Okay so it looks like I fell off the planet. Promise - I'm still here. The last four years have been ... hard. There's no other word for it. Everything is fine. I'm fine, but I've been the caregiver of my mom who has Dementia. Between her needs, work, etc I seem to have lost control of my time. I am still writing and am trying hard to get back to my blog.

In case you weren't aware Phaze and HSWF which where under the Mundania Umbrella have closed. I was smart enough to get my titles back before all this happened. I'm happy to say the three books I sold to HSWF have been picked up by Melange Books and are available through their Satin Books imprint. I have even sold a new title to them called Magical Quest due out in 2022

I have also been lucky enough to find a publisher for my Vespian Way series. I'm now with Blushing Books under the name of Bethany Drake. I have five titles out with them right now and am close to submitting two more. There's Desire's Destiny, Desire's Duty and Desire's Promise. Then there is two in my werewolf series, Tears of the Queen and Legend of the Tears. I have just finished the rough draft of the third book in the series and have plans for a fourth one the moment I submit it.

I'll probably still be sporadic here on the blog. Unless I win the lottery and can hire someone to help me I can't avoid it, but know I'm still here still working hard in the background and am hoping to do better at keeping my blog alive.

Barb:)



Saturday, August 23, 2014

Meet my Guest Tina Donahue!

I want to welcome Tina Donahue.! First I’d love you to introduce yourself.
Hey everyone! It’s a pleasure to be here. The best way to tell you about me is to share my bio. J
Tina Donahue is an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, Siren Publishing, 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.

Tell us about your latest release.
Taking Eve is one of the hottest books I’ve written and the first in which I explore BDSM. The story has a paranormal element – reincarnation – and takes place in the present (Seattle, Washington) and the past (Victorian England 1838). Here’s the blurb:
A willing slave to possession, punishment, pleasure…

Dreams of a manor where submission and dominance once ruled draws Faith to hypnotherapist Colin Danes. Potently virile, he looks remarkably like her most cherished master from a past life. Desire smolders in his eyes, proving he’s never forgotten her.
Their carnal dance continues in the present and leads to their past when she was known as Eve. Through hypnotherapy, Colin brings her back to the Victorian era, a hidden estate where she eagerly submits to whatever he and her other noble masters crave. The exquisite discipline of the strap. Being bid on and mounted each night. Displayed and used for the enjoyment of all.
Most will take her. One will try to imprison her. Only he will be her true master in that life and this.


Now I have a few questions for you – I have found readers do like to know fun things about us writers.

1.) Who is your favorite villain – it can be from a book (even one of yours), movie or TV show. And why?
I loved the Millennium trilogy -  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. Salander’s father was the villain in that, along with the people who were destroying her to protect him. I was so freaking glad when Salander came out on top and the rest of them got what was coming to them.

2.) Who is your favorite character out of your books? Why?
Wow. That’s hard to say. I really love them all. I guess if I had to choose one, it would be Zach in Sensual Stranger. When Toni comes into his life, he’s lost everything. So has she. Two wounded souls who find each other and happiness. The end, their HEA, still makes me cry.

3.) What genre do you write? What made you pick that one?
I write contemporary, historical, paranormal, suspense, ménage, erotic, romantic comedy, sci-fi. I’ve done just about everything except for a Western. I don’t confine myself to one genre. I like to explore ideas. That keeps my writing fresh.

4.)What are you working on now?
My WIP is about a young woman who inherits a business she has no idea how to run and the hot guy who’s managing it. Although she’s practical to a fault and cautious, he’s more laid back and a Dom by nature. When they get together, the scenes combust!

5.) What got you to start writing?
I’ve always written. I can’t remember when I didn’t. When I was nine, I wrote my first book and illustrated it. We didn’t have a copier in the house, so I made extra copies by hand and went around the neighborhood selling them to my friends’ parents. It was my first book tour.

6.) Where do you get your ideas from?
They just pop into my head while I’m watching the news, a film, a TV show, driving around, listening to a song, talking to friends. Someone might say something that’s pretty mundane, but I’ll start thinking “What if…?” My imagination starts to take off.

7.) What would people who read your work be surprised to find out about you?
I’m basically a very shy person. You wouldn’t know it by what I write.

8.) Do you have any special talents?
Art, graphics, dancing.

9.) What was the one piece of advice you received when you were an aspiring author that has stuck with you? Why?
Don’t give up. Keep reading. Keep writing. Anyone who thinks writing is easy, hasn’t really tried it. Anyone who gives up after rejection isn’t really a writer. A true writer, IMO, has to write, no matter what. It’s in the blood. It’s a need as much as breathing and eating.

10.) If you could talk to any famous figure (present, past or fictional) who would it be and what would you talk about?
Probably Margaret Atwood.  I’d want to talk about The Handmaid’s Tale. Wow, what a book. I’ve read it dozens of times and it continues to amaze me.

11.) What song would you say describes your life?
Katy Perry’s Roar. It really speaks to me.

12.) If you could come back as any animal – what would it be?
A pampered cat. I adore cats. Never met one I didn’t want to bring home.




Blurb:

During the day, she’s in charge—at night, he’ll take command of her body, their desires…

Dominance and discipline. Alexandra hungers for both from Daniel, the lead engineer on her Alaskan energy project. She imagines him punishing then mounting her while his team watches. Full-figured, Alexandra hasn’t had much luck with guys, especially ones so potently male. To change that, she invites Daniel to teach her submission to his most carnal needs. She also invites his men.
For too long, Daniel’s craved Alexandra’s lush figure and smarts. However, she’s his boss, it’s not wise to mix business with pleasure, and no damn way does he intend to share her. After one lusty night of her submitting to him and his men, Daniel claims Alexandra as his sub. On his terms. No regrets. No strings.
Yeah, right.
Tell that to their hearts.

Inside scoop: Alexandra and Daniel set things on fire with a brief ménage. Lucky girl has several men to fulfill her needs!

Excerpt:

Nat closed the door. The wind pulled it shut with a loud bang. She jerked. Daniel didn’t seem to notice the noise. He moved into her.
Stunned, Alexandra couldn’t budge. He was closer than he’d ever been. She caught his scent, a woodsy, masculine fragrance, clean and inviting. It mingled with the crisp aroma of snow on his parka and the fabric softener he’d used on his brown-and-cream flannel shirt. Several strands of his wind-tousled hair caressed his forehead and bristly cheeks. God love him, he hadn’t shaved.
She ached to run her fingers over his upper lip and chin.
Daniel didn’t give her the chance. With surprising ease, he slung his arm over her shoulder and drew her into him, their bodies touching. A jolt of desire hit Alexandra so hard she had to bite back a moan. His heat was incredible, chasing away the chill of his coat and the air she’d let inside. Nearly a head taller than her, he seemed enormous, virile, dangerous, and seductive.
Her heart beat out of time. They were near enough to kiss. His mouth rich and full, the stuff of her most salacious fantasies.
“You still want to do this?” he asked, low enough so the others wouldn’t hear.
Surprised by his question, she nodded. To have him leave now would be unthinkable.
“You feel safe?” he added.
His casual embrace ensured it, as though they were dating, comfortable with each other. “Yes, of course.”
Even though he didn’t have feelings for her, other than what appeared to be lust, he was a good man. He wouldn’t deliberately hurt her. Why was he asking?
He didn’t seem convinced of her answer. “You need to be certain,” he said. “This ends now unless you explicitly trust what’s going to happen.”
Alexandra started to perspire. “I do…what did you have in mind?”
Daniel studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable, though there was a hint of indecency in his eyes. Heat prickled Alexandra’s cheeks and forehead, nourished by excitement not fear. Whatever he’d planned, she was definitely all for it. Downright eager.
“Everything,” he answered, parroting what she’d said yesterday. “I’m in charge. Not you. Not any of the other guys. Me, alone. If you can’t accept that, then this is over right—”
She interrupted, “I accept it.” He’d honored his part of their bargain by showing up and taking over in the best possible way. Now, Alexandra would honor hers. “You’re the boss.”
Delight danced in his eyes. “Yes, I am.”
He cupped the back of her head and pulled her into him, their thighs and bellies snuggled together. Alexandra inhaled sharply. Before she could release her breath on a wanting sigh, he slanted his mouth over hers and slipped his tongue between her lips.
God. She sagged against him, shocking need tearing through her, rendering Alexandra helpless and weak. If not for Daniel’s solid body, she would have dropped to the floor.
Tightening his hold, he deepened their kiss, his mouth greedy and demanding, hers loose and impassioned beneath his. She nestled closer. He ground his hips into hers, his opened parka allowing her to feel his erection, rock solid, long as freaking hell. Alexandra dug her fingers into his coat, wanting it off and them naked, him inside her.
Despite her wayward lust, Daniel didn’t stop and strip. He enjoyed her leisurely, fully, his tongue dancing with hers, then sweeping over her teeth. He tasted of minty toothpaste and a flavor that was unique to him which spoke of good health, a male at the height of his power. Alexandra finally moaned, unable to help herself. Daniel offered a faint growl in return, then broke their kiss and rested his forehead against hers.
As a lover and friend might do.
His behavior was so unexpected and enchanting, she lost all reserve and breathed, “I like you being in charge.”
He made a noise that sounded of contentment and amusement, then traced her jawline with his finger. “We’ll see.”



4 comments:

  1. I want to thank Barbara for having Tina she is one of my favorite author
    I have read lots of her books so great, sensual well written and always great cover and color I wish you Barbara and Tina a wonderful evening and warm week
    Cheers

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  2. The books sounds wonderfullty wicked. Good luck with it. Hoping for the best.

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  3. Great interview, Barbara and Tina! Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete