Sweet, innocent Ophelia–she wants nothing more than to marry Hamlet Elsinore. But what does a simple virgin know about pleasing a man like the sophisticated and charming Hamlet? Not a whole lot, but when her seductive roommate, Portia, learns of Ophelia’s interest, she gets Horatio to “teach” the innocent girl everything she’ll need to know to seduce his best friend, Hamlet.
Set in modern day, this prequel to Hamlet is steamy enough to have even the Bard blushing! Enjoy this first book of Literotica in the Naughty Shakespeare series.
Q & A with Esmae Browder
Thanks for having me on your blog, Jen! I love all the fabulous and honest reviews that you give readers.
What is your favorite place in the world?
That’s an easy one! I adore New Orleans. Most of the time it’s hot, steamy, crowded, and full of crazy smells that make you want to puke or drink faster depending on your mood. That being said, I’m always enchanted by the music of the Big Easy, the way it flows like an undercurrent to whatever you are doing in the French Quarter. I love the studio apartments on Royal Street and often imagine that I’m up there sipping on a dirty martini and scribbling away. I have an obsession with what I call “character” bars–places where you meet unique people or pick up a particular vibe– and New Orleans is home to one of my favorites: the Carousel Bar. With it’s rotating bar and decadent atmosphere, the Carousel is the kind of place where it feels like anything can happen! Maybe that’s why my next erotic series–not the Naughty Shakespeare series, of course–is set there.
Do you ever run into someone who says “You write what?”
Ha! All the time! As you may have guessed, many writers who choose to pen erotic tales use a pseudonym and I’m no different. However, I do occasionally love to shock new friends by telling them what other kind of fiction I’m into. Usually, I get a reaction of “No way!” When I released the first book in the Naughty Shakespeare series, Ophelia’s Lessons, I had to be really careful about shouting it from the rooftops! I value privacy, but sometimes it’s hard to balance all my writing worlds.
What is the last book you read?
Actually, I just finished the Something Borrowed and Something Blue books by Emily Giffen. I liked how she captured both character voices so well! She also did something that is difficult for many authors–she made a really unlikeable and shallow character have serious depth. Gotta respect that! Both are chick lit, light, fast paced reads.
As you can probably guess, I love the classics, too. Shakespeare and I would have been lovers if given the chance! Maybe that’s why I took some of his most famous tales and wrote some erotic fiction for them. I’m a total Bard Fangirl. I’m not sure what he would thought about my retelling of Taming of the Shrew ( I call it Taming of the Prude), but I like to think he would be…appreciative.
What are your thoughts on ebooks?
I think they are changing the face of publishing, and as an indie author and someone who has published in the conventional way under a different name, I welcome them. They make getting the product into the hands of the reader quicker and allow indie authors the chance to control their own prices which benefits the author and the reader. I’m afraid that ebooks aren’t going away so it’s time to embrace them. All three books in the Naughty Shakespeare series are only available in an ebook format.
Thanks for having me on your blog today! I hope you and your readers will check out the Naughty Shakespeare series. My suggestion would be to start with the steamy and erotic tale of Ophelia from Hamlet. Her story is called Ophelia’s Lessons and believe me, she does learn some interesting things during her studies.
Here’s hoping your reading is steamy and full of passion—Esmae Browder
Read and excerpt from the book:
“Champagne?” he asked.
“Why not?” She smiled at him. “Everything is better with champagne. You taught me that.”
Horatio gave her a warm, knowing smile and signaled a nearby waitress.
“You’re usual?” the girl asked.
“Of course.”
“So you come here a lot?” Ophelia asked as the girl walked away. “You have a usual.”
“Hamlet and I both come here,” Horatio said. “In fact, you may even see him tonight.”
Her heart beat a little faster. Self-conscious, she raised a hand to her hair as her eyes scanned the dance floor. What would Hamlet think if he saw her with Horatio? Was he down from Odessa? Why hadn’t Portia told her?
“Relax, he’s not here yet,” Horatio soothed. He grabbed her hand and squeezed gently. “He’ll text me when he gets here. But I thought you might enjoy a little taste of what he is all about. He has…certain tastes.”
“I don’t know…if he sees me here…I may not be what he wants…”
“Stop. You’re beautiful. That’s exactly what he wants.”
“I’m not. I’m–“
“Stop talking.” His stern voice stopped her in mid-sentence. “See? That’s what he wants. Obedience mixed with innocence and sex appeal.”
He leaned over to her and ran his finger down her shoulder.
“It’s what we all want.”
The touch of his finger, so light, so perfect, sent a chill through her.
He kissed her and she thought she might melt into her seat.
Horatio had never kissed her. Had sex with her, yes. Fucked her till she was practically blind, yes. But kiss her? That wasn’t his thing. She’d seen him do it a thousand times to Portia though.
His lips were soft against hers, his tongue gentle in her mouth as he ran a hand through her hair. The action awoke something primal in her and she found herself pressing against his mouth with her own, kissing him as if her life depended on it. He moaned and the sound urged her on.
“Um…you should pull the curtain.” The waitress was back with the champagne bottle. “Everyone is getting a free show.”
“Maybe that’s how I want it tonight,” Horatio said, kissing Ophelia’s neck before taking the bottle.
“A break from your usual discretion?” The girl shook her head in disbelief. “You are always so private.”
She walked away, leaving Ophelia to wonder about all the things she didn’t know about Horatio, had never even thought to ask.
He glanced down at his phone which buzzed on the table.
“Looks like Hamlet’s out front.” Horatio looked at Ophelia. “You ready?”
“For what exactly?”
“To put on a little show.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Hamlet is going to join us, but you aren’t going to speak or look at him. In fact, he is not to even see your face.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You are going to be under the table.”
My review:
In a fantastically steamy version of Hamlet, Ophelia’s Lessons takes you on a twisted, modern take on the love quadrangle of Ophelia, Horatio, Portia and Hamlet. Shakespearean times could be loquacious, randy and rowdy. Ophelia’s Lesson definitely equals that and more. Murder, intrigue, adultery and dabbling in the porn/sex industry creates a fantastic dynamic between all the characters in a way that definitely rings true of the genre. I was somewhat taken a-back by the abrupt ending but it ended pretty much how it began. I recommend it if you are looking for a new kind of erotica, one that is full of story and a little touch of bard.
About the author:
Esmae Browder is an ex-Catholic school girl from New Orleans who loves vodka tonics and romance. Combining her love of literature with a flair for erotic fiction, she has created a unique series which includes prequels and retellings of some of the Bard’s most famous works. Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew–nothing is sacred in Esmae’s Literotica world. You may know your Shakespeare, but you haven’t heard the whole erotic story! An avid blogger at All Things Writing, you can learn more about Esmae there or stop by her website: www.esmaebrowder.com.
Twitter @esmaebrowder
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Esmae-Browder/325152790965304
All Things Writing Blog: http://allthingswriting.blogspot.com
Amazon Buy Link: http://amzn.to/1ocytEv
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About Jen
Thanks for hosting!
Great interview, excerpt, and review!