Sunday, May 6, 2012

Torn Between Two Lovers

As a writer of erotic romances, I’ve always been up for pretty much anything in terms of a plot. As long as the twists and turns make sense and there’s emotional build between the characters, coupled with some very hot sex, I’m a happy camper.

However, for the longest time, I simply couldn’t wrap my head around a ménage…the two men, one female kind of thing. I could picture it, and many times I have during my own fantasies. The thought of having two Alpha hunks drooling over me and no other lady has made many a cold night very warm. And yet, I wasn’t able to bring that kind of daydream alive in my writing.

I kept thinking – won’t the guys be jealous when the lady’s attention strays from one to the other? Won’t they be mentally comparing notes as to which of them is the better lover? Doesn’t a man who’s truly in love want the babe all for himself?

Those questions kept stopping me from exploring the subgenre, until I began to write SiNN, my first contemporary ménage released in October of last year by Ellora’s Cave.

It wasn’t that I planned for SiNN to be a ménage. Far from it. I had the hero and lady firmly in mind, along with the hero’s partner at the US Marshal’s Service. As I began to plot the story, the partner kept nudging his way into the sex scenes. He kept wanting the lady too. I thought my hero would go ballistic, but he didn’t. He and his partner were tight, best friends, they’d die for each other. And with that, I saw the light. Two guys could share a woman’s love, if their friendship made them as close as brothers.

After that, the story just flowed and I couldn’t wait to start another ménage. The interplay between three characters is so complex and deliciously sexy, I couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to get on board.

For my second ménage, I’ve written Sinfully Wicked, coming out March 30 from Ellora’s Cave. In this story, the heroes are brothers, fraternal twins to be exact. Their bond is unshakeable, but it is tested by a woman from their past, one who betrayed them, which sets up the conflict.

Here’s a brief excerpt to show you what I mean:

Connor pretended to fool with the camera but his attention remained on Nikki. Whatever Mitch had said had her moving toward the mansion at a sleepwalker’s pace, her ass and breasts bouncing within the confines of her clothing. She paused frequently to glance back at them, her lips parted, cheeks rosy, hair fiery in the day’s gloom.
Within minutes, she’d be naked, chained in the gazebo, her mouth and body belonging to Mitch. Connor would direct them making love while he battled his own lust, his weakness to pull her close, smell her hair, hear her say how much she’d missed him.
Goddamn her. Goddamn Mitch. His brother knew better than to have insisted on doing this film with her. As teens, they hadn’t only talked about living with Nikki when they all grew up, taking turns making love with her. They’d discussed the possibility of a threesome. Heady shit for teenage boys.
Even after she was out of their lives, the fantasy had lingered with Connor. More times than not, he imagined the women in his films to be her, while the men were him and Mitch, not just his brother alone.
“Want me to get that?” Alex, his cameraman, reached for the equipment.
Connor handed it over, not caring that he’d screwed up the settings.
Mitch stripped to his skin, then put on one of the period shirts and breeches a crewmember handed over. When he noticed Connor watching, he warned, “Laugh and you’re dead.”
Considering his brother and Nikki were about to fuck up a storm, leaving him pissed and wanting, Connor figured it would be months before he’d be able to crack a smile.
Moving closer so he couldn’t be overheard, Mitch asked, “You going to be all right?”
Connor screwed up his mouth. “Better than you after all of this is over, and believe me, it will be.”
“Don’t be so sure. Look at Nikki. Talk to her. Give her a fucking chance.”
“No way.” He shoved his hands into his back pockets. “I can’t forget what she did.”
“No one’s asking you to, but you might try to understand and consider forgiving her. It’s my guess she wants that more than anything else, including the money you’re so fucking worried about. If we let her know we’re on her side, she might forget this crap that neither of us wants her to do.”
“I’m not holding my breath. “ He moved past, directing the crew to get the props ready.


Both brothers want her, but Connor needs to be coaxed, to forgive. The journey there is what makes it all so worthwhile. J










BIO:

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.

Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com

Leave a comment at this point and you're eligible to win one of my backlist, including:

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



8 comments:

desitheblonde said...

wow that is hot i could h ave to check and see what book i have your i have been reading them a lot the pic are hot

desi the blonde a t msn dot com

Tina Donahue said...

Glad you enjoyed it, Desi - thanks for stopping by. :)

Debby said...

I do not read a lot of menage stories but this one would be an exception.
debby236 at gmail dot com

Cathy M said...

Love this cover, Tina. You blend the off the charts sex with the emotional connection that I look for in my favorite erotic romance stories.


caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Tina Donahue said...

Hey, Debby - I wasn't into writing them until SiNN came along and then I was hooked. Thanks for stopping by. :)

Cathy, hi! I'm touched by your awesome comments. Thank you so much. :)

Shadow said...

Love your books! Ive read a few and i cant wait to read more. Great excerpt! Sounds great! :)
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks, Shadow - love writing them. :)

Tina Donahue said...

Thanks to everyone for stopping by - I've now chosen my winner from both posts - at random - and it's (drum roll please) TEE - Yay, TEE!!

I'll be contacting you shortly for your prize. :)