Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here youโ€™ll get an in-depth look into an authorโ€™s musings.

Itโ€™s career day at my kidโ€™s school and heโ€™s asked me for a special favor. Heโ€™s really proud that Iโ€™m an author and asked me to bring in one of my characters from my Para-Ops series. Now, you have to understand, this is my oldest kid and heโ€™s a creative soul. He drew me a picture of my vampire hero, Knox Devereaux, the team leader, that I absolutely love. And heโ€™s even started writing his own book. Since I really want to encourage his creativity (and my โ€œcool momโ€ rep with his friends), I agree to his request. โ€œJust this once,โ€ I tell him.

But as Iโ€™m waiting outside his classroom for Lucy Talbot to arrive (sheโ€™s the teamโ€™s feline mage and the least intimidating of the six), I suddenly spot something that makes me groan. Oh no. What is Wraith doing here?

Wraith is the heroine of Chosen By Fate, the second book in my Para-Ops series. She strides up to me in her black leathers and four-inch blue stilettos. Her skin is tinged blue and her filmed-over eyes are hidden by her ever-present sunglasses. Her spiked hair is white and reminiscent of Billy Idol, but she has big breasts and an even badder attitude.

โ€œWhat are you doing here?โ€ I ask. I look frantically around and hope no oneโ€™s seen her.

Wraithโ€™s chewing her cinnamon gum and pops a bubble before answering me. โ€œLucy canโ€™t make it. Sheโ€™sโ€ฆtied upโ€ฆat the moment.โ€

I wince. โ€œThe feline heat already? Didnโ€™t she–?โ€

Wraith shrugs. โ€œEvery seven days for seven days, remember? Youโ€™re the one who stuck her with the affliction.โ€

I chew my lip. Of course I remember. It was part of Lucyโ€™s character arc. The feline mage had to accept her innate sexuality and stop trying so hard to prove she wasnโ€™t like her sexually adventurous (okay, more like sexually addicted) mother. There were things she could do to ease the heat, however, at least temporarily.

โ€œShe couldnโ€™t take some licoriceโ€ฆโ€ I begin, but Wraith rolls her eyes.

โ€œShe was all out. Look, the guys got called in by FBI Director Mahone so I was the only team member available. Do you need me or not?โ€

I almost say โ€œnot,โ€ but something stops me. Wraithโ€™s giving a good impression of not caring, but even with her sunglasses I can tell Wraith cares a lot about my answer. Of course she does. Her emotional wound is all about not having a place in the world. Sheโ€™s the ultimate freak, even by Otherborn standards, with no pulse or brain activity, and no need to eat or sleep. She needs sex, but rarely gets it because being touched causes her pain.

I almost wince again. Yeah, I put my characters through the wringer before giving them their happily ever afters. Wraith especially. Iโ€™m surprised she even talks to me.

I donโ€™t want to hurt her feelings, but Iโ€™m not sure bringing her into a classroom of 6th graders is a wise idea. Not only might she scare them, but what if one of them starts teasing her? Or gets too grabby and ends up hurting her? Plus, Wraith curses like a drunken sailor. I donโ€™t want to be responsible for a bunch of sixth graders with potty mouths.

She looks at her watch. โ€œFine. You donโ€™t want me here. Iโ€™m gone.โ€

She turns on her heel, chin high, hips swaying, but I grab her arm over her leathers, which wonโ€™t hurt her, and tug her around. โ€œWait. What do you want to talk to them about? Because the war, the experiments with the mage, the sex clubsโ€ฆโ€

She frowns. โ€œYeah, yeah, I know. Not exactly kid-appropriate topics. Iโ€™m not stupid, you know.โ€

โ€œI know, Wraith. Youโ€™re one of the smartest females I know. Thatโ€™s why I wanted you on the team.โ€

She looks slightly mollified and nods her head. โ€œHow about I tell them about Caleb?โ€

My eyes bug out. She and Caleb are hot for each other! The human psychic shaman is after her like gangbusters, unfazed by her desperate attempts to push him away. The only reason she even tries is because she wants him so much, and that makes her vulnerable, and Wraith doesnโ€™t like being vulnerable with anyone.

โ€œIโ€™ll talk to them about how different we are,โ€ she explains. โ€œHow we didnโ€™t like each other at first.โ€

I suppress a smile. That was putting it mildly. The first day she met Caleb, she shoved a gun under his chin. She narrows her eyes as if she can read my mind but keeps talking.

โ€œI can tell them how–well, sometimes you have to give people a second chance and look at your similarities rather than your differences.โ€

I stare at her. Wow. Sheโ€™d had some great character development when I wasnโ€™t looking. โ€œSo you and Calebโ€ฆโ€ I begin.

Her expression shutters. โ€œYouโ€™ll have to wait until the book comes out. October 4.โ€

I burst out laughing. โ€œI wrote the second book. I know what happens and when it comes out. But I donโ€™t know what you guys do on your own time, you knowโ€ฆโ€

Wraith smiles slightly. โ€œApparently what Iโ€™m doing is talking to a sixth grade class about being tolerant and making new friends. Or am I wrong?โ€

Again, thereโ€™s that hint of vulnerability in her voice. In the way she carries herself.
What the heck. Wraith isnโ€™t safe or predictable, and sheโ€™s used to acting tough to protect herself, but something tells me she isnโ€™t here to do me a favor so much as experience something sheโ€™s always wanted to.

โ€œLetโ€™s go,โ€ I say.

We walk through the classroom door together. The first thing I see is my sonโ€™s face light up. The teacherโ€™s eyes widen with a surprise, but then she motion us in. The kids gather around us, chattering and asking Wraith questions. She kneels down to their level and takes off her sunglasses. For a second, I see tears shining in her eyes. Tears of joy. She swipes them away fast and turns to the kid next to her. โ€œDo you like ABBA?โ€

I smile when my son gives me a thumbs up sign.

Yep, mission accomplished.

Wraith was definitely going to help me with the โ€œcool momโ€ factor.

Bio:

Virna DePaul is a former criminal prosecutor and now National Bestselling Author for Berkley (paranormal romantic suspense), HQN (single title romantic suspense) and HRS (category romantic suspense). Her upcoming release Chosen By Fate (Para-Ops Novel 2) comes out October 4, 2011. http://www.virnadepaul.com/

Blurb of Chosen By Fate:

There’s a fine line between life and death, pleasure and pain….

Five years after the Second Civil War ends, humans and Otherbornโ€” humanlike creatures with superhuman DNAโ€”still struggle for peace. To ensure the continued rights of both, the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a unique set of skills.

Although he keeps company with a vampire and a were, human Shaman Caleb Oโ€™Flare can hold his own. But neither his psychic ability nor his healing powers can help his sexy-as-hell teammate, Wraithโ€”a ghost with no memory of her human existence, one who cannot experience touch without pain.

No wraith has managed to exist past its tenth year, so Wraithโ€™s 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. Willing to risk any amount of pain, Wraith propositions him. But when a sign of impending death appears on his chest, Wraith sacrifices her own needs on the chance that sex with her could kill him.

Caleb doesnโ€™t understand Wraithโ€™s change of heart but refuses to let her push him away. As the team travels to Los Angeles to investigate a series of crimes in the feline community, Caleb sets out to prove to Wraith that pleasure and love are worth any risk, including death.

Virna is graciously giving away the first book in her series, Chosen by Blood, autographed. US/Canada only. Winner will be chosen via random.org. Good luck!

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31 Comments

  1. I was cracking up when I first realized that it was Wraith coming to talk. But knowing how awesome of a character she is, I knew she would be nothing but professional. I actually teared up when I read that she did. Her character is so great and it was such a pleasure to read this today.

  2. What a fun Story!!!
    Sounds like Wraith is quite a character and one I would love. I’d have to move this up my TBR.

    I hear you’ll be at the Pruneyard for signing over the weekend?! I’m hoping to see you. ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Virna, what a fun post! I’ve not read your books, but I gotta say this was a great introduction to one of your characters! I’m the mother of 4 and the grandmother of 9 (ages 1-15) and I can tell you that any one of them would have LOVED to have been in this classroom! And I also understand how very important it is to be cool…at least in your kids eyes. This series has caught my interest. You’re going on my TBR, no doubt!

    [email protected]

  4. Angela – Glad you enjoyed it! Looking forward to seeing you Sat. (Did you come by the last time we were there?)

    Book Savvy Babe – Thank you! Good luck with the give away!

    Jess B. and ahz1 – so glad you like the sound of the series. Take care!

    Under the Covers – So glad you enjoyed it. I had fun writing it up!

    Ann- You sound like a cool mom and grandma! Thanks for commenting.

    Blue Shedevil – Thanks for commenting. I’m glad Wraith made a good impression! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Yeah. I was there! You remembered?! I was that nervous chick, so star struck by the sight of you, Jasmine and Thea. I got my BFF copies as well as mine… I can be Lame *hangs head in shame*
    I did want you to sign my nook cover but was soo shy! So, I’d like to brave it this Sat. And ask you. ๐Ÿ™‚ *I am sooo lame* lol

  6. Sheree – She’s multi-layered, right? Thanks for stopping by!

    Ronda – So glad you enjoyed it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Tyraa – Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!

    Vanessa- You rock! ๐Ÿ˜€

  7. Love the story. It’s nice that a parent could give a child, or a classroom of children, an unique gift on career day. Nice to make their day. Haven’t read the series, but can’t wait to start.

    Elizabeth Gray