Virginia Vaughan Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. Award winning author Virginia Vaughan was born and raised in Mississippi and has never strayed far beyond those borders. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself. She currently writes for Love Inspired Suspense.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A. I’ve always made up stories. Even as a young child, I played them out in my head. It wasn’t until I was married and pregnant with my first child that I thought about writing them down. Now, I can’t image whatever stopped me.

Q: Do you (or did you) have other career aspirations?
A. My career aspirations changed a great deal as I was growing up. I’ve worked mostly in the medical field, but went to school with the intention of finishing a law degree. Before I did though I realized writing was my one true ambition.

Q: Do you find certain themes reoccurring in your books? If so, what are they and why? If not, what is the theme in your current release?
A. My books very often contain the themes of redemption and second chances. As a human being, I’ve messed up so many times and God has been so good in giving me opportunities to redeem those mistakes. I think it’s an important theme that most people can relate to.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release MISTLETOE REUNION THREAT?
A: Someone wants Mississippi prosecutor Ashlynn Morris dead…and they’ve taken her son to get to her. The only person she can trust to get him back is his father, a man who doesn’t even know about their secret child. When grief and survivor guilt pushed army ranger Garrett Lewis to run out on their wedding five years ago, he knew he was leaving behind the love of his life. But a son? Finding out he’s a father has him reeling, especially since his little boy is missing. But now the tormented ex-soldier has a new mission, one that can’t fail. Protect the woman he’s never stopped loving…and bring her son—their son—home for Christmas.

Q: Where did the idea for this story come from?
A. I love reunion stories so I knew I wanted Garrett to be reunited with someone he regretted letting go. Enter Ashlynn, the best friend he left behind five years earlier. I needed her to need him and nothing makes a strong woman cry out for help like their child in trouble.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.
A. I knew I wanted Garrett to be the young and bit reckless one of the rangers. I started by giving him a difficult background then let his personality emerge from there. By the time this story begins, he’s learned not to base his decisions on emotion and that has helped him grow into the kind of man Ashlynn and his son-needs him to be.

Q: Who/what has influenced your writing career the most?
A. I found a wonderful group of friends who share my passion for writing and they have certainly influenced my career. They have offered me compassion, critique, guidance and encouragement. I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today in my writing career if it weren’t for them.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. Certainly! I just turned in book 5 in my Rangers Under Fire series. This is Blake and Holly’s story and it’s been title Mission Undercover. It will be released in August 2017. In addition, I’ve started working on the last book in the series.

Q: Is you were a dessert, what would it be and why?
A. I would have to say Jell-O. It’s full of lots of colorful flavors, it’s firm but flexible, and who doesn’t like Jell-O.

Q: Is there something about you most people wouldn’t know?
A. My accent. I’m from the South and if you ever hear me speak, you’ll know it instantly. I have a very heavy accent. However, because I meet so many people through social media, most don’t realize that.

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?
A. One would be my dad who died six years ago. The other choice would be tough.

Q: Is there a place you have always wanted to visit? A vacation spot, historical monument, overseas, etc?
A. I’ve never traveled much so I would love to travel around the country and do the touristy thing.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?
A. I love to connect with readers. My website is www.virginiavaughanonline.com or at facebook.com/ginvaughanbooks.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?
A. Thanks so much for hosting me, Susan. I’ve enjoyed being here.