Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Dai’s Dark Valentine by Dariel Raye ~ Author Interview and Release Blitz @Pendarielraye #rafflecopter

It's All About Dariel Raye

I am thrilled to have as my esteemed guest a fellow author, unselfish and dedicated author promoter, writer/author reference collector/trainer and animal rights activist and all around dear friend. 

The remarkable thing about Dariel Raye is her heart. Her mind is brilliant but her heart is wide and vast, warm and loving. She is willing to do anything for anyone, at any time, if it is at all within her power. In that regard, she is divine. As an author, she is a clever
wordsmith stringing words, like pearls, together from the extraordinary jewelry box that is her imagination.  I am so delighted to have Dariel here with me today for an intimate look into her passions of creative writing, and celebration of her latest release. So, let the champagne flow, the sparks fly and the interview begin.  
 "So awesome and amazing...a must read!" 
~  Jacklynn Sizemore
First, let me begin by welcoming you and putting you on the spot with what I know of your background and some some quotes about your work. Dariel's love for books, as well as her fascination with animals and all things paranormal, prompted the beginning of her writing journey at the tender age of eight. The paranormal romance, "Raven's Shelter," one of five stories in Taming of the Wolf, was her second publication, and her first with The Wild Rose Press as a result of placing second in their "Got Wolf" competition - prompted the new "Dark Sentinels" series. Also a paranormal romance, "Vashti's Star,"
which she has plans to update, was her first published novel. Dariel has written articles for The News Item of Mobile, and Black Health Magazine of Atlanta. 
"One of my favorite series by this talented author" `~ Catrina Barton
A classically trained pianist and vocalist with a degree in piano and vocal performance, Dariel plays more than 10 instruments, and worked as a band and choral director. With a master's in counseling psychology, she worked in mental health therapy, substance abuse counseling, and school/career counseling for more years than she wishes to reveal. She has presently completed studies for a Ph.D. with the exception of her dissertation, but a more recent battle with kidney failure changed her perspective and renewed a focus on her first loves, writing and music. Dariel is a native Mobilian and minister of music. In addition to her novels and articles, she has written and directed three musicals and composed more than 30 scripturally based compositions. She lives with a variety of pets, where she is working on three paranormal romance series, composing music, and making plans to record soon. 
 "Each story has vibrant, memorable characters, a rich plot, and totally captures the readers." ~ Catrina Barton
Dai’s Dark Valentine
by
Dariel Raye
(@Pendarielraye)

Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes and NobleKobo
So, welcome to my table, Dariel. Let's get right to it...What genre do you enjoy writing the most?
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy romance, some contemporary, but there’s always something dark and dangerous about them.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your story?
My characters, especially the hero, were very bossy. About mid-way, they took the story and ran with it. I struggled to keep up.

Readers do not often understand how a story and the characters, that are born out of the well-spring that is our writer minds, can over take the author and we, essentially, report/record on what happens. Perhaps a short introduction to the story will help...


 

What happens when a sheltered cat-shifter and a dark fey come together?
Three-hundred years is a long time, but left to its own devices, what began as the vendetta of one man can grow to encompass even more formidable hatred.
Daitre Salons is a beautiful but naïve heiress whose true heritage has been kept secret even from her. Now, her abilities are emerging and her father’s enemies want her dead, but what bothers her most is that her new husband “in name only” insists on treating her like a child.

Joban Beaucoup, professional guard to the Salons family, and dark fey (alternate spelling from Vodouin origin), has chosen to leave the quaint yet suffocating French town of his orphan-childhood and venture to the Americas, but he needs one thing he cannot concoct, despite his magical abilities – a wife.

When Joban agrees to marry Daitre and take her to the Americas with him, he carries her three-thousand miles away, then whisks her three-hundred years into the future to assure her safety, but while Daitre struggles to adjust to this strange new world, manage her newfound powers, and make peace with her feelings for Joban, Joban learns that even here, their enemies have followed them, now more deadly than ever.
"I freaking LOVED it!" ~ Donna Reynolds

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Edmond Dantes from Alexander Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo.”

What is your most treasured possession?
Referring to inanimate objects, my black baby grand Baldwin piano.

What is your greatest fear?
Displeasing God by not fulfilling my calling.

What is your greatest regret?
Leaving the perfect job so I could make more money by accepting an overly stressful, political job.

What is your favorite journey?
Pursuing a dream.

You are a huge animal rights advocate, so...Dogs or Cats? Which do you prefer and why? 
Love them both, but I’d have to say dogs. They’re more loyal and protective.

What do you most value in a friend?
Loyalty

What quality do you most admire in a woman/man/spouse?  
Genuine support of my dreams.

Besides writing, what other interests do you have?
Animals and animal rights, music, math.

Which are your three favorite books?
Hard to limit this to 3, but “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexander Dumas, “My Soul to Keep” by Tananarive Due, and Jacqueline Carey’s “Kushiel’s Legacy” series.

Where do you get your greatest ideas for writing?
Most of my ideas come from dreams, but lately I’ve also been inspired by pics and flashes in our Flasher Fridays group.

How do you like to work...Silence/Music/TV for background?
Paranormal or fantasy TV series for background – Love “Supernatural, Merlin, and Grimm, just to mention a few.

How can readers connect with and follow you online?
Home page: 

I also publish a daily newspaper featuring other authors’ work as well as my own.

What are your Top (10?) Writing Tips? Writing Advice?
1. Read as many books in your genre as possible 
2. Read books in related genres, i.e., mysteries, thrillers, etc. 
3. Figure out what works for you and develop a writing routine – time, location, inspirational aids 
4. Eke out time for online presence development and maintenance. You’ll be glad you did this when you release your books  Also helps you keep up with new trends in this ever-changing industry. 
5. Develop a marketing plan. Don’t just wait until you have a new release. Promote your backlist books, website, newsletter, and anything that will keep your name visible 
6. Always continue to develop your craft. Use online resources and classes for continuous education 
7. Develop and maintain genuine relationships with other writers and loyal readers. The support is priceless. 
8. Always seek the advice of beta readers 9. Indie life has its perks, but balance is best. 
9. Submit to online and traditional publishers, too. Once you’ve been published by someone other than yourself, it adds a level of credibility to your writing and your books. 10. Surround yourself with people who encourage and support you, but don’t expect them all to read your books ;-)

Can you tell us what is coming up next for you?
After “Dai’s Dark Valentine” is released on Valentine’s Day, I’ll take a week or so off, then continue working on “Dark Sentinels Book Three: Parrish.” It’s scheduled for release this summer, probably July. I also have a Christmas book I’m working on this year. It’s the first in a new series called “Orlosian Warriors.” These warriors are the descendants of Nephilim.



Daitre stepped into the bedroom bath and dashed cold water on her face to keep from crying, Auriel’s words running through her mind. The fear of being captured, poked and prodded by her father’s enemies haunted her.

She hit the light switch, stepping out of the bathroom with every intention of going straight to her bed for a much needed nap, but as she passed his make-shift bed, she couldn’t help stopping. Daitre sat, tentative at first, but the deafening silence in the room urged her on.

She lifted his pillow to her face and rested her cheek against it, his cinnamon and woods scent prompting her to inhale deeply, eyes closed. The mere scent of him triggered a reaction in her body, causing her to stretch, savoring the pleasant tingle zinging straight to her clit and flashing outward again, a delicious warmth infusing her body - arousal.

She dropped the pillow and jumped up, eyes wide. Joban stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable until his mouth covered hers.  She knew he’d used his time-bending ability because she hadn’t seen him move. One moment he watched her embarrassing display from the doorway, the next he was on her, his huge arms wrapped around her waist, lips claiming hers.

Her mind raced but her body responded on instinct, clinging to him, writhing to be free of every and anything separating her from him. As if he heard her plea, Joban released her long enough to respond in his usual dictatorial manner.

“Take these off.” He used his eyes to stress his meaning, stoking her fire with a head to toe gaze, stormy gray depths offering a glimpse of yet another side of him she longed to explore further.
"It is always a treat to read Dariel Raye's creations. Dai's Dark Valentine was even more of a treat. I loved Daitre and Joban's story. There is a family curse, dark revenge, treachery, time-bending, time-traveling, self-discovery and love. This was a very enchanting read for me and I look forward to more from Dariel Raye." ~ Deb Thomas

Previous Publications:

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"Truly impressed with the whimsical, successful way Dariel Raye has a way of captivating an audience and keeping one hooked!" ~ Alma Gonzalez

"If you are looking for the spark of meeting, the adventure of finding out dark secrets, the heat of first times, and a sweet ending, this one is for you!" 
~ Natalie Gibson

"There was really nothing I didn't like about this book. Five Stars!" ~ L. Vannae

"Brilliant, Sexy, Strong! I welcome this brilliant writer who knows and shows that inside out, people are just people and we are certainly all alike, dealing with very important common issues of pain, good and evil. This is a brilliant cultural transition book hidden in the mode of a light, popular young paranormal genre." ~ Student Writer


Dariel Raye writes powerful IR/MC (Interracial/Multi-cultural) paranormal romance and dark urban fantasy with alpha male heroes to die for, and strong heroines with hearts worth winning. Her stories tell of shifters, vamps, angels, demons, and fey (the Vodouin variety).

For more about Dariel, follow her blog or website. She also publishes a new
release newsletter and daily newspaper. You can contact her on Twitter,

Stay with us for the entire launch tour. Click the link below to join the Facebook party and view the tour calendar!


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2 comments :

  1. Thank you SO much for hosting "Dai's Dark Valentine," Muffy. You are a Godsend. I am grateful to call you friend, and humbled by your continuous encouragement and support. You give "vast heart" new meaning <3 xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Once again, Congratulations Dariel. I love your short and direct answers to the interview questions. Like you, my greatest fear is in not fulfilling my God-given role.

    Back to the excerpt, I thought Joban and Daitre were married in name only. Hmm...there seems to be sparks igniting between the sheets. Lovely excerpt.

    As promised, Muffy, I stopped by your blog. It looks very sexy in black and pink. Here is mine; http://flirtyandfeistyromance.blogspot.co.uk
    Please stop by when you get a chance.

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