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Gillian Archer: Researching Bondage (Contest)
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

Researching Bondage 

Some books are easy to write. The words just flow straight from my brain to my fingers and BAM! I have a story. While others are…less so. I should’ve known Sawyer would be a pain in my ass. Are things ever really that simple when a Dom is involved? And Sawyer is a rope top which made things especially tangled. (Sorry I couldn’t resist!)

Which is where research comes in. It took me a while but after a few books—both fiction and nonfiction—more videos than I want to admit, and a few lengths of my own rope, the ideas started flowing.

Here are a few nuggets of wisdom I picked up while researching bondage:

  • You cannot go wrong with an Eden Bradley BDSM story, but then I’m biased since she’s my mentor 😉
  • I found instructional videos easier to follow rather than nonfiction books. Some things you just gotta see to understand. I recommend Two Knotty Boys or Twisted Monk.
  • Always have a pair of safety scissors on hand when playing with rope. You don’t want to bother untying knots when things start to get tingly—and not in the fun way!
  • Be very careful which links you click on when hardcore BDSM videos are involved. One person’s kink is another’s squick factor.

I could keep going, but we’d be here all night! I have to be honest—research is one of my favorite parts of this job. It’s a hard life 😉

Have you ever gone outside of your comfort zone for your job? Hit me up in the comments and I’ll pick a couple of lucky winners to receive the first book in my Pleasure Code series, WICKED WEEKEND.

Book two of The Pleasure Code*

After the loss of her dom and first love two years ago, the time has come for Kyla to again allow herself the pleasure of giving up control. She isn’t looking for anything serious yet, just the comforting embrace of rope and a firm hand on her body for the night.

Rope-top Sawyer is extremely skilled and he doesn’t do relationships—but he’s fascinated by the gymnastics instructor who approaches him at a kink con. By the end of the day he’s vowed to help her feel submissive pleasure again, and to introduce her to a few doms she can choose from.

But as Sawyer breaks down Kyla’s emotional defenses, his barriers also come down. Soon he can’t imagine giving Kyla over to any other dom—and Kyla can’t imagine being with anyone else. When their feelings are put to the ultimate test, they’ll learn that while taking risks in the bedroom is easy, taking risks in love is terrifying.

*Up In Knots is part of a series but can be enjoyed all on its own 😉

Excerpt

Kyla’s heart raced at the predatory look Sawyer tossed her way. ZOMG! Had she bitten off more than she could chew here? She swallowed hard and smiled back at him.

“All right, everyone. Now if you’re a nice top, you can untie your submissive before we get to work on the next tie.” He paused as most of the couples struggled with their rope before finally untying their partners.

“But for those of you asshole rope tops who brought along extra rope, you can leave your partner’s legs tied for the next lesson. Everyone ready? Great. I’ll show ya’ll how to tie a rope shackle next.”

Kyla held her breath. She was disappointed he was going to take away the rope so soon. The abrasiveness of the rope against her bare ankles reminded her every second of its presence. That she was trapped. At his mercy.

She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to try to calm her racing heart. It didn’t work. She wanted more.

But instead of untying her legs, Sawyer reached into his bag and pulled out another length of rope. Her confusion must have broadcast over her face because instead of addressing the group, he turned toward her.

“What? You didn’t think I was a nice guy, did you?”

He barked a soft, cruel laugh. “Oh, honey. I think you might be in too deep here.”

He might as well have called her a sissy. Little did he know, she was used to proving herself. She had years of training and self-discipline under her belt. Plus the crap she went through the last two years would have crushed a lesser person. But she had nerves of steel and bigger cojones than half the men she knew. She could handle whatever Sawyer threw her way.

Sawyer stared down at her, assessing her. She knew if she didn’t say something soon, he would untie her and send her on her way. There were scads of eager, willing women to take her place. All he had to do was snap his fingers and the line would form to his left. A few titters from the group reminded her of their audience.

She could feel their stares, but it didn’t faze her. Heck, she had practically grown up in front of an audience.

This small group was nothing compared to the stress of a televised National gymnastic trial.

She could do this. To see that thrilling look in his eyes, feel his hands and his rope on her body again and what it did to her… Oh, yeah. She was beyond willing.

“Bring it.”

“Ooooh,” a few brave souls in the group chorused.

But Kyla didn’t turn in their direction. She couldn’t look away from his hypnotic stare.

“Okay. Have it your way,” he growled menacingly.

The implied threat in his voice had her sex swelling and pulsing in response. Cripes, this man was potent.

And yet her inner imp couldn’t help but mutter, “Don’t you mean your way?

Apparently not quietly enough.

His ominous expression told her he’d heard, and she’d be paying for it later when or if they were alone.

A shiver swept her body and her nipples hardened at the promise of dark, forbidden things in his eyes. She really, really hoped they would be alone later.

“I think after the rope shackle, I’ll show you all how to tie a gag for those bratty submissives.” He sent a significant glance her way, and the group chuckled.

Available now from Carina Press and all major etailers!

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About Gillian

Gillian Archer lives in Northern Nevada with her amazing husband and two goofy dogs. When she’s not writing (but probably should be) Gillian is usually thinking about naughty things, doing naughty things, or watching reality tv (hey, don’t judge! LOL). You can find her at her website, on Facebook or Twitter.

11 comments to “Gillian Archer: Researching Bondage (Contest)”

  1. Toni Whitmire
    Comment
    1
    · March 19th, 2014 at 6:27 am · Link

    I have enjoyed reading the excerpt and can’t wait to read the rest of the story bibbiesparks@yahoo.com



  2. Michelle - Snarky Mom
    Comment
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    · March 19th, 2014 at 7:06 am · Link

    Gillian – I had the opportunity to read UP IN KNOTS via NetGalley & absolutely LOVED it! As for comfort zone for a job? Before I had kids, when I earned money for my work 🙄 I worked for a pipe & plumbing supplier in the marketing division. I had to learn not to flinch, blush &/or laugh nervously when I had to say the words “nipples” and “ball cock” in front of a room full of men LOL!



  3. Norma
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    3
    · March 19th, 2014 at 2:10 pm · Link

    Wow, what an excerpt! I’m already jones-ing for more – I’ll definitely be buying Up In Knots! I would love to win a copy of Wicked Weekend – thank you for the opportunity.
    As far as comfort zone on the job, I really don’t think I’ve been pushed even close to it. 😕



  4. Anne
    Comment
    4
    · March 19th, 2014 at 2:43 pm · Link

    A gymnast and someone who likes to use rope…I can just imagine the interesting configurations.

    In terms of my job, public speaking currently. I also used to be a hated telemarketer. We didn’t sell, but took surveys and since I don’t answer them by phone it was hard to ask others and yes, we called all evening long, including during dinner. This was early 80’s so before answering machines were really popular.



  5. Pansy Petal
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    · March 19th, 2014 at 4:28 pm · Link

    Whew! *fanning self* What an excerpt. If this wasn’t already in my tbr pile, it would be now! I need t read this! Outside my comfort zone for my job? Hmmmm? Good question. But as I think about it, I always did. I would get bored with what I was doing and search out new things all the time. Now that I am more or less retired, I think I miss that challenge. I need to do something about that. Thank you for sharing and giving me something to think about.



  6. Stacy Wilson
    Comment
    6
    · March 19th, 2014 at 5:37 pm · Link

    Seeing as my “job” is a SAHM and wife, I don’t really HAVE a comfort zone. :p But, I will admit to being intrigued by rope bondage, both as my Domme self and as a possible sub. I’m fortunate in that I have someone I can turn to regarding the sub aspect. He’s a GREAT friend, and been active in the lifestyle since 1968. He’s taught me a LOT about wax play and straight razors.

    I am sooooo glad you did the research on this! I have read some books with BDSM as the subject matter and been left scratching my head as to where the so called author got her information. Safe, Sane, Consensual. Creed to live by.

    I just added your books to my TBR pile! Looking forward to reading them.

    Stacy Wilson

    dragn_lady at yahoo dot com



  7. Charlene
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    · March 19th, 2014 at 11:45 pm · Link

    Great excerpt, I am looking forward to reading the entire book! As for my comfort zone at work, I used to work the emergency room admissions office on the graveyard shift. At least once a week someone came in with something that made me uncomfortable. Everything from a woman who delivered her fifth baby in my window to the guy who had a metal spike from a piece of farming equipment stuck through his boot all the way through his entire foot and out the other side. Keeping my cool with family members and trying to elicit information during these situations definitely pushed my comfort zone.

    Thanks for the opportunity to play in your contest.



  8. ELF
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    · March 20th, 2014 at 5:11 pm · Link

    Most of the time, going outside of my comfort zone means that I have to either talk to strangers or make presentations of some sort. Fortunately, I am usually able to avoid that. Nice excerpt, thanks for sharing!



  9. Gail Siuba
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    · March 20th, 2014 at 5:36 pm · Link

    Love the excerpt & I had to drop over to Amazon to get a copy. 🙂
    I’m not good at going outside of my comfort zone. The one thing I did do was get on a 3-d simulator ride, that normally would have me running far away, but I had a blast and was only moderately motion sick. 😯



  10. Gillian Archer
    Comment
    10
    · March 21st, 2014 at 1:19 pm · Link

    Thanks for all the lovely compliments! And the wonderful answers too 🙂

    The winners (by random number generator) are:

    #6- Stacy Wilson
    #1-Tony Whitmire
    and since we had so many great comments I’m gonna pick one more…
    #8- Elf

    Please send an email to Gillian(AT)GillianArcher(DOT)com with your ebook preference: epub, PDF, or mobi (Kindle) and I’ll send you a copy of WICKED WEEKEND.

    Thanks again for hosting me, Delilah!



  11. ELF
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    · March 23rd, 2014 at 11:12 pm · Link

    Thanks for your generosity and congrats to the other winners!



Comments are closed.