Q&A with Tara Kingston

Can you tell us a little about your book?

I’d love to tell you a bit about When A Lady Dares. The story is set in London during the late Victorian era, a few years after Jack the Ripper roamed the alleys of Whitechapel. The heroine of the story, Sophie Atherton, is an undercover agent for a secret government agency called upon to pursue criminals who pose a threat to England—cases that require specialized expertise and resources beyond the realm of Scotland Yard. Here’s a brief summary of the story:

In Victorian London, a daring female agent confronts a notorious rogue, but who’s seducing who?

Sophie Atherton knows a liar when she sees one. Perhaps because she’s so skilled at deception herself. Searching for clues to a string of mysterious deaths, the secret operative for the Crown has connived her way into a phony medium’s confidence. When a dashing archaeologist seeks out the charlatan’s services, Sophie suspects he’s after more than a long-lost heirloom. Their electric attraction storms her defenses, but loving the rakish scholar would threaten her investigation and the life she’s crafted.

Gavin Stanwyck is a man on a mission. Masquerading as a treasure hunter to trap the spiritualist, he's drawn to the medium’s enigmatic assistant. As treacherous forces close in, passion awakens his hardened heart—he’ll protect Sophie at all costs, but he cannot give her his love. Uniting to survive a sinister plot, they must tear down their defenses and learn to trust their hearts.

If you had a theme song, what would it be?

It’s a tie between three songs, depending on my mood:
Paperback Writer (The Beatles)
Don’t Stop (Fleetwood Mac)
Roar (Katy Perry)

Name one thing you won’t leave home without.

My e-reader…I always have to have a great book on hand.

Name three things on your desk right now.

My laptop, a variety of multi-colored post-it notes with my scribblings on them, and a very old folder with Han Solo’s picture on it, just because… after all, who wouldn’t want a large picture of Harrison Ford on their desk?

What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

When I’m not writing, I love to spend time outdoors with my husband. We ride our bicycles, hike in the state parks near our home, take long walks, and generally, enjoy nature. I also like to head to the beach every chance I get—a day at the beach is good for my soul. I enjoy watching a good comedy, and in the fall, I love getting together with friends to watch football and cheer on my favorite team.

If you could have dinner with any three authors (alive or dead), who would you choose and why?

Jane Austen —I’d love to discuss her inspiration for Mr. Darcy and get her thoughts on a matter of great importance—who’s the better Darcy—

Colin Firth or Matthew Macfadyen? For the record, I’m Team Firth. 

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley — She wrote Frankenstein… need I say more? Discussing her inspiration for the novel and the characters would be fascinating. I’d also love to get her opinion on the great portrayals of the monster in film… who’s her favorite—Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee,

Peter Boyle, or Robert DeNiro? Personally, I have a soft-spot for Peter Boyle’s portrayal in Young Frankenstein (or is that Fronk-en-steen?)

Charlotte Bronte — Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite novels. I’d be thrilled to discuss the inspiration for Mr. Rochester with the author who created him…simply fascinating!

What 5 things should readers know about you?

~ I am hopelessly devoted to Fox Mulder and have watched every episode of the X-Files.

~ I can cook, but it’s a pretty rare occasion when I make anything from scratch. I’d rather be writing, biking, walking, laughing at a good comedy, reading on a beach, reading on my porch, painting furniture… pretty much anything but standing in the kitchen.

~ I do not like sad movies and books. I’d much read a happily-ever-after or enjoy a movie comedy or a rollicking adventure—Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of my favorite movies of all time. The adventure, the gorgeous hero (yes, I adore Harrison Ford, as evidenced by the fact I possess a years-old folder with Han Solo on the front), and the touches of humor make it an ideal movie for me.

~ We have two kitties who were incredibly innocent-looking when we adopted them from the shelter, but the pair quickly began to compete for the title of “bad kitty”. We’ve actually had to child-proof a cabinet in the kitchen to keep one of them from opening the door and walking right in, and trust me, you do not want to see what they will do to a bag of treats that’s left out on the counter. But they make up for their naughtiness with their sweet, loving ways. They really are cuddle-bugs.

~ As a child, I loved to read Nancy Drew books non-stop. Even then, I enjoyed stories with clever heroines and a good mystery. This has definitely carried over to my own novels. I love to read and write romance with strong heroines and an air of mystery threaded through the story.