Tara Chevrestt

Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, aviation mechanic, dog mom, former writer and editor. You’ll never see her without her Kindle or a book within reach. As a child, she would often take a flashlight under the covers to finish the recent Nancy Drew novel when she was supposed to be sleeping. Tara is addicted to Law & Order: SVU, has a crush on Cary Grant, laughs at her own jokes, and is constantly modifying recipes and experimenting in the kitchen. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She writes about strong women facing obstacles—in the military, with their handicaps, or just learning to accept themselves. Her heroines can stand alone and take care of themselves, but they often find love in the process.
Links: Goodreads Website










Interview
  1. Your theme is Strong is Sexy, what does that mean to you?
Well, while Hollywood tries to tell us sexy means half-naked, big-breasted, small-waisted, with pouty lips and the desire to jump into the sack just about anytime anywhere, real women know that's not what makes a woman sexy. STRENGTH makes a woman sexy, and it comes in many forms. A woman's personality and confidence can make her the brightest star. Her caring nature, her willingness to sacrifice for her family, her ability stand up for herself and others. There are many things that make a woman sexy and just as many things that make her strong. And by strong, I don't mean running around with a sword or a gun and kicking butt, taking names, though that is cool too. I believe strength comes in many forms. I try to talk about that on my blog and show that in my books.

 2. What are some of the most prevalent misconceptions that you encounter when people discover that you're deaf?

They assume I can't talk. I get this a lot: "But you speak so well!" It's so patronizing and so rude.

 3. You very recently stopped writing, why? (I'm not trying to be rude doll, I just saw your post and I was surprised)

It's a flooded market. We (authors) aren't doing ourselves any favors by putting a book a month out there. Readers can't possibly keep up anymore. And there's not much pride in saying, "I'm an author" when Mookie Dookie next door is too, and so is his mother, and oh, his eight-year-old. LOL. Also, poor sales. Readers are the customer and if the customer isn't interested in the product, one doesn't normally waste time manufacturing more of said product. You want to support an author you like? You want them to keep writing? BUY THEIR BOOKS. Don't wait for them to cave and make them free. Buy them, seriously. As I'm no longer writing, I'm free to say that. LOL
Regardless, I'm not willing to write what folks seem to want: submissive females getting tied up and dominated by men. I'm so over that nonsense. *smh* I'm a strong advocate of books with meaning, with depth, with more than just sex or romance. Women have so much more going on in our lives. So much of the literature today makes it look like all we do is sit around thinking about men, wanting men or sex, or wishing to get married. I'm not jumping on that bandwagon.

 4. As a fellow addict to Law & Order:SVU which character is your favorite?

Ooooh. Detective Amaro, hands down. That is one hot honey! That's my only TV crush. I feel like he has a fiery temper under the surface too and I'm always waiting for him to explode. The way he looks at rapists...dang. That's a man to be reckoned with. Other fans of the TV show keep pining for Elliot. I can't say I was ever fond of him. Not sure why.

 5. What is your favorite comfort food?

I have an addiction, actually, to.....don't laugh.....Lunchables! I buy the generic kind though, Cracker Crunchables. It consists of 5 crackers, 5 slices of cheese, 5 slices of ham or turkey, and a mini Crunch candy bar. It's carbs, protein, dairy, and chocolate in a tiny snack. I love those. I also keep a stash of emergency chocolate. My husband was laughing at me the other day, because I had this job interview that stressed me out. I came home pretty down. I was sure I'd blown it, and immediately had to eat a piece of chocolate. I said it was an emergency. LOL
Thank you so much for having me.
Books
  When Ciara Littleton takes the plunge and finally joins Facebook to socialize without the limits that her hearing impairment gives her, on a whim, she looks up a childhood friend. In sending him that first message, she ignites the memories of a crush from twenty years ago. But can a simple friend request fix all that stands between them and lead to something more? Hunter has a lot on his plate. A recent divorce, a pregnant sister, and now, he realizes he's in love with a woman who lives states away. Can he overcome the boundaries of Internet romance to make this desire turn into something real, or will adversity and distance be their undoing--adversity being in the form of his very own sister--the woman who bullied Ciara so mercilessly long ago? This book was formerly titled A Facebook Affair and has been revised with a new ending.



 




When Catalina Rodriguez is attacked by a would-be rapist and rescued by the dashing Ricardo Garcia, she not only becomes more aware of the handsome man, but also vows that she'll never be a damsel in distress again. Using the timeless method of blackmail, she convinces her uncle to teach her to fight and becomes a masked crusader in the night, saving other damsels from robbers and rough handling. However, scandalous rumors and dwindling funds force Ricardo and Catalina to marry. Not immune to each other's charms, their marriage starts fiery, but when one of Catalina's nightly escapades results in dire consequences, she is forced to spurn her husband's amorous advances…or reveal a secret that could turn him away from her forever. Ricardo’s not a man to be cuckolded or left in the dark. Is his wife having an affair with El Capitan, the masked savior? If so…they will both pay. 




 
In the summer of 1916 women do not have the right to vote, let alone be motorcycle dispatch riders. Two sisters, Angeline and Adelaide Hanson are determined to prove to the world that not only are women capable of riding motorbikes, but they can ride motorbikes across the United States. Alone. From a dance hall in Chicago to a jail cell in Dodge City, love and trouble both follow Angeline and Adelaide on the dirt roads across the United States. The sisters shout their triumph from Pike’s Peak only to end up lost in the Salt Lake desert. Will they make it to their goal of Los Angeles or will too many mishaps prevent them from reaching their destination and thus, hinder their desire to prove that women can do it?  






  In ancient times, women were regarded as sacred. They were thought to hold the mystical power of creation—responsible for the continuation of our species. With the rise of science and religion, these myths were dispelled and their plight began. HerStory: Fiction Honoring Women’s History Month is a collection of flash fiction and short stories from today's top authors featuring female characters that exemplify strong strength of mind, body, and character. Some of these tales are based on real people while others are purely fictional. However, all are standing up for themselves and what they believe in. Grab yourself a glass of wine or favorite hot beverage and get comfortable as you read about the lives of women who will light the fire in your soul 
 






  Meet Lola, Pudgy, and Jazzy, three canine cuties that will warm your heart and make you laugh. In Thank Dog It's Friday, Lola and her human mommy, Trisha trade bodies for a day! Can they cope with their new bodies and prevent Trisha's husband from throwing her into a mental institution? Pugnacious introduces Pudgy, a very pugnacious pug. She takes her job in a dog bakery very seriously and when the bakery is robbed, it's up to her to save the day, the cash, and the canine cookies! In Tail of Terror, Jazzy does the unthinkable and she runs away. If she can survive the mean streets, there may be a lesson in store for her and she may make a new friend. Dog Tails is intended for dog lovers everywhere, but even cat lovers will smile and fall in love with Lola, Pudgy, and Jazzy

 






Bridget isn't beautiful. At least she doesn't think so. Besides, her ex always told her she wasn't. And she believes him. So when an online romance leads to a blind date, she heads to the salon for a makeover stat. She's dismayed to discover that her usual stylist isn't available, and she has no choice but to let a man do her hair. Nervousness turns into sexual awareness as the sexy Javier buries his fingers in her tresses. Javier has been aware of the timid but kind woman for some time and vows to make her see that she's beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside. Will he succeed in keeping his own feelings at bay and style her sexy?    








Deaf Isn't Dumb is a motivational story of a young woman, Tara, who faces the challenges of growing up "hearing impaired" in a hearing world. Follow her stories as she recounts everything from childhood bullies to work related restrictions and funny misunderstandings from mispronounced words to fear of Federal Air Marshals. In this tale, straight from the heart, learn that simply because one is deaf--contrary to popular misconception--it doesn't mean they are dumb. 

 





In New York City, seven writers compete for a hundred thousand dollars, a publishing contract with Bright House, and the title of the next bestseller. One is Felicity James. One is Victor Guzman. Drama, plagiarism, and trash talk play out to enthralled audiences across the country as all seven contestants compete against each other in a range of heated challenges, with tensions reaching breaking point. As Felicity and Victor start up a show‐mance, their relationship burns up the ratings. Will this sizzling fling escalate into a vicious battle for money and fame, or will these two authors manage to write their own happy ending?    




 




At a New Year's Eve party, a military wife gets a surprise visitor... A short story of love, loss, and hope.   



 








This is exactly what you need! It’s Valentine’s Day and when Ariel receives a package of incense in the mail from her Pagan friend and mentor, she isn’t sure what to make of the enclosed note. Sure, she has some issues, but who doesn’t? When the smoke releases its magic, Ariel gets an evening of surprise humor and romance, and it is indeed exactly what she needs. 
 







Kimberly Rogers vowed to fight a tragic past the only way she knew how: she joined the Army and became strong. No man would hurt her again. But a war wound sends her to her brother's in Cripple Creek, WY, with vision and hearing impairments. Whereas glasses can help her see and hearing aids can help her hear, nothing can force her to talk again. Is she really unable to speak, or is she hiding behind her disability to protect herself, her pride, and her heart? Regulated to the most menial of jobs, her world in shambles, Kimberly is finally convinced to seek medical assistance. Carlos Medina is Jackson Hole's best therapist. If anyone can make Kimberly speak again, it's him. But Kimberly has to meet him halfway, and Carlos has his own past tragedy that the young, mute woman threatens to force him to conquer. They both have wounds…and sometimes wounds must be reopened before they can heal. Can they open up to each other? Can Kimberly find her voice again and open her heart? Can love heal them both? 


 







USAF fighter pilot Janet Kerrigan is not having a good Christmas. It's bad enough she is stationed in Balad Air Base, Iraq and away from her three year old son, but to make matters worse, she has to spend her Christmas day on Combat Air Patrol. A friend and fellow pilot tells her to make new Christmas memories and much to Janet's surprise, she does, though not the kind of memories she expects. While flying her F-16 Fighting Falcon in the Iraqi skies, Janet is faced with a difficult choice: follow orders and have the glory or ruin her Air Force career in order to save Christmas for boys and girls everywhere.  

 





 Crystal is an enlisted mechanic with a tragic past. Grant is an officer and a pilot with a broken heart. When faced with a difficult decision, will Crystal choose wisely or lose the best thing that ever happened to her? The love between them burns hot, but their relationship won't stay fueled if they can't beat the obstacles in their way. Besides breaking the fraternization rules, Grant and Crystal have the difference of race between them…but can they prove to the rest of the world, and to each other, that love is color blind? Afterburn is about overcoming one's past, not judging others, learning to forgive, and what it's like to be a woman in a "man's world." Previously published under Sonia Hightower.   
 



  It’s the Women’s Air Derby of 1929 and four women all want one thing: to win. For Angeline Miller, it’s one last hurrah before she finally takes that leap into motherhood, but will her husband be waiting on the other side of the finish line? For Penelope Burns, it’s a chance to stick it to her patronizing husband and win her son’s pride and affection back—she hopes. Veronica Truman just wants to make her ailing mother proud. Nancy Devine, Hollywood starlet and diva, wants to be the next Lady Lindy of the Air...and will pay any price. One week, a group of very determined and capable women pilots, sabotage, and fate comes together. Who will fly to success? Who will "crash and burn"? And what awaits them in Cleveland, Ohio?
 





Hear Through My Ears is a motivational story of a young woman, Tara, who faces the challenges of growing up "hearing impaired" in a hearing world. Follow her stories as she recounts everything from childhood bullies to work related restrictions and funny misunderstandings from mispronounced words to fear of Federal Air Marshals. In this tale, straight from the heart, hear through her ears and find out what it's like to face adversity and rise above it. 

A huge thank you to Tara for the interview you rock doll!! Another huge thank you to Lisa at Tasty Book Tours I found this wonderful author when I signed up for a tour.