Interview With Donna Grant

I've been reading Donna Grant's Druid Glenn series, featuring fae, Highlanders and historical goodness that I have truly enjoyed. She's such a wonderful, prolific author and this older series has given me a great place to start. I was given the opportunity to read and review her new Halloween themed novella, Primal Heat, and jumped at the chance to interview her as well. This story is a bit of a switch for Donna because it her first romance set in contemporary times plus it mixes a bit of sci fi, time travel and a unique take on werewolves. I really enjoyed it, and will be sharing my thoughts plus a giveaway in the next post!

Brenda: Donna, I just finished Primal Heat and loved it. It had a completely different take on werewolves plus it had a little bit of sci fi, time travel and a lot of romance.

Donna: Brenda, I'm so glad you enjoyed PRIMAL HEAT. It is different than anything I've written before, but it was so much fun to write.

Brenda: It must have been hard to pack so much into a novella. Did you have to cut/edit a lot after writing it, or were you able to keep it on track from the beginning? Did you find that hard to do?

Donna: For me, I love writing novellas. When an author writes a full book, we can pack in as many secondary characters, and even a secondary story. We can go on and on about a scene or some inner reflection for a character. But for a novella, an author has to learn to choose her words wisely. We have to learn to condense a story into two main characters only. It's not always easy. Novellas can teach an author a lot, however. It helps an author to learn to build tension quickly as well as to keep a story fast paced. So, when I sit down to write a novella, a pantster like me who doesn't plot out a book, I have to remember the book is just about the two characters I have. In that, I can generally do all right on the word count and not have to cut anything.

Brenda: Do you think you'll visit this world again in another story?

Donna: Actually, I've had several emails from readers asking me to give Stefan his own story. This was just meant to be one novella in for a Halloween project, but it might turn into much more. :)

Brenda: Was it odd writing a contemporary story? You paint such wonderful, vivid pictures for readers in all of your Highland stories-- was it hard to step out of that world?

Donna: I love to push myself and my writing, to see how far I can go. Its how I grow as a writer. So, when I was first asked to write a contemporary Halloween novella about either werewolves or vampires, I hesitated. I'm a historical writer. It's what I'm most known for. But, I figured, what the heck? How will I know if it fails miserably or soars if I don't give it a try. Some author's "voice" only suits one kind of setting, and that's what I always feared mine would do after writing so many historical novels. I guess the answer lies in the readers hands. :D

Brenda: If a reader is completely new to your writing, what book would you suggest they start with?

Donna: Oh...good question. This is always a hard one. I know my writing has changed/grown with every book I write, so I usually tend to say whatever the newest book is. But then again, if its a series, I hate starting a book mid-series. So, I guess in my long way of answering, I'd have to say DANGEROUS HIGHLANDER, the first in my Dark Sword series. I truly love this series and the characters. I really am going to hate when the series ends one day.

Brenda: Thank you so much for your time Donna. I look forward to whatever you choose to write next:)

Donna: It was a pleasure, Brenda! Thank you so much. ;)

Visit Donna's website for more information on Primal Heat and her other books here:
http://www.donnagrant.com/book_shelf

Primal Heat is available for the Kindle HERE,

Primal Heat Review & Giveaway

Primal Heat
By Donna Grant
Kindle Edition
File Size: 79 KB
Released 9/27/2011
Available for the Kindle on Amazon

SUMMARY: Being an American in Britain isn’t easy. For Krista, its downright hard especially when she’s plagued by erotic dreams that increase as Halloween approaches. So when she’s given a dare by her co-workers to pluck a rose from the most haunted house in Cardiff, she agrees never thinking it would be more than a scare tactic.

As a Tracker, all Orrin wants to do is capture the Were’s before they feed off the people of Cardiff, but when he lands on Earth and discovers the woman he’s been sharing dreams with is there, he can’t help but find her. All he plans to do is talk, but the lust that flares between them leaves no room for talking.
But the Were’s have come for more than food. They’ve come for Krista, to claim her as the mate to their leader. To resist their seduction is futile. Unless a Tracker is involved.

MY THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed this unique take on werewolves with it's Halloween themed suspense, and steamy romance. Krista disrupts her entire life in search of something she doesn't understand. All she knows is something or someone is pulling her towards Cardiff, but when she gets there she struggles to fit in with her coworkers. They challenge her to steal a rose from a haunted house and the story takes place during the night of Halloween. I found myself relating to Krista since I too had moved to a city years ago and struggled to fit in with coworkers. Orrin is protective, tough, sexy and he kicks werewolf butt in his job as a Tracker. I loved the chemistry between them, and was on the edge of my seat as the night progressed, and events unfolded.

Primal Heat is a fast paced sexy read that's perfect entertainment for a cold, windy day when you can take the time to brew a cup of tea and escape for an afternoon with a steamy romantic adventure.

Read an excerpt and learn more about Primal Heat on Donna's website here:
http://www.donnagrant.com/book_shelf

GIVEAWAY
Donna has graciously offered to give away an e-book to one of our commenters.

The winner may choose from Highland Fires, Highland Magic, Dragonfyre, Mesmerized, or Forever Love. They are all excellant choices.

Please leave a comment answering our question with your email, and I will randomly choose a winner on Monday, October 17th, 2011.

QUESTION: If you had to choose between Highlanders, Werewolves or a sexy, space traveling hunk, which would you choose?

Farewell Sara Douglass

Sara Douglass, Australian author and passionate gardener, passed away in September. She was a talented, passionate author, writing epic tales in the fantasy genre.

I first discovered her after she was recommended to me by an Australian friend many years ago. Her edgy, passionate, adventurous writing brought back my love of fantasy. I read all of her books--devouring each one as quickly as I could. Her words reach out and grab the reader, taking them into her worlds, painting pictures, making us ride a roller coaster of emotions as we get to know her characters. She took chances with her characters and skirted along the edge of themes that were uncomfortable at times, but she was always true to her characters and their world.

I will miss her, but I'm comforted that she gave us so much of herself in her books. I can only hope that she is now free of pain, and thriving in the after life, whatever or where ever that may be.

This article shares much of how Sara felt about dying, and how her family and friends are dealing with her passing. She was truly an amazing person. Read the article here: http://www.perthnow.com.au/late-authors-lasting-legacy/story-fn6o0xxk-1226157495712

Below are my favorite books by Sara Douglass. They should be read in order to truly appreciate the characters and the world. The Darkglass Mountains trilogy takes place much later than the other books, but is the same world, and brings in a character or two from the other stories. If you enjoyed Terry Goodkind or Elizabeth Haydon you'll love Sara's books.

Axis
1. Battleaxe (1995)
2. Enchanter (1996)
3. StarMan (1996)

Wayfarer Redemption
1. Sinner (1997)
2. Pilgrim (1998)
3. Crusader (1999)

Darkglass Mountains
1. The Serpent Bride (2007)
2. The Twisted Citadel (2008)
3. The Infinity Gate (2009)

Farewell.

~Brenda

New Release: Alterant, Belador #2

AlterantSeries: Belador #2
Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Pocket Star
Released 9/27/2011

SUMMARY: The way Evalle Kincaid sees it, saving mankind from total destruction should have cleared her name. But when words uttered in the heat of combat are twisted against her, she's blamed for the prison break of three dangerous Alterants. She has one chance to clear the cloud of suspicion hanging over her…for good. All she has to do is recapture the escapees. But deals with gods and goddesses are tricky at best, and now the lives of all Beladors, and the safety of innocent humans, rides on Evalle's success. The only person she can ask for help wants to see her dead.

MY THOUGHTS
I read and reviewed the first book in the Belador series, Blood Trinity, last year. The review is here if you haven't read it. All of the characters are back in this second story. The relationship between the heroine, Evalle and her fellow warriors, Quinn and Tzader is explored further as Evalle is under attack from different sides in this complex world. Supernatural bigotry rears its ugly head and it's often hard to know who's the good guy and who's the bad guy.

The relationship between Evalle and Storm, a supernatural tracker with a secret Evalle keeps even from her friends, figures in the story prominently. He's a sexy alpha male with feelings that cause him to be uber protective of Evalle. The sexual tension is off the charts between the two of them but sex is not going to happen any time soon, which might put off some readers but I appreciated it. Evalle suffered sexual abuse in the past and it would have been insensitive and unrealistic to have her jump in the sack immediately with Storm, especially since he can tell she's been abused. I love their relationship, and look forward to what happens next.

Readers who love Maria Lima, Chloe Neill, or Ilona Andrews will enjoy the Belador series.

Find out more and read an excerpt from Alterant at Dianna Love's website:
http://www.authordiannalove.com



The authors also have a free short story from the Belador world entitled FIRE BOUND:

A dangerous creature is on the loose. Evalle, Tzader and Quinn take a VIPER team just outside of Atlanta for a sting operation that takes a deadly turn. Killing the half-human creature would be possible, but national security is on the line until the team can discover who created the monster, and whether more like it are waiting in the wings to be unleashed on the human world. The op goes bad with Beladors in the middle of it, and nothing turns out as expected, least of all for Evalle.
Read it for free on Pocket After Dark:
http://pocketafterdark.com/_Sherrilyn-Kenyon-and-Dianna-Love-share-an-exclusive-short-story/blog/5105912/159176.html

~Brenda

Science Fiction from Ilona Andrews

Silver Shark
Kinsmen Series #2
By Ilona Andrews
Digital Novella
Publisher: NYLA
September 14, 2011
Excerpt HERE

SUMMARY: Claire Shannon is a Kinsman, a woman gifted with enhanced mental capabilities. Her skills and her life were taken over by the military to fight in war that has raged on her home planet for decades. But as the war ends, she is forced to hide her abilities in order to make a new life for herself as a civilian. It’s a new persona, a new planet and new job that has her crossing paths with the powerful and alluring Venturo Escana. Is she strong enough to hide her true nature from her perceptive new boss? And as they grow closer, will she even still want to try?

MY THOUGHTS
I won both ebooks in the series from a contest on the authors' blog, though I would have bought both books this Friday. Silver Shark is a science fiction romance that takes place in the same world as Silent Blade (below) which was published in 2009. It can be read as a stand alone with no problem since the characters and plot are not connected. I really enjoyed this novella, and hope the authors continue with the series. It's science fiction with the romance on the side which will please fans of both genres. The characters are well developed, interesting and the plot is compelling, fast paced and suspenseful. I love that most of the story takes place in the Province of Dahlia and dahlias are used in the landscaping. Dahlias are a bright, cheerful flower that I've always loved, and for me it was a cool way to visualize the fashions and personalities of the citizens of Dahlia. (That might just be the gardener in me.)

Fans of the authors' other books should understand that this series is not urban fantasy, nor does it have the sarcastic humor like their other books. Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad thing, but it is different. Silver Shark reminds me of a lot of the science fiction I read as a teenager. The story challenges the reader to think of a strange world in a futuristic society, but yet it's not over complicated or deeply cynical as some science fiction can be. There is subtle humor, and the characters are very likable.

Silver Shark pulled me in, made me care about the characters, kept me on the edge of my seat, and made me smile at the end.


Silent Blade
Kinsmen Series #1
Ilona Andrews
Digital Short Story
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Released: June 2, 2009
ExpertHERE

SUMMARY: On Meli Galdes’ home planet, the struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport—in business and on the battlefield. For years her lethal skills have been a valuable asset in advancing her family’s interests. She’s more than earned her right to retire, but her kinsmen have one last favor to ask. Kill the man who ruined her life.

Celino Carvanna’s razor-sharp business acumen—and skills with a blade—won him the freedom to do as he pleases. There’s only one thing he can’t seem to control—his reaction to the mysterious woman who tantalizes his senses. Who is she? And how does she slide so easily under his well-guarded skin?

MY THOUGHTS
I loved Silent Blade and wish I had read it much sooner, though reading it with Silver Shark was cool because I loved the world the authors have created so it was a double dose of Dahlia goodness. This story emphasizes the romance a bit more than Silver Shark and I'll confess I was a tad weepy by the end. I loved the characters, and the descriptions of their fighting abilities were pretty cool.

This was published by Samhain and they consider it a short story but it was actually longer than Silver Shark. I would consider them both novellas which means they are longer than a short story but not as long as a full length novel.

Fans of Science Fiction Romance will love this story, as well as fans of straight romance. If you haven't read either one, buy them together and enjoy the world Ilona Andrews has created.

Both digital editions are available at Amazon HERE and you can read more about the series on the authors' website here: http://www.ilona-andrews.com/

New Release Goodness: Black Gold

Black Gold
By: Vivian Arend
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Release Date: 09-13-2011
Length: Novel (Ebook)
ISBN: 978-1-60928-525-8
Series: Takhini Wolves #1

SUMMARY: Lone wolf Shaun Steven’s automatic response to the words “happily ever after”? Kill me now. Yet with all his friends settling down he’s begun to think there may actually be something to this love-and-roses crap.

One thing’s for sure: his dream mate will have to out-cuss, out-spit and out-hike him. So he never expected the one to push his forever button would be a blue-blooded Southern debutante with a voice as dark and velvety as her skin.

When Gemmita Jacobs steps off the plane in Whitehorse, Yukon, it’s about more than her research project. It’s her declaration of independence from an overprotected upbringing. Except there’s something in the air she can’t quite define—something that unexpectedly rouses her mating instincts.

Moments after their eyes lock, the deed is done—and done thoroughly. When the pheromone dust settles, though, all the reasons they don’t belong together become painfully clear.

It’s enough to make a wolf learn a whole new set of cuss words…

Warning: Two strong wolves getting exactly what they deserve. Includes wilderness nookie, shifters being naughty in public places, the Midnight Sun as a canopy for seduction and grizzly shifters on the loose. Oh, and don’t forget the sarcasm.

MY THOUGHTS
First I must say that the cover is amazing-- geesh, did it help me visualize while I read Black Gold. Probably why I was sweating. I've read every one of Vivian's Granite Lake Wolves stories, and she has this wonderful way of blending action, location, humor and romance together in a perfect combination. I know you've all read stories where the descriptions were lovely but simply too much, and others where it wasn't enough. The same can be said for over the top humor/snark or all sex and no plot. As a reader I was completely satisfied with all of the elements in Black Gold. I loved the characters, and it was cool to not only read about Shaun and Gem, the main characters, but also Evan, the Takhini Pack alpha and Caroline, who kicks butt and surprises the reader and Evan at every turn. If you haven't read Vivian's Granite Lake stories, you can read Black Gold as a stand alone without a problem. Fans of Moira Rogers, Shelly Laurenston, Kelley Armstrong or Lori Handeland should love this series.

One last thing I really enjoyed about Black Gold were the quotes from Robert Service. I didn't know who he was, but I found some cool information on the man that inspired many writers with his poetry. He often wrote of gold prospectors, nature and the Canadian wilderness. There is a scene between Gem and Shaun where they are sitting by a fire and talking about one of his famous poems, The Cremation of Sam McGee. You can find the entire poem and more here:
http://www.cowboypoetry.com/robertservice.htm

Black Gold on sale at Samhain right now because it's a new release, so it's the best time to pick it up before it goes to full price! http://store.samhainpublishing.com/black-gold-p-6454.html

For more information on Vivian's books visit her here:
http://vivianarend.com

~Brenda

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