Blogging with Karin Harlow

It’s Jax Cassidy’s first mission for L.O.S.T.—one that will give the former cop who went rogue a chance to prove herself. Her assignment: gain the trust of assassin Marcus Cross . . . eliminate him . . . then take down Marcus’s mentor, Joseph Lazarus, a man with a bold eye on the White House. But the woman who’s known by her team for being a femme fatale succumbs to passion, only to discover Cross’s deadly secret. He’s a vampire, and Joseph Lazarus is his creator.

Left for dead by his platoon in the violent hills of Afghanistan, special ops sniper Marcus Cross was given a second chance at life. His newly heightened skills make him the perfect killing machine, and as Lazarus’s right hand man, he’s quickly rising to the top of his dark empire, purging enemies with speed and precision. Only when dangerous beauty Jax Cassidy is sent to bring him in does he begin to question Lazarus’s motives and his own actions. But when Jax’s life is threatened by the one thing that can destroy them both, Marcus must make a bitter choice—her death or his.

Karin is giving away an autographed copy of ENEMY LOVER and a special mug to one lucky commenter. Winner will be chosen at random on May 14th and will be contacted via email. Please provide this info if you wish to be included in the drawing.

I’m very excited to have debut paranormal romantic suspense author KARIN HARLOW visiting Romance Divas for so many reasons. She’s already getting spectacular reviews and I’ve become an instant fan since her first book features the heroine who totes my name. How cool is that? And I didn’t even need to win a contest to be immortalized.

Seriously, if the cover is any indication of what’s in store for the series…it’s going to be HOT! Let’s give a big, warm welcome to Karin Harlow!
Thank you, Jax for the invite. But more than that, thank you for your very cool name.  Whenever I see your name, I think, hey what’s Jax doing here? It’s kind of weird but in a very wonderful way!

What propelled you to take that leap and become a romance writer?

I read THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER in 8^th grade!  I was hooked on romance from that moment on.  I started to write my own romances in high school, and it carried over off and on through the years until I finally thought, I can do this.  I want to do this.  I’m going to do this!  It took a lot of hard work and many rejections, but here I am.

How challenging has it been for you to market this series as a debut author?

Getting the word out.  Building an audience.

Pretty darn challenging! Trying to convince readers to take a chance on me with their hard earned cash is no easy feat.  Trying to convince readers ENEMY LOVER is a damn good book without coming across as a pathetic pool of goo is even harder!

What is the best advice for debut authors to focus on in terms of marketing themselves?

Go viral.  A few years ago it was scoffed at.  Now?  It’s paramount to success.  Create buzz and ride the wave as long as you can and that means a lot of work.  For me it’s no sweat hanging out at blogs and chatting.  I love to chat about romance and this industry.  I like people. So it’s a happy task.

ENEMY LOVER is the first book in your new L.O.S.T. series. Could you please tell us about the book and how you came up with the concept?

The L.O.S.T. series was pitched as The Dirty Dozen meets Mission Impossible with a paranormal twist.  The idea was sparked as my husband watched The Dirty Dozen for the umpteenth time.  Thank goodness I was sitting there.  I thought, how cool would it be to bring those guys into the 21st century and make them cops? Bad bad cops who have strayed way over the line. What if they went up against vampires they had no idea existed.  Voila, Last Option Special Team as born…

What do you love most about this series?

I can do anything.  My L.O.S.T. operatives are the best of the best and the baddest of the bad.  I never make excuse for them.  I love being able not to do that!  These stories are big.  A lot is on the line.  Like the White House. And the paranormal element?  How sexy are vampires?

You know you’re going to get this one….Why did you decide to choose the name Jax Cassidy as a heroine?

Jax Cassidy is a very cool name.  I envy you.  I knew Jax by name before I knew her by character, and she came to me almost instantly with the name.  All attitude and kick ass.  But also deeply damaged.  If I ever got into trouble, Jax Cassidy is the first person I’d call.

In fact, are you an author who has to have names clearly defined before starting a project?

I do.  Most of the time.  With Marcus, I knew everything about him except his name.  It wasn’t until I was writing his first scene that he told me who he was.

Or do you put placeholders on name?

Very rarely do I put a placeholder on my three main character’s names.  Names are very important, so I am very selective. But sometimes, like with Marcus, I had to let him reveal it.

Do you have any writing rituals you follow?

Nope.  I just put by butt in the chair and write.

Any superstitions when working on new projects?

None.

What is the most extreme or spontaneous thing you’ve ever done and did it impact your life in any way?

Took off to California from the east coast with my then boyfriend who became my husband 28 years ago with nothing but a few boxes.  Not one single regret either.

What is the biggest misconception about romance authors that you’ve come across?

That we’re bored housewives.

Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?

Don’t quit submitting.  It’s really rough and tumble out there right now.  Hang in there.  It will come to those of you who want it bad enough to do the work and stay in the game.  Go home and you lose.

Any last words for our readers?

I promise you will not be disappointed if you pick up a copy of ENEMY LOVER!

Also, I have a very cool give away for a lucky commenter today. A custom L.O.S.T. latte mug! But to be eligible you have to ask me a book or industry related question.

Thank you again, Jax for having me!

I wish you much success Karin in your new series and would love for you to come back for a visit! Ahem, I really think that everyone should run out and get a copy of ENEMY LOVER just for my name alone! LOL

A full time writer, Karin spins dark tales of suspense, love and things that go bump in the night. Drawing from her life as a cop’s wife, her stories resonate with authority and reality. When Karin isn’t writing, she enjoys traveling the California coast line with her husband and one or more of her four children or getting together in far off places with her writing buddies.

You can find Karin at:

www.KarinHarlow.com, www.facebook.com/KarinHarlow, www.Twitter.com/KarinHarlow