There Was No Such Thing as BDSM in the 1920’s
Okay, I’m waiting for the screams of protest. But if I’m being literal, then it’s true. The activities that comprise the acronym of BDSM are likely as ancient as humanity, but the acronym itself wasn’t recorded until the late sixties. Prior to that, those who participated in bondage, discipline, sadomasochism or D/s relationships, did so in the shadows. I won’t go into a long historical account so as to prevent this from becoming a textbook lesson, but I will say that writing BDSM in a historical context was a real challenge.
In Hesitant Heart, Book One of the Hampton Road Club series, I introduce the sadomasochism club that was briefly discussed (but never seen) in the Gin & Jazz book, Studio Orders. I should also quickly mention that the acronym ‘S&M’ didn’t exist either. Neither did the abbreviations ‘sub’ or ‘Dom’. What it all added up to was that I had to be careful not to slip into an inaccurate portrayal of what a ‘BDSM’ club of that era might be like. But how could something be accurate when there’s no way for me to actually know what a private gay men’s sadomasochism club was like back in the 1920’s?
Essentially, there was no way for me to be truly accurate other than in the verbiage that I mentioned or the research I did on implements and toys that would’ve been available at that time (that one was fun!). I did use some of the lurid, gossipy stories that were recorded of the Austrian film director Erich von Stroheim. He had quite the reputation, but there’s no record of him being gay. It would seem he only liked to tie up and whip women. But his stories did help give me some context. (He shows up in one of the early Gin & Jazz books when he scares the crap out of Jack Stone on a film set.) Beyond that, The Hampton Road Club is my invention.
The club is set in San Marino, just south of Pasadena, California – a tony address to this day. It’s not far from Hollywood, so there will some more characters from Tinsel Town in upcoming installments. At Hampton Road, men are allowed to explore their darkest desires without any judgment. Since protocol and safewords are also additions to the modern BDSM world, I have my morally grounded Dominant men admonish their submissive men to cry out ‘mercy’ if something is too much. But as I mentioned, it’s not a time when protocol existed, so there are those Dominants who take advantage. I touch on that in the first book, but it’s the main theme of the next book.
Hesitant Heart gives an introduction to the world of these men and is where the inside workings of the club are first revealed. The initial glimpse occurs when sweet, young Sam is shown off by Master Aaron for the first time after he’s been trained as Aaron’s submissive. It also happens to be the first time Sam is ever naked in front of men other than his Master. Did I also mention that he’s being led around on a leash? Well, there’s a lot more that goes on at the club, but I don’t want to give too much away *wink*
Blurb for Hesitant Heart:
This is book one in the The Hampton Road Club series, see the full series listing here
Sam is a naïve young man who arrives in Hollywood to escape his brutal father. When the older, sophisticated Aaron rescues him, Sam discovers what it means to fully surrender himself to another.
Eighteen year-old Sam Cunningham is used to living with lots of secrets. He’s had to hide his true nature his entire life or else incur the wrath of his strict and abusive father. When he’s faced with a horrible ultimatum, he flees to Hollywood where he hopes he can escape the fate his father has planned for him.
Aaron Rubenstein is a wealthy and sophisticated man who loses himself in painting portraits of bound men to help stave off his loneliness and despair. Unable to find a lasting connection with anyone, he’s had to resort to paying lovers not only for their affections, but to be allowed to indulge in his darker passions. Aaron’s only respite is his nights at the Hampton Road sadomasochism club where he’s a respected Dominant.
Naïve and inexperienced in the ways men can please one another, Sam takes a job at a bathhouse where he first glimpses a beautiful older man. Aaron notices the sweet towel boy watching him with interest every time he patronizes the Temple of Eros bathhouse. A traumatic incident for the innocent towel boy triggers Aaron’s protective tendencies and he’s compelled to rescue the gentle Sam from the clutches of the Temple’s manager.
They embark on a journey together that teaches them both things about themselves that they never knew. As their bond deepens and Sam is trained for his first night at the Hampton Road Club, an unknown danger lurks. Will Sam’s father find him and destroy both men’s chance for true happiness together? Or will Aaron protect his boy and keep him for always?
Reader Advisory: This book contains a scene of branding.
Publisher’s Note: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series.
Like the sound of Hesitant Heart? Buy it here.
About Morticia Knight:
M/M and M/M/F Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys a good saucy tale – after all, who doesn’t? Since she loves several genres, you may find your heroes in a contemporary, historical, paranormal or sci-fi setting. One of her passions is bringing people’s fantasies to life on the page, because life is too short for even one boring moment. Her stories are volcanic in heat, deep in emotion, and sprinkled with doses of humor.
When not indulging in her obsession for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. The Pacific Northwest is the ideal spot to enjoy both hiking and beachcombing. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She now resides on the northern coast of Oregon, where the constant rain and fog remind her of visits to family in England and Scotland when she was a child.
She is currently working on the Sin City Uniforms Series and a BDSM spin-off to the Gin & Jazz series entitled The Hampton Road Club. A follow-up to Bryan and Aubrey’s story in Rockin’ the Alternative will be available in 2015.
