Darynda Jones divulges her “Charley Davidson Dream Cast” + A Giveaway!!!

You guys!!! To celebrate the FABULOUS Darynda Jones’ latest release, she thought she’d let us into her own little “behind the books” tidbits. Have you ever wondered how SHE saw he own characters? Who they look like, to her? Well, wonder know more, she’s here with the goods!!!

I know SO many of you right here love this series like CRAZY. I hear it’s hilarious, unputdownable and the alpha-male in this one, swoon worthy, and I am SO going to read it. In fact, I met her last weekend at RT2015!!!

Tami: I recommend the Grave series by Darynda Jones. Smart witty banter, with HOT alpha Reyes.

Martiza: Reyes . He is my book boyfriend. I just can’t get enough of him.

Diana: Darynda Jones also has my come on get your next book out barometer seriously tripping.

Katie: love love love these books. Especially since it is book number 6 and she is still keeping the series going well. It isn’t the same thing over and over like some series can become.

Jeannie: The Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones is hysterical. It’s about a woman who is the Grim Reaper (not a spoiler, you know that from the first page), and a private investigator. There is also a very mysterious alpha male, and you know a little more about him in each book. A very fun series, I definitely recommend it.

Sara: …to choose a favorite today, I would say First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones. It was the most fun I had ever had reading.

PLUS! She’s having a giveaway right here on our blog for one lucky commenter below!!!

Ready for her guest post? Let’s welcome Darynda!!! 😀

IN YOUR DREAMS

Okay, I admit, I do love dream casting the Charley Davidson series. Every time I see an actor or actress that I feel could be one of my characters, I write down the name. So, as you can imagine, my casting choices change quite often, but my latest choices have stuck with me for a while. Here is where I am at the moment.

CHARLEY DAVIDSON

Being a female PI and the only grim reaper this side of Mars can wreak havoc on a girl’s social life. A good sense of humor is a must, and as such, an actor’s sense of comedic timing is a must. Charley is saucy and sweet, hardheaded and hard working, and never passes up an opportunity to punk her best friend, Cookie. She doesn’t take her role as the grim reaper so seriously she can’t have a little fun. As such, I can totally see Emmy Rossum in the role of Charley. She is adorable and can be sweet, serious, sassy, and sarcastic, the staples of Charley’s personality. Emmy is comfortable in her own skin and it shows. She is everything I’d want in an on-screen Charley Davidson.

REYES FARROW

I set the bar pretty high for Reyes, the dark, brooding hero in the Charley series. He is the ultimate bad boy, the son of the most villainous being ever created, forged in the fires of hell, born of sin and degradation and unimaginable beauty. (His dad was the most beautiful angel in heaven, after all. The guy is dripping with sensuality.)

But what makes him so appealing in the long run, besides the sensuality thing or the fact that his eyes shimmer like a moonlit ocean, is his total, unmitigated devotion to Charley. He risks life and limb for her. Fights demons for her. Severs spines for her. (He does that.) And, yes, he’s bad. He hasn’t always been the best BF material. But redemption is a powerful elixir.

I recently discovered someone who I think embodies all that is Reyes Farrow, a Cuban-born actor named William Levy. If you have seen the movie Addicted, you will understand why I chose him. If you haven’t, I recommend it. Or at least watch the trailer, because day-um. I set the bar high and Levy meets it in every way.

COOKIE KOWALSKI 

Cookie is very often my readers’ favorite character. She is fun, guileless, and has Charley’s back no matter what. They are besties through thick, thin, and everything in between. Casting Cookie has always been a no-brainer for me because I based her on an actress, something I rarely do. But Cookie is 100% Melissa McCarthy. She has such an amazing presence on screen and, of course, her comedic timing is spot on. She would be absolutely perfect.

UNCLE BOB

Uncle Bob, Charley’s paternal uncle, is a detective for the Albuquerque Police Department. He is lovable, artless, and flawed. He may not always be the best uncle, but he is the friend and ally Charley needs on her side. He risks a lot for her and she, in turn, helps him solve cases using her supernatural connections. Those aren’t always the most reliable, however, and when Charley’s escapades get her into hot water, Uncle Bob is there to save the day. My choice for Uncle Bob is an actor who played a very similar character on the CW’s hit show Supernatural: Jim Beaver. He is genuine, frank, and unstudied, much like Charley’s favorite uncle. (Okay, he’s her only uncle.)

GARRETT SWOPES 

Garrett Swopes is a colleague of Charley’s, a skip tracer who often helps her with cases, or, just as often, helps her out of tight situations. (She gets into those a lot.) He has become a tried and trusted friend. He also has great abs, smoky gray eyes, and great abs. As a skilled bounty hunter, Garrett has proven himself several times over. And he puts up with Charley’s shenanigans, a trait that earns him a place in the Scooby gang. Did I mention he has great abs? This was a tough choice, but my vote for Garrett goes to the incredibly talented and handsome Michael Ealy. I just think he would be perfect.

So, dear readers, who would you cast in these roles? Do you agree or disagree with my choices?

Let us know below in the comments!! 😀

Now for the giveaway:

NO REST FOR THE DEAD prize pack

One (1) winner receives:

• A branded coffee mug;
• plus the complete Charley Davidson series!

How to enter for a chance to win? Just leave a comment below (and to make it more fun, if you’ve read the series tell me your favorite spoiler-free part, OR let us know if you agree with Darynda’s dream cast), and by 10pm EST, Sunday May 24th 2015, I will randomly select ONE winner for the prize above.

The winner will be contacted and will have 48hrs to respond with a mailing address, so if you are picked, do not delay or you will lose your chance. This book will be sent to the winners directly by St. Martin’s Press.

Giveaway open to US addresses only, although all are welcome to comment!