Commanding Acquistions - Trailer

It has been a few weeks since Commanding Acquisitions has come out, and so far the response has been very flattering. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read and comment on the story. Simon and Gavin pass along their thanks as well.

Since it's come out, I've moved on to writing another story, but the boys haven't been too far from my mind. In fact, I did up a book trailer for them!

Though not BDSM related, I thought I'd take a few minutes to talk about how I did the trailer. It was stupid easy to pull one together using a free program call Photostory 3. The program itself is for PC users only (sorry Mac folks!) and has royalty free music included for use. The only thing you need to get are royalty free images to incorporate.

I ended up using my cover and a few pictures from a site I signed up for. The end result took me about ten minutes to build and I'm pretty happy with it.

I hope you enjoy!

Commanding Acquisitions

*does a snoopy dance around the room*

It's out!! I am super excited to let everyone know that Commanding Acquisitions, the second book in the 1-800-DOM-help series is now available from Ellora's Cave.

When we started talking about the series, a lot of ideas were bounced around. At the time, I was working at a conference for my day job, and as we chatted the idea for Commanding Acquisitions popped into my head. I wrote the synopsis on my BlackBerry in between conference sessions and then tore back to my hotel room to get started.

The end result is a story I'm very happy to call my own. :)

I thought I would share with you today our new group prologue, and a short excerpt from Commanding Acquisitions. I hope you enjoy!

The Magic

The magic begins with the appearance of the business card. Sleek black print on a pristine white background—unassuming in its appearance. Those brave enough to call the number will begin a journey that will explore their greatest desires.

Once the call is made, the Operator goes to work. Somehow he knows just what every caller needs, always able to find the answer the caller seeks.

Callers may be directed to Unfettered, a new club in town, one nobody has heard of. It provides a safe haven for all who enter. Members are free to explore their every desire...even those they weren't aware of. Little do they know Unfettered will disappear once those yearnings have eased.

Submissives who don't know how to handle their Dominants. Masters looking for the perfect sub. People who need just a little push to admit vanilla isn't their favorite flavor. The card finds them all.

And once you dial 1-800-DOM-help anything can happen.

Commanding Acquisitions

Simon cocked his head to the side, looking at the man kneeling by his chair out of the corner of his eye. He hadn’t moved. The drink was still being offered, though Simon could see the slight shake in his arms. With a bored sigh, he reached out and took the tumbler.

The familiar, pleasant burn of the scotch made its way down his throat. Damn, that was good. He took another sip and held his glass out. The sub reached for it, taking it neatly from him.

A loud crack was followed by a sob. “One. Thank you, Mistress.”

Simon reached out and took the glass again. He ignored the tiny rush of electricity when his fingers brushed against the sub’s. Fuck, he hadn’t even looked at the man yet and Simon was ready to tie him up.

“Two. Thank you, Mistress.”

He knew he wouldn’t be able to put things off too long. If Simon wasn’t going to play with the boy, then he needed to cut him loose sooner rather than later. It wouldn’t be fair to waste the poor guy’s whole evening.

Crack. “Three. Thank you, Mistress.” Gasp.

“I bet his ass is red now.” Simon said softly. It could be brushed off as him speaking to himself, but he knew the man at his feet would hang on every word.

“Five. Thank you, Mistress.”

“I bet the welts are nice and white. He won’t be able to sit down for hours.” Simon sipped his drink. “I wonder if she’ll fuck him or if she’ll leave him to suffer.”

“Seven. Thank you, Mistress.”

Not wanting to wait any longer, Simon looked over at the man at his feet.

He didn’t appear to be much younger than Simon. He was shirtless, wearing leather pants and his feet were bare. Brown hair fell forward to cover his eyes, which Simon inexplicably wanted to know the color of. His long, lean arms were now resting at his sides, knuckles pressed to the floor. God, he looked like a swimmer or runner. Someone who took the time to exercise and look after himself.

In short, he was gorgeous.

“Nine. Thank you, Mistress.”

The sub at his feet was breathing a bit harder now. Simon liked that he was affected by the scene going on. Not that they would be able to do something like that now—not without setting limits at least.

“Think he’s going to make it? She’s been going pretty rough on him. Answer me.”

“Yes Sir. He will.”

Last Chance at the Contest!

Tomorrow is D day, or C day if we want to be technical. (No, not C as in the naughty word. Although that's perfectly acceptable language in this place.) It's release day for Commanding Acquisitions, the second in the 1-800-DOM-help series. Christine d'Abo is treating us to this yummy story about Simon and Gavin. Check it out.

At the end of October I announced our "Win a Tote Full of Naughty" contest to celebrate the launch of our 1-800-DOM-help series and this blog. We'll wrap up the home stretch of the contest with the celebration of the Commanding Acquisitions release. The winner receives a tote bag of naughty items including a mini flogger and other bondage accessories. To enter participate in our scavenger hunt and answer questions based on information available on our author websites.

I'll post the questions and links below again for you to search. This means one more chance to enter. Email your answers to me at mapolaris@gmail.com by midnight on Wednesday, November 10th EST. Since you will all be busy reading Commanding Acquisitions that day, I suggest you finish your search early (by the end of tonight) to free up your time in anticipation.

I'll announce the winner on the blog hopefully on Thursday. I've already collected a nice number of entries, so scurry along and play catch up folks.

Here are the questions:

Ari Thatcher asks -- In what story does artist Lily get a second chance at success?

Christine d'Abo asks -- How many books are in the Eternal Bond series?

Delphine Dryden asks -- Jack and Katie from the upcoming Xmas Spark are also the main characters in which of my earlier books?

Desiree Holt asks -- Which one of my books received the CAPA Award from The Romance Studio?

Francesca Hawley asks -- What book of mine received a 4 1/2 star review from Romantic Times Magazine?

Marilu Mann asks -- What is the name of Ramey's boss in Needing Harte?

Michelle Polaris asks -- How many stars did Bound Odyssey receive from Just Erotic Romance Reviews?

Samantha Cayto asks -- With which hot guy does Caroline end up in Illegal Moves?

Click on the author names to start your searches.

Good luck. And hurry.

Safe, sane and consensual.

Michelle

Submissive What?

Like many of us here in the 1-800-DOM-help group, I find the interplay between a Dominant and submissive utterly fascinating. I think our society at large has a bit of a skewed perspective on what it means to be a submissive in a sexual relationship.

Submissive is seen as weak.

Yeah...no.

Just for fun I went over to the fountain of all knowledge...Wikipedia...and did a search for what they felt Submissive meant.

Submissiveness is the incidence or trait of voluntarily yielding to the will of another in an interpersonal relationship, or as a result of intimidation to some display of assertiveness or aggression by a partner. It can be found in everyday human and animal interactions.

Interesting. Let's keep reading, shall we.

In interpersonal relationships, some people prefer or are willing to adopt a submissive role in sexual activities or personal matters. The level and type of submission can vary from person to person, and from one context to another; and also is dependent on the other partner being willing to assume control in those situations. Some people can include occasional acts of submission in an otherwise conventional sex life, or adopt a submissive lifestyle.

What I like about this definition is the awareness of the range of submission that can be had in a sexual relationship. It's not all whips and chains people (though those can be a LOT of fun) and we should broaden our views of what submissiveness means in a sexual context. You can play Dom/sub games with a partner. It can spill into your day to day life...or never leave the bedroom.

The power in the Dom/sub relationship is with the sub. They are the ones who set limits (though some Doms have lines they won't cross as well) and they can halt the games as they go on.

It takes a lot of strength to give control to another person.

So what do you think?

Commanding Acquisitions Cover

And now a word from the peanut gallery.

Hello all you 1-800-DOM-help people! Christine here to say hello with my very first blog. I am honored to be a part of such a talented group of ladies and to have my novella, Commanding Acquisitions, standing with them.

There is always a certain amount of nerves being book two in a series. The bar has already been set high by the amazing Marilu Mann (Cai and Arwen), and I find myself hoping I live up to the expectations.

Well if Commanding Acquisitions has nothing else, I can safely say the cover is pretty kick ass.



Blurb

Part of the 1-800-DOM-help series.

Simon is a Dom who has become jaded, tired of the local scene. With his bookstore failing and personal life nonexistent, he’s looking for something different. The arrival of the mysterious 1-800-DOM-help business card gives Simon a chance for a change. The Operator directs him to Unfettered, a hot new BDSM club where Simon hopes to find a distraction for the evening. What he gets is a sexy sub offering himself up for a night of no-holds-barred sex, who then disappears with the dawn.

When the business consultant Simon hires turns out to be his mysterious sub, he knows he’s found a chance at happiness. But happiness comes at a price.

I'll have more for you next week as we get closer to the November 10th release day. Until then...

*does a snoopy dance*

Win a Tote Full of Naughty

In celebration of the recent launch of our series, the 1-800-DOM-help gals are running a contest. We're holding a scavenger hunt. I'll list a group of questions, the answers to which can be found on our various author web locations. Search through the sites (I'll provide links), collect the info, and email your answers to me at mapolaris@gmail.com.


The winner receives a tote bag of naughty including a mini flogger and other bondage accessories. Never leave home unprepared again. (grin)

You have until Wednesday November 10th to email me your responses. That's the fantabulous release day of Christine d'Abo's story, second in the 1 800 series, entitled Commanding Acquisitions. A winner will be chosen at random from the correct entries.


You'll notice some new author names below in our hunt. Our series is expanding and several talented writers have come along for the ride. Look for their 1-800 stories in the future, as well as additional names as our collaboration grows.

So pay attention to the questions as follow:

Ari Thatcher asks-- In what story does artist Lily get a second chance at success?

Christine d'Abo asks-- How many books are in the Eternal Bond series?

Delphine Dryden asks-- Jack and Katie from the upcoming Xmas Spark are also the main characters in which of my earlier books?

Desiree Holt asks-- Which one of my books received the CAPA Award from The Romance Studio?

Francesca Hawley asks-- What book of mine received a 4 1/2 star review from Romantic Times Magazine?

Marilu Mann asks-- What is the name of Ramey's boss in Needing Harte?

Michelle Polaris asks-- How many stars did Bound Odyssey receive from Just Erotic Romance Reviews?

Samantha Cayto asks-- With which hot guy does Caroline end up in Illegal Moves?




Click on each author's name to start your search.



Good luck, and may the best kinkster, um, I mean reader, win.



Safe, sane and consensual,

Michelle