HOW TO REPRIMAND YOUR ROCK STAR by Mina Vaughn-Review ,Interview and Giveaway with the Author
How To Reprimand Your Rock Star Domme Nation #2 by Mina Vaughn Release Date: July 21, 2014 Genre: adult, contemporary, BDSM
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About the book: Release Date July 21, 2014 In this fun and saucy romance novel, all-star college basketball player Thea dominates on the courts—and off—with a rock star who is determined to win her over.
Thea is a star basketball player at UConn on track to be Rookie of the Year. That is, if she can stay focused on the game. Lately that hasn’t been going so well, as her knee has been bothering her. But that’s not the only thing on her mind…
Ever since rock star Keaton Lowe surprised her in the girl’s locker room, Thea can’t stop thinking about him. On top of his status and enticing ways, he seems to know everything about her. But some of his actions cross the line, and Keaton needs to be punished. Will Thea keep her head in the game, or get distracted by her other favorite pastime—reprimanding her rock star?
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REVIEW: HOW TO REPRIMAND YOUR ROCK STAR is the second instalment in Mina Vaughn’s adult contemporary Domme-Nation erotic series. Told from first person POV (Thea) the premise follows nineteen year old college freshman and women’s basketball star rookie Thea as she discovers the dominant side of her sexual nature. Finding rock star Keaton Lowe in the girl’s locker room brings out all of Thea’s dominant nature and the two begin a whirl wind courtship where Thea discovers that Keaton is the submissive to her dominant side.
Mina Vaughn writes erotic storylines that feature female leads in a position of dominance. The story follows Thea’s realization and education both on and off the court that one must take control to be a success and get what you want. In this, Thea will become a force on the basketball court as well as in the bedroom with Keaton Lowe.
The relationship between Thea and Keaton is based on power and control. This is not a story about sadism or masochism. There is no physical use of pain or force. How To Reprimand Your Rock Star is a story about one woman’s self discovery of what she needs and what she wants. But saying that, I did not feel the love connection between our couple-it felt more of a contract based on wants and needs; in my opinion there was nothing intimate or romantic about the relationship although Keaton did attempt to bring some humor into the situation. Thea is a woman with wants and needs, and Keaton is the man to submit to her demands.
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley
Reviewed by Sandy
TRC: Hi Mina and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the release of HOW TO REPRIMAND YOUR ROCK STAR. We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?
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Mina: Hey there, thanks for having me! Let’s see, a little about me. I’m a girly-girl who loves makeup—like, I could LIVE at Sephora—but I also like working out and weights and sports. I’m an undercover tomboy, haha. I’ve lived all over New England, but I have had it with the awful winters and I’m considering moving south. I also have a crazy shoe fetish and I’m a foodie and a half.
TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?
Mina: Well, I started off writing fanfic, which was a lot of fun, but even before that I was always coming up with stories. My family talks about when I was a kid, I’d coordinate all the play with the neighbors. I’d come up with storylines, characters, and make them all act it out. I’m doing much more grown up content now, but I still feel like I’m playing around with characters and plot lines in the same way.
TRC: When not writing, what do you do to relax?
Mina: I love a good cup of tea to relax, and as crazy as it sounds, working out relaxes me. Go figure!
TRC: HOW TO REPRIMAND YOUR ROCK STAR is your latest contemporary erotic romance release. Would you please tell us something about the premise?
Mina: It’s the story of Thea, a college freshman trying to find her way and her voice. When she encounters Keaton Lowe in her basketball team’s locker room, she’s drawn to him and the powerful way he makes her feel. The two begin to explore the bondage and domination side of BDSM, with her at the helm. But she has to navigate another two major obstacles—the NCAA Division I tournament and what it’s like to date a world-renowned rock star. Thea’s got a lot on her plate, but luckily, it’s all good stuff.
TRC: Are any of the characters or the premise based in reality or a combination of reality and fiction?
Mina: As for Thea, I had lots of athlete friends in college. I was always inspired by their drive, and their ability to balance being hot chicks with being absolute kick ass sports goddesses. With Keaton, he’s a combination of Green Day’s Billie Joe (spunk, blue eyes, impishness) and Tom Hiddleston (the voice, the swagger).
TRC: If you could virtually cast the leading characters –Thea and Keaton-which actors or models would best represent your ideal image?
Mina: Tom Hiddleston as Keaton and Sarah Shahi (only with her hair curled) for Thea. TRC: How many books do you have planned for the DOMME-NATION series ?
Mina: Right now there will be three, but I won’t rule out more! TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular story? Mina: Basketball tourney timing! I was lucky enough to have my friend, fellow writer Sarah Henning, to help me with this one. She has covered NCAA women’s basketball and really helped me shift around my story’s time line to coincide with what the real schedule would look like.
TRC: Many authors have followed a particular pattern as it pertains to storylines about BDSM and D/s relationships but you flip the scenario around with a female as the Dominant in several of your storylines. What was the decision behind this particular storyline trope and concept?
Mina: I was tired of alpha males, to be honest. I was so sick of guys who were just being asses, and I thought, “Gee, I’d love to turn the tables on him.” Thus DommeNation was born. Ladies in charge, baby!
TRC: Will all of your storylines in the Domme-Nation series feature a female domme as the leading character?
Mina: Yes, all of the DommeNation series will have women on top, however, they’ll all be in different states in their lives. Thea is just learning to be a domme whereas Cerise was one for a long time!
TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?
Mina: I’m a plotter, bigtime. I need to know where a story is going. I map it out and make sure it makes sense, and then use the basic premise to direct the characters and where they go. Sometimes they do surprise me! ☺
TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?
Mina: What a writer must do—keep the story on the border between believable and unbelievable. Believable so they can relate, unbelievable so that it’s a fantasy! I see writers fail when I don’t get hooked early on. The first few chapters are so key—people have precious little time, so if you don’t hook em early, it’s over!
TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?
Mina: This is 100% the reason why I outline. I never get writer’s block because I can rely on a good outline to save the day. Speaking of save, if you want to learn how to write a killer outline, read Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. It’s basically an equation for a book!
TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?
Mina: I have a ridiculously amazing support system, a sisterhood of sorts, and we call each other The Filets. It consists of Helena Hunting, Shannon Lumetta, Alice Clayton, Nina Bocci, E L James, Debra Anastasia, Leisa Rayven and Katherine Stevens. I love those girls like you would not believe.
TRC: What three things would you like to accomplish in the next five years?
Mina: Get published in print.
Keep writing what I love.
Meet more fans and writer friends.
TRC: What is something that few, if any people, know about you?
Mina: I know karate.
TRC: On what are you currently working?
Mina: How to Punish Your Playboy, the third book in the DommeNation series! It’s about a feisty pin-up model Veronika, who meets an arrogant, sexy restauranteur named Aston. Stay tuned for hot cars, delicious foods, and some serious steaminess.
TRC: Would you like to add anything else?
Mina: Thank you for having me!
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food—Foie Gras
Favorite Dessert—Macaroon cookies
Favorite TV Show—True Detective
Last Movie You Saw— Chef
Favorite Musical Group—FALL OUT BOY
Dark or Milk Chocolate— Milk
Secret Celebrity Crush—Tom Hiddleston (not a secret at all)
Last Vacation Destination—New Orleans
Pet Peeve—Close-talkers
TRC: Thank you Mina for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on all of your success. We wish you all the best.
Mina Vaughn is offering an ecopy of HOW TO REPRIMAND YOUR ROCK STAR to three (3) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe.
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6. The giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
7. The giveaway runs from July 20 to July 25, 2014
