I’m so glad today is Wednesday because that means it’s time for another round of What to Read Wednesday. Today author Tara West is visiting and we’re going to learn a few things about her and she’s also going to share her latest release Sophie’s Secret, Whispers Book 1.
Let’s dive right in 
Welcome to What to Read Wednesday, Tara! Thanks for visiting. Tell us about you the person, not the author:)
After suffering with a serious illness, I’ve become somewhat of a holistic health nut and am feeling much better through natural treatment. I’m an advocate for natural health and wellness and help run a support group for others with thyroid disease. I have a wonderfully supportive husband and we have a beautiful little girl. We love to swim, fish and vacation anywhere there’s sun and sand.
I love that you took control in your treatment, Tara! Very inspiring If you were a crayon, what color would you be and why?
I would be bright blue, the color of my husband’s eyes.
Love that answer. Board games or video games?
I used to say board games, but I love my Wii fit, so definitely video.
I love the Wii too…lots of fun. What genre (s) do you write?
YA paranormal and YA fantasy
Describe your writing space.
It’s usually a cluttered desk that overlooks my beautiful Texas backyard. While I write I get to watch the cardinals fly through the live oaks and listen to our wooden chime and my doggies barking. I’ve got a really cool ice dragon sculpture sitting by my computer that my friend gave me to help inspire the fantasy I’m writing, and I’ve always got a green smoothie or a green tea at hand.
Sounds like a great creative space! Share a blurb from Sophie’s Secret, your latest release. 
Sophie Sinora and her BFFs struggle to keep their strengthening paranormal powers secret while trying to fit in at school. Her teacher’s suicidal thoughts, a threatening locker bully, a teasing school flirt, her hormonal pregnant sister, and the tension between Sophie and her friends, only add to her problems. Hopefully, she can fix them in time to save her teacher’s life and her social life.
Sophie doesn’t sound like your typical teenager. Love all the action and your cover is great. Describe your hero using 5 words.
Cute, flirty, smart, sweet, fun
Now your heroine.
Insecure, loyal, smart, sweet, caring
What was the easiest part about writing this story?
The dialog between the friends comes natural. Plus, I was able to draw on my own weird experiences as a teen.
The hardest?
Writing the ghost scene was a little scary. I was afraid to sleep after that. LOL.
Great to know there’s a scary ghost scene in your book. How did you come up with the title?
It was easy. Sophie is my daughter’s name.
Please share an excerpt of your book!
“Sophie?” Frankie leaned closer.
I was struck with a rush of cool, minty air. Dentyne Ice. The boy was on fire. I jerked up to see Frankie’s lopsided grin. He was facing the paper toward me. I looked at his equation.
S + F = 2
“Mrs. Stein told me you don’t understand why we use letters instead of numbers. So imagine ‘S’ stands for the initial of a person.” Frankie pointed to the equation. “Who do you know whose name begins with an ‘S’?”
Somewhere, in the furthest corner of my mind, I suspected the answer he wanted but was too nervous to give it. “Sally?”
“Sally?” He set down the pencil and rubbed his jaw. “I don’t know a girl named Sally.”
I smiled and bit my lip. “I made her up.”
“Alright. Give me the name of someone beginning with an ‘F’.”
His voice was deep for a guy his age, yet so soft, I had to lean closer to hear him. “Fritz.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Fritz?”
I felt the heat rising in my cheeks. I grabbed the pencil and squeezed, as I tried to still my shaking fingers. “You wanted a name.”
“You’re right.” He flashed a teasing grin. “Let’s take Sally and Fritz, for example.” Frankie reached for the pencil.
I jumped at the contact of his skin on mine. I could feel my face redden even before he had time to react.
“I need the pencil.” He waved his fingers. “So I can finish the equation.”
“I’m sorry.” I clenched the pencil and tried to squeeze all the nervousness out of my body. Frankie Salas was flirting with me and I didn’t understand why. I was too nervous to read his mind. Because I was so nervous, I couldn’t even focus on my own thoughts.
His deep brown eyes found mine. “Is there something wrong?”
I felt my body tingle at the feel of his penetrating gaze. “No. I just don’t like algebra.”
A good excuse, but not hardly the truth. Something was wrong with me and I was feeling incredibly foolish for my nervousness. I wasn’t in love with Frankie. The rest of the female population was. So why did I have to remind myself of this? Frankie was a player and I wasn’t about to be added to his list of love-sick admirers.
He wrapped his fingers around mine and gently pried the pencil out of my hand. I felt heat race through my neck, my cheeks and down my spine.
“Now imagine Fritz asks Sophie, sorry, Sally to go out with him. How many people would that equal?” Frankie winked, not even trying to conceal the mischief brewing in his eyes.
“Two?” I whispered. I couldn’t tear my gaze from his face.
“Great. Sally plus Fritz equals two people.” Frankie scribbled something on the paper.
I breathed out. “Yes.”
“So what number does Sally represent?”
“Stupid.” I said it without thinking. This was Frankie’s fault. He had my brain all mixed up.
Frankie’s eyes widened. “What? Stupid’s not a number.”
“Sorry, I don’t know why I said that.” I closed my eyes and pretended to think. I knew the answer but I needed some time to settle my nerves. Unfortunately, Frankie was still there when I opened my eyes, still hot, still tempting me with that playful smile. “One.”
“That’s right, Sally equals one.” Frankie reassuringly squeezed my hand.
I thought about pulling free, but something willed me to squeeze back. I was an idiot.
“So how’s the lesson coming?” Mrs. Stein’s melodic voice broke the spell.
Thank God.
I quickly pulled my hand away and arched back. Now I saw why so many girls had fallen for Frankie Salas. The boy was magic, pure magic.
That was a great excerpt! What is the most difficult for you to write: characters, conflict or emotion?
Emotion. I have to be in a certain mood. However, setting is most hard for me.
Do you have a particular time of the day that is easiest for you to get the words flowing?
Afternoon or late at night.
Share your current WIP with us.
Curse of the Ice Dragon about a young boy who must break a witch’s curse before her dragon kills him and his family.
What are 3 writing tips you’d like to share with other authors or prospective authors with us today?
Be prolific. Write, write, write.
And finally Tara, where can we find you and your book?
Blog: http://tarawestauthor.wordpress.com/ and website: www.tarawest.com
Sophie’s Secret is out in all ebook venues and there’s some older print versions from my former publisher. Here’s the Zon link: http://www.amazon.com/Sophies-Secret-Whispers-ebook/dp/B0068TLK5G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331830818&sr=8-2
Tara, your book sounds great and I also enjoyed browsing your website to check out all of your amazing cover art! Thank you so much for joining me today!
ChristineWarner
