Tara Sue Me

| FEATURE AUTHOR |

and I think it’s so important travel with your kids, no matter how old they are. They need to get out and see that this world is so vast and diverse, and it’s much more personal when they experience it for themselves as opposed to reading about it or seeing in on television.

Uncaged: Past or present, which authors would you love to sit and have lunch with and why?

I’d love to sit down with Mark Twain. Whenever I have to do a quote search, I always run across a quote or two from Twain. They’re so funny and full of truth at the same time, I can’t even imagine what it’d be like to have a conversation with him.

Here are a few of my favorite Mark Twain quotes: - “Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.”

- “Optimist: day dreamer more elegantly spelled.”

Uncaged: Have any of your characters ever done something that you didn’t intend when you began?

I’m not sure I’ve written a book where at least one of them didn’t. Years ago, it’d bother me, and I’d argue with them, “That’s not in the plot. Stop it right now,” or maybe, “You’re messing up my outline.” Eventually, they got what they wanted though, and I learned to just go with it. Now when it happens, I nod and say, “Okay.

Uncaged: What are some things you like to do to relax when you aren’t writing or working?

I love to cook! In December of last year, I went gluten, dairy, and refined sugar free, and this made things interesting since my family doesn’t follow the same diet, though Youngest is vegan. But I have perfected gluten, diary, and refined sugar free pizza dough and chocolate chip cookie recipes.

More recently, I’ve picked up an old hobby of mine - cross stitch. I’m working on a holiday piece, but it might not be finished until December 2021!

Uncaged: What does success as an author look like to you?

If my book can pull the reader out of their world, and into mine, that’s success. If, for just a moment, I can make them forget and tune out the negativity so prevalent today, then I’ve done my job.

Uncaged: Do you prefer ebooks, audiobooks or physical books? Are you reading anything now?

eBooks! I joke with my kids (who both prefer physical books) that they’ll have to pry my kindle from my cold dead hands.

Right now I’m reading The Heir Affair. I read the first book in the series earlier this year, but hadn’t had a chance to pick up the sequel. Recently, however, it was a kindle daily deal on sale for $3.99. How could I not one-click?

Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

Thank you for allowing me to have the best job ever. It’s no small thing to love your job, and I’m grateful for every day I’m able to sit in front of my laptop and create happily ever afters.

Enjoy an excerpt from Madame President

Madame President Tara Sue Me Contemporary Romance Releases Oct. 6

For Independent Anna Fitzpatrick, being President of the United States means she’s finally in a place to make a difference. Known for her intellect and charm, she never appears anything other than calm. After getting dumped by the man she’d been living with once he learned of her presidential bid, Anna vows to remain single throughout her term. It’s an easy task, after all, no man has ever made her feel the way her law school classmate did years ago. Or at least the way he made her feel until he walked away without so much as a goodbye.

Navin Hazar is content being one of the nation’s top news anchors. It may not be the plan he had for his life, but plans don’t always go as anticipated. Like his plan for no one to find out he knows Anna personally or did know her, once upon a time.

For over ten years, they’ve been able to ignore each other, but her election to the highest office changes everything. And when Navin inadvertently lands on Anna’s Press Pool, they realize the only thing more aggravating than politics is love.

Excerpt

Her Election Night Franklin Institute Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The first time someone interviews me, they always compliment me on my calmness. I’m always genuine in my thanks, as I consider this to be a positive trait of mine. In fact, I believe never letting your guard down, never letting anyone see you sweat, and never letting anyone see the real you— is a necessity for public service. No matter which mask I wear, and I always wear one, the masked me is always calm. The Student Anna. The Congresswoman Anna. That Crazy Woman Who Thinks She Can Be President Anna. And, hopefully in the next few minutes, the newly minted President Elect Anna.

My campaign staff and I are watching returns in a small private office of the Franklin Institute in my home state of Pennsylvania. Below us, five hundred of my supporters and more staff wait in the ballroom for me to make an appearance. There should be enough data to support calling California, which would put me over the line for needed electoral numbers. Yet GBNC has held off for some reason. I’m about to call and ask what the hold up is when the television goes completely red, white, and blue while “Breaking News” flashes across the screen. My main advisor and dear family friend, David Herdsman, comes to stand at my side.

“This is it,” he whispers. The room goes silent as Navin Hazar’s face comes on the screen and my stomach clenches the way it always does when I see him. He pauses and gives a little smile. It’s the smile of someone who knows they have the information everyone else is holding their breath to hear, and for a second he relishes that fact. “GBNC is officially calling California for Anna Fitzpatrick,” he says, and a low buzz of excitement builds in the air. I remain still, wanting to hear what’s next. “Which means, we are also projecting Independent, Anna Fitzpatrick, will become the next President of the United States, making her the first female to hold that position.” The room around me explodes as Navin Hazar and his co-host, Gabe Day, move to fill the top half of the television screen as the bottom flashes to the scene downstairs. I don’t catch anything else as I’m swept into the hugs and tears of the people who have fought so valiantly and tirelessly for me over the last few years. A champagne glass is pushed into my hand. I reach inside the jacket of the business suit I’m wearing and my fingers brush my speech. I don’t need the paper since I’ve practiced the thing in my head at least three hundred thousand times, and it’ll be on the teleprompter, but it’s comforting to touch.

“I love that color on you,” my best friend, Jaya, says, coming up and giving me a hug. “Thanks.” I have on a fuchsia skirt suit tonight because I didn’t want to wear either red or blue. A bold choice, but if you have the potential to be the first female President of the United States, bold is the only way to go.

“Are you going downstairs?” she asks. I shake my head. “I’ll go down in a few minutes,” I tell her as David approaches us. He knows what I’m waiting for. Tom Merriweather, the Democratic nominee, called and conceded ninety minutes ago, but Vice President Roberts has been holding out. I’d like to wait for his call, but I’m not going to give him long.

Jaya catches sight of David and rolls her eyes. “If you’re waiting for Roberts, you’ll have to wait until morning. At his age, I’m sure he’s asleep by now.” But David’s big smile tells a different story. “President Elect Fitzpatrick,” he says to the thrill of the surrounding crowd. “I have Vice President Roberts on the phone for you.”