Interview with Dani

Interview with Danielle Summers

Brenda McDaniel here with an exciting interview! I got to spend the afternoon with Danielle Summers, aka Skye Ryder! Danielle very kindly gave me a tour around exclusive club -- Club Strigoi, then sat down with me at one of the tables where we enjoyed sodas, music and very interesting conversation!

Brenda: Danielle, Can I just say I feel so honored to have been given a tour of the club. I've heard so much about it from Lalita, but wasn't sure I'd ever get the chance to walk around here myself.

Dani: It's no problem Brenda, it was my pleasure. And please, call me Dani. Bram's sleep, so I usually just get some work done in the afternoons, goodness knows he keeps me too busy after he wakes up. (chuckles)

Brenda: (chuckles) That sounds like a wonderful problem to have.

Dani: It is. I'm not complaining. Much. (winks) Actually Bram is a great guy, and if he sees me working on something, usually he'll let me work for a little while.

Brenda: Yes, I've heard of your alter-ego. Skye Ryder. Tell me, what went through your mind when you discovered your fictional vampire hero was even more like your real life boyfriend than even you had thought possible.

Dani: (laughing) Well, that's hard to say. After he told me the truth, I can remember thinking 'Oh My God!' then I woke up in bed. Seeing him shift for the first time was definitely not something I'll easily forget. But as for my hero, he was pretty much done by the time I actually found out Bram's little secret -- well, one of them anyway (laughing). So, it really didn't cross my mind, until I got into edits. But by then I was used to the idea of him being Vampire, so it was just really funny. I didn't think the two could be more alike, and I was wrong.

Brenda: I couldn't help notice you said one of Bram's secrets. So he has more?

Dani: From me, no. After we made up, we sat down and had a long talk. I told him I didn't want any more surprises. Some of the things I found out...well, lets just say I was shocked. But all of it makes Bram the man he is today, so, I can't really complain.

Brenda: What the story about Bram's dragon? Isn't it hard for Vampires to be tattooed? And it's so big...

Dani: That was one of the things we discussed. His dragon is so beautiful, and like I said, it's a part of him.

Brenda: I can see we aren't going to get anymore out of you on that subject. (Dani smiles and shakes her head) Well, will you tell us was it a shock to meet his brother?

Dani: A complete shock. I could wish we met under better circumstances, but as much as I hate to give the man credit for anything, he *did* help me figure out how I felt about Bram. And as soon as he reads this interview, I'll never hear the end of his smug comments. The man is absolutely impossible.

Brenda: (Laughing) Could he be inspiration for another character in one of your books?

Dani: Well, I have threatened him. I told him if he made one more comment about the night we met, I was going to put him in one of my books and kill him horribly.

Brenda: What was his reaction to that?

Dani: He wasn't amused. He growled at me, which of course only made Bram and I laugh and laugh.

Brenda: He sounds fun to torture.

Dani: Oh he is. He's a good guy beneath that asshole exterior.

Brenda: Speaking of exteriors, a little bird told me that you went through quite the makeover. What was it like to go from wearing baggy clothes all the time to wearing clothes that made you feel sexy?

Dani: It was hard. I had to keep reminding myself not to try to cover up. (laughing) I was constantly worried at first that I was going to completely pop out of my tops. Especially when Bram -- being a total guy! (chuckles) -- started choosing tighter, skimpier tops.

Brenda: What does your family think about your transformation?

Dani: My dad loves it. Of course, I try not to let him see me in anything too revealing. He's been really great, really supportive about the entire situation. He doesn't know Bram is Vampire, I'm not sure if I'll ever tell him that. But he's been there for me, it meant a lot to me.

Brenda: And the rest of your family?

Dani: We aren't really talking. We went out once, and she called one time after that, but she started nagging me and trying to guilt trip me about my cousin's party. I hung up on her. She hasn't called back. I'm not trying to shut her out of my life, but I'm not going to let her make me feel like dirt any more.

Brenda: Good for you! What does your family think about Bram? I know you said your dad's been great about the transformation, but how do they feel about your husband? Were they invited to the wedding?

Dani: My dad shook his hand, thanked him for helping me to come out of my shell, then told him if he hurt me he'd kill him. Which, considering Bram could break my daddy in half if he really wanted to was really funny. But after that conversation Bram had a lot of respect for my father. My mom adores Bram.

Well, except for the part about him supporting my writing. And my decision to stop attending any family functions where I become the butt of jokes. She wants him to convince me to give up writing and start a family. She doesn't realize that we aren't in a hurry. We have centuries ahead of us, there's no need to rush into anything.

And no, they weren't at the wedding. It was a really very small affair. I wore a simple white summer dress, and he wore a suit. La, Gareth, Duncan, and Mel were there. We found this Vampire that was a pastor at one of the local churches - he presides over all the night ceremonies. We were married at midnight under a full moon in a beautiful park, with nature surrounding us. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful ceremony. My family thinks we eloped. They aren't especially happy with that idea and are trying to convince us to do something more traditional, but I keep refusing. After all, I'd rather not become a widow.

Brenda: Again, I can't blame you there. I also couldn't help but notice that you said you had centuries ahead of you. Does this mean you've decided to 'change'?

Dani: The subject has come up once or twice.

Brenda: And?

Dani: And, we've discussed it.

Brenda: (laughing) Not going to give me the dirt are you?

Dani: (joins in laughter) Nope, sorry.

Brenda: Well, you can't blame a reporter for trying.

Dani: No, I can't. But that doesn't mean I'll answer either.

Brenda: I can live with that. What was the one thing you had to get used to, when you first began coming to Club Strigoi?

Dani: The clothes, the attitude. There was so much that I wasn't used to, the music, the make up, but those two things stuck out the most for me. I guess I was like most people, I thought that anyone that listened to this kind of music or dressed or acted a certain way... Well, I'm glad to say I was wrong. Now, I love the music, I'm not sure I could ever go back to listening to pop, though I still like a couple of songs. And some of the people I've met here are among the nicest you could ever meet. I've never been so happy to be proven so wrong.

Brenda: (nodding) I'm sure that you, Bram and all of our readers are thankful that you didn't allow one bad experience here sour you. That you did come back.

Dani: I am too. I'm lucky, I can look back and say the night I came in here for the first time changed my life forever. I can pinpoint exactly what put me on my current path. And to tell the truth, I'm even thankful that that jerk grabbed me. If he hadn't, I probably never would have met Bram.

Brenda: As much as I hate to do this, that's all the time we have for today.

Dani: I understand.

Brenda: (winks) Does this mean I have to leave?

Dani: (laughing) of course not.

Brenda: (smiling) From Gryffin Press, This is Brenda McDaniel and Dani Summers -- or is it Dani Drake? -- inside of the extraordinary Club Strigoi saying until next time! Is there one last thing you'd like to add?

Dani: (nodding) It's Dani Drake. (winks) And for those of you that haven't visited yet, I'd like to give a warning. The only thing hotter than the dancing here, are the bouncers!

Brenda: (laughing) And that is truly great advice! Until next time!