Today I’m thrilled to have Gina Danna author of Love & Vengeance with me in the Blue Rose Writing Room.
Can you tell us how long you have been writing?
I’ve been writing academically for decades, but romance writing for 5 years.
What’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?
One thing I can’t tolerate while writing? Noise. Funny how as a college student, I needed music until I was in late grad school when I realized it distracted me way too much. It still does now so need quiet.
One thing I can’t write without? My library. My overly growing library. Need more bookshelves!!! Because I have a tendency to stack my research books I use around me for easy access as I write. Gets to be a maze to get to my computer J
I need complete quiet to write too.
What is one place you absolutely want to visit before you die?
I want to visit Rome. It’s probably the top of my bucket list with London next.
I’ve been to London twice. Amazing. Hubby really wants to go to Italy, so I think after Scotland next year, we’ll plan that trip. Only for research purposes of course!
Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?
I am a historian. I’ve loved history since I can remember, got my Bachelors and Masters degree in it, have worked in museums as a registrar, educator and curator plus I’ve taught for the last 10 years as a college prof. On top of that, I am a Civil War reenactor. Got this thing for the past – it soooo fascinates me. J
I didn’t know you did Civil War Reenactments!
Writing in another genre?
Well, I did do a paranormal but it was Regency with a paranormal twist – a vampire pirate. I’ve tried to write contemporary and outside a couple erotic novellas, I just can’t get into contemporary.
Is there any genre you won’t read? Write? Can you tell us why?
I won’t read horrors, thrillers and am tired of YA. Think Twilight did that to me. LOL Can’t read or write it. Things that scare me just turn me off of it.
I’m with you on the horror and thrillers. I have nightmares.
Tell us one unusual, weird, or curious fact you discovered while researching this book.
There are several so to name a few –
The Romans were big into physical fitness and bathing. We all know of their public baths – they were quite the meeting areas. But they also wore bikinis and swim trunks (the type the Olympian swimmers today use) to play sports in.
Also, the Romans adapted everything & claimed the gods told them to do so like the Greek gods were now the Roman gods; the Greek statues were moved to Rome.
Plus, the marble statues then were painted in brilliant colors, not left white as we see them today.
Oh, and they used urine to clean their fancy silks, believing it kept the color of the material better. They literally had urine barrels for people to dump what we called chamber pots into. Blows the mind!
Well, that gives a whole new perspective to keep the colors bright.
What are you most proud of about your writing?
I’m most proud to be able to create a story that can take the reader back there to that place, in this case Rome, and let them experience what the world was like then.
How do you respond to negative reviews?
I not thrilled with them but I do realize a couple of things. Reading is subjective. Either you like it or not. So I know not everyone will be jumping with joy over every book they read. Also, for them to write something down, positive or negative, means you’ve hit a nerve in them, you’re writing got to them. Granted, negative isn’t my goal but…
My standard response to negative reviews is “mushrooms.” Some people love them; other loathe them. I’m in the latter category. I think tastes in books are very much the same.
What is something you are determined to do?
Travel. I want to travel. To Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the Caribbean (and after this winter, the Caribbean and any place warm would be outstanding!!!). J
Me too!
What are you most afraid of?
I’m most afraid of staying ‘inside the box’ and not trying new things. That can be a problem of writers, I think. As one best selling author I know says, writers are strange; normal people do not sit at a computer and write 100,000 words… So I need to get out more.
I totally understand that. I have to force myself away from my writing.
Tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself.
My horse, in a sense, is my muse. I have an Arabian I adopted, a gorgeous gelding. I’ve loved horses, particularly Arabians, for all my life. Being with him, I have no cell phone on me, no contact with anything but him and it frees my mind of worries, interruptions so to speak, that I can actually have my muse in full gear. Really cool!
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Cinderella
Favorite Fruit? Blueberries
Favorite Hero? Maximus
Favorite Eye Color? Blue
Best Vacation Destination? Italy
Food you can’t stand? Sardines
What annoys you? Game shows
Coffee, tea, or something else? COFFEE
Nightgown or Jammies? Nightgown
Prefer dogs or cats? Hard to say – I’ve got 3 of each
A bit about Gina –
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Gina Danna has spent the better part of her life reading. History has been her love and she spent numerous hours devouring historical romance stories, dreaming of writing one of her own. Years later, after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in History, writing academic research papers and writing for museum programs and events, she finally found the time to write her own stories of historical romantic fiction.
Now, under the supervision of her three dogs and three cats, she writes amid a library of research books, with her only true break away is to spend time with her other life long dream – her Arabian horse – with him, her muse can play.
Rome 108 A.D., under the Emperor Trajan, is the center of the civilized world. It is a time of sophistication and decadence, a brutal world to their conquered.
Marcus, a Roman citizen sentenced to die as a gladiator, accused by his wife and brother for a crime he did not commit. Yet death eludes him and he rises to become champion of the sands. The title he does not want. He seeks revenge but his victories in the Colosseum bestow monetary rewards he can use to save a beautiful slave, Gustina, from certain death by the beasts. She gives him a taste of love in a world full of lies, betrayal and murder.
But his overwhelming desire for vengeance, for blood and the kill, brings a higher price tag – can he satisfy the demon inside him and face the truth? A truth that will kill the woman he loves?
Enjoy an excerpt from Love and Vengeance –
Rome 108 CE
A menacing growl followed by an earth-shattering scream bellowed above the rafters. The roar of the crowd snapped her back out of the numbness. The applause echoed through the chambers as particles of sand rained through the wood slats in the ceiling.
She was filthy, covered in sweat, blood and grime. What damage could more dirt do? Toes on the dirt floor wiggled as she stared at them. Her hair hung around her face like a curtain, matted with dried blood. Inadvertently, she lifted her hand to tuck one side behind her ear but jerked to a halt, restrained by the iron cuffs around her wrists, bound together with a chain. The same chain connected to the metal collar around her neck. How had she forgotten its weight resting so heavy on her shoulders?
Another scream and the sound of flesh ripping, laughter and clapping became louder above. Fear snaked down her spine and she shuddered.
Gustina sat on the stone ledge, chained with the other miscreants, waiting to be forced up the ramp to the carnage above. If she could just return to the numbness again, where nothing mattered any more. The place she’d escaped to before she’d heard the animals attacking the condemned out there. But she couldn’t silence the roar of the crowds, enjoying the executions as their noontime entertainment. Trembling, she pulled her sluggish legs up, wrapping her joined hands over them, to hold herself as she buried her face in her knees.
****
In the hallway outside the chamber, Marcus stood, flexing his muscles, his arm extended with the metal disk in his hand. It equaled the weight of his sword – a weapon he would not have until it was his turn in the arena. Besides, there was no room in the corridor to swing it, to loosen his arms in preparations for the next fight.
Christians and convicts. What a surly lot. But it was an easy way to feed the vast array of beasts the Empire kept to compete in the games. Did he ever feel sad for the poor souls about to perish by their claws? No. Nor did he mourn the loss of life at the end of his sword.
He was one of the rare attractions people paid to see. He was gladiator. And he soon would be victor of all he opposed on the sands. Marcus’ victories gave him the privileges and money he wanted – as long as it remained wine and women. But not his freedom. Not what he had lost to the Romans. No, the only way to gain that came by victory in the arena and in front of the Emperor. And to earn that opportunity, he’d kill whomever they placed before him.
He closed his eyes as the screams filtered downward. His soul heard them and his body tingled with the smell of blood and dirt. Breathing in the welcoming atmosphere, he exhaled and opened his lids to look straight into the captives’ chamber.
He found her. Sitting, hunched on the small ledge, draped in chain and metal bands, her head down. But when she looked up, through all the muck and grime, her pale blue eyes shined, sparkling and bright. Her unmarred face was a rarity amongst captives dragged to this place, usually after rough treatment prior. He noticed her high cheekbones, a small nose, narrow chin but ripe mouth. Her eyes locked on him and his mouth went dry. When her tongue licked her lips, his body tightened.
He had to have her. Period. Regardless if she was a convict, runaway or Christian, he wanted her.
A guard butted past him, into the room and yanked the chain, pulling all the captives up. Many moaned, some pleaded. She didn’t. She stood straight, pushing her shoulders back, waiting at the end of the line. Her eyes locked on his until the guard turned chain in hand to lead them out.
Marcus stepped back. Instantly, his hand went to his stomach guard and pulled the narrowed pick-knife out of its hidden sheath. As the captives stumbled past him, he extended his foot, causing her to trip. She fell into his grasp. His free hand placed the knife into the lock and with a twist, it opened. His hand covered it to deaden the noise as his other arm encircled her tiny waist and pulled her against him.
“Not a sound,” he whispered. He shoved her to the wall, his massive body hiding hers as he flexed his limbs. The guard stopped at the sound of the loose chain but didn’t look far when he saw the gladiator’s well-muscled body. Marcus glanced at him over his shoulder and gave the man a nod. His status as a victorious gladiator allowed some privilege. The guard shrugged and moved on. The frightened woman gasped for air and shook with fear.
Quickly he lifted her. She was light, lighter than his sword but he knew that couldn’t be. In a swift move, he turned. Next to the doorway sat a covered alcove. He dropped her in it.
“You’ll be safe here.” He looked her over. Her wide eyes, full of fear and mistrust, returned his gaze but she said nothing. He heard the gong of his master calling him – he fought next, after the final execution. “Remain here. I will be back for you.” He touched her cheek, his bulky hand swallowed half her face. Her skin was soft, like silk. Back in the days when he wore silk… He banked the anger. With a final nod to her, he left. He knew she’d be there when he returned.
To leave meant death.
Here’s how you can contact Gina
Website: http://ginadanna.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ginadannaauthor
Twitter: @GinaDanna1
Thanks again, Gina, for joining me here today!
Buy links:
Also will be available on Amazon, BN, etc
http://ginadanna.com
