Hi Paula! Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us.
 

Thank you, Jessica and FAR, for granting me this privilege.

In your new book, A Second Chance: Tarot-King of Cups, the main characters are brought together under unique circumstances to save their dying races together. The title contains a tarot card in it. Is the book part of a series or a stand alone book?

This card is very special to me and is part of the Tarot Series (http://www.extasybooks.net/ebjmsite/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=39&Itemid=44) at eXtasy Books (http://www.extasybooks.com). A tarot deck contains of seventy-eight cards broken down into twenty-two major arcana and four minor suits; cups, pentacles, swords and wands, each containing fourteen cards. The completed series will consist of each card represented by a story created by a collective of authors. The story will give the reader the upright and reverse meanings of the card it correlates to.

In A Second Chance: Tarot-King of Cups, both characters have special abilities. What sparked your interest to write a book with so many magical elements?
 

Liking the idea of magic, I created a world that could demonstrate the wondrous things such power could do, but also what devastation it could deliver.

Per your website, you have another book titled Zendara: Jess & Gedeaddon, in the works. The blurb briefly mentions characters that are swept into a realm of fantasy and magic. What inspired you to write this story?
 

My husband and I are gamers and, back in 1991, he created a spectacular fantasy world I took a deep interest in. The idea stuck and, when a character wants to tell their story, what choice do you have? (grin)

Can we get a teaser for what else you are working on right now? (grin)
 

Hmmm…right now I have a submission I am crossing my fingers for called 'Dark Hope'.

"You wouldn't dare," Angelique left the room.
"Do not temp me." Getting up, he stealthily followed her.
Slowly crossing the living room and finding the kitchen, she followed the counter. The truth be known, there was something familiar about him, something she could not place, but was compelled by and something she did not have the strength to resist.
Quietly setting down the coffee cup, Zeke opened his arms, and stood his ground.
Bumping into a solid wall of warm bare muscle and not recognizing the scent, Angelique froze, "Nicholas?"
Leaning close, the dark-haired twin whispered softly, "Wrong person."
Gasping, she spun, took two steps and found another wall of warm bare muscle with an unknown scent as well. Trembling, she tentatively reached out her hand, "Nicholas?"
Zeb leaned down, "Guess again."
Angelique placed her back against the counter. Her hands slowly reaching out to the sides and touching muscled stomachs, she swallowed. She discovered the newest bodies in the house now on either side of her, "Nicholas!"

What inspired you to write short stories?
 

Imagination, dreams and fantasies. I love writing. I started with poems long ago and since then, I have never stopped. It's a hobby I am deeply devoted to. Of course, I have to admit I have more novels than short stories.

You have a family and a career, how do you balance the demands of family with writing?
 

My career consists of two parts; family and writing. I don't think I would be much of a writer if not for the valuable support and encouragement of my most wonderful husband, daughter and nephew. They are very understanding. Carole, my fourteen year old daughter, has surprised me with dinner on several occasions. Logan, my nine year old nephew, has brought me a cup of coffee or tea more times than I can count. Garrett, my husband of twenty-four years, has always been there and even helped me past writer's block on occasion. More times than not, they have been wonderful in being quiet or making me take a needed break.

How do you like to spend your time when you are not writing?
 

Sitting at the pond and listening to my waterfalls or rearranging the plants. I have over fifteen koi, including a butterfly over two feet long. We had a koi round-up last weekend and Torpedo, a shimmering orange one, let me know the net was not appreciated by leaping over my shoulder and punching me in the jaw! The pond is decidedly his permanent residence. lol

Do your outside interests contribute to your writing?
 

Quite often inspiration comes in many surprising forms and obstacles. I enjoy watching the world and the drama offers many a thought provoking situation. So does gaming and the food court in the local mall. ;)

How do you keep your ideas fresh and imaginative?
 

Dreams and imagination. I have a friend who is an avid reader and if she thinks one of my ideas is too close to something, she brings it to my attention. Of course, we won't discuss 'The Cursed Hit' for which my charming husband whispered ideas, plots and characters in my ear on too many nights to count. Did I mention he enjoys tormenting me? LOL

Do you prefer to only write individual stand alone stories or have you considered writing a series?
 

Both. I have three stand alones; one published: 'A Second Chance: Tarot-King of Cups', and two submitted: 'Dark Hope' and 'A Light in the Dark'. As for a series there is one soon be released: 'LaViolette' (Conviction Awakened is part one), another in edits: 'Zendara' (Jess & Gedeaddon is part one) and a third submitted 'The Cursed Hit'

Do you have a favorite character from one of your stories that you might be interested in revisiting for a follow-up story?
 

Okay, I have been fussed at for 'murdering' the crystalzine and have been 'ordered' to explore the galaxy and find more of that race. I will be doing that very soon so wish Tarmathian and Anesya luck.

How do you know what to name your books or the characters?
 

The name of the book tells what the story deals with and is revealed to me as I write. Sometimes I don't know the name of it until it is finished. An example is 'Dark Hope' which had no name until the day I submitted it. As for the characters, I have a character in 'A Light in the Dark' who refused to give me his name until I was writing the last page. And in 'The Cursed Hit', there is a character who keeps his real name hidden until the end of the two-part series.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
 

Living through my characters, I have cried and hurt, laughed and rejoiced. I have felt with each of them because I believe that if I can't feel it when I write it, how can the reader feel it when reading? On my site, each book will have its own area and comments will be welcomed, good and bad. I don't mind critiquing as we all make mistakes and each of us will continue learning as time goes on. Come for a visit, pick up a book and let me know if you curled up in your favorite chair. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing. My thanks and appreciation extend to my family, friends, readers, my publisher - Extasy Books, and Fallen Angel Reviews. Thank you.

Thank you so much for stopping by Paula. We appreciate you taking the time to visit with us today and hope to hear from you again. For anyone looking for a sizzling, tantalizing tale, stop by Paula’s website, http://paula-calloway.com/ to see what you are missing. There is sure to be a book for you.


Interviewed by: Jessica