Kim Dare is a twenty-seven year old full-time writer from Wales (UK). First published in December 2008, Kim has since released over thirty BDSM erotic romances.
There are lots of fantastic places to see — it’s so hard to pick just one! Wales has a higher concentration of castles per area than any other country on earth.If you go there in mid July, there’s also a great open air theatre company that puts on operettas and Shakespearian plays in the grounds. I go every year.
2. Rolling hills and sleepy villages or fast paced city life?
I’m not really a city girl. I was born in small mining town on the edge of the Brecon Beacon’s National Park (another great place to visit, by the way!). I still live there and can’t imagine moving far. In fact, I’ve just bought the house next door to where my father was born! Cities like London are nice places to visit, but I couldn’t imagine actually living in one.
There’s something very comforting about living somewhere where you have roots and know a lot of the faces. I also love living in a valley —the way the mountains rise up on either side of you almost makes it feel like the geography is wrapping you up safe and secure.
3. Do you really drink tea all the time? How do you take it?
Yes, lol, I really do. I usually take milk, although I can do without it at a push, but I never take sugar. Whatever other people might tell you, if you’re going to have milk, it should always be put into the cup before the tea!
It’s also worth mentioning that tea should always be drunk hot – ice tea is just plain weird. I’m always getting overly absorbed in my writing and letting mine go cold, but I always microwave it back to the right temperature before drinking it, lol.
I’m not into special blends or fancy varieties of tea, but I will admit to having one cup of camomile tea right before bed – I’ll try anything to beat the insomnia.
4. Have you ever met (or seen up close) a member of the Royal Family? Share the details.
Nope. My brother met Prince Charles when he visited a charity where he was volunteering a while ago, but I’ve never even come close myself.
5. Who is your favourite British author/book (outside of your genre)?
I’m glad you asked about writers outside my genre, because I don’t actually read a lot inside my genre.
I’m a huge Terry Pratchett fan—his Discworld series is amazing. I’ve also got a soft spot for Georgette Heyer’s old fashioned Regency Romances. Sophie Hannah’s poetry also appeals.
6. Coronation Street or East Enders? Your favourite character?
Sorry,I never watch either. If I’m watching TV it will probably be a cop show. New Tricks and Lewis are both very good, and I think very typically British, shows.
7. Who is your favourite British actor or actress?
If you’re looking for good actors who have huge skill and can play an amazing variety of roles, there are lots about. But, if I’m honest, I have a soft spot for Hugh Grant and Colin Firth in soppy rom-coms. They’re great comfort films, and I do love my happy endings. Love Actually is one of my favourites that both star in.
8. What was your first published story?
The first one I actually submitted and had accepted was Turquoise and Leather, but there were three others published before that one was actually released.
The first to go on sale was The Gift as part of Total-e-bound’s Christmas Spirits Collection. That was in December 2008.
9. I’m coming to your house for a traditional English meal (your choice from breakfast to midnight snack). What are you going to serve?
Well, just to be awkward, I’m going to give you a traditional Welsh meal instead. We’ll start with cawl – a thick broth made with vegetables and Welsh lamb. It’s best served with all the liquid drained out and a large helping of butter mashed through it.
For afters, there will be the compulsory cup of tea and, if you have room, you’re welcome to help yourself to a few Welsh cakes—butter and jam optional.
10. Who is your favourite British musical artist?
I love Bryn Terfel’s voice – he’s a deep rich operatic baritone. I also really like John Owen Jones – he’s in musical theatre and plays the best Jean Val Jean you’ve ever heard in Les Miserables.
You can find Kim at her website www.kimdare.com.
Thanks for sharing Kim. That looks like a truly magical place near where you live and Hugh and Colin are not bad either. 
I love Wales – I went to uni in Swansea and my brother went to Cardiff. It’s a really inspirational place. And Welsh cakes are the best, though in our house it’s sacrilege to put anything on them, they have to be eaten as they are, pretty much straight out of the oven
I am definitely coming to dinner. That sounds wonderful.
When I was thinking about actors and actresses I forgot about Hugh and Colin, and Rupert!! Now I want to talk about the men.
Thanks for joining us Kim. When I saw those pictures of the national park they were GORGEOUS. You are lucky to live near somewhere so beautiful.
Colin and Hugh. A slashy moment perhaps?
You’re so lucky – I love Wales!! I have absolutely zilch Welsh blood in me but whenever I cross the border I always feel incredibly happy. I’d like to retire to Wales.
And I love Lewis too – dare I say it, but I think it’s better than Morse. And there’s a new series starting in a couple of Sundays’ time so we’re in luck!
Anne
xxx
Great interview! I confess to being a total fangirl, Kim.
Love your stories! Duck is one of my all time fave books!!
Cawl sounds yummy! And, hmm…maybe you could invite Hugh and Colin to dinner and, you know…invite all of us, too! *g*
Wales sounds absolutely amazing, Kim!
Great interview, Kim and Tam! If that actually is cawl in the photo, it looks delicious. I mean, tastewise, you can’t go wrong with mashing butter all through it!
Absolutely love Wales – had so many wonderful holidays there as a child that it has left a permanent soft spot for me. Great interview!
Thank you for another interesting interview in this series. It´s a pleasure to know more about these authors
Hi everyone!
Wales is a fantasic place – I can’t imagine living anywhere else! And the Beacons are just gorgeous
I had a really fun time doing the interview – and Tam did an amazing job finding fab pics to go with all the answers!
Yep, that is cawl!
Welshcakes straight from the griddle are the best
Yay for more Lewis. (I prefer Hathaway to Morse too!)
Hugh and Colin MM… There could be something there. Mild mannered English gents get kinky in the countryside maybe…
*Hugs everyone*
mmm! lamb! I am so there.
~smooches~ love you
Hi Kim,
I love Wales too, but I’ve never been to that museum. Will have to plan a trip this summer
And I’m glad there’s someone else who admits to drinking plebby tea. Everyone I know seems to be into green tea these days and I can’t stand the stuff!
Jo x
How could I not like someone who likes the Welsh singer Bryn Terfel. As a classical singer, interestingly enough, I don’t usually “worship” other singers, but Terfel is an exception. He can sing with such a range of expression and volume as to be almost unbellievable. I am always moved by his singing. Colin Firth is less familiar to me, but I was introduced to his work about the gay man who loses his partner to a car accident and found that very moving, not to mention “The King’s Speech.” Now I’ll have to check out one of your books, Mr. Dare.
Lovely to meet you Kim – I still have a huge lot of your books to get through…
Georgette Heyer is one of my Mums favourite author – I think she has every book ever written…
That dish looks yummy..
Hi Kim! The Welsh are so marvellously talented with singing voices, aren’t they? And I’ve spent many a holiday walking trip in the Brecons in the past. Though I have to confess, Hubby and Sons did the walking, I was “base camp” i.e. looking at the view from a comfortable tea shop until it was time to pick them up again
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