Tag Archives: Sara Dobie Bauer

He Sees You When You’re Sleeping by Sara Dobie Bauer-a review

Posted on by
9

He Sees You When You’re Sleeping by Sara Dobie Bauer-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 10, 2020

We met when you were just a child, but youre a man now and need my protection.

With Christmas Eve approaching, Ill watch over you.
Whether you know it or not.

Because no one is allowed to hurt you.
No one but me.

••••••

REVIEW:HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU’RE SLEEPING by Sara Dobie Bauer is a stand alone, adult, paranormal holiday novella focusing on Kris aka Father Christmas and Jack Benson.

WARNING: HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU’RE SLEEPING contains scenes of M/M sexual situations, graphic violence, murder, abuse and other triggers that may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.

Told from third person perspective (Kris) HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU’RE SLEEPING follows Father Christmas aka Kris on Christmas Eve, a night where he goes in search of not only children who believe but children who are in desperate need of his help. At the age of ten, Jack Benson still believed in Santa but the horror that what his childhood found Jack facing a virtual stranger who would become his guardian angel. Fifteen years would pass before Father Christmas returned to help Jack Benson once again, only Jack was no longer a ten year old boy but a man who stirred something deep within Father Christmas, an attraction that triggered memories from the past.

HE SEES YOU WHEN YOU’RE SLEEPING is the retelling of a Christmas classic blending Charles Dickens and the mythology of Santa Claus with a modern twist-the reality of life, death, addiction and abuse. Sara Dobie Bauer writes a dark and gritty short story; the psychological impact, and sociological complexities of the real world blended with the supernatural, the paranormal, and mythology of Christmas, punishment and second chances.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

We Still Live by Sara Dobie Bauer-Review tour

Posted on by
12

WE STILL LIVE by Sara Dobie Bauer-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

Add to Goodreads

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 9, 2019

Running from a scandal that ruined his life, Isaac Twain accepts a teaching position at Hambden University where, three months prior, Professor John Conlon stopped a campus nightmare by stepping in front of an active shooter.

When John and Isaac become faculty advisors for the school’s literary magazine, their professional relationship evolves. Despite the strict code of conduct forbidding faculty fraternization, they delve into a secret affair—until Simon arrives.

Isaac’s violent ex threatens not only their careers, but also John’s life. His PTSD triggered, John must come to terms with that bloody day on College Green while Isaac must accept the heartbreak his secrets have wrought.

***WE STILL LIVE is a standalone M/M friends-to-lovers romance featuring detailed adult content, graphic violence, hurt/comfort, and mental illness.***

•••••••••

REVIEW: WE STILL LIVE by Sara Dobie Bauer is a contemporary, adult, stand alone M/M erotic, romance storyline focusing on university professors . Isaac Twain, and Professor Dr. John Conlon.

WARNING: Due to the content of the story line premise, there may be some triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Isaac and John) WE STILL LIVE follows in the aftermath of a campus shooting at Hambden University. Professor Isaac Twain was living a nightmare of his own, and had no idea about what had happened at the university where he recently been hired as a member of the English department. Meeting fellow professor, and writer John Conlon gave Isaac Twain pause when he quickly discovered that John faced down the shooter in an attempt to protect the students he loved. But not all was well in John Conlon’s life, as he suffers with nightmares and PTSD in the wake of the shootings, and the department’s no fraternization policy was another slap to an already struggling couple. What ensues is the behind closed doors building relationship and love between John and Isaac, and the potential fall-out as their demons slowly begin to destroy all sense of security between our leading couple.

Isaac Twain has been a closeted gay man for most of his life but marriage to a woman he thought he could love proved more dangerous and heart breaking than he could have imagined. Moving to Ohio to escape his past, Isaac struggles with what was and his feelings for a man who has endured so much more. John Conlon struggles in the aftermath of the shooting at Hambden University. Hailed as the ‘hero’ John’s emotional balance continues to spiral out of control and the only saving grace is the man with whom he will fall in love, a love that must be kept hidden to protect their jobs.

The relationship between John and Isaac is one of immediate attraction but everyone suspects Isaac is straight but his need for John is palpable and strong. John must battle between head and heart knowing their future at the university hangs in the balance but to move towards a happily ever after, one or both will have to sacrifice in the end. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, broken and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Isaac’s former lover Simon; John’s best friend Tommy Dewars; English department head Sonya Meeks, and several students whose lives have been affected by the campus shooting.

WE STILL LIVE is a heart breaking and emotional story line ripped from the head lines of the daily news. Sara Dobie Bauer pulls together the haunting and frightening issues in the aftermath of so much pain but there will never be an answer to the who, how and why. The premise is sensitive and impassioned; the romance is steamy and seductive; the characters are numb, shattered and struggling to move forward.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

Close as they were to the foyer, Isaac was the first to notice the front door opening. A student walked inside. The kid dragged a heavy-looking suitcase behind him. Dressed as he was in a slim-fitting button-down, Isaac immediately assumed preppy, although that assumption altered and changed when taking into account the tight black jeans, Converse sneakers, and shaggy hair the color of caramel and chocolate—a mass of waves and curls that fell down the back of his neck but not quite to his shoulders.
The kid pushed his hair out of the way and looked up, eyes finding Isaac and flashing a moment of panicked nonrecognition before seeing Tommy.
“Um.” Isaac pointed toward the new arrival.
Tommy turned and shouted, “John! My man!”
Not a student, then.
Tommy wrapped John in a hug that actually lifted his feet off the ground. Isaac imagined it wouldn’t be difficult. The new guy might have been average height, but he was gangly, skin and bones.
Tommy ruffled his hair. “Have you lost weight?”
John grumbled and scratched his face with his middle finger. “What are you freeloaders doing in my house?” His voice was surprisingly resonant for someone Isaac considered “pretty.” At John’s pronouncement, crows of approval rang from every direction.
“Come meet Isaac,” Tommy said.
John wiped his palms on his jeans before reaching out to shake, and Isaac’s large hand dwarfed his.
“Isaac Twain is the newest addition to our special corner of Hambden hell. Isaac, this is John Conlon.”
John brushed more hair out of his face. “Nice to—”
“John Conlon?”
John and Tommy froze.
Isaac jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “The books on the shelf. Those are yours?”
John’s face, immobile in what looked like dread a moment before, melted into relief, tinged with a bit of blush. “Oh, yeah. You’ve read?”
“No, but I should. You’ve published a lot of books. You must be good.”
John’s nose wrinkled, and he looked away.
Tommy shook him by the shoulders. “John is an amazing writer. He had a story published in The New Yorker when he was, like, five. Are you working on anything right now?”
John glanced at the bookshelf. “Not lately.”
“You need a drink,” Tommy said.
John’s eyes widened on a big breath. “God, yes, I do.”
“Nice to meet you,” Isaac said, but John just nodded quickly, smile thin, before allowing himself to be herded farther into the house toward the sound of quiet laughter and clinking bottles.
Isaac felt it then—an outsider’s emptiness. He became a nervous-looking coat rack in the corner, a terrified tree waiting for the ax. As the party doubled in auditory volume, he bemoaned his spilled wine. Was it okay for him to leave? It wasn’t like he was supposed to make a speech. He was only there because he figured it was the easiest way to meet everyone before the first official faculty meeting, but he’d been standing around too long. He wanted to run.
Out of curiosity, he reopened John’s book from earlier and read the front flap. It was a coming-of-age story about a gay kid in the Midwest. He flipped to the back, and a picture of John stared back at him. He’d assumed the guy was tired when they first met, but no; apparently, John had perpetual bedroom eyes, and his hair was always an artful mess. He skimmed…creative writing professor at Hambden University…gay rights activist…Converse-wearer and “old-people music” enthusiast.
All arrows pointed to John’s probable sexual preference for men. A spark of interest flickered but quickly went out. True, John Conlon was what most people would consider beautiful, but he wasn’t Isaac’s type. John was the kind of man butch guys fought over in gay clubs, but he was too small for Isaac, too fragile-looking, girly. After all he’d been through, the last thing Isaac wanted was someone feminine.
A thin figure ducked into the library and literally hid against the doorframe. He took a long drink of something brown and leaned his head back. “It’s not good when you want to hide in your own house.”
“Library is the best place for it,” Isaac said.
John kicked away from the wall. “Tommy mentioned you just moved here? I’ve been in Lothos forever, so if you need anything…” He examined Isaac from his brown boat shoes to the top of his blond head. John’s large eyes, dark green, seemed bottomless—drowning pools of intellect and soul—only slightly overshadowed by his thick eyebrows. 


 

Sara Dobie Bauer is a bestselling author, model, and mental health / LGBTQ advocate with a creative writing degree from Ohio University. She lives with her hottie husband and two precious pups in Northeast Ohio, although she’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film. She is author of the paranormal rom-com Bite Somebody series and Escape Trilogy.

Blog/Website  |  Facebook  |  Private Facebook Group

Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Newsletter Sign-up  |  BookBub

Share

DESTINY’S DARK LIGHT by Sara Dobie Bauer-a review

Posted on by
11

DESTINY’S DARK LIGHT by Sara Dobie Bauer-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

About the book: Release Date October 15, 2019

In modern day Charleston, two fated lovers meet at the beginning of a world-ending witch war …

Cyan Burroughs is a lonely light witch prophesied to battle the dreaded Dorcha—a dark sorcerer with the power to rule the world. There’s one problem: Cyan doesn’t have any powers of her own.

An unknown witch flips a trolley and causes mass carnage, and Cyan’s dormant magic awakens. When she drags handsome Irishman Liam Cody from the wreckage, she recognizes his face from her aunt’s psychic portraits. He is the man Cyan is destined to love.

As she and her magical family seek to unveil the murderous witch who caused the accident, Cyan and Liam grow closer, but Liam’s mysterious past is not the only thing keeping them apart.

Dark witches and light will soon fight to the death, and Cyan must face her calling. How can she protect Liam and win the war when her immense powers are barely under control?

***Destiny’s Dark Light is a M/F paranormal romance featuring star-crossed lovers, witches, Southern flair, mild sexual content, and violence.***

••••••••••••••

REVIEW: DESTINY’S DARK LIGHT by Sara Dobie Bauer is a contemporary, adult, paranormal romance story line focusing on Cyan Burroughs, a white witch (Loach) whose birth has been prophesied to save the world in a battle with the dreaded Dorcha, a dark and powerful sorcerer.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Cyan and Liam) DESTINY’S DARK LIGHT follows Cyan as she struggles with her destiny. As a seer, Cyan’s aunt Sybil paints the future, and the future reveals the man with whom Cyan will fall in love. But all does not go according to plan as Cyan’s powers have yet to reveal, and the man with whom she will fall in love, is in love with somebody else. An fatal trolley accident reveals powerful sources at work, power that will release Cyan’s dormant magic, bringing the Dorcha into his very own powers, thus beginning the War to destroy them all.

Liam. Cody has just lost the love of his life to a tragic trolley accident but when his best friend suggests there may be magic and witches in modern day Charleston, Liam soon discovers that not everything or everyone in his life is as it appears to be. Enter Cyan Burroughs, the woman with whom Liam will fall in love, a white witch whose family magic reveal more than anyone could have imagined.

The relationship between Cyan and Liam is one prophesied by fate but there is always a fine line between good vs evil; light vs dark. Liam believes he is in love with somebody else but Cyan finds herself falling for a man she barely knows. I struggled with the relationship especially as it pertains to Cyan’s immediate and intense love for a man she never knew but a man who has been prophesied to be her fated love. Cyan’s attraction was instant; her love was immediate, and in this there is little to no build up or angst of attraction, want and need. The palpable desire is missing; there is no passion or seduction.

DESTINY’S DARK LIGHT is a story of magic, power, witches and love. Liam Cody is a man who is unaware that his destiny has been foretold, a dark and dangerous destiny that threatens the woman with whom he will fall in love. Cyan Burroughs knows she must destroy the Dorcha before the Dorcha destroys everyone she loves, but can Cyan kill the man who stirs something deep within our story line heroine. The premise is intriguing; the characters are colorful and energetic. An entertaining and interesting story line that faltered with a lack of passion and angst between our leading couple.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Escaping Mortality (Escape #3) by Sara Dobie Bauer-a review

Posted on by
12

ESCAPING MORTALITY by Sara Dobie Bauer-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 28, 2019

Their ocean journey was successful, and Andrew and Edmund found an Elder just in time. As they wished, Edmund is now a vampire like Andrew. They have eternity together, but first, they must visit Edmund’s ailing mother in the English countryside with their flock of immortals, including the Elder, who has taken an ominous liking to his new creation.

When they arrive at Edmund’s family estate, his sick mother and her loathsome best friend await them. While ducking religious curses, Edmund struggles to harness an unexpected power gifted him by the Elder. Andrew fears for his beloved as Edmund becomes more and more monstrous—but vampires have always been monsters, haven’t they?

A battle is coming, for Edmund’s heart and his soul, and Andrew will lose neither. He escaped island exile and a near tragedy at sea to be with Edmund, the beautiful young sailor he loves. Andrew will do anything to keep Edmund by his side, but his most dangerous adversary may be Edmund himself.

•••••••

REVIEW:  ESCAPING MORTALITY is the third instalment in Sara Dobie Bauer’s historical, adult ESCAPE paranormal, MM, erotic romance trilogy focusing on formerly exiled vampire Andrew, and twenty-eight year old, British naturalist Edmund. ESCAPING MORTALITY should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately following the events of book two Escaping Solitude.

NOTE: ESCAPING MORTALITY contains M/M sexual situations that may not be suitable for all readers. If you have not read the previous instalments there may be some spoilers in my review.

Told from first person point of view (Andrew) ESCAPING MORTALITY focuses on the new relationship between Andrew and Edmund now that Edmund is an immortal like his beloved. Having searched for an elder to affect the change, Edmund is now haunted by the man who is his maker. As Edmund, Andrew and their crew of intrepid friends voyage towards England fearing their arrival may be too late, Edmund’s anxiety begins to ratchet upwards as sins from the past are surely to affect his welcome home. What ensues is the continuing relationship between Andrew and Edmund; the fall-out of Edmund’s return to England; and Edmund’s battle to break free of the elder vampire who demands more than Edmund is willing to give.

ESCAPING MORTALITY is a story of family, discrimination, betrayal and love. Edmund’s life as a sailor allowed him the freedom to escape the liabilities back home but upon his return, it is made very clear, that his previous actions, are still not acceptable.The slow building premise is engaging and emotional; the romance is erotic and passionate; the characters are colourful and charismatic. Andrew and Edmund are destined to spend eternity together, an eternity made official by the passage of time…and contemporary law.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Escaping Exile
Escaping Solitude
Escaping Mortality

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Escaping Solitude (Escape Trilogy #2) by Sara Dobie Bauer-a review

Posted on by
9

Escaping Solitude (Escape Trilogy #2) by Sara Dobie Bauer-a review

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: RELEASE DATE October 29,2018

Ancient vampire Andrew escaped his tropical island exile with his beloved human sailor, Edmund. They’ve now returned to Andrew’s home in nineteenth-century New Orleans and must navigate not only their developing relationship—and equally haunted pasts—but also a hungry coven of vampires Andrew used to call friends.

Desperate to stay by Andrew’s side forever, Edmund examines the impressive coven library in search of an Elder, the only creature capable of turning Edmund. Although missing for centuries, Andrew believes an Elder must still survive somewhere; they just have to find him.

The search is put on hold when Edmund receives word that his mother is ill in London, and the lovers set off on an oceanic journey surrounded by new friends and old enemies. When things go terribly wrong, Edmund’s fragile human life hangs in the balance, and an Elder must be found or Andrew will be alone forever.

•••••••••

REVIEW: ESCAPING SOLITUDE is the second instalment in Sara Dobie Bauer’s historical ESCAPE paranormal, MM, erotic romance trilogy focusing on formerly exiled vampire Andrew, and twenty-eight year old, British naturalist Edmund. ESCAPING SOLITUDE should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up immediately following the events of book one-Escaping Exile.

NOTE: ESCAPING EXILE contains M/M and M/M/M/ sexual situations that may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from first person point of view (Andrew) ESCAPING SOLITUDE follows Andrew and Edmund as they begin their life together in Andrew’s hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana. No longer in exile Andrew is welcomed backed with open arms but Edmund’s presence is like a beacon to other vampires including Felipe, the consort to the vampire who sent Andrew into exile. Enamored with Michelle’s library of vampire lore, Edmund discovers the existence and whereabouts of an Elder vampire, a vampire with the ability to give Edmund a chance at forever with the man that he loves. What ensues is the growing relationship and love between Edmund and Andrew, and the potential fall-out as an accident threatens to end Edmunds life.

ESCAPING SOLITUDE is another quick and easy read; an erotic romance between vampire and human, with the possibility of a happily ever after. We are introduced to female vampire Michelle, and her consort Felipe, as well as the local boy-toys Gabriel and Danys, and their Irish madam May.

The world building continues to focus on Andrew and Edmund’s building relationship, their time together revealing a manic and inquisitive side of Andrew’s human lover, as well as the search for a vampire Elder. The premise is engaging; the romance is passionate and erotic without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text; the characters are colorful and charismatic. ESCAPING SOLITUDE ends on a cliff-hanger-you have been warned.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one ESCAPING EXILE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Share

Escaping Exile (Escape Trilogy #1) b Sara Dobie Bauer-Review, Interview & Giveaway

Posted on by
14

ESCAPING EXILE (Escape Trilogy #1) by Sara Dobie Bauer-Review, Interview & Giveaway

ESCAPING EXILE
Escape Trilogy #1
by Sara Dobie Bauer
Release Date: August 13, 2018
Genre: adult, paranormal, M/M, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 13, 2018

Andrew is a vampire from New Orleans, exiled to a tropical island in the 1800s as punishment for his human bloodlust. During a storm, a ship crashes off shore. After rescuing a sailor from the cannibals native to the land, Andrew becomes fascinated with his brilliant, beautiful new companion, Edmund.

Edmund is a British naturalist who has sailed the world seeking new species. Intrigued by creatures that might kill him, immortal Andrew is this scientist’s dream—but so is making his way back home. Edmund will fight to survive, even while wrapped in the arms of a monster.

As light touches and laughter turn to something much more passionate, the cannibals creep ever closer to Edmund. Can the ancient vampire keep his human alive long enough to escape exile and explore their newfound love, or will Andrew’s bloodlust seal his own doom?

••••••••••

REVIEW: ESCAPING EXILE is the first instalment in Sara Dobie Bauer’s adult, historical ESCAPE paranormal, M/M, erotic romance trilogy focusing on exiled vampire Andrew, and British naturalist Edmund.

NOTE: ESCAPING EXILE contains M/M sexual situations that may not be suitable for all readers.

Told from first person point of view (Andrew) ESCAPING EXILE follows exiled vampire Andrew as he finds himself drawn to the lone survivor of a shipwreck following a deadly storm. Stranded on an island inhabited by cannibals Andrew and British naturalist Edmund struggle to survive against the odds including Andrew’s desire to feed from the man with whom he will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between Andrew and Edmund, as our couple must battle the elements, starvation, and attacks by a group of flesh-eating humans.

ESCAPING EXILE is a quick and easy, erotic read that focuses on the growing attraction and building love between a vampire and human thrown together by circumstance and fate. We learn a little bit about Andrew’s past-his history, his ‘turning’, and the events leading to his exile on a not-so deserted island, as well as Edmund’s need to find and challenge that which, could do him harm. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text. The premise is entertaining and engaging. ESCAPING EXILE does not end on a cliff-hanger but with a promise of more to come.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

TRC: Hi Sara and welcome to The Reading Cafe.

We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Follow: Facebook / Twitter / Website / Goodreads


Sara: I’m a full time writer who wears pajamas all day and only showers because my husband is on his way home from work. Not kidding. I’ve been writing full time for almost a decade now, and I tend to always write romance, usually with a twist, whether that be romantic comedy, paranormal romance, or romantic horror (yes, that’s a thing).

TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?

Sara: Probably reading so many books as a kid. Anne Rice had a lot to do with it since I read her Vampire Chronicles when I was still in elementary school. Maybe a bit young for that …

TRC: What challenges or difficulties did you encounter writing and publishing your first novel?

Sara: Finding the right publisher. I ended up with World Weaver Press for the Bite Somebody series based on a referral, thank God. What a blessing back in 2015!

TRC: Would you please tell us something about the premise of your new paranormal, M/M romance ESCAPING EXILE and the ESCAPE trilogy?

Sara: Bloodthirsty vampire meets sexy, shipwrecked sailor. Add a dash of cannibals and lots of sex. The trilogy follows them from new love to established love to … well, that would be a spoiler, wouldn’t it?

TRC: From where did you get the idea for ESCAPING EXILE?

Sara: Oh, gosh, I wish I knew. I have no idea. As a writer, I get ideas all the time, but very few of them actually make it on the page. This one probably showed up as some weird fantasy of mine and just grew into a full-fledged storyline.

TRC: What kind of research/plotting did you do, and how long did you spend researching /plotting before beginning ESCAPING EXILE?

Sara: Very little plotting. I’m not a plotter. I follow characters and see what they do. Escaping Exile is the first of the trilogy, so most of the research came into play in books two and three as the boys travel to Victorian New Orleans and London.

TRC: Has your work with the mental health community and as a LGBTQ advocate helped with your writing and story line premises?

Sara: So much! Thanks to working in the mental health community, I’ve been able to create more complex characters that often share my own psychological traits. My LGBTQ advocacy has given me a clear look at difficulties faced, and although I don’t often get too political in my work, you can see glimpses if you look close enough.

TRC: There is a fine line between romance, erotic and erotica fiction. What do you believe are the differences? And where should the author draw the line?

Sara: Romance versus erotica just depends on the sex, not the plot. Romance, to me, is closed-door sex and fade out, whereas erotica shows the sex and can be mature to explicit. I fear people write off erotica as crappy writing, just smut, but I’ve read some fantastic literary erotica. For me, include as much sex as you want; just keep the characters true to themselves whether you fade out or give a doggy style play-by-play.

TRC: Most, if not all, of your books and series focus on the paranormal. Have you ever considered writing another romance genre?

Sara: I have written a romance novel without any paranormal elements! But it hasn’t been published yet … I’m shopping it with agents right now, and we’ll see what happens. I do love paranormal, though. As a huge horror movie fan, I love a good monster.

TRC: What was the most challenging scene to write?

Sara: The first sexual encounter between Andrew and Edmund. By then, I was so hyped for them to just do it already; I had to be careful not to rush it!

TRC: Do you believe the cover image plays a deciding factor for many readers in the process of selecting a book or new series to read?

Sara: Yes, for sure. If your cover doesn’t capture the eye, a reader might not even consider your blurb. They might just pass you by. It’s also important for your cover to fit your genre and the tone of your book.

TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?

Sara: The characters direct everything, those bastards. Sometimes, they go completely mad—like in The Escape Trilogy. As the series moves on, Edmund takes over. He does things I never saw coming.

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 writers fail in this endeavor?

Sara: Know your characters. Write huge character bios before you even start writing so you know everything about them—even their favorite ice cream. If the character feels real, readers will relate. Writers fail when they put plot before character.

TRC: Do you listen to music while writing? If so, does the style of music influence the storyline direction? Characters?

Sara: Nope. I write in total silence. I listen to music throughout the day when I’m not writing, though, and yes, I’ll hear certain songs and think, “This is perfect for Andrew and Edmund.” In the case of Escaping Exile, Hozier’s “Better Love” is their theme song.

TRC: What do you believe is the biggest misconception people have about authors?

Sara: hat we’re snobby intellectuals. Most of us are just huge, introverted nerds. We really do sit around sipping whiskey, though.

TRC: How should authors measure a book’s success?

Sara: Certainly not by money. That can be a setup for disaster. Measure success by fan response, fan enthusiasm. We don’t do this for the big bucks; we do it because we love telling stories and sharing them with people.

TRC: What is something that few, if anybody, knows about you?

Sara: I’m obsessed with horror movies, but I can’t watch zombie flicks. Zombies are just one step too far.

TRC: Who is your favorite author (living or dead)?

Sara: Impossible. Changes by the day. Today? I’m awfully fond of M/M author Dessa Lux.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Sara: A new adult LGBTQ romantic horror comedy about a monster in Florida. The leading male, Emory, is arguably based on me.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Cheese pizza with black olives

Favorite Dessert: Nah, gimme salt!

Favorite TV Show: Rick and Morty

Last Movie You Saw: Hot Summer Nights

Dark or Milk Chocolate: DARK

Secret Celebrity Crush: Timothee Chalamet (It’s totally not a secret.)

Last Vacation Destination: Milwaukee for SummerFest

Do you have any pets? Two big dogs. Ripley is named after the Aliens heroine. Raylan is named after Elmore Leonard’s Raylan Givens.

Last book you read: Snakes Among Sweet Flowers by Jason Huffman-Black

TRC: Thank you Sara for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on the new release. We wish you all the best.

Sara Dobie Bauer is graciously offering an e-copy of ESCAPING EXILE to ONE (1) lucky commentator at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please follow Sara Dobie Bauer on FACEBOOK

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

5. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

6. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

7. Please follow The Reading Cafe on Tumblr

8. Giveaway is open  internationally.

9. Giveaway runs from August 12-17, 2018

Share