Paranormal Guest Author: Virna DePaul (Para-Ops) + Chosen by Fate Giveaway

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Virna DePaul.  Virna is the author of the Para-Ops series, which includes Chosen by Blood and Chosen by Fate.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Virna:  I began writing fiction towards the end of 2006.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Virna:  I started writing contemporary romantic suspense, my first love, and continued to write for about three years before I realized two things: 1) the market was very hot for paranormals, much more so than for straight romantic suspense; and 2) I'd begun reading paranormal romances and loved the genre almost more than romantic suspense--I just never thought I could write it. I decided to try my hand at a BIG series that would combine elements of both the genres that I loved. When I thought of the Para-Ops series, I envisioned X-Men meets Romancing The Stone.

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Virna:  I would love to be able to heal others. There's so much unnecessary pain in the world. Some pain is necessary to grow and evolve, but so much pain and suffering isn't. I'd love to bring peace and second chances to others.

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Virna:  My Para-Ops series is an action-packed and sensual combination of paranormal and special ops thrills. I like to call it "special ops with fangs." Book 1, Chosen By Blood (Berkley) has a strong thriller plot, yet has been complimented for its complex world-building and emotional, compelling characters. Book 2, Chosen By Fate, which comes out in October, focuses more on the main romance and secondary relationships but also has a lot of action!

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading roles? Why?

Virna:  For Knox Devereaux, the Para-Ops team's half-human, half-vampire leader, I think I'd choose Eric Bana. He can play someone both elegant and old world, but also sexy and kick ass. That's the combination that is uniquely Knox. For Dex Hunt, the team's werebeast, maybe Sam Worthington--I think he can match Hugh Jackman's Wolverine in toughness and sexiness. And for Wraith, the team's ghost? Maybe Angelina Jolie (though she'd have to tinge her skin blue and cut her hair and dye it white) because she can portray that blend of angsty bitch and vulnerable female all at once.

Chosen by Fate (Para-Ops #2) by Virna DePaul

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...


Thank you Virna for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Virna DePaul and her books, please visit her website.

**Chosen by Fate International Giveaway**

We are giving away one copy of Chosen by Fate signed by the author, Virna DePaul, with trading cards!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow!).  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  Giveaway ends October 14th midnight EST.

Paranormal Guest Author: Gracen Miller + Pandora's Box Giveaway

Please welcome today's paranormal guest author Gracen Miller!  Gracen is the author of Fairy Casanova, Elfin Blood, The Devil's Den, and Pandora's Box.

EJ:  When did you begin writing?

Gracen:  Thanks for having me today, E.J.! It’s an honor to be here. I began writing in sixth grade when my English teacher gave us a writing assignment for homework. Like everyone else in the class, I groaned and complained about having to use my imagination.  I couldn’t believe she’d given us such a complex assignment and worried I wouldn’t find sufficient inspiration. I dragged my feet that afternoon stepping out of the car and entering my mother’s workplace—I spent every afternoon doing homework in the restaurant office where she worked.

I sat down at that desk unknowing my life was about to take a dramatic turn.  I took up pen and paper, thinking how much I hated English and disliked Mrs. S for issuing such a stupid assignment.  I looked out the window and stared at the well-manicured Golf Course (my mother worked at the local Country Club as a waitress), with a certainty darkening my heart that I would fail this project miserably and my mother would be furious.  Surprised, an idea quickly rose in my mind about Atlantis rising from the ocean and its inhabitants harnessing supernatural powers.  And, of course, along with those supernatural powers the Atlantians concocted an evil plan to take over the world…what else do you do with supernatural powers, right?  LOL  With gusto I wrote a poorly crafted “play”, but I was excited by the detail illuminating in my mind.

The next day all of our stories were read out loud in class.  I fidgeted and worried to the point of nausea that everyone would laugh at my story.  No one laughed, but sat as silent as church mice as I read.  Mrs. S took a paper vote at the end of class on the three favorite stories and mine was one of the three, which meant the next day I had to pick individuals to play the parts of my characters. My characters would be acted out in front of the entire classroom.  Wow!  Not only had I enjoyed the assignment, but apparently all of my peers loved it too!  Talk about mind-blowing to an 11 year old! Much like a drug, writing dug its claws into me and I have forever been addicted.

EJ:  What brought you to the paranormal genre?

Gracen:  The paranormal has drawn me for as long as I can remember. I’ve been watching horror/paranormal movies since I was a child. I grew up with greats like The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Darkside. My best friend, Angela, and I would rent B-rated horror movies the weekends we were together and veg out in front of the TV eating popcorn and nachos. It seemed normal to merge paranormal and romance together when I started writing. I love the world building that comes with the paranormal too. It’s so much fun seeing where my imagination can take me!

EJ:  If you could be any paranormal or have any one supernatural talent, what would it be? Why?

Gracen:  What a tough question. Hmm…well, I always prefer to fiddle with my paranormal creatures so they don’t fit the standard mold. Those that are members of my Road to Hell series fan page call me “Momma Hellhound”. They also gave me a forked tail that I poke people with and a magical pitchfork so that I can zap naughty hellhounds into submission. LOL  But I don’t want to be a dog. How unglamorous! ;-)  I think I’d want to be a magical demon, because being naughty is so much fun. I would cast spells, all types of spells, and I’d be able to kick butt with ease. Make mortal and immortal men quake in fear at the utterance of my name. *cheeky grin* What’s the point in having supernatural talent if you can’t frighten people, right?

EJ:  Tell us why readers will enjoy your new release.

Gracen:  It’s a great mix between horror and romance, something I don’t get enough of when I’m looking for a book. Madison is a strong heroine, but she’s vulnerable too. Nix is a no-nonsense paranormal hunter who opens Madison’s eyes to the dangerous world surrounding them. But the internal forces outside of their control is the heart of their problem. Nothing is as Madison once believed, her whole life is a lie, but she’s determined not to allow herself or her son be victimized by the cards destiny has dealt them.

EJ:  If your book(s) were being made into a movie, who would you cast for the leading -roles? Why?

Gracen:  LOL My girlfriend and I were just discussing this the other day. We couldn’t come up with a great pick for the heroine, but the closest “fit” was Charlize Theron. The only why is because she’s blonde and leggy like Madison. No other reason.  I prefer an unknown to play Madison’s part, so there are no preconceived notions about the actress.  For the hero, Phoenix “Nix” Birmingham, we picked Chris Evans. The why is because he’s easy on the eyes—lol—got great lips and gorgeous eyes, plus he was great in Losers and Captain America. =D

Pandora's Box (The Road to Hell, #1) by Gracen Miller

Where does the road to Hell begin?

What happens when your son turns homicidal overnight and your husband disappears on his way to work? Do you cower in fear or fight for your life? Madison Wescott fights against the odds. Distrustful of a God she doesn't believe in, she finds herself face-to-face with a world she didn't know existed and discovers her own soul is darkened with demonic connections.

With good intentions? Or by demonic design?

Phoenix Birmingham bursts into Madison’s life in a whirlwind of sarcasm and sexual appeal. A hero for the masses—and for her jaded heart—but few will ever know the sacrifices he has made or the sacrifices to come. Discovering her entire life has been influenced by multifaceted paranormal beings, Madison is determined to defeat the apocalyptic blueprint fate has decreed, but only one man dares to challenge the supernatural forces manipulating them. Even with Phoenix's aid, can destiny be denied? Or will demonic design prevail while they pay the crucial price with their souls?

In a small, sleepy Alabama town the battle for mankind's liberty has begun...

Thank you Gracen for joining us here today at From the Shadows!

To learn more about Gracen Miller and her books, please visit her website.

**Pandora's Box Giveaway**

We are giving away one ebook copy of Pandora's Box by Gracen Miller and a fabulous skull cameo pendant!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post including your email address (so we may contact you if you win).  You do not have to be a follower to enter (though I always appreciate a follow!).  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL!  Giveaway ends October 10th midnight EST.

Dark Passages Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Cecilia H. winner of our Dark Passages Giveaway at From the Shadows!  Cecilia will receive a paperback copy of Dark Passages by Kathryn Leigh Scott.

Thank you to all who entered!

**All giveaway winners selected using Random.org**