Interview with Dianne Duvall, author of Blade of Darkness

by grant

in Author Interviews, Fantasy & Science Fiction, News, Romance

18 Sep 2017

What can you tell us about your new release, Blade of Darkness?

Blade of Darkness is the seventh book in my Immortal Guardians series. If you like powerful preternatural heroes, strong heroines, action scenes that will keep you flipping pages well past your bedtime, and romance that is alternately steamy and sweet and laced with humor, then I think you’ll enjoy this book. The heroine, Dana Pembroke, is a psychic who has always been able to glimpse the futures of those she touches. But when Aidan O’Byrne—an ancient Celtic immortal with a charming grin and world-weary eyes—consults her, the future she sees for him stuns her. Almost as much as it stuns Aidan.

Soon Dana finds herself swept into a preternatural world in which Immortal Guardians hunt and slay psychotic vampires. A foe far more dangerous than vampires, however, has risen against the immortals and sparks life-threatening chaos. Dana and Aidan must work together not only to survive, but also to unveil the enemy’s vile plot and prevent him from kick-starting Armageddon. Though this leaves the two little in the way of free time, Aidan somehow finds enough to embark upon a courtship he hopes will win Dana’s heart. Because he is smitten with her from the very beginning.

I had a lot of fun with these two characters and hope readers will, too. If you’re new to the series, don’t worry. Each book can be read as a stand-alone. You’ll just know more about the secondary characters if you read the books in order.

What’s the last book you read?

The last book I read was Lara Adrian’s Midnight Unbound. I have eagerly devoured every installment in her Midnight Breed series ever since I picked up the first book.

What fictional literary world would you most like to visit?

Is it weird to say I’d most like to visit my Immortal Guardians world? I spend a lot of time with these characters, and they never fail to entertain me. The men are fierce fighters, but don’t shy away from love. The women are just as strong and face all challenges head-on. Most of them have a wicked sense of humor and love to razz and tease each other. Sometimes they say the most outrageous things. And their actions can take even me by surprise. They’ve made me cry. They’ve made me laugh . . . a lot. And they’re like a great big family. I would love to just walk into David’s home—which is pretty much the hub of the immortals’ world in North Carolina—sink down on a sofa, hang out with them, join in their banter, and pepper Seth and Ami with questions at every opportunity. Those two have seen things the others couldn’t even imagine. It would be so much fun.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing about writing is seeing where the story will take me. I’m what is known in the writing world as a pantser, not a plotter. In other words, I fly by the seat of my pants instead of outlining the plot in detail before I begin each book. I may have a general idea of where I’d like the story to begin and end, but the road in between is unpaved and simply unfolds as I write. I love the surprises that result.

BAM. You’re a superhero. What’s your superpower?

I’m a healer. Any wound, any illness, I can heal with just a touch. A few of my Immortal Guardians can do that, something that comes in handy after the fierce battles in which they engage. I can’t help but wish I could do the same. When I asked fans of the series which of my immortals’ gifts they would most like to possess, an overwhelming majority said the same—that they wished they could heal others. So I think it’s a common desire.

If I could have two superpowers, the second would be super speed. I could get so much more done in a day if I were as fast as The Flash.

How do you like to spend a rainy day?

I adore rainy days. So dark and gloomy. They’re perfect for writing. Reading, too, when I get a chance. Throw in some rumbling thunder and winds high enough to make the house creak, and my fingers will fly across the keyboard for hours. It’s perfect writing atmosphere.

What scene in Blade of Darkness was your favorite to write?

Several come to mind, but two top the list. The first was the scene in which Dana discovers Aidan is far more than human. The action-lover in me relished the events that sparked the revelation. The strong heroine-delighted in the events that followed.

The second was the big climactic action scene. I’m a huge fan of action films. And you’ll find a lot of intense action scenes in my books. But something happens in the climax of this one that has never happened before in the series. For me, it was a real jaw-dropper. So it was definitely a favorite.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Persevere. Don’t let the naysayers sway you. I’ve met so many people who said they wanted to write a book or start their own business or take their career in a new direction, but never acted upon that desire because there was always someone there telling them they couldn’t, or that they weren’t good enough, or that it wasn’t the right time. It took me years to land my first publishing contract. The list of other authors who can say the same is a very long one. But I persevered. (As did they.) Because I ignored the naysayers. And I’m so glad I did.