Studio Orders Review, Guest Post & Giveaway {book #5 in the Gin & Jazz series}

This is book five in the Gin & Jazz series

The head of Global Pictures Studios, Vincent Franklin, promised Jack Stone that he would take care of Jack’s loyal driver, Juan. But for a dominant man like Vincent, Juan’s natural submissiveness causes him to long for much more from the shy young man.

Juan is devastated when his only friend, film star Jack Stone, leaves Hollywood for good. Lonely most of his life, the shy young man has dreamt of love, only to have his heart broken repeatedly. Before he left, Jack made certain that Juan would be taken care of by asking his ex-boss, studio chief Vincent Franklin, to hire him on.

Vincent Franklin is an incredibly controlled and meticulous man. Not given to emotional outbursts and unnecessary flights of fancy, his temperament is ideal for the stressful and demanding job as head of Global Pictures Studio. He leads a carefully concealed private life, his only social outlet being the S&M club to which he belongs. When Jack introduces him to his handsome chauffeur Juan, he is struck by how naturally submissive Juan is. He wonders…

Soon, Juan is falling for the elegant, older man that is his new boss. He’s also thrilled when Vincent asks him to be his personal valet. But there are things that Vincent demands of a lover that Juan knows nothing about. Things that could make him run away from the man that would do anything to protect and care for him.

Reader Advisory: This book contains strong elements of BDSM.

Vincent Franklin is the distinguished head of Global Pictures Studios. His job requires him to be strict and he expects his direction to be followed to the letter. When he lost his hottest commodity, young Jack Stone, the actor requested that Vincent look after his friend and former driver Juan. Vincent can’t help but notice Juan’s shy and submissive nature. He promises Jack he will make sure his friend is taken care of, and the more time Vincent spends with Juan, he is certain they could make each other very happy.

Juan has lost a lot in his life. Everyone he’s ever loved has hurt him or left him, including Roman, and then his friend Jack. He is an uneducated immigrant, but he’s learned a lot over the years keeping his eyes open and his mouth shut. He longs for someone to love him for him and take control, lead him through life. He is very drawn to his new boss, the domineering studio head. Juan’s submissive side longs for someone to bend and shape him, but he wants the love and tenderness that only a true companion can give him as well. Will he find that companionship with Vincent? Or get his heart broken again.

With every installment in this series, Knight manages to pull me in and transport me back in time, to the world she encapsulates within each story. The characters throughout are very three dimensional and flawed, which only makes me more invested in them, and their varying futures. What was especially intriguing about this book in particular was the detailed enlightenment of the Dom/Sub relationship between Vincent and Juan. Vincent’s need to be in control is primal and Juan’s need to let him is endearing. They truly balance each other out, and it’s sexy as hell.

Even if you don’t normally enjoy the BDSM reads, I think you’ll like this book. The subject matter is written with style and class, much like characters. This has become one of my favorite series. 

Series order... 

Hollywood Bound (Gin & Jazz, #1)

Razzle Dazzle (Gin & Jazz, #2)

Tarnished Glitter (Gin & Jazz, #3)

Starring Role (Gin and Jazz, #4)

Studio Orders (Gin & Jazz, #5)

Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys a good saucy M/M or M/M/F tale, whether it is contemporary, paranormal, historical, Sci-fi or BDSM - she loves it all! One of her passions is bringing people's fantasies to life on the page, because life is too short for even one boring moment. Her stories are volcanic in heat, deep in emotion, and sprinkled with doses of humor. When not indulging in her passion for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She is currently working on a seven-book series called Gin & Jazz set in 1920's Hollywood, and Uniform Encounters 4.

'Song and Scene' Guest Post with author Morticia Knight

Thank you for having me here today Tammy! For me, Studio Orders (Gin & Jazz 5) is a very special addition to this series that’s set in the 1920’s, because it tells the story of two characters whom I never intended to be so integral to the series, but whom I really fell in love with. Initially, they were supposed to be side characters who played a peripheral part in Jack’s (the MC from the first 4 books) story, but they both ended up being there as a refuge for poor tortured Jack, and really deserved their own separate story and HEA. While I didn’t know until the fourth book that Vincent, the older studio boss and Juan, the much younger chauffeur were going to fall in love – it quickly became all too clear. Especially since the dominant Vincent has been searching for years to find such a willing submissive man such as Juan. *fans self*

Like many authors, I write to music. In my case, it’s a combination of self defence against my best friend and loud roommate (as I write this – he’s playing Rock Band in the next room – do you see what I’m up against?) and that I do much of my writing late at night into the early morning hours. In which case, it helps me to have a driving beat to keep my energy up. Here are a few selections that were favorites while I wrote Studio Orders.

I listen to a lot of Armin Van Buren – he’s an amazing techno/trance DJ. Here’s one of my faves because it has such an intense, driving and uplifting feel to it. It’s sorta long, but hang in there for the amazing guitar/piano/percussion bridge at the 2:45 mark ;-)

For a more angsty, emotional feel, I love Bat For Lashes. I think her song A Wall describes some of the intention that Vincent has towards Juan as he falls in love with him and seeks to help free him from his past hurts:

I also listen to a lot of Nine Inch Nails as well, especially if things are emotionally intense in the story. Here is We’re in This Together Now, which I imagine is how Vincent ends up feeling about Juan:

Here is a short snippet from Studio Orders when Juan mistakenly thinks that Vincent is leaving for the night to go and be with a lover. Neither man has confessed their feelings for the other at this point:

Stifling a cry, Juan came violently in his hand. He watched as his cum washed away in the warm shower. Supporting himself with his other hand against the stall covered in small, hexagonal shaped tiles, he waited for his breathing to slow and the slight dizziness to fade. Every time he touched himself he had the bizarre sense that Vincent knew about it. It didn’t help that their bathrooms shared a wall.

It was preferable than displaying constant erections in his boss’ presence, however. He was in love with Vincent. So deeply in love that his body ached with it. The tears flowed from him, also mixing with the shower water. Vincent was in his bedroom getting ready to go out for the evening. It was something he had informed Juan of after they had shared a pleasant dinner together. Jack had left with his newly found ex-lover, Nick, the day before—so they were the only ones in the house.

Vincent has someone. Someone he wants other than me.

Juan slammed a fist against the hard tiles, biting the knuckle of his other hand to keep from yelling out. He had done it again. Allowed himself to fall for someone who could never be interested in a poor cast-off from Mexico. The realisation filled him with disgust.

He flung the curtain aside and stepped from the shower. After drying and putting on the pyjamas Vincent had purchased for him, he decided he didn’t really care to do anything else for the evening other than go to bed. It was only seven-thirty, but what was there for him to do? Vincent would be gone seeing his lover. Touching him, allowing this mystery man to please him. Maybe even holding him close afterwards. He wouldn’t need Juan that evening.

He had finished with the last silk-knotted button on his shirt, when there was a firm knock at his door. He startled, then grabbed his robe. After tightening the sash, he opened the door and took in Vincent’s tall, graceful form. He was only about two inches taller than Juan, but he still gave Juan the sensation that he towered over him. Juan was surprised to discern a clear look of worry on his face.

“Are you well?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Your eyes are red, and it seems a bit early to be in your sleep attire.”

“Oh…I, uh…it must be the hot water from the shower—”

“Yes. You seem to take unusually long ones.”

Juan’s face heated furiously. Up until meeting Vincent, he had never blushed so much in his life.

“I, well I thought since you would be gone for the evening and wouldn’t require my services, I might get to bed earlier.”

Vincent didn’t comment, only studied Juan as if he were searching for the truth. The one he knew he could never reveal.

He kept his stare fixed intently on Juan. “I won’t be gone long. When I return, I want you to have some sliced cheese and fruit ready, and my paper laid out on the table in the study. When you hear the car in the driveway, then you are to warm a snifter of brandy for me and take it to the study as well.”

Juan exhaled audibly and he noted a slight quirk at the corner of Vincent’s mouth.

I’m losing my control. I need to be more careful.

“Do you need me to drive you, sir?” Juan couldn’t keep the hope out of his voice.

“No, Juan. I’ve already instructed you as to what I need.”

“Of course. Yes, sir.”

Vincent had a gleam in his eye that Juan had thought he’d noticed before on a few occasions.

“Very good, Juan. I will see you in an hour or two.” He turned to leave, then paused. “And it won’t be necessary for you to change back into your uniform.”

Juan swallowed, unable to tell what that might mean, if anything. He watched as Vincent descended the stairs, his heart beating faster at the possibility that Vincent wasn’t meeting with a lover after all.

****

Studio Orders is available now from: 

Totally Bound | Amazon | Amazon UK | ARe

A huge thanks to Author Morticia Knight for stopping by the blog, offering up a giveaway and sharing some insight into her writing of this fantastic story and series! Until next time... 

** UPDATE ** This giveaway is International!

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