CRIME AND MYSTERY
MÉNAGE
From Conception to The End
As any writer knows, or
anyone who has ever tried to write a novel, the hard part of any story is
continuing until The End. An idea is
easy, the plot manageable, but keeping with the story, having the characters
come alive with depth and personality…that, my friends, is the tricky
part.
The little details in a
novel can be the make or break of a story and can often be the catalyst that
forces the writer to take a direction that hadn’t been thought of before. Some writers are plotters, they conceptualize
from beginning to end and outline the entire book. While some of us, myself included, are
pantsers, meaning we write by the seat of our pants. While this can be frustrating sometimes and
surprising other times, I enjoy opening my mind and letting my imagination take
over. If I can envision a story from
beginning to end, then I know it’s one I will finish writing. The question is, where will the story take
me?
To make the one dimensional
hero or heroine into a breathing entity, a life must be created. A background, feelings, hopes, wishes…it’s
not unlike giving birth, only this time around it’s a fully grown made-up
individual with a past, present and future already mapped out. Filler is needed to plump out a story, but not
in a way that feels unnatural. The more
organic, the more believable.
Although I am very guilty of
this on several occasions, one of the hardest things to do is not create
insta-love, where the two characters meet and instantly fall in love. The old adage “It’s the journey not the
destination” should always be forefront in mind. A writer has to put themselves in the shoes
of the character and think “How would I handle this situation?” Would I jump in with both feet or would I be
hesitant? And speaking of putting
yourself into your character’s mind set, the dialogue has to be believable from
which point of view is being explored. I
tend to write cruder when I’m writing from a male POV.
It is very easy to stay
within the confines of what is comfortable and normal in your set
boundaries. But erotic romance writers
have the double-edged sword of writing not only quality stories, but writing
sex scenes that sizzle. Stepping outside whatever box makes you feel safe is a
way of exploring a part of yourself you may have been afraid to face, whether
as a reader or writer. I constantly push
my own boundaries because I never want my stories to become stagnant; to fall
into the trap where I substitute character names but have the same plot and the
same expectations.
Always, once I’ve typed the
words “The End”, I’m slightly shocked that I created something that a publisher
considers worthy of being in print.
Every writer is his or her own worst critic and I am truly blessed with
the ability to string a bunch of words together into a cohesive story, even if
I’m not quite sure how I did it.
-Beth D. Carter
Blurb for Mad Delights:
When violence sweeps through their
town, the Men of Hell must figure out who’s after their club.
Someone is watching Romeo Barrigan’s
every move. Chloe Matsumoto’s favorite pastime is studying the Men of Hell
Motorcycle Club’s president. Ever since he helped rescue her deaf cousin from
the hands of a human-trafficking ring, Chloe has become fascinated with him and
now wonders how she can repay him.
Daxton Squire is the enforcer of the
Men of Hell. He’s filled with self-loathing after failing to recognize the
threat from the former club president. When he spots someone tailing Romeo, he
vows to protect him at any cost. Only Dax didn’t expect to be so attracted to
the little stalker.
Violence sweeps through Bair , Nebraska
Reader Advisory: This book contains
scenes of ménage and anal sex, scenes of violence, physical abuse, murder, prostitution,
and hints of drug use. There is a scene of dubious consent and some racist
language.
Publisher's Note: This book is
the prequel to Madness Ends and is best read in sequence.
Publisher's Note: This book is linked
to the Red Wolves Motorcycle Club series.
Excerpt from Mad Delights:
Dax followed the car at a
distance, but after the second turn, whoever was driving caught on that they
were being followed. The expensive little car sped up, trying to lose him, but
Dax was persistent. Down Cedar
Road
Dax rolled in front of the
car and hit out his kickstand. Then he stomped over to the driver’s window and
knocked.
It took a moment for the
driver to respond. The door opened and he waited, his hand loose and ready to
grab his gun if he needed it. However, the first thing he saw was legs. Long,
shapely legs, followed by a small waist, breasts and a gorgeous face frowning
at him as she exited the car. The petite woman glared at him with eyes so dark
they glowed with black fire. Horns stuck up on either side of her head and he
blinked in confusion until he realized her hair was in some weird updo,
emphasizing her Asian heritage. Interest stirred, and he tried hard to remember
that she’d spent the better part of a week stalking the club.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
The delicate little chin
went up a notch. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? You were chasing me for some
reason.”
He put his hands on his
hips. “You deny you’ve been spying on us?”
“Yes.” She crossed her arms,
which thrust her tits out nicely. Her hip jutted to one side and he couldn’t
help but think she looked badass in her tight black jeans and high-heeled boots.
And he tended to like badass chicks.
“Liar.”
Anger darkened her features.
“How dare you? You don’t even know me!”
“You’re right,” he replied
smoothly and walked around her to the open car door.
“What are you doing?” she
demanded.
She punched his arm with her
little fists, which amounted to a fly hitting him. She’s really cute when she’s mad.
Review
Title: Mad Delights
Author: Beth D. Carter
Publisher: Totally Bound
Publisher
URL: www.totallybound.com
ISBN/BIN: 9781784306540
Genre: {M/F/M}, Ménage, Crime and Mystery, Series
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Literary
Nymphs Reviewer: Amazon Nymph
Chloe
is stalking Romeo, because he rescued her cousin and becomes obsessed with
him. She meets Dax when he confronts her
about stalking Romeo. Chloe finds she is
attracted to both men, but what happens when she offers to help them in
exchange for themselves?
The
first book in the Men of Hell series,
Mad Delights, is aptly named as most
of those around Chloe, including her family, thinks she has a screw loose. Her actions would seem to bear that out. I did have to laugh at some of her antics. Chloe is an interesting character, and the
reasons why she behaves the way she does is explained in detail, along with her
family ties. I loved the way Chloe
bargained with her grandfather.
Romeo
never thought he would end up in a ménage relationship, though his brother is
in one, and decides he will call his brother for advice. Dax figures it will happen since Chloe has
made it clear she wants both men. The
chemistry between the three is hot.
The
Men of Hell end up under attack, and several things happen that put all the men
and their families in danger. The club
has lost several members, and it is playing havoc with moral. There are a some
twists that cause a few tense moments with rivals. As the reason why becomes
clear, things get resolved, except for one major thread which hopefully will
get resolved in the next book.
I
am looking forward to reading more about the Men of Hell.
Reader
Advisory: There is a scene of dubious
consent and some racist language.
Like the sound of Mad Delights? Buy it here.
About Beth. D. Carter:
I like writing about the
very ordinary girl thrust into extraordinary circumstances, so my heroines will
probably never be lawyers, doctors or corporate high rollers. I try to write
characters who aren't cookie cutters and push myself to write complicated
situations that I have no idea how to resolve, forcing me to think outside the
box. I love writing characters who are real, complex and full of flaws, heroes
and heroines who find redemption through love.
I’ve been pretty fortunate
in life to experience some amazing things. I’ve lived in France , traveled throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand
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