February 2, 2014

From Marilyn Monroe to Sex Life of the Date… with Californian, Tina Donahue



I live in the Coachella Valley which includes Palm Springs. The low desert to locals. When I first came here, I envisioned sand dunes between the cities. Although there are some spectacular ones in Brawley (nearly 100 miles away), the Coachella Valley boasts everything from vintage Hollywood to unique and quirky. It’s California, after all. 

www.grauvacationrentals.com
One of the most recent attractions in downtown Palm Springs was the Marilyn Monroe statue Forever Marilyn.
mytown365.wordpress.com

You have to actually see the statue in order to understand how impressive and HUGE it is. When it first came to Palm Springs, I braved the hordes of tourists and simply gawked at it for minutes. Amazing. More importantly, in these trying economic times, it’s free.
 

Palm Springs was once the home to Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Liberace, and Dean Martin. Barbara Streisand and James Brolin have an estate here, along with many other stars who consider PS their vacation destination. 

http://www.shieldsdategarden.com
Although Palm Springs gives this area of California its glamor, the Coachella Valley has a strong agricultural base. Mainly citrus and dates. One of the most successful date growers is Shields.
http://www.shieldsdategarden.com

At Shields, you can spend time walking around the beautiful gardens. According to Shield’s website the garden path winds through a 17 acre date farm. If you’re hungry after your trek, you can order a date shake or date cookies in their café.

http://www.shieldsdategarden.com
Then, you can relax in their theater where they show 
“The Romance and Sex Life of the Date”. I’ve seen it. It’s a hoot!  
Whatever you do in this part of Southern California, you’ll be blessed with gorgeous weather from November through April. While a good part of the world freezes, you’ll be basking in the sun.
I’m pleased to announce that I have two new releases already in 2014. Seven Sensuous Days from Ellora’s Cave, Book Four Appointment with Pleasure. And Stolen Desire from Samhain Publishing, Book Four Outlawed Realm. Stolen Desire is available for preorder from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Stolen-Desire-Outlawed-Realm-Donahue-ebook/dp/B00GN98BW6 (publication date March 2014). Please go to my website for information on Seven Sensuous Days: http://www.tinadonahue.com/.



CONTEST!!!
One lucky commenter will win choice of one of my back list ebooks – 
13 choices to choose from, including contemporary, paranormal, suspense, and menage!
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
9. SiNN – Nominated for Book of the Week LASR
10. Sinfully Wicked – Magnificent – Romancing the Book
11. Claiming Magique – Top Pick – NOR
12. Illicit Desire – Four Stars Romantic Times
13. Come Fill Me – Five Stars – Guilty Pleasures

Where you can find me:

17 comments:

  1. Tina,

    What a fascinating place to live in! Obviously you are provided with great settings for your novels. Best wishes.

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  2. Thanks, Jacqueline! California's great. So much to do. :)

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  3. Hi, Tina,

    Thanks for the tour of your part of California! I've only been to the San Francisco area, so it's easy to assume the whole state is like that. Loved the touristy suggestions!

    Amy

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  4. Happy to spread the word about Southern California, Amy!! I love San Francisco, have been there many,many times. However, you can't beat the weather in Palm Springs. :)

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  5. As someone who lived in the Bay Area for many, many years, it was nice to hear of other parts of the state. Wonderfully written. I felt I was right there with you.

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  6. Thanks, Monica! If you ever get the chance to come down, you'll love it here. Very laid back, mild breeze, 70s, sunny skies, and snow on the mountains (in winter). :)

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  7. Love your comment: "It's California after all." It's the same way I feel. Every state is known in some way and California is Hollywood and all that is connected with it. Every state plays up its most popular history and events, cultural or otherwise. If people didn't see anything connected to movies and stars when they tour at least areas of southern California, they would be sorely disappointed.

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  8. So true, Mary. In fact, in Palm Springs we have an area called the "Movie Colony" - there are signs pointing to it. I'm sure tourists go there all the time thinking they'll see someone famous. :)

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  9. It's been some time since I've visited Palm Springs. Such a beautiful place with desert and mountains. Thanks for sharing.

    Kelley

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  10. Thanks for dropping by, Kelley - it is beautiful - just love it. :)

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  11. Woo Tina I did not about this website very nice .I wish lots of joy and success for all authors who help us to dream .
    I wish you all a great week to all of you
    Cheers

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  12. Hey, Mannouchka - wonderful to see you here! Hope you have an awesome week too. :)

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  13. What a wonderful place. I lived in Torrance, many, many moons ago and hated living outside of LA,but I might have stayed if I was in a place like this. Great post and thanks for sharing.
    Lynda

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  14. HI Tina, I knew you were in Cali, I just didn't know where. I've never been that far west. When we go camping, we are limited in time by how far we can drive from the Chicago area. I have cousins in the Fresno area, but that's up north, right?
    Dealing with the brutal cold and frequent snow of this winter has all of us dreaming of the kind of weather you have everyday. Sigh.

    BTW, I have the Marilyn Monroe Barbie, wearing that dress, and I have her posed like that, from the "Seven-Year Itch" movie. It was a cute movie, from what I remember. The theory was that a man gets bored with the same woman, after 7 years. So when Marilyn moves next-door to a nebbish and his wife, predictably he gets the itch.

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  15. Hey, Lynda - thanks for stopping by. Have been to Torrance many many times. If you ever get a chance to visit Palm Springs, you should do so. It's so beautiful here. :)

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  16. Hey, Fiona! I've been to Chicago many times. Grew up in the Midwest.

    I didn't know they made a Barbie with that dress. How cool.

    Marilyn's statue is still in PS. It's amazing. I drive by it on my way to the bank on the weekends. :)

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  17. Thanks to everyone who dropped by and who commented. I've chosen my winner (at random) and it's (drum roll please) Monica Brinkman - yay, Monica!! I'll be contacting you shortly about your prize. :)

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