Please welcome fellow Romance Troupe member, Dariel Raye!
Tell us a little about yourself.
Like many writers, I’m an introvert. Because I started humming tunes and talking before I walked, I’ve always been a musician, too. Worked in education and mental health over 30 years because I love helping people discover and accomplish their dreams. I’m an animal rights advocate, probably what most people consider an unexpectedly organized artsy type.
Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose to write romance?
I started writing stories as a child and won a few essay and story contests. Always had a book in my face even if it was the dictionary or encyclopedia – yeah, I love reading that much! I was a tomboy/Daddy’s girl growing up, and didn’t read romance until I was standing in line at Barnes & Noble one day and spotted a Christine Feehan cover at the checkout. I picked up one book from the series and from there I was hooked. I thought, hey! These heroes aren’t full of a bunch of purple prose – they’re he-men like the ones I’m used to, and the women aren’t delicate flowers, either, so the sex is real. I can do this! Plus, we could all use more romance – the escape to the power of endorphins, the land of hope ;-)
What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?
Getting to know readers and other writers, adding enjoyment to people’s lives and offering that much needed escape.
Tell us a little about your book. What inspired you to write it?
The “Dark Sentinels Series” is my cry against the senseless massacre of wolves and every living creature. Here’s a little about the origin of the series:
Mother Nature is Fighting Back!
Meet the “Dark Sentinels.” Weary of shedding tears over the senseless murders of her children, thoughtless abuse of her resources, and blatant disrespect for her authority, she had to take drastic measures. Mother Nature created sentinels to protect and preserve nature, their first priority to stand vigil against those responsible for the destruction of wildlife.
Two sentinel wolf-shifters are born to each pack – male and female. Larger, stronger, and faster than other shifters, and able to shift at will, regardless of the moon’s phases, they risk their lives daily to restore balance between man and nature. Unfortunately, their very strengths have gained the attention of arrogant beings bent on exploiting their abilities for selfish gain.
Forced to leave their packs for a time to find mates, the sentinels are no longer able to avoid human contact. Dr. Sable Adler, of “Dark Sentinels Book One: Sable,” alpha of the Washington pack, one of the largest packs in the United States, was the first sentinel to fall in love with a human female. He’s a calm-natured Libra, while Torin DuMont, of “Dark Sentinels Book Two: Torin,” is a hot-headed, bad-tempered Scorpio alpha who resides in the Florida Everglades.
Like Sable before him, Torin is about to find himself in uncharted territory when he seeks the legal counsel of Stephanie Bates, an uppity human lawyer who needs his help more than he needs hers…
When greedy land developers set their sights on Dark Sentinel land, Torin turns to attorney Stephanie Bates for help, but she’ll need his protection to stay alive long enough to save his land.
Real estate lawyer, Stephanie Bates, has risen to the top of her field through meticulous sacrifice and goal setting. She has no time for distractions – and that includes pets, messy relationships, and loose ends.
Torin DuMont is a forensic scientist who chose the profession to avoid dealing with people as much as possible. Raised by a stepfather who hated him, he’s been forced to live a life of solitude, fueled by anger and distrust. When wolves and shifters start turning up dead, Torin must battle an enemy bent on destroying those he was born to protect. His greatest challenge, however, is Attorney Bates and the surprising affect she has on his heart.
Short Excerpt
He sensed the sun had gone down before he stepped over to the small window and looked out. Even in the complete darkness, his eyes did not fail him, and he saw the grounds as clearly as if daylight greeted him. Finally, one man remained in the waiting room with him, but it was well after six p.m.
He picked up the pleasant scent of mint, lemongrass, and lilies and turned just in time to see shapely legs, a voluptuous body full of promise. The warm, mocha-colored face wasn’t bad either. Clearly, it was the owner of the musical voice. His wolf bristled beneath his skin, forcing an internal battle just to remain civilized. Confusion increased his frustration. He’d never reacted to a female this way before, and certainly not a human.
She glanced at the other client and headed straight for Torin, arm extended to shake his hand as she called over her shoulder, “Go on home, Cindy. It’s already late. No need for both of us to stay.”
Cindy was out of the office in a flash, glancing back apprehensively as she closed the door.
“Mr. DuMont? I’m Ms. Bates, Stephanie Bates.”
Torin nodded and grasped her hand but did not return her smile. He was far too busy trying to resist the crippling effect her melodious voice seemed to have on him. His nerve endings sizzled as he attempted to manage the sensory overload. This isn’t supposed to happen, he secretly seethed. What in the hell is wrong with me? His sexual encounters had been quick, unemotional, and necessary for physical satisfaction only, and he’d never been overtaken so--completely. Her scent intensified, tinged with desire, as molten chocolate-colored eyes gazed at him confidently, only confusing him further. Desire?
Do you plot and outline or do you just write? Plotter or Pantser?
Guess you could say I’m a combination of the two. The artist and OCD are constantly battling for control, so to keep my warring sides at peace, I do a chapter-by-chapter outline to appease OCD Dawn, then Dariel comes along as soon as the story starts to take shape and changes everything, allowing the characters to do whatever comes naturally for them. LOL
Can you tell us about the process of getting your first book published?
Seems so long ago, and times have changed so much for authors since then, thank God! I was working as a senior high school counselor, so I adopted a pen name to keep my very inquisitive students from getting their hot little hands on my book so easily (of course they found it anyway). Like all of my books, it was multicultural/intercultural (I don’t use the tag “interracial” because there’s only one race – the human race), and I had to print the entire manuscript, send it snail mail to each publishing house, and wait. Well, I wasn’t about to do that, so I decided it would be my “learning book,” and published it through “1st Books,” now “Authorhouse” in 2003. Continued to read and learned a lot from that experience about writing and publishing over the next several years before winning a story contest and publishing contract with The Wild Rose Press in 2007.
What advice would you give new authors? What have you learned about the business?
One of the most important things for writers and authors to do is READ. I talk to people all the time who claim they want to write a book, but they don’t read! They don’t talk about other people’s books or exhibit the desire to read other people’s books, and reading is not one of their favorite pass times. What are they thinking? There’s too much knowledge and information being ignored. Even when you’re a great writer, like music, writing is a process, and it demands all of you. You never know everything – there’s always room for improvement, and if you don’t enjoy the process, do something else. Lastly, and just as important as reading, don’t expect your friends and family to be your biggest supporters. Your best resources and friends are other writers. They become your strongest support system along the way – nurture those relationships.
Do you have another book in the works?
I’m actually working on two other series: “Jordan’s Wings,” book one of “The Alerians – Dark Progeny Series” is already available through Red Rose Publishing on their site and Amazon.com. I’m about 70% finished with book 2, and book 3 is coming together quite nicely in my head. I hope to be finished with book 2 and whisk it off to my editor by the end of this month (fingers crossed). My third series, “Children of Cain” will hopefully be in process by November of this year, just in time for NaNo.
What do you like to do in your free time, besides read and write of course?
I love animals and would have even more pets if I could afford them. LOL. Love beautiful music with a passion, and enjoy number and logic games. I live close to beaches, so I enjoy crossing the water and hanging out over there when I can.
Where do you dream of going on vacation?
Italy and Switzerland
Boxers or Briefs? Boxers – give ‘em room and surprise me.
Cookies or cake? Cookies, so it’s quick, sweet, and easy.
Pizza or hamburger? Pizza – more variety.
Beer, Wine, or mixed drink? Mixed drink – creativity at its best.
Be sure to leave a comment. Dariel is drawing two names for a copy of Dark Sentinels Book 1: Sable. No email = No entry
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