The Erotic Romance Madness Hop has landed at The Forbidden Bookshelf, and Diana is featuring a review and giveaway of Re/Bound there. The contest runs May 10-14, 2012 Here's a sample of her review:

"The characterizations of Malcolm and Darcy as a new D/s couple were spot on.  They were realistic, likable and full of depth and emotion.  Their relationship developed at a steady pace, where limits where explored and pushed, but safe words were always respected...RE/BOUND is a suspenseful and very steamy story, and I would highly recommend it to fans of BDSM erotic romances."

You can read more at The Forbidden Bookshelf and enter the contest. Good luck!

I've been very, very busy lately. I've banged out 63K words on the follow-up to Re/Bound (working title is Learning Curve) and I'm working on something special for those of you who want a little more from Awakenings.

In the meantime, Out of My League has earned a 5 Sweetheart review rating from The Romance Studio. Here's a sample of Shannon's review: "With Out of My League, the very talented pen of author Michele Zurlo sweeps the reader away, demonstrating her talent for creating an original, fascinating and a highly seductive romance that readers can embrace and enjoy. The combination of remarkably real, vulnerable and irresistible characters and also the tug-at-the-heartstrings storytelling, which takes the reader from the first page to the last and leave them charmed, has this reader ready for more from this wonderful author." To read more, follow this link to The Romance Studio.

I like that she called me talented and wonderful. My wife might disagree, arguing that I don't need a bigger head. Well, the size of my ego is her fault in the first place. She's the one continually encouraging me and telling me I can do anything.

In other news, Just Erotic Romance Reviews gave Re/Bound a 4.5-star rating, noting: "Re/Bound is a BDSM story with a few twists, including ropes and suspense, that just makes for a great read. The love story of Malcolm and Darcy is sweet and real. The suspense makes for a complex story that intertwines so beautifully with the sex. From the first Dom/sub experience between Darcy and Malcolm as strangers, the sexual chemistry just burns you from the inside. Zurlo gave the readers a special treat with Re/Bound." To read more, see the JERR May 2012 newsletter.

And lastly, my hair is about 5 inches shorter, but it looks good. Maybe the universe was trying to tell me I needed a new look.

Check me out at The Forbidden Bookshelf. I talk about the Safe Word: Oasis series and BDSM in my life.  http://theforbiddenbookshelf.net/interview-with-michele-zurlo-safe-word-oasis-series

Re/Bound is now available from Loose Id, All Romance eBooks, and  Amazon, and soon from Barnes and Noble.  Here's a little bit about this sinful treat:

 Genre:     BDSM Contemporary                             Length:     Novel Plus/$7.99

Cover Art by Fiona Jayde  

Picking herself up after the devastating loss of her master is more difficult than Darcy anticipated. Just when she needs someone the most, a handsome dom steps in and helps her out. Theo is thoughtful, dominant, and demanding -- everything she needs. He pushes her boundaries, tests her limits, and takes her to new heights. With him, she remembers what it is to feel joy and love and a firm hand on her ass.

Agent Malcolm Legato is after a corrupt businessman, and Darcy is his ticket into the upper echelon of Snyder Corp. As "Theo," he makes contact with her and cultivates her as an asset. Since she's also a suspect in her master's disappearance, he can't reveal himself to her, even when he realizes she's another of Snyder's victims. He falls hard for this feisty submissive, and he knows he'll break her heart the moment she finds out he's been lying to her all along.

When it all falls apart, will Darcy be able to find the strength to forgive Malcolm so they can build a life together and the courage to bring justice to the man she loved and lost?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements, spanking.

Read an excerpt on Loose Id's website or at www.michele.zurlo.com/rebound.htm

Re/Bound Excerpt Posted

It won't be available until April 3rd, but you can catch a preview of Chapter One on my website. Here's the link: http://www.michelezurlo.com/rebound.htm

It's All Relative

Hi folks! I'm DC Juris, and I'll be the guest blogger today. For those of you who don't know me, I'm a transgender guy who writes GLBTQ and heterosexual romance - contemporary and fantasy.

Today, I want to talk about a tricky subject: family relations.

Anybody who knows me knows I grew up in a difficult situation. My mother was a codependent hoarder with manic depression and delusions. My father was a physically, mentally, and sexually abusive alcoholic. I had brothers and sisters, but they were all grown and didn't live with us. The rest of my extended family - aunts, uncles, cousins - frequently turned a blind eye to the way we lived.

Suffice it to say that, once I was old enough, I got out on my own as soon as I could. In fact, I moved 1,200 miles away. Part of me felt guilty, though, for leaving my mother behind in a bad situation. So in 2003, against the advice of just about everyone who knew me, I moved my mother up to NY State to live near us.

I shouldn't have. I really, really shouldn't have. Things between her and I went from bad to worse. She had me convinced, for a while, that the reason she was still abusive toward me and unhappy in general was because she didn't like where she was living. So, my husband and I talked, and we moved her in with us. Before we did so, we had a long talk with her about setting ground rules. She was going to be in what had originally been a separate little apartment, so it had a sink and a stove, but we wanted a level of control over what she brought into the house (remember - she's a hoarder) so we'd be sharing the main kitchen in the house. She assured me that she would stick to the rules - that she wanted to.

But, after a while, a coffee pot showed up back there. Then she started keeping some food in the cabinets. Then the stove - which we'd unplugged - got plugged in. And then she bought a microwave. All during this, we kept talking to her about the rules she agreed to, about how she said she wanted to participate in our lives but wasn't holding up her end of the bargain. I ended up blurting out one day "You need to move out." Yeah. Tact…is not often my friend.

I thought that, away from my father and the life that made her unhappy, she'd be a different person. I thought that, given the chance to have a relationship and enjoy a life with me and her grandkids, she'd be a different person. I learned that she is who she is, and no situation changes that.

It's not just my family, though. I'm not my husband's family's favorite person. His mother has issues with me because of how I raised our kids. She doesn't like that I held our kids to high standards, and didn't let them get away with things. I'm not talking about some unreachable standards - I expected them to do their homework, keep their rooms clean, help out around the house, and keep up their personal hygiene. That's really about it. To this day, I will look at our youngest (who is moved out living on his own now) and ask him if he has brushed his teeth lately. I mean, seriously - you can tell he hasn't. Why should he slack off like that? And why should anyone let him? She takes offense that I point these things out. ::shrugs:: Everyone has their ways.

I guess the biggest difference between my family members and myself is that I live in the now - in the present. I'm firmly planted in the here and now. I can't change what happened - I can't go back and fix yesterday. I can only make tomorrow better. Most of my family members live in the past. They're very much caught up in what happened years and years ago, or how they wish their lives had been. It's impossible to hold a conversation with my mother without her going off on a tangent about my childhood, her childhood, etc. etc. There are no fun little chats. There's no "So, Danny, how's the writing going?" or "I saw this great documentary on hyenas the other day…" Even when I try to start out that way, it's just more of the same. It's tedious and exhausting and unpleasant.

What's more, every time we do talk, which is rare, she always ends up back at the same thing: she wants me to tell I think she did her best by me growing up. Well, I don't think that, so I won't say it. I don't believe in lying to people to placate their sense of self worth. Speaking of that…someone noticed the other day that, when I hung up from a call with my mother, I didn't say, "I love you." They asked me why, and I said, "Um…because I don't." They dissolved into a long rant about how I should be glad to still have my mother, that their mother had died, etc. When they were done, I simply shrugged and said, "Your life with your mother was different than mine. If it hadn't been, you'd feel the same way."

My sister clings to her sense of family. She visits her father, even though her father was pretty much the same as mine (mom knew how to pick 'em). She still talks to and visits with our dysfunctional brothers. Every time, she ends up either feeling depressed or in some kind of insane argument. I don't see the point. Family is definitely important, don't get me wrong. But not at the sake of my own sanity. I've cut myself off from toxic people, and I'm not ashamed of that.

https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/271/No-Place-Like-Home" target="_blank">https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/271/No-Place-Like-Home

Maybe this is why so many of my characters have issues with their families? Take Calliph from "No Place Like Home," for instance. Bad blood between him and his brother (same with me and most of my siblings), his father is dead but wasn't a peach when he'd been alive (same here) and his mother is pretty much toasted mentally (same here). The one big difference is that Calliph still feels an obligation to his family, whereas I don't. But maybe that's why he's the way he is. Maybe he's a manifestation of what I feel I should be. I feel like I should feel some sort of obligation, but I don't feel any at all. I worry for what that means about me.

MY LINKS:

www.dcjuris.com

www.facebook.com/dcjuris

www.twitter.com/dcjuris

http://dcjuris.blogspot.com/

Thoughts on BDSM Romance from a Reader's Perspective

          I have a love/hate relationship with the BDSM erotic romance genre.  As an avowed romantic I must have my “happily ever after”, or at least a reasonable shot at one.  I stumbled onto the BDSM genre about a year ago after wading into erotic romance. After reading many Regency romances, I was clearly ready for a change.  I've loved reading about strong men, (somewhat) tamed by strong women ever since being introduced  to Mr. Darcy in the eighth grade (sigh...).

          I've no personal experience with BDSM, but have enjoyed reading about the lifestyle in both fiction and nonfiction venues.  It is interesting to me both psychologically and erotically (ie. It's hot!) The following will assume that Doms are male and subs female, as that is my general reading preference.

          What I love about BDSM erotic romance is a strong  Dom who focuses completely on his partner, knows his way around her body and how to give her the “best orgasm she's ever had”.  As much as I know I'm reading fantasy, it is very compelling to have an experienced partner who loves women and has devoted much of his adult life to learning how to give pleasure.  Also, for a “control freak” like me, it would be lovely to give up control, let go, and to just feel without all the background noise usually in my head.  I enjoy reading about relationships that develop as two people grow and learn about themselves and each other.  BDSM often adds spice to this type of story as it encourages partners to communicate honestly with each other and explore a deeper sexuality.

          What makes or breaks many romances is how believable the relationship between hero and heroine, or whether the reader even cares about the people involved.  This obviously varies from reader to reader, but in several novels the BDSM aspect has negatively impacted my “buying into” the relationship. This is what I “hate”about the genre. In BDSM romances, although the Dom comes off as knowledgeable about and focused on his partner's pleasure, he all too often comes off as too cold and overly controlled.  The protocol of BDSM if strictly followed often leave both hero and heroine with very little personality.  What's left is just a “dominant” and a “submissive”.  The BDSM aspect can easily overpower the romance. I have particular difficulty understanding the role of punishment in BDSM, so will focus on that area in the following examples.

          A common theme in BDSM romances is an experienced Dom initiating/training an inexperienced sub into the lifestyle. Often the heroine fights her submissive tendencies as shameful but our hero is determined to show her she is a natural or “true” submissive.  In one of my favorite books the heroine is going undercover into a BDSM club as a trainee sub in order to help solve the kidnappings and abuse of “smart mouth” submissives.  She has some experience in the lifestyle, but not much.  Although she experiences many punishments during her training, both painful and humiliating, the Dom trainer (our hero) continually attempts to understand her needs and respect her limits by insisting on communication and honesty.  He, of course, doesn't understand why she doesn't change her behavior or use her safe word, not knowing that she isn't able to.  The entire set up is one that makes real communication impossible, yet the trainer never punishes her in anger nor does he belittle her while she is punished. Their growing relationship is understandable as she trusts him to keep her emotionally and physically safe (within the confines of the training situation anyway), even as he pushes her to learn about her submissive needs. When our hero discovers what is going on, he feels very badly about punishing her so strongly (after the requisite anger over being “lied to”) and he apologizes for something that really wasn't his fault. In no way does his apology diminish his dominance, it simply makes him more human and more lovable.  This relationship develops because both partners are willing to admit to mistakes, not just one.

          Novels by necessity condense relationships into often unrealistically short time periods, and BDSM relationships in particular take an enormous amount time for trust to develop. In many stories, including the example above, it is made clear that the Dom's role is to push the sub's comfort zone. Her behavior has been limited by the expectations of society and/or family, her true nature lost under a pile of “shoulds”. This type of awakening makes for a satisfying story. However, it is such a fine line between pushing boundaries and demolishing them with excessive force.  Quite often it is simply too much too soon.

          In another story, with a similar set up, two Doms take a woman undercover in an erotic club. They are experienced, she is not, but she is determined to prove she can take whatever they dish out.  One of the Doms is considered a sadist who enjoys giving pleasurable pain and is determined to prove that she is a masochist. Our heroine does have a tendency to mouth off when she is stressed and, in this instance, it becomes a vicious cycle of her stress causing further punishment causing further stress. (Got that? :-) )  She was punished for every negative look or sound made, in one case I couldn't figure out why she was punished.  I guess just because he felt like it. His punishments pushed her pain tolerance to the point of tears, but because she is “wet” he continues to up the pain and humiliation in punishing her.  The other Dom enjoys watching her being punished.  I really had trouble with this relationship.  Of course she falls in love with both our heroes – it's a romance! - yet it is continually stressed that she butts heads with the sadistic Dom and the “gentle” one never sticks upfor her.  So why does she love them when she is consistently out voted instead of protected? 

          Trust is stressed as a huge factor in developing BDSM relationships.  How can a person build trust in a relationship when she isn't able to voice any opinions?   When she pleads with them to not punish her in a particularly humiliating way, it is pointed out that she can always refuse, or safe word out of, a punishment. The situation makes it virtually impossible for her to use her safe word, and in this case the Doms knew that. (Another area of difficulty for me –how is it a “safe” word when using it stops not just the scene, but the entire relationship?).  Some punishment was necessary to fit into the scene at the club, but many seemed just plain mean.  Particularly aggravating for me were scenes where the sub was set up to fail and thus earned a punishment. If it is “funishment” that makes sense, but in this case it clearly was not. When a Dom commands that a sub not orgasm it strikes me as underhanded and unfair t ostimulate her to orgasm.  Then, to really top it off, to laugh when she fails. I can't imagine trusting someone who would do this to me.  That isn't training, it's abuse that reminds me of schoolyard bullies. 

          Punishment seems to provide stability for many subs in the stories I read.  They can rely on the limits and rules set by the Dom, as well as clear the air after a mistake is made. Yes, our heroine had to learn to respect her Doms, but she was learning (and this was part of the cover story). Also her sassy personality was something the guys were attracted to. I've read more than one BDSM romance where it seems the Dom(s) are attempting to erase all personality in the sub.  So do they love her, or only her submission? In some books punishment is part of the game and enjoyable to both the Dom and sub. Had the above story indicated that the heroine really enjoyed the punishments it would have made the love relationship much more believable.  I also admit that punishment scenes are often spicy and add fun to the story.  My question is whether it aids or destroys believability in the romance.

          I would have loved seeing these Doms apologize – grovel a bit really - for the excessive pain and humiliation. Instead the heroine did all the apologizing and compromising in the relationship, coming off as a confused doormat. By never apologizing or admitting to vulnerability of any kind (even in their own thoughts) Dom(s) often come across as abusive jerks, not at all  lovable. This must be a very difficult line for a writer in this genre, but some compromise is needed in virtually all relationships. So writers, how about a little more groveling on the part of the Dom?  Even Mr. Darcy had to grovel a bit to get Elizabeth (of course so did she, and thus my point).

From Michele: Becca is a fan of BDSM novels. I met her when she wrote to me asking questions about Two Master for Samantha. She made me really think about some things I took for granted, and when I invited her to write this blog post, she graciously agreed.

Two years ago, Letting Go, my very first published novel, came out. I remember when I read that first email from Siren asking me to rewrite it in third person. (You thought I was going to say it was an acceptance letter. Ha! It wasn't a rejection letter, and that was all that mattered.) It had originally been written in first person from Sabrina's point of view. They wanted me to add some scenes from Jonas's point of view. I remember staring at the screen, thinking, "It's her story. Should I make the changes?"

It didn't take very long for that thought to morph into "How hard could that be?" The request was phrased in a very positive and encouraging way. They loved the story, but their house style demanded some changes. I thought about it for about a day, and then I sat down and began rewriting my story from the beginning. You might think all I had to do was change the pronouns, and you'd be wrong. I learned a lot about how point of view affects the kinds and tenses of verbs you can use and the kinds of observations a character can make. Sabrina was originally one intuitive woman. I tried to bring that out in the rewrite.  In the end, I thought it was a strong story. Personally, I still prefer it in first person, even though I do like the addition of the scenes from Jonas's viewpoint. When the rights revert to me, I plan to make some changes, expand the ending, but I'm on the fence about changing it back to the first person point of view.

I sent it back within three weeks -- did I mention that I'm a workaholic? -- and I had an offer for publication within two weeks. Ironically, I got the offer from Siren the same day I got a rejection from another publisher.  I was told to expect an April 2010 publication date. They sent my first round of edits in late December. I whizzed through them, only banging my head against the wall a few times, and Siren asked if I wanted to move my date up to February 2010. I wasn't going to refuse!

I was so excited. The day they sent my cover, I couldn't stop staring at my computer. It's one of Jinger Heaston's best.

Amazon Buy Link       BookStrand Buy Link

Readers have said some really nice things about this book, both in the reader reviews (see Amazon and My Earnest Reviews at BookStrand) and in letters they've written to me. At first I thought they were being nice, but then I realized that people who review don't pull their punches. Some of my other books weren't as well-received, so that underscores how much people liked this one.

What did I learn from this experience? Many things. I'll share a few:

1.  Siren is about the best place for a new author to start out. They are so supportive, and the author's group is just bursting with experienced authors who answer questions and cheer for you. I've made some strong connections and some good friends.

2. Promotions is a difficult undertaking because there's no proven or effective way to do it. I stopped wasting my time doing promotions. Now I just write. I may appear at another blog or do a radio show, but that's more for personal enjoyment. Plus, I got to talk to Tymber Dalton on the phone. How cool is that? Even my mother is a fan. (BTW- my mother's favorite book of mine is Irrepressible Force.)

3. People really, really, really connect with Sabrina. That makes me happy because she's a lot like me, and I like to be liked. (Who doesn't?) Almost all the letters I get are about Letting Go. Some people tell me they enjoyed it. Others share personal stories. Many ask me to write a sequel.

During the spring of 2011, I didn't have any works in progress. I sat back and took stock of the ten novels I'd published. Some things I'm proud of. Some, not so much.  I promised myself that I would only put out stories I loved from that point forward. I wrote a lot over that summer -- 3 novellas and a full-length novel -- and I loved each of them. Yes, Justin and By My Side have already been released. Out of My League will come out Feb 21st, and Re/Bound is scheduled for spring. Loose Id tells me it'll be part of the Men of Mystery Special Collection. I've always wanted to be part of a collection.

When I first put down my reflections on Letting Go, I tried to say that I couldn't write a 5th Awakenings novel because each attempt I made fell flat, so I let it go. It wasn't meant to be. However, since then, I've begun the 5th Awakenings book. I have about 24% written, and I have so many of the rest of the scenes playing through my head, begging to be written down. Part of what made it easier is embracing my decisions to focus on BDSM and to not force a story.  This one is titled Ana's Choice. Anastasia Morozov (sister of Lex and Stef from Two Masters) is home for good, and she's set her sights on exploring her submissive side. Who better to guide her in that life path than Stephen Galen, the object of her teenage crush?

Ana's Choice marks a new direction in the series, and I now have vague ideas for a 6th and 7th novel. These won't come out as close together as the first four because I'm also continuing the Oasis series, and I'm working on a companion novel for my BDSM romantic suspense novel, Re/Bound. 

Questions for you:

1.  What was your favorite Awakenings moment?

2.  Who would you like to see get the next Awakenings novel?

Good morning! I’m Lorelei Confer and I write romantic suspense. I wrote my first story in the fourth grade in the form of a play which actually was produced by my teacher for parents and students. I continued writing and majored in English in College. I practice every day to improve my craft.

An author of romantic suspense I love reading almost as much as writing. I have filled my book shelves with my favorites, i.e. Harlan Colban, Eliza March, Johanna Lindsey, Kathy Carmichael, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Andrew Gross, Terri Garey, Karen Rose, LuAnn Rice, and Bobbi Smith just to mention a few, as well as all the classics.

I live on a peninsula in the mid west coast of Florida with my husband, two cats, and AJ, my long haired Chihuahua.

I love hearing from readers so please visit my website: www.loreleiconfer.com or blog at www.loreleiconfer.blogspot.com.

In doing research for my first book, Deadly Deception, I learned so much about Human Sex Trafficking and I really wanted to get the message out that this horrific crime is happening in your own backyard. I met with an undercover detective assigned to our local task force for human trafficking and from all the information I gleaned from him and numerous other interviews I have been able to put together realistic stories.

My second book, Deadly Revenge, happens in the North Carolina mountains which is the eighth likely state for human trafficking due to their interstate going north and south and east and west. Who knew?

I’ve just finished my third book in the ‘Deadly’ series, Deadly Deliverance, which is also about human sex trafficking from an investigators point of view. It’s primarily located in the Washington, DC area and is available from Siren Bookstrand.

I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy researching and writing them. Comment below for a chance to win a copy of Deadly Deliverance.

Lorelei Confer

Ménage à Do or Don’t?

Why do you think people are so fascinated by the idea of a ménage relationship?

Ménage à trois!  The very word can cause any number of reactions.  Giggling, blushing, raised brows, arousal, outrage.  So, why do so many people fantasize such a controversial subject?

Do you dream about four hands caressing your body?  If you close your eyes can you imagine two mouths, two tongues worshiping you?

Ménage à trois literally means “household of three.”  I wanted to find out why this phrase drew so many readers to buy books so I questioned one hundred readers through Survey Monkey.  The results were pretty conclusive.  67% said they were fascinated by the “forbidden” aspect of a ménage relationship. 

*****

Personally, it is the idea of having more hands on me to heighten the senses. More attention. Being in a relationship where I am the one who has to be in charge most of the time, I would so love to just be able to lay back and have someone else worry about me and what I get from the experience, and not have to worry about being unfulfilled at the end.

*****

Because it's something they want to participate in, but it's unheard of or can't find them. I'd love to go to some of the towns that I read about and find 2 people to love that would love and treat me like they do in the book. Loved and secured.

*****

Because it is considered 'forbidden' in today's society. It is also, I believe, the ultimate in sexual fulfillment for women as we are so often disappointed...if you know what I mean! We have more than one erogenous zone and more hands, mouths, tongues and cocks means more than one area is receiving pleasure at the same time.

*****

I’m guilty of the same fantasies.  When I started writing “Table for Three” I rolled every fantasy I ever had into the story.  I was an older woman who’d survived an abusive first marriage who dreamed of starting over and finding young love again.  From this, I developed “Cass Abernathy.”

Table for Three         Buy and/or Read an Excerpt

Cass Abernathy is forty-three and she's getting a second chance at life, and maybe even love. She's finally divorced, after years of abuse, when she learns an unknown uncle in Oregon has left her his estate, and more importantly, his house. Filled with hope for her future and excited to have a place of her own, Cass heads west not knowing what she'll find.

What she finds are hot and sexy twin brothers intent on making her a part of their lives. It's too bad they're so much younger because they bring out feelings she's never had before.

Meanwhile, there's someone else interested in Cass' inheritance, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure he wins.

Will Cass overcome her fears and open her heart to the two men who love her, and will she discover the truth about her inheritance before it's too late?

I’m happy to say I’ve lived a lot of my fantasies now, even though it was late in life.  I will say I never experienced twin brothers, but I am happily living with my husband who is a decade younger than me.  Even that little bit of departure from normal can get some people in a snit.  Why are some people so threatened by alternative lifestyle relationships?  What is it they fear?

I have a friend who openly lives in a ménage F/M/F relationship.  She’s not bisexual; she merely “shares” her husband with another woman.  They live in the same house, sleep in the same bed, and raise their children side-by-side.  I asked her once why she would share the love of her life.  Since she’s not involved in a romantic relationship with the other woman, what would the advantages be?  She said, “Our house is always full of love.  Even if two of us are having problems, our children always have a parent they can turn to for love and guidance.  I never worry if anything should happen to me because I know my girls will always have a mother.”

I, for one, can’t imagine a life with that much inner peace.  I asked her if jealousy had ever been a problem.  She said, “In the beginning, we’d get our panties in a wad if one of us got a better birthday or Christmas gift. <she laughed>  Then, David wised up and started getting us similar, if not identical things for special occasions.  <she shrugged, and then sighed>  I really don’t think it’d be a problem now.  Everybody feels how much we love each other so nobody would ever get their feelings hurt.”  When I asked her what she could possibly find to fantasize about since she was living so many other people’s idea of a perfect life.  She grinned and said, “Having a house with four bathrooms!”

My friend is living in a relationship with one man and another woman.  The other side of the coin gives us relationships with two men and one woman.  In the survey I did, people seemed to think this type of relationship was more scandalous, and yet 68% of the hundred readers said this was the type of ménage they most liked to read.

My fantasies always ran to having two men making love to me.  The thought of all those hands and lips made me crazy.  Then, I read my first M/M romance and suddenly began to fantasize about two men making love to me, and to each other at the same time.  In all the books I’d read up to this point, the men never touched, they concentrated all their energies on the woman.  And believe me, when you have three people in a bed, making love, it’s not easy to keep the men from touching!

I bought my first M/M/F ménage about six months before I wrote the sequel to “Table for Three.”  I decided I wanted to try my hand at writing a ménage story that didn’t have any restrictions about the love scenes.  “Catch Her When She Falls” was born.

Catch Her When She Falls           Buy and/or Read an Excerpt

Serena Dammler is recovering from a savage beating and needs protection. Cowboys and lovers Marc Weller and Tony Estabon are taking jobs as bounty-hunters, and their newest assignment is to capture her attacker and return him to Texas. They take one look at Serena’s fragile beauty and decide she’d be the perfect third to their family.

Serena’s always dreamed of catching herself a rich man, and she’d do just about anything to make that dream come true. She’s not going to allow herself to fall in love with her two cowboy protectors, no matter how sexy they are.

Marc and Tony want Serena as their third, but they want her love to be real and not based on their bank accounts. So what will it hurt if they take her to a little cabin on their ranch and pretend to be simple cowboys?

I was a little nervous writing my first M/M scenes, and quite frankly, had no idea what I was doing.  I did a lot of reading, and even consulted a writer I consider to be one of the tops in M/M writing.  Stormy Glenn read my passages and gave me some invaluable advice in making my love scenes more realistic.

“Catch Her When She Falls” turned out to be my best seller as of this date.  Yet, when I surveyed the hundred readers, 100% of them stated they’d prefer reading M/F/M ménages over M/M/F!  What does that tell you?  It tells me that some people will never be comfortable admitting what type of romance novel turns them on.

Do I yearn for a ménage lifestyle?  No, I’m happy with my young husband.  I don’t think society is ready for people living in open ménage relationships, yet.  I do think the day will come when you’ll be able to find the perfect Hallmark Card for congratulating the union of a ménage couple.

Check out Missy's Website at  www.missymartine.com