K. Aten
katenauthor.com
[ay-ten]
Writing sapphic heroines into existence one story at a time
September 2024
Name: Krystina Rivers
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Reason you started writing: I’ve been an avid reader since childhood and I’d always wanted to write, but I have a very demanding job. However, when the COVID 19 pandemic struck, I had more time on my hands and decided to give it a try. Now my fifth book is in editing, and I’ve figured out how to balance writing and work. For the most part! K. Aten notes: Ugh, that balance feels impossible some days!
Next book to release & when: The Heart Wants just came out in August. K. Aten notes: Woo, congrats. 😊
Why we should read it: Who doesn’t love a sapphic in uniform and a sapphic in a suit? Plus, it’s an epic sapphic love story defying time and duty and explores how fated love finds a way. K. Aten notes: I'm guessing most folks reading this love all those elements.
Genres that you've written: Contemporary sapphic romance – it’s what I primarily read, so it’s what I love to write! K. Aten notes: I can respect this.
Favorite character or pair you’ve written & why: This is a tough one, because I love all of my book children… It is probably a tossup between Reagan and Sydney in The Heart Wants and Ellie and Hayden in An Atlas to Forever. I love Reagan’s and Sydney’s love that they have for each other from almost the first moment that they meet. It’s pure and sweet and it hurts sometimes, and they dance around it for fifteen years, but the satisfaction when it all comes together warms me.
And Ellie and Hayden… they are brought together by a difficult dog, one modeled after my own reactive dog and what we went through with a vet behaviorist, desensitization and counterconditioning, medication, etc. to help him live his best life. I love that Ellie, who didn’t even want a dog at all starts to love him and, in the process, opens herself up to love. Plus, a sexy woman in a suit and a sexy veterinarian. What’s not to love in that couple? 😊 K. Aten notes: As someone who is married to a sexy veterinarian... I approve. heh
List of published novels:
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The Heart Wants
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An Atlas to Forever
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Last New Beginning
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Something Between Us
Name something you're proud of in regard to your writing: I’m really proud of The Heart Wants. It was challenging because it takes place over 15 years, so getting the pacing right and building the chemistry over the course of the book at the right cadence was tough, but I love how the story fell into place. K. Aten notes: It's like magic when that happens.
Click HERE to see all of Krystina's books on Amazon.US.
Cats or Dogs: Dogs and cats of course! Why choose? (Though I am allergic to both, I am more allergic to cats, which is a struggle!) 🐈🐕🐱🤧 K. Aten notes: My allergies are the same, but I take a daily pill and I'm okay as long as I wash my hands before I touch my face, and they aren't allowed in the bedroom.
Name of pet(s) you’re bringing on the Rocket Ship: Jordan K. Aten notes: Such a good-looking pupper!
Coffee/Tea/Water: Tea and water. 🌊K. Aten notes: Give me the water. I've always got it on me.
Weapon of choice during Zombie Apocalypse: Human or robot bodyguard. Maybe a crossbow but my hand-eye coordination isn’t amazing, so the crossbow would probably be wasted on me. Therefore, I’d really prefer a human or robot to protect me. 🤖🏹 K. Aten notes: I don't think anyone has ever answered robot before. Like Terminator?
Hobbies: Reading, wine, writing, traveling, yoga. 📚 K. Aten notes: Based on your social posts, the wine usually accompanies the travel. 😸
Favorite trope/topics to read: My favorites are second chance (I’ve written two in this trope) and fake romance (I hope to write one of these), though there are so many others I love… enemies to lovers, sports, opposites attract… K. Aten notes: I do love a good fake romance.
Favorite genres to read: Contemporary sapphic romance – I do dabble in other genres, but contemporary romance is my bread and butter that I always come back to. K. Aten notes: I'm more of a spec fic kinda gal, but everyone knows that already.
Do you fanfic? If so, favorite ship: I don’t. I didn’t know much about it before I started writing, and it wasn’t something I ever got into. K. Aten notes: *cries for you*
Website: www.krystinarivers.com
Facebook: Krystina Rivers
Twitter/X: @KRiversWrites
Instagram: krystinariverswrites
Bluesky: @kriverswrites.bsky.social
Threads: @krystinariverswrites
TikTok: @krystinariverswrites
The Heart Wants by Krystina Rivers
Sydney meets Reagan in an Italian café when Reagan helps her order. Instant best friends, they spend an idyllic fall sightseeing until Sydney’s semester abroad comes to an end and she returns to the States. Reagan’s a young Army second lieutenant living under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and must stay behind and complete her assignment. But their final night together—complete with a first kiss—lives on in Sydney’s mind.
Over the next fifteen years, Reagan and Sydney ricochet in and out of each other’s lives, with each parting leaving deeper longings and scars than the last. When DADT is repealed and they both end up in Washington, DC, it’s a chance for Reagan to finally win the heart of the woman she has always loved, if only the Army didn’t threaten to send them to opposite sides of the world once again.
An epic love story that traverses the complexities of duty, loyalty, and sacrifice across the decades, Sydney and Reagan know what their hearts want, but love keeps slipping through their fingers.
Click on the book cover for the author's preferred purchase link.
