Hot New Cover!
Category: Ellora’s Cave
Do You Know Regina Cole? (giveaway)
Why witches ROCK – CiC Blog Tour Day 7!
Thanks to Missy for letting me stop by for the blog tour today! Caught in Crimson has been out for a few days now. Anyone read it yet? If not, make sure you enter the contest at the bottom and you’ll be in the running to win not only awesome gift cards and free ebooks, but you’ll also have your chance to get the whole Spellbinding series before you can buy them!
Today I’m going to talk a little bit about why witches ROCK.
It’s hard to find pictures of a sexy witch. Powerful women are feared, and with fear comes hate. And let’s face it, when we hate things we say they’re ugly. So society has definitely embraced the idea that witches are old hags with hooked noses and warts and straggly hair. Of course, if MEN were more often depicted as witches, do you think we’d see the same trend? I don’t, but that’s a soapbox for another day. 😉
One of the coolest things about writing a powerful heroine like a witch is that she can be kick-ass, strong, and gorgeous all at the same time. As a reader, I love to step into the shoes of a main character that’s powerful.
What do you guys think? Are witches given an unfair shake in books and art? Let me know below!
And don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway!!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZjAyNWY5M2EwOGZiMWI5MGY3MGE0MmIzNGM5NzYyOjE=/
New Release!
It’s finally here! My first release of 2013 is now available as an ebook from Ellora’s Cave Publishing here. It’s a part of their Blush line, but don’t let that deter you. I promise there is still some steamy lovin’ between Elle and Hank, just not as much as in my other books.
It’s the third in my Love Beyond Barriers series but can definitely be read alone. The story of Elle and Hunky Hank is one that just flowed through my fingers with relative ease. I had a great time writing it, though there were a couple of emotional moments. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Blurb:
Blush sensuality level: This is a sensual romance (may have explicit love scenes, but not erotic in frequency or type).
Book three in the Love Beyond Barriers series.
A few months ago I finally moved on with my life and got away from my abusive ex-boyfriend. That should be a good thing, right? But now I’m living with Hunky Hank, my ex’s former friend turned my Knight in Shining Armor. He’s great at everything and treats me like a queen. Unfortunately that makes me feel needy when I’m trying to be more independent. When I need to be more independent. So when I started getting vibes of another woman, I knew it was time to move out and move on. So much easier said than done. It’s not so easy to leave behind the temptation of the most perfect guy I’ve ever known. He’s the only one who looks at me and instead of seeing a shattered image, he sees someone who is too hard to break.
A Blush® romance from Ellora’s Cave
Other books in this series:
Do You Know Tina Donahue? (CONTEST)
Do You Like Heat with Heart?
That’s my brand – “Heat with Heart” – it’s what I try to convey in all of my erotic romances. Sizzling love scenes and an emotional pull between the characters that will leave you breathless, sighing and yes, sometimes even crying.
I love when a romance moves me to laughter or tears…when it has me sighing or bitching about something that’s happened to the main characters. In other words, I love to be involved.
Sinfully Wicked is my second contemporary ménage. IMHO it’s even hotter than SiNN, my first ménage. Sinfully Wicked explores betrayal, forgiveness, those awful teen years we all want to forget and the unbreakable bond between three people that stands the test of time.
Here’s the blurb. Enjoy. J
Two brothers—one woman—unforgettable passion…
Years before Nikki fell in love with Mitch and Connor, betraying them as only a high school girl could. Now, she’s back and needs their help.
Powerful and commanding, Mitch has never stopped craving Nikki. Connor hungers for her as badly, but isn’t ready to forgive. If she needs some fast cash by working at their gentlemen’s club, she’ll have to audition by stripping for them.
Aroused by their shameless scrutiny, Nikki’s willing to do whatever it takes to be near them again…even being punished in the BDSM room or starring in one of Connor’s erotic films. Mitch won’t have it, unless he and Connor are the ones mounting and enjoying her.
On a sultry weekend, Nikki surrenders to their lust, dominance and exquisite discipline, reawakening their timeless bond and the beginning of forgiveness.
Buy Link (with excerpt): http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9983-sinfully-wicked.aspx
Tina Donahue is an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing and Kensington. 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. Three of her erotic novels were named finalists in the 2011 EPIC competition. Sensual Stranger, her erotic romance, was chosen Book of the Year 2010 (erotic category) at the French review site, Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for her erotic romance Lush Velvet Nights; and Deep, Dark, Delicious (erotic romance) recently received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition (2011). 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.
Email: tina@tinadonahue.com
Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue
*** CONTEST ***
To celebrate the release of Sinfully Wicked, I’m offering a contest. One lucky commenter on this blog will have her choice of one of my following ebooks**:
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
** Winner chosen at random. Winner chosen April 9.
New Release!!
I’m forgoing my usual Friday WTF? post because today I have a new release!! Two Dates Max is the sequel to Two-Week Trial. If you’ve read the first then you’re familiar with Sean Maxwell, Mari’s boss in retail hell. If not, check out the excerpt to get a taste of what he’s like:
“Hey, Sean. Here a little early today, huh?”
One thick brow lifted in surprise but the scowl remained. I batted my eyelashes playfully in an attempt to make him smile, but he just rolled his eyes.
“I left work early,” he growled.
“Oh? Everything okay in the world of retail?”
He looked conflicted, as if he couldn’t decide on whether to actually talk to me or not. I didn’t know why every conversation had to be a battle with him, but we were finally making progress and I wasn’t willing to give it up.
“Yeah. No… I don’t know. I’m just a little stressed out right now.”
My smile melted into genuine concern and I placed a hand on the fist he held clenched against the countertop. He looked down at my hand but didn’t pull away.
“You know, there usually isn’t anyone in the hot tub at this hour. Why don’t you lay off the weights today and go relax?”
When his gaze returned to mine there was genuine surprise. He unclenched his fist and turned his hand up, twining our fingers for one heart-stopping moment.
“That’s a great idea. Thanks, Megan.”
I smiled and slipped my hand from his to grab a towel. The loss of his skin against mine was like a slap but it was worth it to see appreciation in his gaze. He took the towel with a nod of thanks and walked away. My heart started beating again and I remembered to breathe. Something was weighing heavily on his mind and I wanted to know how to make it go away. A glance at the clock showed ten minutes until my replacement arrived. I usually left the gym right after working an early shift to go to the bookstore. I could spend hours there and usually more money than was wise, but it’s my only vice. This time I decided to stay and take a dip in the hot tub. After all, I needed some downtime too.
Twenty minutes later I peeked around the corner of the wall separating the women’s locker room from the coed pool area. The hot tub was on the other end of the room, so Sean would see me coming. I adjusted the straps on my one-piece, black bathing suit, wishing for the millionth time I had Elle’s body. I naturally kept in shape being an employee of the gym, but I’d always been athletic. Years of softball, volleyball and soccer had given me a teenage boy’s figure rather than a voluptuous woman’s. There wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it without surgery so I tried hard not to care.
Sean had his back to me, lounging in the hot tub with the jets on high. His eyes were closed and my bare feet made almost no sound. We were alone, though there were two men in the pool swimming laps. I entered the water slowly so my body could acclimate to the higher temperature. It was divine. I didn’t normally take time to enjoy most of the gym’s perks, but this was one time I just couldn’t stay away.
I must have splashed or gasped, or something to announce my presence, because when I looked up from taking the final step into the water Sean’s intense blue gaze was on me. I froze and smiled weakly, my nerves going into overdrive at joining him uninvited. Was I being too bold after barely getting him to agree on the barbecue? He remained silent with a blank look on his face as I took a seat opposite him, a full leg’s length away. I’d piled my dark-brown hair into a haphazard knot at the top of my head. It’s so thin, I usually can’t get it to stay in a neat braid. I silently prayed it didn’t look too messy.
“Mmmm, this feels great, huh? Definitely relaxing,” I said.
He didn’t reply and I fought to keep my natural smile in place. I made a show of looking around, as if seeing the pool area for the first time. I didn’t come in here often, so it wasn’t completely for show. Sean didn’t say a word or move a muscle.
An eternity later, in reality only about seven minutes, the two men in the pool left. Sean and I were completely alone, but I didn’t expect to stay that way in the middle of the afternoon. I lounged back against the hot tub and clasped my hands behind my head, closing my eyes. I was actually relaxing and enjoying the solitude when something brushed my foot. I opened one eye to see Sean standing and my pulse leapt. I wanted to jump up and grab him but decided looking that desperate was uncalled for. If he wanted to leave, fine.
I let my lid drop back down and he brushed against my calf. I’m on the short side, so I didn’t understand how my legs could possibly be in his way. However, if Sean wanted to touch my bare skin I was all for it. Even after that thought, his rough hands on my upper thighs jerked me fully upright. My eyes flew open and were filled with his lightly furred chest. I looked up to see him well within my personal space, and slowly inching slower. My breath caught in my lungs and I watched in fascination as his gaze zeroed in on my lips and stayed there. He was going to kiss me and I was going to let him.
All rational thought disappeared the moment his lips touched mine. I didn’t give a damn about being in a public place, where I worked and could potentially be seen by my boss. I wrapped my arms around Sean’s neck and pulled him in tight, afraid to let go when I finally had him where I needed him. He didn’t seem to want to escape as he explored my mouth with his expert tongue. His taste, mint and coffee, filled my senses and I moaned in delight.
His hands had moved to my hips and he tightened his grip to pin me in place. I wasn’t going anywhere, but his forcefulness ratcheted up my arousal and I wrapped my legs around his hips. He finally pulled back but didn’t try to move away. I caught my breath and looked up into his eyes.
“I really needed that,” he whispered.
Want more? Buy it today from Ellora’s Cave here.Are you following along on my blog tour? Be sure to leave a comment at each stop for the chance to win your choice from my back list. I’ll choose today’s winner tomorrow morning via random.org. Please include your email address in your comment. Plus all commenters will be entered for the grand prize of a Missy Jane tote full of gently used books!
WWWW: I’m Here! Now What?
One of the main reasons I log on everyday is to promote my writing. In that spirit I try to be as up to date on social networking and what is going on in the vast world web. So, when Triberr appeared, to my eyes, I took a look at it…and didn’t know what the fuck I was seeing. Another author asked me to join her tribe and gave me a list of rules about posting and promoting and tweeting my little heart out. Not only was I confused, I was exhausted by the time I finished looking into it. So, I politely thanked her and said I wasn’t interested at the time. That was in December. Now another author brought it up again (without the list of rules and an already established tribe), so I took the plunge. I’m now a Triberr member in a tribe for Ellora’s Cave authors. What does this mean? I still have no earthly idea, but at least I know my fellow author is new at it too. If I totally screw things up, maybe she won’t notice.
Resignation Available Today!!!
It’s here!! Today is the re-release day of my erotic novella, Resignation. Sol and Darina’s story has a special place in my heart because it was the first erotic novella I ever had published. It’s been re-edited with a couple new scenes that give more insight into the characters. And once again I have the delectable Jimmy Thomas on my cover. I hope ya’ll like it!
BLURB:
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Lynn Graves has already cut her expenses to the bone. When an ad for a modeling job is brought to her attention, she simply can’t refuse the quick money. But once she meets the sexy photographer, it doesn’t seem so simple anymore.
Weston Myers is in a bind. Short on time, he’s looking for the perfect body since the face won’t matter. Now that he’s met Lynn, no one else will do, but breaking down her inhibitions will take patience. And when she gets under his skin, he’s desperate to have her luscious body under him… But he doesn’t have long to ready his artistic photo exhibit and convince Lynn she belongs in his bed. Hopefully in the end, she won’t be afraid of a few erotic images.
Editing this Weekend
What are ya’ll up to this weekend? Me? I’ll be starting my first round of edits for the new version of Resignation. What do you think of the new cover? I LOVE it! To be honest I loved the first cover put on this novella by the previous publisher too, but something about this one just really pops. If you previously purchased Resignation when it was released by Sapphire Blue you may notice a few changes in the manuscript. All of the main parts are there, but I fleshed out a couple of scenes I hope help the chemistry between Sol and Darina feel even more natural than before. I don’t have the blurb or release date yet, but as soon as I do you’ll be the first to know 😉
Great Reviews for Erotic Images!
So far I’ve found three reviews for my newest release, Erotic Images, and they all had good things to say!
Jen at Romancing the Book rated it as a Rose in Bloom. Read her full review here.
Nissie at Riverina Romantics gave it a 4 hearts. Read her full review here.
And, Heather on Goodreads gave it 4 stars. Read her full review here.
Have you read Erotic Images? Let me know what you think, or link your review from Goodreads, Amazon, or wherever, in the comments below.
It’s My Birthday!!
Today is my thirty-sixth birthday! And it’s even more special because it’s also the release day of my sixth e-book! Erotic Images is my newest erotic novella from Ellora’s Cave Publishing, and they gave me a real treat this time by putting the delectable Jimmy Thomas on my cover. He is easily one of the most recognizable faces in the Romance world, as well as a super nice and all-around cool guy. Not only is he making my new book look great, he was also gracious enough to answer a few question for me to post on this special day. So here it is, my mini-interview of Romance cover model Jimmy Thomas:
Missy: If you even have time (just reading your bio wore me out!) do you ever read the books you’re featured on? If not, do you prefer another genre, or read for fun at all?
Jimmy: I rarely have time to do anything other than work, so unfortunately, I haven’t read any of the books I’m on. If I did, I wouldn’t get new images shot and uploaded for all to use on their covers 😉
Missy: Your site romancenovelcovers.com is phenomenal and unlike anything I’ve ever seen. What made you decide to market yourself in this way?
Jimmy: Thanks 🙂 I’ve been modeling for 13 years and have always shot “couples” images of romance, sensual and erotica, and I knew the romance industry needed a place to go to get exactly that, without extensive searching on random stock image websites that didn’t have much of what they wanted/needed. And I’ve always been one to come up with marketing, network and advertising ideas that work well 😉
Missy: I’ve browsed the covers on your site and you seem to have every sub-genre of romance there. Historical, sensual, steamy, paranormal and even you in a kilt! (sigh) Do you have a favorite pose or type of cover? If so, why is it your favorite?
Jimmy: Not really. I love any style/genre, as long as I produce great images that I love within any genre during a shoot, I’m happy 🙂 Of course those where I’m holding a half naked/naked beautiful woman doesn’t hurt 😉
Lol, and don’t we all wish we were that naked, beautiful woman? All right, readers, what do you think? Do you have a favorite Jimmy Thomas pose? Describe it, link it or name the book title in a comment below and you’re entered into my Birthday Blog Tour giveaway!Please include your email address in your post. I’ll choose a winner via random.org tomorrow evening. Good luck!
In case you were wondering, here are my faves:
Romantic Times Convention April 2008
Author Missy Jane 