Who’s On Top?
by Rie Warren
Who loves switch stories? Me! Me! By ‘switch’ I refer to male-male stories in which both characters top and bottom. Yes, I’m talking about sex, one of my favorite topics. With a good switch story you have double the pleasure and double the fun.
Writing a hot, romantic tale of two lovers who give as well as receive provides its own set of complexities in terms of both getting all those manly body parts where they’re supposed to go and pumping up the eroticism and emotional connection.
How do I decide which character tops first? What’s the turning point when the slightly more dominant man decides to let his lover inside . . . inside his body, heart, and soul?
I find it’s mainly out of my control when it comes to making these decisions. It’s up to my characters because one or the other of them always has a deep-rooted reason for being more aggressive in the sack. That isn’t to say his partner is lacking in the talent department. Not at all. The first sex scene is inevitably scorching on-fire hot! Their first clash of bodies is an uncontainable, uncontrollable Holy Hell experience from start to finish. And probably another couple times because I’m generous like that.
But somewhere along the way, a massive shift occurs, and I’m not just talking about my guys adjusting themselves *wink*. This happens as their emotional bonding grows; as their relationship deepens into more than a raw sex sesh into the awwww I love yous.
I love writing these sex scenes in particular! (Okay, I’m pretty much a huge fan of writing all the sex) But in this instance, the wow happens. The explosive attraction is combined with emotional connection. This intimate interlude is still just as powerful, perhaps even more so because the relationship between my gorgeous men has developed into the long-lasting bond true love stories are made of.
And that, my friends, is when the top becomes the bottom. Talk about an amazingly jaw-dropping, heart-stopping moment.
Of course, that isn’t the end, because then we have all those good things like black moments (another fave of mine—I dig the angst), more danger, then ultimately the fought-for HEA every reader and character deserves.
Now, to talk about the particulars of nailing the sex down? Let’s follow the bouncy balls, shall we? I like my M/M sex graphic. I like it visual. I like it believable. I love it squirm-in-your seats hot. My lovers aren’t squeamish or timid, but take control and fuck-like-you-mean-it men.
I think there’s nothing sexier than a man committing his body and heart to his lover, so I like to do that times two. Bigger might not be better (seriously, I’m not sure who coined that phrase . . .) but more is PHWOAR.
Who read Lover At Last by the lady of the BDB, JR Ward? Oh, me too, you can be sure of that. Remember toward the end, when Qhuinn finally, truly opened himself up—in all ways—to Blay when they were in the clinic? That visceral impact is what I’m talking about. That’s what I’m creating with my own stories.
I also get off on forbidden love stories, which describes mine in the Don’t Tell series. Due to the restricted world my men live in, homosexual relationships are outlawed. If I let myself love you, I could die. This sentiment is true with In His Command and In His Sights, adding the perfect ingredient of impossible love.
In both In His Command and In His Sights, you’ll meet two pairs of formidable men who are also loving, romantic, giving. And of course, highly sexed for the one they’re partnered with. And while one character is slightly dominant in each story (at least in his own mind), the other is sure as hell gonna get his turn on top.
You can see me put words into action by checking out my latest release in the Don’t Tell series, In His Sights. Don’t worry if you start there; the novella contains no series spoilers and is a nice way to get your feet wet…among other things.
Tell me about a switch story you can’t get enough of! I’ll go first with two of my favorites: The Cut and Run series, because helloooo. Ty Grady and Zane Garrett with danger, sex, love, sex, cowboy hats and guns? Yes. The other story I want to highlight is one you may not have heard of (and this novel comes with a warning—it has some pretty intense, violent scenes not suitable for all readers because it takes place between two enemy spies in Afghanistan during the Cold War), Special Forces: Soldiers by Marquesate. That particular novel I read three times in a row.
About In His Sights
These sworn enemies have everything to lose and each other to live for.
At the outset of the Revolution against the oppressive Company regime, Hawke is a freedom fighter on a mission. Infiltrate Alpha Territory, kick some Corps ass, and stay alive. His plans unravel when he’s captured by the enemy on his first sortie. Waiting for death by the soldier sworn to kill him, all his training couldn’t have prepared him for what happens next.
A corporal in the Company’s military branch, Mayce is a hard-liner intent on ridding his city of the insurgent threat. Yet one look at the gorgeous Freelander named Hawke and years of yearning and unrealized desires change his course permanently. If discovered, he’ll be branded a traitor and a homosexual—and sentenced to death.
Mayce and Hawke act on their intense and immediate attraction. But amid the escalating war their dangerous trysts come at the risk of their own lives.
Available at: Amazon
About Rie Warren
Rie is the badass, sassafras author of Sugar Daddy and the Don’t Tell series–a breakthrough trilogy that crosses traditional publishing boundaries beginning with In His Command.
A Yankee transplant who has traveled the world, Rie started out a writer—causing her college professor to blush over her erotic poetry without one ounce of shame. Not much has changed. She swapped pen for paintbrushes and followed her other love during her twenties. From art school to marriage to children and many a wild and wonderful journey in between, Rie has come home to her calling. Her work has been called edgy, daring, and some of the sexiest smut around.
You can find Rie on her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Goodreads & YouTube!
Rie has graciously offered up an ebook copy of BOTH books in the Don’t Tell series, In His Command AND In His Sights to one lucky winner!
The giveaway starts now and will end next Wednesday, May 7th, 2014, at 11:59 pm EST. After which the lucky winner will be randomly picked.
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below with your email address and you’re in!
Make sure to follow the blog for the winner’s announcement post or check back next Thursday, May 8th, 2014, to see if you’ve won.
Don’t forget to check out JustJen’s review of In His Sights to see what she thought of it! You can also buy your own copy of In His Sights at Amazon.
Good luck!
The Blogger Girls 
I love it when characters are versatile (switch) in bed! Thanks for the blog and giveaway. I just added both books to my TBR list.
jen.f {at} mac {dot} com
Thanks so much for checking out my post! Yes, versatility is key 😉
I like it when they switch especially if it is done because a “usual” top falls in love and lets his love fuck him.
rojoroaors(at)yahoo(dot)com
I couldn’t agree more–that’s not only a sexy turn of events, but a beautiful one. Thanks for leaving a comment!
I love switch stories too. Ty & Zane are my favorites because they both give as good as they get! Thanks for the giveaway!
rockybatt@gmail.com
Agree with everything you said about Ty and Zane. That’s one of my fave series.
I’ve never liked it much when you have MC’s who only top or only bottom.
I enjoyed your blog. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
I think there are times when it’s necessary though. Have you ever read OUT OF TIME by Mary Calmes? I just can’t see Sam bending over for Jory, haha! But yeah, for the most part I like a little switching up 😉
Yep, I agree with everyone, love when they switch. Adds a bit more spice. Love the sound of the book and am definitely reading soon. Thanks for the giveaway.
fsteph55(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the lovely comments! If you read mine, I hope you enjoy it.
I love enemies to lovers stories. Switches are AWESOME and emotional impact too? This one is going on my TBR list for sure! Thanks for introducing this book and author to me!
ruralmom08 (at) gmail.com
Oh yeah! There’s just something so hot when the tables get totally turned between to men. Thanks for stopping by!
I don’t know – I really only read your M/M romances, Rie. Its something about the way you write your characters, that totally makes me forget, hot blooded, willing and able women are missing out on the likes of Casper and Blondie! Your story telling drags me in, caveman style, then there really is something **consuming** about watching an all Alpha kind of guy fall in love. He gives it all, including his life on the line to be with the one he wants, insanely and completely. That, I think is what’s so damn hot. Alpha’s don;t love they possess. I’m not sure I would enjoy a story line with a submissive partner or a true bottom. I love the switcharoo, and the fact both your leads are Alpha like on their own, and just straight up in love in a very undefining way- together. Even in a hetro relationship, I want my girls to have their dominant , sexually empowering times over their Alpha men. In a M/M relationship, theres so much unspoken trust, and I dare say – Rie – you approach that,and then take em down in a way no one else is capable of.
Its why you can still make me laugh and cry, and fall in love with blatantly, unapologetic-ally, gay men. And keep coming back for more.
You are the bomb, Ms dot com! And more ladies need to be introduced to this Don’t Tell series.
It should be pimped as the Gateway M/M Romantica.
Thanks for making reading, fun for me again, Rie.
Well said, Lori! Many, many thanks.
Finally getting a chance to chime in here. I love switches! It doesn’t always work, and I enjoy those stories as well, but there is just something about both guys sharing every experience, etc. that I love. 🙂
Oh yes. It is so beautiful when they give equally. I think many M/M stories are some of the most romantic. *swoon* I like the hard-hitting masculine sex as much as the heart-rending, tearing-up moments.
I love switches too! It doesn’t always work, but it makes it more interesting when they do. Thanks for the giveaway! Your books are going on my TBR list!
jczlapin(at)gmail(dot)com
Now I’m in the mood to do some more M/M reading, ha ha! Thanks for dropping by and putting my books on your list.
I love switches too. There is something about the give and take that works really well. At least for me 🙂
Absolutely! it’s all good when it comes to a two-for-one 😉
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
I don’t remember who tops or bottoms in the stories so I can’t give you a favorite example. I do like it when one of the characters who doesn’t usually bottom, will switch because he loves his partner and wants to experience everything with him, even bottoming.
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
I agree. I think that’s what makes the stories and relationships a little bit deeper. Cheers for commenting!
I also love the stories most when the men switch it up during sex. Though I just finished Frat Boy and Toppy the other day, and I really enjoyed how the nerd Sebastian always topped the muscle bound jock Brad!
aegger.echo @ yahoo .com
Oh, I might have to check that out. Sounds super sexy!
MM romances seem so much more realistic when guys swap, but good erotica is good erotica 😀 I’m dead excited to read this series and I have been since they were rec’ed to me! scarlettruin@gmail.com
LOL, you are right about good erotica. Thanks for the lovely comment!