Interview with Dawn Chartier

 

Interview and Review of Dawn Chartier's Not an Angel

Happy Wednesday Everyone! I'm thrilled to have the wonderfully talented Dawn Chartier "Dropping" in, so without further delay I give you Dawn Chartier!

Hello Dawn and thanks for being today’s “Pick”.

It’s great to be here. Thank you for having me.

Please share a little about yourself, your works and what got you into writing.

By day I work in construction and by night I write. I’ve been writing for about 6 years, and I grew up in a book shop. I didn’t enjoy reading, much less writing back then - I had boys on the brain. I’ve written about six books to date, and only attempted to publish three of those works. My novel, Not An Angel was my first published paranormal romance, and Diamonds is coming out January 18, 2012 is my first contemporary erotic romance.

What got me into writing? I have to give the credit to hurricane Katrina and my sister.

I see Katrina had an influence on you. Had becoming an author been even a drop of a thought before that fateful event?

Yes. Katrina had a huge impact on me as it did with a lot of people along the gulf coast. She opened our eyes in more ways than one.

I guess I toyed with the idea of writing, and I had tons of ideas bubbling beneath the surface, but Katrina truly woke me up.

What developed first the characters like Trace or Kira, the idea about the Poryria and Vrykolakas or the plot idea?

My characters always come first, but they always have a “what if?” attached to them.

I was really intrigued by your idea of the Poryria (light) versus the Vry (Dark) in the world you wove. Where did those names stem from and can toy tell more about each?

When I started googling vampires, somewhere along the way I found the term Vrykolakas. The term came from Wikipedia, and this is what it said, The Greeks traditionally believed that a person could become a vrykolakas after death due to a sacrilegious way of life, an excommunication, a burial in unconsecrated ground, or eating the meat of a sheep which had been wounded by a wolf or a werewolf. Some believed that a werewolf itself could become a powerful vampire after being killed, and would retain the wolf-like fangs, hairy palms, and glowing eyes it formerly possessed.

And it also said in Wikipedia, Vampires and werewolves: Porphyria (I shortened “Porphyria” to “Poryria” for my novel) has been suggested as an explanation for the origin of vampire and werewolf legends, based upon certain perceived similarities between the condition and the folklore. I could go on and on, but I’m trying not to bore you to death. If you are like me, you are probably already researching the words. History is a great place to research folklore like this. I love it.

I’ll be the first to admit the opening scenes with Jeff scared me to death. He really was a creep-tastic “villain.” What research went into developing his motives and actions?

Thank you! I’m not really sure where Jeff came from, but he’s tried getting into several books of mine. Scary, I know. I had to wait until I found the right match to put him against, and it appeared to work out well. Kira might have something to say about that though.

Trace is seemingly struggling to keep his inner demon from coming out, what is it in your opinion that keeps readers coming back to these heroes and finding their soul mates?

That’s a really good question. I love tortured heroes on the verge of being the ultimate bad ass. It might come from readers wanting a woman strong enough to save the hero even if he’s fighting his inner demons. Just a guess.

Kira is dealing with her own demons. I truly loved how she developed in the book and how she figured out what caused much of her troubles. I loved her strength behind the wariness and her emotions. Did she work things out as you had wanted or did she do some of her own footwork to become strong?

I actually had to hold Kira back a little. I was scared readers wouldn’t think she’d developed that fast, but she turned into this woman on a mission once she figured out who she was on the inside, and also what had happened to her family. I think she did great with the circumstances given to her.

Did the plot and characters work out as you wanted or did they shape the book as you were writing?

The book shaped as I wrote each page. The plot twisted in places I hadn’t expected, and Trace and Kira developed an attraction from the start. I wish all my books were like Not An Angel.

This is the first in a potential series, what can readers expect from the next book? Without spoilers please if possible.

I plan to write a series for the Poryria and Vry, but another character is demanding my attention right now. She’s part witch and warlock, and she’s very hot tempered. I also have another book coming out Jan 18th 2012 that is a contemporary erotic romance called DIAMONDS. This is another series called, the Stiletto Millionaire Club. If you like a spicy read, then DIAMONDS is for you.

It was so devious to see the revelation Trace finds out and how it changes his view on things, is there a possibility of a book or novella about Trace’s history?

You are the third person who asked about Trace’s history. I wrote a good bit of his history in the book, and the editor cut it out. When I write Mike’s book I hope to answer some of those questions for Trace.

Lastly the fun questions:

Plotter or pantser? I start the book as a pantser, and then I try to plot.

Early Bird or Night Creature? Night Creature

Are you more like Queen Mary or like Kira? I’d like to think I’m more like Queen Mary, but Kira has some great qualities that I would love to have as well.

White, Milk or Dark chocolate? Dark.

Coffee Tea or other? Both. Drinking more tea right now though.

Music or quiet while working? At home I like quiet.

Favorite place to sit and write? Starbucks – doing writing sprints with my sprint buddy, Sarabeth.

Computer or good old pen and paper? Computer. If I get stuck I pull out the old pen and paper.

Pick your poison (alcoholic drink of choice when going out): My favorite drink is Bailey’s, but if they don’t have that I’ll drink Riesling.

Thanks for stopping in Dawn, it was great to be able to pick your mind and talk about the stunning Trace.

I’m so happy you enjoyed Trace and Kira’s story, and I hope to write the second in the series as fast as I can.

You can read my review of Not an Angel HERE

By Dawn Chartier

Kira McCoy wants to die. Losing her husband and daughter tragically left her without hope. Now her disturbed brother-in-law will stop at nothing to have her for himself. All she wants is to find peace, but instead finds herself on top of a bridge ready to end her suffering.

Protector of the Poryria, Trace Stuart is called to defend his race or embrace death. Defending humans is not part of the plan, but he cannot stop himself from saving Kira.

Realizing that he shares a special bond with Kira, Trace defies his Queen and rushes into the heart of darkness in order to rescue the woman he loves. Will Kira be able to reach past her own pain to pull them both into the light?

Not an Angel on Amazon

Excerpt from Not An Angel

As he measured her, his gaze warmed the consuming chill that had invaded her body. She glanced down, holding the material out. Nothing she could ever afford. Standing next to him in his stunning black suit, gave her more confidence than if she wore plain clothing.

“I wouldn’t have picked it out for myself, but you have good taste.”

“I know.” Trace’s gaze traveled down her torso, to her exposed toes and slowly up to her face. “And you take my breath away.” He kissed the inside of her wrist.

Heat shot up her inner arm overpowering any nervousness she may have felt earlier. She leaned into him and whispered, “You breathe?”

Trace half smiled. “Sometimes.”

She blinked. “Oh.” That meant sometimes he didn’t breathe either.

Trace stiffened, then glanced toward the entrance flanked with four massive columns. It took a moment before she heard footsteps in the foyer. Five men entered the parlor. All dressed similar to Trace, except their cold penetrating eyes made her worry. Scared was more like it. One man strode toward her, eyes narrowed, mouth pulled down in a frown. She swallowed, then took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. They will not get to me. I will be strong.

“He won’t hurt you. Will you, Dev?” Trace stepped forward and crossed his arms.

Dev smirked and stared through his long dark lashes. “Depends.”

An eerie rumble vibrated the room. Kira advanced toward Trace. The sound of a wild cat drifted in the air. She tilted her head, glanced at Trace and realized the noise came from him.

“Boys. Boys. Boys. Dev won’t touch her, but I might.” A slender brunette appeared out of thin air and stood directly in front of the other men. Oh hell.

About the Author:

Dawn Chartier never knew she wanted to be a writer while growing up. Sure her parents owned a book shop, and she was surrounded by bookworms, but she wasn’t one of “those” writers who started early. No, Dawn was inspired by strange events in her life, one was a bitch named, Katrina. Yes, that hur-ricane. But a few months before the storm, Dawn read an article on Marie Laveau in the New Orleans local newspaper and it sparked an idea. She began researching the voodoo priestess, and then Katrina hit. Out of destruction, ideas formed, characters spoke and plots twisted. One thing lead to another and an author was born. (Must have been something in the air, because a few authors were born out of Katrina’s wrath.)

Dawn Chartier sold her first paranormal romance book, (Not An Angel) to The Wild Rose Press, and her second book, a contemporary erotic romance (Diamonds) to Siren BookStrand. Dawn is a member of RWA, Sola-Writers, FF&P and Savvy Authors. You can find her chatting on Twitter and Facebook when she’s not buried inside of a book or writing her next one.

Dawn lives near New Orleans with her husband, two daughters, two golden retrievers, and plenty of wildlife.

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