Viviana Enchantress of Books: Guest Post & Giveaway: Ash to Steele by Karen-Anne Stewart

Hi Everyone! Please welcome Author Karen-Anne Stewart to Enchantress Of Books!

The Consequences of Taking a Risk:

The world exhales new choices every day, and we filter them, from the everyday mundane to the life altering. Most choices come with trivial risk, but those are the ones that don’t really count, the ones that don’t make any lasting impact, the ones that don’t breathe life to who you are to become. Every living person will be faced with choices that hold the power to transform life as he/she knows it. The question is, are you willing to take that risk, to endure the consequences…both good and bad?

Confession: I was a timid child, spending my life avoiding anything that could rock the proverbial boat. I didn't like confrontation; I still don’t. Years of chances were wasted because I was too afraid to take a risk, too afraid of having to deal with what people might think of my choices. Like everyone else, I had enough drama in my life from choices that were made beyond my control, so why should I bring more on myself? Looking back, I cringe at my cowardice. It took longer than I’d ever like to admit for me to finally rupture the binds of apprehension and grasp the chances I worked so hard to obtain, excepting the risks involved…damning the fear and bravely embracing the consequences even though my heart pounded and hands trembled.

When you take a risk and put yourself out there, you are setting yourself up to be judged in ways you never even dreamed of before, but you’re also giving yourself the most amazing gift: the freedom to truly live. Will you crash and burn? Hell yeah, and it will hurt like the dickens when you do, but you’ll also soar beyond the boundaries of restraints, inhibitions, and self-doubt. The ride will be exhilarating, soul wrenching, and liberating. The ups and downs and twists and turns will, at times, feel overwhelming, but it’s worth it, even if for the sole reason that, for a moment, you experienced life at its most brutal and beautiful…you really lived.

I look at my daughter and burst with pride at her fearless nature. She is full of compassion and sincerity but she is also full of self-assurance and doesn't base what she says, wears, how she looks, or how she lives life by the boundaries of society. I pray she never changes. My little sisters are the same, beautifully unique and courageous. They have all already thrown their fears aside and have accomplished amazing feats because they chose to take risks despite those fears. They are only 10, 12, and 14….I guess my point is, it doesn't matter how young or old you are to take a chance, to be willing to completely throw yourself out there, utterly exposed, and take that risk to do what your soul screams to achieve. You are never too young or too old to dream, which means you are never too old to follow those very same dreams. To throw in some cliché’s (they exist for a reason, ya know!), live life to the fullest, turn your face to the sun, and give yourself wings. Live by those cliché’s but don’t become one.

Thank you so much Karen-Anne for visiting with us again. All before you go, scroll down to find out more about "Ash to Steele", read an excerpt, Karen-Anne and enter the giveaway.

Blurb:

Emma

Who I am and all I believe is marred with just one glance into angry, steel blue eyes. He seems to control my air, my ability to breathe. He makes me crave everything I know is a sin. Pure becomes tainted and lines are blurred. It's my fault; I'm the one who isn't strong enough. I've been damaged...broken. Breck's words haunt me...'There's a consequence for every choice you make.'

Breck

I've had so many women I can't even remember over half of their names, but none of them are mine; I make damn sure of that. I take what I desire and never look back. I don't need or want anyone, ever...not until I met Emma. Those eyes bore into what's left of my soul and her touch sears me, weakens me. I want to hate her for that. She is my ruin...my sweetest hell.

Disclaimer: Intended for readers 18+ due to strong language, mature scenes, and some violence.

Available for purchase at

Excerpt

Angrily opening my eyes, I slam my palms against the floor, not wanting to think of last night, of Emma, or how beautiful she looked without make-up and wearing those old, torn jeans and worn-out jacket. I wanted to kiss her. That goes against all my rules. No kissing, no personal shit, just sex. Lots of sex. Seeing her bare skin through the holes in those jeans made me thirst for sex. I could taste her. Her phantom flavor bursts on my tongue even now. There was nothing remarkable about the modest amount of skin I saw. Hell, the holes weren't even near intimate areas, but seeing her tan skin made me want to see all of her, lying on the bed for me. Just for me. That’s another cardinal sin, none of them are mine, I make damn sure of that.

There’s an unending supply of women who are willing to follow the rules and service my needs, so thoughts of Emma getting in my way doesn't make any sense. Only pansy asses like Jason believe in love at first site, swearing that’s what happened between him and Jess. That’s bullshit. Love is bullshit.

Emma is different, possibly innocent, or at least more innocent than the others. Maybe that’s what’s screwing with my head. I've grown too accustomed to women who are anything but innocent. Debased. That’s what I prefer, what I’m used to, what I need. There’s only one way to get her poison out of me…I will make her like the others.

About the Author

Author of New Adult Romance who doesn't shy away from writing about dark issues and hot heroes.

Karen-Anne Stewart has always adored reading and has now fallen in love with writing. Her written works are The Rain Trilogy: Saving Rain, Healing Rain, and After the Rain, and the newly released stand alone novel, Ash to Steele. Her debut novel, Saving Rain: The First Novel in The Rain Trilogy, was a nominee for the Book Junkie’s Choice Awards, and Saving Rain and After the Rain were nominees for the 2014 RONE Awards.

When Karen-Anne isn’t writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, and visiting new places. She fuels her addiction of creating new stories by her only other addiction, caffeine, and listening to a myriad of musical genres. Tucked away near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karen-Anne lives with her husband, daughter, two dogs, and their cat. She plans on writing new adult romance as long as her fingers maintain dexterity.

You can find Karen-Anne