Thank you Anni
for sharing with the followers of my blog several things about you:
What
is your favorite theme/genre to write about?
I’m still a debut author so my experience begins and
ends with Romance. I find our world an increasingly challenging place to live
in, and we are surrounded by so many NOT happily ever afters. One of my
favorite escapes is to lose myself in a world of steamy romance, unpredictable
suspense, and a guaranteed HEA. This gets even better when its my job to choose
the hot alpha male, the sassy intelligent gal, the break-ups, the make-ups....
you get the picture.
What
books/authors have influenced your writing?
I used to read a ton of romance in my teens and
early twenties, and then the addiction faded. But four years ago my sister
implored me to read Slave to Sensation
by Nalini Singh. I balked but she wouldn’t
let up. Thank goodness because Nalini’s paranormal romance was easily one of
the best romance novels I had ever read. Not only did it hook me back into the
wonderful world of romance reading, last year I quit my career and started a
new one—writing romance!
If it was Nalini who seduced me back into the
romance genre, it was Kristen Ashley’s
contemporary and accessible writing style that I became most addicted to. When
I started writing Luke’s Redemption,
I was definitely influenced by KA’s panty-melting alpha heroes, and her ability
to convey both heartbreak and humor in such an effortless way. If I could
write a story that touched even one reader in the heartwarming and sexy way
that KA touches thousands of readers, then I would have succeeded in my aim.
What
are your expectations for the book?
I try not to have any. When I moved from the city
and changed my life, I promised myself I would never be driven by the pursuit
of money or ambition. Writing Luke’s
Redemption was my dream, and I poured my heart into creating characters
that are real, and that hopefully resonate with readers. Rather than
expectation, I have hope that readers will find a satisfying, and maybe even
addictive, escape in Luke and Katya’s searing but elusive love story ... and
then perhaps they will want to return and read my next novel, Gray’s Promise.
While
you were writing, did you ever feel as if you were one of the characters?
No. I’m a student of psychology so I love analyzing my character’s motives and looking at every response
they make from their own worldview. I try not to bring my own perspective into
contention as I believe this distorts how a character develops.
What
3 words best describe you?
Writer. Hermit-crab. #RedWineHolic.
How
did you get to be where you are in your life today?
Like most people, my
life has been filled with a mixture of right and wrong decisions, and many
unexpected turns. When I was young, I never knew what I wanted to do.I dreamed
of being a storyteller, but never believed this was a very practical choice. As
I wilted under the pressure of making such a monumental decision of which
career to follow, my mother simplified things by suggesting I just study
something I was interested in. I got a degree in International Relations and
English. And then found myself working in the TV and video industry. I didn’t
love it, but I was good at it. For over twenty years, I produced hundreds of
videos, commercials and TV programs.
I also traveled
extensively, for work and for pleasure. But I always had this vague sense of
emptiness. In my mid-thirties, I did a long-distance degree in psychology,
which began me on a path of self-introspection. Added to this, throughout my
thirties, my husband and I struggled to have a child. We had numerous IVF
treatments, and even tried with a surrogate. After a miscarriage, and many
failed attempts, I had to close a door on this painful journey. It changed me
in ways I’m still learning about.
Throughout
the years, I never let on that I day-dreamed about being an author. But in
January last year, all that changed. I returned home from a family beach
holiday, refreshed but totally uninspired to contact my clients and begin the
normal January jockeying for work. Instead, I procrastinated. And then I read
an article about self-publishing. A tiny flame ignited inside me, and I read
some more. A few days later, I was in the bath reading the latest Kristen
Ashley on my kindle … ‘I can write
something like this!’ A crazy thought by a woman lost in lala-land. Maybe.
But who cared—not me. Refusing to let the precious spark inside me fizzle out,
I made a life-changing decision. I shut down my business, cancelled my
apartment lease, and packed up my city life. A month later I arrived in a small
seaside village, and began my new life…as an author.
My life’s journey
contributes to my writing. But so does my pain. The stories I write are filled
with characters that have suffered. My infertility gave me a glimpse of what it
means to be deprived of the one thing you want more than anything else in life.
A heartbreaking lesson, but one I believe makes me a better storyteller.
Social Media and Buy Links
You can read book
excerpts and learn more about me on my website, and join Anni’s Posse to get
regular updates and Bonus Treats www.annifife.com
Luke’s
Redemption is also available from Kobe, Bookstrand, All Romance, iTunes and The
Wild Rose Press. All these Buy Links are available on Anni’s website: http://annifife.com/
My Review
Great Anni Fife debut story with a surprising
ending, and great characters . Luke’s Redemption is a wonderfully imaginative tale that
blends action, romance, and modern day drama into a captivating story where Katya
must keep on running from her mob father, from his partners in crime, from her sad
past and from her present wounded heart.
Nobody is who they claim to be, a thing that
complicates things and turns the book into a fast paced thriller/romance.
I was unsure at the beginning of Luke’s Redemption as
to how I would like it, but I found myself addicted to the story and I could
not put the book down. I had to force myself a times to just take a step back,
a breath and relax before continuing on with the book as I was so very caught
up in the plot. What a fast paced page turner! I loved every dark angsty
emotional minute of this book! Excellent HEA!
The story goes on a roller coaster ride of emotions
for both Katya and Michael/Luke. As he
himself states somewhere in the story :”Over the last days she had been put through the
wringer. Most people would have curled up and died.
As erotic isn’t on my list of readings I skipped the
explicit scenes, but for the rest it’s a, in my opinion, story that will keep
you turning the pages to find out what happens next.
I passed through different stages of emotion regarding the main character -
curiosity, empathy, rolling up my eyes
in frustration at many of Katya’s moments of stubbornness. I would have boxed
her ears.
You'll love the setting, the characters, the hints and
secrets. The secondary characters are well-developed and interesting,too, and the
story doesn't go anywhere near where I thought it was going. I love that! It's
hard to gush without giving away spoilers or I'd be listing all the specific
things that I loved, so I'll just say, "
If you want nonstop
action, characters you can relate to (but don’t clog up the plot) read this book!"
Recommend!
3. And on Thursday, 11th May another interview. Angela, Dracula's mistress, is Lisa Burton's guest. Here is the link:
