Page 47 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 49

Karen Nappa’s titles, including Trapped, Electric Love, and Savage Game, explore the depths of BDSM romance. Her seasoned characters navigate power dynamics and intimacy, offering readers a blend of pas- sion and emotional depth. Each story promises a journey of love, trust, and consensual kink, culminating in a satisfying HEA.tiful Mistakes” and “I Was The Sidechick In My Own Relationship” explore themes of self-discovery and resilience.
really, really don’t like canes). These experiences allow me to write with authenticity and detail, making the scenes both realistic and relatable for readers familiar with the lifestyle. In my books I have a big emphasis on Safe, Sane and Consensu- al (SSC), even when a relationship might not start out that way (Like in Savage Game).
What inspired you to create the Small Town Submission series and the Savage Billionaires series?
Karen Nappa masterfully blends authenticity, romance, and suspense, creating unforgettable stories that celebrate love, trust, and self-discovery.
When I started writing, it was with a publisher who turned out to be less than trustworthy.
Along with dozens of other authors, we fled ‘the Woodshed’ and most of us turned indie. Since I couldn’t continue with my Kansas City BDSM Club series, I wanted to try something completely different. This became an interconnected family saga about a small town with a dark secret below the surface. Savage Billionaires signified another big change in my writing career. I wrote the Club Indigo and Small Town Submission books with my co-author friend Ellen. When she decided to quit writing and I joined Red Hot Romance Ink, Savage Billionaires became my next project.
Can you tell us about the challenges and rewards of writing romance with a BDSM theme?
A big challenge for me is that I write erotic romance, and because of the BDSM element in my books, it’s often mistaken for erotica. I have nothing against erotica, I just don’t write it. My books are mainly relationship-driven; however, my characters use sex and BDSM to cement that relationship, and they don’t close the bedroom
(or dungeon, kitchen, etc.) door. The reward is in depicting the depth and complexity of these relationships and the trust involved in BDSM dynamics.
How do you balance the sensual and romantic aspects of your stories with elements of suspense and drama?
I hope skillfully, LOL. The backbone of my story is the relationship, and the sensual parts help move that connection along. My plots often contain elements of suspense because it’s something that intrigues me. I guess I’ve read too many Colin Forbes, Alistair MacLean, and Desmond Bagley growing up. Balancing these elements involves weaving them seamlessly so that the romance and suspense complement each other.
What do you hope readers take away from your books, particularly in terms of understanding BDSM relationships?
As I mention at the beginning of each book, my books are romantic fiction and not a how-to BDSM book. That said, I do hope to give readers a realistic view of the lifestyle. I would also like to encourage older women to express and explore their sexuality and kinks. (Sex) life doesn’t end after 40 (or 50 or 60), and you don’t have to be a 20-something virgin to discover new and exciting things about yourself.
Could you share a bit about your writing process and how you develop your characters and storylines?
I’m a mix between a plotter and a pantser. I always start out my stories with a solid outline. About halfway through each manuscript, my characters act up. They don’t listen, they get a mind of their own, and they have me running in circles. They never listen! This is usually the point where I skip forward to the epilogue and write how the ending is going to be. This gives me (and the characters) a spot on the horizon where they get their happily ever after.
Savage Game is a gripping entry into the dark billionaire romance genre. The story follows Charlotte Randall, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a reckless bet lands her in the hands of the enigmatic Byron Nolan. Nappa masterfully crafts a tale of power, control, and intense passi- on, as Byron’s ruthless domi- nance breaks down Charlotte’s defenses. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the narrative keeps readers on edge, blending steamy scenes with emo- tional depth. Charlotte’s struggle to protect her heart amidst the chaos adds a compelling layer to the story. A must-read for fans of dark, seductive romance.
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