Interview of Tina Donahue, RBRU Member Author!

Today it's my pleasure to interview multi-published RBRU Member Author, Tina Donahue! I'm so glad she joined our Yahoo group!

Latest Book: Lush Velvet Nights
Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8298-50-lush-velvet-nights.aspx

YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m560M7pWyw&feature=PlayList&p=B0E8457DEA3BD67E&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=59


BIO: Tina Donahue is a multi–published novelist in contemporary, historical and erotic romance. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly,Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work; she has reached finals and /or placed in numerous RWA–sponsored contests, including recently winning Second Place in the NEC RWA contest for her erotic novel. She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper, worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company, and is currently the Managing Editor for a global business document concern. Lush Velvet Nights is Tina’s fifteenth title.

Email: tina@tinadonahue.com
Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: I got the call from my agent. For a moment I froze, not understanding what he was saying. He’d only sent the book to the publisher on Friday and here it was the following Monday and he told me it sold. Like in three days. Not only that, but the publisher wanted to know if I was working on anything else.
I asked him to repeat what he’d just said. He laughed and did. I said, “Are you sure?” Honestly, I just couldn’t believe it. My first sale resulted in three contracts.

Q: What part of the book is the easiest for you to write? Why?
A: The ending. By that time I’m so emotionally invested in my characters the writing comes fast and easy. At that point, I know my story people better than I know my family and best friends.

Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: The opening lines of the novel. To capture reader interest the first line or lines have to be unique so that the reader doesn’t toss the book aside, and those first words have to convey the tone of the story.
One of the best opening lines I’ve ever read was in Orwell’s 1984: “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” I hadn’t really been paying attention until I read the ‘striking thirteen’ part. Instantly, I thought – what the hell? That opening line conveys so well the doublethink that goes on in 1984. The 1+1 = 3 concept of rewriting history. Wow.

Q: What is your favorite romance book that you’ve read?
A: Although there are numerous romances by contemporary writers that are great, I have to say my most favorite romance ever is a classic – Jane Eyre. Even after all this time, the storyline is so damned feminist. Each time I pick it up, I’m amazed it wasn’t written within the last century. I found the turmoil between Jane and Mr. Rochester so rich, so tragic but ultimately satisfying. Even though the HEA is a bit poignant, it also makes perfect sense.

Q: You’re on a remote island with a handsome man, a computer, and a “mysterious” source of electricity to power your computer. What do you do?
A: That’s easy. Do some heavy duty research on my next love scenes with the guy, then fire up the computer and write my pages for the day. Nothing – and I do mean nothing – gets in the way of my writing. Of course, Mr. Hot Stuff doesn’t mind me working. He’s taking a well-deserved snooze after giving me a lot of hot and very romantic sex.

Q: What genre would you like to try writing in but haven’t yet done so? Why?
A: Urban fantasy. I’m always intrigued by the plotlines that are coming out. They’re so fantastic and they sound like a lot of fun to write.
On another note: After thinking about doing a paranormal for years, I finally wrote the damn thing. And I’m happy to say I’ve just sold it to Samhain. It’s set to release in early 2011. So, I might just try UF next.

Tell us where to find you:
Website and blog: http://www.tinadonahue.com
Publisher’s page (for my most current titles):
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7772-adored.aspx
http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8080-50-deep-dark-delicious.aspx
http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8298-50-lush-velvet-nights.aspx

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#%21/profile.php?id=100000458023097

Anything else you’d like to add?
I host monthly contests and scavenger hunts at my website/blog with my titles as prizes (winner’s choice of title).
I’ve just finished up the first draft of my latest contemporary erotic romance and will have it in my editor’s hands within the next couple of weeks. So, stay tuned.

BLURB:Lush Velvet Nights

When wanton desires & love demand all…

During the day, Adriana’s a lonely corporate heiress, helming a supermarket empire. At night, she hires escorts, scripting provocative fantasies of kidnapping, lust, submission and endless longing. It’s all she has to excite her until she meets Nathan Wynn.

Tall, blond and muscular—like a modern-day Viking—Nathan’s a labor relations attorney representing Adriana’s union employees. His imposing presence intensifies her basest desires. When he protects her from an escort he believes is an attacker, she knows he’s wonderfully dominant and unrestrained. Fascinated by Adriana’s underlying sensuality, Nathan brings her to his secluded mountain estate, determined she submit fully to his hunger. At a gentleman’s club, he makes certain she denies him nothing.

Engaging in a seductive sexual journey, Nathan’s caught off-guard by his stunning need for Adriana. An attraction he fears because of past events in his life. A growing emotional connection she will not let him deny.

EXCERPT:
(In this scene, Nathan has stopped at a rustic gas station/restaurant just prior to reaching his mountain estate for a three-day weekend of hedonistic delights with Adriana.)

Nathan came to her side, hitting the glass with his elbow.

She lowered the window and took the cup he offered, hoping it didn’t mean they’d be stuck here for awhile. “Coffee?”

His eyes lifted from her bared legs to her partially unbuttoned blouse. “Hot chocolate. You like?”

“Is there whipped cream?”

“A double dollop. I insisted.”

Her delighted moan said it all. By the time he’d gotten back inside, she’d taken off the plastic lid and enjoyed her first taste. Decadently rich, it was the kind of drink served decades ago when quality and pleasure, not calories or fat content, mattered. “Oh my god, this is so good. Can I have yours too?”

He finished his sip and chuckled. “If you want, I’ll get a gallon of it before we take off.”

She swished her next taste around her mouth to cool the temperature and to savor the flavor prior to swallowing. “When will that be?”

“No more than five minutes. The officer said the plows are out and should have gotten past my place by then, so there’s no need for chains. You have foam on your upper lip.”

She reached up to finger it away. Nathan intercepted her hand. “I’ll do it.” He put his cup into the holder and brought his face to hers.

The world seemed to pitch, leaving her dizzy. On a sigh, she closed her lids.

He glided his tongue over her upper lip and licked off the whipped cream.

Electrified by his closeness and the act’s intimacy, Adriana could barely breathe. Her throat constricted, muffling her whimper. She smelled chocolate on his breath and tasted sweetness on his tongue as he slipped it inside her mouth, filling her completely, demanding she accommodate him.

Obedient, she suckled hard, pulling him more deeply within. Not yet satisfied, he angled his mouth for even greater penetration. Adriana mewled. Her free hand held the back of his head. She drove her fingers into his tangled, snow-dampened locks. Their appetite for each other became noisy and unrestrained, no different than kids indulging in their first sexual encounter. Nathan kissed her as if he meant it, his excitement real, not paid for, stoking her desire.

She couldn’t get close enough. The vehicle was too restrictive. He must have thought so too. To her dismay, he pulled in his tongue and broke free of her mouth. A protest rose to Adriana’s lips and died as he took her cup, settling it next to his in the holder. Hands on either side of her face, fingers warmed from their drinks, he looked into her eyes.

Her heart beat triple-time. Her thoughts raced. Did he see momentary lust or enduring desire in her gaze, a chance encounter or something deeper? Unwilling to hide her feelings or stop what was happening, she whispered, “Kiss me again and don’t stop.” Please.

Heedless of her request, he took obvious pleasure in exploring her brows, cheeks, mouth, chin.

She closed her eyes, not out of concern he’d find her looks wanting, nor from shyness. Her lids were simply too heavy to keep up. The wait for him too endless.

As though he’d been intentionally testing her limits, he reclaimed her mouth, his tongue driving so deep she had no chance of breaking away.

An indelicate groan pumped from her chest, followed by his uncivilized grunt. His hand slipped from her face to her chest. With no concern for the outside world and anyone who might glance this way, he maneuvered his hand past her blouse, slipping his fingers inside her bra’s satin cup.

Instantaneously, her nipple went rigid, welcoming his palm. His fingers splayed over her breast, testing its pliancy, its weight, compromising her control. Her free hand gripped the leather seat, seeking some measure of restraint. Recklessly, her body slumped into his touch and male dominance. Again he proved it by interrupting their kiss. This time he pressed his lips to her neck.

Adriana’s head drooped forward, her cheek stroking his. Without breaking pace, his tongue swept her skin while his lips suckled her throat gently. Limp and defenseless, she let her thoughts scatter until he pulled down her bra cup and bared her breast.

Eyes opening, she lifted her face. Nathan eased back. He put up his armrest and hers then lowered his head. His tongue swirled around her nipple, his lips drawing it inside his mouth.

Blinking slowly at the intense heat, Adriana scanned the lot without really seeing it. Her mind told her people were arriving and departing. Eventually, someone would look over and see them through the windshield. In spite of the risk, her heart and body didn’t care. Chin lowered, she cradled his head in the crook of her arm, her hand on his tousled hair to keep him from stopping.

Nathan indulged himself, using her, warming her as the storm calmed somewhat, the snow falling lighter now, though still muting the sound of tires and voices. Minutes passed in a haze of rapture and peace, his actions a sanctuary against her loneliness and the cruelty of the outside world.

She could have stayed like this forever.

He appeared to have other plans. Finished for the moment, he lifted his face to hers, his eyes glassy with satisfaction. She didn’t have to ask why. His hand had abandoned her breast to settle between her legs. The tips of his fingers stroked the thin scrap of lace separating him from her clit.

Adriana reddened at how damp she was, how ready for him. Pride encouraged her to say something seductive, to convince him she considered their time together nothing more than another carnal adventure, just as he wanted. The raptness of his gaze stopped her. She spoke on a sigh. “How far to your place?”

“Less than ten miles.”

Her gaze lowered to his fingers. They’d left her thong to follow the lacy edge of her left stocking. With great care, he explored the fabric. She smiled. He adjusted his body as well as he could, bending over to give her an open-mouthed kiss on the inside of her thigh.

Delightful sensations rolled through her. His wet warmth reached the back of her throat, tingling it. Her mouth sagged open.

His lips moved over her flesh with his murmur, “Ready to go?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Good. We’ll take off as soon as I get you more hot chocolate. It’s not too crowded in there. Shouldn’t take more than another five minutes or—”

“Forget it.” Her voice cracked with emotion. She made no effort to conceal what she felt. “I don’t need it.”

“If you say so.”

“You know I do.”

Smug with what he’d accomplished, Nathan straightened. He gave her one last, lingering kiss, the tender kind that soothed the soul, and pulled on his seatbelt. Old snow, packed with ice, crunched beneath the tires as he pulled away.

Adriana glanced out the window then looked down at their drinks, suddenly noticing her exposed breast. Startled back into good sense, she pulled Nathan’s coat over her nudity, wearing the garment like a blanket, making certain it also hid her legs.

His head turned to her. “What are you doing?”

“What do you think?” She gave the officer a nervous smile as Nathan drove past the man’s cruiser.

“You don’t like the possibility of someone watching?”

Her head swung to him. She repeated, “What do you think?”

His smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “Better get used to it. Won’t be long before we get to my place.”

Adriana stared at him and then the scenery. Pines, oaks and dogwood trees, burdened with snow, surrounded the homes they passed, many darkened, resembling what she’d imagined he’d own. He didn’t slow or stop.

She glanced at the mileage indicator, counting off two miles, three, four.

At length, the Rover slowed. He flicked on the left signal and turned. Adriana glanced up, her heart catching at what she saw.

Thanks, Tina, for a wonderful interview!