Friday, February 12, 2010

Interview and Giveaway with author D.B. Reynolds

We are lucky enough to have an interview with author D.B. Reynolds. She is the author of a great vampire series called Vampires In America. Her books are very addicting and it is a true pleasure to have her here at Paranormal Haven. Not only was she nice enough to answer our questions but she has also offered a signed copy of either Raphael or Jabril to a lucky winner. More information about the giveaway is after her interview. Now onto the interview.....
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Can you please describe your Vampires In America series for those who haven't read or heard of it?

Vampires in America, the thumbnail version ... Vampires live among us and have for hundreds of years. They are businessmen and property owners, they run the local video store, they do your taxes and file your divorce papers, they're geeks and gearheads. In other words, most of them are just like the rest of us ... well, except for the drinking blood and living forever part. But a very few of them are something else, something more. These are the Vampire Lords and they rule the world of Vampire. There are eight Lords in all of North America, eight powerful vampires who quite literally hold the lives of every other vampire in their hands. No vampire exists, but he is bound to one of these eight. Vampires in America is the story of these eight powerful lords ... and the humans they take as their lovers and mates.

Do you plan on writing books for all of the Vampire Lords?

Yes, absolutely. The series Vampires in America is designed for eight volumes, one for each territory within North America. And then, I could go on to Europe, thus making my European vacations tax deductible!!

Who is the hardest character for you to write?

The hardest characters for me to write are the women. Surprisingly, I can write the guys' POVs pretty easily, whether vamp or human. But the women are more difficult. Maybe because it's an effort not to turn every character into the person I know best ... me.

Do you have a favorite character? (Duncan is one of my favorite characters)

Ah, I love Duncan, too. He's very interesting. Those still waters run quite deep, and he'll get his own book before too long. But my favorite character is always the one I'm writing. I have a soft spot for Cyn and Raphael, of course, because they were my first. But I love them all.

There are many paranormal creatures you could write about, why vampires?

My Vampires came about because of an idea I had for the opening scene of RAPHAEL, the one where Alexandra is kidnapped and as they're taking her, she says, "He'll kill you." I loved the idea that she was absolutely certain of the outcome, absolutely certain that her kidnappers would die. I wanted to create that character, someone who was so powerful that Alexandra had no doubt she would be rescued and avenged.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I've been a reader all my life, which I think is a big part of being a writer. I didn't actually get the idea to write, however, until high school. And it wasn't until about ten years ago that I had the opportunity to try and write in any meaningful way.

If you could collaborate with any author, who would you pick?

Oh! There are so many wonderful authors out there, so many that I admire! I love Adrian Phoenix, Kelley Armstrong, Charlaine Harris! Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series is just wonderful (and such gorgeous covers too!) I'd very happily write with any one of those authors and consider myself lucky beyond belief.

What is in your to be read pile?

I have two TBR piles. One is newly released books which I devour the minute they're out. Those are all gone for now, but I just received word from Amazon that Eileen Wilks' latest World of the Lupi book and Nalini Singh's Archangel's Kiss are on their way to me! Those are two more wonderful writers with whom I'd be thrilled to work and whose books I can't wait to read as soon as they come out. But once my "devour immediately" pile is tapped out, I have a backlog of writers I've just discovered. For example, right now I'm reading my way through the extensive backlists of Linda Howard and Karen Robards.

Do you have a favorite paranormal series?

Not one, but many. Adrian Phoenix's Maker's Song series is superb--her Dante is one of the most complex characters in Urban Fantasy today, vulnerable and powerful at the same time. I read everything in Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series and Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampires. I'll read anything Nalini Singh writes. Her writing is so beautiful. And I can't wait for Kresley Cole's latest Immortals After Dark.

Do you have any favorite vampires? From movies, TV or books

In books, my favorite vampire (apart from my own, of course) is Dante Baptiste from Adrian Phoenix. And then there's Eric Northman from Charlaine Harris. I loved him in the books and was very happy with the casting of Alexander Skarsgard to play him in the HBO True Blood series. Old school, I really liked Spike and Angel (with a slight preference for Spike) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Henry from the short lived series Blood Ties, based on Tanya Huff's Vicky Nelson books.

Favorite vampire movie?

I don't really have a favorite vampire movie, although I did like the first Blade and going way back, Frank Langella's Dracula was sexy as hell. But I can't see myself watching even those movies more than once, which is what I usually do with my favorite movies.
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We would like to first thank D.B. for allowing us to interview her. This series really is an addicting read and we can't wait for Rajmund's book. Hurry for Duncan getting his own book! Ok, now onto the giveaway. D.B. is providing a signed copy of either Raphael or Jabril to one lucky winner. *Sigh* too bad we don't get to enter. If you would like to be entered into the giveaway here is what you need to do:
  1. Be a follower
  2. Ask D.B. a question or leave a comment for her. It can be about her series, her interview or just say hello.
  3. Before there was Edward and Jacob there was Angel and Spike. Tell us who you prefer, Angel or Spike? For those who didn't watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel just put never watched.
** An extra entry will be given for each place you post this interview and giveaway. Please leave the link(s) where we can check **

We do not require that you put your email address in your comment but it is easier and faster to contact you if you are picked as the winner if you do. Winner will be announced February 22nd and the winner will have 3 days to send us there shipping information so we can forward it to D.B. or another winner will be chosen.


39 Comments:

vslavetopassionv said...

Hi! I'm a follower.

DB, I havent read any of your books but I love all things paranormal so I am putting you on my wishlist. :)

I never watched Buffy but I can tell you that I loooove the bad boy. :)

~smooches~
Jase
vslavetopassionv@aol.com

Julie said...

I'm a follower. DB, where do you get your inspiration? I haven't read this series yet but it's going on my wishlist. I love Angel. I'm just catching up on the Buffy series (on season 4) so I'm not sure how I feel about Spike yet.

Sandy Jay said...

Hi, DB! I haven't read any of your books yet but I love vampires so this is definitely a series that I'm adding to my TBR list. I'm looking forward to getting started on it.

My love of vampires started with Spike. :)

I'm a follower.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

D. B. Reynolds said...

Jase! Y'all are making me feel OLD! Never watched Buffy? That means no Angel, no SPIKE? You don't know what you're missing.

I love the bad boy, too, BTW. My guys are all bad boys, the baddest of the bad. One of the reasons I wrote my vampires is that I wanted bloody, nasty, agressive and sexy as hell vampires back! Too many vamps were becoming something else.

Which answers part of your question, Julie. My vampires were counter-inspired, you might say, by the too tender, too sensitive vamps who were filling the pages of too many books! Angel's a hunk (I watch Bones, too!) But wait until Spike evolves later in the Buffy series. Hot,hot,hot.

And Sandy, if your love of vamps started with Spike, you'll love my guys, too. BTW, I met James Marsters once. In my other (real) life, I'm in the business and he's one of many actors I've had a chance to meet. He's got those great cheekbones in person, too!

Now, go forth and READ (my books!) LOL

DBR

elaing8 said...

I am a follower

great interview.
D.B. Reynolds is a new author to me.Love those covers too :)

I liked both Angel and Spike but if I had to pick I'd be on team Angel.

elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

joder said...

Yes, I'm a follower.

I haven't yet read any of DBs books, but the premise sounds intriguing and really lends itself to being a long-term series.

And a lot of what DB reads, I do as well. Charlaine's books are great and have translated to the screen very well. And I can't get enough of the IAD series. Cole's series hasn't disappointed me yet.

And as much as I love the hotness of Angel, I have to go with that bad boy Spike. Naughty and snarky are a great combo.

joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

Dot S. said...

Hi I am a follower.

D.B. When is your next book coming out? Are you going to have a female vampire master? ;-)

I consider myself D.B.'s biggest fan!

I vote for Spike. I love bad boy vamps!

Soni (VampirePhile) said...

Hello, Paranormal Haven and author D.B. Reynolds,

DON'T ENTER ME (as a fellow blogger/blog owner, won't want to take away a chance from others, LoL! :o)

Nevertheless, I wanted to mention, that I came across this blog today and subsquently this interview due to my Google alert for "Blood Ties" and just had to give my kudos to you D. B. Reynolds on Henry being one of your fave vamps. He is still missed by many.

As well I agree about Eric Northman and the casting of Alex as him (it's like Ian being cast as Damon on the Vampire Diaries... can't imagine another in the role).
Spike "William the Bloody" trumps Angel (even "Angelus") for me any day (or night, LoL!)

I will definitely be looking into getting your books, as I'm intrigued!

~ Soni

Stephanie G said...

I think for Buffy, Angel. For me, Spike :-) Although I really like David Boreanaz on Bones.

Amanda Leigh said...

I haven't read this series yet, but do look forward to reading it! It sounds wonderful! Great interview by the way.

I do love Angel, but not near as much as Spike!!

I'm a follower.

notreallysouthernvampchick(at)gmail(dot)com

robsad79 said...

I'm a follower. Just finished Raphael and loved it!!! Can't wait to read the next one.

I love Raphael and Cyn and I know they make an appearance in the next book but will we see them again?? Even if it's just a cameo?
Also can't wait to read Duncan's book.

I would have to say Angel, even when he was bad.

I posted a link on my blog for this interview. Found here, http://robsad79.blogspot.com/2010/02/db-reynolds.html

robsad79@sbcglobal.net

:)

CallMeKayla said...

Hi DB, this sounds great!

I'm a follower

Angel is way hotter than Spike. I like my guys built, and Spike was just too skinny for my taste. That said, I always love a bad boy and Spike totally fit that. Still, I'm going to have to say Angel.

kaylajohnson3969@sbcglobal.net

Athenna said...

ok i have to put my two cents in and i LOVE Spike!!!! i did since i met him first time on Buffy... I Think Buffy is mean to him though.. he gose and gets his soul for buffy and she treats him horrible.. any way yah for my vote for Spike!!!

by the by i also love Eric and Dante he is all hot and sexy.. mmmm

D. B. Reynolds said...

Wow! I go away to write for a few hours and look what happens! Thanks, everyone, for stopping by to read my interview and say nice things.

Let's see if I can catch all the questions ...

Dot S, I do believe you ARE my biggest fan! And, yes, the book I'm writing now, SOPHIA, which is Book 4 in the series, features the very first female Vampire Lord. And I'm STILL waiting for my publisher to give me a release date on RAJMUND, which is VinA Book 3. Grrrrrrrr.

Soni, I STILL miss Henry. He was so lovely ... ::sigh::

Robsad, I checked out your blog. Thanks for the great review! How cool is that? To answer your question, yes, Cyn and Raphael do make an appearance in RAJMUND. It's more than a cameo, but less than a starring role. Their appearance in Rajmund's book sets up the storyline for Book 4, which is SOPHIA, and in which Cyn and Raphael return in a much larger way.

Athenna, Buffy is WAY mean to Spike!!! But, man, the sex between them was way hotter than with Angel. Although, let's be clear, I wouldn't exactly kick Angel out of my bed, either. LOL

Dream on!

By the way, I'm working on my second Vampire Vignette, which will post on my blog Sunday (probably late Sunday night, which is usually when I post.) So if you want a taste of Cyn and Raphael, come on by at http://dbreynolds.wordpress.com

DBR

mean mom productions said...

I'm a follower..check out the blog with the side bar.

Another author to be put on my tbr pile not like its already long..

sounds interesting. I haven't been able to watch the entire buffy series yet. Plan on it.

Lizzielvr said...

Hello D.B.! I've seen your books but haven't read the first one yet. I'm always attracted to books who's titles are names of men. How do you decide your character's names? Are they named before you develop the character?

I am a huge Buffy fan! I love both Spike & Angel, but tend to put Spike first (Yeah, I like the bad boys...)

Thanks!
sgalley65 at yahoo.com

Adrian Phoenix said...

Hi DB,
(Don't enter me in the giveaway, I'm just saying hello.)

Great interview! I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series! And a Duncan book!!

To anyone who hasn't read it yet, please do. You'll love it!

Hell Kat said...

Hi! I'm a follower.

I have had these on my TBR list for a while and just haven't picked them up yet... I'm going to have to move them to the top!

I love the bad boy myself so I'm going to go with Spike :)

*Hugs*
Courtney
hellkat1981(at)gmail(dot)com

Adrian Phoenix said...

And I meant to say, DB, that I'm super-flattered that you'd like to collaborate with me! With the right project, I'd be more than willing. ;)

Adrian

Andrea I said...

Hi, I'm a new follower.

DB, I found your books through the posts at Dante's Club Hell. I read them and can't wait until the next one. I would still love to win an autographed one.

I never watched Buffy.

Posted:
Facebook http://facebook.com/Andrea Infinger
Twitter http://twitter.com/lillieblue613

donnas said...

Hi DB, I havent read your books yet but they sound great. I love all paranormal and am looking forward to adding yours to my list.

What literary character that you did not create would you love to included in one of your stories?

I am a follower.

An Angel all the way! And I admit it could be completely influenced by the fact David Boreanaz played the character.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

mariska said...

Hi !
- and old follower


DB, i love to read your book, i've been eyeing this book for couple months !

I prefer Angel :)

- i tweet'd here http://twitter.com/becunique

uniquas at ymail dot com

D. B. Reynolds said...

Lots more comments! Too cool!

First of all ... THANK YOU, ADRIAN PHOENIX for stopping by to say "hi." If any of you haven't read Adrian's Maker's Song series yet, run, don't walk, to your nearest store and pick them up. Wonderful, wonderful books!

And now for the questions ... Lizzielvr, I pick my character's names after I create the character, although I never start writing until I have a name. Sometimes my outline will have a shorthand title for the character, but I always come up with names for my main and recurring characters before I begin the actual writing. Supporting characters get named as they occur in the books, but even there, I name them before the story goes any further. Names are important to me.

DonnaS, Which literary characters created by other authors that I'd love to see wander into my own stories? I think Von from Adrian Phoenix's Maker's Song series could travel through my Vampire universe without missing a beat! And I wouldn't mind a visit from Kelley Armstrong's wolves, either.

And a final note for those who've never watched Buffy! It's on DVD, you know. Come on! What're you waiting for? LOL

DBR

jacabur2008 said...

D. B. I am ashamed of myself but too many books, too many authors and not enough space and time because have none of your books yet! However that will change if picked as a winner and you and I do share a love of the same authors in Adrian and Kim and vampires are my largest reading material and the bane of my DH existence!!

I am a Spike girl all the way, that bad boy was just so hot and sarcastic and just too much for his own good. I would love for them to tell me why Angel got his own series and Spike became a ghost!! (So glad Buffy finally came around in the end!!)

jackie b central texas
jacabur2008(at)gmail(dot)com

Longtime Follower on GFC and left link on Twitter :
http://twitter.com/jacabur1

Link on right sidebar contests:
http://jacaburintexas.blogspot.com/

D. B. Reynolds said...

Jackie, I suspect Angel had a better agent!!!! LOL

DBR

Michelle said...

Duncan is one of my favorites, too. He's got a lot of charm quite unlike the other vampire Lords.

Jess said...

New follower of the blog here. :)

Hello from the Otherworld board, DB. I still haven't "sunk my teeth" into your books just yet (plan to!), but love that your fellas sound so alpha male.

I also can't believe the many who haven't watched Buffy. I've been going over my DVDs (again), and though once I might have said Angel, I have such a soft spot for dear Spike. He wins out these days.

tetewa said...

I'm a follower and I'm always looking for new authors and series to read! Vampires are my favorite reads and I loved the Buffy series when it was on! My favorite was Spike. tWarner419@aol.com

Sharli said...

I haven't read your books but I'm a paanormal fan so these definitely go to my TBR!

I never saw Buffy... yeah, I feel left out often: P

I'm a follower :)
entrelibros:blog(at)hotmail(dot)com

Marianna said...

I'm a new follower!

Hello DB, I haven't read your stuff, but I'd love to!

Never really watched Buffy, and I can't make any real decisions from the one or two episodes I did watch.

patronus89013 at yahoo dot com

BookFreak said...

I am a follower.

And hey D.B I love your covers! They are so amazing!

twitter.com/leilani_lopez

And I prefer Angel.

-Leilani
vampiregirl813@gmail.com

Shelley said...

Hi
I havn't been able to get a copy of Raphael yet. It's not always easy to find books of the PNR genre in country Australia. I do order from the US and UK but only every couple of months since costs are sadly prohibitive to say nothing of the exchange rate. I have enjoyed the vignettes on your blog though

Angel Vs Spike
Well I am a 30 something woman who owns both series on DVD and have watched them, lets say more than once. I like a solid guy, handsome but not pretty so Angel is the obvious choice however by the end of Series 6 Spike would send a little thrill down my spine - hard to resist a guy who is so bad and painfully in love. So bod wise - Angel, mentally its gotta be Spike. I'm thinking.. time share??

A question: You said on your blog you were nervous about the cover art for RajMund. I have never paid attention to covers but it seems that for a lot of readers its a big deal. How much input as an author do you get into the cover art ie choosing models etc?

Thanks for the opportunity to win.

Shelleyrae
shraeron at gmail dot com

Stella said...

Hi DB, I'm really glad I stumbled upon this blog as I haven't read anything from you before, but now my interest is definitely piqued! Would definitley love to win it!

I have only seen the first 4 seasons of Buffy, so no Spike-Buffy pair yet, and so my vote goes to Angel. He is the perfect brooding, mysterious, tall dark, handsome hero, but Spike is the laugh out loud funny vilain :-)

I'm a follower :-)

Stella

stella.exlibris@gmail.com

Diana Dang said...

Hi D.B. Since I'm not familiar with your work, I assume you haven't written for Young Adult (correct me if I'm wrong). Will you consider writing a YA novel, if so, what will it be?

I think Spike, haha. I haven't seen beyond Season 1 but I saw random episodes that had Spike in it and for some reason and drawn with Spike x Buffy.

faked_sugartone at hotmail

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway.

DB, I haven't read any of your books yet, I can't wait to get started.

I'm a new follower.

Angel rocks. I loved that show!

D.B.Reynolds said...

Wow, more comments! This is so great!

I'm deep into Book 4 writing, spending every moment buried in SOPHIA . . . wait, that didn't come out right.

Okay, let's see if I can answer some questions.

BookFreak, I love my covers, too! Patricia Lazarus is the artist who did both of them. I was soooo lucky!

Shelley, I have a couple of friends in Australia who voice the same frustration! It always surprises me that books in the English speaking countries are available in all the markets! I don't know how you feel about e-books, but all of my publisher's books are available in e-format, either in PDF from ImaJinnBooks.com or in a variety of other formats from fictionwise.com. I have a lot of overseas readers who go with the e-books, because they're more accessible and less expensive.

About the covers, I'm very lucky in that my publisher does give the author some input into the covers. I got to see the prototypes of both covers and offer comments before they went to final. Most publishers let authors offer ideas for the cover, but after that they have no input at all, and there's no guarantee anyone will pay attention to their ideas. I've read books with covers that have no relation to the story, at all. Covers where I keep looking back at it, trying to figure out how it fits into the story. As an author, it's very frustrating, so I count myself fortunate indeed. I LOVE my covers!!

Hi Diana Dang! I haven't written any YA and don't have any plans right now to do so. I won't rule it out completely, but right now the themes I address in my books, and, frankly, the sexual aspect of my books, is very definitely aimed at an adult audience.

And thanks to EVERYONE who's come by and commented.

DBR

D.B.Reynolds said...

Okay, obviously, I meant to say that it surprises me that books in the English language AREN'T available in all the markets!!!

Darn.

DBR

Stephanie said...

I'm a follower!

DB, I have heard lots of good things about your books and I have added you to my TBR pile.

I have to say Spike is my fave!!!

thegrants(at)live(dot)com

Shelley said...

DB, Thanks for taking the time to answer my question :)

shelleyrae