Interview and Contest with Natalie J. Damshroder

Natalie J. Damschroder

Interview Intro:

Hello everyone!  LITERAL ADDICTION and Book Monster Reviews are happy to welcome Natalie J. Damshroder to our sites today!

We’re borrowing Natalie’s Bio from her website for today’s Event so you can learn a little bit about her right up front:

ABOUT NATALIE:

Natalie J. Damschroder became a writer the hard way—by avoiding it. Though she wrote her first book at age six (My Very Own Reading Book) and received accolades for her academic writing (Ruth Davies Award for Excellence in Writing for a paper on deforestation her senior year in college), she hated doing it. Colonial food and the habits of the European Starling just weren’t her thing.

Shortly after graduating from college, however, she found her niche—romantic fiction. After an internship with the National Geographic Society, customer service for a phone company just wasn’t that exciting. So she began learning how to write the books she’d loved to read all her life. Four books and six years later, she finally sold. Now she struggles to balance her frenetic writing life (how else can she get all the stories in her head on paper?) with her family, the most supportive husband in the world and two beautiful, intelligent, stubborn, independent daughters (the oldest of whom has become a writer). She somehow also fits in a day job and various volunteer positions in and out of the writing industry.

Natalie’s published works include 11 romance novels (with two more on their way!), 7 novellas, and 14 short stories.

Natalie is the proud creator of the GODDESSES RISING, BROOK HOLLOW, BLACK TIE, INC, LOGAN MCNIGHT, and BLUE SILVER series as well as the ELEMENTAL MAGIC trilogy and several notable single titles.

For those of you not yet familiar with Natalie and her work, we really do suggest that you check out her entire Backlist HERE, but for the sake of today’s Event we’ll give you the synopses for her latest releases, including “Under the Moon”, GODDESSES RISING book #1, which will be coming in September.

“Fight or Flight”

Released 3/28/11

EPIC Award Finalist

Carina Press, Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Lybrary, All Romance eBooks, Books on Board, Diesel ebookstore, Fictionwise, Savvy Readers, Sony eBookstore

Eighteen years ago, a group of men killed Regan Miller's boyfriend and tried to kidnap her daughter, Kelsey. Since then they have lived in hiding, always vigilant and never getting close to anyone.

When Kelsey goes away to college, Regan finally begins to relax. She even starts to think she can have a real relationship, perhaps with her flirtatious neighbor, Tyler Sloane. Then Regan is attacked again.

Desperate to get to her daughter, Regan accepts Tyler's help--despite her suspicions about him. She knows nothing about Tyler but he knows a shocking amount about her past. Tyler can't tell her what he knows or who he works for, but he insists she can't face her enemies without him. Tired of living in fear, Regan is ready to take the offensive, with Tyler by her side. But is she relying too much on a man she can't trust--and falling for him, too?

“Behind the Scenes”

Released 10/31/11

Carina Press, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance eBooks, Books on Board, Diesel eBooks, Sony eBookstore, Lybrary

Kennedy Smyth's firm provides security for companies and charities in seriously dangerous countries. She doesn't usually take on "frivolous" jobs, but when an old friend asks her to protect his son's movie shoot, she finds it hard to refuse. Also hard to resist is the film's charismatic star, Rogan St. James. The handsome actor piques her interest, while the strange actions of the terrorist threatening the set raise her suspicions.

Even though he's a successful actor, Rogan wants more—a real woman to love, the type he doesn't think exists…until he meets Kennedy. She intrigues him with her confidence and passion for her work, and frustrates him with her refusal to let him get close.

But Kennedy finds herself in a vulnerable position when she discovers that the terrorist isn't actually out to derail the film. She's the real target—and if he finds out how much Rogan means to her, he could be next…

“Acceptable Risks”

Released 4/16/12

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Carina Press

When security expert Jason Templeton's team is ambushed while protecting a weapons manufacturer vital to U.S. interests, he risks his life to save the man's daughter...and loses. Unbeknownst to Jason, his mentor had been funding experimental medical procedures after losing his young wife. Using the untested drugs, Jason is brought back to life, stronger and faster than before, but also vulnerable in new ways. He's determined to find the traitor in their midst, who is after the miracle drug.
That means protecting the brilliant scientist Lark Madrassa. Their attraction and compatibility are undeniable, but Jason tries to deny his growing feelings for her, thinking he is too damaged. When Lark's father is kidnapped they have to rely on each other in a dangerous plot to uncover the double agent. Before, Jason always accepted the risks—but what about when the life of the woman he loves is on the line?

“Under the Moon”

 GODDESSES RISING Book #1

Released 12/6/11. 

Being re-released with a gorgeous new cover 9/11/12!

Entangled Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books on Board, All Romance eBooks, Diesel eBooks, The Book Depository, Lybrary

Their power gives them strength...and makes them targets.
Quinn Caldwell is the epitome of a modern goddess. Her power source is the moon, her abilities restricted only by physical resources and lunar phase. She runs a consulting business and her father's bar, serves on the board of the ancient Society for Goddess Education and Defense, and yearns for Nick Jarrett, professional goddess protector and the soul mate she can never have.

But someone has developed the rare and difficult ability to drain a goddess of her powers, and Quinn is a target. With the world thinking Nick has gone rogue (whatever that means) and that Quinn is influenced by "family ties" she didn't know she had, keeping themselves safe while working to find the enemy proves harder each day.
But not as hard as denying their hearts...

Intrigued?  Good!  Natalie has a wide array of awesome choices to peruse, and we highly suggest you check out her entire backlist and add “Under the Moon” and the others to your TBR ASAP.  For now though, let’s get to the Interview and learn some more about Natalie and her books.

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LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Hi Natalie!  We’re happy to have you here today, and are very excited to help you promote the recent release of “Acceptable Risks” and the upcoming re-release of “Under the Moon”.  We hope that we can play matchmaker with your books and some new readers and make a bunch of people happy today. J 

NATALIE: Thank you so much! I’m thrilled to be here, and really appreciate you having me. I immediately identified with your site name, and I’ve been really impressed by everything you’ve put together here.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  We always start by getting to know our guest authors a little bit better.

Q1): Can you tell us 3 things about yourself that we couldn’t find out easily on the Internet?

NATALIE: Gah. I don’t think anyone wants to know the things that aren’t already out there. LOL Okay, let me think…

1.  Many people connect me to “Nuj” because of my e-mail address, but they might not know that’s my nickname. I got it the day I was born. My mother’s initials were TAM and she always wanted to be Tammy, but no one ever called her that. My initials were NJJ. My dad joked, “What can you make with that? Nuj.” And it stuck.

2.  My first real entertainment obsession was Brendan Fraser.

3.  I hate eggs.

Q2):  Can you tell us a little bit more about your journey to get published?

NATALIE: I started writing romance when I was in college, and really got serious about it shortly after I got married in 1992. I’ve been working steadily ever since, with a slow climb to success. :) I targeted Harlequin Superromance at first. I never found a home there, but those contemporary romances sold to Avid Press, Echelon Press, and Amber Quill Press—three of the pioneers of the small publisher “revolution.” I’m still digging my way into the nooks and crannies of the book world. My first Amber Quill novel, Kira’s Best Friend, is being released this spring in Greek by Anubis Publications.

I never got “The Call” until a year ago, though. All my early contract offers were made via e-mail. When I sold to Carina Press, even though I’d supplied my contact info on my manuscript, it wasn’t visible in the “preview” pane so Angela James couldn’t see the phone number and ended up e-mailing me, also. That was okay, because I hate the telephone! LOL My first phone call with an offer came from Liz Pelletier, and it was fantastic because she told me she’d stayed up until 3:00 a.m. reading Under the Moon. The joy of that phone call has been echoed in every moment I’ve been an Entangled Publishing author.

Q3):  What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing or taking care of other author business?

NATALIE: “Enjoy” isn’t quite the right word. LOL I’m married and have two daughters (nearly 17 and nearly 13), one of whom is getting ready to apply to college and one who plays school soccer. I work part time for a chiropractor and do freelance editing and proofreading for several clients. All that leaves time for is reading and watching TV, which is okay from my perspective because I love both, but is boring in an interview. I don’t have any hobbies!

Q4):  You write in several different sub-genres of Romantic Fiction – paranormal, suspense, etc.  Do you have a personal favorite?  Why?

NATALIE: I love romantic adventure (the less scary kind of suspense) because the adventure part raises the stakes in the romance, and vice versa. That can create a nicely escalating story. I also love paranormal romance because I can make up anything I want, but those are still adventures.

Q5):  We saw that you’re a big football (NE Patriots) fan.  LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha is a diehard Cheesehead.  How did your love affair with football start and what are some of your game day traditions today?

NATALIE: I can respect a Cheesehead! I’ve been a Patriots fan my whole life, because I grew up in Massachusetts. But it wasn’t a love affair until I met my husband in college. He’s a diehard Cleveland Browns fan, and we watched all the games together for nearly a decade, until the team moved to Baltimore. At that point, I had easier access to my Patriots and focused on them again. I joke that I work my day job so we can pay for DirecTV and the NFL Sunday ticket, but it’s really true! LOL

On game day, my inlaws come over to watch the Browns on our big TV. We alternate cooking or providing lunch/dinner, and I usually watch my game in the bedroom, when our games are on at the same time. I always wear my Brady or Welker jerseys on game day, too.

Q6):  We also noticed that you’re a big Supernatural fan.  Our Literal Addicts and Book Monsters adore the Winchesters as well (you need to stop by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Private Facebook Group page and peek at some of our YUMMY posted pics!).  Are you a Dean Girl or a Sam Girl?  Why?  What’s been your favorite season so far?

NATALIE: I’m a full-on Supernatural obsessive! I participate in a group author blog called Supernatural Sisters, and characters in my Goddesses Rising series were inspired by the boys. I always loved both boys equally, but Dean had a slight edge in my heart, I think because he was so strong, yet so vulnerable. And, of course, because Jensen Ackles is so freaking gorgeous. I mean, talented.

Last year I admitted I’d become a Sam Girl, because Jared Padalecki had really grown into his character. And he did that shirtless pull-ups episode open. But I’m back to riding the fence, flip-flopping between the boys depending on the episode I just watched.

I think season 5 is my favorite. It has some of the most fantastic episodes, and maintained such a wonderful balance of emotion all the way through. Plus, Richard was still on then. (The Trickster/Gabriel).

Q7):  What are the best and worst parts of writing for you?

NATALIE: There are two bests—those moments when everything is flowing so perfectly, and I nail a scene so well it has the same impact every time I read it; and when a reader or reviewer tells what they liked about a book and it’s exactly how I wanted them to feel and why.

The worsts are not having enough time to write and struggling to make a plot thread or characterization work when it doesn’t want to.

Q8):  If given the chance to spend the day with anyone of your choosing – alive, dead, fictional, etc – with whom would you want to spend it, what would you like to do, and why?

NATALIE: I’m going to say Nanny Henry, my mother’s grandmother. She had such a huge influence on who I am without me realizing it. I’d love to share with her all the ways she shaped me, and spend some time with her when I can really appreciate who she was.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  O.K, now we’ll ask some questions directly related to books…

Q9):  The most recent release, “Acceptable Risks”, can you tell us a little bit more about it in your own words?

NATALIE: Acceptable Risks is about a security expert who dies and is saved with experimental medical technology in part discovered by his boss’s daughter. They have to team up against a vengeful enemy when her father goes missing.

Q10):  Can you tell us a little bit more about “Behind the Scenes” and “Fight or Flight” in your own words?  Are they stand-alone titles or were there previously (or will there be future) related books?

NATALIE: Behind the Scenes also features a security expert, this time a woman driven to protect people who do globally important things—not actors on movie sets. I wrote it because I wanted to “experience” falling in love with an actor on a movie set. LOL

Fight or Flight began when the eggs I was hard-boiling on the stove made squeally noises that sounded like gas being released into the room. That launched my imagination on a path I never want to go down in real life: How far will a mother go to protect her daughter from an unknown enemy?

These are all stand-alone titles and I don’t currently have any plans to write connected books. BUT, Acceptable Risks arose out of a piece of an as-yet-unpublished superhero book, and Jason makes an appearance there. :) So you might see him again someday!

Q11):  Was there any specific inspiration that led to the creation of the GODDESSES RISING series? 

NATALIE: Partly Sam and Dean, and partly just wanting to write about modern-day goddesses because at the time, very few people were. It was my first NaNoWriMo book and was written completely by the seat of my pants. :)

Q12):  How many books do you have planned for the series?

NATALIE: There will be two more novels. Heavy Metal is scheduled for March 2013, and Sunroper will be out in the fall of 2013. I also hope to have at least two novellas featuring some of the secondary characters from Under the Moon.

Q13):  What were some of the challenges (research, literary, psychological, logistical, etc) in bringing “Under the Moon” to life?

NATALIE:  The biggest challenge was that I had too equal a balance between urban fantasy and romance. After Entangled contracted it, we worked really hard to shift that balance to the romance side. I’m super happy with the end result, and SO glad Entangled was the company that loved the book enough to take on that challenge.

Q14):  Do you plan to write any more installments in your other series - BROOK HOLLOW, BLACK TIE, INC, LOGAN MCNIGHT, or BLUE SILVER?

NATALIE: Ooh, what a good question. I sometimes toy with writing another Logan McKnight story, because it feels unfinished. Well, maybe because there IS another Logan McKnight story that’s unfinished. LOL Those are currently out of print, and I’d like to republish them and give Logan his own happy ending, though those stories aren’t romances.

Blue Silver was a collaboration with four other authors. We had a ton of fun, and Megan Hart and I fell in love with each other’s heroes, which is why I wrote a sequel that focused more on Seth and Julian. We talk about writing more, maybe prequels going back to their wild days at the peak of the band’s popularity.

The Brook Hollow trilogy will hopefully all be published in Greek this year (Kira’s Best Friend should be out soon in Greece and Cyprus), but I don’t expect to write any more stories in that series or in the Black Tie. At least not right now. Can’t say never!

Q15):  Anything else in the works that you’d like to share with us, or anything special you’d like to say to your readers and fans while we have you here?

NATALIE: At a time when readers face a vast buffet of books offered to them in so many different ways, each one who reads and enjoys my work is ultra precious. I thank every one of you who has ever bought or borrowed one of my titles, and appreciate the opportunity to keep doing what I love.

Under the Moon is being re-released in a new mass trade format, with a new cover, specifically for sale in bricks-and-mortar bookstores. It comes out September 11, 2012, and should be in Barnes & Noble and other stores across the country!

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Natalie, thank you so much for being with us today.  We’re excited about your new releases and can’t wait to spread the word about your backlist as well.  We’d love to do something with you for the re-release of “Under the Moon”, and would love to have you back for another Author Event for your next new release if you’re interested!?

NATALIE: Thank you SO much for this feature! You do an incredible job, and I would LOVE to come back any time!

If you want to keep up with Natalie, you can find her online at her Website, Facebook, and GoodReads.

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CONTEST:

Natalie is graciously offering up a signed paperback copy of Under the Moon to a lucky winner from Book Monster Reviews. 

TO ENTER:  Fill out the Rafflecopter widget below, follow the directions, take action, and mark as ‘Done’.

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Don't forget to drop by the LITERAL ADDICTION website (http://www.literaladdiction.com/) and follow the directions and links to enter their contest for an extra chance to win!!!



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