Power Dynamics
by Jessie G.
In my first book, Past Hurts, after being physically hurt Davin works hard to make himself physically strong. It’s a defense mechanism that I think people can relate to, or at least I hope they can. That physical strength doesn’t change the fact that Alaric is the dominant one in their relationship. Instead it highlights how very much of a choice submission is. A willing gift, if you will. At any time Davin could have overpowered Alaric and chose not to. His need to have Alaric be in control of their lives, to trust Alaric that deeply, only made his physical appearance that much hotter. In my opinion anyway.
In this latest release, For A Reason, there isn’t a defined power dynamic and any hint of BDSM is more of a game than anything else. I gave Bull all the physical power, but made sure he knew that Red’s strengths were paramount to their growth as a couple. Even when Red was drawing from Bull’s physical strength, he had to be strong enough to trust that Bull would provide what he needed. Their opposing strengths fed each other, gave each other a balance they didn’t have apart and making them equal while exchanging power in a total different way.
I tend to draw MC’s together that are both physically and mentally opposite. Bigger men with smaller men, dominant men with submissive men, and I think it’s hot to mix those traits up, like in the case of Alaric and Davin. It’s a combination that just does it for me because the contradictions compliment each other. In the right context I think it’s a super hot visual, if the age gap is appropriate and the size difference isn’t ridiculous. Yeah, my kinks have conditions and limitations, just like everyone else.
I’m a firm believer that all relationships have some power dynamic, even if the power changes hands regularly. If not, fights would never be resolved, decisions never made. One partner takes the lead, the other allows it, and next time the roles may be reversed. Again, just my opinion on the subject, but you’ll find it an ongoing thread in my writing because it interests me. I believed my approach to the topic was too light to be called BDSM, but I did have one reviewer of Past Hurts complain that I should have prefaced my blurb with a warning.
Future books in the series, which is already drafted out to be seven books, will have that warning. They will delve deeper into power dynamics and the healing two people can find when they trust each other that much. Some will be subtle, some not so much, because it interests me and I can only hope it interests you.
About For a Reason
Former Marine and full time big brother, Bull Connor spends his days helping those in need of a second chance and his nights fighting the inner demons that won’t let go. During a routine tow he comes face to face with the only person who refuses to need him and the one man he wishes would.
As a throw away, Ian Jones is used to being alternately overlooked or ridiculed but hasn’t given up on the idea that with just one chance he could turn it all around. Rescued by the one person who neither overlooks nor ridicules him, he longs to be seen as more than just a man in need.
Ian isn’t pining for the family he’s never known but when they descend, unwanted and uninvited, Bull must prove that he’s the man who will protect Ian’s long neglected heart by sharing the demons that torment his wounded soul.
Available at: Amazon
An Excerpt from For a Reason
Ian trembled and tightened his arms. “All your men have had enough trouble in their lives and they’re trying to have a fresh start. It kills me to think I’m causing more trouble for you and them.”
“Our men,” Bull corrected softly, “our family. If this is about you, we’ll deal with it. Next time it could be about someone else and we’ll still deal with it. We’re a dysfunctional bunch, Red, it happens more often than not.”
Ian pulled back a little. “Our family?”
“We’re not exactly the Brady Bunch,” he teased softly, “but you’ll never find a more loyal group of men. I know it’s overwhelming and probably not what you envisioned, but…” Ian kissed him hard, cutting off the words. “It’s amazing.”
Until that moment he hadn’t realized that he’d been waiting for Ian to accept them all. The relief was nearly overwhelming. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Accepting us.” It was really that simple and complicated. Not many men would.
About Jessie G.
Before I am a writer, I am a voracious reader who panics when there are less than fifty books on her wish list. That wasn’t always the case and shamefully I must admit there was a time early in life that I hated to read. After throwing every possible age appropriate book my way a relative snuck me my first romance and I have been hooked ever since.
My love of reading morphed into a desire to write and I still have old notebooks and floppy disks full of ideas and partially written plots. While earning my computer degree, and starting on my career and family, I didn’t write a single word. It wasn’t until I was buying school supplies for my oldest son that the itch came back. Oddly, I can sniff out the stationary aisle in any store and have been known to skip an item on the grocery list in favor of a shiny new notebook.
With the advent of social media I filled up my feeds with my favorite authors hoping to glean some words of wisdom as I pounded out half formed ideas with alarming regularity. Two
repetitive themes emerged: To be a great writer you must read a lot and your butt must be in the chair every day like it’s a job. Even if you write dribble, you’re writing. The more you write, the easier it will be to write and the better you will get at writing.
Every day I took the time to write dribble, every day I told myself I was a writer, and on January 28, 2014 I woke up in the middle of the night with Past Hurts pounding in my head. Within two months, I also had the foundation for Books 2 and 3 and the Sizzling Miami Series was born.
When I’m not reading or writing, I own a successful web design business. My husband and I live in Central Florida and we’re enjoying life as parents of adults. Whenever possible we hit the road on the motorcycle and dare anyone to find us.
Find out more about Jessie on her Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Goodreads, Amazon Page or email her at jessie@jessiegbooks.com.
There’s TWO chances to win on this tour spot! First, Jessie is giving away mobi copies of For a Reason and Past Hurts to one luck winner!! The giveaway starts now and ends October 10, 2014 at 11:59 p.m. To enter, just click the link below!
Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway, except to verify your Rafflecopter entry.
Secondly, Jessie is having a tour-wide giveaway for TWO $25 Gift Cards to Amazon.com AND one set of of For a Reason and Past Hurts in mobi format! The tour-wide giveaway starts October 1st and ends October 20th ending at Midnight EST. To enter, just click the link below!
Please be aware that the only way to enter the giveaway is to click the Rafflecopter link above. Any comments on this post will not count towards entering the giveaway unless otherwise stated but are still welcome anyway.
Don’t forget to check out Nikyta’s review of For a Reason to see what she thought of it!
Good luck!
Title: Being Wanted
Bike rides, days at the pool, karate class…the more some things stay the same, the more they also change. Now, there’s boys. My best friend Amy pointed out that everyone but us has a boyfriend and, sure enough, even my awkward older brother has someone he’s crushing on. There is suddenly more to going to the pool, to dances and parties, and even just hanging out. We try to impress each other and maybe find our match. I capture all our moments with my camera, always observing and documenting it all for posterity. Will Amy find some fashion sense? Will I find someone who will want to be mine? And my brother, Aeric, who just came out as gay, will he be okay? Life suddenly seems so complicated. But changes, well, some of them aren’t so bad.
Lillian McKinnon is the pen name for a rather sassy 13 year old home educated girl who lives and plays in the Northwest region of England. She doesn’t like being told she can’t do things because she’s a kid, and woe betide you if it’s because she’s a girl. She’s active in Scouts and is avid about karate. She also enjoys long bike rides, photography, kayaking, abseiling, canoeing, swimming, and is somewhat of an artist. She probably reads far too much, with bookcases full of novels and manga, a Kindle with an ever growing library, and online serials she avidly follows. She also has a fondness for vintage American sitcoms and modern sci fi and fantasy TV shows. When not reading, doing her educational assignments, writing, or indulging in her other hobbies, she spend time gaming with her younger brother, as long as he’s not annoyed her too much that day. Skill she would most like to learn next: surfing.
Title: Blame it on the Mistletoe
Title: Bloodline
Title: In the Raw
Title: A Working Man
The Blogger Girls 