Darynda Jones has a secret. On paper, her alter ego Charley Davidson is snarky, sex-mad, able to kick paranormal foes 
in their paranormal behinds. In real life, Darynda is probably one of the sweetest people you’ve ever met. She has a humble, self-deprecating humor, she’ll tell you all her writing secrets as if they don’t amount to much, and she’s more likely to talk about her kids than her books.
Is it no wonder I love this gal?
You’ll love her even more because Darynda is giving one reader who leaves a comment below, here or at KissAndThrill.com, an ARC — yes that’s right — an ADVANCE READER’s COPY of her book number 8!
Eighth Grave After Dark isn’t out until May, and though you might have to wait a bit to get the ARC, you’ll be in the know with reviewers across the country who get the book months in advance! So leave us your best bit of snark, or tell us why you love Darynda, or why you want to read her book, and we’ll let you know who won next week.
Here are some things you might not know about her:
*Awards: Darynda has won 11 awards, including the Daphne du Maurier, the RITA, the Bookie Award (three times!), 2 HOLT Medallions, the Golden Heart, the GOTCHA, The PASIC, and the Rebeca (LERA).
*Genre: Darynda has written in a ton of genres, even though they’re not all published, including historical!
*Education: She’s a Summa cum Laude graduate and has a BA in Sign Language Interpreting.
*Eighth Grave After Dark will be out on May 19th and Darynda will also be in an anthology, Dark Screams, Volume 3 which will be out on May 12th. Steven King was in Volume 1 and there will be a collector’s edition available, too, with all 25 authors signatures. Our gal is now in the same league as Steven King — but we all knew that already, right?
I sat down with Darynda to discuss her Grim Reaper Charley Davidson series that launched with the mega-best seller First Grave on the Right. She also speaks about how she writes humor and bubbles snark on the page and gives up secrets about her newest series.
Enjoy!
(If the video doesn’t play properly, please update your Adobe.)
Darynda’s latest books are Sixth Grave on the Edge, and Seventh Grave and No Body, I know you’ll love them!
Don’t forget to leave your comment below or at KissAndThrill.com to be eligible for the drawing for an Advance Reader’s Copy of Eighth Grave After Dark! A comment left on both websites will be counted twice, and if you follow either blog, you qualify for up to two more entries! So commenting in both places and following both blogs gives you four chances to win. (If you already follow, you’re already entered one time.)
( UPDATE: The contest is now closed)
Categories: Author Interview
I was (am) so excited when I read this that I pressed post as soon as I saw this… I hadn’t even written my name- let alone a comment… do I smell desperate? Probably-don’t even answer that. I am so obsessed with these books it’s not even funny! The emotional investment I have in these characters is intense gosh I’d love to read this book like RIGHT NOW!! Love the books. Going to stop writing now before this comment ends up becoming a book…Yeah desperation at its finest people. I am desperate for this book. Now I’ll stop. Seriously your a great writer Ms.Jones. Great now I’m done.
I would love to win this book so bad! I own the first six. Haven’t bought book seven yet. I was broke so I had to get it from the library. Hopefully I will be able to buy Seventh Grave soon and I will need Eighth Grave to complete the collection.
Darynda is my favorite author. I’m glad I found her 3 years ago.
I’m more than excited with the possibility of winning the contest and being able to read the 8th book. I can’t wait for it!!
I love this series! Can’t wait for book 8
I’m shivering in anticipation.
Im not afraid to beg for this….every time one of the CD books come out its “Reyes-day”!!!!
This is such an addictive series. Each book leaves me wating MORE!! Darynda is amazing!
Loved the interview. Can not wait to see what happens with Charley and Reyes.
I keep checking everyday on the off chance I actually won. I would need to go buy a lot of coffee, a pair of dark sunglesses and a snarky tshirt!
It’s hard to type with my fingers crossed! Isn’t that what you do when you really, really want something, LOL!?! Uh-oh, or, are we supposed to stop doing that when we become adults, LOL??? Right now, I’m going to go with it because it just might help me win, LOL! Gosh, I wish I could think of something funny or cute (or both) to say but I can’t think of anything, like that, right now:) So, I’ll just say that I desire to win GRAVE #8 because I love the series! Also, cheers to Darynda. She shows so much love to her fans! That makes her not only an awesome writer but she’s a KIND, sensitive person, too!
I found Darynda’s book in Wal mart on there discount table. I picked it up and read the back and was lost. I took it home and just could not put it down. As soon as I finished it I went out and bought the rest. I was so deeply in love with the rich and wonderful characters and world that Darynda’s created that I have not been able to get enough and I always anxiously await the newest book. Thank you Darynda’s for giving me a world that I love to lose myself in.
Love Charley and Cookie, I’d definitely hang out with them anytime. All of the characters are awesome . I’d love to receive Eighth Grave (eights my lucky number) fingers crossed.
My friend recommended this series to me and I am so glad she did! The humor, the wit, how Charley always gets into one pickle after another is awesome sauce! Reyes is a dream/sex boat from hell and so hot he makes a reader’s mouth water! ARC or no ARC, I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
I love your books, Darynda!!! Thanks so much for writing them!!! I tried a Death in the Afternoon recently, in Charley’s (and your!) honor.
Love this series! Winning an ARC of #8 would make everyone in my book club jealous!
Please i want the book very badly..i’m a big fan of Darynda and her books..
I love your books!!! My life is so hectic and stressful at times. Especially, as a mother of 2, and a officer. My hobby is reading, and I love getting lost in a good book. That is why I love your books they are funny, sexy, and I get so hooked on them. I try to find other books or authors that might tie me over to your next release, but I haven’t been successful : ( you truly are a talented author. Keep up the good work!!!
I like how Charliey talks to the china man in the corner. She talks to him about everything. I also like how when she gets mad at her Uncle the things she says to him. Lol I really love when she is mad at Reyes and then goes of and does something she shouldn’t. The best is you never know what she is going to get herself into. Thank You for all the good story’s.
I recently, 2 wks ago, stumbled onto Darynda Jones ‘ Charley Davidson series. I was/am hooked. I am anxiouly awaiting the release of Eighth Grave After Dark. The wait is killing me.
I love her books, and have read all 7 so far. The characters make me lol. I wish I could buy all of the t-shirts and bumper stickers. 🙂 winning this would be awesome, but I’m going to buy it anyway, and can’t wait until it comes out.
Darynda is one of my absolute favorite authors. We have the same sense of humor and I find that amazing to read!
Darynda is NOT in the same category as Steven King. I’ve read one King book and had no desire to read more. I can’t wait to read a Darynda Jones book and will reread them as well. Ms Jones is in a category well above King.
A coworker told me I had to read these books because I’d appreciate the smartass-ery. I read the first one and have been hooked like Charley on coffee (or Reyes 😉 ) ever since. Sarcasm, coffee, and eye candy, what’s not to like?
I can not wait! I work in a library so I always grab the books first.
YAY! Sign me up! Love Darynda Jones! If I don’t get the ARC like my neice would say: I’m going to ask papa for a piece of paper and draw mama, papa, go go, and jj but not you!
Wow! I sure hope Darynda is feelin’ the love from all these comments! I just started reading this series about 4 days ago – I’m in the middle of book 3 and I absolutely adore Charley in all her sarcastic snarky glory. Very cool interview – I can’t wait top see how she splits the cast for her Charley spin-off!
Charley Davidson is so funny! Love how she names everything. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
Really enjoy this series. Thanks for writing such great books.
I love this series 🙂
In order to maintain what little sanity I have left I NEED this ARC!!! I’m close to having the other books in the series memorized I’ve read them so often while waiting a new one to come out.
One of my all time favorite series and a terrific author to meet when at signings. So friendly kind and welcoming 🙂
LOVE this series… Reyes is one of my all time favorite characters…
Great series! I love Charley and all her quirky names for things. 🙂
i love this series! I can’t wait for the next book!
Waiting for new book
Oooh! ARC giveaway! My favorite thing. I love Charley and Cookie and I really lurrrrrrrrve Reyes. I read the first chapter of the first book and I was hooked.
Love Darynda Jones, thanks for the video, can’t wait for book 8!
Thanks for participating, everyone! The contest is now closed. The winner is Nymerias who must contact me within ten days to claim her prize.