Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Guest Post and Giveaway with Dianne Duvall



It’s wonderful to be here at Fang-tastic Books today! I’m Dianne Duvall, paranormal romance author and creator of the new Immortal Guardians series, which began with the release of Darkness Dawns on February 1st. In Darkness Dawns, Music Theory Professor Sarah Bingham’s ordinary world is turned upside down when she unexpectedly finds herself thrust into a war that erupts between vampires and immortals.

In my Immortal Guardians 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. They also aren’t undead. Rather they are infected with a rare symbiotic virus that first conquers, then replaces their immune system and lends them incredible strength, speed and regenerative abilities, coupled with an unfortunate photosensitivity and a need for frequent infusions of blood. Unfortunately, the virus also damages the brains of humans infected with it, causing them to rapidly descend into madness. So even good guys who are infected with it will become villains who prey upon humans.

Immortals are infected with the same virus. But they were something more than human before their transformation. Though they don’t know the source of it, each was born with incredibly advanced DNA that bestows upon them special paranormal abilities and mutates the virus so they aren’t afflicted by the madness it causes in vampires.


DARKNESS DAWNS

Cast of Characters


Sarah Bingham: A music theory professor at UNC Chapel Hill. The spring semester has ended and her only desire is rest and relaxation . . . until she finds Roland staked to the ground, being tortured by two others, in the large meadow behind her home and swiftly loses her heart to the dark, enigmatic warrior.

Roland Warbrook: A nine-hundred-and-thirty-six-year-old immortal. Born with the ability to heal with his hands, he has been betrayed one too many times in the past by those he loved the most and now distances himself from relationships of any kind and trusts no one . . . until Sarah charges into his life.

Seth: The eldest and most powerful Immortal Guardian. He possesses all of the paranormal abilities the others boast combined and then some. As their self-proclaimed leader, he considers it his responsibility to seek out all newly transformed immortals, ease their transition into their new life, train them, guide them, give them a new purpose and, if necessary, punish them should they stray from the boundaries he sets for them. He also considers them and treats them all like family, putting their safety and happiness above his own.

Bastien (Sebastien Newcombe): Roland’s new nemesis. He has done what was previously considered impossible -- raised a vampire army large enough to pose a serious threat to the Immortal Guardians -- and intends to eradicate them one victim at a time while pursuing a personal vendetta against Roland.

Marcus Grayden: An immortal who disregards Roland’s reclusive disposition and calls him friend. He recently lost the woman he has loved for eight centuries and, consumed with grief, is skating the edge as he aids Roland in battling Sebastien and his vicious army.

Amiriska (Ami): A mysterious woman of unknown origins Seth and David (the second oldest and most powerful immortal) rescue from a facility heavily guarded by either the military or mercenaries.


Blurb


In this dazzling, sensual novel, Dianne Duvall beckons readers into a world of vampires, immortals, and humans with extraordinary gifts . . . where passion can last forever, if you're willing to pay the price . . .

Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control . . .

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible -- when it mean forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect.



Excerpt

Roland awoke as the sun was setting, his body wracked with pain. It took several minutes of intense concentration before he was able to distance himself from it enough to open his eyes and take in his surroundings.

The television was on, tuned to a news channel, the volume low.

He was lying on his back on the futon, his left leg bent at the knee and resting against the cushioned back. His right leg was stretched out with his foot hanging off the end. What utterly astonished him and nearly made him forget the pain, however, was Sarah, who was sprawled atop him, peacefully ensconced in slumber.

Her cheek was pillowed by his chest. Emitting a pleasant citrus scent, her hair again clung to his stubbled jaw and fell across his shoulder in curly disarray. One of her small hands loosely clutched his shoulder. The other was tucked into his side. Her full breasts warmed his stomach. Her hips rested against his groin, arousing him despite his discomfort.

Damn, but it felt good.

Giving in to temptation, he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her silky hair.

She stirred, her hand tightening on his shoulder as she snuggled closer, then fell still.

He hadn’t slept with a woman in the literal sense in over nine centuries, refusing to let down his guard enough to experience such intimacy as this. Not even with Mary, who had feigned such devotion. He had obeyed the proprieties when he had courted Mary and, fearing her reaction when she found out what he was, had never left himself so vulnerable.

But Sarah didn’t know what he was and he had no intention of telling her. He didn’t want to see the same loathing in her eyes that had darkened Beatrice’s or the fear that had widened Mary’s.

To Sarah, he was just a man.

His body hardened even more when he remembered the way her heartbeat had sped up at his touch.

Her pulse was slow and steady now, the blood in her veins calling him to come and satiate his hunger. As he listened to the steady thrum of it, his own heart began to pound.

Roland slid one hand up her back, tunneling through soft, thick curls, and rested his fingers upon the satiny skin of her neck just over her pulse.

What would she taste like? Sweet like her smiles? Or spicy like her daring spirit?

Would drinking from her merely dull the pain? Or would it set him aflame?

His body was struggling to heal itself. The need for blood clawed at him.

Roland felt his fangs descend and lengthen.

Just one taste. Sarah is sleeping. She need never know.


For a chance to win a signed copy of Darkness Dawns, leave a comment and tell me what your favorite paranormal creature/being is.

I'm also holding a Win a Kindle contest to celebrate and promote Darkness Dawns. You can find details on my website and blog:

Website: http://www.DianneDuvall.com
The Immortal Realm (blog): http://dianneduvall.blogspot.com



Thanks for stopping by!
Dianne Duvall

45 comments:

BLHmistress said...

My favorite paranormal being is a vampire.I just love the darkness/sensual appeal they have.

vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

Sandy Jay said...

My favorite is the werewolf.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Oh My Love the sound Of ROland !! My fav paranormal being is def a vampire, yes the darkness, the secerts !! they are hot sexy, irresitable and mesmerizing !!!and well ** the sex always seems hawt ** lol.. ** blushes ** This books sounds great will be adding this to my tbr pile ;) if the comp is international please count me in if not tis ok ;)
kat via facebook
kittee_cat@bigpond.com

jeanette8042 said...

My favorite paranormal being is the vampire! They introduced me to the paranormal world and I will love them forever!

lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com

Lisa (Lisa's World of Books) said...

I love me some vampires!
lisasworldofbooks@charter.net

ChrisS said...

My favorite paranormal creature is the Vampire and this sounds like an exciting book I would like to sink my teeth into.

rjofus(at)gmail(dot)com

SandyG265 said...

I like vampires.

sgiden at verizon.net

Diane said...

I still love vampires the most but close second are shifters, wolves in particular.

dsadler53@yahoo.ca
dsadler53 AT yahoo DOT ca

Reading said...

My favorite creature is a vampire. But angels are becoming a close second.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

throuthehaze said...

My favorite is vampires!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com

DarkBloodyVamp said...

I love the excerpt and I can't wait to read the book. My favorite paranormal creature is a vampire. Something about them being very sexual creatures and the feeding of blood causes arousal just seems to add to the sexual component about them.

Thank you so much for this giveaway!

redfirewood888(AT)yahoo(DOT)ca.

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

What a great giveaway! Oh do I have to choose... I mean really.. Vampires are just freaking sexy. Werewolves are just possessive as all get out... Demons are just that wicked goodness... Oh man... Can I be Dorothy in the Wizard of Paranormal creatures, lol! Please!
Vampire.. okay vampires. lol.

alliwantandmorebooks@ gmail.com

Jamie Manning said...

Easy. Vampire, hands down. They're sexy and immortal and sexy and powerful and sexy...well, you get the idea.
Thanks for the great giveaway!

jmanni32@yahoo.com

Dianne Duvall said...

Roxanne: Thanks so much for letting me visit Fang-tastic Books!

BLHmistress, Katrina W, Lisa, Chris S, SandyG265, and throuthehaze: Yay! Fellow vampire lovers! I've heard some readers and writers speculate that the vampire romance genre is dying out, but don't believe it because there are so many of us out there who never grow tired of them!

Sandy Jay: I actually haven't read too many romances that featured werewolves, but liked the ones I did. :-)

jeanette8042: My first paranormal romance was a vampire romance, too. I suspect that's why I love vamps so much!

Diane: I love that shifters come in such a wide variety of forms now, don't you? Since I like big cats, I'm partial to shifters who become tigers and the like. ;-)

Bethie: I haven't read many that featured angels. Care to recommend a few?

DarkBloodyVamp: I'm so glad you liked the excerpt! Vampires certainly seem to be the most popular! :-)

Cecile Smutty Hussy: With so many irresistible new paranormal beings to choose from now, it IS hard to decide! :-D

Dianne Duvall said...

Jamie: LOL! I agree wholeheartedly! Thanks for joining us!

Amy said...

My favorite paranormal creatures are were-creatures (esp. the felines and wolves) and angels.

angeldream3(at)gmail(dot)com

RFTC Blog said...

I can't wait to read this book. It looks so good. My favorite being is the vampire. They were my first foray into the paranormal world and I still consider them my favorite.

iqb99@yahoo.com

Deea said...

Ah, great teaser! I'm so looking forward to this book! And I love vampires, but my favorite paranormals are witches or whatever supernaturals can 'play' with energies and the elements.:D (I think it's pretty awesome to play with fire and not get burned or to throw things around just by snapping your fingers LOL)

andreea(dot)c88(at)gmail.com
xoxo

Elena Gray said...

Hmm...since I can only pick one I'll have to say werewolf.

cbandy10(at)hotmail(dot)com

elaing8 said...

Great excerpt.
My favorite paranormal creature is Vampires.
elaing8[at]netscape[dot]net

booklover0226 said...

Hi, Dianne.

I look forward in reading Darkness Dawns; it sounds amazing.

My favorite paranormal creature/being used to be vampires. Though, I'm still very partial towards them, I've developed a fondness for shapeshifters, especially the ones that fly.

I also like demons and angels!

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Leni said...

Shifter big cats are a favorite of mine. The way they move and act add to the harm that they could cause.

lenikaye@yahoo.com

Estella said...

My favorite paranormal being is a vampire.

kissinoak at frontier dot com

The Scarf Princess said...

This book and the character blurbs sound sssssoooooo good. I hope you have lots of books planned for the series since I have a feeling I'll have a hard time letting go once I start.

As to my favorite creature.....I'm a vamp girl all the way. Love the dark, brooding sexiness they exude.

joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

Barb P said...

Hi Dianne! I can't help it but I love the vampires. Shifters would be the next in line. I can't wait to read Darkness Dawns, even if the vampires are the villains. It sounds fantastic. Thanks for stopping by today. bpatrick64113@sbcglobal.net

Unknown said...

Vampires will never run dry !!!! Their are to many of us that love to read about them ;) I think no matter what is printed if it has an interesting story line ** we are hook line and sinker ** loved your excerpt.. ;)

kat

Stephanie M said...

I love vampires and shifter. I cannot choose between the two. I love the alpha and dark qualities of both of these paranormal beings.

Melissa Porter said...

I like werewolves and vampires. I really need to get your book now. I just got hooked on it. B-) My list of need to reads is growing.

She said...

Hands down, it's vampires. There is something so sensual about them. Just a look, never mind the biting on my neck, melts me.

Unknown said...

Oh too easy... Vampire :)

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

Kristin said...

I'm definitely a vamp girl all the way.. I like em tall, dark, & Fangsome!! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!!

Kristin
Nocturnalbites(at)hotmail(dot)com

Sherry said...

My favorite paranormal being is a werewolf.

sstrode@scrtc.com

Barbara E. said...

I've seen some great characters and inventive ideas for creatures, but the vampire is still number one with me. They've been my favorite paranormal beings for a long time, and I don't see that changing.

Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

My favorite now and probably always will be is the vampire.


(\___/)
(='.'=)
(")_(")

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Victoria said...

My favorite paranormal being is the Valkyrie. Those women kick a**!

Texas Book Lover said...

I love just about paranormal creature...but if I had to pick my favorite it would be the vampire!!! They are so dark and sexy!

Thank you! mmafsmith@gmail.com

Anne said...

How can any Fangtastic follower not say vampires?! Both the good ones and the bad ones.

acm05atjuno.com

Chelsea B. said...

Mine is a vampire :-)
Can't wait to read your new book!

justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Tanya1224 said...

I'd pick vampires but I did just read "Shadow of a Vampire" and actually fell in deep with a dragon...lol Please count me in.
Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

wanda f said...

Definately a tie for me between Vampires and Werecats .
flanagan@mebtel.net

YzhaBella's BookShelf said...

Hmmm Yummy. I love me some hot muscular and bad azz werewolves!!!

thanks!
kate
mleger0546{@}roger[.]com

*yadkny* said...

The book sounds great and I will be adding it to my wishlist:)

My favorite paranormal creature would have to be a wolf. Wild and beautiful creatures:)

yadkny@hotmail.com

donnas said...

Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to reading your book. My favorite hands down is still the vampire.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

kittykelly28 said...

I love vamps and kitty shifters :) they are my all time favorite!!

Kelly
kittykelly28 @ hotmail.com

Meredith said...

I like big furry feline type shifters.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

 
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