I love meeting authors, learning their stories and sharing them with you all. Author PA DePaul is amazing and I know you all are going to love her. Before we begin take a peek at the man candy that graces the cover of her latest novel!
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…
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…
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Exchange of Fire is the first novel in DaPaul's newest SBG series and you're all going to love it. But don't just take my word for it there are others who agree!
"Exchange of Fire is a steamy, exciting, and suspenseful opening offering in the new “SBG” series....If you enjoy military action, suspense, steamy romance, and a little danger, this is the series for you." --Library Journal
“I really enjoyed reading this book. It was action packed and a love story all in one.”—Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)
Now on to the details, meet Author PA DePaul
P.A. DePaul is a multi-genre romance author including paranormal fantasy and romantic suspense. She originally hails from Carroll County and Baltimore County, Maryland, but also lived in Macon and Warner Robins, Georgia. She currently resides in a beautiful community just outside Philadelphia. Exchange of Fire is her first novel in the SBG series.
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!
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!
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