Katie Reus-Interview with the Author

 

The Reading Cafe would like to introduce paranormal-romance author Katie Reus. You can find Katie’s website at: Katie Reus.

TRC:  Hi Katie.  Welcome to The Reading Cafe.

 We would like to start with some biographical background. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Katie: If you want the unofficial bio: I write romantic suspense and paranormal romance, live in the South, love red wine, the beach, spending time with my family and visiting old cemeteries. I love reading (no surprise!), flip-flops and have a 9 month old son who is incredibly adorable and takes up a lot of my time nowadays. If you want something more official, check out my website: http://katiereus.com/about/

TRC: When did you start writing? Have you always been interested in writing?

Katie: I started writing about six years ago and no, I haven’t always been interested in writing. The desire to write took me by surprise but I haven’t looked back since I started.

TRC: Many authors will bounce ideas and information with their partner or spouse. Who do you go to when you want to throw ideas around?

Katie: Heh, I love my husband but he usually gives me very inappropriate responses when I ask for help with ideas so for the most part I turn to writer friends. Kaylea Cross and Laura Wright are very fun sounding boards! And, Kaylea’s husband has even been known to help out with ideas too 😉

TRC: Who is your muse?

Katie: I don’t have one. I know some people talk about their muse, but I just write the stories in my head and some most days I wish there were more hours in the day because it feels as if I never have enough time to write all I want. I’m not one of those people who ‘waits for inspiration’ to strike. Unless I’m editing or on vacation, I write almost every single day.

TRC: You write both romantic suspense and paranormal romance. Which genre do you prefer to write? Which genre is the most difficult to write?

Katie: I actually enjoy writing them both equally, which might sound like an easy answer but it’s the truth. Usually I alternate between the genres and it’s a good way to keep things fresh. And both genres have equally difficult aspects. Researching laws, regulations, government procedures etc. can be a very time consuming part of romantic suspense and actual world building for paranormal is equally time consuming. But I’m a total geek and love research so it’s always fun.

TRC: Alpha Instinct (released Feb 7, 2012) is the first novel in your new Moon Shifter Series. Will you tell us something about this book and the series? Where did you come up with the idea?

Katie: It’s the first book in a projected 3 book & 1 novella series (I’m hoping my publisher will want to publish more!). The official back cover copy is:

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…

And as far as how I came up with this story, it sort of evolved from my original intent. What was supposed to have been a simple paranormal novella grew and I realized that a lot of the characters needed their story told. When I finally let my characters take over, everything flowed from there. Book 1.5 is an e-novella, due to be released in August 2012.

TRC: Have you chosen a title and a premise for the novella?

Katie: The title is Lover’s Instinct. Oh yeah, it’s completely finished and has already gone through edits. I’m just waiting on a cover! The official description is:

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.

TRC:  Why release the novella in ebook format only, when the first book is available in several formats?

Katie:  That’s my publisher’s decision so I’m guessing the reason it’s available strictly in ebook is because of the length. It’s about 28,000 words which is shorter than even a category romance novel so I don’t think it would work in a print format. Book 2 (Primal Possession) releases the month after Lover’s Instinct and it will definitely be in print and digital format.

TRC: How has the electronic age helped or hindered you as an author?

Katie: It has definitely helped me. I started off digitally publishing and that’s how I gained readers in the first place. I love being published in mass market format but I hope to continue publishing in various formats. I’m all about being diversified! The electronic age has also opened up self-publishing options (something I never would have considered two years ago), which has been a great addition as far as new venues and reaching more readers.

TRC: You are releasing Protector’s Mate in April 2012. Would you tell us something about Protector’s Mate?(See our review below)

Katie: It will be available from Harlequin Nocturne as part of their new-ish Cravings line. It’s a paranormal novella and will be out in digital and audio format. The official cover copy is:

After two years in a war zone, werewolf Felicia Serna has finally returned to find another pack has taken over her territory…and the new second-in-command is the very man who haunts her fantasies. Alaric has wanted Felicia from the moment he laid eyes on her, and now he’s ready to claim her. When a threatening shifter begins stalking them, he’s determined to protect her…even if it means putting his seduction on hold. But even in the heat of danger, their red-hot passion cannot be denied. It is a stand-alone paranormal novel.

TRC: Do you prefer the series format, as you can continue the storylines?

Katie: It’s a stand-alone, though it is in the same world as Destined Mate (my first Nocturne Cravings novella). I do love writing a series. In a way it makes writing easier and more difficult. I get to develop the characters over much longer periods of time which is awesome because I love my characters. But I also have to keep a much thicker research and character folder so I keep everything consistent.

TRC: Which is more difficult for you to write-the stand alone novel or a continuous series and why?

Katie: A series is more difficult to write simply because there are a lot more characters and keeping everything consistent means I have to stay uber organized.

TRC: Your novel Danger in Paradise, was a re-release of a previous book Finding Hope. What was your decision to re-release a revised version of this particular book?

Katie: I received my rights back to the book from a small epress and knew I wanted to do more with the story. My sales were incredibly small and I knew a big part of that was their agency pricing and lack of exposure. My decision to release it on my own was a multitude of things; I’d have control over pricing, final cover, and would be able to add some stuff that was originally cut. I sold more copies in the first two months that I released it on my own than I did in two years with that publisher. Sales are continuing to rise every month so it’s a decision I’ve been very happy with.

TRC: His Secret Past (January 2012) was your latest release in the romantic suspense genre. Will you tell us something about His Secret Past?

Katie: I LOVED writing His Secret Past. I know you’re not supposed to have favorites, but this story will always be very special to me. It was the first thing I ever wrote (though definitely not the first thing I had published) and even though it’s undergone major edits and I ended up throwing out many many truly awful and unnecessary scenes, this is the story that propelled me into writing. The official cover copy is:

Six years ago, Alexis Baptiste’s world was turned upside down when Hunter Cassidy disappeared without a trace, leaving her alone and pregnant. She’s finally moving on with her life when he resurfaces, just in time to rescue her from a would-be assassin. Forced to join him on the run to protect herself and her young son, Alexis is now in even more danger: danger of falling for Hunter all over again.

Betrayed by rogue CIA agents after infiltrating an infamous drug cartel, former DEA agent Hunter Cassidy has spent years trying to clear his name. He’s not proud of the things he’s done, and knows he doesn’t deserve a future with Alexis, or the son he never knew he had, but he’s determined to protect them from the men who ruined his life. Convincing Alexis to trust him—and denying his feelings for her—is going to be the hardest mission he’s ever faced.

TRC: Will you ever consider writing a series in this particular genre?

Katie: I would love to write a romantic suspense series. Once I finish the current proposal I’m working on I plan to start working on the outline for a romantic suspense trilogy.

TRC: The last book you published in the erotic-romantic-suspense genre was Dangerous Deception. Are you no longer writing this particular genre? What was your decision to change directions with your writing style?

Katie: I still write erotic romance, I just do it under another name. After releasing three books in the erotic romance genre I knew I wanted a separation from my romantic suspense and paranormal romance. So I haven’t stopped writing it completely, but I don’t plan to write another erotic romance for at least another year—I don’t have time, lol! 😉

TRC: What are you working on today?

Katie: A proposal for my editor with Harlequin Nocturne.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Katie: Thank you to everyone who has stopped by today and thank you for having me!

LIGHTNING ROUND

FAVORITE FOOD: Enchiladas

FAVORITE DESSERT: Chocolate

FAVORITE MOVIE: Underworld Rise of the Lycans

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Being Human

LAST BOOK YOUR READ: Sheltered by Charlotte Stein

DARK OR MILK CHOCOLATE: Milk

PINK OR RED ROSES: Neither

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: New Orleans Saints!

TRC: Katie, we would like to thank you very much for answering all of our very detailed questions. Looks like an e-novella. We wish you the best of luck with all of your future novels and stories.

Katie: Thank you so much for having me!

**************GIVEAWAY***********

Katie is offering an ebook copy of PROTECTOR’S MATE to one lucky eligible member at The Reading Cafe.

1.  To be eligible, you must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not, please register using one of the social logins (FB, Yahoo, Google etc) or at the bottom of the page.

2.  Giveaway is OPEN Internationally.

3.  Please leave a comment and say hello to Katie.

4.  Contest duration April 25-28, 2012

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