Giana Darling is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Top 40 Amazon Best Selling Canadian romance author who specializes in the taboo and angsty side of love and romance!
Her Latest Book 'Dead Man Walking' released on 28th December 2020.
Interview Q/A
1. Hi Giana !! Let us start by giving us a glimpse about your real life , including one fact about you that is hidden from public knowledge?
Well, I'm Giana, a Canadian romance author living on an island off the west coast of the country. My man and I have a four month old Golden retriever puppy named Romeo, and a ragdoll cat named Persephone. When I'm not writing, I love to cook, bake, and adventure whether that is travelling to foreign countries or exploring our island on hikes and road trips. Something people might not know about me is that I am bilingual and lived in France on and off for six years.
2. How do you come up with titles of your book and at what time of the day are you able to get maximum writing done ?
Honestly, titles usually just come to me before I even endeavour to write the book! I have a list of titles in my notes app that I've been accumulating since I was about ten years old so sometimes I pull from there, but most often, they arrived organically when I first conceived of an idea.
I used to love writing at night, but living with my man for the last year, I've tried to adjust to working during the day so I can spend time with him in the evening. The trick for me is to write in a dark room with lit candles to dupe my mind into thinking it's nighttime so I can get as much done as I would then.
3. Is there any character in your books that you see as a reflection of yourself?
Yes! Cosima Lombardi and Elena Lombardi from The Evolution of Sin Trilogy and The Enslaved Duet are both characters that are reflections of myself. In fact, I kind of split my personality into two and gave each sister an aspect of who I am. Cosima has all the good stuff, and Elena has most of the bad or difficult aspects of my personality.
4. What was the first book that you wrote and How did you feel when It got published?
The Affair was the first book I published in 2016, but the first book I ever wrote to completion was when I was eighteen and I'd been writing before that since I was eight years old. I decided to publish The Affair because I always dreamed of being a writer and I wanted to give myself a shot. I didn't tell a soul when I published it, but I felt elated, nervous, and proud of myself for taking a chance on my dreams.
5. Your ‘Fallen Men MC’ series have messed with my mind so much and I can’t get enough of those characters . Was there anything special that gave you an idea about starting this series ?
I never thought I would write an MC series, honestly. I never set out to write 'dark' books, but I'm interested in boundary-pushing love stories that leave readers thinking and re-evaluating their definition of morality so it's not really surprising I ended up writing about an outlaw motorcycle club. It was a photo of the model Christopher Mason leaning on a motorcycle in a parking lot looking into the distance like he was waiting for someone that gave birth instantly to the character of King Kyle Garro, swiftly followed by Cressida, Zeus, Harleigh Rose and the rest of the gang. Within about an hour of plotting, I had the entire series loosely plotted!
6. Do you decide the plot of your upcoming book first , or the characters?
It's always the characters that come to me first, whispering in my ear. If I'm patient, they tell me their story.
7. Did you want to be an author from your childhood , or did you have any other profession in mind as a kid ?
I've wanted to be an author since I was eight years old and did my first creative writing assignment with a student teacher. I wrote a Halloween themed story about going into a haunted house and walking up the next morning as a vampire lol.
8. I know it won’t be fair of me to ask , but out of all the couples in the “Fallen Men MC” , Which couple is your favourite?
I always change my answer to this question, because it's so impossible to choose! I think I have to go with Lila and Nova or King and Cressida!
9. I have seen that you love writing “Age Gap” as one of your main genres (like in Zues’s book!). What are your views on the controversies of an age gap relationship? Like what is your Age Gap limit up to which you’ll feel comfortable reading the romance of the main characters in a certain book?
This is a really interesting question. I don't think I have a hard and fast rule for age gap limits as long as it is consensual and every is of legal age. I know a lot of people take umbrage with an age gap when the older character is in a position of power, but I think it's fine as long as the relationship is approached in a careful way. Ultimately, I'm a big believer in the difference between fiction and real life. Just because an author writes something or a reader enjoys certain content does not mean they support it in real life. Fiction should be a safe place to explore and push your boundaries.
10. Which of your books was the hardest one to write?
I wouldn't say any of them were truly difficult to write due to the story, but because of life events during the time, I'll say Enamoured. There was a lot going on in my personal life that made it difficult to tell that story.
11. Your Last release “Dead Man Walking” absolutely stole my heart and I have been dying to ask you if there will be any more books in the “Fallen Men MC” series or is the series over?
Oh gosh, no! The stories of The Fallen Men will continue for a long time to come. I currently have over ten books planned in the series, with approximately one published per year. That said, I'm taking a break from The Fallen in 2021 because I released three in that world back to back and I need a break creatively.
12. Could you tell us a little bit about your upcoming release of the Dante’s Duet? I loved meeting Dante in your previous books and am going crazy for his duet!!
This makes me so happy! Dante Salvatore is my mafia cop, a dangerous man with a massive heart much like Zeus Garro in my Fallen Men Series. His story begins with him being on trial for murder, racketeering, and fraud and spans years and continents. The duet is dark and and sensual with lots of action and political mafia mechanisms.
13. Who is your favourite author and if asked to recommend a Dark-Twisted romance novel , which book would be your first recommendation?
I don't have just one favourite author, but for the sake of simplicity, I adore Sierra Simone for her gorgeous prose and Kristen Ashley because her books are like comfort food to me. If I had to recommend a dark or twisted romance novel it would probably be The Captive Prince Trilogy by C.S. Pacat or Fearless by Lauren Gilley.
14. Before we wrap-up let's do a random question round .
What’s your favourite food item? Chocolate, hands down.
Ever googled yourself? Hahaha no, but I'm totally going to now!
Genres you prefer to read? Non-fiction current events, histories or biographies, MM romance, and Fantasy.
Your most cherished possession? My copy of Welcome to the Dark Side signed by Jason Momoa!
Worst gift ever received? Sparkly pink and purple slippers from my aunt... they were ugly AF and uncomfy lol.
First nickname you had? Giggle Monster haha.
About the Author
About Giana
Giana Darling is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Top 40 Amazon bestselling Canadian romance author who specializes in the taboo and angsty side of love and romance. She currently lives in beautiful British Columbia where she spends time riding on the back of her man’s bike, baking pies, and reading snuggled up with her cat Persephone.
Connect with Giana
Website: gianadarling.com
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tKhTKO
Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2CFNVsK
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2J5Evtq
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2E5LPRW
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2lI2UNn
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2eNG8Bp
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2uXVF84
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/b0qnPr
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