Books and Other Spells: Dark Summoner by D. D. Miers Interview & Giveaway

BLURB:

"It wasn't the first time I'd had a vision, but it was the first time one had tried to kill me."

Abby Davenport has spent the last fifteen years forgetting her past until a fateful night reveals her false reality. Thrust into a new world of dark sorcery and ancient magic, she's shocked to discover her destiny lies as the keeper of a powerful relic. Now everyone wants to control, own, or destroy her. No longer able to discern truth from lie, she’s torn between a charming guardian and a mysterious summoner. Abby finds herself strangely drawn to each man—one sworn to protect and one who calls to her soul. Can she survive the strange and dangerous labyrinth of the first realm, where every move, emotion, and reaction must be a calculated one?

INTERVIEW: 1) Where did you get the idea for the novel?

During the week before I’d fully realized the idea, we’d been having a really bad weather storm causing lots of rain and thunder. I’d spend time on my balcony watching mist as it covered over the green golf course behind my house. I started imagining all kinds of nefarious creatures and this intoxicating man who would come out from the mist and scare them away. He was dark, frightening and wickedly sexy. Eventually, Dark Summoner was born.

2) Is there a message in your novel that you want your readers to grasp?

I think there are definitely multiple messages within this story about things like: truth, perceptions and vulnerability. But I didn’t have a direct message to the readers. My main goal was to offer readers an escape into a magical world that had entranced me, and one that I wanted to share.

3) Why did you pick this genre? What do you like about it?

I LIVE for Paranormal and Fantasy Romance. I love everything about the genre. Not just in reading but in movies and shows as well. The best part about it is that there’s so much freedom. You can run wild. Anything is possible. You can leave the everyday and enter a world that’s limitless. It can be sexy and dark and at the same time bright and humorous.

4) Since becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?

Just seeing my book online and having readers actually rate it well or leave a good review. Knowing that something I’ve created has made the impact I’d hoped to make. Those were probably the most exciting things for me.

5) What book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?

The last book I read was “The Glass Wall” which I absolutely loved. I’m terrible about updating my goodreads shelf when I’ve completed/read books, but I’m always reading whenever I get the chance.

7) At a book signing, do you just sign your name or do you write a note? How do you come up with stuff to say?

I haven’t gone to a book signing yet, but I am attending one in September and I’m super excited! I have sent out several signed copies of my book and I usually like to leave a little note. If I have the time, I always like to thanks readers for taking a chance on my book and for having such a passion for this genre. I always end my notes with: Happy Reading!

8) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

Hmmm. This is a tough one! I tend to be a pretty open book. Perhaps the extent of my nerdiness would be surprising. When the last Harry Potter film came out in theaters, I threw a harry potter themed viewing party for the first 7 films. I had all kinds of decorations and snacks like butterbeer and chocolate frogs. I even had life-size cutouts to take a picture with. I also did a similar party for The Hunger Games as well.

9) How do you react to a bad review?

I think it’s always disappointing to get a bad review. No matter how much you fight it, it can be hard not to take it personally. Especially since writing is such a person thing. I will say that you just have to accept the fact that #1, it’s criticism and something you have to become comfortable with receiving and #2, you can’t please everyone. Yelp is a great example of bad reviews in a different forum. Not everyone is going to like the same stories, same restaurants, same movies or music. I think the biggest disappointment for me, is knowing that I’ve let down a reader. As an author, you want to offer people an enjoyable escape. When you can’t do that, it’s very upsetting.

10) How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?

I still haven’t! I really need to do it, but it still seems so surreal. I also have zero time to do a whole lot between caring for my toddler, working from and writing, my free time is very limited. I’ve promised myself that before the year is over, I’m going out to an adult dinner with my husband!

EXCERPT:

His index finger tapped methodically against his glass as watched me. “Everything in good time.” 

“Sounds like I’m more of a prisoner than a guest.”

 “I don’t take prisoners, Ms. Davenport. They’re a waste of my time.”

 I tried to think of anything I could to hang over his head. “I doubt the Council would appreciate the way you’re treating me.”

His face was suddenly very dark. “The Council is only concerned with their continued reign over the realm. They only need you alive and doing as they say. Your comfort, your happiness, is irrelevant to them.”

Doubt crept through my mind. Was that true? God, I hoped not.

“You know what? I’m done talking to you. I want to go. Now.” I stood up from my chair. “So send me to the dungeon or wherever the hell you plan on keeping me. But send me now.” At this point, I’d take anywhere except being near him. I had too many conflicting emotions, especially when he was around.

Laughter rumbled through his chest. “You are in no position to be making demands.”

“And you are an asshole.”

He looked mildly entertained by my outburst, the corners of his mouth lifted into a wicked smile, but something in his eyes held a new respect. His gaze shifted from my eyes to my lips, leisurely traveling up and down my body.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

With her debut novel Dark Summoner, D.D. Miers begins the Relic Keeper Series, a fast-paced romantic saga filled with danger, destiny, and magic, set in her favorite genre, Paranormal and Fantasy Romance.

Born with a wildly overactive imagination, she’s told stories of enchanted worlds, treacherous villains, and epic love for as long as she can remember. She keeps a watchful eye for the paranormal hiding around every corner and constantly checks the window or rearview mirror for a vampire or fairy.

Although she has a fondness for all things fantasy, she's an epic romance fan at heart and in everything she asks, “What would Jane Austen do?” The journey to becoming a published author has been a long but exciting one. A fervent desire for taking readers from the ordinary to the extraordinary keeps her motivated, and she believes that everything is better with a good helping of romance thrown in.

D.D. is a proud member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Sub-Genre of RWA (FF&P). She continues to attend conferences and writers’ workshops in order to help inspire, share, and promote her love for romance.

During her downtime, she loves to spend time with her family, share her obsession of all things romance with other fans, and catch up on her never-ending TBR list. She resides in beautiful Southern California with her wonderful husband, an adorable toddler, two kitties, and the many different characters living in her head.

Website Links:

Website: http://ddmiers.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/D.D.Miers

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorDDMiers

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12069376.D_D_Miers

Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/1/+DDMiersAuthor/posts

Buy Links:

Amazon US - http://amzn.to/1dQPHto

Amazon CA - http://amzn.to/1dQPMgJ

Amazon AU - http://bit.ly/1dQPBlD

Amazon UK - http://amzn.to/1dQPNkI

GIVEAWAY: