Decadent Divas

Author Danielle Monsch

Visits the Decadent Divas, June 26, 2014

Blog Spot & Author Giveaway

Stone Guardian

I read this amazing book by my wonderful friend Danielle Monsch. The cover art was the first thing that drew me to the story. And if you are looking for a new series readers, this book is a must read. Terak is a super sexy Gargoyle. Now I will admit, I never thought I would think of a Gargoyle along those terms, but this guy is strong, confident and I wouldn’t mind him wrapping those wings around me. Larissa is also a tough female heroine and their chemistry together is compelling. There is also plenty of action and suspense and the story draws you into their world. I’m so glad I took time out to read this book. It was well worth it…

CONTEST!

Danielle Monsch will be stopping by, so please say hi to her. Also, she will be giving away a copy of her book to one lucky reader. It will be announced in the comments section tomorrow night so good luck everyone!!!

  

Here's a little sneak peak of the Stone Guardian:

Gryphons flying past skyscrapers? Wizards battling it out in coffeehouses? Women riding motorcycles with large swords strapped to their backs? All normal sights since the Great Collision happened twenty-six years ago.

Well, not normal for everyone. Larissa Miller may have been born after the Great Collision, but as a history teacher who lives in the human-only city, she has never come into contact with any other race or species, nor has she wanted to. Her life is as ordinary as it gets - that is, until one day she walks out of her apartment and is attacked by a mob of Zombies, only to be saved by a Gargoyle.

Gargoyles trust no one outside their Clan, but due to a cryptic prophecy, Terak, Leader of the Gargoyles, has been watching over the human woman for months. While he can find no reason why the woman has been singled out, something about her stirs every protective instinct within him. When the attack confirms that the threats against her exist and are real, he convinces Larissa that though their races have never been allies, the best chance of discovering why she has been brought into his world is by working together.

In the course of their investigation Terak becomes entranced by his little human. But when he discovers why Necromancers want her and the great reward that awaits him if he betrays her, he must choose between the welfare of his Clan and not only Larissa's life, but the fate of this New Realm as well.

Tell us about your latest book Stone Guardian.

-         It’s set in an alternate universe which looks like ours (cell phones, cars, computers) but it’s infused with magic and fantasy elements. So you can head out to go to work in your minivan and see a unicorn in the distance. Or you can be standing in line to get your latte and notice the person in front of you happens to be an elf. And yes, sword fights and magic battles do break out.

In Stone Guardian, we have a Gargoyle who was sent by an Oracle to watch over a human woman. The Gargoyle has no idea why he’s been told she’s important – she’s a high-school history teacher and seems clueless about any of dangerous undercurrents going on in their world. But one night she’s attacked by Zombies, and the Gargoyle saves her and realizes that she is involved in something important – whether she knows why or not. The book follows their journey as they join forces to find out why she’s been targeted, and of course (since this is a romance) they start to fall for each other… even though there are several reasons that’s a bad idea, including the fact he’s been promised to someone else.

Love the Gargoyles. Where did the inspiration come from for Stone Guardian?

-         The inspiration for a gargoyle hero came from the TV cartoon series Gargoyles. I loved that show and gargoyles became forever heroic in my eyes because of it.  The inspiration for this big fantasy world came from J.R.R Tolkien. It’s because of him and those who followed who were obviously inspired by him that started in me a real love of fantasy.

How many books do you plan for this series?

-         Oh boy, I have no clue. Minimum seven, not including the short stories and drabbles (and I’m so lying – I know it’s more, I just don’t want to scare anyone). The problem with building a new world is every time you turn around, a new facet emerges you want to explore and write about!

What is your favorite thing about writing?

-         The writing part is character creation. I love making all these new people and see what they’ll do. The favorite part of the business side is hearing from those who like my works.

What do you find that is sexy about a man or a woman?

-         I’m not going to pretend to be so enlightened that I don’t admit to finding strong arms or the nice curve of a derriere sexy  J  but the sexiest thing for me personally is quiet confidence. It’s when people know they’re darn good and they are so confident they don’t care if you know it or not – they just are. That attitude on someone makes me fan myself.

How do you juggle the demands of family and career versus writing?

-         Not well  J It’s one of the reasons I don’t have as many books out as I wish. But I figure it this way – my kids are only going to be young once. Soon they’ll be out with friends and doing their own thing, and they won’t want to be with mom all the time, and when that day comes I’m going to think back to now and remember when I was the center of their world. So I accept the trade-off and hope my readers stick with me.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

-         Learn the business side of writing, and treat your writing as a business. I know most writers want to sit back and write and not worry about the rest of that stuff, but even if the good ole days of writing existed where someone could do just that, those days don’t exist anymore. You don’t want the regret of signing something you really shouldn’t have, and asking yourself why you didn’t bother to learn basic industry issues when you had the chance.

Do you think writer’s groups and going to conference are important?

-         Groups are very important. You need to find your peers and mentors and figure out your own way in this crazy business. Conferences… they have their place and can be of huge help, but you have to work to make them work for you, and not everyone is built to handle these huge events. So if for either personality or financial reasons you can’t do a conference, don’t beat yourself up over it.

Wine or chocolate, what's your favorite?

-         Chocolate – I really don’t drink wine  J

What’s your favorite pass time?

-         Being with my kids. There is no greater blessing.

Where can readers find you?

www.DanielleMonsch.com

https://www.facebook.com/DanielleMonschAuthor

https://twitter.com/Danielle_Monsch

Dani@DanielleMonsch.com