Why Good Girls Like Bad Boys

By Marcia King-Gamble

www.Lovemarcia.com

Call me risk averse, but I’ve never been a fan of bad boys. Yet there are women who love them. And books about bad boys sell. Must be that “I’m going to fix him thing.” To me, that’s way too much work. Come to me fully formed. I’m not looking for a project or to remake anyone. I’m looking for a man.

When I see muscles and an open shirt with ample chest hair peeking through, and too-tight jeans, I run for the hills. I’m not into trouble. But put that kind of guy on a book cover, and watch those books fly off the shelves. Sales are guaranteed to soar.

A cowboy in a ten-gallon hat seated on a stallion gets readers’ attention.  The construction guy in a hard hat is a definite seller Have him lose his shirt and women will buy.

But readers also tend to go for kind. He might look like a bad boy, but he better be a reformed one. Readers might go for the outer trappings of a hunky guy, but they also go for integrity and heroic qualities. That’s why in romance novels the male love interest is called a hero.

Which brings me to my new release, a novella,, titled By Heart. https://amzn.to/3fi4Gg3. You may remember, By Design, released a couple of years back with co-author Sandra Kitt. This time, it’s Cyndy Lawsen’s story. Cyndy was Elle Stanford’s co-worker and friend. They were associates at H.E Caldwell’s in the gift department ETC.

Cyndy’s life undergoes a change when sculptor, Jacques Moreau demands to see the newly promoted manager. But Jacques is no villain, although initially he comes across as such. The villain in this case, is Tanisha Shaw, the manager of the neighboring department, Between the Sheets. Tanisha is after Cyndy’s commissions and the hero’s heart. She will do almost anything to discredit Cyndy and move in on Jacques.

As you can see, villains come in different shapes and forms and aren’t necessarily men.

Here is an excerpt from By Heart.

   “He’s not going to buy squat from you. Bet you I could get him over to Between the Sheets and spending some bucks.” “Tanisha said, pushing Cindy aside and setting off to stalk Cyndy’s potential buyer. Cyndy wasn’t about to let that happen. She cut Tanisha off mid- path.

    “You have customers waiting. I can handle this.” Cyndy turned to the customer in the expensive – looking camel coat.  Peter helping another woman, smothered a grin and went back to showing his customer an intricate cuckoo clock.  “May I help you?”

   The man set down the handmade quilt he’d been fingering. and raised his head. Their eyes connected, and Cyndy’s heart rate went up a beat. “Jacques what are you doing here?”  

   I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by to see you.”               

   Cyndy’s tongue felt as if it was tied in a double loop. She pulled herself together in time to say. “Did your package arrive on time?”     

   “It did, Cheri. I can’t thank you enough. We are still on for tonight, oui?”

   “We are.”  

   Conscious of Tanisha gawking. Cyndy linked an arm through Jacques and, led him to the side. “Pay no attention to that woman. She sees only dollar signs. Her goal is to get you over to Between the Sheets and spending money.”

   Jacques flashed his whites, his eyebrows jiggling.  “Between the sheets. Now that’s an idea.”

 Coming soon is a collaboration with 13 other authors with individual short stories. We hope that you will join us at Last Chance Beach. There, sand, blue skies and romance are definitely on. Who won't like a second chance at love? You can pe-order  here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CV3GN3R/

In my story, One Last Shot, the villain appears to be a former celebrity photographer, who needs just one good shot to get back into the business. As luck would have it, he’s renting a house right next door to a sitcom star hiding out from a major scandal. All these stories are a definite beach reads and should help lighten an unforgettable summer.  So take the ferry  to Last Chance Beach, grab a beach chair, and get comfortable. Here, villains turn into love interests and hearts aren’t broken.

Do you have  a villain you love to hate?  Then why not enter the Florida Romance Writers Golden Palm Contest?  You still have time.

For more information please check out. www.Frwriters.org.

Marcia King-Gamble is a National Bestselling author of over 45 books and novellas. She originally hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. This travel industry executive and current world traveler has spent most of life in the United States. A National Bestselling author, Marcia claims exercise, traveling to exotic locales, and caring for her animal family, keep her sane.

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