BLP #4: Darynda Jones Q & A/ Giveaway

Ahoy there mateys! It's day 4 of my blog launch party and today's post is an interview with none other than the most awesome sauce of all awesome sauces, Darynda Jones! (fan girl squeal). First off, I want to thank Darynda for taking the time out of her busy, busy, busy schedule to answer a few questions for me. :D Now, on to the good stuff!

1. Describe your writing style using just one sentence.

Darynda: My writing style is fast, crisp, and sarcastic.

2. You have this ability to use humor in your stories that take it to the next level, but also deepen characterization. Is this a natural gift, or do you have to rewrite a few times to make these sections come alive?

Darynda: Natural gift? Hmmmm. I have an inner smarty-pants that has been with me my whole life. Often her commentary was kept silent for fear of retribution from others, but her inner dialogue has always been there. The more I write Charley, the easier it is for me to give voice to her character. I believe what has helped me give voice to that humor is my love for certain television programs. For instance, I love The Gilmore Girls. You would be surprised how watching episodes of that show will give inspiration to Charley's viewpoint and sense of humor. I don't spend lots of time rewriting the humorous bits. I feel those generally either work or they don't; I don't want the humor to feel forced, and I often have to cut the ends. There is a fine line between funny and annoying. For me, the shorter, the shaper, the faster, the funnier. Most of the time, anyway.

3. For readers who have never read your work before, what book would you suggest they read first? Why?

Darynda: I am always going to steer the reader to the very first title in my series. I write my books as stand-alones, for the convenience of any reader, but I feel it is always best to begin at the start of the characters’ arc. It helps the reader obtain a better grasp of the pacing and movement through the series’ as it is built.

4. What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real lover of books?

Darynda: To me, a reader enjoys reading well enough, but will often find other things to occupy her time, saving reading as a last resort to allay boredom. A lover of books is voracious. Her appetites can change with her mood, but she is a loyal fan of her favorite authors, and she looks forward to their new releases like others look forward to air. She simply cannot get enough of the written word.

5. If I were to ask Charley if you are telling the true story or leaving out parts, what would she say?

Darynda: Well, she did get upset that I left out her romp with the chess club when she was in high school. Apparently, “it was a night that will live in infamy.” (Her words.) But I told her I’m not writing erotica. I can only keep so much of her story. Sheesh. There are some other parts of her life that I really want to bring in someday. Can you imagine what it would be like to grow up the grim reaper? She got herself into many a bind, let me tell ya. Some of the stories are hilarious and some are heart-wrenching. I hope she lets me tell them someday.

And there you have it! Thanks again for answering the questions we're dying to hear. On another note, as this is also a book tour post I want to introduce the next book in the Charley Davidson series. Seeing as how I am a huge fan of both Darynda and Charley, I was so ecstatic to be apart of the book tour for Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet! 

Sometimes being the grim reaper really is that. Grim. And since Charley’s last case went so awry, she has taken a couple months off to wallow in the wonders of self-pity. But when a woman shows up on her doorstep convinced someone is trying to kill her, Charley has to force herself to rise above. Or at least get dressed. She quickly realizes something is amiss when everyone the woman knows swears she’s insane. The more they refute the woman’s story, the more Charley believes it.

In the meantime, the sexy, sultry son of Satan, Reyes Farrow, has been cleared of all charges. He is out of prison and out of Charley’s life, as per her wishes and several perfectly timed death threats. But his absence has put a serious crimp in her sex life. While there are other things to consider, like the fact that the city of Albuquerque has been taken hostage by an arsonist, Charley is having a difficult time staying away. Especially when it looks like Reyes may be involved. Just when life was returning to normal, Charley is thrust back into the world of crime, punishment, and the devil in blue jeans. 

I, like many of you (I'm sure), have already pre-ordered this book; but for those who haven't yet have the chance, you can go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or BAM!. It's release date is set for October 30th; just in time for Halloween! :D It also happens to be the same release date as Karen Marie Moning's ICED; the next book of MacKayla Lane series, but the store mainly centers around the youngster readers love, Dani "Mega" O'Malley. I'll get to this book later on, this post is all about Darynda and Charley. Since this is a blog launch post, there will be giveaways galore! And in the spirit of Darynda's awesomesaucyness, I will also be giving away a copy of Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet! :D So many chances to win a copy! Pre-order your own copy today or leave it up to Fate, you might win a copy, who knows?


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In all of her awesomesaucyness! :D

For reasons known only to the Big Guy upstairs, NYTimes and USA Today Best Selling author Darynda Jones won a Golden Heart® for Best Paranormal Romance with her manuscript FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT. But even before that, she couldn’t remember a time she wasn’t putting pen to paper. She currently has two series with St. Martin’s Press, the Charley Davidson series and the Darklight Trilogy. She hopes you enjoy reading them as much as she enjoys writing them. Darynda lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband of more than 25 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys.

*~*~*NOTE: Author biography and pic from author's website, here~*~*~