Spotlight & Giveaway: Luka by Dianne Hartsock

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Dianne Hartsock will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Genre: mm romance/fantasy

Book Description

Luka makes a desperate wish and the earth shifts to his will. Regretting it immediately, he tries to undue the sorcery, but it is too late. He asked for hope, and to his horror, all the hope in the world is given into his keeping. He desires nothing more than to return this gift to the world. Aethan wants to get his hands on the Well of Hope in Luka’s keeping. If he can ransom out hope to others at his whim, the world will be at his feet. Where it belongs. With the aid of his lover, Rhys, Luka stays one step ahead of Aethan. But Rhys has his own enemy in Aethan, his estranged father. Rescued by Luka, his sweet, gentle witch, Rhys now stands with him against Aethan. They have vowed to return the Well of Hope to the earth despite all odds, or die trying. For what is life worth, for anyone, without hope?

 

Read an Excerpt

Rhys knelt up and stirred the glowing embers of their fire into a pile, adding a few large pieces of wood against it, then sat with his back to a nearby wall, feet toward the fire. He’d seen Luka ward their home with sage and sweet grass. Widow Ravan used cedar. What would Luka do with a stone?

 

Luka moved to the center of the cave and took a slow turn around, banishing any malicious energy from the hollow. Raven had taught Rhys that much, explaining they wouldn’t want to trap anything negative in with them when she warded a place. After several long heartbeats, Luka sat cross-legged on the sandy floor, a dark figure in the bright glow from the fire, relaxed, comfortable, as if he rested in his own home. Watching him, pride stirred in Rhys’s breast. Most others he’d witnessed would strut around the area they warded chanting under their breaths, making grand gestures and filling the space with smoke that stung his eyes. It all seemed to be for show, their wards precarious at best.

 

It was never like that with Luka. He went calmly about his business, with purpose, and a reverence for the magic of the earth. He sat calmly now, his focus on the stone he passed back and forth between his hands as if weighing it, studying its structure, its essence. He did this for a long moment, then stilled.

 

The hair on Rhys’s arms and the nape of his neck lifted, and he shivered. The air felt different, charged. His senses heightened.

 

Interview with Author Dianne Hartsock

What inspired you to come up with the idea for your book? 

 I love the fantasy books of Tolkien, Ursula K. Le Guin, C.J. Cherryh and many others and wanted to write one of my own. I tried to capture that feel of magic and wonder they’re so good at. 

 

Do you have a favorite scene? If so, what was it? 

 There are several scenes that are pivotal to the story, but my favorite is the opening scene. We’re introduced to Luka and also I hope it sets the tone for the rest of the book, something enchanting and loving. 

 

Is there a character you’d trade places with? If so, why?
 Yes! With Rhys. It would be wonderful if I could be Luka’s apprentice for even a day.

 

How do you go about choosing the names for your characters? 

 I feel I am one of the lucky writers. My characters usually come to me with names, personalities, and back stories. They tell me who their love interest is, what job they have. Their friends and relatives, nemesis and annoying neighbor all show up in the book when I need them, complete with name, etc. Makes writing this aspect of the story easy. 

 

What other books have you written? 

 Psychological Thrillers: Alex, The Shed, The Basement (these are three in my Alex series) 

Fantasies: Belega, The Red Twins (in my The Karthagans series) 

Crime Drama: Birthday Presents 

Paranormal: Nicolas 

Erotic Romance: Shelton in Love 

-also various short stores 

 

Do you have a favorite book (out of the ones you’ve written)? 

 My very first published book is called ALEX. Alex is a 20 year old psychic, and when a serial killer moves into town, and Alex is asked to help the police. But more than this aspect of the plot, the story is an intense look at Alex’s abusive past and how he is just trying to have a normal life with an ability that often leaves him crippled with fear and uncertainty. I have three books in this series and love Alex’s growth and the friends he makes over the year these take place. I do have a fourth book planned for the future.  

 

What’s your writing routine? 

 I don’t really have one. I write whenever I have the time and inspiration, though I do manage to write a little every day. If I don’t write for some reason, I always feel a little guilty, as if I’m not doing my homework. I do like a quiet house when I write, not even music playing because I don’t hear it anyway. When I’m working on a difficult scene, I need to be alone in a silent room. No distractions. 

 

What’s on your “bucket list?” 

 I would love to take one of those castle tours of Ireland and spend the evening in an authentic pub. My grandmother was Irish and it would be wonderful to visit her hometown as well.

 

What would be a must-have for a romantic date? 

I have to confess I’m a sucker for flowers. A single rose is perfect but any small bouquet would do. Yes, I’m a romantic at heart. 

 

Print or e-books–do you have a preference? 

I read both. Most of the time I’ll try an ebook, and if I love the story, I’ll buy it in print. Of course there are favorite authors I automatically buy the print book from, knowing they’ll be good stories. My favorite thing to do is snuggle on the couch with a paperback and immerse myself in the story. I love the feel and smell of a print book. 

 

Favorite time of day & why? 

That would be the evening, right as the sun is setting. The day is winding down, chores over. Time to relax, ease into the night, dinner with family/friends. A nice transition, then the excitement of going out or the peace of staying home, however you choose to end the day.  

 

Author Bio & Links

Dianne is the author of m/m romance, paranormal suspense, fantasy adventure, the occasional thriller, and anything else that comes to mind. She 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. There’s something about being cooped up in the house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee warming her hands, which kindles her imagination.

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

Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/diannehartsock

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Dianne-Hartsock-Author-107985445959828/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannehartsock/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4707011-dianne-hartsock

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Dianne-Hartsock/e/B005106SYQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1361897239&sr=8-1

Luka Buy Links: 

Publisher 

 Amazon US 

 Amazon UK 

 Amazon CA 

 Amazon DE 

 Amazon AUS 

 Google Books 

 Kobo 

 Smashwords 

Dianne Hartsock will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway