Thursday, July 19, 2012

Giveaway and Review of Need By Sherri Hayes


Hello and Welcome to this stop on Sherri's tour of Need.  I must confess, I am completely entranced with this series.  There really is none to compare it to!!  You all know how much I enjoy an original spin, and this book definitely serves it up!!  Let's take a look at the book details:


As Brianna comes to terms with the realization that she is no longer a slave, she must figure out what she wants for her life. Forgetting her past isn’t an option. It is an integral part of who she is now, and it will forever shape her view of life. The one thing she knows is that she cannot imagine her life without the man who saved her, but can she be what he needs?

Stephan never imagined falling in love with the woman he rescued, but the thought of her no longer being part of his life is physically painful. The scars from her past continue to haunt her, and he is helpless to stop them. All he can do is try to help her work through the traumas of her past. Can he be everything she needs and help her move on?

The two must figure out how to navigate not only their relationship with each other, but also the outside world. A friend from Brianna’s past shows up where she least expects them, and Uncle Richard continues to enforce his well-meaning agenda to get Brianna more traditional help. As forces, both friend and foe, threaten to tear them apart, Stephan and Brianna have to navigate the turbulent waters and find what they need in each other.


This series is so completely unique.  Even though I read the first book, you do not need it to be able to follow along in this one.  Sherri does an amazing job with the details, so you can follow along without having read the first book, but aren't lost in the re-referencing of the first book for those of us that have.  It has a really great pull, especially since Sherri switched POV's throughout the book.  I love to know what all the characters are thinking.

Brianna was sold into slavery against her will and made into a sex slave.  This series is about the darker side of BDSM.  There are a lot of sadistic Dom's out there and Brianna was sold to an absolute horror of one.  Stephan rescues her by buying her from Ian.  He takes her home and begins the process of making her human again.  He continuously fights his growing desires for her because he knows what she needs is gentleness and trust.  She begins to show much improvement in this book but has a lot of obstacles thrown in her way.  Her past before the slavery and after completely haunts her throughout this book.  Stephan is literally her sole source of comfort.

Even though this book portrays the darker parts of BDSM, it also highlights the perks.  It shows how rewarding a Sub/Dom relationship can be when it takes the proper route.  Brianna is scarred from her time with Ian, but is slowly coming to realize her feelings for Stephan.  But Stephan is a Dom.  Can Brianna heal enough to be everything that Stephan needs?  This was an excellent read for those of you who are looking for something different.  I am eagerly anticipating the next book.  Excellent read!!



Sherri will be stopping by throughout the tour to answer questions.  She is offering winners choice of e-book or autographed print copy!!  Just fill out the rafflecopter and Good Luck!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

41 comments:

Emily said...

Sounds like an awesome book! So Sherri, what was your inspiration for this story?

Yvette said...

Sherri, who are your favorites authors to read?
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Sherri, who is your favorite character to write?

rubyswan said...

Thanx 4 the opportuntity 2 share ur Gift giving through this giveaway..Sherri..Good Luck N ur endeavor..:D Sherri ,so tell me about ur research work?? Since I know sooo little 2 nothing about the lifestyle of BDSM? How many levels R there N the BDSM world or lifestyle?? Is it similar 2 College hazing? R there BDSM cults? Do they have conventions..? Heyyy I'm totally curious?? Do the DOMS have a slew of Subs can they have more than 1 wife or do they marry?? thanx Sheri
redz041@yahoo.com

Kelly said...

HI, I was wondering how do you come up with the characters? what inspires you.


ronnkelly3@aol.com

Kassandra said...

I'm glad to hear you didn't just stick with the abusive side of the lifestyle in this series. Hopefully we will get to see how when done with trust and love it can be rewarding??

sionedkla@gmail.com

Sherri Hayes said...

@Emily Part of the inspiration for the series came from the Jaycee Dugard story. I'd also been reading some BDSM stories at the time, and I started to wonder what would happen if I mixed the two.

@Yvette Diana Gabaldon, Susan Andersen, Janet Evanovich, and I love Paullina Simons' Bronze Horseman Trilogy.

@Bboo04 From my Finding Anna series... Stephan would be my favorite character to write. I love Brianna as well, but she has a tendency to make me tear up while writing her POV.

@rubyswan Wow. Lots of questions. I'll try to answer as many as I can. BDSM is as diverse as the couples are. I've yet to meet two couples that practice BDSM in the exact same way. To give you some examples, which also pertain to my research, I met a couple that lived 24/7 M/s. He has complete control over her life, what she eats, what she wears. They are both into very heavy play with a lot of pain involved. On the opposite end, I've also met a couple who live 24/7 D/s. They've been married for 10 years, and have 3 small children. Their play doesn't involve pain at all, not even in punishments. I've also met several couples who fall in between these two examples.

Their are fetish conventions. As far as cults? I don't have an answer to that, however people can twist anything around if they try hard enough. There are Doms who have more than one sub, but there are also a lot who are monogamous couples as well. Again, it depends on the couple and what they want and need out of the relationship.

@Kassandra That is my hope, yes.

mcv said...

Where did you get your information about the BDSM lifestyle?
I enjoy reading erotica about it but the potential for abuse is so great I would never participate. Unless, of course I was the Dom- I'd be nice! LOL.

Sherri Hayes said...

@mcv It depends on what I'm looking for. I've found Youtube videos on how to do simple japanese rope bondage, I've found various websites and forums on the lifestyle, and I've also talked to several Doms and subs.

Carin said...

Sherri do you find when you are doing research that people are open to talking to you about there lifestyle or is it hard to find people to talk about it?

Pommawolf Emeraldwolfeyes said...

Great excerpt and now I have to read the series for sure. I love this genre as it explores the relationship between it's characters on so many levels.
I am a hard emotional reader that loves to get that emotional connection to the characters in the story. Can't to read the series, and it's going on my must have list.
Wishing you all the best and continued success!

Darcy
pommawolf @hotmail.com

Sandy said...

Need sounds like a really intense read. Sounds very interesting. Best of luck to you!

sandywolters(dot)author(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Are there things you like to do to get in the mood for writing...looking at pics, listing to music, ect?

authorleighsavage@gmail.com

divavixenqueen said...

Nice post. Do you have a favorite genre that you like to read alot?
divavixenqueen(at)gmail(dot)com

Sherri Hayes said...

@Carin All the Doms and subs I've communicated with have been very open and honest. They are more than happy to share their experiences and what they know.

@Pommawolf Emeraldwolfeyes Thank you! :)

@Sandy Thanks. :)

@Leigh Savage If I'm having trouble focusing, I'll usually play a game of Spider Solitaire on my computer.

Sherri Hayes said...

@divavixenqueen I love romance. I can read just about anything as long as there is an element of romance in it with an HEA.

Kerry said...

Sounds great! your fav authors?

Kerryjcj@verizon.net

theladykt said...

Sherri is a great writer

theladykct@gmail.com

Sherri Hayes said...

@Kerry Diana Gabaldon, Susan Andersen, Janet Evanovich, and I love Paullina Simons' Bronze Horseman Trilogy.

@theladykt Thanks. :)

piperann_25 said...

Sherri, I truly enjoyed Slave and I am so excited to be able to read the second book in this wonderful series. I want to thank you for writing a book that is so different than anything I have ever read and your books are ones that I can read over and over again. Great job!!!

piperann_25 said...

Sherri, I truly enjoyed Slave and I am so excited to be able to read the second book in this wonderful series. I want to thank you for writing a book that is so different than anything I have ever read and your books are ones that I can read over and over again. Great job!!!

piperann_25@yahoo.com

Sherri Hayes said...

@piperann_25 Thank you. :)

Meltz said...

Man! I've been waiting for this book since the release of Slave and I can't wait to get my sticky little fingers on it and devour it all at once :D Then I'll have to read it a second time...slower :D
fallen.angel.11@hotmail.com

Sherri Hayes said...

@Meltz I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who are planning to do the same. :)

SdyLion said...

How did you decide on the title for your book? sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

Sherri Hayes said...

@SdyLion That's a rather funny story. I'd racked my brain for a title for this second book in the series, but nothing felt right. Everytime I'd mention it on my author page it was always 'book 2'. Finally, our editor and cheif contacted me and said, look, we need a title in order to list the book in the summer catalogue. I also had to write a summary for the catalogue as well, so she suggested I do that first and maybe something would click. As soon as I finished writing the summary, I realized one word kept popping up throughout...Need.

books4me said...

How many books are planned for this series? Are you working on any other series books?

Sherri Hayes said...

@books4me There are 4 books planned for this series. Yes, I do have another series. The first book of that one is already out, it's titled Behind Closed Doors. They are adult romantic suspense books revolving around four brothers.

Mary Preston said...

Hi, how do you decide whether to write stand alones or series?

Gale Nelson said...

at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer and who are some of your favorite writers?

jkb said...

How long does it take to write a book?

Janet

jkbsfsd at msn dot com

Sherri Hayes said...

@marybelle It depends a lot on the characters and their story. I knew from the start Stephan and Brianna's story would be long. That meant a series. Behind Closed Doors, the first book in my Daniels Brother's Series, was actually supposed to be a stand alone. It wasn't until I started writing it that I got inspiration to write the other brother's stories as well.

@Gale Nelson I didn't start writing stories until I was 30. It was almost three years after that before I was approached by my publisher and realized I could 'be a writer'. Diana Gabaldon is my favoite writer. How she weaves her historical research into compelling stories is amazing.

@jkb That depends. It took me over a year to write Hidden Threat. About a year to write Slave. Four months to write Behind Closed Doors. Five to six months to write Need. And about four months to write Red Zone.

Dustykatt said...

This looks great. What kind of music do you like listening to while you write?

Natalie W said...

Hello Sherri! I just finished Slave and woa, very emotional. It was hard for me to read but so good. Questions I have were already asked so I guess I don't have a question. Just wanted to say loved it and can't wait to read Need!! Well maybe one question, I don't remember if Stephens age is mentioned in the book ( maybe I skipped it cuz I was reading so fast so I could find out what happens next), what age would he be?
Natalie :0)

wyndwhisper said...

Hi Sherri,
thank you for the chance at such a great giveaway. i love the cover of the book, it's beautiful and the story sounds like a must read. in fact i just put all the books on my TBBN list. :D

So my question is : was this book more emotionally draining/harder to write than the previous books?
because of the abuse and slavery content and what she went thru, you would have had to do your research on that.

tammy ramey
trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com

nurmawati djuhawan said...

first...i always judge the book by it's cover :)
and i like ur book's cover..
wanna make me read the full story...

my question are...who made the decision about the book's cover ?
d u like couple's pics better than anything else ?

thx u for the chance of win...i'd like to win 'an autographed print of NEED' ;0

-nurma-
chikojubilee at gmail dot com

Sherri Hayes said...

@dusty katt The music I listen to has a lot to do with the characters and the mood of the story. When I write Stephan and Brianna, I listen to a lot of classical and sometimes pop. When I was writing Red Zone, which is due out beginning of 2013, I listened mostly to country since the book is set in Nashville, TN.

@Natalie W Thank you. :) I don't say Stephan's age specifically in Slave, although I do mention how long he's been a Dominant and when get started. His age, however, is mentioned in Need. He is 24.

@tammy ramey Yes, this series is more emotionally draining for me to write than my romantic suspense novels. It wasn't the research, however that was the most draining, although that in and of itself is disturbing enough. The hardest part is writing from Brianna's perspective, especially in the beginning of Slave. She was so alone and had resigned herself to being used and abused for the rest of her life. In order to write that believably, as a writer I had to put myself in her mindset. I had to feel what she was feeling. That was difficult.

@nurmawati djuhawan I chose that particular couple's picture because of the look on both of their faces. He is there, holding her, loving her, protecting her, and she has this look of peace and contentment on her face. I thought it fit the mood of the story, and Brianna's mindset in Need, well.

Stephanie Pflug said...

Hi! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sherri, if you sometimes get stuck or writer's block while writing, what kinds of things do you do to get inspired again?

Sherri Hayes said...

@Stephanie Pflug Depends on how stuck I am and if I can walk away for a while or if a deadline prevents me from doing so. If I can't take a break, or at the very least, a walk, I will usually start with a game of spider solidaire. For some reason this helps me focus. Next I'll go for some music. If that doesn't work, then its brainstorming with my beta. In otherwords, I just keep trying things until something kickstarts my muse again.

Unknown said...

I loved Slave. I read it a few weeks ago and have been anxiously waiting for Need. I'm thankful I didn't read it when it first came out because I hate waiting. My question is when will the next book be out? I definitely have to mark it on my calendar so I know.

jlhmass at yahoo dot com

Sherri Hayes said...

@Jlhmasss Thanks! :) I don't have an exact date for book 3 yet as I'm still writing it. Until I get it into the hands of my editors, I won't even have an approximate date, however, the goal is for it to release next summer.

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