Saturday, March 9, 2013

Interview with Blakely Bennett





Welcome Blakely

Please share a little about yourself, your genres, any other pen names you use.

I grew up in Southeast Florida and have been residing in the great Northwest for over seven years. I graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a degree in psychology, which accounts for my particular interest in crafting the personalities, struggles, and motivations of my characters. I am an avid reader of many genres of fiction, but especially erotica and romance. The My Body Trilogy is erotic suspense.  Blakely Bennett is a pen name and the only one I’m currently using.

Tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release.

My Body-His, book one of the My Body Trilogy was released on November 15, 2012. 
My Body-His (Marcello), book two, will be out March 15, 2013.
My Body-Mine, the finale of the series will be out July 15, 2013.  I have finished the first draft of MBM and I am currently reviewing and editing.

Are you a mom (or parent)?

          I am a mom and stepmother as well. 

If yes do you find it hard to juggle writing and parenting?

I wouldn’t say it’s hard but there are moments when I have to pull myself away from writing and focus my attention elsewhere.  Fortunately, our youngest is 16 and she is very understanding about the writing process.

Have you ever based your book or characters on actual events or people from your own life?

No. The story is completely fictional and not based on anyone I know or events that happened to me.

Is there a theme or message in your work that you would like readers to connect to?

Yes.  Don’t ever give yourself away for love or change yourself to suit another.  If someone truly loves you, then they will love the real you. 

What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

I would guess because my characters struggle so much with relationship and love they would be surprise to know I’m in a very happy and loving marriage.

When you’re not writing what do you do? Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?

Exercise, lie in the sun, spend time with family and friends, explore new places and try new restaurants.  I’m also an avid movie watcher and I typically consume books but I have a hard time reading when I’m working on a story.  Chocolate is definitely a guilty pleasure and cheesy romance novels.

Which romance book or series (or other genre, if you don’t write romance) do you wish you had written?

Audrey Niffenegger Time Traveler’s Wife because it’s one of the most brilliantly written story I have ever read.
Is there a genre(s) that you’d like to write that you haven’t tackled yet?

          Yes. My husband and I have plans to write a scifi thriller romance.

Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?

Jane is definitely my favorite character.  The My Body Trilogy is told from her perspective and I have lived with her inside me, poking me to tell her story, for a long time.  I know her intimately and will miss her once the trilogy is complete.

If this book is part of a series…what is the next book? Any details you can share?

Below are the blurbs for each book and an excerpt from My Body-His (Marcello) coming out March 15th.
My Body-His
Jane Stiles is successful in business but bored with her socially mundane existence. One night at a party, she meets an intense and compelling stranger named Luke. This fateful encounter prompts her predictable life path to veer into uncharted territory, sweeping her along on a frightening erotic journey into the world of bondage, domination and submission.
Jane had never experienced genuine desire, and now passion consumes her life, robbing her of free will. Her new lifestyle creates an emotional chasm between her and her old friends. Will they understand why she has abandoned her high ideals and long-term plans for a traditional wedding?
What society considers right or wrong no longer matters. Prepared to surrender everything to Luke, she wonders if her everything will be enough. She now needs his discipline as much as she craves his love and approval. How far down this dark path is she willing to go?
Jane’s pilgrimage into domination and discipline has created a war between her mind and her body, and her body is claiming victory.
My Body-His (Marcello)
Jane Stiles has embarked on an intense odyssey into the world of domination and submission. She no longer recognizes herself. She has quit her job, surrendered her possessions and agreed to a wedding where she is the only one naked, all for the sake of the elusive Luke—a man so compelling, she can deny him nothing. Now there is no going back. Her new life will revolve around Luke, his friends and clients.
Hovering in the background is Luke’s best friend Marcello, whose ego is as towering as his stature. Marcello has set his sights on Jane. She is drawn to his power, his masculinity, and the challenge he represents, even though she fears and dislikes him. After Luke discovers that Jane has breached one of his many “rules,” he sends her to Marcello for punishment and lessons in Dom/sub culture. What happens there will change her forever.
Jane and Luke reconcile, and even find a rhythm that includes not only bondage and punishment but genuine love-making. Just when Jane is convinced that the happiness and devotion she has always craved is within reach, Luke pushes her beyond endurance, and she rebels in a way her harsh husband cannot forgive. From there, her life spins out of control. But Jane has a strong spirit, and she will prevail.
Excerpt from My Body-His (Marcello) – Book two of the My Body Trilogy
“You need to learn respect, signorina,” he said, furrowing his brow and taking another sip of his coffee.
“Respect is earned. You can’t beat it into someone.” I wiped my mouth and smoothed the napkin back over my lap.
“How wrong you are on that account.”
“Fear and respect are not the same thing. You can beat fear into me but not respect … never respect. Respect would come from seeing you as a good man, a good person. Someone who is worthy of respect would never need to demand it from others, would never need to beat it into them.”
“I can see we will have a lot to discuss once you belong to me, but today is my day. As it should be, your safe word holds sway here. Just keep in mind that the words might get you out of some obligation today, but you will never truly be done with me. ”
“I’m doing this for Luke, so he will forgive me. That is the only reason I’m here.”
“Jane, you and I know better than that. After today you will see.” He rose and sauntered over. After pulling out my chair for me, he took my hand.
I cursed my body as his energy permeated me. I couldn’t make sense of the intensity of his mere touch. Maybe my anger fueled it. I needed some explanation for what I felt. Just get through it Jane, I thought. You’re a mere day away from being back home. Enjoy it if you must but get through it.
He led me to his bedroom, which seemed twice the size of Janice’s. I was struck by its warm, masculine feel. A black leather king-size bed dominated the space. No woman’s touch was in evidence on the black dresser or armoire that stood against the brown walls. Looking around at the artistic photographs and paintings of nude women, I found it interesting that none included bondage or whipping. I wondered if Luke had taken any of the photos but didn’t ask.
I felt young and self-conscious standing next to him. I paused, avoiding eye contact, totally unprepared for what happened next.
Reaching out, he put his hand on my arm and gently twirled me around to face him. Reverently, as though determined to savor the moment, he lifted the top half of the robe off my shoulders. I felt so small next to him. He lowered his mouth and kissed my shoulder, working his way up the right side of my neck, nibbling, kissing, licking and biting. Unlike Luke’s clean shaven face, Marcello’s mustache tickled and felt unfamiliar but not unpleasant.
Stopping just short of my ear, he said, “So sweet you are,” then began to kiss and suckle the other side of my neck.
“Ohhhhh,” I said. I felt dazed and light-headed, but still tried to hold myself rigid. With each touch of his lips my guard slipped a bit more.
He drew back for a moment and gazed intently into my eyes. I was unable to look away. He lowered his head and kissed my mouth for the first time. The rest of my defenses melted away. The kiss seemed to have a life of its own. It transported me away from all my torment, bringing me closer to my real self even though I didn’t yet know her completely. I couldn’t understand how two such different men could excite me so much with their kisses. Did my body no longer have any discrimination or did Marcello’s energy speak to me in a way I needed?

What is next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works in progress?
My Body-His, book one of the My Body Trilogy was released on November 15, 2012. 
My Body-His (Marcello), book two, will be out March 15, 2013.
My Body-Mine, the finale of the series will be out July 15, 2013.  I am still currently writing MBM and plan to have it completed no later than April 1st.  I have finished with the first draft and am currently reviewing and editing.

What book are you reading now?
I haven’t read anything recently, mainly because I have a hard time reading when I’m in the throes of creating.  Instead I will share my four top favorite books and interestingly enough, none are erotica. 
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
Replay by Ken Grimwood
Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Killing Me Softly by Nicci French

What is in your to read pile?
          Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
               


March 4 Guest blog
Roxanne’s Realm

March 6 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.  

March 7 Guest blog and review
Romance Addict Book Blog

March 8 Interview
Fang-tastic Books

March 9 Interview
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

March 11 Spotlight and review
Readaholic's Reviews 

March 12 Excerpt and review
Erzabet's Enchantments

March 14 Spotlight
Provocative Pages 

March 15 Naughty Nook Feature 
Bewitching Book Tours Magazine

March 20 Guest blog and review
Urban Girl Reader – 

March 21 Interview
Jodie Pierce

March 22 Guest blog and review
Hooked In a Book

March 23 Spotlight
A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books

March 24 Spotlight 
Mila Ramos

March 25 Spotlight
Reviewing in Chaos    

March 27 Guest blog
Erotica For All, 

March 28 Interview and review
Nightstand Novels  

March 29 Interview and review
My Home Away From Home – 

March 29 Review
Secret Southern Couture, 

April 2 Spotlight
Lisa’s World of Books

April 3 Spotlight
My Sexy Escapes


My Body-His (Marcello)
My Body Trilogy, Book 2
Blakely Bennett

Genre: Erotic Suspense

Publisher: Fanny Press

ISBN: 978-1-60381-525-3

Number of pages: 264
Word Count: 76,000

Cover Artist: Sabrina Sun

Amazon              BN

Book Description:

Jane Stiles has embarked on an intense odyssey into the world of domination and submission. She no longer recognizes herself. She has quit her job, surrendered her possessions and agreed to a wedding where she is the only one naked, all for the sake of the elusive Luke—a man so compelling, she can deny him nothing.

Now there is no going back. Her new life will revolve around Luke, his friends and clients. Hovering in the background is Luke’s best friend Marcello, whose ego is as towering as his stature. Marcello has set his sights on Jane. She is drawn to his power, his masculinity, and the challenge he represents, even though she fears and dislikes him. After Luke discovers that Jane has breached one of his many “rules,” he sends her to Marcello for punishment and lessons in Dom/sub culture. What happens there will change her forever.

Jane and Luke reconcile, and even find a rhythm that includes not only bondage and punishment but genuine love-making. Just when Jane is convinced that the happiness and devotion she has always craved is within reach, Luke pushes her beyond endurance, and she rebels in a way her harsh husband cannot forgive. From there, her life spins out of control. But Jane has a strong spirit, and she will prevail. My Body-His (Marcello) is Book 2 in the My Body Trilogy.

My Body-His
My Body Trilogy, Book 1
Blakely Bennett

Genre: Erotic Suspense

Publisher: Fanny Press

ISBN: 978-1-60381-523-9

Number of pages: 246
Word Count: 74,000

Cover Artist: Sabrina Sun

Amazon   BN

Book Description:

Jane Stiles is successful in business but bored with her socially mundane existence. One night at a party, she meets an intense and compelling stranger named Luke. This fateful encounter prompts her predictable life path to veer into uncharted territory, sweeping her along on a frightening erotic journey into the world of bondage, domination and submission.

Jane had never experienced genuine desire, and now passion consumes her life, robbing her of free will. Her new lifestyle creates an emotional chasm between her and her old friends. Will they understand why she has abandoned her high ideals and long-term plans for a traditional wedding? What society considers right or wrong no longer matters.

Prepared to surrender everything to Luke, she wonders if her everything will be enough. She now needs his discipline as much as she craves his love and approval. How far down this dark path is she willing to go? Jane’s pilgrimage into domination and discipline has created a war between her mind and her body, and her body is claiming victory.

About the Author:

Blakely Bennett grew up in Southeast Florida and has been residing in the great Northwest for over seven years. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a degree in psychology, which accounts for her particular interest in crafting the personalities, struggles, and motivations of her characters. She is an avid reader of many genres of fiction, but especially erotica and romance. Writing has always been her bliss.

She is attracted to stories of self-struggle and ultimate recovery. Blakely is married to a wonderful, loving and supportive husband, also a writer, who helps to keep her grounded. She is a mother, a communitarian, a lover of music (always on while she is writing—thank you, Pandora), and a good friend.

An advocate of love and female empowerment, she is a facilitator for a women’s group. She loves to walk and hike for exercise and finds that, since moving to Seattle, WA, she is now one of those “crazy” people who walk in the rain. You can find Blakely on the Web at: www.BlakelyBennett.fannypress.com   


Twitter @BlakelyBennett


1 comment:

Unknown said...

Thank you for having me on your blog. :)

Blakely