Marcia James, Author of Hot, Humorous Romances

THE JAMES GANG

Each month I interview an author or publishing insider who has "James" in his/her name. My July James Gang interview is with The Wild Rose Press (TWRP) author, Christina James.

1. Let’s get the most important question asked first: Why James?

I combined my daughter and son’s middle names to come up with my pen name: Christina James. I thought it was a cool way to quickly come up with a pen name that wouldn’t feel so unusual. And it just so happened that the names sounded great when combined.

2. What fiction genre(s) and/or sub-genre(s) do you write?

I write erotic, contemporary, and romantic suspense novels. For my erotic romances, I like to push the envelope, like to venture into different situations and make the romance and the lovemaking unique. I love the freedom that writing erotic romances gives me for when my characters want to get a little friskier and adventurous. It’s really up to my characters how hot they want to get!

For my contemporary romances, I like to include the hero or heroine’s extended family because I think it’s fun to create characters that have to deal with every day family issues so the reader can relate. Let’s face it, life’s never perfect but it’s nice to cheer when the characters overcome the obstacles and live happily ever after. My romantic suspenses are similar to my contemporaries but layered with a mystery that the characters find themselves thrust into and what keeps them together long enough for the sparks of attraction to flare.

3. Tell us about your latest release.

My current release is my first book, Make A Wish and Blow.

Two best friends, Cassandra and Daren, have a weekend to explore their sexual attraction. It is Daren’s hope that by introducing Cassandra to the erotic side of sex like bondage and spanking, she will allow herself to embrace her submissive side and allow his Dominant side to finally be satisfied with a woman who matches his sexual appetite. Will Cassandra and Daren’s weekend of sexual bliss destroy the one thing that means most to both of them…their friendship?

4. Is there a core story and/or a theme(s) in your books?

I enjoy writing about alpha heroes and the feisty heroines who win their hearts. I like pushing the envelope and delving deep into the fantasies and dreams of my characters so my readers can experience an emotional attachment to the story. I love to have each heroine discover the “softer” side of the hero, whether it is when he holds her hand, when he looks at her in a certain way, or when he just listens to her. I also love it when the hero is challenged by the heroine’s feistiness and smarts, setting her apart from all the other women he had known. Then when the hero realizes that he has fallen for the heroine, well it shocks him and thrills him all at once.

5. Do you have a favorite hero and/or heroine in your books and why?

I do have a favorite hero even though all of my characters are my favorites in some way as I journey with them as they discover love. But so far my favorite hero is Austin “Mac” MacDevin, in my hopefully-soon-to-be-published contemporary, A Place To Call Home. Mac is a single dad raising three teenage boys, who runs his own construction business in South Carolina. When his new client, Hannah O’Leary, blows into town and disrupts his orderly life, he is forced to give love another chance as Hannah’s feisty personality awakens his heart. Mac’s loving but stern ways are typical sexy alpha male qualities, but Hannah unwraps the softer, gentler side of Mac that is so very endearing that you just can’t help falling in love with this hero.

6. What do you enjoy most about being an author?

I enjoy the freedom to create characters that touch people, create a story that makes the reader laugh and cry, and most of all create the happy ending where two people come together despite all odds because I truly believe in romance. Being able to tell a story and have a reader say “I felt like I was there,” means I’m doing my job. And it’s so thrilling to discover my next characters when I start a new book.

7. Do you have any awards, reviews or kudos you'd like to tell us about?

With my very first book, Make A Wish and Blow, I won Book of the Week with Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews after receiving 4.5 cherries and a fantastic review. I’ve also received a 4-star review from Night Owl Reviews and a 4-diamond review from Got Erotic Romance! Reviews. Plus, I’ve received fantastic reviews from readers on Amazon.com. I really couldn’t be more pleased or more grateful.

8. How do you promote your books and your author brand?

I use my website with frequent updates. I am also a hosted author on Between Your Sheets.com, which distributes a free weekly newsletter via email to thousands of readers. I send promotional items to functions like the RT (Romantic Times) conference and will be featured in an ad along with nine other TWRP authors in the September 2010 issue of the Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine. I promote whenever an opportunity arises, because I love my books and want to share with everyone.

9. What is your next project?

I am working on a number of projects, but my next release will be Operation: Spank Me from The Wild Rose Press. What begins as a hot and sexy cyber affair quickly turns into the real thing when Lt. Finn Coleman takes a military leave and shows up on Emma Shield's doorstep to fulfill all her fantasies. When Finn discovers Emma isn't who she pretended to be online, it doesn't stop him from seducing her and unraveling a sensual woman who enjoys the kinkier side of sex, spankings and bondage. But Finn is a career military man with a dangerous mission ahead. Falling in love has never been part of his life’s plans. Losing Finn is not part of Emma’s plans.

TWRP has asked me to work on a military series which I am absolutely thrilled about.

10. Do you have a bit of wisdom you'd like to impart or a favorite quote?

My wisdom on love: Anyone can say, “I love you.” It’s showing it that’s the hard part…as well as the fun part! Love can only be what you make it; without romance, it’s just another emotion.

Thanks, Christina! Next month, I'll interview Cobblestone Press author Jamieson Wolf!

Cara Lynn James Interview