Paranormal Romance Author Danica Winters Interview, Hosted by Author Sue Lyndon

This week my friend and fellow author, Sue Lyndon, hosted me on her blog.   In addition to my interview being posted on her blog, I thought I needed to post it for my loyal paranormal romance readers.  I hope you enjoy learning a little bit about me!

Sue: Who are a few of your favorite authors?

Danica: There are so many wonderful authors (paranormal romance etc.), past and present, that picking a single name is a challenge.  I have loved to read romance since I was old enough to borrow them from my Mother’s office, but my favorite has to be another author who used to call Montana his home, James Welch, and his book, Fools Crow.

Sue: Do you like to listen to music while you write?  If so, who are your favorite artists?

Danica: I normally write with background noise.  It forces me to concentrate and often it helps to put me into the mood of a paranormal romance scene.  Write now I am writing the second book in a dark series and while I do, I enjoy an amazing pianist, Emile Pandolfi.  My favorite song is, Let Me Fall, from his Believe album.  I’ve played the piano since I was five years old and hearing a master play can bring tears to my eyes.

Sue: Coffee or tea?

Danica:  My friends will tell you that it isn't normal to see me without a cup of coffee in my hands.  I'm a writer and a Mom.  That means staying up until the wee hours of the morning and then having childrens' smiling faces waking me whenever they think I should be getting up.

Sue: What is your ultimate writing goal?

Danica: My ultimate goal as a paranormal romance writer is to create books that capture the hearts of my readers.

I want to have my readers not only learn about my characters, but in some small way, themselves.  In Curse of the Wolf, the first paranormal romance book in The Curse of the Veela Series, I raise the point that we must not be controlled by our hatred or fear.  We as people must learn to forgive and move on from the traumas and pains of our pasts in order to become stronger, to grow.

I think in every great paranormal romance novel, we must walk away with a message.

Sue: How do you go about choosing names for your characters?

Danica: I like to include my readers in naming my characters.  I think it is a fun, rewarding, and interactive experience to let my readers get their hands in on creating a major element of upcoming novels and short stories.  My fans are what keep me going and I like to include them in my creative process as much as possible.

Sue: Tell us about your upcoming writing projects.

Danica: I am working on the next paranormal romance novel in the upcoming Veela Curse Series.  At this point, I have almost completed writing the second book and am beginning to come up with concepts for the third.  Between paranormal romance novels, I like to write my short stories; and as much as I would like to say I plan these ahead, they are usually created as I write.

Sue: Tell us a little bit about your newest release. 

Danica" I have a short story entitled, The Devil’s Angel, being released March 31st, 2012 through Silver Publishing; and this summer I will have my first novel in The Veela Curse Series entitled, Curse of the Wolf, being published by Ravenous Romance. 

As a treat for readers, I have included a little sample from, The Devil’s Angel.  Enjoy!

Paranormal Romance Short, THE DEVIL'S ANGEL

The Devil’s Angel:

Sarah was no angel, but for the first time in her adult life, she found herself holding wire wings covered with what looked like an old pair of white nylons as she fidgeted with her ill-fitting saint mask.

She hated Halloween, and this year was no exception, the day just another excuse for her idiotic co-workers to get drunk and fondle each other.

Maybe what upset her the most was the fact she didn't have anyone to fondle her. Regardless, her solo status was only made worse by being at her boss's house, which was just then filled with a bunch of drunken ass-grabbers wearing the only attire allowed—their company's line of Halloween themed lingerie.

She slammed her car door shut. Her high heels clicked on the walkway as she tugged at the laced edges of the white satin corset that had ridden up her side. She tried to calm her racing heart as she readjusted her tilted halo.

The thumping noise of the party greeted her as she made her way up the concrete steps that led to her boss’s front door.

"Are you alone, little angel?" a man asked.

She looked up at him as he leaned against the bricks of the arched entryway. His face and body were the same shade of red as the front door of the house and he had black, cow-like horns extending above his ears.

"Who's asking?"

"The Devil.” He laughed wickedly. "Or, as I would prefer—your Devil."

She slid her arms into the holes of the lop-sided wings and stepped closer to the mysterious black-haired man.

"How 'bout this, Devil. Let's stick together and make a pass around the idiot circuit, and then we can see where things take us?" She looped her arm around his and reached up to stroke his muscular chest.

She was acting like a tramp, but wearing the mask made her feel protected by the anonymity the thin plastic offered. She could say what she wanted, to whomever she wanted. The effect was exhilarating and unexpectedly empowering. Usually, she was the quiet underling, but tonight she could be the fallen angel. And if he was lucky, she could be his fallen angel….(The Devil’s Angel, Released March 31st, 2012)  

Sue:  I can't wait to read, the paranormal romance The Devil's Angel.  Thank you for your time!

Danica:  Thank you, Sue.  I enjoyed sharing.  I hope everyone enjoys, The Devil's Angel!