There are dozens if not hundreds of amazing billionaire romance novels (J. Kenner is my favorite author in the genre), but none of them planted the idea for The Billionaire’s Deal.
No, my inspiration was The Hunger Games.
Sounds crazy, right? How can a book about teenagers killing each other have anything to do with a super hot BDSM themed billionaire Cinderella story. It doesn’t. It wasn’t the part about the games themselves that inspired me. It was Katniss in the Capitol and touring the districts, trying so hard to fit the image someone else wanted for her.
Since I have no inclination towards writing dystopia (too much world building) or towards writing YA (characters are too young for all the good parts), I had to make my idea work under the confines of New Adult and erotic romance.
Katniss Everdeen is not the first woman who has ever had to keep up appearances. It’s a burden that usually falls to women. We’re so used to it, we forget we’re trying to hide our feelings and suppress our desires. I wanted to take these everyday feelings–who hasn’t said she was fine to please a nosy coworker or a family member who just doesn’t get it–and take them up to 11.
Don’t get me wrong; The Billionaire’s Deal is in no way The Hunger Games fan fiction. I’m pretty sure Katniss Everdeen would have shot an arrow through Blake’s chest before he had the chance to finish his offer. (Let’s face it, Ms. Everdeen belongs with Peeta now and forever). But the book is very much inspired by the idea of being made over and paraded like a show pony to please someone else.
Only with romance and hot BDSM sex :p
Kat Wilder is an ordinary girl who puts family first, even when that family is just her sister. She’s been putting off her dreams and desires for so long that she barely remembers them.
Blake Sterling is a billionaire who is used to getting everything he wants. Only there are some things money can’t buy. (Though that won’t stop him from trying).
They pretend they’re in love, only pretending to be in love without falling in love isn’t as easy as it looks.
It’s one of my favorite tropes (one you’ll see me writing again!), and I think it fits perfectly with the theme of not losing yourself in an attempt to please other people.
~As always, thanks for reading ~
Crystal Kaswell news
There will be a special Kat and Blake Christmas episode available this holiday season. They’ll also be featured heavily in The Billionaire’s Need, the story of Lizzy and her alpha billionaire. Also available this holiday season.
In the meantime, I hope to fill your appetite for super hot romance with my new series, Sinful Serenade. This is a new adult/erotic romance novel series in the rock star niche. The first book, Sing Your Heart Out, releases in early October.
Trying to purchase the billionaires need and I can’t find it online. Please help me.
It’s been retitled. It’s now “Dirty Boss.”
I’m trying to find Dirty Holiday to buy but can’t find it. Any idea where I can find ir, please/
Dirty Holiday is not available for purchase on its own. It is currently located in Dirty Deal as a super bonus epilogue.