Last week I got to share an interview with Tee O’Fallon, a romantic suspense author. She is also the author of the Federal K-9 series, the K-9 Special Ops series, and the NYPD Blue & Gold series. Tee traditionally published her first three series but for series number four, she’s trying out the independent (indie) publishing route.
Perfect Vengeance, book 1 of her new FBI Strikeforce series is due out mid-2025. I had the opportunity to speak with Tee about the new book, and her writing process. Also, we discussed how she ended up following an author’s career path after twenty-three years as a federal agent.
For details on Tee O’Fallon’s current series as well as the upcoming series, check out last week’s blog: https://www.bluedandelionpress.com/authorspotlightteeofallon/
You can also check out my reviews of the final book in each of the K-9 series here:
https://www.bluedandelionpress.com/above-n-beyond-this-book-beautys-review/
Tee O’Fallon didn’t set out to be a writer, that part came later in her twenties. That first book is set to become the second book in the new FBI Strikeforce series. So what does her writing process look like? How does Tee find the words to write such intense romantic suspense stories? Well, these are some of the things I got to ask her about her writing. Check it out!
Do you typically plot out your novels or are you more of a “pantser” style writer? Do you have an idea of where the hero’s story may lead when you start the series or do those storylines emerge organically?
“I am definitely a plotter. Some of my outlines are sixty or more pages long, and I pretty much know where the story will go, especially the main characters’ growth arcs. That’s something I work hard on before I start writing the book. Although once I do start, things often occur to me that weren’t in the outline. As I write, I get into my characters’ heads, and things organically sprout from “their brains” that weren’t in the outline. That always makes my characters more realistic. So while I’m a plotter by nature, there’s always an organic component that develops during the writing process, and that’s something no author should ignore. If your character tells you something, go with it.”
Plotting is one common way for authors to prepare for their novels, with some outlines becoming quite extensive. Other authors are known as “pantsers” tend to follow the story as it emerges. This results in utter chaos reigning more often than not. I enjoyed reading that Tee allows her characters space to make messes and develop true personalities while keeping to a relatively solid outline. This definitely allows the characters to feel more real to the reader, while also keeping the story on track.
Writing conflict and tragic backstories is something I struggle with, I had to ask: do you find that it hurts or bothers you to write tragic storylines for your characters?
“Quite the opposite, it doesn’t hurt or bother me to write heroes with tragic backstories. It makes them deeper, more charismatic, and it always offers an opportunity for the heroines to help heal them. And even though they need a heroine to help them, I think it only makes them more heroic. They needed to find the loves of their lives to discover what was missing in their world and how to make it better. The more tragic their history is, the more meaningful their HEA becomes. I know it sounds awful, but the more I can hurt them in their past, the better the storyline is, and readers enjoy seeing a tragic hero find his happy ending.”
Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard this. It seems that romance authors, regardless of subgenre, are on the same page when it comes to a wounded hero. We love them!
I was curious about Tee’s transition from traditional publishing to indie publishing. . .
After traditionally publishing your first three series, can you tell me a little bit of what led you to decide to follow an indie publishing route for your upcoming series?
“As you know, so many traditionally published authors are going indie these days. It was simply time for me to discover if this would be a satisfying and worthwhile endeavor. That said, I do hope to keep writing traditionally as well. I think it’s smart to indie publish and to take advantage of the marketing and publicity that a traditional publishing house can provide. Then if it works out, it’s the best of both worlds. I think indie and trad complement each other.”
Though indie publishing and traditional publishing can work well together, Tee pointed out, “there is a steep learning curve with the first indie book.” Many aspects she is now having to source as an indie author were things that the traditional publishing house mostly handled with her first three series.
“They do so much for an author that there’s more time available for the author to write. However, I think going through this process and learning more about the publishing industry can only help me, whether I remain an indie author or go hybrid, publishing some books through an established publishing house and some on my own.”
Even as she works through the process of indie publishing her FBI Strikeforce series, Tee credits traditionally publishing her first several series with a traditional publishing house as being helpful in her pursuit of indie publication:
“Going through the pitching process, writing a back cover blurb and a good manuscript to gain the attention of an editor can only help an indie author. Then going through the back and forth editing process, the copyediting, the proofreading, creating an eye-catching book cover, writing taglines, and developing marketing ideas are all things I learned from my publisher that will undoubtedly assist me as an indie author.”
I really enjoyed getting Tee’s perspective as a traditionally published author who is now working through the process of independently publishing as well. This is a unique opportunity to discuss two sides of the same industry that often seem disconnected. I’m looking forward to seeing where Tee’s indie publishing takes her, and to the mid-2025 release of her new book, Perfect Vengeance
Preorder Link for Perfect Vengeance: https://teeofallon.com/perfect-vengeance/
Robin Hood meets the Sopranos—wearing high heels…an insanely dangerous scheme Gina Perot and her friends hatched to steal from the mob and donate the loot to a women’s shelter. Successful Wall Street investment banker by day, cat burglar by night, Gina leads a double life. But she’s never forgotten how the mob and the FBI destroyed her family and ripped her life apart. Now it’s time for payback. Charity and revenge all rolled into one. Perfect. Until Gina’s scheme sends her crashing headfirst into a major FBI investigation and facing heavy-duty federal obstruction charges. And, the hottest, most frustrating man she’s ever met.
Stop stealing from the mob or else…is the order FBI Strike Force Special Agent Jack Gates gives Gina. But Jack quickly learns he can no sooner control a force of nature like Gina than he can control where a tornado sets down. When he learns his own past is more intricately tied to Gina’s than either of them could have imagined, hauling her to jail is something he can never do. Facing a court-ordered deadline, Jack needs Gina’s cat burglar skills to help him bring down a powerful Mafioso. He makes her an offer she can’t refuse: go to jail or work for him as an FBI cooperator. When the mob learns Gina’s been ripping them off, Jack is determined to keep her safe at all costs. Even if that means confessing his terrible secret and losing her forever.
Readers have a lot to look forward to with the new FBI Strikeforce series. At least four books, brotherly bonds, and organized crime. I have no doubt Tee O’Fallon will deliver the romance and suspense long-time readers have grown to love from her work!
*Remember, leaving reviews is the love letter to all of your favorite authors! Reviews are the backbone of authors everywhere and are vital for continued success! Make sure to leave reviews when you finish a book and let the author know you care!
You can follow Tee’s adventures on her website, with her newsletter, or on her various social media accounts below:
“If anyone has questions about my books or would like to chat, they can reach me at tee@teeofallon.com. Folks can check out all my books at https://teeofallon.com and can sign up for my newsletters at https://teeofallon.com/subscribe/. Newsletters and following me on social media are the best ways to keep up to date on my new releases and other book info.“
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/teeofallon
Facebook Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/802313500378498
Twitter https://x.com/teeofallon
Instagram https://instagram.com/teeofallonauthor
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tee-o-fallon
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Tee-OFallon/e/B01FYTINXM
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15197736.Tee_O_Fallon
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@teeofallonauthor
I have read all three current series on the market and I HIGHLY recommend them if you love romantic suspense, hunky heroes, strong heroines, found family, and talented K-9 characters with enough personality to have their own books! So while this isn’t a paid promotion, I love Tee’s books enough to say, you’re missing out if you aren’t adding them to your TBR immediately!
Happy Reading!
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