Addy: Hi Paloma. I am so happy that you stopped by to chat
about Hold My Hand and how it came
to be. ::smiles warmly::
Paloma: Hold My Hand
is about Aubrey, young woman coping with the remnants of being an emotionally
abused child. Aubrey begins the steps of moving forward with a little help from
a man who teaches her to redefine her idea of perfection. In his own unorthodox
way, through an alternative lifestyle, he gives Aubrey a chance to live the
life she dreams of.
The concept of Aubrey’s past is sadly one that is all too
common. Far too many young girls are emotionally abused, predominantly by their
fathers. The abuse affects them for the remainder of their lives in deeply seeded
ways. It’s sad, and from personal experience, the feeling of hopelessness is
near debilitating. Aubrey’s story comes from a place inside me, from a little
girl that needed to tell her story as a means for self-validation. Releasing
her story released long held misgivings about herself.
Addy: ::nods sadly::
This is a topic very close to me, Paloma. When did you start Hold My Hand?
Paloma: Though only writing the story in 2012, the origins
came from long ago. I didn’t know it right away. When I started plotting out
Aubrey’s story, I was looking through some old writing and found a poem I’d
written at age sixteen. It seemed even then I was seeking something despite not
knowing what it was.
He reaches to Hold My Hand
And I walk into the unknown.
I cling to the possibility
As I escape into the forbidden.
He whispers Hold My Hand
And I lay myself before him.
I hunger for his offering
As I soar to new heights.
He reaches to Hold My Hand
And I am touched by grace.
I am set free through my bonds
As I reach to Hold his Hand.
Addy: ::gasps:: Oh, that is beautiful. Literally you have me
tearing up over that. It hits so close not only for me but for several family
members and close friends that I have seen fall into unsafe practices or
unhealthy patterns because they do not know what they are truly searching for.
What is Aubrey like?
Paloma: For Aubrey, like with so many real-life daughters,
her father would yell at her, accuse her of not being bright enough, pretty
enough and of not treating him right. One of the people meant to build her up
would put her down and make her feel she could do no right. She was made to
feel worthless and emotionally exhausted.
Addy: There is nothing worse than being abused by someone
that you are supposed to feel safe with especially as a child.
Paloma: ::nods:: It
seemed only natural to give Aubrey a man who could help her through the
remnants of her childhood emotional abuse. She needed a man of strength who
could fight against her past feelings of being afraid, demeaned, degraded,
unworthy, and humiliated. It felt right to give her a man raised in the
domestic discipline lifestyle rooted in strong family values. What William
brings to Aubrey transforms her.
Addy: I am looking forward to see how William helps Aubrey
heal. What a beautiful background story. I’m so glad that you shared it with me
today.
Paloma: I hope, by including the topic of childhood
emotional abuse in Hold My Hand, to increase awareness of the emotional abuse of
daughters. This is just the beginning of Aubrey’s healing. Book two – Heal My
Soul – will be the continuation of her journey as she confronts her family.
Addy: Thank you so much for coming here and talking about
such a strong topic. Please come back anytime, I would love to have you.
PG-13 EXCERPT ©Paloma Beck, 2013
“Aubrey.” William’s voice wafted through the line, the warm
sound sliding down my tummy. “I’m held up in a meeting. Baylor will deliver you
to my home and I’ll be there shortly.” I could hear voices in the background,
hushed but present. I made a note to ask William soon what type of business he
was in.
“Ok. That’s fine.” I wasn’t sure about being delivered; the
term made me feel like a package. Perhaps I’d try to think of myself as a
special delivery. I shook my head at the absurdity of the thought. When had I
ever been something special? Sometimes
you’re just a waste of space, Aubrey.
“Good. I’ll see you soon. Baylor will attend to you,
whatever you need.”
“Thank you.”
I thought he’d simply click the phone off then but he
cleared his throat, “And Aubrey,” he paused, “I-I am sorry. I didn’t want us to
begin this way.” I was still processing his apology when the call ended. I
returned the phone to Baylor, grabbed up my coat and purse and followed him to
the car waiting outside the door.
William’s voice – his apology had been so sincere. I
couldn’t imagine it mattering that much to him. I wasn’t important enough for
someone to worry over. No one had ever been concerned for me like that before.
It unnerved me to consider William might actually like me enough to worry.
Would he care for me eventually? I couldn’t dare believe it.
The car pulled up outside a large brick and stone home. It
was big enough for a full family. The ride had been about twenty minutes so we
must’ve been in one of the smaller suburbs framing Boston. As Baylor opened my
door and offered his hand, I unfolded my body from the car and stood beside
him, certain my mouth was hanging open.
“This is William’s home?” The quiver in my voice certainly
gave away my uncertainty, my complete disbelief that this man I’ve met and have
now agreed to date –if in fact, that’s what I’ve agreed to– lived in this home
more suited for a full family of eleven.
“Yes ma’am.”
“He lives here?” I still couldn’t believe what I was seeing
though it was right in front of my eyes. The house where I’d been raised could
sit well inside this massive structure, which left me feeling small, tiny and
insignificant. If nothing had yet to do it, this was the moment where my
inadequacies smacked me square in the face. You’ll
never be anything, Aubrey.
Baylor seemed to sense my unease, shuffling his feet next to
me and waiting. He cleared his throat. “He also has an apartment in the city
for times he can’t get away. This was more his weekend residence.”
“Oh,” I answered, took a deep breath and gave myself a
moment to absorb this. It was so far from my reality. I could hardly make sense
of it.
Hold My Hand
Author: Paloma Beck
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance
Elements: BDSM-lite, Consensual Adult Spanking
Release Date: April 1, 2013
Editor: Perk It Up Editing
Cover Design: Erin Dameron-Hill Graphics
Website: http://palomabeck.weebly.com/hold-my-hand.html
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/palomabeck/hold-my-hand/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoldMyHandBook
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17408218-hold-my-hand
ASIN: B00C2RDSSA
Ebook ISBN-13: 978-1301768714
Print ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-1483986470
BUY LINKS
HOLD MY HAND is a
contemporary BDSM-lite Romance with consensual Spanking Elements.
Blurb
Aubrey has been hurt in the past, discouraged and degraded
by a heartless father. Still, William sees something in her that won't allow
him to walk away. Instantly drawn to her but intuitive enough to take it
slowly, he courts her. Then he bargains, persuades and seduces until he
ensnares Aubrey with his commanding nature. He’s everything she ever needed but
never had the courage to want for. Despite the fight she puts up in accepting
William's lifestyle, the bonds he places on Aubrey give her a freedom she
desperately needs. Together, they heal old wounds and find their perfect love.
Connect with Paloma
WEBSITE TUMBLR BLOG
TWITTER FACEBOOK PINTREST
GOODREADS AMAZON
About Paloma
Paloma Beck is a Romance Author living a life of
contradiction... she's a happily married carpooling mom writing erotic romance.
It's almost naughty! Paloma writes in both the Contemporary and Paranormal
realms, journaling the stories her characters tell her, and they are anything
but PG. She dabbles in vampires, witches, ménage, spanking and bdsm - all in
her books, of course.
Paloma believes a daily dose of espresso and a good book make any day better.
If you want to stop by Addy's Couch please email brattyadaline at gmail dot com
<3
Addy
Thank you for stopping by, Paloma. I really enjoyed talking with you. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for having me and for letting me talk about such a sensitive subject. It's uncomfortable and not often talked about on our romance blogs. By talking about it though, I hope to raise awareness and to show women can overcome the abuse and find happiness. I'll be here to chat all day if anyone wants to talk.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the topic as well. I will continue to promote the post throughout the evening.
ReplyDeleteA different treatment of DD yet again. The genre is so diverse. Hold my Hand sounds like a touching, emotional read.
ReplyDelete