Lovelies! Let me tell you JUST. HOW. EXCITED I am about today’s guest author!

Nalini Singh is joining us, and she’s answering questions about her upcoming Guild Hunter story, Archangel’s Viper. I am a massive fan of this series, and I’ve been waiting for Venom’s book for a loooooong time, and it does not disappoint!

If you’re new to the series, this interview is safe to read. Viper is so far in, that nothing you read here will reveal anything notable about previous plot arcs, so pop in, see what all the fuss is about. =) ALSO, I’ve posted my review of Viper under the interview, so check that out if you’re fiending for the book and can’t wait to see what new goodness today’s release brings (also spoiler-free!)!

Now on to the interview!

GraveTells (GT): Nalini, thank you so much for joining us on GraveTells today! I know my readers are as big of fans as I am when it comes to your addicting and inspiring stories, and I can’t wait to see what you have to say for some of these questions! Speaking of questions, a few fans sent in suggestions and I’ve included attribution for those below. Welcome!

Nalini Singh (NS): Thank you for inviting me for an interview! It was lovely to meet you in person at RWA last year. 😊

Sue meeting Nalini @RWA2016

GT: So. Venom has finally met his match. And here I was thinking that surely, no other Seven book could top Naasir’s (read my review of Archangel’s Enigma here). Welllp, I was wrong! I loved getting a peek behind Venom’s mirrored sunglasses—both literally and figuratively—and I adored seeing his interactions with Holly. What were your biggest challenges in penning this pairing, both in laying the seeds of their relationship through previous books and delving into the vulnerabilities that make them each so unique?

NS: Venom and Holly are both characters who don’t trust easily. Even through the previous books, I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on with the two of them, whether it was just hostile annoyance, or whether that outward hostility was a mask for something deeper. Getting their trust and being permitted to see inside them, that took a lot of time and patience.

Getting [Venom & Holly’s] trust and being permitted to see inside them, that took a lot of time and patience.

GT: Are there any scenes or abilities in Archangel’s Viper that you’ve been waiting to fit into a book? Anything you’ve been just dying to write and it made the final version?

NS: Basically, the entire book! I’ve been wanting to see Venom and Holly interact one-on-one for a long time.

I’ve been wanting to see Venom and Holly interact one-on-one for a long time.

GT: The next question is from Elizabeth at Ever After Book Reviews: “Obviously, I’d love to know who will be featured in the next book. Is it another Raphael and Elena story, or will Illium or Aodhan get the chance to find happiness?”

NS: I’m currently working on OCEAN LIGHT, the next Psy-Changeling book. I won’t be working on the next Guild Hunter book until 2018, and prior to that, I like to let my subconscious do its thing and figure out the next chapter of the story.

It all depends on the world and the overall story arc, and sometimes, which character is ready. I think that makes everything flow more naturally. So for now, I genuinely can’t tell you who will take center stage. The characters are still in discussion about that.

GT: Building on that, the thing I’m dying to know is if you have any male/male romance planned for the primary books in the series. Like, oh say, pairing a reserved, diamond-bright angel and his mischievous, blue-winged bestie. *grin*

NS: I get this question a lot. Generally speaking, I’m happy to write m/m if it’s the right story – as with all my books, the romance must be emotionally honest. That’s my criteria for every single one of my romantic storylines.

As for Illium and Aodhan specifically, they’re still developing as characters, still showing me layers to themselves. What I thought I knew two or three years ago no longer applies and I’m reluctant to predict the future, since it could all change again. Each of these characters has an incredibly long history behind him, and has experienced thousands of moments of joy and sorrow, pain and hope. We’ve barely cracked the surface of who they are, and, crucially, what each is becoming.

There are so many unanswered questions – and too much change going on to chance a guess at where either is headed. Until we know more, everything remains in flux.

I’m dying to know if you have any male/male romance planned for the series! *cough*Aodhan+Illium*cough*

GT: An anonymous reader—who is a huge fan—wants to know: “Who are your favorite vampires and angels (or archangels!)? And which have given you the most trouble getting them onto the page?”

NS: This may sound strange, but I love them all, even the villains. For a good story, the villain must be written with as much depth as the hero. For light to exist, we must know the dark. So I spend as much time getting to know the villains or antagonists as I do the protagonists. For example, General Xi was a fascinating character to write – he’s not inherently evil, but he is loyal to an archangel who has crossed the line. What does that make him?

In terms of trouble… Raphael. I was as terrified of him as Elena in Angels’ Blood! In love or not, he remains an archangel and archangels aren’t exactly cooperative types.

This may sound strange, but I love them all, even the villains.

GT: Elizabeth over at Ever After Book Reviews had another fantastic question, one I’m all ears on! “Are there any plans for another Guild Hunter anthology?”

NS: Not at this stage. It’s more difficult to write Guild Hunter novellas than Psy-Changeling novellas because the GH series has a much smaller cast and a fairly continuous timeline.

And, as many an author has learned, not all readers follow novellas, so I can’t write anything in a novella that would affect the main storyline – which makes it even more difficult. I do continue to write free short stories for my newsletter however, illuminating small, hidden moments and places in the GH world.

Available on audiobook!

GT: Okay, lightning round! Answer as many of the questions below as you dare, using three or less words (Huge thanks to Elizabeth at Ever After Book Reviews for many of these!):

• How many total full-length novels do you expect the series to stop at?
  • The number necessary.
• Do you already know how the series will end?
  • Yes.
• Will Elena and Jeffery will ever fully reconcile?
  • These two have such a complicated relationship I need wayyyy more than three words to talk about it.
• Will we see more of Montgomery and Sivya’s relationship?
  • Possible.
• How many Archangels are still Sleeping at the end of Viper?
  • Unknown
• As the series progresses, will we see any significant time jumps in the plot since angels and vampires live very long lives?
  • Yes.

GT: Thank you so much for being such a good sport today as we collectively plied you with a million fangirl-y questions! Can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for the Guild Hunter series. Before you go, are there any upcoming releases you want to mention?

NS: After Archangel’s Viper, my next release will be a sweet, sexy contemporary romance featuring a gardener hero and an English teacher heroine. This book features family, laughter, and a romance that’ll leave you smiling. Coming November 14^th. And, in 2018, I have OCEAN LIGHT, the next Psy-Changeling novel. I’m so excited about all these releases!

And, as always, I’ll continue to share bonus material with my newsletter subscribers – the latest short story featured Kaleb Krychek from the Psy-Changeling series. Readers can join quickly and easily at www.nalinisingh.com. The signup box is right on the front page.

About Nalini Singh

Nalini Singh is the New York Times bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series. She’s passionate about writing and though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China, the Highlands of Scotland, and the ice fields of Antarctica, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her the most. Sh’'s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer. Connect with Nalini online at nalinisingh.com, twitter.com/NaliniSingh, facebook.com/authornalinisingh and instagram.com/authornalinisingh.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

GraveTells Romance review of Archangel’s Viper

I look forward to every new Guild Hunter story and gobble them up as soon as I can get my hands on them. I’ve been fiending for Venom’s story ever since Elena tried to take his eyes out during an early sparring session and he went ballistic. A one-of-A-kind vampire, Venom moves and reacts like no one else in Raphael’s Seven. And his Tower suite and personal belongings are just as unique as the man himself, from his viper-green Bugatti to the heated stone circle floor he loves to curl up on.

I’ve been fiending for Venom’s story ever since Elena tried to take his eyes out during an early sparring session

Venom and Holly are perfectly suited as a couple. The sheer magnitude of power she carries in her poisoned blood makes up for their near four-hundred year age gap, and both of them are the only one of their kinds. He understands her needs in ways she can’t even guess, and their sharp edges line up to cut each other just right. The greater GH story arc also makes some unexpected progress in Archangel’s Viper, tying up a few pieces of the storyline I’d glossed over (and sort of forgot about) in all the other recent excitement of the series.

As a reader, I can never predict what exciting adventures a Guild Hunter novel might bring, but I always treasure the experiences. I mean, how many stories pack ancient pyramids, stately mansions, thrilling free falls, and edgy street races into a single series? Not to mention the sheer, vivid imagination of the story world, with its ever-growing canvas of unique and memorable characters. The world is literally Nalini Singh’s playground.

Getting to know Venom (and Holly) was a highlight of the Guild Hunter series, and I cannot wait to see what’s coming next. I suspect both Bluebell’s and Aohdan’s stories will be well worth the wait, whenever they’re ready to be told.

Grab your copy on Amazon and start reading Archangel’s Viper now! OR, if you’re totally new to the series, start with Angel’s Blood and experience this immersive story world for yourself. Click below!

This review copy was provided by the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review.

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Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh's breathtakingly passionate Guild Hunter world with the story of a woman who isn't a vampire or an angel...or human...
Once a broken girl known as Sorrow, Holly Chang now prowls the shadowy gray underground of the city for the angels. But it's not her winged allies who make her a wanted woman--it's the unknown power coursing through her veins. Brutalized by an insane archangel, she was left with the bloodlust of a vampire, the ability to mesmerize her prey, and a poisonous bite.
Now, someone has put a bounty on her head...
Venom is one of the Seven, Archangel Raphael's private guard, and he's as infuriating as he is seductive. A centuries-old vampire, his fangs dispense a poison deadlier than Holly's. But even if Venom can protect Holly from those hunting her, he might not be able to save himself--because the strange, violent power inside Holly is awakening...
No one is safe.

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