Imagine being kidnapped, shipped off to another planet and
sold into sexual slavery. And imagine further that the only person you
recognize is the man you had a fling with six years before and can't get out of
your head. Add to that the fact that this man is now right hand man of the
sadistic and warped leader of a brutal society that treats women as little more
than breeding stock.
If you can't imagine that, don't worry, because Patricia
Green has and she's written about it in Rescued By The Spy.
I got a sneak peek at this book and found myself engrossed
in the stark and brutal world. I'll admit, some of the scenes were a bit too
harsh for me, but knowing the potential risks adds tension to the story because
you realize there is no point too low or horrible for the bad guys to stoop to.
Blurb: Michael O’Malley is a spy working for the Solarian Federation, undercover in a sting operation against Jerold Laricon and his Ligeian settlement on Titan. Laricon is a man with Machiavellian social restructuring schemes and a desire for world domination. It’s a bad time for Nina Stanley, O’Malley’s old flame, to get kidnapped by Laricon.
Muddying the waters is Michael’s need to fit in and partake of the succulent fruits of Laricon’s stratified system—including the sweet, beautiful, and willing Alyssa. Michael wants to help Nina and free Alyssa, but he also wants to crush Laricon’s unscrupulous and vicious rise to power.
Nina is appalled by what she experiences in Ligeia at the hands of the evil Laricon. Her goal is to get out, no matter what it takes. But what if the price is Michael's life? Can she live with herself if that happens?
Nota bene: this book includes polygyny, but is not a ménage story. The story contains dominant males, and some difficult situations. However, it is an erotic romance with a happy ending. If any of these elements offends you, this is not the book for you.
Muddying the waters is Michael’s need to fit in and partake of the succulent fruits of Laricon’s stratified system—including the sweet, beautiful, and willing Alyssa. Michael wants to help Nina and free Alyssa, but he also wants to crush Laricon’s unscrupulous and vicious rise to power.
Nina is appalled by what she experiences in Ligeia at the hands of the evil Laricon. Her goal is to get out, no matter what it takes. But what if the price is Michael's life? Can she live with herself if that happens?
Nota bene: this book includes polygyny, but is not a ménage story. The story contains dominant males, and some difficult situations. However, it is an erotic romance with a happy ending. If any of these elements offends you, this is not the book for you.
This book is currently available for pre-order and will be delivered to your Kindle for your reading pleasure on November 1.
Since this book isn't available to read yet, I'll keep my questions more general (and feel slightly superior because I got a chance to read the book. heehee).
Questions:
1. What is the appeal of the sexual slavery fantasy? Is it a fantasy that appeals to you?
2. This book includes polygyny. I looked it up. It means the state or practice of having more than one wife or female mate at one time. Can you see some advantages to a poly relationship? Would you ever want to be in one on real life? Can three people have a relationship that works for everyone?
3. On Titan, sex is an open and obvious part of political gatherings. In current times, sex scandals are rampant in politics. Would we be better off if sex wasn't such a big (sometimes not so well kept) secret?
4. Would you be a better partner if your man (or woman) also had another partner? Would you work harder to please?
5. In the worse moment of her life, the only person Nina recognizes is a man she had a one night fling with years before (but hasn't been able to forget). Have you ever run into a former lover (whether one night or many) unexpectedly? Was it a thrill or one of those "what was thinking?" moments?
I was going to say I hadn't read it yet but I won't be alone! This is on my list - love the cover and love the premise more and am a huge fan of sci-fi. There's a freedom with writing it and I'm looking forward to seeing what Patricia has done.
ReplyDeleteOK questions: Yes on sexual slavery. I think it's (in fantasy) the idea of having zero control over anything but of course as this is fantasy, you're with a partner who wouldn't really hurt you.
I just thought you had spelled polygyny wrong as I also had no idea it was a word or what it meant!! Thank you for googling that for us. I don't think it would work for me personally but I wonder if it makes a difference if you go into a relationship knowing it, if it would then work. I've been with my husband for - since I was 24 I'll say so I don't have to do the math. It's hard to imagine sharing him.
On sex being more open or accepted and not a secret, yes! We have so many hangups about it and really, who cares?
Number four I can't really answer as I can't imagine!
Former lovers: One I remember as really awkward when my now husband and I were on a date (in the beginning of our relationship) and my ex boyfriend was our server. I think he and I both stopped for a moment. But others have just been nice to see again and see how they're doing.
Thanks for posting :) Congratulations on the book Patricia.
That would be awkward -- having an old boyfriend as your waiter while you're on a date. Eek!
DeleteThank you, Natasha. I wonder how many of us who write erotica would have a different view on the question of more open sexuality. And how would that affect our book sales? Would we see fewer sales because we no longer offer material that's special because it addresses sexual situations? Or would it remain the same because we offer those sexual situations in fantastic circumstances?
DeleteOoh, good question, Trish. My take on that is if multiple partner sex grew more common, people would slowly grow inured to the concept. If you look at TV and books today vs. the 1950s when couples on TV had to sleep in twin beds, and one of them always had to keep at least one foot on the floor, you can see how much TV standards and practices have relaxed. Even ten years ago, BDSM was barely ever talked about, and the few books that did exist arrived wrapped in plain, brown paper. That's not to say everyone is out of the closet, yet, but society is much more permissive today than 50 to 60 years ago. As a result, it takes more to shock or get a reaction out of us, and that's not necessarily a good thing. Though I celebrate growing tolerance and acceptance, a part of me mourns the loss of innocence.
Delete1. I think the sexual slavery fantasy is a common one. My gut feeling is that liberation is at the heart of it. If one is forced to submit, then one is relieved from responsibility for the the act. And, of course, this is where real life is TOTALLY different.
ReplyDelete2. I think it's workable, but I think it is inherently problematic and complicated. It's hard enough to work through issues with one person, let alone multiples. And I can see where time itself would be an issue. Where would you find the time to devote to maintaining the intimacy with two plus people--and hold down a job, and take care of the kids, and...
3. Yes, I think we would be much better off if sex wasn't considered such a private, hush-hush thing.
4. No, I would not be better person, nor would I work harder to please.
5. Yes, I've run into old flames on several occasions. Once, I'd run out the house early in the morning on a Saturday to run some errands. I threw on an old sweatsuit. I'd washed, but hadn't brushed my hair. No makeup. Not only did I run into an old boyfriend, but (worse) I ran into a female professional acquaintance who was always well-groomed. Lesson learned.
How mortifying to be discovered at less than your best by people you would normally want to -- if not IMPRESS -- at least want to feel secure in your appearance around. My mother used to tell me, "Always wear mascara when you leave the house. You never know who you'll meet." (I have platinum blonde eyelashes, so mascara was the most important thing.)
Delete1. For me, the appeal of the sexual slavery fantasy is having no control but also secretly enjoying what's happening, even if it's scary at times and pushes limits. That being said, it's just something I like reading about. But I like reading about it a lot! :)
ReplyDelete2. I don't think I'd function very well in a polygyny relationship but I know there are plenty of people who do. With kids and jobs it's hard enough for my husband and I to find time some weeks to spend together, just the two of us, so I can't imagine having a third or fourth person, plus additional kids, in the mix.
3. Yes, I think it would be better if sex wasn't so secretive. Plus I am soooo sick of hearing about sex scandals with politicians.
4. I would probably be consumed with jealousy and I cringe to think of the person I would turn into if I had to share my husband. I'm sure I'd compete for his attentions and just make an ass of myself in the process, LOL.
5. Yes, I've run into former boyfriends a couple of times. I live 20 minutes from the town I grew up in, so it's bound to happen now and then. Each time though it was all "what was I thinking?" and definitely not thrilling at all.
Great questions and I'm looking forward to reading this book! Preordered my copy last week! :)
You write about sexual slavery consistently, too, Sue. :) Clearly, it's what excites you and makes you want to turn pages. Me, too.
Delete1. I love the sexual slavery thing as a fantasy and to read about. More and more, I think my fantasies are more around that than discipline these days...
ReplyDelete2. I think I could do a poly relationship. It would be great to have an extra female around the house to talk female things with, etc. I also think it would have its challenges. I imagine it would be similar to sibling relationships where you're all a family, but still competing for attention.
3. I definitely think it would be better if sex were more accepted. This society has some crazy hang ups, which I think create a lot of unhealthy ideas around sex, fetish, sexuality, self, shame, etc. I could care less if politicians have sex. I loved the feminist spokesperson who, during the Monika Lewinsky scandal said, "I would've sucked his dick too for what he's done for women." LOL
4. I'm not sure competing for attention actually improves anyone's behavior. I think feeling secure brings out the better side of humanity...
5. I have fortunately rarely run into former boyfriends but I would probably definitely have the "what was I thinking?" reaction!
I'm looking forward to this book too!
In regard to polygyny, at first, I teased my husband about "needing another wife" around the place to take up some of the chores. He took it rather further than I expected, but it suited our relationship well. I've never had a sister, so I can't compare it to a sibling relationship. There is some vying for attention, however. A guy only has so much time! If one isn't inclined to jealousy, it works out.
Delete"I could care less if politicians have sex." LOL, Renee. And I agree: feeling secure brings out the best in people.
DeleteThank you, Celeste, for featuring my book this week. I really appreciate it. You asked some insightful questions as well. I'll try to answer them in the context of the book and my personal opinion.
ReplyDelete1. In the context of Rescued by the Spy, the sexual slavery takes on two aspects. (a) Nina finds herself a sexual slave both in negative and positive situations. (b) Alyssa loves being a sex slave. She's been trained to it and relishes every moment.
As for me, I think sexual slavery is exciting. As others have mentioned, the lack of control induces a sense of freedom where sexuality is concerned. (More on this in my answer to question 3.)
2. In the book, Nina hates the polygyny, but she's forced to it. Alyssa finds it perfectly normal. And Michael -- being male -- loves the idea, though it makes him responsible for two women and that can be hard work.
I have lived in polygynous relationships. It works for me, though because we have moved around so much, it's been impossible to be consistent (job transfers can mess up everything).
3. Titan's social structure is geared toward men in charge and women subservient. That's what Nina really hates. It applies equally to both everyday existence and sexuality. Michael chafes at it, as well, because he grew up in an egalitarian society, but since he's operating deeply undercover, he has no choice but to participate in the public sex.
I think commonwealth countries are too uptight about sex. Things in the Netherlands and Sweden are much less repressed. I'm not saying that everything about sex has to be in-your-face, but there ought to be more acceptance of frank sexual discussions and public displays of affection.
4. Nina is influenced by the more submissive Alyssa, in the book. However, she retains her feisty spirit and her penchant for doing outrageous things to get her way. That being said, she does emulate Alyssa a bit as she grows in the book, and does learn to get along with the others in her relationship -- at least mostly.
Was I a better wife when we were in a poly relationship? Good question. I don't know. I've always been well-behaved (it's in my nature to conform), so I don't think I could say that I got along better.
5. Nina runs into Michael at the least favorable moment in her life. At first, she's hoping that he'll rescue her, then she realizes that he won't. (He can't. He's undercover.) Then she has hope again. It is a constant yes, no, yes, no situation for her throughout the book. Has Michael changed into a fiend, or is he the same guy she remembers from six years in the past?
I move around a lot, and most people don't. Ex-boyfriends have stayed put or moved to different locations than I have lived. I ran into one on FB recently, and really had an "oy vey" moment, but we exchanged some pleasant, albeit increasingly rare email. It pretty much petered out; we had little in common anymore. And, frankly, we fought a lot when we were together 30 years ago.
Again, my thanks, Celeste. I hope people enjoy the book. It's not written "to formula" so it has some different twists.
You have led an interesting life, Trish!
DeleteI guess you could say that, Cara. Maybe someday in the future I'll write a memoir, but who would care? :)
DeleteFirst I'll say I am definitely going to read this book, and I'm not a big sci-fi person, usually. But you had me up there at "sadistic and warped" and then again in the warning ... "difficult situations."
ReplyDelete1. What is the appeal of the sexual slavery fantasy? Is it a fantasy that appeals to you?
My answer to that is, "everything about it," as they say on Fet. Heh. As to what doesn't appeal, um, lemme think. Blink. Blink.
2. Polygyny?
No problem. I think it's definitely possible to be with more than one person (whatever gender, etc.). The human experience allows for all kinds of great customized "solutions" if people can open their minds and let some of the moths fly outta there. My own situation is not ... traditional. We started in heavy kink back in the early 90s though, so, huge surprise there, I'm sure. As Trish said, I think jealousy CAN be a problem for some, but I know friends, too, in (RL) arrangements that work just fine. Myth-busting time, perhaps, on the "traditional" Ozzie-Harriet thang.
3. On Titan, sex is an open and obvious part of political gatherings. In current times, sex scandals are rampant in politics.
Would we be better off if sex wasn't such a big (sometimes not so well kept) secret?
Oh God we're repressed as hell as a society, IMO. (Hello Amazon? Adult-taggin' mo-fos.)
4. Would you be a better partner if your man (or woman) also had another partner? Would you work harder to please?
I don't change core "me" in anything, so it's hard to even think about this even just as a hypothetical. I'll say no, I don't/wouldn't work harder to please anyone, IRL or in hypotheticals.
5. In the worse moment of her life, the only person Nina recognizes is a man she had a one night fling with years before (but hasn't been able to forget).
Have you ever run into a former lover (whether one night or many) unexpectedly? Was it a thrill or one of those "what was thinking?" moments?
I've never run into former lovers, mostly because they're all in big cities, geographical limitations ... you just don't run into people when there is enough population density. Dated a guy who won an Oscar. You just don't run into people like that at the 7-11 locally. ;)
Your mention of the Amazon censors was a reminder, Sheri, of just how prudish we can be. You can bet that if Amazon wasn't catering to the masses, they wouldn't bother with adult filters. But the conservative "family only" types want to make it harder for grown people with credit cards to get the things they want. I'm all for family values, but should we be giving our children license to buy whatever they want on Amazon? Shouldn't we be supervising?
DeleteSupervising kids? Have you lost your mind, Patricia? That would be akin to, I dunno, parenting or some crazy shit like that. Better to let them run wild run free, feral and brazen and "being fully who they are." Seriously, the video game section on Amazon is far nastier than most spanking fiction, but they have "ratings" on their boxes so I guess they can be in the general search section. ("Manhunt explores the depths of human depravity in a vicious, sadistic tale of urban horror." "Some consider 'Chiller' to be the most gratuitously violent video game released to that point-it is the only game to have been permanently banned in the UK." etc. etc.)
DeleteGeez, Sheri. I never even thought of video games. It's like horror movie commercial trailers. They scare the bejeezus out of me, but they're right there on the airwaves for anyone to see.
DeleteOkay, I'll agree that some of us are repressed, but I have no problem with Amazon's adult tags. What I have a problem with is they don't offer any way to override them. I'd love it if I could tell Amazon to show me all the material they've adult tagged. It would narrow my search considerably. But they don't, and that's giving someone else the power to decide what I can or cannot read, which I view as censorship. They want to force us back into the closet because sex is dirty and nasty. However, a few brave souls, like SS, have the closets barricaded so we can't go backwards. If we try, she'll drag us out of hiding and force us to face the truth. Now, if only we could get Amazon to listen to her.
DeleteI agree that it's the manner the filter is switched on or off that makes a big difference in the effect of an adult tag on a book. It ought to be more like Smashwords, where once we set the adult filter to off, it stays off and shows us the books. Amazon only allows it per session, and it's easy to forget to change it every time you log on. Plus, at least in my experience, you only get the choice to turn it off once you have already searched on the title of an adult tagged book -- so you have to know what to look for before you get the option.
DeleteAlso, after discussions with some of my readers, it appears that most folks don't even know it exists. They have no idea that they have to turn the darn thing off, in order to see the books they might be interested in.
Lastly, once the filter is off, a user should be pushed books of a similar type in the recommendations and also-boughts -- adult oriented -- rather than only be shown material that isn't in the adult tagged department.
Without those changes, you're so right, it's censorship, which has no place in a bookseller's business plan.
I've got the book on pre-order. As for sexual slavery, I see it as dystopian. I want to free anyone who's enslaved, which is sometimes not the point of the story. The fact that Alyssa enjoys or wants to be a sexual slave would worry me, only because I want her to have the freedom to choose her life rather than have it forced on her. It's like trying to make lemonade out of lemons. If we aren't given a choice, we try to make the best of the situation we're in. I guess I value my freedom too much to consider slavery a fantasy, although I love harem stories, which is basically sexual slavery in a posh setting. Okay, I admit it. I'm perverse.
ReplyDeleteAs for polygyny, I'm far too monogamous to ever consider sharing my husband. I do like the fact that despite this book having two women to one man, it is not a menage. There is a difference. I wouldn't be happy living in a polygamous situation, but I still enjoy reading stories where the man has more than one wife. And as for three people having a successful relationship/marriage, l know it's possible.
Despite our sexual repression as a society, I think the secret about sex is out. At least most adults, and probably lots of kids today too, know the story about the birds and the bees isn't really about birds and bees.
Some people thrive on competition, I don't. So, being placed in a situation where I felt I needed to compete against someone else in order to get my needs met, would make me a very unhappy camper. I'd most likely retreat into the background and never ask for what I wanted or needed, because I don't like competing. Probably one of the reasons I was so lousy at sports.
I love the stories being shared above about accidentally meeting former lovers or romantic interests. Can't say it's ever happened to me. Like Trish, I have moved around a lot, and even though I'm an open book who will tell you anything you want to know about me, and probably in far more detail than you ever wanted, I still guard my privacy. I think that's an oxymoron. Yup, definitely perverse.
Your perversity is one of the things I like best about you, Kathryn. :)
DeleteSorry I'm late to the party. :)
ReplyDeleteI am very excited about this new book. (and I love the cover!!) I think it will push my buttons a little, but being assured there is an HEA, I'm good to go! :)
1. I'm still up in the air about the sexual slavery thing. I really get nervous about non-con, but it depends on the writing. If I really am supposed to hate the bad guy, and love the good guy, and there's a clear delineation of right and wrong, then I'll be okay.
hehe, I wasn't sure what polygany was either. Thanks for explaining it!
I don't think I would be a better woman with another woman around. In fact, I would probably be worse, and do everything in my evil power (muwahahaha) to eliminate the unwanted, or to make her want to leave. I don't share nicely. Ask my children how many times I have shoved full pastries or dessert items into my mouth, when they ask if they can have a bite. ;)
I moved around a lot too, so I can't remember ever running into an ex.
Having my ex for my waiter would certainly be awkward.
Thanks for hosting, Celeste!
Good luck, Patricia!
:)
Late or not, I'm glad you could make it, Katherine. I think you'll really hate the bad guy (the slaver) and love the good guy (the spy). At least I hope so. :)
DeleteThen I am definitely in, Trish!
Delete<3
thanks!