The Book…

Ashes and Wine

by Taryn Elliott

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 190 pages
Release Date: June 2012
Imprint: Ever Afters

Before Tessa met Royal Andreas, her bookstore was on the verge of sinking. And before Tessa met Royal Andreas, she didn’t mind being single. But Royal brings in business with monthly wine tastings featuring his family’s signature vintages–and brings Tessa’s heart to a standstill with intense gray eyes that look on her with nothing but cool indifference.

Yet one searing kiss between the stacks gives Tessa a glimpse of the passion smoldering beneath–and a secret pain further revealed when Royal fills in as the musician at a tasting event. Every note of Spanish guitar tells a story of family tragedy, loss, and ongoing suffering that’s made Royal afraid to lean on anyone…even if he needs Tessa’s sweet flavor more than the richest wine. Only her strength can save him when his world crumbles to ashes. But has Royal learned trust too late to claim Tessa as his own?

Buy it on Amazon / Barnes & Noble

The Interview…

Is there anything you’re working on now?

I’m working on a holiday story that takes place cross country—California to NY. Two strangers are forced together and have to learn how to rely on each other and fall in love in the process. Also, I am working on Mercy and Alaric’s story. They are supporting characters in ASHES AND WINE. And you get to see more of Tessa and Royal in their book as well. Royal enlists Mercy’s help for a special project involving a little jewelry. ; )

Do you listen to music while you write, or do you prefer quiet?

Music all the way. I have playlists for every story. Spotify is my best friend when it comes to finding different kinds of music to suit each book.

Does writing come naturally to you, or did you have to work harder in order to get that story in your head down on paper?

The story ideas come to me fast and furious, but I do have to work at getting it to come out in a cohesive way. Sometimes it’s magic and sometimes it’s a madness with a side of WTF? LOL. I think that’s the main reason for a crit partner for me. To be able to get all of it out and have the new set of eyes that says…yeah, you need to cut that, add to that, and oh yeah…you’re brilliant. Far too often I get so involved with my story that I can forget those important building blocks. My CP’s favorite question is WHY. It certainly straightens a lot of stories out with that one little question for motive or character reactions.

If you could no longer write, what career would you choose instead?

I’d be a designer of some sort. I love graphics and web design. Especially typography. Words have a lot of power and the way the words are artistically arranged and emphasized is just as important to me.

If you could jump in to any book and live there, which book would you choose?

Three Sisters Island in Nora Roberts trilogy. I’ve re-read those books so many times. The cliffs along the sea, Mia’s bookstore that she created, the coffee shop, the off the beaten path homes. *le sigh* All of it.

If you could be any kind of creature (other than human), which would you pick and why?

I think it would have to be something to do with the water. Perhaps a Mermaid or Siren. I’m happiest around the water. And to be able to be a part of it would suit me best.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received in your life?

You can do this.

As a writer, we can’t staunch the flow of ideas, but it’s amazing how quickly we can think our awesome idea is a hot mess. Reading too many workshops, too many twitter links, too many kernels of advice—all of it is too much noise sometimes. Trusting my heart and my craft is hard sometimes. Especially when there are so many people out there that think they have a better way to do everything from plot, to dialogue, to outlining. But in the end, I’m the one that has to sit down and believe that my words are worth reading.

What is your favorite sight, scent, and sound for each of the four seasons (if you have four distinct seasons where you live)?

Spring – Sight: first buds on the trees, Scent: lilacs, Sound: rain. A Sunday rain is perfect to huddle down and read to—and more importantly, nap to.

Summer – Sight: water, Scent: The grill, Sound: music outside—it’s got this tinny difference

Fall – Sight: Leaves turning, Scent: Crisp air, Sound: the tic-tic of fallen leaves scattering around.

Winter – Sight: The translucent glow of the sky when a storm is coming, Scent: Cinnamon and dark chocolate, Sound: silence after snow

Who is your all time favorite fictional book character?

I should probably go with a classic or something literary, but in the end…it’s my girl Nora and her perfectly imperfect Roarke. Romantic, maddening, domineering, rich, gorgeous, Irish, long hair, loves completely, would die and/or kill for the woman he loves, caretaker, sexy…there’s a reason JD Robb has 34+ books about Eve and Roarke—a huge number of them are because of Roarke.

Fun Stuff:

• Coffee or tea? Tea…sweetened
• Paper book or ebook? ebook
• Summer or winter? Summer
• Werewolves or vampires? This month? Werewolves. Thank you Lost Girl…
• Morning person or night owl? Night Owl
• Pantser or plotter? Kinda moving into plotter.
• Pepsi or Coke? Coke Zero please.
• Dogs or cats? Dogs

Favorites:

• Drink : Coke Zero
• Food: pizza
• Movie: Breakfast Club
• TV show: Castle & Lost Girl are neck and neck
• Book: Born In Fire, Nora Roberts
• Late night snack: grapes
• Writing tools: sticky notes, boards, and notebooks then Scrivener organization
• Sport: Volleyball, to watch…hockey.
• Vacation destination: anywhere with water
• Music: eclectic
• Place to read: anywhere

The Author…

Taryn Elliott is from the great state of New York—upstate NY, thank you very much. Her family consists of a brother who takes care of keeping the snarky side of her alive and a dog that is more spoiled child than mutt. She counts her writer-friends as the glue that keeps her crazy ideas more in the sane category, and her non-writerly friends as the reason she’s not a complete hermit.
She can’t go a day without laughing, and falls in love with each and every one of her leading men as she’s writing their book. Music is life and every story has its own soundtrack. Taryn is shamelessly addicted to the internet and adores hearing from readers. You can email her at taryn@tarynelliott.com or find her on most social media outlets via her website, www.tarynelliott.com.

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