Woo-hoo! New Covers! Excerpts! Sale News!

It’s Cover Reveal Day! OK, it’s only EIGHT MINUTES into cover reveal day, but I have been itching to share these with you since Wicked Book Covers created them for me. As an extra Reveal Day treat, you get excerpts from the books as well!

“Fuck. A tear slipped out, despite my stringent attempt to ignore or deny it. Jase must have felt it soak into his shirt, because he coaxed me to look at him again, one big hand cupping the side of my face like it was made of china.

“Aw, none of that,” he said, leaning down and kissing the tear away. I took a shaky breath. Love is a drug, and its side effects were sometimes hard to cope with. The overpowering lust that possessed me anytime Jase was nearby was only one of them. Overwhelmed, I could think of only one way to handle it.

“Don’t even switch off the lights. Bedroom. Now.”

I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him behind me across the living room, leaving the dinner mess scattered all over the bar. Leaving my tumultuous thoughts behind, I listened to my body, and all of its parts were screaming in unison to fuck.”

“Let’s see the slut-wear,” Jase said, yanking my dress off over my head. My hands trembled, wanting to clutch at it, I felt so vulnerable. I didn’t, though, knowing how silly it was. Joe had seen me in my stage gear many times, and was about to see me in much less, I guessed. I awaited instruction, tits tingling, cunt clenching.

I knew how Red Riding Hood must have felt when she was sure the wolf was going to eat her. Here I was, skimpy bra, little hipster panties, stockings and shoes, before them, both still fully dressed. I felt more naked than I actually was. Joe made an appreciative noise.

“Spin,” Jase made a twirling gesture with one hand. I turned around slowly twice, and looked to him to see if I should stop. He nodded. Joe whistled.

“That is one fine piece of ass you own, brother.”

“What’s mine is yours tonight.”

If it was possible to get any wetter, I did. My whole body was nothing but neglected nerve endings, buzzing as they could reach out and reel in some touch, any touch. My thighs pressed together unconsciously, seeking to relieve the ache that was growing at their junction. That never worked, just drew attention to my state.

“Get those legs apart,” Jase growled. I bit my lips and complied.”

Switch It ON will be FREE on May 30th and 31st!

Switch It UP will be ONLY $0.99 June 1st- 3rd!

In Which a Blog About Consent Turns into a Book Review!

Last year, something terrible happened in Tennessee. I didn’t hear anything about it until some days later, researching on FetLife as I do. Someone, quite possibly the author herself–this was a year ago, so I can’t recall—posted an amazing blog on the subject. It was the first I’d read about it. A submissive named Shirley Beck was killed by those she trusted. Few fitting words do justice to what she went through. Kate Kinsey found those words, in her brilliant piece “The Last Four Hours of Shirley Beck’s Life“. I’m not sure anyone could have said it better.

Of course, I wanted to respond, as a member of the Kink Community, as an author of BDSM erotica, and as a freaking human being. I was so upset, I forgot how to word. Incoherent moans and sobbing seemed more appropriate. I cried, a lot.

In the end, I wrote another piece entirely, due to a censorship situation in which I knew the players, and it did speak on consent, but only peripherally. I was petrified to allow my brain to stray near the original subject. I kept meaning to come back to it, but publishing Switch It ON, and writing and publishing Switch It UP consumed my life. Well, and three trips to visit The Muse, who restoreth my soul, so to speak.

Finally, the work was done, and when I contemplated a real blog post for y’all, neither sharing nor selling, consent seemed the obvious choice. Although this incident had opened a conversation, we just reheated the same stale meal: There is no such thing as “rape culture”, and even if there was, WE don’t participate. Consent is built into our guidelines, after all. None of us would ever violate anyone’s boundaries! The safe-word is sacred!

Obviously, this is no more true for us than it is for the vanilla community. In fact, WIITWD leaves abusers with even more excuses! Consent needs to be addressed, and readdressed, and then sent to the P. O. Box and readdressed again, until the vanilla world truly believes that “no” means “NO!”, and until everyone in the fetish community will stop at “red” (or pistachio, or whatever y’all agree on. I don’t judge that either.)

In the immortal words of Arlo Guthrie, “That’s not what I came here to tell you about.” When I began preparing for this entry, I wanted to read the original piece that inspired it, that I have linked above. I did so, and cried and failed again. However, whenever I read something particularly brilliant, I like to go and see what else that person is doing.

This has led to something I haven’t done on this blog, a book review! (Cue announcer voice and dramatic music!)

Red, in the author’s own words is: “Truly, madly. . .deadly

Detective Tom Hanson has a string of grotesquely mutilated bodies on his hands and no answers–aside from the fact that the victims were members of an underground sex club catering to singular erotic tastes. Tastes the long, lean detective has sampled himself in the arms of his former lover, a fiery redhead who offered the most erotic, irresistible sex he’d ever encountered. Until the night she’d begged for the one thing he couldn’t give, and he lost her forever.

Gina Larsen is the only one who can guide Hanson through the fringe world of dark fantasy and desire that lies hidden deep beneath the Bible Belt. Lured into her lair by a quest for justice, Hanson discovers his hunger for Gina has only grown stronger and deeper. . .beyond the edge of control. Soon he’s shedding his last inhibitions in the search for answers, but the more she draws him into her erotic web, the less he can distinguish between passion and duty, pleasure and pain. . .good and evil.”

I know, right? How could I possibly resist? Before the Muse inspired me to embark upon this journey, thrillers were the mainstay of my library, and here, it seemed, all my best beloved worlds would collide. Red is that brilliant explosion.

Authenticity is only where we begin. Ms. Kinsey tells all, with honesty and love, that anyone might want to know about BDSM; more, in fact, than might be comfortable for some. She unflinchingly shines the light into some of the darker areas of the scene.

Her probing glow also invades the psychology of Kink, and of people in general, allowing her to create some vivid and memorable characters. Her use of language is expert, her descriptive powers evoking erotic images and horrific crime scenes with equal skill. With all this, she includes the twists and surprises thrillers need to thrill.

As book reviews haven’t really been my thing, I have no rating system here. Whatever it would be, Red would get the highest honors, 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, and a standing ovation.

It’s time to Switch It UP!

Switch It UP is available now!  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RNHYFBS

Warning! This is an erotic romance, so contained herein are graphic descriptions of sex, bondage, discipline, dominance, and submission. You’ll find group sex, voyeurism, Daddy-daughter play, and mud fetishism. Mental illness, self-harm, and consent violation are some of the difficult issues addressed. Somehow, there’s still room for art, ironic humor, and love.  

Last week, I only thought I had problems. How I wish for last week!

It’s a Dom problem. My sleazy boss at the dungeon is ripping me off and harassing my sweet, gorgeous assistant, Trey, who is too submissive for his own safety.

It’s a sub problem. Usually my lover Jase is my rock, always there to take care of me, whether I need feeding or spanking. Now something from Jase’s past is pulling him away from me. He grows more distant every day.

It’s a poly problem. Beautiful Trey is ready to explore with my gorgeous new pet, Hunter, and wants me along for the ride. And Jase’s buddy Joe has been casting filthy glances my way, along with his Dirty South grin.

Sometimes I don’t know what the question is, but I’m pretty sure sex is the answer. Time to SWITCH IT UP.

Well, here’s that cover!

So, Switch It UP has been in the works for quite some time, as followers of this blog will know, and has had a cover planned for most of that time. Well, Release Day is 12-19-14, and so, without further ado, here is the lovely cover Tara West designed for me almost a year ago!

Switch It ON is free today!

This is my very first free promotion, now through Saturday! If you haven’t read Switch It ON, now is the perfect time. Switch It UP is out on December 19th!

http://www.amazon.com/Switch-Stories-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00E8KBF1Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417115364&sr=8-1&keywords=switch+it+on+jh+craig

Fun with Fetishes!

So, this week, I started something new on my Facebook page, for 10 of my 60 followers to see if I am very lucky. I’m mostly amusing myself at this point. In addition to “What I Have Learned Researching on FetLife”, I’m now doing a “Fetish of the Week”, wherein I intend to highlight little known fetishes. This week, forniphilia.

For my Facebook Fans, I turned to the Urban Dictionary’s definition, which is as follows:  “a form of bondage and sexual objectification in which a person’s body is incorporated into a chair, table, cabinet or other piece of furniture”. I found some excellent pictures, and I felt the feature would be interesting, at least to me.

Why a “Fetish of the Week”? My main character, Miss Madeline, and I are of one accord on the subject. Shiny PVC and stingy floggers are exciting. Rope bondage is beautiful, although I am too impatient to either sit still for it, or deal with getting to the object of my attention around it. Piercing and tattooing, once fetishes in their own right, have become mainstream. However, WIITWD (What It Is That We Do—I had no idea acronyms were so beloved!) goes vastly beyond those narrow confines. Kinksters are already marginalized. Supporting others seems part of “safe, sane, and sensible” practices.

I began with forniphilia simply because it plays a part in Switch It ON. Is it my kink? Not exactly. Do I think it can be beautiful, like a careful rope arrangement or a corseted waist? I do. I thought it created a lovely image, for experienced Kinksters, or those simply curious. I hope I did it justice.

How we have sex is personal, just as with whom we wish to have it. No one should be forced to explain what blows his or her dress up. Just as I cannot explain my mental illness, my pansexuality, or the fluid state of my sexual dynamic, I cannot explain how two blue eyed parents gave birth to brown eyed me. Might I wish I were different? Maybe. Sometimes it’s a burden being this fabulous. At least I can share that joyous flamboyance with all of you! Embrace those things that make you unique, whether it’s amazing green eyes, or the ability to be the perfect table for your beloved Mistress.

What in the hell is “YKINMK”?

YOUR KINK IS NOT MY KINK. Your fetish is not necessary mine. My best friend likes to say “Whatever blows your dress up!” which instantly calls to mind the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe, riding the steam. Which blows my dress up. Your dress may remain unmoved. And that’s OK!

As I’ve shared in the past, FetLife is one of my favorite research sites. On it, they have a feature called Kinky & Popular. A writing there struck close to my heart. The author was lamenting a lack of diversity among the images displayed, and even a lack of kink. I’d noticed that myself, and generally just stick to the writing as she did. There are many paths through the woods, boys and girls, and wolves on every one, waiting to eat you up, or beat your ass with a flogger, if that’s what you’d prefer.

All of my reviews touch on the authentic quality of my fetish scenes, and that’s directly due to the fact that I was involved with the local scene extensively for years. That same best friend performed in, and in some cases created, shows for an extremely popular weekly fetish night. She remains my technical advisor and sounding board for all things fetish.

The troupe performed highly inventive and entertaining fetish shows that perfectly balanced the artsy-fartsy with the spanky-spanky. They were appealing for precisely this reason, so much so that the patronage of the night was drawn more often from the vanilla world than from the fetish scene. Doing a show a week, they’d have to keep it fresh and diversify. OR they could do the same old, same old, wherein scantily clad pretty boys and girls would get their asses lackadaisically beaten. This is what the management chose to do, selling skin over substance. The night died.

In Switch It ON, Mistress Madeline tries to broaden the horizons of the patrons of her shows. She puts in a little something for everyone. I believe that is important in life as well as the “scene”. My thing may not be your thing, but we can respect and enjoy each other’s things. Whoops, that sounded dirty. I think that helps prove my point.