Interview with Katie Reus and Giveaway - January 25, 2012

Please welcome Katie Reus to The Qwillery. Alpha Instinct, the first novel in Katie's Moon Shifter series, will be published on February 7, 2012.


Thank you so much for having me here today at the Qwillery!

TQ:  What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Katie:  I don’t think I have one! I don’t need a soundtrack to write to or to write in a certain place or…anything. Well, I do need a cup of coffee (or three) for my morning writing but I don’t know if that’s quirky. :-)

TQ:  Are you a plotter or a panster?

Katie:  A bit of both. With novellas, I’m not big on plotting because I can usually envision the whole story beforehand. But with my upcoming new series (Moon Shifter) I’ve had to become a plotter. There are too many characters and story threads not to plot. Not to mention my editor wants a synopsis before I write the books so that means I MUST plot.

TQ:  What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?

Katie:  Since I write mainly romantic suspense and paranormal romance, I’d say pacing is often challenging. It’s sometimes difficult to keep that steady pacing of suspense/intrigue/drama while keeping the romance front and center.

TQ:  What inspired you to write Alpha Instinct (Moon Shifter 1)?

Katie:  There wasn’t just one thing. I feel like I discovered paranormal romance really late. For me, romantic suspense was the genre that really introduced me to the romance genre. Only later did I realize there was a LOT more to romance; contemporary, erotic, paranormal, historical you name it, it’s probably out there. A few years ago I discovered a couple different vampire series’ and became hooked on the world building (I love Sherrilyn Kenyon!). Even though I love vampires I’ve always had a love for shifters and werewolves so the Moon Shifter series was born. Though at the time, I hadn’t planned an entire series and I wasn’t even working on Alpha Instinct full time when I first started it. I worked on it in between other projects and ironically it’s the story my agent and I sold to New York.

TQ:  What sort of research did you do to create the world of the Moon Shifters?

Katie:  I researched various legends and lore on mythical creatures, mating habits of wolves and pack life (the majority of my paranormal characters are lupine shifters), and I grilled my uncle who is a retired police Captain on different police procedures because my shifters have interactions with local law enforcement.

TQ:  Describe Alpha Instinct in 140 characters or less.

Katie:  Alpha Instinct features sexy shifters, dangerous villains & an Alpha who will do anything to protect his intended mate & newly founded pack.

TQ:  Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Alpha Instinct?

Katie:  There’s a scene where Ana and Connor are out running in their animal form and Connor shifts back to his human one. Because of the circumstances Ana thinks danger is nearby so she shifts too and is infuriated when she realizes he just wanted to see her naked (so typically male!). There’s also another scene at the end where Ana is in mourning (can’t say why without spoilers) and I love the way Connor comforts her and refuses to leave her alone in her sorrow.

TQ:  Who was the most difficult character to write and why? The easiest and why?

Katie:  One of the villains, whose identity is a secret until the end. He is a complex character because he didn’t view the atrocities he committed as evil (even though killing a large number of shifters is exactly that!). Writing from his point of view and tapping into that mindset was frustrating at times, but totally worth it for a well-rounded villain and story. The easiest would probably be Connor, the hero. He came to me fully developed and knew exactly what he wanted (Ana!) before I even started the story.

TQ:  How many books are planned for the series?

Katie:  Officially, three books and 1 novella. Obviously I’m hoping for more, but that’s what I currently have contracted. Maybe in a month or so I’ll have a different answer. :-)

TQ:  What's next?

Katie:  I’ve got a few things scheduled this year. In April I have a novella releasing from Harlequin Nocturne (their erotic Cravings line), in August a novella in the Moon Shifter world, in September, Primal Possession comes out (book 2 in the Moon Shifter series), and depending upon my schedule, I hope to also release a category length romantic suspense (self-publish) in the spring.

TQ:  Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery

Katie:  Thank you so much for having me!


About Alpha Instinct

Alpha Instinct

Moon Shifter 1
Signet Eclipse, February 7, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and e-book, 368 pages

After all the males in her pack are murdered, lupine shifter Analena Cordona is doing the best she can to keep her remaining family safe. She doesn’t want to depend on anyone, but someone is targeting her pack and the threats are getting worse every day. When violent attacks also start escalating in town against humans, she knows that sooner or later, people are going to start pointing fingers at her kind regardless of proof. Unless she can figure out who wants to hurt her pack and why, a few cattle mutilations and property damage will be the least of her worries.

Connor Armstrong has waited fifty years to claim what’s rightfully his: Ana. And with the pack vulnerable, he knows the time is right to return to his hometown and the woman he once called his best friend. In exchange for his pack’s protection, he demands that she be his. But things don’t go quite as planned. Ana is as stubborn as she is sexy and if Connor doesn’t gain her trust, he’ll never get the chance to claim the one woman who’s never left his thoughts. And if he can’t, the evil hunting her will destroy everything they both cherish.

Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound

About Katie

Katie Reus fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom's stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn't always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.

Katie's Links

Website
Blog
Facebook
Goodreads
Twitter



The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a copy of Alpha Instinct (Moon Shifter 1) from Signet Eclipse! US ONLY

How:  Leave a comment answering Katie's question:

What is your favorite type of paranormal being? (shifter, vampire, etc.)

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)   Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)   Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)   Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a US mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*