Tag Archives: joanne valiukas

Day In The Life of Joanne Valiukas, author of the Danann Frost books

Posted on by

A Day In The Life of…

Joanne Valiukas, author of:

Danann Frost Falls From Grace by Joanne ValiukasBuy Danann Frost Falls From Grace: Print / Kindle

Danann Frost Embraces The Darkness by Joanne ValiukasBuy Danann Frost Embraces The Darkness: Print / Kindle

* * * * *

A big thank you to Theresa for offering me this guest blog.  I thought I might share a little of myself, being an Aussie writer from Melbourne and introduce to a day in my life.  Firstly, I am so NOT a morning person.  If I could start my day at 12 noon the way others start at 6am, I would be a very happy girl.  Unfortunately for me, the world doesn’t operate that way.  However, given that this blog is about a day in my life, let’s take today.

It’s school holidays here in Australia, well, in Victoria at least…my home state.  My kids and I (I have a boy of 11 and a girl of almost 9) have been, over the last 4 days, watching the first seven Harry Potter movies.  The reason?  Tomorrow, we are going to the cinema to see the last movie, part 2.  Not just any cinema either, we are going Gold Class.  From what I understand and feel free to tell me if I’m wrong but I’ve been told that Australia is the only country to have this type of cinematic experience.  Basically, you enter a large, standard size cinema that has only 32 seats.  Yep…32.  32 Jason electronic Jason Recliners.  Each pair of seats has a table between them and they serve hot and cold food as well as waiter service throughout the film.  We only go on very, very, VERY special occasions and the last Harry Potter movie seemed to be just the thing.  So yes, we’ve been preparing.

This is not for me however, without its difficulties.  I find these days, that no matter what I’m watching, I often find myself inserting my own characters into situations that I am watching.  This then leads to further fantasies about what the movies of my own books would be like.  I while away hours lost in my own fantasy world where Sir Peter Jackson (of Lord of the Rings fame) comes banging on my door, just begging, BEGGING, I TELL YOU, for the rights to my books.  (Heavy sigh)

Well you can see just how much I digress, my mind goes off on tangents since becoming a writer.  So anyway, because we were up until 2am last night watching movies, the kids and I slept in until noon.  (Yes…lucky me.)  Forget breakfast, we popped right onto lunch.  It’s Winter here so the heating was cranked up and we stayed in our pyjamas, luxuriating over what my kids call ‘a feast’.  I feel a bit guilty over this because they actually think it’s a treat.  A selection of crackers, cheeses and cold meats.  Very healthy for a holiday treat but they don’t know that.

From around 7.30am this morning when my poor, long-suffering but indulgent husband got up to go to work, I dosed (Yes, all the way to noon.)  What did I doze about?  Well…I actually had very little control over that because my mind is invaded by the characters of my latest book.  They burrow into my brain and twist and turn, complaining until I do something about their problems.  I play their dilemmas over in my mind offering solutions which they either accept or reject…I actually have very little say in the matter.  When they make their decisions about what they will or won’t do, I get up and snatch a few minutes writing.

I write at a small computer writing table that my husband bought me, which is situated in the family room.  I am scared the kids will hear me and what little time I have will be eaten up with early morning cuddles and requests for food.  I know, I know…I’m a terrible mother.  I normally love those things but Morgan and Lily are complaining and whinging and whining at me (my characters) that just a few more minutes would be so good, then I could try to get them to sleep for a few hours.

Not to be.  Out comes my son, all snuggly warm and cuddly.  Not long after, his little sister follows.  I smile and open my arms…there’s nothing like a hug from mum.  I know this because I lost my own mother when I was just seventeen, so in reality, I am a very ‘hands on’ mother.

I soon lose the notion that I may be able to write shortly after lunch when my son suggests that ‘we get back to our game’.  Yes… I confess…I am a Nintendo freak.  I have them all, the original console, the super, the 64, the gamecube and the Wii.  My all time favourites are the Zelda games.  At the moment, we are playing Ocarina of Time Master Quest.  We spend the next few hours with Link and Zelda, whilst I picture my hero Morgan riding Link’s horse and rescuing Lily in the same manner as Zelda.  Tragic, I know.

About 3 o’clock, there’s a knock at the door.  It’s one of my best friends and her daughter.  I am delighted to see them but find myself smiling ridculously because I am finally coming to realise that…I’m not going to be able to write today.  I make nice and we do coffee for three and half hours before she leaves to go home and cook dinner.
I look around, it’s cold outside and getting dark, there is little time to have dinner on time so I cling to the notion that we can have take-away tonight.  Not true, of course…I could cook but I am tragically exhausted and all because I couldn NOT find the time to write today.  I have given up…completely.
I ring my husband and he stops by McDonald’s on the way home.  I would prefer Chinese but stupidly defer to the kids preference…they don’t get to have it often.

After dinner, I snatch a few minutes to check my mail and discover a great new review for my latest book.  It makes my day, someone gets me…though not totally.  She gave book one 5 stars and book two 4 stars because ‘it could be edited down’.  She doesn’t say how and I am dying to know.  I want to know what my readers think and why but I have to come to terms with never knowing.  That is the hard part…I can’t ask.  I’m getting used to that, though…it’s taken eighteen months but I am getting used to only ever knowing so much about what people are thinking but I realise that I am lucky.  I treasure her comments because she has taken the time to share them and they burrow their way into my mind, helping make tiny adjustments in my thinking.

It’s tax time, so when my husband finally finishes and we’re all signed up, I take a minute to check Facebook.  There is Theresa, wondering if anyone wants to do a guest blog and so…here I am at 1.30 in the morning, all excited because I can write something.  It may not be my book but at this point, writing is writing at the end of a laughably long day.  Uh-oh…Morgan is yelling at me.  He wants to fix something for him so I’d better say goodbye and switch from the internet over to Word.  If I don’t, he’ll be at me all night and sometimes…it’s easier to give in.

Night-night.

Jo  XXXX

* * * * *

Thank you so much for letting us glimpse into your life, Jo!  It’s always so much fun to find out what an author’s daily life is like. :)

Lovelies, if you haven’ t checked out Joanne’s books yet, I highly suggest you do!  You can see my reviews here on the blog, (where both books received a 5/5 rating, btw).  I hope you all enjoyed Jo’s post and thanks for stopping by!

Related articles

Related Articles:

PhotobucketABOUT THERESA (a.k.a. Fade Into Fantasy): As a part time book store employee, editing intern, and the mastermind behind BLB Book Tours, Theresa is able to surround herself with her favorite things, BOOKS. When she isn’t working, learning, or attending her sons’ sporting events, she’s lost between the pages of a paranormal novel. Her hope is to someday earn a living editing books, but until then she’s happy to help spread the word about the fabulous books and authors she encounters along the way.

Interview and Givaway: Joanne Valiukas, author of Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness

Posted on by

Morning lovelies!  As promised, I have an interview and giveaway today with the fabulous Joanne Valiukas!  Joanne’s books, Danann Frost Falls from Grace and Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness are two of my all time favorite reads.  Today, Joanne is sharing some of her secrets with us and offering up 5 ebook copies of her newest release, Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness!  Please welcome Joanne and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom. :)

Danann Frost Falls from Grace by Joanne ValiukasDanann Frost Embraces the Darkness by Joanne Valiukas

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa: Can you tell us something interesting about your writing process?

 

Joanne: Writing a book for me, was a very learned process. I knew all about punctuation and adverbs and pronouns and all of the technical points of writing but that was not what I needed to be able to write. I needed…insanity, I guess. I needed that one little spark that sent my world spinning. My head exploded and flung me toward my computer. My fingers began tapping and my mind raced faster than the speed of light. 99 days later, I came out with a ton of books wondering what on earth I had done and how I had done it. That was all worked out a couple of months later when I came to write Danann’s Story. I was so afraid that I would not be able to replicate the insanity of writing, so I sat down and thought long and hard about how I had done it. Bit by bit, everything fell into place and these were the essential elements for me: I had to give into it totally and write all day (and some nights – well most nights, actually) everyday. I had to write to music to put me in the correct mood for a scene because I write with a depth of emotion. I had to give in to the characters and not fight them…they really were the ones driving the story and lastly…I had to let my imagination run totally wild but with absolute and utter restraint. I know all of that sounds crazy but that’s me.

 

Theresa: What part of the writing process is the easiest/hardest for you?

 

Joanne: The easiest part for me, is when I am in the throes of writing, just going with it because for me, it works. Everything flows. The hardest part is that I am not a piecemeal writer. I can’t just write a few pages every day or write for a few days and then take a day off. For me, it is all or nothing and that is totally exhausting, both physically and emotionally.

 

Theresa: Who is your favorite character (that you’ve written)?

 

Joanne: That’s a REALLY hard question. There are characters in the Ancient Blood books, the ones that I am still editing and wrote on my initial 99 day writing spree. Those books are about my protagonist Trista. She is the bride that Seth and Danann visit in Danann Frost Falls from Grace. Trista is definitely a favourite, as a several other characters for many different reasons from that storyline. Naturally I love Danann and Seth but there are others. I adore Mia and even Mrs Fergus the Oaf. It’s really an impossible question for me to answer; it’s like you’re asking me to choose between my children.

 

Theresa: Is there anything you’re working on now?

 

Joanne: Absolutely. I’m working on the story of a character who makes several appearances in the Ancient Bloods and is mentioned in Danann’s story. His name is Morgan Hathaway and in the past, he was a pirate out of Tenerife, coming up against the Barbary Corsairs. He is living in present day Auckland, New Zealand and he is suffering a heavy penance for an awful mistake. He has hurt the woman he loves in an irredeemable way and is desperately searching for a way to fix things, though he knows there isn’t one. Lot’s of fun, this book and you’re going to looooove Morgan. Lily, my heroine is totally gorgeous and flawed, as a all my characters. They have to be relatable, I believe that that is so important. The character I am presently adoring is Lily’s best friend, Lucilla. Lucilla was supposed to be a school friend but she refused to leave and has insisted on staying. I have no idea what her intentions are but no doubt she’ll tell me, when I come to write it.

 

Theresa: Where did the idea for your book come from?

 

Joanne: I was researching something for the Ancient Bloods and I randomly began clicking through Wikipedia. I came across the story of the Celtic God, Manannan Mac Lir and how the children from his first marriage had been cursed by his second wife to be swans for 900 years. Instantly, I pictured a girl with snowy white wings, standing by a lake in Ireland and a vampire prince watching her from a distance. Because of the mythology, he believed that she was the swan goddess daughter of Manannan and he wants to know her and so, he always calls her ‘goddess’, even when he finds out who she really is.

 

Theresa: Are any of the characters inspired by someone in real life?

 

Joanne: Not really. There are always tiny character traits or expressions or something that I have seen or heard or experienced that influences the writing but I have found that the characters come to life all on their own and for me, if I don’t let them do what they want to do, they refuse to co-operate and so I’ve learned to just go with it. They really do have personalities all of their own.

 

Theresa: Do you follow a writing schedule, or just write whenever you get the chance?

 

Joanne: Nope, no schedule for me. When I write, I begin writing and I don’t stop until the book is finished, which is how I managed to write this book in 21 straight days. I’m basically insane.

 

Theresa: Do you listen to music while you write, or do you prefer quiet?

 

Joanne: I do write to music. I play music that puts me into the right emotion that I need for a particular scene. I want you, the readers, to feel what I do when I write it and so I write everything with emotion. An example of this is in the first book, Danann Frost Falls from Grace, when she and Asher are driving in a convertible, down a tree-lined boulevard. It is a hot, summer night, she lets her hair down and they are on their way to a night club on the beach. The song that I wrote that scene to was The Black Eyed Peas ‘I gotta feeling’.

 

Theresa: If you could jump in to any book and live there, which book would you choose?

 

Joanne: My Ancient Blood books. As much as I love Danann’s story, to me it is just a little companion tale to my ultimate work which is an 8 book story arc, the first 7 of which has already been written.

 

Theresa: Describe your book in a tweet (140 characters or less).

 

Joanne: I can’t! I write way too much and wouldn’t be able to do it justice. LOL Either that or I’m incompetent.

 

Theresa: What was last book you bought?

 

Joanne: The last book that I bought was a Charlaine Harris story about Sookie Stackhouse called Dead Reckoning.

 

Theresa: If you could be any kind of creature (other than human), which would you pick and why?

 

Joanne: Probably vampire but it would have to be on my terms, for example, I don’t want to spend eternity at age 80 with grey hair or something equally unappealing. The why is self-explanatory, I guess. To have the choice to live in a healthy body for as long as you wanted, the way that you want could be an amazing experience. Of course you would want freedom and loved ones around you; loneliness would be a killer but I could do it under the mythology of my vampires. I can live with those rules. LOL

 

Theresa: Do you remember the first book that kept you up all night reading? What was it?

 

Joanne: In truth I don’t because I’ve been a passionate reader since I was a toddler. I have literally read thousands of books but I suspect that it was probably something by Enid Blyton.

 

Theresa: Does writing come naturally to you, or did you have to work harder in order to get that story in your head down on paper?

 

Joanne: I’ve never had to work at writing. I sit, my fingers work and one pace, my brain at another and somehow, I manage to come out with a story at the end of it. I told you, I’m crazy.

 

Theresa: How long did it take you to write your book?

 

Joanne: Danann Frost Falls from Grace took 19 days and the sequel, Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness took 21. The Ancient Bloods took 99 days but I do have one more book to write. At this stage, I don’t know when I’ll get to that.

 

Theresa: If you could no longer write, what career would you choose instead?

 

Joanne: I would continue to be a stay at home mum and raise my children. I’m on all the committees at school and very involved with their lives. When I did work, I was a banker but if I could be anything else, I always aspired to the twin passions of Law and Politics.

 

Thank you so much for the interview, Joanne!  I for one cannot wait to read your Ancient Blood series and have loved every minute of Danann’s story. :)   Please keep doing what you do so that I can keep reading your amazing tales!

Ready for the giveaway, lovelies?  I thought so! :P

Just leave a comment on this post with your email address.  That’s it.  No hoops to jump through, no follow required.  I’ll use random.org to choose a winner on Friday!

 

 

Related articles

Related Articles:

PhotobucketABOUT THERESA (a.k.a. Fade Into Fantasy): As a part time book store employee, editing intern, and the mastermind behind BLB Book Tours, Theresa is able to surround herself with her favorite things, BOOKS. When she isn’t working, learning, or attending her sons’ sporting events, she’s lost between the pages of a paranormal novel. Her hope is to someday earn a living editing books, but until then she’s happy to help spread the word about the fabulous books and authors she encounters along the way.

Book Review: Danann Frost Embraces The Darkness by Joanne Valiukas

Posted on by

Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness by Joanne ValiukasDanann Frost Embraces the Darkness (Danann Frost, #2)

by Joanne Valiukas

Paperback, 1st, 380 pages
Published June 12th 2011 by Joanne Valiukas (first published 2011)
ISBN13:  9780980804850
To be with her love, Danann Frost, Archangel of the Light has chosen to Fall from Grace a second time. Returning to their lake in Western Ireland, Danann finds herself abandoned and alone. She is soon taken to the castle where all does not seem as it should be. Held captive by Seth’s Ancient enemy, the King of the Mayo vampires; Eamon Ahern himself vows to take Danann in marriage.

Running from the dangers of her beloved’s mother and sister, does Danann have any choice but to acquiesce to Ahern’s heated demands? Managing to defy every attempt by Seth to save her, Danann learns to cling to the bonds in which she is held captive.

Journey with Danann as she is forced into marriage, vowing a honeymoon full of vengeance as she travels to New York and eventually home to Melbourne. Who will win the battle of wills for her freedom?

In a fight that involves the ultimate battle with the darkness, can Danann come out of it with her spark intact or will she lose her soul and her life for all time?

Buy Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness: Paperback / Kindle / ePub
Buy Danann Frost Falls From Grace (book 1): Paperback / Kindle / ePub

 

Review:

*Sigh*  Damn you, Joanne Valiukas!  You succeeded in getting me to fall harder for a fictional character than I ever thought possible.  LOL  When you told me not to worry, that this book would not disappoint, I wanted to believe you.

 

I will never doubt you again! :)

 

Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness was everything I needed and more for this series.  Many of the answers I was searching for were incorporated into the story, new characters were introduced while the characters I had grown to love were still present and developed even more.  (Mia is fabulous in this book!)

 

If you read my review of Danann Frost Falls From Grace, you know that there were many times I wanted to reach into the book and smack Danann.  Not because I didn’t like her, but because she was being mean to my Seth.  Her attitude in this book still called for a few slaps, but for different reasons.  lol  Joanne is a master at creating characters that I hate, but can’t help but love at the same time!  Eamon was definitely one of those characters and he was a great addition to the story.

 

The fact that this series is set in Ireland is a huge plus for me.  Ireland is so rich with history and mythology and I have always been interested in that country.  Joanne does a phenomenal job of incorporating the Ireland myth with her own mythologies and ideas, blending the truth with imagination on a level that is sure to please the reader.

 

Twists, turns, unpredictable events and fabulous characters make Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness a great read.  If you haven’t picked up this series yet, I highly recommend you do!

 

Rating:  5/5 fairies!


Related articles

Related Articles:

PhotobucketABOUT THERESA (a.k.a. Fade Into Fantasy): As a part time book store employee, editing intern, and the mastermind behind BLB Book Tours, Theresa is able to surround herself with her favorite things, BOOKS. When she isn’t working, learning, or attending her sons’ sporting events, she’s lost between the pages of a paranormal novel. Her hope is to someday earn a living editing books, but until then she’s happy to help spread the word about the fabulous books and authors she encounters along the way.

Book Birthday: Danann Frost Embraces The Darkness

Posted on by

Book Birthday: Danann Frost Embraces the DarknessHappy Book Birthday!  Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness launches today!

Morning, lovelies!  Such an exciting day today!  Joanne Valiukas’s book released today and I have pics for you from the signing!  One of my Sassy Street Sirens was a doll and sent me pics from the launch, thank you Kat!

Danann Frost Embraces the DarknessDanann Frost Embraces the DarknessDanann Frost Embraces the Darkness

Thank you so much for getting me pics, Kat!  JO – I’m so glad you had a good time and totally bummed that I missed it… someday, sunshine!  Someday…

Lovelies, if you haven’t read Joanne’s first book Danann Frost Falls from Grace you are so missing out!  Now that Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness is out, I suggest you just buy them both at the same time so you don’t have to wait to start the second one. :D

Danann Frost Falls from Grace by Joanne Valiukas

Buy Danann Frost Falls From Grace

Amazon / Book Depository

 

 

 

Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness

 

Buy Danann Frost Embrace the Darkness

Amazon

Related articles

Related Articles:

PhotobucketABOUT THERESA (a.k.a. Fade Into Fantasy): As a part time book store employee, editing intern, and the mastermind behind BLB Book Tours, Theresa is able to surround herself with her favorite things, BOOKS. When she isn’t working, learning, or attending her sons’ sporting events, she’s lost between the pages of a paranormal novel. Her hope is to someday earn a living editing books, but until then she’s happy to help spread the word about the fabulous books and authors she encounters along the way.

Character Interview with Seth & Danann from "Danann Frost Falls From Grace" by Joanne Valiukas

Posted on by
(originally posted in 2010)
Danann Frost Falls From Grace by Joanne ValiukasMorning, lovelies!  I’m so very excited today!  As you probably already know, Danann Frost Falls From Grace by Joanne Valiukas is my new all time favorite book.  Joanne has managed to get the two leading characters, Seth and Danann,  together for an interview here on my blog today!  YAY!

This interview is just a bit different from others you may have seen, though.  I let the fans on Joanne’s facebook fan page write most of the questions!  Who better to ask than the die hards, right? hehehe…

So, without further ado, I give you Seth and Danann.

Theresa: Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy lives to chat with us today!  Oh… and Danann, please pay no mind if I stare at Seth.  It really is something I just can’t control.    *blush*

(Danann just smiles and nods with a look of understanding on her face.)

Theresa: Alrighty, then.  *clears throat*  This first question is from Michelle to Seth

“How did you manage to hold yourself together for all those 200 years you and Danann were separated? How did you not turn evil? What is it that kept you going?”


Seth: It is in our very natures to be dark. Loneliness is the greatest debilitator but our instincts keep us going by making us cold. On the inside, I was so cold and dark that I was able to shut emotion away for the most part. It is not like pain and sadness but more like…the absence of happiness. I had obligations to my people once I became King and it was that sense of honour alone that kept me going. Without Danann, I would otherwise have sought the oblivion of true-death. As for evil…we are all evil in our own ways and I am a predator but a predator that had learned of love and felt the touch of tender gentleness. It was something that changed me for all time.

Theresa: Totally get that.  That also explains why your people saw you as such a tough guy. *wink*

Michelle also had a question for you, Danann.

“You have seen and experienced so much of the changing world over the last 200 years, what fascinates you most? And what is your favourite lazy day activity with Seth?”


Danann: It is true, I have seen much over the last 200 years and the advancement of technologies. The thing that has fascinated me the most would have to be an interesting cinema concept that they have in Australia. As you know, when I was living in Melbourne, I often went to the movies with my friends, particularly with Vaira. They have what they call ‘Gold Class Cinema’ which is a full-sized cinema with around 24 Jason Recliners in it. There is a table in between each pair of recliners and they offer waiter service. These are the only seats in the movie and there is truly nothing like watching a movie with your chair reclined, sipping wine (and they even serve churros with chocolate!) and it is very decadent. You should all try it. The last time we were in Melbourne, I made Seth come with me and he was surprised at how brilliant it was. I heard him later telling Booth (you’ll see who he is in the sequel Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness) that he wanted to install such a cinema in the castle and that he was to ‘see it done’. You know how imperious Seth can be but I had to laugh.

Theresa: Sounds divine!  If I ever get to Melbourne, I’ll have to check it out!
.
.
.
.
.
.
(Danann waves her hand in front of Theresa to bring her back from her daydream.)

Theresa: (red faced and stuttering)  F-forgive me, Danann.  I told you that I just couldn’t help myself.  (Danann giggles.)

So, moving on…  the next question is for Seth and is from Stephanie.

“If there was one thing that you could change in your immortal life, What would it be?…Apart from being mortal, that is!”


Seth: If there was one thing that I could change in my immortal life, it would not be to become mortal, because I never was mortal. I was born vampire. To me, that is like asking if you could change one thing about yourself, would it feel natural to become a cat. No…I’ve thought long and hard about this question because there are two things that I fundamentally believe: one is that you can’t change the past and two, is that you have to move forward with the times. This means that anything I wanted to change, I did so by making a choice. There is however, one change that could I go back and change it, I would do so and that would be to forever and always protect Danann. I failed her so many times and in so many ways…she didn’t deserve any of it.

Theresa: *swoon*  Tall, dark, handsome, and completely loyal.  *Sigh*….. they just don’t make them like you anymore, Seth.

Ok!  Danann, Elita wants to know:

“What was your favorite Angel thing to do before you met Seth and fell from Grace?”


Danann: My favourite thing to do on this plane of existance when I was still an Angel is actually answered in the book. Although I cannot recall if it is in the first or second but I’ll tell you anyway because it won’t spoil anything. I used to love communing with nature and mans’ achievements. I would sit on the top of a mountain or the edge of a glacier and just absorb all the natural splendour. One of my favourite places was to sit atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris and look out over the city of lights. You should try it, it’s a great feeling.

Theresa: That would be amazing!  So peaceful and serene…

Danann, this one is also for you.  Sarah was wondering:

“Seeing Seth for the first time at Bulla, and realising you were in bed together must have freaked you out a little…what were the deeper thoughts for you at the time?”


Danann: Of course seeing Seth after 200 years freaked me out, not only that but I woke to find myself in bed and…intimate with him. I know that you’ll say that I should have been expecting it but truly…I wasn’t; certainly not after so very long. My only thought was of escape, I couldn’t handle the fear and the welling of emotion. Everything was so overwhelming I just wanted it to stop and there was only one way that I knew for that to happen. Truthfully though, I don’t think that I really thought about what I was doing, I think it was survival instinct or something.

(Theresa thinks to herself… “No way in hell would I run if I woke up to Seth in my bed!” yowsa!)

Theresa: um, yeah… I bet that was hard to deal with, Danann.  *rolls eyes*

Next up, Katrina has a question for both of you:

“Seth and danann, your favourite book you read together ? movie and best night out?”


Seth: Our favourite book to read together is Where the wild things are by Maurice Sendak. Danann will tell you otherwise, she will probably say….anything by Anne Bishop, the Black Jewels books but the truth is…Where the wild things are.
Danann: Don’t tell them that, I’ll look like a simpleton.
Seth: My Goddess, they would not dare think such a thing, you are the most beautiful, intelligent, witty creature that ever existed.

(Danann gives him a dirty look and turns back to Theresa) We love to watch movies and we both like actions and comedies. I also like disaster movies like 2012 or The Day After Tomorrow.

Seth: I like vampire movies. They are so ludicrously funny. I took Danann to see a play based on Dracula; I laughed so hard that Danann made us leave. She said it wasn’t supposed to be funny, it was supposed be tragic and that I was upsetting the other patrons.
Danann: Well you were. It was a nice night out though. Afterwards we went for a stroll down by the beach. I wanted to wait for the warm pink of the sun to begin lighting the sky but Seth said it was too dangerous, so he dragged me home.

Theresa: LOL… you two are adorable when you argue.  Seth, Katrina has a question for just you:

“How did you feel the first moment you saw Danann after 200 years at the nightclub? what would be the other first question you would ask, besides why did you leave me? how did you contain yourself?”


Seth: It was very difficult containing the burning anger and resentment within me. For someone who had been cold for 200 years, my emotions were suddenly raging hot. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Danann though she was with someone else. My instincts actually demanded that I murder my rival, take Danann and go; worrying about any fall-out later but some tiny sense of sanity calmed me enough to know that that was not the way. I didn’t exactly care why she left and never came back by then, she was to be mine and that was really the only thought in my head. Mia drove me nuts with all her inane chatter and when she started with the ‘Banriona’ business…(he chuckles) let’s just say that Mia’s bubbleheadedness forced me to be the sensible one.

Theresa: Ohh… I adore Mia!  What’s not to love?  You must give her a hug for me when you see her next!

Seth, another question for you.  This time from Amanda.

“How blind could you have been. I mean seriously, your mother and sister? Bitches! How could you not have seen?”

Seth: I feel very stupid and regretful over this one. All I can say in my defense is that it never occurred to me that they would do this to me. I now understand that they thought they were harming Danann but really, they were harming me and it never occurred to me that they would try to destroy me like that. I always knew that they were selfish but I did not know that they had so much poison in them. I can never apologise to Danann enough (he winks) but I shall enjoy making it up to her, if I get the chance. (Seth has a very hopeful look on his face.)

Theresa: Ack!  Sexiness oozing from every pore… *sigh*

Seth & Danann, Stephanie has an interesting question for the both of you:

“I would love it if you two got together and had a baby is that a possibility?”


Seth: Well, I am very hopeful that this is a permenant relationship, I have every intention of making it so. The only problem is, my fate is in the hands of Danann and the Goddess author, Joanne Valiukas. I have made it very clear to her what my desires are but I also know that she, just like Danann are very single minded and determined when they get an idea in their heads. I’ll just have to keep sweet-talking them. (He grins).
As for having children, I cannot…I am an undead vampire and to tell you that I am dead, dead, dead but can somehow produce live sperm…I don’t think so. That would be ridiculous.

Theresa: I have no doubt that your sweet talking methods are very effective, Seth.  *giggle*   The rest of the questions are from me.  :)

Danann, You spent 200 years thinking that Seth no longer wanted you. Did the thought ever cross your mind that maybe you had misunderstood what he meant when he told you to leave that day??? Your love was so strong, I think I would’ve at least came back and asked him what the hell he meant.


Danann: What you say is true but you have to understand my mindset at the time. Uriel had just torn me to pieces and tried to steal my soul. I Fell From Grace and crashed to earth believing that Seth would make it all better but he told me to go and never come back. Rebirthing makes you crazy for weeks afterward anyway and if that time had passed I probably would have gone back but I had been brutalised and beaten to near death. If I had been human I probably would have died. By the time I could move with a modicum of pain, months and months had passed and I had convinced myself of the truth that Seth did not want me. It is in the nature of the human to make these kinds of judgements and for the first time, I had become to some degree, human.

Theresa: I can see where you’re coming from, to a degree.  I guess I’m just such a softy that I would have reacted differently.

(Theresa turns her attention to Seth, her eyes sparkling with awe for the man sitting just feet away)

Seth, When you discovered that Danann’s lock of hair was missing from your room, didn’t you have some kind of inkling that there was foul play happening there? After all, not everyone had access to your room.


Seth: It seems crazy now but at the time, I assumed that if a maid had not cleared it away and was afraid to confess the truth of it, that perhaps Danann herself, had removed it. It was a desolate time for me.


Theresa: Understandable.  Love makes us think and do come crazy things. *smiles*
(Theresa turns to Danann with a look of disgust on her face)

Danann… Oh, Danann.  Girl, you are one stubborn vixen sometimes! I’d still like to slap you for a few things you did, but since you eventually took Seth back, I’ll forgive you. Ever think maybe you were just a tad too hard on the guy that calls you “My Goddess”?? *swoon*


Danann: It wasn’t my fault! The great creator, Joanne Valiukas creates women with minds of their own. Women who don’t take crap from men and stand up for themselves. She made me real and flawed and brave (her words) and gentle and brazen and gutsy and stubborn and opinionated and all the things that she believes a woman should be with a very important character trait…always take responsibility for the things that you say and do and that is exactly the kind of woman I have tried to be. Besides…Seth doesn’t really mind. It is in his nature to chase me afterall (she gives Seth a cheeky, sidelong glance and smile), he is a predator. (Seth nods vigorously.)

Theresa: One more question for each of you, and then I’ll let you get back to your bliss.

Danann, You choose to give up one of the highest positions in heaven for your love. Any regrets?


Danann: It is hard to regret what you never knew or ever felt after you have experienced love; the kind of love that Seth and I were sharing. Looking back, do I have any regrets? Only time will tell. Guess we’ll all find out in the sequel.

Theresa: Geez, Joanne must have vowed you both to  secrecy about that sequel.  Must have a talk with her. *laughs*

Last by not least… Seth: Is there anyone anywhere JUST LIKE YOU?? If so, what will it take for you to introduce me?? *batting eyelashes* hehehe…


Seth: (Seth laughs) Thanks for the compliment Theresa but that is a question better asked of the Great Goddess Joanne Valiukas. She told me that she made me one of a kind, although she has told Danann that she has a few other ‘Bad boys with hearts of gold’ coming along to share with you. Maybe one of them might catch your fancy. For me…I’m hoping that I’m already taken… permanently but if I come across Soren, Morgan or Dash and I get the chance, of course I’ll introduce you.

Theresa: (Theresa does a little dance in her seat)  That would be amazing, Seth!  If I can’t have you, I’m going to have to settle for another.  Only problem is that they might have some trouble living up to my expectations now.  *blushes*

Thank you both so much for chatting with me today!  Danann, please excuse my jealous mouth… I just don’t know when to shut up sometimes. LOL  Seth, I’ll be waiting for that introduction. *grin*

Danann: Thank you Theresa for this lovely opportunity to chat, both Seth and I are very keen to see for ourselves what is next and what Joanne has in store for us. I have my own ideas (and hopes) but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Seth: I’ve tried bribing. I have my own publishing house but Joanne says that the right publisher will come along at the right time, I can only hope that she is right because I have big plans and those plans include Danann.
(Danann laughs) Ah, but do my plans include you? (She collapses in a fit of laughter as Seth lifts her onto his knees and holds her tightly.)




*If you haven’t checked out Joanne’s book yet, you must!  I’m telling you, you will not regret it.  The first 100 pages or so can be read on her website:  http://www.joannevaliukas.com and the book can also be purchased from there.  Pssst… the ebook is only $2.99!!!

Related Articles:

PhotobucketABOUT THERESA (a.k.a. Fade Into Fantasy): As a part time book store employee, editing intern, and the mastermind behind BLB Book Tours, Theresa is able to surround herself with her favorite things, BOOKS. When she isn’t working, learning, or attending her sons’ sporting events, she’s lost between the pages of a paranormal novel. Her hope is to someday earn a living editing books, but until then she’s happy to help spread the word about the fabulous books and authors she encounters along the way.