Are You All Tied Up … or Just Being Held Back?
Hello, Delilah D fans! Once again I’m honored to be visiting with you on DD’s gorgeous blog.
She’s All Tied Up, Book 2 of my Club 3 series debuts tomorrow!
Not only am I thrilled to unleash my latest hero on you all, sexy ex-Marine and body-builder dom Jake, I get to introduce you to his heroine, Carlie. Carlie is very special to me because the thing that is holding her back from living life to the fullest is something that I have battled as well. The battered self-concept that co-exists in our culture with excess pounds.
Doesn’t matter if the extra pounds number in the single digits or the triple, does it? Staring up at us from the scale under our pedicured toes, they can send us to our dimpled knees. Those numbers can also keep us from remembering the things that truly make us attractive– a smile on our face, a kind word for those we meet and a real interest in them. A verve for life, whether it’s the quiet little pursuits or the big, wild ones. There are people who can share what we love … if we have the courage to reach out.
Carlie was raised, like so many of us, by a well-meaning mother who only wanted what was best for her. My mom has never eaten an extra bite in her life, and thus never understood why I sometimes stuffed food in my face to deal with emotion. So, yeah, I kinda patterned Carlie’s mom after her, I admit it.
It took me years to discover what Carlie—lucky girl—learns in the course of her story, that she’s just fine the way she is, and no one else really cares about the five or ten extra pounds on her hips. Jake certainly doesn’t. He’s dumbfounded and then angry to learn that she considers herself too plump, and not woman enough for him. God bless men who prefer an armful, right? Can I hear an Amen!
Carlie also learns that self-concept doesn’t really change with weight. We must love ourselves thick, or we won’t when we’re thin. Happiness comes from within, not the mirror.
In accepting this, we can reach out and accept that when that certain guy says we’re perfect for him, he’s telling the truth. And it’s one we deserve to hear.
If you’d love to share the heartbreak and triumph of discovering what’s truly important–along with some very hot, hot moves with Carlie and Jake, leave a comment and let us know what you enjoy about reading D/s and BDSM. I’ll give away a copy of the ebook, She’s All Tied Up right here. PLEASE leave your email addy so I can find you!
She’s All Tied Up
His control sets her free…and her trust throws him for a loop.
Club 3, Book 2
Carlie Milton is finally out from under her judgmental mother’s thumb. She has a great job, great friends, a loving father and brother… but her love life is a series of disasters.
When she’s rescued from her latest dating debacle by bodybuilder Jake Stone, she can’t resist his invitation to his BDSM club. The results are orgasmic, and Carlie comes back for more…until the night she goes all in. And Jake’s reaction, driven by a ghost from his past, drives her back into her shell.
An ex-Marine, Jake believes self-discipline and control are the only things holding his life together. Until Carlie. Her lush body, tender vulnerability and unquestioning trust shake him to the core, jarring loose the tight lid he keeps on his demons—at the worst possible time.
Now, to help her find the courage to try again, he’s going to have to do something he’s never done before. Make peace with his past…and convince himself that leading with his heart doesn’t have to end in pain.
Product Warnings
Contains a hard-nosed ex-Marine with a soft heart and a way with knots, and a plucky heroine who isn’t afraid to let him learn to navigate her curves.
For an excerpt, visit Samhain Publishing. And c’mon by my website to learn about my self-published books, too.
Best,
Cathryn Cade
Goodreads, My Website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Samhain Author Page,
And sign up for My Newsletter for a chance to win goodies!
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I like reading about the control, give and take, and the growth between 2 individuals. in the real life lifestyle part-there is growth for both the top/bottom dom/sub. a give and take, and challenge to overcome for them both. I like to see the physical, mental and emotional challenges both participants engage in, that in many “romance” are not always there. usually they are more in depth and more in tune with physical, emotional and mental boundaries.
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The complete trust and control are the most important to any relationship.
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Love books where the heroine isn’t a perfect size model! Sexy can be any size. Happiness truly does come from within. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic.
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Cathryn – I like how you helped Carlie realize that acceptance has to come from within – this sounds like a great book! I think the reason I like to read about some of the “facets” of BDSM is that it is something that has always intrigued me, but I’ll never get to experience 🙁 . If you can’t do it, read about it, right? michelle at oxrider dot com
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Hi Cathryn
I enjoyed reading your blurb for She’s All Tied Up. What I enjoy reading about is the trust and honesty that you have to have in each other. I also like that you have Carlie as a woman with curves as I have those myself.
Thank you for your time.
Grburton@samford.edu
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Cherrie,
I so agree, BDSM brings the trust factor to the fore and keeps it there! You get to go deep with the characters and keep it real.
Cathryn
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Pat,
Again, true! It’s all about the trust, and that’s a huge part of this story. I def wrote parts of me into Carlie … and then I gave her Jake to help her work thru it. 😛
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Booklady,
Me, too. I can relate, relate, relate to heroines with body image issues. No Perfect Pollys for me, thanks.
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Michelle,
Right! I will never, by personal choice, experience BDSM in my real world, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the heck out of it vicariously.
Love being a romance writer! 😉
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Ginger,
this story is for you, and for all of us with curves! Thanks for stopping by.
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Such a great message for us all. I know that even though I’m 200 pounds heavier than I was when I got married 37 years ago, my husband still loves and desires me no matter what my mother says. And yes, she still makes comments.
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I think the excerpt was very interesting and can’t wait to read the rest bibbiesparks@yahoo.com
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It has taken me years to understand that I am harder on myself about my weight than anyone else. I is a huge break-through to come to the understanding that someone loves you the way you are (it is extremely liberating as well). Love your writing. Carin
mawmom at gmail dot come
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I love going to exercise at Curves because women of all sizes can be found there. It is empowering to be with women of your size, smaller or larger and not be put down. I may be over what my weight is supposed to be but I do exercise!
rblerner@ptd.net
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Cathryn, I am always happy to find a new author to read, especially when there are bdsm elements to the story. I love the trust that exists in such a relationship.
margie.hager@yahoo.com
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I am adding this to my need to get list.
New author added to my list also.
Thanks.
porter32vasquez@hotmail.com
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Reading D/s and BDSM books has been a learning experience for me as well as a kind of therapy. Now isn’t that kinky? I find the stories real, (except the ones about billionaires and such) about real people with real problems. In the world of BDSM, an honesty is required that isn’t really a norm in the “real” world. That honesty and the trust needed for that honesty resonates with me. It keeps me coming back book after book after book! Not to mention, I find it downright HOT! 😉
pansyparsons at hotmail dot com
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Would love to win a copy of this book!!! Sounds hot! ➡ 8)
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Well I have to admit to image issues that I have not yet truly overcome, but am working on. I love BDSM, and have some limited experience. I think what I liked best about it was the honest, and complete trust it takes and once that is established being able to just be and not have to analyze everything produces a wonderful feeling of freedom. Thanks for writing a book so many of us can relate to.
Charlene.michael@comcast.net
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Michelle G,
I love your husband! Muchas smoochas to him from me…and you deserve him.
Cathryn
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Toni,
Thanks for stopping by! Glad you enjoyed the excerpt.
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Carin,
Nothing quite like discovering we’re our own worst critics, right? Glad you’ve found peace–you deserve it! You are a creative, fabulous person.
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Melissa and Ronnie,
So glad you stopped by! Always glad to meet new fellow romance readers. 😀
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Pansy,
I know, right? This genre cuts through the layers of fluff to what’s real and raw. Can be painful, but also exciting!
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Charlene,
You have such a way with words, thanks for sharing. Love how you said ‘being able to just be’. Nice. Erm, can I use that in a book? 😉
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Aaand the winner of the FREE copy of the ebook is Ginger Burton!
Thanks everyone for stopping by. 😀 Hope you’ll enjoy my books.
Ginger, I’ll be emailing you.
best,
Cathryn
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Oh, good grief, someone slap me with a wet noodle! I mean the winner is Ginger Robertson! 😳
Cathryn
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I know I missed the contest but wanted to share a comment anyways. I love reading these type of stories, any romance stories – but bdsm stories next to paranormal stories are my top of the list of 5 out of 10. I know bdsm are not for faint hearted, nor shallow-minded. I like how this book looks and sounds from reading the excerpts and reading everyone’s comments. I agree with many of them. I look forward to knowing more from you, Cathryn Cade. 🙂 I’m looking forward to getting this book when I get the chance to.