Love Bytes is delighted to host the next author in our Saturday Special featuring new and less familiar LGTBQ authors: Deonne Dane.
Deonne answered some questions for us and brought a giveaway for our readers!
I hope you enjoy!
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m a mum of two adult children now revelling in the freedom of them having flown the nest. I’ve lived in Christchurch, New Zealand for most of my life and was here when the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 occurred. It was a staggering event that changed many a life, mine included. Having been trapped on the 9th floor of a 17 storey building and craned to safety, it certainly makes me look at high-rises askance.
What got you into writing?
I’ve written since I was a child. Expressing my love of all things magical, my version of ‘fanfic’ was to write stories of genie’s and witches and space adventures in exercise books and on lined-refill and pads of coloured paper (I apparently have a secret passion for stationery). Back then they were filled with adventures and crushes and innocent love. Then I discovered fantasy and my long term passion for all things magical and sorcery really took off. The possibilities were only limited by my imagination.
What book(s) have you written?
Moon Rite: Legend of the Ancients is the first book in my Books of Locurnia series. An LGBTQ+ inclusive series that follows the adventures of Falric Mislan, the son of a Dracan Warrior and a Voce Healer, and Meran Durante, a Voce scholar from the shores of Locurnia. The series is a mixture of otherworld fantasy, adventure and magic; the perils of family secrets and expectations, vengeance, and evolving friendships that could change the future of their world.
Meran’s Reproach, book two in the series, is due out on the 28 November 2020.
What genre do you write in?
Presently I am fusing LGBT and Epic Fantasy with high-heat and romantic elements.
What drew you to that genre?
I have always loved Epic Fantasy. Falling headfirst into the genre with Donaldson, Eddings and Kerr when I was a teen. My interest then widened to include paranormal and its higher heat romances.
Do you have preferred tropes?
Not particularly. I am however, drawn more to adventure or mystery or magic that romance is mixed with rather than any of the many and varied recognizable romance tropes. I like a HEA as much as the next person, but if the story doesn’t call for it then I’m okay with that too. True love does not always come with a happy ending.
A book that changed you…
I’m not sure that there is just one. Edding’s Pawn of Prophecy was the first to open my eyes to the joy of Epic fantasy adventure; Nichole Edward’s Ethan to my fascination with all things MM and Nicholas Bella’s Chosen to the titillation that comes with a hard-out raunchy romance complete with demons and magic and sizzling sex.
What do you read for fun?
I now mostly read LGBTQ+ novels including paranormal, fantasy, mystery, police procedurals etc, all mixed with two (or more) sexy men getting together, however, I still have a few goto authors for all things FM which I like mixed with paranormal or BDSM.
A book you wish someone would write…
Hmm, nothing comes to mind presently. As pertains to fiction, it seems to me that there is little new in the world so someone has probably already written it (obviously, with their own spin). But if I did desperately want to read something specific and couldn’t find it, then I might attempt to write it myself.
What are your pet peeves (in books or otherwise)?
Dialogue that doesn’t ring true. When a character says something that you know no one would really say in that same situation, just so that the story can be forwarded in a particular direction. There have been a couple (and I mean only a couple) where it has been so bad it was a DNF for me.
Do you have a secret (or not so secret) talent?
When my daughter was eleven, I decided we should do a mother-daughter thing and chose belly dancing. Loved the moves and the sparkly costumes. I apparently have a passion for all things sequin and crystal covered with swaths of beading as well. While for me it was just a fun thing to do and a chance to dress up in pretty things, it lead to my daughter heading to Egypt to dance there for a year. Now she uses those skills, and others she’s learned since, to perform as a drag-king. I, on the other hand, now live vicariously through her.
What is the first LGBTQIA+ book you read?
Ethan by Nicole Edwards.
What are your thoughts on audiobooks?
They certainly have a place. My son is a big fan as he can listen while doing other activities that you certainly couldn’t do with a paperback or kindle. I’m not sure how easy it is to do audio books here in New Zealand, but at some stage certainly hope to be able to have books available in this medium.
Do you have a favourite place for reading?
On the comfort of my couch or in bed before I turn out the light (sometimes at 3 o’clock in the morning depending on how gripping the book is).
Do you have a subject that’s extra close to your heart?
I think the thing that I would love to see the most, is the normalising of LGBTQ+ in society and that being reflected in media and entertainment. Although perhaps the attitude presented in those mediums can help change society for the better e.g. Star Trek Discovery). That in mainstream entertainment, the appearance of a gay man or transgender person etc is not ‘noteworthy’ as such, because they are part of an inclusive society and have every right to be there and recognized. I’m not sure if I’ve said that as succinctly as I would like and for that I apologize, but I hope you understand my meaning.
This makes me smile…
Photos my daughter sends me of her being happy and silly and in love with her partner. Unexpected messages and video calls.
Dinner and conversation with my son and his fiancé.
The first blossoms of spring, and driving around Christchurch seeing all the gardens come to life.
Cute kittens; dog antics; babies’ smiles. (Oh, and pens, paper, and sparkly embellishments 😉)
For the chance to win a personally dedicated e-book copy of Moon Rite, please let me know in the comments below, the name of the book and author that was your introduction to LGBTQ+ literature.
About Deonne Dane: –
Born in New Zealand, Deonne grew up on a diet of genie’s and witches and space adventure. Not vampires, they were too scary. Back in that day they didn’t sparkle. She scribbled her version of fanfic in exercise books, on lined refill and coloured notepaper. And then she discovered epic fantasy; Eddings, Kerr, Donaldson & Brooks and felt she had come home. Later, as happens with most people, she let herself be diverted by the mundanity of adulthood; marriage, widowhood, remarriage, children, separation and even earthquakes, until she remembered the thing she was missing. Thus began her journey into the world of Locurnia. With family in the queer community and her developing passion for all things MM she decided to marry these two loves together.
Find her here: –
https://deonnedaneauthor.wixsite.com/mysite
https://www.facebook.com/deonne.dane/
And in company with seven other Kiwi Rainbow authors at: –
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KiwiAuthorsRainbowReaders
Or email to: –
Good Time Boys by Carol Lynne I won the book in contest and was hooked.
Mine was the Cut & Run series by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux… but I got hooked with my second seires, The Adrien English series by Josh Lanyon
always by kindle alexander
I somehow came across ‘Exploring Limits’ by Nicki Bennett and never stopped!
It was so long ago that I don’t remember. I saw a movie adaptation of E.M. Forster’s Maurice when I was a teenager that I fell in love with.
It was Fatal Shadows by Josh Lanyon
Change of Heart by Mary Calmes.