Thank
you Maggie for having me as a guest. I write in a range of genres,
paranormal romance, young adult SF romance, dark fantasy and yet even in the
non-romance novels there always has to be an element of romance for me. My
Dragon Wine series (Shatterwing and Skywatcher) is considered to be quite dark
and it is…it’s a bit nasty, yet I feel there is an element of romance in there.
Actually let’s be clear there is a romance in there but the book would not be
considered a romance. It’s way too dark I’m thinking to be thought of as
romantic. I think romantic elements are important to readers. It doesn’t have
to be gushy or overly sexy, which it isn’t in Dragon Wine, but there has to be
human connection and what better way to demonstrate that than having characters
love other characters. Strong friendships work in lieu of romance too to give
that romantic tough.
The
dragon wine series contains two romances albeit two love triangles. The first
love triangle is between Salinda, Danton and Nils. The other love triangle is
with the younger characters, Garan, Laidan and Brill. The uncertainty in the
relationships causes some angst between the younger characters for sure.
I
had one person leave a review on Goodreads so angry with me with the turn of
the romance in Skywatcher (book two). I believe I lost a reader there but I’m
thinking in my head (as you do) that the story isn’t over yet and maybe that
person would benefit from reading more of the story when it’s available. I can
understand her sentiment entirely and I suppose it is good that someone reacted
so strongly to the characters not doing what the reader expected.
Now
that I’m writing this within this analytical frame I’m not sure I actually
intended to have two love triangles. It just happened. What a cop out! I
actually don’t like love triangles myself. I find them divisive! Hahaha…I’m
always barracking for the one who misses out. I’m thinking here of Cassandra
Clare’s Infernal Devices series. I can’t comment more because I might
spoil it for you.
Now
did I mention there’s dragons in Dragon wine?
Dragon Wine Book 1: Shatterwing by Donna
Maree Hanson is free in e-book for a short time. As part of spreading the word
about Shatterwing Donna is doing a blog tour and offering a give away of a hard
copy of Shatterwing. Winners will be drawn from people who comment during the
blog tour. So leave a comment to be in to win.
Blurb
Dragon wine could save them. Or bring about their destruction.Since the moon shattered, the once peaceful and plentiful world has become a desolate wasteland. Factions fight for ownership of the remaining resources as pieces of the broken moon rain down, bringing chaos, destruction and death.
The most precious of these resources is dragon wine – a life-giving drink made from the essence of dragons. But the making of the wine is perilous and so is undertaken by prisoners. Perhaps even more dangerous than the wine production is the Inspector, the sadistic ruler of the prison vineyard who plans to use the precious drink to rule the world.
There are only two people that stand in his way. Brill, a young royal rebel who seeks to bring about revolution, and Salinda, the prison’s best vintner and possessor of a powerful and ancient gift that she is only beginning to understand. To stop the Inspector, Salinda must learn to harness her power so that she and Brill can escape, and stop the dragon wine from falling into the wrong hands.
Dragon Wine Book 2 :Skywatcher, the follow on book is also available in ebook and print.
Thank
you for having me on your blog Maggie.
