A Hero's Blog Hop

It’s time for A Hero’s Blog Hop, hosted by Carrie Ann Ryan, Fated Desires Publishing, & Heartthrob Haven.  Starting today and ending on July 31st, over 100 Authors and Bloggers will share our favorite things about romance heroes, a character post from them, and what we love about romance and men in general.  And while we do that, we are EACH doing a giveaway. But that's not all....


We have THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 100 times!

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet

2nd Grand Prize: A $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card

3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!

For my own prize, I’m offering the winner her/his choice of either Darkness Dawns or Night Reigns + Immortal Guardians swag. 

Since my Immortal Guardians are always on the go, I have asked Todd, one of the network guards, to catch up with Marcus, the hero of Night Reigns, Immortal Guardians Book 2, for a quick interview. 

In case you’re new to the Immortal Guardians, I’ll just take a quick moment to explain that the vampires and immortals in my series are both infected with a rare symbiotic virus that produces the heightened senses and increased speed, strength, and regenerative properties both possess, as well as the photosensitivity and a need for blood.  Vampires are humans who have been infected and suffer brain damage as a result that causes them to rapidly descend into madness.  Immortals are gifted ones, men and women born with advanced DNA, who have been infected.  Their advanced DNA protects them from the madness.  Seconds, members of an extensive human network that aids the Immortal Guardians, guard and assist individual immortals.

Todd:  Hey, man.  Thanks for doing this.  I know things have been hectic lately, so I appreciate your taking the time.

Marcus:  No problem.  How are things going at network headquarters?

Todd:  Bastien has been keeping things pretty interesting for us.

Marcus:  *shakes his head*  I imagine he has. 

Todd:  So . . . *takes out a laptop*

Marcus:  Wasn’t I supposed to be meeting with Sheldon?

Todd:  Richart’s Second?  Yyyyyyeah.  He, ah, had something he needed to–

Marcus:  He’s afraid Ami might join us, isn’t he?

Todd:  Yes, and he’s still terrified of her, which – by the way – is a never-ending source of amusement for the rest of us.

Marcus:  *Smiles and shakes his head*  I don’t know what she said to him, or what she threatened to do to him if he screwed up again, but he pretty much shakes in his boots every time he sees her and absolutely refuses to train with her. 

Todd:  Well, it was a pretty big screwup.  It landed you in a hell of a mess. 

Marcus:  And sent Ami racing to my rescue as any good Second would do.  *expression darkens*  If I weren’t so amused by his fear of her, I’d be gunning for him myself because of the injuries she suffered as a result.

Todd:  Needless to say, he hasn’t repeated the mistake, not since Ami had her talk with him.  The fact that she’s a foot shorter than him and nearly half his weight makes his fear of her all the more hilarious.

Marcus:  *laughs*  She may be small, but she can best any other Second on the planet.  And she can kick serious vampire ass.

Todd:  That’s what I’ve heard.  *consults laptop.*  So, what we’re doing today is creating a series of simple profiles that will enable all of us mere mortals who work with you guys to get to know you better.  We’ve done some interviews in the past and will be doing more in the next few months, but this will give network members a quick reference guide.  Immortal Guardians have been making more frequent appearances down at headquarters and . . .

Marcus:  People are freaking out?

Todd:  *sheepish smile*  A little bit, yeah.  Most of the employees find your age, incredible strength, speed, special gifts, and skill with weapons a tad intimidating.

Marcus:  Understandable.  Well, enough rumors have circulated about me that I doubt there’s much they don’t already know, but you’re welcome to ask whatever you want.

Todd:  Thanks.  So, just for the record, how old are you? 

Marcus:  Nearly nine hundred years old.  I stopped counting birthdays half a millennium ago.

Todd:  Good enough.  And you’re from England?

Marcus:  *nods and smiles*  Hence the accent.

Todd:  You’ve spent much of your existence loving a woman you lost recently.

Marcus:  Yes.  I won’t rehash that tale.  It has, unfortunately, fascinated the Immortal Guardians world and become somewhat legendary, so I’m sure knowledge of it has trickled down to the network employees and made the rounds.

Todd:  Very few haven’t heard it.  Anything you want to add or clarify?

Marcus:  *looks thoughtful*  Only that . . . while Bethany was an incredible woman and certainly deserved all of the love she received during her lifetime, what I felt for her pales beside what I feel for Ami.

Todd:  Does that make Ami being your Second harder?

Marcus:  Yes and no.  I don’t know any immortal male who would choose to have a female Second simply because Seconds do occasionally give their lives to protect us when we find ourselves – say – the victim of a vampire ambush.

Todd:  Something that has been happening with increasing frequency.

Marcus:  *nods*  Nights are more perilous than ever.  I’m sure you’ve heard how many times Ami has–

Todd:  Saved your ass?

Marcus:  Yes.  It terrifies me, every time she stands beside me and fights. *shakes his head and smiles*  But I would have no other at my back.  She is a fierce warrior with unparalleled courage.  And I adore her, so every moment I get to spend with her . . .  *shrugs*  I just love being with her.

Todd:  How do you feel about her being friends with Bastien?

Marcus:  *unleashes a slur of curses*

Todd:  That was . . . pretty clear.

Marcus:  Next question.

Todd:  Ohhhkay.  There’s a rumor going around that you and Roland were recently at odds.  Everyone knows he was your mentor and trainer and that you’re the only immortal who has managed to befriend the antisocial bastard.  So, what exactly–

Marcus:  Roland and I are good.

Todd:  But–

Marcus:  We’re good.  He’s like a brother to me and now Sarah is like a sister. 

Todd:  Roland’s . . . different now that he has Sarah.

Marcus:  Yes, he is.

Todd:  He actually smiles now.  I heard he even laughs.

Marcus:  He’s happy.  For the first time in centuries, Roland is happy.  Maybe the rest of you will realize he’s not so bad now.

Todd:  Maybe.  *looks doubtful*  Are you one of the immortals who has been calling for Bastien’s execution?

Marcus:  If he didn’t mean so much to Ami, I would say, Hell, yes.  But Ami’s happiness trumps everything.

Todd:  Hearing you now, it’s hard to believe you weren’t exactly thrilled when Seth assigned Ami to be your Second.

Marcus:  *laughs*  If I could do it all over again, I’d throw her a freaking welcome party.

Todd:  *checks his watch*  I know you need to get back to hunting, so this should be enough.  Thanks again, Marcus.

Marcus:  *shakes Todd’s hand*  Good to see you again.

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RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance Nominee
"A thrilling and chilling new paranormal series.  Fantastic!"

– RT Book Reviews

Once, Sarah Bingham's biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she's landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control. . .

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible--when it means forfeiting the world she's always known, and the life he would do anything to protect. . .

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"This blend of kick-butt action, intriguing plot twists and heartfelt passion is utterly addictive!"

– RT Book Reviews

Ami isn't much for trusting strangers. She has a hard time trusting anyone. But she's no coward, and she's no pushover in the protection department either. So when she comes across a mysterious warrior taking on eight deranged vampires on his own, she doesn't hesitate to save his bacon. Of course, that was before she realized what one little rescue would get her into. . .

Marcus Graden has been an Immortal protector of humanity for eight hundred years, and he's not interested in backup. From the moment Ami arrives in his life, he can't deny that she's strong, smart, and extremely skilled at watching his back. But she's also destroying his protective solitude and stirring desires he can't bear to awaken. After all, whatever her secrets--how can she defeat death itself?

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Contest Details

The contest lasts from Today through July 31st 2012.
The Kindle prize, Gift Card, and my own prize (book + swag) are international.  The Swag Pack is US only.   

Mandatory entry

Leave a comment below with your email address and let me know who your favorite hero is.  :-)  Also mention any extra entries.

Extra entries

For extra entries you may do any or all of the following, but be sure to mention them in your comment.

+1  Follow my blog. 

+1  Like My Facebook Page.
+1  Follow me on Twitter.
+1  Mention my giveaway on Twitter.
+1 Share this post on facebook. 

Selecting a Winner

I will use random.org to choose a winner after verifying all entries and will email the winner on August 1st.  The winner will have one week to contact me.

Good luck!  And have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne Duvall