Guest Author Post: Fetishising Male Paraphernalia by Joanna "Tumperkin" Chambers *Book Giveaway*

How thrilled am I to be blogging here?  KB was one of the first people to befriend me when I stuck my toe in the waters of the online romance world (some years ago now) and she's still consistently welcoming and inclusive to new people.  Thanks for having me over, KB!

So, yes, I have released a book!  The Lady's Secret is published by Carina Press (buy it here).  It tells the story of Georgy Knight who embarks on a quest to prove she and her twin brother Harry are legitimate and that Harry is the true Earl of Dunsmore.  To gain entrance to Dunsmore Manor to search for evidence, she dresses as a man and obtains a post as Nathan (the hero's) valet. 

I had a lot of fun with that set up, in particular, around the dressing and undressing (and shaving, washing, and, um rubbing) of Nathan.  I loved the idea of putting my heroine into the closest and most intimate contact with the hero I possibly could.  I wanted to have her invade his most personal space and see the real him, both literally and figuratively.   You can read an excerpt of the type of thing I'm talking about here.

I must admit that I do find male Regency fashions very appealing (breeches, boots, cravats – what's not to like?) and as I wrote the valet scenes, I found myself dwelling on certain objects and routines, to an almost fetishistic degree.

Male clothing generally:

http://bit.ly/rZbioF

Clean linen—drawers, a shirt, a cravat. All of it pristine white, and the cravat starched to perfect straightness. Silk hose. A tall, black curly-brimmed hat that she turned over and over in her hands, enjoying its craftsmanship, the pleasing lines of it, its dense, velvety blackness. She brought out his riding boots, cleaned just yesterday, even the soles. They were so polished they looked as though they’d never been worn.

Cravats, and the removal thereof

http://bit.ly/sDlHXA

She went to hang the coat and when she turned back to face him he lifted his chin in unspoken command. She stepped back and raised her hands to untie and draw the cravat from his neck. The long length of it whispered against his skin.

Boots, and the removal thereof

http://bit.ly/w12rJc

Harland sat down on the bed. “Help me off with these boots, there’s a good chap.” He stretched a leg out and leaned back, gazing at Georgy from beneath lowered lids.

Their eyes met for just an instant and Georgy felt a jolt in her chest. She looked quickly away, down at his booted leg. It was unlike him to look directly at her. She reached forward to grasp the heel of his boot in one hand and the toe in the other and pulled it off in one smooth controlled movement, placing the boot neatly on the floor beside her. He stretched the other leg out and she dealt with that boot too. Then she glanced back at his face again, expecting his attention to have wandered.

He was still looking at her.

Facial hair, and the removal thereof

http://bit.ly/tjntUU

The razor’s cool severity kissed Nathan’s neck and swept slowly upwards, gliding over his throat and along his jawline, stroking his cheeks. To shave the upper lip, Fellowes placed his cool fingers on Nathan’s face, tautening the flesh for the blade. It bit at the base of his nose, just short of nicking him, and then with a few flicks, the skin was smooth.

As Fellowes wiped away the last of the lather with the towel, Nathan stayed where he was, waiting, eyes still closed. A few moments passed before Fellowes gently placed a steaming hot, clove-scented flannel on his face.

Ah, heaven.

Man, I enjoyed writing those scenes.

What about you?  What bit of male (or female) paraphernalia makes your heart beat a little faster?

You can find Joanna at her author website

http://joannachambers.com

reader blog at http://tumperkin.blogspot.com

Twitter - @ChambersJoanna

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002993543568

CONTEST TIME:

The Lady's Secret is now available at Carina Press but one lucky person will win a copy! In order to win, leave a comment here by Thursday, 12/1.

Synopsis: London, 1810

Former actress Georgiana Knight always believed she and her brother were illegitimate—until they learn their parents were married, making them heirs to a great estate. To prove their claim, Georgy needs to find evidence of their union by infiltrating a ton house party as valet to Lord Nathaniel Harland. Though masquerading as a boy is a challenge, it pales in comparison to sharing such intimate quarters with the handsome, beguiling nobleman.

Nathan is also unsettled by Georgy's presence. First intrigued by his unusual valet, he's even more captivated when he discovers Georgy's charade. The desire the marriage-shy earl feels for his enigmatic employee has him hoping for much more than a master-servant relationship...

But will Nathan still want Georgy when he learns who she truly is? Or will their future be destroyed by someone who would do anything to prevent Georgy from uncovering the truth?