The Forbidden Bookshelf: Interview and International Giveaway with Brynn Paulin

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Interview and International Giveaway with Brynn Paulin

Thank you for being with us today, Brynn! Please tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! Thanks for having me on your blog today. About me…I’m a full time writer from Michigan. I’m married with two teenagers who are really great at being teens. I spend my free time reading, taking pictures – particularly of all the wild life on the fresh water pond behind my house – making cards, doing Zumba – a new addiction – and leading a Boy Scout troop. I’ve been writing since I was in fifth grade, which is a lot longer ago than I care to admit. Of course, the racier stuff started more recently.

Will you share some juicy details about your Taboo Wishes series?

Taboo Wishes is my second BDSM series. The first is the one about the Cress family over at Ellora’s Cave. In Taboo Wishes, the club The Dungeon is the center of the action. It’s where Punished begins. It plays a part in Kidnap and Kink which is about the club’s owner. Yuletide Greetings is about the club owner’s brother. Then we return to the club a little more hardcore in Mr. Smith’s Whip. Upcoming books will have a lot of action set there.

Mr. Charm is the next book up. It stars the library administrator and the library’s head of security. It’s an older woman/younger man book and he’s caught her doing some naughty things on camera. Following this, you’ll get book six in the series. It’s called Sybil Disobedience and will star Syb a secondary character from Mr. Smith. This book is filled with bondage, sharing, exhibition and of course, at least one really good spanking. It was interesting writing this book about a rebellious sub since I was also writing Francesca Cress’ book (the 5^th Cress book) and Francesca is also quite rebellious. The directions the Doms take with the women are completely different. Just goes to show, no two Doms are alike.

Why do you think erotic romances with BDSM elements have gained in popularity?

Well…I think women today have a lot of responsibilities dropped in their laps—including in the bedroom. While they might not admit it aloud, they’d like to have some the responsibility taken away, but mostly, they want men to be men. The Doms in many BDSM books are the epitome of alpha male protector. As much as many of us don’t like to admit it, it’s how we’re wired—we respond to the alpha, and a good one will send a pleasant shiver right down your spine.

Also, even in this modern age, most girls are taught to be “good”. We’re expected to act a certain way, to be modest, to behave. You know what I mean. Growing up, there was a code for boys and a code for girls. BDSM lets out the naughty side and lets us experience a sensuality otherwise repressed. That’s not the case with everyone, but a lot of people do find freedom in the bondage and other acts in BDSM.

Besides contemporary erotic romance, are there other genres that you write?

Most of my writing, is in the erotic genre—either BDSM or ménage. Besides contemporary, I write historical, fantasy, shape-shifter and paranormal.

In erotica, what is most important: engaging characters, interesting plot, or steamy sex scenes?

I think a plot is important and steamy sex scenes are great, but you have nothing if you don’t have engaging characters. They are what make the plot. This is illustrated over and over again by the basic plot structures used for books – what do they say? There are only like seven basic plots—or is it fourteen? Either way, it’s the characters that make every story different.

Can you share a little about the book you are writing now?

Actually, I’m writing two right now. I’m completing Binding Francesca which is being sent to Ellora’s Cave and writing the next book in the Daly Way series, Fill Her Up, for Resplendence Publishing. Francesca is about the Cress brothers’ little sister. Five years ago, she was in a D/s relationship that ended badly with an argument that should have been resolved, but wasn’t. It sent Francesca into a tailspin and those who’ve read the other Cress books have seen her as the goth, mouthy manager of Pleasure Palace. Frankly, she’s been out of control and she even spends time at work acting as a Dominatrix. It isn’t who she really is. The book opens with the man from her past—her Dom—coming to claim her and set things right, but Francesca isn’t about to be easily redirected into life as a sub. While she’s more comfortable with that life, she doesn’t trust anymore and until she does, she’ll never really fit in either life.

My favorite scene in the book comes after she’s left the hero tied to the bed in a motel. He surprises her at work and grabs her wrist from behind as she’s about to deliver a blow with the flogger to a submissive she’s been working over. It doesn’t take long before she’s the one bent over the spanking bench.

Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

I don’t know if they’re interesting, but I do have a couple. First, I have to know the end of my book before I can make any headway on the story. I generally work with a loose plot, but until I have that elusive end piece in my head, I’m not going to get anywhere. Second, when I’m stuck, I bake. My husband sometimes comes home and says “two kinds of cookies and banana bread? Trouble writing today?” He knows me so well. Third is my really odd one. I can’t write if my house isn’t clean. It’s soooo weird. I’ll be in the middle of writing sex and my head will be going “you should go do the dishes/make the bed/dust/etc.” If stuff is done before I start, it shuts up my head and lets me focus.

Thank you for having me on your blog today!!

Brynn, thank you so much for joining our Get Tied Up event!

Places to find Brynn on the web:

Website: http://www.brynnpaulin.com/
Blog: http://brynnpaulin.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BrynnPaulin/

Check out her Taboo Wishes series:

Book One: PUNISHED
Book Two: KIDNAP AND KINK
Book Three: YULETIDE GREETINGS
Book Four: MR. SMITH'S WHIP

Giveaway Details:

Brynn is giving away a prize package of the four Taboo Wishes books pictured above in digital form to one lucky commenter!! The contest is open internationally. To enter, please leave a comment along with a way to contact you. A winner will be drawn at the end of the event. Good luck!

Labels: Brynn Paulin, Giveaways, Interviews, Tied Up Event

62 comments:

JessS said...: Amazing giveaway, I'd love to win.

jessicamariesutton@msn.com; March 30, 2011 5:37 AM
bw said...: Ohhh, Brynn, I am in Northern Indiana if you get stuck with the writing and need to clean some more- come on over! Ha ha ha! I, too, would love some yummy books!

bw
wharton{at}cpind{dot}com; March 30, 2011 5:50 AM
Terrid76 said...: I love that you have to know the end first. But what happens when your characters don't cooperate? I guess you have some Dom tendencies if you can keep them in line!

I know that inner voice saying clean this or that. I, however, have gotten quite good at ignoring it. One day, I'll let it rule but right now, I have way too many books to read, places to go and stuff to do.

Your books do sound fantastic though and I'd love to read them. I really need to become independently wealthy and hire a maid.; March 30, 2011 6:22 AM
June M. said...: This is an amazing giveaway. The series sounds awesome and I would love to win the 4 books.

manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com; March 30, 2011 7:15 AM
Tore said...: This is a great giveaway. I have always been good. I have never done anything bad in the bedroom or otherwise. I would love to read the books. They sound very interesting. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com; March 30, 2011 7:39 AM
JenM said...: These books sound like they are going to be fun to read. I'd love to win them.

jen at delux dot com; March 30, 2011 7:56 AM
Stacie said...: Hello Brynn!
I'm so glad you have another Daly Way story in the works. I enjoy that series and the Circle of Three series very much. I will have to try your BDSM books as well. Thanks for the great giveaway!

user1123 AT comcast DOT net; March 30, 2011 7:59 AM
Lillie (AliseOnLife) said...: I really enjoyed your Cress brothers books, Brynn. On Your Knees is my favorite! *wink*
Great interview with Diana and Tanya!

PolarisGreen at gmail dot com; March 30, 2011 8:07 AM
Anonymous said...: Great giveaway.
msuck27@hotmail.co.uk; March 30, 2011 8:32 AM
Elizabeth R. said...: Great review and great give away. Just several days ago the book Punished caught my eye on another site and that was when I first heard of this author. It was a nice surprise to see her featured here. I will definitely be giving her books a try. Contact info for the give away is: elizabeth_rhys@yahoo.com; March 30, 2011 8:44 AM
Jen B. said...: I have checked out your books in the past. I was too nervous to try any of them out. Now, I am intrigued. I want to know more. I will add them to my wish list. Thanks for the contest.
jepeb@verizon.net; March 30, 2011 9:42 AM
AL said...: I'm the same way when I'm working on my dissertation and my desk is messy. I have to clean up before I can get to work!

This is an awesome giveaway. Sign me up please! :)

dr_mcsully[at]yahoo.com; March 30, 2011 10:15 AM
Brynn Paulin said...: Hi everyone!
JessS, June M, Jen M, msuck27 and everyone: Good luck!!

BW: Sorry. That only applies to my house, lol.

Terrid76: Sometimes I have to adjust the ending, but generally, the characters cooperate enough that my idea for the ending works, and since I don't pre-write it, I can alter to fit my characters temperaments.

Tore: Try something. You might like it. But start small :-)

Stacie: I actually have two Daly Way in the works right now, Fill Her Up and Briar's Cowboys. The cover for the first is on my blog and I'll post the other one tomorrow.

Lillie: On Your Knees is one of my favs too! Since it's the first it has a special place in my heart. Hey! If you read that, you've met Francesca!

Elizabeth: The cover kinda stunned me when I first got it, but it's grown on me.

Jen B: I understand the nerves, but assuredly, mine are 'safe' BDSM. I believe in caring Doms and absolutely consensual relationships.; March 30, 2011 10:15 AM
Brynn Paulin said...: AL: Good luck! I think order helps clear the head.
Glad to hear there's someone similar out there :-); March 30, 2011 10:17 AM
Chele Blades said...: thanks for the contest

I am a fan of your Daly Way & Circle of Three series...have not read your Taboo wishes as of yet...maybe I will win and solve that problem

seachele71@hotmail.com; March 30, 2011 10:29 AM
Mia Watts said...: Brynn! Hey, hon, just popping over to show you some local support!

Brynn is an awesome storyteller. I'm not big into BDSM, but I'm a HUGE fan of Brynn's work. She handles taboo subjects with class and kink, just the way I like it. She has another quirk too. Yes, you do, Brynn. She has to get all her Internet viewing and emailing done before 10:15 or she's distracted the rest of her writing time. Oh yeah, and the ever present ear buds with crazy-eclectic music. I mean country, next to Ludicris, next to 80s, next to modern stuff... no rhyme or reason, but always appropriate to her current plot.; March 30, 2011 10:37 AM
Jessica said...: Omg Kidnap and Kink and Punished I must have those covers are awesome. I sure hope people would be more open about what they like and not be such prudes. When trust is established in a relationship and you feel comfortable oh the fun that can be had. I'm dying to try out some Shibari myself add some paddles and/or a flogger and other goodies and you have a very good time.
frellathon(at)gmail(dot)com; March 30, 2011 10:50 AM
Suzanne Graham said...: Hey, Brynn! Great interview. You know I'm a huge fan of Circle of Three. I haven't read the Taboo Wishes series yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

Suzanne
suzannegraham.author at yahoo.com; March 30, 2011 10:59 AM
Anonymous said...: Brynn,

I love your books and can't wait for the next one in the Cress series.

Theresa A

pinktee25@yahoo.com; March 30, 2011 11:00 AM
JP said...: Not a BDSM fan - but love Ms. Paulin's other work - however those titles deserve a mention - Sybil Disobedience! Love it.
Cheers, JP; March 30, 2011 11:24 AM
Tessie Bradford said...: Brynn,
You're a Master of the BDSM genre!; March 30, 2011 11:35 AM
Katrina W said...: I completely agree we all are assumed we have to be good girls ** cough cough ** and bedroom expectations are in ;) these books have helped broaded my horizons * wink wink ** given me some really good ideas ** fantasies and have shared with friends ;) I rather enjoy the BDSM books I have not yet read any of your but have now added you to my little black book ;) thanks for the interview !! post and blurbs ;)
kat
kittee_cat@bigpond.com; March 30, 2011 11:36 AM
Bronwyn Green said...: I love, love, love the Taboo Wishes series! They're all on my re-read list! Of course, pretty much all of Brynn's books are. :D; March 30, 2011 12:27 PM
Leni said...: Enjoyed getting some insight into how you write. Do you always work on more than one book at a time?

lenikaye@yahoo.com; March 30, 2011 12:36 PM
Brynn Paulin said...: Chele! Hi! More Daly is on the way!

Mia: There you go, telling all my secrets, lol!

Jess: I'm considering Shibari, but I need to do more research.

Suzanne! Hi! Thanks!

Theresa: you're the main reason I finally got in gear on Francesca! Thanks!

JP: I sure love your books too!!! Must get the new vampire book.

Tessie: Thanks!! Congrats on your awesome new release at Resplendence today :-)

Katrina: will work on posting some blurbs today :-)

Bron!!!! Thanks, sweetie!

Leni: Yes, I do. I usually have 2-3 books going at once. I always reread what I wrote at my last sitting to get myself on track then get going. I also keep lots of notes on each book. For me it's like reading more than one book at a time.; March 30, 2011 12:46 PM
Sue said...: Brynn, You are one of my favorite authors!! I love the Cress Brothers Series and absolutely adore the Daly Way Series. I've read the first 2 books in the Taboo Wishes Series, and they were wonderful:)

I'm like many women...so many decisions and responsibities in RL that I need my fantasy Alphas to take over *sigh* And you have peaked my fantasies time after time with your stories. Thank you:)

sujobookfan@gmail.com; March 30, 2011 12:47 PM
Elizabeth said...: Brynn i love your books my favourites are the ones about the cress family i just loved reading about them!

elizabeth_14@hotmail.co.uk; March 30, 2011 12:51 PM
Molly Daniels said...: Brynn, I enjoyed Yuletide Greetings and would love to read the others in the series! And yes, yes, YES, finish Francesca's book! I love the Cress family:); March 30, 2011 1:12 PM
ilona said...: Great answers Brynn, but I have to say that what disturbed me wasn't the BDSM stuff, it was the need to have a clean house!! *avoids housework like the plague*; March 30, 2011 1:27 PM
SharonJM said...: I've read Mr.Smith's whip and it was great, would love to win the books in the contest.; March 30, 2011 1:46 PM
Donna said...: Hi, I continue to have sweet dreams about the Cress men and would love to read Taboo Wishes, especially since I have a few taboo wishes of my own.

Thanks,
Donna
donnafisk at bellsouth dot net; March 30, 2011 1:48 PM
Sarah said...: What a great giveaway! Had to laugh at the quirk about having a clean house before writing - that would never impede me as I hate to clean :-)

smaccall @ comcast.net; March 30, 2011 3:42 PM
elaing8 said...: Great interview and giveaway.I have been eyeing these books for sometime now.can't wait to read them
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net; March 30, 2011 3:58 PM
Cathy M said...: These stories sound wonderfully wild and erotic, so thanks the chance to read them all.

caity_mack at yahoo dot com; March 30, 2011 4:05 PM
Kasumi said...: What great giveaway, thanks!
I'd love to enter and win!

kasumigogo[at]gmail[dot]com; March 30, 2011 4:27 PM
Harlie Reader said...: Great post and giveaway. If you are ever in Texas, I have a house that you could clean. Just saying....

maw1725@gmail.com; March 30, 2011 4:42 PM
SheriV said...: I love the Daly series, and the first two of the Taboo Wishes series. I would love to take some of those baked goods off your hands, though I'm sure the teenagers help with that. I would love to read the rest of the Taboo Wishes series.

sharilynn06@att.net; March 30, 2011 5:01 PM
Brynn Paulin said...: Sue: Thank you! I hope the upcoming books pique even more fantasies! :-)

Elizabeth: Thanks! I have several new Cress books planned. I hope everyone loves them too.

Molly!!! Hi!! Thanks for the Yuletide feedback :-)

ilona: sorry about that. It's the Virgo in me. Or maybe it's a little bit of OCD. I can't help it.

Sharon: THANKS!!! I've been wanting to hear how people liked that book :-)

Donna!!! Hi!!! I hope you have many more sweet dreams about the hot men!!

Sarah: People whining about clean clothes can be really distracting around here. I like to sideline them. ;)

Harlie: LOL, it only works with my house.

Elaing, Cathy M, Kasumi and everyone: good luck!!! :-); March 30, 2011 5:13 PM
Brynn Paulin said...: Sheri: Thanks! I have two Daly Way books coming soon!; March 30, 2011 5:15 PM
Danielle Gorman said...: Wow, all of these look really good. Would love to win.

iqb99@yahoo.com; March 30, 2011 6:07 PM
La Crimson Femme said...: I can't wait to read Binding Francesca. I wondered about Cessa brother's little sis. I agree with Ms. Paulin. For me, I want the alpha male and I want to submit. It's no secret for me. Now if a guy could be alpha enough to top me . . . that's a totally different story. :)

I need to pick up Mr. Smith's Whip.

lacrimsonfemme at gmail.com; March 30, 2011 6:09 PM
Carol said...: Francesca sounds like a feisty heroine and should give that Dom a good challenge. I agree about the alpha-male thing and the desire to let the man do the work. A chance to have someone else responsible for the relationship is irresistible.
a.charol at yahoo dot ca; March 30, 2011 7:13 PM
Christina said...: OMG I love the covers of your books. And I would totally love to read all of them! Awesome interview

mhay@panhandle.rr.com; March 30, 2011 8:28 PM
She said...: Sound like a good series. I think you are right about women having so much responsibility that we'd like someone else to take over for awhile.

smg5775@yahoo.com; March 30, 2011 9:07 PM
mpyff said...: Great interview! Thanks! I need to go check out these book - they sound so good! :)

mpyff(at)hotmail(dot)com; March 30, 2011 10:10 PM
Karen said...: I really enjoyed your interview and the covers on your books are great. What a great giveaway - I'd love to win and read your books! Thanks.

kacbooks at hotmail dot com; March 30, 2011 11:56 PM
Jaline said...: I think Brynn Paulin is my favorite author. I already have all the books that are out and as soon as a new one is out I get that one too. I will join you over on facebook since I just signed up for that too. KEEP WRITING. I will keep buying; March 31, 2011 12:13 AM
Amy said...: These look really sexy and kinky. Love the christmas theme! Would love to read these

angeldream3[at]gmail[dot]com; March 31, 2011 2:28 AM
Leagh said...: Gotta admit I have never read any of your books before but they sound very good.

leaghchristensen@yahoo.com; March 31, 2011 1:54 PM
Maria (pronounced Mariah) I blame my mother... said...: What a great giveaway! I am a totally series junky...once I start one book I have to finish the series before starting anything else!

Thank you! mmafsmith(at)gmail(dot)com; March 31, 2011 3:30 PM
Stella (Ex Libris) said...: Yay! I love series! When one discovers a great new novel and author, of course it is some happy news to learn there are a bunch of other books written by the same author, so yay, thank you! This is great :-D

And great covers the Punished cover is sexy and just a bit naughty, and the Christmas one, LMAO! :-D

Thank you!

stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com; March 31, 2011 6:38 PM
booklover0226 said...: Hello! I'm adding your works to my must-list!

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com; March 31, 2011 7:11 PM
Gabrielle Lee said...: I enjoyed your book kidnap and kink. Would love to check out the rest. Great interview.

Gabrielle
meingee@yahoo.com; March 31, 2011 8:21 PM
barbara said...: Great post! The Taboo Wishes series sounds awesome; would love to win! Also, definitely adding Brynn to my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway!

bimmergrlmd at gmail dot com; March 31, 2011 8:34 PM
Chantel said...: I would love to win a set of these books especially the one with a Christmas theme, Yuletide Greetings.

cwilliams127 at gmail dot com; March 31, 2011 9:52 PM
Pam S (pams00) said...: Ahh so no waht you mean about the cleaning.. I get urked by things needing tidying up.

All four books look great. Have read some of your other work and enjoyed.

pams00 @ aol.com; March 31, 2011 10:52 PM
AsianCocoa said...: Ooh the Punished cover is so sexy! It includes all my favorite things, strong arms, a belt and stripes! ;-)
Can't wait to read it!
asiancocoa94 at aol dot com; March 31, 2011 11:03 PM
Heather S said...: Great interview! I loved your thoughts on why BDSM has caught on with so many women. I think it goes all into the idea of the forbidden or what we 'shouldn't' have or want.

heather.scarboro[at]gmail[dot]com; March 31, 2011 11:21 PM
Stephanie Christine said...: I would love to win these books! I'm loving this event! Finding so many new to me authors to add to my list. Thank You

sprite4627@yahoo.com; April 1, 2011 3:27 AM
Amy M said...: I bake when I am stressed. Always makes me feel better.

I love that you have the ending of your stories thought out. Do they always stay that way or as you are going along do you ever change your mind?

act 218 @ aol dot com; April 1, 2011 9:58 AM
flchen1 said...: Wow, Brynn--thanks for the lovely interview and the intro to your books! Adding some to the ol' wishlist! And congrats on picking up Zumba--I tried it last year with some friends, and it is a fun, non-stop way to exercise! I wish I had time to do it more often!

f dot chen at comcast dot net; April 2, 2011 3:07 PM
JoAnna said...: What an excellent giveaway! I would love to read them.

beckerjo at verizon dot net; April 2, 2011 11:17 PM

About Us

Search Our Archive

Blog Archive

Interview and International Giveaway with Brynn Paulin

62 comments:

Post a Comment

Visit Our New Site

2012 Reading Challenge