October 2015

 

Dear Reader,

 

 

A lot of readers are surprised to find out that Sparrow Beckett is actually a writing duo! After spending the last three years as critique partners and close friends, Sorcha and Sparrow decided it would be a fun adventure to try writing a series together.

What’s great about our arrangement is that our strengths and preferences balance each other to create a pretty kick-ass manuscript. Combined with input from our agent and editor, it comes together seamlessly, which is why people are always shocked to learn there are two of us.

 

The best part is that we get to bring readers two perspectives on characters, instead of just one. This is especially true when it comes to our series heroes. Since we write BDSM romance, our heroes are always Doms. Sorcha likes them strict and a little mean, but Sparrow is a sucker for a charming goofball. This combination makes our characters three dimensional and gives readers the best of both worlds. The Doms from Masters Unleashed are commanding on the outside, but have a soft side underneath. After all, we want them completely in love with the heroines but masterful and sexy too, don’t we?

 

We get a lot of questions about what it’s like to write together. Do we fight? Is it easier with two people? Who writes what parts? It can be tricky to write with your best friend – it’d be impossible to agree on everything – but we’ve polished our system so screaming matches are kept to a minimum *wink*

 

In fact, the biggest disagreements are often about character names. Sometimes having completely different tastes is a good thing – it adds extra layers to the book – and then sometimes it can cause problems. For instance, negotiation might come to play when Sorcha wants to name a character Zenobia, and Sparrow wants Jane.

 

For the most part, writing with a partner is easier and faster. The only time it slows us down is when we have to go over each other’s chapters to make sure the voice and style are smooth. We each write one character’s point of view for the whole book, which rotates every other chapter. Sorcha always writes the heroes, and Sparrow the heroines. We’re not sure why it works best that way, but it does.

 

So for Playing Hard to Master, Sorcha wrote Ambrose, a Master who’s looking for a play partner but not a serious relationship. She’s excellent when it comes to nailing down the male voice and getting the band-of-brothers feel with his two best friends, Banner (from book one) and Konstantin (book three). Sparrow wrote Everly, the feisty, curvy submissive who’s desperate to find a man who appreciates her sense of humor but can put her in her place as well. She’s a hairdresser with a funky fashion sense, inspired by, in part, Sparrow’s sister-in-law.

 

The combination of quirky, sexy, and tender makes for a seriously steamy reading adventure. Find out for yourself on October 20th when Playing Hard to Master releases!

 

 

 

July 2015

 

Dear Reader,

 

Sparrow Beckett here and we have a message for you. It’s a big one, and an important one, so listen carefully. Ready?

 

Sex is fun!

 

If you’re nodding along already, great! If you’re cocking your head and giving me a puzzled look, just stay with me, okay?

 

A lot of people go into reading BDSM with the preconception that it should be dark and mysterious, stern and serious. And that’s one way to do it, sure. But, the cool thing about BDSM is that there isn’t a right or wrong way to do it. It’s about a relationship. It’s about communication, give and take, and finding what works for both parties. The only rules are the ones you make.

 

Humor and affection are part of any healthy relationship. A D/s relationship is no exception. So while the moments of smoldering eye gazes and growly voices are hot, being funny and sweet doesn’t make a Dom/me less…dommier. It makes him human.

 

When an author can show more than one side of their characters, it gives them depth and a feeling of authenticity – like they’re real people, not perfect sex robots. Who wants a Dom who’s serious all the time anyway? If I have to live with a guy, I want to be able to make him laugh just as much as I want to make him hot for me. And I want him to kiss my nose and be silly, not just bark orders all the time. So when we write our heroes, we try to make them as life-like as possible. Perfect heroes are boring! Bring on the silly, snuggly, and loving Doms!

 

This reminds me of one scene in Finding Master Right when Kate teases big, bad Dom, Banner. Then she runs, naked and giggling, through his house. He has to make a split second decision whether to run after her – which not many dignified Doms would do – or wait patiently for her to return then punish her.

 

But the lure of chasing a naked girl through his house was too much for his hunter instinct to resist. It was a bit of fun mixed with the hot, sexy stuff, and boy did he make her pay once he caught her.

 

It’s all about balance. A Dom can be commanding in the bedroom, making his submissive scream and writhe until he’s satisfied, but he could also laugh at her goofy antics. It doesn’t make him weak. It doesn’t make him a wuss. And it doesn’t make him less of a Dom. Remember, Doms are people too *wink*

 

So, to sum things up… Sex is fun! Even BDSM sex. You’re even allowed to laugh during a spanking. The BDSM police won’t come after you, I promise.

 

Make sure you check out Banner and Kate in Finding Master Right, releasing July 21st!