Thank you for chatting with me today, Ann. Let's jump into the questions...
What kind of research did you do for Blind Trust? Did you travel, use the Internet, speak with experts
on a topic, etc?
I used the Internet a lot, but also read books about the
work of the FBI and had a chat with local police officers.
Do any of your characters take over and write the book
themselves sometimes? Who?
It’s the third book in the series with FBI Agent Nicolas
Hayes and his lover, Jacklyn Hollander. It was to be expected that both main
characters develop a life of their own. Writing them gets better and easier
from one book to the next. More interesting, though, are the villains.
Katherine, head of the bank robbers, is a very strict and bossy personality.
She wasn’t meant to be, but to keep her brothers in check, she had to make
decisions, even the harsh ones. She became a stronger character than I
anticipated.
You said it’s the third book in the series. Are there
more?
Yes, I contracted #4 this month, and I’m currently working
on book #7. This time the agent and his girlfriend are in Maine. Of course, their
vacation doesn’t run smoothly, and sooner than later they’re in deep trouble.
My muse and I wanted to create a story that takes place in the wilderness—here
we go!
What do you prefer: ebook or print? Why?
I’m old-fashioned. I like to have a book in my hands and
turn pages. I admit that it’s better for the environment not to print books.
Since many books are only read once, ebooks should be preferred.
How long have you been writing? When did you decide to become an author?
I wrote short stories while I attended elementary school.
LOL. I haven’t stopped since. When the Internet became accessible everywhere, I
wrote fanfiction stories, turning around the wonderful world of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. It was great to
receive reviews, especially those lauding my original characters. I understood
that I could create characters on my own and didn’t need to rely on those
already known. Fanfiction was fun, though.
We all need a little inspiration in our lives. What’s
your favorite quote and why?
Carpe diem.
Take what the day offers you. Make the best out of it. Always. We don’t know
how long we live, so don’t waste time with things you don’t like or don’t want
to do.
What is your favorite book? Favorite author?
Besides writing and reading, what are some of your
hobbies?
I own a horse, a beautiful gelding, and I’m on horseback
whenever my spare time allows. I love to ride through the woods and think of
many different things than writing. Having a horse means that I spend a lot of
time outdoors and that’s good for me. My regular job contains a lot of stress,
and spending time with my horse is like taking a vacation.
About Blind
Trust:
Blurb
Two bank
robberies, a bunch of criminals, and no clues to their identity. Will Nicolas
and his new partner catch them before they can strike again?
Excerpt
Jacklyn
could tell by the way Nicolas put down his backpack and took off his coat and shoes
he’d had a stressful day. She cocked her head as she approached him, smiling
tentatively. In the year they had been together, she’d learned to read the
signs—how he walked in, how he doffed his clothes, how he looked at her. Right
then, his eyes were bloodshot, his movements slow and weary. She worried he’d
drop what he was holding, so she stood behind him and helped him peel off his
suit jacket.
“Too much
hard work, hmm?”
“You can’t
imagine.” Nicolas pulled her in his arms and whispered in her hair. “But I’m
glad I’m home.”
Jacklyn had
goosebumps on her arms and a bad feeling in her stomach. “Did anything terrible
happen?” They parted, and she put the jacket on a hanger.
“That
depends.” He walked to the bathroom and left her no choice but to follow. He
took off his dress shirt and pants and swayed on one foot to get rid of the
socks. “I botched up catching three bank robbers, and Jason fell down the
stairs at the metro and is in the hospital with an injured knee.” He glanced at
her. “So, judge for yourself if it was terrible.”
She rubbed
his shoulder gently. His muscles were tense, and he reeked of sweat. “I know
you work hard and try your best, but... in my eyes, you are perfect. I’m glad
Jason wasn’t hurt severely, and I’m convinced you’ll catch the bad guys. You’re
good at your job, no matter what happened today.” She kissed him chastely,
enjoying the stubble tickling her skin. “Take a shower, and I... or do you want
me to stay?” She frowned at his begging gaze. “Just say it.”
“Stay.”
Jacklyn bit
her lower lip, trying and failing to suppress a smile. “As you wish.”
She took off
her clothes and joined him in the shower. Standing behind him, she reached for
the shower gel as he leaned against her, moaning quietly. He rolled his
shoulders in the warm spray and grabbed her hips. Giggling because she had
trouble reaching around him to pour gel in her hand, she kissed him between the
shoulder blades, content with his reaction. He pressed his hands against the
tiles and hung his head in the rain of water while she took pleasure in washing
his body.
Never in her
life, had she had a lover with such a trained physique—a man used to sports and
martial arts, a man who kept himself lean and healthy without a woman urging
him. Nicolas Hayes was six foot two, a gentleman, and a very talented special
agent with the FBI, a fact she had learned to respect. In consequence, Jacklyn
accepted his odd working hours, tiredness, and—occasionally—his bad moods.
How-ever, after she had won him over, she hadn’t regretted a single day.
“If I scrub
you any longer, your skin will peel off.”
He turned
and wiped the water off his face. “We could change places.”
She burst
out laughing. “Naw, it wasn’t me stinking like a bear after hibernation!”
“Oh, that’s
how you see me? A bear? Thanks a lot!”
“Minus the fur, but—”
Nicolas
pulled her close and kissed her. When they parted, he smiled and appeared much
more at ease.
Jacklyn
sighed. “I so love the way you make up for your grumpiness.”
He put his
hands on her butt. “Do you want me to help you make dinner?”
She frowned
and pointedly looked down along their touching bodies. “What kind of dinner are
you talking about?”
He turned
off the water. “The one with you being my dessert, which I—since it’s my
choice—will devour before the main course.”
Jacklyn
lifted her chin and raised her brows. “You’re talking about devouring me? What
about me and my hunger? I’ve been deprived of your presence the whole day.” She fetched another kiss. “How hungry are
you?”
His next
kiss was the answer and then some, and Jacklyn melted in his arms.
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Ann Raina lives and works in Germany with cats and a horse. Riding and writing are her favorite hobbies. Her latest series, starting with Twisted Mind, is about an FBI agent, his demanding lover, and cases of violent crime. In all her books she combines romance, suspense, and humorous elements, for no thrilling story can stand without a comic relief.
For contact turn to annraina@yahoo.com
On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ann.raina.7
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