What is it about the paranormal, in
particular vampires, that fascinates you so much?
Vampires are awesome. They
are powerful, top of the food chain, immortal and that’s just for starters. I
prefer to make them sexy yet deadly. I love it when they can show their
gentle/romantic side, but also bare their fangs and rip your throat open when
it suits them. Their bite can be sexual and erotic or savage and painful. I
like it when it’s a bit of both. Painful but then it becomes something
extremely pleasurable. Vampires are just
fun creatures to write and read about when the focus is on them and their
world.
What inspired you to write this
book?
I wanted to write the story I’ve always wanted to read. Having read many
vampire/shifter books, there was always something missing for me, no matter how
much I enjoyed the story. So, I wrote the perfect urban-fantasy book for me.
No. I’ve never had an issue creating characters.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I love writing for Sergio and Adrian. But I also love writing for Xavier and Warren. Then when I think about my other character… I love writing for them as well. They all have their own unique personalities that I find myself unable to find a favorite. They play off each other beautifully and I love them all.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
Actually, I don’t. When I’m writing, I see the story unfold in my mind, playing out like a movie. The characters come as the story grows and I simply create them as I see fit.
What is your favorite scene from the book?
I have so many favorite scenes from this book and actually, all of the books in the series.
Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
I’d say the scene on the airplane is one of my favorites. It was funny, sexy and exciting.
Can you tell readers a little bit about the world building in the book/series?
How does this world differ from our normal world? The KOTDC takes place in modern times and is a reflection of our world. So you’ll find characters of mixed races and sexual orientation, and issues that define our modern culture all in a fantasy setting of vampires and shifters.
With the book being part of a series, are there any character or story arcs, that readers jumping in somewhere other than the first book, need to be aware of? Can these books be read as stand alones?
I created the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles to be read as a series. So each books builds upon the last. The only book you can probably read without reading the one before it, is “The Guilty Innocent”. But so much will still be missed by not reading “Desires Unleashed” as that novel lays down the foundation of the characters and the world they live in.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
All of my characters have a little bit of me in their personalities… but each one has their own personalities as well.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?
No.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?
I listen to one song, maybe two repeatedly while writing. It keeps me in the “Zone” so to speak.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
When I begin writing “Desires Unleashed”, my first novel.
What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Junk Food.
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
I love the Arts. I love listening to music, dancing and singing. I enjoy watching movies and television shows, mainly because I go crazy over great writing and acting. The world needs storytellers and entertainers and I appreciate it when it’s done well.
What was the last amazing book you read?
I really enjoyed reading “The Immortal Rules” by Julie Kagawa.
What can readers expect next from you?
A lot of fast-paced action sequences. Dynamic and highly engaging characters that will draw you into their world. Intricate and entertaining story lines that will grip you from the very first page and not let go until the last page is read. Sex scenes so bold and steamy, you’ll have to loosen your collar and turn up the air conditioning. All in all, readers can expect to have a great time reading a D.N. Simmons novel. :D
Where can readers find you on the web?
Website: http://www.dnsimmons.com
Trailer 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov9Cg0EajpY
Trailer 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu3yBn5HoNM
Would you like to leave readers with
a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
Excerpt:
Darian
casually looked down at the photograph then up toward the detectives. As I
listened to the conversation, I could hear the detective identify the man in
the picture. His name was Anthony Juliano. Apparently, he was the assistant day
manager at Desires Unleashed before Annette took the position. Anthony
had been found dead, his body burned. Only a partial skull and a few bone
fragments were discovered amidst the ash. The only method in which he had been
identified was through dental records. Darian said he didn’t know what had
happened to Anthony Juliano. The detectives appeared to become frustrated,
Darian was being so compliant, and he was completely relaxed as if he had not
one worry in the world. The detectives then accused Darian of murdering Anthony
as well as Annette. I would guess they were attempting to get a rise out of
him, hoping he would accidentally give something away.
“Those
two are imbeciles,” Xavier growled. When I looked at him, his lips were pressed
tightly together, a frown on his face. He must be incensed ... and worried.
Darian is his lover and master; his loyalty is to him. I have to admit, I
didn’t enjoy seeing Darian in this situation either. I believed he was being
framed by the same person who had killed Annette. “He didn’t do this!” Xavier
said through clenched teeth. “Warren, when can he receive visitors? How long
will he be here?” he asked, never taking his worried gaze from Darian.
“Seven
days, this would be day one. We have six days to find the truth, on the seventh
day, he’ll have his trial.” Warren looked at Xavier and me. “We don’t have time
to waste. Tomorrow, Darian can have visitors, but not until then.”
Oh
my God! This situation was getting worse with every passing minute! It was
easily turning into one of the worst nights of my life. My heart was heavy with
grief and my mind swam with thoughts of justice and revenge. I wanted to go
home. I told Warren I wanted to leave and he agreed. As the three of us walked
toward the door, Darian’s lawyer entered the interrogation room, declaring that
his client had been more than agreeable and he need not answer any more
questions. The two detectives looked at each other and nodded. They both left
the room, leaving Darian alone with his lawyer. That was the last thing I saw
as I exited the secret room, closing the door behind us.
Warren
drove me home. “I can come up there with you to keep you company. You don’t
have to go through this alone,” he said sympathetically.
I
forced a smile which I could tell didn’t fool Warren, not that I was trying to
pretend otherwise. It was very thoughtful of him to offer. I was frightened; I
couldn’t understand why someone would kill Annette. Could I be a target also?
If I were, a little protection would be in my best interest. “Thank you,
Warren. I would really appreciate that.”
He
smiled and nodded. I looked at Xavier, who was staring out of the window in
deep thought. His elbow rested on the frame, his chin resting on his fingers.
“Xavier?”
I asked. The sound of my voice seemed to bring him out of his thoughts. He
looked at me, his eyes were as blank as if he was in a trance, and it unnerved
me. I was used to seeing Xavier in better spirits. “What are you thinking
about?”
He
took a deep breath then released it. “Darian.” His eyes panned over both Warren
and me. “For the time being, he will stay calm and await his seven days but he
will not let them kill him. Those two S.U.I.T. detectives aren’t interested in
the truth. I watched them tonight; their only concern was the fact that they
had “bagged” a master vampire,” Xavier said.
“A
seemingly untouchable one at that,” Warren added. He took my hand and gently
squeezed it reassuringly. I was too caught up with what Xavier was saying.
Xavier
continued revealing his thoughts. He shook his head gravely. “He’ll go rogue.
He will kill whoever stands in the way of his freedom. It will be a massacre.”
I
must have gasped, because both men looked at me. I seemed to be the only one
surprised by the idea of Darian killing innocent people to escape death.
“Natasha,
you must understand, Darian is a master vampire, centuries old. He will not be
brought down by this. Going rogue is not something he would want to do. He has
worked extremely hard establishing himself here in Chicago, especially after
the Exposure, which is why he’s being compliant now. However, if push comes to
shove, things will get ugly,” Xavier said as a matter-of-fact.
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Jodie Pierce's Ink Slinger's Blog
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Secret Southern Couture
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Beauty in Ruins –
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March 10 Guest blog
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
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Book Addict
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Offbeat Vagabond
March 17 Spotlight
March 18 Spotlight (book 2)
March 19 Spotlight and review
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March 23 Interview
Books, Books the Magical Fruit
March 24 Spotlight and review
March 25 Guest blog
Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
The Guilty Innocent
Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Book Two
D.N. Simmons
Genre: Urban-fantasy
subgenres: Horror, Paranormal Romance, GLBT, Multicultural, Mystery/Thriller.
Publisher: Rushmore Publishing
ISBN: 978-0615688381
ASIN: B004EPYUTY
Number of pages: 271
Word Count: 106415
The Guilty Innocent is the second novel in the edgy, action-packed, sexually-charged, Knights of the Darkness Chronicles.
In this installment, Darian, the gorgeous, charismatic and charming master vampire of Chicago is framed for a crime he didn't commit, but why? His lover, Xavier, Natasha and a few others must travel halfway across the world to find out who and why before time runs out and all hell breaks loose!
Original, sexy and gritty, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget!
Desires Unleashed
Knights of the Darkness Chronicles Book One
D.N. Simmons
Publisher: Rushmore Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-0615678641
ASIN: B004DCB6P4
pages: 294
Wordcount: 121436
Genre: Urban-Fantasy/Dark Urban Fantasy w/Paranormal Romance elements.
Content warning: Multicultural and mixed genre such as gay/bisexual/straight pairings/sex scenes.Graphic language and violence. Strong sexual themes.
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/Mu3yBn5HoNM
Book Description:
Desires Unleashed is the first novel in the riveting, highly-addictive and sexually charged Knights of the Darkness Chronicles. Experience the heart-pounding thrill of the chase in this electrifying page-turner as you uncover the mystery behind the series of gruesome killings that have been terrorizing the citizens of Chicago.
When a grisly decapitated corpse pops up on a Chicago Street, drained of blood, the highly-trained, government-funded special police force assigned two of their best detectives to the case. S.U.I.T. Detectives Warren Davis and Matthew Eric delve deep into their investigation to discover just who or what is leaving mutilated bodies in public places. They soon realize that the killer or killers is one step ahead of them and if they are going to stop the menace before another innocent human is viciously attack, they are going to need help.
Natasha Hemingway liked her life just the way it was... normal and supernatural free. The vampires and shape-shifters were just where she wanted them to be--far away from her. All was going well until an unfortunate accident landed her in the hospital. It was then that she discovered she had an ability that could help her save countless lives.
All of a sudden, she finds herself thrust into the dangerous and alluring world of the supernatural and into the arms of two very sexy and deadly vampires.
Original, gritty and sprinkled with just the right amount of humor and wit, the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles will suck you in and take you for a ride you won't forget. You don't want to miss out on this amazing series!
About the Author:
D. N. Simmons lives in Chicago IL., with a rambunctious German Shepherd that's too big for his own good and mischievous kitten that she affectionately calls "Itty-bitty". Her hobbies include rollerblading, billiards, bowling, reading, watching television and going to the movies.
She has been nominated at Love Romances and More, winning honorable mention for best paranormal book of 2006. She has won "Author of the Month" at Warrior of Words. She was voted "New Voice of Today" at Romance Reviews and "Rising Star" at Love Romance and More.
To learn more, and have the opportunity to speak with the author personally, please visit the official website and forum at www.dnsimmons.com D.N. is always interesting in meeting new and wonderful people.
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