HOWDY NATASHA!
Meet Natasha:
Flirting with the Forbidden…Emotional, Evocative, Erotic Historical Romance from the Georgian and Regency Eras Set in England and America.
Natasha always was a daydreamer who told herself stories of love and romance set in other times and places for her own pleasure. Eventually her story worlds became so real, they demanded to be brought out of the world of imagination and onto the page. It gives her great joy to finally share them with you. She hopes you enjoy my story world.
She is married to her own hero and they share they life with a very quirky calico cat. She is a total history nerd who loves to read. She enjoys literature, romance, psychology, and bits of everything else. She has a BA in History and she especially enjoys studying social history and biography and this is where most of my story ideas come from. She likes to know her characters from the bones outward, the air they breathe, the food they eat, the thoughts and social movements and morals that were influencing them in their times. She also enjoys reading psychology and sociology and literature and enjoys listening to music from many different genres.
Find Natasha: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Shelfari
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K: Tell us about your book with a Natasha twist
N: Grey’s Lady came after I read a book on male-female sexual interactions in Revolutionary and Federalist Philadelphia. In a quiet moment, Grey, the hero, “showed” me the story through his perspective. He was staring out the bookseller’s windows at the rain and the gray sky. He made eye contact with Beth, the heroine and in that moment she touched him deeply with her sadness that mirrored his own feelings that he was disconnected from.
Grey’s Lady is the story of two people who have given up on love. Yet they are empty and unhappy inside so they find solace in using sex to gain power. Grey uses his wealth and sexual skill to make women appreciate him. Beth uses seduction to gain the excitement of conquest over the type of gentlemen that excite her yet is forbidden to her.
When they come together, their attraction is irresistible and explosive. The question becomes can deep sexual intimacy work a miracle and lead to the opening of their hearts? Can they save each other from their isolation, from their auto-suppression of their true selves?
K: Why erotic historical romance?
N: I am fascinated by history and I am also fascinated by the interaction of people at their most intimate and complex levels. Writing erotic historical romance allows me to explore these two areas deeply and it is very satisfying to me.
K: Tell us about your hero and heroine.
N: Grey Sexton, a merchant prince from New York, has come to Philadelphia to gather investors for his privateering voyages. Because of the depredations of both the French and the British, especially with the upcoming war and the current embargo, privateering, and shared risk of investors, became even more attractive. Besides, it was the patriotic thing to do.
All business, Grey lives his life free from emotional attachments and drama. He is in total control of his personal world and likes it that way.
Beth is a dutiful sister and aunt who works hard in her half-brother’s struggling ship. But she’s so bored and feels out of place there. She’s a really impulsive, sensually driven young woman who needs something more from life than just being a good girl. Yet she doesn’t find the men around her to be the kind of man she wants. She’s excited by power. Yet she has been raised to believe these gentlemen are her social betters and thus unattainable. It’s not about money. She wants to prove to herself that even though she’s poor and lacks social position, she can attract and enchant powerful, dynamic gentlemen.
There are deep, painful reasons why she’s driven to do this and that’s something the sequel to Grey’s Lady, White Lace and Promises goes into in deeper detail.
And yes, it’s risky behavior. If she were caught there would be terrible consequences. This is a time of duels and fighting over matters of honor. A man like her brother, who is poor but proud, would have little else but his honor and being protective of his family to feel good about. Beth knows this but the excitement and challenge of the hunt is something she uses to cover over a deeper need that she cannot admit to herself. She loves her family and does not want to shame them. So she tricks herself into believing if she follows certain rules—only meet a gentleman once and always leave them burning for more--she won’t get caught.
Yet Grey’s appeal is too strong. Beth can’t help herself. She breaks her own rule and meets with him a second time. But can deep sexual intimacy they share work a miracle and lead to the opening of their hearts?
K: Was there a particular book or author that introduced you to the romance genre?
N: There was no one book or author. I used to devour historical fiction, as a teenager, historical romance was part of that.
K: What do you have next in store for readers?
N: The second book in the Carte Blanche Series will be coming out from Total E-Bound Dec 26, 2011. It is titled White Lace and Promises and is the sequel to Grey’s Lady. It gets into more depth about the inner demons that trouble Beth and Grey and how they come truly together and overcome them.
The third book in the CB Series is a full-length novel titled Alex’s Angel and it comes out Feb 28, 2012. It is set in Philadelphia, PA 1793.
In the wake of a devastating epidemic, sheltered Emily Eliot finds herself alone, making her own decisions for the first time. When desperation leads her to sell her virtue, she walks straight into trouble.
Enter one gorgeous, golden haired gentleman bent on protecting her…Alexander Dalton came to the Blue Duck Tavern seeking to lose himself in sexual pleasure. Yet when he saw the delicate and vulnerable young woman, he couldn’t turn away. But he needs her to believe in him a lot more than she needs his protection… Alex’s charming smile hides a dark secret that could destroy their chance at happiness. Will their passion burn them up or bring them together?
I also have a full length novel set in the English Regency that is scheduled for release from Total E-Bound April 9, 2012.
They say you can tell a lot about a person with the way they answer either/or questions so let's have a little fun with Natasha.
Either/Or:
1. Alpha or Beta? I prefer the more modern portrayal of the alpha. A strong leader who has an inner emotional side that the heroine brings out.
2. Wallflower or Belle of the Ball? A wallflower who becomes the belle of the ball would be the best.
3. Debutante or Spinster? I enjoy reading about all kinds of heroines. Widows, sadder-but-wiser heroines, bad girls, etc.
4. Titled peer or Working man? I think that a hero, no matter his social station, should have something he believes in and works for.
5. England or America? I can’t pick. I like to read about both settings.
6. Love at first sight or Second chances? I really don’t have a preference between them, I just like a story that is told well and that fits the characters.
7. Virgin widow or Secret baby? Virgin widow.
8. Writing or Reading? In my experience, it’s impossible to be a writer without being an avid reader so this question is really hard to pick between.
9. Authors choice: Ask a question, any question(doesn't have to be an either/or)for the readers.
What would you like to see portrayed more often in a historical romance?
Grey's Lady:
Book one in the Carte Blanche SeriesWhere To Buy: Total*E*Bound
Seeking sexual excitement and conquest, poor but beautiful Beth seduces wealthy merchant prince Grey Sexton, only to find herself the pursued as he seeks to own her body and soul.
Flouting the moral standards of Jeffersonian America, temptress Beth McConnell lets no man touch her heart. Her motto is love them once and leave them burning.
But when she boldly seduces Grey Sexton, a self-controlled merchant prince from New York, she finds herself too fascinated by his ice-over-fire nature to stay away. His possessive determination to own her, body and soul, threatens to expose her secret erotic life to public shame.
But Beth will only surrender her love to a man she can trust. And Grey's materialistic approach to relationships leaves her little reason to believe he can ever give her what she truly needs.
For these two cynical yet lonely people, can deep sexual intimacy work a miracle and lead to the opening of their hearts?
Heat Level: EROTIC
Book Extras: Series Page | Book Trailer
Thanks Natasha for stopping by!
So dear readers, what would YOU like to see portrayed more often in a historical romance?
