Hiya guys, we have Morticia Knight stopping by with the tour for her newest release Building Bonds, we have a fantastic guest post, a brilliant excerpt, the wonderful Pride Publishing giveaway and Tams review, so enjoy the post and click that Rafflecopter link <3 ~Pixie~

Building Bonds

Morticia Knight

Kyle’s a natural sub who builds dungeon furniture, yet has no interest in BDSM. It takes a hunky Dom to show him just what he’s been missing.

After Kyle’s partner of five years leaves him for another man on the night of their housewarming party, the shy, early-thirties carpenter needs to do a major reassessment of his life in addition to raising some serious cash. With no one to help him pay the lease on his Los Angeles condo, he worries how he’ll survive. His best friend sets up a meeting with one of the Doms and partners at Kiss of Leather, a gay BDSM club being built as a premier destination for those who want the best of the best.

Master Gavin not only wants the best—he demands it. When he meets Kyle, he assumes that part of the builder’s reticence to share anything personal with him must be due to his experiences with an abusive former Master. Not one to back down from a challenge, Gavin determines to break through the walls surrounding the beautiful man he can’t get out of his mind. He’s hopeful that once he convinces Kyle to sign an initial contract, Kyle might be the first sub to open up his heart.

Misunderstandings and accusations almost destroy everything between them before they have a real chance to begin. However, the true obstacle becomes not only whether Kyle will embrace BDSM as a lifestyle, but also whether he can handle a full-time D/s relationship with a big, bad, scary Dom who’s as sexy as hell.

What is a Natural Sub?

by Morticia Knight

There are a lot of common terms and phrases used in BDSM novels. One that gets used often is ‘natural sub’. Most people who read BDSM romance regularly see it repeatedly, and may have different takes on what it means to them when it relates to a character in a book. I’ve heard people in the lifestyle occasionally describe someone that way, but truthfully, those who are practicing the BDSM lifestyle aren’t running around searching for all the natural subs who might be lurking out there, waiting to be snatched up and trained. This is where reality and fiction collide.

When used in novels, it’s a particular type of character who’s so completely submissive in his everyday actions and responses, that he can’t help but be any other way. He’s a Dom’s wet dream. He’s also someone who’s perfect for a D/s dynamic. In other words, it’s so natural to him, that submitting 24/7 would be a joy. It might make him feel safe and cared for. Or maybe he lives to please and is only satisfied and at peace when he’s in that dynamic.

It’s his ‘natural’ state, so not having that relationship with a Dominant partner in his life can leave him feeling nervous, worried, afraid or useless. That opens the door to many possibilities where an author can create an environment for the natural sub where he discovers for himself his ideal life and Dom.

It should be noted that just because someone’s a natural sub, it doesn’t mean that they’re weak or incapable. Surrendering your care, body, your emotions – and whatever else is a part of that particular relationship – takes a tremendous amount of strength and courage. The rewards for both parties in the relationship can be incredible, but it takes a boatload of trust and work. Not everyone’s up to the task.

So are all natural subs similar in appearance and manner? Are they all pretty, twinky, brats or shy virgins? Those are popular tropes and with good reason – they’re hot – but in the same way that there are stereotypes in reality, fiction has a tendency to fall into that trap. I like to take well-used tropes then add a twist to them.

In Building Bonds, the first book in the Kiss of Leather series, my natural sub is Kyle. He builds bondage furniture because he’s a skilled carpenter and he’s in need of some serious cash. His friend gets him an appointment with one of the owners of a BDSM club under construction. Gavin, one of Kiss of Leather’s partners meets with Kyle to see if they can come to an agreement. He’s immediately smitten with him and hopes to offer him a contract that has nothing to do with furniture.

So far, so good. Except Kyle has no interest in BDSM. He’s shy, but he’s not a virgin or a twink. He’s a regular guy in his early thirties who’s had an abysmal track record in romance. He’s terrified of being alone with Doms or having to go to a dungeon, so he’s as nervous as all hell over his new employment opportunity. Kyle has no idea what a natural sub is, and after he meets Gavin, it turns out he has no idea what the Dom has in store for him either.

I’ll likely write about many more natural subs as I go along. But each one will have different attributes that make up who they are, and of course, the perfect Dom (or two) who can make their life complete.

Excerpt

While Gavin was on the phone, Kyle took the opportunity to bring the mugs back to the kitchen. He emptied the rest of Gavin’s lukewarm coffee down the sink then poured him a fresh cup. He dumped his too, but didn’t plan on getting any more. The last thing he needed was caffeine. He was already a nervous wreck.

After wiping down the counter from where he’d made a tiny spill, his trembling causing him grief, he gripped Gavin’s mug with both hands. He was extra careful with everything in the condo. Roger had told him he could keep the deposit when he moved out in exchange for his untimely departure and Kyle intended to get every cent. At least that would be actual cash as opposed to the weird futuristic furniture Roger had bequeathed him. Mr. True Love apparently had his own furnishings, so Kyle was certain that was the only reason he’d gotten stuck with it. He wanted to keep it spotless in case he could convince someone as aesthetically challenged as Roger to purchase it when he left.

But he had bigger worries. For one thing, he was as confused as all hell over the whole contract business. Gavin made it sound as if he was going to be heavily involved in Kiss of Leather somehow. There was no way he wanted anything to do with that. Plus, he worked regularly with a couple of contractors. It wasn’t steady, but it paid well when there was business.

Then there was the misunderstanding over Roger being his Master. Obviously, whatever the whole natural sub thing was that Marshall kept talking about had to be genuine. He must be giving off ‘I’m a sub’ vibes to Gavin. Kyle decided he needed to have a real discussion with Marshall about it so he could quit doing whatever it was that made people think that way about him. Especially if those people were Doms.

His final concern was how annoyingly correct Marshall had been about Gavin. The man was the hottest thing Kyle had seen in a long time. His nervousness was painful enough under ordinary circumstances, but the horrible stew of a sexy man, the topic of BDSM and his desperate need for cash had him on the edge of coming unglued.

Except that Gavin is so unbelievably nice.

It was weird. Very weird. No matter what Marshall had insisted on over the years, Kyle had always been positive that Doms were mean assholes who got off on beating up and ordering their so-called subs around. He’d been truthful when he’d told Marshall that he didn’t look down on him or his friends in the lifestyle. As far as Kyle was concerned, if two or more adults consented to whatever happened between them and no one was being forced, it was all good. It just wasn’t the type of lifestyle he’d ever want.

Unless Gavin was an amazing actor, Kyle didn’t detect any cruelty in him. His statements regarding being careful while negotiating a BDSM contract and it going beyond sex had him intrigued as well. Gavin had actually made it sound appealing. Gavin had also seemed genuinely concerned that Kyle might’ve been taken advantage of by his former ‘Master’. Kyle let out a snort before he could stop himself. Thankfully, Gavin hadn’t come back inside yet. The thought of prissy Roger in Dom leathers and wielding a whip threatened to launch him into a fit of hysterical giggling. That would really make Gavin reconsider hiring him.

About Morticia

M/M Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys hot stories of men loving men forever after. They can be men in uniform, Doms and subs, rock stars or bikers – but they’re all searching for the one (or two!) who was meant only for them.

When not indulging in her passion for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She is currently working on more installments of Sin City Uniforms, The Hampton Road Club, as well as the follow-up to Bryan and Aubrey’s story from Rockin’ the Alternative and Dylan and Zero from Biking Bad.

Giveaway!

Enter Pride Publishing’s August blog tour competition for the chance to win an eBook of your choice (not including boxsets or anthologies).

August Tour Competition

Review

Title: Building Bonds

Series: Kiss of Leather 01

Author: Morticia Knight

Genre: Contemporary, Light BDSM

Length: Novel (162 pages)

ISBN: 9781784306731

Publisher: Pride Publishing (August 11^th 2015)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Tams

Blurb: Kyle’s a natural sub who builds dungeon furniture, yet has no interest in BDSM. It takes a hunky Dom to show him just what he’s been missing.

After Kyle’s partner of five years leaves him for another man on the night of their housewarming party, the shy, early-thirties carpenter needs to do a major reassessment of his life in addition to raising some serious cash. With no one to help him pay the lease on his Los Angeles condo, he worries how he’ll survive. His best friend sets up a meeting with one of the Doms and partners at Kiss of Leather, a gay BDSM club being built as a premier destination for those who want the best of the best.

Master Gavin not only wants the best—he demands it. When he meets Kyle, he assumes that part of the builder’s reticence to share anything personal with him must be due to his experiences with an abusive former Master. Not one to back down from a challenge, Gavin determines to break through the walls surrounding the beautiful man he can’t get out of his mind. He’s hopeful that once he convinces Kyle to sign an initial contract, Kyle might be the first sub to open up his heart.

Misunderstandings and accusations almost destroy everything between them before they have a real chance to begin. However, the true obstacle becomes not only whether Kyle will embrace BDSM as a lifestyle, but also whether he can handle a full-time D/s relationship with a big, bad, scary Dom who’s as sexy as hell.

Product Link: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/building-bonds

Review: Kyle is shy, reserved and timid. His best friend Marshall keeps telling him he’s a natural Sub, but Kyle has this pre-conceived notion of the BDSM lifestyle that has him adamantly denying Marshall’s claim. He’s quite good with his hands though, and wood (note the double entendre). With Marshall’s help, Kyle lands his dream job as the exclusive designer for the new BDSM club, Kiss of Leather, that is opening in town.

The minute Master Gavin lays eyes on Kyle, he’s pretty much done. It will take a lot of swooning, reassuring and promises to get Kyle to willingly submit to the lifestyle though. If there is one thing Master Gavin is, besides sex on a really tall stick, is patient. He sets his sights on Kyle to become his Sub, neither man realizing that they are about to get far more than they bargained for.

So, I’m constantly turned on to new things that I previously thought I didn’t care for. The softer side of the BDSM lifestyle is apparently one of them. What I enjoyed most about Gavin and Kyle’s story was the communication between them. Gavin is a very patient man, though Kyle tests that patience on occasion. Kyle is curious, very curious, which can be a blessing and a curse. Gavin graciously navigates Kyle through the rocky waters of a Dom/Sub relationship, molding and shaping him into the man he wants. He realizes somewhere along the way that part of the attraction to Kyle is not only his shy, constantly blushing nature. It’s his backbone made of solid wood. Kyle may struggle a lot, but he is not afraid to say no when he means it.

There were a few issues I had with the story, minor details mostly. I didn’t like that Gavin had Kyle call him Master even when he was at work. I thought that should have been a degree of separation between personal and professional lives. And then I had mixed feelings about the ending. Without giving spoilers, let’s just say I wanted a little more than what was there. That being said, I loved the vulnerability that both men expressed at the end.

Regardless, this was a fun read. I devoured it in just a couple hours, unable to set it down once I started. Knight has this definite flair for the BDSM lifestyle and I enjoy the way she writes it. She explains it in a way that conveys love and respect, not just pain and punishment. I’m a bit excited to see whose story will be next. I’d kind of like to see someone put a leash on Marshall; he’s got a mouth on him.

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