Book and Bag: Marcia James, author and extrovert #designerhandbag #readromance #servicedog

I’m an author and an extrovert, so I wanted a handbag that was both functional and a conversation-starter. I found this black backpack purse on sale at a resale shop. The bag is large enough to carry swag and other things I need for reader events and conferences, but also light and comfortable to wear. I enjoyed “blinging” it with my canine logo, Smokey, and my website URL. I included a dog-theme because my contemporary romances feature dogs. Why did I turn my bag into a craft project? Because authors are always standing in lines at these events from the buffet to the ladies room. This purse on my back is an ice-breaker for the shyer attendees standing behind me in line. I’ve met so many people that way. And once a conversation is started, I can retrieve swag from this purse and hand it out. I have prettier and more expensive handbags, but this one is my author favorite!

Stock car legend, Tom "Torque" Tyler, faces a bleak future following a traumatic head injury and seizures. Determined to drag her high-school crush from his self-imposed solitude, service dog trainer, Meg Klein, and a tiny but talented seizure response dog bring Tom hope and love.
Meg stepped closer. "Would it ruin dinner if we waited before eating?"
               His expression curious, Tom turned off the sauce. "No. Would you like some wine?"
               This was the moment of truth. "All I want is you." Meg flattened her hands on his chest and stood on her toes to press her mouth to his.
               She'd surprised him, and it took a heart-stopping second for Tom to respond. But then he tugged her against him and deepened the kiss. Her heart stuttered, then raced. Their tongues warred and explored, his taste a rich, savory mix of male and Italian spices.
Tom raised his head, his eyes darkly shining. "Are you sure? I don’t want you to have regrets?"
               "I'll only regret it if we stop." She loved that he was worried about her...and maybe she would have misgivings in the morning. But for once in her life she’d live in the here-and-now. She met his heated gaze. "I know you're not in Jenkins to stay, so let's not waste the time we have together." Meg circled his neck with her arms, pulled his head down to hers again, and poured every bit of her passion and love into the kiss.


Find Racing Hearts at: Amazon
Find Marcia James at: Website