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Read an excerpt from Dark Diary, II: The First
Visit Dawné Dominique's web site
Visit Dawné's blog
About Dawné Dominique
Dawné Dominique is a multi-published author of erotic romance, paranormal and fantasy. Weaving tales of dark intrigue that include riveting characters and spellbinding plots, she takes great pleasure in immersing an unsuspecting reader into the worlds she created, refusing to let them go until that last page is read.
Between her jobs as a managing editor for two publishers, and cover artist for several more, she is also a moderator of a young adult novel workshop and a full-time writer.
To learn more about her, please visit her at:
www.dawnedominique.com
dawnedominique.blogspot.com
www.purplesword.com
www.loveyoudivine.com
COVER ARTIST website:
http://dusktildawnDesigns.yolasite.com
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Eden's Hell
An Interview with Dawné Dominique
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Dawné, thank you for talking with us at TRS BLUE! Please tell us about your featured book, Dark Diary, II: The First.DD: Dark Diary is the second novel to my The First series. In the first book, Eden's Hell, readers meet Addison Eden, Eva Carr and Satrina Vacher. Dark Diary introduces Daniella Rolfe, another "first" vampire. In a small Canadian city, her path inadvertently crosses with Aiden Blackmore, a detective investigating some rather bizarre serial murders. Their meeting solidifies the premise of this entire five book series. Daniella is seven centuries old and unique to the vampire race, as she was born a vampire. Being the only one of her kind, she has lived her life apart from the others she calls 'kin'. When Daniella and Aiden meet, the circumstances aren't very good, and more than just sparks fly.
HH: This is the second book in your highly acclaimed The First series. How did the series itself come about? DD: This may sound strange, but about five to six years ago I had entered a paranormal (vampire) writing contest hosted in my writing forum. The original story was about chapter length written in the style of a 'diary' entry of sorts…a vampire explaining who and what she was. I won the contest, but the reviews I received back all asked for one thing: Could I create a longer version? Thus, Diary of Daniella Rolfe was born (this was the original title of Dark Diary). From there, two full length novels followed at record speed -- Kindred Blood and Crimson Cries, which will also be releasing shortly.
My characters needed their stories to be told. I've been an author for years and never have I had to deal with such demanding voices before. They refused to let me sleep. Within eight months, three full length novels were written. Unfortunately, at the time, things began happening with the publisher who had initially contracted Diary, and I had to shelve the project for three years. In the meantime, I began writing Eden's Hell, which was to be a stand-alone novel wherein I incorporated a completely different take on the vampire legend. Eden's Hell is a rather different take on the biblical tale of Adam, Eve and Lilith, his first wife. About halfway through writing the novel, an epiphany struck me-without a doubt Eden's Hell had to begin this series.
This series is about the first vampires who came to be and how the lineage has altered those who possess the ultimate darkest powers over life and death-and for some, they don't even know just how powerful they are.
HH: How did you go about creating this extraordinary world? DD: When I look back, I don't think I had a whole lot of say in its creation. I place the credit entirely on my characters. The setting for Eden's Hell is California circa 1988, yet it ends in present day. Dark Diary is a little closer to my heart -- Daniella lives in my small Canadian city. The other three novels take readers to New Orleans and across Europe, first to England, Scotland, and then Spain. I had to conduct a lot of research, as I strive for authenticity in my writing. Even though my books are fiction, I attempt to create worlds and situations that will give readers pause to think that it could be real. As for my characters, they wrote themselves. I was merely a conduit for their voices.
HH: What can readers look forward to in this dynamic series? DD: Twisting subplots and an unforgettable finale. For the readers who have read Forever and a Day and Return to Me, which are two previously released stand-alone paranormal novellas of mine, the main characters in them will be making appearances in the final novel. As this is going to be my last vampire series... at least for a while, I'm hoping it will not be easily forgotten. : )
Among my cast of unique vampires is a 1,600 year old vilkacis (Latvian for "werewolf") including a host of evil characters you'll love to hate. The final novel, Veils of a Nightstalker, introduces Zane Black, a Vietnam vet who is now a successful NY paranormal author writing under a woman's penname. He's quite a character with an interesting past.
HH: What else do you have in store for lucky readers DD: With the influx of the "many" vampire novels and movies, I'm putting this genre on hold after I finish Nighstalker... at least for a little while. I've been mulling over another series for a couple of years now that involve a form of "witch". The plots will be unique and the characters, not your run-of-the-mill witches and warlocks.
HH: What do you think today's readers are looking for in the romance genre? DD: I believe today's readers look for strong, unique characters they can identify with and plots that will keep them guessing. The Happily Ever Ending will always be wanted, but as some readers know, I don't always conform to what others feel they have to write because of the market. Although some of my novels don't end on a happy note, there is always "hope".
HH: What changes do you see coming in the genre and how will it affect you?
DD: For me, I find that the genre has been written and rewritten so many times with every conceivable kind of vamp and shifter that it's difficult to come up with something unique. For the last five years, unless I'm editing another author, it's very rare that I read a vampire novel-I didn't want any outside influences affecting my writing. I write to grab a reader's attention and hope that I keep until that last page is read. I've never read the Twilight series and yet, when I watched the movies, I found almost identical lines in my series that I had to change. I strive to write "unique" tales, and I would like to continue to do so, but it's getting too difficult to do; however, paranormal magic will always be a part of my novels.
HH: What do you enjoy most about being a writer?
DD: I have two of the best jobs ever! I get to utilize my imagination 24/7 and make a living at it. In addition to being a multi-published author, I'm also a professional book cover artist, which allows me the opportunity to take an author's greatest treasure and dream and bring their words in to an art form. The challenges, both in writing and cover art, is a dream come true. Better yet, I can stay in my PJs all day. <grins>
HH: Do you read print books, ebooks, or both? DD: I read all formats of books. I'm also a managing editor for two publishers, so I have an endless supply of excellent reading material. Although I still like to hold a "real" book in my hands, the trend is absolutely shifting. I've been e-book and print published for many years, and in that period, the changes in this business have been immense.
HH: Any big plans for the fall? DD: Not really. I'm the kind of "take one day at a time" kind of gal. It keeps life full of surprises. *smiles*
I sure do love hearing from my fans. Contact me at dawne(underscore)dominique(at)yahoo.ca
- or -
visit my websites:
www.dawnedominique.com
www.dusktildawndesigns.com (artist website)
www.purplesword.com
HH: Thank you!
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