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9/07/2012

Welcome romance author Taryn Elliott! CONTEST!


I'm so happy to have my CP, the incredible Taryn Elliott, visiting today to talk about her wonderful book, ASHES AND WINE from Entangled Publishing. If you click on the cover, you'll see I gave it a cover quote. It's simply one of the best books I've read this year, and she's here today to talk about it. Not only is she an amazing author, she's also funny to boot! 

Read on through Taryn's great answers to my not-so-insightful questions then answer Taryn's question at the end of the blog for a chance to win a copy of ASHES AND WINE! 

Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Cari! I'm so excited to talk about Ashes and Wine and the future of that series. I ramble a bit. Cari is a total rockstar for putting up with my rambly side AND she even let me on her blog? You know it's love between us. ;)

1) Ashes and Wine is one of those books that totally takes you by surprise. You think it's just going to be a quick easy read, and then you peel back all the layers of love and loss. Why did you choose to write this story?

I wish I could say it was a conscious choice. I was supposed to be writing another book but Royal and Tessa took over. This was a true fly by the seat of my pants book. It ended up being quite cathartic for me in the end. Dealing with all the emotions that cancer brings on is never easy, but I wanted to show the hope and the loss at the same time.

2) Which character came first for you--Royal or Tessa? Why are they perfect for each other?

Tessa came first. She's had a few different incarnations over the years, but in the end I needed to let her have a happily ever after with someone as strong, loving and loyal as Royal is. Tessa is so used to taking care of everyone else that it was natural for her to want to do the same with Royal, but what she wasn't prepared for is just how much he needed to reciprocate. It caused a bit of conflict for both of them. Royal's need to take care of her was hampered by the needs of his family. And because of that he thought he wasn't able to give enough of himself to her. She set him straight of course. Usually with a little punch to his rock hard stomach. But just a tiny one. ;)

3) Mercy and Alaric--I want their book! Can you give us a sneak peek of what we can expect from their story?

Well, you'll be happy to know that Mercy and Alaric are much lighter. LOL No deep, angsty loss in this book. Nope, it's all about them fighting their way into a relationship. A true opposites attract story. Mercy likes her independence. She doesn't want a man distracting her for more than an evening. And Alaric does nothing but distract her and make her crazy. Alaric, on the other hand, is used to dealing with difficult people. He's quite sure that if he holds out long enough she'll do what he wants. Is it wrong that a maniacal laugh just came out of me? Yeah...handle Mercy? Oh that poor, poor boy. Rude awakenings are so fun.

4) What's next for you?

A couple of Christmas/holiday themed stories are on the docket. One has been contracted with Loose Id and the other is sitting in my Ellora's Cave editor's greedy hands. The Loose Id book is going to be probably one of the sexiest books I've written to date. Road trip with a side of sexy times and misunderstandings with a blindside of love and happily ever after. Who doesn't want that for Christmas? It starts out just before Thanksgiving and ends on New Year's. *rubs hands together* I'm having a blast with the Christmas themes. Even if I'm a little sad that Summer is just about over.

Then I have Mercy and Alaric, Matt and Jade which is book two from my Ellora's Cave book, UNCROSS YOUR HEART, as well as a SEEEEKRIT project that Cari Quinn and I are working on this winter. *rubs hands* 4 couples, 4 books, and Salem, MA as our setting. I can't wait for that one either! In fact we're heading back to Salem in September to get reacquainted with our favorite spot.

5) Just for fun: you're stuck in an elevator with two men--one book boyfriend of someone else's creation and one book boyfriend from your own books. Who are they and why?

Ooh. Evil girl.

I'll go with Matt Cross from my Cross Brothers series. As much as I love Royal, and Nate from my first book, UNCROSS YOUR HEART, I think my heart belongs to the musician that I'll be writing about this winter. Gosh, he's so angsty and talented and filled with badboy sexiness. GROWL. But he's also very sensitive and funny as all get out. Every single one of my triggers all wrapped up in six feet of delicious.

And then JD Robb's Roarke from her In Death series because I'm a masochist. One because Eve Dallas would kick my ass for the thoughts I have about that man and Two...hello? Have you READ the In Death books? If not...for shame. You.Must.Read.Them. Irish billionaire with shoulder length dark hair and scalding eyes, alpha without being too obnoxious about it, generous to a fault, and for God's sake he still has Eve's button in his pocket from the first day they met! THIS is the man that we dream about.

Holy vibrating elevator, Batman. I'd be a DEAD woman.

6) Where can we find you on the web?

I'm all over twittah like a bad rash https://twitter.com/TarynElliottFic

I have a FB fan page for updates and writerly stuff. https://www.facebook.com/TarynElliottAuthor
But go ahead and friend request me on my regular FB if you want to see all the goodies about me like my obsession with tv, reading, music and my other ramblings. https://www.facebook.com/TarynElliottFic

Oh and if you like a little fun with pictures I have a tumblr and pinterest board. Heh. You can find all of that at my website http://tarynelliott.com/

Want a chance to win a copy of the AMAZING ASHES AND WINE? Just answer Taryn's question (and please leave your email address) in the comments! 

Who would be YOUR book boyfriend of choice if you were stuck in an elevator?

15 comments:

Susan W. said...

Thanks for the interview, Cari! Taryn's a new author for me and I'm looking forward to checking out her books! And the stuck in the elevator with two book boyfriends is a good one!

suz2(at)cox(dot)net

Taryn Elliott said...

Thanks for stopping by, Susan.
The book boyfriends was a veddy nice touch.

Should be the question for everyone actually. ;)

Stephanie Kisner said...

Hmmm.... who to pick? I think, today anyway, I would have to say Butch from JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I loves me a man with a snarky sense of humor.

And pssst... Taryn... I sent you a prezzie on your Facebook page...

Taryn Elliott said...

LOL Thanks for stopping by, Steph. Yeah, I'd do bad things to Butch too. Wrath's my ultimate guy in that series tho. Mama. lol Then Z. RAWR.

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Great interview! Love the elevator answer. :)

I thought, "Geez, that question is way too hard!" but then the answer hit me, completely "well,duh" but very obscure. :)

Seth and Julian from Blue Silver! Seth is the hero in my novella "Rebuilding Forever" and Julian is in Megan Hart's "Nothing Like the Sun." They're bandmates and I LOVE them together! They'd make being stuck in an elevator so much fun you'd never want it to be fixed.

Taryn Elliott said...

You had me at bandmates!
YUM!!! *writes down*

Thanks for stopping by Natalie. =)

Natalie J. Damschroder said...

Here's a link! ;)

http://www.amberquill.com/AmberHeat/AP_BlueSilver.html

It's a collection of 5 stories featuring a Duran Duran-like band that's reuniting, and it's 50% off right now!

Ann Q said...

I have always liked the character Roarke from the Dallas series also. Love the tough but very caring personality.

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

Hands down (and up my skirt), Olivia Cunning's Brian Sinclair from the Sinners On Tour books.

Shelley Munro said...

Super secret project, huh? Sounds exciting.
I'm listening to the in Death books on audio and I totally agree about Roarke and the fact that Eve would kick your butt. I think the best you could hope for would be a threesome. I'll take the boys from Supernatural as long as they don't bring any monsters with them. That would be waaay too much excitement for a lift.

All the best with your new release, Taryn.

Taryn Elliott said...

Agreed, Ann! Roarke knows how to bring the heavy on the emotions, the gifts, and the love. *sigh*

Angie--LOL You put that on Twitter too. And seriously, I am with you. Brian and that first scene where he scrawled the chords all over her body? Holy...wowsah!

Shelly, you can have Jarod, I'll take Jensen...how's that? LOL

As for Eve? I don't think she'd let me share. Heck, I think she'd even kick my ass for looking at him sideways. LOL

Thanks for all the great replies, ladies. And the good wishes for ASHES. It's VERY appreciated.

*yadkny* said...

I've read Taryn's work before and really really enjoyed it! Can't wait to read this one!!!

My book boyfriend of choice would definitely be Wrath from the BDB series:)

yadkny@hotmail.com

Shadow said...

Such a hard question! Every day, my answer would change. Im always falling for the heros. How can i not? Thanks for sharing and for the great giveaway!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

bn100 said...

Nice interview. I'd say Zsadist from the BDB series.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I think it might be Caden from Hearts of Darkness by Laura Kaye or Gabe from Wrong Bed, Right Guy by Katee Robert or Reid from Seducing Cinderella by Gina Maxwell. I think their tattoos and all those muscles are really hot! But then again military guys are hot too. There are just too many to choose from.