Interview + Review for Dianne Duvall!!!

Hello my lovelies!! Today I am honored to welcome one of my all-time favorite authors, Dianne Duvall on her release tour for Darkness Rises!! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have her on the blog :) To make things even better, she sat down for an interview with me AND I got the opportunity to read an ARC of Darkness Rises so be sure to stay tuned after the interview for that review!

But wait! There's more...

 

 

Be sure to answer Dianne's question in the comments below for your chance to win a SIGNED copy of Predatory containing a novella of the Immortal Guardians series :D Plus you'll get some pretty kick ass swag! OPEN INTERNATIONALLY, MUST BE 18+ TO ENTER. Don't forget to leave your email address so the winner can be contacted! Contest ends Sunday Oct 27 11:59:59 PM EST.

 

Answer this question from Dianne!! Don't forget your email address!!

 Are you reading any special books to get yourself in the Halloween spirit?  Let me know for a chance to win a signed copy of PREDATORY, my last release, + Immortal Guardians swag.

 

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy meeting this absolutely amazing author!

 

Welcome to my humble blog, Dianne! First let me tell you what an honor it is to host one of my favorite authors :) I love your new take on the vampire mythology. Tell us about the Immortal Guardians and what makes them so unique.

Although my Immortal Guardians series falls under the heading of vampire romance, vampires aren’t the heroes in it.  They’re the villains.  (Or rather they’re ONE group of villains.  Others have reared their heads as the series has progressed.) Vampires are humans who have been infected with a very rare symbiotic virus that behaves like no other on the planet.  This virus conquers and replaces the immune system, then lends its host heightened senses coupled with incredible speed, strength, and regenerative capabilities.  It also causes photosensitivity, a need for blood, and progressive brain damage that rapidly drives humans infected with it insane.  

Immortal Guardians, on the other hand, are men and women born with extremely advance DNA, who are infected with the same virus.  Their advanced DNA lends them abilities humans and vampires don’t possess — such as telepathy in the case of Étienne, the hero of DARKNESS RISES — and protects them from the more corrosive aspects of the virus so they suffer no brain damage.  As a result, immortals spend their nights hunting and destroying the insane vampires who prey upon humans.

 

I love that distinction between the Guardians and vamps. It truly makes for an intriguing premise as the every day human doesn't know there is a difference between the two beings. How did you come up with the inspiration for your Immortal Guardians series?

I never know what might inspire me.  The idea to make vampirism the result of a virus, for example, arose from watching documentaries and educational programs in which historians expressed their belief that much of the vampire mythology that has existed for centuries resulted from a simple misunderstanding of such illnesses as porphyria.  When I sought a way to differentiate between immortals and vampires, the notion of having the virus cause progressive brain damage and madness in humans was inspired by a biography of King George III, whose madness many in the medical field now believe resulted from the same illness:  porphyria.  The laughter and teasing immortals frequently engage in was simply inspired by the laughter that’s such a large part of my own life.  So, inspiration can come from many sources.  J

 

I've heard that theory! I do think it's plausible it originated from a misunderstanding of diseases and having disease be the source of vampirism makes it seem more likely this could actually happen. Do you have any favorite characters? In particular, do you have any favorite Immortal Guardian? If so, why?

My favorite vampire in the series would be Cliff.  His heroic struggle to stave off the madness just breaks my heart.  Darnell, Chris, and Sheldon are pretty evenly tied for my favorite mortals in the series.  My favorite Immortal Guardians, however, tend to change with each book. Étienne and Krysta, the hero and heroine of DARKNESS RISES, are my current favorites.  I simply love the teasing banter they share.  But, if I had to choose just one, it would be Seth, the eldest and most powerful Immortal Guardian.  He carries so many responsibilities on his broad shoulders and has seen such tragedy in his long existence.  I think he deserves a HEA more than anyone.

 

Personally, I adore Cliff and his struggles, as well as Seth. He's the most intriguing character I've read in a very long time and I find myself rereading the parts centered around him the most :) What has been the most fun about exploring the world of the Immortal Guardians?

Discovering that characters can surprise me.  It may sound odd — I’m the writer, after all, and control all aspects of the series — but it’s true.  I’m a pantser, not a plotter, which means I don’t have the entire series already outlined and summarized from beginning to end.  I know where I want series arc to take me.  However, I don’t know how many books it will take me to get there or which couples will find their HEAs along the way.

Étienne and his siblings are among the characters who have surprised me thus far.  I had initially planned to tell their stories later in the series, but I couldn’t stop thinking about them.  Sibling immortals are extremely rare in my Immortal Guardians world.  And, for two centuries, Lisette has borne enormous guilt over accidentally transforming her brothers.  The more I encountered Étienne and Richart, the more I wanted them to find their HEAs.  And I knew Lisette would never let herself find happiness until they did, so they pretty much demanded I tell their stories sooner rather than later.  J

 

I admit that I was a bit surprised that you told their stories so early, but I fell in love with them immediately. I cannot wait to read Lisette's story! If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only have 3 things, what would they be?

Assuming there was no cell phone reception, I would want one of those large hunting knives that has waterproof matches, a fishing line with a hook, and a compass in the handle (Did I mention I’ve had to research weapons for several manuscripts?); an iPad crammed full of pics and videos of my family, books, movies, music, and apps; and a solar-powered tent to power it and keep me warm at night.

 

Oooo, creative choice of things with multiple uses! I love it :) What do you like to do in your free time?

Spend time with my family, read, and garden, though I admit I’ve had very little time for the last two of late.  My TBR pile now teeters precariously near the ceiling, and I don’t know if my plants are going to forgive me for neglecting them so heinously over the last few months while I prepared for DARKNESS RISES’ release.  J

 

I commend you for even attempting to keep plants. I can't manage to keep the poor things alive. The only reason I manage to have a dog is that she gets cranky if she doesn't get plenty of attention. Last time I checked, plants don't communicate well ;) Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Write every day.  I know life can be busy and hectic and stressful and exhausting.  But, even if you can only manage to write a single paragraph on your worst day, you will be one paragraph closer to achieving your goal.  And ALWAYS look for ways to improve your writing.  If I had 30 million books in print that had been translated into 20 different languages and were worldwide bestsellers, I would still search for ways I could be a better writer.  If you’ve never taken any creative writing classes, I highly recommend that you read Stephen King’s ON WRITING (also available as an audiobook) and Christopher Vogler’s THE WRITER’S JOURNEY.  Both will help you distinguish between strong and weak writing and avoid the pitfalls into which new writers can unknowingly fall.

 

That is amazing advice <3 Can you tell us anything about what you have in store for the Immortal Guardians?

Right now I’m working on NIGHT UNBOUND, the fifth book in the series.  It will feature Étienne’s sister Lisette as heroine and Zach — a dark, mysterious, and very powerful winged figure — as hero.  Zach is yet another of those characters who surprised me.  I didn’t realize when I introduced him what a pivotal role he would end up playing in the series. J    

 

I cannot WAIT for this book. Seriously. I am dying to know more about Zach and Lisette!! Any last thoughts you’d like to share with your readers?

Thank you for your support!  You’ve been so generous, helping me spread the word about my series.  And your wonderful comments, messages, and emails never fail to make me smile.  I hope you’ll enjoy Étienne and Krysta’s story!  Thank you again!

Thank you again so much for joining me, Dianne! It has been a pleasure getting to know you a bit better :)

Lovelies, stay tuned for my review of Darkness Rises and be sure to enter to win a SIGNED paperback copy of Predatory!!

About the book:

Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: October 1, 2013

My source for the book: Gift from author

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Description:

 

Krysta is used to getting the drop on vampires. Her "special abilities" aren't much, but the plan is simple—she plays helpless pretty young thing to lure them in. Then her shoto swords come out and it's bye-bye, bloodsucker. Until one night she finds herself with an unexpected ally. He's a vampire, all right, but different. Mysterious. Handsome. And more interested in saving her skin than draining it.

Étienne has been an Immortal Guardian for two hundred years—long enough to know that Krysta is special. He can't stop thinking about her long legs, even more than her short swords. Then he discovers the vamps she's exterminating have friends in high places, and the Guardians are in danger too. He'll have to accept Krysta's help to save them. The stakes for a mortal are high. But the cost to his heart might be higher. . .

 

• Amazon — http://amzn.to/1881z2E
• Kindle — http://amzn.to/1auybnw
• Barnes & Noble — http://bit.ly/1ftUHTI
• Nook — http://bit.ly/19LJGor
• iBooks — http://bit.ly/16Oc1cS
• Kobo — http://bit.ly/1bgYDFx
• Audible — http://bit.ly/1eLWUbT
• Walmart — http://bit.ly/1h7RzIP

 

WHAT I LIKED:

 

This series is incredibly original and contains some of the most interesting characters I've read in quite a while. I stumbled across Dianne's work in the bookstore and I'm hooked. Never have I fallen so hard and so fast for every character in a book, especially the secondary characters! From the moment I encounted Etienne, I couldn't wait to get my hands on his story.

 

Krysta was a perfect match for Etienne. She's prickly, stubborn, and a born warrior. While she isn't too keen on Etienne when she first meets him (and can you blame her? She does think he's a vampire after all), the attraction is undeniable. As more of their story unfolded, I found myself turning the pages faster and faster to find out what happened. The moment I finished the book, I flipped right back to the beginning and started re-reading it. There are VERY few authors I do that.

 

Beyond Etienne and Krysta, I adored learning more about my favorite couples and the secondary characters. Zach is turning into such a mysterious character and I was thrilled to see that his book is the next one. Dianne has a talent for creating a rich environment and plot that grabs you from the first paragraph and never lets you up.

 

While this is part of a series, it is stand alone. That being said, I HIGHLY recommend reading the previous books so you can love the characters as much as I do :)

 

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

 

Having to wait for the next book to be released!

 

 

OVERALL VERDICT: 5/5 Blue Duckies!!

 

 

If you are looking for a fantastic paranormal romance that's action packed, suspenseful, steamy, and has beautifully written characters that stay with you long after you've finished the book, then run out and grab your copy today! And be sure to read all of the others!!

Meet Dianne!

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series.  Her debut novel, Darkness Dawns, was nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews and for Best Paranormal Romance—Vampire by The Romance Reviews.  Ensuing books in the series — Night Reigns, Phantom Shadows, and Predatory — have all been deemed Top Picks by RT Book Reviews, The Romance Reviews, and/or Night Owl Reviews.  Her latest release, Darkness Rises, has been declared a Top Pick by both Night Owl Reviews and The Romance Reviews as well. 

Dianne loves all things creative.  When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and once even appeared onscreen as a machete-wielding maniac not unlike the vampires in her novels.

 

Connect With Dianne Online

Website: http://www.dianneduvall.com
Blog: http://dianneduvall.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianneDuvallAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/DianneDuvall
Youtube: http://www.youtube
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dianneduvall
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4400405.Dianne_Duvall