Spotlight on Slow Satisfaction with Cecilia Tan!

I've managed to get some questions answered by Cecilia in anticipation of her new release, Slow Satisfaction! After you've read her answers, be sure to check out her totally hot excerpt, and enter the contest below to win! Please welcome Cecilia Tan!


What gave you the idea for Slow Satisfaction?

Since Slow Satisfaction is the last book in a trilogy, I really wanted to reward readers for sticking with James and Karina. So I knew I wanted to resolve some of the issues between my dear hero and heroine relatively early, so that instead of it all being Karina versus James, we get to see two of them against the world. Their partnership is tested when someone threatens to "out" not only James's identity but their BDSM relationship to the world. The whole trilogy deals with themes of identity, of public versus private persona, of BDSM "roles" and societal expectations and I get to play with all those questions in this one.

Any fun research you'd like to share about the writing process for this book?

Thank goodness for the Internet! On a given day while working on this manuscript I looked up: songs done by the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, ballet terminology, real estate websites in New York City, time of sunset in August in Xenia, Ohio, and rope bondage instructions. I don't know which was more fun, the rope bondage videos or the online walk-throughs of mansions for sale on the Upper East Side of New York. I ended up using a real building as the basis for James's home. Gorgeous!

What made you decide to become an author?

I never decided to become an author. I declared I was a writer when I was about four years old and I've never wavered from that. No matter how many times my father asked me if I wanted to go to medical school!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, which two characters would you want to be there with you?

Hm, of my own characters? Stefan, who is James's bodyguard, would be useful, because he's had all kinds of survival training and that kind of thing. But if we're going to be there for a while, I'd have to pick Daron and Ziggy from Daron's Guitar Chronicles. As long as they were getting along when we got stranded. If they weren't, none of us might get off that island alive!

Biggest question of all...coffee...decaf or caffeinated?

Tea. Preferably loose leaf, oolong or golden tips. Anything with more caffeine than that (Coke, coffee, Red Bull, etc) has always sent my heart into palpitations. I can't even eat tiramisu if it’s soaked in real espresso. 

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“I have a proposal for you.”

“I’m all ears.”

“I don’t want to only tell you about my life, Karina. I want you to join it. Be a part of it. That means being a part of what’s happening in Las Vegas.”

“What do you mean by ‘be a part of it’?”

“Answer me a question first. What’s happening with your university now?”

“I have to speak to the dean. Best case scenario, they accept my thesis as is, rubber stamp me with a PhD, and tell me to get the hell out. Worst case scenario, they make me start over with a new advisor, writing a new thesis. Honestly, if that’s what they want . . . I don’t know if it’ll be worth jumping through those hoops. If other opportunities are beckoning me, I don’t have a lot of incentive to go back. Other than pride and not wanting to have wasted five years of my life.”

Not to mention the student loan money.

“I see. Well, I am hoping you might be able to defer whatever might occur there for another semester so you can join me in the performance.”

“You mean—”

“As a dancer.”

I shook my head instantly. “I can’t measure up to a troupe of professionals. I’ll look ridiculous.”

“I assure you you’re wrong about that. Well, if the performance were tomorrow, maybe. But we have a few months, Karina, and I’ll be expecting you to work with a trainer every day. I need to get back in shape myself.” He stretched one arm toward the far window and unfurled his hand elegantly, probably thinking about dance exercises. “I haven’t danced or sung since the night we met.”

“Have you missed it?”

“I have, a little. I don’t miss the grind, though. I don’t miss having to keep up the facade all the time. I never realized how exhausting it was until I stopped.” He leaned over to kiss me on the cheek. “I’m an incredibly lucky bastard.”

“Are you?”

“Yes, because if I had let my guard down for anyone but you, it would have ended in a ball of flames.”

“It nearly did anyway.”

“But it didn’t, because of you. Because of the wonderfulness of you. You’re special, Karina.” He offered me the bottle again and I took another sip. “How much longer do you think you’ll be in Ohio?”

“I’m not sure. My aunt Tera called today to announce she’s showing up tomorrow to stay for two weeks. If that’s true, I won’t have to stay.” I did have to get back to the city. To deal with my landlord and the university and who knew what else.

James was looking at me thoughtfully.

“What? What is it?”

He smiled. “I’m just noticing how many strong, independent women you seem to have in your life.”

“Well, I don’t know if I’d count my mother as strong . . . though it seems like she picked up a backbone in the hospital!”

“She raised you and your siblings on her own. I’d say she can probably lay claim to independence if she wants.”

“True. And her opinions are never weak. Those are always quite strong.” I glanced in the direction of the house. “I guess I should be getting back.”

“Well, if you think you’ll be staying more than a few days, I’ll contract a dance trainer for you here, to start getting ready for the performances.” He folded one of my hands into his. “That is, if you agree to my proposal. You still haven’t said yes.”

Of course he would notice that. “I think it’s questionable I’m good enough to get on stage with you. Maybe you ought to have someone besides yourself look at me. I don’t think you’re exactly an impartial judge.”

“And you’re far more talented than you think. How about this? We’ll hold an audition for principal dancer. I won’t tell the judges who you are. We’ll let them give their opinions. The final decision will still be up to me, of course, but you can get an honest evaluation of where you stand in relation to others. If they think you look ridiculous, they’ll say so without hesitation.”

I slipped my shoes on. “All right. When?”

“Let’s say in a month. That’ll give you time to prepare.”

“Okay. I mean, yes. That sounds like a plan.” I slipped my arms around his neck and kissed him. “Now, are you and Stefan planning to sit out here all night?”

“I defer to Stefan on our security plans. If there is any hint of trouble, though, promise me, Karina, that you’ll contact us immediately.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Good. Then you should probably sneak back into the house.”

I kissed him on the forehead and grinned. “You know, I never did this when I was a teenager.”

“Did what?”

“Sneak out of the house after my mother was asleep to have sex in a guy’s car.” I kissed him on the mouth then. “Something tells me it was worth the wait.”

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