Interview and Giveaway: Katie Reus

Feb 18, 2013 by Heather

Please tell the readers about yourself and the books you write?

 

For the completely unofficial bio; I’m a writer, a mom, a wife, and a lover of books! I can also be bribed with really good red wine and dark chocolate. I’m a total action movie junkie, wear flip-flops year round and rarely leave home without my kindle.

I write romantic suspense and paranormal romance because they’re my two favorite genres to read in. My books are often darker and high on sexual tension.

 

Tell us about your latest book.  Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?           

 

Mating Instinct is my upcoming release (March 5!). It’s the 3rd book in my Moon Shifter series and I’m really excited about it. Something happened in Primal Possession (I won’t give away spoilers) to affect the heroine in Mating Instinct so the story starts off with a bang. I’m currently working on a few things; the next book in my Red Stone Security series, a couple proposals and something I can’t talk about just yet!

 

For the official description:

 

Surviving for centuries, powerful lupine shifter Jayce Kazan managed to stay away from humans until he met Kat Saburova and was consumed by the need to protect her. But while Jayce shared his passion with the human seer, he refused to make her his bondmate—a refusal that caused the end of their relationship.

 

A year later, an attack that left Kat near death has resulted in another lupine shifter turning her. Furious that he wasn’t the one to save her, Jayce is determined to show Kat that he is the one she should rely on. But the newly turned shifter is still traumatized and worried that she’ll hurt those she loves, unless she can learn to control her inner wolf.

 

And as Jayce struggles to protect Kat from her own worst instincts and convince her to rekindle their love, the extremists who almost killed her are looking to finish the job…

 

What inspired you to write Mating Instinct?

 

Mid-way through Alpha Instinct (book 1), I introduced a character I hadn’t originally planned to (Kat) and the backstory for Jayce and Kat just hit me like a freight train and I knew their story would be soon after that first one.

 

How do you describe your writing style?

 

Ah, I’m not sure, lol. Maybe neurotic! I have lists and post-it notes all over my computer to remind me of things (sometimes twice). I guess I’m pretty organized. I love excel spreadsheets to keep track of timelines and characters and I outline my full length books before writing them (though I wasn’t always like this).

 

When writing who is in charge you or your characters? How do you deal with bossy characters?

 

My characters all the way. I just let them take over and don’t bother fighting anymore!

 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?

 

The outlining process can be a challenge. Sometimes I just want to dive right into the story—and sometimes I’ll do just that, then I get annoyed when I get stuck and it’s because I didn’t do an outline. So, just sitting down and forcing myself to outline everything beforehand is a chore.

 

What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

 

Don’t be so anxious to be published that you jump on the first contract without doing any research of the agent, publisher, or whatever. Be smart and take your time, it’s not a race. I wish someone had given me that advice years ago!

 

Now for a fun question, what is in your TBR pile?

 

I’ve got a few Jennifer Ashley books (love her stuff!), a couple Charlotte Stein books, Bonnie by Iris Johansen, The Secret of Ella & Micha by Jessica Sorenson, On Dublin Street by Samantha Young and…seriously, like 80 more books on my kindle and I can’t write them all!

 

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? Was your family and friends supportive?

 

I knew it after I finished a book (not a romance) with a female protagonist that I adored. At the end, she decided to pursue her dream (as a writer) and it was like that proverbial light bulb went off. Luckily, yes! My family has always inspired creativity and my non-writer friends all think it’s cool that I’m a writer.

 

Who (if anyone) has been instrumental in inspiring you as a writer?

 

There have been so many helpful women throughout my entire writing journey that it would be too many to name. However, a few names really stand out: Laura Wright, Cynthia Eden and Kaylea Cross are all incredibly giving and wonderful people who make hard days a heck of a lot easier when I need advice or a safe place to vent. It still amazes me how giving romance writers are. I feel blessed to be in such great company.

 

Thank you so much for having me as a guest! I’d love to give away one copy of Mating Instinct (US only) to one random commenter.

 

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