Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Author Interview with Blakely Bennett



Welcome to Vision and Verse, Blakely. 
Hello Carol! Thank you so much for participating in the My Body Trilogy Virtual Book Tour.
I’m Blakely Bennett and I currently reside in Seattle, Washington. I grew up in Southeast Florida and don’t miss the hot summers at all. I do, however, miss the warm beach waters.

What have you written?
The third book of my trilogy, My Body-Mine was just recently released which completed the trilogy. Here are the three books with short blurbs:
My Body-His:
The trilogy begins one night at a party, when Jane meets an intense and compelling stranger named Luke. The fateful encounter prompts her predictable life path to veer into uncharted waters, sweeping her on a frightening erotic journey into bondage, domination and submission. How far down this dark, descending path is she willing to go? 
My Body-His (Marcello):
Jane Stiles has embarked on an intense odyssey into the world of domination and submission. Her lover, Luke, encouraged her to quit her job and give up her possessions, so her life now revolves around him, his friends and clients. Hovering in the background is Luke’s best friend, Marcello, whose ego is as towering as his stature. Marcello has set his sights on Jane. 
My Body-Mine:
Jane’s marriage to Luke, who drew her in to the dark side of BDSM, is over. She has taken refuge with Marcello, who insists that she submit to his demands or move on. When she meets Chase, a confident and flirtatious man outside of the lifestyle, she resists their intense chemistry. Can she find the kink she has come to desire without the full-time submission? 

What is your favorite genre to write?
So far it has been erotic suspense but I’m pretty sure my next series will fall more in the erotic romance category but we will have to wait and see. ;)

Favorite food?
My favorite types of food are Thai and Japanese. My favorite food of all … chocolate!

Where would you like to visit?
All over Europe and any place with a beach.

Favorite musical artist?
This is a hard one for me. I love, love, love music, and am listening to some right now as I type. It really depends on my mood. My daughter tells me I like “emo” music but truly I have very eclectic tastes. My favorite genre is hard alternative.

How old were you when you started writing?
I wish my memory was that good. I would journal a lot as a kid and young adult. I would start stories often but never finished a full-length novel until I was thirty.

Where do you get your inspiration?
That’s a mystery I have yet to solve. Writing for me is an altered state and I just follow the flow.

What do you do when you get a writer's block?
Writer’s block hasn’t been much of an issue for me. I sit and eventually the words come.

Who is your favorite author?
That’s another “at the moment” thing. It has changed over the years. Right now I’m really loving two unpublished authors who have let me help with editing. Watch out for Heidi Stewart, author of Twisted (about a serial killer and a novelist) and Pepper Winters, author of Tears of Tess (about a woman getting abducted in Mexico – think intense AND sexy).

Best book you ever read?
      I have four all-time favorites, all of which I have read more than once:
1.     Siddhartha by Herman Hesse – Each time I read it, I learn something new.
2.     Replay by Ken Grimwood – I love the character arc in this story.
3.     Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger – I wish I had written this one. It’s a masterpiece.
4.     Killing Me Softly by Nicci French – This book inspired me to bring suspense and erotica together.

Who is the one person who has influence your personal life the most and why?
This is an easy one to answer … my husband. We have been together over eighteen years and fall deeper in love all the time. He is the biggest fan of my writing and the person I am. There is nothing better in life than having your own personal cheerleader. He lifts me up, challenges me, and makes me feel special every day.

 If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
From a professional standpoint, Oprah or Ellen for the exposure it would bring to my novels. From a curiosity standpoint, Bill Clinton (I wouldn’t mind if Hillary tagged along either). Bill would be an interesting person to create a character based on. He reached the pinnacle in politics and became his own undoing.

 What advice would you give someone who aspires to be a writer?
Good writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Make sure to use test readers and a professional editor. If Stephen King still uses them after all the books he has published, we mere peons should as well.


My Body-Mine
My Body Trilogy, Book three
Blakely Bennett

Genre: Erotic Suspense
Publisher: Fanny Press
Date of Publication: July 15th
ISBN: 978-1-60381-534-5
Number of pages: 324
Word Count: 87,000
Cover Artist: Sabrina Sun

Book Description:

Jane has accepted that her relationship with her husband Luke, who drew her into the darker side of BDSM, is over. She has taken refuge at the home of Luke’s powerful friend Marcello and his submissive, Janice. With Marcello’s patience exhausted, Jane must either submit to his demands or move on from his household and his support. Ultimately, she signs a six month contract of sexual servitude but, as Marcello and Jane grow closer, Janice feels neglected and jealous, creating tension in their normally easy daily rhythm.

In an effort to help Jane, her best friend Parker introduces her to Chase, a confident and flirtatious man who lacks the arrogance of either Luke or Marcello. Jane’s rapport with Chase is lighthearted and subtle, allowing her to gain a new perspective on men. She is intensely attracted to Chase but does not feel free to consider him as more than a friend.

Once Jane gets a real picture of Marcello’s extremes, she knows what she must do. Her feelings about Luke and Marcello and her own sexuality must be resolved before she can find true love with a man who appreciates everything she has to offer. Can she possibly find the kink she has come to desire without the full-time submission?

My Body-Mine is the final book in the My Body Trilogy.

My Body-His (Marcello)
My BodyTrilogy, Book 2
Blakely Bennett

Genre: Erotic Suspense
Publisher: Fanny Press
ISBN: 978-1-60381-525-3
Number of pages: 264
Word Count: 76,000
Cover Artist: Sabrina Sun
Amazon              BN

Book Description:

Jane Stiles has embarked on an intense odyssey into the world of domination and submission. She no longer recognizes herself. She has quit her job, surrendered her possessions and agreed to a wedding where she is the only one naked, all for the sake of the elusive Luke—a man so compelling, she can deny him nothing.

Now there is no going back. Her new life will revolve around Luke, his friends and clients. Hovering in the background is Luke’s best friend Marcello, whose ego is as towering as his stature. Marcello has set his sights on Jane. She is drawn to his power, his masculinity, and the challenge he represents, even though she fears and dislikes him. After Luke discovers that Jane has breached one of his many “rules,” he sends her to Marcello for punishment and lessons in Dom/sub culture. What happens there will change her forever.

Jane and Luke reconcile, and even find a rhythm that includes not only bondage and punishment but genuine love-making. Just when Jane is convinced that the happiness and devotion she has always craved is within reach, Luke pushes her beyond endurance, and she rebels in a way her harsh husband cannot forgive. From there, her life spins out of control. But Jane has a strong spirit, and she will prevail. My Body-His (Marcello) is Book 2 in the My Body Trilogy.
My Body-His
My BodyTrilogy, Book 1
Blakely Bennett

Genre: Erotic Suspense
Publisher: Fanny Press
ISBN: 978-1-60381-523-9
Number of pages: 246
Word Count: 74,000
Cover Artist: Sabrina Sun
Amazon   BN

Book Description:

Jane Stiles is successful in business but bored with her socially mundane existence. One night at a party, she meets an intense and compelling stranger named Luke. This fateful encounter prompts her predictable life path to veer into uncharted territory, sweeping her along on a frightening erotic journey into the world of bondage, domination and submission.

Jane had never experienced genuine desire, and now passion consumes her life, robbing her of free will. Her new lifestyle creates an emotional chasm between her and her old friends. Will they understand why she has abandoned her high ideals and long-term plans for a traditional wedding? What society considers right or wrong no longer matters.

Prepared to surrender everything to Luke, she wonders if her everything will be enough. She now needs his discipline as much as she craves his love and approval. How far down this dark path is she willing to go? Jane’s pilgrimage into domination and discipline has created a war between her mind and her body, and her body is claiming victory.
About the Author:

Blakely Bennett grew up in Southeast Florida and has been residing in the great Northwest for over eight years. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a degree in psychology, which accounts for her particular interest in crafting the personalities, struggles, and motivations of her characters. She is an avid reader of many genres of fiction, but especially erotica and romance. Writing has always been her bliss. She is attracted to stories of self-struggle and ultimate recovery.

Blakely is married to a wonderful, loving and supportive husband, also a writer, who helps to keep her grounded. She is a mother, a communitarian, a lover of music (always on while she is writing—thank you, Pandora), and a good friend. An advocate of love and female empowerment, she is a facilitator for a women’s group. She loves to walk and hike for exercise and finds that, since moving to Seattle, WA, she is now one of those “crazy” people who walk in the rain.



Twitter @BlakelyBennett


Blakely’s Facebook





Here are the links to find me online:
            Pinterest

My books are available on:
 Amazon

Also available on Amazon Canada, UK, France, German, Spain, Italy, and Japan

14 comments:

  1. I am really enjoying the interviews. Again, you are such an inspiration

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    1. You bring a smile to my face! Thanks GaiaRenee!

      Blakely

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  2. Thank you so much Carol for hosting me on your blog!

    Blakely

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  3. It was my pleasure, Blakely, and we at Vision and Verse wish you continued success in all your endeavors.
    Hugs,
    Carol

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  4. Love this interview. Love that you are so candid Blakely. Thanks for sharing this journey with us!

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    1. Thanks so much for following Shirley.

      Blakely

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  5. Great interview! I still really want this book! :)

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