Author Spotlight: Anna Blakely, Steamy Romantic Suspense
So, I’m sensing a theme here. Apparently, I know a lot of people who love Protector Romance books. And there are a bunch of protector romance authors and series I have on my TBR that are just screaming out for a bingeread. One of those authors is Anna Blakely.
A little over a year ago, after she responded to a poll I did about book covers, I reached out to Anna about another blog post I was writing. And despite not knowing me other than having friends in common and being in some reader groups together, she was enthusiastically on board with helping. Her insight was really wonderful, and as a baby blogger, I was fascinated by the information she shared with me.
And then I got to meet her in person at Knockout a few months ago and she was warm and welcoming, even though I’m a serious slacker and still hadn’t read her books yet :-( Honestly, it’s one of the most amazing things about the indie publishing world, and why I love bookish events so much: this is a community, and Anna is a beautiful part of it. There was zero expectation in her greeting, our conversation, or our friendship.
Now, since I haven’t read Anna’s books (yet), but I know so many awesome readers who have, I reached out to my friend Cheryl Bowers for all the details on Anna.
Cheryl heard about Anna through when she first joined the Protector Romance Reader Group— imagine that! She was intrigued, and added Anna to her TBR list. When Cheryl was able to meet her at Flirty in KC, she bumped Anna up on her list. Huh, connections lead to reading. I love that!
Of course being a protector group writer, Anna writes a broad spectrum of books within that subgenre. Her series center around former military, protector, black ops, security firms with a heavy emphasis on the band of brothers theme. Readers will be drawn into her stories of alpha heroes finding or regaining the loves of their lives nestled within various suspenseful situations such as human trafficking, kidnapping and the like. Oh, and Cheryl says be prepared for the spice! Yep, definitely on board for that!
Cheryl loves that Anna’s alpha heroes are not ashamed to show their softer sides, and her heroines are strong in their own ways. That is always a big draw for me, too. Plus, she says, “the spice level of her books is incredible, but it’s natural to the storyline, it doesn't feel added in as a filler. I'm sure we have all read books where the characters are going about it like bunnies just to get the word count up. Not Anna. She writes a beautiful love story with 🔥🔥🔥🔥.” Ok, yeah, that is always a huge plus for me. That’s the true beauty of a well written romance novel. The seggsy time is part of the story, it’s authentic within the plot. So, let’s see… Yep, these books are checking all my favorite boxes!
Cheryl believes anyone that loves Alpha men that fall hard for the right person, protective heros with twists of suspense will be drawn to Anna’s books. These are all sweet love stories (but not that kind of “sweet”) with twists and turns and heat!
When I asked Cheryl what else readers should know about Anna and her books, she had a wonderful fangirl moment: “Anna, she is an absolute doll! Very family oriented, and truly one of the nicest people I've met.” And about Anna’s books: “Well, to me they are absolutely addictive! I'm doing a re-read currently to catch myself back up for her newest release of Greyson. To me, they are written with the perfect blending of suspense, heat and hea!”
I am so excited that Anna will be joining us as an attending author at Charm City Romanticon in March 2023. I cannot wait to see her again. And the fangirling for me and Cheryl will definitely be in full effect!
Just the facts by Cheryl:
First book you read by Anna: Taking a Risk parts one and two. A disclaimer is that Taking a Risk part one in a HFN, but the story finishes in part two. Trust me…you want both!
What you love most about her books: holey moley lady…ask the hard ones. I love the suspense and watching her Heros and heroines fall in love and surmount the obstacles in their way!
Fave book by Anna: I think my favorite is the duo of Taking a Risk part one and two.
Fave Anna character: ACK! errr… I don't suppose I could get back to you on that one? No? ARRG. Let's go with Grant Hill, Alpha Team, Unpredictable RISC, part 5
Fave Anna cover: Rhys, Charlie Team book 4, currently on pre-order!
How to Find Anna & her books
Get all the info about Anna on her website: https://www.annablakely.com/
You can get her books on Amazon Barnes & Noble Ibooks Kobo
You can find Anna on social media here: Facebook Instagram
Facebook reader group: Blakely's Bunch
