Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Guest Blogger Tina Donahue - That First Kiss. . .


In every romance, erotic or otherwise, the couple’s first kiss should be memorable. It can be greedy, impassioned, tender, or exploring. . .but it must move a reader. It must make an audience clamor for more.

In my upcoming erotic romance, In His Arms, I wanted Summer and RJ’s first kiss to be more than arousing, it had to be a kiss she craved. Even though she’s a sexual slave and she’s been given to him by her owner, I wanted her to willingly encourage the intimacy, to feel cherished, protected, respected within his arms.

I won’t lie – the scene (and those preceding it) was extremely difficult to write, but Summer’s emotional connection with RJ blossomed and made their first kiss quite moving.

Here’s a blurb and an excerpt to show you what I mean.

BLURB:

Owned by one man, loved by another. . .

Abducted and delivered into sexual slavery, Lori has surrendered her will in order to survive. For more than a decade, she’s been known as Summer, a lovely submissive, her owner’s possession until he gives her to his newest lieutenant, a mysterious man called RJ. Commanding and virile, RJ dominates without cruelty and possesses without threat, engendering a mixture of safety and passion. In his strong arms, Summer enjoys carnal pleasure she’s never known and tenderness she’s craved. In his heated gaze, she experiences a sense of recognition she doesn’t immediately understand until it proves dangerous in a way she could never have imagined. Bound by desire and their growing love, RJ traverses the shadowy world of human trafficking, risking all for Summer’s freedom only to learn she harbors a fateful secret that threatens to tear her from him, leading to an irrevocable event that risks both their lives.

EXCERPT:

Their bellies and thighs touched—hers soft and yielding, his unresisting, solid. Summer’s pulse jumped, shaken by their closeness. Her mind kept repeating his words.

Whatever happens from this moment on is your choice. Tonight’s about whatever you want.

Given the option, the first she’d known in too long, her decision had been easier than she might have imagined. She liked his gentle manner, his playful teasing. He’d made her smile.

He made her want again. She craved his large body and protection.

But she couldn’t go with him. Tonight would be all they had. Intending to enjoy it, she leaned into him.

The edge of his hair skimmed her cheek, delivering his shampoo’s faint citrusy fragrance. Summer inhaled deeply, capturing more of it. Beneath the manufactured scent was his own, unmistakably a man’s musk. Her belly fluttered.

Whatever you want.

She placed her free hand on his chest and splayed her fingers to touch as much of his right pec as she could. Beneath his cashmere sweater and her caress, his firm muscles danced. In her fantasies, when she’d needed comfort, she had imagined a man like RJ.

You set the pace.

Her cheek glided over his as she sought his mouth, just as she would if they’d been on a date. Willingly, she eased her head back to encourage his kiss.

In no hurry, he allowed her to experience the contradiction of his beard-roughened face and the pillowy softness of his lips, the hint of cherry tobacco on his breath. Hers caught as the tip of his tongue—hot and wet—probed the seam of her mouth. Back arched, breasts nuzzled against him, Summer took as much as he could give her.

He filled her well.

She curled her fingers in his sweater. Encouraged by her response, his hand went to her hair. Working his fingers through it, he cupped the back of her head in his large palm.

Her lips parted even more, her tongue sliding over his. She tasted a trace of peppermint toothpaste meant to mask what he’d smoked, and something beyond it, an indescribable flavor belonging to him alone.

A soft grunt escaped RJ. His flat belly bumped hers, his cock brushing her mound.

She imagined his hardened shaft inside of her, stretching, possessing, arousing, fulfilling her female need to have a strong man take her and deliver pleasure they both wanted. Her scalp tingled. She tightened her hold on his sweater to draw him closer. Eager, not compliant, Summer suckled his tongue, then forced it from her mouth so she could enter him.

Clearly liking the way she took charge, he drew her tongue deeply inside, his lips pursed around its base, not letting go. It fueled something buried in her and affected him as well. Their kiss turned surprisingly greedy, savage, their harsh breathing punctuated by her mewling and his satisfied grunts.

Minutes passed. Their lewd sounds grew quiet, the kiss evolving from wild to tender like a gentle dream that shielded her from the harsh realities of waking. From tomorrow.

Summer didn’t want the moment to ever end, but RJ pulled his mouth free and heaved in a full breath. Unsettled by the loss of his touch—her body weakened with desire—she looked up at him.

Stark wonder registered in his gaze, telling her their kiss had affected him as much as it had her, going beyond satisfaction.

It seemed to have moved him in a way he hadn’t anticipated.

That one kiss begins their remarkable journey that leads to danger and love. . .

In His Arms will be available September 3

Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8593-50-in-his-arms.aspx


Tina Donahue is a multi–published novelist in contemporary, historical and erotic romance. 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. She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper, worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company, and is currently the Managing Editor for a global business document concern.

Email: tina@tinadonahue.com

Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000458023097

To celebrate the upcoming release of In His Arms, I’m offering a contest today. One lucky commenter will have her choice of one of my following books**

1. Lush Velvet Nights – ebook

2. Adored – ebook

3. Deep, Dark, Delicious – ebook

4. Close to Perfect – mass market paperback

5. Bad Boys with Red Roses – trade paperback

6. Take My Breath Away – trade paperback

** Winner chosen at random. Winner in continental US has her choice of one of the six. Winner outside continental US has her choice of one of the ebooks

33 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Tina! Congrats on another release!!! It sounds awesome and yummy! I wanted to keep reading. I think you did a great job with the first kiss. As a reader I do favor dialog between the hero and heroine. Some I hope there's plenty of that later in the book. I love to her the hero speak during sex the dirtier the better! :)

I get my ereader today but I'm going to have to wait til tomorrow so Jeff can show me how to use it. I have all of your ebooks ready to go except Lush Velvet Nights!!!! So I'm really hoping to win!!!

Your the best Tina!!! Congrats again!!

Hugs, Christine chirth7@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I love the excerpt! How sensual! My daughter and I love your books. We think your the greatest! I'm so happy for you and your next book. I can't wait to read it!!

Congrats!! Shirley

shundelt@yahoo.com

Serenity King said...

Hi Tina!

Love you works. Congrats on the new book. Can't wait to pick up my copy.

Serenity

Tina Donahue said...

Hey, Christine, Shirley and Serenity -

You guys are the best. I'm so glad you enjoy my books.

IMHO In His Arms has one of the best love stories I've ever written.

And yes, Christine, RJ and Summer do talk during sex and believe me, it's very erotic. :) (Glad you finally got your ereader. I know you'll just love it!)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the release Tina! I have been fallin in lust with this book for weeks now. Heres to many sales.

Tina Donahue said...

Hey, Drea - thanks! I'm in lust with it too, especially RJ and that awesome Jimmy on the cover. :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your new release, Tina. This book sounds so hot! Can't wait to read it. :-)

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks, Rosalie - In His Arms is very hot and it's also very moving...a great love story. :)

Jennifer Mathis said...

great excerpt

meandi09@yahoo.com

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks, Jennifer - glad you dropped by. :)

Meg Benjamin said...

Hi Tina, welcome to the Naughty Nine. Great excerpt--and incredible cover!!

Nix Winter said...

Great job! such lovely covers too!

Tina Donahue said...

Hey, Meg - thanks for having me! :)

Hello, Nix - thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked the cover. :)

Gabrielle Lee said...

Congrats on the new release. Loved the excerpt and can't wait to check this one out.

Gabrielle
meingee@yahoo.com

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks, Gabrielle - I think you'll like In His Arms - I've rarely enjoyed writing a book as much as this one. :)

Armenia said...

Hi Tina, how fun to find you here. Just stopped by to spread the love. I'm glad I did because I got to read another hot excerpt from your new release. Love those first kisses...very dangerous, indeed.

Tina Donahue said...

They are, aren't they, Armenia, and totally worth it. :)

*yadkny* said...

WOW sounds like another winner! I have a couple of your books already and I can't wait to get my hands on the latest! Love the tattoo on his arm! Congrats on another release!!!

yadkny@hotmail.com

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks yadkny - I adore his tat - and don't get me started about his awesome biceps. :)

Debra St. John said...

Tina, Congrats on your upcoming release...it sounds amazing.

Thanks for sharing the blurb and the excerpt. It sure whetted my appetite for more.

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks, Debra!! The story is very steamy, but also very moving. What I like to call 'heat with heart' - the best of both worlds. :)

desitheblonde said...

HI well i have read all lot of books
but i am sorry never read yours and would like to read your book and i will blog on it alot

Tina Donahue said...

Hey, Desi - sorry you haven't read any of my books. Hope you will soon. :)

VenusBookluvr said...

Tina,
Congrats on the new release!
The excerpt is wonderful and that is one steamy cover.

Brandy B aka Brandlwyne said...

Hi Tina!!!

Great exerpt.

-Brandy
brandyzbooks@yahoo.com

Sarah said...

That was a grrreeeaaatttt excerpt. :) Love the ones that have strong first kisses!. Cant wait to get my copy. Good Luck with sales. Blogs like this have to be a plus.

Jane said...

Congrats on the upcoming release, Tina. Can't wait to read "In His Arms."

LORETTA CANTON said...

Best wishes with your book. I think this book might be hard to read. It is about human trafficking.


loretta
lbcanton@verizon.net

Tina Donahue said...

Hey, Venus, Brandy, Sarah, Jane, and Loretta - thanks for dropping by.

Loretta: yes, it is about human trafficking, but it's about a man risking everything to save the woman he loves from it. :)

Tina Donahue said...

I want to thank everyone who stopped by yesterday and to let you know, I'll announce the winner of my contest on Friday. Want to give a few lurkers a chance to come out and comment. :)

Until then. . .

Willa Edwards said...

That kiss is very hot Tina. It shows so much of both the characters well getting your heart pumping at the same time. Congrats it sounds great.

Tina Donahue said...

Hey, Willa - glad you liked it. In His Arms was a pleasure to write. It really tugged at my heartstrings.

Tina Donahue said...

Okay, ladies, I've chosen my winner and it is (drum roll please)

rosalielario

I'll be emailing you today, Rosalie, so you can claim your prize.

To everyone, thanks so much for stopping by and offering such great comments!! :)