Character Interview: Davina MacDougal
The woman who stole a vampire’s heart
She’s clever, calculating, and absolutely captivating. You may have met her in the old version of Midnight Conquest, but in the rewrite, she’s feistier, more determined, and a match for Broderick’s charm. Now it’s time to hear from the woman herself.
In this exclusive interview, I had the privilege of visiting Davina in her ancestral home at Stewart Glen. Far from the seduction and shadows of Broderick’s world, this was a moment of calm firelight and quiet candor—a glimpse into the heart of a woman who risked everything for freedom, love, and a life of her own choosing.
But don’t be fooled. This interview isn’t all poise and wisdom. There’s a spark in Davina that no hearth could ever contain—and when Broderick crashes the conversation, that spark? Turns into flame.
Let’s just say... things get cozy. And a little territorial.
Come step into the firelight and meet the woman who tamed the beast.
As I did with Broderick in our most recent interview, I am conducting this interview with Davina in the comfort of her Study in her castle at Stewart Glen. Broderick was a stranger in this setting—an outsider who came into Davina’s life like a storm. But as I sit here by the fire, absorbing its warmth as it curls around the worn leather chairs and the thick rugs underfoot, there’s a different atmosphere just for the simple awareness that Davina was born and grew up in this castle. Something about knowing that gives more depth to this setting. There’s weight behind it.
The door creaks open, and I straighten as Davina MacDougal steps gracefully into the room.
She is the picture of poise, despite the faint flush on her freckled cheeks and the crisp scent of autumn that clings to her cloak. Her cinnamon-colored hair is braided neatly down her back, glinting copper in the firelight. A deep blue Renaissance gown hugs her curves, elegant and practical at once, just like the woman wearing it.
"So good to see you, Davina," I say, rising to greet her with a smile on my face.
“And you, Gina.” She smiles and embraces me like an old friend. And I suppose we are. If Broderick has been in my mind for over twenty years since I created him, so has Davina. I couldn’t have one without the other.
As we part, she takes the pitcher in hand on the small table between our chairs and pours both of us a glass of wine. Ever the gracious hostess. “How did your interview with Broderick go?” she asks with a glint of mischief in her sapphire eyes as she hands me a filled crystal goblet.
I laugh. "He left me speechless more than once."
Davina chuckles as she settles into the chair across from me, folding her hands in her lap. "That sounds about right. He is a force to be reckoned with.”
"That he is. What was your first impression of Broderick?"
Her brows raise. "He was… imposing. Impossible to ignore. Not just because of his size. He had a… presence about him that demanded attention. Eyes that hold sharp wisdom. And that voice.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s as if the ground rumbles when he speaks. I was captivated the moment I saw him in that fortune telling tent in Aberdeen.”
“And yet you resisted him,” I prod.
Her face flushes and she lays her hand against her cheek. “Well, at first for obvious reasons. I was a married woman and Broderick had me thinking the most forbidden thoughts. But his bold pursuit of me was something I had never experienced.” Her eyes drop to her lap as she fidgets with the folds of her gown. “Ian, as you know, was a tyrant.” She lifts her gaze to the fire, letting the flames entrance her as she continues. “I knew Broderick wasn’t interested in continuing a relationship, and neither was I. Just, for once, I wanted to know what it was like to be adored or cherished. I wanted to know what true passion was, and Broderick promised all of that.”
I lean in. “That first night you spent with Broderick is only revealed through his dream in the book. A proper woman like yourself who honored the sanctity of marriage despite the harsh circumstances… I’m sure it wasn’t easy giving in to Broderick’s seduction.”
Davina let out a soft puff of amusement through her nose. “Looking back on it, it was a lot easier than I ever would have imagined.”
“What was it that convinced you to break your vows? What did he do or say that made you agree to meet with him? I guess I’m asking, what happened?”
Davina draws her bottom lip between her teeth as she contemplates, then leans forward and locks her gaze with mine. “He made me feel seen. Broderick actually winced when he touched my hands to read my palm.”
Davina grabs her goblet of wine and sits back. After taking a thoughtful sip, she says, “It was the compassion in his eyes when he divined my past—I later realized his immortal abilities allowed him to read my memories and thoughts—but it was that genuine pain in his eyes over what he saw that made me feel like… I mattered. He validated my feelings of isolation, that the horrible thoughts I had of Ian were warranted. Through him, I gained hope there could be more.”
“I’ll let my readers explore what happened between you in the book, but after that night in his arms, why did you resist him so much when he came to call later. Why not jump into bed with him again with eager anticipation.”
Davina laughs. “Just because I resisted him didn’t mean I wasn’t eager.” Her cheeks color and she hides her smile behind her glass. “Something Broderick pointed out often, despite my stern resistance.”
I suppress a grin.
“Truth be told, giving in to any man meant surrendering my freedom. As deliciously wicked as Broderick was… is… I wasn’t ready to give that up. Especially for the sake of Cailin, my daughter.”
“Understandable.” I grin and take a sip of my wine. "Tell me, now that Broderick has won your heart, now that your walls are down, is there anything you learned about relationships and finding this true love with him that you wish to pass on to my readers?”
“Hmmm.” Davina drew her bottom lip between her teeth as she stared into the hearth. “Falling in love is taking risks. You’re trusting your heart to someone else, but I think the most valuable thing I learned was how important it was to know myself. Especially in hindsight after what having a relationship with Broderick has taught me.”
Davina set her glass down and sat at the edge of her chair.
“The best advice I can pass on to your readers is to know what you want. Have confidence in who you are. Give yourself a purpose that doesn’t revolve around someone else. Being your own independent person helps you recover if someone breaks your heart. It gives you the strength to stand alone and heal. When Broderick shared with me how I, a woman, could be so intimidating to men, it made me realize how valuable it was for my survival that my identity wasn’t dependent on anyone else but myself.”
I nodded. “Today, we would call that autonomy. Having your own independence and living life on your terms.”
“Autonomy.” The corner of Davina’s mouth turned up. “I like that word.”
"Okay, let’s get a little naughty and take the edge off this seriousness.”
Davina laughed. “Of course.”
“What’s something Broderick does that drives you absolutely mad?"
“Ooo…” Davina picked up her glass. “Well, there’s this—”
“Och, lass!” Broderick bursts into the room, causing both of us to jump. Davina almost spills her wine. A scowl mars his handsome brow and he stands before us with his arms crossed. “Ye weren’t actually goin’ tae tell her, now, were ye?”
“Gina’s audience is going to read a lot more intimate moments between us than what I was just about to share, so why not?” Davina threw a secret wink my way.
I curl my lips in and bite down to stifle my grin.
Broderick narrows his eyes, scrutinizing us both. He takes the wine glass out of her hand, sets it aside, and pulls Davina to her feet where he snakes his arm around her. As Davina presses against his chest, Broderick cocks an eyebrow in my direction. “You should have done the interview during the day. As it is, you’ve already stolen her from me longer than I can stand.”
As Rick plants a sigh-worthy kiss on my heroine, I cross my arms. “Oh, all right.” I gather my notebook and pen and march to the parlor door. “Do you have any parting words for our readers?” I ask Davina.
She opens her mouth to speak, but Broderick lays a finger over her lips. “Aye, never interfere with a Scotsman’s playtime.” He shoos me with a wave of his hand.
I chuckle and leave Broderick and Davina to their own romantic devices.
If Broderick lets Davina out of his sight long enough, we’ll be over at the Thornwood Coven GoodReads group if you have any questions or comments. The three of us would love to interact with you.
Ever yours in the shadows,
Gina 🖤