Blog Archives
Vampire Assassin
The Awakening features a wolf-vampire hybrid on a journey to save his mate and who is accompanied in his quest by both allies and enemies. Where did the idea for this novel come from?
The idea for Nathan comes from my Longing Mates series, which relates the love of a werewolf and a vampire and their efforts to bring peace between their two races. At the end of this series, the characters have a child, and thus Nathan was born. I immediately knew that he needed his own series. Obviously, the world has changed over the past centuries from when his parents lived. In addition to saving his mate, Nathan has so much more to do. One of his goals is also to claim back his throne and remove the current Queen, who chased him out of his kingdom. The Awakening is the second book of the Blood and Kisses series, which will have five books.
What draws you to the supernatural genre?
When I read a book or write, I want to get away from everyday life and stress. I need a book that will sweep me away to a world where people are more busy preventing a dark prophecy from happening and finding love at the same time than worrying about what to cook for supper and the chores that need to be done.
Do you have a favorite among your unique cast of characters? One that was especially fun to craft?
Nathan is my favorite character just because he cares about the woman he loves and is strong despite all his challenges. But Caleb, the vampire assassin, was especially fun to write. He is such a dark and morally grey character. He pushes the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not.
What can readers expect in Book 3 of the Blood and Kisses series? Where will it take readers?
Book 3 of the Blood and Kisses series is called Dragons’ Rebirth. So obviously, you can expect dragons. It will take readers on a wild ride where the dragons, which were extinct, return. Nathan is on a quest to retrieve his mate, who was abducted. And Caleb is fleeing the furies of a Goddess.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
The woman Nathan loves has been taken from him, and now his wolf is restless. The half-vampire hybrid will tear the world apart to find her. But what he discovers is more than what he bargained for. Hurt and betrayed, he will face his legacy.
Caleb awakens as the goddess’s son and the instrument of her vengeance. How will he react when he meets a woman he can’t kill? The vampire assassin is soon faced with a choice for which nothing could have prepared him.
After discovering the truth about the birth of the elven race, Elaine must find a way to save their magic, even if it means bringing dragons back to life. But her path is strewn with pitfalls, and the king has been tainted by darkness.
In this tale of passion, lust, betrayal, and death, enemies ally as they share a common goal: to restore the draconic race.
The Awakening
Danielle Paquette-Harvey’s The Awakening is an epic blend of dark fantasy and supernatural romance, weaving a tale of fate, power struggles, and forbidden love. It follows multiple characters, werewolves, vampires, elves, and other mythical beings each navigating their destinies in a world teetering between chaos and order. At its heart, the story is about Nathan, a hybrid caught in an identity crisis, struggling with his dual nature as he embarks on a dangerous quest to save his fated mate, Emerald. Alongside him are allies and enemies, each with their own agendas, creating a rich and layered narrative filled with intrigue, action, and heartache.
The book hooked me right away with its intensity. The prologue, where Samantha watches the destruction of her city by a dragon, is breathtaking. The scene is painted with fire and blood, capturing a sense of loss and helplessness that sets the tone for the entire novel. The way Samantha feels disgusted by the looters but still finds herself entangled in the beast’s fate was one of my favorite moments. This is not a story where characters neatly fit into hero or villain roles; they are deeply flawed, sometimes selfish, sometimes noble, but always compelling. I appreciated how the author allowed them to make mistakes and struggle with their decisions rather than handing them easy victories.
Nathan, the brooding and tormented protagonist, is both frustrating and fascinating. His internal battle between his vampire and werewolf halves adds depth to his character, making him more than just another supernatural hero. His relentless search for Emerald is emotional, and his despair when he thinks he’s lost her is palpable. But what really got me was the contrast between his ferocity in battle and his vulnerability in his quiet moments, especially when he dreams of Emerald and wakes up aching for her. The romance doesn’t feel forced or overly sentimental, it’s raw, messy, and full of longing.
One of the standout aspects of The Awakening is its world-building. The different supernatural factions, the history behind their conflicts, and the magic system are all well thought out. I particularly liked the Shadow Weavers and their eerie presence throughout the book. The idea of secret cults and forbidden knowledge always pulls me in, and Paquette-Harvey handles it masterfully. There were moments when the exposition felt a little heavy-handed. I do feel that some sections, particularly those explaining spells and rituals, somewhat slowed the pacing. That said, the action scenes more than made up for it, fast, brutal, and cinematic, they kept me flipping pages late into the night.
The Awakening is perfect for readers who love dark fantasies with a strong romantic undercurrent, deep character conflicts, and an immersive world. This book thrives in the morally gray, and that’s what makes it so engaging. I’ll definitely be looking out for the next installment.
Pages: 442 | ASIN : B0D2WG6MX2
See the Light Again
All I See Are Dark Clouds follows a vampire filled with guilt over the death of her best friend who now dedicates her life to helping other nonhumans adapt to life in the human world. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I always had 3 stories in mind. All I See Are Dark Clouds was different as I knew exactly what I wanted to portray, grief. Not only did I want to portray grief, but also how one can eventually overcome a dark time and be able to see the light again even if they don’t think they deserve it.
Cammie struggles with her past and how to live her life now as a vampire. Is your main character someone you would get along with usually?
Back in The Darkest Side of the Moon when Camille is introduced, she is a typical teenage girl full of drama that at times can be a turnoff. Now in All I See Are Dark Clouds, Camille, or Cammie, is a shell of herself who generally pushes others away, but has matured beyond her years. Her maturity would be someone I would get along with, if she would let me in.
How do you balance the demands of writing with other responsibilities?
Determination and commitment. I’ve started many writing projects in the past that I never finished. COVID-19 helped me get back in the writing seat when there weren’t many places to go, and I found myself working from home which is why I incorporated the true event into All I See Are Dark Clouds. Learned a lot about myself and writing style in the process as well as gained the confidence to share my stories.
What would you advise young writers trying to build a publishing history or an author platform?
It takes a lot of patience and time. There are many lessons to learn along the way. It’s not about the end goal, selling an abundance of books, it’s about the journey and the steps one takes outside of their comfort zone that allows one to learn and grow.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Website | Amazon
LITERARY TITAN 