Thursday, September 13, 2012

Guest Blog and Giveaway with Author and Artist Victoria Danann





Wenona asked me to talk a little about my art. Let me say first that I'm an author who happens to be an artist and not the other way around. The whole art thing started in 2000 when I needed a cover for the Seasons of the Witch and wasn't happy with anything being shown to me. I finally decided to do it myself. I had never painted and never had much interest, but I had a goal. The 2001 cover was the first thing I ever painted. It was entitled 'The Queen of Wands'.



Subsequently I gave up paints in favor of graphic arts and for many years produced a series of conical hat witches that came to be known as my "signature". A few of them are available as prints from the 7th House online art gallery. This one was entitled 'Ruffling Feathers'.

I also did a series of fantasies which, in many ways, were my favorites. This one is entitled 'A Walk in the Middle Kingdom'.

I also produced a variety of tarot cards, but never finished the deck because the lure of writing fiction is stronger for me.

 I still illustrate Seasons of the Witch every year, but especially value these skills when it's time to produce a cover for one of my books. Being able to make my own art decisions is one of the things I love about being an Indie. I also produce my own book trailers. Even though not everyone who reads the books sees them, they're still satisfying to put out.

Right now I'm working on the third book of The Order of the Black Swan series. 

The second will be released October 14 and the third is scheduled to release February 14. 

Let me take the opportunity to invite your readers to the VirtualRelease Day Party on Facebook.


  

My Familiar Stranger
By Victoria Danann

The Order of the Black Swan #1

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: 7th House
Date of Publication: April 21, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-933320-49-6
ASIN: B007V8RAKW

Number of pages: (estimated 370)
Word Count: 111,268

Purchase Links: Amazon  Smashwords

Book Description:

Minutes ahead of inevitable assassination, Elora Laiken is forcibly transported to an alternate dimension similar, but not identical, to her own. She is stranded. Alone. Far from home. A stranger in a "strangish" land.

Of course a girl could suffer worse problems than having gorgeous suitors. Perhaps more importantly, in the midst of an epidemic of vampire related abductions, can she stay alive long enough to choose between an honor debt, true love, or the breathlessness of single-minded passion?

My Familiar Stranger is a full length, stand alone, Paranormal Romance novel that also sets up the foundation for the Black Swan series. It is loved by fans of paranormal romance, fantasy romance, and urban fantasy.

Erotica quotient: A few steamy scenes. No menage. No BDSM.



BOOK TWO. The Witch's Dream. Available in print and e-book on Amazon as of October 14th.
BOOK THREE. The Summoner's Tale. Release Date February 14, 2013.
Author Bio: 


For the past thirteen years, Victoria has illustrated and authored Seasons of the Witch calendars and planners.


Though works of fiction are a departure for her, she has had this series simmering on the back burner of her mind for years. In addition to authoring and illustrating Seasons of the Witch, she plays rock music and manages one of Houston's premier R&B/Variety/Pop bands.



This series will include some of my actual experience in the paranormal with fictionalized anecdotes from my journals during the years when I was a practicing "metaphysician", but most of the material is fantasy.






goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8920457-victoria-danann



GIVEAWAY QUESTION:  

“Since the ancient Greeks, and probably since we became sentient, men have been asking the question, ‘What do women want?’ I think I know what the answer is – at least for a lot of us - and it’s related to why Paranormal Romance is so popular with women and so satisfying to the core in a way no other genre can be. Before I began writing for this audience, I read about two hundred PNR books and realized that there is one element common to almost all and that it can only be expressed in a fantasy world. Can you guess what it is?” (NOTE: You don’t have to match my answer to win. I’m always interested to hear what other PNR fans think.)

The prize is a free download of M.F.S. with Smashwords coupon. Anyone who gives a thoughtful answer wins.

3 comments:

Roxanne Rhoads said...

I love your signature witch art- absolutely in love with them.

Teresa D'Amario said...

The books look great, and Roxanne, I'm with you. The art is awesome!

RED RAVEN said...

I can totally understand the ability to be able to use your OWN art with the stories that you write. I am an artist who just happens to write. Funny thing is that I have been writing since I was very young, almost as early as I started creating art. "Ruffling Feathers" is my favorite picture by Victoria.
As for the question, 'What do women want', I can only speak for myself. I want him to be in my head, so I don't have to speak my wishes, just think it and it happens....Yes, a fantasy. I know. *chuckles*