Thank You! — And a Favorite Quote

Happy Friday!! Wow! What a week! Again. LOL. First, I want to thank you all. You made Death of Darkness a USA Today Bestseller!

Woohoo!! Thank you, too, for the absolutely fabulous reviews you've been posting!! At the time I'm writing this, there are 188 on Amazon alone. And 96% are 5 stars. That's amazing! I hope you know how much it means to me that you're enjoying Seth's book. It has been the most requested book in both series. And I know expectations were high, something many reviewers mentioned. I really wanted to meet those expectations. So I am beyond thrilled by your responses to it. 💕

I wanted to share some more Amazon reviews, but got caught up in writing my next story and didn't have a chance to snag any, so I'll try to do that next week. They have really been keeping a smile on my face. 🙂 

I'm loving the new manuscript, but the way. 😉

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Look what came in the mail: my author copies of the Death of Darkness audiobook!! Yay!! I had already downloaded it from Audible and started listening to it this week, but love having the CDs, too. As usual, Kirsten Potter has done a wonderful job narrating.

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Long and Short Reviews has declared Death of Darkness a Best Book. Their review was so awesome I had trouble deciding which snippet to share with you and ended up picking two. The first is in the image. The second is:

"Do you know there is so much MORE I could write about? Seriously, this story is chockfull of great dialogue, a solid supporting cast and more twists and turns than a pretzel... Thank you, Dianne Duvall, for giving us the perfect HEA for Seth."

Read the full review HERE.

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A quick update on the Death of Darkness's Pre-Order Giveaway: The winners have all been notified. I'm still waiting to hear from one. Then I'll announce them here on my blog. 🙂

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Immortal Guardians Book 9

A USA Today Bestseller

#1 Audible Paranormal Romance Bestseller

#1 Audible Supernatural Thrillers

#1 Amazon Vampire Thriller

#1 Amazon Vampire Suspense

Ebook

Kindle • Nook • Kobo • iBooks

Amazon UK • AmazonAU • AmazonCA • AmazonDE • AmazonFR

Audiobook

Narrated by Kirsten Potter

Audible • Audio CD

Paperback

Amazon

It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!! Today I thought I would share another quote from Death of Darkness. This one takes place at David's home, which is the big hangout place for Immortal Guardians in the area. It features David, Seth's second-in-command, and some of the other Immortal Guardians crew:

_____________________________

Turning back to the group by the table, David found them all staring at him in confusion.

“If we aren’t under attack,” Roland said, doubt written all over his ready-for-battle face, “then why do you want us to leave?”

Zach spoke in David’s mind. You’re going to have to tell them.

David sighed. “Seth has a caller.”

They all exchanged puzzled glances.

“A what?” Richart asked.

“A caller,” David repeated. “Seth has a caller.” And probably wouldn’t appreciate them knowing about it.

Étienne’s brow puckered. “Like a…” He looked at his brother, his sister, then David. “Like a woman?” he asked uncertainly.

“Yes!” David declared with a hefty dose of exasperation.

Zach laughed in the kitchen.

_____________________________

If you haven't picked up a copy yet, I hope you'll enjoy Death of Darkness! Have a wonderful weekend!

And for my friends who live in Florida: I hope you will weather this hurricane safely. I've been keeping a close eye on it, worrying it would skip past you and hit here. But it looks like you're going to take a hard hit. Please, stay safe. I'll keep an eye out for your updates on Facebook.


Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #103

Happy Friday!  I've been working on Phantom Embrace promo, writing Blog Tour posts and designing new swag—bookmarks, postcards, and trading cards.  Here's a sample:

(trading card)

I'll look over the swag one last time this weekend, then order several boxes of each.  Can't wait to start giving it away!!

I also wrote a new blurb for Phantom Embrace.  This novella (Yuri and Cat's story) was first released in the On the Hunt anthology last year, so the blurb—of necessity—had to be very short.  I thought readers who are unfamiliar with either the story or the series would like a little more information, so I wrote a longer blurb:

Born with the ability to see spirits, immortal Yuri Sokolov avoids making contact with them, because such has always yielded negative results . . . until lovely Cat Seddon begins haunting his home and his dreams. As a new threat rises against the Immortal Guardians, Yuri disregards all the rules so he can be with Cat, even though the consequences are substantial.

For centuries, Catherine Seddon has been alone. When her brother is forced to join the Immortal Guardians’ ranks, she haunts the primary home of the powerful warriors to keep an eye on him, and soon finds herself captivated by Yuri. The handsome Russian immortal swiftly banishes her loneliness as friendship grows between them and deepens into love. But can two people who can never touch find a future together? 

“Duvall's hauntingly beautiful novella, set in the world of the Immortal Guardians, portrays the deep love between two people who can never touch, with a wonderfully unexpected ending.”

—Publishers Weekly

Kindle • Nook • iTunes • Kobo • Amazon UK • Amazon Canada

Only two months until the release!  :-)

Thank you, everyone who has voted for A Sorceress of His Own, which has been nominated for The Romance Reviews Readers Choice Award for Historical Romance.  I know I've probably said this before, but I'm so thrilled that my first indie release was nominated.  This book in particular means a lot to me, because it inspired my Immortal Guardians' series and introduced me to Seth, Marcus, and Roland.  :-)  

Voting lasts through Saturday, April 30th.  So if you enjoyed Dillon and Alyssa's story and would like to vote, there's still time to do so HERE.  

"Readers will appreciate the rich characterizations and kick-butt action of Duvall's "In Still Darkness," as Richard d'Alençon, a 200-year-old Guardian, woos charming Jenna McBride with warmth and passion while keeping his vampire-hunting like secret."

—Publishers Weekly

Kindle • Nook • iTunes • Kobo • BAM! • Amazon UK • Amazon Canada

It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!  While anticipating Phantom Embrace's upcoming release, I've been thinking about my first novella's solo release, so I thought I would give you a brief excerpt from In Still Darkness today.  :-)

______________________________________

Weaving on her feet, the woman straightened and looked up at him.  She couldn’t be much more than five feet tall and he was six foot one.  “Y-your eyes are glowing.”

Her pupils were dilated, blocking out almost all of the pale green, leaving only a few flakes of brown.

Richart retracted his fangs.  “Yes.  I know it looks bad, but—”

She shook her head.  “I think they’re beautiful.”

Was that the drug talking?  Or did she really think so?  

“You saved me,” she said, awe and gratitude in her melodic voice.  Loosening her death grip on his shirt, she cupped his face in both hands.

His heart skipped.  

When was the last time a woman had touched his face so tenderly?

When was the last time a woman had touched him at all?  Other than his sister punching him in the shoulder, doing her damnedest to kick his ass when they sparred, or doling out a hug here or there, he honestly couldn’t remember.

“Thank you,” the woman whispered.  Rising onto her toes, she drew his head down and brushed her lips against his.

The contact hit him like an electrical shock.  His heart began to pound as she tilted her head and increased the pressure, brushing, stroking.  She combed her fingers through his short, black hair, sending shivers through him.

He parted his lips, met her tongue with his when she boldly thrust hers forward.

Pure heat.

She leaned into him, clutched him tighter.  

His body hardened.  His breath shortened.  His arms tightened around her.

Her knees went limp.  Her lips tore away from his as her head fell back.  Her eyes closed.  Her mouth hung open, lips pink from kissing him.

Richart stared down at her as his pulse pounded in his ears.

Yeah.  She was out.

Damn it.  That had been the best kiss he’d had in at least a century.

______________________________________

I still love these two together.  :-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #139

Happy Friday!

Kindle • Nook • iBooks • Kobo • BAM!

— $1.99 —

Only a few days left until the July 29th release of In Still Darkness!  Woohoo!!  In Still Darkness is my Immortal Guardians novella (Book 3.5 in the series) that was originally published in the Predatory anthology.

"Readers will appreciate the rich characterizations and the kick-butt action of Duvall's In Still Darkness, as Richart d'Alençon, a 200-year-old Guardian, woos charming Jenna McBride with warmth and passion."

—Publishers Weekly

If you aren't a fan of anthologies, this is your chance to read Richart and Jenna's story as a solo ebook.  :-)  And be sure to drop by my Facebook Page next week.  I'll be giving away some cool Immortal Guardians goodies to celebrate the release!  Keep an eye out for my Release Day post here on my blog, as well, because it will include a giveaway, too.  :-)

Amazon • Kindle • Barnes and Noble • Nook • iBooks • Kobo • BAM!
September 2, 2014

Thank you, everyone who joined me on the Summer Reads Blog Hop!  The winner of a signed ARC of Night Unbound is . . .

LadyVampire2u

Congratulations!!!  

The winners of the Grand Prizes have not yet been announced.

Tired of simmering in the summer heat?  Then imagine yourself instead curling up before a toasty fire and spending a cold winter's night with powerful Immortal Guardians.  I'm helping Fresh Fiction celebrate Christmas in July by giving away a signed copy of Darkness Rises + Immortal Guardians swag.  The contest ends July 27th, so enter today!  You can do so HERE.

Kindle • Nook • iBooks • Kobo • BAM!

Contains a Teaser of Night Unbound!

It's time for Favorite Quote Friday!  In honor of the upcoming release of In Still Darkness, I thought I would give you another peek into its pages.  If this is your first time hearing about it, I'll just preface this by telling you that Richart is a powerful immortal who can teleport, and Jenna is a single mother who is working to put her son through college.

In the next breath, Richart appeared in the living room.  He wore his usual vampire hunting togs:  black shirt, black pants, long black coat, daggers and throwing stars in every loop and pocket and sheath.  Smudges of blood adorned his upper lip and chin, as if someone had punched him hard enough to break his nose.  His eyes glowed a vibrant amber.  His features, when he caught and held her gaze, bore an intensity that sucked the breath from her lungs. 

“What happened?” Jenna asked, closing the distance between them. 

Looping an arm around her waist, he yanked her to him and claimed her lips in a long, passionate kiss.  

Jenna forgot everything as fire burned through her and every nerve ending sprang to life.  Forgot the blood on his chin.  Forgot the weapons weighing him down and poking her as he pressed her against him.  Forgot her son. 

By the time Richart raised his head, she was as breathless as though she had just run the 400 meter relay.

Richart looked over her shoulder and nodded abruptly.  “John.”

“Hey,” John said, sounding stunned.

“Excuse us, please.”  As soon as Richart finished the husky proclamation, he whisked them to his bedroom in his home.

I can't wait until Tuesday!  Thanks so much, everyone who has pre-ordered a copy!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #137

Happy Friday! 

Amazon • Kindle • Barnes and Noble • Nook • iBooks • Kobo • BAM!

Coming September 2nd!

Exciting news!!  Night Unbound made Smexy Books' Best of 2014 . . . So Far list! Woohoo!! Here's a quick quote:

"If you are a paranormal romance fan, I recommend this series!"

_____________________________________________________

The lovely ladies at Author's Taproom are planning an awesome Book Blast for In Still Darkness.   In Still Darkness is my Immortal Guardians novella that was originally published in the Predatory anthology.  It will be released as a solo ebook on July 29th.  If you're a blogger and would like to participate, you can find more information HERE.

_____________________________________________________

Author's Taproom is also planning a Blog Tour for Night Unbound.  If you'd like more information on how you can participate, you can find it HERE.  I'm so excited!!  Thank you, everyone who has signed up so far!

Kindle • Nook • iBooks • Kobo • BAM!
Coming July 29th!
$1.99

It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!  Only two and a half weeks to go before the release of In Still Darkness!  Yay!  For those who haven't read Richart and Jenna's story, I thought I'd give you a nice teaser today:

Squeezing his eyes closed, he turned his head aside. 

"Richart?  What's wrong?  Is it your head?" 

He shook his head.  "It's my eyes." 

"Are they hurting?" 

This was so not the time for his nature to assert itself.  "No, it's . . ."  A huff of frustration escaped him.  "They glow when I'm in the grips of strong emotion and—trust me when I say I realize now is not the time for this—but just the thought of making love with you . . ." 

He jumped when her small, cool fingers touched his jaw and turned his face back toward her. 

"Let me see," she coaxed. 

He did as bidden. 

Her hazel eyes brightened, illuminated by the amber glow emanating from his own. 

She raised her other hand, cupped his face in both, and studied him with such painful intensity that he forgot to breathe.  "They're beautiful," she whispered. 

A lump rose in his throat.  "Don't fear me, Jenna." 

Amusement lit her features.  "It's kind of hard to be afraid of a vampire who apologizes for using harsh language in front of a lady." 

Could he really be so lucky?  "I'm not a vampire." 

"And I'm not a lady."

I know I'm biased, but I love this story.  Richart is the first immortal in my series to even attempt a normal courtship with a mortal, and I really like how it progressed.  :-)  He and Jenna have a funny scene in Night Unbound.  I can't wait for you to read it.  :-)

Have a nice weekend!

Dianne

  

Favorite Quote Friday #135

Happy Friday!  I had so much fun at the Author Takeoever yesterday!  Thank you, everyone who dropped by and chatted with me.  I enjoyed getting to know you better.  We had giveaways and sneak peeks and more.  The hour really flew by!  :-)

My new Immortal Guardians swag arrived!  Or rather, most of it arrived.  UPS only delivered eleven of the twelve boxes and marked them all as delivered, so my awesome In Still Darkness postcards are missing.  *grumble, grumble, grumble*  I'm hoping they'll eventually be delivered next week.

That's a lot of swag.  LOL.  I'm hoping it'll last me a year.  :-)  Here's what it looks like.  I gave away five swag packs at the Takeover last night.

If you missed the Author Takeover and would like a chance to win some of the lovely swag pictured above, hop on over to Kindles and Wine.  They're celebrating their 2-Year Blogiversary with a massive giveaway.  My Prize Package includes signed copies of Darkness Rises and Predatory + an Immortal Guardians swag pack.  (I'd better have my In Still Darkness postcards by the time the contest ends!)  You really don't want to miss this one, because they're giving away 17 Author-Sponsored Prize Packs (like mine), 17 Publisher-Sponsored Prize packs, and 128 Miscellany Giveaways.  That's 162 Winners!  You can find all the details HERE.  Good Luck!  

Amazon • Kindle • Barnes and Noble • Nook • iBooks • BAM!

September 2, 2014

It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!  Only a little over a month to go until the July 29th release of In Still Darkness the Immortal Guardians novella that tells Richart and Jenna's story.   And there are only a little over two months to go until the September 2nd release of Night Unbound, Immortal Guardians Book 5, which tells Zach and Lisette's story.  So I thought I would give you a taste of both by choosing a quote from Night Unbound that features Richart and Jenna for today's selection:

"I did not need to see that," Richart said.  "I mean, I really did not need to see that.  Jenna, honey, grab one of my daggers and poke out both my eyes."

:-)  If you aren't familiar with the series, Richart and Lisette are brother and sister.  Have a great weekend!

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #97

Happy Friday!  I hope you had a good week!  I think we had more cloudy days than sunny days finally, but it was still swelteringly hot.  I opted to stay inside and work-work-work while I silently (okay, not-so-silently) wished the AC would do a better job cooling things down.  :-)

I wanted to give you a quick heads-up that I'm currently holding another contest over on my facebook page.  Five randomly selected entrants will each receive the swag pack above (1 postcard, 4 large bookmarks, 3 smaller bookmarks, and 4 trading cards).  I'll be announcing the winners later today.  :-)

I'll also likely be giving away another ARC of Darkness Rises in the next few days, again on my facebook page.  International entries are welcome in both contests.  :-)

Just a reminder, August 31st is the last day to enter to win 1 of 10 copies of Darkness Rises Kensington is giving away on Goodreads.  You can learn all of the details and enter HERE.

It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!  Since there are only a little over four weeks left before the release of Darkness Rises, Immortal Guardians Book 4 (October 1st), I thought I'd choose another quote from it today.  The following is told from the point of view of Étienne, the hero.  In it, Richart, a fellow Immortal Guardian, makes a quick call to Seth, the Immortal Guardians' leader:

The sounds of battle came over Richart’s line, carrying to Étienne’s sensitive ears.

“Yes?”

“Seth.  Richart.  Are you busy?”

“One moment.”  The clang of metal striking metal reached them, accompanied by howls of pain.  Many howls of pain.  Then silence.  “Not right now, no.  What do you need?”

Étienne fought a smile.

Seth rocks.  :-)  

Have a wonderful weekend!  For those who have Monday off from work and/or school, enjoy the holiday!

Dianne

Favorite Quote Friday #88

Happy Friday!  This week fairly flew past, didn't it?  I can't believe it's already time for Favorite Quote Friday again!

I admit most of my favorite quotes from my Immortal Guardians series are the humorous ones.  What can I say?  I like to laugh and always hope readers will laugh at them, too.  And those tend to be the kinds of quotes I post here.  But today I thought I'd go with something darker, taken from Phantom Shadows, Immortal Guardians Book 3.   If you aren't familiar with my series, Bastien (the hero of Phantom Shadows) is the immortal black sheep and is untrusted, if not hated, by an overwhelming majority of the other Immortal Guardians.  In this scene, Richart (the hero of "In Still Darkness," Predatory, Book 3.5) has asked his twin brother Étienne (the hero of Darkness Rises, Book 4) to help him reign Bastien in after Bastien . . . loses it . . . just a little bit.  ;-)

The narrative quote, told from Étienne's POV, opens with the two brothers teleporting:

They appeared in the shadows of  UNC Chapel Hill’s Peabody Hall.


Étienne — and all of the other immortals who were stationed in the area — was well-acquainted with the quiet campus.  


The stench of blood and death and fear that traveled on the wind tonight staggered him.


Holy hell.  What had happened here?


A quick examination of his brother’s thoughts revealed that Richart had only aided in killing a party of vampires.


But eight destroyed vampires wouldn’t create this stench.


Something moved behind them.


Étienne and Richart both swung around, ready to attack.


Bastien stepped from the deeper darkness, eyes glowing, hair loose and disheveled and sticky with blood.  Nearly every inch of him was coated with the liquid.  His face was crimson with it.  His expression . . .

His expression was as feral as the most insane vampire Étienne had ever fought. 

I loved writing this series of scenes.  Bastien is such a ferocious fighter.  But then, he would have to be, having spent a majority of his existence surrounded by psychotic vampires.  :-)  Don't let the violence fool you, however.  As Melanie (the heroine) once said in a character interview, Bastien has a heart of gold.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Dianne