Expanding "A Team"
Now that my fabulous assistants are in place to help, we’re in a posiiton to expand the Street Team.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION or to grab one of the four new graphics.
Introducing My New Assistants…
I’ve got to tell you that, at the moment, it’s good to be me and these two are a dream come true. They’re taking over some of the tasks that go along with PROUD-TO-BE-AN-INDIE! so that I can devote more of that time to telling stories.
Sarah Nicole Howard
I love to read, love my Poms, grew up near Saint Louis, MO. I collect antique books, oldest one so far is 1842. I’m a gamer. Facinated by language, moreso English but learning Japanese. I am getting married next month to a guy who sits still while I read Black Swan books to him.
She is managing the blog, the street team, the Goodreads Group, my advertising schedule, and monitoring Facebook. You can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FFXPrincess. You can email her at blackswanjunkie(at)gmail.com.
If you want an invitation to join the street team or have suggestions for the Goodreads Group, please contact Sarah.
Judy Fox
Like Sarah, I enjoy “long walks on the beach” (referring to a joke about dating site info), good wine, good friends, laughing until it hurts, reading a great book. I’m a mom of 5, wife to 1 (whom I am still madly in love with, well – when I’m not mad at him, anyways…LOL) I have three pets I adore – 2 British Shorthair cats, and 1 Bichon Frise dog – all of whom are neutered males…a fact which makes my husband and sons decidedly nervous!
She is blogger liaison, keeper of the calendar, managing the street team, the Goodreads Group, and monitoring Facebook. You can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/judy.irwinfox. You can email her at judyf1118(at)gmail.com.
If you are a blogger and want to discuss an interview, guest post, giveaway, or review – please contact Judy.
High Adventure,
Victoria
Goodreads Fan Group Page is MOVING!
BLACK SWAN FAN GROUP on GOODREADS IS MOVING!
The old page is going away. We hope you will move with us to our new Goodreads home. Please click here and join.
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/108735-victoria-danann-order-of-the-black-swan
Series Tour Schedule UPCOMING
On Tour with PARAJUNKEE and PARANORMAL CRAVINGS…
7/16: Books N’ Things http://www.mybooksnthings.com Promo Spot Re
7/17: Meredith’s Musings http://meredithraemusings.blogspot.com/ Character Spotlight
7/18: Bookaroo-Ju http://www.bookarooju.wordpress.com Character Spotlight
7/19: Moonlight Gleam http://www.moonlightgleam.com Guest Post
7/20: BBL Reviews http://www.bittenbylovereviews.com/ Promo
7/22: Total Eclipse Reviews http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com Character Interview
7/23: Paranormal Book Club http://www.paranormal-bookclub.com Promo Spot
7/24: Jessica Loves Books http://www.jessicalovesbooks.com Guest Post
7/25: Books, Books, and More Books http://booksbooksmorebooks.blogspot.com/ Character Spotlight
7/26: Penny For Them http://pennyforthem1.blogspot.co.uk/ Promo Spot
7/26: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf http://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com promo
7/29: Rants and Scribbles http://rantsnscribbles.blogspot.ca/ Character Spotlight
7/29: Reader’s Edyn http://readersedyn.blogspot.com guest post
7/30: It’s Raining Books http://www.its-raining-books.blogspot.com Interview
7/30: Simply Infatuated http://www.simplyinfatuated.com guest post
7/31: Bea’s Book Nook http://beasbooknook.blogspot.com Character Spotlight
8/01: The Bookish Howl http://thebookishowl.wordpress.com/ Character Spotlight
8/01: From Meredith Allard www.meredithallard.com guest post
8/02: Fictional Candy http://www.fictionalcandy.com Character Spotlight
8/03: Andi’s Book Review. http://andisbookreviews.blogspot.com interview
8/05: Books Things and More http://www.bookishthingsandmore.com Guest Post
Storm vs Ram
IT’S A QUESTION THAT NEVER SEEMS TO GET OLD?
My author’s assistant posed this to my street team. “How did you find out about Victoria? Amazon? A friend’s recommendation?”
The answers were fun to read, some surprising, but the best part is that quite a few added their impressions of the first book or the first couple of books. That’s how the Storm vs. Ram thing came up. Again. It’s a question that never seem to get old.
About 7 months ago I took a poll on my FB page that asked, “Who did you want to get the girl?” That was referring to the first book of the saga, of course, My Familiar Stranger. (The number who answered Baka still shocks me. I think there may have been one who wrote in “Sol”.)
The overwhelming majority said Ram, but there were some die-hards who STILL thought Storm was her guy and that the author should be summarily executed at dawn. I recently read a review on Goodreads that said something like “quitting at 48% – she was going to end up with the wrong guy anyhow”. Every time I think about that, it makes me smile because, even though that person only read half the book, she was emotionally invested enough to care about the outcome. (Yay me.)
Someone on my street team recently told me that she had a conversation with a friend, who was so pissed about the outcome of the first book she refused to continue to Book 2. Fortunately she was persuaded, coaxed, urged and cajoled into giving the series another try, but it made me wonder how many other people are still out there fuming.
Here are a couple of anonymous quotes from my street teams answers:
1, Honestly, I can’t remember how I came across MFS first. Think it was recommended to me through Amazon. I read the sample and was hooked. Will be honest though.. At first was disappointed with the ending because I was a Storm fan. Once I found out AWD was coming out, I knew it was going to be ok.. Them 2nd book made 1st book better in my opinion. Now Ram and Elora are my favorite!
2. I love Ram but I was team Storm too I think that’s why it took book 2 and Litha to really hook me on the series.
As to the reason why it all seemed better after Book 2, it’s because the first book was (in my mind) Act 1 of a three act play. The first three books are like a trilogy within a saga. Just as I’m sure the artist in Peter Jackson would have liked to release The Lord of the Rings as one seven hour movie, I would have loved to release the first three books all at one time. Undoubtedly it would have saved both me and readers some grief. It’s the most wonderful thing to be far enough into the saga now to know that anyone who wants to continue the journey after Book 1 can do so without waiting.
http://www.amazon.com/Order-Black-COLLECTED-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00BH68UCG 313,000 words for $6.99
Full Moon RELEASE DAY
As promised, MOONLIGHT releases today on the May full moon. Following the links are a few of the early readers reviews. I am happy to say that Moonlight is already high up on the Amazon BEST SELLER list in the categories of Paranormal Romance and Fantasy Romance. THANK YOU for making this saga a success!
Available everywhere.
AMAZON http://www.amazon.com/Moonlight-Wolf-Black-Swan-ebook/dp/B00CX9ZYW0/
iBOOKS https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/moonlight-big-bad-wolf-black/id649136…136?mt=11
B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moonlight-victoria-danann/1115380655?ean=2940044536838
SMASHWORDS https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/310694
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Romantic Adventure!! May 23, 2013
By psegj
“What is this?” she asked, running her hand over the jacket. “Sheepskin.” She looked at him with genuine amusement. “So when you wear this, you’re literally a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
There are so many “Quotes” I Love in this book. This is one of my favorites. Victoria has pure genius. Her writing just draws you in. I sighed, cried, laughed out loud!!!! I sat on the edge of my seat. I was so entertained. I say Harry Potter look out because The Order of the Black Swan is here!!! I believe these are the books to read.
If you want adventure, suspense, Romance, Action, Dimension travel, Did I mention True Love!!! I have been reading since I was 13 (41 years ago). I have read tens of thousands of books. I have my favorite Authors. Truthfully Victoria is Now #1.
This book has a diverse set of personalities & characters! Werewolves, Elves, Fae, Demons, Vampire, Berserkers, Witches, Lets not forget Knights. Hunky Knights at that!
Victoria grabs you from the 1st sentence to the last. I did not want to put it down! I have already read it twice, and no I did not miss anything because it is so gripping you just want to soak up every word!! Since reading this series I do not need Calgon to take me away anymore! Come join me in being a Forever Fan.
There are so many “Quotes” I Love in this book. This is one of my favorites. Victoria has pure genius. Her writing just draws you in. I sighed, cried, laughed out loud!!!! I sat on the edge of my seat. I was so entertained. I say Harry Potter look out because The Order of the Black Swan is here!!! I believe these are the books to read.
If you want adventure, suspense, Romance, Action, Dimension travel, Did I mention True Love!!! I have been reading since I was 13 (41 years ago). I have read tens of thousands of books. I have my favorite Authors. Truthfully Victoria is Now #1.
This book has a diverse set of personalities & characters! Werewolves, Elves, Fae, Demons, Vampire, Berserkers, Witches, Lets not forget Knights. Hunky Knights at that!
Victoria grabs you from the 1st sentence to the last. I did not want to put it down! I have already read it twice, and no I did not miss anything because it is so gripping you just want to soak up every word!! Since reading this series I do not need Calgon to take me away anymore! Come join me in being a Forever Fan.
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting!!!!!!!! Great Paddy!!,May 24, 2013
By Gina Whitney
Wow, Danann did it again! Kudos!!!Moonlight, is book four for Victoria Danann. Ms Danann’s style of writing captivates and brings you on a fantastically sexy ride.I found myself laughing out loud at times. While other times needing to pour myself a drink and fan myself. Whew!!I love being caught up in her world of sexy vamps, elves, demons, and weres. She’s found quite the successful combination.If you adored the other three books, you will certainly fall in love all over again. I’m definitely sweet on Black Swan, and oh boy do I have it bad for Sir Rammel.If you love PNR, she’s the author for you. I can’t recommend it enough.
5.0 out of 5 stars You are going to LOVE Moonlight!, May 23, 2013
By Maggie
Victoria Danann’s fourth book in the Black Swan series, “Moonlight: The Big Bad Wolf” is the best yet of her books (which says something since I think they are all amazing). This book was a fun ride from beginning to end. While keeping us up with our favorites from the other books (Elora and Ram, Storm and Litha, Baka and Heaven, Deliverance, and of course Monq) we now get a peek into the lives of Song as well as Glen. As the title implies much of this book revolves around Stalkson Grey, whose life is turned on its’ end and will never again be the same. Finally, about the time you think you could never enjoy any characters more than you love the aforementioned, we get to meet the members of the rowdy Z team, and new interesting Vampire which shake the story up yet again. I loved this book, and am left craving Victoria’s next book which cannot come out soon enough for me. If you haven’t read the first three, then buy all four of them and read them in order. I promise it will be the most fun you’ve had while reading in a very long time.
5.0 out of 5 stars the best new series has a best new book., May 23, 2013
By DeeBow
Moonlight is book 4 in a new paranormal series. If you are looking for elves,beserkers,witches,demons,vampires and werewolves then this series is for you. What sets Victoria Danann apart from other great writers in this genre are I believe are these 2 things. Her story is a continuation of the original story with many people and immortals being added and the fact that I laughed out loud in all the books. Moonlight gave more in that I cried as well.Stalkson Grey is superb as an old werewolf in love. He knows nothing so he turns to deliverance (a sex demon with a sense of humor)for help.Will Luna love him back?I can’t wait to see what happens to Glen and his new team and possibly his new position with Black Swan. It is yet again another outstanding story from a wonderful writer with an AWESOME imagination and a wicked sense of humor. As long as she keeps writing I will keep reading she puts out. Thank- you Victoria.I am now eagerly awaiting book 5.
5.0 out of 5 stars Another 5+ stars in this series!!, May 23, 2013
By L Miner
I said this in my reviews of the first three books, but I have to say it again – Victoria Danann’s writing style is amazing. The Order of the Black Swan is a series, however, it’s not just one story that continues on. Each book has it’s own unique tale, while continuing on with the story lines from the previous books. The books should be read in order though.
This series also has a little of everything for any reader: paranormal, sci-fi, romance, action, suspense . . . vampire, vampire hunters, wearwolves, hunky knights, assassins from a different dimension, witches, summoners, elves, fae, demons. I’m not kidding. It’s all in there.
Moonlight, the fourth book of this series, may be my favorite so far. Each book focuses on the love story of a different couple, while continuing on with the original storyline of ending the vampire epidemic. In Moonlight, the author also hints at a favorite childhood fairytale, Black Swan style of course. So far in this series, my heart has belonged to a certain sexy vampire, but I completely fell in love with Stalkson Grey in book 4, the wearwolf in this series and the main character in the newest love story. Once again, love knows no boundaries (or dimension). I have fallen in love with all of the characters in this series, though. It’s hard not to. This is why the author’s writing style is grabbing a hold of so many readers. The characters become like family to you. You watch over them, cheer them on, and feel their pain. You don’t have to give up any of the characters, even the secondary ones. They continue on into each book, so we get to keep up with their lives. As with all of the books in this series, you will laugh, fall in love, and white-knuckle your reader while you hang on for the ride.
I’m usually a fast reader, but with the Black Swan books I find myself reading slow, not only so I can savor every word, but also because I don’t want it to end. Luckily the series continues, and so I patiently wait for book 5. Well, maybe not patiently.
5.0 out of 5 stars Getting connected to nature and then some!, May 22, 2013
Let me start out with the fact that I have a great affinity for wolves. Okay, so that is out of the way, when Victoria finished her last book I was pleased, but also a bit skeptical on where and how she would take the characters to follow. I must say I am very well pleased and delighted. She has totally delighted me, surprised me, kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next and I simply could not put this book down! I laughed, felt my heart pulled, and know that there is a glorious hope and cannot wait for book number 5!!! This is the best book since book number 1!!! A definite MUST READ AND MUST OWN/HAVE!!!
Pre-Release Party This Friday
click on this link to RSVP FOR THE PRE-RELEASE PARTY.
PRE- Release Party on Friday, May 24th. 25 points toward prizes by logging your RSVP now!
Bring Me More Readers Like This…
Last night My Familiar Stranger clocked the 255th review on Amazon. It wasn’t that long ago that I had just put this (my first) novel up on Amazon and was shocked that I didn’t get this many reviews overnight. Since then I’ve learned that finding readership requires patience, but that the investment in patience is WELL worth the reward.
I think some writers write because they feel driven to do so or, for the few who make a living from it, because it’s a pleasant way to feed oneself. Me? I write because there’s just no thrill like finding out that I gave somebody a thrill. It’s a natural, gratifying, smile-generating, solar-plexus-stroking high. And I’m addicted.
What’s special about the 255th review? EVERYTHING.
Any reader who spends this much time writing a review? I know she got what I hoped every reader would get – a good time.
Oxygen.. I need oxygen., March 23, 2013By Vincenza
Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)
This review is from: My Familiar Stranger – Romancing the Vampire Hunters (Black Swan 1) (Kindle Edition)
Left me breathless.
I’ve been rummaging through most of the romance novels Amazon has to offer under $3 or so for a long while (mostly the free ones, yes I’m a cheapo). I’m going to be bold and say this sits quite comfortably in my number 1 chair. Why? Well, I’m gonna tell yah why (without spoilers of course)
1. The characters are incredibly developed and each with realistic personalities. Rarely do I come across a book where I love all of the characters. You have your serious character (Storm), funny character (Ram), the voice of reason character (Kay) and that character you just can’t help but fall in love with (Baka). Together, they’re a riot.
2. Hardly do I find an author who can make me genuinely laugh. I was reading at around 3am and some dangerously loud laughs escaped my room (and a few embarrassing snorts I will admit) and awoke my mother. Let’s just say she doesn’t like this story much…
3. THE STORY LINE IS AMAZING. Don’t let my capitals scare you off. I wasn’t yelling, I was enthusiastically talking loud. I loved it from beginning to end. At the beginning I was a little skeptical but once I got a good bite I got angry at my eyes for not being able to read faster.
4. Warning; if you get that neck/back pain from reading for too long, make sure you’re prepared with necessary equipment to ease the ache. Also, make sure it’s within your reach because you’re not going to want to get up to get them. This warning should be included in the book before the prologue.
5. It makes you argue with yourself. A good book has that ability.
-I want her to choose Storm, he saved her life and was incredibly sweet to her!
-Omg this elf is gearing me away from Storm. His sense of humor.. his accent that I can so oddly picture in my head… She has to choose the elf with the adorable accent.
-Sexy 600 year old vampire? Get the hell out of here elf, she needs some vampire loving!
Now that sounds like a lot but the story folds it all together nicely. She isn’t a slut who wants a chunk from each of them. In fact, I had zero clue who she was gearing towards for most of the book. Then it started to unravel and I started making that girly “eeee!” noise while wiggling around unattractively… it all unraveled quite nicely.
6. The author doesn’t spend pages upon pages dedicated to boring opinions / thoughts the characters have about every miniscule thing like why the damn sky is blue. I have found that many books are prone this this horrendous disease. Quite sad actually…
And lastly…
7. The main character doesn’t make you want to rip out every organ in her body and feed it to vicious animals. She’s very laid back, real, selfless, and yes… I’m going to say it… FUNNY. Funny? A paranormal romance novel with the lead female character wielding a sense of humor that can make you laugh? Not one of those try-hard sense of humors that just make you cringe? I know I’m shocked too.
Moonlight… Second Excerpt Posted
CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO GO TO MOONLIGHT’S page and read Excerpt #2. http://victoriadanann.me/book-4/
Author's Review of A Summoner's Tale and PROFILE of a Black Swan Reader
PUBLISHED ON GOODREADS ON 1/20/2013.
I suppose it now qualifies as a tradition that I write a review of my own book. In some ways this is the most fun – the cherry on top of the very mixed bag of being an author. Was that a messy metaphor? Oh, yeah. One of the great things about accumulating a little recognition is gaining permission to break some rules.
Baka’s story has been like a pressure cooker in my chest for the past several months. Getting it out there is a marvelous relief because now I’m no longer the only one who knows where we were headed. While preparations have been laid in these first three books for some of the other stories that follow, I don’t expect any future installments to take the emotional toll that this book did.
A Summoner’s Tale is dark, not in the sense of blood and gore, but in the sense of physical, psychic, and emotional pain along with the scariest thing any human ever confronts, that – from beginning through middle to end, no matter how we may try to fool ourselves into thinking otherwise – we are alone. Is the subject matter and treatment deeper than one normally encounters in paranormal romance? Yes. BUT, I insist on my Happily Ever After endings. I’m hopelessly romantic, thoroughly American, and possibly suffering from arrest of development at around age three when my dad would laugh at me for requesting to hear “Snow White” every night.
In a sense this book is also a test of readership. If you have read all three books and are in for a fourth, then we, as reader and author, are a match because each of these first three books is very different.
I’m in the process of building a PROFILE OF A BLACK SWAN READER. Here’s what I’ve got so far.
1. A Black Swan reader is literate. Someone asked me once for the grade level equivalent of my books. I didn’t know, but was directed to some online testers that can be used to determine that. I discovered that my books read at the 9th-11th grade level. I was horrified. Then I spent half a day testing about fifteen celebrity PNR authors. The typical rank was 3rd – 7th grade although two or three made it all the way to 6th – 8th. That’s why I believe I can make the claim that Black Swan readers are comparatively literate. To illustrate, let me cite a quote from Reviewing in Chaos: “Let me just say SQUEEEEE!”
2. A Black Swan reader appreciates descriptive detail. – Black Swan readers don’t see description as unnecessary and superfluous. They understand that it’s the details that layer richness and depth into the story. They also have the maturity to know that patience brings greater rewards.
For example, here is a quote from Booked and Loaded, my favorite so far:
As multiple stories are seemingly unrelated, each brings with it a new dimension that begins to form a pattern that slowly leads all players to one key game, one final showdown to succeed and emerge intact. It is the chase to the end, the multiple and variant tensions, the characters that have become your friends, your heroes and your entertainment keep you reading long past bedtime and into the night – for you need to know how it all ends.
3. A Black Swan reader values characterization and believes that who characters are is as important – if not moreso – than what they do.
All the characters are amazing, strong, handsome, loyal, and married to women who are their equals. – Linda Tonis, The Paranormal Romance Guild.
4. A Black Swan reader is receptive to new experience. In other words, Black Swan readers don’t either want or demand the same plug-in-character’s-name-here, I-could-pie-chart-the-formula story over and over again.
To all of you who fit this profile, thank you. What would I do without you?
– Victoria
