Claimed by the Spymaster and a Little More of Tara Kingston

I've really enjoyed hanging out at Coffee Time today. This is one of my all-time favorite romance sites. I'd like to share my updoming Ellora's Cave release, Claimed by the Spymaster with you.

Claimed by the Spymaster is a romantic and erotic historical novella that is scheduled to release on August 17 by Ellora’s Cave. Russian actress Valentina Baranova travels to England to marry a cunning and ruthless English lord, but it’s no love match. She’s the sweetener in a deal that will put stolen British documents in Russian hands and curry the Czar’s favor for her father. Determined to escape her loathsome intended, she flees him—and promptly falls into the hands of his most bitter enemy, spy for the crown Alec Jameson, Lord Carrington. On a mission to unmask the traitor responsible for his brother’s death before the blackguard can further betray Queen Victoria’s empire, he captures Valentina to use as bait. Despite his efforts to resist the alluring captive he’s snatched from his enemy’s grasp, Alec claims Valentina for his own. But she must lay siege to a long-untouched part of Alec’s existence—his heart.

What qualities were a must when creating your hero, Alec Jameson?

Alec Jameson is a man who’s experienced a devastating loss…his brother’s death…and he holds a treacherous Brit responsible. Alec’s courageous and cunning, a man of honor who tries to resist his attraction for Valentina. He’s daring and dashing, but at the end of the day, a passionate, gentle lover.

When reading a book I often imagine the characters in my head as thought I am watching a movie play out. If you could cast  and Cathy for a movie, who would play them on screen?

I could see Alexander Skaarsgard(Eric on True Blood) as Alec Jameson and Gemma Arterton as Valentina. She’s got the right mix of beauty and spirit.

If you could visit one country, what would it be?

England would be very high up on my list. The history would be spectacular. I’d also love to see Italy, Russia and France.  

What was the first romance book you read and how did it affect you?

Sons of the Wolf, a Gothic by Barbara Michaels. I was moved by the romance between the hero and heroine, and the heroine’s selfless courage, though honestly, upon a recent rereading, I found myself frustrated by the heroine’s essential helplessness and the hero’s uselessness. Circumstances, not the hero or heroine, defeat the villain. I like my heroines to have a strong backbone and my heroes to be resourceful and courageous.

How can readers stay in touch with you online?

Stop by my blog, www.tarakingstonromance.blogspot.com, and friend me on Facebook. I’m also on Twitter, so readers can “follow” me there.  

Want to win a copy of the ebooks of Claimed by the Captain and Claimed by the Spymaster? Leave a comment and friend me on Facebook or leave a comment and follow me on Twitter, and you’ll be entered into the drawing. One lucky commenter will receive both ebooks.

Thanks for stopping by!