Author Saturday Spotlight: AJ Rose *Interview and Giveaway*

There's not a book that AJ Rose has written that I haven't read! There's such passion and great intensity to her writing and you get sucked in and blown away by her words. They stay with you and soon you find yourself scrambling to read anything and everything she's ever written.  Yeah she's addicting.

I have an amazing treat for ALL of you today on my blog. I have a rare interview with one of AJ's characters. Anyone who is familiar with the Power Exchange series knows Ben and Gavin. You also know that the series is in Gavin's POV and we rarely get a chance to dig into the brilliant mind of Ben Haverson. Today that changes. I sat on his lap and asked him hard question. He answering deliciously.  No matter what you hear, at no time did I sexually harass him. ;)

On top of this interview Ben will be making a special announcement at the end AND the giveaway AJ has for you is quite FABULOUS!

First let's go over AJ's Books:


The Yearning:

Eric is a fiercely passionate ghost with a complicated after-life. He’s in love with Justin, a mortician who is very much alive and very much in love with someone else, his best friend Darren. Torn between desiring Justin for himself or wanting Justin’s happiness, Eric never expected his death to be harder than his life. When darkness threatens Justin’s soul, is Eric strong enough to enlist Darren’s help, or will Justin be lost to both of them forever?

Queers: 

Within her walls are stories. Love. Laughter. Tears. Lives lived to the fullest, and sometimes cut short before they really get started. She’s seen it all, from homelessness to super-stardom, boys dressed as girls, girls dressed as lamps, and boy, does she have secrets she could tell. Her one truth is that everyone who darkens her doors is accepted with open arms and a song.
Her name is Queers, and for one of L.A.’s few dueling piano bars, she has a lot of heart. On her stage, the beautiful voice of Duff McKinley rings so true he captures the shattered heart of his boss, Brad Mosely, who checked out of life three years ago. But even lifelong dreams have untold consequences.
Duff came to L.A. to chase his musical aspirations, but his best friend Garrett Slater accompanied him to chase a wish of his own: finding The One, his white knight. He believes Landon Kennedy fits the bill. Suave, handsome, and powerful in the music industry, Landon can show Garrett a life he’s only seen in movies. But even as Landon helps Duff realize his dreams, he brings Garrett into a nightmare he may never leave, one from which Garrett’s roommate, Jackson Moriarty, is determined to rescue him. If Garrett repays Jackson by seeing his own charms, so much the better.
Yes, within her walls, Queers has long history. Unrequited love, sinister intentions, fame, fortune, and a group of friends and lovers who would do anything for each other no matter the cost.

 

Power Exchange books 1 and 2:

From the moment Detective Gavin DeGrassi steps into the world of BDSM to solve the brutal slaying of Dom George Kaiser, his course is not his own. Mesmerized by the context in which the victim lived and the images of the lifestyle seared into his soul, Gavin must find a way to navigate these unknown waters. With his personal life in upheaval due to marital trouble, and his professional life uncertain with the assignment of a new partner, Gavin needs all the help he can get understanding the case.
Enter Ben Haverson, a psychologist and a well known Dom. With Ben’s help as a consultant and attention to Gavin’s own murky truths, Gavin delves deeper than he ever thought he would into the world of restraints and paddles. Forced to scrutinize his true nature and his innermost desires, Gavin has a choice: keep the fear of submitting at bay, or dive in and solve the case with the knowledge he gains. When another victim is discovered, Gavin’s choice is made for him, and he’s pulled headlong into the deepest, most emotional journey of his life.
Unfortunately for him and Ben, a killer has noticed, has taken stock, and has set his sights on the D/s pair. Can Gavin outwit him, or will his first exchange of power be his last?

Everywhere Detective Gavin DeGrassi looks he’s reminded of his attack by the Breath Play Killer. It’s in the house he lives in with his partner and Dom, Ben Haverson. It’s in the sympathetic yet pitying looks he receives from his fellow detectives when he returns to the force after a year-long hiatus. It’s in the suffocating coddling of his entire family, and the relentless reporter demanding an exclusive of his ordeal.
Most of all, it’s in his lack of submission to Ben, who isn’t convinced Gavin’s recovered enough to trust the power exchange between them.
The miraculous recovery of two teen boys from a twisted kidnapper gives him heart, and Gavin’s determined to prove he can handle anything despite increasing strain between him and Ben, painful nightmares, and panic when anyone touches him.
But his next case is too close for comfort: a friend and colleague found raped and murdered in a fate chillingly similar to what could have been his own, and this killer isn’t stopping with one cop. As the body count rises and taunting souvenirs are being hand-delivered to Gavin, he faces a frustrating lack of leads, a crushing need to prove himself, and a sinking suspicion the imprisoned kidnapper’s reach is further than originally thought. A miasma of uncertainty and fear threaten to suffocate him when he asks a question with which he’s overwhelmingly familiar: what happens when a victim is pushed too far?

YOU CAN PURCHASE ANY OF THESE BOOKS BY FOLLOWING THE LINK HERE ON AJ'S WEBSITE: AJ's Books 

Now let us get to this AMAZING INTERVIEW at the end of the interview Ben will announce his surprise ANNNNNNND after that you will see what the incredible giveaway is. So here we go:

Hello, Ben

Ben: Hello, Meredith

First of all I would like to state for the record that being in your presence very well might make my ovaries explode. I just had to say that and get it out of the way. At this time I would also like to offer my womb to you for future use. Seeing as I’m not too keen on fertility specialists because that’s how you get 8 babies instead of 1, we can arrange a one on one meet for that.

Ben: That's very... generous. And your husband is approving of this plan?

He'll be fine. Those are little details I can deal with at a later date.

Ben: I have no doubt you have a plan all set up. I will keep that in mind should Gavin and I ever decide to have a family.

Fabulous 

 So here’s the thing. We don’t really get to dig into your mind very much. We all see the world through Gavin’s eyes and I’d like to ask you a few questions and maybe you can let us get to know you. 

Ben: Absolutely

I warn you there is no rhyme or reason to my questions and I bounce around, so just hang on.

Ben: No Problem

What does the amazing Ben Haverson fear most in the world?

Ben: Boy, you start with the hard stuff, don't you?

You can say pass at anytime

Ben: I fear a lot of things. The top of the list would be losing those closest to me, followed by doing something that would hurt someone under my care in a way I can't repair. Being a Dom doesn't automatically mean inflicting pain for the sake of inflicting pain. There's an art to pushing the body's limits where pain and pleasure are co-mingled, and the balance between the two can be tipped one way or another with the slightest provocation. Riding that edge is what makes a sub, and a Dom to be honest, fly. The longer I can balance someone--namely Gavin--on that edge, the higher the flight.

Part of the thrill is the proximity of danger, and even an experienced Dom can go too far, read a scene or a sub wrong, or get in over his or her head. If a Dom demands absolute trust to find a sub's limits, they have to be completely certain what they're getting into or things get messy. This is why I take it as seriously as I do, and why I won't be swayed by a sub trying to top from the bottom. Too much at stake to not have 100% control, or not to know when that control is impossible and back away.

You and Gavin didn’t have a typical meet and greet and your relationship thus far has been quite traumatic. No Dick and Jane lifestyle for you two. What has been the hardest thing to overcome?

Ben: Far and away, the most difficult thing has been watching him struggle to put the trauma behind us, only to have another case, his last one, get personal on him again. His sense of duty put him in danger once more, and I had to step aside and let it because it was his job. It was a hard limit for him. He'd do the job, no matter what.
That was when I realized just what "no matter what" meant, and had to consider what I could and couldn't watch him do. I had to consider my own limits, and with that new element, his limit changed.  He chose a different aspect of working with law enforcement, when he saw the line I'd drawn in the sand, so to speak.

What was going through your head when you realized Gavin WAS submissive, but that he didn’t know it?

Ben: *laughs* Well, a lot of conflict. I was hired as a consultant on George Kaiser's case, and Gavin had a pretty bright twinkle of gold on his left ring finger. Mostly, I kept telling myself to stop thinking about him that way, because it was so far beyond inappropriate, it could get me blackballed as a consultant on future cases.
But I wasn't oblivious to the way he looked at me, and there's something magnetic about him. I wasn't able to ignore those things and keep it professional. The night I ran into him at Collared after he'd moved out of his house felt like winning the lottery, though I kept warning myself not to do a victory dance until he answered some things. I do have to admit to being pretty smug the next morning, though.

So you knew from the first meeting with him that he was submissive?

Ben: No. I knew from the first meeting he was at least bisexual. It was after our conversation over lunch that first time I knew he was submissive, and still in the closet. Major hurdles for any person, but doubly so for him, coming from a family of cops.

I know it’s hard because you are a dominant man, but what struggles do you deal with every day that you’d never burden Gavin with?

Ben: After we were attacked, I feared he'd never be able to submit again. He wasn't wrong when he accused me of that around the time he went back to work after his leave of absence. It took some pretty deep soul searching to realize if that happened, if he never knelt before me again, I would be okay with it. More than okay, because it would mean he'd still be with me in whatever capacity possible, and ultimately, losing him altogether would be far worse.
So I struggled with leaning on him too much when I did have doubts. I was also so focused on his healing, I ignored my own for too long, and eventually realized I had to deal as well or we'd be doomed from the other direction. Now, I have to remind myself we are equal partners in every way except in a scene, and we both have each other's backs. It's still difficult to let him see any weaknesses I have, because I need him to trust me completely in a scene, especially with his increased limits. But he's made it clear my flaws make me human, and my humanity is more trustworthy than any ironclad control I might wield.

Oh, Ben, our children are going to be outstanding!

Ben: *laughs* Of course, Meredith. They'd have your genetics.

Besides me… what do you think about when you're alone?

Ben: Oh, lots of things. When to buy that cabin in Colorado for our retirement. If I can swing enough time away to take Gavin to the beach for a month this summer--which turned out to be no, so maybe next summer. The books I want to read. There's an art festival the first weekend in September I'd like to go to. There's also a Brazilian restaurant I haven't taken Gavin to yet I'd like to try. The Rams preseason is getting ready to start in a couple weeks and I'm ready for some lazy Sundays on the couch with my man, watching some tight pants run around a field. Pretty proud of the hometown team, signing Michael Sam. Baseball post-season is approaching, too, so we'll see how far the Cards go.

(and in the meantime, AJ is rolling her eyes and gagging)

I think it's adorable and sweet and the three of us will have a wonderful life together.
I only am going to keep you for a few more minutes. I swear

Ben: You do realize Gavin's beside me reading your questions, right? He's growling at you

I said the 3 of us didn’t I?

Ben: That you did.
Also, I'm in no hurry, but I don't want to keep you from your other obligations, either.

You can keep me any way you want

Ben: I'll, uh, take that into consideration.

 Okay I’m going to get serious…

Ben: You mean you weren't serious before?

I was deadly serious

 You’ve seen more monsters than most people in this world. What do you think is your least favorite thing about humanity?

Ben: My least favorite thing is probably human apathy. So much pain and suffering in the world could be avoided if we were more able to extend a hand to our fellow man and show compassion. If we could tell people they matter, and their hurts are real and don't have to be shouldered alone. How many people would be helped if someone took the time to show they cared about the little things? How much violence could be avoided if we paid closer attention to the neglect our poor suffer and take steps to correct it? I realize how idealistic I sound, and the problems are much bigger than a momentary hello or a few dollars in a charity coffer. But if five people make an effort once a day, that's five more good things in the world for others to experience. If those five turned to ten, ten to twenty, suddenly one little act of kindness each would be a drop of water in a wave of positivity that could really make people who are downtrodden feel hope. A few hours volunteering could bring a homeless person that much closer to getting a job or getting clean or getting out of the elements for a small amount of time. If there was a little more acknowledgement of the problem and a little less blind eye turning, maybe the problems wouldn't be as mountainous as they currently are. Maybe there'd be fewer monsters in the long run.

It’s really a good thing I’m not sitting in front of you because I’d end up on top of you! Just sayin

Ben: Then my laptop would hit the floor, and I get a little protective of the Macbook.

I’d be gentle

What’s the biggest misconception people have of you?

Ben: That because I'm a Dom, I'm an asshole. Those not in the lifestyle, anyway, who aren't familiar with safe, sane, and consensual, and the other tenets by which we live.

That breaks my heart. I'll kill those people for you.

Ben: I appreciate the offer, but they're all busy right now. I hear the trailer for 50 Shades came out recently, so the ones who don't get it are all watching that on repeat.

Don’t taint this interview.

Ben: Yes Ma’am

What song best describes your “work” ethic?

Ben: What do you mean, my work ethic? My work with my patients?

I put it in quotations. How about what song for your patients and one for your fun time?

Ben: The fun time one is easy. Muse, Undisclosed Desires.
Work is more difficult. Maybe Eli Lieb, Safe in My Hands.

Those are great songs that I will make sure I have and listen to repeatedly

Ben: hahahaha

What will you name our children?

Ben: I'd need much more time than a few minutes to come up with something suitable.

I accept that. It's smart of you. I mean they are forever. Perfect little us's *sigh*

To end and so that Gavin won’t kill me. What would you say is Gavin’s best quality?

 Ben: Just one?

That's adorable. Name a few if it makes you happy.

Ben: His devotion. To his work, his family, to me. He makes up his mind and that's all there is to it, he's in all the way. He's an honorable man, and to be the one he not only chooses to share his life with but also to whom he totally gives everything in submission, it's the greatest, most mind blowing gift I've ever been given. I'm also quite fond of his dimples. Both the ones on his face and the ones just above his ass.

Those are lovely

Ben: You've seen Gavin's ass?

Well, Ben, thank you so much for speaking to me today

Ben: Thanks for inviting me, Meredith. It was a pleasure.

Pleasure was ALL mine... trust me

Ben: Oh, just one more thing. I have in my possession a certain graphic, which AJ has asked me to pass on to you to put at the end of this interview. So without further ado, here is the cover for Consent, the third and final installment of the Power Exchange series. I can’t think of a better place to debut it than right here.

COVER REVEAL FOR BOOK 3 OF THE POWER EXCHANGE SERIES 

                                           CONSENT

It is a breathtaking cover is it not? I can't thank Ben enough for opening up like he did and to AJ for allowing me to present this cover to you and for this amazing giveaway I'm about to resent to you.
Here is AJ's Contact in Social Media:

Twitter
Facebook Author Page
AJ on FB
AJ on WP

Okay let's talk about this amazing Giveaway. Here is what AJ is offering ONE lucky winner. Package choices!!! EEEP!

Deal 1: ebook copy of both Power Exchange books (That's right 1 AND 2)
Deal 2: ebook copies of both Queers and The Yearning
Deal 3: A SIGNED Paperback copy of Queers! (AHHHHHHHHHHHH!)
Deal 4: Any book stand alone. (That way if you've read only book 1 of PE and want the other you can have just that.)

AWESOME RIGHT??? Okay, so all you have to do is enter below. Contest ends August 15th. I will notify the winner via email and once I get your info and Deal choice I will let AJ know and she will send it to you! YAY!

Good luck to you all and be sure to look out for book 3 of The Power Exchange Series coming this Fall!


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