My Familiar Stranger (The Order of the Black Swan, Book 1)
Rating 9/10
This book goes where few other paranormal romance authors fear to tread – the literate zone. It’s not erotica in fast food form. It’s an actual romance with elements of paranormal, fantasy, and scifi. The drive to find out what happens next will keep you on edge until you find a block of time to finish. The exquisite intricacy of a well crafted story and depth of characterization will leave you hungering for more.
Not chick lit type fast food. Oh yes. It’s got a strong femme heroine, steamy hot guys, and adventure, but, if you don’t have the patience to read Anne Rice, this book is probably not for you. If you want real romance, with a blush of the erotic in just the right measure, this could be your next favorite book. Think Anne Rice meets Kresley Cole.
An interview with author Victoria Danann.
Victoria Danann is one of the hottest new talents in paranormal romance, emphasis on romance. She takes us on the best kind of adventure; the kind that involves great imagination, a strong femme lead, hot guys, and a story kissed with literacy and climaxing in true love. Think Anne Rice meets Kresley Cole.
What are you working on right now? The second book in the series entitled The Witch’s Dream. Right now there are seven books planned for the series, but, of course, that could change plus or minus.
What’s it about? It’s about a girl who gets accidentally delivered into an alternate dimension that is similar, but not identical to her own world. First she has to recover from the physical damage the journey caused. Then she has to adjust to the fact that she’s stranded in a world where she doesn’t know a soul and will never see friends and family again. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the dimensional shift gave her kick ass new abilities.
So she happens to land in the middle of a facility that houses an ancient secret society of vampire hunters and paranormal investigators. That wasn’t really a coincidence because her destination was programmed by her mentor. I don’t want to give it all away. So let me just say that she ends up being pursued sexually and romantically by some devastatingly hot guys and has a delicious dilemma of choices. There are a couple of surprises that I’m hoping people won’t give any in spoilers.
How did you come up with the title? The original title was Familiar Stranger, but I discovered that there were already too many references in music and literature. So I added the “my” at the last minute.
What does your family think about your writing? Laughs. I have a large family. Of all those (adults) only one takes it seriously enough to want to read it. The rest probably think privately that it’s just a silly hobby. Even my husband has never read any of my work which is actually fine with me. I woudn’t want to try to explain that I spend many, many hours conjuring hot guys then writing about them and some of the things they might do with that hotness.
What do you do for fun? Well, work is fun which is lovely. I mean, how many people get to say that? I also play keyboards, electric guitar, and sing. Until recently I played in a Classic Rock band, but I’m taking a break from that and am currently managing a band that plays mellower R&B/soul/pop type music.
What is your biggest challenge in writing? Finding the time. I also author Seasons of the Witch for 7th House. Between the call of that, family, music, and friends, time is always precious and at a premium. Truthfully, the next couple of books in the series are in my head. I just have to find the tush-in-the-chair time to get it on paper.
