The Importance of Friendship.

Thanks, Tina and Righteous Perverts. As always, I’m thrilled to be here.

I wanted to talk about friendship today. For me those special relationships were the very beginning of how I got published in the first place. Also, my friends are a big part of why I remain a working writer to this day

Shayla Black and I go way back. I met Shayla in 1998 between releases of her historical romances One Wicked Night and His Lady Bride. At the time, we both worked for the same telecommunications corporation. We both weren’t satisfied with our jobs, dreaming of a future we could work full-time as writers. In those days I wrote screenplays and stage plays, but the connection of storytelling bonded us.

Almost immediately, we started having lunch weekly to talk about characters, plot ideas, twists, and more. The bond grew and grew. Our weekly lunches have become less frequent due to our constant deadlines, but to this day, we talk on the phone two and three times a week – and still make time for margaritas whenever we can. Like last Friday with Lexi Blake, Isabella LaPearl, and Jenna Jacob.

Speaking of Lexi Blake, Shayla introduced me to Lexi and we became close friends. Have you ever had an experience where you meet someone and instantly feel this cosmic connection, like you’ve known each other your whole life? Well, that was how it was for me when I met Lexi. She gets me, including my BS, which unfortunately is quite substantial at times. She’s been a cheerleader, a mentor, a confidant, and more. I’m a better writer and person because she’s in my life.

When I had my accident in 2012, Lexi and Shayla came to the hospital with their husbands that very day. I’ll never forget it.

When I sunk into a malaise and stopped writing, after some very difficult things occurred in my life, I received hard, but loving kicks to the ass, from Lexi and Shayla. I owe them so much and will never forget all they’ve done for me.

There are other wonderful friends like Chloe Vale, Liz Berry, Tina (RP’s mistress of all things right in the world – LOL!] and my mom – yes, my mom and I are very close. Lucky that way. I don’t talk to them every day, in fact a couple of them I only talk to every couple of months, but all four play important roles in my life and without them I would be lost.

I’m very lucky to have more wonderful friends, who support and encourage me along the way. All are dear to me.

Why talk about friendship? Because that’s what a writer really is, someone who observes the world with the beauty and brokenness and tries to bring it to the page. My friends are beautiful and my brokenness is healed in the light they bring to my life.

A quick update on my Secret Diary series. Misty’s Bondage Diary will be out this month. Yay!!! I’ve been waiting some time for that and can’t wait to hear what you think.

I’m including a sneak peak at Misty’s Bondage Diary cover and an exclusive excerpt just for you.

Dream Big!!!

-          Kris Cook –

It began with Mia’s Spanking Diary, where a young woman’s education in Dominance and submission becomes a lesson in love, and was followed by Lea’s Menage Diary. When Lea agreed to submit to their training, she never dreamed they would demand her love.

And now, Book 3 of the Secret Diary’s series releases in April!

Misty’s Bondage Diary

As they bound her body with their ropes, they also tied up her heart

Blurb:

Misty spent her life clawing her way up the corporate ladder. She sacrificed everything for her career, including any hope of a love life. When her dream job is downsized, she is completely lost.

Trip and Dominick have always shared everything, including women. Working as Doms at The Cell, an exclusive BDSM club, they enjoyed their decadent lifestyle but feared it wouldn’t ever leave room for anything permanent. Until the night that Misty walked into their club and asked them to teach her about bondage.

As their lessons intensify, Misty discovers that Trip and Dominick’s ropes aren’t just binding her body – they are also tying up her heart.

Excerpt from Misty’s Bondage Diary:

© Kris Cook – 2014

8:48 p.m.

I arrived at the party almost two hours late.

I stood in front of the massive home surrounded by every style of luxury car imaginable. They looked like jeweled accents by its three-story walls. My five-year-old BMW 328i looked like a little stepchild next to the shiny new Bentleys, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, Aston Martins, and Lamborghinis. There were several models I didn’t recognize but clearly weren’t even in the realm of possibility on my salary—correction, former salary.

The reflection from the massive lit marble fountain in the center of the circular drive only added to the fairy-tale effect. Lex knew how to make an impact—that was for certain.

My little red Beemer had been a present to myself. Everyone, including my staff, peers, sister, and cousins, had been shocked at my most recent selection of transportation. It was flashier and sportier than my last car, a four-door previously-owned Honda Accord I’d driven for twelve years. I would’ve driven it longer but the repairs—engine, transmission, air conditioning, and more—would’ve cost more than the car was worth.

I’m not sure why I’d taken the leap away from my sedan norm. Impulse isn’t my usual form. Would I be able to keep her now that I was unemployed? My gut clenched.

“No claim ticket?” I asked the guy in the tuxedo who had taken my key. I’d gone back and forth in my mind about going. Finally, I gave in after fifteen calls and even more texts from both Lea and Mia.

“No need. No man would be able to forget you.” He smiled and his eyes fixed on mine, giving me a shiver. “Have fun. Your car is safe with me, miss.”

“We’ll see,” I said, turning to head up the stairs to the double doors of my sister’s new home. It looked more like a castle than a home in the suburbs of Dallas.

When I walked inside, the castle motif continued. Heavy wooden furniture was scattered around a foyer twice as big as my one-bedroom apartment. An elderly man in a butler’s uniform greeted me. His accent was English.

“Welcome, Miss Weiss. Master Brogan and your sister will be pleased you have come. They are with the other guests in the music room, just past these stairs and to your right.” The man was so formal. “May I escort you there?”

I had the oddest feeling I should curtsy or something, but instead I only said, “No thank you. I can hear the crowd from here. I’ll find it on my own.”

“As you wish, madam.”

The whole place seemed odd for Lex’s taste. I would’ve guessed him to be more on the modern side of things, and this home was anything but. The paintings I passed lining the walls were of landscapes. Some looked like masterpieces from previous centuries, though I didn’t recognize any of them. Classic sculptures, lit beautifully, were in alcoves.

I had no idea the sex club business was so lucrative. My sister lived here now as queen bee. Lucky girl.

As I entered the music room—more like a palatial ballroom—my jaw dropped to the floor. The space vibrated with the large crowd and the music from the four-person rock band playing on the stage opposite where I stood. Have you ever felt alone in a big crowd? That’s how I was feeling, and nervous, too. I was wondering how the hell I was going to find my sister or cousin when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned and came face to face with two devastatingly handsome men.

They towered over me, both several inches over six feet tall. The one to my left with the green eyes leaned into my ear and spoke loud enough for me to hear his deep rumble of a voice. “Are you Misty?”

I nodded sheepishly, admiring his thick, dark hair. He had the longest lashes I’d ever seen on a man. He wore jeans and a crisp white oxford shirt with the cuffs rolled up to his forearms. His hands were big and his wrists were thick. He was beautifully male.

The other man to my right, with the dark brown eyes and bulging muscles for days, pointed to his ears, indicating how loud the room was. He motioned for me to follow. The gray T-shirt he wore couldn’t conceal the powerhouse arms and chest he had. Neither could the jeans hide his muscled legs, which were thick as a linebacker’s. He turned and started walking toward a closed door to our left, giving me an unobstructed view of his backside. Michelangelo’s David didn’t have that nice of an ass.

Green eyes smiled as if to say everything was going to be okay. I wasn’t so sure but didn’t have a better idea at the moment. They knew who I was. Perhaps Lex or Mia had sent them to fetch me. I certainly hoped so since my heart was racing just being near them.

We left the hubbub and walked through a door into a side room.

“There you are,” Mia said. She was sitting on a sofa next to our cousin.

“It’s about time, girl.” Lea patted the cushion next to her. Relief washed away my nervousness.

“Hey,” I said.

Mia smiled. “Come sit with us.”

Kane and Reed, Lea’s men, were standing in the corner talking to three other guys.

“This is some party. Where’s Lex?” I asked Mia.

“He’s getting us some drinks. I see you’ve met Trip and Dominick.” The corners of her lips curled up into a mischievous grin. Was she trying to play matchmaker? Which of these two studs did she have in mind for me? God, my sister could really push my buttons. I was in no mood to meet any guys tonight. I only wanted a distraction from my own thoughts about losing my job. I didn’t want a date. But what better way to distract myself? Were these guys attached to Lex’s club in some fashion? Likely. If so, I wasn’t interested. Couldn’t be. Mia and Lea might like the kinky stuff, but not me. I have had a few illicit dreams about the club after hearing stories from them. No. I had to remain focused.

I turned to green eyes. “Are you Trip or Dominick?”

“Trip,” he said, fixing his stare on me, making my blood warm.

“Pleased to meet you,” I said in my most corporate tone and held out my hand.

He took my hand in his and looked at my fingers as if they were made of priceless crystal. After several nervous seconds, his big eyes returned to mine.

My legs weakened and my breath became shallow. I wasn’t about to make a fool of myself, so I steadied my stance and deliberately deepened my inhalation.

“The pleasure is mine, Misty. All mine.”

Trip’s good looks and pick-up lines were impacting my nerves. Hoping to gain some much-needed stability, I pulled my hand free and turned to the other handsome man.

“You are Dominick then?”

“The one and only. Call me Nick.”

“Thank you both for bringing me to my sister.”

“I’m with Trip on this one, Misty. Guiding you here has been a pleasure. If I have any say in this, and believe me I do, I will see you again.”

I lowered my eyes to my fingertips as a fresh bout of anxiety rolled through me. Was he flirting with me? Was Trip, too?

When it comes to the nuances of attraction, and in particular how to communicate through the minefield of desire, I am always lost. Always.

The two delicious-looking studs just stood there staring at me. All eyes suddenly turned my direction. Were Trip and Nick waiting for me to say something? God, what could I say? What should I say? I remained mute for what seemed like several minutes but was likely more a few seconds. I opened my mouth to say something banal and was rescued when Lex walked into the room, distracting everyone away from me.

“Hey, baby.” Lex placed a cocktail on the coffee table in front of Mia before lifting her up in his arms like she was made of air. Mia’s man was quite strong. “This room is sure quiet. What gives?”

Mia leaned her head into his chest. “Your boys are teasing my sister, that’s what.”

Lex turned and glared at Trip and Nick. “This is a munch. Just a munch. Got it?”

Trip’s left eyebrow shot up. “This isn’t my first rodeo, boss.”

“Mine either,” Nick said. “We know the score. Doesn’t mean we can’t get to know this doll better.” He pointed at me, and my cheeks burned like lava.

Trip nodded. “She’s club bound, no doubt about it.”

I hope you enjoyed this excerpt because I loved writing it. Now to the fun part I will be giving away a copy of one of my backlist books to one lucky commenter. Tina will contact you so please leave an email addy for her.

Good Luck and lots of Hugs,
Kris