Interview with Ram #2

An Update with Rammel Hawking

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

An Interview with Deliverance

An Interview with Deliverance

 

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

Interview with Ram #3

An Interview with Ram

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

MUSIC FROM GATHERING STORM

The Attack on J.U. Playlist.

Music from Spazmodoc, The Voice of the Fray.

1. DANCE HALL DAYS (Wang Chung)

2. STAYIN’ ALIVE (BeeGees)

3. HANGIN’ TOUGH (New Kids on the Block)

4. MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME (Three Dog Night)

5. LOSING MY RELIGION (Scary Kids Scaring Kids)

6. SHOOT TO THRILL (AC/DC)

THE GREAT EQUINOX FALL RELEASE HOP

release1finalWE HAVE WINNERS!

(One) Grand Prize: Kindle Fire (U.S.only) plus $100 Amazon Gift Card plus e-copies of all sponsored releases
MICHELLE BLEDSOE
(Two) First Prizes: $100 Amazon Gift Card plus e-copies of all sponsored releases
LISA HIGH and SALENA HARTSELL SMITH
(Three) Second Prizes: One e-book from every participating author. LINDSAY THOMPSON, ANTOINETTE MICHELLE, and EMILY WELLS

Hello and Welcome to my stop on The Great Fall Equinox Release Day Hop!!  I am sponsoring this Blog Hop to celebrate the release of Gathering Storm, September 19th.

4ce53-gscover600x800LISTOPIA One More Chapter’s Top Books of September 
The Order of the Black Swan, Book 5. 
Release date September 19th, 90k words
 GENRE: fantasy romance, scifi romance, paranormal romance
BUY ON AMAZON B00FAA18QK
READING THIS SERIAL SAGA IN ORDER HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Try before you buy. Book 1, My Familiar Stranger, is permafree everywhere.
Legendary Black Swan knight, Sir Engel Storm, is REALLY not himself. B Team reunites to try and preserve his reputation. Jefferson Unit is left defended by a skeleton crew of scoundrels when Ralengclan launch an assassination attempt on Elora Laiken. This book explores two age old questions. Do you believe in destiny? Do you think any part of it is predetermined by fate?
and a big thank you to these talented author co-sponsors: 
Blood Brothers by Susan Arden
Love’s a Witch by Hope Welsh
Underneath It All by Cassandra Carr
From Chemo…with Love by Teresa Jones
Lust Emergency:  Uniform Encounters 3 by Morticia Knight
Halo’s Wish by Sharon Kleve
Wunder, Book 2:  Reunion
Fractured Legacy by Skye Callahan
Pink Girl by Kate Baum
Speakeasy Dead by Vicky Loebel
Burlesque! Le Cirque d’Amour by Michelle Fox
Vampire’s Fortune, Fortune Teller’s Curse by Kara Ashley Dey
Leap of Faith by Michelle Cary
The Heart of a Hunter by Natalie-Nicole Bates
The Sheikh’s Crowning by Gemma Juliana
A Knight of Passion by Tarah Scott
Wicked Secrets by Eliza Lloyd
Loco, Razer 8 and Ghost by P.T Macais
Alpha by Fierce Dolan
Tunneling For Revenge by Travis K. Sharpe
Fast Balls by Tara Lain
Bedroom Games by Charity Parkerson
Armed and Desired by DC Stone
Consume Me by Paige Matthews
click here to enter the drawing PRIZES by RAFFLECOPTER:
 
(One) Grand Prize: Kindle Fire (U.S.only) plus $100 Amazon Gift Card plus e-copies of all sponsored releases
 
(Two) First Prizes: $100 Amazon Gift Card plus e-copies of all sponsored releases 
 
(Three) Second Prizes: One e-book from every participating author. 
equinox1equinox2equinox3equinox4

By |2019-03-25T18:04:42-05:00September 19th, 2013|Blog Hop, Knights of Black Swan, Victoria Danann|9 Comments

6 DAYS to RELEASE…

GSRELEASEBleumoon

Sep 11, 2013 Bleumoon 5 of 5 stars

You don’t read Victoria’s books, you experience them.

 

The tapestry that Victoria has woven with these stories and people is so stunningly brilliant and at the same time rich with deep undertones that you can not help but fall in love.
 

Victoria’s books get under your skin.  They work their way into your heart and you fall in love…

in love with these honorable Knights and Ladies… in love with the depth of love that is shared between husbands and wives…
in love with their too adorable babies…
in love with young men training and learning about honor…
in love with people who don’t know the meaning of the word…

The honor of these Knights, and Knights in training, is astounding.  I finished this book through a haze of tears that I was constantly batting away so I could continue reading about some of my most favorite characters… no people, to call them characters cheapens the experience.

Then before you know it they get into your head and make you think… This book has me thinking about honor and what it means to me and what I have passed on to my own sons… I believe if my sons were transported to this dimension they would be right at home with the Black Swans (especially my second son).  And this is another reason I love these books, when I have read the last page I am no where near done…

Now I am going to go blow my nose and dry my eyes and meditate some more on honor and bravery and love. It’s an honor to be a beta reader for these books.

Like Water for Chocolate…

waterforchocolateTwenty years ago I saw a Mexican movie (with subtitles) entitled Like Water for Chocolate. It is a story of unrequieted love, maternal malice, and the courage necessary to quietly endure. One of the things that made an impression on me was the folklore principle that the emotions of the cook are mystically transferred into the food she is cooking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pg_Mr4lIoY Like Water for Chocolate video clip

Perhaps there is some truth to the idea that the cook’s emotions become part of the recipe. And perhaps it works the same with writing.

Beta readers for Gathering Storm are reporting that this installment has left them with emotion hanging on for some time after the last word is read and the book is closed . Nothing could be more pleasing to an author because, when all is distilled down to the core, writers should be aiming at one of two targets, the evocation of thought or emotion. While I confess to going for both, I see my principal task as drawing forth emotion. Isn’t the prospect of feeling our motivation for reading? That reminder of aliveness?

If you received an early readers’ copy of Gathering Storm and you are one of those who has mentioned tissues, be assured that the writer is in that with you. During the writing of this book, there were several times my spouse came in to find me red faced and wrecked because of a scene I was writing or had just written. These incidents weren’t always about sorrow. Some of them were simply an emotion so big and full my body couldn’t contain it and had to find release in some way. There were a couple of times during the writing of A Summoner’s Tale when I cried to the point of having to stop because I couldn’t see the monitor screen.

Five books into my latest job – writing fiction – I recognize this as part of my process. If something makes me laugh, it’s probably going to get that response from some of my readers. If I shed tears, chances are that emotion is going to transfer to the story, rise from the page and have a similar effect on my sensitive readers. (And I use the term “sensitive” in a totally good way.) All this is to say that I share more than words on a page with you; when reporting on events in Loti Dimension, I am a third party observer but not a dispassionate one.

– Victoria

The Gathering Storm Tour

BBTGathering Storm Button 300 x 225

9/18: Fangs, Wands, and Fairy Dust Exlusive Pre-Release stop. Review and Interview with Deliverance.

9/19: Coffee Addicted Writer Blog  Book Spotlight.

9/19: A Tale of Two Books Promo and Book Review.

9/19: Paranormal Romance Fans for Life Interview.

9/19: Nerd Girl Release Day Blitz.

9/20: Indy Book Fairy Promo with Interview.

9/20: Quill or Pill Interview.

9/23: Between the Bind Book Review.

9/24: The Seraphine Muse Interview.

9/25: Romance Book Junkies Interview.

9/26: Diane’s Book Blog Interview.

9/27: Paranormal Haven Promo.

9/27: The Simple Things in Life Interview.

9/28: Reviewing in Chaos Promo.

10/01: Books, Books, and More Books Book Review.

10/01: Eclipse Reviews Interview.

10/02: Roxanne’s Realm Interview.

10/03: Butterly-o-Meter Books Interview.

10/03: Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock Promo.

 

10/04

: BOOK #6 COVER REVEAL ON NERD GIRL

10/04: The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom Interview.

10/05: Tiffy Fit Promo.

10/06: Books N’ Things Promo and Book Review.

10/07: All I Want and More Interview.

10/07: The Reading Cafe Feature and Book Review.

10/08:  The Wormhole Book Blog Feature and Book Review.

10/10: Romance with Flavor Interview.

10/14: Bookworm Bridgette’s World Interview.

10/16: Bitten by Love Interview and Book Review.

10/17: Pembroke Sinclair Interview.

My Space

This was a guest post done by request as part of the Moonlight promotional tour. If you’re curious about what I see when I look up from the keyboard…

Workspace3

This photo represents my point of view when working. My space is a second story room over the garage. Although I have access from the house proper, I can close the doors when I leave for the day, effectively forming a barrier between work and home. One of the best features is that it’s heavenly quiet – unless the dog is barking, like right now. For me, quiet is essential to getting into the “zone” of reporting what’s happening in the world of Black Swan.

The room has big windows (one of which you can see here) plus three skylights right above me. One of the things you can’t see in the photo is that I have a huge red patio umbrella over my writing space that protects me from the afternoon heat of those skylights in summer months. Like right now. Having workspace with so much light is a dream come true for me. I spent enough time in a corporate environment without windows and promised myself that someday I would enjoy a workspace that didn’t depend on artificial light, with a view to something pretty.

The fireplace is wood burning, but we only get two or three days a year that are cold enough for a fire. Out of the photo, to my left there is another bookcase. Also full to overflowing. I don’t buy print books anymore, but there was a time when I used to keep libraries stocked with my gifts of used books.

About seven years ago I found a reception station in a used office furniture place by the railroad tracks. It surrounds me on three sides and allows me to feel cocooned with my stuff. (Yes. I straightened up the desk before taking the photo.)

Last, but not least, what you see on my monitor is a promotion for Black Swan, Book 5 which releases next month.

By |2019-03-25T18:04:43-05:00August 2nd, 2013|Victoria Danann|3 Comments

highlight book title to see on Amazon

PARANORMAL WOMEN’S FANTASY

Not Too Late 1. Midlife Magic

Not Too Late 2. Midlife Blues

Not Too Late. 3. Midlife Mojo

Not Too Late 4. Midlife at Midnight

Not Too Late 5. Midlife at Midsummer

Not Too Late 6. Trials of Tregeagle

Not Too Late 7.  Hallow Hill at Halloween – Part One 

Not Too Late 8. Hallow Hill at Halloween – Part Two

KNIGHTS OF BLACK SWAN PARANORMAL ROMANCE

Knights of Black Swan 1. My Familiar Stranger

Knights of Black Swan 2. The Witch’s Dream

Knights of Black Swan 3. A Summoner’s Tale

Knights of Black Swan 4. Moonlight

Knights of Black Swan 5. Gathering Storm

Knights of Black Swan 6. A Tale of Two Kingdoms

Knights of Black Swan 7. Solomon’s Sieve

Knights of Black Swan 8. Vampire Hunter

***Be sure to pause the series and read  Exiled 1. CARNAL before going on to Journey Man.

Knights of Black Swan 9. Journey Man

Knights of Black Swan 10. Falcon

Knights of Black Swan 11. Jax

Knights of Black Swan 12. Trespass

Knights of Black Swan 13. Irish War Cry

Knights of Black Swan 14.  Deliverance

Knights of Black Swan 15. Black Dog

Knights of Black Swan 16. The Music Demon

Order of the Black Swan Novels

Black Swan Novel Prince of Demons

WITCHES & WARLOCKS

Witches of Wimberley 1-3

Warlock Coven 1.QUEST

THE HYBRIDS

Exiled 1. CARNAL

Exiled 2. CRAVE

Exiled 3. CHARMING

THE WEREWOLVES

New Scotia Pack 1, Shield Wolf

New Scotia Pack 2. Wolf Lover

New Scotia Pack 3. Fire Wolf

Hotblooded 1. Stalk

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

SSMC Austin, TX, Book 1. Two Princes

SSMC Austin, TX, Book 2. The Biker’s Brother

SSMC Austin, TX, Book 3. Nomad

SSMC Austin, TX, Book 4. Devil’s Marker

SSMC Austin, TX, Book 5. Roadhouse

CDMC Lafayette, LA Book 1. Batiste