Feb 7, 2011

Dianne Duvall Interview and Contest

Today author Dianne Duvall visits PVN to discuss her newest release Darkness Dawns, a paranormal romance now available in bookstores. She is offering a signed copy of the book to one lucky reader.
[See contest details at end of post.]


PVN: Would you give us an overview of the Immortal Guardians series?

Dianne: My Immortal Guardians series takes a new approach to the increasingly popular vampire romance genre.  In this series, vampires are not the heroes.  They are the villains . . . and somewhat tragic ones at that, though it’s difficult to feel sorry for them considering their vile actions.  Neither immortals nor the vampires who war with them are undead.

The vampiric traits they posses are the result of a rare symbiotic virus, one that drives humans who are infected with it mad.  But immortals differed genetically from humans even before their transformation.  Exceedingly powerful warriors with remarkably advanced DNA, the Immortal Guardians will take readers on a treacherous journey as they endeavor to discover the truth behind their existence, encounter new preternatural beings and face increasingly complex challenges spawned by an escalating number of formidable foes.

PVN: Tell us about Sarah Bingham and her profession as a music professor. Does this play an important part in the story?

Dianne: When Darkness Dawns begins, the spring semester has just ended, so the primary role Sarah’s profession plays in the story is driving her to alleviate stress by working in her garden that first morning.  When she meets Roland and comes to his rescue at great risk to herself, Sarah sets the plot into motion.  I also wanted her to have a profession that did not routinely put her in danger (the way law enforcement and similar occupations would) so entering Roland’s world would require even greater adjustment. 
 
PVN: What are the characteristics of the vampires in your series?

Dianne: Vampires in my Immortal Guardians series are ordinary humans who have been infected with a very rare virus that behaves unlike any other virus on the planet.  While it lends them incredible speed, strength and regenerative healing capabilities, it also afflicts them with extreme photosensitivity and a need for frequent blood infusions.  Worse, the virus swiftly damages the brain, causing vampires to descend into madness.  Consequently, even an inherently good man infected with the virus will become a monster who preys on humans.

PVN: Please describe the immortals.

Dianne: Immortals in my series are infected with the same virus as the vampires.  But immortals were something more than human even before their transformation or infection with the virus.  Though they don’t know the source of it or the reasons for their difference, immortals were born with far more advanced DNA than ordinary humans.  That DNA not only lends them special gifts (telepathy, clairvoyance, telekinesis, the ability to heal with their hands, teleportation and/or others), it mutates the virus and protects them from the madness that afflict vampires.

PVN: What attracts you to the paranormal?

Dianne: Paranormal romance combines my two favorite fiction genres:  romance and horror.  It expertly weaves all of the action-adventure and chilling moments I find in horror novels together with the love and happily-ever-afters that draw me to romances.  It provides an entertaining escape into a world that differs greatly from the one in which we inhabit.  And, while other media often seem to mock love and scorn fidelity, paranormal romances feature heroes and heroines who fall so deeply in love with each other they are willing to sacrifice anything to spend centuries, if not millennia, together. 

PVN: How did you go about researching the medieval time period?

Dianne: Prior to Darkness Dawns, I wrote a medieval romance with paranormal elements and a time travel romance (both of which are prequels to Darkness Dawns) that take place either entirely or largely in Medieval England.  This required extensive research into the political history and daily life of residents of England at the turn of the thirteenth century.

Since sources of information on the internet can be unclear, I relied on books, some of which I listed on my website:  www.DianneDuvall.com .  This actually made giving Roland and his fellow immortal Marcus in Darkness Dawns subtle medieval mannerisms and describing their pasts very easy because I was already so familiar with the era of their births, which might be why my editor once mentioned she thinks Darkness Dawns will appeal not only to paranormal romance readers, but to historical romance readers as well.

PVN: One of your interests, besides writing, is film production. Would you tell us about the work involved and some of the films you have worked on?

Dianne: I began working in the local independent film industry in college and have done so in varying capacities ever since.  In Pre-Production, I have served as script editor, casting coordinator (organizing casting calls, etc.), and broken scripts down into shooting schedules.  In Production, I more often than not serve as script supervisor and provide special effects and special effects make-up, but have also appeared onscreen as an extra a few times.

I’m actually very camera shy, but have to admit running at the camera while swinging a machete and screaming like a banshee can be fun.  :-)   In Post-Production, I edit films shot in HDV or DV, make trailers and design movie posters.  The latest project I worked on was a horror feature film entitled Ghosts.  I worked all three stages of production.  And, though it’s still in Post-Production (an award-winning composer is scoring it and I’m currently adding computer generated special effects to it), I’m very excited by the buzz it has already created in the media.

PVN: Who are some of the authors who have influenced you?

Dianne: Though I write paranormal romance, one of the greatest influences has been Stephen King.  Every time I read one of his books I learn something new about writing.  And I consider his book On Writing a must-read for all aspiring writers.  Julie Garwood, Kinley MacGregor and Johanna Lindsey are amongst the historical authors who influenced me.  Early paranormal romance writers like Maggie Shayne and Lori Herter fired my imagination and inspired my love of vampire and other paranormal romances.

PVN: Please tell us about your writing day and your writing environment.

Dianne: I would love to say that I have a very strictly regimented writing routine like Stephen King, who writes for a fixed amount of time every morning . . . but I don’t.  Sometimes I write in the morning.  Sometimes I write late at night.  I even frequently alter my writing environment.  If I write at the computer in my home office, I need quiet.  Absolute quiet broken by nothing more than birds.  But neighbors don’t always cooperate.  So, more often than not, I grab my AlphaSmart NEO and head elsewhere.  One of my bizarre writing quirks, in fact, is that I don’t necessarily need quiet when I work on the NEO.  I take it everywhere with me and have even been known to sit and churn out pages on the set of the independent films I work or while surrounded by a large crowd in a concert hall while I’m waiting for the concert to begin.

PVN: Where can readers find you?

Dianne: My website:  http://www.DianneDuvall.com
My blog The Immortal Realm:  http://dianneduvall.blogspot.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000816605112
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/DianneDuvall

PVN: Anything else you would like to add?

Dianne: I hope readers will enjoy my Immortal Guardians series!  To celebrate the release of Darkness Dawns, I’m holding a Win a Kindle contest.  Readers can learn more on my website and on my blog.



CONTEST 

*Dianne is offering a copy of Darkness Dawns to one lucky reader.
   
*Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win. 

*Contest is international. 

*Contest ends Feb. 21, 2011 at 11:59pm EST

36 comments:

Sandy Jay said...

This book is on my wishlist. I'd love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Virginia C said...

Hi, Diane! I am very excited by your new "Immortal Guardians" series and the release of "Darkness Dawns"! I love the characters of Sarah and Roland--a very compelling relationship! It will be a treat as a PNR reader to follow this great new series : )

US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

throuthehaze said...

This sounds like a series I would love! Thanks for the giveaway :)

throuthehaze at gmail dot com

debbie said...

I enjoyed the interview. It is always interesting to read what authors think about. I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

booklover0226 said...

Good morning, Diane.

I look forward in starting your Immortal Guardians series and Darkness Dawns is starting it off with a bang.

I love the book's cover. Do you work with one particular artist?

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

SandyG265 said...

This sounds like a good book. I liek that you've gone back to making the vampires the villians.

sgiden at verizon.net

Julie S said...

Great interview. I really like the interesting take on the paranormals. Sounds like a really good read.

juliecookies(at)gmail.com

ArtemisG said...

Thanks for the giveaway!!! This book sound really interesting!!!

artgiote@gmail.com

Reading Mind / The Loyal Book said...

A new series that sounds just great! I'd love to win a copy :)

aliasgirl at libero dot it

DarkBloodyVamp said...

This is definitely one book I want to read ASAP.

Thank you so much for this giveaway!

redfirewood888(AT)yahoo(DOT)ca.

SiNn said...

Ilovevamps and such this book sounds awesome too count me in please and ty Diane is anew to me author would loev a chanceto try her out

mortalsinn@yahoo.com

RFTC Blog said...

I cannot wait to read this book. I have had it on my wishlist for months now and it looks so good.

iqb99@yahoo.com

catslady said...

Sounds like a great new series to get started on!

catslady5(at)aol.com

Dianne Duvall said...

Patricia: Thank you for the great interview and for having me here today!

Sandy Jay: Thanks for joining us! I hope you enjoy Darkness Dawns!

Virginia C: Thanks! I hope you enjoy Roland and Sarah's journey!

throuthehaze: Thanks! I hope you like the Immortal Guardians!

debbie: Thank you for joining us! I'm glad you liked the interview!

booklover0226: Hi, Tracey! Great to see you here! So far I haven't had the opportunity to meet or work with the artist personally, so I'm not sure if the same artist will design the cover of Night Reigns, the next book in the series, or if another artist will be chosen. If the same artist DOES create the cover of Night Reigns, I'm confident it will be beautiful because I'm VERY pleased with the cover of Darkness Dawns.

SandyG265: Thanks! I like vampires in all of their various incarnations, but thought it would be fun to return them to their villainous roots. :-)

Julie S: Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!

Dianne Duvall said...

Diana and Reading mind: Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!

DarkBloodyVamp and Danielle Gorman: Great to see you both here! I really hope you like it!

SINn and catslady: Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy my series!

Tanya1224 said...

Sounds great! I love new series and paranormal. It will be interesting to read where the vamps are bad this time and not sexy and seducing. Please count me in.
Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

elaing8 said...

Great interview. I've seen this book around and glad to read more of what its about. And it sounds really good.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

Unknown said...

Fantastic! Please count me in too.

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

KMichelleC87 said...

please enter me in this giveaway

kmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com

-petit said...

I read the plot of Darkness Dawns and I loved it! I lvoed the hot cover too! hahahaha
I would love to win a copy of this book :)

sweet.sayumi@yahoo.com.br

mahominamino said...

Love to read vampire romance story or any other paranormal stories~ XD

Hope to win the book =3
Thanks!

mahominamino at yahoo dot com

Barb P said...

Hi Diane! Fantastic interview. I'm really excited about the new book. I've had it on my future TBB list. Thanks so much for the contest. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net

Diane said...

I'm looking forward to reading Darkness Dawns!
dsadler53 AT yahoo DOT ca

Dianne Duvall said...

Tanya1224: The vamps are definitely bad in my series. :-) I hope you like them!

elaing8, Robin K, and -petit: Thanks! I hope you enjoy Darkness Dawns!

KMichelleC87: Thanks for dropping by and entering!

mahominamino: Me, too. I can't get enough of paranormals! I hope you like Darkness Dawns!

Barb P: Thanks! And thanks for entering!

Diane: Thanks! I hope you like it!

donnas said...

Congrats on the release! It really sounds like a good book and I am looking forward to checking it out. Thanks for sharing!

bacchus76 at myself dot com

avalonne83 said...

Great giveaway! I'd love to be entered.

Please count me in. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

Karen B said...

This is a terrific interview. Diane, I think your concept is very interesting and compelling.

Andra Lyn said...

Sounds like a really good book! I hope I get a chance to read it!

hense1kk @ cmich DOT edu

lindalou said...

Please enter me in your giveaway. I'd love to win a copy! Thanks!

lisagkendall said...

Sounds like a good book. Interview was great. lisagk@yahoo.com

Amy said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to read new paranormal romances and yours seems interesting!

angeldream3(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Hi Diane,
I would love to read your book. I have not read any of your books yet but this looks great!
Peace To You,
Bernie
BTS1957@hotmail.com

Lindsey said...

This book is on my want-want-want list! It sounds awesome. Please (pretty please) enter me in the giveaway!

International

rusted ivory at hotmail dot com

Spav said...

This book sounds awesome. I really can't wait to read it!

spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

Pam S (pams00) said...

Thanks for sharing such a great interview Patrica and Diane.

This looks like an awesome read and exciting beginning to your new series. Is on my wishlist for sure!

Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com
gfc follower and subscriber

Jess (The Cozy Reader) said...

I'd love a chance to read this book! :)

thecozyreader @ gmail.com