Interview with Author Dianne Hartsock and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC author, Dianne Hartsock. Dianne is currently on tour for her book Philip's Watcher and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Dianne a warm welcome.

Dianne lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play.

She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write her tales. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside and a fire crackles on the hearth inside that kindles her imagination.

Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which she says is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

Places to find Dianne:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
Hello! I’m Dianne and I currently live in the absolutely gorgeous Willamette Valley of Oregon with my lovely husband. Besides being a writer, I’m also a full time floral designer for our locally owned gift shop. A job I love, by the way. Not only do I get to work with flowers to create a beautiful arrangement to brighten someone’s day, I meet some of the most interesting people throughout the day. Many of which become characters in my stories, to some extent.

Did you always want to be a writer?
I’ve been thinking about this question and have decided that my answer is no. I started out as a storyteller, making up bedtime stories for my younger brothers and sister. When I started in school, I would write these stories down, but it wasn’t until I was fifteen, when my creative writing teacher took an interest in my work and encouraged me to submit them to the local magazine that my passion began. I’ve had a love affair with writing ever since.

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
*chuckles* I love the word panster! Makes me imagine a person running around pulling down people’s pants. I think some of my characters would love doing that. But I think I’m a little of both. I usually have the story thought out in my head, and the stories usually end where I wanted them to. But a lot of the time, in between the start and finish, the characters take me places I’d never imagined going before.

Where do your ideas come from?
From so many places! A bit of music might catch my ear. Laughter in the distance. A person calling to another. Something on the news or a show/movie I’m watching. Pretty much anything that stirs my emotions will also churn up my imagination. And honestly, it’s not a bad way to go through life.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
As lovers, Philip and his gargoyle protector fight against treachery, but will their love be enough to stem the dark tide sweeping the land?

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
It depends on my mood. I usually have two or three books going at a time. I mostly read medical thrillers or suspense. I have some favorite fantasy/sci-fi authors I read. I also read a lot of m/m romances. I think I love the stories that make me laugh and cry then laugh again. And of course, they have to have the HEA!

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
be the perfect hero, and my heart is broken by the end of the story every time. What a rich, incredible, believable world Tolkien built!

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
It’s those pesky transitional scenes! I want my characters to jump from one place to the other, from one excitement to the next. I don’t want them to have to walk/drive there. Have conversation on the way. Whatever. I just want them to be there already! To solve this problem for me as well as the characters, I try to throw in something exciting for them to do on the way. I figure if I’m not bored then my readers won’t be either.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?

• Ray Bradbury: I would love to spend a summer evening sitting under the stars with him as they first come out and talk about Martians.
• Ursula K. Le Guin: I met her once. Such a fascinating person. Would love to discuss her worlds with her.
• C.J. Cherryh: I fall in love with her characters every time I pick up one of her books. I mostly would likw to know her inspiration behind Tasha. Love that man.

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
At the moment I’m working on the sequel to my psychological thriller novel ALEX. Also, I have edits on other stories and several more m/m romance stories to write in the coming month. Always busy!

Darkness is spreading in the world with only the powerful Agenor family to oppose it. In the guise of a stone gargoyle atop the castle walls, Adrian has protected Philip, the young heir, since birth, watching him grow from childhood into a strong but lonely man without love.

When the clan chief, Philip’s father, is murdered by those he trusted, Adrian resumes his human form to better protect his beloved Philip. And finds his love returned. As lovers, their passion is all-consuming, but as they fight against treachery from within, will their love be enough to stem the dark tide sweeping the land? And will it be enough to keep Adrian’s heart alive…

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Adrian waited, his stomach churning with worry while the storm passed overhead and dwindled into the south. When he was certain Philip wouldn’t return, he rose from his crouch and stretched his arms to the sky. His black wings spread out behind him with a soft rustle.

He ran a hand through his thick hair and drew a breath, weary to his bones. Nothing had gone right. Jonathon shouldn’t have died. The fact that Philip and he had warned him of the danger in leaving the stronghold didn’t make the man’s loss any less tragic. True, those who would spread darkness in the world had brought the war to their doorstep by threatening Philip’s life. But Jonathon should have seen through the ruse and remained in the castle where his power was the strongest.

Adrian’s brow furrowed. Should he have gone with Jonathon, spoken with the wise woman? Silva had strengths of her own. As a child, Adrian had been cautioned against her magic, but he had come to respect her abilities. And she had always been kind to him, an orphaned, lonely boy. Would she be able to help him protect his darling Philip from this dangerous, unknown enemy?

Adrian touched the deep scar on his face and remembered the warmth of Philip’s fingertips. He followed the scar down his neck and left pectoral and trembled as he imagined Philip’s hands on him, their bodies entwined, urgent. He smiled sadly. “Fool, such happiness isn’t meant for you.”

Want to win some goodies from Dianne? Check out whats up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:

• 1 lucky winner from the ENTIRE tour will win a $10 Gift Card for All Romance Ebooks

To Enter:

• Leave a meaningful comment or question for Dianne.
• Please leave your email address along with your comment to be entered. 
• Giveaway ends January 7th.

Good Luck =)