|
Author Dee Tenorio, Interview by Michelle M. Pillow (Originally published in Paranormal Underground Magazine)
Author Dee Tenorio, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow, www.MichellePillow.com
Dee Tenorio has a few reality issues. After much therapy for the problem—if one can call being awakened in the night by visions of hot able-bodied men a problem—she has proved incurable. It turns out she enjoys tormenting herself by writing sizzling, steamy romances of various genres spanning paranormal mystery dramas, contemporaries and romantic comedies.
Her newest Paranormal Romantic Suspense series, “The Resurrection,” delves into the world of wolf shifters. “Tempting The Enemy” (Book 1) and “Deceiving The Protector” (Book 2) are currently in stores.
* * * * *
Q: What inspired you to write your newest release, Deceiving The Protector?
Dee:Is it too simple to say I’m a “Dog Person”…well, not THAT way, lol. I’ve been reading about shifters for a while, always assuming it was something I couldn’t really do, but really admired. Then one day, I got an idea about a shifter running for her life, because as strong as she was, there was something even more powerful, something inevitable, after her. Once I got started, there was no stopping the story, which takes a great amount of its world from history. Mankind has never been kind to what it doesn’t understand and shifters would fall into that category very easily. I haven’t looked back since. :)
Q: When world building, did you base your story off of known myths throughout history?
Dee:Not a myth, actually, but history, yes. The Resurrection series is actually stories of survival, about genocide gone unchecked and how far people will go to stay alive. I’m a Native American and I was brought up learning about the eradication of my culture and the systematic way it was achieved. Then, my Mother worked in a Jewish Temple, which was one of the greatest places to learn about a culture so completely different than anything I’ve ever known. I’d always been into history, but learning about the Holocaust from survivors and their children…well, that definitely stayed with me and I wanted to imbue my characters with the strength I saw in true survivors.
Q: What myths or legends inspired you?
Dee:LOL, well, not directly, but it’s always been one of my favorites, Hades & Persephone—dark, powerful hero, heroine standing up to him. There’s a LOT of that in this book. :)
Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?
Dee:I think most people wish they were stronger, able to do something extraordinary. It doesn’t get more extraordinary than turning into a dangerous predator at will. Plus, the heroes tend to be written with a lot of…well, stamina, lol.
Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?
Dee:Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I love Shelly Laurenston’s shifters—OMG, SOOOO much!—, Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series (Can I have a SnowDancer of my very own, pleaaaaase?) and Sherilyn Kenyon’s shifters are right up there with Lora Leigh’s Breed series for favorite guilty pleasures.
Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?
Dee:Absolutely I do. I’ve seen and heard too much not to, but I make it a point to respect things I don’t fully understand and most importantly don’t want in my house, lol.
Q: Have you ever had a paranormal experience?
Dee:It’s more a questions of when DIDN’T we have any. Basically, growing up, we found ourselves in a number of somewhat haunted houses. My family tends to have a certain sensitivity to that kind of thing. Personally, though, it’s the “knowing” thing for me. Knowing that things are coming, good or bad, can be somewhat difficult. I can’t actively use it, but it has come in handy at the strangest times. The bad thing is knowing something painful or life changing, like losing a family member, is going to happen soon, but having no ability to change the outcome.
Q: What kind of paranormal creatures do you wish you could meet?
Dee:The friendly kind, lol.
Q: If given the chance, would you become a shifter?
Dee:I WANT to say yes, but I don’t know that I would. Shifters would have to be very careful in our world. I talk in my sleep. :) (Discretion is not my middle name.)
Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a shifter?
Dee:Lots of OMG-ing and then, probably, “Can I pet you?”
Q: What does the future hold for the Resurrection Series?
Dee:Hopefully, several more books. That’s the plan anyway. I really want to explore the world, show the other groups that make up the different parts of it. I’m working on Book 3, which is about The Sibile, a group of psychic mercenaries that live a bit like the Amish, in small communities around the world. The males are essentially slaves and though the women are powerful, they aren’t that much freer. Really excited about where the story is headed. I’m planning a free read on my site for the spring and at least another two novels after that. That’s my hope anyway. :)
Q: Have you ever been to a psychic and/or a past life regression? What did they predict for you?
Dee:Nope, I haven’t. Well, unless you count my Mom, who took one look at my future husband when he was thirteen and declared he was staying in the family, with a pointed look at me. Mom’s good that way. She also calls scores for football scores, but never bets on them. She has morals. Unless you’re playing Yahtzee. Then she’ll slaughter you by calling the dice.
Q: Have you ever been abducted by aliens?
Dee:I’m guessing my family doesn’t count, lol. Nope. My feet have always been planted firmly on the ground. (I don’t air travel well, they probably figured that out and moved on.)
Q: Do you plan to continue writing paranormal stories when the Resurrection Series ends?
Dee: Most definitely. :) The dark overtones very much fit my writing style and I love being able to interject it with humor and sensuality. Now that I’m here, I think I’ve finally found a writing home. :)
Thank you for joining us, Dee!
To read more about Dee’s books, please visit her on the web: www.deetenorio.com Interview by Michelle M. Pillow, www.michellepillow.com
|
