Author Interview & Giveaway: Tabitha Foster

Hi Tabitha! Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions! Please, tell us a little about yourself first.

I grew up in the Santa Barbara wine country not far from the beautiful Pacific Ocean coastline. I currently live in the Los Angeles area with my cat Frida and dog Diego. To remind me of home, I enjoy a little Chardonnay or Pinot Noir from the area, curled up with a good book by the fire.

I loved this book and I am looking forward to reading more about Max and his brothers. Will Bruce and Jacks books also be novellas? Will Max play an important role in their books?

Yes, Bruce and Jack will each enjoy their own books. Like a good mother, I don't play favorites! Since the brothers grew up with absentee parents, they are really, really close, so I see their individual stories intertwining in interesting ways as the series progresses.

Max only mentions his parents in the book. Are they ever going to stop caring more about parties and get to know their children better? 
The elder Van Burens may seem like your regular deadbeat billionaire parents but they do actually care about their children! It's just that their social obligations and charities take up a lot of their time! The rich are busy, too, you know.  J  But seriously, I have a feeling they will show up at an upcoming Van Buren brother wedding and it will make for a fascinating read. I promise!

How did you choose the names for the characters?
After a little sip of Chardonnay, thoughts from my subconscious bubble up and find I find the names choose themselves!  I am merely a vessel.

Do you bring your own real life experiences to your writing? If so, how?

As a writer, I think you can't help but bring parts of yourself and your experience into your writing. Being half-Mexican myself, I brought a little of my mother's heritage, not to mention her tortilla recipe, into the book when I envisioned my heroine, single mom Allie.

Will we find out in another book what happened to Allie’s parents?
Yes, there will be more tortilla tales about Allie's parents.

What inspired you to write this story? How did it come to be Short Order Daddy, Surprise Billionaire?
I'm drawn to stories about opposites meeting and the challenges of that romance. In my book, I wanted to explore a situation where two people from different worlds meet and the unexpected results that follow.  On the one hand, we have Allie, the strong single mother, devoted to her work and family who had love taken away from her due to war. And on the other, we have billionaire Max from Los Angeles who seemingly has it all, but soon finds out there's something more valuable that money simply can't buy. Throw in my love of Mexican food and the Arizona desert with an outrageously rich eligible bachelor and you have my book, Short Order Daddy, Surprise Billionaire.

Where can we find out more about you and your work?
My publisher, Chances Press, has set up a page where my books and all the latest news can be found: http://www.chancespress.com/tabithafoster.html

What project are you currently working on? Whose book will be the next book in the series? Do you have an idea when it will be out?
I'm hard at work on the next installment in the Van Buren Brothers series, “The Billionaire's Surprise Bride.” Playboy billionaire Jack Van Buren goes to Las Vegas to be the best man at his old fraternity buddy's wedding only to wake up the next morning married to one of the bridesmaids! They both want it annulled immediately, but after a few twists, the playboy suddenly finds himself falling for his new “wife.” It's gives new meaning to the words “honeymoon period.”

What do you think is romantic? What does the word Romance mean to you?
Romance is a feeling more than an act. It's realizing someone likes you, quirks and all, and the excitement of getting to know that someone. Romance is like the chips and salsa with the margaritas—light and refreshing. Love is the combination platter with flan--heavy with chances of heartburn!

How did you get your start in writing? What made you decide to be an author?
I always had a vague interest in writing, but I came from a working class family that emphasized practicality more than personal expression. But a girlfriend had an extra ticket to a Women's Writers Conference in Long Beach, California and the event literally changed my life! I was surrounded by other women who loved books and I was fascinated by listening to writers talk about writing. That little voice inside of me let out a primal scream. I felt at home instantly and that weekend I wrote my first short story, “Love's Been Done.”

Do you plan your characters and storyline or does it come to you as you write?
I have a rough storyline my characters follow but I try to be open to where they lead me.  Sometimes when writing the story, I find the plot goes into unexpected territory and the result is a pleasant surprise! Sort of like when I threw in the helicopter part into the book.  One of my favorite lines from the book came with that plot twist!

Describe your writing in four words.
Love in unexpected places.

Do you have any advice to aspiring authors?

My advice to aspiring authors is that everything worth writing about has already been done. By that I mean, the humanistic themes such as ambition, love, courage, freedom, suffering, happiness and truth have already been done. I say this not to discourage aspiring authors but to inspire them to create new, unique and unforgettable characters that build on these enduring themes.

Thank you again, Tabitha for being here today. 

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to discuss my book, Mexican food and wine with your readers! 

You can read Sophie's review HERE

Tabitha has generously offered to giveaway two ebooks of Short Order Daddy, Surprise Billionaire. Please leave a comment for Tabitha and you will be entered in the drawing. Contest will run for one week. Thanks and good luck! 

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN YOUR COMMENT. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO CONTACT THE WINNER.