Narcissus was once given a little doll named Lisette. He enjoyed making her do depraved things for his selfish amusement. One day Narcissus pushed Lisette too far and he found her dangling from a cord.

He tried to fix what he had broken but Lisette no longer belonged to him. Narcissus kept after his doll, chasing it through the centuries, begging to put all the pieces back together.

Will Narcissus ever earn her forgiveness or will Lisette keep breaking for his punishment?

WARNING: If you are not an angst-junkie who enjoys visiting a world where depravity is mistaken for love, and obsession is the only hope a man can have against hatred, then this may an uncomfortable tale for you. This is a dark, unconventional love story meant for readers who prefer morally ambiguous tales. There is explicit content within and is not suitable for minors.

I’m very happy to announce the release of “Suicide Doll” in ebook format! Many of you have followed this decadent tale of obsession and misery—now you can see how it ends. Keeping in vein with all my work, it is dark, angst-filled, morally ambiguous, and meant to be read with an open mind.

EXCERPT

Limpid blue eyes scanned the crowd. They searched for one face among the male supplicants. Chessie stood still, head tilted at a rakish angle. A low, seductive beat filled the air, promising dangerous, dark things. Finally, the scarlet mouth painted the same shade as her costume lifted in enigmatic triumph.

There you are it seemed to whisper.

Her rounded hips began their hypnotic sway in time to the musician’s breathy growls. Chessie lifted her gloved hand to reveal a crimson riding crop. Several men yelled their pleasure. She smiled coyly in acknowledgment and elegantly danced her way to the center stage.

A lilac gaze devoured her every movement, worshiping her with the fervor of an insane acolyte. Narcissus stared with concealed hunger as Chessie stirred the crowd to a violent pitch. He watched her tease her way out of her clothes until she was clad in only a hat and thong.

You’re so lovely, Lisette. I love you more than ever before.

Narcissus had lost none of his obsession for this decadent darling during the passing centuries. His hunger for her had stretched into famine, pulling at his insides until Narcissus’ every function was dictated solely by memories of Lisette.

Now you’re new but so very wicked. And you’re still such a pretty, pretty thing.

He shifted in his seat. The low whine of scuffed vinyl was lost in the cacophony of yells surrounding him. Narcissus struggled to rein in his compulsion for the elegant nymph twirling onstage.

The room bled at the seams, melding the present sights of artificial light and smoke with the gilded walls of a century long dead.

BOOK INFO

• Suicide Doll
• Word Count: 20,229
• Categories: Occult & Supernatural, Erotica, Adult, Paranormal, Gothic
• DRM-Free
• International Readers Can Buy via Amazon Kindle & Amazon Kindle PC & Smashwords
• PDF version coming soon!

BUY

$3.50 Kindle Edition delivered via Amazon.

Did you know you don’t need a Kindle to read Kindle titles? You can read them right on your PC! Visit Amazonfor more details.

$3.50 Delivered via Smashwords

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Hey, Angst Junkies! This week has been full of going-back-to-school shenanigans and trying to find my new routine. Unfortunately, my writing has taken a hit. However, I will be back with new updates soon. Promise! Especially after viewing Kitty Thomas’ new cover. How can I not be inspired to write when seeing this lovely, awesome, gorgeous cover?

And you know what else is super-cool about it? My blurb is on the back! Get all the details at Comfort Food’s New Cover post and click on the image to see what I had to say.

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Hello, Angst Junkies! The fabulous non-conformist Jess C. Scott interviewed me at her site. Here’s a preview:

Describe yourself in 5 words:

Contradiction, underdog, careful, observant, odd.

Please visit her for more of “Author Interview #16 with Dark/Literary/Erotic Writer Claudia D. Christian.”

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Love Unfortunate has been reviewed by RemittanceGirl. Here’s a snippet:

Ordinarily, I don’t read romances and Love Unfortunate is most definitely a romance, but a truly twisted one. There is a brilliant lushness to Claudia D. Christian‘s language and a constant subtextual tension that pulls you through this desperate tale with an almost calculated cruelty. You just know it isn’t going to end well, but getting there is going to be delicious from start to finish.

Visit her site to the read the rest! Love Unfortunate: Dark, Bittersweet & Sexy as Hell

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Before Alice could stumble through any more replies, Director H. waved his hand over her. The towel fell off. She wore a suit identical to his except in black. Alice’s hair slicked back into a pony-tail knotted high on her head.

“You look absolutely precious, Alice.” A gloved hand cupped the opposite elbow while the other hand tapped his chin in thought. “Precious but not quite right.”

“What’s wrong with it?” Alice peered down. “I think it looks fine.”

“You covet suits. Of course you’d like this.”

“How did you know?”

“Because I know all.” He circled Alice too quickly for her to follow. “And because I know all, I know I know this isn’t going to work for our purposes. Ceremonial kimono it is.”

Heavy black silk covered Alice from neck to feet. Her hair reconfigured into what she would later learn was the wareshinobu style for geishas.

“Yes, this is what he needs to see.” With one finger, Director H. commanded her to twirl in a circle. She obliged. Very, very slowly. “You moved awkwardly, dearest. I’m tempted to spell your legs into submission but that would be lying, wouldn’t it?”

Alice wobbled on the sandals colored to blend into her costume. “Somehow I doubt lying tops your list of things to avoid.”

“Witty, my dear. Dry, defiant, but lovely all the same.” Director H. produced a mirror with a flick of two fingers. “Look at beautiful you are, Alice.”

She regarded herself in the tiny mirror. “I look like a ghost.”

“Ah, but a beautiful one.”

“I look dead.”

“That is what a ghost typically is, dear.”

“My face is so white.”

“Not so white. He’s whiter.”

“Really?” Alice turned away from the mirror. “Does it take make-up to make him even be able to look at me?”

“Should it matter to you?”

“You love to answer my questions with questions.”

“Or maybe you like to not answer my questions with statements about my questions.”

Alice braved a small smile. “I’m not afraid of him.”

“Yes, you are. You’ve built him up to be a magnificent man, so far above you that you question why you should even be allowed in the same room as him.”

Denial burned her mouth, begging to come out. Alice inhaled and exhaled slowly. “It’s true. He’s obviously someone of value to you all while I’m just me.”

Director H. sighed. He feathered the back of one finger against her cheek, careful not to disturb the powder. “I could tell you how exquisite you are to all of us, but it won’t matter. Right now you’re a bottomless pit, Alice. Until you fill it up yourself, all my words will fall into nothing.”

Alice nodded. Her eyes brightened with unwanted tears. She managed to whisper, “Tell me anyways.”

“No, not today, dearest. Melancholy will only rob you of strength you desperately need. Come, Alice. Let us finally put you out of your misery. You’ll fall for his pretty face, no doubt, but beauty is a poor substitute for good manners. Once he insults you, you’ll feel better. I promise.”

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On my home page I state how:

“I don’t write mainstream. I won’t put my tales in tidy categories.”

It’s defiant and in your face, isn’t it? Well, that’s all well and good when the work is on my site. However, the trouble comes when I’m submitting it for sale to distributors like Amazon and Smashwords.

Starting at the screen, head cocked and brows working on a permanent wrinkle, I wonder if my defiance is unnecessary and rather counterproductive. After all, it would be so much easier if I found a category and stuck with it.

I don’t know what my work is but I can tell you what it purely isn’t. It purely isn’t:

• Romance (There are romantic aspects but surely asphyxiation isn’t looked at kindly by the romance community. Neither are the words “cock” and “pussy.” Incidentally, those are two of my favorite words.)
• Chick lit (Okay, I admit I’m only going on surface level here. My assumption is the modern-day career gal is NOT interested in running around the woods with inhuman beings for fun. I don’t even think they like the woods…)
• Urban fantasy (Maybe? I’m not sure. I admit I haven’t revisited the definition in a while. Last I saw fairies were pretty dominant in this genre. More like, “If you don’t have wings and an aversion to iron, bitches, then get off my turf.”)
• Paranormal romance (Once I would’ve empathically said, “Yes, it is!” but now it seems as if paranormal romance is the same as romance but with fangs. Tattooed heroines do not change this. I don’t care how many looking-over-the-shoulder, back-to-the-audience, tramp-stamp, leather-pants-wearing covers are produced to convince me otherwise.)
• Erotica (If there’s any category I want to belong to, it’s this one. Erotica, erotica, erotica! However, I don’t write enough sex scenes to really justify being placed in this trunk of naughty goodness. In fact, there’s hardly any sex going on at all in my books. Unless you count the mind-fucks. If you include those, well, I’m all out sexual escapades style!)

I’ve said what it purely isn’t. So what would I say it is? All the above minus the chick-lit but add in fairy tales and mythology with a wee bit of horror—all darkened of course. Oh! Don’t the forget the overdosing angst.

So how do you categorize work that doesn’t fall into any one genre? Can you even do it? I struggle with it and I’m so one who likes to defy categorizing. So what gives? I definitely don’t want to inadvertently sell my work to a reader who wants to be entertained by sweet, light-hearted romance and ends up sitting there in room, morose and depressed because she read “Love Unfortunate” or “Devil’s Descent I: purgatory” or “Vicious Bliss: fallen.”

(And that’s only if she made it through to the end. For all I know, said reader would snarl, “The hell? Who’d ever want to read this depressing shit?” only after making it through a few pages.)

I’m not in this for the short-term. I’m in it for the long-haul. Therefore, I want my work to find the right audience. In order to help the right audience find me, I must categorize it correctly.

Hence, the vicious circle continues.

Any ideas? Suggestions?

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Posting an itty, bitty post here. I was watching “The Last Mistress” and saw Julian Douglas (from Devil’s Descent) almost exactly as I imagined him! I had to share. Hopefully, these images will be a drooling aid when you read Devil’s Descent and not a, “Damnit! Claudia I imagined him entirely different and now you messed it up!”

Fu’ad Aït Aattou is his name. He’s gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. The masculinity of a man and beauty of a woman–all in one. Just like Julian!

What do you think?

Did you know Devil’s Descent I: purgatory is out on Amazon? Show your love and buy it now!

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“She is undoubtedly incarnation of the word defined.”

Rachel inhaled deeply before calling his name. “Lord Douglas?”

“Yes, Mrs. Walker?”

“I mean what I said. I will do my best to keep from interfering with you two as long as Lily isn’t forced into anything she doesn’t want to do.”

“I understand.”

“All I ask is that you keep her from getting pregnant.”

Julian was far beyond the ability to blush. He had spent many a conversation with forthright mothers in his time before Ian. He also didn’t doubt this was the source of Lily’s bluntness.

“I will not impregnate your daughter, Mrs. Walker. You have my word.”

“Good. I would hate for her to go the way of her grandmother and father.”

“Oh?” Julian had the good manners not to press but was indeed curious to hear the details. Lily never shared much with Ian in regards to her family.

“Dahlia wasn’t supposed to get pregnant by Stephan’s father. Nephilim debated on whether to put her and her unborn child to death.”

“Lily’s grandfather is very powerful to have kept that from happening.”

“He is.”

“May I ask who her grandfather is?”

“Anteros.”

Julian cocked his head in faint surprise. “Indeed.”

“Yes. Perhaps then you can understand Lily’s…” Rachel glanced at her sleeping daughter, as if she expected to see the correct word floating above her head.”

“Vehemence?”

“Yes. Vehemence. Perhaps you can understand Lily’s vehemence over why she lost you. Of course, not you as you are now but as you were. Righteous anger at love’s rejection is ingrained in her blood.”

“I can see that now. I consider myself most lucky Anteros cannot strike me down—especially in how I conducted myself with Lily recently.”

“Yes, you are very lucky.”

“Thank you for taking me in your confidence, Mrs. Walker.”

“You’re welcome.”

Julian bowed low. “If you don’t mind, I will be taking my leave of you both.”

“Of course. Let me show you to the door.”

“Please don’t inconvenience yourself. I can see myself out.”

“Very well. Good night, Lord Douglas.”

“Good night, Mrs. Walker.”

“Oh, Lord Douglas?”

“I take it you have Lily’s dress?”

“Yes.”

“Please return it back as quickly as you can. It belonged to Lily’s grandmother and it’s one of her favorites.”

“Consider it done.” Julian bowed again. He walked out of the room and quickly made his way outside. Once settled in his car, Julian’s busy mind sifted through the night’s events. He wondered if he had misstepped in regards to courting Lily.

No. I didn’t. I need to be close to her again. It’s the only way to take what’s mine—her life.

Julian regarded the seat next to him. Lily’s scent lay heavy over the leather. He had to admit it was pleasing. He also had to admit much of the night was very pleasing.

I ended up fucking you, Lily. I fucked you over. We’ll see just how much farther I can do this before I send you to the bottom of that lake.

He smiled.

_____________________________

Did you know Devil’s Descent I: purgatory is out on Amazon? Show your love and buy it now!

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Why can’t unstable people have love too?

More specifically, why can’t unstable characters in romance fiction have love too?

This isn’t a new question for me. I ponder it every time I read Amazon boards, romance blogs, and comments in general. The public, popular consensus appears to be impatience with main male characters “Who act like jerks and are rough” and borderline disgust for main female characters “Who fall in love with these Stupid Jerks.”

There also seems to be mega-irritation for the writers who produce this kind of fiction. (While I too have irritation it’s not for the same reason; mine is for the premise of dark fiction that then falls back into predictable, category sweetness. Faux-dark…what a waste!)

Since when does a love story have to comprise of two socially-acceptable people? Why is the intoxicating liquor of love only worth to be drunk by those of pure hearts and mind?

It’s no secret my platform is dark, erotic, morally-ambiguous love stories. Miserable love stories if you will. I’m entrenched in telling tales about sinners. People who have made mistakes. Colossal mistakes. I write stories about lovers who’ve committed the unforgivable, who operate on a different plane with an unusual set of rules.

I create characters that would be villains in the majority of traditional romance fiction.

I write stories about “Jerks who are rough” and I always add a bit more—”Jerks who are rough, have sociopathic viewpoints, obsessive qualities, and are downright pitiful.” I create the women “Who fall in love with these Stupid Jerks” and also—”Women who are just as crazy, obsessive, and broken as the Stupid Jerks.”

My point? If you are a bit off, unstable, and just different, does that mean you don’t have a right for love too? Is there only one definition for love?

I don’t think there is. I think love can be so much more than the romance community’s socially-acceptable definition of “Gentle, loving male” and “Spunky, independent female.”

Just let me make this clear: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with sweet love stories. I think they’re lovely and I don’t mind reading them upon occasion. My stance isn’t to bash those types of love stories. It’s just to show there’s room for lots of different types of storytelling.

We all have unique life experiences that shape us. For some who have grown up in a stable, loving environment, love reflects that beginning experiences. For others who have grown up in a chaotic, unstable environment, love reflects those experiences as well.

Is the first person’s love anymore real than the second’s? I don’t think so. I just think it’s different.

Now this is usually the point where it can be argued that a person who grows up in an abusive environment and repeats those patterns in their love-life should be “cured” of such view points. I agree and disagree at the same time.

I understand the sentiment and find it noble. I also find it unintentionally arrogant. Why? It goes back to we’re all different. What I find loving and adoring someone else may not. What someone else finds healthy may not seem healthy to me.

We’re all different. Why should love and the telling of love be any different?

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Julian Douglas exists solely for the night he finds his human pet Lily.

Lily Walker exists solely for the night she finds peace from the nightmare that is Julian Douglas.

Julian finds Lily.

Lily suffers Julian.

In the end, who finds freedom? The master who is a slave to his pet? Or the pet who never wanted to run away from her master?

WARNING: If you like your romance sweet, your vampires gentle, and your heroines flawless—this isn’t for you. This is a dark, unconventional love story meant for readers who prefer morally ambiguous tales. There is explicit content within and is not suitable for minors.

I’m very happy to announce the release of the first book in my psychotic vampire love saga “Devil’s Descent I: purgatory” in Amazon Kindle format. Keeping in vein with all my work, it is dark, angst-filled, morally ambiguous, and meant to be read with an open mind.

EXCERPT

Lily was almost to the bathroom when the potent smell of smoke and obsession slid in like a serpent.

She froze as every instinct screamed a dire warning. Numbness spread through her body, rooting her to the floor. Afraid to be right, terrified to be wrong, Lily turned around slowly.

He was here. Standing inside her home, looking so darkly beautiful, he was here.

Julian studied her shock and smelled her fear. He smiled and sauntered over to his found pet. Stopping when only mere inches separated them, he whispered, “Hello, darling. Thank you for your rushed welcome. Manners aside, it truly saved us both a lot of time. Time, I’m sure you’ll agree would much be better served in other ways.”

He trailed his hand over her jaw. Julian looked into her eyes and smiled wider.

“Know this—I adore you, my darling, darling girl.”

Before she could utter a reply, Julian closed his hand and gripped her chin. He ignored Lily’s hiss of pain with a cruel smirk.

“I adore you to death.”

BOOK INFO

• Devil’s Descent I: purgatory
• Word Count: 46,133
• Categories: Occult & Supernatural, Erotica, Adult, Paranormal, Gothic
• DRM-Free
• International Readers Can Buy via Amazon Kindle & Amazon Kindle PC
• PDF version coming soon!

BUY

$4.99 Kindle Edition delivered via Amazon.

Did you know you don’t need a Kindle to read Kindle titles? You can read them right on your PC! Visit Amazon for more details.

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