Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Interview w/ PA DePaul & Julie Ann Walker-- There's man candy, wacky socks, lots of food & sexeh reads!



You're here! <runs and tackle hugs PA>  It's so good to see you! Um. Sorry about that. *pulls PA up off the ground and looks sheepishly about* Hey Julie! Welcome to the Herd! Come on in ladies. I made some cookies. <looks over at the table of cookies> Okay. I made lots of cookies. Lent's over and I can have sweets again and it just kinda happened. Heh. So grab your cookie poison and lets nosh and chat books.
*PA straightens shirt and grins* It’s awesome to see you too Anna!!! <surveys the cookies, thinks about being polite, then scraps the notion> *piles plate high with an assortment of sweets*
So ladies. <settles into the sofa> How goes it on your sides of the world?
PAD: Things are great *mumbles around a bite of chocolate chip*
JAW:  It's still winter here in Chicago.  Two inches of new snow fell yesterday.  So right now I have cabin fever mixed with lack of motivation.  A toxic brew to be sure.  But cookies make it better! *grins*
*noms* I'm saying! Man it was brutal here this winter. Lots of cookies were had. lol Alright now...I'm so excited for y'all's releases. I'm curious what your best hook would be for them. 10 seconds. 40 words or less. Y'all up for the challenge? *raises eyebrow*
PAD: Oh boy. <screws face up, thinking> Six years ago Cappy rescued Michelle from a Colombian cartel, and now she explodes back into his life as a murder suspect. Michelle needs help and turns to the only man she can trust. They both suspect each other of hiding secrets.
JAW:  To honor and empower those who've served, WAY OF THE WARRIOR brings you eight passionate love stories about military heroes from some of the biggest names in romantic suspense.  And bonus! All author and publisher proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project! http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Oooo that's quite the 'hey-how-ya-doing' PA! And Julie that's pretty awesome yall are donating the proceeds. Can you tell us one or two fun/sexy behind-the-scenes facts about Shadow of Doubt and Way of the Warrior? Think Pop-Up Video style.
PAD: The first one is fun: I thought of the inspiration for Michelle hiding her car among the ones in a dealership lot as I sat at a red light and watched an older model Ford pull up to a Ford dealership’s service bay doors. 
The second one embarrassing: This scene ultimately got cut from the book but what the hell <cuts a look at Julie Ann and Anna> might as well go down in flames (my face that is, I can already feel it flaring up!) It’s slightly lengthy (SORRY!): In the book, Michelle is given a Glock and a very quick lesson on the mechanics of the weapon. She wraps her right hand around the grip and finds it’s almost too big to hold. She doesn’t say anything because she doesn’t want to come off looking worse in front of the squad. Then she’s told to eject the magazine to see if it’s full. She tries to push the slide forward with her thumb but can’t reach it since the grip is already filling up her whole hand…so in her infinite wisdom, she takes her left hand she’s been using as support and pushes the slide. Yep. You guessed it. If both hands are fooling with the slide, then there are no hands left to catch the magazine and it clatters to the floor. Everyone sees and comments.
How can I describe this scene so clearly? Because it’s based on a true story. *Hangs head* I did this during the firing range simulator at the Writer’s Police Academy. Talk about being humbled in front of dedicated policemen and other authors. Here I am thinking I’m going to be like Lara Croft once the simulation starts and instead I turn out to be Stephanie Plum. *shakes head and refuses to look at anyone in the room. Instead, consoles herself with a double chocolate cookie*

Bwahaha oh my gosh PA! So a Stephanie moment. lol  I'd so be Stephanie though if it meant I could have Ranger. *noms* Um...okay back to the interview. lol What about you Julie?
JAW:
Fact 1: All the authors in the anthology were given free rein to write any story they wanted.  The only restriction was that either the hero or heroine had to be active-duty, retired military, or a veteran.
Fact 2: Every author I approached to join me in this anthology said yes! That speaks volumes about the generosity and spirit of the romance writing community.
Fact 3: The anthology features eight unique stories.  Some are smoking hot.  Some are sweet.  Some are hilarious.  Some are a little sad.  So there's something for everyone.
Fact 4: All proceeds go to support wounded warriors.  Snag your copy today!

Alright ladies. I'll admit it. I'm a total floozy when it comes to sexy heroes and even sexier quotes. What's your best make-a-girl-pant quote/moment with your hero?
PAD: I think a little snippet from Cappy might answer the question: 
“I’ll go,” he answered softly, hoping to bring the tension down a notch. He was eight kinds of stupid for even thinking about admitting his next words since it would only bring her heartache when he had to walk away, but fuck it. She needed to know. “But you need to understand something first. I want you so bad it’s all I’ve thought about since you tried to smile at me in Colombia, then it roared back to life when you opened the door to room number nine, and I’m still thinking about it now.” 
 JAW: 
"Because here's the thing, Harper," Michael said, ducking his chin to peer at her, his dark eyes molten.  "Since the very first day I met you, I've felt certain of something."

She swallowed, staring into his wonderful face.  "Wh-What's that?"

"That you would change my life."
First thing that pops into your mind about your heroines?
PAD: scarred from head to toe but so beautifully strong and courageous because of it
JAW:  Sassy, southern, with a set of brass clackers big enough to do my hero proud.
Ha! They both sound pretty awesome. If you could spend 24 hours doing anything with any of the characters from these two books who would you pick and would y'all need bail money at the end of the day?
PAD: LOL!! Aw man! You want me to go on the record? Damn. That means I can’t do it because it’ll be premeditated…er, uh, I mean…hmmm. What was the question again?  *grins with devilish twinkle in her eye and swipes another cookie off her plate* Okay. Okay. I’ll answer the question. I’d actually want to spend those 24 hours with everyone in Delta Squad as they gear up for a mission…but if Talon just happens to get sent out on recon early, you might find me tagging along…you know, to keep an eye on him for Cappy. <wink>
JAW:  Since WAY OF THE WARRIOR is an anthology, and one of my all-time favorite authors wrote a story about some of my all-time favorite characters - Suzanne Brockmann and her sexy Troubleshooters - the answer is easy.  I'd simply hang out with those rascally SEALs at a barbeque.  I've read all their books so many times they feel like family.
If your hero and heroine were gonna make a meal...what would it be?
PAD: Interesting question! Cappy’s not what you’d call Mr. Domestic. He’s spent too much time on military assignments before getting drafted into SBG and going out on missions, so he’d probably offer to make grilled cheese sandwiches. Michelle on the other hand is used to living on her own she would probably want to impress Cappy with made-from-scratch lasagna. 
JAW:  Harper Searcy is a southern girl, born and raised.  So I'm thinking she'd whip up some fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and serve 'em with a tall, sweating glass of iced tea.  Michael "Mad Dog" Wainwright, on the other hand, is from Atlantic City, New Jersey.  So he'd skip making dinner and take Harper to the boardwalk for a slice of Tony Boloney's pizza and some salt water taffy.    
Dang it. And now I'm hungry! lol Alright a couple quickies then I think we need to head out for some noms of the non cookie variety! But first noms of man candy?

PAD: Talon, Romeo and Cappy:

 
Random Guy, but damn he’s going to be a character in an upcoming book:
JAW:  Who can compete with that?  I'll let PA's answers/photos stand on their own.  *wink*
Damn. I think I'm with ya on that Julie. Yard gnomes or flamingos or those faces you put on trees?
PAD: Yard gnomes
JAW: Flamingos.  Definitely flamingos.  It doesn't get much more kitchy than that!
Favorite "couldn't live without it" snack?
PAD: I don’t know about you, Julie Ann, but for me, potato chips!
JAW: I can do without salty, but I'd die without sweets.  My favorite sweet is a Snickers bar that's straight out of the freezer.  Yep, I like 'em frozen.  
Oooo I'm gonna have to try that! Frozen Cadbury eggs are pretty good too. Weirdest thing in your purse (or office) right now?
PAD: It may not be weird but it’s not typical, in my purse, I have a pair of black liner socks (You know the kind that aren’t supposed to show up when you wear flats or something
JAW: I have a chip from the Bellagio in Las Vegas.  Not because it's special or a good luck charm, but simply because I forgot to cash it in the last time I was in Sin City.  So there it sits.  In my wallet.  Mocking me.  
Oh those socks are cute! And damn the mocking chips! Favorite office supply?
PAD: oh man! This is the hardest one!! I LOVE office supplies (yes I’m a nerd like that). The smell of Staples actually makes me really happy…<ahem> I’d say post-it products
JAW:  I love Post-Its too!  But I also like legal paper, highlighters, and really good ink pens.  
The last thing that made me blush...
PAD: *feels a blush coming on and steals a look at Julie Ann and Ann only to find them laughing * Yes. I’m one of those people who has NO poker face. My face shows everything! *smiles and shrugs* I’d go with the sex scene in a book I just finished. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading them but I’m blushing like crazy as I gobble the words
JAW:  Any time I have to speak in public I blush.  No.  That doesn't quite cover it.  I blush and then I sweat and then I break out in hives.  LOL!
<PAD leans forward and whispers to Anna> If you ever got to take one of her fabulous workshops, you’d never know. Trust me. Julie Ann looks cool as a cucumber. 
Plain socks or totally wacky?
PAD: Both!
JAW: TOTALLY WACKY!!!  My husband and I both love crazy socks.  My favorite pair have pictures of bacon and eggs on them.  *grins*
I'm completely freaked out by?
PAD: Bugs! *shudders* All types of bugs. 
JAW: Blood and guts.  (Which is strange considering I write about both of those things all the time.  LOL!)
Gah. Me too on the bugs. Bugs are a No-Go! I turn into a total flailing girl. lol I'm completely obsessed with?
PAD: Reading!
JAW: Writing!
PAD: Aw man! I want to change my answer! I shoulda said writing too! :)
LOL <swipes another cookie> Before yall head out. What's up next for you two?
PAD: *peers at Julie Ann, then Anna, then finishes the last cookie on her plate* Let’s just say I’m working on another member of Delta Squad’s story while also potentially, maybe working on a new series possibility 
JAW: I have a new series debuting in July.  The first book is titled HELL OR HIGH WATER, and I like to tell everyone it's like The Goonies for adults.  Here's the tagline: Six men. One sunken Spanish galleon. Millions in gold and silver coins lying on the ocean floor. And a past that refuses to let the guys of Deep Six Salvage forget the Navy SEAL motto: the only easy day was yesterday...
Sweet. That sounds awesome ladies! Thanks so much for stopping in! It's always a treat :)
PAD: Thank you, Anna, for having us!! Truly appreciate your southern hospitality and spending some time with the herd. Baby G’s been eyeing my plate of cookies all afternoon. Good thing I finished them! :)
JAW: Thank you for hosting us!  It's been so much fun!
Alright, kittens! Yalls turn! Hit the comments below and leave the ladies some love and questions!


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 Colombian 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.


Find PA DePaul Online!

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 the first novel in the SBG series with the second novel, Shadow of Doubt, releasing April 2015


EIGHT PASSIONATE LOVE STORIES ABOUT AMAZING MILITARY HEROES BY BESTSELLING AUTHORS: Suzanne Brockmann, Julie Ann Walker, Catherine Mann, Tina Wainscott, Anne Elizabeth, M.L. Buchman, Kate SeRine, Lea Griffith

To honor and empower those who've served, all author and publisher proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Find Julie Ann Walker Online!

Julie Ann Walker is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of award-winning romantic suspense. Her books have been described as "alpha, edgy, and downright hot." Most days you can find Julie on her bicycle along the lake shore in Chicago or blasting away at her keyboard, trying to wrangle her capricious imagination into submission.




There are 4 prize packs being given away during the tour! Be sure to stop by each blog and visit for a chance to win books, t-shirts & giftcards!

April 24- Harlequin Junkie



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