Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
Arctic Pursuit by Anna J. Stewart is a suspenseful story. The plot has FBI Agent Ty Savakis deciding to go ‘off the books’ to help a witness, Alice, he worked with years ago. She is targeted by those she will be testifying against and is now in a coma. He asks his FBI partner Wren McKenna for her help. Not hesitating at all, she goes to Alaska to help safeguard the witness and find those responsible for trying to kill Alice. They go undercover as a married couple and decide to share an apartment. Besides searching for the violent criminal, they now give into their desires of attraction.
Elise Cooper: Is this a new series?
Anna J. Stewart: This is a new series called the McKenna Code. This is the first book of four. Aiden was in the last Honor Bound Series. He will pop up in all the books. There will be a lot of quirky characters.
EC: Why Alaska?
AJS: I watched a news show story on Whittier, Alaska, which has a self-contained building with all the businesses in one building along with all the residences. I based the town in my story on this town. It is a small, enclosed town that lends itself to a mystery. No one will be able to disappear in a small town like this. One of my best friends lived in Alaska for several years and her parents visited there a few times. I was able to get insight in how the town operates. I also have been to Alaska. I was able to draw upon the town, the people, and the lifestyle. Alaska has a particular feel that I hoped I captured.
EC: How would you describe Wren, the female hero?
AJS: She is confident, has a slight temper, tenacious, tough, cautious, defiant, and determined. All the McKenna’s have a family code, an unwavering loyalty.
EC: How would you describe Ty, the male hero?
AJS: He can be stubborn, patient, and composed. He is struggling with being out of control. He is doubting himself and questions himself because the woman he asked to testify is in a coma. Ty has a lot of ghosts that haunt him. He is wondering if he will leave the FBI, trying to rediscover himself and figuring where he wants to go from here.
EC: What about the relationship between the two?
AJS: Wren is a good foil for him because she will slap him out of his guilt feelings. This is based on trust, he things she is amazing, and both follow each other everywhere. They are best friends to lovers. There is already an established relationship, the core of their relationship.
EC: What role does their being partners play?
AJS: Neither was willing to act on their attraction because they were partners and were involved with others. Now they are willing to talk openly about things. Being partners is the main conflict between them. I did do research, and FBI Agents can be married to each other. They will pop up in the fourth book. They might each work in a different section of the FBI.
EC: What was the role of Alice, the witness willing to testify?
AJS: Ty had anger, frustration, and blames himself for Alice getting hurt. He feels responsible for keeping her safe. There is a loyalty aspect. He questions his choices. Wren acts as a check and balance for him.
EC: What about the role of the McKenna family?
AJS: They are tight-knit, supportive, loving, and welcoming. I pitched it to my editor as “FBI” meets “Blue Bloods” because I am a big fan of CBS law enforcement drama. Instead of a weekly dinner I made it a monthly family dinner, set in Boston. Family is everything to them.
EC: Next books:
AJS: The second book in this series will be out in December 2025. There will be two other Harlequin Heartwarming books that take place in Hawaii coming out this year as well. I am currently writing book 3 in the Circle of the Red Lily series hopefully coming out in early June. It will feature a forensic specialist who never leaves her apartment.
EC: THANK YOU!!
