WATCH OUT: Regan Taylor

 

SC: I want to welcome you all to another edition of Watch Out. This week I’m pleased to bring you author Regan Taylor. Welcome to Watch Out, it is so great to have you here.

SC: For the readers out there who might not know about you or your work, can you please tell them a little about yourself.

I live in Marin County, California in a city of 55,000 people (give or take) but in many ways we are like a small town. For the most part people look out for each other and try to preserve that neighbourly attitude.  I have three cats: Mel who is a 13 year old white Persian, Bogie who is an almost 2 year old feral but lives inside with us and Missy aka Empress of the Universe, daughter of Satan who is 18.  By day I work as a legal secretary and by night a writer of romance.

SC: I read in your bio that you use to work as a police dispatcher. Have any of the things from that career inspired any of your books?

Yes, I was with the California Highway Patrol for two years before moving to my local police department. A number of elements from those jobs pop up in my books whether it be from incidents I took calls on or the internal drama of the agency. You see glimpses of it particularly in my Treasures series, The Photograph, Book 1 which came out at the beginning of the summer and more so in book 2, With All Dispatch due out next spring.  My McKenna series delves a little more deeply into my time in law enforcement and will do so even more as Kelly becomes an officer.

SC: Can you tell us a little about your current release?

Actually I have three – two came out in June – America’s Hero which is about a Marine Corps F/A-18 pilot who, despite her best efforts to keep him out of her…cockpit…ends up with a Hollywood Hottie that looks just like CJ Hollenbach (who is on the cover) in her jet. Together they end up in a time and place they never imagined.  America’s Hero is out with DCL Publications (www.thedarkcastlelords.com)

The Photograph, book 1 of my Treasures Antique series takes what an element of what I’ve found many romance readers have – the imagination of having a hero come to life right there in their own lives.  This series takes place in nearby Napa Valley, California and has made for some fun “research” trips to our famed wine country. The Photograph is with Awe-struck (www.Mundania.com or www.Awe-struck.com)

Due out in September is Everlasting Dream. This is the fourth book in my Four Cups series within eXtasy’s Tarot series.  That’s not as convoluted as it sounds – eXtasy books (www.extasy.com) has a series based on the Tarot deck. I was fortunate enough to have four of the cards to base books on. My series is based on a former girl band who are now romance writers: Queenie, Karley, Kim and Amber.  Book One is The Thrill is Gone and the idea for that stemmed from a television appearance I put together with Allison Brennan, Karin Tabke, Brenda Novak and myself a couple of years ago. Book 2 is Her Knight in Shining Amour and the third is It Takes Two. Everlasting Dream is the last of the Cups’ books and a different kind of book for me.  My 85 year old aunt who is an avid Facebooker was the inspiration for the story that has a Ghost and Mrs. Muir element to it.

SC: Which do you prefer eBooks or paperback?

Six of one, half dozen of another.  I love reading on my Kindle on the bus to and from work because it’s so light and I don’t have to worry about running out of reading material. I’m an avid reader, reading 3-4 books a week and the thought of having to sit there for an hour with nothing to read is icky. My Kindle takes care of that worry!

And then, I like sitting in bed reading a bit before going to sleep. I prefer paper or hardback for that.

SC: One thing readers might be surprised to know about you?

I’m actually painfully shy and very introverted.  I think because I find different venues to do things – like the television show, a library event and signings at kind of off-the-wall locales, people think I’m extroverted. I’m not. It’s very hard for me to get out there.

SC: What are you currently reading?

Thank changes pretty much day to day – because of the reading 3-4 books a week thing. My commute is about an hour each way so I have oh, about 90 minutes a day to read. I recently finished Linda Howard’s Prey and am now reading William Dietrich’s Blood of the Reich. If you haven’t tried him, by the way, you don’t know what you are missing.

SC: Currently listening to?

I’m not much of a music person – I do listen to KGO talk radio when I want “noise” around me.

SC: who are some of the author’s who have inspired you over the years?

Jewel Adams, Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss.

SC: Describe your books in 3 words.

Visit your imagination

SC: If you could step into the shoes of another author who would you pick? Why?

Alexandre Dumas – he wrote for all times and he had something for everyone – romance, adventure, thrills, suspense, intrigue and a good mystery.

SC: What do you think sets your stories apart from other authors?

The slight flavour of a paranormal, but not your mainstay paranormal. No vampires, werewolves or creatures, but with past lives, walk-ins and spirits.

SC: Is there anything you’re currently working on that you can give us a taste of?

Okay, this is unedited, It’s Devil’s Details, due out in a few months with eXtasy:

“I have arrived! Oh yeah, I have to-to-total-ly arrived!” Courtney Miller sang to herself. “This is it, it, itttttttttttttttttttt!”

The contract from publisher Bubbly Bordeaux for her first book in hand, her dreams of being a multi-published author were finally coming true.

Oh sure, for now she had to keep working her day job at Card, Jayson & King. That however was a non-issue because the firm provided a wealth of juicy stories to keep her in writer heaven for years to come. With its political connections and never ending high end insurance defense and fraud cases, just about every day gave her a new story line.

And that was only considering her co-workers. Add in the clients and their tales of how they would never commit the crimes alluded to in some of the cases or lobbying screw-ups, she was looking at books into the next millennium. She’d debated a book about the firm’s latest crime solving excitement with the arrest of a top lobbyist accused of bribing the Supreme Court on behalf of a well-known government official and decided she’d take a wait and see approach on that one. Still, it had everything—sex, money, multiple crimes against the state, enough to make it a series.

Courtney smiled to herself. Oh yes, after The Marquis’ Secret was released, her job would keep her in story lines for years to come. And she definitely had the time to write since her company worked ten hour days four days a week. While not the norm, it did allow the firm to be open seven days a week, including holidays. That’s what the clients wanted so that’s what they got.

Now, on the first of her three days off this weekend and committed to her goal, here she sat in her local coffee house, quadruple non-fat latte in hand, ready to download that first set of edits.

As she waited for her laptop to boot up she glanced around the quaint shop. Even though it was part of one of the big chains the local spot catered to the old-fashioned atmosphere of their city in its design. Booths with high-backed, plushly cushioned seats afforded a semblance of privacy. The tables were sturdy, dark wood, their grain left on the rough side but no risk of splinters. Faux candles lit each table in rustic looking hurricane holders.

Not wanting any one to know about her attempt to write a book, she’d written it in the quiet privacy of her little house. Now that she was a real author, after all she did have a contract from a fairly well known publisher, it was time to be out there like the big names and writing in public.

A stirring movement near the register caught her attention. From over the top of her computer she spotted a gaggle of women, young, middle aged and even a grandmother, whispering about someone or something. When the crowd parted she got quite the eyeful.

And what an eyeful it was.

About six foot five inches of dark brown haired, blue eyed hunk stood at the register, scanning the room. His chest easily out-distanced those on the male cover models that graced her favorite romance novels. Even Morgan Knight, the model now appearing on the Love Cups books had nothing on this hunk-o-licious guy.

This guy—well—there wasn’t a one who had anything on him. The boy was a major panty splat and lip smacker all rolled into one. Damn wouldn’t she like to take him home and engage in some major skin to skin research for her next book with him.

And oh my god, was he staring at her?

Of course he was. She was staring at him. Her gaze probably bore so deep into him he felt under fire. No wonder he looked back at her.

And not just looking back. Oh no, he looked like he intended to eat her for dinner.

Actually, make that breakfast, lunch, dinner and a creamy dessert to boot. Oh he was hot and then some and the look on his face he was looking for a main dish.

Suits me just fine.

He took a step in her direction.

Oh no. He’s just heading for an empty booth or seat or something like that in this direction. Couldn’t possibly be me.

She crossed her legs and the newly born writer part of her mind said she needed to remember the feelings surging through her special girl parts so she could capture those sensations in her next book.

And wouldn’t he make a great hero?

There’s no time like the present. She brought up a clean page and began to type when only a moment later a shadow passed over her screen.

“Would you mind if I sat here?”

Courtney looked up into the most amazing shade of blue-green eyes she’d ever seen. They were an interesting mix of turquoise and azure blue and the honey brown of his hair, long and thick, caressed his oh so broad shoulders, stopping below the blades. His t-shirt in pretty much the same shade as his eyes caressed his chest in a way Courtney wouldn’t mind spreading herself against him.

Unable to help herself she glanced at his waist, taking note of the button down fly on his snug fitting jeans. Her pussy clenched. My oh my.

“What?” She’s licked her lower lip before realizing she was about to mentally devour this man who only wanted to…what did he say?

“A seat. All the others are taken. Do you mind if I sit here? I promise not to bother you.”

Bother her? She was already well beyond hot and bothered. Well, not exactly bothered but he had her hot and all he’d done was walk into the coffee shop and say maybe ten words to her. She’d roast in hell for the lascivious thoughts she was having about this poor man who probably had women undressing him, at least in their minds, on a regular basis.

And what was she thinking?  She was a legal secretary. A professional! They defended people who’d been arrested. Misguided bozos who behaved in some of the naughty things she’d like to be doing with this gorgeous male specimen starting with chaining him to a wall in her bedroom with just enough room to move into the next sexual position.

Oh yeah, he was definitely material for her next book which wasn’t going to be anything near the sweet romance Bubbling Bordeaux contracted with her this time. Oh no, that one was going to be a major erotica where the guy, who looked exactly like Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Delicious and a heroine who looked like her. Well why not star in her own romance novel? It wasn’t like some of those luscious things would happen in real life. So why not in a…

“Sorry.” His voice made her tingle from her ears right down to that sweetly damp spot…

“Didn’t mean to take you away from your…”

“Oh sorry, no. Please. Feel free to tie me up…I mean, you aren’t tying. Taking, yes, taking…that is, please. Sit.” If she turned half as red as the flames in her face felt Mr. Come-into-my pants and stay awhile, thought she was either a total idiot, hadn’t had any in awhile or he’d just met up with his worst nightmare.

“And here I thought if there was any woman who would want to tie me up, it would be you.” His voice was pure honey, warm and thick, and sent delicious tremors down her spine and into that suddenly needy sweet spot between her legs.

Mr. Hunk-o-licious asked again, “Are you sure I’m not bothering you? I just want to sit and enjoy my coffee and all the other seats are taken. I promise not to disturb you.”

Oh man, his voice was definitely the stuff of dreams—wet and wild dreams. The kind where a girl needed her battery buddy when she woke up alone type dreams. “Please, disturb away, I mean. Why don’t I just shut up?”

“Because what you have to say sounds so delightful.”

“Delightful? I just made a royal ass of myself.”

He shook his head, his long auburn hair flowing around his shoulders like liquid chocolate.

Man did she want to run her fingers through it, take a hold and bring his lips in for a kiss…what on earth was she thinking? Courtney Miller, legal secretary extraordinaire, did not have thoughts like this. She shrugged, maybe Desiree Desire, her alter ego and soon to be a hot erotic romance writer did. That would make sense.

Of course, that made total sense! These were her alter ego’s thoughts. Some of the authors in the local romance writing group talked about that. How their alter egos, their pen names, could take on lives of their own. So there was good girl Courtney who worked for Card, Jayson & King and then there was naughty-Des who engaged is some amazing sex with hunky guys who just wanted to drink their coffee.

“No, you aren’t making an ass of yourself. I think more like I disturbed you from whatever you’re working on. For that I apologize. I didn’t think before I approached you. Well, I did think,” he purred, “from your friendly smile while I was at the register that you wouldn’t mind if I joined you. Just to drink my coffee and for you to continue with whatever you were doing.”

 

SC: What is the best advice you ever got with regards to writing?

Write. Don’t get hung up on punctuation, grammar or making it perfect the first time out – just tell the story to be told and then go back and clean it up.

SC: What is one pet peeve you have when it comes to publishing?

Unrealistic expectations.

SC: Any advice for new writers out there?

Write. Tell the story that needs to be told and do your homework. Make sure your research is solid, don’t take short cuts and be open to a solid critique.

SC: Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

My website at www.Regantaylor.com!

Thanks for having me Savannah!  Have a great week.

SC: The pleasure is all mine…