FROM HISTORICAL TO CONTEMPORARY

My guest today is bestselling paranormal romance author, Donna Grant. I loved reading Donna's Dark Sword Series. When I learned she was moving some of her warriors to the future, or contemporary times, to fight evil, I was thrilled. I couldn't wait to see how these medieval warriors would adapt to modern times and to modern women. Oh, I could see some sparks flying with these stories. 


Her new series, Dark Warriors, has it's first book releasing May 22, 2012. It's Logan's (one of my favorite warriors) story and he's been brought to our time by Druid magic. I'm looking forward to reading these stories. But I was curious, as many of Donna's fans are, what made her decided to move her series into modern times. Donna chats a bit about what was behind the change.  


I've fielded so many emails over the past few months regarding my move from historical/paranormal to contemporary/paranormal.  First, let me say, the Dark Sword series name might have ended with DARKEST HIGHLANDER (Jan 31, 2012), but the story continues in the Dark Warrior series.

Same characters.  Same story line.  Just a different time period. J

Some of you may be asking why I did that.  Well, I’ve always liked to push myself as a writer.  I feel that’s how writers grow and expand.  I had every intention of continuing the series in medieval times, but then a strange thing happened.

It was contract time, and I really wanted back-to-back releases.  My amazing publisher was all for that, but I had to do something different with the series.  Now, you have to understand, I had already written one of the books for that contract we were negotiating and was half way through another.

So, imagine my surprise when my editor asked what I thought about bringing the Warriors forward in time.  It wasn’t something I had ever considered, but my editor had never steered me wrong, and I trusted her.

After a two hour phone call where we talked over every aspect of me keeping the series in historical (which they would have done) or moving it to contemporary, I made the very scary decision of time traveling my Warriors to present day Scotland.

I had to totally rewrite Logan’s book (MIDNIGHT’S MASTER – May 22) and scrap the part of Ian’s book (MIDNIGHT’S LOVER – June 26) that I had already written.

I don’t think I’ve ever been more frightened than I was that next day when I pulled up my files to start work.  I had dipped my toe into contemporary before, but never for a full book.  Would I be able to do it?  Would my historical voice of my books be able to carry the contemporary sound?  Would I fail miserably and end my career?

Remember when I told you I liked to push myself?  Well, it also helps when you have as wonderful an editor as I do.  She told me she had faith I could do it, so I dove right into the story.

The entire time I kept thinking it was the worst book ever.  Every day I would walk out of my office, my husband would take one look at me and pour me a glass of wine.  When I finished the book, I so dreaded reading over that first draft for my revisions.  But…I was shocked to find it didn’t suck as much as I thought it did.  By the time I turned it in, I was excited.  Really, really excited. 

Because of the deadlines I couldn’t wait to hear from my editor before I began Ian’s book.  Once more I was half way through when I got her email saying she absolutely loved it. 

I remember gathering up the family that night and going out to eat to celebrate.  I was prepared to have to do another rewrite, or at the very least have major revisions.  But my editor loved it.  I still have that email and pull it up occasionally to prove to myself that I can do something that is scary and could potentially be a career ender.

The book is set to hit shelves in a matter of days, and I’ve never been more nervous about a book release.  The real test is you, the readers.  Will you love it?  I know many readers were very upset with me leaving the historical setting, but I’m not done writing historicals.  I love them too much.  Yet…I’m having so much fun with my contemporaries. 

The heroines are stronger than ever, and it’s freeing to be able to say modern slang without having to wrack my brain to come up with a medieval term. 

The best part, however, is watching my alpha heroes thrown forward to modern times and dealing with the modern women.  Just imagine the first time they see a car or a toilet.  And the first time Logan finds Gwynn’s pink razor.  Now that was a fun scene to write.  Ah, but to see those modern women dealing with medieval Highlanders.  Who’s going to win the battle of wills? J

MIDNIGHT’S MASTER…available in stores and online

A MYSTERY OUT OF TIME

Gwynn Austin has no idea why her father has disappeared on a mysterious trip to Scotland.  When she goes on a desperate mission to search for him she finds more than she bargains for in a ruggedly handsome, wickedly exciting Highlander who exudes danger and mystery.  And when she discovers her own link to Scotland, she’ll have to trust her heart to help lead her…

A LEGEND IN THE FLESH

Propelled through time by powerful Druid magic, Logan Hamilton uses his immortality and powers of the god inside him to help prevent the awakening of an ancient evil in the modern world.  He never expects to find help in the form of a beautiful, alluring, and all too tempting woman whose passion and strength matches his own.  Together, Logan and Gwynn must fight for their love – before a demon from the past destroys them both…EXCERPT

To find out more about Donna please visit her website at www.donnagrant.com.  To read more about the Dark Sword and Dark Warriors series, see pics of the Warriors, take the quiz, download wallpaper, search characters, or watch the book trailers, please visit www.donnagrant.com