Getting My Groove Back

Teardrops by Bring Me the Horizon:

We hurt ourselves for fun

Force-feed our fear until our hearts go numb

Addicted to a lonely kind of love

What I wanna know

Is how we got this stressed out, paranoid

Everything is going dark

Nothing makes me sadder than my head

Here we are ten months since my last blog post, and I'm writing again. Yes, it's been a barren ten months in this writer's life. Why? Well, I won't bore you with all the life things that have been happening. Lots of change, not necessarily bad, just A LOT. But one of the biggest things is that I've (finally!) completed the fourth book in my Archangels series. I gotta tell ya, I was getting sick of hearing myself promise this book to readers too. I felt like a huge fraud. The biggest liar in the literary world, for sure. I've been saying it will be done by the end of the year for YEARS. So, what took so damn long?

For those of you new to me and/or the series, it was originally published as a trilogy by Entangled Publishing way back in 2013. Well, that's when I signed the contract. The first three books were released 2014-2016. By the time the third one came out I was already lagging mentally, but didn't realize it. Within that timeframe both Ellora's Cave and Samhain Publishing closed. I had fifteen published books between the two of them. It was a huge blow to my mental health, but I didn't grasp how big until I suddenly...couldn't write. I just couldn't even open a Word doc to get started.

Lots of changes happened in my life after that. We moved from Houston where I'd lived for forty-seven years to the San Antonio area. My kids all became adults. My stepfather and one of my aunts died. Author friends I've met along the way have also died, and the Romancelandia landscape has changed drastically. My Facebook page got hacked and it blocked my FB profile that used the same email. I had to reinvent myself for that purpose and try to refriend everyone I lost. I'm still working on that. Lots of people left Twitter and FB for Bluer Skies and TikToks, but I just couldn't find the energy to invest time in a new platform. I also, obviously, forgot I have a blog.

The past few months I've decided I'm done with this shit. I started working on my archangels again with a vengeance. Sorry, I had to put my gargoyles on hold. For some reason, they speak to me more easily and I had to shut them up to coax out the angels. I joined a couple of writer's organizations so I can keep tabs on what everyone else is doing for inspiration. And it's worked. I want to be an active writer again. I slowed down attending events and will still be very selective next year. But I'm hoping to venture further in 2027. And miracle of miracles, I've finished Loving a Demon: Archangels Book 4.

I plan to release the ebook in the next week or so and have the print book available in December at the East TX Book Bash. I might host a book release party locally as well if I can convince a bookstore to host me. I'll let y'all know. Sorry again that it took so long. As a bonus, I'm including a short story at the end with Sel and Lily's HEA. I hope y'all think it was worth the wait. 

Blurb:

One look and he knew he’d fight any demon to save her. One taste and he’d fight every obstacle to be with her.

Iris and her sister Lily were raised in a cult by a father that cared more for himself than his daughters. His death helped them find a path to freedom, but not without the loss of Iris’s innocence. Now they’re being watched over by men straight from heaven, but the brothers don’t know about the evil the women had to endure.

Once the sisters reveal the full depth of all they endured Uriel must decide if he can get past the obstacles to remain with Iris, or he’ll have to let her go. Demons are still trying to attract the sisters back into their midst and the newborn child has a calling none of them expected. If Uriel is willing to fall for her, will Iris have to choose between him and her child? 

Bonus short story Captivating a Human:

Protecting her is in his nature, loving her is his new calling.

Selaphiel, archangel of heaven, has been protecting humans their entire existence. Now one woman is pushing back on his efforts when she needs him most. Something about Lily calls to him on a primal level, and he can’t resist the pull.

Lily’s entire life has been about protecting her twin sister, so what is her purpose now that Iris no longer needs her protection? Ignoring Sel’s attention is easier said than done, but she tries by moving away. Then the cult she thought she’d left behind finds her and wants her back. Now, she might need Sel more than ever. Her heart has decided; hopefully it isn’t too late to let him in.

The ebook for book 1, Trusting and Angel, is on sale for the month of October at $1.99. Buy it here.

To see the book release announcement, subscribe to my newsletter here.

Find all my other links here.

Hello 2025

 

Happy New Year! Today is day two of 2025 and I've added about 900 words to Loving a Demon: Archangels Book 4. It's not much, but my writing days have been very slow-going lately. I'm hoping for some inspiration as I, a verified pantser, try to figure out what these characters are doing. I'm sure Iris and Uri want their story written as badly as I do. I know Sel and Lily are waiting impatiently in the wings. I already wrote the first scene for their book. Gabe and Mike have also started rumbling in the back of my mind. So, in short, these Archangels want to be DONE.

I haven't begun another Gargoyle Masters book yet, but Sakhr is ready to be up and about. I'm hopeful you'll get to read his story by the end of the year. 

Anyone who sees me in person will have the chance to purchase a print copy of Erotic Arts Book 1. This book includes both of my Erotic Arts novellas: Erotic Images and Erotic Influence. I've started writing a third book and plan a fourth, so there will be a second print book in the future.

On the personal side, back in the summer of 2022 we made a BIG move from Houston to the San Antonio area. I gotta admit, it hit me pretty hard to leave my beloved Houston. I'd lived there my entire 47 years and hadn't planned to ever leave. But circumstances with my family dictated that moving closer to my mom would be wise. At the beginning of 2024 she moved into the house we shared with three of our adult children. Needing more room, hubby and I moved into an apartment. Two of the kids decided to flee the nest (again) so hubby and I will be moving back into the house in a couple of weeks. LOTS of chaos and change in my life right now.

Back to my books: Another release this year will be my first published book They Call Me Death. It was originally released in 2009, then re-edited, re-covered, and re-released in 2016. I had briefly toyed with the idea of completely rewriting it in third-person POV. However, book two is already done in first-person, as well as the first half of book three. It didn't make sense to me to have book one as a different POV and I don't think I have it in me to rewrite all three books right now...or ever probably. Writing is more than a hobby but less than a job for me. I don't write to make money, and sometimes the characters go quiet. So, I've learned not to force it.

   2009 cover

  

  2016 cover

  

  

  2025 cover

I plan to reread it and make sure I'm still happy with it overall before letting it out into the world again. But, that will be after I finish Loving a Demon. Since book two is also finished, I might have that one out in 2025 as well.

I will also be traveling a bit in 2025. There will be two events in February (Houston and Kansas City), one in May (Las Vegas), a virtual one in July, and my usual visit to Canton in December. I'm waiting to hear back from two events in Denton in the Spring as well. If there's an event in your area you would like me to attend, please feel free to put in the comments, or email me at missyjane01@gmail.com.

Happy 2025! I hope you have all you hope to have, accomplish all you hope to accomplish, and feel loved and appreciated all year long. 

New Release from Tina Donahue: Deep Within Me

 

DEEP WITHIN ME

BOOK TWO – THE PROPHECY

Erotic Urban Fantasy Romance

Unrestrained desire…and danger without end.

In the relentless war between their clans, they’ll risk all for their forbidden love.

With Zeke Neekoma, Liz found shameless passion. She indulged in her most wanton needs, drowning in his male heat and exquisite strength. A traitorous act. Zeke is her clan’s most hated enemy, a seer whose prophecies they wish to exploit. Enraged by her betrayal, the leader of her clan murdered Liz.

Reanimated by her father—her clan’s most powerful healer—she’s determined to fight on Zeke’s side, using her healing gift to help his people. Liz aches for a future with Zeke, to always know the ecstasy of his touch, the thrill of his body imprisoning and pleasuring her.

 Zeke desires the same. However, the reanimation changed something within her. Now when Liz heals, she grows weak. Fearful he may lose her forever, Zeke forbids Liz to use her gift.

There’s no other choice. Her clan’s leader launches his next assault, a merciless plan that will test Zeke’s humanity, risk Liz’s life and threaten their timeless bond.

AMAZON: https://shorturl.at/Qrvi0

Begin The Prophecy journey with book one Come Fill Me

She can heal the dying…

Two men—enemies of her people—will stop at nothing to have her gift, her desire and love

The Prophecy, Book 1

Trapped in a blood feud, Liz uses her healing power to bring Zeke Neekoma from the brink of death so her clan can exploit his prophecies. During the ceremony, she drapes her nudity over his, experiencing his building strength, the stunning pleasure of his caress as he takes her without warning, using her as he wills.

His hunger for a woman he’s supposed to hate isn’t what Zeke expected, nor does he intend to deny himself. Kidnapping Liz, he’s resolved that she heal his brother Jacob ambushed by her people. At his stronghold, Zeke keeps Liz captive to his and Jacob’s desires. The brothers pleasure her without restraint and in ways she’s never known. Before, her life was filled with loneliness and wanting. Now…

Used by two powerful men, threatened by her clan’s determination to get her back, Liz risks all as she surrenders to Zeke’s and Jacob’s lust, the ecstasy of their touch and her most traitorous needs.

 AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DL3T3JBF

 

New Release: Breakfast in Bed

 

Breakfast in Bed

Lizbeth has set a challenge for herself—get down to her ideal weight by her fortieth birthday and then do something out of her comfort zone. Posing nude for a college art class is definitely out of her comfort zone, and the hot gaze of a young man in the front row has her confidence rising with every swipe of his brush on canvas.

In the twelve years since puberty hit, Emanuel has never had such a hard time hiding an erection. The final project in his senior art class is the worst place for it to happen, but with the woman laid out before him like a goddess it’s inevitable. And she is a goddess. Older than him by at least ten years, she wears her maturity like the finest jewels, enticing him more than any woman has in a long time.

A chance meeting puts Lizbeth in Emmanuel’s path, but then tragedy keeps her by his side. As they spend more time together and grow closer, she must decide if committing to a man nearly half her age is what she wants. Emmanuel is all in, or is he? Could it just be circumstances causing the intense feelings to rise so fast, or is it truly love?

Content warning: death of a family member.

Breakfast in Bed is part of my Sophisticated Women series, age-gap romances where the women are older than the men. It's currently available for preorder with a release date of August 16th: https://books2read.com/u/4XlD1a

New Release: The Craving by Tina Donahue

 She’s everything he’s desired… He’s the one man she shouldn’t crave.

Knowing the danger the Wanderers pose, Erica Vega intends to hunt down the mysterious group steeped in dark magic, curses, and mind control. As a Deputy U.S. Marshal, she has the law behind her, along with her telekinetic powers. Let the chase and battle begin.

Not so fast. Her superior forbids her to go after any Wanderer, instead ordering her to work cold cases with her new partner Lucian Navari.

Tall, dark, and hotter than sin, Lucian doesn’t play by the book. He has his own agenda and agrees to help Erica hunt Wanderers on the sly where he and she can be up close and personal.

Erica’s not one to mix duty with pleasure, but he’s impossible to resist in too damn many ways. As they investigate an elusive Wanderer, nothing is as it appears—she can’t trust what she sees or believes. Lies masquerade as truth, and deception rules while she and Lucian grow closer in a carnal dance that will change their lives.

AMAZON: https://shorturl.at/sc102 

Adult Excerpt (the following is intended for a mature audience):

He shoved his hair back. “You still don’t trust me.”

She did, more than any man in her life, except for Mike. However, when people got rattled or drank, they sometimes blurted stuff they shouldn’t. Not their fault, but it didn’t make things better. “If by chance you ever say anything about my power, I’ll deny it. I’ll make you sound like a loon. That’s a promise.”

“You think I’m that much of a prick?”

She’d never met a finer man. With him, she felt comfortable and safe. He’d protected her after the tree incident and tried to stop her from behaving like a maniac. Today, they’d become friends without even trying. She should have been scared at the notion and for breaking one of her work rules. Instead, relief washed over her. She wasn’t alone in this. “You’re the man. How many times do I have to keep telling you?”

He chuckled. “God, you’re something.” He searched her face. “Are you all right?”

Her insides still trembled. She suspected from doubt and unease about Pope, and at having Lucian here, close and alone with her. “I won’t lie, I’ve been calmer. Maybe a beer will help. Can I get you one?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

She delivered the brew, along with damp dish towels to clean their faces and hands. Once they were finished, she dropped the things onto the cocktail table and gestured him to her cloth sofa, large enough to seat four or serve as a makeshift bed for an overnight guest. They sat on adjoining cushions. She didn’t mind having him near. His proximity, scent, and heat unsettled her in a good way. She gulped her beer, hoping it would help her forget the bad stuff.

Lucian sipped his drink and regarded her.

Her throat and face stung with heat. “You’re staring again.”

“Do you mind?”

“Maybe.”

“Then stop making it so easy.”

She lowered her face and smiled. “There’s dust on your shirt and pants.”

He looked and shrugged. “I don’t care, if you don’t.”

His deep voice soothed. His big body promised excitement, comfort, refuge from a crappy world. Stuff she shouldn’t want, at least from him. Work relationships always got complicated no matter how she controlled her feelings. Throwing attraction into the mix made things worse. She gulped more beer.

“You’re sure you’re all right?”

Bubbles tickled her nose. She rubbed it and wanted to lie, tell him to go home, she was okay and didn’t need him here. The words wouldn’t come. She looked at him.

He lifted his shoulders. “What?”

Never had she wanted a man as she did him. “Screw this.” She put her bottle on the cocktail table and crawled onto his lap, straddling his legs. “Don’t talk, please.” She cupped his face. “Unless you don’t want me.”

His eyes rounded. “Are you joking? Hell yeah, I do.”

“Shhh.” She didn’t want words. She needed intimacy and fitted her mouth to his.

He smiled. So did she, their lips lifting together, seeking each other.

The room spun. A ride like no other. His stubble rasped her cheeks and chin. His lips couldn’t have been softer or warmer. Better than what she’d experienced in her dream.

He pulled her close and speared his tongue into her mouth.

She lost her breath. This was past epic and straight into legendary. Even her fantasies weren’t this good.

They kissed with abandon and stark need, each pressing nearer, trying to eliminate any separation between them. His strength thrilled, showing her his power, yet it also felt like a caress.

He growled and tore his mouth free.

“No.” She cupped his head to pull him back to her. “I’m not through.”

“Neither am I.” Holding on to her, he leaned forward, put his bottle on the table then twisted around and pushed her to the sofa. The cushion whooshed from her weight. “Not a word, understand?”

Several locks had fallen over his forehead. His eyes were bright with lust. Face flushed. Fucking gorgeous. “Yes, sir.”

He laughed and captured her mouth with desire, using it with skill. His kiss was savage and unrestrained, tongue burrowed deep, giving her no chance for words. Wild sounds poured from them, more animal than human. It fueled her lust.

She clawed at his shirt and pants, wanting them off.

He pushed up her blouse and tugged down her bra then claimed her breasts. His hands were heavy, hot, and in command. The best thing she’d ever felt.

Reason and good sense fled, replaced by carnal instinct feral in its intensity, nothing timid or gentle about the act.

They rocked and rolled, dry humping, deep kissing. The sofa jerked on the hardwood floor.

He broke free again.

Fuck. He had to stop doing that. She grabbed his hair. “Come back here.”

He hauled her up then pushed to his feet.

She wrapped her legs around his lean hips, her arms about his shoulders.

“Where’s your bedroom?” He looked right, left.

“Behind you.”

He pivoted, carried her across the room, and halted. “Shit. Where’s Rápido?”

“By the chair. Give me a sec.” Using her power, she transported him to his tank. There he could take a soak or bask beneath his warming lamp. Turtle heaven. “What are you waiting for?” She squeezed Lucian’s shoulders. “Get going. I’m about to die.”

“And I’m not?” Huffing, he raced into her bedroom and brought her down to the mattress with him. Springs popped. The frame creaked.

Their mouths were welded together, their kiss long and lingering, deep and wet. The best kind.

He jerked free. “Wait.”

“No.” She kept kissing him.

He pulled away. “We have weapons.” He left the bed and put his Glock on the bureau.

She was right behind him and placed hers next to his.

Grinning, they tore at each other’s clothes. Shoes, pants, tops, and underwear flew.

This time, she pulled him onto the mattress.

Naked, he crawled over her, his rigid cock brushing her thigh. He clasped her wrists. “Don’t even think about moving.”

She liked his alpha side. “Want me to play dead, huh?”

“No way in hell will you ever do that with me.” He slid down her, gripped her knees, and pushed them to her shoulders, exposing her cunt.

Her breath spilled out.

He buried his face in her pussy, his tongue on her clit, flicking it.

Indescribable pleasure shot through her, tingling her inner thighs and mound. Colors dimmed. Sounds faded. The world slipped away, leaving nothing except his hands and mouth on her.

Erica yielded, craving this and him.

AMAZON: https://shorturl.at/sc102 

About Tina:

Tina’s an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes passionate romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. She’s won Readers’ Choice Awards, was named a finalist in the EPIC competition, received a Book of the Year award, The Golden Nib Award, awards of merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competitions, and second place in the NEC RWA contests. She’s featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.

 

On a less serious note: she’s an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, brakes for Mexican restaurants, and has been known to moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally while wolfing down tostadas. She’s flown a single-engine airplane (freaking scary), rewired an old house using an ‘electricity for dummies’ book, and is horribly shy despite the hot romances she writes.

MeWe: https://mewe.com/i/tinadonahue

Website/Blog: https://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/

Newsletter: https://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/p/newsletter.html

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tina-donahue

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/146988.Tina_Donahue

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinadonahue

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/tinadonahue

Amazon author page: https://amzn.to/1ChWFkO

Sweet ‘n Sexy Divas: https://sweetnsexydivas.blogspot.com/

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/AuthorTinaDonahue