Thursday, June 13, 2013

Book Tour for Together In Cyn by Jennifer Kacey (Review & GIVEAWAY)


Join me today in welcoming Jennifer Kacey and her steamy BDSM book, Together In Cyn.  She's here talking about the romance in BDSM as well as giving away a fun yet naughty gift basket.  Keep reading to get my impressions of this book and make sure to leave a comment answering Jennifer's question to be in the running for the gift basket!

Being able to balance the romance in a BDSM story, such as Together in Cyn, and especially a ménage story is very important. But I also think it’s very easy to do because, in my opinion, BDSM is romantic.
When I got online and searched for the definition of romance, I found it’s, “a feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.”
The main focus of my story is love. When you ask someone for a list of things they’re looking for in a potential lover you aren’t going to get, “a ho-hum person, boring, someone that makes my heart go…meh.” Sheesh, at least I hope not. I hope everyone would answer, “someonewho excites me, that I have a lot in common with. When I see them I want my heart to stop—then all the blood to rush to my…” well you get the picture.
For some women that means a cute guy who shows up with flowers and a bottle of wine. For others, the guy better show up with a blindfold and a pair of elbow cuffs.
Excitement is in the eye of the beholder, and there are so many different thoughts and feelings when it comes to sex and love. If you want a little darkness to get off—or crave a bit of pain to amp up your pleasure, then I say go for it!
Being vanilla isn’t for everyone. It isn’t for me, and I hope legions of women are being honest with themselves and their spouses/partners/lovers to find what THEY thinkis sexy.
What you hold in your heart is romantic.
Also, what’s more mysterious than being shackled to a spanking bench, blindfolded, waiting for the next swat to light your backside on fire. The high rushes to parts you didn’t even know were there. It’s exciting not to know what’s next when it comes to sex. To be so overwhelmed that everything just floats away except the sensations you’re feeling.
Many people are perpetually looking for the next best thing. The newest high of excitement.
More and more people are turning to BDSM for thatrelease. Some people just want to read about it. Others to watch but not participate. All of the above is perfect as long as it’s done between consenting adults.
It might be more complicated than a “normal” relationship but that’s just it. What’s normal? What’s romance? Everyone’s opinion is different, and you just have to find what works for you.
What could be more romantic than two men pleasuring a woman to the heights of reason and beyond?When the core of the power exchange dynamic is love, there is nothing more romantic. A Dom dominates because that is what his submissive needs to feel safe, and free. A submissive submits because their Dom needs the reigns of sexual control to satisfy both of their physical and mental needs. They each give exactly what the other needs to feelsexy, attractive, loved. That’s what every relationship should be like. With or without the cuffs and shackles is up to you.
If only each town had their very own version of the Library. A safe haven to explore your inner romantic. I hope Jared, Chris and Cyn give you a little glimpse into the dark and naughty tales of BDSM, and some of the fantasies you could have.

So the question is what does romance mean to you?

A small book sitting out on a table shouldn’t incite fear in anyone.
But what if that book was your diary and you learned your two best friends, men you have ached for your entire life, have just read every last word? Pages and pages filled with dark fantasies and forbidden dreams so explicit they leave nothing to the imagination.
And what if those two friends were included in every last one?
This is exactly where Cyn Andrews now finds herself.
Stuck somewhere between wanting to hate Jared and Chris Kennedy for violating her privacy and just plain wanting to be stuck somewhere between them. She could never choose only one brother, so she’s kept her feelings buried for more than a decade, and a past mistake has kept her silent and alone…until now.
Everything she’s ever wanted may have just been handed to her in the form of an invitation to The Library. Not just a building filled with books, but a members only BDSM club the brothers own and have kept hidden from her for years.
Is it pity or desire that fueled the invitation?
What other secrets have they been keeping from her?
Can she protect her heart and face her biggest fear while discovering the art of submitting to two Doms?
It’d be a sin not to find out…

EXCERPT:

Slowly he unfolded himself from his chair, so he could tower over mine. He put his hands on the arms, caging me in, crowding in close until I could smell his cologne and a unique scent. If I could bottle it I’d label it Sex, and make millions.
“Cyn, a voyeur is someone who gets their rocks off by watching and we want to do a hell of lot more than watch. So why don’t you tell me why you’ve nearly worn through the chain on your necklace, while chewing on lips much better suited for…other things.” He ran his thumb across my lower lip to emphasize the point and my lips opened without my permission so I could lick him all over starting with the pad of his thumb.
Because I’m in love with you and your twin. Have been for almost a decade. I’ve got a journal at home filled with what I want you to do to me and I know I’ll never be brave enough to show it to you. Plus, I want you to screw me until I can’t walk for two days. Then I want you to tie me up, blindfold me and do it all again until I have no voice left from screaming out my orgasms for you.
“No reason!” I squeaked as I jerked my head away. “Hey, I’m thirsty. You thirsty? Want another beer before you close up?” Without waiting for an answer I scrambled out of my chair, ducked under his arm and darted away from our table in the back corner.
“You still have half a beer on the table, Blondie.” Yeah I heard him and completely ignored the obvious as I fled…er…ah…made my way across the empty dance floor. I didn’t have to glance back to know Jared stared at my backside. I could feel it, and it kicked my arousal into a level I’d never imagined was out there and made me want to pant. I was so damn close to begging. Not oh please Jared, but for the love of all that is holy Sir take me and make me yours and let me pleasure your brother, too.


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Together In Cyn is a hot book that deals not only with some slightly taboo topics but some surprisingly emotional issues as well.  Cyn grew up the daughter of scheming parents who tossed her away once she turned her back on conning others.  Looking for love in all the wrong places led to a traumatic experience that tainted her love of the BDSM lifestyle.  Writing in her journal was cathartic and it's led her to just the men to heal her completely.  Brothers Chris and Jared grew up with harsh parents too.  Chris took the brunt of their rage though and has the scars to prove it.  He's never talked about it but it's left its mark as he's become closed off.  He's more guarded and doubts true love exists.  His brother Jared is the exact opposite as he's outgoing and fun loving.  He wears his heart on his sleeve and isn't afraid to go after what he wants as he knows love when he sees it.  And what he and his brother want is Cyn.  They've waited long enough for her, and after putting the final touches on their new BDSM club, they're now ready to make her their woman.

Cyn has been in love with both brothers since she was young.  She's lived next door to them and watched them claim other women getting more jealous every day.  She thinks they see her as a child and while she's angry they read her journal it at least gives her the opportunity to be with them now.  The time she spends with them has her becoming braver with her sexuality.  She's more open to new adventures knowing they'll protect her.  While Cyn gets braver it's Chris who makes the biggest change.  He finally opens up about the past which allows the bitterness that's held him back to ebb away.  Seeing him finally smile was extremely heartwarming.  Both brothers are extremely sexy and completely devoted to Cyn.  Every sexual interlude they enact is done to make her happy and her fantasies a reality.  This leads to one intense scene after another, including bondage, voyeurism, and some spanking/light whipping.  These scenes definitely live up to the BDSM label but never go too far.  While these scenes are HOT they're also romantic as you sense the connection between them grow deeper as their journey progresses.

These scenes are done so well that it's disappointing when a bit of Cyn's past returns completely out of left field to put a damper on her fledgling freedom.  This event is over-the-top and would be laughable if it weren't so degrading to Cyn.  This person puts a vile spin on BDSM which ruins the freeing and character-building power that the scenes thus far have shown.  This part of the story leads to the annoying Big Misunderstanding that is thankfully resolved quickly.

Along with steamy and intensely emotional scenes comes a delightful cast of secondary characters.  They're all part of the club with intriguing backstories just hinted at and I'm waiting breathlessly for their stories to be told.  While some readers might have a problem with two brothers being part of a ménage, no uncomfortable line is crossed.  The author handles this relationship in a believable way making their HEA both heartwarming and immensely satisfying.  Here's hoping for a return visit to The Library!

My rating for this is a B+

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

AUTHOR INFO:

I’m going to just jump right in and get the easy stuff out of the way up-front. I am a wife, mother and business owner in Texas with very long black hair and a penchant for high heels and pretty outrageous toe nail polish. I have a very supportive family that I love unconditionally and am fortunate enough to genuinely like and respect them as well.
I started reading romance back in college, liked it so-so, and then I found erotica. Stories a bit on the dark side, a lot on the naughty side, and at the risk of sounding cheesy, it felt like coming home. Finding a genre made just for minds like mine was an amazing revelation, and I swear the characters in my head haven’t stopped hounding me since!  
Something I always love reading about other authors are the funny quirks and idiosyncrasies that make each of us unique, so I thought I’d share a few of mine. These are in no particular order and pretty random, so brace yourselves…
I am a morning person who doesn’t drink caffeine, and I am definitely a glass-half-full kind of girl. I have an extreme case of being left-hand stupid and am bad at all sports that end in “ball”!  Hot weather is my favorite because I'm cold all the time, and I adore lying in the sun. You’ll find a closed sign hanging off my forehead at 10 p.m. pretty much every night when my brain clocks out. What’s weird is I can write ‘til the wee hours of the morning though. Probably because the characters just shove me aside so they can say their piece.
Ooh, and I never procrastinate! If something needs to be done today, it should have been finished yesterday. I call this fantastic; several people, who shall remain nameless, call it having a bug up my A**… I think I’ll stick with fantastic.
I refuse to use a flat sheet to sleep, I love perfume but only one kind, and before I die I want to own flip-flops in every color of the rainbow. And last but not least, the yea or nay on a particular food being deemed good or gross is based off of texture first, taste second.
I hope my writing speaks for itself, and I hope it speaks to you.  The fact that I have the opportunity to share a little piece of myself with you absolutely floors me. On a daily basis I am overwhelmed by the good fortune that is my life, and vowed years ago never to take it for granted.
Best advice I’ve ever been given – find the real you and never settle for anything less!  Well guess what?  I found her!  Lord help the rest of you.

Website:  http://www.jenniferkacey.com/
Email:  jenn@jenniferkacey.com
Book Page:  http://www.jenniferkacey.com/index.php/books/together-in-cyn
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/people/Jennifer-Kacey/100002469553420
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/JenniferKacey
Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/jenniferkacey/
Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/16370223-jennifer-kacey

My author page on Ellora’s Cave:  https://www.ellorascave.com/index.php/authors/index/author/slug/jennifer-kacey

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

Jennifer will be awarding a "little bit dark. A whole lotta naughty" gift basket worth around $50, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. (USA/CANADA ONLY)

-To be entered, leave a comment answering Jennifer's question (it's at the end of her post), ALONG WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDY.
-Winner 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 6/14.

****MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR REGARDING PRIZE WINNERS.......

And the winner of the first ever Lotta Naughty Gift Basket is...
FLCHEN1 - YEA!!!
I'm so excited and hope you love it!


But I couldn't pick just one so I got three other ladies a set of candy handcuffs too!
CJ / kimmyl and Amber - YIPPEE!!

All four of you please send me an email with your address so I can send you your goodies!
jenn(at)jenniferkacey(dot)com

28 comments:

  1. Hey Jennifer I loved this book. I am in New zealand and I found you on the Smutketeers site to start with and I loved the post so much that I brought it and have finished the book. As I said I loved it. I love the idea of it being the Library as the club and that one of your scenes takes part in a library. I love that not only the heroine has demons and issues and that you address all issues before giving the an HEA. bravo for your first book. When can I go to the Library again.

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  2. I want a lover that wants and desires me, is attentive to the relationship and how the things that they say or do impact the relationship and strives for mutual fulfillment. Romance isn't cards and gifts..it's the reasons and thoughts behind them if they are given. I so want to read this book and it is at a reasonable price too. Can't wait for this weekend, delayed gratification ;).

    CJ

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  3. Hi Cherie!! I'm so excited you loved Together in Cyn! You've made my day!!
    Haleigh's Ink and A Very Menage Christmas should both be out by the end of the year. Both are in edits now. YEA!!
    I'm gonna have the biggest smile on my face now!!

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  4. Thanks for having me and I'm so glad you liked the book!!

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  5. Hi CJ!! I totally agree with you. Romance is awesome in all of it's naughty forms! Can't wait for you to get the book and tell me what you think!

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  6. Great intro and review! Hi, Jennifer! Romance? I think real romance is choosing to honor and show love to the person you love by the avenues they'll most feel loved and cherished. So, sometimes it's splurging on a fancy dinner out, and other times, it's letting your partner sleep in. It might be chocolates and champagne and roses, or it might be pulling your hottie behind the garage to reveal that you really still can't keep your hands off ;) And reading romances is fun because it's a way to renew that hopefulness and that connection that we want reflected in our real lives. Write on, Jennifer!

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  7. Hi flchen1!!! I completely agree that romance can be...anything! It's that little love not stuck to the mirror in the bathroom for your hottie to find. Or a text to say, "I appreciate you."

    Romance novels can give you back or keep that spark going for always.
    What a gift!

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  8. Romance is always with us, it just needs to find the best escape route. I sincerely believe that no matter how old you are, romance has its place. So here's to books that make that spark turn to flame.

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  9. Romance means 4play, back massages, holding hands, french kissing, lots of affection, candle lit dinners, lingerie and taking bubble baths and showers together.

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  10. I'm gonna make a checklist kimmyl - I love all of these!

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  11. Romance is caring and showing it often not just when you want "some".

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  12. Isn't that the truth!! A little can go a long way when it comes to romance. :)

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  13. showing you care about others

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  14. I guess it just mean to me someone who respects you and cares about you. Also they have to have fun, for me personally we have to laugh together and just be able to be ourselves.
    -Amber

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  15. Romance to me is the sweet things that my lover does for me--filling up my car with gas, buying me a beautiful orchid, driving me to work in the rain. They don't have to be grand gestures....just small things that show me he loves me.

    Jennifer...I agree with your question, "What's normal?" No one can speak for another about what's normal.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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  16. Something simple like that can make all the difference bn100.

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  17. Amber - totally agree - a sense of humor and someone who is good-natured is very sexy!

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  18. Catherine - totally agree!! If my husband has to get to work earlier than I do and he's tip-toeing around the room trying to be quiet, then he kisses me on the cheek before he leaves...sigh...I just love that.

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  19. TO me, romance is just doing things for someone because you love them and you know it would make them happy :) TOGETHER IN CYN sounds great! I have put it on my TBR list and will definitely be reading it :)
    June
    manning_J2004 at yahoo dot com

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  20. That's awesome June!! Hope you love it and I suck you into the series!!! :)

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  21. My idea of romance isn't always the big, grandious gestures but the simple everyday things that are romance to me. A bouquet of flowers "just because", cooking me my favorite meal because I was rushed at work & didn't have time to eat/cook or even looking at another person & KNOWING that he/she thinks you are still Da Bomb. To me THT is the essence of romance.

    Mindy :)
    Birdsooong@comcast.net

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  22. Great answer Mindy - I must say I do love the small stuff. My husband brought me frozen yogurt the other day. I got all misty. It was so sweet!

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  23. Ah-ha! I knew I had missed one!

    Romance to me means happiness. If you're not happy overall during the romance, it's not worth it :D

    amzpar[at]gmail[dot]com

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  24. Love that you went and found the one you missed! You're awesome Arely!!!!

    Totally agree with being happy overall and not just with one person. Life is so much more than that.

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  25. Together in Cyn is up on Amazon and ready for your viewing pleasure! Here's the link - just copy and paste it into your browser and you're ready to go!!

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DEK1THQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00DEK1THQ&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwjen0ae-20

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  26. And the winner of the first ever Lotta Naughty Gift Basket is...
    FLCHEN1 - YEA!!!
    I'm so excited and hope you love it!


    But I couldn't pick just one so I got three other ladies a set of candy handcuffs too!
    CJ / kimmyl and Amber - YIPPEE!!

    All four of you please send me an email with your address so I can send you your goodies!
    jenn(at)jenniferkacey(dot)com

    ReplyDelete