Author Interview: Danielle Ancona
At Scribbles we love to showcase exciting both new and established authors, offering a platform for writers to introduce their work, talk about our mutual love of writing and share valuable industry knowledge.
Today we are talking to Danielle Ancona, author of the epic new historical/fantasy romance, By Immortal Honor Bound: Book One in the Of Alchemy and Angels Series.
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself?
Science, history, philosophy, compassion, sharp humor, love of the outdoors, and transcendental connections drive how I write and look at the world. I am a passionate oncology RN and writer. My family means the world to me.
2. When did you realise you wanted to be a writer?
I have written stories for as long as I can remember. I decided that there will never be a good time to do this as a published writer, I just needed to do it.
3. Who are your favourite authors and why?
I have three favourite authors:
Stephen King pulls real people and fears into his stories. He does an incredible job of making the reader feel like they know the character and experiencing the nightmare right along with them.
Kresley Cole is my inspiration for a writer of a series. Her characters are incredibly fun well developed. Her humor, for me, is sharp and spot on. Ms. Cole’s stories are engaging & smart. Her female characters are just as strong, if not stronger, as her male characters in a way that is rich & natural, not patronizing or forced.
Tom Clancy writes of complex technical information and pulls the reader in without difficulty, weaving the technical information into the story. He is a master of building suspense and in both character and plot development.
4. How long does it take you to write a book and what does your writing process look like?
Since I work full time and run a home, it takes me a while to write and edit a full-length novel – about one year. That includes editing the novel four to five times and working to obtain, review, and incorporate beta feedback. I am definitely a “turtle writer”. I do enjoy every step of the process, or I would not be doing this.
5. Can you tell us about this book?
Here is my blurb:
Beings of myth and legend from across cultural divides have allied to protect humanity’s pursuit of knowledge. But not all of the divine want reason to prevail. Led by the fallen archangel Gideon, the Seraph Rebellion fights to maintain dominion over humankind in a quest of vengeance.
Malachi is an Immortal Guardian, a warrior angel tasked to fight the Seraph and defend humanity. Yet he meets his match when sent to York in 1620 and his heart is captured by the gifted alchemist, Daphne Heatherton. Gideon sees their love as weakness to be exploited — but while Malachi makes a mortal choice, he remains By Immortal Honor Bound.
In addition to my blurb:
This story is meant to be an engrossing, smart, and fun read. It should appeal to a wide range of appetites—from people who have an appreciation of history, mythology, alchemy and/or science to those who also enjoy epic battle in fantasy and tabletop gaming, to those who enjoy the story of one who would do anything for their love. It is a heck of a ride, with a solid pace and is full of surprises. Actual historical events across several millennia are entwined with the interactions of the myriad of characters.
6. Who are your main characters? Can you tell us a bit more about them?
The main characters are Malachi, Daphne, Gideon, and Thoth. Gideon is a fallen archangel who seeks to gain control of humankind and the gods of the Nile & Mt. Olympus. Malachi, a warrior angel relegated to Earth, is embittered to have been banned from the heavens, yet loyal to the core to the cause. He is a Guardian of talismans which could help turn the tide in the fight to protect humankind’s freewill from Gideon. He finds himself unexpectedly in love with Daphne, a mortal alchemist. Will he choose love or duty? Daphne, until meeting Malachi, has not given much thought to love, pursuing her alchemical studies in 1620, York England. Many others are envious that she, a woman, is mentored by an esteemed Western Alchemist. Daphne has an affinity with the Elements and the natural world around her. Thoth, the intimidating Ibis-headed Egyptian god of Knowledge is also arbitrator to the gods—he ensures balance through adjudication—yet it is rare that balance is achieved with ease.
7. What is your favourite scene or chapter from the book?
There are so many! I don’t want to give away any spoilers, either, with some of the favourites I love to read over and again. I am going to go with Malachi and Dante, Daphne’s mentor and a mortal, having to team up together on the River Styx in the Underworld for a mission.
8. What inspired you to write this book?
A burning desire has lived within me to mix together mythological figures, mortals, and Judeo-Christian premises along with an epic love story. It has been important to me, also, to write a story where women and men are natural equals, some on the strategic battlefield, some as academics and some as antagonists; with individual, complementary and distinct talents.
9. What do you hope readers will take away from this story?
A true and fun escape from everyday life while they read and, I hope, a desire to read the rest of the series. A sense of daring, not being afraid to be adventurous in mixing up philosophies, which others say should not be combined.
10. What do you think happens to your characters after the book ends?
This is a series, so we can all read the series and see. By the way, I am intentionally writing each book to be able to be enjoyed as a stand-alone, so that one may jump into the middle of the series and enjoy the story and not be lost, then hopefully desire to read the rest.
11. Do you find you miss your characters once you finish writing their story?
They live in my head and badger me all day, so not really.
12. Do you have any more projects lined up?
I am deep in Book II of the series, Dante’s Fire.
13. Where can our readers find your books?
Pre-orders are available on Amazon and KyanitePublishing.com. The books will be available as of Sept 14th, at KyanitePubllishing.com, Amazon, Kobo, Barnes & Noble. I am very excited!