Our stop on the Neverending Blog Tour this week is Bound to the Commander by Libby Campbell!!
When rumors of twenty-three-year-old orphan Pepper Thornback’s incredible healing abilities reach the ruling Tribunal, Commander Quinn Garrick sets out to bring her to the capital. Pepper is given no choice in the matter, and when she attempts an escape during the journey she is taken over his knee for a sound spanking and then stripped bare for a painful, embarrassing switching.
More humiliating still, upon reaching their destination Quinn informs Pepper that she will be his ward for the duration of her stay and he will not hesitate to deal firmly with any disobedience.
Despite her blushing indignation at being treated in such a shameful manner, Quinn’s stern dominance arouses Pepper deeply, and when he takes her in his arms and claims her properly she is left utterly spent and satisfied. But when Pepper makes a shocking discovery concerning the fate of her parents, will the revelation strengthen her bond with Quinn or tear them apart forever?
Publisher’s Note: Bound to the Commander is a stand-alone sequel to Bound to the Admiral. It includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.
Learn more about the planet Devmaer and its sizzling people with the prequel novella Bound to the Past. It’s available FREE at all major ebook sellers.
Here is a steamy excerpt from the book:
[Quinn said] “We will go for a walk before lunch.”
“I’m not really hungry,” [Pepper] said. Her tone was sad, not defiant.
“I didn’t ask if you were. We all travel on our stomachs. At times of great stress, the first inclination may be to stop eating. You will not give into this self-indulgence. I’m here to make sure of that. You will stay strong and healthy so you can help others with your gift.”
Her mouth tightened into a sour frown.
“There’s a face I don’t want to see from you again today,” Quinn said, accepting the challenge she was making by not shielding her displeasure. “If I do see it, I will reward it by turning your pale white bottom crimson red.”
Pepper swallowed audibly. “You have no right.” she said bitterly.
“I have every right. Have you forgotten who I am already? You will be punished if I decide you have earned it. No one questions my authority and if I tell someone you’ve had the switch, I guarantee you that the difficulty you will have sitting down will prove my words.”
Silence landed between them for a few minutes. She blushed not just at the certainty that he could and would use the switch, but also at the statement he might tell someone she’d had it.
When she didn’t reply, he continued. “While you’re in Rosewyld, you are my ward, even if you are of adult age and status in your town. You’re not in Rosemoor any longer, young lady. I’m responsible for you now and everything you do will reflect on me. Therefore, I will expect you to be on your best behavior.”
“Is this all because I worked on Minister Mazrant?” she asked, staring into her lap.
For a moment, Quinn thought of telling her of the arrest warrant that sat unsigned on the Lord Treasurer’s desk. Instead he smiled as warmly as he could manage. “Apparently your treatment of her was unprecedented. She has tried healers from Rosewyld to Littington to Berlis. You’re the only one who has given her relief.” He didn’t say that Daedra had whispered all that to her lover one night, unaware of the listening devices planted in her bedroom.
“I’m pleased to serve my country,” Pepper said. “But I would be most grateful, Commander, if you could tell me how long I will be expected to remain in the capital.” Her words were guarded and voice soft. When she was like that, docile and sweet, hiding her wildness and fast tongue, he wanted to cover her mouth with his, to touch and tease her until her true fiery, inquisitive nature burned just for him.
He almost didn’t have the heart to say again, “For as long as it takes.”
“As long as what takes, sir?” There was a note of defiance in her voice that made him suppress a smile. She really couldn’t hide it long.
“As long as it takes to stabilize the symptoms of the Tribunal,” he said.
“All forty-one members of the Tribunal?” Disbelief and clear indignation sharpened her tone.
“Those that have the illness. And their senior staff.”
“Don’t I have any say in this?” Her voice rose with unchecked fury.
“What does the Handbook tell us about our duty?”
“From each according to their ability to each according to their needs,” she muttered bitterly.
“Your tone of voice does not reflect the attitude of a good woman as defined by the Handbook, does it?”
“How many good women are kidnapped from their homes? There’s nothing in the fucking Handbook about that, is there?”
Her hand was on the door handle, preparing to bolt. He clicked on the safety lock.
“You’re not going anywhere,” he said, “until I detect a serious change in attitude.”
Quinn glanced at the screens. His bodyguards had parked a respectful distance away. As soon as Pepper had used the facilities, he would march her into the forest while the guards stopped anyone else from following.
Then he would cool some of Pepper’s heat.
Be sure to one click this steamy romance today!!
Author Bio
My romance novels feature strong, self-reliant women and the powerful men who love them. Romantic by nature, I write the stories I want to read: those that feature a spicy power exchange and deliver a sting in the tale.
Canadian by birth, I also lived in Australia for a couple of decades. While living there I overcame my aversion to saucer-sized spiders and, as a condition of marriage to my Aussie Prince Charming, I swore a lifelong allegiance to the Melbourne Football Club.
Then family called and my husband and I packed up and moved. We now live on a rocky island on Canada’s West Coast, close to beaches that once were frequented by smugglers and rumrunners.
My passions are reading and writing. I adore all animals and love hiking, beachcombing, and an occasional night of dancing.
You can find Libby online:
Libby Campbell Romance says
Thanks so much for hosting Quinn & Pepper today!
Libby x
felicitybrandonwrites says
You’re so welcome. 🙂