Author Interview: Tara Sue Me + giveaway

One of our favorite things as reviewers is to introduce new authors to our readers. So when we were given the opportunity to introduce everyone to Tara Sue Me and her amazing book The Submissive we said yes. Heather then read the book in one sitting and can’t stop raving about it.

 With that being said we’re excited to welcome Tara to our site today.

TBRG: Thanks for being her today Tara…we’re excited to get to know you.

Tara: Thank you for having me, it’s great to be here!

TBRG: I have to ask how did you come up with your pen name?

Tara: It’s a play on tiramisu. I thought Tara Sue Me sounded better than Tara Me Sue. I had someone ask once if I was a lawyer or if I’d ever been sued. That certainly would have been a more entertaining story!

TBRG: When your series was picked up by Penguin NAL did you think about changing it?

Tara: I did. I even had a pen name picked out. Most people thought I should stick with Tara Sue Me though.

TBRG: How has signing with Penguin NAL changed your life?

Tara: I’m a lot busier that’s for sure. I work a full time job and have a family, so most of my writing time happens late at night or on the weekends. And it helps that I don’t require much sleep.

TBRG: Who has been the biggest influence on your writing?

Tara: I’m not sure I could name just one person. I think my writing has been influenced in some way by every author I’ve ever read. I’ve had some really great teachers, too. They’ve taught me simple things like, she said/he said are the best dialogue tags to use and to watch my use of “ly” words.

TBRG: What is the one thing your readers would be the most surprised to know about you?

Tara: How horribly difficult it was to write my first sex scene.

TBRG: Where is the one place you have always wanted to go, a place on your bucket list?

Tara: Australia

TBRG: What was the first romance book that you read?

Tara: OUTLANDER by Diana Gabaldon. I know there’s a lot of discussion on classifying Gabaldon as romance, but at the time, I saw it as romance. And it was the book that introduced me to the genre. After OUTLANDER, I was a romance junkie!

TBRG: Who are some of your go to authors, and what are you reading right now?

Tara: I’m reading one of my go to authors right now – DID YOU MISS ME by Karen Rose. I’m also slightly addicted to John Gilstrap. 

TBRG: If you weren’t writing and keeping us in books (thanks for that by the way), what would you be doing?

Tara: I can’t even imagine a world where I didn’t write! But if I had to name something, I would go with history professor. I’m absolutely fascinated with history.

TBRG: What is your guilty pleasure?

Tara: Dark chocolate and strong coffee!

TBRG: Who is on your playlist when you are writing?

Tara: It depends on what I’m working on. While writing THE SUBMISSIVE I had a playlist that included Chantal Kreviazuk, The Beatles, and Peter Gabriel. For the book I’m working on now, I’m listening to The Zac Brown Band.

TBRG: Where do your ideas/characters come from?

Tara: Anywhere and everywhere. I’ve often put two characters in a room together and without any preconceived ideas, have them start talking!

TBRG: Are you a planner or a fly by the seat author?

Tara:  I’m a little of both. I may work with a vague outline, but I never know the specific details. That’s one of the best parts of writing – learning the story at the same time the characters do.

TBRG: How did you come up with the series?

Tara: The first chapter of THE SUBMISSIVE was very vivid for me. I could picture the entire scene in my head. At first, I had no idea what Abby was doing in the office, but as I wrote it down, the story unfolded.

I only planned on there being one book, but while I was writing I knew part of what Nathaniel was thinking. Unfortunately, since we were only in Abby’s head, no one could tell (or oftentimes even glimpse) at what that was. I felt Nathaniel deserved to have his side told as well.

Then when I finished THE DOMINANT, I knew there was more to their story, so I started THE TRAINING.

TBRG: Tell us about the series?

Tara: The Submissive Trilogy is about finding redemption, trust, and love. About learning not to let others define who you are or what you do. All mixed together with some steamy sex scenes.

TBRG: Tell us about Nathaniel and Abby?

Tara:  Nathaniel and Abby are two people, each with their own secrets, who have to learn that true intimacy involves more than physical pleasure.

TBRG: What do you want us to know about Nathaniel and Abby?

Tara:  That their story is so much more than kinky sex. Any two people can have kinky sex, it’s the emotional journey I want the reader to step away remembering.

TBRG: Using 3-5 adjectives describe Nathaniel and Abby.

Tara: Nathaniel: Dominant, Caring, Wounded. Abby: Determined, Sensual, Intelligent

TBRG: What are you working on now?

Tara: I’m working on editing THE DOMINANT and THE TRAINING. When I have time, I’m writing a new BDSM series. It’ll follow three couples and I’m super excited about it!

TBRG: Once again we want to thank Tara for coming on and talking to us about herself and her series. After reading The Submissive I have to tell you I’m excited to read Nathaniel’s story in The Dominant. In honor of Tara’s new contract we are giving away a digital copy of her book The Submissive. Just leave us a note telling us why you like this genre?

Abby King has a secret fantasy.

New York knows Nathaniel West as the brilliant and handsome CEO of West Industries, but Abby knows he’s more: a sexy and skilled dominant who is looking for a new submissive. Yearning to experience a world of pleasure beyond her simple life as a librarian, Abby offers herself to Nathaniel, to fulfill her most hidden desires.

After only one weekend with the Master, Abby knows she needs more, and fully submits to Nathaniel’s terms. But despite the pleasure he takes in Abby’s willing spirit, the Nathaniel hidden behind the rules remains cold and distant.

As Abby falls deeper into his tantalizing world of power and passion, she fears that Nathaniel’s heart may be beyond her reach–and that her own might be beyond saving..