THE CHALET (The Submissive Trilogy 3.5) by Tara Sue Me-Review and Interview
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 21, 2014
New York Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me’s Submissive series is an international sensation. Now, Abby and Nathaniel’s story continues with their romantic wedding and a honeymoon too hot to believe…
Submitting her body was only the beginning.
Abby King didn’t know true passion until she gave herself to Nathaniel West, one of New York City’s most eligible bachelors and desired Dominants. Now, on the eve of her marriage, she realizes all her dreams are coming true. And with a romantic honeymoon getaway planned at a secluded Swiss chalet, she’s sure Nathaniel will find even more fantasies to fulfill…
Nathaniel never thought he’d settle down until Abby broke down his barriers and changed his plans. With their wedding only weeks away, he can barely wait to possess her completely—heart, body, and soul—and show her the true meaning of being both a wife and a submissive.
Only Abby has one more challenge in store before she becomes his: no sex and no collar for one month before the wedding. Nathaniel is willing to give it a shot but he has one scandalous stipulation—once that month is up, anything goes…
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REVIEW: THE CHALET is the latest installment in Tara Sue Me’s contemporary, adult The Submissive erotic romance series focusing on ‘Dom’ Nathaniel West and his submissive Abby King. Because THE CHALET is part of an ongoing series focusing on one couple, it should not be read as a stand alone because important background information about our couple is revealed in the previous storylines.
Told from alternating first person points of view (Abby and Nathaniel) THE CHALET is a novella that focuses on the weeks up to and after Abby and Nathaniel’s wedding wherein Abby has declared a no-sex policy during the 30 days prior to the ceremony. Nathaniel is a Dominant who fell in love with his sub, and because their Dom/sub relationship focuses more on the sexual aspect of their lives, the month of celibacy is something new. But it is during the honeymoon phase at a chalet in Zermatt, Switzerland where Abby will ask more of her Dominant than Nathaniel had expected to give. It is a time to explore her truly submissive side-not just on weekends-but throughout the week as well. When Abby accidentally calls Nathaniel ‘sir’ in a playful exchange, she begins to understand that perhaps she is a ‘true’ submissive –after all.
THE CHALET is a sexually graphic, erotic storyline that continues to explore the D/s sexual relationship of Abby and Nathaniel. While vacationing in the Swiss Alps, Abby will discover that she enjoys the submissive side of their relationship and is willing to accept everything Nathaniel has to offer.
The secondary characters include some of the previous storyline couples including Nathaniel’s cousin Jackson and his new wife (and Abby’s best friend) Felicia. Felicia is aware of Abby and Nathaniel’s relationship and is slowly learning to accept that her friend has a submissive side that needs to be addressed.
With THE CHALET, Tara Sue Me’s offers up another side of Abby and Nathaniel’s D/s relationship. Theirs is not a true, hardcore BDSM exchange but one built upon mutual understanding, marriage and love. I do foresee some difficulties in the relationship as Nathaniel will begin to demand more from Abby then she is willing to give.
Reading Order
1. The Submissive
2. The Dominant
3. The Training
3.5 The Chalet (October 2014)
4. The Enticement (April 2015)
Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.
Reviewed by Sandy
TRC: Hi Tara and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on the success of THE SUBMISSIVE series and the release of THE CHALET.
We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?
Tara: Thank you for having me! Honestly, there’s not much to tell. I’m a forty-something mother of two who likes to write sexy love stories.
TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?
Tara: I think as a writer, everything, everyone, and every experience influences me in some way. Some more than others, certainly.
TRC: When not writing, what do you do to relax?
Tara: When I’m not writing, I’m usually thinking about writing! It’s so hard to turn my mind off or make the characters give me a few minutes of silence. For those rare opportunities I can, I either swim or read.
TRC: THE CHALET is your most recent release (and novella) in THE SUBMISSIVE series focusing on DOM Nathaniel West and submissive Abby King. Would you please tell us something about the premise?
Tara: So many readers wanted the details of Nathaniel and Abby’s wedding and to be honest, those details didn’t fit in with the plot of THE TRAINING. But as I thought about it, I decided it would be fun to see what happened at their wedding and where they went on their honeymoon. I couldn’t make an entire novel out of it, so I decided to write a novella.
TRC: SEDUCED BY FIRE is the first book in your new PARTNERS IN PLAY series. Would you please tell us something about the book?
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Tara: SEDUCED BY FIRE tells the story of a woman exploring her submission and what she does with that information when she is faced with the dangerous side of play.
TRC: Do you have any information regarding the next book in the series?
Tara: Funny you should ask that. I’m actually combining Partners in Play with The Submissive Series. When I sat down to plot out the next few books, it made sense. Everyone is in the same geographical area, they’re about the same age, have the same interest, and Daniel and Nathaniel work in the same field.
So, you’ll see Julie, Daniel, and Jeff (from SEDUCED BY FIRE) in THE ENTICEMENT (April 2015) and then Jeff and Dena’s story will be out in July 2015 (THE COLLAR).
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TRC: What are your thoughts on writing a series and ending an installment with a major cliff hanger?
Tara: I know I don’t like it as a reader and for the most part, I won’t read a series until all the books are out if I think that’s going to happen.
TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?
Tara: I always like to think I’m directing the characters, but the truth is, nine times out of ten, they don’t listen to me and they do their own thing. I’ve learned, the hard way, they know what they’re talking about and that I need to listen to them.
TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?
Tara: A writer has to make the character act in character. This is actually one of my personal pet peeves when it comes to reading because if it’s not in character, the reader isn’t going to believe you no matter how well written the story is. I think as writers, we often feel the need to add drama or some issue to the plot and it doesn’t work because it doesn’t make sense.
The Submissive (book 1):Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/ The Book Depository
The Dominant (book 2): Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository
The Training (book 3): Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO
TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?
Tara: Writer’s block for me occurs because I want the scene to be absolutely perfect and I know it won’t be with the first draft. I have to tell myself just to get words on the paper and fix it later. Butt in chair. Writing. Even when you don’t feel like it.
TRC: Many authors bounce ideas and information with other authors or friends and family. With whom do you bounce ideas?
Tara: Mr. Sue Me is good to bounce ideas off and my crit partner, Elle, is awesome, too. The general premise for THE ENTICEMENT came about after a chat with another crit partner, Cyndy.
TRC: On what are you currently working?
Tara: I’m currently working on THE COLLAR. This is Jeff and Dena’s story and it’s unlike anything I’ve written before. Jeff and Dena are an experienced BDSM couple with a common tragic history they think won’t allow for a future.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food Salmon
Favorite Dessert Anything chocolate
Favorite TV Show Property Brothers
Last Movie You Saw Maleficent
Favorite Musical Group The Police
Dark or Milk Chocolate Dark
Secret Celebrity Crush David Gandy
Last Vacation Destination Alaska
Pet Peeve Aggressive drivers
TRC: Thank you Tara for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the success of THE SUBMISSIVE series.
Tara: Thank you for having me!
