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Tara Ellis

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Tara Ellis

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January 2014


With over 50 published books across ten genres, author Tara Ellis is best known for her heart-pounding post-apocalyptic and thriller series. A heavy dose of mystery often underscores her character-driven plots, heralding back to what fueled her desire to tell stories from an early age.

A certified firefighter in the state of Washington, Tara volunteered as a FF/EMT for over eight years. She also responded as a support officer, worked as an emergency room technician, was a 911 dispatcher, and taught life-saving techniques to the public and first responders. As an author of thriller and survival stories, she draws upon her personal experience throughout her storytelling.

Tara lives in the gorgeous Cascade Mountains of Washington State. When not
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Popular Answered Questions

Tara Ellis Hi Janna!

First, thank you for the question. It's one that I actually think about quite a bit.

I am finding the indie-publishing world a mixed bag of am…more
Hi Janna!

First, thank you for the question. It's one that I actually think about quite a bit.

I am finding the indie-publishing world a mixed bag of amazing opportunity that was never available to me before, and a whole lot of frustration. Last year alone, I am told there were over 250,000 self-published books. How do you compete with that? Well...any way you can!

I am still learning the ropes of social media and I believe that my books are slowly being found by the right audience, but it is a hard process.

Yes, I have thought often of trying traditional publishing, but now that my books have been out as self-published, it makes it even harder. I have only solicited one agent in the past two years that I have been working on my trilogy, so I obviously haven't tried very hard. However, I might get serious about it in the next year, depending on what happens with sales.(less)
Tara Ellis Nick, I apologize for taking so long, I didn't realize I had a pending question.

First, thank you for taking the time to ask!

I've always been an avid …more
Nick, I apologize for taking so long, I didn't realize I had a pending question.

First, thank you for taking the time to ask!

I've always been an avid reader and have read just about every existing genre, but I was sucked into YA, first-person with the Hunger Games trilogy. There are plenty of good examples out there, but there's something about the writing style of Suzanne Collins that grabbed me.

It's been a life-long dream of mine to be a writer and I started and (nearly completed) several manuscripts. However, I never attempted first-person and I was intrigued by it. It is a challenge, but I absolutely love the connection with the main character you can achieve with this style.

At the time that I started outlining Bloodline, my daughter was thirteen, which was one of the major, compelling reasons for my choice of Young Adult (I do consider it a valid genre) other than adult or contemporary. It was important to me that as she was asking to read it, that it would be appropriate for her. That's hard to do. Bloodline is definitely a Young Adult story, but I consider it a clean read, something that there isn't a whole lot of.

SO...to answer your question, I would say that the biggest reason is because I personally enjoy the fast pace of the genre and also because I wanted something my own kids (and their friends) would find entertaining.(less)
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More books by Tara Ellis…

New Release!

Layers of Extinction

Book 2 in the Extinction Series

It was the explosion heard around the world. It was the beginning of a countdown.

As the devastating effects of the MOHO eruption are realized, nowhere on Earth is left unscathed. But the dots are only just starting to be connected, and the picture isn’t yet complete.

For a small group of survivors, tough decisions must be made for the sake of h

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Published on August 21, 2026 10:35
Point of Extinction Layers of Extinction Brink of Extinction Spread of Extinction Escaping Extinction Surviving Extinction
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4.51 avg rating — 3,867 ratings

After the Crash: After the ... The Collapse Web of Destruction Critical Failure: After the... Entangled: After the Crash ... Road to Redemption After the Crash: The Comple...
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Flashpoint Smolder Fallout Decay Convergence Mercy Flashpoint: The Complete Se...
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First Impact Existential Threat: A Post-... Critical Mass: A Post-Apoca...
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The Mystery Of Hollow Inn The Secret of Camp Whisperi... The Beach House Mystery The Heiress of Covington Ranch The Haunting of Eagle Creek... A Mysterious Christmas on O... The Case of the Curious Canine
(11 books)
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4.22 avg rating — 2,309 ratings

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Point of Extincti...
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The Light We Lost
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by Kyla Stone (Goodreads Author)
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A Homestead for C...
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Tara’s Recent Updates

Layers of Extinction by Tara Ellis
"As If Tectonic Activity Wasn't Bad Enough...

Layers Of Extinction, book 2 in the Extinction Series, continues the stories of a variety of people all around the world as an unknown pathogen begins burning through the surviving population. This is, simp" Read more of this review »
Critical Mass by Tara Ellis
"Excellent Series!

Wow! My life has been on hold for 3 days! As a microbiologist with a fascination with geology and astrophysics; this series checked all my boxes. Also, I used to get teased for predicting the inevitable virulent VHD as the reason for" Read more of this review »
Critical Mass by Tara Ellis
"Great read

Excellent read that kept me engaged to the last page! Third book in the series and just as well written as the first. "
First Impact by Tara Ellis
"Fantastic!"
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Accelerant by Tara Ellis
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Quotes by Tara Ellis  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“One of our greatest flaws is having too much confidence in understanding that which we really don’t comprehend.”
Tara Ellis, After the Crash: After the Crash Book 1:

“you never truly control the chaos…you manage it. You take steps and actions to keep it contained and prevent it from taking over, because once it does, it’s almost impossible to reel it back in.”
Tara Ellis, After the Crash: The Complete Series:

“Her mother gave her strict instructions to follow the school phone policy and not use it until after the final bell rings. If she violates the rules and the phone is taken away, she won’t get any sympathy from her parents.”
Tara Ellis, The Heiress of Covington Ranch

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
YAholics Anonymous!: Nominate August's Group Read! 33 28 Jul 15, 2014 11:56AM  
Never Too Old For...: Read 4 Review #207 - Bloodline (Forgotten Origins #1) (Closed) 64 75 Oct 31, 2014 07:52PM  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. Title and Author Game, Round 2 15570 1217 Mar 21, 2016 09:15AM  
The Seasonal Read...: This topic has been closed to new comments. Spring Challenge 2016: Completed Tasks:PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POSTS IN THIS THREAD 2923 531 May 31, 2016 09:02PM  
Pro-Active Destru...: * Free Kindle Books 1176 638 Mar 11, 2017 02:18AM  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. Mystery ABC's, Round 3 13220 641 Apr 24, 2017 10:00AM  
Fiction Fanatics: March POINTS Challenge 29 32 Apr 01, 2018 08:58PM  
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
John Muir

“Her mother gave her strict instructions to follow the school phone policy and not use it until after the final bell rings. If she violates the rules and the phone is taken away, she won’t get any sympathy from her parents.”
Tara Ellis, The Heiress of Covington Ranch

“One of our greatest flaws is having too much confidence in understanding that which we really don’t comprehend.”
Tara Ellis, After the Crash: After the Crash Book 1:

“without grief and loss, a person would fail to form bonds or meaningful relationships—the very things that give them the will to continue and keep fighting.”
Tara Ellis, Existential Threat: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller

“you never truly control the chaos…you manage it. You take steps and actions to keep it contained and prevent it from taking over, because once it does, it’s almost impossible to reel it back in.”
Tara Ellis, After the Crash: The Complete Series:

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