Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here youโ€™ll get an in-depth look into an authorโ€™s musings.

Today we get a treat from author Cherise Sinclair as she takes the Under the Covers ladies straight into her BDSM club, Shadowlands!

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Under the Covers goes to the Shadowlands

If the ladies at the Under The Covers blog had mentioned what theyโ€™d planned at the Shadowlands, I would have warned them against it. But, I guess this is how little subbies learn discretionโ€ฆ

Cherise


Hiding on the side of the three-story stone mansion, Francesca peered into the dark night. No cars were coming up the drive to the isolated BDSM club. Biting her lip, she waited.

Finally, fireworks exploded in the parking lot. Way to go, Annie, Angela, and Suzanne! The door of the Shadowlands opened and an intimidating security guard ran toward the parking lot. Francesca grinned as the red taillights of her friendsโ€™ getaway car sped down the drive to safety. Score! One fantastic article was in the bag.

As the guard tried to put out the fireworks, Francesca slipped through the front door, hurried through the empty reception area, and into the club. Oh. Wow. As her eyes adjusted to ominously low lighting, she turned in a circle.

The place was huge, taking up the entire ground floor of the mansion. Expensive, leather padded BDSM equipment lined the wallsโ€ฆand every piece was in use. At the first one, a terrifyingly scarred-up Dom was fastening a slender redhead to a sawhorse. Farther down, someone was using a whip, making even red lines down a pale back. The cracking sound made Francesca take a step back. Over the music of Nine Inch Nails, she could hear someone crying. Low groans. A woman begging to come. A man swearing in a ragged voice.

Francesca swallowed hard. No member of the clubโ€”the few she could findโ€”would tell her about the place. This wasโ€ฆmoreโ€ฆthan sheโ€™d expected.

Tables and chairs were scattered around the massive wood bar that dominated the center of the roomโ€ฆand boy, could she use a drink right now. She assessed the equally massive bartender who chatted with each person as he set up the drinks. He looked as if he knew everyone in the place. She sighed. No drink for me.

She studied the room again. Outside of each scene area, black leather couches and comfortable chairs were arranged for people who wanted to watch. Perfect. She could curl up in a chair and watch everything to her heartโ€™s content. She started toward the closest, then glanced at the door behind her. Perhaps taking a chair on the other side of the room would be wise, just in case the guard looked inside and noticed her.

She wiggled a little to adjust her skin-tight vinyl cat suit that accentedโ€”and pinchedโ€”every lush curve. A short whip hung from the belt. Suzanne had found it for herโ€ฆsomehow. And I really donโ€™t want to know how. Her boots made her a couple inches taller, and damn, she looked really tough. Me, Domme. Donโ€™t mess with me, boys.

As she walked toward the back, she put on a bored expression, as if she routinely saw buff guys with their packages on display. One had leather cords wrapped around a really impressive erection. Donโ€™t stare. A naked woman wore only a chain running between her nipples attachedโ€”oh Godโ€”to a clamp on her clit. Francescaโ€™s clit gave a sympathetic throb.

She had to stop at the sight of a curvy redhead bending over, palms flat on the floor. Her Dom wore a suit. His deep voice had a soft Southern accent as he told her not to move. After lubing a butt plug, he started to insert it. The sub squeaked, tried to stand, and was firmly pushed back down. The plug went in with an almost audible plop. โ€œAll done, sugar,โ€

โ€œOw ow ow!โ€ The submissive glared over her shoulder at her Dom as her bottom wiggled uncontrollably. โ€œYou putz. You know, when you were born, God finally admitted He could make a mistake.โ€

The Domโ€™s lips twitched, but he picked the womanโ€™s thong from off his toy bag and stuffed the fabric in her mouth. Francesca scowled at the nasty Dom, until she noticed the woman was so aroused that even her inner thighs were wet.

So was Francesca. What would something like that feel like? She shook her head. Stay on task, dummy. Just because the very air in the place smelled like sex didnโ€™t mean she could screw around. She had an article to write for the Under The Covers blog. But, oh yeah, it was going to be a hell of a story. An in-depth look at the notorious Shadowlands.

She moved past a woman restrained on a vertical spiderweb of ropes.

The next roped-off area had a throne-like chair that was missing the center of the seat, so the poor guyโ€™s dangling parts hung down. The tall brunette dressed up like a school-teacher was taking advantage of it with a nasty little ruler.

Francesca hurried past that one. Thwack. The subโ€™s yelp made her turn to lookโ€”and she ran right into a brick wall. Noโ€”a man. A Dom. Oh shit.

His tanned face looked as hard as his hands felt. Mr. tall, dark, and mean-looking gripped her arms, steadying her.

She attempted an embarrassed grin. โ€œSorry. I wasnโ€™t watching where I was going.โ€

โ€œI saw that.โ€ His smile lightened the harshness of his face for only a second before he frowned. โ€œAre you new?โ€

Oh hell. Would flirting work? โ€œThatโ€™s right.โ€ She pushed her shoulder-length hair back over her shoulder, using her big brown eyes in a look that had never failed her.

Fail. His eyes were brown too, totally unimpressed. And growing colder and more intimidating by the second.

She instinctively dropped her gaze, then rubbed her sweaty hands on her too-slick cat suit.

โ€œYouโ€™re no Domme.โ€

Oh, no. Even as she looked up, he scowled at her boots and said, โ€œSubmissives go barefoot. How the hell did you get past Ben?โ€ His hand closed around her upper arm in a way that said she was going nowhere.

Busted. Already? โ€œLook, I can โ€”โ€œ

โ€œZ, do you know this person?โ€ He raised his voice enough to attract the attention of another Dom watching a scene.

The dark-haired man dressed in all black had the lean, sleek appearance of a big cat.

When his gaze met hers, her breath stopped at the punch of power. She tried to back awayโ€”futilely.

โ€œNo, Daniel,โ€ Z said, his voice deep and rich. โ€œSheโ€™s not a member.โ€ His perusal was leisurely and made her bones feel as if they were turning to gummy worms. โ€œAnd sheโ€™s certainly not a domme.โ€

โ€œNope.โ€ Daniel rumbled a laugh, his grip not loosening.

The man stepped closer, and his steel-gray eyes trapped hers. โ€œIโ€™m Master Z, and I own the Shadowlands.โ€

Oh bad; this is very bad.

As if to confirm her thoughts, Daniel whispered in her ear, โ€œYou are in so much trouble now.โ€ When he let her go, the only thing that kept her from running was knowing sheโ€™d break an ankle in the stupid high-heeled boots. โ€œIโ€™ve got to get back to Kari. Let me know if you want me to haul your trespasser down to the station. Iโ€™m pulling a night shift, so I can book her before I go on.โ€

What? Sheโ€™d run herself into a cop? This was so not fair.

โ€œThank you, Daniel.โ€ As the cop walked away, Master Zโ€™s attention returned to her, and the feeling was far too much like being pressed up against a wall by a gale force wind. โ€œWhy are you here?โ€

โ€œOh, I was just passing by and I wonderedโ€”โ€œ

His hand cupped her chin, the fingers tightening on her jaw in warning. โ€œDonโ€™t lie to me, little one.โ€ The softness of his voice didnโ€™t disguise the threat. โ€œGive me your name.โ€

โ€œF-francesca.โ€

โ€œGood. Now why are you here?โ€

The words simply spilled out as if heโ€™d disengaged her brain. โ€œI wanted to write about the Shadowlands for my blog.โ€ And you donโ€™t let anyone in here except members. She hauled in a shaky breath, feeling the heat of his body. โ€œI wouldnโ€™t say anything bad. I just wanted to see what it looked like in here.โ€ And what everyone did and wore andโ€ฆ

โ€œYou probably do want to write a story.โ€ He tilted his head, studying her, then the corners of his eyes crinkled. โ€œAnd apparently you need to know what submission feels like as well.โ€

What kind of a comment was that? And why did the temperature in the room keep getting warmer. A trickle of sweat ran down the hollow of her back. โ€œNo. No, I didnโ€™t.โ€

โ€œThe first thing you will learn is this: a submissive gets what she needs, not necessarily what she thinks she wants.โ€

His eyes held a dark promise that sent her heart into overdrive and made her nipples tighten. She struggled to inhale. To speak. โ€œI want to leave now.โ€

โ€œIโ€™m afraid not, Francesca. I canโ€™t have people think they can sneak into my club. The members are entitled to their privacy.โ€ He spoke slowly, as if she might not understand. โ€œEither Master Dan arrests youโ€ฆor you can be punished here, in front of the members, and join them in their need for privacy.โ€

Arrest? Me? Her mother would have a cow. Her father would yell at her in Italian and English and then wouldnโ€™t ever speak to her again. And her regular job? โ€œDonโ€™t arrest me.โ€

โ€œThen punishment it is.โ€ He took a step back and looked around, then smiled at a couple of Doms walking pastโ€”one wearing a biker jacket, the other with silvery-gray hair wearing worn leathers.

Z spoke to the older one. โ€œMaster Sam, Francesca has requested to be punished for sneaking into the club.โ€

Master Samโ€™s icy blue eyes sent a chill through her. โ€œYou ever been whipped, girl?โ€

Whipped? She felt the blood drain from her face, leaving dizziness behind. โ€œNo!โ€ Terror sent her back a step.

Master Zโ€™s arm wrapped around her like a steel band, imprisoning her without any effort. Yet the feeling of being held was oddly comforting.

โ€œThis oneโ€™s not for me, Z.โ€ The older man snorted. โ€œSheโ€™d pass out with the first stripe.โ€

โ€œIndeed.โ€ The arm around her waist tightened, holding her against the rock-hard body. โ€œHolt, are you interested in punishing this little subbie? I believe this is all new to her.โ€

The blond dom might almost have been Brad Pittโ€”if the actor had spent half his life at war. His muscular arms crossed over his chest as he studied her with ruthless blue-gray eyes. โ€œYou agree to this, Francesca?โ€

Jail or being punished. No choice. โ€œYes.โ€ Before he could correct her, she hastily added, โ€œSir. Yes, Sir.โ€

โ€œOh, thatโ€™s very nice.โ€ His smile held approval. โ€œThe safeword in the club is โ€˜redโ€™, Francesca. You yell that out if you get overwhelmed, physically or mentally. Is that clear?โ€ He had a lazy voice, not southern, but as if he took his time when talking.

What else does he take his time with? She swallowed hard.

Master Z stepped away, leaving her side cold. โ€œPlease make sure the punishment is public, Holt.โ€

The Domโ€™s lips quirked. โ€œNot a problem. In fact, I think Iโ€™ll play with her on top of the bar.โ€ His hand tangled in her hair, and his firm pull tilted her head back, exposing her to a slow, careful study.

โ€œThat way she wonโ€™t worry about being alone with a stranger.โ€

The bar? As she stiffened, Z gave a low chuckle.

Holt ran his finger over her lower lip, slowly, his eyes intent on her face. Her insides started to melt, but when she tried to move, his grip tightened in her hair. A disconcerting arousal flickered to life deep inside her.

He smiled slowly. โ€œThereโ€™s a good girl.โ€ Then he glanced at Z. โ€œYou wanted us to test those vibrator samples the sales rep left. Might as well be tonight.โ€

Vibrators? On the bar? She stared up at him helplessly, heat and anxiety sending shivers through her whole body. โ€œPlease. I donโ€™tโ€ฆโ€

He pulled her into his arms, settling her head into the hollow of his shoulder. As his masculine scent wrapped around her, she pressed closer. โ€œSweetheart,โ€ he murmured, his breath warm on her ear. โ€œThere will be no painโ€ฆunless you are disrespectful. For your punishment, Iโ€™m simply going to make you come in front of everyone at the bar.โ€

Howโ€ฆembarrassing. But okay, she could do that. Sit on the bar and let him press a vibrator against the vinyl at her crotch. Sheโ€™d get off and leave. Even as relief filled her, a vague disappointment tugged at her chest.

He tipped her chin up and smiled into her eyes, his gaze intent. Watchful. โ€œZ has around eight different samples. Iโ€™m going to restrain you on the bar, and weโ€™ll test them all.โ€

What? โ€œNo!โ€ As her knees wobbled, he held her up easily.

โ€œOh yes. And Francesca, I donโ€™t like seeing a submissive dressed up like a Domme.โ€ He released her and gestured with one finger at her clothing. โ€œTake it off. Everything.โ€

No way. She shook her head.

When his jaw turned stern and his eyes darkened, the pit of her stomach dropped right onto the floor. As she stared at him, seeing he wouldnโ€™t be denied, heat rose, bubbling through her veins to boil every trace of resistance away. Biting her lip, she bent to unzip her boots. She could feel him watching and shivered.

This is sooo not the blog article I had in mind.


Cherise Sinclair is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author devoted to giving her readers emotional, suspenseful romances. Having been told by her mother to โ€œplay the field,โ€ she took that advice to heart. In fact, when she met her one-and-only while scuba diving in the Caribbean, it took him a while to convince her that it was time to settle down. But he did. Because heโ€™s bossy that way. Fledglings having flown the nest, Cherise, her beloved husband, an eighty-pound lap-puppy, and Domme Kitteh live in the Pacific Northwest where nothing is cozier than a rainy day spent writing.

To Command and Collar by Cherise Sinclair

Grab it on Amazon

Ms. Sinclairโ€™s characters come alive on the page with passion and energy in a story that is absolutely riveting. ~ You Gotta Read Reviews

Working with the FBI to capture human traffickers, Master Raoul scores an invitation to a slave auction. To his surprise, one slave is the kidnapped friend of a Shadowlands submissive. Although Kimโ€™s body is scarred, her spirit is unbroken, and he can’t leave her behind. Ruining the FBI’s plans, he buys her.

Kimberly’s freedom has come at a devastating price. The other women are still imprisoned. Desperate to help the Feds locate the traffickers, she agrees to pose as Master Raoul’s slave. Although wearing a collar again is terrifying, Kim starts to heal and then blossom under the powerful Dominantโ€™s care.

Submission. Itโ€™s what she’s been drawn to–and fled from–her entire life. She has escaped the slavers who captured her body.

Escaping the Master who has captured her heart will be far more difficult.

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Under the Covers goes to the Shadowlands with Cherise Sinclair

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51 Comments

  1. OMG I LOVE THIS!!!!! Don’t enter me in the contest, I just stopped by to say “HI” to Cherise and Francesca…and to take a peek inside Club Shadowlands…who can resist all those SEXY MASTERS!!

  2. OMG that was fantastic! That is amazing what you were able to come up this story for Francesca! I am definitely adding this author to my TBR list!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    redfirewood888(AT)yahoo(DOT)ca

    Ollie aka DarkBloodyVamp

  3. Great excerpt. Can’t wait to read this book. I wonder what will happen to Francesca after she gets punished on the bar?

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

  4. Great post! Francesca is sooo damned lucky… I’d love to get inside of Club Shadowlands. And what a delightful punishment. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    bimmergrlmd at gmail dot com

  5. OMG! That was so funny! I was reading on my email and trying to remember in which book did Francesca showed up… LOL I think Francesca need a whole book now!! ๐Ÿ˜€
    Great post ladies & Cherise!

    (Don’t enter me for the contest ๐Ÿ˜‰

  6. Isn’t Francesca just a brave, brave woman? Such sacrifice to get a good article. *glances over at the bar and winces* (Oh. My. I didn’t know vibrators came in that shape and size.)

    I’m glad y’all liked the story. ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Cherise – your writing is… too many words to describe what I think. I’m inside the character before I realize what’s happened. You have a gift.

  8. OMFG! This is the best, most panty-drenching, *omg, where’s my husband..no, no, no, no……where’s my vibrator*

    Francesca darling *smiling, lucky bitch* I’m so very happy for you *and your little blogsite*

    *gawd, I’ve never been so fuckin’ jealous*

    Good luck in future blogs, sweetness!
    *smiling*

    I am so going to buy these books!

  9. Even the shorty’s are fantastic, how many ways can we say “You truly are a gifted author Cherise!”. Don’t enter my name as I have all your books already.

  10. I just bought To Command and Collar today from Loose ID! I absolutely love this series!!! I can’t wait to start reading tonight. I lose so much sleep reading the Shadowlands stories..I can’t put them down. I sincerely hope you write additional Shadowlands books. I’m completely addicted.

  11. Love it! She’s in such big trouble. I don’t know that much about Holt from the other stories, but now you are in trouble too, Cherise. He needs his own story as does Sam.

    You have your orders. LOL

    Sandy

  12. I don’t need any of the books, I have bought them all and love them all. I keep them on my TBR, because every time a new Shadowlands comes out I treat myself to reading the older ones all over again.

    Just wanted to say I loved the story for Francesca and now, please tell us more about Holt..

  13. What a terrific guest post! I was really into that story. Cherise, you just rock. I don’t need a backlist book – I have them all – just wanted to applaud in public. ๐Ÿ™‚

  14. What a terrific guest post! I was really into that story. Cherise, you just rock. I don’t need a backlist book – I have them all – just wanted to applaud in public. ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. Thanks, y’all! I’m glad you enjoyed the adventure. A reader told me that after Holt showed up in Make Me, Sir, that he needed more time. So I gave him Francesca. LOL

    Leanne, you give your vibe to your dearheart and that way you both have fun.

    Sandy…. *whine*

  16. Thanks, y’all! I’m glad you enjoyed the adventure. A reader told me that after Holt showed up in Make Me, Sir, that he needed more time. So I gave him Francesca. LOL

    Leanne, you give your vibe to your dearheart and that way you both have fun.

    Sandy…. *whine*

  17. Note to self: Stop reading Cherise’s character interviews when I have to write one. Waaa-waaaaaaaa.

    Loved it, but my version seemed to be missing some very important parts–likes how Francesca handled all those vibrator samples. (Cherise, feel free to e-mail me the missing parts!)

    And I started falling for Holt in “Make Me, Sir.” Hmmm. I wonder where he got all those scars. You know me and those wounded Doms! So, I hope to find out soon in his book!

    Kally

  18. I so would have played with Same, Cherise ๐Ÿ˜›

    Absolutely fantastic! Since I have all your books, spoiled girl that I am, I don’t need to be entered in the contest. Just needed to let you know how much I enjoyed another peek into the Shadowlands (at someone else’s expense! lol!)

  19. Don’t enter me in the contest, since I have all of Cherise’s books. I just had to say how much I love this trip to the Shadowlands! Very sexy. ๐Ÿ™‚

  20. This is such a great book, and one terrific series! I have loved each and every book of this series and can’t wait for more Masters from the Shadowlands! They are all just so SEXY!

  21. I just popped in to say that I’m so happy y’all are enjoying the story. Except for maybe Francesca who’s looking a little…tired. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    And for my wonderful readers who already own the books, all I can say is ‘thank you’. You make all the frustration and the long hours just magically disappear. {hugs}

  22. I absolutely loved this excerpt….cannot wait to find out what happens for the rest of the story….this is going to be sooo good….just like the others in the series of Shadowlands!!!!!!!!

  23. I’ve never really thought of myself as being a person into BDSM books, but, man! After reading your override, I think I’m going to have to pick up all, erm, one, of your books. xD

  24. WooHoo how can I get into Club Shadowlands, Cherise…can you get Me in???? LOL Thank you Cherise for this Fantastic Excerpt, I can’t wait to read this book!!! I HAVE to find out what happens to Francesca! I appreciate the opportunity to enter your giveaway.
    Take Care & Have a Safe & Happy New Year,
    Renee’ S.
    [email protected]

  25. Well, Francesca, Holt said he was pleased with how sweetly you took your punishment, although he was still laughing at the names you called him when he picked up the device called “Monster”.

    Thank you all for the compliments. And thanks to UnderTheCovers for letting me come and play–and to Francesca for being such a good sport.