  I'm so excited to share an interview I did with my good friend, Dawne' Dominique. She's the fabulous cover designer at Secret Cravings Publishing. She did the amazing designs for four of my books! Now I get to share her interview with you!! Hello Dawné and thank you for visiting today. Tell us a little about yourself. Hi, Melissa. Thank you so much for having me. Just to tell people how I know you, I've been Melissa's cover artist, and she's a sweetie. I'm so honored to be interviewed by her today. ((hugs)) Hi, everyone. I'm an author of erotic paranormal romance and fantasy, but I've also been known to have penned a contemporary erotic western novella, which earned me a CAPA nomination. I don't like to follow the rules, except if they're grammar, and I LOVE conducting research. I work three days a week as a contracted paralegal, and the rest of my time is spent creating cover art for several publishers and Indie authors. In between all that I make appointments to go to the bathroom, while trying to write the next best seller. Thanks! I know I love the work you've done for me. It sounds like you have an interesting life. Now on to some personal questions. If you could go back in time to when you were seven years old, what wisdom or advice would you pass on to yourself? Don't stand on the corner of your street and tell all the cars that go by to "F*" off. Especially when the last vehicle turns out to be your dad. *shakes head* I bet you ate soap for that one. For what are you grateful? My health. If I didn't have that nothing in this world would matter. And my family, of course. They're my strongest supporters. If a zombie virus took over the world, how many days do you think you could last before you were infected? And what would you do to postpone the inevitable? That I couldn't tell you. It would depend on where the virus originated. Did it attack the elderly and infirm first, or everyone at once? I'd probably run for the hills and battle with every drop of strength I had. If I caught the virus, the thought of eating my daughter would give me enough incentive to put a bullet through my skull. What television sitcom is most like your family? Why? American Dad. But we're the Canadian version. LMAO! That's a funny show. What’s your favorite thing to do to relax? Create cover art, of course. It's like Valium for me. Let’s find out a little bit about you as an author. Did you always want to be an author? Oh, yes. I wrote poems and stories and drew pictures since I was able to hold a crayon. My twin sister was good at sports and everything else she laid her hands on. Me, I was quiet and a bookworm. Until I became a teenager. Then I let loose. What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? As a child, it was Astrid Lindgren, the author of the Pippi Longstocking tales, and Anna Sewell, the author of Black Beauty. They were both strong women, and I admired them so much. As I grew older, I discovered fantasy and J.R. Tolkein. Then came Anne Rice. They are and always will be my two favorite authors. I've ready Pippi Longstocking to my class. What a great book! Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? Yes, a burning candle. There's something magical and soothing about writing by candlelight. What have you learned the most from being in the writing business? To trust in myself and my voice. And to read a publishing contract. When I first became published, my first two submissions went to two different publishers. Both were accepted. One publisher was fantastic; the other? *shudders* It was the worse, and best, experience because I learned so much from it and about the publishing business. It's also the main reason I became a cover artist. I think we all have those tales of scary publishing contracts. Tell us about your latest release: Crimson Cries, IV: The First is my latest release. It's the 4th novel to my vampire series called The First. This series would have released before the Twilights and True Bloods, but, as I mentioned above, I had a publisher hold it hostage for three years. The series delves into the first paranormal entities (vamps and wolves). I blend biblical facts with fiction. It's definitely not your ordinary vampire series. Eden's Hell was nominated for an EPIC because it was different from all the vampire novels out there. You'd be surprised to learn just who the first vampire was. *grins* How did you decide on your story plot? Quite by accident, actually. I entered a writing contest in my writing forum. The prompt was to write a chapter length story about a unique vampire. I won the contest, but every judge and reader had one major critique. It was too short. They wanted my character to star in her own novel. So I wrote Dark Diary. Then came Kindred Blood. When the fiasco with that publisher happened, I was halfway through Crimson Cries when I pulled the series from that publishing house. Then I shelved the entire project and began writing a stand-alone vampire novel. Halfway through the writing process of Eden's Hell, I realized it had to begin the series. I truly believe everything in life happens for a reason. That horrid experience was supposed to happen. How else would I have begun writing Eden's Hell? It was just meant to be. How did you choose your characters' names and location(s) for your story? I've always loved the name Daniella. I wanted to name our daughter Daniella, or Danielle, but hubby didn't like it. Rolfe was a last name that sounded regal and strong. Thus, Daniella Rolfe was born. Eden's Hell is set in California because it was a good place for a vampire like Addison Eden to hide. The second novel, Dark Diary, is set here in Winnipeg, where I live. Then we travel to England and Scotland because I've always dreamed of going there one day. The last novel is set in Spain. Do you have a favorite scene? Why? Yes, I do. In Dark Diary, Daniella is in the kitchen with Aiden Blackmore, who is a Winnipeg detective that's (ahem) assigned to protect her. Believe me, Daniella needs no one to protect her. She suddenly realizes she's fallen for him—a human—and not just any human, but a man of authority (a cop). She's lived in anonymity for seven centuries. Aiden's found out what she is and has a difficult time coming to grips with the reality of it. He's questioning her about her past and hits on some intimate questions. She wants nothing to do with him, but he corners her. Here's an excerpt of the scene: To her surprise, Aiden took her other hand and spread both her arms out against the wall before leaning close. When his lips brushed lightly over hers, he sucked in a deep breath. The smoldering fire building inside her deepened to an ache so intense, she knew and saw nothing but his face. His gaze bored into her, never once straying, and the passion therein was unlike any she'd seen. Again, his lips feathered against hers, as if asking permission. “I won't stop, Daniella,” he whispered hoarsely. “I can't stop. Please don't make me.” Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why? That would be Daniella Rolfe. She's rich, beautiful, and powerful. She's everything I wish I was. I bet the fans wish they were here too! Let our readers know how they can get a hold of you… You can drop me a line at my author website www.dawnedominique.com or visit my cover artist website at www.dusktildawndesigns.com I love hearing from readers and authors. Is there anything else that you want to share… feel free!! I have a new release coming out shortly. It's called The Tears of San'Ferath. I was a fantasy author before I began writing paranormal and Tears is straight-up fantasy with a kick-ass heroine, a freelance mercenary, and a land that's lost its mage'ic. I've been struggling with the last chapter, but I hope to have it completed by the end March. Then comes edits, proofing and publishing. And yes, the cover art is done. ☺ If you'd like to see it, it's on my artist webpage under the"Fantasy" section.  Eden's Hell, I: The First In the beginning... God created man and called him Adam, a fine specimen replicated in his own image. He then created woman to ease Adam's loneliness and named her Lillith. Unfortunately, God realized his mistake too late in giving woman free will, for she would rule her domain-not man. When Lillith left Adam, God created another for his first-born son, and gave her the name Eve and a kingdom called Eden, but by then it was too late, for he'd unleashed Hell into the world of man. Purchase your copy: AMAZON Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE Excerpt: His melancholy gaze ventured toward the window again. “The hour grows late, and we must leave.” He rose and moved toward the balcony, but not as fluidly as he usually did. His face was paler, his movements sluggish. As he approached the full length windows, he waved a hand and a portion of the glass slid to the side. Uneasiness churned in the base of her stomach. He’s still hiding something. She followed him out, inwardly thanking him for sharing some insight into the vampire lore. He'd kept her safe so far, and she wouldn’t begin doubting him now, especially now that she was head over heels in love with him. Their night of quickie passion lingered at the back of her mind, a distant dream, a yearning of hope that neither of them had mentioned. He seemed cold and distant, almost as if he’d placed an impenetrable wall between them. Whether it was for her benefit or his, she didn’t know. She stood a few feet away, unsure. Addison’s ebony silhouette revealed tensely squared shoulders. Instinct made her adopt the same demeanor. He turned his head away when his arm snaked around her waist to draw her close. She buried her head into his shoulder, her emotions on overload. His touch felt colder, and she was keenly aware of the marbled muscles pressing into every dip and rise of her body. When they left the ground, she gulped in air, forcing the fluttering butterflies down as far as they would go without her throwing up. When he stopped and hovered in midair, the zero gravity brought sour bile to sting her tongue. She realized this flying wasn’t as fun as it had been the first time around. She held fast and ignored the strands of hair whipping about her face as they flew through the evening sky. With her eyes squeezed shut, Eva did something she hadn’t done in a long time. She prayed.  Dark Dairy, II: The First The lives of a deranged serial killer, a seven centuries old First vampire and a City of Winnipeg detective collide in this second novel of Dawné Dominique’s The First series. Daniella Rolfe, a seven-century old First vampire is unwittingly drawn together with a City of Winnipeg detective, who happens to be investigating a string of some rather bizarre serial murders. It doesn’t take long for her to discover that this mere mortal man holds more power over her than any she's ever known. And Aiden...he's only dreamed about women like Daniella. Blood battles and broken vows are just the beginning of Daniella Rolfe’s woes. Purchase your copy: AMAZON Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE Excerpt: “Rigor mortis hasn't set in yet,” she explained. She pushed her glasses back up her nose and rolled the body over, staring inquisitively at him over the thickness of the lenses. He swallowed the brick-sized lump lodged in his throat. “Have the officers outside make a sweep of the area.” “It's being done now, but that's not the reason why I called Barlow to get you down here. I want you to see this for yourself.” She proceeded to unbutton the victim's shirt and then pushed the material aside so only he could see. He gawked, speechless. Carved in rudimentary printing into the washboard stomach was: Aiden Blackmore. Dixie's eyes narrowed. “Ya mind telling me why your name's there?” “Jesus, help me,” he whispered, feeling the blood drain from his face. He just about fell on his ass and had to put a hand down on the concrete floor to steady himself. “Clear the area,” she shouted without looking up. “Now!” Startled police officers began shuffling out. Soon, there was only the two of them and one dead guy. “Aiden, you gotta tell me what the hell's going on here. This follows the same MO as the others; they all bear identical incisions over both wrists; they're young men about the same height and weight, and their throats have been ripped open. The initials aren't on his back like the others.” Dixie's nose wrinkled. “This time he preferred writing on the front of the envelope. By the way, the victim's prints are on route to forensics now. Let's hope we get a hit.” Aiden swallowed a searing bubble of bile. All he could see was his name etched into the poor man's flesh. “A copycat?” he managed. The victim's brown curls, now stiff with dried blood, looked like a cherub...a chewed up cherub, mind you. “I'll bet you a trip to sunny Florida that we find this guy's more than a few pints short. Look at the blood by his throat.” Using the end of her pen, Dixie pointed to the cement floor. “Judging by the tear to his jugular, his body should be soaked, yet the blood pooling is small, the edges only beginning to dry. Nor is there any postmortem staining,” she added as she removed her glasses to pinch the bridge of her nose. “If this is a copycat, how the hell does he know about the wrist and neck wounds? We haven't released that to the public. Aiden? Aiden, are you listening to me?” His attention remained riveted on the young man's stomach, at the sprawling name staring accusingly back at him. “Hey, you gonna ignore me?” The coroner‟s sarcastic drawl cut through his angst. Aiden straightened. He knew this day had started out too good. “What do you want me to say, Dixie?” he snapped. “You got a time of death?” “An hour, maybe two at the most.” He peered toward the corridors leading to both exits—one where he'd entered and the other, the main entrance of the warehouse where several officers had left moments ago. “Who called it in?” She shrugged. “An anonymous caller. You and Barlow listen to the tape. Maybe the voice will spark something. In this neighborhood, who can tell.” After clearing her throat, she waited a minute before asking, “Anything you wanna add?” Right now, he wished he'd grabbed a few extra painkillers. Hell, a whole mitt full. His head swam with these new implications, and for the life of him, he couldn't understand how he'd become personally involved. Had he been getting close to the killer? Fuck! He had absolutely zilch on this guy. The asshole was not only laughing at him, he was ramming him up the ass as well. Somehow, this had become personal. If Aiden had to sell his soul to bring this demented fuck to justice, so be it.  Kindred Blood, III: The First There is nothing thicker—or stronger—than kindred blood. Being married in Scotland sounds like the perfect romantic getaway, doesn't it? For Daniella Rolfe and Aiden Blackmore, the nightmare they'd left behind was just the beginning. When Aiden is kidnapped, Daniella will go to any lengths to ensure he's brought safely back to her, no matter the amount of blood to be shed. Together with Spencer Dalton, a private investigator she hired to help find Aiden, they begin to unravel more than they bargained for. Broken vows are the least of Daniella's worries now. Purchase your copy: AMAZON Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE Excerpt: She pushed her hand against his chest, forcibly pushing him back until his butt hit the windowsill behind the bed. When her eyes narrowed, both her pupils liquefied until the entire sockets became black. “Jesus!” She pressed her face close until their noses almost touched. “Stand behind the curtain—and—stay—quiet.” It had to have been his imagination, or for sure he'd finally lost whatever marbles he had left. When he dared to blink, those black pools of hers now blazed blood red. He shied away and pressed himself onto the sill of the window. Now he was positive he'd lost it. “Where are you going to hide?” His heart hammered inside his chest, which thankfully muted the voices out in the hall. Then a loud click sounded and Nigel's front door opened. He stared in panic at the entrance of the bedroom, listening to the approach of footsteps. Daniella flipped the brocade fabric of the drapes over him. “Stay put.” Spencer inched further into the window, wishing he could meld with the glass. From a small pleat in the fabric, he saw her move to the corner opposite the computer. What in the hell is she doing? He wanted to scream at her to hide any place but where she currently stood. She couldn't have been more conspicuous than if she were a Christmas tree with marquee lights. He blinked again, and the next thing he saw was her hair taking on a life of its own. Tendrils lengthened and darkened, and moved about her face and body. Like a belly dancer's veils, the strands grew longer, wider, gathering the shadows in the room into a sensuous waltz that glided around her until-- Poof! One moment she was there, the next she was gone. As the voices grew louder, Spence squeezed his eyes shut and wished he'd never met Daniella Rolfe.  Crimson Cries, IV: The First Can she leave behind her past in order to do what's necessary for the future? When Paladin Sandalio, prince of the vilkacis race, shows up at her door with the same cryptic warnings as her father, Daniella Rolfe has no choice but to believe the Nuasiar Nine walk the world again. With vamps and wolves dying side-by-side, and innocents caught in the crossfire, she knows it won't be long before the veils are set asunder. Trusting those she's detested for centuries is no easy task, but learning that entities like them were not created by accident will be the greatest challenge of all. New vows will be taken—now she will show them real fear. Purchase your copy: AMAZON Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE Excerpt: “Your blood is the reason why they’re searching for you. Especially now. They want the strength of a First to defeat the Nine. There are some who believe Sanehet is the father of us all. He helped in creating the vampire race of old, yes. However, the true creator…" He hesitated with a shake of his head. "Your father veiled others because of his loneliness, but only a drop of his blood did he share. Nothing more.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth. “You’ve taken from him what he’s offered to no other.” The statement landed like a slap across her face. “Then why not come to me? Console me? Be a mentor? A damn parent? How about explaining what I was? Instead, he sent a servant?” He reared back, his eyes glinting dangerously. Unshed tears stung, but she refused to let her guard down. “Every strand of humanity I thought I had is now gone. I’m a monster, like him.” Saying aloud words she’d thought so often since Stronick Castle was a bitter pill to swallow. She rose and began pacing, hoping to stifle the anger and hurt. “He instructed you to teach me not to kill while he gormandized half the population dry like some, some—?” “Vampire?” Contempt hardened his face. “I did as he’d asked. I was a messenger, nothing more. I swore a blood oath to do just that. For what it’s worth, I didn’t know he had a born daughter until after he addressed me with the task.” “We can’t change history. We leave the past behind, yes?” she whispered. “But the future is always alterable. I’ve wrapped myself in arrogance far too long. I thought I was untouchable—” “As his blood flows through you, then so does a portion of his soul. When he’s granted leave from this side of the veils, you’ll inherit it in its entirety, along with all his powers.” “Soul? Powers? Do you think me that naive?” “Are you capable of love?”    A multi-published and award-nominated author of paranormal erotic romance and fantasy, Dawné Dominique's novels instantly hook readers until that last page is read.
Although published in the US, she's a Canadian author through and through. The second novel of her vampire series, Dark Diary, II: The First, is set in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she resides with her family, and Gunkers, a stray cat she recently saved, and Chumbly, their newest addition to the feline household. She embraces life with one simple rule: “Everything in life happens for a reason, be it good or bad, and it’s because of this we learn to never take anything for granted.” Her latest books are in The First Series: Eden’s Hell, Dark Dairy, Kindred Blood and Crimson Cries. Drop by to pay her visit at: www.dawnedominique.com or www.DusktildawnDesigns.com. Connect & Socialize! Facebook * Goodreads |
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