Friday, December 26, 2014

Guest Blog and Giveaway with Karen-Anne Stewart


How I Get Creative When My Mind Decides Not to Behave

I’m going to be brutally honest about myself throughout this post.  I’m an emotionally based person, so I write best when I’m in the mood to do so.  The problem is, my moods don’t always follow the schedule of my deadlines.  Prior to my new novel, Feel, this wasn’t much of an issue because most marketing, and all tours, were scheduled after I had already written my novels.  For the most part, I had the freedom to write at my own pace; this was not the case with Feel

I wish I could say that I work marvelously under pressure, but that would be a big, ugly, fib…I so don’t!  Never have.  Probably never will.  I’ll admit that I viewed this as a weakness, but, after completing Feel, I’ve changed my viewpoint.  If you were one of those kids in school who always made good grades but struggled with exams - this is for you.  ***Raises hand***  I was totally that kid. 

My work ethic has always been strong, and I studied hard, but I would succumb to the stress of being put under pressure.  Yep, I was (and still am) a worry-wart.  I’ve come to terms with that; it’s just a part of who I am.  But, Feel held a little surprise for me in how it helped break my self-imposed chains with how I deal with the stress of pressure, including dreaded deadlines.  Although Feel is my fifth novel, Jensen and Saige’s story is a first to me in many ways.  While writing this novel, I’ve learned so much.  I hope people who sweat under pressure like I do will find encouragement with this post. 

All my childhood nightmares slammed into me when I decided to schedule tours before I finished writing Feel.  What happened, you ask?  I totally panicked.  Embarrassing?  Absolutely!  Debilitating?  Ummm….more than a little at first (I told you that I was going to be honest), but, after the initial desire to curl up and give in to the beckoning denial that the deadlines didn’t exist, I jerked myself out of it.  Did that cure me?  Hell, no!  I charged forward with Feel at a madman’s pace.  Such a bad idea!  Everything suffered, including my confidence and connection with the characters. 

I was in a mess of tears at this point and was face to face with the adage ‘sink or swim’.  I may panic under pressure, but I’m also a fighter who doesn’t give up.  It was in this weakened moment that I decided to not let the pressure rule my life or my story!  Jensen and Saige deserved better than that.  The readers deserved better than that.  And, I did, too.  So, I put my laptop down and walked away.  I know that sounds counterproductive, but it was just the opposite.  I needed to allow myself to breathe, to sleep, to reconnect with myself so I could reconnect with my writing. 

I began writing because it was my dream to create powerful love stories, and I found that again by going back to my first desire to write…passion.  Instead of focusing on everything I had to do in the limited amount of time left, I pushed that into the back of my mind and absorbed myself in Jensen and Saige’s world.  With the music blasting in my eardrums (another passion of mine - other people’s musical talent, not mine, because I can’t sing worth a flip) and let the story flow.  After I chose to allow myself some air, I became very proud of how Feel turned out, and I hope the readers fall in love with Jensen and Saige as much as I did. 







Feel
Karen-Anne Stewart

Genre:  New Adult Paranormal Romance
Suspense /Contemporary

Date of Publication:  December 15th, 2014.

ISBN:  978-1502757746

Number of pages: 276
Word Count:  94,000

Book Description: 

The one whose emotions I can’t feel is the one who makes me feel the most.

I was a sensitive, at least that’s what I was told by the boy who saved me from the overwhelming emotions that consumed my soul, the boy who saved me from myself when my gift became stronger. Through the years, he was my redemption, my reason to take my next breath…then, he was gone.

Jensen always told me I was strong, but I didn’t believe him until I was forced to be strong on my own, and I kept breathing without him. I’ve taken 42 million breaths since the moment he sent me away. Now, four years later, he’s standing in front of me, and I can barely breathe.

This isn’t just a story about the abilities I possess; it’s a story about something much stronger…the love of the man who possesses every part of me.

Disclaimer – Feel is intended for readers 18+ due to strong language, mature scenes, and some violence.

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/SoWsYWu9jik

Available at Amazon

Excerpt:

I place my hand over his, leaning my cheek against the warmth of his touch before backing away so I can see him.  I’m insane for falling for him again, but it seems my heart isn’t giving me a choice at the moment, ignoring how the rest of me is scared as hell it will never survive if he breaks it this time.
   “I don’t want you to hurt,” I whisper.  I don’t. 
   “Then, please stop fighting what we are together and get your stubborn ass over here so I can kiss you like I haven’t seen your pretty face in four long fucking years.”
  I take one step towards him and that’s all he needs to wrap me in his arms, pulling me against his chest to close the rest of the distance between us as his hungry mouth collides against mine.  His teeth nip the fullness of my bottom lip then his tongue caresses and strokes the sensitive, tingling skin.  All strength in my body is stolen by the liberating dominance in his kiss, bruising and healing wrapped in one breathtaking seduction.  My knees no longer work, but the rest of my body becomes alive, responding to his touch, awakening me from the emptiness I’ve lived in for so long.  This is what I’ve craved.  What I’ve missed.  His taste, scent, and touch have haunted me, and I breathe them all in deeply now, terrified they will be gone again.
   His fingers slide against my neck before softly tangling my hair in his fist.  My head spins at his gentle touch mixed with his rough, passionate kiss.  My lips part, granting his tongue all the access it wants, and he takes it greedily, sliding his tongue against mine, taming and setting me free.  His kiss is scorching, searing me as liquid heat pulses low in my stomach.  I feel the damp cotton pressing against where I need him to be so badly right now. Soft whimpers rumble up my throat, the needy pants muffled against his hot mouth. Jensen’s hand pulls me flush to his body and I feel him, hardened and throbbing, against my stomach.  My gasp fills the air.  I twist my waist, straddling myself against the muscles on his thigh. 


About the Author:

Karen-Anne Stewart  is an author of New Adult Romance who doesn't shy away from writing about sensitive issues and hot heroes.

She has always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain, and the newly released standalone novel, Ash to Steele. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards, and Saving Rain and After the Rain were nominees for the 2014 RONE Awards.

When Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of musical genres. Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives with her husband, daughter, three dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity.



Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/SKarenAnne


a Rafflecopter giveaway


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for allowing me to stop by and chat with you today about Feel. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and amazing New Year :)

karin said...

thanks for the excerpt ! this book sounds interesting :)