Book Tour for Dangerous Submission by Lori Toland (Review & GIVEAWAY)

Today Lori Toland makes a return visit to my site with her newest m/m story Dangerous Submission, which takes place in the intense world of BDSM.  So keep reading to discover more about Lori in our interview and read my impressions of this new release as well.  Make sure to leave a comment for your chance to win a bookstore GC!  Now let's welcome Lori Toland.......

TSP:  Knowing what you do now about the publishing business, would you have done anything different career-wise?

LT:  Back in 2002, I put aside my writing to concentrate on building my business. We did well to get where I am today but if I knew then what I know now, I would have never stopped writing and trying to get published.

TSP:  What does your writing space look like and do you surround yourself with any particularly inspirational items?

LT:  I’m always on the go and I bring my laptop with me. I can get writing done anywhere, as long as I have headphones. That is absolutely necessary. The mood is created by my music. The background falls away and I’m in a huge hall where the smell of leather is almost overpowering, but sexy and dangerous.

TSP:  The majority of your books are erotic in nature, what draws you to that genre?

LT:  I’ve always written erotic romance, especially LGBT even back in the 90s when it wasn’t getting published. When it was original fiction, I would get a lot of reviews about my sex scenes so it’s a strength in my writing. It always flows so easy because I enjoy the spark of chemistry between my characters.

TSP:  Beyond its synopsis, what do you want us to know about Dangerous Submission?

LT:  I always focus on the romance between my characters and on top of it, besides the fact that this book is about BDSM, it is an erotic romance. It is focused on Drake and Robbie’s highly sexual relationship. This book is very hot but if you have read my other books, that shouldn’t come as a shock. It’s a very fun romp and lots of sexy times are happening between the pages.  

TSP:  Which of your books would you like to see made into a movie and who would play the main couple?

LT:  OMG. Is there anyone who could play Nathaniel Bradley? He is so cocky and full of himself, he drives me nuts. I think if they made a movie of The Long Con, people would throw stuff at the screen when Bradley entered the scene. But actually I loved that plot so much, it was a very hot and sexy story with an extremely sexy and buff Italian boy named Tony. (YUM!) Anyway, I don’t think anyone is making a movie of my books, unless it’s a porn :D

TSP:  Of all the heroes you've written, who's the most heroic in your opinion?

LT:  I think Drake is. He is definitely someone who would protect a person he loves to his dying breath, plus he is ex-Military. He’s pretty damn sexy!

TSP:  How has the digital revolution affected your career and how you market yourself?  Do you have an eReader yourself?

LT:  I have several eReaders - a Kindle, an iPad and iPhone and they’re all linked across my network to sync. I never lack for entertainment. :) I wasn’t published before the digital revolution but my promotion exists of a few ads and a blog tour because I love to connect with my fans. It’s a joy! Honestly, the best promotion is to write a new book, especially a hot one like Dangerous Submission.

TSP:  My site's all about favorite things, so what are your favorite things/the things you can't live without?

LT:  Oh, I love my own coffee cup. I often travel with it. I have a couple that I use. The one I have today has a rainbow peace sign on it and I also have one that is from Jaguar that is matte red. It is so gorgeous! :) I love that one.

British Agent Drake Steele never thought when he was hired on at the Serious Organised Crime Agency that his job would involve spanking a co-worker. But when the colleague is Lord Robbie Covington, the sexy red-headed computer hacker for SOCA and MI-6, Drake can't agree fast enough to pop Robbie's cherry and pull him into the sensual world of BDSM.

Now they are caught up in a web of lies as they pose as members of the jet-setting crowd. Drake and Robbie have to race against the clock to stop a weapons haul that could threaten the safety of all Europe. As their covers begin to fade and danger is closing in, protecting Robbie is Drake’s most important task, but neither man is ready for the moment when their hearts are put on the line.

EXCERPT:

Oblivious to my desire, he turned back to his suitcase and dragged out his tuxedo. “This party we’re going to tonight, it’s a black-tie ball, right?”
“Yes, it is.” I turned my back to him, trying my hardest to ignore how much my cock loved him nearly naked with just a scrap of cotton covering his bits.
“Do you think there will be dancing?”
God, I hoped not, because I was an awful dancer. Robbie would run away screaming from me if he saw me try to waltz. I mumbled something under my breath, hoping that would satisfy him.
He was persistent with his line of questioning, though. He let out a sigh. “What I’m trying to ask is…do you know how to dance?”
“Not really.”
“Maybe I should give you a quick lesson.”
Unable to hold back my horror, I groaned. “We don’t have to do that. It’s not a requirement to dance at this party, I’m sure.”
“No, it probably isn’t, but we aren’t supposed to be wallflowers either. We should try our hardest to fit in.”
“I’m six foot five, and you’re a redheaded royal. Do you really think we’re going to blend in?”

BUY LINKS:

Dangerous Submission - http://loritoland.blogspot.com/2013/03/dangerous-submission-dangerous-affairs.html
English Chaps (Sequel to The Long Con) Free Short Story from Loose Id - http://loritoland.blogspot.com/2013/03/english-chaps-dangerous-affairs-12.html

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Drake has always been a man in complete control which makes his being a Dom a natural fit and will be useful when his latest mission has him catching criminals who frequent BDSM events.  The man chosen to be his partner is a complete novice to the lifestyle and his actions early on show someone not cut out to be a sub.  Robbie's intrigued though and before long finds himself longing for punishments only Drake can mete out.

Those looking for a mystery to be solved will be disappointed as this story's main focus is on the characters and their evolving relationship.  It's not until the very end that time is spent wrapping up the crime after laying the groundwork at the beginning.  This story is told mainly through Drake's perspective so while I got to understand him a bit, Robbie was a bit more of a mystery and early on I found myself a bit annoyed by his flippant/un-sub actions.  It's not until later on that his actions are understood and I was finally able to enjoy his playful attitude.  Drake's emotions were conflicted too and ran hot and cold as he fought with himself to keep their relationship professional.  He desperately wanted to take care of and keep Robbie safe but didn't see how to make things more permanent.  As much of an alpha as Drake is, there's still a sweetheart lurking inside desperate to get out and claim the man who's won him over completely.

Even though this book is the second installment in the Dangerous Affairs series it can definitely be read on its own as there's very little connecting this book to the previous release.  The scenes involving BDSM are intense but not as much as I've read in other books.  The descriptions of these scenes are vivid and sweat-inducing and pull you into the scene completely.  The connection between Drake and Robbie is full of sexual tension and is surprisingly emotional, especially for such a dominant man as Drake, and I found their rocky relationship immensely satisfying in its complexity.

Ms. Toland has created another satisfying read full of emotional and sexual intensity.  While not as good as the previous installment I still found myself clamoring to reach the end and greatly anticipate the (hopefully) next book in the Dangerous Affairs series.

My rating is a B+

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

CEO by day, erotic romance writer by night, Lori Toland lives in Orlando where the summers are hot but the romance between her characters is even hotter. Writing since the tender age of 13, Lori somehow finds time to play video games and watch movies while taking care of her beloved cats and a husband who will forever be her hero.

Website: http://www.loritoland.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/loritoland
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tolandlori

**********GIVEAWAY**********

Lori will be awarding a $50 Amazon, ARe, BN or Loose Id gift certificate (winner's choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

-To be entered, leave a comment, along with your email addy.

-Winners will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.

-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 5/31.