Please Welcome Guest Author Katie Reus To Closetreader

It’s my great pleasure to welcome Katie Reus to closetreader! I came to know this lovely, talented, multi-published author as she is also a contributor at DIK blog. I became interested in her latest Ellora’s Cave erotic romance “Tempting Alibi”, read the story and loved the novella so much I immediately downloaded “Dangerous Deception”, it too I found to be a great a read that I couldn’t put down.

Thanks so much for joining me here today Katie!

K: Thank you for having me!

In perusing Katie’s & Savannah’s websites it seems that you write erotic romance and erotic romantic suspense under both pen names, however you wrote “Finding Hope”, a romantic suspense for Wild Rose Publishing as ‘Katie’. Savannah has written a number of paranormal stories for Ellora’s Cave. Do you strive for a specific writing identity under each pseudonym with respect to genre and/or level of eroticism?

When I first started writing I didn’t think about separating my ‘identities’ because I’d never planned to write more than romantic suspense. As time went on and I found myself naturally branching out to various genres, I realized a separation was necessary. Even though I have a few erotic romances written under Katie Reus, from now on all my erotic romance, regardless of subgenre, will be under Savannah Stuart. The romantic suspense and non-erotic paranormals will be continue to be published under Katie. Luckily the three erotic romances under Katie are all suspense and sort of fall in line with everything else I write under that name.

I’ve always been fascinated by writers who write under two or more pseudonyms. Do you have a different mindset when you are writing as Katie versus Savannah? Is your ‘muse’ in essence different?

I don’t really think of myself as having a muse, but my mindset is definitely different. When I put on my Savannah ‘hat’, the sex happens faster and it’s a lot hotter. The plot and characterization is still the same, but the characters are often freer in their actions between the sheets (or on the kitchen table). Also, when I put on my Katie ‘hat’, lately I’m writing longer stories (whereas I used to just write novellas) so I have to think a lot farther ahead and make sure various plot twists connect after 80-90K.

I found your voice to be slightly different in “Tempting Alibi” and “Dangerous Deception”. Do you think there is a difference because of the subgenres of the books, or is it related to you wearing two different ‘hats’ as it were when you write a Savannah versus a Katie book?

That’s interesting that you pointed this out! Actually, I think this has a lot more to do with the fact that I wrote DD a couple years ago and Tempting Alibi very recently. My voice has naturally developed and hopefully strengthened over the years and I think that shows. I agree with you that there’s a difference and I believe you’re the first person to point this out.

A book I read a while back about writing romance novels indicated that a romance story has to have a hero that the heroine along with your readers will fall in love with. He doesn’t have to be that perfect “knight in shining armor” nor does he have to be a “nice guy” at the beginning but he does have to be worthy of redemption and the heroine’s love by the end of the story. I fell for both Scott (Tempting Alibi) and Trent (Dangerous Deception), while both have past military experience that is where their similarity ends. Does the impetus for your story begin with a strong hero when writing under either pseudonym or do you plot your tales and then develop the characters?

I agree! I think that even if the hero isn’t necessarily likable in the beginning, as long as he’s redeemable, it hopefully makes for a strong romance hero. 

My heroes usually come to me first, personality and all and they’re definitely not perfect. I might not have the plot or even the genre figured out, but my stories generally all start the same way. The hero introduces himself to me and I usually ‘see’ a scene play out. From there, everything else sort of unfolds.

Well, it really shows Katie, because your write extremely strong, appealing, not to mention HOT heroes.. lol

Is there a specific inspiration for Katie and Savannah’s heroes?

Most of my heroes have a military background. I’m married to a former Marine so I think I naturally gravitate toward a certain type of guy. I think men who voluntarily sign up to defend their country are sexy as hell. Like you said above, Scott and Trent are very different but at their core they both have similar values and would do anything for their women. They also love their country so I guess pretty much all military men are sort of where I draw my inspiration when it comes to writing heroes. I like writing about men who I respect. And the sexy uniforms don’t hurt

You have a background in psychology, and while your novels are certainly suspenseful, there certainly is an aspect of psychological thriller as well. You must draw on your background extensively when developing these complex characters and weaving them into your thrilling plots. As an example, in “Dangerous Deception”, I had no idea at all who the bad guy was until the riveting conclusion of the novella. I have to ask do you ever scare yourself when you are writing this kind of story? lololol

Up until recently I would have said no. However, not long ago I finished a romantic suspense/thriller (it’s currently waiting to be reviewed by my editor at Carina) that yes, the villain was uber scary, at least to me. I did a lot of research on the criminal mind and dusted off some of my old psych books and even delved into some of my hubby’s current school books (he’s studying criminal justice) to really get into my villain’s head. There were a couple scenes I couldn’t write at night because they were just a bit too dark. I love thriller movies and books but I usually can’t watch or read them after dark. Apparently that translates to my writing too, lol. Once I really got into his head, it was so much easier to get into the villain’s head of my next book, which is a paranormal/romantic suspense (currently being shopped by my agent). That villain also has a lot of issues but he’s darker in a different way than my thriller’s villain (who’s a sexual deviant and an all around asshat)

You seem to really enjoy romantic suspense, as a reader is this your favorite genre?

It used to be, but over the past year I’ve really delved into the world of paranormal romance and I think it’s a tie between the two. If a story is a mix of paranormal and suspense, then I’m in heaven.

Do you enjoy writing under two pen names?

Yes, very much so! I wish I’d started off with that separation but I can’t go back in time sadly.

You have a new book coming from Carina Press in February 2011 called “Dangerous Secrets”, which sounds to be an exciting romantic suspense. You also have a new Ellora’s Cave publication called “Tempting Target” (Savannah) coming soon, and the fourth book in your “Miami Scorcher” series is a work in progress. Can you tell readers a little more about the stories and about any other works in progress?

I’ve just finished the first round of edits for Dangerous Secrets right now so it’s very fresh on my mind. There’s definitely a healthy amount of suspense in this story but compared to a lot of my other stuff this story is very character driven. When I wrote this I didn’t have a word count or even a house in mind to target (which is unusual for me). This story just told itself, which was refreshing.

Here’s the unedited/unofficial blurb for it:

To cinch the deal of a lifetime, former Marine Adam Marcellus agrees to help an eccentric old man convince his errant daughter to move back home. Everything in life Adam has gained has been from hard work. He grew up in the slums of New Orleans, and now that he has a chance to secure his future, he’s taking it.

Isabelle Ballantine has been fighting for independence since she was old enough to walk. Now that she’s finally out from under her father’s shadow, she won’t let anyone stand in her way. Living on her own is tougher than Izzy imagined, but life is suddenly looking up when a sexy new bartender starts working with her. Adam is determined to convince Izzy to move home, but when a deranged stalker targets her, he finds himself fighting an unknown threat and an unexpected attraction to the one woman he can’t have.

“Tempting Target” is actually a heavily revised version of a book I wrote under the name Katie Reus (titled City of Secrets). While the two main characters are the same, the original story was a light romantic suspense and this one is a very sexy, very erotic romance. There’s also a new story line featuring secondary characters that I hope people will enjoy. I rewrote so much of it, it doesn’t even feel like the same story anymore.

Here’s the blurb:

After being widowed at a young age, Jade Hadley is tired of her celibate existence and is determined to add a little romance and sex into her life again. When her deceased husband’s, sexy best friend admits his long time attraction to her, her entire world is thrown off kilter.

Security expert David McIntyre is in love with Jade and has been from practically the moment they met. Unfortunately for him, that was the week she married his best friend. For years he’s stayed silent, giving her time to mourn. When he discovers she’s dating again, all bets are off. When someone targets her to die he realizes he has more problems than he bargained for. Seducing her isn’t the problem, convincing her that what they have together isn’t purely physical however, is. It might even prove to be a bigger challenge than trying to keep her alive.

Lately I’ve been so busy with different projects that I’m only working on the fourth book in my Miami Scorcher series when I have time. Basically I write a page or two if time allows and sadly that isn’t often. I’ve received so many emails wanting to know when Thomas (the oldest brother in the Lazos pack) will get his story and once I complete it this will be his. I just don’t want to rush anything because his story is so sweet and a little more heartbreaking than his brothers so even though I probably won’t get to finish it until the new year, I think it’ll be worth it.

As far as other works in progress, I’ve got a few irons in the fire right now. My agent is currently shopping some stuff in the romantic suspense and paranormal genre for me, and I’m also currently working on two single titles in both those genres.

Glad to hear about the support for your Miami Scorcher series. Katie, I’ll have to delve into that one next! I do like sexy shifters. *g*

Sounds like you have a busy and exciting writing agenda ahead Katie and I for one am looking forward to working through your backlist and to reading your future publications!

Thank you, Lea! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read so far.

Do you have a question for readers today?

Yes I do! What’s your favorite setting/location for a romance? Do you like it to be more exotic or does small town work for you just as well?

Katie has kindly offered a copy of her e-book Unleashed Temptation which is up for grabs to one lucky commenter… It’s the first story in my Miami Scorcher series but if the winner already has it, they can pick something else from her backlist!

Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Release Date: 10/30/2009
Genre: Paranormal, Erotic Romance
Book 1 Miami Scorcher series

After finding out her boyfriend has been cheating on her with her boss, Carly decides her life needs a makeover. She trades in her winter coat for a bikini and heads south to Miami, Florida. Almost as soon as she arrives, she falls in lust with the sexiest man she’s ever laid eyes on. Too bad he’s her new boss.

Alpha werewolf Nick gave up hope of finding his mate a century ago. When sexy redhead Carly comes to work for him, she disrupts his entire world. Although he desperately wants to come clean about what he is, he keeps running into problems. Like the fact that an ancient enemy has set his sights on Carly. Nick discovers he’ll go to any lengths to keep her safe. Even if it means losing her in the process.

Thank you again for joining me here today Katie!

Katie 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 switching majors a couple times she eventually graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Why psychology? People and motivation fascinate her. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing.
She writes sexy romantic suspense with hot heroes and feisty heroines. Her paranormal romance is just as fast-paced, even if her heroes are a little more in touch with their animal side. Regardless of genre, she always includes a happy ending. When she’s not creating stories she loves spending time with her husband, family and the eclectic group of animals they’ve adopted. To learn more about Katie Reus and Savannah Stuart, please click on links for her Websites.