January 2023

 

Natasha: Hi Marlee! Thank you for the interview. Can you tell our readers about yourself and how long have you been a writer?

Marlee: Hi, Natasha :) Thank you for inviting me to meet your readers! I’m a life-long reader and a long-time writer. Romance has always been a favorite genre, and, roughly six years ago, I began researching and writing erotic romances featuring people engaged in alternative lifestyles. As is the case with many writers, I was busy with my non-writing day job, so I didn’t reach a point where I was ready to be published until 2017.

Natasha:  When it comes to writing, do you have a certain routine or writing process that allows the ideas to flow better?

Marlee: I’m flexible when it comes to process. An idea will come to me and I usually begin writing scenes right away, just to capture the essence of the story and the characters. Then there always seems to be a natural slowdown where I do more brainstorming, thinking about who the characters are and what they need. At that point, I often go back and change the early scenes I’ve written to reflect the new information I’ve discovered while brainstorming. And finally, with the plot worked out in my head, I start writing again.

Natasha: Congratulations on becoming a USA Today Bestselling author. What type of stories do you like to write and why?

Marlee: Thank you! I’ve been very fortunate to have had readers discover my books and propel me to a level of success that’s been unexpected. In terms of writing, I really love the dynamics of unconventional romances. The secretive nature of alternative lifestyles also really appeals to me, so that’s what I love to write about. My stories are erotic romances, with varying levels of kink.

Natasha: Can you tell our readers about your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?

Marlee: My latest story, Pursued, is an edgy urban romance told from alternating first-person points of view. The male lead character, “Anvil”, is part of a trio of dominant men who run a crime syndicate. He’s obsessed with the daughter of his former boss, a vindictive crime lord. Rachel, the heroine, has had her good intentions go awry; in the prologue, her actions trigger a violent confrontation that leads to Anvil getting shot. The main characters are wary of each other, but they’re on a romantic collision course that was inevitable.

The original title for the story was “Stalked” because there is an element of stalking in the way Anvil pursues Rachel. But my publishing team came up with Pursued as a possible title, and I felt that better captured what the story was about.

Natasha: If you could have one of your stories turned into a film? What story would that be and why?

Marlee: Held. I think it would make an interesting film because there’s a theater production at the opening, which would be really interesting visually. And in addition to being a dirty, sexy romance, it’s a taut crime thriller. (Pursued, my latest release, is actually the second installment in my erotic romantic suspense series about three close friends, Connor, Anvil, and Trick, who grew up together in the same rough neighborhood and all engage in BDSM lifestyles. Held is the 1st story in the series.)

Natasha: Are you like any of the characters that you write about and why?

Marlee: I’m like them in that I’m intensely loyal and curious. I also have a wild streak. ;)

Natasha: Besides writing, what do you enjoy doing on your spare time to relax?

Marlee: Reading and streaming shows are a great form of relaxation. I love to travel and have cocktail parties, too, but those are more effervescent pastimes!

Natasha: Can you share with our readers any future projects that you are working on?

Marlee: Yes, I’m currently working on two stories. The first of my current works in progress is Book 5 in my Owned & Shared science fiction romance series. (There are characters on other worlds who own human pets and many salacious scenarios ensue.) I’m also working on the 3rd book in the C Crue series. Two of the guys have had their stories (Connor in Held and Anvil in Pursued.) Now it’s Trick’s turn.

Natasha: How can our readers learn more about you and your books?

Marlee: I’d love for them to visit my website at https://www.marleewray.com and sign up for my newsletter so they can get 2 FREE stories that will allow them to sample my writing. If the stories don’t appeal to them, they can unsubscribe from my newsletter. But if they enjoy them and want more, they can stay on my email list where I’ll share information about myself, my new releases, and other authors and free stories.

Thanks again for having me as a Bare Back Magazine interview guest!