Interview with Author Virna DePaul and Giveaway

Today I am happy and excited to have author Virna DePaul. Virna DePaul is the author of the amazing Para Ops series as well as the author of the Romanctic Suspense novel Dangerous To Her. Virna was kind enough to let me ask her some questions and I'm excited to share them with you all. 

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?

Thanks for having me here, Danielle. I appreciate it. I’m a mother of three boys, a former criminal prosecutor, and a huge Broadway musical fan. I’m pretty quiet and shy, but I have a lot of opinions and passion, too. 

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Did you always want to be a writer? 

I always admired novelists but never imagined I could be one. The kind of writing I did was very academic or legal. But when I was looking for a career change, I knew I wanted to do something creative. I wrote my first story and was hooked. 

You actually write books in quite a few genres, do you have a favorite genre you like to write? 

I really enjoy paranormal romance because my imagination can run wild. On the other hand, contemporary romantic suspense appeals to me because I have to craft an engaging, thrilling, emotional story within the confines of reality. These are my two favorite genres to write.

Do you find it difficult writing different genres? Why or why not? 

When I went back to writing contemporary romantic suspense after having written two paranormals, I had to go through a transition period. I became frustrated when the realities of police procedure or the legal system slowed down my plot. But once I become immersed in a story, the characters and plot take over and I don’t really get hung up on the genre.

Where do your ideas come from? 

Mostly I come up with a character idea or plot point that inherently has some kind of tension or conflict. Like an ambitious prosecutor with a dark, secret past. Or a team of paranormal creatures recruited by the FBI to help keep peace after years of war. I’ve rarely had an idea come from real life events, but it’s happened once or twice.

Ala Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.

A vampire, wraith, mage, werebeast, & two humans must overcome prejudice & suspicion in order to promote peace and find love.

​What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read? 
I love stories that combine action and romance. Some of my all-time favorite authors are Linda Howard, Karen Robards, Anne Stuart, Larissa Ione, JR Ward, and Lori Foster.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it? 

I love Dream Man by Linda Howard. And One Summer by Karen Robards.

Have you ever fallen for another author's hero? If so, who and why?

Dane Hollister (Linda Howard’s Dream Man) is a favorite of mine. I also love Rhage from JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. 

Human, Vampires, Demons, or Shifters, which are your favorite and why?

I love vampires because they are often depicted as both primal and elegant. They’re complex and mysterious, which is hugely sexy!

Describe the characteristics that make up your perfect hero. 

Someone tough enough to protect what’s his but also tender enough to cherish it. Kind. Honorable. Passionate.

If you could have dinner with any three book characters, who would you choose and why? 

Hmmm, this is a tough one for me. I’ll pick Eve and Roarke from JD Robb’s Death series, and…Rhage or Butch from the Black Dagger Brotherhood books. This third one was tough.  So many to choose from! 

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?

I’d pick Linda Howard, Nora Roberts and Sandra Brown. They all started writing category romance and have become powerhouse bestsellers. Wonderful storytellers and obviously savvy businesswomen. 

What do you like to do in your free time? 

I love traveling and getting pampered (i.e., massages).

Favorite movie?

​Shawshank Redemption


Favorite song?

I’m really loving Pink right now. Raise Your Glass is fun. 

Favorite color?

Red

Last question, are you working on anything right now? And can you tell us about it?

I’m working on Chosen By Sin, Para-Ops Novel 3. This is werebeast Dex Hunt’s story. The team’s next mission takes him to France where he encounters dark spirits intent on possessing individuals through their dreams. Of course, Dex meets the one female who can help him with his mission and also bring him love. 

Thank you so much for stopping by and letting me interview you Virna. =) 

There's a fine line between life and death, pleasure and pain....

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.

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 toLos 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.

Places to purchase:

| Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Alibris | Kobo | Book Depository | Abebooks | Powell's Books |

**Author Info**

Virna DePaul is a former criminal prosecutor and now National Bestselling Author for Berkley (paranormal romantic suspense), HQN (single title romantic suspense) and HRS (category romantic suspense). Her upcoming release Chosen By Fate (Para-Ops Novel 2) comes out October 4, 2011.  www.virnadepaul.com

Places to find Virna:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Books That Rock | Amazon Author Page | Just Sold a Book |

**Giveaway**

Virna has offered to give away a signed copy of Chosen By Blood to one lucky commenter. Open to US shipping only. So make sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form and leave a comment.