Book Giveaway and Author Interview: Black Dog Rebel Rose by Danielle Smith

Please welcome to A Three Way Tie, Danielle Smith!

Bio

"When I am dead, I hope it may be said:

'His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.'"

--Hilaire Belloc, Writer and Historian

1870-1953

Danielle D. Smith was born in 1980 in San Diego, California, USA. In addition to being a writer of urban fantasy stories she is an accomplished fine artist and illustrator whose visual work has appeared in various public, private, and gallery exhibitions and in national publications. Dani, as she is known by many who are close to her, lives with her husband and an ever-growing collection of books, documentaries, independent and foreign films.Her novels appeal to dreamers, troublemakers, dark romantics, and general escapists. She is currently expecting her first child, a boy, in December 2011.

For more information about this awesome author, check out her website here: http://www.danielledsmith.com

Interview

When and why did you begin writing?

I have enjoyed writing pretty much since childhood. I apparently wrote my first poem at 17 months old (my mom still has it written down in my baby book). It involved some kind of prose having to do with "my eyes are doors", something like that. Yeah, I was THAT kid. Anyway, I wrote poetry and short fiction in middle and high school and had a few pieces published in school art journals and newspapers before letting writing fall by the wayside in favor of my fine art pursuits. 


Then, when I was 28, my husband entered law school and I found myself needing something other than painting to focus on to relieve stress. The result was me sitting down and writing my first book, Psyche's Gate, a dark fantasy tale about a banished warrior angel who falls in love with the human artist he is sent to destroy in order to earn his way back into Heaven. I initially wrote the book for fun only, not expecting much. But after it was done, I realized that I *might* have a shot, and decided to go for it. 

I began submitting to 10 publishers every few weeks, and within four months Psyche's Gate was picked up by Liquid Silver Books. Since then, I have traditionally published four books under two publishers in every format, and have never looked back. 

My next three books will be released under my own publishing house, Rebel Rose Publishing, and the Psyche's Gate Saga is set to be expanded into a five book series that will pull all of my characters together. It has been a great adventure thus far. Writing--and art-- is as essential to me as breathing. I don't think I could live without it. I would simply fade away.


What was the hardest part of writing your book? What is the easiest?
The most difficult part of writing Black Dog and Rebel Rose would probably have been making these paranormal characters seem realistic--seem mor. human, if you will. I like to mould characters so that they feel like they might jump off the page and into the reader's world, even if they are half-angel or half-demon or the like, and balancing the supernatural side of the story with making the characters and their world seem real and believeable can be a bit of a challenge.

The easiest part would have been the sensual side of the tale. It is very instincutal for me to write sex scenes. Mind you, I don't write typical PNR or erotica books that seem paper-thin or made up just for the characters to swap bodily fluids. I strive to make the sex scenes in my books hum with the love and deep emotion felt between a hero and heroine, and I seem to be pretty successful at merging realistic relationships with hot lovin', at least according to my readers and fans. 

What music do you listen to while you write?
Everything! For Black Dog and Rebel Rose, the collection is pretty hardcore--lots of metal, grunge, classic rock. I create a music mix for each book I write, and the Black Dog mix, which has been offered as a giveaway prize in the past, has been the most popular. The Black Dog mix includes such greats as Puscifer, Alice In Chains, Disturbed, Tool, Marilyn Manson, Led Zeppelin, A Perfect Circle, The Pretty Reckless, Filter, Smashing Pumpkins, Hank III...and even more. 


When you visit my website, www.danielledsmith.com, you can hear a playlist of the some of the Black Dog mix songs on the main homepage. I like so many different types of music...the project generally dictates what tunes are required. Whether it's Tori Amos, the Heavy Metal soundtrack, The Church, or Dead Can Dance, there is always something amazing plugged into my ears as I work.

What inspires you?
So much...art, music, folklore and mythology, film, tattoos, history, world culture, my friends and family, my marriage.

Do you have any hidden talents?
No comment. *wink* Just kidding. None of my talents are really "hidden"...I'm a bit of an overt person creatively. I am a professional-level painter and illustrator, and am investing those skills in creating graphic novel versions of two of my books, one of them being Black Dog and Rebel Rose.

What are your current projects?

I am working on the release of three new prose novellas/short novels: Demon's Slave is my first BDSM book and centers on Skriker and Rose, the hero and heroine of Black Dog and Rebel Rose, exploring their relationship sexually and emotionally. It is strictly erotic, and very raw at times. It will be released within the next two weeks under my own publishing name, Rebel Rose Publishing. 


I am also working on a winter/Yule tale in the BD&RR series, and a third novella about a WWII soldier who, just after the Battle of the Bulge, becomes a werewolf and an immortal by drinking from a hidden spring as he is dying from war wounds. Another huge project for me would be two graphic novels/comic books based on Black Dog and Rebel Rose and Psyche's Gate. These will be going for review to a few of the biggest artist-supporting comic book publishers out there in 2012, so I am insanely excited about that.

What book are you reading now?

I am re-reading one of my favorites, the edgy and emotionally-charged Swedish paranormal horror tale Let The Right One In. This ain't Twilight, kids.

Quick: Vampires or Shapeshifter? Why?
Neither! I am sick to death of vampires and shifters, unless they're bullet fodder. They have been done to death. Give me angels and demons any old day!

Do you have any advice for other writers?
Don't give up! Oh, and be professional. If you present yourself professionally to prospective publishers and follow all of their guidelines as asked, you will show that you really care and are serious about becoming a published author with work that is worth a reader's time.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I cannot thank you all--each and every one of you--for the support and love that you have shown me since I was first published in March 2010. Your support of my work and your appreciation for paranormal and dark fantasy writing outside the mainstream has made a huge dream come true for me...thank you, thank you, thank you! I look forward to many more great adventures and milestones with you by my side! Xoxoxoxoxo!

Giveaway

Skriker.

A meltingly sexy hunter with rock star style. An insatiable seducer and lover of women. Son of a human lady of the night and a True Native of Hell, he is a killer of the evils that dwell in darkness. Fifty miles of bad road will lead him and his rumbling Harley to an abandoned town and the vampyre hunt of his dreams. It is in the rot and the ruin that Skriker will discover his destiny.

Rose.

A fierce and beautiful huntress haunted by a tragic past. The most amazing woman that Skriker has ever met. A sizzling tryst will lead him to discover that Rose is his soul mate, the girl who will make him abandon his lustful ways and make him hunger for her alone. But Skriker's new beloved harbors an ironic secret. 
A secret that may lead to a half-demon's gruesome undoing...

Giveaway Details:

1. To be eligible for this giveaway, you must be a follower of my blog.
2. To double your chances of winning, you must like my facebook page (which is on the sidebar on your right)
3. Leave a comment with your name and email address.
4. This giveaway ends Dec. 28 at 11:59pm.


Please make sure to thank this awesome author, Danielle Smith!


*cheers from the peanut gallery*