Interview with Karen-Anne Stewart

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book?  Is it part of a series?Ash to Steele is a story of bad boy meets good girl but has some serious twists and turns with strong supporting characters that you will want as your friends.   Emma is a preacher’s daughter from a small, southern town who is desperate to find out who she really is, not just the girl she’s supposed to be, so she leaves for Boston to follow her dream and find her ‘more’.  Breck doesn’t believe in love or being with a girl for more than one night.  He’s a definite ‘I’ll kick your ass if you threaten my family or friends’ badass with a past he wants to stay hidden.  When Breck and Emma meet, hate is the mutual emotion…but so is desire.   She is his ruin, his sweetest hell. Ash to Steele is a standalone, but Gavin, the cocky, sexy bouncer, will have his own story in 2015. 
 Do you have a favorite character?Breck is my favorite character in Ash to Steele; I had a blast writing in his POV.  I loved Emma’s quiet strength and spunk, but I became addicted to Breck’s arrogant but soft side.  He’s full of beautiful contradictions.
Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one?  Did that change the direction of the novel at all?Gavin was originally going to be a character that showed up a few times in Ash to Steele, but I fell in love with him, and he became a major player.  The novel completely shifted when Gavin became more of a prominent figure, and I love the direction it took.  I’m so excited to write Gavin’s own story. 
Do you belong to a critique group?  Have they helped improve your writing?I’m so lucky to have the beta readers who read my novels before I publish them.  They are amazing and really help make the novels better. 
What is your writing process?  Do you listen to music or do you like silence?Music is a huge inspiration to me and I almost always have music blasting in my ears when I write.
 Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?I usually only have the beginning and end of the story outlined; the rest just plays out as I write.  Once I let the characters take the lead, anything I had in my head is subject to change. 
What have you learned during your self-publishing journey?I keep learning something new every day.  The most amazing thing I’ve learned, though, is how supporting authors are to other authors.  The writing community is a close-knit group, and I LOVE being a part of it.
 What kinds of marketing (twitter, facebook, blog, forums) are you involved with for promoting your book(s)?I’m on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Linkedin, and, most recently, Instagram.  I’ve just started doing consistent blogs on my website, which are mostly features of other author’s books, and started my newsletter, Scripted Happenings.  I love to connect with readers, so feel free to hang out with me on any of the below:Website:  http://www.karen-annestewart.comFacebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SKarenAnneTwitter:  https://twitter.com/SKarenAnneGoodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920317.Karen_Anne_StewartInstagram:  http://instagram.com/skarenanne
Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book?I’ve found that marketing does take a large amount of time, especially when I suck at it.  With each book, I seem to have less time to write.  I’m currently working on organizing my time management better…wish me luck ;). 
What’s next for you?I’m working on a paranormal romance that I hope to have live late this year.  I’m loving writing Jensen and Saige’s story, and I’m very excited to begin working on Gavin’s!  


Book & Author details:Ash to Steele by Karen-Anne Stewart
Publication date: February 13th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:Emma.
Who I am and all I believe is marred with just one glance into angry, steel blue eyes. He seems to control my air, my ability to breathe. He makes me crave everything I know is a sin. Pure becomes tainted and lines are blurred. It’s my fault; I’m the one who isn’t strong enough. I’ve been damaged…broken. Breck’s words haunt me…’There’s a consequence for every choice you make.’
Breck
I’ve had so many women I can’t even remember over half of their names, but none of them are mine; I make damn sure of that. I take what I desire and never look back. I don’t need or want anyone, ever…not until I met Emma. Those eyes bore into what’s left of my soul and her touch sears me, weakens me. I want to hate her for that. She is my ruin…my sweetest hell.
Disclaimer: Intended for readers 18+ due to strong language, mature scenes, and some violence.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20810676-ash-to-steele
Purchase: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IGGCCUQ/ref=twoen-20
AUTHOR BIO 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.Author links:http://www.karen-annestewart.com/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6920317.Karen_Anne_Stewarthttps://www.facebook.com/SKarenAnnehttps://twitter.com/SKarenAnne   Giveaway:Tour wide giveawayOpen INTL-a signed copy of Ash to Steele + a 25$ Amazon Gift Card
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