Posts Tagged ‘Romantic Suspense’

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Wrongfully Accused

Ana_Barrons | January 16th, 2013

Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do? And I don’t mean leaving the front door unlocked overnight (which happens at my house all the time) or leaving a wet mark on the coffee table. Something serious, like… paying someone to kill your husband?

WrongfullyAccused_finalIn my debut romantic suspense novel Wrongfully Accused, my heroine is accused of doing away with not just one, but two husbands, and the most recently departed is a congressman.

Ah, congressmen… Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em. Living in Washington, DC, I admit to being fascinated by some of their antics. I’ve known a couple personally, having worked for the government in a former life, and they’re not so different from you or me in the ways that matter. But let’s face it—we all enjoy watching them squirm when they get caught with their pants down, so to speak.

Just reading the morning paper—in my house that’s The Washington Post—I get dozens of story ideas. And around here the local officials and other pillars of society are every bit as entertaining and novel-inspiring as the national figures. Not so long ago some official or other stole a ton of money and kept it in the freezer. When the cops came to bust him, he got his wife to stuff it all in her bra. (Brrrrr…) You can’t make that stuff up! It really gets me when they steal money and then take lavish vacations, buy expensive cars and jewelry, and generally wave it everybody’s face as though no one will notice. You just want to shake them. Sheesh.

And of course there are the big mucky-mucks that get caught having affairs. I’m not one to judge people for what they do in their bedrooms, but I admit to a certain amount of glee when it turns out to be someone who points the finger at other people for their private behavior.

Have you read Absolute Power by David Baldacci? That’s one of my all time favorite Washington novels. But I also like books that feature strong, honest and sexy politicians, like Senator Reece Sheridan in Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare, or Senator Nick Cappuano in Marie Force’s books.

Got any favorite romance heroes or villains who are politicians? Favorite scandals? I’d love to hear about them!

~~~

Wrongfully Accused is on sale now at Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Detective Gabriel Hugo has never been able to forget Kate Franklin. Eight years ago he let down his barriers and made love to her, but guilt and regret tore them apart.

Now she’s the prime suspect in the murder of her second husband, an ambitious congressman. The FBI wants Gabe to use his connection to Kate to prove her guilt. Unfortunately his desire for Kate is as intense and forbidden as ever.

Kate is shocked to be a suspect and doubly shocked that the lead detective is the man she always wanted. Eight years ago Gabe hadn’t been willing to hear that she was in love with him, and nothing has changed. But when the attacks on Kate’s life begin can she trust Gabe to prove her innocence and keep her safe?

~~~

Ana Barrons is a Washington, D.C. writer transplanted from New England. She read only science fiction and classics until she discovered Ken Follett’s book The Gemini Contenders and became a suspense junky. Her mother introduced her to romance novels during vacations in the White Mountains, and Ana decided to blend the two genres in her own writing. To her, romantic suspense is the best of both worlds. You can find Ana on Facebook or on her website for more information.

 

 

 

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Posted in Carina Press | 2 Comments »

It’s All In The Details

Tina_Beckett | August 28th, 2012

Those pesky little details are so important in a book. At least they are to me. Get something wrong, and someone is bound to notice. I’ve tried to make that work in my favor—at least most of the time. The details I choose to focus on in my books are ones I’ve either researched to death or that I have personal experience with. I don’t always get it right, but I try my best not to break reader trust. It means a lot to me, and I don’t want to let anyone down. In IN HIS SIGHTS, for example, the hero and heroine are forced to flee through the wilds of Angola. During their trek, I incorporated some little details that I think make their journey more interesting:

1. Hammocks—We live in Brazil, so yes we have one in our backyard and use it often. Ours is a typical Brazilian hammock without the wooden spreader bars along either end. It takes up less space, since when it’s not in use, it lies flat against the wall (as you can see from the photo of our little courtyard area). But this type of hammock is also trickier to sleep in. You can’t just lie straight up and down—parallel to the lines of the hammock—or it’ll roll up around you, trapping you in a fabric cocoon (remember, no spreader bar). So, in order to keep the hammock flat, you have to lie diagonally across it. And just like I mentioned in the book, it’s amazingly comfortable to sleep on…or to just lie in the shade and read a good book. Our dog loves to jump up there with my husband for a quick snooze. Our house even has steel hammock hooks built right in to the walls—another detail I used in the book. When you want to use the hammock, you stretch it across the open area of the courtyard and slip the loops over the hooks.

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2. Beiju—this is a type of crepe eaten in northern Brazil–only it’s not a normal crepe. It’s made with manioc flour, rather than wheat flour (manioc flour is sometimes called cassava or tapioca flour). Tapioca used for pudding is made from this flour. So, I learned how to make beiju from a Brazilian friend, and it seems there’s quite an art to it. You mix water with the manioc flour until it’s barely moist and still looks powdery, then push it through a sieve to get rid of any lumps. It doesn’t stick together like normal bread dough would. Once you get the proportions right, you take the resultant powder and sprinkle it evenly around a dry hot skillet…and voila! The powder magically coalesces into a type of tortilla. You carefully flip it over to cook the other side. There is nothing better than a warm round beiju spread with butter and folded in half. Or wrapped around fruit. Or filled with Nutella. Mmmm! Google it, and you’ll find all kinds of options.

3. Roar of a waterfall—In Brazil we have a huge set of waterfalls that I used as the basis for the waterfalls in my book. The multiple waterfalls cover a large semicircular area, and when you reach certain parts of it, the cascading water is so loud you can feel the vibrations in your chest and have to shout to be heard. When I researched the Calandula falls of IN HIS SIGHTS, the images looked very similar to the Iguacu falls here in Brazil, so I incorporated the noise levels into the book. 

So what about you? Do you notice those little details in books? Do they add to your enjoyment, or are they things that just slip by unnoticed?

A three-time Golden Heart® finalist, Tina Beckett writes contemporary medical romances for Harlequin Mills & Boon as well as single title romantic suspense for Carina Press. When not in the middle of her latest book, Tina enjoys crafting stained glass panels, riding horses and hiking with her family. Fluent in Portuguese, she divides her time between Brazil and the United States and loves to use exotic locales as the backdrop for many of her stories. You can learn more about Tina at her website: http://www.tinabeckett.com or find her hanging out on Facebook or twitter.
In His Sights, small file

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Suffering for Art

Anne Marie Becker | August 1st, 2012

 

From Vincent van Gogh to Edgar Allan Poe, the rumors of a correlation between madness and creativity have existed for centuries. But, is madness simply an extreme form of pain? There are those who believe suffering is the road to creativity, that one must feel frustration and anxiety to reach the breakthrough moments that reveal true genius and beauty. (And doesn’t that make all of us “creative types” feel better…that there’s a purpose to our stress?)

In my new release, Avenging Angel, the villain is an artist. It soon becomes clear to the reader that the killer is touched by madness. He holds irrational beliefs about his paintings, trusting that, through his art, he will attain that for which he yearns most. His motivation is irrational, and yet he is capable of true genius and beauty when it comes to his creations. In fact, it is his pain that spurs him to complete his work. Unfortunately, he believes others must suffer to make his art great.

Do you believe it’s necessary to suffer in order to create good art? Do you have an example of an artist who walked the line between madness and genius? How has your life experience impacted your creative outlets?

 

PhotobucketAVENGING ANGEL (Mindhunters, Book 2), was released July 30th. It follows one of the characters from ONLY FEAR (Mindhunters, Book 1), Detective Noah Crandall, as he faces danger to protect the woman he loves from an artist who borders on madness, and finds his happy ending in the process…

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Grains of sand glistened in the moonlight, bright against the backdrop of her wet hair. Her blue lips were parted slightly, as if she could take in that last breath she’d been gasping for. She was, in a word, perfection.

When his friend’s niece is murdered, Detective Noah Crandall vows to track down the killer. Since the victim worked in an art gallery with the well-connected and well-heeled Vanessa Knight, Noah questions her first. Despite the chemistry between them, Noah tells himself a relationship would be impossible. He’s a loner and their backgrounds are worlds apart.

Drawn to Noah and horrified by the death of her intern, Vanessa shares her insights into the New York City art world. As they work together on the case, she’s tempted to explore the possibility of a real relationship with the sexy outsider who ignites her desire. But what Vanessa doesn’t realize is that in order to complete his gruesome series of paintings, the killer has targeted her to become his next victim…

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Marie Becker has always been fascinated by people—inside and out—which led to degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Counseling.  To date, as a games hostess at Sea World, tutor, waitress, crisis counselor, and high school counselor, she indulged her curiosity through sanctioned professions.  Now, as a stay-at-home mom of three young children, her passion for understanding the human race is satisfied by her roles as mother, wife, daughter, sister, and writer.  She writes to reclaim her sanity.

Find out more at her website, Facebook, or Twitter.

 

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Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press | 8 Comments »

What’s The Attraction?

Dee_Adams | July 25th, 2012

Let’s be honest… we all love a pretty face. But there are other reasons to be attracted to someone. A sense of humor for instance. I adore people who make me laugh. If someone can make me laugh, you can guarantee that I want them to be part of my life.

DJA_DangerouslyClose
In Dangerously Close, the third book in my Adrenaline Highs Series, Ashley loses her sight early in the book. She can’t see that her neighbor is a world famous rock star hiding out from rabid fans and the media. As she gets to know him, she discovers he’s funny, sexy and ultimately everything she wants in a man. And in the reverse of that situation, Seger/Mel has been wearing blinders for so long that he’s never taken the time to grab a good thing when it’s in front of him. Until he meets Ashley. She’s the first woman to treat him like a regular guy, something he treasures more than anything else. So even though she can’t “see” him, she gives him everything he needs. Even though she’s scarred, he sees that as part of her attraction, part of her that makes the whole woman he falls desperately in love with.

How about you? How important is physical attraction in a relationship? Is it the personality that counts or the looks? And hey… if you get both, it’s like winning the lottery!

To celebrate the release of Dangerously Close AND RWA’s National Conference in Anaheim, California, I’d like to give away a copy of Dangerous Race (the book I’ll be signing tonight at the “Readers for Life” literacy autographing), to one lucky commenter. See how the Adrenaline Highs series first started! I’ll announce the winner here after the conference on Sunday!

You can find Dee J. at Facebook, Twitter and her blog, You Heard It Here.

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Posted in Carina Press | 7 Comments »

REACH FOR THE LIGHT

Cynthia Justlin | May 15th, 2012

Edge Of Light

“Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.”
–Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

We’ve all gone through storms in our life, some have been fleeting, nothing more than a bit of wind and rain, others have pelted us from all sides, bringing the cold darkness and volatile lightning with it.

Oliver Shaw, the hero from EDGE OF LIGHT, came to me in a flash of dark and gritty prologue unlike anything I had ever written. He was so broken. He’d long since lost the will to fight for his life. He no longer believed in anything outside his small cell. And as he turned to the fermented fruit in one corner and began to paint the walls with a mural of home, I knew, with an almost obsessive certainty, that I had to write his story and find a reason for him to go on.

I’m not a dark and tormented person. I wear my rose-colored glasses, having inherited my dad’s “tomorrow will take care of itself” philosophy. But this book poured out of me from some undefinable place. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer in the summer of 2010, that I realized I’d been writing this book while completely unaware my body was turning on me.

My cancer had grown into a prison, every bit as solid and impenetrable as Oliver’s. And just like Oliver, I had to learn to reach for the light. I finished EDGE OF LIGHT while recuperating from my colon resection surgery, uncertain of what the future held for me. What followed was six months of chemotherapy and then preparation for a major secondary surgery.

During that time, I clung to my faith. I became best friends with hope. I discovered the difference between surviving day-to-day and living for each day. Now, over one year (and counting!) post chemo, I am cancer free.

It is such an honor and excitement to be here to share EDGE OF LIGHT with all of you. Oliver’s journey is intense and difficult to read at times, but it is my wish that amidst the pulse-pounding action, the chilling villains, and the emotional love story, you will find a greater appreciation for the storms in your own life.

As Alexandre Dumas writes in The Count of Monte Cristo, the book Oliver uses as his journal, “All human wisdom is contained in these two words–’Wait and Hope’.”

Please visit my website to enter my EDGE OF LIGHT giveaway. Win Oliver’s journal, Cambodian money pendants, copies of EDGE OF LIGHT and more!

And now I’d like to open up the blog. Feel free to post any questions you may have about my story or share one of your own. What has made you reach for the light?

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EDGE OF LIGHT

Taken prisoner by a ruthless group of anarchists deep in the Cambodian jungle, anthropologist Jocelyn Hewitt is isolated in a dark prison cell. Without chance of rescue. Or hope. Until the man in the next cell reaches out to let her know she’s not as alone as she thinks.

CIA agent Oliver Shaw has been held prisoner for over two years. Forced to witness the brutal torture and slow murder of his entire team, his spirit is not just broken, it’s crushed. He no longer believes in hope. Until he hears Jocelyn through the wall, and suddenly feels like a glimpse of light is trying to reach in…

Jocelyn’s heart aches for the tortured man whose presence and voice give her the courage to risk their escape. But first she’ll have to remind Oliver who he once was, what he once loved, and bring him back to life. Only then will they have a chance for freedom—and the kind of love neither ever thought possible.

Buy EDGE OF LIGHT from Carina Press, Amazon, B&N. EDGE OF LIGHT is also available as an audiobook from Avdible!

C Justlin

Cynthia is a former Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® Finalist in Romantic Suspense. She started out writing contemporary romance, but when all her plots began to turn dastardly, she decided to stop fighting the urge to throw explosions, dead bodies, and evil villains into her books.

With her B.S. in the chemical sciences and her love of the periodic table (yes, she’s a geek and proud of it!) she finally found the perfect potent mix of love and danger to put into her stories.

Cynthia lives in Arizona with her real life hero husband and their two sons. Visit her website, connect with her on Twitter, find her on Facebook.

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Posted in Books, Carina Press | 16 Comments »

What Level of Risk Will You Accept?

Natalie_Damschroder | April 18th, 2012

I always struggle to find blog topics, but as I was getting ready to face this blank page, I thought about my title (Acceptable Risks) and from there it was pretty easy. Risks. Acceptability. Duh. :)

We all take risks every day of our lives. We run across a busy street, hoping we’ve timed it correctly and the driver of the car bearing down on us isn’t adjusting his radio. We sniff the week-old ham salad, shrug, and make a sandwich. We step into the shower, or answer the phone, or buy something on the Internet. Most of us find those acceptable, right?

How about some bigger ones? Telling someone you care about them is a pretty big risk. I remember, back in college, it was near the end of a summer internship at a nature center. I’d been sharing a house with a couple of brothers and two other women. We were sitting around a fire outside, and I said something like, “I believe in telling people how you feel about them.” Dave got this panicked look on his face, until I laughed and said, “Not like that!” I knew I’d probably never see him again and wanted him to know how much I’d enjoyed working with him.

But telling someone you care about them as more than a friend is a much bigger risk, especially if you’re not leaving forever.

My biggest risk recently was two weeks ago, when I had LASIK surgery. I’d considered it for years. I went to my first seminar in 1999. Number Two was only a few months old. I still had pregnancy and breastfeeding vision fluctuations, so I wasn’t eligible for the surgery at that time. Convenient! I was a little freaked by the blade slicing the cornea flap, and the brush constantly renewing the moisture on the eyeball (they don’t do that anymore).

So when my mother died in 2003 and left me a small life insurance payout, I decided it was better to buy a laptop and pay some bills than to get my eyeballs sliced. I mean, I make my living with my eyes! The risks, even back then, were so minimal. But I couldn’t overcome my fear.

I’m not sure why I decided, a few months ago, that the risks were acceptable. I told my husband we should get LASIK so we could stop paying for contacts, glasses, and exams. He said “You first.” So I went for it! I went through six weeks of glasses hell (I wore rigid gas permeable contacts, which mold the cornea more than soft ones do, and I had to be out of them for that long). I went through hours and hours of tests and measurements. And last Thursday, I did it! (I put full details on my blog here if anyone is curious.)

The payoff has been tremendous. I’m writing this four days after my procedure and my eyesight is fantastic. I ceremoniously chucked my contacts and donated my glasses to the Lion’s Club. I bought new sunglasses, and have an intimate relationship with artificial tears. :) And I am so. freaking. happy.

What about you? What kind of physical or emotional risks have you taken lately? Were they worth it? What level of risk would you find unacceptable? (I have swag! Leave your e-mail in the comments or e-mail me at natalie AT nataliedamschroder DOT com and I’ll mail you a little something! [While supplies last.])

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buy Now

When security expert Jason Templeton’s team is ambushed while protecting a weapons manufacturer vital to U.S. interests, he risks his life to save the man’s daughter…and loses. Unbeknownst to Jason, his mentor had been funding experimental medical procedures after losing his young wife. Using the untested drugs, Jason is brought back to life, stronger and faster than before, but also vulnerable in new ways. He’s determined to find the traitor in their midst, who is after the miracle drug.

That means protecting the brilliant scientist Lark Madrassa. Their attraction and compatibility are undeniable, but Jason tries to deny his growing feelings for her, thinking he is too damaged. When Lark’s father is kidnapped they have to rely on each other in a dangerous plot to uncover the double agent. Before, Jason always accepted the risks—but what about when the life of the woman he loves is on the line?

4 stars from RT Book Reviews!

“Non-stop action, pulse-elevating romance and a fast pace keep this book flowing smoothly. Damschroder definitely knows how to write one sexy, saucy, exhilarating tale.”—Diane Morasco

You can learn more about Natalie and her books at her website, eHarlequin, Goodreads, Twitter, and Facebook. She blogs with four other obsessed passionate Supernatural fans at Supernatural Sisters, with a number of fantastic romance authors at Everybody Needs a Little Romance, and just to hear herself talk at Indulge Yourself.

Text Copyright © 2012 by Natalie J. Damschroder. Cover Art Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited. Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A. Cover art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved. ® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.

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Posted in Authors | 6 Comments »

I Will Die For You – The Romantic Suspense Bodyguard

Carol_Stephenson | March 28th, 2012

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If you’re a diehard romantic suspense reader, you probably nodded in agreement when ‘bodyguard’ appeared on a list compiled by neuroscientists of the most popular heroes in Harlequin romances.

Who wouldn’t want a sexy hunk providing 24/7 protection? A fearless, resourceful man willing to give his life to protect yours? When we read a bodyguard romance, we know the hero will get the job done even in the most dangerous situation. Here is a man who can overcome any obstacle even those set by the heroine.

Add into the mix enforced intimacy, which is tailor-made for sexual tension. After all, the idea of being looked after is seductive in itself as a fantasy. The Alpha male bodyguard offers the heady brew of testosterone and tenderness.

Then there’s the blasting to smithereens of the bodyguard code ‘thou shalt not get involved with a client’. What a delicious right/wrong dilemma confronts the protector for he knows if he’s looking at the heroine, then he’s not looking at others. That cool, calm yet watchful demeanor can go right out the door for the right woman. Of course, that woman continues to get into trouble heightening the push/pull for the hero.

In my latest Carina Press release, HER DARK PROTECTOR, set in south Florida, the justice system is on its last legs as corruption has permeated its highest ranks. Only Gail Malloy, a state attorney with a death wish, is determined to bring down a notorious drug lord once and for all and becomes a target herself. Fortunately for her, a stranger is keeping watch, determined to keep her alive.

Haunted by tragedy, business tycoon Jason Hawke joined a secret organization dedicated to maintaining law and order. With his chance at revenge finally at hand, he’ll do anything to keep to keep Gail alive to put the crime boss away. Even if it means keeping her with him day and night.

I’d love to hear what draws you as a reader to bodyguard stories! Carol

READ EXCERPT

BUY HERE!

~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

Award winning author Carol Stephenson lives in southeast Florida with her beloved Shih Tzu. She’s an attorney by day and author by night. She’s best known for her emotionally drawn, hard-driving romances. In her free time she indulges in travel, photography and competing on a trivia team.

You can follow Carol here:

WEBSITE; FACEBOOK; TWITTER;
NOT YOUR USUAL SUSPECTS

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Posted in Carina Press, Excerpt | 5 Comments »

How Ready Are You?

Dee_Adams | February 22nd, 2012

The last time I was here, I called it my virgin blog. I can safely say that not only did I lose my blog virginity with a bang, but I jumped right back in the blog sack pretty quickly. Getting my feet wet with a series of blogs has helped me come out of my shell. Oh, wait, I was never in a shell. LOL. So what can I talk about today since I bared my soul a handful of months ago with the release of Dangerous Race?

How about change? How many of you deal well with change? I’m pretty good at it, but that’s probably because I’ve worked in show business for so long. Change is inevitable in life, but in Hollywood it’s not only inevitable, it’s constant. Change can be really hard, but it does prepare you for the ever important facet of life that is always present… We have no control. Sure, we decide the little things in life, like I’ll take a turkey and cheese sub for lunch, but when it comes to the big decisions, the life changing ones, sometimes those decisions are simply out of our hands. And what happens when our life changes drastically? We have to cope, right? For some people, coping is easier than for others because some people simply are not good with change. Can you guess the most important part of change? (I’ll give you a hint.) Letting go. You have to let go of the past to enjoy your future. Gee… is there a couch anywhere around here? And can someone pass me a box of tissue?

But seriously, there is a reason I bring all this up. In Danger Zone, my heroine, Ellie, has to face immediate change and it scares her to death. She has no idea how to face her future. I couldn’t imagine that kind of fear so I’m glad I’ve worked in a business that’s prepared me for change.

Let me tell you, change is an acquired taste and not everyone is used to it, but everyone should learn to face it. What about you? Are you good with change or does it get the better of you?

(FYI – You can also find Dee J. over at Suzanne Brockmann’s countdown for her next release, Born to Darkness, due out March 20! Check out Suz’s FaceBook and website for the interview.)

Follow Dee J. on FaceBook and Twitter @deejadams. Visit her website at DeeJAdams.com.

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Posted in Carina Press | 20 Comments »

Perspectives on Predators

Cathy_Perkins | January 24th, 2012

We bought land in the mountains last spring, a Shangri-La escape from hectic day jobs. The critters outnumber the people, so when we kick back on the porch with a glass of wine, we watch the wild kingdom. Wood ducks, geese and the occasional heron hang out in the spring-fed pond. Owls haunt the trees at the edge of the woods. There’s even a bald eagle – how cool is that? They’re huge and have the haughty, I rule supreme around here attitude.

But I love the hawks. They ride the wind currents on wide wings until – boom – plummeting into the hay field after one of those irritating voles that dig huge holes and eat flower bulbs.

Spring rolled into summer and we spent long days clearing the property. The Canadian geese resented our work around the pond, departing with loud complaints. The wood ducks were more discrete, quietly fading into the rushes. Then ducks do what ducks do – we do write romance at Carina Press – and soon lines of yellow and brown fluffiness appeared behind the adults.

Gradually though, the lines got shorter and piles of poofed feathers appeared in the meadow. Yep, it appears hawks like baby ducks as much as they do voles.

Did your attitude towards the hawks just change?

Is the hawk a ‘bad guy’ or is it just doing what hawks are programmed to do in order to survive?

I had a lot of time to think about predators while cutting the hay field. I shared that story here. For many authors, the villain is a predator, either physically hurting someone or exploiting a situation for their own benefit. The best antagonists, in my opinion, have a reason for what they do, even if it only makes sense to them.

In the animal world, hawks eat to survive and they keep the world from being overrun with ducks. While a hawk is clearly a predator, is predator status inherently a bad thing? Or does it depend upon your perspective? Does it depend on the predator’s motivation?

What do you think makes the most intriguing villains?

When I write, I create a world, populate it with characters – good and not so good – and invite the reader along for the ride. An important element in making that journey rewarding is figuring out what motivates the characters. In THE PROFESSOR, the villain may have been warped by his childhood, but he chose to cross the line and prey on college women.

Meet the villain in THE PROFESSOR (read the excerpt here) – what’s your perspective on him?

I’d love to have you visit my website or Blame It On The Muse where I hang out with terrific writer friends. Connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.

Photos used by permission. Credits: hawk photograph Eagle Brother ; duck photograph NJ Birds

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Posted in Authors, Books, Carina Press, Cover Art | 4 Comments »

His Secret Past

Katie_Reus | January 3rd, 2012

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This month I’m celebrating my third romantic suspense release from Carina! It’s also my first release of the year so I’m even more excited! I read and enjoy pretty much all sub-genres of romance, but suspense will always be one of my favorites. Probably because it’s the reason I fell so in love with romance in the first place. Throwing characters into a dire situation full of suspense and danger automatically heightens the tension in a story. Whether it involves a serial killer, stalkers, rogue CIA agents (like in His Secret Past!), mafia henchmen, just give me risk and excitement and I’m happy.

I like a good balance of romance and suspense, but in my reading it often doesn’t matter if one area is heavier than the other. With some authors I find that I really dig the action-packed non-stop adventures from chapter to chapter, while with others the characterization is so amazing that I don’t mind if the suspense aspect is slightly slower paced. Of course, in real life I probably wouldn’t want to deal with what most of the characters I read about have to live through, but romantic suspense is such a fun escape.

If you’d like a chance to win a digital copy of His Secret Past, just tell me what you like about romantic suspense.

Official blurb for His Secret Past:

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.

His Secret Past is now available from Carina, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other major online retailers. To read the prologue and part of the first chapter, please click here.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! One random commenter will win a digital copy of His Secret Past. I’ll announce the winner in the comments section tomorrow on January 4, after noon Central time. (Contest open to all readers, 18 years or older, who are legally allowed to participate in such a contest as allowed by their local laws.)

A little about me: I’ve been reading romance since I discovered my mom’s hidden stash at a young age and the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. I write 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.

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Posted in Books, Carina Press, Contest/Giveaway | 25 Comments »

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