The Official Blurb
Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, fantasy worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, her characters are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after. Learn more at www.taraquan.com
Me
I’ve always loved reading romances. No matter how many well-intended teachers tried to interest me in the classics, I poured my allowance into collecting every book with Judith McNaught’s name on it. My first foray into writing for pleasure was Harry Potter fan fiction (remnants of which are still on fanfiction.net, where my teenage alter ego RomanticFool still dwells).
Being an overly sensible teenager, I decided picking “published author” as a career goal was a dream with a low probability of success (AP Statistics may have had a hand in this decision). So I took all the recommended science classes, packed my bags, and went to college. I told everyone I wanted become either a doctor or an engineer (my family fits the Asian stereotype to a comical degree). I gritted my teeth through organic chemistry and graduated with a BA in Biology and International Relations.
By this time, I’d realized I’m not a science person (self-awareness has never been my strong suit). So I shifted my plans and aimed for law school. I got a job as a legal secretary (yes, we’re still called secretaries) and moved up the ranks over the next three years. While I filled multiple notebooks with romance plots, I never took the LSATs or applied for law school
Then something wonderful happened–my husband got his dream job. There was one thing holding him back. Because his career requires moving to a new country often (current count: 4 moves in 3 years), sustaining a traditional career as his spouse wouldn’t be easy. He told me he could give up the job if I wasn’t comfortable with the lifestyle.
So I batted my eyelids, graciously made the sacrifice, and embraced my dream of becoming a romance writer.
Some of My Favorite Things
Favorite Dessert: Mango Mousse Cake (from Whole Foods)
Favorite Food: Dim Sum (which I haven’t eaten in ages … seeing as how we’re posted in South Asia)
Favorite Fruit: Persimmons (it looks like a tomato but is infinitely more delicious)
Favorite Authors: Nalini Singh, Kresley Cole, Judith McNaught, Linda Howard, and Julia Quinn (Yes, I know they write very disparate genres of romance)
Favorite Movie: Lady and the Tramp
Favorite Broadway Musical: Phantom of the Opera
Favorite non-Broadway Musical: Notre Dame de Paris
Favorite TV Show: Castle
Favorite Vacation Spot: Home