I decided it would be fun to introduce the characters of the Not Even Death series to those who have yet to meet them.
Since I write female submissive/slave characters and male Dominant/Masters it goes against my initial impulse to put Calico first. I am putting her first simply because she is the only female character interacting with the gentleman.
To meet Calico, you should also get a glimpse of Carissa (1977-1999/2001 Pisces)
21 yr. old Carissa, before meeting Markus Cruz-NYC
1999
Carissa was a runaway--from foster care, a bad relationship, a bug infested shelter and from her past. Her future was plotted for a dire outcome.
She ran con-games on tourists and businessmen/women, "suits" in (NYC)/Midtown Manhattan. She also did more than her fair share of pocket picking and panhandling.
With all the street time she had under her belt, she never resorted to prostitution, something she was proud of. This code of survival was one of the many things that caught the silvery eyes of CEO Markus Cruz.
Her fiercest ally and the toughest thorn in her side was Detective "Sher/Sheri" Sheridan. He watched out for her on the streets, but also had laws to uphold in the Midtown South Precinct. Carissa tended to flit around between the Midtown North and South Precincts, sometimes out of his reach, sometimes, just one right turn from bouncing off his chest.
She didn't have a chip "on her shoulder". Every bit of Carissa's 5'2" was a chip...and ready to shatter into pieces. Until, she caught the attention of one of New York's most in-eligible bachelors, Markus Cruz.
~XxXxXxX~
Now, you're prepared to meet Calico Cruz. (2001-present) Gemini.
Mrs. Calico Cruz, slave/widow of Markus Cruz
You won't find an actual "birth" certificate for Calico but she does have a marriage certificate and a slave certificate bearing the name given to her by Markus. Calico is now her legal name and her anniversary with Markus is the birth date she recognizes (the year, of course, is the same as Carissa's.)
Calico was created when Carissa's best qualities were fostered and her more, "questionable qualities" were "delicately" disciplined out of her.
The epitome of grace, submission and reality make Calico stand out among the fake socialites she has to rub elbows with. She may be polished on the surface, but internally, she is down to earth with a glowing heart.
Calico was taught to be a slave and has learned the beauty of her station in life. She has more strength in her collar, tennis skirt or fancy heels than Carissa had in combat boots with her thick, "Yo, what's it to ya?!" bravado.
~XxXxXxX~
Markus Cruz 1967-2011-C.E.O./Master
Markus Cruz, born to old-world money, was very much a self-made man. (1967-2011) Capricorn/Sagitarius
C.E.O. of Cruz Enterprises and everything that entails. If something truly piqued his interest, Markus would find a way to invest in it...this parlayed into his investment in the tough little pick-pocket, Carissa.
She began as an interesting "arrangement" and grew to be more than he'd bargained for. Markus hadn't gotten close enough to anyone since the accident to slip, much less fall head over flogger for. He thought he was impervious to love, especially with a slave, but he'd never met his creation--Calico.
Markus was a walking contradiction. A smiling, shining soul behind a serious facade. A soft and firm nomadic homebody with a gentle yet masterful energy. He had soft hands that delivered intense spankings with deep love boiling beneath his cool, ice-gray eyes.
As Master to Calico he brought her up by helping her to her knees, relieving her of the "chip"as they healed each others cracks.
~XxXxXxX~
Master Blaze St. Sebastian-Bassist/Vocals HOTKINK
Blaze St. Sebastian is the bass player and vocalist of heavy-metal/shock-rock band HOTKINK.
Born Blaise Sebastian Giustino on December 19,1968 in Las Vegas, NV. "Blaze" was the son of a connected, very married casino owner and his mistress, a young showgirl from Omaha, NE.
When young Blaise's mother was found to be pregnant his father set them up in Pasadena, CA to keep the affair quiet.
Growing up comfortably in southern California, Blaise lived with and protected his mother. His father was away overseeing things in Nevada and would make it home for dinner as frequently as possible. Somehow, they seemed to have an almost normal family life. Blaise learned how to be the man of the house when his father was absent, a job he took to heart. He was strong of heart, mind and constitution-qualities that continued to grow with him.
Over time, the precocious child excelled in school and proved to be a musical virtuoso, garnering the attention of his father and a spot in a respected show. This gave a plausible reason for he and his mother to return to Vegas and the casino.
For the remainder of his youth Blaise was thrust into the adult world of late night performances and the fast lane of fame. Tutors in the penthouse at the casino replaced formal schooling. Gamblers at the Black Jack table replaced family at a Thanksgiving table. All the women fawned over the handsome, smart and supremely talented young man and he learned to how to have them eating from his hand. At seventeen Blaise and another "casino kid" decided to drive to Hollywood and start a band. His friend Trent, and the band, HOTKINK are still in high demand 26 years later.
The life and history of the characters of Not Even Death-Still Your Master.
I'm excited to share this story! Hope you enjoy reading, and experiencing Blaze & Calico as much as I enjoyed writing them!
~B.B.
Markus is still Calico's Master, not even death has broken their bond of
love. He continues to show how much he cherished his slave as he leads
her to the next phase of life.
The foundation has been laid to guide her to future happiness as a slave, but a base is nothing until something rises from it.
Enter Blaze St. Sebastian—the sizzling, bad-boy rock star. He is the
definition of edge and the next flame in Markus’ line to ignite
Calico's life.
With Markus and Blaze's guidance and discipline Calico will learn to take chances on life, love and herself.
She will learn to trust, and if she can stop trying, she'll learn she can just fly!
From the streets of NYC, to the beaches of Florida go for a ride
with Calico as she experiences life, love, sex and music in ways she
never fathomed.
I thoroughly enjoyed my interview with Reed James! Even though he writes extra, hot erotica--beneath the surface beats the heart of a true romantic!
Find out how his work could work wonders for a relationship on multiple levels...His surprising musical inspirations and how he is marginally sense-less (in a surprising way!)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I interrupt Reed working
around in something he referred to as “The Adult Dungeon” (needless to say I'm intrigued!)
B.B.: Where is this dungeon of which
you speak?
Reed: If your book is too overtly
adult Amazon filters you and it makes it harder for people to find your work.
B.B. Ahhhh… the Amazon adult dungeon
Reed: Yep. I'm putting my lesbian
stuff on KU so I figure I'd unbury them from the dungeon.
B.B. Not my kind of dungeon for sure!
Reed: Nope.
B.B.: Speaking of dungeons, you write some BDSM. Is that a personal interest?
Which side of the lash are you on?
Reed: Dominant.
B.B.: Dominant is a good side to be
on.
Reed: Or at least, I like writing about
women being submissive to men (and women).
B.B.: So you like some women to be
Dominant and others to be submissive?
Do you have a vision in your mind of
which type each is?
.
Reed: Yeah…
B.B.: So what is your vision of a
submissive type?
Reed: A see submission as the
ultimate form of intimacy and trust. Surrendering control to their partner,
trusting them to give the submissive what she desires: pain, pleasure,
discipline, etc. That level of trust is very powerful. It's an intimacy that I
find very attractive, a physical expression of love.
B.B.: I agree on most of those
counts. So she is more a personality type than a "blond, blue-eyed"
type?
Reed: Personality- anyone can be
submissive. Anyone can be dominant. Looks wise I try to vary my characters
B.B.: What you said is logical and romantic.
Reed: Thank you.
B.B.: So you don't see a physical
type when you think of either?
Reed: Not really.
B.B.: Speaking of romantic...
You write erotica—predominantly—not
so much erotic-romance. Am I right on that observation?
Reed: Mostly erotic, but I am a romantic
at heart, and some of my erotica heads in that direction.
B.B.: (that is what I was leading up
to)
That's something I've noticed in
your work. I've noticed in the stories I've read, they are “to the point
erotica” undoubtedly...but…they have all had a romantic undercurrent that is obvious,
the wedding for "the Submissive Bride" as an example.
Reed: Yeah, definitely that one.
B.B.: The husband and wife
rekindling their love in My
Submissive Desire (Succubus Cafe 1) is another.
B.B.:In your life, aside from
writing really hot erotica, what do you find romantic? What would be your ideal
romantic situation?
Reed: Someone that I could share my
life with, a partner…Someone who trusts me and whom I trust fully…Helping each
other…being there for each other…supporting each other.
B.B.: That is definitely an ideal
situation.
Reed: …someone to cuddle with on the
couch after a hard day.
B.B.: That's a great one!
So… simple, lasting romantic
concepts; enduring?
Reed: Yeah. No bright flame that
burns out. The coals that stay warm through an entire night.
B.B.: Very nice imagery! I love that
analogy!
Reed: Thanks.
B.B.:You're welcome, it's warm and
cozy for sure.
B.B.: I read you say that even
though you love to write about cheating, you do not advocate infidelity. I
found that interesting. I understand the not advocating infidelity, but what
draws you to cheating as a fantasy?
Reed: I have a weird love/hate
fascination with it. I'm not a fan of infidelity, but I find it very arousing
even as it makes me uncomfortable. When I do write it, it's always physical
infidelity and not emotional infidelity.My “Cheating
Wives” are just having fun, but still love their husbands.
B.B.: THAT is a huge distinction!
Reed: Yeah. Love and lust are not
the same things.
B.B.: No, they aren't
Reed: They can easily be mixed
together and confused, but they are different.
B.B.: The swinger community is all
about the physical vs. emotional cheating.
Reed: Yeah. I have a swinger series,
“Naughty Wives”, exploring a
couple as they let each other explore their desires, so long as it’s together.
B.B.: I'll have to check into that
one!
When there's no betrayal of trust,
then is it still cheating, or just good “old fashioned” naughtiness?
Reed: It's not cheating, but the
fear is in the husband's mind since the wife initiates it. And that fear is
exploited in the second half of the series. (It being the swinging)
B.B.: That can also aide in growth
and strengthening a relationship...if done properly and truly without betraying
trust.
Reed: Of course, but trust is such a
fragile thing, a vase on a narrow plinth that the slightest bump could knock
off. Once the vase is shattered, it is so hard to put back together.
B.B.: Absolutely! It remains in the
back of your mind and in the crevices of your heart.
Reed: Yeah. And their relationship
was cracked in part #1 by her actions, and someone in part #5 shatters those
cracks.
B.B.: Does your couple become
stronger for their play and adventures?
Reed: They will. It's a happy ever
after ending
B.B.: GREAT! I like that! It’s a departure from the
formula of romance but still with a HEA. (It's more real *gasp*)
Reed: Of course, I'm a romantic.
B.B.: Your couple was closer after their day
at the Cafe as I recall.
Reed: Yep. It's the same principal.
They shared what was really in their hearts, what they really desired for each
other. It’s the same with the couple in “Naughty
Wives”.
B.B.: They became truly naked in
front of the other....Something some couples never achieve out of fear of
repercussions.
Reed: Yeah. The events of Part #1
both cracked the relationship and yet brought them closer together because they
had shared something that neither had the courage to tell the other, opening
them up to fulfilling all their fantasies. If it wasn't for the third party in
Part # 5, their relationship would not have suffered.
B.B.: How many parts will it take to fix them and
give them a HEA?
Reed: Just one part.
B.B.: Must've been just the right
part! (And sometimes that's all it takes.)
Reed: It was all a setup by this
third party. The husband thinks the wife cheated, but she'll be able to prove
she didn't.
Reed: Well, I've gotten the first
three parts out of the dungeon now. I'm about to write part #6 and then publish
#4, #5, and #6 back to back. The first three stand on their own, but provide
the themes and background for the second three.
B.B.: Your books could be exciting
and helpful, adult dungeon be damned! You could promote them as
"relationship help". That's what a T.V. "doctor" would do!
Reed: Maybe. Good idea.
B.B.: I also read that music
inspires you.
You know how I am with music, or are
starting to--what would Reed's playlist for sex and romance sound like?
Reed: Yes. I hit publish on the Futa
story Jane's song (Jane Bled) inspired.
B.B.: I loved her song (“Geisha Undercover” Jane Bled) it
was very cool!
Reed: Strings and pianos, a nice
violin, a viola, a cello for the bass…such passion in those instruments.
B.B.: Definitely! Which one did her
song inspire?
Reed: “Flying the Futa Skies” series.
B.B.: Oh, I didn't realize that was
Jane inspired.
Reed: There was a line in “Undercover Geisha” that made me
want to write a mile high club erotica.
B.B.: I have to listen (and link) to
it again.
Reed: Blaze's antics on stage with
Calico have inspired a story.
B.B.: Really? I have to read that
one for sure! I had a blast writing that scene, and enlisting all my musician
friends for critiques and ideas of how to make it work.
B.B.: So, Reed's playlist?
Any songs, other than Jane's that
have inspired you?
Reed: No, just Jane's song that I
can think of.
I am eclectic. I listen to almost
anything other than rap, most pop, and country.
I do love metal and rock.
B.B.: Any songs on your
sex/love/romance playlist?
Reed: “Ocean's Apart” by Michael Giaconni
B.B.: Hmmm...I don't know that
one. I'll have to listen.
Reed: It's from the LOST soundtrack.
It's a beautiful string orchestral song, full of heartache and longing.
B.B.: Interesting, you are a
romantic!
Reed: Yeah, though don't tell
anyone, I pretend I'm a cynic. *wink
B.B.: You do remember we're doing an
interview don't you Reed? LOL
Reed: Yeah, you can leave that in.
B.B.: Thank you, it shows a
different side. I like it.
B.B.:All of our senses can bring
inspiration. Which sense is your favorite?
Reed: Sight, sight is a big one for
sure!
B.B.: They typically say that about
males, but females are visual as well.
Reed: I'm inspired mostly by things
I read or watch on TV. A pretty woman can definitely inspire me.
B.B.: I can imagine, and I would
think so.
What about the sense of smell? Are you inspired by that at all?
Reed: Not really. Maybe mine's
underdeveloped, but smells rarely trigger memories with me.
Sounds stimulate me, but not smells.
B.B.: Really? I've never heard that.
On the contrary, the science backs it being one of the biggest triggers (I'll
dig up the data on it.)
Reed: So I've heard. Maybe I’m just
not around any stimulating smells, just the same old ones.
B.B.: Maybe if you were blindfolded
in a quiet room. LOL (sorry I just wrote a blindfold part in the end of the
book)
Reed: Maybe.
B.B.: What about the sense of touch?
Reed: Yeah, Touch can remind me
about things.
B.B.: It's my #4 on the
sense-o-meter, but oddly it still holds a lot of power with me.
I won't even eat a food that has the
wrong texture!
Reed: I agree with you there. Some
foods...
B.B.: Which leads me to sense of
taste…
Reed: I liked to think I have a
refined (picky) palette. Very important sense.
B.B.: Hmmm maybe the old adage
stands, the way to a man's heart and all of that.
Reed: Yep!
B.B.: *elbows on table* Tell me
more, this is fascinating to me. Please?
Reed: Well, if you cook a good meal that
means you put effort…that you cared. It's a wonderful, and delicious, expression
of love.
B.B.: Are you Italian or Jewish? (jk)
Reed: My grandmother is Sicilian.
I'm 1/4.
B.B.: Maybe there is something to that. (I'm really
kidding)
Reed: There was always good food at
her house. There might be something there.
B.B.: Food is a huge thing in our
society
Reed: Are you Italian?
B.B.: No, but, I've lived around
enough of them in NY
Reed: Fair enough.
B.B.: I wondered if it was a NY
thing, they love to feed you all the time! I'm from the south, we eat at BBQs and
it’s a big social affair, but southern mothers aren't nearly as concerned with
your eating.
Reed: No. It's Italian. Every time I
see my grandmother she tries to feed me. And she was born and raised in
California
B.B.: Now, if someone is smoking a
hog, game's on!
Reed: You're making me hungry.
B.B.: Sorry! and Ohhh your novel!!!
Reed: “My Fallen Angel”?
B.B.: Yes!
Reed: Hoping to have that out by the
end of the month. I have it all written.
I just need to polish them up.
B.B.: I love what I've read so far. There
are five parts right?
Reed: Yeah. There are 5 novellas, but
they form one story, with cliffhangers that should make you want to find out
what happens next.
B.B.: I for one love cliffhangers!
Reed: Me, too. They will have the
characters in some sort of peril. Like the end of a serial TV show.
B.B.: I like that idea a lot! I'm excited
to read those!
In this society we're too much with
instant gratification, like if we can't read it now, eat it now or see it NOW
the world will just stop spinning. I like the suspense, the something to look
forward to.
Reed: Yeah. I read long, epic
fantasy series where you wait years between books. I've learned patience.
B.B.: Patience is a virtue and a
good name for a character!
B.B.:Well, with that, I have one
last question. What is your favorite part of a woman?
Reed: Her smile. A beautiful smile
is worth so much.
