Indie Flutters: Vampire Princess Bride by Cara Cane – Excerpt & Interview
- By Cara Cane
- Editions: eBook
- Published: September 5th 2014
- Source: Review by Request
- Genre: Paranormal Erotica
- In a Flutter: A sexy short story with a bite!
As the daughter of the Vampire King and the heir to the Blood Throne, it is Bianca Morvant’s duty to marry and carry on the royal family line. The duty is tradition, and since the last uprising, more important than ever before – or so her parents keep telling her. But to Bianca, marriage only means one thing: being forced to choose between her two lovers. Aspen has noble blood, a kind heart, and a gentle touch that she has grown to love. Dorian comes from the lowest of Sanguini Houses, inspires fear in nearly everyone he meets, and does whatever it takes to rouse her most carnal desires.
With a very public bedding ceremony set to take place before all of the Sanguini, Bianca is expected to choose just one consort to share her kingdom and her bed. The problem is that Bianca loves both of her men equally, and for different reasons.
Neither Aspen nor Dorian wants to let her go, and both are determined to vie for her affections the night before the ceremony–in very different ways. Bianca invites them into her bed, knowing that this night is the last that she will spend with one of them. But as usual, each one pleases a different side of her, and she finds herself more torn than ever before.
~ GoodReads
A sizzling start to a promising series!
Are you a lover of Vampires?
Of the hopelessly romantic suitor?
Of the panty-melting Alpha-Male?
Of book sex so hot you can’t possibly read it in public?
Read. This. Story.
As the only heir of the vampire ruling family, Bianca must choose a mate capable of sharing the responsibility of the throne. It was perfectly acceptable for her to maintain her two consorts, but the time has finally come for her to choose a permanent mate.
The decision is nearly impossible. Her two lovers are like night and day, she loves them equally, and she’s loath to hurt either with her choice.
On the night before her mating ceremony, Bianca will be reminded of all the reasons she loves and craves them both.
Cara Cane is a new-to-me author and I am so excited that I had the opportunity to read this. I’m seriously considering continuing this series, but I might need to take out some sort of insurance on my iPad first; I’m worried it might overheat and catch fire from the hotness! Yikes!
In the kink department:
Exhibitionism,
voyeurism,
public consummation,
light bondage,
spanking,
submission,
domination,
polyamory,
& much more.
Excerpt
Bianca Morvant stepped into the smooth marble tub and eased her slender body into the hot, steaming bathwater. Her movements stirred the red rose petals floating gracefully on the water’s surface, causing some of them to sink into the depths of the tub. The rest stayed on the top, permeating the air with their thick, cloying scent. Bianca prodded one of the petals with her fingertip and watched it sail above the swell of her small naked breasts and toward the private place between her legs.
Tomorrow, the entire Royal Court would watch as her chosen husband touched her breasts, parted her legs, and claimed her body as his own in the official bedding ceremony. They would see her, all of her, and they would talk about it for years to come. It was tradition–or so everyone told her. As the only heir to the Blood Throne, Bianca had never seen a royal wedding or a bedding ceremony. The last one to take place had been her parents’, and it had occurred long before she was born.
Bianca closed her eyes and wondered what it was like for other brides, normal brides, who got to have their wedding night in the privacy of their boudoir without representatives from every noble House watching to make sure the marriage had been fully consummated. Did they appreciate the privacy, or just take it for granted? Did they have to force themselves not to cry that night or were they happy with their choice?
Bianca sighed. Greedy. That’s what she was. The average Vampire bride was content to devote herself and her affections to one man. Unlike Humans and Sirens and some of the more fickle races, Vampires understood devotion and almost always mated early and for life. Bianca sighed. So what was wrong with her?
King Lucian, Bianca’s father, claimed that it was youth. He had been pressing her to marry for several years now, but she had retained her right to wait until the age of twenty-five before taking a husband. It was the prerogative of all Vampire royalty to decide when and whom to marry, providing they did not wait too long or marry outside of the noble Sanguini Houses. Waiting did nothing to carry on the family line, as King Lucian was always quick to remind her.
Despite many years of trying, and even a little black magic, Bianca’s parents had never had any other children but her. It was that way with Vampires sometimes. The Sanguini scholars had various theories as to why this was, but most agreed it was just the balance of nature. Vampires were not immortal, but they lived twice, and sometimes three times, as long as the average mortal. If Vampires bred too easily, the world would be overrun with their kind. Overpopulation meant starvation, as it had been in the dark times, before nature found balance.
Bianca wasn’t opposed to the institution of marriage itself. She understood the appeal of an eternal partner. Sometimes, she even fantasized about it. But in her fantasies, she had two partners. And not just any two partners. She had her two consorts, Dorian and Aspen. The two men she loved…the two men who loved her back.
Aspen was her first love and the Vampire who took her virginity when she was eighteen years old. He was blonde, beautiful, gentle, and kind–everything a nobleman should be. Bianca was madly in love with him, and her father believed that Aspen had all the makings of a great prince. The fact that Aspen was from a Sanguini House that was as old and respected as the House Bianca came from certainly didn’t hurt his suitability as far as King Lucian was concerned.
And then there was Dorian. He was everything Aspen was not: dark, rugged, rough, and dangerous. Bianca had invited him to her bed not long after she gifted Aspen with her virginity, and had invited him back almost every night since. Dorian was Sanguini, but he came from one of the lesser Houses that had risen up in the last Vampire War. Nevertheless, he was a nobleman now, and therefore, a suitable consort for Bianca. But a prince? King Lucian didn’t see it. He had not forbidden Bianca from choosing Dorian tomorrow, but he didn’t encourage it either.
Bianca’s mother did not pressure her to choose either man. Instead, Queen Violette made neutral suggestions, such as “consider every option” and “choose wisely.” It was frustratingly vague advice in Bianca’s opinion, though she suspected it was better to be allowed to choose a husband than to be forced into an arranged marriage as the royals in other Vampire dynasties often were.
Bianca sank deeper into the water and did her best not to cry. Aspen or Dorian? Dorian or Aspen? No matter how she posed the question, the answer was always the same. She didn’t want to choose between the two of them. It would crush her, and even worse, it would crush one of them.
There was a sudden, sharp rapping on her chamber door. Bianca jerked her head toward the noise, and instinctively crossed her arms over her chest. Who could it be? She had sent all of the servants away for the night. The knock came again, more insistent now. Before Bianca could rise from the tub and towel herself off, she heard something being slid into the lock on her bedroom door.
Half a second later, the door opened, and Aspen strode into her room. He shut the door quickly behind him, relocked it, and turned to face Bianca. She sat up in the tub and stared across the room. Their eyes locked and the space between them melted away as Aspen rushed toward her. She reached out to him as he knelt beside the tub.
”Bianca,” Aspen said as he grasped her hand and pressed it to his lips, kissing it over and over again.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” Bianca whispered. The chastisement sounded weak, even to her.
”I couldn’t stay away.” Aspen brushed a tear from her cheek. His blue eyes were anguished in his pale face. “I know what this wedding is doing to you. I couldn’t stand the thought of you here, alone. Not tonight.”
Bianca covered her mouth with her free hand to smother the sob that threatened to escape. It was just like Aspen to think of her, to worry what this choice was doing to her. She felt awful about what it was doing to him–what she was doing to him.
”No, baby. Don’t cry,” Aspen pleaded. He pulled her hand from her mouth and kissed her bloody tears away. “Let me help you forget.”
Aspen put one arm behind her back and stuck another arm in the water behind her knees. He lifted her from the marble tub as though she weighed nothing and pressed her to his chest. Water poured off of her body, soaking his black cloak and the stone floor as he walked her across the room to her ornate four-poster canopy bed. Bianca looked back toward the tub and saw a trail of rose petals in their wake. The fragrance of the rose water clung to her naked skin and long dark hair, and she knew that even her most private places would be scented with the sweet-smelling aroma.
Bianca looked up at Aspen’s face. He was watching her closely, as though trying to read her thoughts. Telepathy was not a common skill among the Sanguini Houses, and unless he had been hiding it from her their whole lives, Aspen was not graced with the unique power. Yet, he seemed to be picking up on exactly what she was thinking. She could see it reflected in the set of his jaw and the narrowing of his sapphire eyes.
He knew that there was a good chance that she was not going to choose him. Yet he was here. And he was being kind to her. More than that, he wanted her to feel better.
When they reached her bed, Aspen parted the black silk curtains draped over the bed’s canopy and gently laid her wet, dripping body down on the red velvet coverlet.
Q&A with Cara Cane
If you were to describe your book in only one word, what would it be?
Arousing
What would you say inspired you to write it?
I like vampires, love triangles, and ménage stories. I wanted to write something that incorporated all three.
What was the source of inspiration for Bianca?
Some of my favorite stories feature love triangles with a “regular” human girl/woman and two supernatural love interests. I wanted Bianca to be anything but normal so I positioned her as one of the most powerful and prominent figures in the Sanguini Kingdom.
Have you ever been hit by the infamous “writer’s block”? What did you do to escape it?
I sometimes get stuck on a line or transition, but if I walk away for a while and come back to it with fresh eyes, I can usually get out of the muck.
What’s the longest time you’ve spent working on a project?
I spent seven years outlining six books in an epic YA fantasy and writing the first in the series. I was only able to work on it part-time because I was completing other projects simultaneously, but I did spend at least some time thinking about the series every day for all seven years.
Would you say becoming an author has changed you? In what way?
Yes. I have a different appreciation for stories of all kinds. I enjoy them more knowing how much passion and work can go into the craft. Details, such as world building, careful characterization, and even word choice, stand out more for me now as a reader than they ever did before.
Was there ever a time, during your work for this book, when you felt like giving up? What made you change your mind?
I was fortunate to never feel that frustrated while writing this book. I have a very specific process that I like to use when starting a long book or a series. I create a detailed outline and/or synopsis before I start the actual book writing. Although I sometimes let the characters take me where they may when I am in the throes of typing, the outline helps keeps me focused and motivated while instilling an eagerness to share the story with other people.
What does your day-to-day life consist of? What else do you do, aside from writing?
For the last 10 years, I have worked as a full-time writer/editor. My favorite hobby is writing, and my second favorite hobby is reading, so my day-to-day life is built almost entirely around words. When I’m not writing, reading, or editing, I like hiking, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and indulging in far too much TV.
How do you deal with bad reviews or acid criticism? What would you advise other authors to that effect?
Nobody likes to see a bad review of their work. It is hurtful to the ego and sometimes even to book sales. But the reality is that you can’t wallow in the pain of it. No matter what you write, your work will not seem like magic to everyone who reads it. Every book will eventually garner a bad review from someone. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the book is bad or that the writer should put down their pen before they kill someone, it simply means that the book was not that particular reviewer’s cup of tea. That said, I strongly dislike it when reviewers are downright mean. Although it is okay not to like a book and express the reasons you do not like it, I do think there is a line between criticism and unnecessary bashing. To get over a particularly bad review, I take a quick peek at my best reviews, which I bookmark on my computer. It helps to remind me that there is an entire world of readers out there.
Without giving us spoilers, of course, what can we expect from the next from the Sanguine Erotica series?
Bianca will explore her sexuality more as a new bride. But things won’t be perfect for the newlyweds. Not everyone in the Sanguini Kingdom is happy with Bianca’s chosen. The marriage will create some unexpected problems for the princess and the rest of the ruling family.
What do you have stored for us in the future? What are you working on/planning on next, aside from this series?
I am getting ready to release the third book in my Classroom Kink series. I will also be publishing a bundle of supernatural erotica in October in honor of Halloween.
What made you decide to become an Indie Author?
I’ve worked with traditional publishers in the past on other projects, and input can be limited. I like being in control of my work. As an indie author, I get to choose the cover, title, publishing dates–everything.
What would you say was the toughest part?
Balancing marketing efforts with research and writing time. It can be really hard to find time for all three in a single day.
Where is your work being distributed? How did you decide which one(s) to go with?
As of now, my work is distributed exclusively through Amazon. Being exclusive to Amazon is a requirement to make your book available through Kindle Unlimited. KU is a large, growing service, and I wanted to make my book available to readers who use that service.
FUN FACTS:
If you were stranded on an isolated island, what’s the one item you’d absolutely wish to have with you?
A pen. I’ll find something to write on!
Name your favorite fruit.
Strawberries.
Coffee or tea?
Tea.
Favorite season?
Fall.
How about favorite time of the day?
Anytime after sundown.
Were you a Girl Scout?
No. But I sure like their cookies!
Favorite food for breakfast?
Corned beef hash and eggs.
What is the latest book you’ve bought and read?
Lena’s Security by BSM Stoneking.
Do you collect things, like stamps, or key chains, or shoes?
Comic books.
Favorite color, you know you want to tell us!
Black, with pink being a close second.
Drama or comedy?
Dramedy.
Do you have a favorite quote or personal motto?
Everybody has a secret world inside of them. – Neil Gaiman (The Sandman)
Cats or dogs?
I couldn’t possibly choose. Love them equally.
Dinner by candlelight or a night out clubbing?
Definitely dinner by candlelight.
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
I would say reading and writing the smuttiest stories possible, but I don’t feel particularly guilty about it, so I am going to go with shirking responsibilities to binge watch whatever TV show most recently caught my interest.
Favorite Swear Word?
Fuck. It’s the perfect swear.
About the Author
Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook
Cara Cane loves erotica. She writes and reads and lives sexy stories of all kinds, but has a special passion for explicit stories.
Her erotica series, Classroom Kink, tells the story of a sexy college student who submits to her professor’s kinky demands. There are currently two books available in the Classroom Kink series: Lolly Learns A Lesson and Lolly Earns Extra Credit. A third Lolly book is coming soon.
Cara’s other bestselling title, Submissive After Dark: Explicit Sex Stories Collection, features four red-hot stories designed to arouse your carnal desires. Eleven other books are planned for the Submissive After Dark series. A new book will be released each month starting in September. The next upcoming title is Submissive After Dark: Menage Stories Collection.
Cara’s popular series, Menage Maids, follows modern and sexually adventurous maids who provide Cleaning with a Tryst – emphasis on the tryst! The first steamy installment, Menage Maid Service, is available now. A second installment will be available soon.
Cara’s latest series, Sanguine Erotica, combines fantasy with erotic romance to create a dynamic reading experience. The first book in the Sanguine Erotica series, Vampire Princess Bride, features a steamy love triangle and an unforgettable ending. The second book in the Sanguine Erotica series will be available soon.
Each Monday, Shurrn’s Indie Flutters will showcase a talented Indie Author…
When she’s not contributing a weekly post here, she can be found at The Smutsonian a blog dedicated to Reviews of Modern Romance & Erotica. If you are interested in having your book featured in the Indie Flutters post, please see Shurrn’s Review Request Form.
Thank You & Happy Reading!
