Hey everyone! I was supposed to blog about DARYK HUNTER (Book 1: Daryk World trilogy) and DARK, DEADLY LOVE way before July 4. Unfortunately my website got a virus and I didn’t want anyone to catch it, so I kept mention of going to my website off the net that day. Problem is fixed, though, so all is well. If you haven’t seen my awesome, awesome new website, you must go take a look at www.deniseagnew.com. I lurve it. 
The collage screams, “Denise’s books!” The colors are ones that I gravitate toward. The navigation is simple. All things I like when I visit an author site. Plus, if you don’t already get my newsletter, join up and you’ll also be automatically entered in my monthly contest. In July you could win a pretty Victorian type bracelet.
In the meantime, I’m excited to chat about Daryk Hunter and Dark, Deadly Love. I know…a lot of usage of Dark in there. Luck of the draw that the books came out side by side.
Dark, Deadly Love released yesterday, July 13, at Samhain Publishing www.samhainpublishing.com. I’m thrilled that this story is coming back under a new title with this delicious new cover.
I adore the new cover. It says sensuality, it says historical romance, it says London, it says scary. It captures everything I was trying to create. DARK, DEADLY LOVE delves into the minds of the victims—the prostitutes that were killed. This book possesses elements of a dark, intense, gritty historical story. I wrote the story the way I love to read dark historicals, capturing a grisly time in England’s history. But it is also a true historical romance, with an American heroine with psychic abilities and an aristocratic hero.
Releasing today, July 14, at Ellora’s Cave www.jasminejade.com is DARYK HUNTER, the first story in my DARYK WORLD trilogy. This is my first foray into fantasy/sci fi romance. In this trilogy restrictions dissolved completely. Where else could I combine hot alpha male heroes with strong heroines, dragons, two super continents, opposing belief systems, dangerous creatures and high adventure? There are glaciers, deserts and jungles in this world, too. Three heroines in three books meet each other on a ship and became fast friends. A huge wave tears apart their sailing ship. They’re separated from each other but found by three seriously hot men. Daryk Ones. Men trained to protect the innocent and keep the peace because of their superior strength, their intelligence, and their ability to defend the people against dragons. What I’m loving about the fantasy is creating an entire world that is just my own, and hopefully one readers will respond to as well. These tales are erotic romance, so there’s always the added challenge of writing the erotic into the story in a way that is believable to me.
For more information, blurbs, and excerpts from DARK, DEADLY LOVE and DARYK HUNTER, stop by my website at www.deniseagnew.com. You can also see larger copies of the stunning book covers.
To celebrate the release of this book, I’m giving one copy of a trade paperback from my backlist. Answer the following question today and I’ll pick a winner at random later this evening: What draws you into a novel so strongly you’re tempted to stay up all night reading it?
July 14th, 2010 at 3:20 am
Congrats! For me it’s always emotions and believable characters that I can connect to. The genre doesn’t matter as long as I can feel the book.
July 14th, 2010 at 8:25 am
For me its really the buildup to the big scene. If it is written where it always leaves me hanging then I got to keep reading!
July 14th, 2010 at 8:27 am
What draws me into the book is strong character development and the sizzling chemistry between them. The emotion and connectedness has to be genuine and believable.
July 14th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Denise I just scooted over to your new site … it’s gorgeous! Easy to navigate and enjoyable. But that wasn’t your question was it?
I can’t put a book down if the character’s emotional and physical journey take so many twists and turns you wonder how it’s all going to work out in the end and you can’t leave until you find out how they get out of the mess they’ve made.
July 14th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Congrats on your release Denise.
I did go over to your website and it is awesome! The type of book that I can not put down and that I am thinking about when it’s done involves a strong realistic hero. One who says the things we want to hear but in a true masculine voice. I also feel the same about the heroine.
July 14th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Congrats on the new release, Denise. The drama and the suspense keeps me reading all night. I love books that suck me and in and I can’t stop turning the pages to see what happens to the characters.
July 14th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
I enjoy strong characters going through a lot of hardships. I desperately want them happy and stay up until they reach their HEA.
July 14th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
What keeps me reading is the suspense, feeling like I just have to stay up to see what happens. Even with a romance the way the characters get through their issues to find their way to each other will keep me turning the pages.
July 14th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Congrats on the new release!
For me it is how much I become emotionally connected to the characters and a plot that keeps my interest.
gigi
July 14th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I love a great story. If the plot is very well developed, intensely researched and the characters make me believe they are real, I will read all night. Of course, hot, steamy romantic scenes are an additional bonus that make me want to keep reading more.
July 14th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Character interaction. If they don’t mesh and can’t volley back and forth during a conversation, my mind wanders. The scene could be set perfectly and the action at an all-time high–if the characters don’t fit, I’m gone. It’s the whole feeble-minded thing that comes with age I think, LOL.
July 14th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Hi Denise
Congrats on the release of Dark, Deadly Love!
What draws me into a novel is how well the characters are written & how they interact with each other. I can’t stand a wimpy heroine/hero or an overbearing hero, I prefer the hero and heroine to work as a partnership.
What also draws me into a novel is the character’s history, I need to know why the characters are acting the way they do.
Mindy
July 14th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
If the story is very intriguing and I really want to know what will happen I will stay up all night to finish.
July 14th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Hey everyone! I’m sorry I didn’t comment earlier. Today has been a whirlwind of things to do. Pant, pant, pant! LOL.
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Host it sounds like you love to read across many genres. Good for you! I sometimes read mystery, non-fiction and horror!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Hi Amanda, thanks for stopping by today. I’m right with you. Suspense is always a highlight to me. That can’t wait to turn the page feeling is exciting!
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Armenia, you and I must be twins. You just listed everything I adore in a novel. LOL.
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Nina, thanks so much for the kudos on the website. It’s definitely the best website I’ve ever had. My webmaster will be thrilled at the compliment.
I think every reader loves that build up where you really can’t figure out how those characters are going to get out of the mess they’re in.
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Knicole,
Thanks so much for stopping by. 
Sounds like the perfect hero to me.
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Hey Jane, thanks for dropping by. Methinks a lot of people here are loving suspense books, no?
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Usually a combination of things, Denise–captivating characters (which doesn’t always mean that I like them) going through an interesting plot where I feel a connection between them and to them. Then it’s hard to stop turning the pages, even when the numbers on the clock tell me it’s time to hit the sack!
July 14th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Joder,
Nothing is better than a book you stay up to read until the wee hours of the morning!
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Linda, Gigi, Gayle it sounds like you’re enjoying some of the same novels.
Happy reading and thank you so much for taking time to stop by and say howdy!
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Jackie, I’d have to say I’m right there with you, and I’ve always been that way. So I don’t think you’re being feeble minded.
If the characters aren’t well-developed all the great action and plot in the world won’t keep my mind from wandering. 
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Hi Jeannette,
And then there is that whole feeling of “I loved the book but damn I’m so tired now” in the morning. LOL!
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I’ll be picking a winner later tonight, so be sure to stop by and see who the winner is!
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
I jusy have to want to know what happen next and have fully made characters.
lorettaC
lbcanton@verizon.net
July 14th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
There is nothing specific I can think of that draws me into a book. Some are just so well written that I can’t wait to see what happens next.
July 14th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
Good question! Usually it’s a book that’s so good, so real, you forget you’re reading fiction. Books can make you laugh or cry. The good ones make you care about the characters.You can get scared or excited with a rom. susp. so I don’t read those at bedtime.
July 14th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
I cannot say that it is anythig specific. You sometimes think that a book will be great and it turns out to be a dude. Other times, the books that you may have been reluctant to read can turn out to be the best book you ever read.
July 14th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Hi Fedora! Great to see you here, and thanks for stopping by.
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Hi Rasha,
Thanks so much for stopping by. Isn’t that disappointing where there is a book you really thought you would enjoy and yet didn’t?
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Loretta, Beth and Mary,
Thanks so much for stopping by ladies and letting me know your thoughts!
Denise A. Agnew
July 14th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
The winner for the blog today is Jackie U.! Congratulations Jackie. Please email me at danovelist@cox.net to claim your prize.
Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to say hello and give me your thoughts. Happy reading and I’ll be seeing you around.
Denise A. Agnew
July 15th, 2010 at 8:23 am
There isn’t just one element. Its the whole package. When it all clicks so well that i forget the time or place and I just can’t possible put it down till I read the last sentence.