Guest Post with Sherri Hayes & Review of Behind Closed Doors

Does your writing style change much from writing a romance to one involving BDSM?

The simple answer is, yes, it does. Although the biggest difference, writing wise, for me between Finding Anna and my romantic suspense novels is that my BDSM series is written in first person while my other books are in third. It takes getting into an entirely different mindset to write first versus third person. I feel the author’s personality can leak into the wording more in third person than it can in first. Whereas in first person, it’s almost as if you’re an actor playing the part of the character whose voice you’re writing. It’s not only how they say things that are important, but also how they think, speak, and generally interact with the world around them.

Another major difference comes from the genre specifications. Since my BDSM series is classified as erotica, I have a lot more freedom of wording. In romance there is a line most readers don’t want to cross. They want description, but not too much, and as a writer you have to find a balance. The nature of BDSM requires a lot of description in order to explain what is going on. Positioning has even more meaning than in traditional romance. My romantic suspense novels also contain a lot of mystery. I like to take my readers on a journey and keep them guessing till the end. That means juggling things outside their immediate world, setting the stage for the stories climax where all is revealed. Sometimes vague descriptions can work in the authors favor when the want to touch on something, but not giveaway too much.

Behind Closed Doors

Sherri Hayes

Writers Coffee Shop Publishing House Feb 2012

ISBN 9781612130910

   Elizabeth Marshall has spent the last nine years of her life doing everything that was expected of her. Oh, but life is not always what it appears to be on the surface. Yes, she is married to a handsome, successful attorney, has more clothes then she will ever need, a beautiful home and looking forward to someday having children. Then, six months ago, her world came crashing down. Her husband is dead and she has lost all of her friends. She moves to Springfield to start a new life. The problem is, what goes on behind closed doors does not always stay there.

   Christopher Daniels has spent the last several years of his life as a bachelor after his wife raked him over the coals. He is content with his simple life. Then, Elizabeth Marshall moves in downstairs in the small Victorian house that he lives in. Blasted woman makes him start feeling things he does not want to feel ever again. He knows first hand that women are trouble. Then, someone starts threatening Elizabeth and Chris has a hard time ignoring his feelings for her. He may just have to reconsider.

   This book is the first in the Daniel brother's series. It is a lovely story about two people who are content in being alone; but are unable to deny the feelings that are surfacing when they are around each other. The story started off a bit slow; but picks up nicely after the first couple of chapters. Both of our main characters have issues that they have a hard time getting past because of their broken relationships. This is a story of love, betrayal, abuse, jealousy, and murder. If you are into romance or just like a good story, I highly recommend this book. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the next book in the series.

   I wish to thank the publisher for providing me with an ARC for reviewing. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

I give Behind Closed Doors 4 out of 5 stars