Feb 8, 2021 | New Release
RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Black Light: Roulette Rematch
Series: Black Light Book One, Season Five
Authors: Jennifer Bene, Livia Grant, Renee Rose,
Measha Stone, Maggie Ryan, Ann Mayburn,
Shane Starrett, Sinistre Ange & Raisa Greywood
Publisher: Black Collar Press
Genre: BDSM Erotic Romance
Release Date: February 8, 2021
BLURB
Three hours. Four hard limits. Nine naughty couples.
Black Light’s thrilling game of Valentine Roulette returns for the fifth year with nine very dirty — and very hot — NEW stories from your favorite BDSM authors.
It’s Valentine’s Night and time for a rematch, but the egos of two dominating Dungeon Masters aren’t the only things on the line. These couples are going to gamble their hearts with one spin of the wheel, and there’s only one guarantee in this year’s Roulette…
The East Coast may have won the battle last year, but Black Light West plans to win the war in this explosive, sexy collection!
Featuring stories from: Livia Grant, Jennifer Bene, Renee Rose, Measha Stone, Ann Mayburn, Maggie Ryan, Shane Starrett, Sinistre Ange, and Raisa Greywood!
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56605943-black-light
PURCHASE LINKS
US: https://amzn.to/3vVRdWB
UK: https://amzn.to/3jinrD8
CA: https://amzn.to/3rmqNrA
AU: https://amzn.to/3cCuTYa
Free in Kindle Unlimited!
Dec 18, 2020 | New Release
Anathema Trilogy now Available! FREE in KU!
– from the wicked minds of Yolanda Olson & Jennifer Bene –
Snag the original trilogy then continue with Lakyn and 1-click to binge the new series now!
“I didn’t think it would be possible to outdo the original trio, but this one definitely lives up to the originals’ reputations. A devil’s spawn, a psychopathic princess, a stowaway, a dangerous hitchhiker, and one very dangerous destination point – it doesn’t get better than that!“
“An absolutely thrilling ride from dark fiction queens Yolanda Olson and Jennifer Bene that will have you immediately jumping into the next book of the series.“
“I loved this series and for those that love unapologetically dark you will love it as well. Thank you for the road trip.“
Noxious, Book 1
The Jackal
They say that the apple never really falls far from the tree—no matter how withered the branch or how rotten the core. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that my dad is a great guy, but he never counted on me showing up. None of them did, and that’s exactly what’s going to make this so fun.
We won’t talk about my mother because chances are, he doesn’t even remember who she is. To most people that’s important, but not if you’re a Meyer. I just want to make amends with him before I move on—not that I’ve done him wrong, it’s more the other way around. He was too busy getting his rocks off to be a father and that’s understandable. I don’t fault him for it. Hell, I would have done the same thing.
Guess we’ll see if he lives up to the legends I’ve heard about him because if I’m going this far, I expect fireworks.
The Tagalong
This better be worth my time. I didn’t want to drive hundreds of miles just to stare at someone that’s supposed to be some kind of god. But my partner-in-crime promises that whatever happens will be something neither of us will ever forget, and I never could say no to a good adventure.
I’ve heard weird rumors that his father lives with another man—someone he “won” from some girl they both used to hang out with, and honestly, that’s the only reason I came. Besides knowing that the jackal would lose what little grip he has left on reality if his father doesn’t meet his expectations, I’m curious about how someone could be so easily manipulated. Lucky for me, I’m not one of those people.
The Stowaway
If either of them find me, they’re going to be pissed off. I just hate that they’re always going places without me when I want to go too. He told me that he was my friend but he slights me at every turn. She said she has nothing against me but she acts like I don’t exist when he’s around. What’s so special about him, anyway? It can’t be his personality because that sucks something fierce. He’s the most arrogant person I’ve ever met in my life, but if I looked like him, I guess I would be as well.
He seemed really excited when they hopped in her car to drive to… I don’t even know where we’re headed. I’m just lucky enough that they haven’t found me yet and maybe when they do, they won’t mind. After all, where am I supposed to go when I’m in a place I won’t even know?
Mephitic, Book 2
The Wannabe
The best and worst idea I’ve ever had blew up in my face big time. Willa and Dexter are gone; traded away for the worst man I’ve ever met in my life and the most obsessive little fiend that would sooner die than not have his full attention.
I’m on the road again, but it’s nowhere I want to be. I don’t even know where the destination is exactly. All I do know is that I’d rather be anywhere than here or there. My friends… I’m sorry.
The Replacement
I thought my luck had run out on the curb of a rest area somewhere in Pennsylvania. I’ve never been so wrong. Someone found me, tucked me under his arm, and promised me a great time—and for the most part, I suffered one disappointment after the other. Until him. He sees me, knows me in ways that I don’t even know myself, and when he smiles at me… I’ll never let him go.
The Fury
If it’s not the emo kids at the stupid church, it’s something else. I spent most of my time happy at home with nothing but my… friend… to pass the time. That was all I ever thought I needed to be honest, and I know damn well, it’s all he’s needed. I mean anyone that comes into my crosshairs usually knows they’re in for a time as magnificent as the sight they’re beholding, and I like to do my best to show them that.
Of course, that’s not to say that I don’t like to have my own fun. In my special ways, that is. But now I’ve got the chance to show up at the doorstep of someone that’s haunted me for longer than I care to admit. What’s one more road trip to the pits of hell to see this through to the end. Am I right?
Viperous, Book 3
The Convert
Life has never been this good. True, I miss my friends and everything I used to have but now there’s hope in a place where it never lived before. Inside of me—her. Us.
She’s built something great and all are welcome. The only problem with that is that he thinks he’s welcomed too. She doesn’t remember him, or at least that’s how she likes to live her new life. I can see it in his eyes. The disgust, the disdain… the jealousy.
I’ll do everything I can to protect her from all of the evil in the world. Including my own father.
The Zealot
Past lives are in the past for a reason. I’ve been blessed with so much more than I used to be, and I can only hope that I can do the same for everyone that comes to my home in the desert. A place where only love and light shine—where the terrible things I used to do and be were left to rot in the proverbial rearview mirror.
He doesn’t like that I don’t remember him or his friend. He seems to think that I’m lying to him. I do recall some of the trauma but not all of it and I never want to again. Maybe he’ll learn to forgive and forget. Maybe he won’t. Either way, I’ll lead him to the light and show him that he can be so much more than what he is, and in the end, he’ll thank me for it.
The Deviant
Blondes and junkies have always been my no-go’s. Everyone has something that makes their skin crawl, and those are mine. Granted, things could be worse when it comes down to it, but I’ve seen more than enough. After I came home, I saw the disappointment in his eyes—and felt it like a kick to the face when he accused me of being the one thing I never have been.
Back out to the holy land I go to get some answers. I don’t understand how someone can be so happy living a lie and forget the past as quickly as she did. I promised him that I’d bring her back and I will. All’s well that ends well, right? Guess it depends on who’s ending you’re looking at.
Sep 12, 2020 | New Release
RELEASE BLITZ
Title: Black Light: Unbound
Series: Black Light
Authors: Lesley Clark, Jennifer Bene
Genre: MM BDSM Romance
Release Date: September 12, 2020
BLURB
“A brilliant, standalone, MM romance in the Black Light series!”
Who can deny a determined Italian Dom?
One night changed the course of Jamie’s life forever.
Ripped the wild joy out of him and replaced it with trauma.
But he survived the darkness, and now one thing is clear…
He’ll never be vulnerable again.
Except Dominic has other plans.
He wanted Jamie at first sight. Imagined him on his knees,
tied up in ropes, a sweet male submissive at his feet.
And Dominic always gets what he wants.
Jamie doesn’t want his discipline, or his creative punishments,
but it’s a dangerous tug of war that Dom plans on winning.
He’ll make Jamie see that by tying themselves together,
he will truly become unbound.
GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55229166
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3mdLq7z
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HY25B8K
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08HY25B8K
PRAISE FOR BLACK LIGHT: UNBOUND
“I laughed, I cried, I got ticked off and then I cried some more!! This story touched everything in my heart. Dom is just what Jamie needs and deserves…….a Dominant who is firm but will do everything in his power to help heal the heart of the man he is falling in love with.” – Rhonda, Amazon
“This book has it all! The traumatic experience Jamie has to try to cope with leads him to his happily ever after. Wonderful friendship that has lasted a lifetime, a Dom who takes charge and helps him realize his strengths, and the love he thought he’d never find. I found myself laughing, crying and every emotion in between. Loved it!” – Goodreads
TEASER EXCERPT
Dominance was an addiction he never thought he’d be able to feed again, and definitely not with the gorgeous Italian man that unknowingly teased him with every move he made as he worked out — but here it was. Offered up to him on a fucking platter, and when Dominic’s fingers dug into the back of Jamie’s neck, adding that subtle edge of control that he’d always craved, he knew he was going to do the stupid thing. The incredibly irresponsible, selfish, stupid thing.
He was going to say yes.
When Dom pulled his face back, he slid one hand back into Jamie’s hair, holding him tight like he wanted to make sure he didn’t run. “Understand, I will not make this easy on you. In fact, you might feel tortured by some of the things we do together, but I will never truly harm you. I will hurt you, and I will piss you off, but I won’t harm you. I’m not a casual dominant, Jamie. I don’t do things by half-measures. I will take everything from you. You will have no freedoms save the ones I give to you, and make no mistake, you will earn every single one of them. Nothing will be given freely, but I will protect you with my own life. No one will ever hurt you again. Only I will get the pleasure of doing that, and you’ll love every minute of what I can give you.”
Aug 14, 2020 | Writing |
So, I haven’t blogged in a while, but I feel like it’s something I’m finally mentally healthy enough to take on again, and I’m absolutely going to make an effort to start doing it more consistently with the old favorites like Music Monday and Thankful Thursday, etc. But, before I dive into the core topic of today’s ramble (with gifs!) I do have to say that without the support of so many amazing authors, readers, and local friends I know I wouldn’t have made it through the last year without losing my mind completely. So, thank you guys so much for lifting me up when I needed it most.
And, really, that’s the main thing I want to talk about today in my completely rambling way. When I worked at my day job there was a coworker I had that wasn’t exactly a friend, but we were amicable, and although we didn’t always see eye to eye, he did have this phrase hung up at his desk where he could see it, and all of us could also see it when we walked by. It always stuck in my mind because I feel it’s so true and so important. Since I don’t have his handy piece of paper, I slapped it on a pretty picture for you guys.
It’s pretty freaking simple.
Seriously… this concept shouldn’t be foreign to any of us in life, but it especially resonates within the author community. I’ve been publishing for over five years now and while I have met some incredible people who go above and beyond to help their peers, I’ve also seen people who treat this like some kind of competition — which, newsflash, it isn’t. There is not an author on the planet that can write books fast enough to keep up with these voracious readers who devour romance books at an impossible pace, and what does that mean for all of us?
We only succeed when we lift each other up.
When we share each other’s books with our readers while we’re updating them for the tenth time about our progress on our next book, we’re giving them the chance to fall in love with another author and fulfill their reading needs because we can’t at that moment. In return, that author will often share your new release, and the cycle continues, around and around, with lots of different authors across the landscape of authorlandia.
Mufasa laid it out when I was still a kid, and he’s right. We’re all connected in this great circle of “romance book” life. That’s the truth of it. So, when I see people insulting other authors, or tearing them down, or dragging their name through the mud all across social media over a disagreement or a personal issue… I honestly don’t get it. We’re not going to all be besties, and that’s just because people are people and we don’t have to like everyone — but making a public spectacle of a private matter? Tearing down another author’s opportunity for success because you don’t like what they write, or don’t like their cover, or don’t like something they said or did? That just doesn’t get us anywhere. All it does is hurt the reputations of everyone that gets involved or shows up on the periphery. When that happens, we all fall a little.
We all sink, together, in the eyes of our readers and the community.
And who wants that? Who wants to be seen as the “problem child” in the author community, or the “drama queen,” or the “gossipy one?” None of those are good labels to put next to your brand, and no matter what you think of authorlandia as a whole — your name is your brand. Every action we take in a public space reflects directly back on our brand, especially because most of us derive many of our new readers through advertising on social media, and many readers that find authors in other ways go to social media to see what that person is “really” like behind the pretty picture and author bio.
Ask yourself… when people look for you, who will they find?
It might be. I’m not here to answer that question for you. I’m only here to try and share the concept that all of us can succeed together. We can be kind, we can be generous, we can share knowledge, we can reach out, we can speak up, and we can see each other as partners in this crazy publishing world instead of “competition.”
Most importantly, we can lift each other up, and we can ascend together.
There are no limits to the number of books a reader will buy. I think the sheer number of memes revolving around our ever-growing TBR lists (mine could crush a small village easily) is a testament to that fact. Romance readers aren’t just voracious with their reading habits, they’re voracious with their buying habits. A book is an impulse buy because something about it spoke to them. An amazing cover, an intriguing blurb, a snippet that made them have to fan themselves, or a friend shoving the book into their virtual hands with an “omg this book destroyed me and you have to read it right now!”
It really doesn’t.
And even if you’re convinced that every reader is a coveted item to be hoarded like Gollum did the ring, then you still have to ask yourself what kind of world you want authorlandia to be. We’ve all chosen this path for ourselves, and it is hard on the best of days, and a nightmare on the worst, so why should we make it harder on each other? Why not use your reach and your voice and your brand to spread positivity in this community? Why not leave the world of authorlandia a little better than you left it each day?
Personally, I’m a big believer in karma, and I’ve experienced the way that the love you send out into the world comes back to you. When I was at my lowest points in the last year with the death of my grandfather, then my mother, my step-grandmother shutting me out of her life, and the trouble with my kiddo needing help at school and the journey of getting special education resources… it was this community that kept my head above water. Even when all I could do was lie in bed and wonder when things would get better, I never had to go farther than my phone to find someone reaching out to me, checking on me, telling me they loved me / my books / my whole weird personality. When my entire life was in tatters, karma paid me back for all the love and energy I’d sent out over the years ten-fold.
And the same will happen for you.
We get out of the world what we put into it, and even if you think karma is a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, at the end of the day it’s still better to be a positive influence. To choose love, not hate. Choose kindness, not malice. Choose being the person you want to see in others, not the person that continues the cycle of pain.
And while I’ve been speaking to authors for most of this, it all applies to readers too, because this community wouldn’t even exist without you in it. So, when negativity shows up on our feeds on social media, we have the choice to let it lie, or participate. All of us make that choice (unfortunately way too often) and those choices are going to continue shaping authorlandia and the world we choose to experience every day. So…
Let’s choose to treat each other like partners, or at the very least coworkers — not competition.
Let’s choose to lift each other up when we have the opportunity.
Let’s choose to leave the world a better place.
We all need it, even when there isn’t an apocalypse going on. <3 So, that’s all I wanted to ramble about today, because I figured I might not be the only one who could use that phrase on the pretty picture rolling around in their head. Feel free to save the picture, share it, share this blog, comment, etc. We’re all in this together, and I’m going to continue trying to lift up those around me because that’s how we all rise.
Thanks for reading, lovelies. Just remember, we’re #InThisTogether.
