(Danielle D. Smith) |
(Cover designed by Danielle) |
BY URBAN FANTASY/PARANORMAL EROTICA AUTHOR DANIELLE D. SMITH
Power.
A word that can express so many things, and mean something different to each person. Throughout history, power has been synonymous with brutality, genocide, oppression, and sometimes mercy…but always, always, it means CHANGE, whether that be great or small, or somewhere in between.
I’m not going to bore you, the reader, with some essay on the sociological implications of BDSM. There are plenty of good books on the subject written by experts…er, sexperts…who are about a thousand times more educated and eloquent than I, so quit yawning and perk up, kids.
When I shared a private message discussion on Facebook some months ago with a few of my most devoted fans, I was initially unsure as to whether or not I should take Skriker and Rose, my two most popular characters, into the BDSM realm. Sure, readers had been taken on a few really fun adventures where the notorious half-demon bad boy and his Nephil (half-angel) love frequently paused in hunting the Big Baddies to have a good sweaty roll in the sheets. Panties were definitely wetter for their sexcapades, but to trek into the frequently controversial world of BDSM was daring, at the very least. Would Skriker and Rose be looked on the same way ever again? Would I lose part of my readership?
I realized that I needed to use the theme of BDSM sex to explore the dynamic of Skriker and Rose’s unorthodox relationship in order to make such a sordid sexual tale fit in with the other books already available in the series. I could not simply make this a porno—and, as much as I love porn, I’m a piss poor writer of “just sex”. There always has to be more…an exploration of something outside the shagging, an emotional pull that offers the reader more than a simple series of hardcore sex scenes.
(Rose & Skriker – designed by Danielle) |
The first thing that I decided to address in DEMON’S SLAVE was a complaint that I hear often from my female readers: how Rose, in her angelic perfection, seems to feel so greater-than-thou toward her Halfling lover. Anyone who has read the first installments of the Black Dog and Rebel Rose adventures knows that Skriker, despite his 200+ pound, buff as hell, heavily tattooed, Billy Idol-blond bad boy exterior, is a certified mush muffin when it comes to his angel girl. He worships the ground that Rose walks on, and would fall on his knees and kiss her feet if she would ask it of him. And she has been, in no uncertain terms, a flaming bitch at times, turning her nose up at him, despite his passion, his boyish worship of her beauty, her intellect, her power.
There’s that word again. Power. And that was how I determined I would make my BDSM tale “more” than just a pornographic series of hardcore sex scenes involving bondage, spanking, and nipple clamps. Rose would lay down her power—her angelic need to be in control at all times—to give her beloved the gift of domination over her proud (and infinitely supernaturally more powerful) body. This is how she would profess her love for him, for all time. This is how she would show him that he is worthy of her, body and soul.
Admittedly, since DEMON’S SLAVE was published, there have been those who have hated the rawness of the story. Some have said I went too far: that if Skriker loved Rose, he would not dominate her with the intensity that he did. That at times it bordered on abuse, DESPITE the fact that everything is consensual, that Rose is thrilled and made all the wetter when her beloved spanks her until her ass is red and bruised, or backhands her as punishment for speaking without permission. That she feels all the more bonded to him as she lies bound, rubber-coated nipple clamps pinching her pink pearls, her mouth and cunt and ass brutalized deliciously by her Halfling love, matters little to these usual BDSM readers. There is no rape, no child abuse, and no dubious consent of any kind. But some still viewed it, and will continue to view it, as “too much”. And that is fair enough. I expected there would be naysayers, and people who will never be able to pick up another book by me because of what went down in this one. Who simply didn’t “get” the dynamic between these two lovers who would give each other everything: body, soul, pleasure, pain…and in that giving, that sharing, apologies would be spoken, regret would be expressed, and a forbidden romance would be strengthened all the more by this raw and brutal gift.
Sometimes, power can mean giving in, can mean submitting…can mean the greatest sacrifice for love. And that is what makes DEMON’S SLAVE, in many ways, my most powerful story yet.
Would you like to win not just an eBook copy of “Demon’s Slave” but an eBook copy of “Black Dog And Rebel Rose” as well? Awesome, here’s your big chance! 1 lucky winner will be announced on February 4th so, hurry up and fill the Rafflecopter form below!
Great post.
I hadn't read any of your work until Demon's Slave, if my reaction was anything it was that i have to read more about these characters and know their history! I wish i had read the Black Dog & Rebel Rose adventures first but still intend to read them!
And i don't think it was "too much", though some of the sexual references were blush worthy! Lol.
TToria @ ttoria.blogspot.com
Just wanted to say hello and support the tour. I already bought the books so I won't be entering the contest. Love the books, Love the art too!
I love to read Dani's books they transport me away from my day to day:-)
Awesome post!! I totally agree with Danielle and although I haven't read this wonderful story yet, I think her post made perfectly clear the view on BDSM in regards of Rose&Skriker's relationship. 🙂
Hi Danielle. First of all I'd like to say I'm a big fan of your art :). Second, I love that you chose "Power" to write about. It was perfect and a great way to introduce your work. Writing won't be for everyone all the time, and I think they've been forewarned before ever reading the first page too :). I can't wait to read your books :).
BK Walker
Hi Danielle,
Thank you for sharing all of the information on BDSM. I see nothing wrong with the subject especially if it's done consensual. When two people are that hardcore involved in the act That means there's a lot of trust between those two people.
I for one wouldn't let someone dominate over me like that. That's because I haven't trusted anyone that I would allow to do me that way. However, if I found the partner I could trust. I would at least try to submit.
Thank you again for exploring this topic. I hope I get lucky enough to win your books.
Teresa K.
tcwgrlup41(at)yahoodotcom
Danielle,
I can't wait to read this series!
(I'm not entering the contest because I have all of the books.)
Lea Ellen {night owl in IL}
Looking forward to reading your books:)…I love a good BDSM tale. Even though I would not want to participate in they type of relationship I think it is HAWT!!! and love when it is incorporated into a existing storyline….
HOpe I win!!
I agree with Teresa! I've always found it quite interesting and I love the psychological aspect of it, that someone gives themselves to someone else.
But back to the post; I'm super curious about your novel! I know Silvia really liked it and I trust her taste. 😉 Love your post too! Super interesting.
As far as the decision for Rose to give up power to her lover, since I haven't read the other stories it is hard for me to say if it is too much or out of character. The only part of the description that made me a little nervous was the backhanding for punishment–that always seems to be reserved (to me) for spousal abuse. But if it truly is consensual and they both want that power dynamic and get off on it, then it must work. I enjoy most BDSM stories because of the psychological aspects depicted. This looks really interesting!
Ann
Kyreadinggirl@yahoo.com
I've already got all of the books and can't wait for the new one with Rose and Skrike. Way to go Danielle!
Thanks so much, my lovelies! I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!
I totally get the backhanding concern…it was something I had to ponder quite carefully before inserting this theme in Demon's Slave. But in this tale, I can assure you this is not a story that contains any kind of real spousal abuse or domestic violence…every act is consensual. Even when her lover backhands her, Rose is in bliss–pleasure merged with pain. There is nothing abusive about consenting BDSM, and that, I assure you, is all that you will find here. 🙂
Hugs!!!