The Fourth Day of Christmas with Leia Shaw by Gerri Brousseau

Nights of Passion is excited to have Leia Shaw here with us today.

NOP:  Please tell our readers about Destiny Unchained.

Leia Shaw:  Destiny Unchained is a paranormal romance novel about a cold-hearted vampire assassin and a warm, passionate werewolf pack alpha, who team up to catch a serial killer stalking the wilderness in the Northwest.

NOP:  What inspired you to write Destiny Unchained.

Leia Shaw:  Well, this is the third in a series. Though each can be stand alone, the characters are repeated throughout. Natalia, my heroine, was the wife of Marcelo, the hero in the second book before they were turned to vampires. In many romance books, the male lead is the strong, brave, closed off character and the woman softens him. I wanted to reverse the roles a bit. Natalia was hurt long ago and has built a wall around her heart. She's a fighting machine – a deadly assassin who's shut off her emotions. Cristian is exactly opposite. He's kind and warm. He's suffered throughout his long werewolf life too, but has healed. He only wants the same for Natalia.

NOP: Of all the characters you have created, do you have a favorite?  If so, who is it and why is he/she your favorite?

Leia Shaw:  Sage, the sorceress heroine from my first book, Destiny Divided. She's my favorite because she's the most like me. A sarcastic, smart-ass who wears her emotions on her sleeve. Though she's got a bit more of a temper. She shot a lightning bolt at the hero in the first chapter. Lol!

NOP: How would your hero and heroine have spent Christmas?

Leia Shaw:  Hmm…well, werewolves are a family-oriented culture so Cristian would have been surrounded by his pack, playing with the young children, enjoying a hearty meal. Sadly, Natalia would have spent in alone, hunting down whatever her target was at the time. That's before she met Cristian anyway. But I won't spoil the ending and say what they'd do this Christmas.

NOP: If you were to give a Christmas gift to your hero, what would it be and why?

Leia Shaw:  Me! No? Not even with a bow? Okay, okay. Well, he's surrounded by his pack and gets a lot of respect, but he yearns for more. He's lonely too. So I'd give him a wife and kids. Cristian is the perfect family man.

NOP: What advice do you have for new writers who are striving to get published?

Leia Shaw:  Consider self-publishing. I've talked to writers who've been sitting on manuscripts for up to ten years. If you self-publish, at least someone will be reading them. I know it's a lot of writer's dreams to have a hard copy of their book in the bookstores. But times are changing. You'll be better off if your dreams change with them.

NOP: If you were unable to write, what other profession would be of interest to you?

Leia Shaw:  Comedian. I live to make people laugh.

NOP: How do you deal with the dreaded "doubt monster"?

Leia Shaw:  I read my good reviews. Lol!

NOP:  Do you ever get writer's block and if so, how do you deal with it?

Leia Shaw:  Oh yes, of course I do. Taking a break works well. I fill up on inspiration. Reading, watching movies, listening to music, talking to other authors, browsing the internet mindlessly. Okay, maybe that last one isn't so helpful. A lot of people insist on writing through the block but I can't do that. Eventually, I get unblocked. Hmm…that has a whole different meaning, doesn't it?

NOP: If you could be any fictional character, who would that be and why?

Leia Shaw:  Easy. Kate Daniels from Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series. She's totally kick-ass but still has her femininity and a soft side. She's funny and smart. Not to mention she's got Curran for a mate. *Swoon*

NOP:  Who is your favorite author?

Leia Shaw:  I have to pick one? It depends on the genre but I'll go with paranormal since it's my genre. Kresley Cole is my idol.

NOP: What is your favorite novel?

Leia Shaw:  Again, I have to pick one? My God, what a difficult question. Umm…I could mention something really profound and sound super smart, but I think I'll go with the childhood classic, Matilda by Roald Dahl. I read it countless times as a child. It's funny and magical and has a very good message: don't piss off your kids.

NOP:  What's next for you?

Leia Shaw:  Now that I can answer easily. Right now I'm working on a contemporary erotic novel that's based on the true story of a young woman who was raped as a child and thus couldn't have sex with her husband. Through her gradual journey into BDSM, she's discovered a way to connect with him she never thought possible. I know it doesn't sound like it, but it's a very sweet, heart-warming story full of humor (not to mention steamy sex). I'm co-authoring it with the traditionally published erotica author, Cari Silverwood, who is just an amazing writer and person. This will be released around Valentine's Day 2012. After that I have four more books planned for my Destiny series. Book 4, Destiny Bewitched, is due out this summer. The rest of this series will keep me busy for a while.

Leia has agreed to give away a copy of Destiny Unchained to one luck reader.  To qualify, please leave a comment and you must include the words" I want Four Calling Birds" in your comment.  Thanks for participating and good luck.

Filed under: romance