With the release of "Gates of the
Garden: Book Two" of my Vala's Story serial, I had so many
thoughts of what I wanted to talk about in regards the continuing
story.
What does is mean to be bisexual? I've
pondered this question- you see, as a 15 year old, I came out as
bisexual. While my parents didn't give me any more sexual education
than Vala got from her parents (although thankfully my dad
wasn't/isn't a lecherous pedophile like Vala's father), I managed
some of my own escape act as a teen and learned stuff they didn't
care for me to learn. I don't remember what her name was, but we all
called her Cat and I thought she was the most beautiful being. Her
touch felt much better than many of the only slightly interested guys
I did whatever with. I didn't want to stop interacting physically
with guys though; I came to the term bisexual. Then I started hearing
the various myths that I'd never really heard or at least recognized
as "myths about bisexuality and bisexuals."
"Bisexuals are promiscuous."
"Bisexuals can't be monogamous." "Bisexuals need to
have sex with both men and women." "Bisexuals are just gay
people who can't let go of heterosexual privilege." Those are
just five common myths about bisexuals and yes, I've heard every one
of them, sometimes directly to my face. I've also seen these myths
taken on in academic, activist books like Julia Serrano's "Excluded."
However for myself, for a variety of reasons, I've come to feel more
comfortable with the identity label queer, as it's been reclaimed by
the queer community.
Are you wondering what those paragraphs
have to do with "Gates of the Garden: Book Two," Vala's
Story, or Vala herself? In "Out of the Night: Book One,"
Vala asks if everyone is basically bisexual and Iona replies, "to
some degree, yes." I enjoy the vagueness of Iona's answer and it
leads me to think of a promo where I asked "Can you imagine a
world where sexual orientation labels don't exist?" When it
comes to the sexual and BDSM interactions in the world of Vala's
Story, gender matters less to me except when genital-based sexual
activities are happening.
As a reader and writer of BDSM erotic
romance, I am used to labels; however when used to label a book,
"bisexual" seems to full of those myths I mentioned above,
at least in the way some readers will receive it. One important
function of the bisexual label in regards to a book seems to be
"person of one gender has sexual activity with both genders."
Beyond the erasure of individuals outside the main male/female gender
system (and yes, I do have such characters, like Lady Audrey who
identifies as a trans woman), the expectation seems to be that the
person will actively be shown engaging with both men and women
sexually. For the Seductive Studs and Sirens blog hop- its focus
being GLBTQIA+ literature- I struggled to find appropriate snippets
from the first Vala's Book- "Out of the Night: Book One."
So if I'm to share a snippet from "Gates
of the Garden: Book Two" here, what do I share? Do you need to
see Vala engaged in sexual activity with a man and a woman at the
same time? In part, I say that her bisexuality becomes more obvious
in "Gates..." because in this book, there are more times
when she's involved sexually with "both" genders than she
was shown in "...Night...". This question mirrors some of
the difficulty in my own life, where appearances can seem to say my
life is hetero-normative. Because "appearances" aren't
always what they seem, I want to remind those who've enjoyed reading
pieces of Vala's Story on places like my blog or are just coming to
Vala's Story, The Queen is very much a male-bodied person, regardless
of his seemingly feminine name.
Excerpt from "Gates of the
Garden: Book Two" Copyright Joelle Casteel 2014.
Her
movements aggressive, Iona kissed Vala, their heads pressed against
The Queen's chest. "Pretty, pretty girl," she murmured
against Vala's lips.
Vala
gazed into Iona's eyes. "My Lady." She adoringly returned
the soft, yet forceful kisses.
The
Queen moved one of Vala's hands to Iona's neck and one of Iona's
hands to Vala's crotch. "That looks lovely."
Iona
pressed her lips to The Queen's chest; she groaned and moved two of
her fingers into Vala. "My Queen!" she gasped.
"I
saw Vala's fingers touching you. Now I would see you touch her."
blurb:
Vala
is very comfortable in her new life, her new name. She's hopelessly
in love, with The Queen, with Iona, with life. She's learning about
BDSM and knows The Queen has many surprises, lessons planned for her.
She's looking forward to ceremony day...
The
Queen considers, stresses, ponders. Sometimes he goes to Simon for
help, especially since Tommy messed up so bad. He's considering
things in the long term as he watches Vala blossom into what he wants
her to be...
Things
are settling down and they aren't for the rest of the stable. Tommy
did so mess things up, but at least there's Vala's training to
entertain, to occupy the stable as The Queen uses them in the ways he
needs. Abrecan, Orlee, and Gaelan struggle to come to terms with what
one decision did to their lives in the stable...
Please
come along with Joelle on this journey, shared with the readers in
serial fashion. A multitude of "Happily-ever-afters" are
waiting with the completion of book 9.
Author's
Note: This novel is meant for open-minded adults. Activities
described include a wide range of BDSM and sexual activities, some of
which are male/male, male/female, group sex, consensual slavery,
oral/anal/vaginal intercourse, bondage. The story also covers some
sensitive topics in characters' backstories, such as drug abuse,
childhood abuse, religious abuse.
Buy links:
Smashwords- multiple formats- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/417778 . First 20% available as a free sample.
Amazon/Kindle editionhttp://www.amazon.com/Gates-Garden-Book-Valas-Story-ebook/dp/B00MYP1AG2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408802117&sr=1-1&keywords=Gates+of+the+Garden%3A+Book+Two
Barnes and Noble/Nook editionhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gates-of-the-garden-joelle-casteel/1120186938?ean=2940150565302
Buy links:
Smashwords- multiple formats- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/417778 . First 20% available as a free sample.
Amazon/Kindle editionhttp://www.amazon.com/Gates-Garden-Book-Valas-Story-ebook/dp/B00MYP1AG2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408802117&sr=1-1&keywords=Gates+of+the+Garden%3A+Book+Two
Barnes and Noble/Nook editionhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gates-of-the-garden-joelle-casteel/1120186938?ean=2940150565302
Author
bio:
Joelle
Casteel has so many faces, ways of being that no assumption is ever
safe. The woman who'll use a child's backpack as a purse is just as
likely to describe a graphic sex act. My Master, the dominant in the
BDSM relationship that shapes much of my life, jokes that I'm so far
from the mainstream that I've forgotten what the mainstream is. This
of course shows up in my writing. I regularly blur gender and sexual
orientation lines- although I will fight against the misgendering of
my characters (between The Queen's legs are a penis and balls and he
says he's a MAN.) Whether a short story or a novel, whether erotica
or erotic romance, I tend to bring many taboos to the sex/BDSM table
alongside crazy plots, over-the-top characters, and romance even in
the midst of relationships you may never find in a greeting card
store. With
BDSM gaining a broader audience with various books- which she will
not name because she can't stand them- she feels it's past time to
put out her impression of what BDSM can look like in reality.
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