Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Interview & Giveaway with Tes Hilaire!


 
Hi Tes, thank you so much for visiting My Secret Romance!  Your second novel in the Paladin Warriors series, Deliver Me from Temptation, hits stores this week.  I have to say I really liked it!  All the twist and turns, warriors and demons protecting and preying on humans, the action…you had me reading long past my bedtime.  Thank you for taking the time to answer our interview questions below.
Tes: You’re welcome! Thank you so much for having me, and I’m so glad you liked Deliver Me from Temptation. I think it’s the greatest compliment for any author to hear that she/he kept a reader up late into the night :-D

Paladin stories go pretty far back in history.  How long have you been interested in them?  What inspired you to write a paranormal romance series with them as your heroes?
Tes: I’ve always been intrigued with the history and the Paladin are no exception. I always thought it was so cool when they popped up in books or movies etc, but honestly it wasn’t until I’d written the first couple chapters of Deliver Me from Darkness and was looking for something to give meat to the character relationships I was building that I came back to the idea of the Paladin.

What kind of research, if any, did you do to prepare for your book?  Was there anything that was most personally interesting to you?
Tes: Oh my… can I just say a lot of research?  ;-)  There was the initial research that I used for world building that involved expanding my knowledge on the Paladin, angels, demons, vampires, and all those other fun creatures that go bump in the night. Beyond that there is a ton of little things that needed to be addressed. What area of NYC should I use for what scene? What does this street look like? What type of gun should Jessica use (btw, it changed from back cover blurb to what’s in the actual book due to some sort of safety release thingy that my friend pointed out was wrong for a Glock)? The list goes on and on. I think for me, the most fun part of the research was really diving into the origin stories of many of my creatures. Talk about conflicting information!  It was both very frustrating and very liberating because once I got over not being able to get it all right, I realized that I really couldn’t get it wrong either!

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Tes: That sometimes my subconscious is smarter than I am. It amazes me how many times I plan a scene or a plot out and then tear my hair out when it doesn’t work. More amazing is the times when the muse takes over and I start writing and things just fall into place. I can be in the middle of a scene and my fingers pause over the keyboard as I have one of those duh, head-smack moments as I think, “That’s it! Of course! Why didn’t I think of this before?”

Were there any scenes that were hard to write?  Why?
Tes: Yes, pretty much the entire book…the first time around. Which is how I knew it wasn’t working. So I ditched the entire thing (with my editor’s blessing) and went back to the drawing board. The second try was much more organic with tons of those finger-flying moments (thank goodness!)

What was the hardest thing to cut from your manuscript?
Tes: When is it not hard? LOL! Truly it is hard. After ditching almost 80,000 words in the trash and rewriting, I cut almost 10,000 words from my second version of Deliver Me from Temptation, much of that entire scenes or parts of scenes. They were good cuts to make as the story needed to progress forward, but any cut is always painful to an author. These are our babies after all ;-)  

Are any of your characters most/least like you, and in what way(s)?
Tes: Jessica is probably most like I’d want to be with her fearlessness and strength. That said I think I’m closer to Karissa (in Deliver Me from Darkness, book 1). She is not naturally a warrior, but will straighten her spine, raise her fists, and take on the world if that which she loves is threatened. My husband doesn’t call me Mama Bear without reason!

I have to admit you made me tear up towards the end.  I don’t want to give anything away, but when Logan realized a certain “angel” volunteered for duty, you got me. Do you have a favorite moment from Deliver Me from Temptation?
Tes: I do. It’s when Logan is trying to convince himself that any time with Jessica, no matter how limited, was worth fighting for.  Here it is:
…Something hard and horrible tasting rose in his throat. It took him a moment to understand what it was: Despair. Because even if he could convince her he spoke the truth—which was looking doubtful—it didn’t matter whether she believed. Belief, acceptance. What did either of those things really fucking matter? He’d have what? Twenty? Forty? If he was damn lucky maybe sixty years with her?
She was human. Sooner or later she was going to die.
But I have her now. I have her this moment. And damn if I’m not going to fight for another.
As he grasped on to the thought he closed his eyes, drawing to him the memories of their night together. The average female in this country had eighty years or more. That meant that if he could keep her safe, fifty-four of hers could be with him. Piddling really, but calculated out that meant he could have her for 19,710 days which equaled 473,040 hours or, still further, 28,382,400 moments. And that number didn’t seem nearly so bad…

If you gave one of your characters an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say?
Tes: Oh that’s not a good idea. So far every Paladin interview I’ve sat in on has involved a lot of growling and telling me to mind my own business. Valin once compared me to the “damn paparazzi” in fact.

What is your next project?  Will we get Valin’s story?
Tes: Actually, Valin’s is next! Prince of Shadows, the third novel in the Paladin warriors, will come out next November.  I had a lot of fun tortur… uh…writing Valin’s story and I think you’re all going to love it!

Do you have other ideas in the works beyond the Paladin Warriors series?
Tes: I have a ton of ideas and a hard drive full of projects. I have some plans for some of them but the rest are going to stay safely anonymous.

I read that you’re a big reader too.  So instead of asking what have you read or who’s your favorite I’ll ask you: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?
Tes: Culling the list to New-to-Me authors, since I became a Sourcebooks author I’ve been digging into a lot of my fellow SB author’s novels. I can’t even list all the awesome ones I’ve found, but three PNR authors that I have come to have so much respect for are Sara Humphreys, Elisabeth Naughton, and Elisabeth Staab. Another couple authors (non-Sourcebooks) that I found at the most recent RWA were Hanna Martine and Shawntelle Madison. I loved Hanna’s voice and positively fell in love with Shawntelle’s quirky heroine. As far as who I would love to meet, I have to say that I’ve been privileged to meet so many of these amazing authors, among others, that I’m not going to be greedy and ask for more…okay, maybe one more… How about Karen Marie Moning :-D

If your book was made into a Movie, what actors would you like to see playing your characters?  Feel free to add pics.
Tes:  Honestly, I haven’t found a perfect actor to represent the image I have in my mind… but, these are the closest I could come: Roland- Colin Farrell (think Fright Night); Karissa –Mila Kunis (her more recent stuff); Logan – Jude Law; Jessica - Sofia Milos (think the beginning of her CSI career)

Give us three "Good to Know" facts about you.
Tes: I have to concentrate to stay here on earth when I’m writing…or thinking about writing… or thinking about what I might write about :-)  I am a sucker for a just cause. And I like to travel…except for the actual traveling bit (something about metal death traps... Yikes!).

Where can your readers stalk you?  Um, I mean find you on the web.  :)
Webpage: www.teshilaire.com 

Can you leave us with a favorite quote or teaser from your book?
Tes: Sure!  This is a scene right after Jessica has an unsatisfying run in with Logan. Jessica’s sure at this point that Logan knows more than he’s letting on about her case, but she is also attracted to him and really doesn’t want to be. It kind of affects her mood…much to her poor partner’s distress levels. :-D

…Jessica swerved the car to the left, front bumper barely missing an intimate moment with the banged-up yellow Ford in front of her. She yanked the wheel back to the right, popping them into a short of Smart car slot. Brakes squealed, middle fingers extended, and the gap grew just in time to save the little amount of paint remaining on her Impala’s bumper.
“Jesus Christ!” Mike shouted beside her, knees lifting, hands grabbing for a nonexistent oh-shit handle.
“Sorry,” she replied automatically, even as she began to measure the next opening gap in the jostle-and-go Manhattan traffic.
“Goddamn.” He craned his head to glance back at the irate cabby, then blew out a breath and faced forward again. “Ever hear of a little something called road rage?”
“I’m not angry.” Annoyed, frustrated, edgy, but not angry per se.
“No? Well you’re doing a fine job of pissing everyone else off!”
She chuckled, easing her foot a hair off the accelerator. Just a hair though, they had places to be, people to see …holes to shoot in her theories.
Damn Logan Calhoun. His conviction in his friend had made her doubt her own. And sure, uncertainty was often part of the job, but the distinct feeling of unease she had, this want to twist her head like there was something big, scary, and unexplainable just over her shoulder, was not a sensation she was used to.
Crap. She didn’t even know why she’d chased after him, other than as she’d followed her suspect out of the station, something in the depths of her brain screamed at her to go after him, not to let him get away.
Whatever. She’d gotten both a lot more and a lot less than she wanted out of that little interaction. While she was all but convinced Logan Calhoun didn’t have anything to do with what had happened to Thomas Rhodes, her instincts screamed that he knew a hell of a lot more than he was telling her. Problem was, she wasn’t sure she wanted to know what that was. She had a gut-sinking suspicion that his answers, if she could convince him to give them up, might have a real ass-over-teakettle effect on her well-ordered case.
And her world.
The light turned yellow. “Come on. Come on!” she grumbled at the slow van in front of her. It slowed down, sped up, slowed down, then burst through the light…right as it turned red.
“Dammit!” Jessica slammed on her brakes, the nose of her Chevy well into the crosswalk. Not that the pedestrians cared, they just weaved around.
She stared at the light, foot itching on the brake.
“What’s up with the bruises on your wrist?” Mike asked…

Hmmm… what is up with Jessica’s wrist? To find out you’re going to have to snap up your own copy of Deliver Me from Temptation!  Thank you so much for stopping in today. Feel free to ask me anything you’d like, or just say Hi and introduce yourself. I love meeting new readers!

DELIVER ME FROM TEMPTATION BY TES HILIARE – IN STORES DECEMBER 2012

Logan Screwed Up...Big Time
When things go bump in the night, Logan bumps back. Vampires, demons, succubi—you name it, he's fought it. His job as Paladin angel warrior is to protect humans. Not fall for one.

She Never Believed in Divine Intervention...Until Now
Detective Jessica Waters protects humans too-with her Glock and a good set of handcuffs. She doesn't believe in fate. But if anyone looks like a gift from the gods, it's Logan. And he clearly knows more about her case than he's letting on...

“Dark, sexy, and intense! Hilaire blazes a new path in paranormal romance.”
—Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author on Deliver Me From Darkness

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daphne Award-winning author Tes Hilaire started creating whole new worlds to escape upstate New York’s harsh winters before finally fleeing to sultry North Carolina. Her stories are edgy, exciting, and bring a hint of dark fantasy to paranormal romance. And no one ever has to shovel snow. For more, visit www.teshilaire.com, like her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TesHilaireAuthor, and follow her on Twitter, @TesHilaire. Look for the other books in the Paladin Warriors Series: Deliver Me from Darkness (in stores now) and Prince of Shadows (November 2013).

To Purchase Deliver Me from Temptation:
Discover a New Love


One copy of Deliver Me from Temptation will be given away to one reader in the US/CA area. Please leave a comment below WITH your email address for Tes and a winner will be chosen in a week. Thank you and good luck!

23 comments:

miki said...

those paladins aren't very grateful to you^^

congrats on your new release

Vanessa N. said...

YOu're a new author for me and this series sounds awesome. Definitely adding it to my wishlist. Thanks for the chance.

mythic021@gmail.com

Michele said...

Looks awesome!

realityfun2@gmail.com

Tes Hilaire said...

Miki - no kidding! I keep telling them it's not *my* fault they have to go through so much torment before achieving their HEA, but I'm not sure they believe me... Oh well!

Vanessa - why thank you! I hope you get your hands on both books then! PS, watch my website for even more chances to win! I'm running some digital copy giveaways ;-)

Ms. Reality - I agree, reality can bite sometimes! LOL! Thanks for saying HI :-)

Jennifer said...

Looks really good!

Anonymous said...

would LOVE to win & read
PICK ME
Picardsmom at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

You are a brand new author for me and I will be adding thus book to my wish list and getting the first book in this series! It sounds fantastic!!
Susan

susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

Dbch911 said...

Looks great!

Dbch911@hotmail.com

Jennifer James said...

Loved the interview and the excerpt. :)

I'd like to meet KMM too.... Can't wait to get my hands on a Paladin. This series is going on my Christmas list for sure.


jenn@authorjenniferjames.com

Maria D. said...

Fun interview! I haven't had the chance to read any of Tess's books yet but I'm putting this series on my wishlist. Thanks for the giveaway

junegirl63 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Ohhh!! looks good! Thanks for the giveaway
0713iv@gmail.com

Tes Hilaire said...

Thanks all! Glad you enjoyed the interview and excerpt :-) Just as an FYI, for those of you looking for book one still, Deliver Me form Darkness is available for 99c right now in the e-book format from most any of your favorite retailers! Great deal, right? I think the sale lasts through the 21st. Regardless, I hope you all get a chance to grab up both books and that you enjoy :-)

Also, there will be a free short available through my website after Dec 15th, though, warning, it contains spoilers for book 2 so you might want to save it until after you read Deliver Me from Temptation!

Thanks so much for saying stopping in and saying HI!

Joanne said...

Thanks so much for the fun interview. This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it. After Valin's book, how many more will there be?
Thanks for the giveaway.

e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

erin said...

Thanks for the great post and congrats to Tes on the new release! it sounds fantastic :)

efender1(at)gmail(dot)com

Tes Hilaire said...

Joanne - I have many, many heroes to torture yet... that said a lot will depend on how far my fans want me to go! ;-)

Erin - Thank you! I hope you love the new book.

books4me said...

Just love the covers on your books! How many more books will you write in this series or will you be starting something new?

books4me67 at ymail dot com

bn100 said...

I enjoyed the interview. Nice casting choices.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Beautiful Disaster said...

I've added this to my Christmas list. The excerpt is awesome and love the cover. I like discovering new authors and I can't wait to read this series. Thanks and Happy Holidays.
Lori
lorih824(at)yahoo(dot)com

Queen of Books Sue said...

I've never rad this author before. Would like to read this book. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I'm so wanting to read this book. I love the cover! I really enjoyed the interview. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com

Julie said...

Ah, her poor partner! Thanks for the excerpt and chance to win. :-)

Julie said...

Julieguan AT gmail DOT com, because I am an airhead. :x

Tes Hilaire said...

books4me - I have many story lines I'd love to tell. Hopefully the stars will align and I can bring them all to you ;-)

bn100 - thanks! I always find it hard to "cast" my characters. Maybe because actors play so many different roles ;-)

Lori- I hope you love it! Tell the peeps who see your list that DMFD (book one) is 99c right now until the 21st for e-readers :-) LOL Anyway, have a great Holiday!

Sue - This is only my second book, the first one came out in February. I hope you get a chance to pick both up!

Julianne - isn't the cover pretty? The wonderful Pickyme did that one with the help off Jenn LeBlanc who took the photo of the hot guy (oh to have that job, right? ;-)

Julie- I agree, Mike puts up with a lot, but trust me, he's not the easiest guy to get along with when he gets worked up either ;-)

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