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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

"When I'm not writing" with Donna Grant + giveaway!

Donna Grant

Our guest today is Donna Grant. She's the author of several series including Druids Glen, The Shields, Royal Chronicles, Sisters of Magic, Dark Sword, Dark Warriors, and Dark Kings. With so many novels under her belt, it's hard to believe she actually has time to do things other than writing. =)

Keep reading to find out what Donna does when she's not crafting her next novel and make sure to stick around for the DARKEST HIGHLANDER giveaway! It's the sixth book in Donna's Dark Sword series, which is centered on Druid magic. (Woo!)

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I get asked a lot what I do when I’m not writing. I saw a quote the other day by the playwright Eugene Ionesco on Facebook that summed it up pretty nicely: “A writer never has a vacation. For a writer’s life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.”

It’s very, very true. Just ask my family. ;)

Donna Grant bookshelfDespite that I’m always thinking about my characters/books – or maybe because of it – I read a lot. Not as much as I used to because of deadlines, but I’m always buying books. My husband is a huge reader, and so is my 13 yo daughter and 9 yo son. The bookstore loves when they see me come in because they know I’m going to be spending a lot of money. ;)

There isn’t an ereader between the four of us, because we all love holding our books and turning the pages. Not to mention the smell of books. How I love that smell. But I also love to show them off. My husband is always building bookcases for one of us. My daughter doesn’t like to give away any of her books. My son isn’t so attached, but his favorites don’t ever leave him. My husband also likes to keep every book he’s ever had. Even the ones that are falling apart he’s read them so much.

I periodically go through them and send boxes of books to the military deployed overseas. It makes my shelf bare, but not for long. Though there are some books I simply refuse to let go. Those books I go buy a second copy of and send to our troops. (as you can see by the bare shelves, I just sent off several boxes)

Donna Grant moviesAs much as I love my books, I’m addicted to movies and TV series. We’re huge movie buffs and have a rather large collection of our favorite movies/shows. The kids have their own collection. Some of my favorites are Lord of the Rings, the extended versions, of course, Immortals, Thor, and Underworld (all of them!).

My husband got me addicted to Game of Thrones. I’m dying to read the books after watching season one. And my daughter and I are watching Buffy from the first episode to the last, and then it’s on to Angel.

Something else I love to do is collect swords and weapons. This began a couple of years ago. Here’s a picture of my swords, but I have yet to hang up the Scottish shield, axe, and pick that I got while in Scotland. Hmm…something I need hubby to rectify soon.

Donna Grant swordsDonna Grant shield

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Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to visit us, Donna!

For more information about Donna and her books, check out her website or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

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Here's the scoop on DARKEST HIGHLANDER:

Donna GrantDarkest HighlanderIn the acclaimed Dark Sword series, the darkest, fiercest warriors of Scottish legend finally meet their match—in the brave, fiery hearts of the women they cherish…

For years, Broc has watched over her, protected her—and hidden his love for her. But when his beautiful Sonya, finds herself in a hopeless situation, the Highlander flies to her side to save her. Unfortunately, before the Druidess can thank him, Broc is captured by his enemy and destined for eternal pain…

Sonya vows to help her noble warrior, though he is imprisoned in a mountain of pure evil—bound in chains of the darkest magic. With Sonya’s own magic fading, she must summon the greatest power of all to save the man she loves. But even if these two hearts are united, will they be strong enough to defeat the heart of darkness? Or will their undying love doom them for all eternity…

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

Here's the rest of the series:

Donna Grant Dangerous HighlanderDonna Grant Forbidden HighlanderDonna Grant Wicked HighlanderDonna Grant Untamed HighlanderDonna Grant Shadow Highlander

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giveaway

Donna is generously offering one (1) copy of DARKEST HIGHLANDER to a lucky reader!

To enter the giveaway, obey the Rafflecopter!

Open internationally

Ends Monday, May 28, 2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favorite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit and share with us? Please email me at jennblogs (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

Jenn

Born and raised in the Toronto area, Jenn moved to St. John's, Newfoundland, eight years ago for school. She's still in school (thankfully on another degree!), now trapped in her dissertation. When she's not dissertating, which happens more often than it should, Jenn spends her time reading, watching movies, playing volleyball, travelling, and enjoying the local music scene. Her latest addictions: yoga and Almond Crunch cereal.

50 People left their mark' :

  1. Been waiting for this book! Can't wait to read it. Love all of your books Donna and I love this cover too:), I commented using Aretha zhen name

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  2. i admit i haven't read any of your books yet but would like to discover them. Do they need to be read in order or it's not necessary?

    i would be very happy to win one book so thanks you a lot and thanks you for opening this opportunity for international too

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    1. Hi, Miki!

      I write each book that you can read as a stand alone, however, there is a larger, overall story arc that goes from the Dark Sword series into the Dark Warriors series. If you can pick up a book mid-series and be ok, then yes, I think you could do it with mine as well.

      I've had lots of readers tell me they got caught up quickly on what was going on without having to read the entire series.

      Hope that helps, and I hope you do pick up my books. :)

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  3. How did you get interested in Scottish warriors!

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    1. I've always been interested in Scotland, and its just natural for me to set my books there. Something about that magical land that's perfect for romance! :)

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  4. Thanks for a fun post and giveaway! You're a gal after my own heart. Reading and Underworld and Buffy :) I had to LOL at the swords and weaponry though... I'm definitely going to go check out your books! I live under a rock (it's cozy) and I haven't read your books... yet :)

    Have a wonderful day!

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    1. Hi, Erin! Hope you do read my books. You'll have to let me know which of the Warriors is your favorite. ;)

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  5. I loved your post. I have books all over my house but they all belong to me :). Hubs and youngest rarely read and the oldest doesn't live here anymore so his books are at his place. Your weapons collection is great.
    Thank you for sharing so much about you :).

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    1. Hi, Victoria!

      Thanks. I love my weapons, and collecting them is so much fun (if not expensive :()

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  6. Thank you for the interview and great giveaway! You are next up on my reading list!

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  7. Oh my, I LOVE the shield-- the swords too-- but the shield is extra cool:) I can identify with having so many books. I always say we have enough for a small library. LOL Our plan is to redo the basement and put wall to wall book shelves down there-- kind of rustic and all of the stuff we've collected over the year on vacations along with the shelves.

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    1. Thanks, Brenda. I fell in love with that shield as soon as I saw it. :)

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  8. This books sounds great. Big fan of donna's books. I am also a huge fan of Game of Thrones. I have the first book from the series, but still have not read it yet. My favorite character is Jon Snow.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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    1. You're so sweet, Chris. Thank you.

      Oh, I love Jon Snow!! He's one of my favs as well. :)

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  9. :) Oh, I'm jealous of your shelves! Not only are they beautiful, but also very neat and organized. I have no room for all the books I own (of which a few hundred I have yet to read, so that's a shelf all by itself), so mine are, I'm afraid, stacked and *CRINGE* shoved to fit. I dream of the day when I can build my own personal library to fit them in and show them off. Think Beauty and the Beast library--yeah, that would be great. Realistically, it will, of course, be smaller than that, but not by much the way I'm going. I, too, have a hard time giving my books away. I think I've only let a few of the "bad" ones go, otherwise I keep them. I'm a book hoarder! :) And proud. lol.

    It's great to see that your whole family loves books, esepcially your children. I see too many kids that don't care about books, and if they do read it's a book once or twice a year. *sigh* Yet they can spend hours a day texting nothing--literally, nothing---to everyone. Apparently you've done something right if both your kids enjoy reading! :)

    And I think that's great that you send books overseas. I should do that, I can only imagine what it would be like to be sitting over there with little to nothing to do during your free time. I'd go crazy without a book! :)

    Enjoy!
    TBQ
    TBQ's Book Palace

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    1. Oh, I dream of a day I can have a library as well. We almost turned our dining room into one, but opted to make it a wine room instead. Ah, but I dream of my own Beauty & the Beast library. You should have seen the ones I saw in the castles in Scotland. Wow!

      It is hard for me to get rid of books, but since my father and husband, and many uncles, were in the military, I try to do whatever I can to help them out. :)

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  10. Darkest Highlander sounds great. I love the cover. I am a big fan of Donna's books.

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  11. I am also hooked to Games of Thrones. It is really great!

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    1. It is. I hate when the show ends each week!

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  12. thanks for the international giveaway. I must admit that was the reason I found out about your blog, but now that I'm here I think I'm going to enjoy it:)
    Kristia

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    1. So glad you dropped by. It's nice to meet you. :)

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  13. Oh I'm also wanting to read the Game of Thrones books as well. I'm curious because of the show too! Also... Buffy... FTW!!

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    1. Melissa, I've noticed that GoT has gotten a lot of people addicted to the series and the books. :)

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  14. Hi
    Highlanders are so hot... maybe it has something to do with those kilts, hehe
    Thanks for the giveaway and for making it international.

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    1. Hi, Daniela!

      lol. yes, I think it might be the kilts. And the brogue as well. :)

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  15. I like your collection of swords, my boyfriend would certainly love it. But I am more like your husband, cannot part from my books at all.

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  16. Thank you for the generous giveaway.
    I an reading your Druid Glen books and enjoying them very much.

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    1. Oh, thanks, Lauren. The Druids Glen books were the first books I sold. I still can't believe how well those books are still doing. :)

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  17. Love your shelves *sigh*. I've become caught up with Kindle and keep trying to convince myself that they're very good for the environment, but my shelves are looking a little sad.
    I've recently purchased Dangerous Highlander and will be starting to read and review it soon. very excited :)

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    1. Yay! Thanks, Becky. I hope you enjoy Lucan and Cara's story.

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  18. Love your bookcases, I used to have some like yours when I was living in the States, but over here I can't find that many books in English and are very expensive; for the last 3 years 99% of my books are in ebook format.
    Thank you for the giveaway and good luck to me.

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    1. Thanks! And I hope you're able to find more books. :)

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  19. I absolutely love your shelves Donna :) !! I wish I had that many movies .. Your books sound amazing and I love the covers : soooo steamy :) !!
    Thank you so much for making the giveaway international : HAPPY FRENCH ME !! :)

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    1. Thanks, Elodie! And you're very welcome. I always make my giveaways open worldwide because I have so many readers in other countries. :)

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  20. I love Buffy marathons :)

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  21. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. I would love to visit Scotland one day. Tore923@aol.com

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  22. I have always wanted to go to Scotland. You are lucky to have gone. Your books sound so good, I have to get them the next time I am at the bookstore.
    mom1248(at)att(dot)net

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  23. The books look amazing. I am wondering how you got the weapons through customs.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  24. Hi Donna love your books .Thank you for sharing with us today. I cant wait to read Darkest Highlander it sounds amazing and your cover is gorgeous .Have a wonderful week
    flanagan@mebtel.net

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  25. I love that your whole family loves books and loves to read. I just recently got my husband reading. After listening to him complain about my books and reading for the last two years and with a lot of research trying to find a genre that would hold his attention, I finally scored big 6 months ago. It's fun seeing him get wrapped up in a book and giving him the "I told you so" look when he can't walk away from a story :)

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  26. OMG, Broc story sounds really interesting!!! Well I love the entire series so far, I read them all until Untamed Highlander! Thanks for this chance!

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  27. Im new to your books. But this sounds great!!

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  28. I love your Dark Sword books, I have them all to date. I have large shelves of books and recently decided to donate to a local school (well the YA ones anyway). Thanks for the giveaway.

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  29. I'm,also, hooked on Game of Thrones.

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  30. Wow, love the cover and the book sounds awesome. I have not read your books but have in fact heard of them. :) Thank you for the chance to win.

    - Beckie

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  31. Success toy our books and please don't stop writing to inspired readers..:)

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