Good morning! Please welcome guest blogger Gina Danna. Though I will be away for most of the day, please feel free to leave comments for Gina and I will post them as soon as I return. Thank you!
~Kate
What is one of your favorite things about writing?
When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters? Probably the time period first, then the characters. One intrigues me and the plot coils around that person.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Plotter – I do better if I do a synopsis first.
When you’re writing, who is more in control, you or your characters?
I’d say its about 70/30 at first, me over them to 30/70 by the end.
Can you write sex scenes at any time or do you have to be “in the mood?”
Mmmm being in the mood definitely helps…and often leads to major cutting back later. LOL
What do you like best about writing?
Letting my creativity soar with no one giving me an evil look of “you should be…”.
What is the most difficult thing about writing?
Time!
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
That comes from all sorts of areas – something I see in life or on a show that intrigues me and twists. Sometimes its something I read. Or just life in general.
Do you find it harder to write novels or short stories?
Short stories! I can’t seem to do it. The majority of my work is over 100,000 words. Lowest I think is 79,000 (?).
Would you tell us about your latest release?
Her Eternal Rogue is a Regency romance with a paranormal twist. It’s a tale about a nobleman’s son who can’t stand his guardian, runs away to the navy and while at sea, kidnapped by pirates. He ends up as a pirate who is unwillingly turned into a vampire. But pirates, when caught by the Crown, are hanged til death – not good if you’re already one of the walking dead. So to escape being exposed, the infamous pirate Captain Sword is given the chance to be freed of charges if he rescues a nobleman’s lady from a French pirate & return her to England to her betrothed. He jumps at the chance and rescues the fair Lavinia. But on taking her home, he falls for the only woman who can make him feel alive again, a woman he can never have. So he erases her memory of him and lets her go but can he really leave her?
And then, all the heavens break loose….
What are you working on now?
I just finished the prequel to my Ancient Rome gladiator story, Love & Vengeance, set to be released April, 2014.
Do you have an excerpt from your latest release you would like to share?
Excerpt:
Alexander pulled her into his embrace, keeping the respectable distance though his eyes caressed her intimately. She flushed with excitement. He seemed to know the dance and picked up the beat, swirling her about the room. Handsome, with a cocky smile on his face and merriment in his eyes, he whirled her through the steps with expertise. She fought enjoying herself but the whiff of his scent, the aroma of spice and the ocean, enticed her to remember the summer not long ago and being–
She opened her eyes and glared at him. “That was inconceivably rude.”
“No,” he countered. “I broke in, he released you to me. All perfect English manners.”
“You shouldn’t be dancing with me,” she said harshly. “Especially a waltz.”
“This dance is perfect for lovers,” he replied with a seductive tone. “Or have you taken Monroe as your lover? Frankly, if so, the way he relinquished you to another does not prove any quality. You could do better.” He swung her around the next turn, closer to the edge of the floor.
“How dare you! I have done no such thing and for you to accuse me of–”
They were at the edge of the dance floor, near the opened windows that led to the terrace. Alexander stopped and pulled her closer, behind a statue near the doors. “Darlin’,” he said, his voice holding more of the West Indies sway. “Surely ye know the laws concerning matrimony.” He looked her straight in the eye, a half grin on his lips that didn’t reach his eyes. “Knowin’ it’s illegal to marry yer deceased husband’s brother, my dear.”
She furrowed her brows. “What are you referring to, sir?” She turned, trying to find Nicholas, and opened her mouth to call for him, ignoring the commotion that would create.
He stopped them on the dance floor and took her out of the ballroom with lightning vampiric speed. “I am the deceased husband, Lavinia, and you married my brother.”
She shook her head vehemently. “I did not marry you–”
“Darlin’, but I’m afraid we were married on board The Lily,” he told her quietly, his voice factual. “As captain of a ship, I am the law–”
“I don’t remember any marriage ceremony, no vows exchanged.” She searched her memory frantically, looking for some truth in his declaration. The scene came crashing into her mind: standing on deck with those three vile pirates, and him protecting her, claiming her…
“No!”
He said nothing.
“You’re lying.” A chill raced down her spine. “How can that be marriage? A vampire? A pirate? A dead man?”
“Sweetheart, keep your voice down,” he said, his voice calm as he encircled her waist. “Tell me how we are not.” He bent, sealing his lips over hers.
Would you give us a sneak peek at one of your upcoming releases?
Love to –
From Love & Vengeance –
In the hallway outside the chamber, Marcus stood, flexing his muscles, his arm extended with the metal disk in his hand. It equaled the weight of his sword – a weapon he would not have until it was his turn in the arena. Besides, there was no room in the corridor to swing it, to loosen his arms in preparations for the next fight.
Christians and convicts. What a surly lot. But it was an easy way to feed the vast array of beasts the Empire kept to compete in the games. Did he ever feel sad for the poor souls about to perish by their claws? No. Nor did he mourn the loss of life at the end of his sword.
He was one of the rare attractions people paid to see. He was gladiator. And he soon would be victor of all he opposed on the sands. Marcus’ victories gave him the privileges and money he wanted – as long as it remained wine and women. But not his freedom. Not what he had lost to the Romans. No, the only way to gain that came by victory in the arena and in front of the Emperor. And to earn that opportunity, he’d kill whomever they placed before him.
He closed his eyes as the screams filtered downward. His soul heard them and his body tingled with the smell of blood and dirt. Breathing in the welcoming atmosphere, he exhaled and opened his lids to look straight into the captives’ chamber.
He found her. Sitting, hunched on the small ledge, draped in chain and metal bands, her head down. But when she looked up, through all the muck and grime, her pale blue eyes shined, sparkling and bright. Her unmarred face was a rarity amongst captives dragged to this place, usually after rough treatment prior. He noticed her high cheekbones, a small nose, narrow chin but ripe mouth. Her eyes locked on him and his mouth went dry. When her tongue licked her lips, his body tightened.
He had to have her. Period. Regardless if she was a convict, runaway or Christian, he wanted her.
A guard butted past him, into the room and yanked the chain, pulling all the captives up. Many moaned, some pleaded. She didn’t. She stood straight, pushing her shoulders back, waiting at the end of the line. Her eyes locked on his until the guard turned chain in hand to lead them out.
Marcus stepped back. Instantly, his hand went to his stomach guard and pulled the narrowed pick-knife out of its hidden sheath. As the captives stumbled past him, he extended his foot, causing her to trip. She fell into his grasp. His free hand placed the knife into the lock and with a twist, it opened. His hand covered it to deaden the noise as his other arm encircled her tiny waist and pulled her against him.
“Not a sound,” he whispered. He shoved her to the wall, his massive body hiding hers as he flexed his limbs. The guard stopped at the sound of the loose chain but didn’t look far when he saw the gladiator’s well-muscled body. Marcus glanced at him over his shoulder and gave the man a nod. His status as a victorious gladiator allowed some privilege. The guard shrugged and moved on. The frightened woman gasped for air and shook with fear.
Quickly he lifted her. She was light, lighter than his sword but he knew that couldn’t be. In a swift move, he turned. Next to the doorway sat a covered alcove. He dropped her in it.
“You’ll be safe here.” He looked her over. Her wide eyes, full of fear and mistrust, returned his gaze but she said nothing. He heard the gong of his master calling him – he fought next, after the final execution. “Remain here. I will be back for you.” He touched her cheek, his bulky hand swallowed half her face. Her skin was soft, like silk. Back in the days when he wore silk… He banked the anger. With a final nod to her, he left. He knew she’d be there when he returned.
To leave meant death.
Do you prefer writing your heroes, your heroines or do you like writing both equally?
Definitely I like writing my heroes better. Its strange and yet it isn’t that I would. I design them to have a quality, or two or three things, I find appealing.
If you could step into one of your books, which one would it be?
Probably my gladiator story – I love Ancient Rome.
Would you tell us about yourself?
I’m a Midwestern, born & raised in St. Louis. I have two degrees in history and worked in museums for years. My love of history is pretty intense! (
What are your favorite genres to read and write?
Historical mostly, sometimes contemporary paranormal or military. Depends.
Where can we visit you online?
Yes at http://ginadanna.com
When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?
I’m either at the gym or playing/riding my horse.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing for years, mostly academic, romance for about 4 years.
Do you have any particular writing habits? (Listening to music, best time of day to write, etc.)
I need quiet – which is hard to come bay!
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
Italy!!
What is your favorite season?
Summer!!
What is the last movie you watched?
White House Down – gotta love Channing Tatum!
Do you have any pets?
Oh boy yes! I’ve 2 labs, 1 golden retriever, 3 cats and my Arabian gelding. Love them all!!!
Thank you, Gina!
Her Eternal Rogue
by Gina Danna
Amazon: http://amzn.to/19NmEQ7
Barnes & Nobel: http://bit.ly/17NluHb
iBook: http://bit.ly/14HnLyL
Blurb on it:
Alexander Barrington flees his tyrannical uncle for the open seas where he becomes a ruthless pirate who turns vampire.
Captured and sentenced to hang, a fate he must avoid to keep his vampire self hidden, a reprieve comes if he rescues Lady Lavinia Sinclair from the French pirates and returns her to her fiance in England.
Alexander falls for the woman who makes him feel human and alive, but can he really have her without exposing what he is – a thief, the undead? The damned? Refusing to taint her innocence any further, he erases her memory of him and vanishes into the night but can he really exist without her?
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