Happy Friday, everyone!

Today, I’m pleased to welcome author Rita Bay to the Paranormal Unbound blog. She’s here to chat about all things paranormal. Plus she’ll give us a look at her latest release The Aegis. And one lucky commenter will receive an e-book copy of her book.

Hi Rita! Thanks for being with us today for a chit-chat.
Thank you for the invitation, Celia. I LOVE to talk books with people who love to read.

What do you love about writing paranormal?
Writing paranormals allows an author to create new worlds. From worldview to customs to dress, the writer has a blank canvas on which to paint a world and fill it with compelling characters. On the other hand, authors can give a paranormal twist to the mundane world by creating exceptions to the “real” world.
Historical romance which is my other genre is self-limiting. History is fixed; if a writer changes history for the sake of a book, then it becomes a paranormal (alternative history). I love history, even write a daily blog (ritabay.com) on European/American history and culture, so the research needed is minimal and easily accessible. Compare that to the complexity of creating a new world.

What kind of heroes and heroines do you like to write?
I LOVE conflict (external) between my gorgeous heroes and beautiful heroines. Then there’s the internal conflict of the heroes and heroines where they confront their pasts and their present perceptions, so that they are open to developing satisfying relationships.
Most of my heroines are feisty and can take care of themselves, but choose at some point to love and support their Alpha heroes. The Alpha heroes might behave as cavemen in the beginning but change their perceptions over time as a result of interaction with the heroines.
There’s always a humorous element throughout my books that are the result of conflict and its consequences.

Do you also read paranormal? Any other genres catch your fancy?
I read what I write–paranormal and historical romance. Since I’m a tad obsessive-compulsive, I track my books in an Access database. I’ve read over 4,000 books in the last two decades. Over time, I’m reading more paranormal.
I like stories set in other worlds that provide the ultimate opportunity for world-building. Anne McCaffrey’s Drangonriders of Pern stories are particular favorites. Recently, stories based on Greek and Roman mythology have become more popular.
Her Teddy Bare, my short novella which will be released by Champagne the first of May as part of the Aphrodite’s Island series, is my first erotic romance. I enjoyed writing the mythology so much that I plan a second story that will be filled with gods, goddesses, and mythological creatures of all sorts.

If you could have a paranormal power, what would you wish for?
The power to heal and regenerate myself and others. If I could live longer that would be nice, but longer and healthier is better. The power to heal others would be awesome and less selfish than personal longevity.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I would make a LONG return visit to England and Scotland to revisit all the places I enjoyed and check out all the places I missed the first time.

What is your favorite book of all time?
You’re asking someone with six large bookcases, three small bookcases, and six large boxes full of books to choose a favorite? The stress of it all. My favorite scifi series is Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern books. Johanna Lindsey’s novels are at the top of the historicals. I also read a lot of nonfiction, especially about archaeology and history.

What are you reading right now?
I just finished Arlene Knowell’s One Too Many which is #2 in the Aphrodite’s Island Series. A guy’s fantasy destroys his relationship with the woman he truly loves. Just started How Beauty Loved the Beast by Jax Garren, the third book in the Underlight Trilogy. In a world in the near future, a group of citizens battle against “philantropists” who seek world domination.

Where do you find inspiration for the worlds you build in your paranormal stories?
When I was writing my posts for my blog’s paranormal October, I was surprised at the lack of a comprehensive explanation for vampires and those who fight them. I wrote a story, The Aegis, which incorporated a comprehensive explanation for both.

Tell us a bit about your latest release, The Aegis
The Aegis which was released in April is a hot love story between a Light Warrior who has waited for a lifemate for four centuries and an antique store owner whose awakening powers attracts the attention of a family of vampires. Damian answers the Call of a lifemate and discovers Melinda under attack by vampires. He is determined to protect her until her powers are fully developed, but Melinda is more concerned with taking her revenge on the vampires who destroyed her store and home and her unexplainably intense attraction to Damian.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Rita! 🙂

Bio
Rita Bay has lived and traveled extensively in the US and western Europe, participated in archaeological digs, earned a black belt in Shotokan karate, and prospected for gold and crystals. She has worked as a Registered Nurse, educator and school system administrator.
Rita is the author of several historical and paranormal novels. Each Monday she introduces an Historic Hunk in History at the Southern Sizzle Romance blog and blogs daily about Western history and culture at ritabay.com. She lives with her family on the Gulf Coast. Visit her website at ritabay.com.

The Aegis
Melinda Kildare, antiquarian and rare book dealer extraordinaire, returns to her shop after an estate sale with a massive, sealed barrel. Too late, she discovers that the Aegis medallion that traps her head-first in the bottom of the barrel is the bait used by a family of vampires to capture and enslave women of power.

Light Warrior Damian Sinclair who has battled the Dark Ones for centuries answers Melinda’s call–the Call of a lifemate. While protecting her from the Dark Ones who pursue her relentlessly, he introduces her to passion, love, and her heritage as a Shield Bearer of the Light.

Will they find happiness as they unite to fight the Dark Ones or fall victims to the Dark forces ranged against them?

The Aegis is available now at Champagne Books

Book Cover
Cover art by Petra K. All rights reserved. Used here with permission of author.

Giveaway: Comment to Win!
Thanks for visiting today. Rita will give an e-book copy to one lucky commenter.

Want one additional entry?
Tweet this interview and leave a comment about your tweet to count as the entry.

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  Author Rita Bay visits @ParaUnbound – come chat & enter giveaway! Click to tweet

This contest will run until tonight (12 AM Pacific) – Winner will be drawn and announced tomorrow!

Disclaimer: Prize must be claimed within one week of the winning announcement.

The gods at random.org have spoken! The winner of the e-book copy of The Aegis is: Linda Thum!