My Body Trilogy Virtual Book Tour Continues

Below are all the links for the coming days. You can also hit the tour button on the right sidebar on the home page which will take you to the most current site. You can also join the My Body Trilogy Virtual Book Tour event on Facebook where I will be posting updates each day.

If you come across a blog you would like to comment on or have other questions for me after reading one of the interviews, feel free to post your questions here or on Facebook.

I’m excited about the guest blogs, interviews and reviews. Let me know what you think!

Warm hugs,

Blakely

July 29 Interview
Tanya’s Book Nook

July 30 Interview
Vision + Verse

July 31 Reviews
Compare our Men. book whores

August 1 Review
Romance Addict Book Blog

August 2 Interview
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

August 3 Spotlight
Momma’s Secret Book Obsession

August 5 Guest blog
Roxanne’s Realm

August 7 Guest blog and Review
Erzabet Bishop

August 8 Spotlight and Reviews
Faerie Tale Books

August 8 Guest blog
Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust

August 8 Guest blog
Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews

August 9 Character Interview and Review
Nightstand Novels

August 12 Guest blog
The Official Blog of A.C. James

August 12 Spotlight and Review
My Daily Romance

August 12 Guest blog
Smoldering Heat

August 12 Interview
Malfunction Erotica

BDSM Leads to Better Mental Health?

Posted on July 22, 2013 by blakely

I just finished reading a very interesting article by Emma Gray on Huffington Post called BDSM Correlated With Better Mental Health, Says Study. It’s a fascinating read and there is a video clip as well.

Please let me clarify that they don’t mean that participating in the act of BDSM is what causes better mental health as opposed to their vanilla counterparts. The supposition of the researchers who ran the study is that because BDSM lives outside of the “norm”, it causes people to be more self-reflective which may lead to a happier life. They also believe that because kinky types of sex practices requires much more communication and self-disclosure, that those who participate may have closer, more connected relationships.

As someone who took many psych classes in college including research methods, their study is a bit thin. However, I tend to agree with the findings anyway. As I have mentioned many times on my blog, communication is the key to a closer relationship and better sex. Willingness to share fantasies that fall outside of the norm requires trust and also a knowing of oneself.

Healthy BDSM relationships use safewords and other forms of communication necessary to safely explore the depths of their desires. There seems to be something very powerful within relationships where one person willingly relinquishes control while the other takes the responsibility for having it.

The most upsetting part of the article for me was the reminder that BDSM and other fetishes fall in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) under paraphilia which means abnormal sexual activity. BDSM is a choice, not a psychological dysfunction!

Why as a society do we need to all be alike? For me, any sexual activity done between consenting adults is none of my business and shouldn’t be anyone else’s. As I have mentioned before, I do not live the BDSM lifestyle but find it truly fascinating to think about and write into my novels.

As a writer I get to travel to places I dare not go and am looking forward to my next adventure. 😉 Where do your fantasies take you? Are you with a partner that encourages you to talk about them? Take a chance this week and risk sharing one of your fantasies with your lover.

Love to read your comments on this post.

Warm hugs,

Blakely

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Mourning the end of the My Body Trilogy

Posted on July 15, 2013 by blakely

Today is the official release day of My Body-Mine, the last book of the My Body-Trilogy. I have completed novels and projects before, but this is the first time I have experienced a kind of sadness at the end. I’m pretty sure that the feeling stems from saying goodbye to Jane, my protagonist but maybe a little bit for Marcello as well.

I didn’t quite understand the phenomenon until I heard an interview with Daniel Day-Lewis. He spoke of his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln and how he missed seeing the world through his eyes.

I have been viewing the world through Jane’s eyes for a good bit of time now, three novels worth, and I will miss her, am missing her.

Some readers struggled with the fact that Jane stayed so long with Luke and yelled in their heads that she should get out, should run in the opposite direction, but Jane, like many women, chose to stay in a sometimes abusive relationship with the hopes that she would eventually get the love she truly needed. I love the story she set before me of struggle, self-reflection, perseverance and ultimate empowerment. Many of my readers have identified with her story and will be cheering her on in the end.

Some of my fans are hoping I write more of her journey in the future, however, Jane and I have parted company because I feel her story is complete, hence the mourning. On the bright side, if the trilogy does really well, I do have plans to write a prequel about Luke and Janice’s relationship prior to Jane. I personally would love to be in Luke’s mind and get to know more about him and his motivations.

I know as a reader, I have encountered this emotion before … of not wanting a book or a series to end. It’s rather more personal and intense on the writing side of things for me. There have been books, though, that I love so much, I had to read them again and still wish they wouldn’t come to an end. The Time Traveler’s Wife, Siddhartha and Replay come to mind.

Colin Firth put it so brilliantly: “When I’m really in to a novel, I’m seeing the world differently during that time – not just for the hour or so in the day when I get to read, I’m actually walking around in a bit of a haze, spellbound by the book and looking at everything through a different prism.”

Have you, as a writer or reader had the experience of mourning the end? Please share with us.

Warm hugs,

Blakely

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And like the My Body Trilogy Facebook page.
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MY BODY-MINE Press Release

Posted on July 11, 2013 by blakely

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Catherine Treadgold
Publisher
Fanny Press
PO Box 70515
Seattle, WA 98127
206-414-7673
catherine@fannypress.com
www.fannypress.com

Fanny Press announces the July Release of MY BODY-MINE: A Story of Lust, Love, and Liberation

Seattle, WA—On July 15, 2013, Fanny Press will release MY BODY-MINE ($15.95, 324 pages, ISBN: 978-1-60381-534-5), by Blakely Bennett, the final episode in the MY BODY erotic suspense trilogy. In Books 1 and 2 Jane abandons her mundane existence as a successful businesswoman and willingly becomes the financially-dependent sexual plaything of two charismatic men, only to discover that their exhilarating game poses unforeseen dangers to both her body and her mind. In Book 3 she discovers what she truly desires from life and love.

“The story is exciting and enthralling and deserves to be a formidable success.”
—Ashley Lister, Erotica-Readers.com.

“Dark erotica at its best.”
—Bookie Nookie Reviews.

“Hot, scorching and delicious!”
—Erzabet’s Enchantments

Jane has accepted that her relationship with her husband Luke, who drew her in to the dark 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?

“I experienced a mix of emotions upon completing My Body-Mine,” says Blakely. “I accomplished my goal, which was in itself gratifying. I also felt sad to say goodbye to Jane, my protagonist. The most interest part of the journey to becoming an author has been meeting people who think my novels are true and my characters are real. I’m flattered that they feel the stories so deeply that they believe the My Body Trilogy is based on actual events.”

Blakely Bennett has been residing in the great Northwest for over seven years. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a degree in psychology, which accounts for her interest in crafting the personalities, struggles, and motivations of her characters. You can find Blakely on the Web at: BlakelyBennett.fannypress.com.

MY BODY-MINE is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com. After July 15, it will also be available in eBook and 5×8 trade paperback editions on BN.com, the European Amazons and Amazon Japan. Bookstores will be able to order through Ingram, Baker & Taylor or by contacting info@fannypress.com. Other electronic versions will be for sale on Smashwords and from most major online eBook retailers.

About Fanny Press—Based in Seattle, Washington, Fanny Press is a new publisher of quality erotica—fiction, adult comic books, memoirs and nonfiction—the coolest books on the market.

-END-

Pleasure and Pain

Posted on April 1, 2013 by blakely

As a writer that explores the mixing of pleasure and pain, I’m fascinated by the mechanisms in the body that dictate what will turn us on or motivate us to the extremes. My husband and I just recently caught a show on PBS called Pleasure and Pain that I highly recommend if you are intrigued by such things.

During the course of the show, they interviewed many people and asked what gives them the most pleasure in life? There were a wide variety of answers and sex, of course, got a lot of votes but not the most.

Neurochemicals in our brain determine whether or not we find pleasure in an activity. When it comes to food, according to the show, many of us eat past the point of pleasure, overriding the signals to stop. I know I am guilty of this, especially when it comes to chocolate and dessert. Pleasure is transient and can turn into pain if overindulged.

The desire for sex is biologically strong because as a species, we must reproduce. Dopamine, the chemical of desire, causes the heart to beat faster and the sensation of touch to heighten. On the ride up to the peak we are flooded with endorphins that send us over the edge to explosion. As we float back down to earth on a cocktail of serotonin and prolactin, our dopamine levels fall leaving us relaxed and sleepy. My favorite high is definitely the aftermath of orgasm.

So as I watched the show, I wondered what in life gives me the most pleasure and I even asked my husband. He said, “Sex of course.” My response, “If we’re talking about peak experiences that are short lived, then yes, I would definitely have to say sex but if we are sharing about a more sustained feeling of happiness, I have to say love, being in love, loving you.” Good love adds so much pleasure to life, even during the moments when you aren’t together. Nothing beats that for me and he agrees.

Why do we sometimes find pleasure in pain? It’s easy to focus on the sex aspects given that I have explored BDSM within the My Body Trilogy. However, just the other day, I asked my husband why he thinks I put myself into situations that scare me (Live interview, book signings, etc.) but do them anyway. He said he thought for me it was akin to riding a huge scary rollercoaster, which I love, and that I get pleasure from living on the edge.

One of the main reasons people can find pleasure in pain has to do with the release of endorphins that flood the system, the very same ones that I mentioned that rush us over the edge to orgasm. I can only assume that people’s tolerance for pain must correlate with the timing of the biochemical release and maybe even the intensity of the flooding of the brain.

I know for Jane, in the My Body Trilogy, the excitement that comes with the pushing of her boundaries and her pain tolerance, heightens the intensity of her orgasms. I believe it works that way for some people in real life.

So have you guessed what might be the most common answer on the pleasure questionnaire? The third most common answer … food and drink, second answer … drum roll please … SEX (not surprising I should think) and finally, the number one answer and clear winner – family and loved ones.

The order didn’t surprise me much as it fell in line with my personal pleasures. What is your greatest pleasure and is it something that you can easily experience or obtain?

Warm hugs,

Blakely

Please feel free to friend me on Facebook by clicking here.
And follow the My Body Trilogy Facebook page by clicking here.
Find My Body-His (book one) for sale on Amazon here.
Find My Body-His Marcello (book two) on Amazon here.

My Blog Tour!

Posted on March 4, 2013 by blakely

I’m very excited to share that my blog tour is starting today. There will be an ebook giveaway at each site so make sure to comment!

Here are all the links for the coming days. You can also hit the tour button on the right sidebar which will take you to the most current site.

If you come across a blog you would like to comment on or have other questions for me after reading one of the interviews, feel free to post your questions here.

I hope everyone had a wonderful week. We are actually having sunshine in the good ol’ Northwest.

Warm hugs,

Blakely

March 4 Guest blog

Roxanne’s Realm

www.roxannesrealm.blogspot.com

March 6 Interview

Pembroke Sinclair.

pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com

March 7 Guest blog and review

Romance Addict Book Blog

www.romanceaddictbookblog.com

March 8 Interview

Fang-tastic Books

www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com

March 9 Interview

The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom

www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com

March 11 Spotlight and review

Readaholic’s Reviews

www.readaholicsreviews.com

March 12 Excerpt and review

Erzabet’s Enchantments

http://erzabetsenchantments.blogspot.com/

March 14 Spotlight

Provocative Pages

http://readingonthewildside.blogspot.com

March 15 Naughty Nook Feature

Bewitching Book Tours Magazine page 59

www.issuu.com/bewitchingbooktours

March 20 Guest blog and review

Urban Girl Reader –

http://www.urbangirlreader.com

March 21 Interview

Jodie Pierce

www.jodiepierceauthor.blogspot.com

March 22 Guest blog and review

Hooked In a Book

http://hookedinabook.blogspot.com/

March 23 Spotlight

A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books

http://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/

March 24 Spotlight

Mila Ramos

www.jademystique.blogspot.com

March 25 Spotlight

Reviewing in Chaos

http://reviewinginchaos.blogspot.com

March 27 Guest blog

Erotica For All,

http://eroticaforall.co.uk

March 28 Interview and review

Nightstand Novels

http://nightstandnovels.com

March 29 Interview and review
My Home Away From Home –
www.officialmhafh.com

April 2 Spotlight

Lisa’s World of Books

www.lisasworldofbooks.net

April 3 Spotlight

My Sexy Escapes

mysexyescapes.com

Sexual Brain Differences between Men and Women

Posted on February 25, 2013 by blakely

A while back, I read a fascinating article called Love, Sex, and the Male Brain by Louann Brizendine. According to Louann our brains are mostly alike but there are variances when it comes to sex, relating, and territorial behaviors. Men have a larger area of the brain dedicated to defending their turf. I wonder if this makes men more prone to jealousy than women. I have also pondered whether or not jealousy is a modern cultural phenomenon. If we are programmed genetically to guard that which is ours, then is it an instinctual process?

In contrast, Louann tells us that women have a larger area of the brain dedicated to understanding and getting in sync with other people’s emotions, facial expressions, and body language.

The biggest dichotomy she found was that the male brain has a two and a half times larger area of for sexual pursuit than women. This is not at all surprising to me.

She discusses the differing levels of male hormones during diverse ages and says that testosterone puts boys/men in a ‘Man Trance’. According to the author, men cannot help themselves because they are programmed to always be on the hunt for fertile females. Checking out women’s breasts comes second nature to men and they fail to understand why their looking should upset the women they are with. I have to agree with this point. Even if you are monogamous, I don’t think wearing blinders like a horse is necessary. I’m not saying that men should have carte blanche to behave in any manner but a little self-esteem goes a really long way in my opinion.

If you’ve read my first novel, My Body-His, then you know I’m fascinated by what motivates people to behave the way they do. In the second book, My Body-His (Marcello) you will have the opportunity to be ensconced in a power struggle between Luke and Marcello over Jane. They don’t go as far as banging their chests but they are both lobbying to have sole control over the object of their desire.

Men do fall in “love” as hard as women, according to Luanne, and when a woman gets pregnant, her pheromones affect her man’s testosterone by reducing his output by 30%. This is just nature’s insurance that the man will stick around through the pregnancy.

Louann goes on to say that there is a misconception that women are more emotional than men. According to her, men have stronger emotional reactions than women do. Men, however, are much better at covering it up and far quicker at doing so. I have to speculate that this particular behavior is culturally driven because men are told they must appear strong and in control.

Here’s the article if you would like to read it for yourself: http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/23/brizendine.male.brain/index.html?hpt=C1

What are some of the differences you have found between you and partners? Love to read your thoughts.

Warm hugs,

Blakely

Interview and First Review for My Body-His Marcello

Posted on February 11, 2013 by blakely

To read the interview click here.

To read the first review for My Body-His (Marcello), the second book of the My Body Trilogy click here.

Let me know what you think. 🙂

Warm hugs,

Blakley

Please feel free to friend me on Facebook by clicking here.

Or follow the My Body Trilogy Facebook page by clicking here.

Find My Body-His (book one) for sale on Amazon here.

Find My Body-His Marcello (book two) for pre-sale on Amazon here.

Reviews: To Read or Not to Read

Posted on February 4, 2013 by blakely

That is the question. It’s always great to get a good review, no one minds that. However, a scathing review—I have never even remotely written one—is rather hard to swallow. Frankly, if I hated a book, I would never finish it. I have had people not like My Body-His and yet say they plan to read the second and third book of the Trilogy. Not that I mind, but what is that about?

Fortunately, most of my reviews have been great or at least good. I knew, going into getting published, that not everyone would enjoy the suspense, tension, excitement of Jane’s journey. All anyone has to do is read reviews on anything like movies, music, art shows, etc. to know, there are always contrary view points. This is where I either need to grow tougher skin or stop reading the reviews. So it begs the question, should I keep reading them or not? I’m not sure I have the self-discipline at this point to stay away. Especially with My Body-His (Marcello) hitting the stands in March.

On the plus side of all this review business, when I received my very first one star review from La Crimson Femme, I thought it such a great review (she loved my writing style but not the story), that I thanked her for the review. People had commented below her post, wondering what the author was thinking regarding a few choices in the novel so I began a dialogue with the reviewer and a few other people which can be found on Goodreads.

She later asked me if I would be interested in participating in the BDSM Bedtime Stories that they create using a scene from an erotic novel. I was pleased to be asked and we have forged a tremendous respect for one another.

Entering into any new venture there is always so much to learn. I have discovered yet again the power of being kind and respectful. Check out La Crimson Femme’s blog which has the audio BDSM Bedtime Story from My Body-His (Marcello). Below the audio is a blog she wrote about me: http://lacrimsonfemme.blogspot.com/2013/01/hot-little-ff-audio-excerpt.html?zx=f35fec209eb6fd28 Thanks again LCF!

I’m still on the fence regarding reading more reviews but I now know never to read the bad ones when I’m not feeling well and my defenses are down.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the New Year. Love to read your comments.

Warm hugs,

Blakely

Please feel free to friend me on Facebook by clicking here.

Or follow the My Body Trilogy Facebook page by clicking here.

Find My Body-His (book one) for sale on Amazon here.

Find My Body-His Marcello (book two) for pre-sale on Amazon here.

Blakely Bennett

Author of erotic romance, erotic suspense, and romance.

Tag Archives: BDSM

My Body Trilogy Virtual Book Tour Continues

My Body Trilogy Virtual Book Tour

BDSM Leads to Better Mental Health?

Mourning the end of the My Body Trilogy

MY BODY-MINE Press Release

Fanny Press announces the July Release of MY BODY-MINE: A Story of Lust, Love, and Liberation

Pleasure and Pain

My Blog Tour!

Sexual Brain Differences between Men and Women

Interview and First Review for My Body-His Marcello

Reviews: To Read or Not to Read

Follow Blakely Bennett