Cynthia Sax's Blog, page 251
February 28, 2014
Interview with Tina Donahue
I sat down (virtually) with Tina Donahue for a short interview. Tina Donahue writes steamy erotic romances and her latest release is Seven Sensuous Days, Book Four in the Appointment with Pleasure series.
Cynthia Sax: What excites you about Seven Sensuous Days?
Tina Donahue: I love writing about people who’ve had a tough time with love, as most of us have had in the real world. That means that we haven’t been able to find it, or we’ve been hurt in the past.
In Seven Sensuous Days, Tessa’s more or less given up on anyone loving her. Although she’s pretty, she’s also curvy and had been bullied as a kid about her weight. That hurt is still with her. However, she’s one of the most upbeat characters I’ve ever written. Funny and sweet with a good heart. A year before the book begins, Logan lost everything he cherished. Now, he wants only to have a good time. He simply doesn’t trust anything else, especially intimacy. And then he meets Tessa. She reminds him of spring, all that’s good in the world, everything being renewed. However, that also frightens him badly. And so he resists.
I love the interplay between them, the depth of their characters, their yearning souls. They’re both good people who’ve finally found each other. J
Cynthia Sax: What is your favorite line from Seven Sensuous Days?
Tina Donahue: When Tessa arrives at Logan’s estate to begin her seven sensuous days, she says to him: “I’d like us to get to know each other a little bit before we, well, you know, do anything.”
This really sets the stage for their romance. Although she’s an escort and he’s a man who doesn’t want to get close, you just know that dynamic isn’t going to last. They’ve wanted each other too badly from the first moment they met. Logan resists and Tessa persists, lovingly tearing down his barriers, burrowing deeper into his heart, making him laugh, bringing his life back.
Good stuff.
Cynthia Sax: How does Seven Sensuous Days start?
Tina Donahue: It begins with an erotic auction sponsored by the agency where Tessa works. The proceeds are going to charity – mainly breast cancer research and academic scholarships for women. The mansion where the auction takes place has been decorated to look like a sultan’s lair. The men in the audience, all powerful and wealthy, bid on the lady of their choice, buying one evening or a full day of her time. The setup is rich and seductive with the women posed on stage, nude and in chains, as though they’re being sold at a slave auction.
I wanted to start Seven Sensuous Days with a bang, so to speak. However, while making it erotic, I also wanted Tessa’s personality to come out. Again, she’d been teased as a child about her weight. She’s still curvy. Like the redhead in Mad Men. She’s uncertain if anyone will bid on her. Then Logan comes along and what he does stuns Tessa and the audience. It sets into motion a romance that nothing can stop, not even Logan’s initial resistance.
Cynthia Sax: What is one aspect that makes Tessa and Logan right for each other?
Tina Donahue: They’re both good people. I know there will be those who think Tessa’s less than honorable for being an escort. However, she has her reasons. And she’s the finest person I’ve ever written. Logan’s the same, though he has lost his faith in anything good and lasting. She coaxes him back to trust, showing him there is a future, that love doesn’t always hurt. Without her, he would have drifted. With her, he’s found a home.
Cynthia Sax: Is Seven Sensuous Days a series and will you be writing more stories in this series?
Tina Donahue: Yes, this is a series. Claiming Magique started it all. Losing Control is book two. Illicit Intent, book three. All of them sexy but also exceedingly romantic.
And yes, I will absolutely continue the series as long as my fans enjoy it. J
Thank you, Tina Donahue, for joining us today!
Tina Donahue’s Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com/
*****************************************************************************
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.
Buy Now From Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/seven-sensuous-days.html
February 27, 2014
Beautiful Writers And The Best Seller Lists
Beauty matters. It sucks that it matters but it does. That’s the unfortunate reality.
The results of the study, which used an algorithm on facial beauty analysis site Anaface.com to rate the attractiveness of 677 CEOs, confirmed that better-looking CEOs make more money (sometimes called a “beauty premium”). It also found that stock market returns were higher on M&A announcement dates for companies whose CEO ranked high on the Facial Attractiveness Index.”
One would think that beauty wouldn’t matter in Romanceland. Sales should be all about the stories, about the yummy heroes and the intriguing heroines, right?
Yeah, no. If appearances didn’t matter, writers wouldn’t be asked for their photos… ALL the time. Our photos wouldn’t appear next to our online bios, in the back of print books, in the media kits.
And how we look in these photos makes a difference to our careers. The average reader is more likely to buy from an attractive writer. The media is more likely to feature or interview attractive writers.
There are a number of reasons why you won’t find my photo anywhere online. The main reason is that my dear wonderful supportive mom-in-law is very religious and would be embarrassed if one of her church-going friends knew what I was writing. I don’t ever want to hurt this terrific woman. I love her to bits.
But another reason is… I’m beauty impaired. The plain Jane heroine whom only the hero finds attractive? That’s me. Ironically my super awesome hubby IS handsome and he DOES think I’m beautiful, even twenty years and twice my original weight later. (Oh, and we fell in love at first sight – yes, I base my romance stories on real life).
I had to work ten times as hard in business to overcome this lack of beauty issue (because in business, beauty also matters). When I followed my dream into writing, I thought this wouldn’t be an issue. I was naïve. It IS an issue.
I use cover art for my bio photo. I prefer to look at Henley’s handsome face than mine. Some media won’t accept that, won’t cover the story unless I supply my real photo. I miss out on these promotional avenues. Some of my beauty impaired buddies (big hugs) use avatars, logos, and other clever images. They also miss out on opportunities.
I’m as guilty as the next person about judging writers based on their appearances. I’d rather not see who is writing the erotic romances I enjoy reading. I love my fellow writers but I don’t want to picture their faces while the hero is boinking the living daylights out of the heroine. SO not sexy. (grins)
And I don’t begrudge my beautiful writing buddies their successes. (big hugs) I merely wish their successes were due 100% to their wonderful stories. I wish we all stopped judging each other on our appearances. (And since we’re talking about fantasies, I also wish eating Nutella qualified as a form of exercise)
Have you been judged on your appearance? Does a writer’s appearance make a difference to you?
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.
Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.
Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-Novella-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-flashesofme-1411711-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flashes-of-me-cynthia-sax/1117322925
February 25, 2014
Fave Quotes From Flashes Of Me
Quite a few readers have shared their favorite lines from Flashes Of Me with me and I LOVE this.
So I thought I’d share some of MY favorite lines.
***
Employees raise their heads, spot Henley, and duck back down.
This happens again and again, the sight hilariously funny. “Have you ever played that amusement-park game where the rodents pop out of holes and you have to whack them with a mallet?” I ask. Henley doesn’t answer, his broad shoulders shaking. “You’re strong and fast. I think you’d be great at that game. You could win me a stuffed bear or a giant plush unicorn.”
***
Okay, this is more than a line but I love this because Kat takes something that has really been hurting Henley and she twists it into something humorous, changing his view on the world, his emotional reaction.
***
I swallow my fears, turn, and enter the car, leaving my behemoth standing on the sidewalk, a solid wall of black separating joy and sorrow.
***
I think this sums up what Henley means to Kat. He is her wall. For others, say Camille aka Goth girl, a wall wouldn’t be a good thing, but Kat feels safe behind a wall.
***
I need to be happy.
***
This line more than anything defines Kat. She doesn’t WANT to be happy. She NEEDS to be happy. Much of what she does is driven by this need.
What were your favorite lines from Flashes Of Me?
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.
Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.
Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-Novella-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-flashesofme-1411711-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flashes-of-me-cynthia-sax/1117322925
February 23, 2014
Alien Tryst
I have a title for my next SciFi erotic romance release! Alien Tryst will be the long awaited follow up to Tattooed Tryst.
Here is a bit about it.
While investigating some mysterious disappearances, Kane, a former military man, uncovers two secrets that change his world. He’s not entirely human. He’s also dangerously close to death. His alien grandfather has broken a sacred rule, putting his entire bloodline, including Kane, at risk of termination.
Eshe, a sexy blonde scientist with lush lips and a hot body, is Kane’s only hope to save his family. He’ll do anything to keep her safe, including fighting alien warriors, crossing vast galaxies, and giving his woman the pleasure she craves again and again, using his mouth, fingers, every inch of his fit physique.
In this alien world, passion is power and love is necessary for survival.
I don’t yet have a release day for Alien Tryst. I’ll let you know when that is finalized.
When a tattooed stranger strides into the diner and gazes at Lori with his flame infused eyes, she realizes he’s someone special. Something special.
There are tall, gorgeous aliens hidden among us, aliens armed with big guns and burning kisses, aliens taking what they want and whom they want, melting resistance with firm lips and rough, calloused touches. Aliens with fascinating tattoos…
Trake takes one look at the waitress serving up coffee and sultry smiles and knows she’ll be his. With military precision, he begins his passionate assault, using every weapon in his sexual arsenal to seduce Lori. Time is limited. He leaves Earth in nine days and his human mate can’t make the difficult journey. This is his sole chance at the ecstasy of bonding.
He will not fail.
Buy Now From Ellora’s Cave: http://www.ellorascave.com/tattooed-tryst.html
Buy Now From Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tattooed-Tryst-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B007Y8PZN8
Buy Now From ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-tattooedtryst-889618-340.html
Buy Now From B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tattooed-tryst-cynthia-sax/1110454272
February 21, 2014
Flashes Of Me Featured On The USA Today Blog
Yay!
Flashes Of Me was featured on the USA Today blog today!
I’m super stoked!
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.
Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.
Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-Novella-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-flashesofme-1411711-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flashes-of-me-cynthia-sax/1117322925
Contemporary Erotic Romance Chat
Wendi Zwaduk , Cris Anson, Shelley Munro, Sabrina York , Anne Kane , Gia Dawn, J.S. Wayne, Sabrina Darby, and I are talking about Contemporary Erotic Romance at
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/loveromancescafe/conversations/messages
all day today (’cause the party never stops – grins).
If you love sexy billionaires, a$$ kicking Navy Seals, or rugged cowboys, please drop by! We have virtual Nutella (and the cabana boys to eat that virtual Nutella off of).
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.
Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.
Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-Novella-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-flashesofme-1411711-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flashes-of-me-cynthia-sax/1117322925
February 20, 2014
BookLover Sue Loves Flashes Of Me
BookLover Sue shares
“The story is so entertaining and engrossing, I found myself drawn into it. I am now eagerly awaited the next story which is to feature Katalina’s quirky new friend.”
http://bookloversue.blogspot.ca/2014/02/review-and-giveaway-flashes-of-me-by.html
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.
Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.
Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-Novella-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-flashesofme-1411711-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flashes-of-me-cynthia-sax/1117322925
February 18, 2014
Henley, Nutella, and Flashes Of Me
Talking Henley, Flashes Of Me, and, of course, Nutella at Wendi Zwaduk ‘s online home today.
http://www.wendizwaduk.net/2014/02/why-henley-is-sexy-beast-by-cynthia-sax.html
Here’s a snippet
“Kat is a big breasted blonde, accustomed to being appreciated merely for her looks. She realizes she’s pretty and she also realizes being pretty isn’t always an asset. Because she’s often judged by her appearance, she rarely judges others by their appearances.
This is a good thing because Henley’s appearance scares the Nutella out of people.”
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.
Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.
Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-Novella-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-flashesofme-1411711-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flashes-of-me-cynthia-sax/1117322925
The Power Of Flashing
I’m sharing WAY too much information at Ann Jacobs’ online home today
http://annjacobs.mobi/2014/02/about-flashing-welcome-cynthia-sax/
Here’s a snippet…
“My dear wonderful hubby was stressed. He’d lost a huge deal he’d be working on. He was in danger of not making his sales quota for the quarter. He had an important call with his boss and the rest of the team.
Five minutes into the call, I knew it wasn’t going well. His answers to questions were curt, almost grumpy. Tensions were escalating. The hubby was so wound up, he was making a bad situation even worse.
I stepped into his line of sight and flipped my shirt up. We’ve been together for twenty terrific years. My breasts were never Playboy quality, not even on day one, and he’s seen them hundreds, thousands of times.
The impact was instant. My hubby stopped talking mid sentence. He blinked slowly. Then he smiled, his shoulders lowering, the lines around his mouth easing, all of the stress whooshing out of him. That brief glimpse of the forbidden, of something naughty, something unexpected, sucked the tension from his body.
THIS is the power of flashing and flashing IS power. The viewer doesn’t touch, doesn’t control the action. The flasher is in complete control. She decides when and where.”
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.
Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.
Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-Novella-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-flashesofme-1411711-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flashes-of-me-cynthia-sax/1117322925
Talking Friends, Flashes Of Me, And Romanceland
I’m talking about fictional friends at N.j. Walters ‘s online home today (which is super appropriate because I’m lucky to consider N.j. a real friend)
http://www.njwalters.blogspot.ca/2014/02/cynthia-sax-flashes-of-me.html
Here’s a tidbit…
“I love NJ (gives her a big hug). I love her writing and I love her as a person. I feel fortunate to have her as a friend.
Because friends are important, especially in Romanceland. Romance is all about lasting love. It is difficult to create a lasting relationship if the two (or more) people aren’t also good friends. My dear wonderful hubby is my best friend. He’s the first person I tell anything to, the person I know will support me no matter what craziness I come up with, the friend I trust my deepest darkest secrets to.”
Henley, the head of cyber security at Blaine Technologies, is a man no one crosses. He watches employees constantly using his network of cameras and enforces his rules by any means possible. Rumors of his violent past, his scarred hands and huge size have resulted in him being feared by everyone… almost everyone.
Katalina, the new intern, worries about the revelation of her most painful secret much more than she fears her sexy boss’s wrath. She sees the loneliness in his dark eyes, feels the gentleness in his marred fingers, tastes the need in his kisses, and she knows he watches her. His silly rules about not stripping for the cameras and no sex at the office are destined to be broken.
Kat likes to be watched. Henley can’t look away. Will this beauty be able to tame her beastly boss?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Flashes-Me-Novella-Cynthia-Sax-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXO
ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-flashesofme-1411711-149.html
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flashes-of-me-cynthia-sax/1117322925
