Six books – $.99 – for Six days.
Dec. 9th- 14th.
Be sure you’re on the mail list. Subscribers will have an opportunity to get a FREE paperback of A Tale of Two Kingdoms when it releases as a single title January 6th.
Friends of Black Swan, Mark and JoBeth Harris, shared the series with a friend. What a nice surprise to have that friend post this comment on Facebook.
As most of you know I am an avid reader…I love my books and that is how I relax. I read psychological thrillers, mysteries, espionage some horror and some fantasy/scifi…I am a *huge*snob when it comes to ‘romance’ books…hate them…look down my nose at them…etc. Which is why I’m writing this little note to everyone…. Mark Harris and JoBeth Sexton-Harris recommended a series of books by… Victoria Danann..they are considered ‘paranormal romance’…so being the snob that I am…I figured I wouldn’t like them but I’d give it a try since none of my regular authors had anything new out….
THIS IS A COPY OF THE INTERVIEW DONE BY REQUEST FOR PARANORMAL CRAVINGS.
Victoria: First, thank you for agreeing to the interview. I know this is not your favorite sort of thing. Let me take just a moment to make sure your readers are on the same page, so to speak. Stalkson Grey, is a werewolf who first appeared in The Order of the Black Swan serial saga in Book Two, The Witch’s Dream. His character, as king of the Elk Mountain, Idaho werewolf tribe, was arrogant and more or less insufferable.
Grey: Now just a minute!
Victoria: He turns up again in Book Four, Moonlight, and gives a rousing performance as my somewhat loosely associated version of Red Riding Hood’s big bad wolf. Now then. Grey, I understand congratulations are in order. The elders named you king of the new northern werewolf colony in Lunark dimension.
Grey: (nods)
Victoria: Forgive me for being blunt, but I thought you didn’t want to be king, too much responsibility and all that.
Grey: I didn’t. I don’t. It just turns out that I hate being told what to do more than I hate having the responsibility for everybody’s welfare.
Victoria: I see. So how is it going? I see you’re looking rather casual.
Grey: (Glances down at his pants and smiles. He was shirtless and wearing the same soft doeskin pants that Deliverance favors.) Yes. We don’t have many functions that require waistcoats.
Victoria: Waistcoats. No. I suppose not. Those pants look a lot like what Deliverance wears. And didn’t I hear that you named the new colony Deliverance?
Grey: Yes.
Victoria: Yes? Just yes?
Grey: The demon hooked me up with the pants. The new colony is named Deliverance.
Victoria: Okay. Shall we assume the colony was named for the demon?
Grey: Assume whatever you like.
Victoria: Come on. Work with me a little here.
Grey: All right. I named it Deliverance partly because the demon brought us here, partly because we were delivered from years of worry and misconception about extinction of our species, partly because of the reality of being delivered from the cancerous, avaricious behavior of the humans, and partly because the migration was my delivery into a new life. Like being born again.
Victoria: (It took me a minute to absorb all that.) Wow.
Grey: (He rolled one shoulder in a graceful, athletic shrug.)
Victoria: So how’s Luna? It can’t be easy to be a new wife and adjust to life on a frontier at the same time.
Grey: (He blinded me with a boyish grin that made him look like he was in his early twenties.) Happy. Pregnant. With twins! (He chuckled.) She tells everybody that Lunark Dimension was named after her. She’s well-liked by the other human mates and her skills as healer, well, we needed them. She’s teaching the others.
Victoria: (I couldn’t help but smile at that.) That’s nice, Grey. I’m glad it’s working out for both of you. When are the babies due?
Grey: Mid-winter. We’ll make it work.
Victoria: Do you want girls or boys?
Grey: (He grinned again.) Girls.
Almost missed this write up by this ex-military spouse of a Black Swan fan. It was left as a post on the Facebook fan page and obscured under “posts by others”. I’m so proud of this. Take a look.
By Mark Harris…
I have been a huge science fiction/fantasy/adventure book fan since I was a little boy and I never thought I would say this about a “romance” novel but, I really, really like the Order of the Black Swan series! I think that what makes these books a better read than any romance novel I’ve ever seen is that they are books of a paranormal nature with romance strategically placed within the storyline. The reader is not inundated with a person’s fantasy of how love should be; we are simply made privy to the characters world and that world just happens to have love and romance in it.
What has really drawn me to Victoria Danann’s series is that each character is brought to life in an enrapturing way. You can’t help but want to read more about each of their lives! And the masterful storyteller that she is, Victoria doles out each helping of their history in perfect portion. The first book hooks you, and the rest of them expand your knowledge, understanding, and love of each character. And because each character is well thought out and fully developed, they support each other in a harmony that can only be described as perfect.
My Familiar Stranger introduces you to the “main characters” of the Black Swan world. You realize early on that these people will have a bond that transcends time (much like the bond created by military personnel that have served in combat together). And that bond becomes the center of the storyline. With all the ups and downs, twists and turns that are a part of any true relationship, these characters take you on a ride that is both fantastic and yet, somehow, familiar (at least to me). Action, drama, and romance, all seamlessly blended to tell a tale that is so captivating that you can’t help but feel like you are a part of it as it unfolds before you.
Flowing into the second book, The Witch’s Dream, our beloved characters take on a somewhat supporting role as new characters are brought to the limelight. Just like in the first book, you are at once enthralled by these characters and can’t wait to hear their stories. And once again, Victoria delivers! Fantasy becomes reality; the impossible becomes the possible, and all the while, the reader is led through this magical, yet plausible, world with the anticipation of a child waiting to open their Yule presents.
This then leads to A Summoner’s Tale, the third book in the series. Right from the start you know that this will be yet another adrenaline laced adventure sure to captivate and entertain. The storyline continues to unfold and in the process we are allowed to explore the history of yet another character, while still being enthralled by the lives of the original characters.
No, I am not a romance novel reader. But I am a lover of a good story, with wonderful character development, that is able to keep me interested and wanting more. And, in this respect, Victoria Danann delivers! Do yourself a favor and pick up the first book…you won’t be disappointed.
As for me, I can’t wait to read the rest of the Order of the Black Swan series!
https://twitter.com/rammelhawking
He tried to get his own book entitled, Ram, The Magnificient, by extorting me with the threat of opening his own twitter account. When I refused to comply, he made good on the blackmail.
There’s no one more pig headed or strong willed. So I can only hope that I can stay close behind with effective damage control because there’s just no telling what he will say.
– Victoria
On December 8th, the sixth book of the saga will release.
The problem with writing a serial saga, as opposed to a series of stand alone books, is that people will be lost if they don’t start at the beginning with Book #1. At the very least, the reader’s enjoyment will be compromised if all the details and characters aren’t understood with the depth and complexity intended. That’s the downside.
The upside is that there is an exquisite pleasure in an ongoing story that is not available in loosely related novels. It’s swimming in the deep end instead of always standing in thigh deep water. The overarching story available to the author of saga allows for an experience of total submersion that the short starts and stops of individual novels can’t aspire to. It’s SO satisfying to write. I’m these characters’ number one fan.
…with My Familiar Stranger, the first book which is “perma-free” and available everywhere. So, regardless of my excitement about the latest installment release, it all comes back to the beginning.
by Victoria Danann
me: Sir Hawking, it’s such a pleasure to interview you again. A lot has happened since the last time we talked.
Ram: Aye. Some good. Some bad.
me: Yes. Well, that’s life.
Ram: No. ‘Tis no’ life. ‘Tis commercial fiction that has us runnin’ all over the Western world barely recoverin’ from one horrendous injury before you have us doin’ bleedin’ sheet time again. And, when I say “bleedin'”, ’tis meant literally.
me: Yes. I know, but let’s focus on the great things that have happened. You’ve been inducted into the Hall of Heroes. You’ve got a beautiful, healthy, charismatic baby boy…
Ram: I’m no’ complainin’ about Helm and you know it. He’s bloomin’ perfection. ‘Tis the hero thin’ that turned out dubious because now my wife thinks I should conduct myself with a certain decorum befittin’ the honor. Great Paddy.
me: She’s very proud of you.
Ram: (He smiles.)
me: See? Your life isn’t so bad.
Ram: It has its moments. But you’re always trickin’ us into believin’ we’re doin’ one thin’ and then you sprin’ somethin’ entirely different on us and we’re goin’ in a bloody different direction. We never have a chance to decide if we’re comin’ or goin’.
me: Give me an example.
Ram: You think I can no’ come up with one? Right off the top of my head? How ’bout this? You led us to believe we were retirin’. Gonna enjoy life! Fruit of the vine and all that. So I’m busy bustin’ hump to get Elora’s dream home finished before the baby comes. Matter of fact that’s where I was when she was bein’ attacked by fuckers from her dimension of origin.
me: (I have to laugh.) Dimension of origin?
Ram: Aye. You have a problem with me callin’ it that, Mistress?
me: No. Not at all. It’s just that the phrase “dimension of origin” seems so politically correct and academic. I guess I wouldn’t have had you say that because I would have thought it was out of character.
Ram: (Scowls.) You think I’m no’ bright?
me: Of course I don’t think that! You wouldn’t have made it through Black Swan training if you weren’t smart.
Ram: (Nods) Exactly right. In the future, if you’re wantin’ to know what is or is no’ in “character” for me, then just ask me. ‘Tis what you should have been doin’ all along anyhow.
me: Quite right. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.
Ram: Because your vanity does no’ have limits.
me: Did you enjoy that?
Ram: (grins)
me: Okay. If it makes you feel better to say such things to me, go ahead.
Ram: Well, if you’re serious, I have quite a lengthy list of thin’s I’d like to say to you.
me: (My turn to show him a third finger.)
Ram: (grins)
me: This might be a good time to switch topics. You’ve collected quite a fan base since the last time we talked.
Ram: Really?
me: Yes. You’re the focus of nocturnal fantasies for a growing chunk of the fairer sex.
Ram: Fairer sex, is it? I do no’ believe women are especially fair. Selfish or self-involved maybe.
me: No, Ram. The expression doesn’t mean fairness as in justice. It means the prettier sex.
Ram: Duh! It was a joke!
me: Well, forgive me a moment of being uncharacteristically dense.
Ram: (Laughs and shakes his head.) You probably think bein’ dense is “out of character” for you.
me: (blink, blink) What does that mean?
Ram: Have you seriously never considered that you may be just one of the characters in this story? ‘Tis your job to play the spy who lurks and journals on what those of us with real lives say and do.
me: Is that what you think?
Ram: (smiles) Nah. I’m just fuckin’ with you.
me: Okay. Back to your fans…
Ram: Look. I do no’ want to seem rude or unnecessarily conceited, but attractin’ the fairer sex has never been a problem for me. ‘Tis no’ very surprisin’ that some would like to picture themselves in my mate’s position. (He chuckles.) Or maybe I should say positions.
me: Hmmm. No doubt. Well, let’s wrap this up. Why don’t you tell me where you see yourself in five years.
Ram: (narrows his eyes) ‘Tis a trick? I tell you what I’d like so you can make sure it does no’ happen?
me: You know it truly hurts that you think I’m so devious. Of course I want to see you get your happily ever after.
Ram: If I’m feelin’ distrustful of you, ’tis entirely your own fault. Reapin’ what you sow, you know.
me: Okay.
Ram: I’d like us to be home on the farm, feeling safe and secure, raising elfren and Alsatian dogs. I want my mate happy every second of every day. She deserves it.
me: I’ll see what I can do.
5/25/2013 Moonlight Release
Victoria: Thank you for taking the time to give an interview. Your fans will be happy to hear from you.
Deliverance: Of course they will. What a shame I can’t give them all an ‘interview’ (air quotes) in person.
Victoria: Yes, well, they’d love that, I’m sure.
Deliverance: They would. (smiles) Guaranteed.
Victoria: (sigh) Whatever.
Deliverance: (frowns) I don’t get it. Why don’t you like me?
Victoria: What makes you think I don’t like you?
Deliverance: (smirks) The way I know how to read women, what do you think are your chances of hiding your feelings from me? Take, for instance, the way you keep clenching your teeth between questions.
Victoria: (I try to relax my jaw.) Just pre-release day stress. Nothing to do with you.
Deliverance: Bull. Shit. (says it in a very metrosexual sing song way)
Victoria: Fine. Let’s start with this. Disrespect. You’ve come to my interview wearing nothing but doeskin pants, which look incredibly soft and comfortable and luxurious by the way. You don’t even have on shoes.
Deliverance: (looks at his feet and admires his stretching toes) Is there something wrong with my feet?
Victoria: No, demon. Even your feet are beautiful. You know it. I know it. (He smiles wickedly.) That’s not the point.
Deliverance: It’s not?
Victoria: No.
Deliverance: Well, I didn’t know this was a no shirts, no shoes, no shit interview.
Victoria: It’s not! Obviously. Since I’m talking to you.
Deliverance: If we agree that my feet are nice to look at, then why would I want to cover them up?
Victoria: Why are you wearing pants?
Deliverance: Because I get too much of the wrong kind of attention in your dimension if I display the uncensored version of glory. But since it’s just the two of us… (stands and reaches for his waistband)
Victoria: Stop right there! I’m a married woman.
Deliverance: (stares before throwing his head back to laugh) And you think most of my fuel isn’t provided courtesy of married women? You still haven’t given me a reason why you don’t like me. (sits, pants on)
Victoria: Because I pride myself on multifaceted characters and you’re pretty close to one-dimensional.
Deliverance: One-dimensional Funny.
Victoria: (grins) It was. It is. I need to make a note and use that in a book. (I look around for something to write on.)
Deliverance: I’m not one-dimensional. I have a family.
Victoria: That’s the only thing that keeps you from being completely one-dimensional. Except for that, your entire existence is nothing but sex.
Deliverance: What’s wrong with that?
Victoria: What’s wrong with that is – sex is not everything!
Deliverance: If I put you someplace where there’s no food for two days and then ask if food is everything to you, my bet is you’d say yes.
Victoria: Okay. You have a point there. I’ll give you that. But that’s not all. There’s the fact that you are completely self-absorbed and as irresponsible as a fifteen year old. It’s a waste of eight hundred years.
Deliverance: (laughs) Okay. I get it. You hate me because I’m beautiful, live for sex, never age, and may live forever. You’re jealous!
Victoria: I am not!
Deliverance: Are too.
Victoria: Not!
Deliverance: Look. You’re holding the pen. You don’t like me like I am. Write me different.
Victoria: (pouting)
Deliverance: So. Are you gonna do that?
Victoria: No.
Deliverance: (smiles) Fine. Then let’s move on to something more pleasant.
9/19/2013 Gathering Storm Release Day
Victoria: Well, Sir Hawking. Always a pleasure.
Ram: So you say.
Victoria: Come on. For once could we just have a quiet and cordial conversation? Can I make you tea?
Ram: (slouches in chair and gives me a look of incredulity, which is distracting because the slouch posture is very sexy and I’m supposed to be concentrating on the interview and not another woman’s husband) ‘Tis your best plan for makin’ up to me? Fuckin’ tea?
Victoria: Well, uh, I can’t say that I actually had a plan per se. Did you have something else in mind? Something you wanted?
Ram: You know perfectly well what I want.
Victoria: I know it probably seems that way, but it’s not entirely true. I suspect that you want to go back to your little bit of Irish heaven with Elora, Helm, and Blackie and raise Alsatian dogs in quiet familial bliss.
Ram: Could no’ have said it better myself. Like I said, you know perfectly well what the fuck I want.
Victoria: Yes, but are you sure? I mean you lived a pretty tumultuous life as a vampire slayer. You’re the most celebrated Black Swan knight of the last hundred years. That’s a lot of excitement to trade in for life on the farm.
Ram: Aye. And I can no’ wait to be doin’ precisely that. You, mistress, have the power to make that happen with a simple stroke of the pen. Or click of the keyboard or whatever.
Victoria: I could, but here’s the thing. I saw the little smile and the dark twinkle in your eyes when I was just talking about you as legendary hunter. I know you love the recognition. Remember how you felt when Elora gushed all over you, repeatedly. “Oh, Ram, your portrait is so handsome, your beauty captured for all time here, where you belong, in the Hall of Heroes. You’re perfection personified. So special, so unique, unlike any other.” (I delivered this paraphrase in an exaggerated mock-Elora voice.)
Ram: (laughing) Aye, you have me there, mistress. Who would no’ fuckin’ crave hearin’ such thin’s from his beautiful mate?
Victoria: Everyone longs for that sort of attention, Ram. The point is that you don’t get that sort of attention down home on the farm.
Ram: Perhaps ‘no. But as was pointed out in Book Five in a tussle over whether or no’ Storm and I would be playin’ rugby, I’m no’ gettin’ younger. Will you be gettin’ me sliced up in bar fights when I’m ninety then? Give the others their fair chance at sheet time.
Victoria: But you’re my favorite, Ram.
Ram: (gaping) And bein’ your favorite means always bein’ one fuckin’ step away from catastrophe?
Victoria: Well… yes. Fact is, slogging about in Wellies feeding chickens and watering wolf-dogs is not novel-worthy because, well, because it’s not novel.
Ram: For the moment, let’s be leavin’ me out o’ the discussion. What about my wife? The injuries you’ve visited on me are paper cuts next to what you do to her. Great Paddy in the Mornin’. The way you punish her is beyond… (stops abruptly, narrows eyes, then pins me with a glare) So I’m your favorite, am I? Are you jealous of my wife?
Victoria: What? Of course not!
Ram: Jealous enough to be punishin’ her in unspeakable ways?
Victoria: No! Ram! Do you hear yourself? That’s crazy talk.
Ram: Oh? ‘Twas you who’s so fond o’ sayin’ the simplest explanation is probably the correct one. And that is, without a doubt, the simplest explanation.
Victoria: This is an exception to that rule.
Ram: After everythin’ she went through to reach my world, you would think a writer with heart would be seekin’ to brin’ her only happiness.
Victoria: Again, happiness without incident? Not interesting.
Ram: Cold-hearted bitch. Tell your husband I said ‘tis unbelievable you snagged a mate.
Victoria: If that was true, the cold-hearted bitch part, shouldn’t you be trying to suck up to me instead of insulting me?
Ram: Well, then I would no’ be the hot-blooded rash personality you’re so hot for, would I?
Victoria: (nothing to say to that)
Ram: So here’s my proposition. If you want me to continue cooperatin’ with your farfetched ridiculous pain-in-the-ass stories that no one in their right mind would be believin’, which – by the way – says quite a lo’ about your readers, then you will lay off my wife. AND my child.
Victoria: First, my readers are perfectly sane. They have excellent taste in literature and marvelous creative imaginations.
Ram: (smirks)
Victoria: You may be my favorite, at least you were before this interview, but the Black Swan saga is Elora’s story. I can’t make promises about the entire future of the tale, but I can promise you that Elora and Helm pass through Book Six without injury. How’s that?
Ram: (considers) How ‘bout me?
Victoria: (seeing the opportunity for pay back, smiles wickedly) You, my love, will have to wait and see.
Ram: Paddy.
Victoria: Exactly.
9/19/2013 RELEASE DAY GATHERING STORM
