Monday, June 11, 2012

*Giveaway, Blog Tour & Character Interview* w/Cat Grant & Rachel Haimowitz *Riptide Publishing*

Thank you for joining us on the Power Play: Awakening virtual release tour!

                       *throws penis-shaped confetti borrowed from Anne Tenino*


                           No party is complete without favors, so we'll be giving away
                 winner’s choice of one backlist book from
                   Cat or Rachel to one lucky commenter 
                                             from this blog at the end of the tour.

We'll also be giving away a lovely custom chainmail bracelet with a silver padlock clasp (handmade by Amara Devonte – check out her other delicious offerings here in her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/FreiaInguz?ref=no-search-results) to one lucky commenter drawn from all the tour stops, so follow along and party with us at each--you can earn an entry at every stop!


                                      
To help celebrate the release of the kinktastic Power Play: Awakening, the authors wrangled their characters into an interrogation chair for your reading pleasure.

Today Brandon McKinney discusses the evolution of his D/s relationship with Jonathan Watkins, and how they finally found their happy ending.

Thanks for joining us today, Brandon. You’ve got big smile on your face. I take it everything’s going well with you and Jonathan?

Hi, yeah, yeah it is.

That’s quite a change from where we left you and Jonathan at the end of Power Play: Resistance. What made you decide to trust Jonathan after fighting him for so long?

I guess we both figured some things out about ourselves and each other, you know? Started meeting on middle ground a little— well, a lot more, actually. And part of it was that he earned my trust, but maybe even a bigger part of it was just me figuring stuff out in my own head, learning that some of the little voices in there were maybe not so good to listen to and that strength isn’t always about fighting.

Tell us about the time you spent together at Jonathan’s house in Big Sur.

Exhausting. *chuckles* Boy did he ever keep me busy there, but you know what? I can’t remember the last time—before Jonathan, that is—that I was that happy. And oh, hey, did you know he has a boat? I mean, like, a boat boat. Very cool.

I didn’t, no. But I guess he has a number of surprises up his sleeve?

You could certainly say that. Keeps me on my toes, whew!

How about your trip to China? We understand it ended on a rather . . . tense note.

Yeah, you could certainly say that too. But you know, for all that, looking back on it now? What I remember more than anything is how happy I was. How excited to get out there and see things I’d only ever dreamed of and do something I really honestly did not think I was capable of doing and realize, at the end of the day, that there actually was a way to take this . . . this kind of relationship and make it work in the real world.

You and Jonathan seem very happy together at the end of Awakening. How does a non-masochist find that kind of contentment living with a Dominant with a wide sadistic streak?

I try to be very, very, very good. *laughs* But, no, seriously—I mean, yeah, I do obviously try not to give him reasons to break out the cane—but when I do, it’s okay, you know? Because I don’t like who I am when I’m irresponsible or childish or when I let my anger take over, and because I love him too much to bear disappointing him and then not being an adult about it afterward. And sometimes, when he just wants, you know, to, um . . . I mean, when I haven’t done anything wrong and he does it anyway, it’s kind of amazing how . . . well, how good those times can be, because yeah, I’m not really a masochist, but I know now I’m definitely a submissive, and to let him take me by the hand and sink me into that headspace, and to know I’m doing it for him, and to know how much pleasure he takes from it and how much pleasure he can wring from me in the process . . . *blushes* Um. So, yeah. That’s how, I guess.

Blurb:Brandon McKinney is a man reborn. Newly awakened to the notion of consensual power exchange and the submissive urges inside him, he begs for a second chance from the man who opened his eyes to this world: Silicon Valley superstar Jonathan Watkins. But no birth is absent pain, and Brandon’s is no exception. He fears he’s not strong enough to see it through.

Jonathan knows better. He’s seen the iron core inside his new submissive, and the wounded heart inside him too. He means to teach Brandon to heal the one with the other. They have five months left on their contract, after all, and Jonathan has done more with less before.

It’s tough to stay objective, though, when you’re falling in love. Shame Brandon doesn’t feel the same. He’s only there for the three-million-dollar payout at contract’s end—a fact that Jonathan, nursing his own wounded heart, reminds himself of each day. For even as Brandon’s barriers break and his mind expands, even as he grows to love his place at Jonathan’s feet, he’ll never love life with a sadist—especially one who cannot escape the public eye.


About the authors:
Rachel Haimowitz is an M/M erotic romance author, a freelance writer and editor, and the Managing Editor of Riptide Publishing. She's also a sadist with a pesky conscience, shamelessly silly, and quite proudly pervish. Fortunately, all those things make writing a lot more fun for her . . . if not so much for her characters.

When she's not writing about hot guys getting it on (or just plain getting it; her characters rarely escape a story unscathed), she loves to read, hike, camp, sing, perform in community theater, and glue captions to cats. She also has a particular fondness for her very needy dog, her even needier cat, and shouting at kids to get off her lawn.

You can find Rachel at her website, Tweeting as RachelHaimowitz, chatting in the Goodreads forums, and blogging at Fantasy Unbound. She loves to hear from folks, so feel free to drop her a line anytime at metarachel (at) gmail (dot) com.

EPIC Award–winning author Cat Grant lives by the sea in beautiful Monterey, California, with one persnickety feline and entirely too many books and DVDs. When she's not writing, she sings along (badly!) to whatever's on her iPod shuffle, watches lots of movies, and fantasizes about kinky sex with Michael Fassbender.

Where to find Cat:
Website: http://www.catgrant.com
Blog: http://catgrant.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cat.grant
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/CatGrant2009
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1912055.Cat_Grant

 
***The thing you have waited for.....***
**Giveaway Time & Rules!**

Okay, first for the bracelet, you have to follow the blog tour for that one  -->> You win a lovely custom chainmail bracelet with a silver padlock clasp (handmade by Amara Devonte) to one lucky commenter drawn from all the tour stops, so follow along and party with us at each--you can earn an entry at every stop!

Now for my Giveaway!!!
Winner’s choice of one backlist book from
Cat or Rachel to one lucky commenter!!!

Fill out the form & Good Luck!

The form has all the details! =)


 And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy! Photobucket

40 comments:

  1. You know what I'm really curious about (and maybe this will be answered later in the blog tour, maybe not) . . . There have been a couple of people in reviews already who think Brandon may have a touch of Stockholm Syndrome. I'm really curious what Jonathan and Brandon would say to that.

    Adara
    adara adaraohare com

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    Replies
    1. I suspect they'd get upset and vehemently deny. Jonathan might try to lecture you on the nature of intense TPE relationships, and probably bring up any number of psychological studies to prove his point. Brandon might consider it for about half a second and then dismiss it, coming to the conclusion that whatever this is, he's never been happier or healthier or better-adjusted, has never felt safer or more purposeful or luckier, so what does it matter what you call it or how you view it.

      I don't mean, as an author, to dismiss the view. It certainly wasn't our intent, but it is an interpretation I can understand, and of course once you set a book out into the world your intent ceases to matter--only the reader's interpretation does, and I would never even *want* to interfere with someone's perception of the story; it's just too personal, you know? Mostly I'm just totally thrilled and honored and humbled that people are thinking this much about it and discussing it this much. Even if it would upset Jonathan and Brandon ;-)

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    2. That sounds quite like both of them. Thanks, Rachel. (And Cat!) =)

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  2. BDSM is such an interesting genre. I have such a confused idea about the subject! Congrats on the new release! This contest is great, a book and a chance to win the beautiful bracelet! Thanks!
    OceanAkers @ aol.com

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    Replies
    1. It's definitely a deep and fascinating well to explore. Thanks so much for the congratulations and for joining us to celebrate the release!

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  3. Just finished reading PPA - Resistance was a very painful journey but the two books link together beautifully. I really enjoyed Awakening; especially how Brandon & Jonathon both realise their mistakes and seeing them move on from that. Fantastic read :)
    pointycat@hotmail.co.uk

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  4. I'm really looking forward to reading the continuation of Jonathan and Brandon's story.
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  5. Well, that was an insightful bit of interview for me, at least. Thanks for sharing with us, Brandon. ;)

    Ashley E
    ashley.vanburen[at]gmail[dot]com

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  7. I enjoyed the characters interview :)

    What awakens me when I read? The sex of course! ;)

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. LOL, well, there is PLENTY of that in this series :D

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  8. Thanks for dropping by, everyone! Hope you all enjoyed our little convo with Brandon. :)

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  9. I love character interviews. And a great romance with sexy characters is a must.

    Caity_mack@yahoo dot com

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    Replies
    1. Mmm, they are sexy indeed. *drools on cover art* Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. Thanks for the great giveaway. Tore923@aol.com

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  11. Thank you so much to our lovely host--it's a pleasure, as always, to come visit here :D

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  12. Hey Rachel! Thanks for coming over and hanging out!!! It is much appreciated! And thanks for the explanation! I know it means a lot to us readers when you take the time to "talk" to us! Hugs and thanks for coming over!

    Good luck to everyone!

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    Replies
    1. I actually really sort of hesitated about answering that question because I don't want to impose Cat's and my intent on anyone's interpretation of the story. But it is an interesting discussion for sure, and Cat and I are both fascinated by all the different ways people are reading their relationship. I think it's very cool :D

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  13. What awakens me when I read? Well, m/m always helps, for a start. :-) I get most engaged by great characters, though it's hard to ignore plotting and style...it all works together!

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. I agree. Style's a biggie for me, probably more than anything. I have to be captivated by the voice to be pulled into a story.

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  14. When I read I love to go to another world and immerse myself in the characters~
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

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  15. I have to have a good plot and great dialouge. I like witty snarky back and forth! MM helps too LMAO

    forettarose@yahoo.com

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  16. Interesting character interview!
    suz2(at)cox(dot)net

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  17. Geh, I have yet to read the first book, but I will! I must! lol... and boy does this second one sound so good. I am really looking forward to reading it ASAP!

    Thank you for the contest!! =D

    Judi
    arella3173_loveless(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  18. Nice cover.. hahha...

    what awakens Me?? when I read Mia Watts book.. hmpffth...

    Thank's for the Giveaway.. ^^

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  19. thx for giveaway...
    what awaken me is when the man lead is very possesive and really love the woman...:p

    chikojubilee(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. A really well written scene with interesting characters, dialog and action.

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  21. Characters who draw emtions from me, like laughter or tears.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  22. Great interview,I love gaining insight into what makes people tick. I also like learning things I didn't already know about the D/S lifestyle.

    skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com

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    Replies
    1. What awakens me when I read is intense emotion or gaining new insight into a persons motive in doing what they are doing.

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  23. Interesting characters awakens me in a story. I don't have to like them but they have to be interesting. I have to want to stick with them through the story. I love m/m romances and especially m/m erotic romances so this story sounds perfect for me.

    geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com

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  24. I don't know why I haven't head of these books before today but they are now at the top of my to read list.

    juliebites at gmail dot com

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  25. Awwww, so adorable!! When it comes to Brandon, I just can't help myself. ^^

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  26. Thanks for sharing! It was interesting hearing Brandon's side of the story after hearing Jonathan's. Can't wait to read this!

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  27. Hi guys! Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by and saying hello during our release celebration!

    It looks like Cecile's done a rafflecopter thing to draw the backlist book winner from this site (Cecile, can you send us the winner's email and we'll send them their goodies?), and the winner of the chainmaille bracelet was StacieD :) Thanks again to everyone, and Cat and I hope you have fun with Bran and Jonathan! :D

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I want to thank you for stopping by my place... I hope to see you again!!
I hope you enjoy my little bloggie home as much as I do!
With hugs, love and smiles... Cecile

My Fictional Smutty Boyfriend.... =)

"Quotes"