Showing posts with label humor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humor. Show all posts

Friday, September 16, 2022

THE AKSELI Audiobook and Other Fun News!

Hello, all! As always, I hope this finds you safe and well. A lot has happened in the month since my last post. A long spate of cloudy, thunder-boomy days finally brought an end to our excruciatingly hot, record-breaking, triple-digit temperatures. (And you know how much I love to write when it's stormy outside.) I dove into my next manuscript. And I have exciting Akseli news! 

Now Available for Pre-Order
on Audible!

THE AKSELI is Now available for Pre-Order in audiobook format! Woohoo!! Kirsten Potter is a fantastic narrator (and fun to work with). So if you've never listened to an audiobook but have been thinking about giving them a try, you might want to dive in with this one. 😉


Releasing October 11, 2022
in ebook, audiobook, paperback, and hardback
A #1 Amazon & Audible Bestseller

audiobook
Audible • Amazon • Audiobooks.com
ebook
KindleNookiBooksKobo
Amazon AUAmazonCAAmazon DE
Amazon FRAmazon UKAmazon IT
paperback
— Available on Release Day —
hardback
— Available on Release Day —

New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the next stand-alone novel in a thrilling new sci-fi romance series full of action and humor.

Despite his fierce reputation and propensity for violating the law, Janwar has formed a friendship with strait-laced Prince Taelon of Lasara. When the prince's ship is destroyed, Janwar joins the massive Aldebarian Alliance-wide search and rescue mission and soon locates the Gathendien ship that launched the attack. An odd thing happens, however, as he and his crew stealthily approach it. The lifeforms inside begin to perish, two or three at a time in quick succession. Much to his surprise, someone else has reached the ship first: one of the very Earth women he hoped to rescue.

Simone has hunted and slain psychotic vampires night after night for hundreds of years and desperately needs a change. When the leader of the Immortal Guardians offers her an opportunity to guard ten mortal women who are venturing to another planet, she dives right in and finds traveling into space and meeting amazing alien races just as exciting as she'd hoped… until an enemy attacks. Simone saves everyone she can before she's thrust into an escape pod and the ship explodes. Alone, fearing some—if not all—of her friends have been killed, she vows to seek vengeance.

Fascinatingly fierce, Simone bands together with Janwar and his crew to search for her missing friends and wreak havoc upon those who wish to harm them. She also widens eyes, drops jaws, and sparks laughter and mischief as she banishes the warriors' world-weariness and makes each day seem like a new adventure. The friendship that grows between Janwar and Simone swiftly deepens into love. But the enemy warriors they face are tenacious and boast more weapons in their arsenal than the alliance knows. Can Janwar, Simone, and such a small crew vanquish them?

— • — •— •— •— •— •— •— •— •

Thank you, everyone who has pre-ordered the ebook. Thanks to you, THE AKSELI catapulted up the charts and hit #1 in multiple categories on Amazon. You rock!! ❤️

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The Akseli Release Tour


THE AKSELI will release in ebook, audiobook, paperback, and hardback on October 11, 2022. We'll be celebrating with another fun Release Tour and Release Day Blitz that will include:

Excerpts
Exclusive Author Guest Posts
Teasers
Author Q&As

+

A Tour-Wide Giveaway
2—Amazon Gift Cards
2–Aldebarian Alliance Swag Packs


and
Participation Incentive
Book influencers who participate in the tour will have the chance to be entered into a drawing to win a $25.00 Amazon eGift Card.

JOIN THE TOUR TODAY!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Crystal at crystal@dianneduvall.com

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Sneak Peek

Here's another sneak peek into the pages of Simone and Janwar's story.

Janwar glanced at Simone.
 
A wide smile lit her features as she peered over the chunks of ice that hid them and studied the frigid surface below.
 
He shook his head as affection welled up within him, dampening some of his concern. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
 
“Absolutely,” she answered, her voice full of enthusiasm. “I have now visited an alien planet and an alien moon. I’ve become an honest-to-goodness space explorer.”
 
He loved this sweet, innocent side of her. If she weren’t wearing a helmet, he would smooth a hand over her hair and lean in for a kiss. “What are you thinking?” he asked, curious to know what thoughts tumbled through her sharp mind as she studied the landscape.
 
“Right now? Part of me is imagining you naked inside that armor.”
 
Surprised, he laughed. Perhaps innocent wasn’t the right word.

Read a Longer Sneak Peek

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I hope those of you who pre-order THE AKSELI will enjoy Simone and Janwar's story!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dianne

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

New Release— THE PURVELI

Hello, all! Today's the day! THE PURVELI is Now Available in ebook, audiobook, paperback, & hardback! Woohoo!! I'm so excited!

An Amazon, Audible, and Barnes&Noble Bestseller

 ebook
Kindle • Nook • Kobo • iBooks
AmazonAU • AmazonCA • AmazonDE
AmazonFR • AmazonUK 
audiobook
(Narrated by Kirsten Potter)
Audible
paperback
Amazon
hardback
Amazon


New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Dianne Duvall brings readers the next stand-alone novel in an exciting new sci-fi romance series full of action, adventure, and happily-ever-afters.


Ava has always been different. Born with strong telepathic abilities, she lives a very isolated life until she is offered a job with an obscure network that aids powerful Immortal Guardians in their quest to protect humanity from the psychotic vampires who prey upon them. Suddenly, she doesn't feel so different. For the first time in her life, Ava has found a place where she belongs. She's happy. Life is good. And when her employers invite her to join a group of other gifted ones and a handful of Immortal Guardians on a journey to another planet, it becomes absolutely fantastic.


In no time at all, she is speeding across the galaxy aboard a Lasaran warship manned by two amazing alien races. It's the dream of a lifetime... until a vicious attack by a mutual enemy of Earth and Lasara lands her alone in an escape pod with no habitable planet in sight and only one ship within range: one that carries the enemy who wants to know why the bioengineered virus they release on Earth long ago didn't exterminate humanity and leave the planet ripe for their claiming.


Jak'ri doesn't know how long he has been a prisoner aboard the Cebaun, but he fears the enemy's twisted experiments will soon lead them to a virus that will eradicate the Purveli people. Despair grips him until a female from Earth is taken captive and reaches out to him telepathically. The gift that Ava said caused her such misery in the past soon becomes his salvation as the two of them form a fast friendship. Determined to distract each other from the horrors of their existence, they immerse themselves in telepathic communion during the day, then seek solace and adventure together in shared dreams. As their friendship deepens into love, the two hatch a daring plot to escape their captors. But the enemy will not let them go without a fight.


Can Ava and Jak'ri stand against so many and emerge victorious?


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To celebrate, I thought I'd share an excerpt with you that features Ava, Jak'ri, and Ziv'ri (Jak'ri's brother) and takes place after Ava is captured by the enemy. In this scene, she is being held in a different location than the Purveli brothers, so the three of them communicate telepathically.


Resting her head on her bent arm, Ava closed her eyes and tried to focus on something else. Like getting the hell out of here.
 
I’m not going to urinate in my canteen. I have to drink out of that.
 
She smiled when Jak’ri’s disgruntled voice came to her. She was too tired to block other people’s thoughts. And the Gathendiens all dosed themselves with some herb to keep their minds private. So Jak’ri’s and Ziv’ri’s were the ones she inadvertently found herself immersed in.
 
For once, she didn’t mind.
 
I don’t know why that would bother you, his brother responded dryly. After you drank that liquor from Promeii 7, I would think urine would be a vast improvement.
 
Though they spoke aloud, their thoughts mirrored their words, enabling her to listen in.
 
Jak’ri laughed. It probably would. That bura was revolting.
 
Yet you still drank it.
 
And won the wager.
 
Ziv’ri made a grumbly sound. I never should’ve wagered my hovercycle.
 
Best cycle I ever owned, Jak’ri crowed.
 
His brother grunted. Did you tell Ava about that?
 
She raised her eyebrows, surprised to hear Ziv’ri mention her.
 
No. I think I’ll spare her that one.
 
Why? Don’t want to tarnish your virile image by describing the week afterward that you spent hanging your head in the lav and regurgitating everything you ate?
 
Jak’ri laughed. I already tarnished my image when I showed her what I look like now.
 
Not a wise move. Even Shek’ra wouldn’t want you if she could see you now. You’re far too scrawny to attract a female.
 
Drek you.
 
Low masculine laughter accompanied the siblings’ teasing.
 
What does she look like? Ziv’ri asked.
 
Ava?
 
Yes. All you’ve told me is she looks Lasaran.
 
A moment passed, and Ava found herself holding her breath as she awaited his answer.
 
She’s beautiful, Jak’ri said, something like affection tingeing his voice.
 
Warmth filled her.
 
Small and delicate like the Lasaran princess.
 
She was actually three inches taller than Ami. But Jak’ri had been a head taller than her or more, so she supposed anyone a foot shorter would seem small and delicate to him.
 
She isn’t built like our women, he continued. Her shoulders aren’t as broad. And her chest and back aren’t as muscled.
 
What about her breasts?
 
You don’t need to know about her breasts, Jak’ri chastised him. But they’re perfect, plump and round.
 
She didn’t think he said that last part out loud, thankfully.
 
Ava glanced down at her modest bosom. She’d always considered her breasts small by society’s standards. Certainly nothing that would stop traffic. But it seemed as though they were actually larger than most Purveli women’s.
 
And Jak’ri liked them, judging by the way his thoughts drifted to memories of her lacy bra cupping her breasts while they swam and played together in the ocean.
 
You’re thinking about her breasts now, aren’t you? Ziv’ri asked.
 
She grinned. Yes, he is, she answered telepathically.
 
Jak’ri gasped.
 
Oh ho! Ziv’ri said on a laugh. You’ve made my brother blush, Ava. I haven’t seen his face this red since Mother caught him—
 
Do not finish that sentence! Jak’ri ordered.
 
Ava laughed.


I had so much fun with these three. 🙂 I hope you will, too.


— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • 


Reviews have already begun to roll in, and I could not be happier.



Caffeinated Reviewer gave THE PURVELI a wonderful 5-star review. Here's another snippet:


"Kristen Potter narrates, and I could listen to her all day. Her unique character voices to the way she expresses the characters’ emotions amped up the suspense. Her tone and pacing adds another layer to this brilliant storyline. Fans of sci-fi romance, off planet adventure and suspense will delight in this newest installment."



EBookObsessed gave THE PURVELI a fantastic 5-star review, too. Here's another snippet:


"I loved that we brought our beloved gifted ones and Immortal Guardians into this new world building so we blend the familiar with boundless new possibilities for new characters and new worlds to explore. I am having so much fun exploring the galaxy through Dianne’s imaginative writing."


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The Purveli Blog Tour has begun! We're celebrating the big release with excerpts, favorite quotes, a playlist, 5 reasons to love Ava and Jak'ri, fun facts about the Aldebarian Alliance series, author Q&As, and more. It also includes a...

TOUR-WIDE GIVEAWAY

2 - $25 Amazon.com Gift Cards

2 - Aldebarian Alliance Swag Packs


Here are the stops we've made thus far:

Rachael’s not-so-secret diary
Favorite Quotes from The Purveli

Books-n-Kisses
Top 5 Reasons to Love Ava from The Purveli

Nerdynovelreviews
Author Q&A with Dianne Duvall

I’m A Voracious Reader
Spotlight & Teaser from The Purveli

You can find the Full Schedule, which is updated daily, at Author's Taproom.

— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —


Urban Fantasy fans, C.L. Cannon's Urban Fantasy Fan Giveaway is still going on. Join the fun and follow some amazing authors across the web as you enter to win American Demon by Kim Harrison, Naked City by Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Marissa Marr, Holly Black & more, Dead Things by Stephen Blackmoore, and Ghosts of Gotham by Craig Schaefer+ a Dark Tower coffee mug, Supernatural zipper pouch, Sabrina bookmark, Lost Boys Funko Pop, Lucifer candle, and a Harry Dresden magnet!


You can also return to the giveaway every day for special tasks that will earn you daily entry points! The more tasks you perform, the more chances you have to win!


— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —

Thank you for sharing in my excitement for this release. Have a wonderful week!

And for those of you who are already reading or listening to THE PURVELI, I hope you're having fun with Ava and Jak'ri!

Dianne

Friday, July 30, 2021

Favorite Quote Friday: Cliff's Descent

Happy Friday!

This has been such an exciting week!


Cliff's Descent: A Vampire's Tale released on Tuesday and—thanks to you—hit Amazon, Audible, Barnes&Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo bestseller lists.

If this is your first time hearing about it, here's the blurb:

ebook

Kindle  Kobo  Nook  Apple 

AmazonUK  AmazonAU  AmazonCA

AmazonDE  AmazonFR

audiobook
Narrated by Kirsten Potter
paperback

For the first time, New York Timesbestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers a novel—set in the "fast-paced" (Publishers Weekly) and "totally addictive" (RT Book Reviews) world of the Immortal Guardians—that revolves around a vampire... one who has become a friend and trusted ally of the powerful warriors.

Every mortal who works at network headquarters knows that vampires reside below them. They were the first to surrender to the powerful Immortal Guardians who hunt them. And they did so, hoping they can be saved, that the doctors and scientists the Immortal Guardians employ can halt the progressive brain damage that robs all vampires of their sanity. Though curious, Emma never thought she would meet any of the vampires who remain under heavy guard several stories beneath her office. Then mercenaries strike, bombarding the building with heavy artillery. The vampires are freed to join the fray... and Cliff saves her life.

From that moment on, she can't stop thinking about him regardless of the restrictions placed on interactions with vampires.When Emma discovers a way to speak to Cliff at network headquarters, she becomes even more fascinated by him. He's smart, charming, and honorable to his core despite the darkness that lies ahead. And he seems to crave her company as much as she does his. Aware of the eyes that watch them, they keep their encounters innocent, limiting them to those of mere acquaintances. Nevertheless, their attraction grows and she soon falls in love with him even as the madness begins to claim him.

Cliff realizes his future is dark. As one vampire friend after another succumbs to insanity, hope that network doctors will be able to find a cure in time to keep him from meeting the same fate begins to dwindle, leaving him little to look forward to... until he meets Emma. Just speaking to her brings him a happiness and contentment he hasn't experienced since before his transformation. And when they finally find a way to be alone together, everything changes. Emma burrows her way right into his heart and quiets the voices. She sparks dreams of a future withher that strengthen his determination to beat back the madness. But as time passes, the voices grow louder and insanity begins to chip away at him until he fears it will eradicate every part of him she fell in love with.

Will the two of them find a way to defy the odds and find their happily-ever-after? Or will Cliff's descent consume him?

— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —


Reviews have begun to roll in for Cliff and Emma's story. And I'm so thrilled that you're enjoying it! Here are some of the awesome things readers are saying:

 

"Wow! Worth the wait! This was truly a beautiful love story."

αи∂у. (o´`o)**

 

"This story was amazing! I laughed, I cried!... I’m ready to read it again!"

—Zina Fritz

 

"OMGosh, what an amazing book and well worth the wait!"

Betty

 

"Wow! Another great story!... Well crafted and deeply moving."

—CYarg

 

"Dianne Duval not only hit the ball out of the park, she hit a grand slam."

—Darla Mundwiller

 

"Outstanding! Dianne DOES NOT disappoint at all!! I DEVOURED this book. Could not put it down for even a second. It has all the feels."

—TJW


— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —




Mrs. Clare’s Book
s

Q&A with Dianne Duvall

 

Lynn’s Romance Enthusiasm

Excerpt from Cliff’s Descent

 

Nerdynovelreviews

Q&A with Dianne Duvall

 

Read All About It

Spotlight/Teaser of Cliff’s Descent

 

Lady with a Quill

Top 5 Reasons to Love Emma from Cliff’s Descent

 

Bury Oneself in a good book

Spotlight/Teaser of Cliff’s Descent

 



The tour also includes a giveaway, so when you join us be sure to enter for a chance to win 1 of 3 Amazon.com Gift Cards (1—$50 gift card and 2—$25 gift cards) that are up for grabs. You can find the full schedule with links that are updated daily at


— • — • — • — • — • — • — • — • —


It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday! Since you might have seen readers mention crying while reading Cliff's book, I thought I would share an excerpt of one of of the lighter moments in the story. It features Cliff and Emma (the hero and heroine) and Sadie, a friend and coworker of Emma's:
_________________________________

“Oh good!” a bright, feminine voice trilled. “You’re here.”

 

Cliff’s eyebrows shot up when an elderly woman stopped beside their table and beamed at him. She didn’t look a day under ninety, had a sweet smile bracketed by wrinkles, skin so pale he could see the veins at her temples, and snow-white hair pulled up into a tidy bun. The biceps left bare by her dress looked thinner than his wrist, and she seemed to weigh little more than the large clear container full of cookies that she carried.

 

Emma offered the woman a warm smile. “Hi, Sadie.”

 

“Hello, sweetie,” Sadie said, then swung her attention back to Cliff. “I’m so glad I caught you today, young man. Here. I baked these for you.”

 

Cliff’s jaw dropped when she held out the container. For a moment he could only stare in stunned disbelief. But the muscles in her bony arms began to tremble, so he hastily took the cookies. “I think you must be confusing me with someone else.”

 

She waved a hand and issued a pshaw sound. “I may be old, but my memory’s as sharp as a tack. You’re Vampire Cliff. Now set that down so I can hug your neck.”

 

What… was happening?

 

He shot Emma a glance.

 

Her lovely lips stretching in a grin, she looked as though she were struggling not to laugh. “You’d better do as she says.”

 

Cliff set the container down.

 

Sure enough, Sadie moved closer, wrapped her arms around his neck, and gave him a hug. The scents of lavender and vanilla wafted over him. “It’s okay,” Sadie told him cheerfully. “You can hug me back. I won’t break.”

 

Nonplussed, he closed his arms around her and gently patted her back.

 

After a moment, Sadie withdrew with a smile. “As soon as I heard you’d been spotted up here in the cafeteria, I knew I had to bake you some cookies. I hope you like them. It’s a recipe passed down by my Danish grandmother.”

 

“I’m sure they’re delicious,” Cliff said. “Thank you.”

 

Maybe she didn’t understand what a vampire was.

 

Emma smiled at the woman. “Sadie, would you like to join us?”

 

“Oh yes, dear, I would. Let me go get my lunch first.”

 

Cliff watched the woman shuffle over to the serving counter, then looked at Emma.

 

She grinned. “I wish you could see your expression right now. It’s absolutely priceless.”

 

“I have no idea what’s happening.”

 

She laughed. “I know. She’ll explain it when she gets back.” Leaning forward, she nodded at the container. “Sadie treats everyone under the age of sixty like they’re her grandchildren. She’s ninety-three, so to her we’re all just kids.” Her eyes crinkled with mirth. “I even heard her refer to Sebastien Newcombe as that handsome boy with the glowing eyes who caused such a fuss.”

 

He laughed at the description.
_________________________________

Thank you for making this such a great release week! If you haven't read or listened to Cliff's Descent: A Vampire's Tale yet, I hope you'll enjoy it!

Dianne

Friday, September 13, 2019

Favorite Quote Friday — Death of Darkness

Happy Friday! I had another busy, but very productive week. I got all the winner packages mailed. I also wrote many pages in my new manuscript. Woohoo!! I'm really liking it and hope you will, too. Thank you again, members of my Books Group, for being so sweet about me spending less time in there lately. You all rock!! And you always make me smile.



If you're on Facebook and aren't a member, you're welcome to join. It's a great place to hang out. Very positive. No negativity. No drama. Just plain fun. Here's a link:




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Also, for those on Facebook: Facebook is still hiding Page posts from those who have liked the page. So here are some recent posts from my page that you might have missed:








— • — •— •— •— •— •— •— •— •— •



Reviews continue to roll in for Death of Darkness. I know I've been saying this every week since the release, but thank you so much!! I loved writing this book and really wanted you all to enjoy it. Here are some more of the Amazon reviews that have left me grinning big and doing happy dances:

★★★★★
“I loved this book, beyond wonderful… Thank you Dianne for all the laughter, joy and smiles”
— Trisha Ann

★★★★★
“Not enough words to describe how amazing this book is! ... It is truly one of the best books I have read in a very long time.
— SEC

★★★★★
There are many books I enjoy, but the Immortal Guardians series is one that has truly captured my imagination.”
— Rosanna

★★★★★
“Freaking AWESOME! … I laughed, cried, and almost lost it at the twists and turns. Can’t wait for the next one!”
— Wendy Humbarger

★★★★★
We have been waiting for years for this book and boy does Ms. Duvall deliver!! … prepare yourself there will be a lot of laughs, smiles, wtf and tears.”
— Kelly

★★★★★
The book is perfect! The entire series is phenomenal! … Seth and Leah are the best!”
— LaShumbra

★★★★★
Full of adventure, danger, excitement, romance this story is amazing.”
— LoisA


— • — •— •— •— •— •— •— •— •— •

Immortal Guardians Book 9
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
Paperback

It's time once more for Favorite Quote Friday!! Today I thought I would share another quote from Death of Darkness that reveals a little of the playful banter between Seth and Leah, the hero and heroine:

_______________________________

Her lips turned up in a smile. “Remember how I said I’m a total workaholic?”

“Yes.” Now her thumb stroked his hand, sending warmth all the way up his arm, through his shoulder, and into his chest.

“Well, I’ve been trying to ease back on that a little lately, but it’s been so long that I have no idea what to do with downtime.”

“I understand completely. David has been insisting I delegate more authority lately and take some time off, but…” He shrugged. “When I’m not working, I always feel like I should be working and find myself at loose ends.”

“Exactly! This is going to sound lame, but… I don’t get out much. And tonight, when the walls started closing in on me, I figured a drive in the country might be nice because I couldn’t think of anything else to do. Then I got here, you opened the door, and I thought: Oh crap, he’s going to think I’m a total stalker.”

“Not at all.” Seth raised their clasped hands and grinned. “I merely assumed you wanted to see my big hands again.”

Laughing, she gave his shoulder a shove. “You’re such a tease!”

His heart lightened. “Admitted without shame.”

“Well, I’ll forgive you,” she quipped, “because you’re letting me hold your hand.” Drawing their clasped hands closer to her face, she cupped her free hand over them and smoothed circles over his as she assumed a comical expression of amazement. “Oooooooh. So big,” she breathed.

Seth laughed.

_______________________________

Have a Wonderfull weekend!


Dianne