Exchange of Fire 
Faking her death was easy, living with her past is harder, but nothing is more dangerous than falling in love…

Sandra Walsh was a deadly sniper for the Sweet Briar Group, a covert agency with assassins for hire, until her last mission went horribly wrong, accidentally killing an innocent girl. Knowing she’s a danger to her team, Sandra goes off the grid, becoming a Shade—an agent declared dead but secretly hiding among the living. She intends to honor her vow never to pull another trigger or have contact with the spy world again. Until she meets Casper Grady…

Grady is a former Marine with a troubled past and a debt to pay. His life mission has gone from protecting the nation to helping local children and their families. The moment he meets Sandra, he knows there’s more to her than meets the eye, but he can’t help but be drawn to the mysterious femme fatale. And when Sandra’s past suddenly catches up to her, Grady is determined to protect her at all costs, no matter how dark and dangerous her secrets are.

As the danger increases, so does their intense attraction. But when they’re forced to choose between each other and the people they’ve sworn to protect, their growing love might not be enough to keep them together—or alive…

AMY: What inspired you to write your first book?

PA DePaul: I’ve been a ferocious reader all my life. Both my parents loved to read and weekly trips to the library were a must in our household. That being said, you’d think I’d have a clue that I wanted to write…but, alas, no. I’m a little slow-witted I guess.

The lightbulb didn’t click on for me until 2009. I was in the process of devouring J.R. Ward’s compendium, The Black Dagger Brotherhood, An Insider’s Guide, when I came across a chapter under the section “For Writers” called “Advice and FAQ’s”. In this chapter she spoke plainly about the publishing world and encouraged anyone who ever thought they might want to write a book to do it, even if it never went anywhere. At least then you tried and had a novel you wanted to read. That stopped me reading cold and I knew I had to follow this advice. That night I went to sleep and the world of Guardians popped into my head (think angels, demons, and the humans caught in between). This storyline morphed many times (originally it was a New Adult story before that genre even existed) until it finally became published as a paranormal romance, Guardian Redeemed.

AMY: Are the experiences and characters in your books based on someone you know or your own life’s events?

PA DePaul: For the characters, I’d have to say consciously, no. The characters in my books are definitely their own people. They don’t look like anyone I’ve ever met nor do they suspiciously resemble any one person I’ve met. Even the villains are their own people, though I like to threaten that I’d put someone in my book just so I can do dastardly things to them. 

As for the experiences, some of things I’ve written are true. Either I’ve done that (incredibly stupid) event or I’ve felt a certain way and tried to recapture it. To me, this helps enrich a scene since I remember how I felt as I went through it.

AMY: What’s the best moment of your writing career so far?

PA DePaul: Hmm…twenty things instantly popped into my mind. Completing my very first manuscript (when before I’d stop part way and re-concept), receiving my first contract from a publisher, signing with agent Michelle Grajkowski of 3 Seas Literary Agency and having her as my cheerleader, getting the call that 2 major publishers are offering multi-book deals for my new Romantic Suspense series, signing the contract with Penguin, seeing the amazing endorsement from Library Journal after they read Exchange of Fire, the 5-star reviews that completely “got” the nuances of my story, having the ability to read a section of Exchange of Fire in Lady Jane’s Salons as a way to introduce my series to new readers…I could keep going.

In other words, I celebrate pretty much everything that’s happened in my career so far.  

AMY: What motivates you to write?

PA DePaul: The characters. That may sound overly simple but it’s true. If I ignore them, their voices get louder until I can’t doing anything else but write.

AMY: Any tips for first time authors?

PA DePaul: Always carry paper or have some way to take notes with you at all times. I can’t tell you how many times an idea or that thing that I’ve been agonizing over for days finally pops into my head only to lose it later because I couldn’t write it down.

Hmmm…that probably wasn’t what you were looking for since that pretty much goes for every writer no matter what level they’re on. *tapping chin* How about: Don’t try to be perfect when you write. If you strive for perfection, you’ve already failed. Once you go down this rabbit hole, you lose the uniqueness in your story and your words will come across as flat and uninspiring. If you allow yourself to write the best you can from your heart, then your story will shine. A good publisher/editor can always help you shape your story and take it to the next level.

AMY: What actor/actress would you like to play your main characters?

PA DePaul: What a tough but fun question. You know, I’m not sure, but I really want to be a part of the casting process, I’ll tell you that!

AMY: Tell us a fun fact about you.

PA DePaul: *tapping chin* Oh! I have a twin brother…admit it, you just wondered if we’re identical. LOL. No? Well, then you’d be one of the few who wouldn’t ask me that question. I think it’s a knee jerk reaction to hearing about the twin thing. When someone does ask me if we’re identical, I usually wait a beat to see if they realize what they’ve asked. When they still appear as if they’re waiting on the answer, then I’ll either be snarky (if I’m already comfortable with the person) or gently explain the whole male/female gender thing makes that impossible.

AMY: In the world of romance novels, sex or no sex and why?

PA DePaul: Definitely sex. Unless it’s an Inspirational fiction romance, then I’d be weirded out. As to why, I think it’s another way the characters can naturally progress through their love story. The sex doesn’t have to be graphic (though I don’t mind if it is as long as the author writes it right), and it can even be used as a way to show another conflict (like maybe the main characters slept together too soon).

AMY: Just as your books inspire authors, what authors inspired you to write?

PA DePaul: How long is this article? I’d be a while if I listed them all.

Okay. I’ll try to list my top fav’s.

A.    Julie Ann Walker—Romantic Suspense. Her Black Knights, Inc series is like crack. Serious crack to me. She has a fast-paced, yet, in-depth style of writing—I’m still trying to figure out how she does it.

B.    Darynda Jones—Paranormal. Her wit is so well timed and her storyline is so unique, I’m usually preordering the next in the series so I have it in my hands on release day.

C.    Suzanne Brockman—Romantic Suspense. I’m not sure I need to describe why I’d list the queen of military romance. She’s just that good.

D.   J.R. Ward—Paranormal. Her writing style is so raw and gritty. I love how in-your-face it is. She doesn’t care about convention or what the rules are, she writes the story as the characters portrayed it to her and stayed true to it.

I could go on and list all my favorite authors and who I have on “auto-buy” but I think I’ll just stick with these top four as my inspiration authors.

AMY: Tell us a little about your work in progress.

PA DePaul: I’ve got two projects currently going right now. The edits for Shadow of Doubt, book 2 in the Romantic Suspense SBG series, has just come back from my publisher. Here’s the synopsis from Penguin:

When her secretly filmed tryst shows up on the internet, Michelle Alger goes on the run. She has no choice. Not only was her one-night stand the son of a US senator, but he’s been murdered—and she’s the number one suspect. With both the senator and an avenging drug lord on her trail, her life is in danger. There’s only man she can trust. He saved her once, but will he still be her hero six years later?

Captain Jeremy Malone and the rest of Delta Squad have the senator’s order: find the mystery woman who killed my son. But to Jeremy, she’s no mystery. Six years ago his team of Green Berets rescued her from the torturous clutches of a Columbian cartel, and he’s never forgotten her. His personal and covert mission: find Michelle before anyone else. When he and Michelle do meet again, the sparks are explosive and consuming. They’re also dangerous as hell.

Because with each new bit of evidence, Jeremy suspects that Michelle’s innocence may be a ruse—a beautiful trap set by a woman who has even more secrets yet to bare.

As for the second project, I’m also working on the 3rd book in the SBG series. This story features Romeo, the playboy of Delta Squad. I can’t say too much about this story yet or who his love interest is, but I can tell you I’m having a ball with it! 

Author Susan Scott Shelley 
Facebook / Website / Goodreads

Author Veronica Forand 
Susan Scott ShelleyFind Your Heart's Desire 
Facebook/ Website/ Goodreads

Amy: How do you co-author a book?

Susan: With a lot of plotting and a lot of communicating.
Veronica: We both need to agree on the plot and the tone. We create each story together, adding our individual voices to the mix. Our personalities complement each other, however, and make for a stronger story. 

 
Amy: What inspired you to write your first book?

Veronica: I had a “perfect’ story that needed to be written. When I was finished, I realized I had a lot to learn about writing. That manuscript remains in a document file on my computer, but will probably never see the light of day.
Susan: I started reading romance novels when I was in college. I loved reading them so much, I thought I’d try my hand at writing down the stories I had inside my head.

 

Amy: Are the experiences in your books based on someone you know or your own life’s events?

Susan: None of my characters are based on people I know but I have named some characters after friends who have helped me in some way. Some of my characters’ experiences are loosely based on things from my life. The beauty about reading a book is that while everyone may not identify with a character’s particular profession or environment, emotions are universal.
Veronica: The names and places have all changed, but the emotions are real. We’ve all experienced loss and heartbreak and pure happiness and love. When writing, I try to harness the depths of those emotions so that a reader can feel the story as well as read it.

 

Amy: What actor/actress would you like to play your main characters?

Susan and Veronica: For Jason: Channing Tatum. For Samantha: Alexis Bledel.

 

Amy: What’s the hardest thing about writing with someone else?

Susan: You need to compromise and be in agreement throughout the entire process, from plotting to writing to publishing to promotion. The hardest part would be if there wasn’t compromise/agreement in each of these areas. The lines of communication need to be open and honest at all times. Luckily, for us, we work extremely well together.
Veronica: With both of our names on the books, it’s important that we’re each satisfied with the finished product. Since Susan and I want the same things in a story, good writing, a solid plot, and great emotion, we rarely disagree.

 

Amy: What’s your favorite motivational phrase?

Veronica: Per Ardua Sergo, my family motto. “I rise through adversity.”
Susan: You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness. – Zig Ziglar

 

Amy: Any tips to get through the dreaded writers block?

Susan: Yes. Don’t believe it exists. If it doesn’t exist, you can’t have it! Seriously though, if I get blocked on a story, I start re-reading it from the beginning. That always helps.
Veronica: I tend to have the opposite problem. I have tons to write, and I’ve been so busy lately, I don’t have time to put all the words down.

 

Amy: What famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet?

Susan: Can I have three? I’d like Audrey Hepburn, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and JJ Watt. (If I have to pick only one of the three, I’m taking JJ.)
Veronica: I’m copying Susan and doing three too- Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and MLK, Jr.

 

Amy: Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?


Veronica: I play soccer most weekends and try to workout everyday. I completed my first Spartan race this past summer and would love to compete in another.
Susan: I’m a runner, and I dabble in drawing. I manage two fantasy football teams and a fantasy hockey team. I love sports and have favorite players on nearly every team in the NFL and NHL.

 

Amy: Favorite line from a movie?

Susan: I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. – When Harry Met Sally
Veronica: What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? – Monty Python and the Holy Grail. (although Susan’s quote is one of my favorites too!)

 

Amy: Any writing rituals?

Veronica: I write most mornings, and I edit and read in the afternoons. I allow myself to hop around Facebook whenever I need a mental break.
Susan: My schedule changes daily due to my day job, so writing times have to be flexible. I can pretty much write anywhere and with anything going on. But whenever possible, I like to have my Pro-football Hall of Fame, Vince Lombardi coffee mug, at my side, preferably filled with something caffeinated.

 

Amy: In the world of romance novels, sex or no sex and why?

Susan: I’ll read any heat level. So I say, sex if it fits in the story. The first book I wrote was sweet, because it made sense for that plot and those characters. The next one I wrote had sex scenes because it made sense in the story and for the characters. Just as each person/character is different, each development of a romance is different.
Veronica: I write a lot of romantic suspense. Blood and violence are often on the page.  No one has ever asked me whether or not to show the violence. I add sex to a story to reveal emotional growth, passionate feelings, and tender moments, so I don’t see the need to hide it behind a door if the story calls for it.

 

Amy: Favorite pizza topping?

Veronica: New England Greek- feta cheese, kalamata olives, and artichoke hearts.
Susan: Veggies and no cheese. I really prefer tomato pie.

 

Amy: Just as your books inspire authors, what authors inspired you to write?

Susan: Nora Roberts. The MacGregor Brides was the first romance novel I read. I instantly and completely fell in love with her books. Her writing style and the way she shows the character development and evokes emotions, is perfection on a page.
Veronica: Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Her plots are tight, her characters are unique, and her stories emotional, both funny and heart wrenching.

 

Amy: When you walk into a room, what song should be playing?

Veronica: Linus And Lucy, by Vince Guaraldi Trio
Susan: Foo Fighters’ No Way Back, or Godsmack’s I Stand Alone, or Gemini Syndrome’s Stardust.

 

Amy: What do you consider your best accomplishment?

Susan: Completing my first manuscript was a huge deal to me. After typing The End, I felt like a real writer. J Each manuscript gives the same feeling of accomplishment. Of course, publishing the novellas is right up there with best accomplishment too. Seeing a dream come true is very cool.
Veronica: Taking the bar exam in a new state twenty years after graduating law school states and passing on the first try. Then having the guts to turn down work in a law practice and focus on writing full time.

 

Amy: Tell us a little about your work in progress.

Veronica: I’m writing a sequel to my novella “Code Red.” It’s a romantic suspense that takes place in the Congo, Washington DC, and Paris.
Susan: I’m working on two contemporary series. One is sports-related because I love sports. The other is based on an idea that sparked when I heard a song. I’m having a lot of fun with it.

 

Amy: What can we expect to see from you both in the near future?

Susan: We have two more co-written novellas coming out shortly. And, we’re reading from one of our novellas at Lady Jane’s Salon on November 6th. We hope to see you there!
Veronica: Our new novellas, which include hot hockey players and the smart women that claim their hearts. The first will be out before Christmas. In addition to the novellas written, I have a romantic thriller “Untrue Colors” that will be released by Entangled Publishing in 2015. 

You all know how much I love music. So I sat down with Singer/ Songwriter Kelly St. Patrick to pick her brain about music, lyrics, love and the business. Thank you again, Kelly. Before you go don't forget to enter to win one of Kelly's CDS as well as a copy of Blissful Tragedy.

Interview with Kelly St. Patrick

AMY: When and how did you get started singing and performing?
KELLY:  It’s a funny story, actually. I guess I was ridiculously shy as a child    and didn’t talk much at all...My parents told me I got up in church one Sunday morning out of nowhere and walked to the front of the congregation and just started singing. (what a weirdo, right?!) Obviously everyone was a bit in shock. I have been singing since. 

AMY: What famous musicians do you admire and why?  
KELLY: I’ve always been really interested in lyrics and storytelling through song. I love Ani Difranco, Ray Lamontagne, Damien Rice, Fiona Apple for their storytelling abilities. It definitely has impacted the way I tell mine. I really dig Kasey Muscgraves right now...I think she’s a really talented writer. 

AMY:  What are your inspirations for writing music/lyrics? 
KELLY:  I tend to write about love...a lot. I just think it’s the most incredible force. It’s something that I’ve always been interested in and really inspired by.

AMY: If you could perform at any venue, where would it be?  
KELLY: Oh I have such a list! lol I will say I look forward to playing stages like Radio City and Grand Ole Opry. I like intimate venues for my shows...I want to connect with everyone in the room. That’s a feeling that I can’t even describe...but when it happens, it’s incredible.

AMY: Do you play any instruments?
KELLY: I do. I taught myself guitar a few years ago before I made the move to NYC. I play some piano too. My guitar has been my best friend on this journey and I’m grateful for that gift.

AMY: How do you handle mistakes during performances?
KELLY: You keep going. The worst thing you can do as an artist is let a moment of error ruin your entire experience and destroy your momentum. This is easy for me to say now...but I had to learn this over the years. I’m such a control freak that if it wasn’t perfect, or I messed up, I would let it ruin my mood and that energy definitely translates to your audience. I’ve learned to relax a bit and be okay with error. Ice cream helps. :)

AMY: How often and how long do you practice?  
KELLY: Not as often as I should! I really need to discipline myself time wise these days because my schedule can get so packed that it can take a back burner for longer than it should. It’s different if I’m rehearsing for a show or tour, of course. I’m actually scheduled to clock a few hours in after I finish with this interview.   

AMY: Are any of your songs non-fiction ;)?
KELLY: All of my songs are non-fiction. It’s not easy to expose a lot of what I’m feeling or talk about things that didn’t work out. I’m much more at peace with it now than I was when I first started. I think I’m more comfortable with who I am and what I’ve lived. I have had boyfriends call me up and apologize after releasing an album. I’ve also had men want to date me hoping I would write a song about them...which I always find strange.


AMY: Have you been in any competitions?
KELLY: Hmmm….I don’t do competitions so much these days. I have been focusing on getting my music out there to as many people as I can reach. I have done the Grammy nominations with my first album, and the AMA’s with my second...I guess if you count those types of situations competitions, then yes. I’ll keep going until I win.

AMY: How do you balance music with everyday life?
KELLY: I was just talking to someone about this the other day. I feel like my brain is hardwired and always in storytelling / writing mode. It’s hard to explain. I feel like everything I experience goes through this filter where it immediately is processed like a song. So I am always working in a sense.

AMY: Records, cassettes, 8-tracks, Cd’s, or MP3 which do you prefer and why?
KELLY:  My first choice would be vinyl!!! I love the sound of an old record playing. There is something so romantic about it that resonates with me.

AMY: Best moment in your career so far?
KELLY: It’s a toss up between walking the Red Carpet at the AMA’s and having a random guy approach me in a restaurant and recite a whole verse of my song. He told me he had gone through that same situation. That was an amazing feeling.

AMY:Tell us a fun fact about yourself
KELLY:I have my own roller skates and often wear them in my loft.

AMY: Any stories (creepy or otherwise) involving crazed fans? 
KELLY: For the most part people are very kind and sweet. I have had a few instances where guys would be standing outside my door or sending some sorta creepy email. Other than that, ok!


AMY:Favorite pizza topping?
KELLY: Extra cheese!

AMY:Favorite book boyfriend (other than Van Sinclair ;))?
KELLY: Noah Calhoun, The Notebook. *Gush*

AMY:Favorite song of all time?
KELLY: I think I have to go with Freedom, George Michaels. Always gets me going.

AMY:Favorite line from one of your songs?
KELLY: John Mayer. You’re Body is a Wonderland. “I’ll never let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it.”

AMY: Any advice for those just starting out?
KELLY:  Have fun. Roll with the punches. This career is a roller coaster. There are highs and lows. Don’t get off. Stay on. It’s worth it.

AMY: Tell us about your current and future projects. What can we expect from Kelly St. Patrick?
KELLY: Well, I was planning on doing a few shows including one back in NEPA, my homeland and as far as Poland. (My music is currently featured in a few TV shows there). However, I just found out I may be moving to Nashville for a bit. I haven’t announced this yet. I still need to work a few details out. I’m excited though. I’m ready for the next chapter. I also am working on my first Christmas album and doing a few acting jobs for TV shows this fall. It’s bananas over here! I’ll keep everyone informed on my site.  xx

KELLY'S WEBSITE     FACEBOOK     TWITTER