It’s our great pleasure to welcome Award Winning, Samhain Bestselling Author Anne Rainey to BLI today! Anne is here to celebrate the release of her latest novel So Sensitive, which is published by Kensington Aphrodisia and hits the stands June 28, 2011. So Sensitive is a sizzling erotic romance with suspense elements involving Gracie Baron and hot alpha hero Wade Harrison. This is the first in Anne’s Hard To Get series of novels.
So Sensitive is an RT Book Reviews Top Pick for July, The reviewer said: “A touch of BDSM complements sizzling-hot sex in this suspenseful winner.”
Anne! Welcome to BLI, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us today. 🙂
Anne: Thanks for having me here!
Anne can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Anne: How about the official bio? 🙂
I grew up in a small town in central Ohio the only girl with three rowdy, older brothers. When I wasn’t playing tackle football with them I was usually tucked away in my mother’s book room getting lost in mysterious worlds created by authors such as Martha Grimes and Andrew M. Greeley. I’ve had a variety of odd jobs including: Chiropractic Assistant, Frame Stylist, Restaurant Hostess, and Nail Technician.
I now live with my fabulous husband, two gorgeous teenage daughters, two ornery dogs and three snooty cats. When I’m not dressing, feeding, cleaning or spending time with them, I can be found at the computer writing stories hot enough to make your toes curl!
Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?
Anne: Well, there are no hot cabana boys and there is no personal assistant or maid service. Although I wish! The reality is that I get up around 6am, iron my husbands clothes that he’s going to wear for the day, get my cranky kids up and drive them to school. Somewhere in here I’ve had to let the dogs out so they could do their business and I’m generally dressed and groomed by this point, lol.
Once I have the gang out of the house I grab a cup of coffee, boot up the computer and begin going through the email. An hour or so later and I’m usually ready to break out the work-in-progress and get some REAL work done. I eat lunch at my computer most days, and then somewhere around 2pm I pick the kids up from school. Homework, after school activities (I’m the chauffer), dinner, and chores take up the next few hours. Sometimes I can move quick enough and I’ll get another hour or so with my WIP before I close down the computer for the day. Summer schedule? Any time I get at the computer is precious time spent! :-p
As for whether I’m a plotter or pantser. I tend to hover somewhere in-between. I don’t necessary plot every tiny detail of the story, but I don’t just wing it either. If that makes sense…lol.
What can we expect of So Sensitive?
Anne: So Sensitive is my first full length novel and I’m very excited about it. While it is a very hot story, there is also a mystery involved. Gracie Baron has a stalker and he’s way the heck off his rocker. She also has quite a bit of family turmoil that keeps her on an emotional rollercoaster.
Wade Harrison is Gracie’s big, strong protector. At least he wants to be—if Gracie will only let him. The only thing Wade wants is to see Gracie safe and happy…and all his. He’s sexy and extremely determined, but Gracie has trust issues.
The sparks really fly between these two strong-willed characters. There are also a few secondary characters that very nearly steal the show!
You’ve shared a great sneak peek at So Sensitive on your website and mention it’s connected to Cherry On Top which is part of the anthology Some Like It Rough. Can So Sensitive be read as a standalone or would it be beneficial to read Cherry On Top first?
Anne: Yes, So Sensitive can be read as a standalone. However, while I don’t feel it’s absolutely necessary to read Cherry On Top to follow the plot in So Sensitive, I do think that the few glimpses readers get of Cherry and Dante will make them want to see how the pair found their own HEA.
Here is a little snippet from the Prologue of So Sensitive you’ve posted on your website:
“Gracie couldn’t take her eyes off the man leaning against her desk. His dark, wavy brown hair and easy smile sent a shiver of awareness down her spine. He was large, with well sculpted, drool worthy arms. Arms that would hold a woman tight. And he was looking at her as if he’d struck gold.
“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. I’m Wade Harrison, Cherry’s friend, and you are?”
So Sensitive © Anne Rainey
Yum! LOL.. Can you tell us a little more about Wade’s character Anne?
Anne: Wade Harrison is an ex-soldier turned PI. And while he now runs a successful private investigative business with his friend, Jonas Phoenix, Wade is a soldier to the core. As the oldest of three siblings, he’s always been the responsible one. The type of guy who feels the need to help a damsel in distress. When he first meets Gracie he’s instantly attracted to her. He imagines getting her into his bed. After he learns about her stalker and all the drama she’s been forced to deal with on a daily basis, Wade suddenly sees more than a pretty face in Gracie Baron. He sees an intelligent woman with a big heart. A woman he could spend the rest of his life with. If only she’d stop being so contrary! lol
Gracie has a pretty rough life. She works two jobs and has a father who drinks his money away and depends on her for support. So you’ve created a heroine with a high work ethic and a sense of responsibility. In addition, she has a stalker! Would you be willing to tell readers a little more about Gracie’s character and her background?
Anne: Gracie has learned the hard way that the only person in this world you can rely on is yourself. Her mother left when she was too little to even remember her. Her grandmother was the only person ever kind to her, but she died when Gracie was ten years old, leaving Gracie alone with an alcoholic father. Gracie doesn’t trust men at all.
When Wade comes along and all but forces her to accept his help and his friendship, she’s flummoxed. In her world men are only nice when they want something. She has a lot of misconceptions to overcome. Luckily, Wade is sweet and patient and more than willing to prove to Gracie that not all men are scum.
When you are writing do your characters talk to you?
Anne: All the time! When I’m cooking, doing laundry, and most especially when my head hits the pillow at night. That’s when they start telling me how to write the next chapter, and boy can they be demanding. They’re only quiet after they get their HEA!
And we readers are sure glad about that! lol
Pleasure Bound is Book II in the Hard To Get series and it is due out in November? Will readers meet the main characters in Pleasure Bound in So Sensitive? Or are the books more loosely connected?
Anne: Actually, these two books are pretty closely connected. Jonas Phoenix, the hero in Pleasure Bound, is Wade’s business partner and his best friend. Jonas does in fact play a big role in So Sensitive. The heroine in Pleasure Bound, Deanna Harrison, is Wade’s sister and you’ll get a few peeks of her in So Sensitive as well.
Jonas has the hots for Deanna, but because she’s Wade’s little sister she’s supposed to be off limits. Jonas has a way of getting his own way, though—and he wants Deanna. She thinks Jonas is annoying and doesn’t want anything to do with him (unfortunately for Jonas). There is a lot of hot sexual tension in Pleasure Bound. They’re story is fun and sexy, and not quite so…heavy as So Sensitive.
What is next on your schedule after the release of So Sensitive?
Anne: Well, on September 6th the print copy of Tahoe Nights will release with Samhain Publishing. That anthology has stories by Karen Erickson, Scott Carpenter and myself. Then, as mentioned above, readers will get Pleasure Bound on November 1st. And later this winter I’ll have a new novella out titled Sam’s Promise, which starts off a new series for me at Samhain Publishing. More on that later, I promise!
I for one can’t wait for all your upcoming publications Anne!
Can you summarize So Sensitive for us twitterstyle (in 140 characters or less)?
Anne: I’m NOT good at this. LOL! How’s this?
Gracie Baron has a stalker and she knows of only one man capable of helping her get rid of him—the totally irresistible PI Wade Harrison.
It’s perfect! You nailed it Anne!
Now can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?
Will you come back and visit us again when Pleasure Bound is released in November?
Anne: I’d love to! And just wait until you meet Jonas Phoenix. He’s yummy! LOL!
Can’t wait!! 😉
Anne, it’s been such a pleasure to chat with you today, congratulations on the release of So Sensitive! Thank you so much for joining us!
Anne: Thanks for the fun questions!!
And now a question for commenters from Anne:
Anne: I deal with the uncomfortable real-life situation of alcoholism in So Sensitive. During the beta reading phase I received mixed reactions about how Gracie handled her alcoholic father. One thing I learned is that there aren’t always easy answers to tough issues such as what Gracie goes through. My question to you is, have you ever had to make a tough choice about a family member, then later been criticized for it?
Where to find Anne:
Anne has generously offered a print copy of So Sensitive to the first winner chosen *if the winner is from the USA or Canada*, if the commenter is from overseas then a copy of an e-book from Anne’s extensive backlist is offered. Winner #2 can choose an e-book from Anne’s extensive backlist to the second winner chosen.
You can peruse Anne’s backlist by clicking here. 🙂
All you have to do is answer Anne’s question above.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)
Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).
*Print Book open to USA and Canada
E-book choice is open worldwide!*
Giveaway ends on Saturday, 9 July 2011; and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good luck!
Yes, I have made a tough choice about not having contact with my mother. I know in the future my sister will critize me for it(esp. after her money runs out, and my sister will want me to take care of her, at which time, I will say no).
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Sometimes you have to cut people out of your life for your own preservation. Destructive and negative people, even if they're family, will drag you down with them. I've had to distance myself from family members who didn't want the best for me. I've been criticized for this by some of my siblings. All I can say is I won't live my life on anyone's terms but my own. Great question.
User1123 AT comcast DOT net
there have been friends i have cut out my life for reasons of sanity but never a family member as of yet, i do have 6 siblings so there still be a chane of that
congrats on the release love your cape series
seachele71@hotmail.com
I am 48 and have not had to make the tough choice like that yet. Though one was made for me by my mom when I was almost two. My father was a drunk and when she divorced him she also made it so he had no contact with my brother or me. I met him once when I was 7 and again 2 months before he died when I was 16. I understand what my mother did but I don't agree with it. When we became teens we should have been given to opportunity to know him. As it stands I know nothing about my father's side of the family.
I think your books sound very good and I will look forward to reading them. Thanks for the giveaway.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
Not entering, but I'll mention it Friday!
I made the choice to divorce my alcoholic husband. My family was aghast—-they didn't know he drank. until after the divorce.
I made the choice of putting my son on medicine for his /ADD/ADHD. My family had their reservations but I'm happy to report he's thriving in his studies. Thanks for the giveaway!
jcross719 at yahoo dot com
Great post.I love Anne's books.
Thankfully I have not had to make a tough choice for a a family member…yet.But I see my siblings and myself having to make one of those decisions soon for our parents.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
Thank goodness, no & hopefully never (touch wood)
When my dad was sick I was on autopilot. More importantly, I was on self preservation mode. He had been in the hospital about a week when I received a call from my aunt. She was pissed that I didn't call her and tell her. Afer I got off the phone, I told my mom and she AGREED with my aunt. When I pointed out that I was busy taking care of both my father and mother and my own family she asked me how hard would it have been to call my aunt and tell her. I was shocked because it was an honest oversight. Now, I am very careful to make sure my mother makes the call whenever something happens.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
Hi Lea and Anne!!
Great to see you here Lea!
Wow, So Sensitive sounds great, even with the tough subject matter involved.
It's hard to criticize a family member, it always offends someone. Yes, I've been in that situation, and it's a no win. I try to keep my opinions to myself at the first argument, lol.
Dottie 🙂
I have never made that kind of decision with my family before. I have stopped contact with friends because of things they have done. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
Thankfully, I never had to make a decision like that.
Your books sound great! Have to check them out.
claudigc at msn dot com
Hi All,
I'm sorry for not being here on Monday. I've been offline as my mom is very ill.
Thanks for all the wonderful comments!
Mine wasn't so much a choice as a realization that my mother was not a good parent and learning to accept that and not hate myself or her for that realization.
Mare
tommygirl828 (at) gmail (dot) com
The books sound great! can't wait to read!
Yes, I have made a tough choice about not having anything to do with my aunt and grandmother. They did alot of things to hurt my family. For example, they critise everyone they meet. There hateful and rude. They love making fun of people and putting them down about themselves. My grandmother called my mother one time and told her she hated us all and wished us dead. There bad alcohlics. They done so many things and my mom is so forgiving and she always takes them back. They use her for what they can get out of her. I get critised by my family because i refuse to have anything to do with them and i wont forgive them.
Hi Anne,
Great to meet you.. I have read a couple of your books..and really enjoyed them 🙂
Thanks for this fab chance to win your book!! Count me in!
Now, coming to your question…
I think yeah..there're times when our logic goes haywire when it comes to family.. I have found that mixing money and relationships/family don't work well…no matter whether it's parent child or siblings…and yes, the only way I try to combat it is by never having any monetary transactions with my family. I support them 100% even money wise, but wouldn't buy something from them that they intend to sell to someone else.. And this decision was taken once I got my hands burnt…
I'm sure I'll have mixed reactions when reading about someone else in the same position, but of course, once I know they try their best, they have my attention and respect!
Great post Lea. Love the interview Anne. So sorry you're going through a tough time with your mom.
It was so nice to see you & meet your family in Cincy. I'll send you your pic soon. ((hugs))
I haven't been put in a situation where I've been criticized for my choices in handling relations with any family members.
lenikaye@yahoo.com
It is a rather personal question and not many people will actually be comfortable answering it.
I enjoyed reading your interview and I would like to win a paperback book.
tatiana_lwg(at) yahoo.com
No, I haven't and I feel really lucky because of it. Thanks for the giveaway.
jessicamariesutton(at)msn(dot)com
My siblings and I tried to help out when our mother was drinking too much and doing stupid things like drinking & driving and it was causing alot of very bad fights between the parents. Unfortunately, it did not help. She continues to drink, dad makes excuses for it, but she has not been driving after drinking. It took quite a while for her to get over it, and she is still pissed at me over 8 months later because I was the one she blamed. We get along ok but there are times when she will do/say something and I know she is still mad at me. Knowing the way she holds onto things, it is probably something she will never get past, even though we did it because we love her.
ok…enough of that. The books sound great. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.
GFC follower: June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com