Today, I have author Virna DePaul here to talk about her Para-Ops series. The first book in the series, Chosen by Blood, was just released on May 3, 2011. The second book in the series is Chosen by Fate, which is currently scheduled to be released on October 4, 2011.
One lucky commenter will have a chance to win a Para-Ops tote filled with chocolate, a Para-Ops mug, sunglasses, and my e-book, A Vampire’s Salvation, a paranormal vampire novella. As always, details are listed at the end of the post.
Author Bio:
I’m a former criminal prosecutor who loves thrilling, sexy stories about ordinary people overcoming extraordinary obstacles to find love. Like contemporary authors Linda Howard, Lori Foster, Rachel Gibson, Lori Wilde, Sandra Brown and paranormal authors J.R. Ward, Larissa Ione, Nalini Singh (and countless others on my keeper shelves), I hope to bring my readers emotional stories that make them feel and dream and wonder well-after they’ve finished reading them.
In May 2011, my debut paranormal romantic suspense series launches with CHOSEN BY BLOOD (Berkley). In this series, the U.S. government forms a special ops team whose members, including a werebeast, wraith, mage, and a vampire and the human female he’s forbidden to love, must retrieve a stolen antidote.
I also have a contemporary romantic suspense coming out in Fall 2011. In that story, an undercover cop poses as a bailiff to investigate a judge and ends up reuniting with a former love.
You can visit Virna around the web here: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Welcome Virna!
My debut novel, Chosen By Blood (A Para-Ops Novel) comes out May 3, 2011, and I’ve been pretty diligent about marketing and trying to get my name out to readers so they’ll (hopefully) snap up copies on its release! I admit it’s been a struggle for an introvert like me to be so blatant about promotion, but since this is my dream, I figured why not do everything in my power to keep it alive? Well, now I’ve got something else on my mind—something that’s yet again both stressful and fun—planning my launch party! Finally!
Since I sold Chosen By Blood in November 2009, a launch party seems almost anti-climactic, but it’s also a great opportunity to reconnect with my supporters, meet new ones, and just reflect on my whole writing journey. Plus, I love planning a party. I love trying to create a theme with small touches that show how meaningful the event is in my life.
I’ve been snatching up cute little items from discount stores like Home Goods, Marshalls and Ross. I’ve included some pictures of my scores here. Essentially, you’ll see I’m going for an elegant look with some fun thrown in. There’s going to be cupcakes, wine, chocolate – and oh yeah, a few packets of bagged “blood” candy in honor of my vampire hero. It does feel a little weird to be planning a party in honor of myself and my own accomplishment, so the fun details help keep me distracted from that notion. Besides, I try to remind myself that I have cause to celebrate! I’m now a published author with seven contracted books! And the first one is going to be out there for people to buy. And read.
And read.
Gulp.
I mean, Yay!!! But…gulp.
See, that’s the tricky thing about being a writer. Most of us are shy loners who are more comfortable in our imaginations than in a crowd. But yet we have these larger than life stories in our heads that we long to tell others and deep down, let’s face it, in order to actively pursue publication, we have to believe our stories are good enough for public consumption! I’m a good writer. There, I’ve said it. On a public blog, no less. I’m not the best writer, but I’m good, and I’m willing to work hard to constantly get better and listen to my readers about what they want. That’s all I can do and I’ll cross my fingers that’s good enough for a long, successful career. (Can you cross your fingers, too, by the way? Thanks!! J)
Bottom line, I write because I’m a life-long reader who has been inspired by authors such as Linda Howard, Anne Stuart, Karen Robards, Christina Dodd, Lori Foster, Larissa Ione, JR Ward, Lora Leigh, Nicole Jordan…the list goes on and on. I’ve been to National RWA Conference and now to RT. I’ve had the chance to meet many of the authors I love. Next week, at my launch party, I’ll think of all the great authors I’ve read and raise a glass to their success, hoping that someday I’ll inspire and empower a reader with my own stories.
Here’s a little information about Chosen By Blood below. I’ll be giving away a prize to one random commenter: A Para-Ops tote filled with chocolate, a Para-Ops mug, sunglasses, and my e-book, A Vampire’s Salvation, a paranormal vampire novella. Just answer this question: Cost and practicality aside, where would you love to hold a book party (for writers or readers!)? What would it look like?
Thank you so much to Angela for having me here on the Dark Faerie blog. Wishing you all much love and success with your own reading or writing ventures!
Radio Interview with Virna on How She Really Does It
About the Book:
United by fate. Bound by desire.
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.
Chosen By Blood Excerpt:
Special Agent Felicia Locke knew the minute she saw the willowy dharmire that there was going to be trouble. She’d chosen the bar because it was as far from Pennsylvania Avenue and the J. Edgar Hoover Building as one could get and still be in Washington, D.C. With its spray-painted façade, dim lights, and ramshackle assortment of tables and chairs, the Black Hole was also light-years away from what a typical federal agent would consider reputable, let alone palatable. In its favor was the fact it served the best brandy in the state, strong and undiluted. That and some privacy was all Felicia wanted.
She’d just locked her car and was walking toward the bar’s back entrance when a dharmire, who couldn’t have been more than sixteen years old, stumbled around the corner of the building and into view. Felicia immediately recognized the female as half-Other; although she had a vampire’s silver hair and black eyes, her skin was sun-toasted, just a shade lighter than a graham cracker. She clung to the arm of a stocky man with no neck, squinty eyes, and slicked-back hair. The man pushed her against the side of the building and covered her slim body with his own.
Felicia’s prediction of trouble formed not because the man was ugly, but because he was unkempt and, considering the foul things he was saying, obviously uncouth. She’d never met a vamp who’d willingly suffer the company of someone so appallingly unrefined. It would be like asking one to wear jeans or, God forbid, drive a beat-up old truck down a public highway. As a rule, vamps didn’t do casual or tacky. Even so, she tried telling herself that maybe the girl just looked young. There was no accounting for poor taste, after all. But the closer she got, the more apparent it became that the dharmire was under the influence. Her silver pupils were dilated and glassy, and she appeared to cling to the man out of necessity rather than affection.
The man shifted to the side just as Felicia walked within ten feet of them. She saw the fine gold chain and pendant around the dharmire’s neck—a smaller, more feminine version of the one Knox wore and an exact replica of the one Noella had worn all her life. The same pendant Felicia’s best friend had been wearing on the day she’d died, a gaping hole in her chest where her heart had once been.
Felicia came to an abrupt stop and blinked her eyes several times to make sure she wasn’t imagining it. But no, it was real and it was a real bitch of a sign. Noella had died exactly one year ago today and it couldn’t be coincidence that, before Felicia even had a chance to get rip-roaring drunk while avoiding Knox at the same time, a female appeared who was from Noella’s clan—Knox’s clan—and in obvious need of help.
Thoughts of Knox assailed her. Had Kyle Mahone gotten in touch with him? She’d been fully briefed on the Bureau’s plan to add a new team to the FBI’s elite, super-SWAT group referred to as the HRT, Hope Restored Team. She knew that team was the crucial step toward stabilizing relations between humans and the Otherborn races they’d once fought. And despite her preference to stay as separated from Knox as possible, she knew he was the right choice to lead it. Most civilians craved peace now, but it was a constant, often bloody battle given the insurgents, humans and Others alike, that resisted.
On the other hand, Felicia thought, still staring at the man and the dharmire . . . There would always be individuals who just naturally preyed on those weaker than themselves.
Okay, okay. Message received.
No rest for the wicked.
GIVEAWAY GUIDELINES:
One lucky commenter will have a chance to win a Para-Ops tote filled with chocolate, a Para-Ops mug, sunglasses, and my e-book, A Vampire’s Salvation, a paranormal vampire novella.
To enter, leave a comment below answering the following question:
Cost and practicality aside, where would you love to hold a book party (for writers or readers!)? What would it look like?
1. +1 entry for answering the question (required).
2. +2 entries for becoming a follower of this blog and Dark Faerie Tales on Twitter.
3. +3 entries for tweeting about this contest, blogging about it, linking via your sidebar etc…(please tell me where!).
4. Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only.
5. Please include your email address in your comment.
6. Giveaway ends Thursday, May 19th at 11:59 PM EST.
7. The winner will be picked with the help of Random.org.
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