Interview with Virna DePaul & Giveaway - October 6, 2011

Please welcome Virna DePaul to The Qwillery. Earlier this year I interviewed Virna as part of the 2011 Debut Author Challenge interviews. I'm thrilled to have her visit again. Chosen by Fate (Para-Ops 2) was published on October 4, 2011.


TQ:  Welcome back to The Qwillery!

Virna:  I’m so happy to be back. Thank you for having me again!

TQ:  Please tell us about Chosen By Fate, the second novel in your Para-Ops series.

Virna:  Chosen By Fate is about the Para-Ops team’s “ghost” and human psychic shaman. Readers met Wraith and Caleb O’Flare in Chosen By Blood and there was an immediate attraction between them. This couple has to overcome many things to be together, however, including the fact Wraith is the walking dead (she has blue skin, white hair, hazy eyes, and feels pain whenever she’s touched) and Caleb is bound and determined not to hurt her. They are forced to deal with their feelings in Los Angeles, where the team is investigating a rash of crimes in the feline community.

TQ:  Which character has surprised you the most in the Para-Ops series?

Virna:  I’m in the middle of writing Dex Hunt’s book, Chosen By Sin. As the tough loner werebeast of the team, he’s definitely got attitude and wounds, but he’s done a few things in Chosen By Fate and his own book that have been a little shocking to me. They tell me that he’s extremely complex and ultimately very honorable.

TQ:  If you worked for the FBI's Para-Ops team, what would you be doing?

Virna:  I think I’d be a strategist. I’m not particularly athletic or physically tough, but I love being able to “make things work.” If there was a mission to be done, I’d be a voice to challenge the plan to make sure all possibilities have been contemplated and the best one chosen.

TQ:  Barring paranormality, which character in the series is most like you?

Virna:  I’m most like Lucy Talbot, the team’s feline mage. She’s the most quiet, even-tempered member of the team and she’s also a natural peacemaker. However, she has hidden layers and a toughness that most people don’t see at first glance. She’s trying to reconcile her past with who she is and who she wants to be, and that’s something I struggle with, too.

TQ:  You're a former prosecutor. Are there any similarities between prosecuting a case and writing a novel?

Virna:  What a cool question! I think there are similarities: 1) preparation and research is a key part of the work; 2) you have to keep your focus on the end goal while still navigating the obstacles constantly being thrown at you; and 3) you need to see past the negative and disheartening parts and ultimately believe that what you’re doing is meaningful.

TQ:  What do you wish you'd known when the 1st book came out that you know now?

Virna:  I’m really not sure. My first thought was: that there will be readers who really love the series. But some part of me already knew that. Otherwise, I don’t think I would have pursued publication so aggressively. I also knew there would be readers who didn’t love the book. That knowledge didn’t stop me from being disappointed with negative feedback, but at least I wasn’t blindsided. Knowledge-wise, I think I was pretty prepared for the entire process, but surprises, both good and are bad, are an inherent part of the journey.

TQ:  Are there any other genres in which you would like to write in addition to paranormal and contemporary romantic suspense?

Virna:  I’ve written a couple of contemporary romances, which has been fun. I think it would be really challenging to write a historical, and I do like a challenge!

TQ:  What's next?

Virna:  Chosen By Sin, Dex Hunt’s book. I’m also going to be launching my debut romantic suspense series with HQN with the first book, Shades Of Desire, in the spring of 2012.

TQ:  Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.

Virna:  Thank you again for having me! I appreciate the chance to tell your readers about me and my stories.


About the Para-Ops Series

Chosen By Fate

Para-Ops 2
(Berkley, October 4, 2011)

Although he keeps company with a vampire and a were, human Shaman Caleb O’Flare can definitely 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, who cannot experience touch without pain. No wraith has managed to exist past its tenth year, so her 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...

Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million

Chosen By Blood

Para-Ops 1
(Berkley, May 3, 2011)

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.

Amazon : Barnes & Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million

About Virna

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


Virna's Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Facebook Books That Rock Fan Page





The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a copy of Chosen By Blood  (Para-Ops 1) from Virna! (US/Canada mailing addresses only)

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

What would you be doing if you worked for the Para-Ops team?

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)  Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)  Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)  Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US or Canadian mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Thursday, October 13, 2011. Void where prohibited by law. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*