Virginia Vaughan Interview

Q: How long have you been writing and what other careers or jobs have you had?

A:  I have always been a writer even before I put pen to paper. As a child, I used to make up stories so real that the grown-ups would peek their heads in to make sure no one was in the room with me! As an adult, no job I took could quench my desire to write. Most of my pay-the-bill jobs have been in the healthcare industry doing medical billing but I also worked for several years as a fraud and abuse investigator for the State of Mississippi.

Q: Do you write in only one genre and if so which one and why? If not, which ones and why?

A: I write only Romantic Suspense and I’m thankful to be doing so because I’m also an avid reader of this genre. As a kid, I read gothic romance novels by the sack full and loved the tangled threads of romance and danger. Now, I get to write those kinds of stories but with strong, no-nonsense heroines.

Q: How does your faith play into your writing?

A: My faith is a very important part of my writing. As someone who has made several missteps in her life, I love to write stories of redemption and God’s unfailing love because I’ve experienced that myself. My characters all have pasts full of hurt and pain, but they have—or will as the story progresses—experience God’s grace for their circumstance and be healed or redeemed.

Q: How do you choose your settings for your books?

A:  I’m a Mississippi girl born and raised. I’ve never strayed far from home so I tend to use only southern settings. It’s what I know.

Q: Do you base your characters on people you know or are they totally made up?

A: My characters are a hodge-podge of traits and mannerisms from people I know, observe, or see on TV. I always warn people to watch out or they’ll end up in one of my books.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release YULETIDE ABDUCTION?

A: Love to! Yuletide Abduction is the first book in my Rangers Under Fire series from Love Inspired Suspense. FBI agent Elise Richardson fears the worst when a Mississippi teen is abducted days before Christmas. But she won’t give up, especially when she learns she owes her life to the missing girl’s father. Years ago, former army ranger Josh Adams lost his brother when he died saving Elise. Though Josh resents her for the loss, she’s now his niece’s only hope. Working with the ex-soldier proves dangerous to Elise’s heart…and to her life when she closes in on what she fears is a human trafficking ring. If she’s right, Elise has only days to rescue Josh’s niece for a holiday homecoming—and to prove herself worthy of his love.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A: I wanted to write a story with a strong heroine and a wounded hero. This story just sort of flowed from that premise.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: I hope readers will see that God is always working in our lives even when things seem darkest. He is always there.

Q: Tell us what you like about the main characters of this book.

A: I love that my heroine Elise is one tough FBI agent but her strength comes from her vulnerability. She has been victimized in the past and someone stood up for her. Now, she stands up for others. I also love that Josh is able to set aside his distrust and fear of “the three-letter agencies” to work with Elise to find his niece.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A:  I’m currently doing edits for the next book in my Rangers Under Fire series. It’s titled Reunion Mission and will release in April 2016. I’m also writing on book three of the series.

Q: If money were no object what vacation would you like to take and why?

A: It would be difficult to pinpoint one particular place I would go. As I’ve stated, I’ve never strayed far from my home in Mississippi. I would love to travel and experience other parts of the country and the world.

Q: What is the silliest thing you have ever done?

A:  I have several little nephews and I love to sing and dance with them. It may look silly to others but we have lots of fun and they love it.

Q: What is the hardest thing you have ever done?

A:  Writing is most definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the most gratifying.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

A:  I love to connect with readers! My website is www.virginiavaughaonline.com.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A:  I’m so grateful to be able to write and share my stories with others. Thank you, Susan, for giving me this opportunity to introduce Yuletide Abduction to your followers.