Okay, so I’m going to share something here that I’ve never shared before. Naughty books make me blush, feel uncomfortable and immediately cause me to shove them back on the library or bookstore shelf. I read about 5 pages of Fifty Shades of Gray and felt like I was watching porn back in the 11th grade and Jeanine Laslo’s mom was going to bust us watching it in her basement. If I remember correctly, I actually spent most of the time in the bathroom pretending to have menstrual cramps just to get out of watching Edward Penishands. Yep, that movie really does exist.
But I decided for once, just this once, to step out of my comfort zone and read something a little on the naughty side. I did it because I really like Mina Vaughn. She and I are agency sisters at the Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency. We both have the same amazing agent – Jessica Sinsheimer. And I was tired of wondering what all the hype over her books was about. It was time to see for myself.
Her latest book is called How to Punish Your Playboy. And if you are wondering about the “punish” part – yes, it is about a dominatrix. However, she’s a pretty entertaining dominatrix because she’s never actually done it before. The story follows Veronika’s first time as a “domme” and how she’s pretending to know what the heck she is doing. And of course, she surprises herself along the way, as well as her handsome new love interest, Aston.
Let me say this – it’s the perfect read for when you are away with your man and need to get the spark going. Or on a Wednesday night when the kids are asleep and you dare to get out of your yoga pants. It’s not so naughty that I feel like I need a shower and to go to confession. But it’s just naughty enough to talk about a world I would never actually participate in but am entertained to read about.
Did it make me want to become a dominatrix? No. But it did make me smile, relate to the main character’s insecurities, and just enjoy a fun “kink with a wink”, as Mina describes her books. It’s a book that is fun. All kinds of fun!
So I decided to ask Ms. Mina a few questions after reading it. Here’s her answers. They seriously just make me love her more…
What is the most embarrassing thing someone has said to you, or situation you have been in, with a reader of one of your books?
Oh, I’ve had people tell me that she and her husband dressed as my characters for Halloween and nobody knew them, but she didn’t care. I loved that a mom got dressed up as a Domme and her hubs was a submissive vampire and they just didn’t give a damn. 
Why write naughty or dominatrix-style? What drew you to that style of writing?
Well, I was tired of alpha males. I didn’t want my heroines to be growled at or possessed; I wanted THEM to do the possessing. I loved the idea of girl-on-top fun, and that’s what I pursued. I wanted to empower and give fantasies that were really different from the norm.
What is something very normal, domesticated and perhaps even boring someone wouldn’t guess about you?
I cried when my bread machine broke. I loved that thing, and seriously, there is no better smell in your house than baked bread.
Describe your perfect date.
Lots of food, good food. Gourmet preferably. I love the experience of ordering, tasting, sharing. Then maybe we’d go do something cultural, like a museum or music. Then I’d beat the shit out of him. Kidding. I’d go shopping.
If you could step into the life of any of your characters for just one week, who would it be and why?
I’d probably be my original heroine, Cerise, because of all the fun dress up and role play she partakes in. Although I think it would be awesome to be a pin up model for a day, so maybe Veronika!
Word associations – what comes to your head first when I say the following words:
whip: thank you
smile: mysterious
manners: fuck em
vodka: cranberry juice
rain: nice smell.
What is the one book you have to have on your bookshelf no matter where you live?
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder– best book ever on writing! So simple, yet really helpful.
Many of my readers are writers – what has the book publishing process looked like for you? Tell us your story.
It was so random! I was querying with another book when a wonderful agent (Jessica Sinsheimer) asked if I had anything else. I reluctantly showed her my smut. I was mortified, but she was crazy about it! A VERY short time later she offered rep, I happily accepted, and we had a deal with Simon and Schuster within three weeks. It was a wonderful whirlwind!
So go check it out, folks. How to Punish Your Playboy is available as an ebook on Amazon for just $1.99 right now. I’m pretty sure the significant other in your life will HIGHLY appreciate it!
