Author Spotlight - Dee Tenorio

Today's guest is a multi-published author, with books available through Samhain Publishing and Carina Press .... Dee Tenorio.

[PS: we Minxes are especially pleased to have Dee here today, as in her other life she is a host at the eHarlequin community forum, where we Minxes first met.]

Thanks for stopping by here today Dee.

1. Where were you in your writing career 5 years ago?

I was working on my fourth book, trying to tell myself I could get it done on time despite having 2 month old twin girls and no sleep, lol.

2. Where did you get the idea from for this particular book?

Well, my sister had passed away, so I was in a very dark place. A place I’m not sure I could have survived without my husband’s enduring support.Writing was virtually impossible and we traveled the Ortega (Hwy 74) quite often to visit my mother. Most people don’t survive accidents on that road and as I was driving home one night I thought, “So what happens to the people who do? What happens to people who don’t have the support I did?” So, Shaken is a story born out of pain, showing that love really can help in the worst of times.

3. Where do you hope to be in 5 years time?

Well, it’s possibly vain of me, but I do have these fantasies of being stocked in every store, with a home of my own and a career that allows me to do the best for my family.

4. Which was the last book you read that you wish you'd written?

“Bonds Of Justice” by Nalini Singh. There’s such honest love, passion and depth to the passages of that book. Siiiiiigh…

5. Was there any particular author or book that made you want to be a writer?

Well, I’ve always loved writing, but I especially had a deep love for Lois Duncan’s novels and Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca”. That book inspired me greatly.

6. Do you find writing love scenes giggle-worthy or cringe-worthy – or neither?

LOL! Love scenes are hard work, really. I want so bad for them to be more than Tab A and Slot B and a lot of thrusting. I try my best to make them mean something to the characters.

7. What's the most romantic moment of your life so far?

Every time my husband walks towards me, that look on his face that’s intense and says, “I’m gonna kiss you and you’re going to be happy about it.” *fans self* I LOVE it when he does that.

8. What do you wish you'd known about being an author before you were pubbed?

How long it would take to become a published author, lol. That could have saved a lot of frustration. LOL! Also, I wish I knew as much now about editing.

9. What's the best writing advice you've ever been given?

Trust yourself. You’ll be surprised where your stories can take you.

10. Tell us about your latest release.

My last release is an erotic novella called “Shaken”, about a couple in the verge of divorce, their once idyllic life obliterated by the death of their young daughter. When the hero, Dr. Grant Sullivan, tries desperately to win his wife, Julia, back, an earthquake traps them in an elevator, leaving them no way to run from their pain and one last chance to find one another again.

11. What’s next for you?

Quite a few things, actually. I have an erotic romantic comedy anthology I’m part of coming out at the end of May, self-pubbed, and the sequel to last year’s paranormal romantic suspense with Carina Press, Deceiving The Protector coming out in August. I’m SO excited about both of them!

Shaken is available from Samhain Press here.

You can follow Dee on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, and visit her blog or her website for updates on her books. And don't forget to check her out on YouTube!