Interview with Karin Tabke

Jen: Readers, please help me welcome Karin Tabke to Book Talk. Karin, will you please share a short bio with us?
Karin: Jen, here’s the official version: For a long time, controlled chaos ruled Karin's life. Busy mother of four, owner of her own successful business and wife to a street cop, she harbored thoughts of twisting plots and hot romantic scenes. Now, with only one child left at home and hubby retired from law enforcement, Karin happily pounds out those steamy scenes at her keyboard.

Still semi-distracted by her adult children (Yay! no more phone calls from the high school!) and her husband now a successful football coach (Yay! No more worrying when he’s out on the street!), Karin turns out stories about hot cops, bold knights, and the women who bring them to their knees.

A full time writer, Karin draws on a lifetime of stories and backdrops that few outside of the law enforcement community ever see, let alone hear about. Controlled chaos now reins supreme through the pages she writes where hot heroes serve, protect, and pleasure from page one to The End.

Jen: Tell us about Master of Craving and where it's available.
Karin: Master of Craving is out May 26 ‘09. It is a twist on the love triangle between David (Blood Sword, Stefan de Valrey) Bathsheba (Princess Arian of Dinefrw) and her husband (Jarl Magnus of Norway). It’s emotional, angsty and in the end, true love conquerors all! The book can be found at all bookstores, online and your neighborhood grocery store

Jen: At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Karin: In high school I wrote about my daydreams of being swept off my feet. My first opus was written my senior year. Long hand, and let’s just say it has collected a mound of dust under my bed. It will NEVER see a bookshelf! After high school I still daydreamed and still wrote but not with any seriousness other than enjoying my characters and their lives. I got serious about nine years ago. I stalked my first editor, and finally, after two years, she took pity on me and called. I happened to be recovering from surgery that day. I was drugged, and faintly remember my husband holding the phone to my ear as my soon-to-be-editor offered to buy my book. I graciously and slurridly (new word!) agreed. Several days later when I was more coherent, I read the deal memo and was ecstatic!

Jen: How does your family handle the time that you write? Are they supportive or disruptive?
Karin: I love my family, they has always understood my passion is writing and they have always from the very beginning been nothing but supportive. My husband is my biggest fan, loudest cheerleader and my rock (my mother-in-law comes in a close second!).

Jen: Describe your writing in three words. Karin: Intense. Passionate. Exciting!

Jen: Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?
Karin: All I need is a laptop.

Jen: Do you have a writing routine?
Karin: I’m a night writer. I get my best work done when the house is completely quiet. Between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m. I have a lusty family that I love to surround myself with and when they are all settled in for the night, it’s my time!

Jen: How do you pick the character’s names?
Karin: Sometimes the names just come to me, mostly with my contemps. But with my historicals, especially with my heroines, I research. My girl’s names have to match their personality and have a significant meaning.

Jen: What is it about the romance genre that appeals to you?
Karin: Passion. A passion for life, for love, for putting everything on the line.

Jen: Is there a genre that you’d like to write? / Is there a genre you’ll probably stay away from and why?
Karin: I’m writing what I love. Sexy historicals and sexy romantic suspense.

Jen: Who has inspired you as an author?
Karin: Linda Howard, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Anita Mills, Katherine Sutcliff

Jen: Do you have a favorite character or one that you identify most with?
Karin: Tarian Godwinson in Master of Torment. She is a survivor. Her tenacity and passion for life drives everything she does. Much the same can be said for Isabel in Master of Surrender, as well as Princess Arian in Master of Craving. Brave ladies willing to put it all on the line for love and country. Jade Deveraux in Jaded is my fave contemporary heroine. She is so damaged but even as a walking wounded she is still brave enough to give love one more chance.

Jen: Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?
Karin: Absolutely to both questions. I wake up sometimes and they are right there, talking to me. I keep a note pad on my nightstand so I don’t forget what they tell me!

Jen: What has been your highlight of your career to this point?
Karin: Being notified that Jaded won the Romantic Times Review’s Choice Award for best erotic suspense. I loved the characters and the story, and I am so happy to see them honored with this award.

Jen: Most people only dream of becoming a published writer. Now that you’ve accomplished that goal, is there anything else you dream of doing?
Karin: Writing better books. I also want to spread the word that if I can sell to New York, so can anyone else who can tell a story and who is determined. I love giving motivational workshops.

Jen: What's next for you?
Karin: Currently I have a kick ass, sexy as hel, romantic suspense proposal my agent is ready to go out with. I love this series, and I hope to sell to a house that loves it as much as I do.

Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Karin: www.karintabke.com, www.myspace.com/karintabke, www.twitter.com/karintabke, www.facebook.com/karintabke, www.murdershewrites.com

I’m everywhere! And I love to chat!

Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Karin: What do you love most about romance novels?

Jen: Karin, thanks for being our guest. Readers, Karin's giving away 2 books! We have a signed copy of Master of Surrender and a signed copy of Jaded up for grabs to 2 lucky commenters. To enter the contest, leave a comment answering Karin's question, ask a question of her and let us know which of the two books you'd prefer to win. I'll pick our winners on Friday, May 29 around 5 pm PST.