40 for 40 - Dee Tenorio

My very first guest is Dee Tenorio I first met lovely Dee on line when she was a host at eHarlequin. We chatted a lot in the forums. Then we IMed each other and finally - finally - we met at RWA Conference in New York. 

I have one very special thing to thank Dee for - and that is that without her I would never have written or published the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance.  That happened because we were once having an IM discussion about writing for Presents   and I said/wrote 'There are 10 things you need to know about writing for Presents  and - off the top of my head - I listed the 10 important points, with notes about them all.  Luckily I kept those notes and I added an extra two points  and when I realised that these points  could actually be used for all romance writing not just Presents, I expanded them and so the 12 Point Guide was born.

Thanks Dee!

And thank you too for launching my very special 40 for 40 celebration!

Still In Love After All This Time...   Dee Tenorio



"You guys are so cute. It’s kind of sickening.”

 Ah, yes, the supportive words of a friends and family that I hear at most family events. After twenty-some years together, you’d think they’d be used to it, but no. Every event, someone finds a reason to say it. We gross them out." How?, you might ask. I mean, we’re not lewd or anything. Tempting as it is, I don’t pat him on the butt whenever he passes by. We have yet to make folks super-ill by making out in public (though, it could happen folks! You know we never want you to feel safe or anything!).

Nope, all we do is treat each other nicely. He’ll bring me a drink after holding my chair for me. We still hold hands most everywhere we go. Sometimes, we lean in and tell each other stuff in whispers so as not to bother people or just for a private giggle. Apparently, after twenty some years, we should be over that. Like, totally. Snort.

Maybe there’s something wrong with us, but if there is, in the immortal words of Luther Ingram, I don’t wanna be right. I mean, wasn’t that the whole point of marrying my best friend? So we could enjoy each other’s company and have private jokes and hold hands and treat each other like precious parts of our hearts forever? *scratches head* Well, that’s why I got married anyway. :) And I hope that when my husband and I reach 40 years, we’re still able to play, to tease, to flirt. To smile at each other. At the thought of each other.

I hope that we’re as happy together as you are with your hubby, Kate. I hope we, too, never stop being a man and his bride. Because that’s a true romance story. It’s what we all long for and I’m so glad that’s what the two of you have.

Wishing you another 40 years filled with happiness. With joy and love, come good or bad, rain or shine, and what the hey, go ahead and throw a little inappropriate public displays of affection, just cause you have every right! Congratulations to you both!

Much love, Dee


PS — what kind of guest poster would I be if I didn’t throw a little giveaway in? Just for fun! So, answer the following question in the comments and be entered in a drawing for a copy of my upcoming release from Samhain Publishing, "Trust In Me"! (It’s about an old-fashioned Viking-kind-of-guy who falls like a redwood for a sassy, absolutely-not-having-it lingerie designer from the shop across the street. She’s got secrets, but he’s got determination. I have to warn you, this one may require a lot of tissues. And, uh...a fan. Just sayin'.) Ready for the question? Here it goes: What's the funniest thing you've ever seen at a wedding? Winner will be chosen randomly from the commenters so it's not about the funny—though I'd love to laugh my head off! Have at it, folks! Let's get the party started!


About the Author: Dee Tenorio is a sick woman. Really sick. She enjoys tormenting herself by writing Contemporary Romance (preferably with sexy, grumpy heroes and smart-mouthed heroines) and sizzling, steamy romances of various genres spanning dramas with the occasional drop of suspense all the way to erotic romance. But why does that make her sick? Because she truly seems to enjoy it. And she has every intention of keeping at it!


If you would like to learn more about Dee and her work, please visit her website at www.deetenorio.com. Dee’s next book, "Trust In Me"—Book 5 in her Rancho del Cielo Romance series— releases July 23rd from Samhain Publishing.