Thursday, March 29, 2012

Interview & Giveaway: Dakota Banks

UFI welcomes Dakota Banks Author of The Mortal Path Series. Thanks for Joining us!!

This or That

Angels or Demons

This one’s easy: demons. The Mortal Path series wouldn’t exist without them, plus I think they’re much more interesting than angels. Why go for a dull set of wings when you can have various hideous forms and breathe fire or rip people apart? Go for the horror, I say—Demons rule, Angels drool. 

Vampires or Shifters

Vampires have this big problem: terrible manners when feeding. All that blood dripping down the chin. It’s due to the passion of one sort or another that they’re experiencing when feeding—it distracts them from basic things like choosing the right spoon. I’d have to go with Shifters.

Left or Right

Not sure if we’re talking politics here or not, so given the choice, let’s stay away from politics. J Left-handedness is also known as sinistrality, from the Latin sinistra, meaning left, which we’ve converted into the word sinister. That describes Left’s reputation. Since ancient times, being left-handed has been considered a sign of the devil at work, clumsiness, or misfortune. By contrast, right-handedness is associated with power, justice, manual skill, and being correct. Since I like the idea of being correct, at least some of the time, my choice is Right. See? It’s self-confirming, too.  

Up or Down

I enjoy riding elevators down from the tops of buildings, especially ones that go really fast, and getting that flip-flop feeling in my stomach. There’s a ride at Disney World called the Tower of Terror. Passengers get into a “rickety” freight elevator and ride up 13 stories. Along the way, the elevator shaft turns pitch black, as in can’t see your hand in front of your face. It shoots to the top, then starts a series of faster-than-the-pull-of-gravity drops with a supposedly broken cable, ending in lurching stops. One time the elevator doors open, and suddenly you can see how really high up you are! I LOVE this ride. My choice is Down. 

Pizza or Pasta

I like pasta, but it tends to get served in dainty portions with a breadstick, so you can admire how attractively it’s served. I don’t need my food to be served attractively, considering how it’s going to end up in a little while. No one ever accused pizza of being attractive. It may smell good, taste good, and be fun to eat with your hands (Ha! Try that with pasta.), but if you snap a photo of it, the reality will never compare to the image in your mind. I choose Pizza, for its humility.  

Coffee or Tea

This one is tough, because I drink both of these. For me, coffee is the utilitarian go-to drink and tea is the esoteric mind-wandering drink. Since I prefer mind-wandering to practicality, it’s Tea.

Coke or Pepsi

I drink Coke Zero. That’s all. If I can’t have that, I’ll take water. I have no explanation for this strange preference.

YA or Adult

I write adult, I read adult, though I made exceptions for Harry Potter and the Hunger Games trilogy. They were enjoyable, but ... Adult is my choice.  

Facebook or Twitter

I love Facebook because it allows me to really communicate with people. Twitter—many of the things I say sound trite to me, and I don’t like the 140 character restriction. It may sound silly, but if I try to say anything meaningful, that restriction forces me to be ungrammatical. I’m a writer, for Pete’s sake! Facebook is The One, for freedom of expression.


Book Signing or Panel Speaking

I’ve always looked at public appearances as opportunities to meet and chat with readers, and to have time to do so in a relaxed atmosphere. Signings don’t fit that bill. First, no matter how well prepared you think the signing venue is, you can have a low turnout. I’ve sat by myself in bookstores in the middle of torrential downpours or even an ice storm, with the store owner embarrassed and saying, “Usually we have a lot more traffic.” Even when the signing goes well, people tend to want their book signed and be off, because they have other shopping/whatever to do. So it’s open the book, ask “Signature or inscription?”, do what’s requested, close the book. And really, I see enough of my book. I don’t need to spend two hours sitting around and looking at ... my book. Panels are very different. If people have paid to attend the conference, a little bad weather isn’t going to discourage them. In every multi-author panel I’ve been on, there have been Q&A sessions. It’s readers’ thoughts hurled at us, and I say that lovingly. I’m not on the panel to sell my books, I’m just relaxed and having a good time. I get to chat with readers after the panel and in the halls. Plus I enjoy being with the other authors on my panels, some of whom are new to me and some are already good friends. So a rousing yes for Panel Speaking! 

Reading or Writing


You don’t actually expect me to answer this, do you? *Sigh* I guess you do. I’m flipping a coin ... it came up Reading. Ok, two out of three. I look at it this way. I love reading for the intensely beautiful words, sentences, and passages that sink into my mind, give me chills, tear my heart out, or engage my empathy. But as a writer, I get to create those words, sentences, and passages that I hope affect others in those ways. That’s like double-dipping, and it’s wonderful. Writing is my choice.

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Find Dakota and her books
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Deliverance 
Mortal Path #3
March 27, 2012
A demon's assassin for centuries, Maliha Crayne has gone rogue, determined to save a life for every one she's destroyed in order to free herself from an eternity of enslavement, damnation, and excruciating torment. But as the powers that sustained her in the past fade, she is wary of trusting those closest to her-especially her lover, Jake. Should Maliha listen to her heart or the alarms going off in her head? Then her closest friends begin to disappear, one by one. Amid her anger, suspicion, and sorrow, she feels her life spiraling out of control.

Worse still, a beautiful, Renaissance murderess is recruiting Maliha as her new assassin. Maliha is turning into a lethal puppet with an evil Immortal pulling the strings, forced to kill innocents or see her missing friends die horribly. Suddenly trapped in a moral no-man's land, Maliha is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't…and time is rapidly running out.
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Deliverance Trailer

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*Open Internationally* 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

54 comments:

  1. Dakota Banks is one of my favorite authors. Great Giveaway!!!

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  2. I have book 1 in this series on my TBR table. It sounds perfect for this UF fan.

    I'm an adult reader too. I've been reading a lot of YA in the past two years because I read about lots of YA books with great reviews, but find I'm becoming really critical of them. Justly I believe, but I'm sure a 49 year old woman has much different requirements than a true YA aged reader. When you start picking, it's time to move on.

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    1. I feel exactly the same way you do about most YA.

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  3. Love your writing style. The interview was really fun to read, thank you for sharing with us:)
    Great giveaway!
    elliott2668(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  4. AWESOME interview! I love this series and I can't wait for the next book to come out. Thanks for all your hard work and creating such a fantastic new world for us to lose ourselves in :)

    I agree with everything you said :) I rarely read YA b/c hey, I'm an adult and high school wasn't fun for me so why revisit it... lol... But I have made exceptions for some of the new dystopian/zombie YA books out b/c they don't really read like YA. Umm... I'm not on facebook or twitter b/c I like my interactions to be more personal and I want to maintain some anonymity/privacy.

    Thanks so much for taking time out for a great interview! Best wishes and Thanks again for such a fantastic series!

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    1. I'm going to show this to my husband. He won't believe there's someone who agrees with everything I said. :-)

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  5. I really want to read this series. It sounds very good. Thanks for the giveaway. Tore923@aol.com

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  6. I've seen these around and wondered if they were any good. Now I'm really intrigued. Lots my to-read pile is going to get a little taller!

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  7. Thank you for the awesome giveaway! I can't wait to read Deliverance!

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  8. Thank you for this awesome giveaway! I haven't read any books by Dakota Banks for now but she's definitely on my to-be-buy books thanks to your reviews and interview!
    i checked twice before entering that the contest is international and I hope, this time, I'll be lucky!;)
    I keep my fingers crossed!

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    1. All my giveaways are international. I figure there are plenty of readers outside the country I live in; why exclude them??

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  9. I haven't heard of this series before, but I am very excited to find a new series to start. Thanks for the awesome giveaway. This sound really great and I will be adding it to my wish list...thanks for the chance to win.

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  10. I have not read this series yet, but it's on my list. Thank you for the awesome giveaway!

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  11. I cant wait to read this series!! Sounds amazing!!

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    1. I think it's amazing, but as the mom of the series, that doesn't count.

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  12. The series sounds action-packed which makes me want to read it.

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  13. I read the first book in the series then lost track when the major publishers withdrew from the smaller e-book venues. I would love to get back into the series.

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  14. Great post,enjoyed reading it.
    Thanks for the giveaway

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  15. Happy for another Mortal Path book, I can't wait to read Deliverance.

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    1. It has been awhile. I hope readers of the series haven't forgotten about it! There was a delay between books 2&3 as a result of a death in my family.

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  16. That's a fun interview. DELIVERANCE does look amazing.

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  17. Great series. Really looking forward to the new book.

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    1. Thanks! I have to say I was really looking forward to getting it released!!

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  18. I enjoyed the interview. The series sounds very interesting.

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  19. hi Dakota! the mortal path series are in my TBR pile, and i'll try to read it ASAP :)

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  20. The interview and your answers are so unique. Another great interview. I enjoy getting to know you Dakota and what influences your life. Must say it again, your books are my favorites to read over and over again. I’m a Kindergarten Teacher by day but a Dakota Banks reader and fan by night. ::Kay::

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    1. I love teachers! Doesn't hurt that you're a fan, too. :-)

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  21. I absolutely love Dakota and Maliha, so keeping my fingers crossed to win this amazing giveaway!!! Maliha is super kick-ass chick! ;)

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  22. I loved the answers above. You cover all the bases. Thank you.

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  23. Dakota, I have to say I'd have to flip a coin on a few of those questions myself. ;D And the reasoning behind left or right. lol! You are good. ;D

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  24. Great Q&A..agree on most. Just wanted to say 'hi' since I know you LOVE to see me stalking you!!! heehee!!! Have to be consistent!!! Thanks again for the giveaway Dakota!!!!

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  25. Thanks for the giveaway. Would be honor to read your book. Thanks

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    1. It would be an honor to me to have you read my book, Kiki.

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  26. I love Dakota Banks' writing style. Thank you for sharing this awesomeness with us today and for the lovely giveaway opportunity.

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  27. I never really thought about vampires table mnners when feeding before! It did make me laugh - a lot! :)
    Mel S

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  28. I love reading this or that answers. Thanks for the chance to win.

    ticklebear2 at yahoo dot com

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  29. Hi Dakota,

    Thanks for the great swag bag giveaway. I like the logic of the left vs. right. I think my favorite answer has to be the pizza, however. Totally agree on the pizza.

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  30. I should also have thanked Stacy for the giveaway. My apologies to you, Stacy. :) Thanks!

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  31. I love this series! Thank you for the great giveaway!

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  32. thanks you for being so attentive to your readers

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    1. I love my readers. They are so generous when they buy my books, or ask for them in their libraries.

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  33. I have heard so many great things about this series! I cannot wait to start reading them!

    Thanks for the giveaway!!!

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  34. I've immensely enjoyed the first two books in the series. I won't expect any less from the third book!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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    1. Hey Aik! Good to see you here. I think you'll like book #3!

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  35. sounds like a great series. I am adding this one to my book list.
    scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com

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  36. hi Dakota! i hope i'll win this one. i want to read maliha, badly. i need more kick-ass chick books in my diet

    smile_773@yahoo.com

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    1. Watch out! They're like fiber--you can get too much, you know! :-)

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  37. Another great interview, I get to know more and more about you. Love the choices of Tea and Cola Zero.

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  38. I keep on hearing great reviews about this series. I'll definitely check it out! :)

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  39. Thanks for all the great comments here. I really enjoyed them, and my visit to Urban Fantasy Investigations! Follow this super blog and spread the word!

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Thanks for stopping by =)