Where I Get My Wicked Ideas...

At book signings and in fan emails I’m often asked – ‘where do you come up with your plots and characters?’ I’m always at a loss momentarily as to my answer, because anything can trigger the germ of an idea that will grow by itself, creating images in my mind somewhat like a movie. As the days go by one scene leads into two then more. I’m watching my characters meet and interact, the setting becomes clear, the conflict grows richer, the plot more intricate, all while I’m going about my daily life.

Sound easy? I wish. Because I can get several of these ideas in a day’s time, triggered by just about anything. Most have to be discarded because they’re unworkable in terms of plot, the characters are too blah, settings overdone. You get the picture. Only when the idea is right does the movie in my mind start playing. And like I said, anything can trigger it.

For my erotic novel Adored, it came into being while I was channel surfing and came across a TimeLife commercial for oldies but goodies music. The selections were flying by, I was ready to change channels again (I’m a demon with the remote) when a clip of Stevie Wonder came on with him singing For Once in My Life. For some reason, it held me that day. When he got to the lyrics about not letting sorrow hurt him anymore; that he had someone who wouldn’t desert him, I started thinking about women who’d been cheated on, women who wanted only one thing – a faithful guy.

That led to Danni, my heroine whose heart had been so bruised in the past, she’s just about given up on love, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be adored. When Adam comes into the picture, he changes that.

With my erotic novel – Deep, Dark, Delicious – I came upon the idea for the plot while I was watching the Food Network. I’m no cook. My skills stop at opening a can of whatever and heating it on the stove. Again, I was channel surfing and stopped when I saw this incredibly virile guy – Italian or Latin – on the screen. I’d stumbled onto Iron Chef America and he was a contestant on that show. Gawd, he was hot. I sat mesmerized as he faced the judges’ table, wanting him to win because he was so damned sexy. And then I thought – what if he was the judge? What if the contestant was a young woman drooling over him in her mind? What if he had a sexy challenge for her she hadn’t expected but couldn’t resist? What if. . .?

Images began to click in my mind, the plot points fell into place, and Deep, Dark, Delicious was born.

One of my most recent novels, Seven Sensuous Days, Book Four in my Appointment with Pleasure series, came about because of a news article I read about a family's tragedy.

Another recent release, Stolen Desire, Book Four in my Outlawed Realm series, came to me while I was on a plane, winging from Palm Springs, where I live, to the Midwestern home office of my employer. Scenes just popped in my head. Why? Haven't a clue, except maybe it kept me from being bored to death. :) 

That's my story. So what’s your inspiration for romances?

Tina

Tina Donahue

“Heat with Heart”

ILLICIT INTENT (5 FLAMES - MY READING OBSESSION)  

ILLICIT DESIRE (4 STARS - ROMANTIC TIMES)

SENSUAL STRANGER (BOOK OF THE YEAR 2010)

DEEP, DARK, DELICIOUS (HOLT MEDALLION AWARD OF MERIT)

Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com/ 

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue

FB: http://www.facebook.com/tina.donahue.75

FB Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/TinaDonahueBooks

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authortina/my-books/

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/tinadonahue

Triberr: http://triberr.com/tinadonahue

Tina Donahue gets down and dirty in her interview!

Okay, okay, I don't really get down and dirty, but I do reveal some stuff about my life. :)

First, here's my bio and my latest releases with blurbs. Interview follows...

Bio:

Tina Donahue is an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, and Kensington. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic romances (Adored, Lush Velvet Nights, and Deep, Dark, Delicious) were named finalists in the 2011 EPIC competition. The French review site, Blue Moon reviews, chose her erotic romance Sensual Stranger as their Book of the Year 2010 (erotic category). The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for Lush Velvet Nights, and two of her titles (The Yearning and Deep, Dark, Delicious) received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition (2011 and 2012). Take Me Away and Adored both won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company.

Erotic Contemporary

Book Four - Appointment with Pleasure

Coming Soon from Ellora's Cave

Blurb:

At an erotic auction, she’s his to bid on…to take…to command.

The night’s sultry, filled with carnal promise as Tessa participates in an agency event to raise money for charity. She’s chained and bared—as women were once displayed for a sultan’s harem—her sweet looks and full figure offered to the wealthy and powerful men.

Among them is Logan. To him, Tessa is so different from his late wife, the seemingly perfect female who cruelly stole his hope and future. Wanting only to forget and have a good time, he wins Tessa, demanding she be his in every way possible, engaging in all wanton acts, though not only for an evening…for seven sensuous days at his secluded Virginia estate.

A provocative proposal with such a dangerously virile man.

A week that changes everything, with Tessa’s exquisite vulnerability and Logan’s suddenly unquenchable desire more than either bargained for. 

Erotic Paranormal

Book Four - Outlawed Realm

Coming March 2014 - Samhain Publishing

Available for preorder

http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Desire-Outlawed-Realm-Donahue-ebook/dp/B00GN98BW6

Blurb:

Her freedom depends on one man. A criminal to his realm…

One minute, Paige Ross is outside a Seattle bar, grieving a failed engagement. The next, she jerks awake in a weird, candlelit room with velvet walls, black silk sheets, and a man who motions for silence.

Paige has little choice but to trust the powerful stranger who promises a way out of what looks like Satan’s brothel. And pray his promise to keep her safe is as real as the heat burning in his eyes.

Banished from E2’s ruling elite for supposed crimes against the realm, Zekin risks everything to rescue those brought to E5 for the guards’ carnal pleasure. Paige will be leaving this inhospitable realm of fire and ice—if he can somehow forget the way her trembling body melts in his arms.

Safe—temporarily—in an underwater world populated by strange creatures, Paige’s sexual awakening explodes into an unquenchable need that consumes them both. But the guards will be looking for her. And Zekin’s plan to send her home is a dangerous journey she cannot—will not—take without him.

Warning: Scorching-hot sex and loads of aching tenderness between a drool-worthy hunk who’s determined to do the right thing and a woman who’s not about to give him up.

** How did you celebrate your first book?

I bought a lot of chocolate. I'm an admitted chocoholic and I was able to indulge my addiction. :)

** What's your writing schedule like? Do you strive for a certain amount of words each day?

I write every single day, except for Christmas. No exceptions. Once I have my outline finished - and it's a very detailed outline - I generally do a chapter a day. I'm able to write quickly like that during my first draft because my outline is so complete.

** What is the most important thing you do for your career now, as compared to when you first started writing?

Promo, hands down. I'm a promo whore. Because I have to be, not because I'm crazy about it. Deep down, I'm extremely shy. I think that's why being an author appealed to me. I could hide behind my characters.

** How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

A lot. Whenever I mention a song a character likes, it's one that appeals to me. Same for food and basic outlook on life. The only time my personality isn't reflected in a character is with a villain.

** Of all your characters, who's your favorite, and why?

That's a really difficult choice for me. I love all my people. However, if I had to choose, it would be a toss up between Zach and Toni in Sensual Stranger and RJ and Summer in In His Arms. I really loved all of them. I still tear up when I read those books.

** Do you eat comfort food/listen to music when writing?

For me, comfort food is popcorn - and yes - I do eat it while I'm writing. Can't listen to music while I write. Too distracting. I need total silence.

** How do you choose names for your characters?

They simply pop into my head when I'm picturing a character while I'm outlining. Same with the plot and scenes. It's like I see a movie in my mind and I'm just writing it down as it plays. :)

** Give one advice tip to an aspiring author.

Write. No matter how painful. No matter how scary.  If you don't have anything to submit,  you'll never get published. No excuses. Write.

** If you could give a younger version of yourself advice, what would it be?

Promo. A lot hinges on that. If readers don't know you exist, you won't sell, no matter how great your book is.

** What genre would you like to try writing that you haven't yet tried?

Thrillers. Love the genre.

Fun Stuff:

** What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas. I love the decorations, the lighting, the festivity.

** What are two things people might be surprised to know about you?

I was a child model (did a billboard that ran in New York and California). I've piloted a single-engine plane.

** As a child, what did you want to be when  you grew up?

A writer. I've always wanted to write.

** Favorite food.

Chocolate (what else?)  :)

** Hot summer days or chilly winter nights?

Chilly winter nights.

** What is the top thing on your bucket list?

To visit Spain.

** If you could have a super power, what would it be?

To fly.

** Tell us where to find you:

Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com/ 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue
FB: http://www.facebook.com/tina.donahue.75
FB Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/TinaDonahueBooks
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authortina/my-books/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/tinadonahue

Triberr: http://triberr.com/tinadonahue

I'm celebrating TWO releases this month!!!

Whew - going to be a busy June for me, but I'm loving it!!  :)

Tomorrow, June 7, my contemporary menage Illicit Intent - Book Three of my Appointment with Pleasure series - releases. Yay!!! Here's the cover art and blurb. You can read an excerpt at Ellora's Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/illicit-intent.html. 

Blurb:

What’s your wildest erotic wish?

For Piper, that’s easy. Two Alpha males who ravish her like marauding pirates and find her curves beyond luscious. She knows her type isn’t for every man…certainly not Guy and Joel, right? Guy’s tall, dark and sinfully virile. Joel’s blond and bronzed. They’re freaking gods, escorts her friend hired so Piper’s thirtieth birthday is unforgettable with the bondage and submission she’s fantasized about. Carnal games that awaken Piper’s sensuality, while her voluptuous figure and sweet vulnerability fuels both men’s animal hunger.

One evening of decadent pleasure isn’t enough. Piper aches to perform ménage acts with them for agency clients who like curvy women. A wicked idea, except for her family’s ties with law enforcement, the threat of exposure. Is it worth the risk?

Hell yeah. By day, she’ll be good. During their wanton acts, the three of them will explore their growing bond as they’re very, very bad…

________

Then on June 25, my erotic paranormal Deep Within Me, Book Two in The Prophecy series, releases from Samhain. Here's the cover art and blurb. You can read an excerpt here: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/deep-within-p-7431.html

Blurb:

Unrestrained desire…danger without end.

The Prophecy, Book 2

For one agonizing moment, Zeke Neekoma thought his most feared vision had come true. Liz was lifeless in his arms, murdered by her own clan for one traitorous act—loving him. Then her father’s healing touch brought her back.

She hasn’t emerged from death unchanged. Now her healing gift leaves her drained, weak. Worse, Zeke is still tortured with visions of a woman covered in blood.

Liz aches for a future with Zeke, to always know the thrill of his body imprisoning hers with mindless pleasure. At her reanimation, she redoubles her determination to use her healing gifts to help his people—except Zeke refuses to allow her to use them.

But with her clan leader set to launch his next attack, Zeke and Jacob have no choice but to try to heal Liz with the same sensual force she used to save them. Yet it may not be enough to avert a merciless plan that will test Zeke’s humanity, risk Liz’s life—and threaten their timeless bond.

Warning: Features a determined hunk and a babe who won’t be tamed, loads of lusty sex including some menage, a ton of unrelenting peril, and love that knows no limit. In other words, a romance hot enough to vaporize steel.

Tina

Tina Donahue
“Heat with Heart”

SHAMELESS DESIRE (5 FLAMES - The Jeep Diva) 
COME FILL ME (5 STARS - GUILTY PLEASURES) 
ILLICIT DESIRE (4 STARS - ROMANTIC TIMES)
SENSUAL STRANGER (BOOK OF THE YEAR 2010)
DEEP, DARK, DELICIOUS (HOLT MEDALLION AWARD OF MERIT)

Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com/ 
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tina.donahue.75
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authortina/my-books/

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/tinadonahue

Double the Pleasure

This month I have two releases!

Come Fill Me, erotic paranormal, Book One in The Prophecy series for Samhain. And Losing Control, erotic contemporary, Book Two in my Appointment for Pleasure series with Ellora's Cave. I love the covers. Wow.

Here are blurbs for both. Enjoy. :)



Two men will stop at nothing to have her gift, her desire...and her love.

The Prophecy, Book 1

Years ago, with the healing abilities afforded by her blend of Aztec and extraterrestrial blood, Liz was free to do as she wished. Now she is trapped in a blood feud, forced to heal one of her clan's most dangerous rivals so they can exploit his gift of prophecy.

As she drapes her nude body over his, the rush of his returning strength overwhelms her, and his stunningly sensual caress pushes her to her sexual limit.

Zeke Neekoma never expected to hunger for a woman he's supposed to hate, but now that he's tasted her, he has no intention of denying himself the pleasure of her body - or of kidnapping his enemy's most cherished plaything.

Brought to Zeke's stronghold to heal his brother, Jacob, Liz surrenders her body's most traitorous needs to the unrestrained desires of two powerful men. And the brothers fill the lonely void she has too long endured.

But her clan doesn't intend to let her go without a fight...and the ecstasy that binds Liz to her lovers could be the thing that breaks them.

Warning: Worlds collide when two Alpha males crave a woman they shouldn't have. Their dominance and desire knows no limits, culminating in sex so torrid this babe's never gonna be the same...or free of one brother's touch.

Available for preorder - at fine retailers and websites December 18

More info and excerpt: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/come-fill-p-7125.html

When it comes to passion...there are no rules...

Appointment with Pleasure, Book 2

She wasn't supposed to hunger for him. Tim Bellamy was off-limits to Catherine, a high-priced call girl with an uneasy past. Indulging in his raw desire shouldn't have happened, especially at a District party attended by the nation's elite. Tim doesn't know she works for the agency. If he did... That's not something Catherine wants to confess. Drowning in his strength and heat, aching to see him again, she keeps her secret.

From old wealth, Tim has never met anyone quite like Catherine. Exotic, elegant, earthy, she's the best of all worlds. Their evenings are sensual delights where voyeurism, bondage and a growing bond satisfy carnal needs and stir something deep within...until he stumbles upon the truth.

Shaken by her lies, Tim needs to prove the depth of Catherine's lust and yearning once and for all. For him, their erotic adventure has only begun.

At fine retailers and websites December 28

More info and excerpt: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-10594-losing-control.aspx

What Did Writers Do BEFORE Blogging???

I'll tell you a secret.


I do not like to blog. It takes time away from what I adore - writing. Most of the time, it seems an exercise in futility, rather like standing in the middle of the Sahara and giving an impassioned speech. "Is anyone out there?" I can hear myself screaming. Better still - "Is anyone reading this damn thing?"

I began writing and publishing before blogging became a requirement for authors. In those days (the late 90s), authors did book signings and tours. I did a lot of that. It wasn't all that bad, maybe because I expected it to be part of the author life. I was never required to give a speech at those signings. Nor did I believe anyone expected me to entertain them. I was there to smile, say 'hi', talk a bit about my book, give out chocolates and hopefully sell my stories.

Now, though...ugh.

Every single day is another blog whether it's on my own site, another site I own, as a guest on other sites, or as a member of the sites I'm a member on. Good god, even when I was a teenager and liked to interact with people, I didn't have to interact this much.

I have to wonder if blogging really does any good in reaching fans.

When I first discovered I liked horror (after seeing all the Nightmare on Elm Street movies), I started to read Stephen King's novels, beginning with his earliest. I was enthralled. I thought he was a god. I pictured him as being well over six feet, dark, handsome as hell. When I went to the library to get one of his books in hardcover and saw his picture - whoa. Frankly, I was crushed. I couldn't believe he looked like he did (sorry Stephen). Then, I read a nonfiction book he wrote on writing. Some of the stuff he said didn't set too well with me. At that point, I figured it was all TMI (too much information). I liked it better when he was a god in my mind with an air of mystery about him.

Did you ever consider that it's the same with all this blogging going on? Do fans buy our books because they like our blogs? I doubt it. Do they become fans because of our blogs? I doubt that too. Has any writer become a bestseller because of her/his blog? If they have, then I truly believe it's a major fluke. There is so much out there to read, if my fans read all my blogs, they wouldn't have time to read my books. And maybe, just maybe, I'll say something in a blog that doesn't fit in with their previous image of me and they'll say bye-bye.

For now, it seems there's little choice for authors. Blogging, having a website, having an internet presence is considered a marketing tool, so we authors slog through it as much as we can.

For me, nothing will ever compete with writing a book. Wow, what a feeling. Judge me on that, not my blogs.

******

I'm pleased to introduce my latest offering from Ellora's Cave. Claiming Magique is Book One in my Appointment with Pleasure series. Don't have a release date as yet, but here's the cover art and blurb. Enjoy. :)

Blurb:

A man at the center of power…a woman who won’t be ruled…



They call her Magique.

Sought out by the District’s elite, she’s no ordinary call girl, deciding who will pleasure her for the evening. Her preference is for several men at once. Games of bondage and submission heighten her arousal and desire to have a strong male take her…to be adored.

Lobbyist Hunter Prescott was only looking for a good time, not a woman who unleashes a hunger so deep it changes his world. He won’t stop until Magique is his alone, a prisoner of his lust, powerless against his growing need for her body and heart.

With this man, resistance isn’t allowed. For this woman, he’ll create a world of sensual delight and yearning like none she’s known. Proving that only with trust and true surrender will she find unparalleled rapture.