Mix a CURVY heroine with two HOT ALPHA males and you get Illicit Intent and a CONTEST!!!
It’s day tour of my Virtual Book Tour for my smokin’ hot menage Illicit Intent.
Today I’m at As the Pages Turn – and I’m hosting a great contest!!!
I’m offering a prize at each of my stops (the more you visit and comment, the greater your changes of winning!). One lucky commenter at As The Pages Turn - http://www.asthepagesturn.com/ – will have her choice of one of my ebooks from this list:
1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award
4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT
5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT
6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller
7. Take Me Away – #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books
8. Unending Desire – Best Book Rating LASR
9. SiNN – Nominated for Book of the Week LASR
10. Sinfully Wicked – Magnificent – Romancing the Book
11. Claiming Magique – Top Pick – NOR
12. Illicit Desire – Four Stars Romantic Times
13. Come Fill Me – Five Stars – Guilty Pleasures
Hope to see you there!!! :)
CONTEST to kick off my Book Tour for Illicit Intent – RED HOT MENAGE!!!
Illicit Intent, Book Three in my Appointment with Pleasure series, will be available from Ellora’s Cave on June 7.
To celebrate, I’m at My Reading Obsession today – and I’m hosting a contest – yay!
I’m offering a prize at each of my stops (the more you visit and comment, the greater your changes of winning!). One lucky commenter at My Reading Obsession - http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/?zx=9461894aa83b0155 – will have her choice of one of my ebooks from this list:
1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award
4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT
5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT
6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller
7. Take Me Away – #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books
8. Unending Desire – Best Book Rating LASR
9. SiNN – Nominated for Book of the Week LASR
10. Sinfully Wicked – Magnificent – Romancing the Book
11. Claiming Magique – Top Pick – NOR
12. Illicit Desire – Four Stars Romantic Times
13. Come Fill Me – Five Stars – Guilty Pleasures
Hope to see you there!!! :)
HEAs are SO Clichéd
The other day I was speaking to a friend of mine who writes mainstream – the celebrated, respected avenue of writing. The kind of stuff that ends up on Oprah’s book club segments and sells a gazillion copies.
My friend, who’s sweet as can be, seemed mystified at how I could write romance after romance that all concluded with happy endings. “Don’t you feel that stifles your talent?” she asked.
Frankly, I felt mystified by her question.
Why take a 400, 200, or even a 75 page journey with characters if their situation isn’t going to end well? I don’t mean church bells and a walk down the aisle, but closure with some measure of hope, which I equate to a satisfying ending. If that doesn’t happen, if the promise of it isn’t in the next installment of a series, I wouldn’t be a fan of that writer for long. Even in pure erotica, where the sexual journey is the most important element, there has to be a feeling on the reader’s part that the adventure was worth the time.
To put it another way, I don’t believe anyone wants to be bummed out by an experience. A good case to illustrate my point would be the train wreck known as Jon & Kate (from Jon & Kate Plus Eight). Certainly viewers were attracted to the escalating nastiness between the couple, but I believe it’s because the audience hoped everything would somehow turn out. When it was apparent it wouldn’t, those same spectators left the show in droves. Everyone likes a bit of conflict – no one wants to linger over a crash and burn.
While I was thinking of my newest novel last night and its talent-stifling HEA, I was channel surfing and came upon a reality show – one of those endless Housewife of Wherever series. I could tell by the sniping going on between one wife and her husband that things were definitely headed south in their marriage. Maybe they were playing to the camera. Maybe not. I didn’t want to continue to watch it. I moved on.
I want a happy ending no matter how clichéd, trite, or formulaic some writers believe it to be. As a reader, I want to escape the reality of broken marriages, unfaithful spouses and bewildered children.
Conflict’s great, just as long as it doesn’t stay around too long and ruin the party.
For an HEA and a cliffhanger, try out my newest release from Samhain, Shameless Desire, Book Three in my Outlawed Realm series.
For Kuma, there’s no one on this planet he wants more than Gwen. For Gwen, a woman who has had to be strong all of her life, she has finally found the comfort of Kuma’s arms…she’s found home.
Read an excerpt here
An author asks “What’s Next?”
Author James Hatch, one of the resident Dudes at my other site Sweet n Sexy Divas, is at a crossroads in his career. He’s asked some great questions most of us authors have pondered from time to time. Writing isn’t easy. Writing isn’t always lucrative. Sometimes we wonder – what’s next?
Here’s James post.
What’s Next?
When I started writing on 9/12/01, I had a simple goal in mind: try to get one story published. As I completed more novels, that goal changed, first to multiple genres, and then to multiple publishers. Now I’ve completed my ninth novel, The Trophy Wife. I believe it is the most humorous novel I’ve written. The publisher for my other Miss Havana paranormal comedies (The Substitute, Oh, Heavens, Miss Havana! and The Training Bra) is not accepting full-length novels at this time, and The Trophy Wife will easily top 106,000 words when the editing is complete. So now what?
Early on, before I realized how difficult obtaining an agent can be, I collected lots of rejection letters from various agents. I have a little more experience now, with eight novels and one short story published by three different publishers, and I’m toying with trying the agent route again. Why? Because self-promotion is so difficult and, in my experience, ineffective.
Don’t get me wrong. I continue to try. Even this blog is part of self-promotion. I also post a joke a day on Facebook, do reviews of works by other authors, attend and speak at book fairs, make presentations at book clubs and libraries, stay active on social media and work directly with a few book stores. So far, nothing has caught on in any big way. I continue to write (some people believe your next novel is your best promotion), and I believe having multiple publishers is a plus. Still, nothing I’ve done has captured the attention of the book purchasing public. I don’t even think any of my books have been pirated.
A logical question is, “Maybe your books stink?” I’ve considered that, but then I read reviews from other people and consider what others have told me to my face. I have many five-star reviews and people continue to say they’ve enjoyed the comedy. I try to walk the thin line between being funny and offensive. I believe that balance is about right because some of my religious friends have only purchased “The Substitute,” but others bought the whole series. I continue to have faith in the stories; it’s my methods of marketing I question.
If marketing really is my biggest problem, it’s probably time to send a few queries to a few agents. In preparation for that, I asked for advice from some Linked in connections, and will follow suggestions sent back to me. I’ll keep track of the journey, just so I can tell you all about it in the future. I’m not sure what it takes to find good agent with experience in the comedy area, but if any of you can provide advice now, I’d love to hear it.
.jpg)
James L. Hatch
amazon.com/author/jameshatch
The First Time Ever She Sees His Face. . .
With apologies to Roberta Flack for taking liberties with the title of her hit single The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, the idea I’m trying to convey here is that few things are more important, sensual, and romantic than the first time your heroine and hero lock eyes. It’s the perfect opportunity to set the stage for what will come. . .to build sexual tension, to hook your readers.
Take for example what happens in Somewhere in Time, a lush fantasy romance from 1980 starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. Reeve manages to go back in time so that he can be with Seymour, a woman whose picture he’s seen (there’s more to the plot, but I won’t go into it here). It’s 1912 and she’s at a palatial summer resort. He spots her taking a walk across the grounds. The music is enthralling. The look on his face, priceless – hehas to be with her. The tension builds (as does the music) as she walks and he follows. Turn around, your mind screams at her, see him! At last, she does. Several emotions pass over her face. Surprise, longing, love? (You see, she’s been expecting him). The music peaks. She asks, “Is it you?” (I might be paraphrasing here). Nevertheless, the moment is a definite WOW. Simply magical. And oh so romantic.
That’s what every romance writer wants to convey in a novel. That mystical feeling of connection, that moment when time stops and your character’s world changes forever.
I strove for that in Losing Control, Book Two Appointment with Pleasure from Ellora’s Cave.
Although Catherine, my heroine, knows who Tim is – she’s seen his photographs, she’s read his dossier at the agency where she works – they’ve never met. That’s about to change when he finally spots her at a party…one where she’s been watching him, yearning for him.
Read on to see what happens…
Without giving the server a second glance, Tim handed the boy his empty glass and suddenly looked up, meeting her eyes.
Catherine’s heart paused, then beat out of time.
Stay away from him, Alexa had warned.
Too late.
Heat poured through Catherine’s body, weakening it further. At that same moment, she saw a spark of animal interest—wanton and hungry—cross Tim’s handsome face.
“The same as before, sir?” the server asked.
Ignoring the young man, Tim stepped closer to the stairs, his face lifted to the young woman on the landing. He was vaguely aware of the party sounds fading, the steady drone of too many inane conversations and music drifting away, leaving only the rapid thumping of his pulse.
Who in the world was she?
More importantly, was she alone?
Tim hoped to god she was. Rarely had he witnessed anyone as…amazing. A better description eluded him. Seeing her on the stairs, framed in the chandelier’s light like an erotic vision, had stolen his ability to think and put his body into overdrive. His skin actually tingled. Hell, his mouth was so dry he couldn’t swallow.
When was the last time that had happened with any woman since Fantine?
His one misstep and regret a long time ago in Paris.
A time he refused to think about now. Dismissing the past, he concentrated on this young woman. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties and was tall, five-nine or so without her heels. Tim caught a glimpse of them through the side slit in her gown. That baby was fucking awesome, the Maserati of dresses.
Of a coppery color, the fabric hugged her ripe breasts and the sweet flare of her hips. From where Tim stood, he could see that only a thin strap on each of her shoulders held the damn thing up, which bared them and her back, where the straps appeared to crisscross and the gown dipped to her waist. The chandelier’s light rained down, making the dress’s tiny beads glimmer, while also bringing out the reddish highlights in her dark brown hair. Wavy and glossy, that mane reached past her bare shoulders, her skin a delicious tawny shade, complementing her dress and features.
She was either a Latina or possibly a mixture of Caucasian and African-American. Her light eyes—blue or green—were indicative of her European ancestors. Her complexion and luscious mouth spoke of a more diverse past. To say she was lovely didn’t begin to define her allure. Exotic might work. Sensuous and sultry also came to mind.
With no effort at all, Tim smiled even as the rest of him remained frozen in awe.
She regarded him for a long moment, a bit of uncertainty flickering across her glorious features.
Why? Did his smile look odd? Too predatory? Did she really think any sane man could regard her in another way? Or was the problem something else…who she’d arrived with? A jealous boyfriend, or worse, a possessive husband.
Cautious, Tim checked her hands. She wasn’t wearing a wedding band, engagement ring or any ring for that matter. Her only jewelry was dangling earrings. The diamonds glittered in the light, drizzling pinpoints of color on her skin.
A group of women approached from the right and moved past her down the stairs. Two were senators, one the wife of a well-known oil baron, the last three lobbyists, the same as him.
The women chattered and laughed on their way to the foyer. Minutes before, Tim would have acknowledged them with a smile or a nod no matter how bored he’d been. That lassitude had evolved into such quick desire and interest, he was afraid they’d notice his hard-on. If his cock stiffened more than it already had, he’d be in serious pain.
He studied the young woman, imagining her shameless kisses, eager mouth and exploring hands. Her slender fingers would get rid of his clothing quickly, ripping it from him if need be.
No way would he mind that.
Once he was nude, he’d encourage her to crawl all over him, tasting his throat, belly, groin, touching all of his good parts too. Obedient to his desires, she’d lavish most of her attention on his cock, holding it in fascination, testing the weight of his balls in her palm.
Her touch wouldn’t be too light or too rough, but precisely what he required.
Unable to help himself, he stepped closer. The tip of his left shoe hit the bottom stair, its tiny tap lost beneath the party’s noise that began to intrude. Others moved into the expansive foyer, laughing, conversing, debating hot-button issues that they’d never agree on. In the grand reception hall, the pianist played Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, reaching the piece’s crescendo.
On those vibrant, wild notes, she descended, her gown fluttering around her long legs.
Images of them flooded Tim’s mind, her creamy flesh exposed to his sight, touch, taste. He pictured his mouth pressed to her furry mound and soft folds, so heated and damp, ready for his tongue and cock.
Bursts of heat spread from his groin to his thighs and chest, both energizing and weakening him. A freaking bizarre combination, like having the urge to jog during a heart attack. Taking a full breath became too much of an effort. All he could do was wait as she negotiated the staircase one slow step at a time. Her unhurried pace seemed deliberate, as though she wanted to keep him in suspense, see how much he desired her.
Was there any doubt? He was still here, wasn’t he?
Beads of lights from her sparkly gown danced over the gold-and-red stairway runner. A small purse, also copper, dangled from a dainty chain on her right shoulder. Gershwin’s tune reached another apex. Behind Tim, two men argued about a recent bill one of them thought shouldn’t have been passed.
At last, she stopped a step above him and smiled…almost as if she couldn’t help herself.
Tim gave her his most unvarnished grin, not wanting to question her initial hesitation. Having her this close was good enough, for the moment. The fragrance she wore was elegant and fragile, though not by too much. Beneath the floral tones, he detected a hint of musk, a heady blend that was ideal, seemingly made for her alone. He was absurdly pleased her eyes were green, a startlingly beautiful shade fringed with long, dark lashes. With no delay, he offered his hand to help her down the final step.
She accepted the courtesy as though they’d known each other forever. Her fingers curled around his, her palm achingly soft and hot.
It was a damn miracle his wasn’t sweating. He squeezed her hand gently. She stroked his thumb in acknowledgement that also held what appeared to be approval. A good sign. A woman in love with another guy or one who feared her man’s possessiveness didn’t behave like this.
Emboldened, Tim leaned closer and murmured, “Hi.”
Her smile softened at his greeting, confirming it hadn’t sounded nearly as unglued as he felt.
She tilted her face to their joined hands. “Hi.”
More information: http://www.tinadonahue.com/books/losing-control/
Need a laugh? You HAVE to read this…
This post was authored by Tim Smith, one of the Dudes at my other site Sweet n Sexy Divas.
This is so hysterical, I just had to share. Enjoy. 
Some Things You Might Have Missed
Spring is finally here, the time for getting out of hibernation mode and rejoining the human race. For those who have already been busy with your warm weather activities, here are some recent happenings that may have flown under your radar.
Halle Berry, 46, says second pregnancy is “biggest surprise of my life.” – At least until the kid calls her “grandma.”
Tom Cruise “didn’t expect” Katie Holmes to file for divorce. – “That would be like Halle Berry getting pregnant at 46,” he said.
Willie Nelson turns 80 – His birthday cake was decorated with joints instead of candles. Man, that’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Kim Kardashian could be faking July due date – Either that or she really, really likes cake.
Rare Star Trek phaser sold at auction for $231,000.00 – Most of the cost covered the intergalactic background check.
Virgin Atlantic ranks highest in quality among the large airlines. – It’s really cool when they sacrifice the flight attendants.
LaToya Jackson hints on her reality show that she’s still a virgin. – Her business manager quickly canceled her reservation on Virgin Atlantic.
Avon to stop selling products in Ireland. – You can only make so many shades of green eyeliner.
Deep Throat star Harry Reems dies. – Last seen running through a hospital in a white lab coat, waving his thermometer at the Nurses and screaming “Say Aaah!”
Obama teleprompter thief gets seven years in prison. – The police showed him a screen with the words “You have the right to remain silent…”
Rob Lowe hosts miniseries devoted to the ‘80’s. – Someone had to remind him what the decade was really like.
Patrick Duffy wants to work with Suzanne Somers on Step by Step reunion. – This just in: the cast of Full House will also reunite to explain John Stamos’ hair obsession.
Jay Leno will retire from The Tonight Show next year. – David Letterman challenges him to a grudge match at the horseshoe pit.
Gay rights group urges John Travolta to finally come out of the closet. – We all told him not to do Hairspray in drag, but did he listen?
Matt Lauer says he’s less popular than polio. — West Nile virus does a victory dance while eyeing second place.
Lindsay Lohan’s lawyer dismisses rumors about her rehab walk-out. – Claims she just went to the corner bar for a cold one and to shoot some pool with the guys.
Charlie Sheen blames on-air meltdown on Dave Chappelle and testosterone cream. – Separately or together?
Police find drugs on Justin Bieber’s tour bus – “Honest, I thought they were gummy bears!” he pleaded.
Twinkies will return to store shelves – They’re from a 1978 batch found in an old Battlestar Galactica lunch box.
Have a bountiful Spring!
Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author whose books range from romantic mystery/thrillers to contemporary erotic romance. His website iswww.timsmithauthor.com.
Hot – Intense – Primal – GREAT review for Shameless Desire!!
Alissa Anderson of Sinful Sunday Book Reviews had this to say about Shameless Desire.
Wolf shifter Kuma is the hot-blooded alpha male that makes our pulse race, our temperatures rise and our hearts melt into puddles of warm, wet, wicked abandon. I was absolutely digging him from page one. I swear you could almost feel his pure sexual magnetism and heat sliding down your neck like warm candle wax (for you freaks out there *winks*) and trust me, I didn’t mind one bit.
The chemistry between them was palpable. You could literally feel it in the air from the moment he breathed her in and rescued her from would be abductors. I love how the beginning of the novel sets the pace as he smells her in the air and you are drawn in to Kuma’s all-encompassing need for Gwen. The sex scenes were hot like fire, baby, but I didn’t expect anything less from Tina. Mama can write a scene. I thought the attention to details added to my overall visualization of the scenes and of the characters.
Non-stop action, gritty violence, smoking hot sex scenes that leave you begging for more. What else can you ask for….except the next book? Get writing, woman.
To read the full review, click here
Click here for more info and an excerpt on Shameless Desire
CONTEST at 50 Authors From 50 States!!!
I’m bragging about California over at Annette Snyder’s blog.
And I’m also hosting a CONTEST – yay!!
Leave a comment at Annette’s site and my article: http://annettesnyder.blogspot.com/2013/05/if-heaven-existsthis-is-it-and.html – for your chance to win one of my backlist ebooks. The list includes:
Hope to see you there! :)
Awesome review for COME FILL ME at Guilty Pleasures!!!
What a GREAT review – still on cloud nine!! :)
WOW. I was totally overwhelmed with “Come Fill Me”. I was grabbed from the first word andwasn’t let go until the last bullet was fired. I was awed with the story-line, overcome with the passion and thrilled with the way it was written. Not your normal “paranormal” romance, “Come Fill Me” is a modern day story filled with love, lust and betrayal; two factions brought to this world by two different alien races with two different goals – one to live peacefully the other to take over and control them all.
I was enthralled by this book. The story itself was unique and the characters were very well written. The sex scenes were extremely hot – even the scenes where Carreon dreams of sharing Liz with all of his men as punishment for leaving him. Yea, and every good book has one hell of a shower scene and “Come Fill Me” didn’t disappoint me at all. Tina Donahue has a way with words that seamlessly brought together hot sex with a brilliant story. I am very interested to see where this series is going and what happens now that Zeke has Liz and her father in his life.
Click here for full review
More info: http://www.tinadonahue.com/books/come-fill-me/
Real Women Have Curves – and Men Like That
I’m talking about that subject today at ARe – just click on this link for my blog post: http://www.arecafe.com/cafe-news/tina-donahue-real-women-have-curves.
I love curvy heroines – hope you do too! I’ll be introducing you to Piper from Illicit Intent, my newest erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave. It’s coming out June 7.
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…
More info: http://www.tinadonahue.com/books/illicit-intent/
____
Please join me at ARe today!!!
My Books
Stay Up To Date
Share your thoughts...