Saturday, February 23, 2013

Mating Instinct Blog Tour ~ Interview and Giveaway With Katie Reus

United By Books is pleased to have Katie Reus on the blog today so we can learn more about her amazing books........

Thanks so much for having me here today!

1 ~ Can you please share with us a little about yourself?

For the 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. 

2 ~ Please tell us a little about your newest release?

Mating Instinct is the third book in my Moon Shifter series andfor the official description:

As the beast within struggles to break free, he must learn to be what she needs…

Surviving for centuries, powerful lupine shifter Jayce Kazan managed to stay away from humans until he met Kat Saburovaand 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…

3~ Would you like to share an excerpt with us today?

Definitely! This is from an early scene in the book:

Even now, when she wanted to pummel him for having the audacity to follow her, she still had to admire the strength and power he radiated. He would never be called handsome, or even good-looking, but there was something dangerous about Jayce that was incredibly sexy. Without even trying, he exuded a raw sexuality that made women stand up and take notice. With his shaved head and a scar that crisscrossed over his left eye, he had . . . a presence that refused to be ignored. The scar only added to that edginess. And he was directing all of that at her with a very heated stare.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she practically shouted.

Before he could answer, Scott was next to her, in front of her actually, partially blocking her from Jayce. “Can I help you, buddy?”

Kat smiled haughtily at Jayce. At least Scott wasn’t a total wimp.

But then Jayce trained his gaze on the other man. Jayce was scary when he wanted to be, and as she watched his normally gunmetal gray eyes turn to black, she actually had to force herself to stand her ground. He growled low in his throat. “You can go inside your fucking house and leave us alone.”

Scott cleared his throat nervously, then looked at her. “You, uh, know this guy?”

She could smell the fear on him. Bitter and acidic, it stung her nostrils. So much for not being a wimp. Ignoring Scott, she turned back to Jayce and set her hands on her hips. “Did you follow me here?”

“What do you think?” he practically purred as he took a step closer.

Now she scented something dark and rich, like chocolate.Lust. As a human she’d never had a clue that lust or desire actually had a smell, but now . . . this was addicting. She inhaled and for a moment she felt light-headed. But when she saw the knowing look in Jayce’s eyes, she snapped. “I think it’s pathetic that you’re following me around like a little puppy dog.” She knew he still wanted her and the knowledge made her feel powerful. Even if she was playing with fire by taunting him, it gave her perverse pleasure to see the anger flare in that newly darkened gaze.

“Puppy dog?” His voice was low, a soft, menacing growl that made the hair on her arms stand straight up.

4~ What's in store next for your readers?

In May, Heart of the Jaguar, a hot paranormal novella from the Nocturne Cravings line, is releasing. In October the first book in my new romantic suspense series from NAL is coming out (title and series name to be announced soon). And I’ve also got a few books in my Red Stone Security series planned to release later this year (hopefully the next will be out in April) that I’m really excited about. I receive a lot of reader email about my RSS series so it will definitely be continuing through 2013.

5~ What's the weirdest thing you've ever done in the name of research?

I feel a little lame because I’ve never done anything truly strange. I read a lot and reach out to complete strangers…and I definitely utilize my husband’s his law enforcement/military friends when I have questions about certain things. But, nothing really weird stands out.

6~ If you could be one of your characters from the series, who would you be and why?

Hmm, I make my characters suffer a lot so I don’t know that I’d actually want to go through what they’ve gone through. Decades long separations from the one they love, the deaths of their entire families, being shot, stabbed, tortured…Okay, that said, I’m going to go with Kat Saburova even though I’d *never* want to endure what she goes through—but she still gets Jayce and he’s delicious.

7~ One food you would never eat? One food you can't live without? 

I would never eat haggis. Ah, chocolate is not something I want to live without!


8~ Do you sing and dance around the house while picking up?

Sometimes! But usually I’m listening to a book on my iPod while cleaning, etc. ;)

9~ Describe yourself in three words?

Loyal, workaholic, optimistic

10~ What is the most embarrassing thing you got caught doing?
Wow, I feel really boring because I can’t think of anything! Maybe it’s just because I don’t get embarrassed easily… or I just don’t get caught!

11~ How did you celebrate the sale of your first book?

Drinks with friends!

12~ What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?

I don’t really have a particular type of scene that’s hardest, but it can be a challenge to make sure all the right emotion is coming through on the pages. While I always know what my characters are thinking/feeling, I need to make sure my readers do too.

13~ Is there anything special you would like to say to your readers while we have you here today?

A great big thank you for all the encouraging emails and demands for more books! It’s hard to have a bad day when I get to chat with so many amazing people on a regular basis.

Thank you so much for having me today!

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 websiteblogfacebook or find her on twitter @katiereus.


Alpha Instinct

Book 1

NAL/Signet Eclipse

Release date: February 7, 2012

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…
Purchase Info:
Amazon (paperback) / Amazon (Kindle) / \Amazon UK (paperback) / BAM

Barnes & Noble (paperback) / Barnes & Noble (Nook book) /Book Depository


Lover’s Instinct: A Moon Shifter Novella

Book 1.5

NAL/Signet Eclipse

Release date: August 7, 2012
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.
Purchase Info:
 Primal Possession
Book 2

NAL/Signet Eclipse

Release Date: September 4, 2012
To protect her, he will unleash the beast within…
As his pack’s second-in-command, lupine shifter Liam Armstrong gives orders and takes what he wants—until he meets red-headed, blue-eyed December McIntyre. Liam knows the human beauty is his intended mate the moment he sees her, but December is far too strong-willed to accept his protection.
December, whose brother is the town sheriff, has every reason to mistrust shifters after one killed her youngest sibling. But the forceful and handsome Liam has gotten under her skin in a way she hadn’t thought possible, and the desire she feels for him is almost too much to bear.
When a radical hate group targets all humans known to sympathize with paranormal beings, December is attacked in her bookstore. Reluctantly, she turns to the only one who can help her: Liam. And he is going to take her to places within herself she never knew existed.
Purchase Info:
Amazon (paperback) / Amazon (Kindle) / Barnes & Noble (paperback) / Barnes & Noble (Nook)
 Mating Instinct
Book 3

NAL/Signet Eclipse
Release Date: March 5, 2013

As the beast within struggles to break free, he must learn to be what she needs…

Surviving for centuries, powerful lupine shifter Jayce Kazan managed to stay away from humans until he met Kat Saburovaand was consumed by the need to protect her. But while Jayceshared 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…

Purchase Info:

Amazon (paperback) / Amazon (Kindle) / Barnes & Noble (paperback) / Barnes & Noble (Nook)

BAM / Book Depository / Indie Bound Books / Kobo Books (coming soon) Penguin

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 graduating summa cum laude with a degree in psychology and working too many jobs she hated, she finally figured things out.

She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her publishers include Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, Ellora’s Cave and NAL/Signet Eclipse (Penguin). Regardless of genre, she always includes a happy ending. When she’s not creating stories she loves spending time with her husband and family. 
  Connect with Katie:

MATING INSTINCT Blog Tour
2/11 - Curling up with a Good Book
2/14 - The Jeep Diva
2/15 - I Smell Sheep
2/20 - Rabid Reads

 ********* GIVEAWAY **********

Katie's Publisher (Penguin) is giving away a paperback of MATING INTINCT to one winner at every tour stop.  US ONLY (sorry no international - it's shipping from the publisher)..... To be entered just fill out the rafflecopter below 
a Rafflecopter giveaway


GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

Katie is giving away a signed set of the MOON SHIFTER series (All 3 books - Alpha Instinct, Primal Possession and Mating Instinct), Romance Trading Cards (for Alpha Instinct, Lover's Instinct & Primal Possession) and a custom made wolf themed book thong to ONE lucky winner that follows the tour.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter the Grand Prize Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 comments:

Elizabeth H. said...

Hi Katie!! I love the series!!! The books are fast-paced, exciting reads with super sexy wolf shifters! Thanks for the chance to win!!!

Joanne said...

Congrats on the new release. Mating Instinct sounds like a wonderful addition to a fantastic series. Can't wait to read it to see more of Kat and Jayce. Thanks for the great interview and giveaway.
Is there any genre that you'd like to write but haven't?

Victoria said...

Congratulations! This is a great series! I'll be working this into my reading shortly ;).
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Katie Reus said...

Thanks so much for having me here today!

And to answer your question, Joanne, no. I'm writing the two genres I love so incredibly much! I might try other things in the future but RS and PNR are my first loves and I have no desire to write anything else right now :)

Sandy Howe said...

When is your next book coming out

Unknown said...

Sounds good I need to get some of these

Vanessa N. said...

Read the first and going to start the next one. Great series so far.

mythic021@gmail.com

strawberryrose said...

hello Kate Reus,
I know I'm going to love your books by everything that i have read about them. My low money flow because of major computer problems has me waiting to see if I can win some to make it more affordable. Congrats and Can't wait to read for you write in my favorite type of stories.

Judy Peterson
strawberryrose@earthlink.net

Denise Z said...

There is always something wonderful about a happy ending regardless of the angst and action in a good read. Thank you for sharing with us, I am looking forward to reading this series :)

June M. said...

I can't wait to get this story Katie! I have loved all the previous stories in the Moon Shifter series and am really looking forward to Kat & Jayce's story :)

erin said...

Congrats to Katie on the new release! This series is fantastic :) Thanks for sharing!

donnas said...

Congrats on the release! Cant wait to read it.

bacchus76 at myself dot com