet’s today and I thank her for allowing me to come by and chat a bit about my Identity series, specifically Assumed Calling which has recently released and is the final installment in the series.

This morning has been pretty busy so far and I was struck by Erzabet’s request that I talk about perfection, aging, and being yourself in the BDSM lifestyle as I just finished a blog post for my own site about some of those very things and how I began writing around them. You see Assumed Identity, book three in the series, was really the turning point for it all, the place where I sort of happened upon my own identity as a writer. And this isn’t the first time I’ve been asked to talk about the age of my characters in some capacity.

It was while writing Assumed Identity I found a niche unknowingly. I’d never heard of the “rule” about age in romance until someone in another interview asked me about it and why I broke that rule. At first I just shrugged and was silent. First I wasn’t aware I stepped over the rule line and secondly I couldn’t for the life of me understand why the rule existed to begin with. Age 45 is the standard “cut-off” for a characters age? Um…well. Do people cease to exist after age 45 in the real world? Do they stop loving or exploring or being sexual? Pardon me, but I’m 43 and I’m only coming into my prime to be honest. I don’t often talk of my own sex life in any way during interviews or while writing posts because my husband and I deem this as our personal space and we get questioned continually about it because of what I write, but this one I just had to address. I’m 43 but I’m not dead! In fact, I’ve just discovered after the kids are grown and gone just how noisy sex can be without hiding my head in shame. I believe there are plenty of people out there who want to read characters their own age, an untapped market if you will.

It was after writing Mason and Julie I got an influx of fan mail expressing that very thing. People my age and older were ecstatic someone had written a character as old as they were and who was still enjoying a healthy, active sex life which just happened to include some very kinky stuff. They also graciously pointed out they were happy I’d addressed the real-life issues not just pertaining to the lifestyle specifically but to that age group. Squeaky, creaky knees, achy backs. These things happen when we age and how we deal with them can enhance or detract from our sex lives. Face them with your partner and figure out how to overcome them and the level of intimacy between the two of you has just shot up a few notches. It was a natural thing for me to mention these sorts of problems in Assumed Identity and Assumed Master as I am, after all, the realmantica queen.

With Assumed Calling, I didn’t mold Allen to be 56 to squeeze him in a box of what was expected of me post books three and four. He had long ago told me who he was, how old he was, and what he was about. It just happened he was 56. I never force my characters into molds of who they should or shouldn’t be, they tell me and I work with what I’m given. And I must confess, Allen was a joy to work with, one of the reasons being one of Erzabet’s questions. Being yourself. Allen and Nicki each had a lot to overcome in that area concerning the lifestyle. Allen was seasoned, had seen it all and done it all. Nicki on the other hand is 30 years his junior and just coming into the scene. While Allen was coming to grips with what he really wanted out of life, what he was sick of dealing with, and trying to figure out who he wanted to be…surprise, surprise…so was Nicki but on the level of someone inexperienced. They had to learn together how to be themselves, not just in the lifestyle but with each other in that lifestyle.

You see that’s another aspect of age, with it seems to come the ability to reconcile with who you are and what you really want, and somewhere in the midst of that you realize being yourself makes accepting all the rest much, much easier.

So, what do you all think of this age “rule?” Do you enjoy the older characters and would you like to see more of them?

Thanks again, Erzabet for having me by and thanks readers for stopping in today!

Thanks Lila for stopping in. I love to read about older characters. It makes things more real for me and brings things into perspective. I am looking forward to reading this book! I love your work and the depth of emotion that your characters breathe into the pages. 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, and the Identity series. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012-2013 and has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13. Ms. Munro loves to hear from her readers and can be found at:

Realmantic Moments:   http://realmanticmoments.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LilaMunroAuthor#!/ 

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4200524.Lila_Munro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LilaMunro

You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com ,

and you can find all her works at:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lila-Munro/e/B0055KK140/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Are: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=lila+munro&searchBy=author&qString=lila+munro

Nook:   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/lila-munro?keyword=lila+munro&store=allproducts

Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/lila-munro

Make sure you leave a comment!

 Lila will be awarding a Godiva Chocolates gift basket worth at least $35.00 to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a Godiva Chocolates gift basket to a randomly drawn host. (US ONLY)

Private Pirouette Virtual Tour and Review

Private Pirouette

by Lila Munro

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BLURB:

Piper McGee can smell a set up a mile away. She can smell a Marine even further. Born to a dual-enlisted couple who divorced before she was old enough to remember a single family holiday together and proceeded to redefine the very definition of family through several marriages and even more step-siblings, Piper has made it her life’s promise to herself to never become involved with one of the few and the proud. They’re among the most irresponsible people she knows, leaving destruction in their wake and broken hearts paving the way to their next duty station. And in her opinion, Alec Douglas is just another example, until he pries her heart open along with other parts of her, making her question everything she's ever let herself believe about honor, courage, and commitment.

What does a man do with six month’s down time and no warm body to share his bed? For Sergeant Alec Douglas, contemplating that question led him to fall prey to his two best friend’s plan to find him that very thing. They know Alec has yet to stay with any one person for more than a few dates. They also know a tragedy from his past created the problem and while that haunts him, making it nearly impossible for Alec to trust his heart to anyone, they also know he’s a sucker for a challenge. Will the enticement of a few thousand dollars riding on him breaking his own rule be just the thing to disrupt his cycle? Taking their bet might be profitable, but is winning the money they’ve dangled under Alec’s nose worth losing himself to the girl they’ve picked out for him?

In his quest to get her to say yes to his crazy proposal, he tracks her all over town only to discover the beautiful, long-legged blond isn’t the studious book worm he mistook her for. In fact, she's one of Jacksonville’s finest in the form of Orchid, exotic dancer. Her rejection only spurs him to make sure her dancing days are over and she only performs her private pirouette for him, and only him, for the rest of their lives if he has his way.

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“Come on, long legs,” he urged again. “We’ve got to go.”

She rubbed her eyes and opened them.  The first streaks of sunlight were pushing the envelope of the horizon, the pitch black of dark being replaced by the first lavender signs of day. Then she heard something besides Alec’s voice.  It sounded muted at first before becoming much clearer.  Cadence calls? On a Saturday morning?

“Is that what I think it is?” she begged, pushing up on her elbows.  She discovered Alec was already standing, trying to get his pants on.

“Yes, it is. Marines. An entire company from the sounds of it.” He finally got his pants up and left them hanging open in lieu of dragging his shirt over his head. “Seems we weren’t alone last night. The MEU is offshore and now the ones that stayed ashore last night are awake.”

“Shit, if they see us, you’ll be in trouble.” Piper jumped up and began looking for her clothes, the whole while the baritone rumble getting closer and closer.

“Forget the clothes, long legs. Wrap up in the blanket.”

She looked down the beach and could now see the source of their wake up call coming. Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, she grabbed the blanket and wrapped it tightly around her body, watching as Alec grabbed her clothes, his boots, and what was left of the six pack. Before they completely got over the dunes, though, they were spotted in their getaway attempt.  A cacophony of cat calls, whistles, and barking followed them the rest of the way to the car.

The Review:

For a girl who would give anything to get away from a strip club, another drooling Marine is the last thing she wants to deal with. 

Piper is ambitious and she has a one track mind: get her school paid for and get the hell out of dodge. The fact that she has to work as a stripper by night and go to school by day and somehow afford rent weighs heavy on her mind and she has little patience for Alec when he begins to sniff around. Only when his interesting proposal is revealed and the possibility of some extra cash to help her move on with her plans a little faster is thrust in front of her does she consider him. The rest is all fireworks.

This book was a page turner. Piper has her mind set on what she wants and nothing is going to stand in her way. Alec thinks she is cold, but she isn't. Just scarred of repeating the mistakes of her parents. The banter back and forth between the characters will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire ride.

The sex scenes are hot and the tension between the two characters radiates off the page. At first, I really didn't care for Melody-she seemed cold. But as I read on, I found myself understanding her feelings of frustration and anger toward her parents and how that related to her treatment of Alec. Growing up on a military base, I know how she feels about fly by night relationships. Once the story got going and you see the dynamic between the two characters unfold, things really move into something more than just lust. 

One of the other things about this book that I liked was the idea of stripper by night and bookworm by day. How delicious!!! 

 If you love a hot story with Marines, give this book a shot. 

4/5  

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage.

                          

When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches. Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, the Identity series, and most recently the Toy Box Tales in conjunction with BethAnn Buehler. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012-2013. And has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13.

Ms. Munro loves to hear from her readers and can be found at Realmantic Moments  Facebook Pinterest Goodreads  Twitter You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com and you can find all her works at: Amazon Nook ARe Bookstrand

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Thanks for stopping by!

A Visit With Lila Munro

How did you get started writing erotica?

Lila: Well, it’s sort of a misconception that I write erotica. Erotica by definition is centered around the sex and without the sex couldn’t stand alone as a story. I write a small step below that in the category of erotic romance, which by definition if you removed all the sex could stand alone as a story in and of itself. When I first began writing I was a very straight-laced, trying to write by the book, vanilla character driven writer. Now, while I do still write vanilla characters now and again—although their vanilla sex is hot—the interest in alternative lifestyles just drew me like a moth to flame. I have a degree in sociology so any sub-culture is purely fascinating to me and the BDSM world called to me and I answered. My first BDSM book, which happens to be the first in the Identity series, Identity Crisis, was intended to be a stand-alone novella. But it didn’t squash my desire to write these characters and my readers really dug it, so it morphed into what I’m doing today.

What inspired you to write the Identity Crisis series?

Lila: Oh, gosh, got ahead of myself with question one, huh? LOL…it was the drive of a sociologist hiding inside a writer’s body. It was never intended to be a series at all actually. I thought I could get away with writing a stand-alone novella and that would be enough. Clearly I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Julie, one of the main characters in Assumed Master has an interest in edge play. Can you describe what that is for people unfamiliar with the term?

Lila: Edge play is, in my mind, BDSM games on steroids. Some people have the need to push the envelope and try things which could prove dangerous to one’s health and well-being if not done properly and by someone skilled. Like mind games. Role playing can be fun and exciting until someone freaks out. For edge players role playing might go past lines no one else will cross with guided fantasies which might  include the use of fire or blood-letting, piercing. I myself find fire play completely fascinating. Would I be tempted to try it if I lived in the world of my characters? Probably not. The idea I might end up as toasted as a marshmallow isn’t worth the risk involved. Other forms of edge play might include sensory deprivation, like breath play where the submissive is denied air, or water play where the sub is held under in a tank and pushed to their limits. Like I said, dangerous unless attempted by those who are skilled in this area.

What fascinates you about BDSM erotic romance?

Lila: Everything really, but the thing that intrigues me most is the mental rather than the physical and many times that’s what my stories are based on.

What is one thing you want readers to get from your books?

Lila: Love can conquer all and no matter your situation in real-life, there is hope for your own HEA.

In your biography on Goodreads, it talks about you getting inspiration for your heroes from the Marines you have lived around. Tell us more.

Lila: I just wrote a blog post for Wednesday at my own place this morning on this, based on your question. Most of my readers know I’m married to my very own Marine and have been for 17 years. He’s been enlisted for 24. Before I met him I dated a few men from various branches, it was just fate I ended up being married to the Corps. So while I do take inspiration from what I know, that includes the bits of information I’ve gleaned from all the men I loved before, but most of my heroes are fashioned after Marines, who bleed Alpha blood by the way. 

What would you tell someone just starting out in the erotica genre?

Lila: Do your research. The number one rule and one I live by.

Tell us about the most awkward scene you ever had to write.

Hhmmm…now there’s a question. I get asked a lot where I draw the line and what boundaries won’t I cross. And the answer is, I’ve not found the line in the sand yet. This question is similar in that I’ve never found a scene awkward to write. I make sure I’m good and comfortable with whatever aspect of the lifestyle I’m writing long before I attempt writing it. I feel if you’re not entirely comfortable with writing something it’s going to come off fake and contrived. I write realmantica…can’t be coming off all fake now. 

What are you currently working on?

Assumed Calling, book five in the Identity series. Right now it has a tentative November release date. Allen’s story has taken twists and turns I never expected and has taken a lot of energy and more time than I expected to write, but I think my readers will be pleased with the results. I’m also knee deep in A Slower Lower Leap which will bring the Slower Lower series to a close with Logan’s story. Past that I’ve got lots of things on the drawing board, but haven’t fully prioritized the list yet.

Thanks for having me over, Erzabet. I enjoyed being here. And thanks readers for coming by and spending some time with me!

~Lila

About the author:

Lila Munro currently resides on the coast of North Carolina with her husband and their two four-legged kids. She’s a military wife with an empty nest and takes much of her inspiration for her heroes from the marines she’s lived around for the past fifteen years. Coining the term realmantica, she strives to produce quality romance in a realistic setting. Her genre of choice is contemporary romance that spans everything from the sensual to BDSM and ménage. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading everything she can get her hands on, trips to the museum and aquarium, taking field research trips, and soaking up the sun on the nearby beaches.

Her works include The Executive Officer’s Wife, Bound By Trust, Destiny’s Fire, Salvation, Three for Keeps, the Force Recon series, the Slower Lower series, and the Identity series. She’s a member in good standing of RWA and Passionate Ink. Currently she’s working on sequels to several series to be released throughout 2012-2013. And has a brand new line scheduled for winter 2012-13. Ms. Munro loves to hear from her readers and can be found at Realmantic Moments Facebook Goodreads Twitter You can also contact her via email at lilasromance@gmail.com and you can find all her works at: Amazon  ARe  Nook  Bookstrand