Friday, April 12, 2013

Friday Hot Seat - Marcia James' Crush!


Marcia James is in the hot seat this morning.  She has gone through the publishing process…from New York houses to self-publishing.  Guess which one she likes best?

Is there anything surprising you’ve learned about the publishing industry that you’d like to share with us?
I worked as a writer my entire professional life -- from an advertising copywriter to a corporate scriptwriter.  So I was surprised to learn (through being published by both a NY publisher and several small presses, as well as through the experiences of author friends), how insignificant an author is perceived by many others in the publishing process.   Despite the fact that without authors' hard work, there wouldn't be any published books, many editors and agents consider authors to be just a small cog in the huge publishing wheel -- and treat their authors accordingly.  Some publishing houses have even changed the way they refer to authors, calling us "content providers."  The good news is many authors are taking their careers in their own hands -- cutting out the middle men and women and self-publishing their own books.  I'm firmly on that indie publishing career path and loving it.  ;-)  It's wonderfully empowering!   
Okay, squirm time, Marcia. What famous man, current or historical, would you like to spend a passionate night with?
That's a tough one!  If I can't choose my wonderful husband, I guess I'll have to say Hugh Jackman.  ;-)  There's nothing like a gorgeous man who also has a great sense of humor!
Love Unleashed
by Marcia James

BLURB:

His best laid plans...
                DJ “Rabid Ron” Hart has a grand scheme to win back the woman he loves. It involves an animal adoption fair, a goofy hairless dog named Charlie and an offer she can’t refuse.

Her hidden desires...
                Cara Wilson has fantasies she’s never admitted, and her ex-boyfriend still features in her erotic dreams. If only he didn’t keep his bad-boy urges so tightly leashed.

Tonight they’ll learn that winning sometimes takes losing control.
NOTE: This 50-page, contemporary romance short story features an R-rated reunion of a couple ready for some "sexploration."

EXCERPT:
Cara knew this wasn’t fair to Ron. Even if he hated her afterward, he had a right to know why she’d left him. “We got along great everywhere but in the bedroom. You’re just too...nice for me.”
                “What the--? Too nice!” He gritted his teeth. “I was so careful with you--”
“Did I ask you to be careful?” Dammit, she wasn’t a bad person. Men didn't apologize for liking kinky sex. Why should she? “You treated me like a porcelain doll, like I’d break if you looked at me cross-eyed.”
                He leaned closer, his arms folded over his muscular chest. “I’m over a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier than you. Was I supposed to body slam you to the floor and screw you senseless?”
                “Yes!” God, it would have been wonderful if he’d been more sexually aggressive. “I loved you, Ron, but I can’t commit to a man whose lovemaking is so...”
                “What? Boring?” He was being sarcastic, but his mouth dropped open as something in her eyes must have confirmed his comment. “This is crazy. I put you first every time. You want a selfish bastard who just cares about his own needs?”
                He was crowding her personal space, and Cara’s anger spiked. “You can be generous in bed and still open to new things. Selfish and daring aren’t synonymous.”
                “So, Cara, you want spice or kink?” His lips twisted. “Should I get a copy of the Kama Sutra?”
                  “I’m not ashamed of my desires.” She was tired of men scorning her for having a strong sex drive. “You’re the one who’s repressed. Ron Hart, Mr. Perfect Gentleman. Why keep such a tight leash on yourself? I’m not going to faint if you give into your urges.”
                His pupils dilated and his jaw clenched, but she wasn’t afraid. Ron would never hurt her, but he might finally let his inner-caveman out. And if he threw off his good-boy manners and didn’t despise her for her fantasies, there might be a chance for them after all.
                Ron’s gaze dropped to her mouth. His voice deep and sensual, he asked, “You want me to give in to my urges, Cara?”
                Yes. God, yes. She’d had fantasies like this since she’d met him--Ron taking what he wanted from her, giving in to his wild side. Licking her lips in anticipation, she nodded.

 Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-unleashed-marcia-james/1115053670?ean=2940016428604

 

9 comments:

Leigh Daley/Arley Cole/me said...

wow! smoking excerpt! great post!

Marcia James said...

I posted a couple of comments, but they seem to have disappeared into a cyberspace black hole, so I hope you'll excuse me if I try to post again.

Thanks, Lizzie, for putting me on the Hot Seat today! You always have the most interesting blog days. ;-) I also enjoy your reader email loop.

Marcia James said...

Hi, Arley! Thanks for the kind words! I wrote this novella for an American Heart Association fundraiser on All Romance eBooks, which required the books to be either X-rated or a "hard" R-rated. Since I tend to write just R-rated, I had to push myself a little to get hotter in this book. ;-) The fundraiser is over, so I self-published the story.

Carol Ann said...

Love the cover, Marcia! You couldn't have picked a better excerpt to entice readers.

Sloane Taylor said...

Wonderful blurb and excerpt. I'm hooked!

Sam Cheever said...

Yummy! The book sounds great, Marcia. And I share your excitement about indie pubbing. It's really the only way to go IMHO!

Sandy said...

Loved your Hugh Jackman answer. Thanks for sharing about your new story. Love the excerpt, now I'm off to buy it.

Unknown said...

I second the Hugh Jackman answer - I may be slightly biased as an Australian ;) but I think he's the hottest thing on two legs and he just gets better with age. Yum! Great excerpt too, enjoyable read. N xx

Marcia James said...

Hi, Nicole! That's for stopping by my blog interview! ;-) I appreciate your kind words and totally agree with your view of Hugh growing better with age. ;-) He's a cutie!

I hope this comment shows up and stays on the blog since several of my other blog comments have disappeared again. ;-(