Interview & Giveaway with National Best Selling Author Virna DePaul

Today I am am thrilled, excited and down right ecstatic about the guest author visiting us today. She is one of the sweetest and most caring people I have had the honor of speaking with and can't wait to one day meet in person. I also consider her to be one hell of an romance writer that SHOULD NOT be missed! Please help me welcome to Bookin’ It Reviews, Virna DePaul, National Bestselling Author! It is an honor to have you here today my friend. I am very anxious for you to share more about your book, Chosen By Blood and the series it is a part of, The Para-Ops series. But first I would love for you to tell us more about yourself.

Virna DePaul is a former criminal prosecutor whose debut paranormal romantic suspense novel, Chosen By Blood (Book 1 in the Para-Ops series), came out May 3, 2011 by Berkley Books. Chosen By Fate (Book 2 in the Para-Ops series) launches October 4, 2011.

In addition, Virna writes contemporary romantic suspense for Harlequin Romantic Suspense (Dangerous To Her, September 2011) and HQN.

Visit her at www.virndepaul.com.

VDP:  Talina, I feel privileged to be here. Thank you for inviting me and introducing me to your readers. 

BIR: Can you share some fun facts about yourself or activities you enjoy?

VDP: I'm a mother of three young boys, a former criminal prosecutor, and a long-time romance reader who loves to travel and see Broadway shows.  Despite having tried for years to learn to swim, I just can’t get the hang of it.  My husband is a lawyer by day and a magician most other times.  And I’m having a hard time giving up actual books for my e-reader. 

BIR: Have you always loved writing or did you get bitten by the ink/pixel bug later in life?

VDP:  I was an English lit major in college, so I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I never thought I could actually write fiction.  I went through this period in my life where I was searching for a creative outlet.  I tried painting, acting, singing, etc, and I was fairly mediocre at all of them.  I finally decided to write a romance novel.  I had one false start, but then in late 2006 I joined RWA (Romance Writers of America) and met other writers, and that was key to finishing my first manuscript.

BIR: In a live Q&A on SavvyAuthors I remember you talking about starting a manuscript and then setting it aside for six years. For the novice writer out there facing the same emotions and stress of writing that first manuscript, can you describe what caused you to set aside your writing for so long?

VDP:  After the birth of my oldest son in 2000, I sat down and started writing my first story.  I’d been a romance reader for years and years, but I didn’t know about RWA.  I’d never talked to a romance writer, either.  One day, I read over my pages (around seven) and thought, “This is horrible.  It’s cheesy.  What made me think I could do this?”  I packed everything up and stuck it in a file cabinet.  I’m a little embarrassed at how easy it was for me to give up that dream, especially knowing what I know now, which is I LOVE being a writer.

BIR: What motivated you to start writing again after those six years?

VDP: Desperation.  LOL.  Honestly, I was dissatisfied with my law job and I wanted a change.  This caused me to reach out and contact a local romance writer, Brenda Novak, a friend of a friend of mine.  She told me about RWA and invited me to a local meeting where Debbie Macomber was speaking.  There, I saw just how many writers struggled with the same insecurities that I did and, most importantly, how they were REAL women with kids and jobs and thousands of other responsibilities.  It was a defining moment: I realized I could be a writer and nothing was stopping me but me.      

BIR: Your debut release, Chosen By Blood (Book One of The Para-Ops Series) how did you react when you found out you had hit the National Best Sellers list?

VDP:  It’s actually a funny story.  During a trip to New York, my publisher, Berkley, arranged for me to do a video interview.  We filmed the interview in February 2011 but it wasn’t ready to post on the Penguin website until after Chosen By Blood came out in May.  My editor sent me the final version of the video and I casually watched it—casually, because I’d already seen earlier versions.  When I came on screen, there was a print caption identifying me as a national bestselling author.  I thought there had been a mistake.  I hadn’t heard anything about it!  So I emailed my editor and she said, no, it wasn’t a mistake.  I laughed so hard because to me, this story was just another lesson.  We have to work hard to write the best stories we can, but we also need to work hard at remembering that most other things are out of our control.  This means we’ll suffer many disappointments, whether they are in the form of rejections or bad reviews or low sales numbers, but sometimes we’ll enjoy pleasant surprises, too.  

BIR: In your own words, can you tell us about, Knox and Felicia, the hero and heroine in Chosen By Blood?

VDP: Chosen by Blood is book 1 of the Para-Ops series. Knox Devereaux is a dharmire, a half vampire/half human who is the son of the Vampire Queen and a traitorous human who informed humans how to kill vampires. He struggles to lead his clan, which is literally starving due to an FBI-engineered vaccine that changes the properties of human blood so it can't nourish vamps. At the same time, he believes it's only because of his human blood, the same human blood that his clan despises, that he's strong enough to lead. He's constantly trying to prove his loyalty to his people, and this means doing his duty to marry another vampire.

In the world of this series, vampires are NOT monogamous and the males are duty bound to marry and procreate with vampires. Yet even though Knox feels genuine affection for his married-for-convenience wife, Knox loves a human, Special Agent Felicia Locke. Because of her strong human morals, she tries her best to stay away from Knox, and he lets her, until that is, they both join the FBI's first Para-Ops team. At that time (which is Chapter 1 of the book), he's widowed, but he still has plans to marry another vamp. Felicia's bound and determined not to be his mistress on the side, however. So what will they do? The issue is really about how soul mates fight hard to do the right thing despite a powerful and constant pull to be with one another.

BIR: With Chosen By Blood already available, when can we expect the second in the series?

VDP:  Chosen By Fate comes out on October 4, 2011.  Chosen by Fate is the story of the team's ghost, Wraith, and its human psychic shaman, Caleb O'Flare. Wraith and Caleb first meet in book 1 and their strong reactions to one another are the product of complex back stories. In their own ways, Wraith and Caleb have to deal with the tension between pain and pleasure, a dichotomy that is brought to the forefront when they set out on their next mission, investigating a series of crimes in the feline community.

BIR: How many books can your readers expect for your Para-Ops series?

VDP:  At least a total of four.  I’m currently working on Dex Hunt’s book, tentatively titled Chosen By sin.  Dex Hunt is the team’s werebeast.  Book four will be about Lucy Talbot, the team’s mage. 

BIR: I am so excited to discover that you not only write paranormal romance, but you also write romantic suspense for Harlequin. Can you share with us when we can expect your first title out?

VDP:  Dangerous To Her, my debut novel with Harlequin Romantic Suspense, comes out August 26, 2011. It’s a story in which an undercover cop poses as a bailiff to investigate a judge and ends up being reunited with his college love.  CataRomance just gave it 4.5 stars, saying, “The first Harlequin romantic suspense release from Virna DePaul proves this author has a very successful career ahead of her. With an intriguing plot and spirited characters, DANGEROUS TO HER not only entertains but keeps you riveted until every secret is uncovered.”  Needless to say, I’m pretty thrilled with that review!  I love writing paranormals, but contemporary romantic suspense was my first love.

BIR: Everyone needs a break once in a while, so when you’re not writing or need to recharge, do you have any hobbies or activities you enjoy?

VDP:  I still like to read and travel, and watch new movies in addition to Broadway plays.  If I can multitask by traveling and squeezing in writing time, too, that’s the best!

BIR: If you had a chance to sit down and share a meal with three of your favorite authors, who would they be and why? Oh, and what would you order for dessert? ;-)

VDP:  This is a tough one for me to answer, but probably three of my favorite authors that inspired me to be a writer are Linda Howard, Anne Stuart and the late Karen Keast/Sandra Canfield.  If I could have a mellow meal with them followed by some crème brulee, that would make a mighty fine evening!  J

BIR: With summer in full swing is there one thing you are just dying to do before fall rolls around?

VDP:  I wish I could get organized and well into some kind of writing schedule/routine because it would help me be less stressed as school starts for my kids.  My creative process is still a little all over the place.  But honestly, I’m most looking forward to my annual writing retreat with Low Country RWA at the end of October.  It’s my favorite type of beach time, and I get to combine writing with hanging out with some wonderful women.

BIR: Since we are talking summer time fun, I just have to ask, what is your favorite summer drink? I personally love a piña colada with extra coconut, J

VDP: Oooh, that sounds yummy.  I like Margaritas.  And Arnold Palmers. 

BIR: Virna, I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to be here today on Bookin’ It Reviews! 

VDP: It’s been so wonderful being here!!  I’m so glad I’ve met you, Talina, and hope to meet you in person one day!

List of books available by Virna DePaul:

Chosen By Blood, Berkley

Chosen By Fate, coming October 4, 2011 by Berkley

Dangerous To Her, HRS, August 23, 2011

Other e-book titles: This Magic Moment, A Vampire’s Salvation, Wraith’s Awakening (a free prequel to Chosen By Blood), Wild For Him & Love Writing (How To Write & Get Your Romance Novel Published (Without Losing Your Perspective, Passion or Sanity). 

If you would like to keep in touch with Virna you can find her at:

a.       Twitter: @virnadepaul

b.      Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1555372930

c.       Website: www.virnadepaul.com

d.      Blog: www.justsoldabook.com

And if you would like to write a note to Virna you can contact her through:  virna@virnadepaul.com

THE CONTEST:

Virna is giving away one signed copy of Chosen by Blood, one ecopy of This Magic Moment and one e-copy of A Vampire's Salvation. Winners will be chosen Sunday,  August 28th.

TO ENTER:

International giveaway. Leave a comment for the author on this interview along with a valid email address for contacting purposes. Follow Bookin' It Reviews through either the GFC or NetWorked Blogs on the sidebar...( I check ;-)) And you must be 18 or over. That's it! You're entered to win one of the three prizes!

And now for a taste of goodness with book blurbs and an excerpt! Continue reading to discover more about Chosen by Blood, Chosen By Fate, and Dangerous To Her!

CHOSEN BY BLOOD

Book 1 of the Para-Ops Series

Five years after the Second Civil War ends, humans and Otherborn— humanlike creatures with superhuman DNA—still struggle for peace. To ensure the continued rights of both, the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a unique set of skills.

Leader of an Otherborn clan, half-breed vampire Knox Devereaux would do anything to find a cure for the anti-vamp vaccine slowly starving his people into extinction. When the FBI contacts him about leading a team of hand-selected Others on a mission to reclaim the stolen antidote, Knox accepts. His new assignment places him in direct contact with Special Agent Felicia Locke, the beautiful human he’s craved since their very first meeting.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY

CHOSEN BY FATE

Book 2 of the Para-Ops Series

Out: October 4th 2011

Although he keeps company with a vampire and a were, human Shaman Caleb O’Flare can hold his own. But neither his psychic ability nor his healing powers can help his sexy-as-hell teammate, Wraith—a ghost with no memory of her human existence, one who cannot experience touch without pain.

No wraith has managed to exist past its tenth year, so Wraith’s time is about to run out. She wants only two things before accepting her fate: to learn her human identity and experience one night with Caleb. Willing to risk any amount of pain, Wraith propositions him. But when a sign of impending death appears on his chest, Wraith sacrifices her own needs on the chance that sex with her could kill him.

Caleb doesn’t understand Wraith’s change of heart but refuses to let her push him away. As the team travels to Los Angeles to investigate a series of crimes in the feline community, Caleb sets out to prove to Wraith that pleasure and love are worth any risk, including death.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY

DANGEROUS TO HER

Harlequin Romantic Suspense

Out: TODAY!! August 23rd!

For years, court reporter Mattie Nolan kept her child a secret. The man she once loved chose his dangerous job—undercover cop—over her. But now, Sacramento detective Dom Jeffries is all that's standing between her and the drug kingpin set on revenge against everyone who put him away. Including Mattie.

Though teetering on the edge of burnout, Dom goes undercover as a bailiff in Mattie's courtroom. While he pretends not to remember her, thoughts of her touch, her smell and the smile that had been his alone keep resurfacing. Then he uncovers the secret she's protecting. To save the daughter he's never known and the woman he's never forgotten, Dom's ready to sacrifice not just his job, but his life.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY

EXCERPT: CHOSEN BY BLOOD

A firm knock interrupted them. Muscles pumped as if for battle, Knox slowly stood. He didn’t turn, not even when Mahone called for his visitor to come in.

“I came as soon as I—”

It didn’t matter that he was in Mahone’s office, that Mahone was watching him, or that he and Mahone had just been discussing something as important as his clan. He hadn’t been in the same room with her in years, but his body’s reaction to her presence was the same as it always was: instantaneous. Her scent hit him like a sledgehammer and was followed by a wave of longing so intense it almost felled him. His skin prickled and his fangs ached as he fought to keep them sheathed. He couldn’t stop the hardening of his dick, however, or the urge he had to grab her and transport her to the Dome. To his bed. To someplace where duty and time dissolved, and he could just be with her.

She didn’t gasp or take a breath. Her words simply stopped. Something rare crystallized inside him.

Had she gotten over him? Had she found someone else? Another emotion—pure, undiluted rage—filled him at the thought of her with another. It made everything else, every other emotion he’d ever felt, seem innocuous. Made him want to rip off his clothes—the luxurious symbols of civility that he normally loved—and make her see him as he truly was—primal, lethal, and fucking ready to prove to her that she was his, once and for all. Instead, he took a deep breath and willed himself to calm. He opened his mind. Just a hair. Just enough to sense the desire buried beneath her resolve. Enough to dismiss that foreign emotion of fear and tamp down his rage.

When he was assured of his control, Knox slowly turned and faced the human female he’d wanted to bite from the moment he’d seen her. She was dressed conservatively in a white oxford shirt and navy blue pants, her auburn hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. Taller than most females, she was neither delicate nor bulky. While most would consider her average in looks and sex appeal, Knox saw what most didn’t.

He saw the strength in her supple body.

He saw her courage, her compassion, and her integrity.

And at that moment, he saw the fiery sensuality that flared in her eyes before she banked it and stared at him with a practiced look of mild curiosity.

Felicia had always tried to hide her attraction to him, but she’d always failed. Nevertheless, he’d abided by her wishes and kept his distance. But not anymore.

Not-the-fuck-anymore.

He didn’t speak the words, but given the way her eyes widened, she’d guessed at his thoughts. Knox dipped his head in a courtly bow. “Hello, Felicia. Imagine running into you here.”

Love the excerpt, Virna!

Now, get to it! ;-) Leave Virna some love in the comment section and enter the giveaway! GOOD LUCK!