My guest today is Ravenna Tate, author of steamy M/F romances.

What do you want readers to know about your series Tortured Love and Spanking Experiments?

Tortured Love is a stand-alone series of dark romance books. These books deal more with dark psychological storylines as opposed to killers or criminals. Each book is erotic contemporary, MF, and of course there are HEAs. There are BDSM aspects in three of the four books in the series, but they are labeled that way by my publisher because of the impact play and light bondage in them, not because the characters are in a Dom/sub dynamic.
The Spanking Experiments, on the other hand, is a series that does involve a Dom/sub dynamic in each book. This is also a stand-alone series. Each book is erotic, contemporary, MF, Rubenesque, and May-December. Of course they each have an HEA as well.

Are there BDSM elements in your new series Demons on Wheels MC as well?

Some of the Demons on Wheels MC books have impact play and light bondage, but these are not storylines with a Dom/sub dynamic in them.

What prompted you to write BDSM stories? Why do you enjoy it? Do you prefer dark or playful themes – and why?

I began writing BDSM stories under a prior pen name, and for a different publisher, because I was told readers liked them. But I’m not in the lifestyle, so I sought out authors and readers who are, and got their input. As I learned more about the lifestyle, I incorporated that into my writing.
I love writing about play in relationships, even without the Dom/sub dynamic, because that’s what I enjoy in real life. And I definitely have a dark streak, so it’s a lot of fun to craft a story with a darker theme.

Is there something you find difficult about writing BDSM? What was the most challenging scene to write?

The most challenging thing about writing an authentic Dom/sub dynamic into a story with BDSM aspects is to make sure I get the interactions right, and that they are true to life. Also, when I tried to write about certain types of play that I, personally, don’t find arousing, I found that very challenging.

What research did you have to do?

I spoke to people, attended a workshop where we had the chance to engage in or watch actual play, and read everything I could get my hands on.
There a lot of misconceptions about BDSM. What do you think the biggest false belief is?
I think the biggest belief is that people have to engage in it completely or not at all. There are degrees, just as there are degrees in almost anything that goes into an adult, intimate relationship.

What might be attractive about BDSM-themed fiction for people who don’t practice BDSM in real life?

For me, I was attracted to the idea of giving up control, or at least getting into the mind-set of giving up control – not actually giving it up completely – to a person you love. Or at least, a person you’re having sex with. LOL! Incorporating play into a healthy adult sexual relationship can take it to new heights and add layers that enhance the pleasure and intimacy.