Round Table Discussion - Discipline vs. Punishment #Spanking #RoundTable #SpankingRomance

Thanks to Thianna D for bringing this topic to the Spanking Romance Reviews Round Table Discussion.  Discipline vs. Punishment, are they different things or just different shades of the same thing?  I know what my gut reaction is to the two words, but I wondered if my gut was wrong, so I looked up their definitions.

From their definitions alone, I'd say that punishment is a component of discipline, though I use the terms interchangeably in my writing.  Discipline is broader than punishment since its definition includes training, as well as other activities used to improve a skill or behavior as well as punishment.  As in the case of maintenance spankings, I see them as a form of discipline, not punishment.  They are intended more as impetus for continued good behavior and a reminder, not to address a wrong.  Punishments are administered after a transgression occurs.  They are intended to address something specific that needs correcting, and as adverse therapy, they are meant to be uncomfortable or painful.

As for abuse, I maintain that abuse lies in intent, not in the action. If the intent is to cause fear, injury or harm in a way that makes a person feel debased and useless (and it is not being conducted as a humiliation scene in BDSM), I think the interaction qualifies as abuse.  Abuse can be mental as well as physical.  I've written a couple of articles on DD and BDSM and abuse, which I'll provide links to at the end, but the paragraph that I think explains the difference best is this:

BDSM allows individuals of similar interests and desires to give vent to their predilection through mutually satisfying means.  By this definition, BDSM is not abuse, even if humiliation plays a part.  Personally, that's difficult for me to accept because I view humiliation as destructive and have difficulty understanding how someone could achieve any satisfaction from being humiliated.  Abusive spouses wish to inspire fear and deep psychological uncertainty in their partner, not sexual fulfillment.  Domestic Discipline participants, on the other hand, desire to establish a paradigm of mutual respect and accountability through a communicated set of rules that both are expected to follow.  The intent of a Domestic Discipline relationship is to establish or maintain respect through the administration of more traditional values.

So, if the intent is to offer another pleasure, and both participants are willing, even if pain and humiliation are employed, the activity should not be considered abuse.

As for my personal activities, I can't say my husband and I are true DD practitioners.  There's an element of it in our marriage, but no actual discipline or punishment is meted out.  I'm not sent to stand in a corner, and I am not subject to receiving serious spankings, but then I'm really a very good girl, so there's no need for such methods.  I adore and respect my husband, and I tend to bend to his authority, even when he's doing it just to test or irk me.  So, I can't say the subject of discipline and punishment is appropriate for our marriage.

So, when it comes down to writing or living it, I'd have to say I live it only in my mind and fantasies, but I write it in my dreams.

Thanks again to Thianna, who has her kinky blog at http://blog.thiannad.com/.  Now go visit the other authors participating in this discussion by either going back to Spanking Romance Reviews, or clicking one of the links below.  And thanks for stopping by.

Other articles I've written on DD, D/s and BDSM that touch on abuse:

http://krbnaughtythoughts.blogspot.com/2014/07/thoughtful-thursday-spanking-is-it-kink.html

http://ettastark.blogspot.com/2014/07/corbins-bend-blitz-simple.html

#HornyHDay - 7/30/14 - Mortal Illusions - Can we do it more than once? #ParanormalRomance #vampires

Most vampires drink blood, but not all of them go for the neck.

This material is Not Safe For Work. If you’re not over 18, please explore elsewhere.

Welcome to Horny Hump Day, a regular Wednesday feature! In this blog loop, we hope to provide you with tiny little tidbits of the most sexy and sensuous moments in our books. Just 3 sentences. The books might be already published, works-in-progress, or even classic literature we think you’ll like.

This post for HHD is from my 1st book, Mortal Illusions. A vampire romance published by New Concepts Publishing, Mortal Illusions is currently the first in a series of 3 books.  Its sequel, Fatal Desire, is currently under production.

 

This snippet occurs about a third way into the book after Claire Daniels has finally convinced Germaine St. Justine, the two hundred year-old vampire she hopes will ultimately save her brother's life, to make love. Claire's convinced herself she knows what she's getting into, but she's quickly learning her preconceived notions are wrong.  Possibly dead wrong, because not only can making love to a vampire be fatally addictive, they are open to all your thoughts and feelings, which can be erotically satisfying, or terribly embarrassing.
.

            “Can we do it more than once?”

            “If I'm careful, we can make love several times a night.  The danger isn't in the frequency, but in the amount I take from you.”

Though a vampire's bite can be painful, the pleasure it ultimately brings is pure ecstasy, but as is the issue with anything that offers absolute pleasure, you always want more.

M/F, Contemporary vampire romance in a society based on D/s.

Read the first three chapters at: Mortal Illusions

Buy the book at NCP, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ARe.

Thanks so much for joining us in Horny Hump Day.  I hope you enjoyed this nibble, now please check out the other author's fine offerings at the Horny Hump Day blog site.  The site also provides details on how you can sign up for next week if you’d like to play along with us.  We don't bite, even if your heroes do.

#WIPItUp - 7/30/14 - Lessons in Love - #WIP #SpankingRomance #DD

WIP: Work in progress.  WIP it up Wednesday is a hop where writers share portions of the project they're working on (or from one already published) with readers.  I really like the idea because it allows me to share something that's still in the creative stage as well as work behind the scenes as a prompt to keep me writing. But please keep in mind that this is a work in progress, and hasn't been fully edited.  In fact, the scenes I post here may not even make it into the final document.

The manuscript I've chosen to share is tentatively titled "Lessons in Love."  It is about a wealthy business owner who believes in helping his executive admins using politically incorrect, H.R.unapproved, and therefore clandestine, Domestic Discipline techniques.  Since DD isn't for everyone, he does tend to go through admins rather frequently.  However, he also makes sure if they choose not to work for him because of his unorthodox management style, that they are given another suitable position in his company if they wish to remain, or a handsome severance package if they choose to leave.

Pam Weston has worked in Robert Peterson's company for nearly six months as a temp when she is reassigned to the President's office.  She has caught glimpses of Mr. Peterson when she temped on the executive floor, but she never expected she'd be summoned to work for him.  Pam has a criminal record and a murky past, which has made her practically unemployable, and yet now H.R. has assigned her to work for the president of their company.  Though she's certain this will prove the beginning of the end of her employment at Peterson Enterprises, she's determined to do the best job she can, come whatever.  She's currently being trained by Krista Rensler who is an admin for one of the other executives.  She's been told to let only the calls from people on Mr. Peterson's approved list go through, and she's having some doubts she'll be successful at running interference.

Pam had more than a few doubts over her ability to block callers without angering somebody when the phone rang. "It's an outside call on the Peterson Enterprises line," she murmured unnecessarily. Already aware of the three-ring-rule, Pam immediately picked up the receiver and glanced down to note the number was not on any of the lists Krista gave her. The rule of the executive floor was that all calls needed to be picked up before the third ring. Any assistant who failed to answer her boss's phone within that time frame would need an excellent reason, and the admins were directed to cover for each other, so all of them would be called on the carpet. Keeping her voice calm and professional, she said, "Peterson Enterprises, Mr. Peterson's office. How may I help you?"

"You can put me through to Rob right away, bitch. That's how you can help me."

Pam's eyebrows rose, but she kept her tone polite. "May I ask who is calling?"

"Ask away, dearie, but if you don't put me through this second Mr. Peterson is going to have a huge legal mess on his hands."

"One moment, please." Pam put the woman on hold and stared at Krista. "Do you recognize her voice?"

"No, but I wouldn't put her through. Tell her Mr. Peterson is currently in a meeting and will have to call her back. Then ask for a number where she can be reached."

Pam did exactly as she was told, but the woman hung up on her. After that, Pam's stomach was in knots. Krista gave her an understanding smile and a pat on the shoulder, then continued filling her in.

Seconds later, Robert Peterson stepped out of his office holding his cell phone. "I think you're being a little over-dramatic, my dear, but I'll check." He put his phone on mute. "Did either of you take a call from Celine a few minutes ago?"

"I'm not sure, sir," Pam answered. "A woman called, insisting she be put through, but refused to give her name."

Peterson regarded Krista with a raised eyebrow and Krista shrugged. "She didn't call from any of the established numbers, and I didn't recognize her voice, sir, so I told Pam to take a message."

"Thank you," he replied curtly, then turned back into his office. "Celine, if you want to be put through you need to leave your name, or call me on my cell. Yes, I realize that's what you just did. Now, stop crying and tell me what's happened that's gotten you so upset." At that point, the door closed, and Pam and Krista were out of the conversation.

"She's going to be put on the 'do not disturb' list very shortly, and he'll be asking you to get him a new phone and number. They get clingy like that, and he detaches. Lesson one: he can't abide clingy, tearful women. He sounds all sweetness on the phone, but her ass is grass. Wait and see."

Hope you enjoyed the excerpt, and if I can, I'll share more next week.  Thanks for visiting.  Now go visit the other authors and see what they're sharing by either clicking one of the links below, or visiting WIP it up Wednesday.

#SPeekSunday - 7/27/14 - Arrested by Love - But Daddy could give us money #SpankingRomance #DD

He caught her speeding in a school zone and decided she needed to learn even civil disobedience could have very painful consequences.

Welcome to the first Sneak Peek Sunday of June.  For Sneak Peek Sunday we share six paragraphs from a published work or a WIP (work in progress).

My submission for this week is from my 3rd book, Arrested by Love.  A handsome, but strict, police officer  decides a spoiled socialite needs a special lesson in obeying the law.

Tiffany Morgan has been in love with Kyle Sinclair since she was ten years old, when he'd turned her over his knee for attempting to swim in a raging white water river. Though she'd been furious with him at the time, Tiffany never told her family what Kyle did. Instead, she began trailing after him like an annoying younger sister as she tried to gain his attention.

Now, eleven years later, Kyle, a patrol officer, is finding it much more difficult to maintain his distance from the irresistible and vivacious redhead who continues to invent ingenious ways to attract his interest. Though he dismissed her initial attraction to him as infatuation, as she grew-up, his own feelings of desire and protectiveness deepened. So, despite his constant struggle to resist the spirited little minx's lures, Kyle finally has to admit that he is losing the battle--badly.

After Kyle makes it clear to Tiffany that speeding will earn her much more than a ticket from him, he gives into the inevitable and asks her out on a date.  He loves her, but isn't sure he's the right guy for her.  However, he no longer fights the attraction between them as he dates her exclusively, but Tiffany wants more, so she makes her stand, and Kyle makes it clear how her life will change if they get married.  And he starts by asking her if she wants kids, and how many.

            "Um, kids?" she asked more than a little uncertainly.  At his nod, she said, "Two or four, I guess.  I hadn't really thought about it."

            "Well, I have, little girl.  It is all I have been thinking about lately, and I do not want you working and trying to raise my kids at the same time."  When she opened her mouth to refute his possessive pronoun, he added.  "I've seen what double-duty like that does to women, and I do not want that for you.  But I do want kids.  Lots of them.  If you only want four, I could live with that, even though I'd really like to have a lot more.  So, I'd like to start as soon as possible."  When her eyebrows rose at that, he gave her another nod.  "Yes.  Perhaps now you understand.  I earn around 60K a year.  That's nowhere near the 250K your dad probably makes.  For us to maintain a household with children, we would have to scrimp to save pennies.  Cut costs where we could.  If you want to work until you're pregnant, I'll let you.  However, the moment your doctor confirms your pregnancy, I would expect you to turn in your resignation and concentrate on taking care of yourself for our baby."

            That was the second time in under five minutes that Tiffany felt her jaw drop.  Keeping her thoughts to herself, she beleaguered the fact that she'd fallen completely for a stupid, dominant, alpha male who appeared stuck in the Stone Age.

            Though his gaze had not shifted from her face for a second, Tiffany knew him well-enough by now to realize he was waiting for her to process what he'd just said.  She pulled away slightly and straightened her back.

            Dropping his hand from her chin he asked again.  "So, do you think you could live on a cop's salary?"  Then waved that question aside and asked, "Do you even think you could manage to live on a budget?

Tiffany is an innocent, but she knows she wants Kyle, so sets out a plan to get him, except Kyle has a few requirements of his own that Tiffany will have trouble meeting.

M/F, DD and sexy spankings in rural Connecticut.

If you're 18 or older, you can read the first three chapters at Arrested by Love

Buy the book directly from Blushing Books, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ARE

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and want more. Please click the link below to continue your hop Sneak Peek Sunday Wishing you a wonderful journey.

#SatSpanks - 7/26/14 - A Simple Misunderstanding - Hiding an injury is wrong #SpankingRomance #CorbinsBend

He came to her rescue when she needed him most, almost to lose her when she disobeyed him.

Reading this material at Work could get you spanked.

Welcome to the Saturday Spankings blog hop.  My stories are all M/f with the dominant male determined to protect the woman he cares for and loves, or grows to love, by doing whatever it takes to ensure her safety and continued health.  This includes administering a spanking when she needs one.  

My submission for this week is a sneak peek from my fourth spanking book, A Simple Misunderstanding, a Corbin's Bend novel published on July 15 by Blushing Books.

In this scene, which occurs in the last third of the book, Eleanor Benson (Elly) has moved in with Gerald Douglas (Jerry) after she is released from the hospital, still recovering from injuries she received from her husband.  Jerry insists she stay close to the house and not take her dog walking in the park on the first day she's home.  However, when an older neighbor calls to her from the dog park, Elly disobeys Jerry's instructions and takes their two dogs with her, unaware her abusive husband is lying in wait for her.  When her actions nearly get her killed, Jerry determines Elly needs to learn obedience to him is not optional. After making sure she's healthy enough to withstand punishment, he orders her to stand in the corner sans panties.  When he gives her permission to turn around, he's seated on the bed holding a blue plastic thong (shoe, not underwear).  Ordering her to hold out her hand, he gives it a smack with the flip-flop and asks her to rate her pain level.  Once she establishes it as zero, he discusses her transgressions in order of their occurrence. When he lists the fact she lied to him by telling him the bruises on her arm left by her husband were nothing, she attempts to defend her actions by claiming she didn't want to get him more upset than he already was.

           “So, you thought lying and pulling away would please me?”

“No. But I knew you’d be furious if you realized Arthur had bruised me. You’d only get a little angry if I refused to show you my injury.”

“In other words, you attempted to lessen my reaction by denying me permission to look after you, right?”

“No.” She paused. “I guess so, but it sounds terrible when you put it that way.”

“Because hiding an injury from me is wrong, Elly. I’m here to help you, and you lied to prevent a scene. I consider your actions a form of deceitful manipulation. So, the transgression is going to cost you double.”

“Double what?”

“The number of swats. Ten for not staying in the yard and twenty for attempting to hide the truth and manipulate me.

 

After being abused by her husband, Elly is nervous about entering into another DD relationship, but she's disobeyed Jerry, and despite her stated excuses knows she was wrong to do so.  So she willingly, if not a little regretfully, accepts whatever punishment he decides is appropriate.

M/F Domestic Discipline in Colorado.

Blurb:

Though Arthur and Eleanor Benson have been practicing domestic discipline for three months since their wedding, he insists moving to Corbin's Bend, where domestic discipline is the norm rather than the exception, will revitalize their marriage. Elly has doubts, but since Arthur is the undisputed head of their household, they move. However, once Arthur becomes immersed in a community where spanking is not only permitted, but encouraged, his personality undergoes a dramatic change. Accusing his submissive wife of being lazy, disorganized and disobedient, he employs creative methods of pain and humiliation to mold Elly from the imperfect woman he married into the perfect woman he desires. And Elly finds herself a virtual prisoner in her own home, accountable only to the man who rules her life with a cane.

In his years as a vet, Jerry Douglas has seen what abuse does to animals, and he recognizes those same signs in Elly Benson during her daily escape to the dog park with her tiny poodle. Jerry steadfastly supports the tenets of domestic discipline and enjoys the freedom Corbin's Bend offers its residents, but he remains fiercely protective of anyone in need of a champion. And when he witnesses evidence of harsh handling, his instinct is to rush in and rescue. Problem is Elly Benson is a married and consenting adult who insists all her bruises and welts are nothing more than a simple misunderstanding between her and her husband, until the day Arthur Benson takes his authority and discipline one-step too far, endangering Elly's life.

The Thong - pictured for my European friends

A Simple Misunderstanding is available at the following locations.

Blushing Books
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

I also have a page on my web site where I am offering a sample of the first three chapters. If you're interested, visit either the Spanking Romance or A Simple Misunderstanding page in the Over 18 section of my website.

A Simple Misunderstanding is currently the only full novel (vs. novella) in the Corbin's Bend line up, and it's receiving some excellent reviews on the Blushing site.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and want more. Please click on one of the author's names below, or visit The Saturday Spankings Blog to continue your journey.

#FriskyFriday - 7/25/14 - A Simple Misunderstanding - Paperwork is merely a formality #SpankingRomance #CorbinsBend

It's Frisky Friday!  Yay!  And I'm sharing another excerpt from my new spanking romance in the Corbin's Bend series, A Simple Misunderstanding.  

He came to her rescue when she needed him most, almost to lose her when she disobeyed him.

In this scene, which begins Chapter 12, Eleanor Benson (Elly) is due to be released from the hospital, after a five day stay.  Gerald Douglas (Jerry, who is Corbin Bend's vet) has been at her side almost the whole time, but he had to leave the day before for an emergency.  When he called Elly that evening to tell her he was driving back to Denver, she sounded strange on the phone, but insisted he remain in Corbin's Bend, claiming she wanted to go to sleep early. Certain she was not telling him the truth, he pressed a little harder only to have say she had to hang up because a nurse just came in.  Convinced something was up, he calls the nurse's station, but they claim Elly is alone and nothing out of the ordinary has happened.  He stays home as she wanted, but remains ill at ease. 

Jerry pulled into the hospital parking lot at 8 AM, but stopped by the nurse’s station to get a report on Elly’s status before he joined her.

Jayne glanced at the computer. “Debby, Mrs. Benson’s night nurse didn’t list anything unusual, Dr. Douglas.”

“Good. Mrs. Benson advised me she was going to be released today. Have her doctors put through the request for her paperwork?’

“Not yet, sir. They’ll probably release her during morning rounds.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

He strode into Elly’s room to find her struggling to get into a pair of sweatpants. “What are you doing?”

She gave him a startled glance, then smiled. “Hi. Getting dressed. Would you bring the car around front, so we could leave right away?”

Seeing she was tangling up her intravenous line as she struggled to dress, he swatted her hands aside. “Stop that. You’ll pull out your IV. Here, I’ll help.” He straightened out the crimped line, made sure her pants didn’t press too tightly against her still bruised and swollen tummy, then lowered her gown. He cupped her cheeks in his hands. “You haven’t been released, yet, Elly. So, what’s this urgency all about?”

Her face crumpled in dismay. “The paperwork is merely a formality. Can’t we just leave?”

“No, we can’t. Now sit down and tell me what’s wrong.”

 

Elly has agreed to go home with Jerry, but he suspects she's not telling him the truth, and lying is something for which he has zero tolerance.

M/F Domestic Discipline in Colorado.

Blurb:

Though Arthur and Eleanor Benson have been practicing domestic discipline for three months since their wedding, he insists moving to Corbin's Bend, where domestic discipline is the norm rather than the exception, will revitalize their marriage. Elly has doubts, but since Arthur is the undisputed head of their household, they move. However, once Arthur becomes immersed in a community where spanking is not only permitted, but encouraged, his personality undergoes a dramatic change. Accusing his submissive wife of being lazy, disorganized and disobedient, he employs creative methods of pain and humiliation to mold Elly from the imperfect woman he married into the perfect woman he desires. And Elly finds herself a virtual prisoner in her own home, accountable only to the man who rules her life with a cane.

In his years as a vet, Jerry Douglas has seen what abuse does to animals, and he recognizes those same signs in Elly Benson during her daily escape to the dog park with her tiny poodle. Jerry steadfastly supports the tenets of domestic discipline and enjoys the freedom Corbin's Bend offers its residents, but he remains fiercely protective of anyone in need of a champion. And when he witnesses evidence of harsh handling, his instinct is to rush in and rescue. Problem is Elly Benson is a married and consenting adult who insists all her bruises and welts are nothing more than a simple misunderstanding between her and her husband, until the day Arthur Benson takes his authority and discipline one-step too far, endangering Elly's life.

A Simple Misunderstanding is available at the following locations.

Blushing Books
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

If you want more, I'm also offering a sample of the first three chapters on my web site's A Simple Misunderstanding page. It's for 18+ only readers, but since you're here, I gather you meet the requirements.  A Simple Misunderstanding is currently the only novel in the Corbin's Bend line up, and it's receiving some excellent reviews on the Blushing site.

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed the excerpt and have a very Frisky Friday of your own.  

#HornyHDay - 7/23/14 - Acting Lessons - Permission granted, words are whispered #SpankingRomance #KissMeKate

Splendorous things can happen when the mind and body are in tune.

This material is NSFW (Not Safe For Work). If you’re not over 18, please explore elsewhere.

Welcome back to Horny Hump Day, a regular Wednesday feature! In this blog loop, we hope to provide you with tiny erotic tidbits of the most sexy and sensuous moments in our books. Just 3 sentences.  And boy is that hard to do, sometimes....

My submission for this week is from my 5th novel, Acting Lessons.

He was a strict and demanding college professor turned professional director who excelled at giving acting lessons.  She was his shy and uncertain former student who became a professional actress under his tutelage.  They fell in love, married, and won two Tony Awards before tragedy struck and a simple kiss ripped them apart.

After a six month separation, Peter Thorton decides to take matters into his own hands by making his famous wife, Kate, an offer she wouldn't refuse.  Plainly put, he wants her back and he intends to do whatever is necessary to achieve his goal, even if it means giving his stubborn, willful leading lady a daily reminder over his knee that she promised to obey him.

In this scene, which occurs in chapter six, Peter Thorton has just finished giving his wife, Kate, a relatively mild spanking for defying his instructions, and is preparing to make love to her for the first time in over two years.  Peter adores Kate, but he's not above teasing her a little before giving her what she wants and needs as he gently nibbles her into a writhing mass of desire.  However, given her injured knee, he also wants to ensure nothing they do aggravates her torn meniscus, so he gently restrains her when she tries to counter-thrust against his pleasuring.  Keeping his hand on her thigh as a reminder, he warns her if she moves, she'll get a swat, then he makes love to her.  Since they haven't been together for nearly six months, Peter enters Kate slowly to give her body time to adjust.

            Peter was about halfway inside Kate when he gazed into her eyes as if seeking permission.  Smiling at his gentleness, she traced a finger along the small crease between his eyebrows.  He bent forward with a whispered "I love you," and pushed the remaining distance until he was fully seated within her.

Peter is finally where he belongs, and now that he's there, he has no wish to leave.

M/F, DD and a staged production of Kiss Me, Kate.

If you're 18 or older, you can read the first three chapters at Acting Lessons

Buy the book directly from Blushing Books, Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes&Noble

Blushing Books caters specially to those who love spanking stories in all genres.  So, if you enjoy stories with characters who have their bottoms warmed on occasion, for a variety of different reasons, I urge you to pay them a visit. Blushing Books

I hope you enjoyed this sneak preview. Your comments are encouraged. Please stop by the  Horny Hump Day blog site  to get a peek at some of the other fine authors' offerings.

#WIPItUp Wednesday - 7/23/14 - Lessons in Love #WIP #Spanking #

WIP: Work in progress.  WIP it up Wednesday is a hop where writers share portions of the project they're working on with readers.  I really like the idea because it allows me to share something that's still in the creative stage as well as work behind the scenes as a prompt to keep me writing.

The manuscript I've chosen to share is tentatively titled "Lessons in Love."  It is about a wealthy business owner who believes in helping his executive admins using politically incorrect, H.R.unapproved, and therefore clandestine, Domestic Discipline techniques.  Since DD isn't for everyone, he does tend to go through admins rather frequently.  However, he also makes sure if they choose not to work for him because of his unorthodox management style, that they are given another suitable position in his company if they wish to stay, or a handsome severance package if they choose to leave.

Pam Weston has worked in Robert Peterson's company for nearly six months as a temp when she is reassigned to the President's office.  She has caught glimpses of Mr. Peterson when she temped on the executive floor, but she never expected she'd be summoned to work for him.  Pam has a criminal record and a murky past, which has made her practically unemployable, and yet now H.R. has assigned her to work for the president of their company.  She's certain this is the beginning of the end of her employment.

Even though a part of Pam Weston remained convinced she would screw up and be fired, she raised her chin and rode the elevator to the fiftieth floor as directed. She'd been ordered to report in to the handsome thirty-something man who'd made millions through his internationally famous public relations firm. She'd seen him a few times when she filled in for other admins on the executive floor, and he'd been polite, but distant. This time, however, he barely raised his head when she knocked and stepped into his office.

"Mr. Peterson. I'm Pamela Weston. H.R. sent me up here to serve as your temp."

He frowned, but gave a nod. "Do you know who Krista Rensler is?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ask her to bring you up to speed, Miss Weston. I have neither the time nor the patience to train administrative assistants in office procedures."

His dismissal acted like a slap to her face, which she was certain had turned a bright shade of red to accompany the heat of her cheeks. "Yes, sir," she murmured and went in search of Krista.

Krista Rensler was an attractive, well-dressed green-eyed blond in her late twenties who, after five years of working with the upper management of Peterson Enterprises, had an excellent grasp of the workings on the executive floor. When Pam admitted she suspected Mr. Peterson was not pleased to see another temporary, Krista gave her a conspiratorial grin

"Mr. Peterson is not in the best of moods this morning. Just ignore him. He's got a loud growl, but he won't bite as long as you don't rattle his cage."

Pam returned Krista's smile, though she was far from persuaded cage rattling was the only provocation that caused the patrician profiled executive to bite after Krista gave her a brief introduction into the man's schedule. He maintained a list of individuals with whom he didn't wish to speak, as well as those she should always tell him were on the line. One of the "must notify" on the list was a Mrs. Peterson, but Pam learned she was his mother.

With her head bent close, Krista told Pam about Celine, who was high on Peterson's must notify list. "She's a bitch of the first water, but Peterson still insists on talking to her whenever she calls, although I have no idea why. I don't think he likes her very much, either."

The other names on the list all appeared to be business associates. On the "do not disturb" list were a couple of females.

"I think he was dating Donna for a while, and there were rumors it might be serious, but then I heard she stepped out on him, so he dumped her. She still calls on occasion, and doesn't always leave her name. Whatever you do, don't let her calls go through unless you harbor a secret desire to see a human volcano."

"I thought you said he's all growl."

"Mostly, although I swear I've seen him spout fire from his ears and nostrils on occasion. You're the knight's sword and shield. Trust me these women will do anything they can to get past you, but you need to stand firm."

Hope you enjoyed the excerpt, and if I can, I'll share more next week.  Thanks for visiting.  Now go visit the other authors and see what they're sharing by either clicking one of the links below, or visiting WIP it up Wednesday.

#SPeekSunday - 7/20/14 - Deadly Enchantment - It's only a dream #ParanormalRomance #Shapeshifters

An unhappy shape shifter can be a dangerous companion....

For Sneak Peek Sunday authors share six paragraphs from a published work or a WIP (work in progress).

My excerpt for this week is from my 2nd book, Deadly Enchantment.  A shapeshifting wizard romance set in Victorian England published by New Concepts Publishing, 

In this snippet, which occurs in the middle of the second chapter, Dominic Westcroft has returned from London to discover his sister has invited several young women to his home, so he can select a new bride.  What neither he nor his sister suspects, however, is that one of the women is actually his deceased bride's sister.  Tormented by guilt over his wife's tragic and brutal death, Dominic has no intention of ever marrying again.  However, when his show of temper accidentally reveals one of their guests possesses magical abilities she's trying to keep hidden, he invites the ladies join him for dinner, so he can rout her out.

His resulting magical show ends up causing a few of the women to cry out in dismay, so Serena calls an end to the charade by revealing herself as the woman with whom he had psychically linked a few hours ago.  Serena knows she's taking a huge risk by standing up to Westcroft, but she believes doing so will put an end to his magical shenanigans without revealing her true identity. However, when Westcroft intimates he knows her secret, her chair magically rises into the air.  Realizing she can't appear weak before a predator, Serena calls Westcroft's bluff. He surprises Serena with his concession to her, but when he lowers her chair back to the ground, the other frightened women inform him they want to leave the manor.  Rather than give in to their pleas he addresses the quailing group in a low, melodic voice that suggests they all get a good night's rest, and he'd discuss their leaving in the morning.

            Amazingly, all the women except Serena nodded.  There wasn’t even a moment’s hesitation from any of them.  The doors opened.  “Ah, Mrs. Sloan, prompt as always.  Please escort our guests to their rooms and make sure none gets lost on her way, will you?  Pleasant dreams, ladies.”

            En masse, they followed Mrs. Sloan into the hall, bumping into one another with shuffling steps like sleepy lambs being led to their slaughter.  When Serena rose to follow, Westcroft stepped closer and put a hand on her arm to stop her.

            “What did you do to them?” she demanded, pulling her arm free.

            “Nothing.  I but eased their fear a bit.”

            “You mesmerized them!”

            “Not exactly, but they will remember this night more as a dream than a reality.”

Dominic Westcroft is determined to uncover his young guest's secrets even if it means keeping the others around as a ruse.

M/F, Shape shifting  wizards in Victorian England.

Read the first three chapters at: Deadly Enchantment

Available at NCP, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ARe

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you enjoyed this brief excerpt and want more. Please click the link below to continue your hop Sneak Peek Sunday.  Wishing you a wonderful journey.