Pollygraph (interviews with romance and erotica authors): Tina Donahue

Deep Within Me, the follow-up to Come Fill Me, is out on 25th June. If you could summarize these books in a couple of sentences, what would you say?
Well, let’s see. Tales of danger, romance, suspense about two warring clans (in contemporary New Mexico) with paranormal powers that can heal or kill. There’s smokin’ hot sex, an Alpha hero to die for and a heroine who knows her mind and the guy she can’t live without.
Okay, that's a bit unfair, tell us more about these books.Here’s the blurb from each.

Come Fill MeThe Prophecy, Book 1
Two men will stop at nothing to have her gift, her desire…and her love.


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.

PRODUCT WARNINGSWorlds 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.  http://store.samhainpublishing.com/come-fill-p-7125.html

Deep Within MeUnrestrained 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.
PRODUCT WARNINGSFeatures 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.
http://store.samhainpublishing.com/deep-within-p-7431.html

Will there be more to come in this series?
Definitely. I’ll be working on the next one within the coming months.
What attracts you to writing about the paranormal and mystical in your erotic and romantic fiction? What does that element of the fantastical bring to your work?
I’ve always been fascinated by the paranormal and mystical. Love the old Twilight Zone reruns. I thought it would be fun to wed the two – all those strange happenings with a satisfying romance – and see what happened.
Do you write in other genres, too? I’ve written in many subgenres of romance, including historical, contemporary, romantic comedy, suspense, ménage and mainstream.

Tell us about your experiences as an author. What have the big challenges and successes been?
The challenge is to make each story as fresh as possible, while also achieving deep POV. I know many readers believe that anyone can write a romance. That’s not true. It relies on emotions rather than chase scenes, explosions, violence, a mystery, etc. A romance writer has to get into the characters’ souls and put that on paper. Not easy.
For those novels that fans and critics have found to be the very best, the most satisfying, making them laugh, cry and grin in delight, I’ve won many industry awards.

What makes a good romance or erotic romance novel for you?The emotional bond between the hero (or heroes) and heroine. What makes them fall for each other. The challenges they face. The risks they’re willing to take to be together. It’s not about the sex for me, even though I pen erotic romances. It’s about the mind and soul. The sex is really the cherry on top of the sundae.

Tell us about other recent titles.

Illicit Intent, erotic contemporary, recently released from Ellora’s Cave. It’s book three in my Appointment with Pleasure series. Here’s the blurb:
Book Three – Appointment with Pleasure series
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…
http://www.ellorascave.com/illicit-intent.html

And Shameless Desire, erotic paranormal, recently released from Samhain. It’s book three in my Outlawed Realm series. Here’s the blurb:
Passion without limit. Carnal hunger that knows no bounds.
Within Earth’s five dimensions, nothing is as it seems…and desire is never far away.
In E4’s jungle, Kuma was the Alpha werewolf, bent on revenge against the hated guards. Swept with them into the E1 dimension, now he prowls Seattle at night, stopping the thugs from abducting women for use as sex slaves in E4’s Pleasure Palace.
On her way home from her nursing job, Gwen senses danger in the night’s shadows—an instant before a stranger attacks. Clinging to consciousness, she watches the impossible, a wolf fighting him off…protecting her. She wakes in her own bed, convinced it must have been a dream until she sees Kuma in human form. Virile, intense. A man like no other.
Within his powerful embrace, Gwen experiences rapture she didn’t believe existed. His unrestrained lust and burning need end her loneliness, though not the menace they face. The guards are a constant threat in their hunt for women and their determination to see Kuma dead. Together, he and Gwen must fight—for his life, her freedom, their future.

PRODUCT WARNINGSOut-of-this-world sex and a romance to die for. Features a hunk whose inner beast won’t be tamed, and the woman who craves his most shameless desire.
http://store.samhainpublishing.com/shameless-desire-p-7360.html

Do you have a favourite, or favourites, among your books?
I suppose that would be In His Arms. Its theme was sexual slavery, not an easy topic. However, I’ve received more fan letters about it than any of my other books. Every time I read parts of it, I still cry, the story moves me that much.
My other title that also stirs something deep within me is Illicit Desire, book two of my Outlawed Realm series. Its theme of a person’s desire for identity and freedom is also deeply felt.

What's a typical writing day for you?
I write every day except for Christmas and New Years. I get up very early – 2 am – and hit the keyboard until I have to go to my day job. When I return home, I write again.
Do you have any favourite erotica or romance authors?
Emma Holly really has a way with words – wow – that is one talented woman.
I’ve also enjoyed books by Adele Dubois, Cerise DeLand, Jean Hart Stewart, Fran Lee and Katalina Leon. Many of these ladies are resident Divas on my site Sweet n Sexy Divas.

And finally, beyond Deep Within Me, what can we expect to see from you soon?
I’m currently working on book four of my Outlawed Realm series for Samhain. After that I’ll be working on book four of my Appointment with Pleasure series with Ellora’s Cave.

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.
Email: tina@tinadonahue.comWebsite: http://www.tinadonahue.com/Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahueFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/tina.donahue.75Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authortina/my-books/Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/tinadonahueMy page at TRR: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/mypageprofile.php?location=tinadonahue