Interview and Giveaway with Tara Sue Me
~TARA SUE ME~
Tara Sue Me’s SUBMISSIVE TRILOGY received more than 8.5 million views online. It is now being made widely available through Penguin’s NAL imprint. And we got to pick her brain a little after taking a peak at her book. For that, we’ve sent our guest reviewer, Sharon, to investigate…
Hi Tara and welcome to UTC! First of all, congratulations on the release of THE SUBMISSIVE.
Thank you for having me, it’s great to be here!
Lets start by getting to know you a bit better. Who is Tara Sue Me? Please tell us 5 things about you that people don’t normally know.
I’m really just your normal everyday mom, but let’s see. Five things. I wrote erotic romance for over three years before I told my husband. I volunteer for a nonprofit organization as a Parkinson’s Disease Research Advocate. I don’t like vanilla scented candles. I’ve never used a lawn mower. I was a science major in college.
We all have a Team we root for so we are just curious…Are you Team Jacob or Team Edward? 😉
Team Edward, of course. My sister’s Team Jacob, but instead of disowning her, I spam her with pictures of SHARKBOY AND LAVAGIRL.
Jumping right in about THE SUBMISSIVE, what made you decide to incorporate the BDSM element? Were any scenes hard to write?
I don’t know if I ever decided to write BDSM, the characters pretty much took over from Chapter One. And I’ll admit there were many, many times I wondered what I’d gotten myself into.
Chapter Ten was difficult to write. Even now, four years later, I remember sitting at my computer saying to myself, “Just get through it.”
A lot of people may not know that this series began as Twilight fan fiction. What about the popular paranormal series inspired you to write your sexy trilogy that incorporates BDSM?
I did worry about that when it became obvious there would be a BDSM element to the story. But in the TWILIGHT series, Edward has a noticeable dominant personality. I just took it in a new direction and cranked it up a level or two.
What made you decide to add Apollo into the story?
In the fanfic, the dog’s name was Jake. I didn’t want to do a love triangle, so the simplest thing was to make Jacob a dog.
But even more so, I needed the reader to see there was a warm, caring, and compassionate side to Nathaniel. Let’s face it, he does come across as a cold-hearted SOB in the first part of the novel. By bringing Apollo in (and having Nathaniel be a bone marrow donor) I hoped to show that side.
I really enjoyed the poetry. Did you have to do a lot of research for that?
A WHITE ROSE has always been one of my favorites. Outside of that, though, I spent hours reading through poetry, looking for the perfect pieces to use. It was fun research and I discovered a lot of beautiful poems. I found some I really liked, but unfortunately, wasn’t able to use.
Nathaniel’s rules about no kissing and having Abby sleep on a pallet made him seem really cold. Having read the book, I understand the kissing part, but what was the reason for the pallet?
There’s more explanation given in THE DOMINANT and THE TRAINING, but really, the pallet is just another way for him to establish their roles.
What made you pick “turpentine” as the safe word?
I thought ‘turpentine’ just about the craziest safe word ever, but again, we’ll see the reason behind it in THE DOMINANT.
The next book, The Dominant, seems to be from Nathaniel’s POV….is that true?
Yes, THE DOMINANT is THE SUBMISSIVE told from Nathaniel’s POV. THE TRAINING is told from both Nathaniel and Abby’s POV.
What has been your road to being published like?
It’s been a roller coaster! Ups and downs and twists and turns. For the longest time you’re waiting in line, thinking, “I’ll never get there.” Then you’re in the car climbing up that first hill and you swear if you just get off alive, you NEVER DO IT AGAIN. But finally, you’re careening around with the wind in your hair and a grin on your face, and you know you’re never going to want to get off.
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.
THE SUBMISSIVE is currently available in e-book format only.
The print edition releases on June 4, 2013.
About the Author
Tara Sue Me wrote her first novel at the age of twelve. It would be twenty years before she picked up her pen to write the second.
After completing several clean romances, she decided to try her hand at something spicier and started The Submissive. What began as a writing exercise quickly took on a life of its own. An avid reader of all types of fiction, she soon discovered she enjoyed writing a variety as well.
Tara lives in the Southeastern United States with her family, two dogs, and a cat.
We’d like to give a ebook copy of THE SUBMISSIVE to a lucky commenter. Kindle or Nook. Winner’s choice.
I’m intrigued!! After reading the interview, I’m really wanting to read this!!
This is on my TBR list. Sounds like a great read! Great giveaway 🙂
She is at the top of my TBR pile! Great interview and giveaway!
Sounds like fun research.
Book sounds interesting, putting it on my TBR. Nice interview.
What did he think you were writing?
Funny. I’m curious about what your husband thought you were writing, too. Thanks for the giveaway, this is one I noticed before and want to read.
I loved the interview. I laughed when u said u wrote erotica for 3 years before telling your hubby!
I can’t wait to get my hands on this hot little number! Great interview! 😉
I think it’s funny that Tara used a lawn mower. I enjoy mowing the lawn and listening to my ipod and chill plus it’s exercise for me. Definitely Team Edward! Thanks for the great interview!!
Sounds very intriguing 😉 thanks for sharing!
Much success to you Tara Sue Me!
I love the cover of this book. I want that bracelet. I can’t believe you kept from your husband for three years that you wrote erotic romance. Of course nobody knows that I read it.
Oh… this book is going on my TBR list. Delicious!
Gotta add this to my TBR. Loved the interview and thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Ooo, this book sounds fantastic. My TBR is now one book longer 😉
Thanks for the giveaway.
kitcat76(at)hotmail.com
Looks like another book for my wishlist and TBR list.
Thank you for sharing with us and giving us the chance to win. Added to my TBR and I am looking forward to reading this book 🙂
Love the interview, The Submissive was the first Fanfic that had me hooked all those years ago =) Can´t wait for my chance to buy my own copy
Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Friday!
//Linda
Congrats on your new release. the book looks awesome 🙂 the cover had caught my eye!
Thanks for the interview. I’m intrigued. Put it on top of my to read list.
Well I loved Twilight and am totally Team Edward so this caught my eye!
I really liked the interview and cannot wait to read the book! Thanks for the giveaway!
would love to win & read
PICK ME
After reading the interview I totally want to get this book…. Sounds like a GREAT read!!!! Thank you for the chance to win!!!
Great interview. I couldn’t stop laughing with the Sharkboy and Lavagirl bit. Goodness that film was awful LOL! Turpentine? That is very interesting, I can’t wait to find out why you chose that. Either way, I like it. I can’t wait to read this especially Chapter 10. That sounds thrilling LOL! Great interview and giveaway ladies, thank you so much 🙂
Love the play on words in the name- what a great idea. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
So excited to see this published! Fab interview, thanks.
I was reading this in Twilight Fan Fiction dying everyday for a new update for a year to hit my email. I am so excited for this to finally be made into a real book. Every one of her readers begged Tara to go for a book deal before 50 shades ever came out. She was the original for many of us!!!
Can’t wait to start this one;)
Great post. I love books that includes pets.
Thanks for the great contest!
Can’t wait to read this one!
Great interview!!! Thank you for sharing!!! I haven’t read her books. Thank you for the giveaway!!!
This sounds like an interesting book, thanks for the interview!
Ha! I would have to agree with Tara… how can anyone be team Jacob? Especially considering he was in that terrible kids movie just years before “Twilight.” Good interview… made me laugh!
mestith at gmail dot com
Fab Cover, Books Sounds Interesting! Great Interview, Thanks For This Chance To Win It!
I’m wondering the research. Not in a creepy way. Did people open up to you or was the information freely available on the Internet?
I like it when an author is able to make a character well rounded. I have read a couple of stories recently where the author gave the same story from different POV. It’s always interesting to read the various POVs. Thanks for the giveaway!
As always great interview…and another reader sold on what to read next!
Thank you for a great Blog!!
This Interview has me really intrigued now. I have it on my Tbr but haven’t read it yet. I’m really addicted to reading Erotica especially with BDSM at the moment but I’ve been putting it off for some reason. Thanks for the Interview i thought that was great.
The books sounds intriguing. Great interview! I’m looking forward to meeting Nathaniel and Abby and to see what happens in chapter 10. Thanks.
Great interview, this is another one going on my TBR list. Thank you!
Great interview! This has been on my TBR, but after the interview I’m very intrigued and curious.
Now I’m really curious to hear your husband’s response when he found out what you were writing, please tell….
How did you manage to keep it a secret for sooo long! =) I want to know your secret!
Mary