New Release Review and Conversation with Kate Meader, Author of TAKING THE SCORE (plus a giveaway!)

Welcome, Kate! What 5 things should readers know about you?

I have a section on my website that covers this exact question! I’ve listed fun facts about me below:

1. I got married in a tenth century castle nestled in the hills of Florence, Italy. Read all about it.
2. I hate peanut butter, pretzels, and ketchup. These dislikes are enough to label me “un-American” by my husband.
3. I’ve been known to bitch slap people who say “irregardless”, “supposably”, and “for all intensive purposes.” Not really, I would never resort to violence. Instead I’ll glare at them until they become very, very uncomfortable.
4. I didn’t write any fiction until well into my thirties, proving it is never too late to follow your dream.
5. I’m a dual citizen: Irish and American. When I became an American citizen, my husband played a prank on me that was 17 years in the making. One day, I’ll share that story but for now, it remains locked in the vault!

LOL—I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard anyone say “for all intensive purposes”—I’m not sure what I’d do if I did! (And at least bacon isn’t on your hate list—you can’t imagine the grief I get for that one!)

Tell us all about your main characters—who are they? What makes them tick? Most importantly, what one thing would they need to have with them if stranded on a desert isle? 😉

The main characters in TAKING THE SCORE are Brody Kane, a tree-trunk-up-his-ass, nerdy Texas billionaire with a dominant streak in the bedroom, and his personal assistant Emma Strickland, a former bad girl shooting for respectability—and failing miserably (probably shouldn’t be giving really bad lap dances at the local strip club!). Both of them are control freaks in their own ways. Brody needs it to retain order over a life that imploded months before the story starts. Emma needs it to keep her down n’ dirty self in check while she tries to get her own life back on track. If stranded on a desert isle, Brody would need his glasses—they’re part of his identity as nerd masking a dominant superhero. And Emma would take Kevin, her attack cat.

Oh my goodness, Brody and his stick—when his sister called and asked if he would stop polishing it long enough to talk to her, I almost spit out my iced tea!

Would Kevin get to bring his gourmet cat food with him, do you think? It’s only fair that he’d get “one thing” too…

Where did the inspiration for this book come from?

Brody and Emma were secondary characters in EVEN THE SCORE, the first book in the series. I’d never done a boss-assistant romance before, so this seemed liked an ideal pairing.

I’d have to agree—definitely ideal!

How long have you been writing, and what (or who) inspired you to start?

I’ve been writing for about 5 years, 4 years seriously with the aim of publication. My inspiration: I felt like I was watching too much TV and that coming home from work and becoming one with my couch every night was not how I wanted to go out! There had to be more, and so I started that book I’d always wanted to write.

Awesome—I like it!

What do you like best about being a writer? What is the most challenging part?

I love being able to come up with the snappy comeback that I wish I could say in real life. My characters are always such witty smart asses! The challenging part is managing my time.

Ah, yes—it’s always so much easier to be witty on paper, when there’s plenty of time to think of the perfect response. But at least that works out great for authors—and their readers!

What are you working on right now? What can readers look for from you in the next year?

Right now, I’m doing research about hockey for a multi-authored anthology I’ve signed on for. I don’t know all that much about hockey, so I’m learning and looking at some hard-bodied athletes. Yeah, it’s a chore 😉

You had me at “hockey.” Really, you should probably visit a couple of locker rooms after games—you know, for research purposes. (cough!) If you need any volunteers to go with you for moral support, I could be persuaded to take a road trip (though maybe not until the snow lets up just a bit).

What authors and/or books have inspired you?

I love romantic comedies from authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Julie James, Lauren Layne, and Jill Shalvis. But I also like it a little bit more angsty as well. Victoria Dahl is one of my favorites – amazing sex-positive heroines with funny, potty mouths.

Great list! Two thumbs up 🙂

What are you currently reading? What are your thoughts about it so far?

I’m currently reading my super-sekrit stash of books nominated for the RITA award – that’s the romance Oscars. Per the rules, I can’t tell you which books, so lips zipped!

Not fair! Good luck with that super-arduous task… 😉

If you had to “sell” this book in a single Tweet, what would you say?

She’ll give her boss the worst lap dance in adult entertainment history… and still manage to rock his world #BadStripper #TallDarkAndTexan

Perfect! That works!

To find out more about Kate and her latest book, TAKING THE SCORE, keep reading!