A Release Special!Thursday Euclid on ‘Built For Pleasure (outtake excerpt)

built-for-pleasure-cover

Built for Pleasure by Thursday Euclid
D
reamspinner Press
Cover art by Aaron Anderson

Release Date: November 21, 2016

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words is happy to welcome Thursday Euclid here today to share a little bit about his latest novel, Built for Pleasure. Welcome, Thursday.

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As I write this post, the book has just been released, and I’ve had the opportunity to see feedback from readers. One lamented never having the opportunity to see Wolf interact with other cyborgs, as it simply didn’t fit within the scope of the story. (Although that will be much of the sequel I’ve planned!)

I won’t spoil any plot points, but here’s a little outtake that shows what it’s like for Wolf when he interacts with others of his kind.

“Wolf’s Watercooler” – A Built for Pleasure Outtake

Sheridan dismissed Wolf, sending it away to be cleaned and maintained. It went automatically, its mind quiet, foggy with chemicals. A liveried servant guided it to the sonic shower and then scrubbed it down with cleansing lotion. Though Sheridan possessed other pleasure cyborgs, Wolf rarely saw them; it was his favorite now, and they were relegated to providing relief to his security force. It was uncommon enough that when another servant herded one in to be cleaned, the surprise startled Wolf from its haze.

It studied the smaller cyborg, noting its feminine build, its androgynous features. Far more beautiful than Wolf, it was delicate and fine-boned, without the visible implants that marked Wolf as a battle build as much as its size. Wolf tried to attract its attention without attracting the notice of its handler, desperate for interaction as an equal after its time with Torvik, who had spoken to it like a person.

Torvik, who had held it, and fed it real food, and let it sleep in his bed.

It missed Torvik as it had never missed anyone or anything.

Disappointing but unsurprising, the other cyborg ignored Wolf’s efforts at communication, forcing Wolf to suffer the indignities of maintenance without distraction. Having its genitals handled in a way at once impersonal and intimate left it craving escape. Rather than sink into solitary thoughts, Wolf struggled to think of a way to excuse conversation with the other cyborg.

Cyborgs rarely spoke to one another, being programmed to communicate only when invited to do so or when certain conditions made it necessary. Cyborg soldiers relayed orders or information—at least, Wolf seemed to remember that from its training, though it was uncertain after the memory wipes—but pleasure slaves had no need to talk to each other unless they were coordinating the service of a sapiens. This one would have nothing to say, no personality to display, and yet Wolf hungered for that interaction.

They were here, two meters apart, naked and vulnerable, being pried open and cleansed, but in the ways that mattered, they could not be farther apart.

The sapiens had a joke, one Wolf had overheard years ago, that seemed to underscore every interaction it had ever had with another of its kind.

“What do cyborgs talk about around the watercooler?“

“Whatever we tell them to.”

About Built for Pleasure

Retired military officer Malcolm Torvik runs a rehabilitation facility for malfunctioning pleasure cyborgs. When WLF-6759—Wolf—arrives at Reboot Camp, the former battle cyborg presents problems Malcolm’s never faced before. Most pleasure cyborgs are sensation junkies, constantly high on the chemicals sex releases into their bloodstream, but Wolf’s faulty refit means it’s spent a decade suffering through unwanted encounters—and sometimes fighting back despite the consequences.

At first Wolf’s rebellion frustrates Malcolm even as Wolf’s undeniable physical perfection draws him. Then Wolf’s unexpected vulnerability and need open a whole new dynamic between them, and Malcolm finds himself feeling far too much for something that isn’t even human. Or is it? Could Homo sapiens technica be just as human as Malcolm is? And if it is, what’s Malcolm supposed to do about it? Malcolm’s been alone for so long…. Is it possible he’s found love with a cyborg? How far will he go to ensure Wolf’s freedom? Malcolm knows what he must do—for both of them—but it might cost him much more than his comfortable life.

Available at:

Dreamspinner Press – https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/built-for-pleasure-by-thursday-euclid-7800-b

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Built-Pleasure-Thursday-Euclid-ebook/dp/B01MG8OHV9/

All Romance – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-builtforpleasure-2165951-145.html

B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/built-for-pleasure-thursday-euclid/1125061525

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About the Author

The Thursday Euclid is a strange and elusive creature dwelling in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Frequently mistaken for Bigfoot, Chupacabra, or the monster of the week, he is, in fact, a 30-something black sheep with a penchant for K-pop, geekery, and hot and sour soup. When he’s not playing Dragon Age or SWTOR, he’s probably watching B-movies or talking to his best friend and frequent collaborator Clancy Nacht.

Website: http://www.thursdayeuclid.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thursdayeuclid

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thursdayeuclid

Email: thursdayeuclid at gmail dot com

A Lila Release Day Review: Built for Pleasure by Thursday Euclid

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

 

built-for-pleasure

 Retired military officer Malcolm Torvik runs a rehabilitation facility for malfunctioning pleasure cyborgs. When WLF-6759—Wolf—arrives at Reboot Camp, the former battle cyborg presents problems Malcolm’s never faced before. Most pleasure cyborgs are sensation junkies, constantly high on the chemicals sex releases into their bloodstream, but Wolf’s faulty refit means it’s spent a decade suffering through unwanted encounters—and sometimes fighting back despite the consequences.

 At first Wolf’s rebellion frustrates Malcolm even as Wolf’s undeniable physical perfection draws him. Then Wolf’s unexpected vulnerability and need open a whole new dynamic between them, and Malcolm finds himself feeling far too much for something that isn’t even human. Or is it? Could Homo sapiens technica be just as human as Malcolm is? And if it is, what’s Malcolm supposed to do about it? Malcolm’s been alone for so long…. Is it possible he’s found love with a cyborg? How far will he go to ensure Wolf’s freedom? Malcolm knows what he must do—for both of them—but it might cost him much more than his comfortable life.

Built for Pleasure is a beautiful story. The first couple of chapters are strong and have a depth that goes beyond the amount of words used. The ideas are refreshing and interesting, keeping the reader engage and wanting to read the next page and the next. 

I love the idea behind Wolf’s and Malcolm’s meeting and how their relationship evolved even when by their society standards Wolf shouldn’t have the ability to create a friendship or anything more. And we get to see how Malcolm struggles to understand the differences between Wolf and the rest of the cyborgs.

This book is a wild ride. We get a bit of everything, from one-on-one scenes between the characters, to regal parties, and battle scenes. The author did an outstanding job building a world for this story, and including well-rounded characters to go with it. The way the cyborgs are integrated into the story and the everyday life of the citizens is an interesting take on traditional sci-fi books. 

I like that Malcolm was a middle-aged, retired military man with a good relationship with his family. They played an important role in molding the type of man he is. And Wolf is a character that will steal your heart. I love seeing how much he “matures” during the story and how he tries to do better, first for Malcolm, and then for himself. 

 If you like sci-fi stories with a good balance of romance and world-built elements, this story will be for you. The only thinks that didn’t work for me were some elements related to Wolf’s past, and a bit of a slow pace in the middle of the story. Other than that, this is a good story to read. 

There’s a lot to look at in the cover designed by Aaron Anderson, but the overall composition works well; even when it feels a bit generic.  All the elements are part of the story itself. 

Sale Links

        

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages

 Published: November 21, 2016, Dreamspinner Press

ISBN: 1634779037 (ISBN13: 9781634779036)

> Edition Language: English

 

Sales Links: Pride Publishing | Amazon

 

Book Details:

ebook, 151 pages

Published: November 8, 2016 by Pride Publishing

ISBN: 9781786514790

Edition Language: English