Showing posts with label Claire Thompson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Claire Thompson. Show all posts
Saturday, March 7, 2009
And the Winner is .....
…Barbara!
Please let me know if you would like a free download of Polar Reaction, or any other novel from my backlist.
And a great big THANK YOU to all who posted comments. I really had a lot of fun and hope to do it again some time. It is terrific to connect with readers in such a direct and immediate way and I learned a lot from all of you.
By the way, if any of you would like to be added to my newsletter mailing list, just drop me an email to that effect (Claire@clairethompson.net) . I send out my newsletter when I have new releases, and keep you posted on what’s in the pipeline for upcoming publication, what I’m working on now and fun contests too!
Thanks again, and special thanks to Wave for bringing me into the loop.
Love, Claire
claire thompson - DIK day 3 - Book Giveaway
FREE BOOK
Today is my last day on the DIK blog and I would like to show my appreciation by offering a free download, by random draw, to one lucky person who comments on this post. You can either choose my newest book Polar Reaction or any book in my backlist. The winner will be announced tomorrow. Thank you ladies for your warm welcome to a newbie at blogging.
Now on to today's post:
A Golden Boy – Johnny Wilson – What makes him such an appealing hero?
Of all the books I’ve written (and I’ve written plenty) I’ve never received as much feedback about a particular hero as I have for Johnny Wilson, one of the two protagonists in the Golden Boy/Golden Man series. What is it about Johnny that so captures the hearts and minds of my readers?
Golden Boy was the first m/m novel I wrote. I had just become aware of the rising fascination of female romance readers with the intimate lives of gay couples. I decided to have a go at the genre, adding my particular bent of BDSM to the equation.
I found myself wondering why women would want to read about gay male lovers. When I began to think it through, the thought of alpha males connecting with one another on an intimate, passionate level had the potential to be very sexy indeed. First the imagery itself is very powerful—two strong, sensual man tousling, touching, kissing, making love in ways women find exciting and perhaps taboo. Gorgeous male bodies pressing together in hot, muscular passion…excuse me while I go for a quick cold shower…
I realized the potential for guiding my readers past their comfort zone, but in a way that would leave them breathless. I wanted to take my readers by the hand, leading them into the heated waters of explicit male/male sex—from first kiss to final consummation. They would become voyeurs of a world they, by definition, could not be a part of. Yet through my stories I hoped to draw them in, to let them connect for a moment with a different lifestyle, a different world.
Beyond the physical imagery, I wanted to explore the difficulties and intensity unique to men as lovers. I wanted to capture the unexpected gentleness and honesty shared between men who are not afraid to be vulnerable.
As our story opens, Johnny Wilson is in serious denial—not only of his sexual orientation, but of his sexually submissive nature as well. This gave me an opportunity to delve into the dynamics of “coming out” along with finding the courage to commit in a loving D/s relationship.
Johnny, until his world is turned upside down by the quietly confident, fiercely sexy Eric, had always defined himself as straight. His controlling domineering father would never have permitted any other definition. The conflict generated within himself and later with his family adds a new dimension to the already difficult terrain of gay love and a D/s lifestyle.
His love interest, Eric Mendez, has to come to terms with a new kind of man. Eric is used to playing the BDSM scene, using pretty boys for his pleasure but never letting them anywhere near his heart. When he first sees the devastatingly handsome man at the gay underground club where he reigns as king, his heart is captured in an instant. Unaware Johnny is only just beginning to understand his own impulses and desires, he promises himself to find the elusive golden-haired stranger and make him his own.
When they do finally connect, Johnny, naïve, innocent and aching to learn, is an entirely new sort of challenge for Eric. Used to savvy, worldly men who can fend for themselves in the ways of sex and submission, Eric realizes the enormous responsibility of becoming involved with someone who trusts him so completely. The usual rules he’s applied to his D/s affairs no longer apply. For the first time in his life he’s faced with something far more dangerous than whips and chains. He’s faced with the possibility of a real connection and the chance it will break his heart.
In writing the story, I wanted to get behind the tough, sexy alpha hero that is Eric and explore his gentler side—his romantic impulses and the tenderness love engenders in him. I wanted to explore the conflict between the new lovers, with Johnny pulling back, uncertain of his own desires, and Eric forcing himself to go slow, even when Johnny presses for more.
I think ultimately readers connected with Johnny because of his vulnerability, and then his courage in exploring his true nature. They felt included in his journey, a silent partner rooting for him. I think Johnny brings out the maternal instincts of my readers (myself included). We want to take care of him and protect him from the hard cold world waiting for him. He’s the archetypical son we have to protect, while at the same time, the sexy, hot lover we wish to seduce…but we’ll have to leave that to Eric! Still, a girl can dream…
Today is my last day on the DIK blog and I would like to show my appreciation by offering a free download, by random draw, to one lucky person who comments on this post. You can either choose my newest book Polar Reaction or any book in my backlist. The winner will be announced tomorrow. Thank you ladies for your warm welcome to a newbie at blogging.
Now on to today's post:
A Golden Boy – Johnny Wilson – What makes him such an appealing hero?
Of all the books I’ve written (and I’ve written plenty) I’ve never received as much feedback about a particular hero as I have for Johnny Wilson, one of the two protagonists in the Golden Boy/Golden Man series. What is it about Johnny that so captures the hearts and minds of my readers?
Golden Boy was the first m/m novel I wrote. I had just become aware of the rising fascination of female romance readers with the intimate lives of gay couples. I decided to have a go at the genre, adding my particular bent of BDSM to the equation.
I found myself wondering why women would want to read about gay male lovers. When I began to think it through, the thought of alpha males connecting with one another on an intimate, passionate level had the potential to be very sexy indeed. First the imagery itself is very powerful—two strong, sensual man tousling, touching, kissing, making love in ways women find exciting and perhaps taboo. Gorgeous male bodies pressing together in hot, muscular passion…excuse me while I go for a quick cold shower…
I realized the potential for guiding my readers past their comfort zone, but in a way that would leave them breathless. I wanted to take my readers by the hand, leading them into the heated waters of explicit male/male sex—from first kiss to final consummation. They would become voyeurs of a world they, by definition, could not be a part of. Yet through my stories I hoped to draw them in, to let them connect for a moment with a different lifestyle, a different world.
Beyond the physical imagery, I wanted to explore the difficulties and intensity unique to men as lovers. I wanted to capture the unexpected gentleness and honesty shared between men who are not afraid to be vulnerable.
As our story opens, Johnny Wilson is in serious denial—not only of his sexual orientation, but of his sexually submissive nature as well. This gave me an opportunity to delve into the dynamics of “coming out” along with finding the courage to commit in a loving D/s relationship.
Johnny, until his world is turned upside down by the quietly confident, fiercely sexy Eric, had always defined himself as straight. His controlling domineering father would never have permitted any other definition. The conflict generated within himself and later with his family adds a new dimension to the already difficult terrain of gay love and a D/s lifestyle.
His love interest, Eric Mendez, has to come to terms with a new kind of man. Eric is used to playing the BDSM scene, using pretty boys for his pleasure but never letting them anywhere near his heart. When he first sees the devastatingly handsome man at the gay underground club where he reigns as king, his heart is captured in an instant. Unaware Johnny is only just beginning to understand his own impulses and desires, he promises himself to find the elusive golden-haired stranger and make him his own.
When they do finally connect, Johnny, naïve, innocent and aching to learn, is an entirely new sort of challenge for Eric. Used to savvy, worldly men who can fend for themselves in the ways of sex and submission, Eric realizes the enormous responsibility of becoming involved with someone who trusts him so completely. The usual rules he’s applied to his D/s affairs no longer apply. For the first time in his life he’s faced with something far more dangerous than whips and chains. He’s faced with the possibility of a real connection and the chance it will break his heart.
In writing the story, I wanted to get behind the tough, sexy alpha hero that is Eric and explore his gentler side—his romantic impulses and the tenderness love engenders in him. I wanted to explore the conflict between the new lovers, with Johnny pulling back, uncertain of his own desires, and Eric forcing himself to go slow, even when Johnny presses for more.
I think ultimately readers connected with Johnny because of his vulnerability, and then his courage in exploring his true nature. They felt included in his journey, a silent partner rooting for him. I think Johnny brings out the maternal instincts of my readers (myself included). We want to take care of him and protect him from the hard cold world waiting for him. He’s the archetypical son we have to protect, while at the same time, the sexy, hot lover we wish to seduce…but we’ll have to leave that to Eric! Still, a girl can dream…
Friday, March 6, 2009
claire thompson - DIK day 2
Today I want to talk about Polar Reaction! It’s my first m/m/m. You can read an excerpt over at Samhain and you can read another one over at my site www.clairethompson.net so I won’t waste the space here pasting one. I thought it’d be more fun to talk about ménages in general and m/m/m ménages specifically, the challenge of writing one and why women like to read them.
This is my third ménage but my first one with all guys. The challenge in all of them for me as a writer was how to make it realistic. I mean, you have to suspend a certain amount of reality to believe three people could really make it work. Two is hard enough, right? But add in the inevitable jealousies between three, and the complications and the wondering who loves whom more or different and it can become a mess. Add in the fact one is gay, one is bi and the third always thought he was straight…until he got stranded in the frozen tundra with these two hotties.
I tried to imagine the desperate feeling of facing possible death at any moment. Of knowing you might not be rescued in the small window of time before the Antarctic winter set in, making rescue impossible until it was too late.
One thing the three guys did have was liquor. A whole stash of it. They drank to relieve their stress and distract themselves from feeling helpless and trapped. Naturally it had the added effect of lowering inhibitions. A little casual experimentation led to more…much more.
Introducing the three heroes - Brendan, the ostensibly straight guy, is the team leader and the oldest of the three (at 34). Tucker is in the middle. He’s the easiest going and the one who really holds the three together. He’s the most comfortable in his own skin. Jamie, the youngest, is the only openly gay guy of the three. At first he watches the budding lust between Tucker and Brendan from the sidelines, increasingly jealous and aching to bust in. Tucker provides the overture, the two of them connecting while Brendan fights his ‘gay demons’ as he tries to come to grips with his undeniable and intense attraction to Tucker.
Tucker and Jamie actually work together stateside, and Brendan and Tucker had collaborated on a different research project in the past and even back then, though he barely admitted it to himself, Brendan was taken with the handsome Tucker. I especially enjoyed working on Brendan, because of his conflicted feelings. He isn’t my first hero to be conflicted about his sexual orientation. Johnny in Golden Boy didn’t even know he was gay until he was sucker punched by his fierce attraction to another man. Ryan in Perfect Cover and Donovan in Island of Temptation were likewise clueless until a good man showed them the light.
I think readers enjoy watching that process of self-discovery. It’s fun to become involved in the growth and rising self-awareness, which gives the story a richer texture and more angst. We all know romance readers need their daily dose of angst!
Another challenge in Polar Reaction was how to bring Brendan and Jamie together. For most of the book, the connection between the three really hinged largely on Tucker. I needed to find a way for Brendan and Jamie to connect in their own unique way. I do believe I found the solution toward the end, but you’ll have to read it and let me know what you think!
One more thing, I couldn’t resist throwing in just a dash of BDSM into the heady mix of m/m/m sex… Those of you who have read my books know this is my first passion. It’s just a flavoring in this novel though, not the whole meal. Mostly the focus is on the dynamics of discovering passion while in the midst of a very dangerous and possibly fatal situation, and then figuring out how the hell to return to normal life when the intensity of the situation is lifted.
I had great fun writing it. Stay tuned tomorrow and we’ll be giving away a free copy!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
About Me - Claire Thompson - DIK Day 1
I would like to introduce Claire Thompson who will be blogging with the DIK ladies for the next 3 days:
Claire has been writing erotic romance since 1996. Her books have won numerous awards and a few have even been published in German and Japanese! With over forty novels under her belt, she has no intention of stopping—ever! A passion for the romance of D/s and BDSM has evolved into a fascination for the intensity of the m/m experience, both BDSM and vanilla. Claire lives and works in
**************
Thanks for the chance to guest blog on DIK! How cool is this? I am honored for the opportunity and hope we have fun! Thanks for the little ice breaker questionnaire for me to get started, since I’m new to blogging.
Favorite Reading Position - Lying in bed, a snifter of brandy in my hand, wearing my favourite soft cotton pink nightie
Best love song – Head Over Feet by Alanis Morrisette, or wait, Halleluyah by Leonard Cohen, or no, how ‘bout Bowl of Oranges by Bright Eyes.
Favorite Heroine – Since I don’t read other erotic romance authors much (to keep my voice fresh and original), I’ll draw from my own books. I’d have to say Laurel, in Dare to Dominate. She’s a sassy, smart, confident submissive who knows what she wants and goes after it. Sensually submissive to right guy, if only she can find him.
Author everyone loves but you don’t – Dan Brown. Hugely overrated, unoriginal, doesn’t create believable characters. Story line bored me to death.
If you could be in one book/series/world which would you pick – Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein. I would be an elf or a wizard. Not a hobbit.
How old is your inside voice – thirty-four. I have no idea why I said that. I don’t know how old a voice feels.
Favorite sex song – I Want You by the Beatles. I love the passion and the yearning they pour into that song.
If you could be a hero who would you be – Again, immodestly drawing from my own books, I would be Nathan in Switch. He’s an artist, dreamy, romantic, truly modest, sexy as hell and also an amazing Dom who understands the nuance and power of erotic submission. I especially like him because he’s not taken with himself. He’s quietly confident but in an understated way. And of course, he’s drop dead gorgeous.
Boxers, Briefs, boxer briefs, kilt (I say we add commando) Bikini briefs IF the guy is trim. Though boxers can be cute too. And hey, nothing wrong with commando!
Favorite book set on a tropical island – Island of Temptation by Claire Thompson (couldn’t resist) or wait, The Perfect Cover! God, I’m shameless.
If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you bring – an ebook reader with 10,000 books on it, a year’s supply of fresh water, a private plane so I could leave when I was ready. Oh, and once I got there, I would find this incredibly handsome, sexy guy who couldn’t get enough of making love to me.
Favorite drink to bring to the DIK party – Pina colada
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