Roxanne Rhoads: Interview with Karen-Anne Stewart

Welcome Karen-Anne Stewart ot Roxanne's Realm today. We're thrilled to have you here.

Thank you for having me!

What inspired you to become an author?

I have always loved reading and dreamed about becoming an author since one of my college courses, but I didn’t act on that dream until September of 2012, when I began writing my debut novel, Saving Rain.

Do you have a specific writing style?

I’m all over the place when I write! I had parts of After the Rain, the final novel in The Rain Trilogy, written before I finished Saving Rain. Mostly, I write in my pajamas with music blaring in my ears.

Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

Up to now, I have come up with the title of the book before the novel is complete. I don’t know if this will always be the case, but it’s worked that way for me so far :-)

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

The Rain Trilogy is a powerful story of abuse, human trafficking, and beautiful, redeeming love. There are dark issues in the trilogy, but I want the readers see hope as well. The focus of the series is the deep love shared between Kas and Rain, so there is a gradual progression with the intimate parts rather than jumping right into sex scenes. Psychological parallels are weaved throughout the novels and I love when a reader picks up on them! Strength is also a huge part of the story. Despite her dark past and fears, Raina is a fighter, choosing to overcome and survive.

Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

The story in The Rain Trilogy is fictional but the issues are very real. I have experience working with survivors of domestic violence and their courage is amazing! I didn’t realize how wide spread human trafficking really is until I did research for the trilogy. It is sickening and saddening how some human beings can subject others to such horrifying situations. Sex-slavery is in every country, every state, and every town. I tried to be sensitive with the abuse scenes while showing how serious the issues really are.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Jamie McGuire. She’s a talented writer who presents her stories in such a strong voice.

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

I’m currently working on a completely different novel, Ash to Steele. I hope to have it written by the end of December so I can get it out to the wonderful group of beta readers!

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

James Patterson is my favorite author. In my opinion, the man is a genius in how he can write in so many different genres and get you inside the head of the villain just as easily as getting you inside the head of the hero.

Who designed the cover of your latest book?

I chose the pictures for Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain from Thinkstock. Luisa Maxwell did a beautiful job blending the pictures of Kas and Raina together for the final novel in the trilogy.

Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?

Music is a huge inspiration to me. There is just something magical about music that always seems to put my head where it needs to be when I’m writing different scenes. I listened to a myriad of groups and genres while writing The Rain Trilogy, but there are a few songs that remind me of Kas and Raina every time I hear them :-)

Imagine Dragons: Radioactive

Kelly Clarkson: Because of You

Fall out Boy: My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark

Matchbox Twenty: These Hard Times

Matchbox Twenty: Overjoyed

Daughtry: Losing My Mind

Saving Rain

The Rain Trilogy

Book One
Karen-Anne Stewart

Genre: New Adult Romance Suspense

ISBN: 978-1491810866

ASIN: B00FDN3RTU

Number of pages: 240

Word Count: approx. 87,000

Amazon BN

Book Description:

Raina has tried to forget her past, forget the pain, but when she finds herself staring straight into the fury blazing in her ex-boyfriend's eyes, her dark past comes rushing back. Furious with herself for actually having chosen someone like her father, she uses that anger to her advantage and fights for her life...and for her future that she prays will involve the man she can't seem to get out of her head.

Kas is a natural leader, a fierce fighter, the type of man you send in when you need to get the job done. He is a courageous hero who is used to risking his own life to save others, but can he save the one who has captured his heart from her horrific past and the men who are hell-bent on destroying her?

As Kas and Raina try to navigate through the twists and turns of a deviously intelligent human trafficking group, they find solace in each other's arms. Can they infiltrate the trafficker's tight ring, saving the innocent lives from imminent danger before it's too late?

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbBurAKibhc

Healing Rain

The Rain Trilogy

Book Two

Karen-Anne Stewart

Genre: New Adult Romance Suspense

ISBN: 978-1481770477

ASIN: B00EESE4V0

Number of pages: 236

Word Count: approx 87,000

Amazon BN

Book Description:

Shattered when Raina runs after his marriage proposal, Kas is hell-bent to find her and bring her home, where she belongs. He will bend every law necessary to do so, willing to do anything to protect Raina from her demons and the men who haunt her, going as far as placing his career and life on the line to save hers. Raina will give up everything she has worked so hard to achieve, even flee the country to keep Kas from the wrath and powerful reach of her abusive father.

In the midst of the FBI team closing in on the Ghost, another ghost from Raina's past taunts her, promising that she will be his. Meanwhile, a different trafficking ring is gaining strength in New Jersey. Michael solicits Raina's help, needing her smooth, sultry voice to win the audition for the new singer in the ring leader's swanky night club. Raina knows her life is in jeopardy with the dangers of being undercover, but she is blindsided when she discovers that it's her heart that is threatened with a mortal blow.

Raina tries to heal from the nightmares of her dark past as the grisly bodies of innocent victims surface when the team gets closer to discovering the identity of the man responsible for the infuriatingly clever and powerful slavery ring. When Raina finally comes face to face with the Ghost, he quickly engulfs her in a twisted game of cat and mouse, delivering a veiled threat as he slips through her fingers. As the ghosts of her past and present ensnare her in their deadly web, Raina realizes the danger has just begun.

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbBurAKibhc

After the Rain

The Rain Trilogy

Book Three

Karen-Anne Stewart

Genre: New Adult Romance Suspense

ISBN: 978-1491824719

ASIN: B00G3DMY3Y

Number of pages: 243

Word Count: approx 87,000

Amazon

Book Description:

Finally able to put her harrowing past to rest, Raina looks forward to her future with Kas, but the Ghost has other plans. As the FBI team gets closer to taking down the largest human trafficking ring in the modern world, the Ghost begins a wicked game, making Raina the pawn and the target. Never before encountering a worthy adversary, he’s fascinated by Raina and is enjoying the refreshing challenge of her intellect.

The danger ignites to a blazing new level, and Kas struggles between the need to finally exorcise the Ghost and his need to protect his wife. Tension mounts as an internal battle wages, tormenting Kas as he watches Raina put her all into taking down the man responsible for horrific sex slavery and gruesome deaths. When a new player takes control, Jefferson orders the end of the Ghost’s game with Raina, which results in one final, devastating act, leaving Kas desperate and willing to do whatever it takes to save her…by whatever means necessary.

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbBurAKibhc

About the Author:

Karen-Anne Stewart 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. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards and is a nominee for the 2013 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, two dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity.

The Rain Trilogy is a powerful story of abuse, human trafficking, and beautiful, redeeming love (intended for readers 18+).

http://www.karen-annestewart.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920317.Karen_Anne_Stewart

https://twitter.com/SKarenAnne

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Anne-Stewart-Author/113779785477987

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