Wednesday, December 7, 2016

The Definitive Interview with NY Times Bestselling Author Paula Quinn!

My guest today is New York Times bestselling author Paula Quinn. Paula claims to be “a sappy romantic moved by music, beautiful words, and the sight of a really nice pen.” She lives in New York with her three beautiful children, six over-protective Chihuahuas, and three adorable parrots. She loves to read romance and science fiction and has been writing since she was eleven. She's a faithful believer in God and thanks Him daily for all the blessings in her life. She loves all things medieval, but it is her love for Scotland that pulls at her heartstrings.
Paula has graciously agreed to answer all my questions, so here goes!
 

1.     Do you write while listening to music? If so what kind?

Music is my muse. I can’t write without it. I’ve met some of my characters while listening to a song. It can be any kind of music, Celtic, classic, rock, anything as long as it moves me.  I think I listened to “Come What May” from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack at least three hundred times while writing Laird of the Mist.
 
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    2. Which of your characters would you most/least invite to dinner, and why?

      I would love to invite Callum MacGregor, and not because he’s big, brooding, and gorgeous (at least, that’s what I tell myself) but because I would want to hear more about the history of the MacGregor proscription. I did so much research, but I’d still love to hear about it from the perspective of someone who actually lived it. Least would be Connor Grant because I’d end up being rude and staring at him all night. I might possibly take a bite out of him at some point, too.


     3.  Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay attention to them, or let them influence your writing?

Yes, I read them. We all want to know how our “children” are being perceived. Bad reviews don’t bother me. I don’t pay attention to the overly critical reviews. You can’t please everyone and I realize that. I do try to learn from constructive criticism though. If some of my faithful readers aren’t happy with something, I try to fix it in future books.

4.     What color would you make the sky if it weren’t going to be blue anymore, and why?

Wow! What a great question! I’d like the sky to be crimson or dark pink. I think it’s so soothing. Just think how good we’d all look in such warm tones. Besides, pink is my favorite color!


 5.     What will always make you smile, even on a bad day?

Praising God always takes away my worry and makes me happy. Also, I find great joy in my dogs. Their love is all consuming and unconditional.

6.     What was the first story you remember writing?

Embarrassing, but okay. My mom had gotten me an ADAM (that’s right, not Apple) computer with a dot matrix printer. Oh, how I loved it. I had a little desk in my bedroom and a corkboard nailed to the wall with pictures of Jack Scalia pinned to it for character inspiration. I sat down and wrote Eternally Yours, a book you will never read about a demon named Jerry who falls in love with a woman who has already been claimed by God. It was so bad, but I was so proud of myself. I printed it up and still have it. I’d written some short fantasies before that. All bad but I knew that I wanted to be a writer. Numerous jobs, a marriage and three kids later, I returned to a newer model computer and was back at it again. The rest, as they say, is history.

7.     What sound or noise do you love?

Birds chirping. Oh, I love it. I try to make a point of going to the park everyday to feed the sparrows. I love how busy they are and always wonder what they’re saying to each other. J I also love the sound of the chipmunks voice from Alvin and the Chipmunks LOL.

    8.     What drew you to write the genre(s) you write?

I grew up reading sci-fi/fantasy, which was a very small genre way back then. No paranormals back then. Not one. I loved everything from David Eddings and Raymond E. Feist, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and my all time favorite, Guy Gavriel Kay. I was a romantic kid and as much as I loved these authors (and still do), I yearned for some romance. I switched over to authors like Rosemary Rogers (Sweet Savage Love, baby!) and Johanna Lindsey. My first published books were medieval romances set in the time of William the Conqueror. I’d toyed with the idea of writing Scottish romance, but my affinity for Scotland scared me. I didn’t think my emotions would hold up. Seriously, bagpipes make me cry. Research on the MacGregors made me a weepy mess, but their story needed to be told and I got through it and finally wrote Laird of the Mist. And yes, I cried through most of it. [Regan's note: You and I, Paula, have the same affinity for Scotland!]

After eleven Scottish romances and two novellas, I decided it might be time to go back to my first love, fantasy, which I write under as my alter ego, Genevra Thorne.

9.     What is your favorite book of your various series?

Ah, I love them all. If I had to choose one from my Scottish series, Laird of the Mist takes the lead by a slight margin. [Regan’s note: Laird of the Mist is my favorite by Paula.] From my fantasy series, A Faerie Tale, I probably favor The Beloved a little more because of the meaning of the book. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

     10. In what time period do you most like to set a story?

Anywhere from the eleventh to the seventeenth century. I love history!

11.  What’s coming next?

   I’m working on Book 6 of my Highland Heirs series and also something new in paranormal will be coming soon! Can’t say just yet, but it will be good!




Paula's question to the readers: 

What is the most important element in a book you want to read (wounded hero, reformed rake, danger, sex, etc.)? 







GIVEAWAY!
One commenter will win a signed print copy of Paula’s latest release, A Highlander's Christmas Kiss and a digital copy of either The Enchanted or The Beloved (your choice).

Order A Highlander's Christmas Kiss and The Beloved on Amazon. And keep up with  Paula on her Website, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads

41 comments:

  1. Hi Paula! I didn't realize that you write Fantasy Romance as Genevra Thorne. I read The Enchanted recently & loved it. I hope you'll be writing lots more books in this genre. Please?

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    1. Hi Linda, thanks so much for stopping by! I'm so glad you enjoyed The Enchanted. The Beloved, book 2 in the series is out now and I have a dragon shifter romance, Scorched, coming Dec. 27th. I hope you get a chance to read them.

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  2. Hi Regan! Thank you so much for having me! The interview was fun and I'm excited about giving away some books!

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    1. I'm so glad you are here as my guest, Paula. I hope you find many new readers here!

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  3. I love learning of new authors!! And kind of insight to their creative process!! I am probably the least creative or imaginative person I know, buy not for a lack of trying!! I love it when there is a sense if danger!! Brings out the protective alpha male!! But it's even better if the hero is a bad boy with a good side!!!

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    1. Hi Summer, thanks so much for stopping by! I'm with you. I love a protective hero!

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    2. Hi, Sumer. So glad you enjoyed getting to know Paula.

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  4. Hello Paula and Regan,
    Great interview. I have read all your books based in Scotland and love them. They are my guilty pleasure. I love listening to them during my commute to and from work. Can't wait for more books to read and listen too.
    I love a little mystery or danger in the books I read.
    Thank you so much for writing such wonderful books.

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    1. Hello, Cay! Thanks so much for stopping by and for reading my books! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed them! I love mystery and danger too! :)

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  5. Give me a pair of star-crossed lovers, who can't possibly ever be together, then show me how they manage to make it work, and I am sold from that alone. To distill into a more basic form: love conquers all. I want the love relationship to be the champion of the story. A vividly rendered historical world is icing on the cake.

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    1. Hi Anna, I couldn't agree more. Love conquers all is always the basis of my stories!

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    2. Anna, that's what I love and what I aim for in my own stories.

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  6. These are my favorite types of read and all sound wonderful. Love your covers too!

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    1. You can't go wrong with one of Paula's books! So glad you stopped by.

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    2. Hi there, Catslady, thanks so much for stopping by! I'm so glad you love the covers. That's so nice to say :)

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  7. Hi Paula I love your Scottish historical romance novels I have laird of the mist on Kindle and in paperback I cannot tell you how many times I have reread the series

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    1. Hi Katie! So nice to see you. Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm thrilled that you loved Laird!

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  8. Hi Paula and Regan! I really enjoyed this interview. The photo with the pink sky is stunning! My favorite element is Reformed Rake. The more baggage they have the better!

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    1. Hi Tammy! Thanks so much for stopping by! Isn't the pink sky just beautiful? I loved reformed rakes too!

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    2. Tammy, I am so glad you paid the blog a visit. It's good to know what you like to see in a story, too.

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  9. What a joy to have two writers I thoroughly enjoy together on this blog. I very much enjoy your books Paula (all genres). I suppose one of my favorite elements in a story is star crossed lovers. I like when a couple really has to work together for their love to blossom and grow. This is a story arc that both Regan and Paula are fantastic at writing. Thank you for a wonderful interview Paula. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year too.
    ~Karen Over-Gal

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    1. Karen, thanks so much for the compliment and for coming by to see the interview. Yes, Paula and I do enjoy each other's stories. I, too, like the star crossed lovers theme. May you have a wonderful Christmas!!

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    2. Hi Karen, I agree, love is more satisfying when you have to work for it a little. :) I also agree that Regan's books are wonderful! Merry Christmas to you too! <3

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  10. Gosh, Paula, I surely needed your inspiration today, I was upset and I wanted to calm down, so, I started thanking our Lord for his patience and guidance and felt very quickly His peace, then read a statement of yours on FB about relying on God... and I was smiling...Thank you!... Hello, Regan! Good interview!

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    1. Good for you, Juanita! We all have those desperate moments. And moments of anger. I try to look to the Lord and when I do, I also experience His peace and His perspective. This life is a mere thread. Sooner than we think we will be on to the next one.

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    2. Oh, Juanita, there really is nothing like His peace. I've been in storms where I've looked around and thought, this is bad. Then I turn my gaze back to Him and the peace is so profound and "odd" because I think, how can I be feeling so peaceful in the midst of all this? THIS is the God we serve. He's faithful to help us when we seek Him. I'm so thankful He's so good to all of us!

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    3. Regan, so beautifully said! I couldn't agree more!

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  11. For me the most important element in a book varies with my mood and the weather ... I don't think that the stars have an influence!

    On hot days in summer I think that a strong sexy heroine making her way in a man's world rates highly. On cold winter evenings I rather like a good medieval tale, possibly with Vikings marauding in the British Isles.

    Afraid I haven't tried Paula's work as yet but 'Laird of the mist' sounds a good place to start.

    Thanks for the interesting introduction to Paula's work. :)

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    1. You will like Laird of the Mist, Quantum. And have you tried one of my medievals?

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    2. I hope you get a chance to read Laird! Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  12. What a wonderful interview! :)
    Love,love your books Paula :)
    Thank you Paula and Regan for this fantastic interview :)

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    1. You are most welcome, Bube. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

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    2. Bube, thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview and my books! That's wonderful to hear! Thank you also for stopping by :)

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  13. We have a winner! Paula has given me the name... Karen Overbey-Gallegos! Congratulations, Karen. And thanks to all who commented. And to my guest, Paula Quinn.

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  14. I enjoyed reading this interview so much. I love historical romances yet I haven't read any Paula's books. I have to change this. Thank you.

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed getting to know Paula, Irma. And I hope you will try both hers and my stories!

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    2. Irma, thanks so much for stopping by! As Regan said, I hope you get a chance to read both of us. I don't think you'll be disappointed :)

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  15. I love the sound of birds as well. Looking for new historical romance authors, your novels look great, hope to get a chance to read one :)

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    1. Hi Lisa, isn't it just such a wonderful, happy sound! I hope you get a chance to pick up one of our books! Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  16. Paula, I love your books, I found you through my public library audio books, yours were some of the first the library had available. Audio books are my preferred, I won a signed copy of The taming of Malcolm Grant and I love it, I've re-read it 3 times so far. For the question: I enjoy strong willed and tough leading ladies that cave when they fall in love and stubborn heroes that turn to mush when they realize it is ok for a woman to be strong. You are one of my favorite authors. I am surprised to discover you write under Genevra Thorne. I have enjoyed those books too.

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