Award-winning, USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J Stewart writes sweet to sexy romances for Harlequin and ARC Manor’s CAEZIK (Kay-Zehk) Romance. Her sweet Harlequin Heartwarming books include the Butterfly Harbor series as well as the ongoing Blackwell continuity series. She also writes the Honor Bound series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense and has contributed to the bestselling Coltons.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for Hunting Colton’s Witness?
Anna: The idea came from Harlequin. Since this is part of the ongoing Colton series for their Romantic Suspense line, they provide the stories and characters, sending me a synopsis/outline, and then I add my twist, voice, and words to it. One of the reasons I love writing for this series is that I never know what kind of characters or story I’ll get. It’s always a nice surprise and a great way to shake up my storytelling abilities.
Q: Is this the last Colton book in the series?
Anna: Oh, no. There are 12 books in this series altogether, and mine is book 8. Each book stands alone but also carries through various threads related to an overarching plot or family element. So, there will be 4 more after mine (and 7 before, I think, if my math is correct, LOL). I don’t imagine Harlequin will end the Coltons any time soon. The fans of these books are numerous and devoted!
Q: How would you describe Vivian?
Anna: She’s a loner and very nervous. Being outside her comfort zone—her home—isn’t her happy place. She does have a surprising sense of humor, which might be a bit of my influence, LOL. She’s learning to cope better and pushes herself to take chances, which is how she ends up on a blind date in the first place. But, of course, things don’t go well, and she ends up in a dangerous adventure. She grows a lot during the story, proving to herself she can handle more than she thought.
Q: How did her parents’ death in a car accident impact her?
Anna: That one event changed the trajectory of her life. Trauma like that affects everything afterward. It’s why she doesn’t like to drive and only does it when necessary. She isn’t exactly fatalistic, but she tends to expect the worst. Her journey is to accept that, while the worst can happen, everything will still turn out okay. By the end, she’s come through something that releases her from the dread she’s carried since the accident.
Q: How would you describe Nate?
Anna: He’s protective, practical, a realist, an overachiever, and charming. Protection is inherent in all the Colton heroes, and as a cop, he has a level of compassion that makes him good at his job. I’m not sure he’d call himself charming, which, of course, makes him even more so. He’s confident and self-assured, which is appealing. His protective instinct goes into overdrive with Vivian because of his complicated family background. It’s one of those moments where he sees her and knows life will never be the same. Those are the most fun stories to write!
Q: How would you describe the relationship between Vivian and Nate?
Anna: Respectful. That’s at the heart of their relationship. Vivian isn’t like my usual heroines—she’s less confident and more isolated by choice. But Nate never tries to change her. He accepts her as she is without question, which is incredibly powerful. From Vivian’s point of view, Nate shatters her misconceptions about relationships. He teaches her it’s okay to put her heart on the line, even if it might get broken. He makes her stronger, and she makes him happy.
Q: How would you describe Nate’s sister, Lizzy?
Anna: Lizzy is still recovering from past trauma (read Deborah Fletcher Mello’s Colton’s Secret Hideout for Lizzy’s story). She’s stressed, anxious, and likely dealing with PTSD, but her relationship with Ajay helps her heal. She becomes a bit overprotective of Vivian, but she’s also happy for Nate and Vivian. Like all the Coltons, Lizzy is all about family first, which is one reason I love writing these books.
Q: How has her trauma affected Lizzy?
Anna: I think her trauma has made Lizzy more aware of how people’s lives are affected by isolation and hardship. She’s outgoing and pushes Vivian out of her comfort zone, which has been part of Lizzy’s own healing. Focusing on Vivian allows her some emotional distance from her own recent experiences, but it also makes her more sensitive and protective. Watching her brother, whom she recently met, fall for her best friend brings her and Nate closer, too.
Q: What should readers know about the Colton family?
Anna: Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of books in the Colton series. Each year has its own dedicated series—sometimes 12 books, sometimes 6. They’re fun reads to enjoy in chunks. I personally love interconnected stories where characters return, and readers can catch up with them after their HEAs, while new characters are introduced. The books are meticulously plotted, and authors often collaborate to ensure continuity. For readers who enjoy exciting, interconnected stories, the Coltons are a must-read!
Q: What are your upcoming books?
Anna: In January, the second book in my new McKenna Code series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense will be published. My other recent release is A Cowgirl on His Doorstep, my contribution to the ongoing Blackwell series for Harlequin Heartwarming. And then, the fourth book in my Hawaiian Reunions series, A Christmas Island Romance, will be out on Christmas Eve! This one is a friends-to-more romance, and it was a delight to write. Christmas in Hawaii—there’s nothing better than that!
Hunting Colton’s Witness by Ann J. Stewart is part of a series where each book has different stories written by different authors. In this book, the heroine Vivian Maylor, becomes Detective Nate Colton’s key witness. He is attracted to her from the get-go. His determination to keep their relationship purely professional falls apart after an attempt on her life almost succeeds. With help from his newfound Colton family, Nate is hoping to keep Vivian safe. But when he finds out Vivian might have a connection to a bigger case, the attempts on her life become more frequent. The intensity ratches up with both the mystery and with their relationship.