Favorite Quote Friday #62

Happy Friday!  I hope you all are enjoying the holidays and had a very Merry Christmas!  We actually finally got some cold weather here.  (I've been walking around in shorts and T-shirts all winter.)  So, I've been snuggling up in front of the fire while I edit Darkness Rises, Immortal Guardians Book 4.  I think those of you who like strong heroines are really going to like Krysta, Étienne's heroine.  She's as strong as they come and may very well do the impossible and give Étienne a few gray hairs.  :-)

  

Darkness Dawns  made the Best Reads of 2012 list over at Kindles and Wine!

"This is my number one favorite book of all time. The heroine actually DOES rescue the hero and the hero has the decency to realize what an amazing woman she is. The hero makes my knees weak! This one will not disappoint – I guarantee it!"

They're celebrating their six-month blogoversary by giving away a box full of books, which includes a signed copy of Darkness Dawns   + Immortal Guardians swag.  The contest lasts through January 1st, 2013.  Good luck!

  

Darkness Dawns  made the Top 10 of 2012 list at Rabid Reads!

"This has to be one of the best paranormal romances that I have ever read. The audio version is downright addictive! If you love the tall, dark and brooding type well then you're sure to hit it off with Roland; I know I sure did!" 

Bastien (the villain in Darkness Dawns, heartbreaker in Night Reigns, and hero of Phantom Shadows) also made Carmel's Best Book Boyfriends of 2012 list!

My Immortal Guardians series also made the Ring in Romance:  Best of 2012 list over at Heroes and Heartbreakers!

It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!  There's a character I introduced in Night Reigns who has really grown on me.  I first described him as a "buffer Jim Morrison" and later named him Zach.  He has some interesting scenes in Darkness Rises, so — for today's selection — I thought I would choose a Zach quote taken from Phantom Shadows:

He sighed.  What new hell was this?

Have a wonderful weekend!  And thank you again, so much, for all your support!

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #61

Hi, all!  I hope you had a good week.  I've been working on Immortal Guardians Book 4, which has tentatively been entitled Darkness Rises.  (That may change.  I'll let you know if it does.)

It looks like the release date is going to be October 1, 2013.  And Darkness Rises is now available for pre-order on Amazon  (paperback).  Woohoo!  If you haven't heard, it tells Étienne's story . . . and he really has his hands full.  :-)

The third Phantom Shadows trailer is included in You Gotta Read Reviews' December Video Contest.  (I accidentally said it was the first one last week.  Sorry about that.)  If you would like to vote, you can do so HERE December 21st through December 26th.

It's time again for Favorite Quote Friday.  For today's selection, I chose a narrative quote from Phantom Shadows that features Bastien (the hero) and Linda, a friend and work colleague of Melanie (the heroine):

The wall behind him buckled and broke in a cloud of dust and sheetrock shrapnel as he went right through it, tumbled over a counter on the others side, and hit the floor.

Across what appeared to be a small break room, Linda sat at a round table.  Eyes the size of saucers, she gaped at him, a bagel poised halfway to her mouth.

I hope you're enjoying the holiday season!  Stay safe!  And have fun!

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #60

Hi, all!  I'm back.  :-)  Thank you, everyone, for the hugs and prayers and condolences and well wishes you sent my way.  It meant so much to me and helped me through a very rough stretch.  I'm ready to start getting back into the swing of things again, slowly but surely, and thought I would begin with my weekly post.

A lot happened while I was gone.

Phantom Shadows, the third book in my Immortal Guardians series, received a wonderful five-star review from Long and Short Reviews and was nominated for Book of the Month.  Here's a short snippet from the review:

"Phantom Shadows is a real page flipper. There is so much drama, suspense and action of various levels in each chapter that it was almost impossible to put down. There is an incredible amount of detail woven throughout the book that brings the whole world that Ms. Duvall has created into vivid focus. It sucks a reader in so effectively, time ceases to exist." 

Phantom Shadows was also declared a Top Pick by Night Owl Reviews and given a great review.  Here's a quote:

"I have not had the opportunity to read any of the other books in this series at this point. I still enjoyed Phantom Shadows and feel the need to go back and read the others I've missed, as well as continue reading the rest of the series as it continues into the future . . . Phantom Shadows is a book worth taking the time to read. Don't miss it!"

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Phantom Shadows Trailer 1 will be included in You Gotta Read Reviews' December 2012 Video Contest.   It will be posted on December 17th, then voting will take place from December 21st -26th.

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I was thrilled to discover that Robin Covington featured Phantom Shadows Trailer 3 on USA Today's Happily Ever After. 

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Love Affair With an e-Reader gave Night Reigns, Immortal Guardians Book 2, a fantastic review.  Here's a brief glimpse:

"The story is witty and funny and surprisingly tender.  The scene near the end when Marcus surprises Ami is so swoonworthy and romantic.  I felt myself breathing a deep sigh.  The book was worth it if just for that scene alone.

In a Nutshell:  If you are a fan of PNR, this is a must for your TBR list. Even if you are not, this book is well worth a try."

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Darkness Dawns, the first book in the series, received a wonderful review, too, from Rantings of a Closet Vamp Princess.  Here's a quick look:

"Ms. Duvall’s concept of Immortals was unique. I liked how they differed from vampires . . . The book was fast-paced, action-filled, and held my attention. I had difficulty putting it down. I’ve already purchased the second book, Marcus’s, for my Kindle."

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As I said, a lot happened while I was gone.  :-)  I have other news to share, but will do so a little later.  For now, it's time for Favorite Quote Friday.  I just read back through a scene in Book 4 that featured Bastien and Melanie, the hero and heroine of Phantom Shadows, and made me laugh.  Both characters can be intense and kick butt.  So I thought, for today's selection, I would choose a scene from Phantom Shadows that shows their lighter sides:

Ending the call, he dialed again.

"Hello?"

Lowering his voice to a sleazy whisper, he said, "What are you wearing?"

Melanie's laughter danced over the line.  "Chuck Taylors and nothing else."

Bastien smiled.  "I wish."

Thank you again for all your support.  It really meant a lot to me.  I hope you're all enjoying the holiday season and staying safe and well!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne

Disappearing for a While

I've been gone for a bit and wanted to let you know why.  There has been a tragedy in the family that has really hit me hard.  I needed to take some time away, but hope to be back soon.  Until then, take care.

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #59

Happy Friday!  I've had a very rough week and hope yours has been better.  I even got stuck in an elevator.  Very irritating.  I did receive some good news, though, regarding the Immortal Guardians series that I thought I would share.  Books 4-6 will all be released in audiobook form in addition to the paperback and ebook formats.  I was very happy to hear it.

It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!  I just read back through a scene in Book 4 that features Lisette, one of three immortal siblings in my series.  Her character is leading me in a different direction than I had originally envisioned for her, and I'm really liking it.  So for today's selection, I chose a quote from Phantom Shadows in which Lisette speaks as she struggles to keep a door closed:

"Now they've gone and gotten a battering ram.  How rude."

I finally have a hero in mind for her and will enjoy writing their story.  :-)

Phantom Shadows is in the spotlight at Romance Book Junkies.  Drop by and enter to win a signed copy of one of the first three Immortal Guardians books + swag.  :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #58

Happy Friday!  It's time again for Favorite Quote Friday.  

One of my favorite humans in the Immortal Guardians series is Sheldon, Richart's Second or guard.  Those of you who joined me on my blog tours also know him from the character interviews he conducts for me.  I just wrote a scene in Book 4  (I'm finally narrowing down possible titles) in which Sheldon was his usual outrageous self and made me laugh.  So in today's selection, taken from Phantom Shadows, Sheldon addresses Melanie, the heroine:

"Wow.  You really have a knack for making friends with antisocial bastards, don't you?"

I'm talking about alpha males and strong women over at Tote Bags 'n' Blogs.  Join me and enter to WIN a signed copy of  Phantom Shadows + Immortal Guardians swag.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #57

Happy Friday!   It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday.  Bastien has been on my mind a lot this week because I just wrote a scene with him in Book 4 that made me laugh.  So today's quote is one taken from Phantom Shadows and is spoken by Bastien:

"Boy, do not make me chase you."

Bastien's desire to help vampires doesn't always go smoothly.  :-)

Have a great weekend!

Dianne

Cover Reveal & Kindle Contest Winners

Happy Halloween!  I have some news to share.

Guess what I found in my mailbox yesterday!  Predatory cover flats!

Here's the blurb for my Immortal Guardians novella, In Still Darkness:

Immortal Richart d'Alençon can't forget the woman who rewarded him with a sensuous kiss after he saved her from a trio of vampires.  While Richart knows that loving a human can only bring trouble, the taste of forbidden lust is too great to resist . . .

Predatory will be released on May 7, 2013 and is now available for Pre-Order at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  :-)

Thank you so much, everyone who entered my Phantom Shadows – 3 Kindle Giveaway!  For those who were concerned your ebook purchase/purchases wouldn't be counted:  Don't worry.  They counted.  :-)  I used random.org to choose the three winners and have notified them via email.  Without further ado, those winners are:

Bridgett O.

Donna S.

&

Jen

Each winner will have her choice of either a new Kindle or a $75 Gift Card.

Todd, a member of the human network that aids Immortal Guardians, is interviewing Bastien and Melanie, the hero and heroine of Phantom Shadows, for Bitten by Paranormal Romance's Characterfest.  Drop by and enter to win a signed Immortal Guardians book of your choice + swag.  :-)

Have a great day!

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #56

Happy Friday!  I hope you had a good week.  I've been working on Immortal Guardians Book 4 and just wrote a scene in which Bastien made me laugh yet again.  He says the craziest things sometimes.  :-)   I'm also narrowing down title possibilities and hope to choose one soon.  I'll let you know when I do.

Thank you, everyone who joined me on the Alpha Male Blog Hop!

My Prize Winner:

Cassadnra H.

Congratulations, again!  I've already contacted and heard from her.  

Grand Prize Winners:

Kindle Fire Winner

Marie Hahn

$130 Amazon Gift Card

Jessica Mange

Swag Pack

Natasha Donoho

Congratulations!  And thank you, everyone else who joined in the fun and entered.

The German translation of Darkness Dawns was sighted in Munich!  Look at the wonderful company it's keeping!

It's time again for Favorite Quote Friday.  Today's selection is taken from Phantom Shadows, Book 3 in my series. Sheldon, Richart's Second, has really grown on me, so I thought I'd give you a glimpse of him outside of the character interviews he's been conducting on my blog tours.  :-)

"Dude, I say go for it," Sheldon said as he strolled down the hall toward them,  "Dr. Lipton is smokin' hot and you're . . . you."

I've been mailing packages to blog tour contest winners.  If you missed any stops on my Phantom Shadows Blog Tour, some contests are still open, so you can enter to win signed copies of Immortal Guardians books + swag.   You can find the schedule HERE.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne

Last Day of Kindle Contest

Today is the last day you can enter to
WIN 1 of 3 Kindles
I'm giving away to celebrate
the release of Phantom Shadows,
the third book in my

Immortal Guardians series.

 Already have a Kindle?  No problem.
You have the option of choosing a
$75 Kindle Gift Card instead.

Here's How to Enter

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• 100 entries:  Purchase Phantom Shadows and send me  (contest AT dianneduvall DOT com) a copy of the receipt (with all sensitive data blocked out) by midnight (Eastern Standard Time) October 21st with “Purchase Entry” in the subject line.

• 50 entries:  Haven’t read Darkness Dawns yet or know someone else who hasn’t? Purchase Darkness Dawns and send me  (contest AT dianneduvall DOT com) a copy of the receipt (with all sensitive data blocked out) by midnight (Eastern Standard Time) October 21st with “Darkness Dawns Purchase Entry” in the subject line.

• 50 entries:  Haven’t read Night Reigns yet or know someone else who hasn’t? Purchase Night Reigns and send me  (contest AT dianneduvall DOT com) a copy of the receipt (with all sensitive data blocked out) by midnight (Eastern Standard Time) October 21st with “Night Reigns Purchase Entry” in the subject line.

• 25 entries:  Repost the above widget on your webpage, send me (contest AT dianneduvall DOT com) a link with “Webpage Entry” in the subject line, and leave it up for the duration of the contest. If the Get Widget button doesn't appear, just click on the widget and it will open a window that will allow you to copy the code.

• 25 entries:  Have a working blog (one that is already up and running)?  Repost the above widget on a sidebar of your blog, send me (contest AT dianneduvall DOT com) a link with “Blog Entry” in the subject line, and leave it up for the duration of the contest. If the Get Widget button doesn't appear, just click on the widget and it will open a window that will allow you to copy the code.

• 5 entries:   Have a facebook page? Repost the above image on your facebook page, mention the release of Phantom Shadows , and provide a link to my website. Then send me (contest AT dianneduvall DOT com) a link and/or screenshot with “Facebook Entry” in the subject line. 

• 5 entries:   Pin the above image on Pinterest.  Then send me  (contest AT dianneduvall DOT com) a link with “Pinterest Entry” in the subject line.

• 5 entries:   Tweet about the release of Phantom Shadows and this contest, then send me (contest AT dianneduvall DOT com) a link with “Twitter Entry” in the subject line. 

The Rules

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• Contest begins October 1, 2012 and will last until October 21, 2012.

• You must be 18 or older to enter.  By submitting any entry, you are attesting that this is so and giving me permission to list your name as winner.

• All entries must be received by 11:59pm EST on October 21, 2012.  

• You are welcome to enter in all of the ways listed above. 

• This contest is open worldwide.

• If you post to a forum or Yahoo Group, please do not violate their rules.

• Do not post this contest to sweepstakes or contest sites.

• The winners will be selected using random.org and notified by October 31, 2012. Winners will have one week to respond, otherwise new winners will be chosen.

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Thank you, everyone who has already entered!

Good Luck!

Favorite Quote Friday #55

Happy Friday!  It's time again for Favorite Quote Friday.  Today's selection is a narrative quote taken from Phantom Shadows:

In that instant, Bastien understood more fully that he ever had the psychotic episodes that gripped vampires, the fury that engulfed them and took control of their bodies in a millisecond.

I just found out that Phantom Shadows made the Amazon Editors' Top Ten Picks of Romance list for October!  Woohoo!  I also just wrote a scene in Book 4 (I know – I really need to find a title for it) that I think Bastien fans will like.  ;-)

This was the last week of my Phantom Shadows Blog Tour, which included a little bit of everything – character interviews, author interviews, guest posts, excerpts, and promo posts – plus many giveaways and chances to win signed books and swag.  A lot of those contests have not yet ended.  You can find the schedule HERE.  I will be updating links as we go.  This week's stops were:

October 15, 2012 – Book Lover's Hideaway

October 15, 2012 – Dawn and Winnie Book Review

October 16, 2012 – The Qwillery

October 17, 2012 – Full Moon Bites

October 18, 2012 – The Book Vixen

And don't forget to enter to win 1 of the 3 Kindles (or $75 Gift Cards) I'm giving away to celebrate  Phantom Shadows' release.  The contest ends at midnight on Sunday, October 21st!  Details can be found HERE.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Dianne