Author Interview with Darlene Tallman

I am extremely excited to begin sharing these with everyone.  I started this idea late last year but never followed through with the idea till now and I am so happy I did.  As a bookworm, I love getting to know a little more about the authors behind my favorite books and meeting new ones.  

These will be posted weekly with the hope that I keep getting these amazing authors to answer some very random questions. 

I have to say the first person I had to respond was a new author to me but I have already added multiple titles to my to-read list.  She did amazing answering each of these, more than I expected, and it truly got me excited to do more. 

Ladies and Gents, Darlene Tallman!

I'm a lifelong reader who had a dream to write her own books. A transplanted Yankee, I now live in Georgia (Hotlanta) with my pets. While I have a strong personal belief system and faith, I won't be "preaching" in any of my books. They'll have perfectly imperfect people in it who meet, fall in love, fall into bed (at times; sometimes they might wait), have kids, get married. In short, I want to write books that make people think and feel. 

My debut novel, "Bountiful Harvest" was released on the 7th anniversary of my mom's death. Somehow, I think my biggest cheerleader and staunchest defender helped it publish so quickly.

While the majority of my books are contemporary romances, I am currently co-writing a series of children's short stories with a fellow author, Cherry Shephard and her 10 year old son. Get immersed in "The Mischief Kitties" and their zany, crazy lives!

Author Catalog :: http://amzn.to/2nf8oyh

Facebook Page :: http://bit.ly/2BuNY8A

What is something that you wish you knew when you first started writing that would have been great to know now?
Honestly? How hard it would be to corral the different characters wanting me to tell "their" story! I swear I have a slew
of them in my head including one hard-nosed biker who I have sent to "the bar" until it's his turn!
Besides that, I am grateful for the other indie authors I've met either in person or online who have been encouraging
me along this crazy road!

Have you ever based a character on a real person just so you could decide their fate (whether it be good or bad)?
ROFLMAO - um, most of the exes in my books have pieces of my own exes. Some may have suffered horrific demises.

What are three words that would describe your writing style?
Realistic contemporary romance, down-home, country

Where is your favorite writing spot?

On my bed with my laptop either in front of me or on my lap.

What is a must when you are writing? I usually have an empty ashtray, diet coke and chocolate. The television is generally on and sometimes YouTube
music is streaming in the background. And yes, two of my cats are often in my lap while I'm writing or editing!

What is the most research you have ever had to dig into with a character or plot?
One of my characters had an aversion to touch after an assault. I looked up and researched trauma touch therapy so I could work it into the story.

What is the one thing that you have immediately regretted googling when you were researching? Hmmm....well, I haven't had to look up a lot of weird things (yet), but I've researched tricked out RVs, tractor trailer
cabs with virtually an apartment inside, tiny homes, playhouses, animal sanctuaries. Oh and a few times, specific scripture
verses, not for use in the book itself, but to get a theme.

If you could bring any one of your "book worlds" or another author's to reality, whose would it be?
I'd like to live in either Liberty Parker's Rage Ryders world, Erin Osborne's Wild Kings world, Winter Travers'
Powerhouse world or several other authors' MC worlds. As for mine? I'd either live in the Heaven Sinners MC
world or The Black Tuxedos MC world.

Currently reading anything?
Yes! I'm reading an ARC of Winter Travers as well as Torrie Roble's MC series.

First Ugly Cry?
Kristen Ashley's "Walk Through Fire" with Millie and High. Next would be MariaLisa DeMora's
"Occupy Yourself", Benny's story.

First Book Boyfriend?
Jake Spears from Kristen Ashley's "The Will". It lead me to the indie side where there's chocolate, cupcakes and tequila!

First Cliffhanger that drove you crazy till the next book?
Oh my goodness, I guess that would be Jordan Marie's series with Skull and Beth. I nearly waited for book
two before I read the first one!

Favorite Author(s)?
You know I'm going to miss some! Let's see - A.M. Meyers, Marie James, Annie Buff, Cree Nations,
Kimberly O'Malley, Geri Glenn, Winter Travers, Nina Levine, MariaLisa DeMora, Hayley Faiman, Liberty Parker,
Vera Quinn, Erin Osborne, Kristen Ashley, Samantha Conley, Samantha McCoy, Annelise Reynolds, Kerri Ann,
Amber Lacie, Marie Skye, M.C. Webb, Avelyn Paige, Jaime Russell, Jamie Begley, River Savage, Erin Trejo, Mo Mabie,
Max Henry, A.C. Bextor....I know I'm leaving someone out! Sorry about that, my brain is fried!

A Villain/Bad Guy that you rooted for?
Hmmm.....is it bad if I say one of my own characters? If so, Brandon from "Forgiveness". His story is hopefully
coming some time this year!

THE book or author that started your dream of writing?
Kristen Ashley's "The Will". It lead me to the indie community and I had several authors who encouraged me to
publish when they saw what I had written.

A character that you saw a lot of yourself in?
Dorrie from "Bountiful Harvest".

Do you collect paperbacks or do your prefer your kindle?
Oh I have quite the collection! In fact, I need a new bigger bookshelf so I can admire my pretties!

Signed paperbacks, do you read them or are they on the shelf and never opened?
Oh I'll read them for sure!

Pet Peeves?

Some of the stupid drama that goes around Facebook. I mean, if one of my fellow authors is succeeding,

then as a whole, that means ALL of us are succeeding. So some of the bullying and crap I've seen that tears down

this author or that? It grinds my gears something fierce.

Favorite Restaurant that has a drive thru?
Toss up between Zaxby's and Wendy's!

Favorite Color?
Pink or yellow.

Celebrity Crush?
Shemar Moore.

Collect anything?
Apparently, cats. I have seven rescued kitties who make my world go round!

The beach or the mountains?
Mountains!

If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
I'd love to go to Alaska!

If I wasn't afraid I would?
Go parasailing!

Someday I want to?
Buy a log cabin that's big enough if my author friends wanna visit, but small enough I can afford it!
In the mountains of course!

What is the weirdest place you have ever done the "deed"?

Holy smokes! That's too funny. Now keep in mind I'm single so I'm digging back into my memory banks!

I'd have to say in the front seat of my then-boyfriend's car!

Thank you so much to Darlene Tallman for taking the time to answer these for us.

The next interview will be with Paula Trotter!

Amazon Catalog :: http://amzn.to/2CMrbXm