Interview and Giveaway: A Chat with Elena Deveraux, heroine of Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh

After reading Angels’ Blood and falling in love with the book and with Elena, its fabulous heroine (Ana wants to have her babies), we did everything in our power (there may have been some begging involved, we are not admitting to anything yet) to track her down and get an interview. And she said yes! We were incredulous! Awestruck! Grateful! And freaking out slightly because we never thought we were actually going to get the interview so what do ask? We had to sign a contract with the Guild that we would not divulge any secret information (read:spoilers) so we wanted to ask questions that would give you an insight into this heroine’s psyche as much as we could without going too far into the plot…and we think we did it! So please give the floor to Elena Deveraux, protagonist of Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh:

The Book Smugglers: Hi Elena, thank you very much for taking the time to chat with us. We know that you are very busy right now with your recent contract with the Archangel of New York- how is the job going by the way, any progress so far? Any scoop that you can give us?

Elena: Well, I’m not dead…yet. I’m hoping to keep it that way, but it might be a little bit tough given that I’m hunting someone who can tear me into tiny little pieces with one hand. Oh, and then there’s Raphael – you’ve seen what he is, what he can do – tell me, would you want to be standing face to face with him on the Tower roof with the earth hundreds of feet below?

The Book Smugglers: You are a Hunter for the Guild and a Hunter-Born – basically you hunt vampires for the Angels. But what does exactly being a Hunter-Born mean?

Elena: It literally means I was born what I am – I have the ability to track vampires by scent. All hunters get the same basic training through Guild Academy, but my inborn ability gives me an edge over my fellow hunters who have to rely on their tracking skills alone.

The Book Smugglers: We heard that by being a Hunter-Born you are particularly… ahem… susceptible to a vampire’s seductive smell. Did you ever feel inclined to give in to temptation?

Elena: I’m human, vampires are pretty. But that’s as far as it goes. They’re almost-immortals after all. They might play with a human, but once they tire of us, they’ll walk away without a backward look. I’m not going to be a toy for anyone, mortal or immortal.

The Book Smugglers: You are considered to be the very best at what you do – do you look at it as a profession? Or is it more like a calling?

Elena: A calling because it speaks to something inside me. But it’s also a profession – I take my work seriously, and I deliver what I promise. Angels talk to each other – a hunter who gets the job done is more likely to get work.

The Book Smugglers: Let’s talk training: you seem to be at the top of your form. Do you have to exercise a lot? Would you say your fighting skills and strength are your trumps or do you prefer to rely on your weapons?

Elena: I keep myself in good physical shape – vampires can move, and move fast. If I can’t move faster, I’ll be dead. My weapons are an extension of my body. Thinking of them that way helps me move fluidly in combat.

The Book Smugglers: Do you have a weapon of choice?

Elena: I like knives. My friend, Sara, says I should go with a crossbow, but I’m not sold. That’s not to say I won’t use any weapon if it’s useful, but my first love will always be the blade.

The Book Smugglers: You have recently appeared in a world inhabited with kick-ass heroines such as Anita Blake, Wonder-Woman and Rachel Morgan: Do you see yourself as a heroine? Do you have any role models?

Elena: Me? A heroine? I think you must be thinking of someone else. I’m just trying to stay alive and not get caught in a turf war between archangels. Did I tell you about Michaela, the archangel who’s put out a hit out on me for fun? Yeah, exactly. Wonder Woman is welcome to come take over.

The Book Smugglers: You recently met the Archangel of New York – first impressions you care to share? (Are his eyes really that blue?)

Elena: He is…an archangel.Power, cruelty, beauty, it’s all in him. And his eyes–that color exists nowhere else on this earth.

The Book Smugglers: Now, on to more private questions:
Are you in a relationship at the moment?

Elena: No. Hunting doesn’t leave much time for relationships.

The Book Smugglers: We heard it through the grapevine that you like to indulge when it comes to…toiletries and bath articles. Any beauty tips for our readers?

Elena: Always moisturize. Your skin will heal so much faster if a vampire decides to try to rip your face off.

The Book Smugglers: We expect you don’t have much time to read, but we ask that to all of our interviewees: do you have a favourite book or a favourite author?

Elena: Lately, it’s all I can do to read the Guild newsletter. They have some good articles in there – last week, there was one about a group that thinks it can cure vampirism through group therapy. It was in the Humor section.

The Book Smugglers: How would you describe your relationship with Nalini Singh?

Elena: We’re tight. But my best bud is Sara. Being Guild Director hasn’t changed her at all–she’s still a toughass, and she’s still the first person I’d turn to if I needed help.

The Book Smugglers: Now for the last question: can you hook us up with Raphael? We would so love to interview him next!

Elena: That sound you hear is hysterical laughter. Trust me on this–you do not want to be anywhere near the Archangel of New York if you can avoid it. He’s letting me live because he needs me. After he doesn’t any more…

The Book Smugglers: Well, we hope everything goes well for you! Good luck and fingers crossed you will make it alive! Thank you for agreeing to the interview!

Ana: And good luck with Raphael too. You are very beautiful, I really like you hair, is it natural, hey how many weapons do you carry exac..ouch WHAT THEA?

Thea: Ana, SHUT UP. *whispers* You are embrarrasing us, she is leaving already.
Bye Elena, thank you so much for taking the time and chatting with us. It was great. Say hello to Nalini Singh from us

Elena: Bye!

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY :

We have one copy of Angels’ Blood to giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post – easy peasy. The contest is open to ALL and will run until Saturday March 7th at Noon PST. Good luck!