Mundie Moms

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Bree Despain's Blog Stop with Mundie Moms

We are very excited to have The Dark Divine author, Bree Despain on our blog today. If you haven't picked up The Dark Divine, you are missing out. It's a must read and one we definitely recommend adding to your book collection. Be sure to enter our giveaway to win one of 4 The Dark Divine nail polishes.

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared--the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in his own blood--but she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night held.

The memories her family has tried to bury resurface when Daniel returns, three years later, and enrolls in Grace and Jude's high school. Despite promising Jude she'll stay away, Grace cannot deny her attraction to Daniel's shocking artistic abilities, his way of getting her to look at the world from new angles, and the strange, hungry glint in his eyes.

The closer Grace gets to Daniel, the more she jeopardizes her life, as her actions stir resentment in Jude and drive him to embrace the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind the boy's dark secret...and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it--her soul.

What three words would you use to describe The Dark Divine?

Um, Dark and Divine? No, let’s see . . . Paranormal Prodigal Son

We're complete wolf girls at heart, and love your werewolf mythology. Did you do any research on wolves or mythology research on werewolves before writing TDD?

Yes! I love that I can call renting werewolf movies “research.” I watched movies, read books, and historical accounts about werewolves. I even watched documentaries about wolves in the wild. My particular mythology was inspired by a two sentence historical account that I stumbled upon one day. It was about a man in the 1600s who had been accused of being a werewolf by his townspeople—but instead of denying it, he proudly claimed to be a werewolf and explained that nobody understood what werewolves were really created to do. His explanation about werewolves was so creative that the judge dismissed his case and let him go. I was so intrigued by what this man said, I took this two sentence account and built upon to create my own mythology.

How would you describe your main character Grace?

Grace is . . . well, grace. I think her greatest strength and her greatest weakness is that she thinks she needs to help everybody. It ends up getting her into a lot of trouble—but it’s also what makes other people love her so much.

We are so excited for the sequel to TDD. What can you tell us about The Lost Saint?

Hmm, I’m actually not sure what I’m allowed to tell you at this point.

Okay, let’s just say that I get to heat things up between Daniel and Grace a bit—but I also have to complicate things between them, too. Grace wants to learn how to use her budding superpowers, and there’s plenty more secrets to be revealed. We may, or may not, find out what happened to Jude. And there’s a couple of new characters headed for Rose Crest who bring a whole new set of complications with them . . . and one of these characters also happens to be pretty darn hot. Um, did I mention things get complicated?


Is it December yet?! You're bringing in more hot guys? Oh poor Daniel. LOL Which character did you enjoy writing the most?

Really depends on the day. Today I’d say Daniel. There’s something so interesting about delving into the head of a conflicted character. He’s got a messed up past, but he really does want to be a better person.

    What is the best writing advice you have received that you could share with aspiring writers?

    Great books aren’t written, they’re revised!

    Seriously, learning how to self-edit and take criticism/feedback and use it to make a better story is the number one thing a writer needs to learn how to do if he/she wants to get published. Very few people can sell a first draft to a publisher, and even if you do that, you’ll still be required to revise. If you don’t have one already, get a critique group that will push you to become a better writer.

    Who are some of the writers that have influenced you?

    I have pretty diverse tastes in books, so I have quite the mix of authors who have influenced me: Meg Cabot, Laurie Halse Anderson, Kristen D. Randle, Elizabeth Peters, Sara Zarr, Emily Wing Smith, A.E. Cannon, Martine Leavitt, Tennessee Williams, Virginia Euwer Wolff and Joss Whedon (not an author, but a big influence).

    Thank you Bree for taking the time to come and visit with us and answer our questions. We can't wait to read The Lost Saint.

    Bree is currently on a blog tour. In case you missed it yesterday, she stopped by The Story Siren, http://www.thestorysiren.com/ and tomorrow she'll be visiting Tales of Whimsy, http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/. You can see Bree's other blog stops here http://breebiesingerdespain.blogspot.com

    To enter our giveaway to win one of 4 Dark Divine Nail Polishes, be sure you're a blog follower and leave us a comment with your valid email address. Our giveaway will end at midnight CST on March 30th, 2010.
    Unfortunately this giveaway is only open to US residents.

    28 comments:

    1. I loved the Dark Divine and I'd love me some Dark Divine Nail Polish!

      dawnafra(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    2. I enjoyed the Dark Divine and can't wait to see what's in store for the Lost Saint. Oh yeah, count me in for some nail polish.

      findjessyhere at gmail dot com

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    3. Love the book, Love the cover, and Love nail polish even more!!

      beckalynn83@gmail.com

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    4. Hi!

      First I LOVE the cover! I start reading the book this morning before work, and, oh man, I love it!

      linda.delvalle@gmail.com
      (marie_linda)

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    5. Great contest with a fantastic prize! Me and my daughter would love the polish!

      robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

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    6. I've been dying to read TDD, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Soon. I love the polish color.

      -Lisa B.
      I'm a follower
      angel28140 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com

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    7. Thanks so much for the interview! So glad I could visit Mundie Mom's as part of my blog tour. You guys are awesome!

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    8. I can't wait to get my hands on The Lost Saint!! cjredwine01 (at) yahoo

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    9. We love you Bree! We had a great time interviewing you. :)

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    10. I love the hot lavender color. And I can't wait to read this book.

      allthingsurbanfantasy[at]gmail[dot]com

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    11. I love purple, looking forward to reading this book.

      -blog follower

      van p.
      Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    12. I just finished TDD last week and loved it!! Great mythology. Can't wait to read the sequel.

      And Bree hit the writing aspect spot on. Revisions, revisions, revisions. And when you're done - guess what, there are still more revisions to do!

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    13. This book was great. Cant wait to see what happens next.

      MSNKSU90(AT)COX(DOT)NET

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    14. I think this book is totally awesome.
      4everareader@comcast.net

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    15. Great stuff!
      JessRing84@gmail.com

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    16. What an awesome contest :) Another book to add to my WL!

      I'm a follower

      wendyhines (at) hotmail (dot) com

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    17. Yeah! Please enter me. I'm a follower and my email is rachel (dot) moorehead (at) gmail (dot) com.

      thank you!

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    18. Please count me in. Thanks for the chance. I follow.

      lizzi0915 at aol dot com

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    19. yay I'm a follower

      please enter me
      -jennifer mathis
      meandi09@yahoo.com

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    20. I am a follower, and I would love a bottle of this... Such a beautiful color.

      starshadow.blog@gmail.com

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    21. Great interview!!!

      crazypplrok@gmail.com

      P.S. I love the purple color!

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    22. I loved the new take on werewolf lore in this book. The cover was beautifully done as well!
      nickie (follower)
      wildthing309(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    23. I'm following your blog via Google Friend Connect! (Love the blog!)

      outofthemist @ gmail .com (remove spaces)

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    24. Great interview -- looking for the books now!
      I do follow your blog on Google Friend Connect.
      mysticraindropss(at)gmail(dot)com

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    25. I love your site, if only I'd started visiting sooner! So many great reviews, and this one was no exception! I'm a Google Connect follower also :o) This nail polish is gorgeous too btw! I can't wait to get a copy of the book!

      brookedillon11@hotmail.com

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    26. I follow on google friend connect, and I'd love to get some dark divine nail polish.

      ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

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    27. I just read TDD today. It is brillant! I look forward to reading the sequel!
      Please enter me in the contest!
      Emily tessnowhite@gmail.com

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    28. Thank you to everyone who entered. Our giveaway is now closed

      ReplyDelete

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