Take it away, Jasmine!
In my novel, The King of Infierno, you’ll notice that Donovan and Makayla eat very late. In Spain, lunch is taken at around 2-3 P.M and dinner usually starts no earlier than 9:30 P.M. and is often eaten as late as midnight! I’m unsure as to the reason behind this, but my friends tell me that it has to do with the heat. It’s an intrinsic part of the Spanish culture and Madrid’s streets and restaurants will be alive and bustling until the early morning hours.
Madrileños are very sophisticated and fashionable people. They dress very well — think Paris and Milan! They love to shop and some of the best stores can be found on calle de Serrano. This is the street that Donovan and Makayla venture down for some retail therapy. Designer names such as Prada, Carolina Herrera, and Gucci make up the majority of this street. This is Madrid’s version of Hollywood Boulevard — it’s sophisticated and elegant and very expensive! When I walk down calle de Serrano I imagine Makayla doing the same thing, her eyes wide in wonder as she takes in the luxurious shops and beautiful architecture.
Donovan and Makayla also enjoy some evenings in the hotel piano bar drinking cava — Spain’s version of sparkling wine. Cava is a popular drink choice in Spain and I felt it fitting to have my hero and heroine enjoying a glass in their hotel.
The taking of tapas in Spain, between meals, with drinks or for the meal itself is also a big part of the Spanish culture. Makayla takes great delight in the various tapas that she is served. She’s never experienced such an appetiser before and the gourmet, bite-sized versions offered at the hotel enchant her. The name tapa, comes from the Spanish verb tapar, which means, “to cover”. There is some history surrounding this cultural food item, which Donovan explains to Makayla.
A waiter placed a plate of tapas on their table, small squares of tortilla bread with tomato and cheese and bite-sized croquetas. She took a croqueta and bit into the deep-fried morsel. It was filled with a thick cheese sauce and Spanish jamón.
Donovan took a square of tortilla. “You know, the word tapas originates from the verb tapar, which means to cover. There are several explanations about how the tapa came about. Some say it was originally a piece of bread used to cover the sherry glass and protect it from flies. Others say that King Felipe III passed a law that all alcoholic beverages must be consumed with food to prevent drunken, bawdy behavior. The bartender had to place a cover of food or bread on top of the glass as part of the purchase. There are other theories, of course, but my mother told me that the Felipe III law was the correct explanation.” He shrugged. “I think it also depends on what part of Spain you come from as to the preferred account.”
“I think it’s a fabulous idea. To have little portions of food to accompany a drink. It makes sense,” Makayla responded, taking a piece of bread and tomato. “Also, they eat so late here that everyone would be starving by dinner time without tapas to tide them over.”
The King of Infierno
Totally 5 Stars #6
Jasmine Hill
Totally Bound
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The King always gets what he wants—and he wants Makayla.
Makayla Carrington is innocent and inexperienced…until she meets Donovan King. When the King decides that he wants Makayla, he whisks her away to the Totally Five Star Hotel in Madrid, and he’ll do anything to protect her from his clandestine BDSM activities.
All too soon, Makayla discovers Donovan’s secret, then Makayla decides that she wants something too—to be Donovan’s submissive.
A rivalry arises when an ex of Donovan’s decides that she wants him back and the woman will stop at nothing to fulfill her aim. But Donovan will do anything to protect his relationship with Makayla, and time is of the essence if he wants to keep her.
Reader Advisory: This book inclues scenes of anal play.
Jasmine was born in Australia and grew up in Sydney. She currently lives in Madrid, Spain with her husband.
She adores reading all genres but in particular she enjoys erotic romance novels and thrillers.
Jasmine loves writing and is always looking for new ideas for stories that will provoke inner passions, stimulate the senses and ignite the imagination.
Her interests include cooking, traveling, yoga and skiing.
She has won some short story competitions and is now excited to have started publishing her erotic romance stories through Totally Bound Publishing.
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