AUTHOR INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY - Katie Reus

We here at Paranormal Addicts are very excited to have Katie Reus on the blog.

She has a new book releasing September 4th.

Relax and enjoy her interview. 

Katie is also kind enough to include a print copy of Primal Possession for our US followers.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

I’m a writer who lives in the South. I love red wine, visiting old cemeteries and the beach. I’m obsessed with wearing flip-flops and reading books on my kindle. I write romantic suspense and paranormal romance for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, NAL/Signet Eclipse and I’m also self-publishing.

If you didn’t write, what other profession would you have selected?

I started writing fairly young after working a slew of jobs I hated (and after changing majors many times in college) so I honestly don’t know. It would have to be something that revolved around books.

What profession do you think you would hate?

A lawyer or anything in the legal field.

Who is your favorite author?

I have to pick just one?? Depending on genre, I vary. For paranormal romance, I’d probably narrow down my fave at the moment to Sherrilyn Kenyon.

What is your favorite genre to read?

Romance!

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated? 

I read a book (not a romance) and at the end the female protagonist made this big life changing decision to follow her dream and do what she wanted in life and it was like that proverbial light bulb went off and I realized I wanted to be a writer. Specifically a romance writer.

What surprised you the most about the writing/publishing process? 

How long everything takes. From the time I contracted my first book in the Moon Shifter series (Alpha Instinct) with NAL I think it was about two years until it was published.

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing? 

Hmm, I’m not sure, lol. I guess first, strong characters. They don’t have to always be likeable or have the same belief system, but I think readers need to either be able to relate to them in some way or at least understand their motivation. And of course, any book, especially a paranormal romance or romantic suspense needs a strong plot. For romance, I also think they need to be highly emotional at their core.

How long does it usually take for you to write a book? 

For novellas, about one to two weeks. For novels, it just depends. Some I can finish in two months while some take 3 or 4 months. External things like my family (namely my one year old) affect productivity. Not to mention I do a lot of writing related things like guest blog posts, interact on social media sites, and of course research that take up a lot of my reading time.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?  If so, what do you do to get out of it?

Thankfully, I never have. When I’m working on a project I write every day and even if my work is total crap, I can delete it the next morning. That’s not to say I don’t struggle with scenes because I absolutely do. That’s what friends are for! I bounce ideas off any number of writer friends when I’m trying to plot.

Who do you ask to read your work and give their opinion? From those opinions what helps you the most and how do you keep from picking it apart?

I have two critique partners. One is really focused on the emotional aspects of the story while the other is more technical and I draw strength from both of them. I take about 85% of their notes and implement them into my work but I think I’m at a point in my writing that I trust myself and my ability to write that I just don’t pick anything apart. I’m too involved in my story and characters to do that.

Do you have a favorite book that you have written?

It’s actually the one I’m currently working on. It will be the fourth book in my Moon Shifter series and it’s scheduled to release in Summer 2013. And the next book I start working on will likely be my favorite at the time. I always get really invested in whatever story I’m working on.

We would love for you to paint a picture for us of you writing your books.  Do you always write in your office?  Do you ever go outside on a beautiful day and write there?  Are you listening to music when you write?  Drinking wine?  Do you do your best work during the day?  At night? 

I either work in my office or on my kitchen table on my laptop. Where I live now, I never go outside or anywhere else with my computer unless I can help it because I enjoy writing from home. No music. Sometimes wine! And time of day really doesn’t matter. I tend to write during my son’s naptimes and at night when he’s sleeping because that’s when the house is quiet ;)

Can you share a little of your current work with us? 

Here’s an excerpt from Primal Possession:

All she could think about was Liam. Liam with his broad shoulders, dark hair, and coffee brown, deep knowing eyes. When that man looked at her, she got shivers. The good kind. Heat bloomed between her legs when he was around. He didn’t have to do anything other than train that heated gaze on her and she wanted to melt into his arms. He might be built like a linebacker, but his hands were gentle. At least the few times he’d caressed her face, they had been.

Her image of him was so clear she could almost see him now. In front of her. As she stared into space, she frowned. Then blinked. Good God, he was in front of her. Walking straight toward her.

“Crap,” she muttered. Tensing, she braced herself. She’d thought if he saw her leaving her bookstore—because she’d seen him watching—with another guy on a Friday night, he’d get the hint and leave her alone. If it was anyone else, she might think he was acting like some sort of creepy stalker, but she knew him better than that. As one of the few lupine shifters who lived in their town, Liam had tried to warn her about some crazy fanatic group that wanted to hurt humans involved with shifters. At twenty-eight she’d been taking care of herself for a long time— and besides, they weren’t involved, so there was no reason for some fanatics to come after her.

Should have known Liam wouldn’t give up so easily. The maître d’ led him and another huge guy directly to the table next to hers. There was a decent amount of space between them, but for the way he was drilling his gaze into her, he might as well have been sitting at the same table.

“Hello, December.” Liam’s deep, intoxicating voice forced her to acknowledge him.

She flicked a quick look at his dark-haired friend, who cracked a small, almost amused smile until she glared at him—then she focused on Liam. “What are you doing here?” she asked through gritted teeth. It wasn’t for the damn food. That much she knew.

He shrugged as if it should be obvious. “Eating.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “You know what I mean. I’m on a date, Liam.”

At the word “date” those espresso eyes of his got even darker. Under normal circumstances she might have thought it was the light playing tricks on her, but she knew better. She’d seen him enraged once before when a man had tried to mug her. His eyes had changed then. The whites had almost disappeared and she’d found herself staring into not-quite-human eyes. He’d later explained that it sometimes happened when his inner wolf wanted to take over. It had scared her then but not now. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. Not physically. He might be dominating and sometimes too pushy, but he cared for her. In another world she might allow herself to care for him too. But they had no chance and she wasn’t going to risk getting her heart broken and losing her only family due to involvement with Liam. Especially when anything that happened between them couldn’t last. He barely looked thirty, but she knew he was over a hundred years old.

“Get rid of him.” He didn’t raise his voice, but there was a razor-sharp edge to it.

Maybe his tone should have made her nervous, but it just infuriated her. He infuriated her with all his arrogance. “Or what?”

“Or I’ll do it for you.”

She balled her hands into fists under the table. “You are so . . . so . . .”

In a fluid, graceful motion that reminded her he was more than human, he stood up and slid into the chair across from her. As if he had every right to do so. He half smiled and her traitorous libido roared to life. Why did the soft candlelight have to play off his features, making him even better looking? “Charming, handsome—”

His smart-ass response annoyed her even more, but it also allowed her to find her voice. “Arrogant and annoying,” she said in a loud whisper, barely containing the need to shout at him.

Will we be seeing a following book to this story? 

Yes! The next book in this series (Mating Instinct) will be out in March 2013 and the main characters from Primal Possession will definitely be in it.

How did you come up with the character December? 

She developed organically. She’s introduced in Alpha Instinct, the first book in the series, and originally I hadn’t realized she’d be the heroine in the second book but as I was writing Alpha Instinct it just developed that way.

If you could pick one actor to portray Liam on the big screen who would it be and why? 

Gerard Butler. I love that man’s voice!

Was there anything you find particularly challenging when writing this book? 

Since it’s the second book in a series making sure everything stayed consistent is always a concern.

What were your feelings when you first saw the cover of your finished book? 

Loved it!

Thank you so much for having me here today! I’d love to offer up a print copy of Primal Possession to one commenter (US only). Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win!

A little about Katie: I’ve been reading romance since a young age—ever since I discovered my mom’s hidden stash. Luckily the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, and NAL/Signet Eclipse. To learn more about me please visit my website, my blog, facebook or find me on twitter @katiereus.

Be sure to check out all of Katie's Moon Shifter books!!

Fear has a scent. So does desire…

Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it’s almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before—and reluctantly accept his offer to mate.

The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate—his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again.

But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor’s future, but the lives of the entire pack…

Novella:

Lupine shifter Nikan Lawless has it bad for Esperanze Cordona, the sweet and curvy woman who only views him as a friend. But when Nikan is assigned to act as Esperanze’s bodyguard during a weekend education conference, he knows it’s the perfect opportunity to seduce her off her feet—away from the pack.

To put his plan into motion Nikan cancels one of their hotel rooms, giving them time to get to know one another in a whole different way. But when a man from Esperanze’s past shows up in need of help, Nikan must shield her from a group of dangerous rogue shifters, all while trying to prove that they’re destined to be mates.

To protect her, he will unleash the beast within…

As his pack’s second-in-command, lupine shifter Liam Armstrong gives orders and takes what he wants—until he meets red-headed, blue-eyed December McIntyre. Liam knows the human beauty is his intended mate the moment he sees her, but December is far too strong-willed to accept his protection.

December, whose brother is the town sheriff, has every reason to mistrust shifters after one killed her youngest sibling. But the forceful and handsome Liam has gotten under her skin in a way she hadn’t thought possible, and the desire she feels for him is almost too much to bear.

When a radical hate group targets all humans known to sympathize with paranormal beings, December is attacked in her bookstore. Reluctantly, she turns to the only one who can help her: Liam. And he is going to take her to places within herself she never knew existed.

Thank you Katie for stopping by and we wish you much success on your new release!

Come on back soon!

Ask Katie a question or two or just share why you enjoy paranormal novels.  We would love to hear from you.

I'll leave the giveaway open until midnight, September 7th.  

Winner will be selected using random.org.

Don't forget your email address!

GOOD LUCK!!

Winner is Bboo04.

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