GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Sheep Interview: Donya Lynne ~ Giveaway! | I Smell Sheep

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Sheep Interview: Donya Lynne ~ Giveaway!

We welcome Donya Lynne for the kick off of her Rebel Obsession book tour!

Sharon: You are a new author to me, so tell us all about these men of the King you write about! 

Donya: We could be here all day, so I'll give you the highlights. My men are vampires. Some are mixed-bloods (part vampire, part human…and one is even part dreck, which are the "bad guys"). Micah Black is my main character. He is a "young ancient" who is very powerful, but at the start of the series, he's also extremely tormented. Traceon (and I think I just heard a few swoons out there) is also powerful-
*Sharon promises to swoon quietly*
Book 1 FREE right now
*um... I retract that last statement. Have you seen him!?*
—more powerful than Micah, because he's a mixed-blood whose mother was a witch and gave him amazing talents. I won't say much more about him because his story is still unfolding, and saying more will give away some major information about him that is revealed in Rebel Obsession and the next book in the series. The other main characters at this time (because more are being added in the next couple of books) are Tristan, Arion, Severin, Malek, Lakota, Stryker, and King Bain. 

At any rate, All the King's Men is an agency created by the king to maintain the truce between vampires and their kissing cousins, a shifter race known as drecks. Drecks resent the strength and power vampires have over them, and they want to take it. The two races have fought since the dawn of time, but are currently in a truce. However, that doesn't mean the drecks are simply lying down and being docile. They are looking for a way to deteriorate the vampires' strength or at least mitigate it by evening the playing field. We see a glimpse of how they're doing that in Rebel Obsession.

The AKM agency is also used to support human law enforcement and safety agencies as a pseudo-military/security detail. We don't see much of that in the books, but that's what I've picked up from the characters.

Sharon: Is this series more of a PNR or urban fantasy? When you started writing the first book, did you have a clear idea of where you wanted the series to go and how many books it would take and has it evolved much since then?
Donya: It's really both a PNR and an urban fantasy. I tend to call it a PNR, but it fits the definition of urban fantasy, so let's call it an urban PNR :) 

When I started writing the series, I did not have a clear idea where it would lead. I had simply intended Rise of the Fallen to be a stand-alone novel, but within days, several characters joined the cast, and I knew I had a series. Now that I'm in the third novel of the series, I'm seeing more clearly where everything is leading. Some stories will include more conflict, while others will be more romantic, but I'm seeing them and the overall story unfold with each novel I write. 

Sharon: Cool, that is how I like my PNR. A book arc romance, but a series story arc. 
Katie: I just like a lot of smut sex romance in my stories! 
Donya: Well, there's a lot of smut sex romance in my books. :) 

Katie: What sets you apart, in your mind, from other writers out now? 

Donya: I go deeper and darker. When other authors hesitate to go the full monty, I dive in and "go there." And I do that because I found while role playing on Facebook that readers absolutely loved and sunk their teeth into the dark, emotional, seeped-in-conflict storylines I wrote. And while some might poo-poo me as being a former role player, I'll just say this to every beginning author: You should do some serious role playing. The confidence it gives you to show your work to the world, as well as the creativity it sparks, are irreplaceable anywhere else. And you meet a lot of other writers and build a fan base through role playing. You simply can't beat it as a means to start networking with readers and other writers. 
I also don't limit myself. If the characters want it, they get it. I don't hold back simply because what they're showing me goes against the grain. The characters tell me the story, and it's my job to show it to the readers in a way that they will accept and enjoy. 
Sharon: (she said poo-poo!) I would think role-playing would give you strong dialog writing skills. And I can’t think of anything better than deeper and darker ;) 
Katie: She said Full Monty! Gee Sharon, get your mind out of the toilet and into the gutter! 
Donya: I can tell we're going to get along. And yes, role-playing helped strengthen all my writing skills. It allowed me to put into practice what I had studied in my writing courses. 

Sharon: You have a section of writer’s tips on your blog. Did you do a lot of research before you started writing or is it more things you have learned from trial and error?
Donya: Both. What usually happens is one of two things: 1) I run up against something that I need to know the answer to, so I research it and learn the answer, or 2) I see a lot of authors making the same mistakes over and over and want to share the correction. When either of the above happens, I create a blog post to address the topic. I also read tons of books on writing and editing, which inspires me to write writing tip posts. 

Katie: End of the world happens, what are you doing in the last day? 

Donya: Trying to finish one last novel. LOL. 

Sharon: Book 1 is a m/f, book 2 is a m/m. What are we going to see in book 3 Rebel Obsession? Usually a series keeps to one or the other. Why did you choose to mix it up? And what can we expect in book 3? 
Donya: Excellent question! I'm rubbing my hands together for this one. 

First, Rebel Obsession is another M/F. It's the story of Io and Miriam. Io is a tricky one, because he was represented as a real jerk in Heart of the Warrior (HOTW). Redeeming him was a challenge, and I'll admit, he worried me. Would readers like him? Would they forgive him for how he behaved in HOTW? I had to make sure he was redeemed or readers wouldn't care enough to read his story. I guess I did a good job, because my editors says Rebel Obsession is her favorite of the series.

As for why I mix it up. In real life, not every relationship is the status quo. We don't always pair up as M/F. In fact, it's become clearer that M/M and F/F relationships are more prominent than many thought, probably because the GLBT community is feeling more confident about showing themselves. And not everyone falls into heterosexual or homosexual. Some are bisexual. Some are transgender. Some gay men get married to women and live their secret homosexual lives in private. We have interracial couples, people who enjoy and are comfortable with polygamy, voyeurs, exhibitionists, people who get off on pain and others who enjoy giving it. We have romantics who cherish making love slowly by candlelight, and we have still others who crank up thrash metal rock and go at it hardcore like a jackhammer. We have swooners who caress, and we have screamers who draw blood with their fingernails. So the question and answer go beyond simple M/F vs. M/M. I wanted to represent a cross-section of types in my series…to better represent the real world and the many types of people out there. Who knows, there might even be a threesome or foursome in an upcoming book.

Katie: Hardcore like a jackhammer and screamers who draw blood with fingernails? Sign me up! 
Donya: What's funny about this is that I recently got knocked in a review of Heart of the Warrior for having het relationships in the story. You know, I've read books that were part of a series where every single guy in town was gay. That's just not realistic. No one's going to believe that every man in a given town is homosexual or bi. So, if being knocked for having heterosexual relationships in my series is what I have to endure to better represent real-life, oh well. I wonder if that reviewer is going to knock J.R. Ward's next book, too, because most of the relationships in that series are het, but Lover At Last will be a M/M. Hmm. 

Sharon: Why vampires? And are there any other type of supernatural hotties in the series? 

Katie: Pfft! Do we need anything more then vamps? Come on Sharon, really? 
Donya: I love vampires. They fascinate me. So I chose vampires for the simple reason that I'm personally interested in them. Write what you know, right? LOL. And, yes, the mixed-bloods in the series can be pretty supernaturally HOT! Traceon is one such mixed-blood. In my world, when a vampire and human mate, a genetic misfire occurs, giving the offspring special gifts. Vampires have mystical gifts, and when those genetics cross with a human's, anything could happen. Trace's mom was a witch, so his gifts were magnified by her powers in combination with his father's ancient strength (his father was quite the bad-ass himself). Other mixed-bloods hold powers that are more psychic in nature. And when the mixed-blood is the progeny of a vampire and a dreck, such as Severin…? Let's just say the powers become more interesting. 

By the way, drecks are other supernatural beings in my series, and one in particular, despite his being a bad guy, struck a chord with many of my fans. So, you could say that the drecks are also supernatural hotties. 

Sharon: Future anti-hero maybe? 
Donya: Maybe. We shall see, but wouldn't that make an interesting story: bad guy mates with good girl, and everything turns around. 

*and now a seemingly random question* 

best ad ever!

Sharon: What brand of cat litter do you use? 
Donya: Micah said, "I have a cat?" before I reminded him that this is my interview. I use Fresh Step for my little darlings. My writing buddy, Lucky, will go on the floor if I use anything other than Fresh Step. She says her butt is too good for anything less than diamonds, but she'll tolerate Fresh Step. 
Sharon: *peeks around Donya to get a look at Micah* Whoa! 
Katie: *peeks* You wouldn’t happen to be nick named jackhammer would you? 
Donya: Micah is nicknamed "Master." :) 

Sharon: Do you have a favorite nursery rhyme? 

Donya: The only one that came to mind was Three Blind Mice. Is that even a nursery rhyme? I have no idea. LOL. 
Sharon: We will count it. Of course if you were looking to score a tour of our dungeon you would have said “Mary had a little LAMB, or Baa Baa Black SHEEP… 

Donya: Oooo, then I change my answer. Mary Had a Little Lamb! 
Sharon: Really?! Great choice ;)

Sharon: What would your last meal be? 

DonyaBeing that I'm gluten-intolerant, have been diagnosed with Crohn's (and thus have a restricted diet), and have an intolerance to shellfish, peanuts, chocolate, and a whole host of other foods, I would have a pizza, lobster, popcorn shrimp, a Chicago-style hot dog, a caramel apple coated with chopped peanuts, and chocolate cake with hot cocoa and a big ol' Cherry Pepsi. I figure if I'm gonna die, I might as well go feeling like death, because that's how I'd feel after eating just a bite of each of those things. I'd be begging someone to pull the trigger. Knowing my luck, I'd live. 
Sharon: O_O what CAN you eat? 
Donya: Lettuce. Eggs. That's about it. LOL. 

Sharon: You say you love every kind of music known to humankind… really? There isn’t type of music you don’t really care for? And if every time you entered a room a theme song/music started playing, what would it be?

Donya: I pretty much love a little of a lot and a lot of a little. I can't say I don't like country music, because I like a few country songs. And while I'm not into much thrash metal, I have heard some I like. I will say that if it just sounds like noise, I'm out. My current favorite music is EDM, or electronic dance music, as well as what is called "new age." My playlist is full of artists and songs that I'm sure most people have never heard of. 
Sharon: I can’t stand Jazz for some reason. 
Donya: More music is "Jazz" than you think. Sade, for example. She's Jazz. But a lot of people associate Jazz with a more traditional style, such as Big Band, Spyro Gyra, or Kenny G. 

As for a theme song? Gosh, that would really depend on what kind of mood I'm in. A short while back, my theme song was "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor. When I was writing Rise of the Fallen, it was "Hollow Life" by Korn (Micah and I both had adopted that song as our theme, as it was a very hard time for both of us, but we got each other through). My theme song this morning was "Singing in the Rain." I sang that song the whole time I was making breakfast and getting my lunch ready for work.

*Donya, Katie and Sharon grab some umbrellas and turn it up, you are welcome to join us... you know you want too*

Powered by

Rapid Fire Round 

Sharon: Air dry or blow dry? 

DonyaBlow dry. 
Sharon: *shoots Katie death glare* Don’t you dare say it…
Katie: *innocently blinks* Whatever are you talking about? 

Katie: Tie it in a knot or a bow? 

DonyaMicah told me to say "knot, definitely a knot." 
Sharon: That answer just earned Micah a trip into the dungeon ;)

Donya: And he's definitely interested in seeing what's what there. 

Look! I managed to get a pic of Thor into this inerview
Sharon: Chris Hemsworth as Thor or The Huntsmen?
Sharon: You can visit the dungeon too <G> 

Donya: LOL. Thank you. 

Katie: Aye, Aye Cappy or Sir, yes sir? 

DonyaThis one is for Micah, and he says, "Neither. It's 'Yes, Master.'" I would have said Sir yes sir. 

Sharon: Cake or pie? 

Marsha Brooks
Donya: Cake, unless it's Carmel Apple Pie. Then it's pie. (My city was recognized on Emeril Lagasse's show when a lady from Carmel, IN, won his home recipe contest with a family recipe she called Carmel Apple Pie. Look it up online. Oh my GOODNESS! You'll never go back to regular apple pie) 

Katie: You can’t handle the truth! or There will be blood!

Donya: I say, "You can't handle the truth," and Micah says, "There WILL be blood." By the way, do you notice how Micah likes to intrude his opinion everywhere? This is what I live with every day, but I love him. 
Sharon: Oh, I don’t mind *oogles Micah*

Sharon: Movie in 3D or 2D? 

DonyaDepends on the movie. Tron was awesome in 3D, but some movies are better in 2D. I'm a bit of a movie aficionado. 
Sharon: We love movies too! Got a favorite genre? 

Donya: I like Sci Fi and Action movies the best, but I also like romances and romantic comedies. 

Katie: Coke or Pepsi? 

Sharon: Woot! Another win for Pepsi! 

Katie: Did you know every time someone drinks Pepsi a butterfly dies…just saying… 
Donya: Micah says "Screw the butterflies, I want a Pepsi." Of course, he's only kidding. Right, Micah? Right?! MICAH, you will answer me. 

Sharon: Star Wars or Star Trek? 

DonyaUp until the new Star Trek movie came out a few years ago, I'd have said Star Wars, but with the next Star Trek movie not out yet, the jury's still out.

Copyright (c)
Sharon: Baskets of naked mole rats or basket of lizards? 
Sharon: What is wrong with Naked Mole Rats?! 

Donya: Nothing. I just like lizards better. :) 

Sharon: Thanks for visiting with us! Anything you would like the readers to know before we head down into the dungeon?

Donya: Just that I look forward to meeting them, and that I hope they enjoy the books.





About the Author:




Be sure to follow Donya's tour. Who knows what you could win or who you might meet ;)

01/02 - I Smell Sheep 
01/03 - Ramblings From This Chick 
01/04 - Romancing the Book 
01/05 - Close Encounters with the Night Kind 
01/06 - Bookworm 2 Bookworm 
01/07 - The Reading Café 
01/08 - United by Books 
01/09 - Sizzling Hot Books 
1/10 - Vampires, Werewolves & Faries..Oh My! 
1/11 - Reading Between The Wines 
1/12 - Pimpin' Reads 
1/13 - Book Monster Reviews

A reader's choice for a free book in the series, as well as a set of bookmarks and a keychain! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


  1. I like my hero to be more romantic but there are times when the other type is good as well. New author to me. I am going for the free first book.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

  2. Hardcore jackhammer for sure...unless I can pick both? it's my answer so I pick both..a little of both is good. lol Oh and I love the name Traceon. Those covers are magnificent.

  3. I lovemy hero to be part bad boy/part good guy with a heart of gold. Though I do love my conflicted alpha males. *grins*

    I am finally getting to Rise of the Fallen and love Micah

  4. I'd like a combination of both, a romantic who can make love slow and sweet or hard and fast.


  5. Can I have both? rwschwarz11ATgmailDOTcom

  6. Both, but right now I'd like him to be slow and sweet :).

  7. I have had enough of the sweet and slow to last a life time- bring it on hard and rough please. I have read the entire series to date and am really interested in the new release. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. I like any way that feels right at the moment ;) enjoyed the interview & look forward to reading Io's story
    gamistress66 (at) aol (d0t) com

  9. ooh - I am SO looking forward to your world!!
    I have bought the 1st 2 books
    1st one free - cool beans!!!
    but the M/M intrigued me!!!
    PicardsMom at yahoo dot com

  10. Depending on the mood I could go either way. Happy New Year to all.

  11. little of both


  12. If you can skip the metal music, going like a jackhammer is preferred, maybe a little sweet and slow thrown in once and a while.


  13. I'd like a hero who can be a romantic making love slowly by candlelight, or go at it like a jackhammer...I've always been fond of sweet and spicy :)

  14. I prefer a romantic hero who know how to make it interesting; be it sweet n slow or hard & fast or any combination!

  15. I prefer a combination of both.
    bituin76 at hotmail dot com

  16. Both. Sometimes slow and romantic is good, but other times hard and passionate is what you need.

  17. Jackhammer..please Sire may I have another...4 peas and one scoop if mashed potatoes

  18. a romantic who cherish making love slowly by candlelight. But Sometimes I Gotta Have Jackhammer