Welcome First Timer--Dena dePaulo

Today, First Timers Presents is delighted to welcome Dena de Paulo and Laurel Stevens, from Painted With Pleasure, Dena's first release from the Wild Rose Press, Scarlet Rose line. Unfortunately, the blurb didn't transfer well onto the blog page so we're going to get right into meeting Laurel, the heroine from Painted With Pleasure.

Where are you from, Laurel? Well, I’m from a town just outside Houston, called Sugarland, Texas.

What is Painted with Pleasure about? (Giggle) It’s about me having a fun fling before leaving Spain. I don’t like having regrets and if I would have left Spain, I know I would regret not having Alejandro. I bit off a little more than I could chew with him. But I must say it was well worth every moment.

What did you think the first time you saw the Alejandro? Hot Damn. (Fanning herself) I thought he was definitely a stallion. Originally, I figured he was just a playboy and I couldn’t chance it while I was working so hard to get stay professional.

What was your second thought? More a feeling. Every time he was at the gallery, he had this presence… addictive. I found myself trying to walk away but he pulled out the inner slut hiding deep within me.

Did you think it was love at first sight? It was more like Lust with a CAPITAL “L”. Love wasn’t in the cards for me at the time. Too much at risk to allow myself to fall in love. Too much.

What do you like most about Alejandro? Well… (Clears her throat) No really. He’s adventurous. In all my life, I’ve never felt more comfortable being so out of control. As long as his strong warm arms and his addictive scent surrounded me, it didn’t matter how crazy the situation was, I was good.

How would you describe him? He’s hot. It’s more of an oxymoron; he’s more a mix between a leather wearing biker with shaggy hair and a Marine in the best condition of his life versus being your typical average artistic painter. (Closed her eyes) Oh, his most sexiest moment is when he has paint smeared on his skin tight jeans and he’s bare chested, standing in front of an easel thinking. Too decadent.

How would he describe you? Bliss, he told me, I’m pure Bliss.

What made you choose being a Gallery Director as a profession? I love art, but mostly, I love that moment when I can find the right art for the right person. The pleasure of discovering the next best artist is thrilling.

What is your biggest fear? Losing everything, from my professional reputation to my heart.

How do you relax? Riding horses and long bubble baths.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Hmm, this is hard. So many to choose from... Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich. Man oh man, she gets into hug messes and somehow each time, it works out. Talk about thrilling.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Some Spanish lady on the train once said something along the lines, “Sometimes you should not deny your heart because the breaking will crush you.” And it was so true. The breaking just about crushed me into sobbing unrecognizable pieces.

Kat's turn: Dena, what movies or books have had an impact on your writing? I’m an eclectic reader from Beatrice Small to Tess Gerritson and everything in between. I love strong heroines and alpha heroes. Movies on the other hand are more fun in nature for me and I go for more comedy then drama, nine out of ten times. Everything in my life is fuel for my stories. But mostly, I employ the technique of “How can I pump it up several notches” just to make the story more enjoyable.

Kat: Thanks so much, Dena, for visiting First Timers Presents today. You're the first erotica author to visit our blog and I'm honored that you could be the one.

To learn more about Dena de Paulo and the stories she creates go to: http://denadepaulo.wordpress.com/

To purchase Painted with Pleasure, go to http://www.wilderroses.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=182&products_id=852