About author, Karyn Rae: Karyn Rae is an emerging Romantic-Suspense author. Her debut novel, The Achilles Heel was released in May 2014. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and the Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild. Karyn resides in Missouri with her husband, son, daughter, and chocolate lab- Augusta Mae.
The first part of Karyn’s life was spent in the South, and the last fifteen years have played out in the Midwest, but she’s still holding on to a shred of her Southern roots. She is a wife, mother, daughter, and sister who has made it her mission in life to carve out a career for herself, while keeping the husband and the children happy.
**Contact: Website
INTERVIEW
Describe your writing style in five words: I write from the heart.
Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? Paperback or eBook. Hardback books seem too grown up for me, but I love holding an actual book in my hands. EBooks are helpful because of the lit screen, and I have a child that likes to sneak into my bed at night. At that point, turning on a lamp is out of the question; never wake a sleeping kid!
Tell us about your writing/editing publishing process: In one word- long! I’m working on my second book (the sequel to The Achilles Heel) and I’ve already found a process that feels right. Every time I sit down to write, I go back three chapters and begin reading from there. It helps to put me back into the story, and by the time I get to my last stopping point, I’m ready to move forward with the writing. After I finished my first book, one of the best pieces of advice I got was to step away from the story. I took a month off before I went back to do my first round of edits, and I felt like a reader not just the author. I’ll definitely keep that as part of my process.
When writing, what is your favorite snack or drink to have beside you? I don’t like to eat when I write because I hate sticky fingers. I usually have a glass of water on my side table, but I get so engrossed into the story, I forget to drink any of it.
In your writing, what are some of your strengths and weaknesses? Strengths- writing about real and relatable people, even if the situation isn’t. Romantic suspense is my genera, so I want the readers to be in the story, feeling the highs and lows with the characters.
Weaknesses- punctuation and run-on sentences. I wasn’t a journalism or English major, so I have a lot of work to do in the mechanics department of writing.
Do you have any writing ritual? I used to need everything perfectly in place to be able to write, but then summer hit. I have two kids that are out of school for summer break and perfection was thrown out the window. It’s good though. I’m glad I’ve been able to adapt to my environment. Life is always changing, and you either need to get on board or you’ll get left behind.
Which author inspires you? There are so many answers to this question. On a world-wide level- Gillian Flynn. Gillian is a Midwest girl who has conquered the world. She continues to raise the bar higher, and I love that. On a local level- Liz Schulte. Liz has self-published numerous novels and makes a comfortable living as a full-time author. She writes what she wants and keeps her own schedule.
What is your favorite word? Baby. I grew up in the south and the word baby has so many different meanings. It’s an all-encompassing term of endearment that makes my heart smile when I call my daughter, baby, but also makes me swoon when I hear it from a man. I love that one word can make me feel so many emotions.
Is the social media a help or a hinder? For me social media is a God send. I’m a no-name, first time author, trying to break into a billion dollar business. I’ll take all the help I can get.
What is your favorite topic to write about? I love a good mystery. As a reader, I love to figure out the mystery as soon as possible. I’m uber competitive, so I feel a sense of accomplishment if I can guess the ending. As a writer, my agenda is the complete opposite. When I wrote a five year plan for myself, I specifically wrote that I would have no less than five twists in each book. I love leading readers on, stroking their confidence, and making them think they have the ending of the book figured out. Then, I sweep the legs at the end, blindsiding them with another twist.
What do you want your readers to take away from your books? I’m a mom who lives an ordinary life. I want to be taken away from fighting, cleaning, bills, cooking and basically working for other people (mostly small people). When someone chooses my book, I feel as though I have a responsibility to take them away from their life. My books probably won’t make you smarter or change your life, but they will certainly help you escape it.
What are you working on right now? Right now, I’m halfway through the sequel to The Achilles Heel. I have seven notebooks, each filled with the details for another story. I have the material; I just need to find the time to write them all.
* * * * *
Annie embarks on a mission to the Virgin Islands to uncover the truth about her husband’s past and seek safety from her brother-in-law, who seems to be the captain of his own sinking ship. While settling into paradise, she meets the wickedly handsome, but surprisingly reserved Kessler Carlisle, who is struggling with his retirement from country music superstardom. With Kessler’s help, Annie discovers the heart’s uncanny ability to heal, and the possibility that dead men don’t always keep their secrets-even if they’re buried in the Caribbean waters of St. Croix.
The Achilles Heel delves into the formidable fact that everyone harbors darkness, and some will go to the depths of the ocean to keep their secrets hidden.
**Buy “The Achilles Heel”: Amazon
* * * * *
**Click HERE to see other stops on Karyn’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!
(Also, everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases a copy of The Achilles Heel by September 1 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at)ChickLitPlus.com will receive 10 bonus entries!**
