Katie Reus has DANGER NEXT DOOR (and a giveaway!) Back to Blog
Update: The two winners selected are Vicki S. and SupaGurl. Congrats! Will you both please contact me via katiereus@gmail.com so I can get the book to you? 
Hi, everyone! I hope that you had a terrific weekend! Today, I’ve got guest author Katie Reus here with a fun post and giveaway. Katie’s got a new romantic suspense story that I can’t wait to read (it will be my reward as soon as I turn in the two books that are due by mid-June!). Katie, I’m glad you came to visit!
Thanks so much to Cynthia for letting me blog here today! I just got to see this fabulous woman on Saturday and she was talking about wanting to see hear some sexy firemen speak at one of our local RWA chapter meetings sometime in the future. Which got me thinking about why the heck have I never written a fireman as a hero?? Okay, that’s not the point of this post, but now I can’t stop thinking about hot guys in fire hats and nothing else… anywho, moving on 😉
Somehow it’s already June and I’m still having a hard time believing half the year has flown by. My son is about to turn one (holy crap!) and is already walking and getting into pretty much everything. I call him my little hurricane (my very adorable hurricane). Right before he was born I started the story No One to Trust. That’s the first story in my Red Stone Security series and now Danger Next Door, the second story, is out and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
I’ve always been a fan of fairytales and the concept for this story has been simmering in the back of my brain for quite a while. Only recently did I have the time to actually work on it and I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally be releasing Danger Next Door. It’s a contemporary beauty and the beast themed romantic suspense with a scarred hero and a very outspoken heroine. Of all the fairytales I read while growing up, Beauty and the Beast was my favorite. I think it’s probably because everyone has scars whether they’re visible or not, so it was a lot of fun to use the theme in a story and put my own twist on it.
I’d love to give away copies of Danger Next Door to two random commenters. Just tell me what your favorite fairytale is. Or if you don’t have one, tell me if you have a favorite theme or trope in romance stories. I’ll leave this open until Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at noon Central.
Also, with the release of Danger Next Door I’ve marked down No One to Trust to 99 cents via Smashwords. Just enter the coupon code CR37V. It will be live until June 8. Feel free to share it with others!
Danger Next Door excerpt:
Grant opened his eyes at the sound of his cell phone buzzing across the nightstand. The insistent hum was going to drive him insane. Grabbing it, he looked at the caller ID then shoved the phone under his pillow.
It was Porter. Again.
He loved his oldest brother—okay, his whole family, but he wished they’d leave him the hell alone. If he decided to take the job at Red Stone Security and work with both his brothers and father he’d do it when he was damn well good and ready.
And not a minute sooner.
He rolled onto his side, ignoring the stiffness in his shoulders. Right now he was just trying to keep it together. After leaving the Miami Police Department he felt lost for the first time in his life. Not something he was used to. Right out of high school he’d joined the Marines just like his big brother had done. Four years later after an honorable discharge he’d joined the Miami PD. His first two years as a rookie he’d gone to night school while working as a patrolman. When he’d made SWAT he’d spent the next two years finishing up with his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. And for the last two he’d been working as a detective and he loved it.
Well, had loved it.
Now he was on temporary disability and trying to figure out what he was doing with his life. Half a year ago things had been so clear. He’d had his entire life mapped out. Now, not so much.
Forcing himself to get out of bed and to stop the fucking pity party he was about to have, he took a quick shower and didn’t bother looking in the mirror before or after. Seeing his scars only reminded him of what a deformed monster he was. No thanks. He thought about it enough and didn’t need the visual aids.
Making his way to the kitchen he avoided glancing at picture frames dotting his hallway walls or anywhere else. They were all filled with pictures of his happy smiling family. His brother Porter and fiancé Lizzy. Or his brother Harrison and gorgeous wife Mara. Or his brothers, father and Grant, before the accident.
When he’d been a normal guy. Not Hollywood handsome, but good looking enough to get laid on a regular basis. Now…fuck, he hated the bitterness welling up inside him.
He was alive and had a great family. He’d get over it. Just not today. As he started making a pot of coffee he glanced out his kitchen window and into his neighbor’s window and froze.
He had the perfect view of his new neighbor. She was beautiful. Scratch that. The word didn’t even come close to describing her. There’d been moving guys in and out of the two-story house all day yesterday but he’d had no clue who was actually moving in. Holy shit, if that was her he’d probably scare the hell out of her the first time she saw him. Gorgeous women like her did not associate with someone like him. It would only make her self-conscious or worse—pity him.
But she wasn’t even aware of his presence so he could drink in his fill right now. Even if he did feel a little like a peeping Tom.
She didn’t seem very tall, though it was hard to measure. Her dark wavy hair cascaded down over her shoulders, reaching just below her breasts. Very full breasts. Definitely enough to fill his palms. And the tight tank top she was wearing left very little to the imagination. It was obvious she’d just woken up as she rubbed a hand over her face and reached for the coffee pot.
Look away, he ordered himself.
But he was rooted to the spot. There was a lot of natural light shining into her kitchen from the windows at the back of her house. He couldn’t see the other windows from his angle, but he’d been inside the house before his former elderly neighbors moved out, and it was bathing her like she was some sort of goddess.
Yawning, she stretched her arms over her head and showed off a nice expanse of toned, tanned belly and—yep, he was walking away now.
Before he really did turn into some sort of pervert.
***
Available now from Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, and All Romance eBooks.
Thanks for stopping by!
A little about me: I’ve been reading romance since a young age—ever since I discovered my mom’s hidden stash. Luckily the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, and NAL/Signet Eclipse. To learn more about me please visit my website, my blog, facebook or find me on twitter @katiereus.
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Favorite fairytale is Beauty and the Beast.
Yay! Thanks for stopping by, Allie 🙂
This looks awesome, Katie. Congrats on the new release.
Caridad! Thanks so much for stopping by! I’ve got two of your books lined up in my kindle queue that I plan to get to this weekend 🙂
my favorite fairytale is beauty and the beast.
It’s such a classic 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Can’t wait to read this!! Katie, I love all of your books! My favorite fairytale is Cinderella!
Thanks Reagan! Another great choice 🙂
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite too. No one to trust is next in my Tbr pile.
Yay! I really hope you enjoy it, Tamara 🙂
I have a couple favorite fairytales. Beauty and the Beast has always been one of them. I also really enjoy Rapunzel and The Snow Queen.
I adored the new movie Tangled with Rapunzel! She was such an awesome character 🙂 I’m trying to remember The Snow Queen but think I need to look it up. I remember it as being dark, right? 🙂
Thanks for stopping by Katie!! Favorite fairytale hands down is Sleeping Beauty 🙂
But who can resist the Beauty and the Beast theme!! Very excited about this release, will there be another release ( I hope ) in this series and if so when :D?
Have a fabulous day!!!
That’s another fantastic one! I especially love all the new modern twists on fairytales! Yes, there will definitely be another release (I have a few more planned) in the series. Right now I’m hoping for December but it might not be until January 🙂
I love that line: He loved his oldest brother—okay, his whole family, but he wished they’d leave him the hell alone. :).
My favorite tale is PussNBoots. But I enjoy all the fairy tales.
Congratulations on DANGER NEXT DOOR.
Love that one! Thanks, Viki 🙂
Hi Katie! Love your books! One of my fave Fairy Tales is Little Red Riding Hood. I can’t honestly say, that anyone has done this story justice yet. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks so much Barb! Yes, that one is a definite fave. Of course I always wanted a different twist with the ‘big bad wolf’. Hmm, I don’t think I’ve read a modern one I like either so maybe I’ll write one with this theme *g*
You go Katie!!
Favorite fairy tale…I just saw Snow White and the Huntsman, so I have to say Snow White.
I guess that means the movie is good! Can’t wait to see it 🙂
I’ve never really been into fairy tales….perhaps because my parents didn’t read them to me. I remember my dad reading The Tales of Edgar Allen Poe to my brother and I during bath time when I was 4. Guess that explains why paranormal books are some of my favs, though fairy tales are pretty dark too.
My favorite trope is the hero/heroine waking up and finding out that the guy/gal next door/best friend is the right one for them.
I’m not a big fan of Poe but I’ve gotta say that’s all kinds of awesome that your dad read him to you guys! I love that trope too! Friends to lovers is always a good one 🙂
I wasn’t a huge fairytale fan growing up, but I do enjoy a modern twist on Beauty & the Beast. Speaking of which–when the Disney version was released, I remember thinking that the prince would be so *old* by the time the last rose petal fell of… then I watched it with my roommates during our 3rd year of university and we all realised that were older than the prince. It was quite jarring, haha.
Congrats on the new release!
Lol, Cris! That’s funny 🙂
Oh I am a fan of fairytales… my fav is Sleeping Beauty. 😀
Another good one! Thanks for stopping by Colleen 🙂
Congrats on the new release, Katie. Beauty and the Beast is a fave, too, but I rediscovered my love of Rapunzel when I saw Tangled.
I know! That’s such an awesome movie. I absolutely loved Rapunzel’s character 🙂
My favorite fairy tale would have to be cinderella. I love the thought of finding a prince for a husband. The thought of being a princess. I hated the whole mean stepmom, but that made her stronger.
Great excerpt. The book looks awesome and would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway.
Always a classic choice. Love it! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Congrats on the release!!! I really love Beauty and the Beast!
Yay! Beauty and the Beast seems to be a well liked theme 🙂
WOW! how have I not heard of this and the one before yet?? def. going to check out the 1st one 🙂 *runs to smashwords*
I loved all the fairytales growing up… but the one that sticks with me even now is… Red Riding hood I loved that one and still do!
supagurlheather @ gamil .com
Such a great choice! After your and Barb’s comments I’m going to see if I can hunt down a good modern day telling of the story. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
My favorite is Cinderella (love Drew´s interpretation) but i´m pretty excited about Snow White and the Huntsman =)
I love fairytales and can´t read if there´s not a HEA somewhere in the book *sigh*
best wishes, Linda xo
I own that one on DVD! I love how she saved herself *g* I’m super excited about the Huntsman movie also. 🙂
My favorite was and still is Beauty and the Beast. Who couldn’t feel for the “beast” and want to be a better person. Congrats on your release..
Exactly! Thanks for stopping by today 🙂
I hate to follow the others but I must admit Beauty and the Beast is my favourite also. That must be why we all like werewolves. The idea of a really wild man . Oh yes.
It’s not following, lol. Just seems to be generally liked (which is good)! Hee, I adore werewolves and shifters 🙂
Beauty and the Beast… I think I like a story where there aren’t any ‘real’ horrible villains and everyone lives happily ever after!
Always gotta have that HEA 🙂
Hey I can’t wait to read this book. My favorite fairy tale is beauty and the beast. A few months ago I read hannah howell- beauty and the beast. Really great story. I love reading books relating to this fairy tale
I’ve never read her but I will be checking this out pronto! 🙂
Hey I can’t wait to read this book. My favorite fairy tale is beauty and the beast. A few months ago I read hannah howell- beauty and the beast. Really great story. I love reading books relating to this fairy tale.
Sleeping Beauty…
Debi Anne
debi01760@hotmail.com
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I don’t know about a favorite, but I was looking forward to seeing Snow White and the Huntsman. My daughter and I went yesterday. It was so so. Not much romance. Kristen Stewart was just Bella in a dress. She’s so one dimensional. Chris Hemsworth ….. Yes please! Charlize Theron was very good as the wicked Queen. I loved Alpha Instinct. Thanks for the chance.
I’m still going to have to see it, lol! Charlize Theron is always amazing. Glad to hear she was good! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I still remember the show which I loved!!!
Really seems like a lot of people love this theme! So glad it’s not just me 🙂
My favorite is Beauty and Beast, but I like the Phantom of the Opera version. Obviously, he isn’t turned into a beast but he is disfigured and not quite so nice. I am a sucker for bad boys. Especially ones with beautiful voices.
Love those bad boys 😉
Congratulations on the book! I like Cinderella.
Thanks bn! 🙂
Congrats on the book. It sounds great. I love these type of books so I will definitely be adding it to my list. My favorite fairytale is Cinderella and also Beauty and the Beast. So hard to pick just one.
Lol, I know, I don’t think I can pick just one either 🙂
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite. Your book looks great!
Thanks, Robin! 🙂
Enjoyed reading the comments.
my favorite fairy tale is Rapunzel-I was so envious of her living in a castle and having really long hair. As a child, my hair was so curly my Mom always cut it really short to help control it.
After Tangled she’s definitely one of my favorite fairytale heroines 🙂
My favorite fairy tale is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Danger Next Door sounds like a great read.
Definitely a classic! I watched the show Once Upon a Time up until the season finale and love the Snow White character. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I love fairy tales. Picking one is hard. I’d have to say Sleeping Beauty.
Great choice! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I love Rapunzel – always have. I wanted to have long blonde hair (mine is midnight black). I can’t wait to read “Danger Next Door”.
I bet your hair is absolutely gorgeous! We always want something else though, lol. I used to want straight hair when I was younger 🙂
my favourite fairy tale is the ugly duckling. Simply beautiful story about finding one destiny;)
You’re right, that’s such a beautiful story! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
it would have to be Beauty and the Beast Gale
pgan427@yahoo.com
Thanks for stopping by Gale 🙂
Thanks again to Cynthia for having me and thank you all for stopping by!! The two winners chosen via random.org are Vicki S. and SupaGurl. Congrats! Will you both please contact me via katiereus@gmail.com so I can get the book to you 🙂
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