Author Tara Fox Hall Interview and $20.00 Amazon Gift Card Contest
BBB: Tell us 3 things not in your bio we don’t know about you that might make us leery of befriending you. LOL
TFH: 1 – I like creepy crawlers, as in spiders, bats and snakes. I found three snakes recently while spreading mulch in my garden; two garter snakes and a red racer. One of the garter snakes was rather large. I took it as a good omen for the summer.
2 – I’m kind of blunt, and don’t enjoy lying. That means if you ask my opinion, I’ll give you the unvarnished truth, or say nothing out of politeness. I’m not unkind–I try to make a point of being kind–but I don’t like to say something is fabulous when it’s not.
3 – I also tend to hold grudges against people who make themselves out to be friends and/or allies and then find ways to screw me over.
That said, I try to be a good friend, and hope that most of the time I succeed 
BBB: What actors would you choose to play some of your characters if your book were made into a movie or a TV show?
TFH: Actually, I’d be happy to have an unknown play Lash, or Danial, or Sar, or even Devlin. What they look like doesn’t have to be my physical version of the character, so long as they have the ability to bring the character to life for fans. You’d need a male actor with depth to play Lash that could not only be terrible and ruthless, but also sensitive and loving. I’d also like actors to play my characters that weren’t well known, so people didn’t see the actors so much in the film, but the characters in a story. For example, Tom Cruise is so well known, when you see him he’s Tom Cruise first, then as the story goes on, the audience hopefully believes him to be whatever character he is portraying. With an unknown, or an actor that has only been in smaller roles, its easier for me as a viewer to lose myself in the story.
BBB: How do you keep track of your world building?
TFH: Many, many spreadsheets! LOL Actually, it is not as bad as all that. Lash and Promise Me take place in the same world, just separated by decades. There will be characters that appear in both, like vampires Devlin and Danial. But both series can stand by themselves. The Lash series will remain action adventure oriented with Lash as the protagonist, while the Promise Me series will retain romantic overtones with suspense, with Danial and Sar major players. Bradley Publishing is publishing the Lash series, and Melange Books is publishing the Promise Me series. Links are below
BBB: Please tell us more about Lash and the storyline that drives it.
TFH: The protagonist of Lash is the weresnake Trystan Valeras. He is a kid from a poor family, with the deck of life stacked against him. He starts life innocent, wanting what any one of us wants: a safe home, enough to eat, to be warm, and to have his family prosper. When his family is forced to leave the swamp they call home, tragedies befall them one after another like dominos. His mother is almost raped, and Trystan has to kill the man to defend her. Fleeing to the coast, Trystan’s family prosper slightly with steady food that their servant labor earns, but Trystan still endures bullying and shunning by most everyone but his family. When his long lost wealthy father appears the summer Tryst turns 16, he thinks that he can have a new life, especially when he falls for Mara. But Trystan’s father is a gangster, with some deadly enemies. Even as many of Tryst’s current problems are solved by his family’s newfound wealth, other new issues just crop up to complicate his life. At times he no sooner resolves one problem than another presents itself -
Chief themes in this book are how it feels to be an outsider, the horrors of being discriminated against for something you can’t change, the lengths people will go to to protect the ones they love or get revenge, and the struggle of a man to shake off the horrors he goes through to find the will to keep going, and not become a souless killer.
BBB: How many more books/will there be other books in this world?
TFH: Bradley just issued me a contract for Lash #2, which is titled Shadow Man. Shadow Man will be out this coming fall on October 22nd I’d like to write many more Lash books in the years to come.
BBB: Did you do any kind of research to determine the details of your characters lives / lifestyles?
TFH: I watched a LOT of movies from the 30’s, and did some research online for Lash. But much of it is from my imagination, too. I did even more research for Shadow Man. I want this series to be as realistic as possible in terms of the time period, and what technology was available, what social issues were being talked about, what big events happened in the years the book covers, etc. For example, it is so easy to make a phone call these days, and most people have at least one personal phone. But in the 20s, most people didn’t have a phone of their own.
BBB: Are you a plotser or a panster? or a Planster (a combo of both – lol)
TFH: I’m both. I jot down ideas and facts I want to use, and get a very general outline together. Then I work out a way to fit them all in. Sometimes while I’m writing, though, I go off on a tangent that changes a chunk of the plot. The hard part sometimes is choosing which way to go!
BBB: What types of creatures can readers expect in your world?
TFH:: I put in whatever the story needs. Bea the faerie got put in Lash as a faerie because I wanted her to be something other than human, vampire, or were. There will be demons, witches, weres of all types, and some odder beings, too. Werewolves will show up, but as they are a usual part of most vampire/paranormal books, I plan to downplay them in the series in favor of other paranormal beings, like werebats.
BBB: What’s coming up for you in 2012 and 2013?
TFH:Too many books to count! Here is what is confirmed, as in, I have signed contracts for:
Promise Me, my first vampire romance, published in late May. I’m in a vampire anthology called Midnight Thirsts 2 publishing in June. In September, Broken Promise (Promise Me #2) is slated to come out. I’m doing an anthology with a friend Jenny Twist called Bedtime Shadows and also in an anthology of erotic stories tentatively called Make Me Behave that month, too. I’m in 3 horror anthologies in the fall with short horror stories, also. October 22nd, Shadow Man comes out. In December, Taken in the Night, Promise Me #3 will release.
In 2013, there will be 3 more Promise Me sequels, and likely at least one more Lash sequel, though that is not yet confirmed.
Reader Questions:
1 – a For anyone who has read any of my works (short stories, novels, or flash fiction), name a character, the actor you think would play them best, and why. Please also list the title of the work.
b In lieu of that, give me the name of your favorite actor or actress, and why I should consider him or her as the perfect heroine or hero for my next romance or action adventure novel. The only rule is that you have to choose someone who has not yet been in a vampire movie playing either vampire or victim/lover!
2 – It’s been said that no story ever truly ends. Many of my short stories are open ended, and I wonder sometimes if I should make a sequel to some of those works. Tell me what you love best about sequels, and what you hate the most about them, so I’ll know what to beware of.
3 – What werecreature would you like to see show up in the following Lash books? Give me the name of the creature, some particulars, and why you want to see it in the books. If I like your idea, I’ll put it in an upcoming Lash related work! Any creature will be considered except weresnakes and werewolves, which are already mentioned in the first Lash book. Be as creative as you want to be!
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Learn more about Tara Fox Hall Below:
www.tarafoxhall.com
Blog: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5286654.Tara_Fox_Hall/blog
www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Fox-Hall/151813374904903
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5286654.Tara_Fox_Hall
http://twitter.com/#!/TerrorFoxHall
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CONTEST INFO: Open to readers WORLDWIDE
PRIZE: $20.00 Amazon Gift Card
Plus 2 Print copies of Promise Me (US Only)
Lash is going to be a FREE download at Amazon ALL day today!
The Contest Entry rules have changed so read them carefully
The CONTEST portion of the event runs TWO DAYS until 11:59 pm Central on 6/6/12.
These are the ways you can enter to gain points towards winning the prize offered here today. The only one that is mandatory is #1. The rest are optional. The more you do, the more points you gain, the better your odds at winning the prize. Prizes are chosen using the random.org number generator. Making a purchase is NOT mandatory, it is only one way to gain additional points. There are free ways to get points. Remember to add in your RSVP points if you RSVP’d.
1. LEAVE YOUR FIRST NAME AND THE INITIAL OF YOUR LAST NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY in your comment/post so we can give you the proper credit for your entries. Mandatory, if you don’t leave this, your entries will NOT count. It is NOT mandatory to make a purchase to be entered into the contest.
2. Ask some questions, please no duplicates and answer the authors questions. + 1 point per question PLEASE ASK EACH ONE IN A SEPARATE POST.
3. Spread the word about this contest and HELP OUT Tara by spreading the word about her book!
Tweet AND Facebook this event: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=53794 + 1 Points (max 3 times a day please not all at the same time) include @bittenbybooks in your tweet.
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Pick up a FREE Kindle copy of Lash from Amazon by clicking here.
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5. Go and comment on this week’s screen bites column: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/?p=53784 + 1 point
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1. I’d love to see Jason Statham as a vampire or were creature
2. Sequels are great as they give you much more of the hero/heroine relationship or the world of the characters if it’s with new leads.
3. I’d love to see a weredragon or weretiger in one of your books.
I love the three things you told us about yourself (although I still hate spiders myself) and am envious that you have snakes in your garden. We only have bats here.
Ilona F from Wales
felinewyvern at googlemail dot com
+3 points
Hi Ilona
1. I love Jason Stratham!
I must have watched The Transporter a dozen times. Yes, he’d be a great actor to consider 
2. Good point! I will make sure my sequels have additional “world footage” in them!
3. I was considering a weredragon, and I think you have helped me make up my mind to include one
For being my first commentor, I’d like to offer you a print copy of Promise Me. If you are interested, email me your mailing address across the Pond
Also, if you need the link for the UK Amazon site to get your free copy of Lash, here it is: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lash-ebook/dp/B007UJ6KGC?tag=bitbyboo-21
Thank you for commenting, and all my snakes are very pleased about your envy.
I like bats, too! I’m always happy to see one flitting about in the evening.
what a cool interview – I have not read your books yet – GASP – and this is something that must be rectified immediately!
Hello Felicia
Don’t feel bad about not knowing me. I’m a relatively new author that just began publishing last fall. I truly hope you like my works, and I hope to see you around again online! 
Thank you Tara! As I mentioned, I am rectifying this oversight on my part – I have gotten thye Kindle version of Lash – and put out the good word about your interview on Twitter (1 point) and Facebook (another point!) – always glad and happy to share about cool authors!
Many thanks, Felicia
I appreciate it. I’m happy to send you a pen with the Lash cover on it to help convey my thanks! Send me an email with your mailing address, and I’ll mail it out to you 
Welcome to BBB, Tara.
I do like some short stories to be somewhat open-ended, but not to the point where nothing is resolved. In sequels, I like to see some resolution of over-arching plots, etc., but also to have new things started.
Tara, what kinds of things do you enjoy doing for relaxation?
(USA, 4 points so far, shared on FB)
Hi Carol
I agree about the short stories. Sometimes I begin writing a flash fiction story, and it morphs into a longer work, as I want more to happen in the story than the small word count will allow.
I like to sew, and I make a lot of cat beds for animal shelters. I was working on some this morning, trying to spell out “vampire” with crystals to make a bed to have for a prize to give out in the fall. I’m not sure how well it will wash, though! I also like to walk, and chainsaw wood, and garden, and read, and knit…My husband says I have too many interests, LOL. But I am never, ever bored! Thank you for commenting 
Very good point about sequels, too. I plan to have overarching plots that cover several books, but each book will always have another central plot that comes to some kind of resolution in that particular book. I tend to feel frustrated reading a sequel where the same main problem at the beginning of the book has not made any progress towards resolution by the end.
Relaxation…I tend to watch old movies from the 30s with James Cagney
HI TARA! I AM HERE!!
Hi Linda
Good to see you! I hope you were able to get yourself a copy of Lash successfully?
Rachel Flesher / Raonaid Luckwell
Hi Raonaid,
What I love best about sequels is that we get to see a continuation of certain beloved characters
Hehe! I was estatic when I learned I was born in the Year of the Dragon. Then later on further research I learned I was born in the Year of the Fire Dragon.
I thought that was so neat. It could attest to my love of dragons! When I lived in Newport the walls of my home was done in dragons. Hubby took a projector and traced dragons on the walls. I was the poor sucker who got to paint ‘em. Somewhere I think I have pictures.
Then there is my dragon nicknacks!
But yeah!! Glad I could help. I’ve been thinking about “were-horses”. People often say “oh centaurs” and I want to say “No, were horses. Not half man, half horse but one or the other.”
I solid vote for werehorses, check!
Your dragon house sounds so awesome, Raonaid! I admit to having my share of dragon knickknacks myself
And just picked up Lash for the kindle. I have two books in my reading queue. Then another I need to read for review for a street team. Hopefully then I can read Lash
I hope you like the book, Raonaid!
If you could live in any literary world which would you choose (and yes you can choose your own) and what part would you like to play there?
Total -32
Which literary world? There are so many! I’d love to be a shieldmaiden of Rohan, and help to defend Middle Earth. I’d love to be a menacing and sly Marlfox and make attacks on Redwall (Brian Jacques). I’l love to be a werebat in the Lash series and assist him in kicking tail. I’d love to be an Aeil in the Eye of the World Series and help Rand take the throne and beat back the Forsaken. I’d love to be a brave rabbit in Watership Down making a last stand against the ravaging dog. Lastly, I’d love to be a necroscope, and talk to vampires, if not see Sunside/Starside as a vampire myself(Brian Lumely).
See I would so love to live in Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar world. Though I’m torn to what I would want to be. I would love to be a shin’a'in with all their mysteries or even a Hawkbrother! Or a Herald with my very own companion!
I would totally love to live in Fearun. I’d want to be a kick ass drow! LOL. Not sure if I would want to live in Anne Bishop’s world.. Though Jennifer Roberson’s may be interesting.
I agree, Anne Bishop’s worlds can be scary. I loved the Tir Allain trilogy, and the Black jewels books, though I haven’t read the latest ones.
The end of the Tir Ailean series made me cry! I connected with Morag. I felt so bad for her!
I haven’t read the last Black Jewels book either. I’m actually afraid too. I read a spoiler about one of the short stories, and it really makes me leery to. It made my stomach clench what she did to Surreal. Feels like she got jipped.
I felt terrible for Morag, too! I didn’t want her to die, even to bring down that awful bad guy.
I agree with the jipping of Surreal, too.
If you could become any paranormal creature which would you choose to be for one day?
Total – 33
For one day? I don’t think I’d want to give it up!
Hmm…I’d pick weresnake, so I could lay out in the sun coiled in a nice pile and not worry about sunburn! In one day, I wouldn’t have to worry about eating anything, so there would be no grossness 
Hi Tara, I just wanted to slither on by and say hello.
Hi Lisa
A tail wriggle back to you in welcome!
Rich is still reading Lash. As he is not fond of snakes in the least, this is a departure for him! But he is enjoying this unique story (he is accostomed to Clive Cussler). I am always fascinated that people have such specific reading interests and there is something for everyone. Would you ever like to see Lash presented in animation? I will check back later…have to run out now. Good luck.
Lisa, i’m glad Rich is liking Lash.
Animation…I confess, I am hoping for a live action movie someday
I like to dream big! But animation would be able to handle all the special effects a weresnake would need to come off well without being hugely expensive. I also love the animated Vampire Hunter D movies, so I’d be very interested if some anime company wants to put out a movie based on the first book! 
Hiya Tara! Great job with all your promotion!
Mysti P.
I do have one question: Is there an animal you absolutely DON’T like?
Hi Mysti.
You are not too shabby on the promo yourself, Girlfriend! Am looking forward to your Serenya’s Song party on FB
An animal I don’t like is the wasp or hornet. You will not see them in horror stories of mine because they terrify me. Leeches are a close second. I think it’s because they have no face. If they had a face, I’d be fine with them.
Lisa r smalltown, USA
I thoroughly love series (probably 90% of what I read is a series)as once the author has established the rules she can take the story on indefinitely. Only a few things I don’t like about series, the length of time between books, when the writer spends half of each book going over what has previously taken place (a few pages is all that should be used to refresh our memory.) What I love, the continuation of a world that I’ve grown to love, visiting with old friends from previous book and catching up with those that have already had their HEA.
The perfect series, is actually a group of trilogies that take place in the same world. This way in three books there is a ending but the world lives on
for another three or four trilogies!
+1 What was the first moment you knew you had to write?
+25 RSVPed #1
+1 Answered author’s question
+1 https://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/210082219123945475
+500 got free copy of LASH
+1 screen bites #5
+1 total= 532
Good to meet you, Lisa
I also am a big lover of series.
How long would you say to too long between books? I am trying for 6 months between Lash I and Lash II, and the same of less between Promise Me and the sequel due out this fall. I didn’t want to put out too many together, or have years go by between books, so I hope 6 months will be optimal.
+1 What was the first moment you knew you had to write?
I have been writing most of my life. I knew I wanted to write years ago when I was in middle school and wrote my first poem as part of an exercise. The teacher read it to the class and I was so proud!
It was a horror poem, of course!
Oh, 6 months is definitely great. The ones that go a year or more are likely to lose me till books 3 & 4 come out. I tend to horde series books and read them in batches if there is too much time between them.
I do the same, LOL.
I just caught up on the Pendergast series a few months ago 
Lisa R
As a lover of paranormal, I can’t wait to get into Lash. Went to check it out this morning and saw that it was FREE on Amazon so I read the prologue and chapter 1, just enough to know what I’m doing tonight!
+1 What is your favorite thing about the writing experience and why?
total=533
My favorite thing about the writing experience is…I have 2
1. reading something I have written and being moved by it. I know its good if I can enjoy reading it throughout all the drafts needed to get it from a rough draft to a finished book for sale
2. having people read my work and tell me they loved it. I shed so many tears getting these books out to people (read rejections aplenty), but hearing how much people are liking them makes all that not matter.
Lisa R smalltown, USA
Vanessa Marano, Bay from Switched At Birth, would be an awesome actress for a young female were role. She has a lot of moxie and doesn’t put up with crap from anyone. I’ve seen her in several different TV roles and think she would be an awesome actress for big screen paranormal role.
+1 You woke up this morning and realized you had been reincarnated as a pair of shoes.
Describe yourself.
total=534
A pair of shoes? I’d have to be a pair of steeltoed boots, so I could find whomever cursed me and get them in the nards ASAP.
Lisa R smalltown, USA
+1 https://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/210089538771619840
+1 Any plans for a YA series in your future?
total=536
Lisa, you are truly putting me through my paces…my heartfelt thanks
BTW, Bay would be a great actress. She would make an awesome Britney, Lash’s love interest for a good chunk of the book Lash.
The perfect series, is actually a group of trilogies that take place in the same world. This way in three books there is a ending but the world lives on
for another three or four trilogies!
I am working on a YA series, way on the backburner, which is why I was curious to ask all these questions about series. It would be contemporary fantasy, with romantic overtones
But I don’t know if I have enough material to do an entire YA series, and so might be better off doing a trilogy. I like what I have written so far, but the going is much slower than when I write Lash or Promise Me works. If I do it, I want to be able to put the books out in a timely manner, and not go years between books, but still give a good story with a lot of suspense, action, and good characterization.
Thank you for all your interest Lisa, and I hope Lash gives you a great evening!
Lisa R smalltown, USA
I read a lot of new YA paranormals as I have a friend who teaches upper middle school and I get to check out a lot of books and recommend whether they can be used in her classroom library. I make sure that while they pass the all important parent test and that teens will still like them. Trilogies are definitely the way to go for YA books as as the kids age they feel like YA is beneath them. I still get a big laugh out of my middle son and his wife who refused to read Harry Potter while in college cause they were YA books. Boy did they eat crow when they asked to borrow my copies.
Lisa, I admit I was slow to jump on the Harry Potter bandwagon, but I also couldn’t wait for the others after sampling one
I’ll take your advice, and shoot for a trilogy for my YA book idea
Thank you again 
1. Pierce Brosnan.
2. I like to see meet familiar characters again. I don’t like it when the sequel is working so hard to be like the original, nothing really happens.
2 answered questions
1 tally
3
Hi Cheryl M.
You named one of my heroes, whom I love to drool over, the delectable Pierce. So, you win a free pen with the Lash cover. Congrats! Send me your mailing address via email and I’ll send it out to you ASAP.
I agree that something new has to happen in a series. No one wants to retrace the same ground. I’ll do my best to make sure that my series stay as fresh as possible. When I have nothing new to say, I’ll end them. Thank you for stopping by
Leni K., USA
I love to read a series. The best thing is following the development of the characters along with the introduction of the new ones. The only downside to reading a series is jumping into a long running series and trying to catch up. But when it’s a good one it’s worth it.
RSVP’d +25
Answered author question +1
Tally +1=27
Hi Leni
Good to meet you.
Playing catch up in a series is hard. But I admit I do love to read one book after another with no wait. I recently caught up a little with the Vampire Hunter D series, and it was wonderful to read to the end, then go right into the next book. It was hard to pry myself away to make deadlines.
Thank you for commenting, and if you get a free copy of Lash, I hope you enjoy it 
Just as a reminder, Lash is free today off Amazon until midnight. Additionally, anyone who would like some free bookmarks are welcome to email me your address, and I’ll email them out to you. Intl addresses are okay, just please make sure they are complete, as the postal lady locally tends to give me grief for incomplete ones
I haven’t read you yet.
. Damn he’s fine. +1
1b. Chris Hemsworth reason – Have you seen him
2. I only like sequels if there is more to be told. I also like seeing new characters brought into the story. +1
3. Since I haven’t read the books I’m just going to go with a Bengal tiger shifter. I love how big and strong they are. +1
Does your writing pick up in the summer when the weather is nice or do you get summer fever
? +1
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/Jovial_1/status/210102505173041152 +1
Go and comment on this week
Hi Viki
Good to meet you.
I’m a new author, and Lash is my first full length novel, so I’m new to the scene. This time last year I had two stories published online, period
But I thank you very much for giving me a chance to claim you as a reader!
I have seen Chris Hemsworth, and would like to see a good deal more of him…:) He’d make a great Theo for Promise Me…or a good Abraham in Lash, with his hair a bit darker.
New characters…check. I try to introduce new characters with each sequel, and grow the characters already in the series.
Okay, we have two tiger shifter votes…now neck and neck with the dragonshifter!
Writing in the summer….I’d say its about equal, with leaning toward writing more in the winter. In the cold and icy months, there is shoveling and plowing snow, and hauling firewood, but I have a lot more time to write. In summer, I have a lot more to do outside to maintain my farm/acreage, plus there is chipping in upkeep at my family’s cottage up north. My day job is the same all year.
Thank you for your input!
Hi Sara,
+25 rsvpd
+1 sorry have not yet read your books
+1 commented screen bites
+1 tally
—————————————
28 pts
thanks,
Dina S
dlsmilad@yahoo.com
USA
Good to meet you, Dina
I hope you do try out Lash and enjoy it. Check it out on Amazon today for free here: http://www.amazon.com/Lash-ebook/dp/B007UJ6KGC?tag=bittenbybooks-20
Have a fab evening and thak you for taking time to visit with me
1. I always think a lot of movies would be great with unknowns or mostly unknowns. Companies always try so had to fit a star into a movies, that they don’t realize that they don’t fit the actual role.
In fact there are a lot of actors and actresses that sit right on the cusp of being really famous and don’t get put in as many things as they should.
That being said I love, love love Jason Behr and try to put him in everything! (Okay he was a vampire victim, but that was one episode of Buffy back in like ’98) I do like his personlaity for Danial in Promise Me. But in all honesty I’d watch him in anything. I also love Daniel Panabaker. I’m not sure if she’d fit one particular character, but I love her so much I think she should be in more stuff.
2. I love series! I always want to know what happens to the character after the story ends. As long as there is quality in each book, I will always want to read it. I have to agree with Lisa about the time between books. My only thing is when I have to wait a year in some books.
I know it’s not always the author who controls it. But sometimes it sucks having to distance yourself from the details of the sotry for so long.
3. I do love dragons and would definitely through in another vote for weredragons. I always love the exotic animal shifters and always want to see more of them. But what if there were simply Werecats and Weredogs. It would make it so much easier for them to spy on others when you’re a house cat or a dog.
When you were writing Trystan and knowing some of the things he did, were you ever concerned that he wouldn’t be sympathetic enough? Or did you always know you’d be able to show two sides of him?
Thanks so much!
Rae M. , USA
RSVP +25
Answer and ask questions +4
Comment on Screen bites +1
Got my copy of Lash!(Thanks!) +500
Tally Points +1
Total = 531
Great to meet you, Rae
I also believe that many lesser known actresses and actors could use some help making their breakthrough
I’d be happy to work with them, and not a major star any day.
That being said I love, love love Jason Behr and try to put him in everything! (Okay he was a vampire victim, but that was one episode of Buffy back in like
Thanks for answering that! I know it was a long answer to my question
But I always wonder how much authors worry about anti-heroes. I just always find it so funny when you find yourself rooting for characters like this.
You become so engrossed in how they became who they are and wanting to see who they’ll become, that you forget that you’re rooting for killers. I think it’s so very cool when this gets pulled off!
And thanks so much for the copy of Promise Me!!
You are very welcome, Rae. It was good to meet you and thank you for visiting with me virtually
Lisa R smalltown USA
+1 https://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/210125409608663040
+1 When writing this series did you have to do a lot of research in different areas? And are you an author who enjoys doing research?
I love this period of the time in the US, I just started the HBO series Boardwalk Empire that takes place in Atlantic City in the 1920′s. I took my Kindle outside to read Lash while grilling chicken for supper and almost burnt it, I was so deep in Lash. Thanks so much for what is promising to be an awesome trip. Off to read now that supper is out of the way.
total= 536
oops, new question as I realized you had already commented on your research.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
The scariest thing I ever did to me, or to others?
For me, it was when my husband proposed. I do not like heights, and he loved to climb his whole life (Devil’s Tower, the Grand Tetons, you name it). So to propose, he took to the Redrocks, near where he lived years ago in WY. We were already way up on a cliff, near the edge. He then wanted me to climb up on a huge rock right at the edge, so he could propose up there. I wanted the ring bad enough to do it. Once up there, I sat right down, trying not to panic. The wind was strong, and the rock (to me anyway) was moving slightly. He wanted me to stand up, but I said he had to propose sitting down, which he proceeded to do. As soon as he was done, I said, “Yes. Please help me down now.” I was very happy to be back on solid ground again.
Isn’t it amazing what we’ll do for love. I let my boyfriend talk me into a white water rafting trip and let him teach me to water-ski despite the fact that I couldn’t swim. I decided to marry him so if he was out to knock me off I’d haunt him all his days.
Lisa R smalltown, USA
+1 https://www.facebook.com/LisasLovesBooksOfCourse/posts/241963942584294
+1 In an alternate universe where you are NOT an author, what do you do?
total= 538
This was a great interview. I enjoyed reading it.The stories Tara writes are realistic, plausible,and exciting. I can’t wait to read Promise Me again.SFD says hi and good luck.
Thank you for all your love and support, Mom
Hi back to StepFather Dear 
I am a truck driver, operating huge 18 wheelers. Seriously, before I die, I want to learn to drive one. I love power equipment! If I ever have 20K I don’t know what to do with, I’m buying myself a backhoe with treads, so I can dig anytime I want to.
Lisa R smalltown, USA
+1 https://www.facebook.com/LisasLovesBooksOfCourse/posts/166159470182235
+1 If you could choose only one time period and place to live, when and where would you live and why?
total= 540
I would live right here, right now. While there are so many terrible things in the world today, I wouldn’t want to lose the life I have, or the people I know and love, or the home I’ve built my old farm into. But I have to say I love the 80s. I’m trapped there musically, except for brief forays into modern songs when something catches my ear out in the world
Lisa R smalltown, USA
+1 https://www.facebook.com/LisasLovesBooksOfCourse/posts/327841673958046
+1 If we looked under your bed, what would we find?
total= 542
Things I shall not admit to.
You win a pen for not making me answer, Lisa. I’ll even include an additional mystery promo item to sweeten the deal (that is not a bookmark). Send me your mailing address via email, and I’ll get these out to you. 
Hello Hello,
As usual I am a day late. I love new to me authors. I look forward to seeing your personal twist in the stories.
3
You’re not late at all, Koren. Welcome to the party!
I goggled weregibbon, but nada. I like the premise, but need more info to work them into my story. What do they like to do? How long do they live? are there any websites I should consult for a sample picture?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibbon and ther are some good pics if you google it.
Thanks Koren.
I have bookmarked that wiki page. 
Do you generally set one large or many small goals?
Koren, I have a main to-do list for this summer, a to-do list for this month, a writing list of deadlines to meet, and a daily to-do list, too. I’d never get anything done otherwise, LOL
In the seldom occurrence when I finish all tasks on a given list (or hell, just 75%), I reward myself with a huge bowl of popcorn, a glass of wine, and the night off.
What do you do to reward yourself when you reach your goals?
Do you keep track of random plot bunnies as they pop up or do you let them run free and grow until you need them?
I save all random plot bunnies, skin them, then store them neatly in the freezer until needed for writing stew. I wrote a short piece on the virtues of saving all unused snippets of writing for reuse that I called Parsimonious Prose
You never know…..
Hi Tara! I just want to wish you tons of luck and success! <3
xoxo
~S
Good to see you, Sandra
You are my promo guru, you know…:) Best of luck with your new work, Sara’s Smile!
Terrific interview, I really liked it!
1 a) Lash makes me think of Gael Garc
Hello, dear Tor
1) I am not familiar with either of these guys, but I’ll google them and take a look
2) You’ll see all of these in the Promise Me series…and the Lash series, too!
3)Hmmm..I have not thought of these creatures for a while. Yes, I think I can fit in a Selkie somewhere in the Lash series
Thank you for visiting, and I’m very glad you liked the interview
2 – I love when sequels bring in a twist to the plot — when the least expected, or worst possible thing happens, and the character has to find a way to deal. And I love it when there’s a running joke (Peeves the poltergeist!) that works over and over — when something gets referred to that you didn’t realize was important. I dislike repetition, when the author falls back on the same old pattern but just changes the names. That makes me pause and wonder why I’m re-reading the first plot.
3 – SELKIE!!! I have always loved the idea of the woman (or man) who is part seal, who sheds her skin to be human for a while, but then must return to the sea
Your interview has given me enough interest to look at your work. I read a lot and can say I love to read books by series. I will definitely read Lash this weekend. There seems to be a lot of talk about research. In your searching did you talk to anyone who was around in the 30′s or 40s?
+1 question
+1 tally
+2 total
Hi Linda B
I didn’t talk to anyone for Lash, but for the later books in the series, I did speak to my older relatives, to get an idea of what they did for fun, their favorite songs, slang sayings, etc. I also watched a bunch of documentaries, as well as regular movies made back then. Its amazing how many phrases never said anymore were in wide use back then. Its amazing how much the world has changed in so many ways. I will need to do research for each successive Lash book, to give the books a realism for that time in history. Thank you for commenting, and I’m thrilled to have made you interested enough to try my work out
other contest stuff….
1.Koren C USA
2.asked 3 +3
3.posted on Facebook
4.used link to get my copy of Lash +500
purchased 1 ebook +100
5.commented on Screen Bites +1
6.tally own points +1
total 605
Thank you for downloading, Koren.
I hope you enjoy the book!
Hi Tara
* Hugh Jackman makes a great Hero love him in Wolverine. have not read your books yet so do not know if he would work out for you.+1
* I Love Sequels and series.I love when you get to know the characters better and they become like friends and family to you. +1
* I Spread the word on twitter and here is the link https://twitter.com/sasluvbooks/status/210231234088017921 and facebook here is the link https://www.facebook.com/sasluvbooks/posts/118253811646483 +1
* I Tallyed my points +1=4
* Stacey S USA
sasluvbooks at yahoo dot com
Hi Stacey
Thank you very much for spreading the word
I do love Hugh, especially from his roles in Swordfish and XMen. I was not aware he could sing, until seeing him in Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. He really has a beautiful voice. I’d work with him in a heartbeat! Thank you for taking the time to visit with me
Hi,
I think James Franco would make a great vampire, he’s got that look about him.
I like when sequels continue some story points from the first story, and answer some questions that were left in the first story. I hate it when sequels are not properly planned and it’s obvious the author is making it up as s/he writes on.
I haven’t yet read a book with a were-lion, and that’s such a magnificent creature that I’d really like to see how it would be as a were.
My question:
if you could have one magical item what would you want and why?
Thanks!
Dovile P., Lithuania
___
+25 RSVPed for this event
+4 for questions
+1 tally
Total: 30
Hello Doville
James Franco would make an excellent vampire…or a good wereman of some kind.
I am happy to say that you will get a well planned series from me, always.For Lash; I know all the details of where Lash ends up far in the future, so I can enjoy the ride getting him there. Each sequel will have a theme, and cover anywhere from 5-10 years and be as realistic as I can make it.
For Promise Me; that entire series is completely written. As I prep each new work to go to print, I am making sure all the pieces fit together perfectly, that all the dates match, that anything referred to in previous books is correct, and that the work is the best I can make it. If it does not hold my attention a second time around all the way through, I’ll fix it so it does. I can’t ask anyone to read something that isn’t as perfect as I can make it
I haven
I DID TARA AND DYING TO READ IT. I LOVE SERIES I JUST HAVE TO READ IN ORDER! LOL
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
I’m so happy to have a fan like you, Lin
TARA, IS THERE ANY GENRE YOU WOULD NEVER WRITE?
COMMENTS 3
FOLLOW 1
QUESTION 1
Any genre I would never write….hmm…I’m not sure! I would say humor, for fiction, and most non-fiction, except for stories about animals. All other fiction genres I’ve written something for already, though most are short stories
Good on you on looking crepy crawlers. I’m not that brave and creepy crawlers don’t make it far on my favorite lists. They tend to come out a lot in the Summer but the good thing is so do the butterflies and birds.
When it comes to casting I’m not good but I’m always curious to see how other people would cast characters. I’ve been a fan of Sarah Michelle Gellar from the Buffy series and because of her strong character, I’d really like to see her as another heroine in a story. It wouldn’t be Buffy but I’d like to see some of her qualities (bravery, smarts) shown in another story.
I like sequels because it means I get to see my favorite characters return. When stories are open-ended it makes me want a sequel even more because I want to see them resolved or see what the characters are up to now.
The great thing about shifter stories is the different animals that are introduced. Jaguars, foxes and lions are pretty cool on my list.
Is there an animal you think would be a challenge to create?
Na S., Canada
+25 RSVP
+3 Answered 3 questions
+1 Asked a question
+200 Amazon purchases – email sent
+1 Tally
= 230
Good to meet you, Na
I do like Sarah in Ringer, the new series about the twin sisters. But everyone is so evil its hard to watch sometimes…
Thank you for your thoughts on series.
The Promise Me series will have werefoxes in every book, and werecougars too! A werelion will also show up in a small recurring role
The hardest creature to create? Probably Lash the weresnake. He was completely new, and the way he thinks is not only reptilian at times, but also dated in he grew up in the beginning of the century. He’s also a guy and I’m a woman. Writing from a man’s POV is not always easy for me LOL.
Thank you for commenting
Ok Now Who?