Spotlight & Giveaway: Guarding His Midnight Witness by Anna J Stewart

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Anna J Stewart to HJ!

Hi Anna and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Guarding His Midnight Witness!

 
Thanks so much, Sara! As always, it’s great to be with you.
 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

I call this my REAR WINDOW meets GASLIGHT romance. My heroine, Greta Renault, has a, shall we say, seriously messed up past, one that often leaves her questioning reality. She’s a recluse for want of a better term, and when she witnesses a murder (or does she?), she knows calling the police is going to cause more problems than it solves. Which if course means it’s the perfect place for a story to begin. Enter Jack McTavish, detective and determined white knight. Believing Greta could cost him his career; dismissing her could cost him her life.
 

Please share your favorite line(s) or quote from this book:

“Sounds like someone’s been watching too much Hitchcock.”

In some ways, Greta thought, surveillance was like watching a movie. All that was missing was a monster bowl of popcorn and butter-covered fingers.

“Reality gives me enough to deal with,” Greta said. “I don’t need help in that area.”

She looked out toward the boat, her hands twisting in her lap. “How many
people are there?”
“In the world? Billions. Should make tonight easier to deal with.”

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

• I knew from the time I began writing exactly how the book was going to start (and of course how it would end). Figuring out ways to twist what I was writing with what Greta and Jack were seeing (or not seeing) was a new way to approach a story.
• While Alfred Hitchcock’s REAR WINDOW was the main inspiration for this story, I am not the biggest Hitchcock fan. In fact, other than a few exceptions (TO CATCH A THEIF and PSYCHO), he’s one of my least favorite filmmakers.
• My inspiration for Greta, believe it or not, was Dory from FINDING NEMO. She gets a bit distracted at times. She might just wander off even in the middle of a sentence. Greta is definitely one of the more unique characters I’ve created.
• Jack McTavish first popped up in my first Harlequin Romantic Suspense MORE THAN A LAWMAN. He’s been my unlucky in love secondary character for a while. I loved finally giving him his HEA.
• The building Greta lives in is based on an actual historical building located in downtown Sacramento (where I live). I took a lot of liberties with what’s around that building, but whenever I’m in that area, I know exactly what building would be Greta’s.
• This book is a bit of a tourist guide for Sacramento, California. Along with Greta’s “building”, we also visit (albeit it under a different name) the Crocker Art Gallery and Museum and Caesar Chavez Park. Residents of the city will definitely recognize a number of areas.

What first attracts your Hero to the Heroine and vice versa?

Greta is always fascinated with how something looks. Not whether they’re attractive or appealing, but their lines, the energy people and things give off. It’s almost like she sees things from a completely different perspective than the rest of us. That artist sensibility really goes to the core of what and who she is. In Jack, she sees someone who, beneath the surface, is in pain. But she also sees the inherent kindness he possesses and, given her history, that’s something she can’t turn away from.

Jack’s often been a white knight. He has a bit of a complex and in the past, it’s gotten him into trouble. He doesn’t see Greta as a victim, he sees her as someone who’s in trouble and might not be seeing the right way out of it. Their instant attraction gets in the way (of course! It’s a romance novel!), and maybe clouds his judgment. But his desire to be with her and to protect her has him taking a step back to see what’s really important in life.

Did any scene have you blushing, crying or laughing while writing it? And Why?

Well, I always blush when I’m writing love scenes. I don’t know why! I’ve written so many of them now and it’s a perfectly natural occurrence between consenting adults, but writing them will probably always give me pause. I think I’m always thinking my mother is going to look over my shoulder–again, ridiculous, but there’s always that little girl embarrassment I think.

I tend to have the most fun writing scenes with more than just one person in them, especially if it’s the couple and someone else looking in. One in particular in GUARDING HIS MIDNIGHT WITNESS includes Jack’s partner Cole Delaney, who is supposed to be keeping Jack “in line” where Greta is concerned. Getting involved with a witness? Bad idea.

When he lifted his mouth, she cried out, unwilling to let him go just yet. She brought him back to her, down to her, under with her so she could take what she never realized she needed until she’d met him. The warm taste of him sank through her, drifting into her mind, singing through her blood even as she could feel him pulling away.

“Oh, for—”

Greta opened her eyes and spotted Cole standing with his back against the kitchen archway. She brushed her fingers lightly across Jack’s lips and felt her own curve in a silent, wanton question. A question she saw answered in the depths of Jack’s reluctant gaze.

“Do I need to remind you it’s a violation of protocol to get personally involved with a witness?” Cole asked.

“No.” Jack kept an arm around Greta.

“It is?” Greta asked.

Cole turned but rolled his eyes before he walked to his chair to retrieve his jacket. “As much as I’d love to play wet blanket and keep you two from being stupid—” he aimed a glare at Jack “—I need to head home. Eden’s not feeling great.”

This scene is referred back to a few more times throughout the book. Writing the humorous within the suspense is, at least to me, always the most fun part of the story.

Readers should read this book….

If they love second guessing things. My goal, always, in every book I write, is to flip something on its head. To create the unexpected and to surprise the reader. Hitchcock was the master at that (she admits reluctantly). Figuring out the twists and turns, if those are the types of stories you like to read, this book is for you.

Also, Greta’s a laugh-out-loud character (at least I think so). She’s got her own way of doing things, her own way of getting through life that is a bit of fresh air. Her uniqueness is really makes this story sings, especially when compared to the previous heroines in the Honor Bound series (this is book 4, but it absolutely stands alone with it’s completely contained plot).

If you like opposites attract, if you like white knights and determined heroines, if you like characters with friends who are their family and play a pretty important role in their lives, then yep. This book is definitely for you. Family found is always a big theme in my books.

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have in the works?

October is a pretty big month for me. MONTANA DREAMS, also out this month, is the middle book of the Blackwell Sisters series for Harlequin Heartwarming. I’ve teamed up with authors Melinda Curtis, Amy Vastine, Carol Ross, and Cari Lynn Webb again for these sweet romances. My book (book 3), has a bit of a suspense element (of course) and features a tech VP heroine and the bodyguard who sweeps her away to Montana to protect her.

Releasing on the 27th of October is THANKFULLY IN LOVE, a new Thanksgiving romance anthology from ARC Manor books. My story, NO PLACE LIKE HOME (a light romantic suspense) features a burned out FBI agent and a heroine on the run from her past; a past that’s about to catch up to her.

In January the next Butterfly Harbor books (book 9!) will be released. BRIDE ON THE RUN might be my new favorite story as it was just a flat out fun one to write. It almost all takes place on a boat and close quarters always makes for fun times. There’s also more comic relief in this one because of a rogue parrot named Duchess (whose previous owner was a fitness trainer so Duchess has some pretty unique phrases to share).

As for what I’m currently writing? I’ve got book 11 of Butterfly Harbor going, along with book 6 of the Honor Bound Romantic Suspense series (book 5 will be out in July of 2021), and I’m also writing a Mother’s Day novella for ARC Manor. Needless to say, I’m definitely keeping busy!
 
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

Giveaway: 1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card.

3 winners will each receive digital copies of the first two Honor Bound books, MORE THAN A LAWMAN and REUNITED WITH THE PI.

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: I mentioned at least two movies that inspired my book, GUARDING HIS MIDNIGHT WITNESS. What are some of your favorite thriller type films or TV shows? What should I add to my list? Books count, too (for those who might not be movie or TV fans). I can never have too many books on my TBR list.

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Excerpt from Guarding His Midnight Witness:

Greta’s hand covered the leather band on her wrist. Of all the things she thought she’d have to face as a witness to a murder, she didn’t think regression therapy was going to be one of them.

Her entire body went cold, as if the past was trying to wrap itself around her again. Lock her in. Suffocate her. Because her art remained her only real safe place, she turned her attention back to her drawings, tried to recapture the power and control she felt while sketching them.

“Regression therapy?” Her voice trembled, and she squeezed her eyes shut, silently willing the room to stop spinning as she forced herself to remain on her feet. “No.” The refusal came easy, an automatic defense of the life she’d created for herself. “I’m sorry, but I can’t—”

“We have a friend,” Jack explained. “Dr. Allie Hollister-Kellan. She’s worked with us on quite a few cases and while most of her patients now are vets and first responders dealing with PTSD, I’m pretty sure she’d be up for a favor.”

Something about the name sounded familiar. Dr. Allie… “She’s the woman you saved. Last year. When you were shot.”

“Yeah.” There it was again, she noticed. That uncomfortable flinch, as if he didn’t like even the slightest reminder of what had happened to him. Which of course he wouldn’t. Standing so close to him, she could feel the tension move through Jack’s body, turning his occasional gentle touch to one of steel. “So, I guess you could say she owes me one.”

“Or ten,” Bowie added. “It wouldn’t take more than a phone call to get her here.”

“Weren’t you listening? I said no.” Hands shaking, she tried to zip up the portfolio but gave up when the zipper stuck for a third time. “You know what? You keep that. I don’t need them anymore anyway. I’m going to go. And I’ll…call you. Right, I’ll call you, Jack.”

She shoved her hand through her wristlet and hurried out of the room. Blood pounded in her ears so hard and so loud she couldn’t hear anything above it. What had she been thinking? Her desire to bring a murderer to justice and prove she wasn’t making things up had just backfired big-time and in the worst way possible. “What’s past is past,” she whispered over and over. “It can’t hurt me. It can’t stop me. Keep the past in the past—”

“Greta.” Jack caught up to her at the elevators, just before she bolted for the stairs. “Greta, it’s okay to be scared. I would be, knowing I’d seen what you did.”

“You’re a detective. What could possibly scare…” she trailed off, seeing that haunted expression float across his face. The same expression that sleeping on her sofa yesterday afternoon had started to erase. “I’m sorry. That was thoughtless. I should have chosen my words more carefully.”

“As I should have apparently,” Jack said. “Look, how about we table the idea of the regression therapy for now. Maybe we can figure out another way for you to remember his face. How about dinner tonight? I know a great sushi place, if you like sushi that is. We can relax a bit, then maybe talk through things again. Maybe jar something loose. And if you still don’t want to—”

“I won’t.” There were some lines she knew she’d never cross. As much as she wanted to prove what she’d seen was real, that she’d witnessed a murder, she couldn’t take the chance of opening doors she’d closed long ago. “But I love sushi,” she added. For the first time, the idea of hanging out with Jack didn’t seem like such a good idea. She’d been nervous about leaving the loft, but knowing she was going to see him tempered her anxiety. To the point she’d looked forward to stepping inside a police station. But now… Now she wasn’t so sure this had been a smart move. He’d keep digging, keep pushing, and the more she fought him, the more curious he’d get. She needed to find a balance, keep him close without letting him in. A flirtation was one thing, a few heated kisses and gentle conversations a bit more, but his offer felt so normal. So appropriate. So needed. And she so wanted to be normal. She needed to be. Just once. “Dinner would be nice.” Unexpected. Exciting. Terrifying. “I’m not sure how late I’ll be at the gallery.”

“I’m off in a few hours. I can swing by and get you. I’ve been meaning to check out the new Dalí exhibit anyway.”

Greta’s heart sighed, and she leaned toward him. He was a Salvador Dalí fan. There really was a lot to like about the man. From his ability to make people think they were the most important person in the room, to the Star Trek key chain hanging out of his pocket. Maybe Yvette was right. Maybe he would understand…

Which meant maybe she could take the chance. “Okay then,” she found herself saying. “It’s a date. I’ll see you at the gallery in a few hours.”

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

She knows what she saw, but can he believe her?

Detective Jack McTavish can’t afford another slip up. So when artist Greta Renault claims to have witnessed a murder without a shred of evidence, he’s tempted to walk. Jack’s gut propels him to pursue this case—and his attraction to Greta. Soon, not only is his job on the line, but Greta’s life is, too…and only Jack can keep her safe.
Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | kobo | Google |
 
 

Meet the Author:

USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J. Stewart writes sweet to sexy romance for Harlequin’s Heartwarming and Romantic Suspense lines as well as ARC Manor. Early obsessions with Star Wars, Star Trek, and Wonder Woman set her on the path to creating fun, funny, and family-centric romances with happily ever afters for her independent heroines and the men who love them. A former RWA Golden Heart nominee, Anna’s books have finaled in the Daphne DuMaurier and National Reader’s Choice awards. Her sweet romance RECIPE FOR REDEMPTION was recently turned into a holiday movie for UPtv (A CHRISTMAS RECIPE FOR ROMANCE) which aired during the 2019 holiday season. Since her first novella with Harlequin in 2014, Anna has written and published more than forty romances in multiple sub-genres. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious Supernatural and Jason Momoa addiction and two slightly nutty cats named Rosie and Sherlock. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking and baking, binge-watching classic TV and cooking shows, attending fan conventions, or heading to the movies. You can read more about Anna, her books, and the writing workshops she offers at www.authorannastewart.com.
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