BLOG TOUR: Shameless Ambition by Robert Fanshaw SPOTLIGHT

Shameless Ambition (Shameless #1)

by Robert Fanshaw

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Categories: Mystery/Thriller

Erotic Elements: Light Bondage

Publisher: Steam eReads

Release Date: April 15, 2013

Heat Level: Steamy

Word Count: 63,000

Available at:

Amazon | SteameReads

Blurb:

High-flying executive Caroline and barrister Robert have been married for three years, and the demands of work have left little time for their relationship. Caroline is angling for a promotion, which will mean spending more time away in Germany. On a management development course in Spain, Caroline is tempted into indiscretions with some of her colleagues, a fact that is noticed by course leader and former chief executive Melody Bigger.

Melody sees in Caroline aspects of her younger self and a barely suppressed exhibitionism. She draws Caroline into a plot to put pressure on Von Wolfswinkle, the German delegate to the European Central Bank. His opposition to Eurobonds is causing hardship across southern Europe, and Caroline is inveigled into a peculiar relationship with Von Wolfswinkle based on his voyeurism and her exhibitionism. Melody wants Caroline to influence the banker’s recommendations to the forthcoming European economic summit.

As Caroline is drawn into a seedy world of private parties for bankers and politicians, she soon realizes she has damaged her reputation and her marriage. How will she ever be able to face her colleagues and her husband again?

Warning: This title is intended for readers over the age of 18 as it contains adult sexual situations and/or adult language, and may be considered offensive to some readers.

Antonia is helping Caroline prepare for a visit to a local amateur strip club.

“Is something the matter?” asked Caroline.

“No, that was a great start. You’re a sexy girl. But you’ve got to move a bit more. Haven’t you ever danced around for Robert? Made a home movie?”

“Sorry, no. And I haven’t done pole dancing classes like you. The only time I have taken my clothes off in public was when I did life modelling at college, to earn a few quid when I was a student. That was where I met Erik. He was the tutor.” Caroline stared past Antonia to the sky outside.

“Erik? You must tell me about Erik. You need to jiggle and wiggle. The stripper’s art is not a still life. Like this.” Antonia demonstrated by wiggling her hips and sashaying out of her slip. Then she leaned towards Caroline and jiggled her little breasts, never losing her wide smile. Caroline watched, open mouthed.

“God, I really would kill for a body like yours,” said Caroline. She realised she wanted to wrap that taut brown body in her arms.

“Well I’d kill for breasts like yours,” said Antonia. “At least you’ve got something to jiggle. We all have to make the best of what we’ve got. Put your bra and pants back on and have another go.”

Caroline did as instructed. This time she made the most of revealing her curves, fondling her breasts, turning round and looking over her shoulder, and wiggling her hips and bottom while Antonia giggled, clapped, and cheered encouragingly.

“I like the bright pink breasts and bottom,” said Antonia. “It looks a bit like you’re wearing a pink bikini.”

“I got a bit hot this afternoon on the exercise and had a dip in a mountain pool. I always put sunscreen on – its part of my morning routine when it’s sunny - but I wasn’t planning to be naked.”

“Caroline… what were you doing with Clive?”

“Nothing. I told him to look the other way.”

“And of course he did.”

“No, he didn’t. He was a nuisance, but nothing significant happened.”

“Well I suggest you plan your dance around keeping the knickers and bra on; the sunburn won’t be so obvious. But it looks silly with all that hair… down there.” Antonia pointed at Caroline’s crotch.

Caroline looked down at her fine red curls and teetered to the mirror on the wardrobe for a closer inspection. She found a way into the crotchless knickers and looked in the mirror again. There was a pretty black bow just above her clitoris, but wisps of red hair were sprouting outside, and even through, the triangles of sheer fabric. It was cut a lot briefer than the knickers and swimsuits she usually wore.

“I see what you mean. I’ll pop back to my room and have a go with my Bic and a pair of scissors.”

“You’ll do no such thing. It will be much easier if I do it for you. That’s what friends are for. I’ll pour you another drink. You lie down on the bed and relax. I’ll get a towel for you to lie on.” Antonia reappeared from the bathroom in a hotel robe holding two towels, a razor, a flannel, shaving gel, and a hair trimmer, looking every inch the professional beautician.

“Lie on the edge of the bed with your feet on the floor. Legs apart, please. I need to be able to see what I’m doing.” Antonia knelt on the floor with her face between Caroline’s knees. The hair trimmer buzzed and some little curls fell to the floor. Antonia picked up a curl and showed Caroline. “You should give this to Robert to carry in his wallet so he never looks at another woman.”

“I’m not sure that would work with Robert. Oh, that feels nice.” Antonia was moistening her remaining pubic hair with the warm flannel. She got to work with the razor, her tongue stuck between her teeth in concentration. Caroline reached for her glass of wine.

“Don’t move. I don’t want to cut you. Shut your eyes and lie still.” Caroline took a quick swig of the wine and lay back. It was nice to be bossed around sometimes. She found herself thinking about taking her clothes off and revealing everything; well, that underwear was even ruder than everything. The physical reaction she had experienced in the hotel pool surged back at the idea of all those eyes upon her intimate parts. The blood rose in her nipples, in her clitoris, in her lips, in her cheeks. She tried to push the thought away but it wouldn't go. 

I am mid-thirties, a lawyer, and married (still). Writing is more than a hobby; it’s what keeps me sane because most of my job is boring. I think it must be like being in the army. There are very long periods where nothing happens then suddenly all hell is let loose.

I’ve had a book to do with work published before, and have written columns and features for magazines but my first novel Shameless Ambition was much more fun to write. I can’t really claim credit for the idea. Life provided me with Caroline, my wife. The banking crisis provided the plot. All I had to do was write it down and use my imagination for the parts where Caroline refused to go into details.

Caroline is my inspiration. I hope that doesn’t sound too mushy. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she continues to refuse to read the book. The other characters… let’s say that names have been changed to avoid embarrassment or more work for the legal profession.  It was never meant to be published but then someone who had agreed to keep it confidential; didn’t. So it had to be.

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