Interview with Tara Wood
TARA WOOD
When did you first decide you wanted to write?
I have always wanted to be a writer, but never thought I could actually be one. It took a good friend and a bet to get me to write this book. And once it was done, I knew that this is what I am. I’m a writer, simple fact. I’m just finally glad I figured it out.
Did you get nervous the first time you put your work out there?
Tremendously so. You work so hard on something, and you feel like you’ve opened up a vein and bled all over the page. Now, you have to let go and put it out there for both criticism and praise. You never know how others are going to receive your work. You can only hope for the best. I think I’ll still be nervous when I publish the next one.
What is your favorite genre to write?
So far, I have only written in the paranormal/urban fantasy genre. What I love about it is that there are no constraints. Whatever my brain conjures up will fit somewhere. You can create your own world, your own rules. Defy convention and throw caution to the wind. I can do whatever I want. That’s a powerful, yet sometimes overwhelming feeling.
What is your favorite genre to read?
Right now I’m really into thrillers and suspense.
Do you have a favorite author?
Author, no. Books, yes. Top two favorites are Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
Is there something you want to write about, that you haven’t yet?
I would love to write a historical romance, but I don’t know if I can handle all the research. There’s so much to be done, and I’m afraid I would get bored with that before ever actually getting to the story.
What is one silly fact about you?
I may or may not have a secret love of disco and KC and the Sunshine Band. J
Do you have a favorite character you have written so far?
Definitely Cain. I love his arrogance and his boldness. He says what he likes and doesn’t care about the consequences or the opinions of others. He’s hysterically funny and super sexy. I just love him.
Does that reflect anyone you know?
No, he is a creation of complete fiction.
What inspired you while writing?
The characters. Telling their stories, putting them out for everyone to meet, all of that kept me writing. They’re terribly interesting people. I want people to get to know them.
Can you share a favorite excerpt from the novel?
She looked down at his hold on her arm and her eyes darkened with anger. “I won’t be man-handled, Detective. By anyone,” she warned.
He released her and holstered the weapon. “And I won’t be brushed off.” He raked a hand through his sandy blond hair, sniffing. “It’s Decker, by the way.”
Vesper eased back a bit. “I thought all detectives had names like John or Frank or Harry,” she said wryly.
He grinned, all seriousness gone. “You’ve read too many crime novels. What about Vesper? You’re not exactly standard P.I. fare, either.”
She could feel the shadow cross her face and couldn’t stop it. His eyes narrowed on her, watching. The clarity she saw kept her from a snarky comeback. Finally, a truth emerged.
“My mother was very devout. She always said she felt the most spiritual at evening prayers.”
“Sounds like a mother.”
Vesper shook off the memory and eased back on her heels. “Double check through Narcotics. I got it first hand from one of his dealers. It shouldn’t be too hard for you to verify. Good luck with your investigation.” She moved past him into the hall and started back toward the kitchen. A new jolt of confidence sparked through her. It was time to get home.
He fell into step behind her. “Give me a lift back to the precinct?” he asked. “I had a patrol drop me off.”
No. No. No. Tempting as it was to get into close quarters with him, she could do without the distraction.
“M.E. should have the autopsy report ready. If you’re interested, that is,” he suggested.
She kept moving toward the back door. He might be onto something. Getting a look at the file might give her something to go on. He followed her out the back door and into the street without waiting for a response.
“Well?”
There it was again. The damn sexy man voice. No way. Not. Going. To. Happen. Whatever N.O.P.D. had discovered, someone within the Archive could get for her. She wouldn’t have to deal with Detective Sexy Voice anymore. Time to get rid of him.
Vesper wheeled on him, a tart kiss-off on her lips, and slammed into the hard wall of his chest. A chest that did not move. Liquid pools of blue stared down at her, leaving her in danger of getting lost in their depths. His hands were steel bands around her upper arms gripping her tight, steadying her on legs that had mysteriously devolved into Jell-O.
The night air was heavy and damp, daring her body to breathe. The pressure of his chest so close against hers made her dizzy. She sucked in a deep breath and was rewarded with a mouthful of hot, humid spice. The taste of the air across her tongue sent a change rippling throughout her body. She felt the steady drum of his heartbeat, heard the blood pounding in his veins. It called to her.
Something low and deep in her growled, calling forth feelings she kept a careful lid on. She could see the flicker of the pulse at his neck as its rhythm pulled her closer. Her fangs itched with longing. She wanted to taste him. Wanted to see if he tasted as good as he smelled. Her mouth watered at the thought, because God, he smelled like heaven.
Heavy emotion surged, overwhelming her senses. The thin layer of his shirt couldn’t disguise the wall of corded muscle she felt underneath. She had resisted his hands on her earlier, but now she wanted him to pull her even tighter against him, joining them together. Magnolias in bloom couldn’t overshadow the scent that emanated from him. It rolled over her in waves, chipping away at her willpower. The mix of spice and desire were coming together in an onslaught of sensory input she needed to fight. Hard. It would be a mistake to leave with him now. Huge mistake.
Her mouth suddenly went dry. “The car’s a block over.”
What’s different about this novel as opposed to your others?
Well, this is my first novel. Ask me again after the next one comes out. LOL.
Anything you would like to say to the aspiring authors reading this blog?
Don’t give up. Work at it. Write what you love. Make it happen. You can do this.
Amazon:
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Smashwords:
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Bio:
Tara Wood divides her time between creating domestic bliss and creating hot paranormal romance with the occasional side of kink. When not playing June Cleaver for her hubby and daughter, she can be found at the local Starbucks slamming back Frappuccinos and plotting out her next idea. Or she’s watching the BBC. Tara resides with her wonderful and tolerant family in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. She is currently at work on several projects, one of them being the next book in her In Blood series. Redemption in Blood is her first novel.
Blurb:
Murder is serious business among vampires. If you kill, so do they. They are the Penitent – a military order among vampire society charged with one task only. Execute the condemned.
Vesper Hyde is a model Penitent. Solitary. Skilled. Deadly. Only once has she ever lost a target, even though it almost cost her life. Now the one that got away is back with a vengeance, and this time he’s determined to finish the job. She needs to overcome the whispers of doubt and let her instinct and training take over to redeem her failure. But on this second time around, she doesn’t expect a sidekick. A very sexy, stubborn, human sidekick.
Homicide Detective Decker Price has seen it all, including the murder of his wife at the hands of a twisted serial killer. When another murder pitches him headfirst into a world of vampires, witches, and sorcery, he is given a chance to mend shattered parts of his soul. But Vesper’s world is as dark and alluring as the Penitent herself and he will come face to face with echoes of his past in order to help her keep a vicious enemy at bay.
If they are to succeed, they will need to push aside both their failings and work together to ensure the balance of their worlds remains unchanged. Redemption comes at a cost – is their love worth the price?
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