'Haunted Heart' international GIVEAWAY!

I absolutely loved Tania Donald's debut novel 'Haunted Heart'. So I was pleased-as-punch to interview the author herself and get the scoop on an upcoming sequel and the benefits of horror.

And thanks to the lovely people at Penguin and Ms Donald, I will also be hosting an INTERNATIONAL giveaway of one signed-copy of 'Haunted Heart'. Gotta be in it to win it, so see the bottom of this post for entry details!

And, without further adieu, I give you Tania Donald . . .

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Q: How long did it take you to write ‘Haunted Heart’ – from concept to final manuscript?

A: About 15 years! Well, sort of ... I originally wrote it as a very short story about 15 years ago, but I could never get the idea out of my head. I always wanted to go back to it but I was worried that when I looked at it again I'd be disappointed. When I finally did, I was pleased that I still felt there was potential to develop the story further. After that I just started writing. That was in January 2009. I finished it in about November of that year.

Q: How were you first published – agent or slush pile?

A: Not exactly either. I had sent submissions to a couple of agents but got no reply. I wasn't really sure what to do next. At the same time I got an email from an old friend, and I happened to mention the book. He replied that he was friendly with Bob Sessions of Penguin and offered to ask his advice for me. Before I knew it, Bob Session emailed me himself, and asked for a submission, then the whole manuscript. I know I was extremely lucky that it happened that way. And I'm very grateful for Mr Sessions' generosity in being so open to looking at my submission.

Q: Many people believe that writing for young adults is the ‘easier route’ to getting published, and there is also a common assumption that popular paranormal/horror fiction is ‘trashy’. But you hold a Ph. D in English Literature, and ‘Haunted Heart’ is a Gothic thriller! Please, put these mis-assumptions to rest and tell us why you chose to study and write in this (brilliant) genre?

A: Well, I love paranormal fiction, and I always have. I don't see it as being inferior at all to mainstream fiction. If anything, I think it's harder to create a convincing and compelling story about the supernatural than about something very commonplace that we are all familiar with. The authors who do that best are ones whom I admire greatly: people like H P Lovecraft, M R James. I get such a thrill from the intense and mysterious worlds those authors create, I really wanted to try and write something in that tradition myself.

I don't think we can dismiss a genre that is so much enjoyed by readers of all ages - and let's face it, some of the greatest books in our culture involve paranormal or gothic themes: "Wuthering Heights," "Jayne Eyre." Even Shakespeare plays like "Macbeth and "Hamlet" involve ghosts, witches and prophecies. No-one could call those "trashy."

I love this quote from H P Lovecraft: "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown. These facts few psychologists will dispute, and their admitted truth must establish for all time the genuineness and dignity of the weirdly horrible tale as a literary form."

Q: Popular paranormal books have romanticized traditional monsters. Young readers (girls in particular) think nothing of a boy who stalks them and proclaims eternal love. But Dolour White is a very different sort of paranormal hero than we’ve read lately. He’s from the more traditional Horror-Gothic world – and he is frightening! What was your motivation in writing a genuinely terrifying love interest?

A: Well, I suppose Haunted Heart is in some ways, a horror story about love. In order to scare and thrill us, horror has to touch some of our deepest fears, and I thought that our fears around love, and about how vulnerable we make ourselves when we surrender our heart to someone else, might be powerful fears to play upon in the story.

Haunted Heart certainly goes into some very dark areas, as it is much more of an adult story than a book for younger readers. And for that reason, I didn't want Dolour to be just a sweet, misunderstood, hot guy with supernatural powers. He is definitely a supernatural predator and a dangerous one. But I hope he is more than that for the reader. I've tried to avoid having any of the characters be just black and white/good or bad. For me, Dolour is as alluring as he is dangerous; as tormented by his own nature as he is threatening because of it. And what he has to offer Eloise is certainly beyond what any normal man could. There's nothing so thrilling as the idea of forbidden love - especially when combined with beauty and danger...

Q: I am thrilled to hear that a sequel to ‘Haunted Heart’ is in the works! Can you tell us anything about this upcoming novel? Title? Release date? Detailed synopsis? Anything!?

A: I just finished it last week! No-one else has even seen it yet. Its working title is "Fantôme Fatale."

1897: Paranormal researcher, Dr Oliver Martindale, is tantalized by the discovery of a page torn out of a second diary that continues Eloise's story. His obsession to discover what happened to her - and to find her if she is still alive - draws him into a web of danger, deceit and temptation, as he struggles against a master occultist intent on capturing Eloise for his own sinister ends. As their struggle twists and turns towards its shattering climax, Eloise's second diary unfolds her own story of capture by Arthur Grayton, and its shocking aftermath...

"Fantôme Fatale" is a story of obsession, betrayal, love and sacrifice...

Q: You have quite a quirky resume. Dog-groomer, chocolate connoisseur, graphic designer and mystery shopper to name a few . . . do these various occupations help to flex your imagination? What job hasn’t appeared on your CV yet, but are you still desperate to do?

A: I think you can definitely find inspiration in all sorts of places. But my varied jobs are more a reflection of how hard it is to make a living in the arts than anything else!
My ultimate dream would be to be a full-time writer and artist. These are things that mean the most to me, and the areas in which I think I have the most to offer.

Q: If ‘Haunted Heart’ was turned into a movie, who would be your ideal cast?

A: Hmm, Deborah Ann Woll who plays Jessica on "True Blood" is the kind of beautiful and talented actress who I'd love to see playing Eloise. She is a fascinating performer.

As for Dolour, the only actor I can think of with the right kind of quality is Hurd Hatfield, who appeared in "The Picture of Dorian Gray" in 1945. He had the kind of beauty that is almost other-worldly. Of course, he has passed away now, but I'm sure there must be some young actor out there, who'd embody that same slightly spooky kind of beauty today.

My fantasy cast would also have to include the wonderful Mr Paul Darrow as Mr Edward White. He is best known for his role as Kerr Avon in the British sci-fi series "Blake's 7." He is a mesmerizing performer, and to me he really captures the Coeurophage's ability to command and control your attention in a powerful way; very handsome and enigmatic, yet slightly dangerous.

Q: Since we’re on the topic . . . have you sold the movie rights for ‘Haunted Heart’?

A: That would be a dream come true as I'm a real film-buff. I'm a huge fan of Hammer horror films - those wonderfully atmospheric and stylish period horror movies of the 1960s-70s. Hammer have recently started making films again. If anyone could bring "Haunted Heart" to the screen they would be my first choice. Ah well, we live in hope! Let's cross our fingers!

Q: Favourite book(s) of all time?

A: "The Wasp Factory" by Iain Banks, and "In The Heart of the Sea" by Nathaniel Philbrick are both books I love rereading and never tire of. Also the complete works of HP Lovecraft.

Q: Favourite author(s) of all time?

A: It would have to be H P Lovecraft. For me, his works open up this whole dimension of intense supernatural experience. No-one else gives me that same thrill of psychological horror. Once you enter into his dark and mysterious world, you want to keep returning to it. He is a continuing inspiration.

Q: What advice do you have for budding young writers?

A: I guess I would just say to keep working at it. If you sit there in front of the computer for long enough, and put the effort in, you'll get there in the end. If something's not working, don't give up on it, but find a way to make it work. Show your writing to friends you trust, and get their feedback. And keep going, because when you've created something yourself, and made it as good as you can, there's really nothing more satisfying.

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'Haunted Heart' international giveaway
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How to enter:

♥ Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already)

♥ Leave a comment on this blog post

♥ Include a way to contact you (e-mail addy is fine)

♥ One post per entrant

♥ This is an INTERNATIONAL giveaway!

♥ Contest closes July 31st
I will announce the lucky winner on August 1st

'Haunted Heart' by Tania Donald

Received from the Publisher

From the BLURB:

'Intoxicated as I am by my love for him, I am also afraid . . . What wickedness lurks within me, struggling to emerge?'

1838: In a quiet, English village, eighteen-year-old Eloise Morton yearns to experience love. The arrival of a handsome and aristocratic stranger fills her with hope, but their romantic courtship quickly descends into a maze of psychological games and strange, erotic encounters. Eloise finds herself suddenly alone, and transformed in ways that she cannot understand. But what has she become? Are the dark appetites that now compel her human, or otherwise? Is she victim, predator – or both? Eloise sets off on a perilous journey to the other side of the world to reunite with the man who haunts her heart – and to discover the shocking truth about herself.

Sexy, dark and thrilling, Haunted Heart is a breathtaking gothic novel about losing oneself to the heart's darkest desires.

The year is 1838, and Eloise Morton is desperate to fall in love. Her sisters, Georgiana and Miriam are promised to fine gentlemen, but it seems that Eloise is destined to find her heart in books like ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and nothing of real-life romance . . . And then Dolour White arrives.

With his sister Celaine, Mr White moves into the country estate near Eloise’s home and she is instantly smitten. Dolour is intelligent and handsome, wickedly sweet and crushingly beautiful. And, wonder of wonders, Dolour seems to want Eloise as much as she wants him. He visits her in her dreams, and writes fancifully lush letters of wanting. Their love grows, even as nasty rumours swirl about the real reason that Dolour and Celaine left their home in Listerwood. . .

And then Eloise’s dreams of happily-ever-after are dashed. With cruel words and swift finality, Dolour ends their love affair – and takes Eloise’s heart with him, literally.

What’s left of Eloise is a tormented soul. She is at odds with her old self, and this hungry new being that Dolour has left behind. She craves, and she is afraid of herself.

‘Haunted Heart’ is the debut Gothic young adult novel from Melbourne writer, Tania Donald.

‘Haunted Heart’ tells the genesis of a monster. Through diary-entries and first-hand accounts, we read Eloise’s first meeting of the mysterious and enigmatic Dolour White. We read of her girlish infatuation, and of the erotic dreams that turn her crush into heated yearning . . . as readers, we go on this twisted journey with Eloise as she starts to unravel Celaine and Dolour’s many secrets. The strange voodoo Celaine practices, eerie nightmares featuring Dolour and ominous words of warning as their love ignites and intertwines. Through meticulous diary entries and recounts, we read the awful moment of no return – when Dolour makes Eloise into his own image and she is left with a dueling nature – her human self, and this craving, frightening creature that her lover has left behind;

I had the most curious and frightening dream. I stood once more in the churchyard with Dolour, but we were quite alone, alone amongst the gravestones, in the cold, blue light of evening. Dolour took my left hand in his own and spoke to it, as though he were speaking to me. 'I have a great and terrible gift for you,’ he whispered tenderly to it, ‘but, my love, it will cut you, hurt you to the marrow to put it on. It might even kill you. And once it is on, it will never come off. Will you accept such a wedding ring?’
It seemed that I could neither spear nor move, but that my hand moved of its own volition, clasping his hand, and stroking his face with tender devotion, while I was mute and frozen. A part of me craved such a token from Dolour, but at the same time, I felt very afraid at the strangeness of it all.

Eloise must eventually make the decision; to resist her new, monstrous nature, or follow Dolour into the dark and succumb to his making. Driven by love and curiosity, Eloise chooses her monster-side, and the love of a dangerous man.

There’s certain brilliance in Tania Donald choosing to tell this tale from the perspective of an evolving monster. Because Eloise most certainly is monstrous – they all are; Dolour and Celaine too. Often in YA paranormal books this moment of transference is a glorious one – marked by the protagonists' love for her hero, to the point that she decides to join him in his (insert: vampirism, lycanthropy etc) and live happily ever after. But ‘Haunted Heart’ is traditionally Gothic – and so this moment of choosing which path is in fact a downward spiral into dark and dangerous things. We read Eloise’s altering mind – from the sweet innocent who is charmed by Mr. Darcy while reading ‘Pride and Prejudice’ – to a conniving and tempting creature who starts to see those around her as prey.

And when Eloise and Dolour are reunited in their monster love, it’s like reading a supernatural Bonnie & Clyde – these two predators that have forsaken all others to be together. Their scenes are chilling, both for the sizzling chemistry of their romance, and the price Eloise had to pay to be with her beloved;

He stroked my cheek and twirled a strand of my hair between his fingers. ‘What sport we shall have with all of this.’ He smiled. ‘How very perfect.’
I laughed. ‘I am very glad that you approve.’
‘Approve? Oh, my love! But you are spectacular! What an irresistible lure. What a rare and glorious butterfly has emerged in place of that shy little caterpillar I knew before.’ He put his arms around my waist and looked into m face with great pleasure. He embraced me again and lifted me off my feet in his exuberance.

Now, as to what these creatures are . . . I don’t want to give away the ‘reveal’. Not that the telling will help much – since Donald is drawing on fabled mythology and biblical demons to create an entirely new supernatural – the ‘Couerophage’.

Tania Donald’s tale is dripping in sinister Gothicism. She harks back to the greats (who Eloise is also a fan of) like Mary Shelley and Lord Byron. So it makes sense that ‘Haunted Heart’, like Eloise herself, is a novel of duality – at once dark and menacing, but with a romance that is tamely-erotic for the younger set. The eroticism is not overdone, and in no way gratuitously inappropriate; I would call it erotica-lite – the perfect first foray for young adults who are beginning to outgrow the current crop of PG13 paranormal romances currently offered. I wouldn’t be surprised if young readers of ‘Haunted Heart’ then took the next step towards reading Anne Rice or Stephen King.

I really did enjoy ‘Haunted Heart’, and I’m thrilled to learn that a sequel is in the works. Tania Donald has a Ph.D in English literature, so her writing is justly cunning and flamboyant, a deliciously dark Gothic delight. The novel does drag in some parts, particularly when Eloise and Dolour are separated by sea; but Donald makes up for it by writing a truly heinous YA paranormal romance about a monster and her maker – complete with shady undertones and a befitting Gothic finale.

5/5