Giveaway and Interview of Donya Lynne and her Anniversary Blog Tour of Rise of the Fallen

Hello and Welcome to The Dungeon!  I’m so happy to have you here visiting and sharing your newest work.  Don’t mind the noise from the prison… err guests, they get noisy during their…treatments..lol. Let me clear a spot so you can have a seat.  Would you like some refreshments before you get started?

Baileys' Irish Cream, please.

Tell us a little bit about your book.

Rise of the Fallen is about a "young ancient" vampire named Micah Black who has been around for over a thousand years. In the late middle ages, he lost his first mate and sank into a state of rebellious despair, becoming the worst version of himself, a male everyone saw as damaged, lost to rage over his mate's death. In present-day Chicago, his mating call was reawakened by another, and he thought he was saved, only to have this new half-mate leave him within months. Not only was the scab ripped off old wounds, but his soul has been shredded by this new loss, causing Micah to fall into an abyss of misery, seeking death as his only option for relief. But when an exotic dancer named Samantha, who's running away from her own past, saves his life, Micah knows he's found his angel and one true mate for all eternity. The only problem is that in saving Micah's life, Sam has put hers in danger. If Micah is to have a future with Sam, he will have to go to desperate lengths to keep her alive.

Rise of the Fallen was published last March 24, so I'm celebrating my one-year anniversary this time around on your blog. This little, naughty, paranormal romance with an erotic flair has really started to come into its own in the past three months. Rise of the Fallen is book one in my All the King's Men series (I've since published three more books in the series, and just finished the draft for book five, due out later this year). Rise has made USA Today's recommended read list, was GraveTells' Reviewer Choice for January, runner up for GraveTells Readers Choice for Favorite Book in January, and, as I write this, is a finalist in the Parajunkees Best Adult Book for 2012. I'm a proud momma!

What first sparked the series idea?

Micah Black was how the series started. He was the male protagonist in my first book, and when I started his story, it was simply supposed to be a one-off. A stand-alone. But as soon as I started writing, a bunch of other characters jumped into the action. Very quickly, Micah had a whole gaggle of buddies who wanted me to tell their stories, too.

I knew I wanted to write a paranormal series about vampires, but not the run-of-the-mill vamps we’ve all seen in every vampire book around. I wanted something a bit different and more magical. Micah and his pals gave me that opportunity.

Who is the character that in your opinion everyone is going to fall in love with?

Everyone has already fallen in love with Trace. The most common comment I get from fans is, "Is Trace's story next? I need more Trace! When will his story be written?"

I have to ask, what are the hardest scenes for you to write?

None. I've come to fall in love with the entire writing process, and every scene is rewarding.

How would you rate the sex scenes throughout the series?

Every book is different, but the sex scenes are always hot. Some sex scenes are off the charts kinky, and I will say that Micah and Sam got creative with a rather large Bowie knife, which had quite a few readers reaching for ice. Other sex scenes are more intimate. Sam is very curious, and Micah loves to show her new things, so they're perfect for one another in the bedroom.

With book two, I had a couple of fans tell me that they could feel Arion's embarrassment and insecurity during his first love scene with Severin. They connected with him on a personal, compassionate level. The emotional connection between Sev and Ari brought the sex to life, and fans who had never read M/M romance before loved it.

The sex scenes in Micah's Calling were pretty kinky. There was a lot of sex in that book, but by the very nature of story, there had to be. That novella included BDSM, voyeurism, and exhibitionism, along with mild ménage undertones.

In Rebel Obsession, we saw a much softer side of Io than we'd seen in previous books, and his sex scenes, while sizzling hot, were more romantic, even though he does like getting hardcore and a little rough. But Miriam discovered her inner freak with Io, so rough and hard work for her.

I just finished the fifth book, Return of the Assassin, and yet again, the sex scenes in Malek's book surprised me. Malek has become my favorite character to write love scenes for. I enjoyed exploring his very creative, inventive, and fetish-driven sexuality so much that I'm already planning a novella for him. He's a male who loves with his entire body and enjoys talking during sex, as well as taking his time. The slower the better for him, and he is off the hook passionate. But he had to go through hell to get back to his natural style. You'll see when you read it.

Are there any of these in your books?  (Hands one of the toy boxes on the right which is filled with sex toys, whips, body creams, lotions, lubes…and whatever else you can imagine J)

Yep. Micah has it all in his dungeon, but Sev and Ari have experimented with a few sex toys, too. And I think the others like to play a little. But it's the trilogy I'm working on that's not related to AKM that I think will blow people's socks off with the psychological erotica my male protagonist is bringing to the table, along with a couple of fun toys he's showing me in my mind. I haven't even written one sex scene, yet, but holy smokeroos! I'm even breathing heavy…and I'm the one writing it! LOL.

Do you see yourself writing anymore stories in this series or a spin-off?

Both. I have at least ten more books planned for All the King's Men, and a sister series I'm tentatively calling "The Knights of Darkness" is already in the planning stage.

Are any of your characters reflective of you?

Micah. He and I got each other through the hardest times in our lives. I was suffering from depression after losing my job and being unable to find a new one, and he was suffering depression times the power of a hundred after losing his mate. Together, we got each other through, and now we're the happiest we've ever been. J

Tell us about some up and coming books.

Well, I already told you about the trilogy I'm working on. It's tentatively called the Strong Karma trilogy, but I don't really like that, so I'm working on other names. I also mentioned book five in the AKM series, Return of the Assassin. Beyond those projects, I've started planning Trace's book, Bound Guardian Angel, and have another semi-autobiographic contemporary romance partially written, titled One Night. I also have a contemporary M/M romance called Learning to Walk partially written. I think fans of M/M will love this book, as well as my converted traditionally het fans, but I need to do more research before I can finish it.

Where can we find you for future updates?

Profile:

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorDonyaLynne

Fan Page:

http://www.facebook.com/DonyaLynne

Website (being redesigned):

http://www.donyalynne.com/

Blog:

http://www.donyalynne.blogspot.com

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/#!/DonyaLynne

AKM Reader Group on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AKMDonyaLynne/

I’m so happy you have made this a stop.  Would you like a tour of the…err…levels?  J I can introduce you to the “guests”, if you just hand me that box back.

Definitely.

Let’s get you suited up:

Wine, mixed drink, or straight up?

Mixed drink.

Leather straps or chains?

Micah says I should go with leather straps this time around.

Cat-o-nine, braided leather, or chain length whip? Collar and Leash or Adornment?

Braided leather

Leather studded bodysuit or corset top?

Corset top

Fishnets or garter-belt?

Fishnets

Leather pants, mini, or a long skirt slitted up both sides?

Long skirt

Lace up boots (with or without heels) or come F*** me high heels?

The high heels

Ball gag, manacles, or blindfold?

Blindfold

The rack or the whipping post?

Rack

Candle wax or clamps

Candle wax

Blonde, red-head, Brunette, or Supernatural J?

Brunette

While I take Donya for a long stroll throughout the levels and into the playroom, you can take a look at the book, tour schedule, and the fabulous giveaways!!!  Good Luck!!

Tour Schedule:

3/18 - Pimpin' Reads

3/19 - I Smell Sheep

3/20 - Close Encounters With The Night Kind

3/21 - Books-n-Kisses

3/22 - Urban Girl Reader

3/23 - Ramblings From This Chick

3/24 - Jeep Diva

3/25 - Book Lovin' Mamas

3/26 - The Reading Cafe

3/27 - Mad Hatter Reads

3/28 - Cocktails and Books

3/29 - My Secret Romance

3/30 - All The Fun Starts After Dark

3/31 - Riverina Romantics

4/01 - GraveTells

4/02 - Reading Between The Wines

4/03 - Alexx Mom Cat's Gateway

4/04 - Paranormal Book Club

4/05 - Book Monster Reviews / Literal Addiction

4/06 - Page Flipperz

Giveaway Details:

GIVEAWAY FOR EVERY BLOG: 

One winner from each blog will receive:

A set of all the AKM eBooks (if they don’t already have them) and one entry into both the Grand Prize drawing, as well as the drawing I’m holding just for blog participants

GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY: 

Two prizes will be given away, as follows:

Grand prize

A prize back worth the envy of all your friends to include:

·         Autographed copies of Lover At Last and Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward

·         Autographed copy of Edge of Dawn by Lara Adrian

·         Autographed copy of Last Chance to Run by Diana Love (she co-writes with Sherrilyn Kenyon, as well)

·         If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones (my favorite book from 2012)

·         Primal Bonds by Jennifer Ashley

·         Covet by J.R. Ward

·         Bookmarks from me, Lara Adrian, Louisa Bacia, and Jeaniene Frost

·         Confessions of a Naughty Nurse by Lily Harlem

·         The Art of Love by Michelle Graham

·         Year of Acheron ceramic travel mug from Sherrilyn Kenyon (I want this! LOL)

·         And from me:

—     An AKM fleece blanket

—     AKM Bookmarks

—     AKM keychain

—     A Rebel Obsession canvas tote bag

—     A Rebel Obsession notebook

—     2013 AKM desk calendar

—     A set of all my AKM books in ebook format

There are two ways to enter the Grand Prize drawing: The first will guarantee you an entry. Just email a screen shot or link to a review or rating you've written for any of my AKM books (Rise of the Fallen, Heart of the Warrior, Micah's Calling, or Rebel Obsession) on Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble (or any other site) to me at donya@donyalynne.com. Details can be found on my fan page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonyaLynne. The second way to enter is to leave a comment here.  This does NOT guarantee you an entry, but gives you a chance, because one person who comments on this blog will gain one entry in the drawing, which will take place on April 15.

Blog Prize

I will be giving away a smaller prize just for those who comment on the blogs I'll be guesting on during my blog tour from March 18-April 6. Details about the tour can be found on my fan page, as well. This prize package includes:

—     An AKM fleece blanket

—     A set of all my AKM books in ebook format

—     An AKM keychain

—     A set of bookmarks from me, Lara Adrian, Louisa Bacia, and Jeaniene Frost

One person who posts a comment on each blog during my tour will be entered into the drawing, which will take place after I draw for my grand prize.

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